Disney Cruises
When Disney first went to sea in 1998, some assumed their single ship—the Disney Magic—would be the lone vessel in its fleet. But the Disney Wonder made its debut the following year. Very quickly, Disney's level of style, class, characters, and theming proved so popular that Disney Cruise Line (DCL) leaped to the top of cruise passenger favorites. As a result, two more ships joined the fleet—the Disney Dream in 2011 and the Disney Fantasy in 2014, with three more ships starting with the Disney Wish scheduled to launch in 2022.
Disney Cruise Line. A winner of Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards and Cruise Critic's Cruiser's Choice, Disney Cruise Line is a bucket list pick for families with kids of all ages. Children can interact with Disney, Marvel and Star Wars characters, join the pirate-themed deck party under fireworks or sit back and watch their favorite films come to life during Broadway-worthy shows. 800/370–0097; www.disneycruise.com.
For Guests with Disabilities
Accessible staterooms for people with disabilities have ramps, handrails, fold-down shower seats, and handheld showerheads. Special communications kits are available with phone alerts, amplifiers, and text typewriters. Assisted-listening systems are offered in the ships' main theaters, and sign-language interpretation is offered for live performances on specified cruise dates.
Adult Activities
Poolside games, wine tastings, and behind-the-scenes seminars are among the adults-only diversions. Each ship's spa is a don't-miss for those who need some pampering—book early!
For a romantic dinner, the intimate, adults-only Palo (all ships) offers sweeping ocean views. Expect a fantastic wine list and dishes such as grilled salmon with creamy risotto and grilled filet mignon with a port-wine reduction and Gorgonzola cheese sauce. Reserve early for this hot ticket. The champagne brunch is another great Palo dining event.
The decor in the Dream's and Fantasy's exclusive, 80-seat restaurant, Remy, is a nod to the movie Ratatouille, and, of course, the cuisine is French inspired. The eight or nine tasting dishes served each night might include Kurobata pork tenderloin and belly with corn ragout and wild turbot with lemon, capers, and spinach. Wine pairings are amazing; so are the pastries. Remy also has a champagne brunch. Book as far ahead of your trip as possible.
Children's Activities
More than a few prospective passengers have passed on DCL, assuming the decks would be cluttered with kids. On the contrary—on all four ships, there's nearly an entire deck reserved for kids and you might enjoy a complete voyage without ever noticing them. Making it better for parents—and even better for the kids—are activity centers divided by age groups, for kids 10 and younger, for "tweens" 11–14, and for older teens ages 14–17. Counselors keep them focused with a wide-ranging assortment of activities including playrooms, rope bridges, scavenger hunts, science experiments, sports challenges, karaoke games, video games, trivia contests, and evening dance parties. While you're having fun with other adults, kids are literally having a ball on their own level. To help stay in touch, an onboard mobile phone service keeps you connected with activities counselors.
Restaurants
Dining is one of the most anticipated experiences aboard the Disney ships, and the Animator's Palate is a favorite. Scenes featuring Disney characters change from black-and-white to Technicolor as the meal progresses on the Magic and Wonder; on the Dream and Fantasy, diners are surrounded by an artist's studio where famous film scenes line the walls and fiber-optic "brush pillars" paint oversize ceiling "palettes" in vibrant colors. Dining is slightly more formal at Lumiere's, on the Magic, where beef tenderloin, lamb shank, and other entrées are served French style in a classic ocean-liner-style dining room.
At Triton's, on the Wonder, seafood, roast duck, pasta, and other selections are served in an elegant, art deco, under-the-sea-theme dining room. The Dream's Royal Palace and the Fantasy’s Royal Court are inspired by Disney's princess films, with menus that might include crowned rack of lamb, beef Wellington, and other regal dishes. At the Caribbean-theme Parrot Cay restaurant (Wonder) and the new Rio de Janeiro–theme Carioca’s (Magic), the mood is casual and festive. On the Fantasy and Dream, Enchanted Garden is the whimsical, more informal rotation restaurant. Character breakfasts are offered one morning on most seven-nights-or-longer sailings.
After-Dark Entertainment
Few can out-do Disney entertainment, and the level of stage shows, on-deck performances, and character greetings—Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel superheroes among them—is spectacular. Lavish shows and variety acts entertain families every night of every cruise. The over-the-top theatricals with Broadway-quality sets and staging are often musicals based on Disney's biggest blockbuster hits. You might see a Toy Story musical or an extravaganza based on Frozen, Tangled, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, or Beauty and the Beast. Whatever is playing, prepare to be dazzled. The Golden Mickeys on the Wonder is a high-tech salute to the animation of Walt Disney in the form of a Hollywood-style awards ceremony. Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story is a Broadway-style production on the Magic that begins where the original Cinderella story ended.
Each ship also has a cinema screening classic Disney films, and every guest has the opportunity to experience a show or film featuring digital 3-D enhancements.
In addition to shows and shore excursions, a wide assortment of bars, lounges, dance clubs, piano bars, Irish pubs, sports bars, and nightclubs across the four ships appeals to adults. The best way to find one you prefer is to spend a few hours exploring the ship, checking the maps, and circling the decks to get your bearings and find the places that are perfect for you and the mood you're in. Everyone, it seems, is in the mood for the Pirate Night event, when swashbuckling servers dish up Caribbean and Bahamian taste treats, a cup of grog, and (on seven-night cruises) a pirate bandanna for every dinner guest. After dinner, you head off to a deck party where Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, and others appear for some high-spirited action, dancing, and fireworks.
Castaway Cay
Disney's own private Bahamian island, Castaway Cay, is paradise found. When the ship docks, you go ashore into a land of white-sand beaches, towering palms, swaying hammocks, and abundant food. You can relax on the beach or join a snorkeling or parasailing excursion.
