5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids
Editor's note: TPG writer Ashley Kosciolek sailed on Disney Wish on a free trip provided by Disney Cruise Line. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren't subject to review by the line.
Gourmet French dinners, $5,000 cocktail experiences, serene infinity pools and penthouse suites that cost thousands of dollars a night might not be the first thing you think of when someone mentions a Disney cruise. But you'll find it all on Disney ships.
I sailed with the line for the first time nearly a decade ago, and I didn't want to take the assignment. I'm a childfree adult, I'm not a particularly over-the-top Disney fan, and all I could imagine was a theme park at sea — characters everywhere, souvenir shops galore and, of course, tons of kids.
Simply, I was wrong.
What I found was an absolutely wonderful experience on an elegant ship with superb service, phenomenal entertainment, delicious food and just enough subtle magic to instill a bit of childlike wonder without making me feel immature.
Disney Cruise Line has maintained its four older ships exceptionally well, and I just had a chance to sail on its newest vessel, Disney Wish — its first new-build in 10 years. Across the board, my opinion still stands: Disney cruises aren't just for kids. Here are five reasons why you'll love the experience, even as a grownup.
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You control how 'Disney' you want it to be
Let me allay your fears: When you sail with Disney, you won't be overwhelmed by Mickey and friends the way you might be at the brand's land-based amusement parks. However, that experience is available, should you choose to seek it.
"How we tell the stories allows you, as the consumer, to make the choice," is the way that the head of Disney Cruise Line, Thomas Mazloum, put it to me this week in a one-on-one interview aboard Disney Wish. "You're in the driver's seat. You can say how much you want to be part of the stories."
The subtlety with which Disney manages to incorporate branded touches on its ships is commendable and classy. You'll find nods to various Disney animated movie classics as you move between decks — a pumpkin on the carpet here, a snowflake on the wall there — but you're likely to find it more tasteful than obnoxious.
If you'd like to avoid a largely Disney-fied ambiance, it's easy to do. If, instead, you prefer a more immersive cruise, you're also in luck, as the ships host scheduled character meet-and-greets, themed dining experiences and more.
Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line
There are tons of adults-only spaces
Grownups who wish to keep strictly to an older crowd will love the adults-only venues on all Disney ships.
On Disney's four older vessels — Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic — adults-only bars and nightclubs are clustered into one area, known as The District. After 9 p.m., nobody younger than 18 is permitted inside, allowing the more mature set to let its hair down sans kids.
On Disney Wish, the age-limited spaces are more spread out, a purposeful layout designed to help alleviate crowding and improve traffic flow. Personally, I prefer the way The District is set up, but the watering holes on the new ship are, frankly, the most impressive in the fleet to date. I've highlighted three of them below.
Disney Wish's Nightingale piano bar is an ode to the scene in "Cinderella" where she sings the song "Oh, Singe Sweet Nightingale" while surrounded by soap bubbles. It features excellent cocktails, including some that are totally social media-worthy, and nightly live entertainment.
Inspired by New Orleans-based "The Princess and the Frog," The Bayou features a menu of yummy cocktails, wine and beer, as well as cream soda and root beer. For an unexpected treat to accompany your nightcap, give the Beignets a try. (For me, they get mixed reviews. The first time I tried them, they were hard and burned. The second time, they were sheer perfection.)
Adults who wish they were able to spend their evenings in the kids club's Star Wars Cargo Bay shouldn't worry. The immersive Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge bar has them covered.
Designed to look like the inside of a luxury space vessel, the venue's premise is that you're on a trip between galaxies. Every few minutes, the room rumbles, and the screen behind the bar changes as you ramp up to hyperspeed to reach your next destination.
The drinks are as out-of-this-world as you'd expect, with some featuring hidden messages and others spewing smokey vapor. Prices run the gamut from reasonable to "What the --?" with a $5,000 cocktail experience that remains a mystery. (We're told it involves Stormtroopers.) You'll also need a reservation, as it's one of the most popular bars on the ship. Bring your wallet and your patience.
