The Benefits of a Disney Cruise Vacation
There are so many benefits to taking a Disney Cruise vacation. When I go to the Disney theme parks I want to go, go, go, and see everything I can! I’ve spent a lot of money, the rides are thrilling, the shows are amazing, and there’s magic at every turn, so why waste time in a hotel room!? What do vacations like this mean? Amazing memories and tons of fun but the feeling of, I need a vacation as soon as I get home! When on a cruise, you can relax! You can sit on your verandah and read a book while looking out at the most amazing blue waters you’ve ever seen. If you don’t have a stateroom with a verandah there are all kinds of spots around the ship where you can rest, relax, and even catch a quick nap if you choose. You don’t waste time getting from place to place because everything you need is right where you are, how amazing is that! A Disney Cruise may be the best vacation you’ve ever taken! As an avid park enthusiast I was apprehensive about spending 7 days on a boat, but I fell in love. Here’s why!
Food on a Disney Cruise
One of the main benefits of taking a Disney Cruise vacation and why I LOVE cruising, your food is included! Meals at Walt Disney World can add up quickly, so being able to take your family on a cruise without having to budget extra money for food is AMAZING! You know what makes kids, teenagers, and young adults happy? A huge variety of unlimited food, delicious desserts, snacks, and don’t forget Mickey Ice Cream Bars. What goes along with happy kids? That’s right, happy parents. When looking at the menu, there are no prices! So, you don’t have to try to be thrifty and get the cheapest thing on the menu because it’s all included! If you don’t like what you ordered, just order something different. You won’t leave hungry. Another thing I really love about a Disney Cruise vacation is the rotational dining. Each night your dining experience takes place in a different themed dining area. We loved the different experiences and the cool part is your wait-staff goes with you to each restaurant!
Unlimited Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Everyone likes to hear the word “unlimited” and then when you hear “free unlimited” soda that is even better yet! When we have sailed with other cruise lines we had to purchase a drink package in order to get soda. This can really add up quickly, so this was a nice surprise! When sailing on Disney Cruise Line many drinks are available to you at no charge. Although subject to change, here is a list that you will typically find at the beverage stations.
-Water
-Coffee
-Hot Chocolate
-Coke
-Diet Coke
-Seagram’s Ginger Ale
-Sprite
-Fuze Iced Tea (unsweetened)
-Minute Maid Zero Sugar Lemonade
On all Disney ships, there is a beverage station by the pool deck which offers a variety of drinks for no charge. Our family would bring a refillable bottle and fill them up at breakfast and the refill throughout the day as needed. I do want to note that canned sodas from the bars will be charged to your room along with beer, wine, bottled water, smoothies, and specialty drinks.
Kids on a Disney Cruise Vacation
We all love our kids right? Yes, but do we like a break? YES! That’s what is amazing about the Kids Clubs. There are too many activities for ages 6 months to 17 to list, but they are amazing and the best part is the kids want to go. The kids have a blast and the parents get a much needed break, how many vacations are like that? Here are some of the Kid’s Clubs offered:
*It’s a Small World Nursery (infants 6 months-3 years, fee applies)
*Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12, no fee)
*Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12, no fee)
*Edge (ages 11-14, no fee)
*Vibe (ages 14-17, no fee)
Ports of Call
You can’t forget about the wonderful ports and excursions. Each cruise will have various stops at different ports where you can get off and explore or take advantage of the many excursions offered. Many of these provide once in a lifetime opportunities which can include ATV’s, beaches, monkey encounters, swimming with dolphins, guided tours, and so much more. Many of my clients favorite stop is Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. The complimentary activities you will find on Castaway Cay are:
*Family beach
*Adult exclusive beach
*Beach chairs and umbrellas
*Volleyball
*Hammocks
*Pelican Plunge water park
*Spring-a-Leak Splash pad
*Bike rides
*Beachside bar-b-q, and more
Disney Entertainment on a Disney Cruise
I have so many favorite activities on Disney Cruises, but I love the entertainment. It’s included with the price of your cruise. These shows are Broadway style musicals. Beauty and the Beast is one of my favorite movies and Belle is my favorite princess so when I was on the Disney Dream I watched it twice! I have truly loved all of the shows on the ship such as Disney’s Believe and The Golden Mickey’s, they are truly amazing. There are two showings each night allowing flexibility with your dining time. The best part is all of the entertainment is just a few steps away, which is so convenient! Depending on the ship you sail on these are just some of the shows you could see:
*Beauty and the Beast
*Luna
*Mickey’s Sail-A-Way
*The Little Mermaid
*Frozen, A Musical Spectacular
*Tangles: The Musical
*Disney Dreams- An Enchanted Classic
*The Golden Mickeys
*Disney’s Aladdin- A Musical Spectacular
*Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
*Disney’s Believe
One thing unique to Disney Cruises are their Pirate nights. The characters are dressed in pirate gear, there are pirate activities around the ship, there is a pirate show on the main deck, and fireworks to end the night! No other cruise line launches fireworks off the ship and it was so much fun! Truly something you won’t forget!
Disney Characters
One last thing I have to mention, character meet and greets! Who doesn’t love getting to spend time with the characters and princesses? Plus, you can get some amazing photos.
On my last cruise I got pictures with Mickey, Minnie, Daisy, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Belle, Tiana, Jasmine, Aerial, and Stitch! I’ve never gotten that many pictures at Walt Disney World. I loved every minute of it. I reserved a time with the princesses and got all of the photos with the four princesses in 30 minutes. It was amazing!
A New Way to Travel for our Family
I’m so glad I stepped “out of the box” from typical theme park vacations and decided to try a Disney Cruise. It was non stop fun, great food, and relaxing! My only regret is not trying one sooner when my kids were younger because the kids clubs are amazing. I can’t wait to figure out my next destination because there are many more cruises in my future!
Find out what’s included in the price of a Disney Cruise vacation!