Related: Why you'll want to join Disney's Castaway Club loyalty program
Even the least expensive accommodations are elevated
Disney cruises are a cut above what you'll find on most other mainstream lines. When it comes to accommodations, even the most basic feel elevated. All come with a split bath concept, which includes two bathrooms. One has a shower with a tub (rare on cruise ships) and a sink; the other has a toilet and sink.
Note: Disney provides its own brand of toiletries in cabin bathrooms. The products are so popular — they smell divine — that the line sells them in its onboard gift shops.
All rooms also offer a dividing curtain that creates two separate areas. Although these features were designed with families in mind, they're also convenient for friends traveling together, adding to the argument that a Disney cruise could make for a perfect girlfriends getaway.
On the high end, the line sells a variety of suite accommodations. New on Disney Wish, the Tower Suite is the most coveted and most expensive, carrying a price tag of several thousand dollars per night.
Located in the ship's fake funnel, the suite is two decks high and includes three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and a large living room area. Its understated nautical decor pays subtle tribute to "Moana." Unfortunately, because of the layout, there's no balcony, but you'll still be spoiled beyond belief if you book a stay there.
Related: The allure of sailing on a suite on Disney Wonder
Delicious dining options range from basic to gourmet
Disney Cruise Line's dining options will allow you to either join the masses (where there will be children, so take heed) in the free dining rooms, head to the buffet or open-air food court, or opt for an adults-only added-fee option.
On all of the fleet's ships, standard dining is rotational, which means you'll move to a different main dining room each night but with the same table number, tablemates and waitstaff.
In my experience, dining across the board on Disney ships has been absolutely scrumptious and well prepared, regardless of where I chose to eat and how much extra I paid.
On Disney Wish, 1923 is a throwback to the golden age of animation. Split into two parts, it offers a more intimate setting than what you'd find at Royal Court, the more understated free dining venue on the line's other vessels.
For more immersive and somewhat gimmicky meals that are fun but often loud, adult passengers will want to check out World of Marvel and Arendelle on Disney Wish. The former brings Ant-Man and The Wasp tableside (via prerecorded broadcast) to show off their new discovery -- a Quantum Core, with which Ant-Man unwittingly shrinks the ship down to the size of a toy boat.
During the latter, you'll find much singing and dancing to celebrate the engagement of Anna and Kristoff, two of the main characters from "Frozen." In line with the theme, the menu is largely Norwegian.
On other ships, immersive options include Animator's Palate, where "Finding Nemo" characters talk with you as you eat; Enchanted Garden, which feels a bit like a scene from Alice in Wonderland, where you can watch as the scenery slowly turns from day to night; and Rapunzel's Royal Table, where characters from "Tangled" make an appearance.
On the line's four older ships, Palo is an Italian eatery. On Disney Wish, it has been transformed into an elegantly styled steakhouse that exudes "Beauty and the Beast" vibes. This is the perfect option for anyone who wants something less casual than the buffet but who also wants to avoid crowds and noise in the main dining rooms without paying a fortune.
Before you go in, stop at The Rose bar, which is perfect for tasty pre-dinner cocktails.
Enchante and Remy are two of the most expensive alternative dining options at sea for any cruise line. Both feature French cuisine. The latter appears on older DCL ships and was inspired by (and named after the main character in) "Ratatouille."
Enchante is new as of the debut of Disney Wish. It offers a completely revamped menu by Chef Arnaud Lallement, who's also the mastermind behind the menu at Remy. Enchante allows for a la carte dining, or you can choose from one of two experiences: Passion, a seven-course meal for $125, or Collection, a selection of surprise courses curated by the chef for $195. (Wine and Champagne pairings cost extra.)
The kids clubs are fantastic
"But, wait," you're thinking. "I thought this was an article about why Disney Cruises are great for adults." You're exactly right, and that's why this one is so important.
The Oceaneer Club offerings on Disney ships are so fun, engaging and technologically advanced that kids often don't want to leave. So, whether you're a parent looking for some downtime or a childfree adult who doesn't appreciate little ones pushing all the elevator buttons or teens clogging up stairwells, you won't have to worry about a barrage of younger passengers.
From babysitting for infants, kids and tweens to play areas so cool you'll wish you could use them yourself — think themes like princesses, Marvel superheroes and Star Wars — the line's childcare services are a cut above those provided by all other cruise brands.
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
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- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.