So you’re looking at going on your first Disney Cruise Line holiday! I am so excited for you, it was the best family holiday we have ever had, and we hope to do more in the future.
In fact, my husband Guy brings it up almost weekly (particularly when he loses himself gazing at his Mickey Medal he won for a '‘Cars' Themed Quiz night).
If you're on the fence, here are five things I loved about my time on board:
Meeting the Disney Characters is a serious highlight of this trip, and exactly how you’d imagine them. It was magic for Daisy to see some of her Disney favourites in real life, not to mention both Guy and I living out our childhood dreams meeting some of them too. Guy and I would divide and conquer here, while one of us was getting lunch with our 3-year-old Daisy - or at a dance party with her - the other would be in the line so it ended up being a win/win because once they had eaten, it was time to meet the characters! Not only do you get to meet them, but also see them in the Broadway-style shows on board - seeing 'Frozen, A Musical Spectacular' on stage was top tier and such a great activity for all of us.
Try all the restaurants - Daisy was in a real 'Princess and the Frog' phase at the time of our holiday, so Tiana’s Place, themed after the film, went down a treat. But the other two restaurants, Triton’s and Animator’s Palate, also have their own special menu and theme. The service is amazing. Your dining room service team accompanies you to each restaurant so they get to know your likes and dislikes (just you wait, they are a well-oiled machine), so you can just sit down, relax and enjoy the experience.
The onboard shops are amazing for clothes, toys and merchandise - I got all of my Christmas gifts on board because they were different from what you can get Disney- wise in NZ stores. Remember that the currency on board is American dollars, though! It pays to know the exchange rate at the time to keep on top of your costs. Your meals are included in your cruise fare, which gives you more opportunity to splurge on some exclusive merch (I could seriously spend all day in there shopping).
If you can, take advantage of the kids' clubs available on board. There are different clubs for different ages with Disney Youth Councillors to look after them and ensure they are having an amazing time. Most are included in your cruise fare and if your child is comfortable with being looked after by someone else, it gives you some time to check out places like Palo (the adults-exclusive fine dining restaurant, which does cost extra), the adults-exclusive pool area, Quiet Cove Pool, or to get a massage at Senses Spa & Salon. The kids are given a special watch that connects to your Disney Cruise app, allowing them to send you an alert if they want to get picked up.
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is one of the easiest apps to use and the best way to figure out your day-to-day, as well as find out your dining locations and times for shows. Guy and I would have breakfast and pour over the day's activities, highlighting things we wanted to do and which characters we wanted photos with. You can also communicate with other people in your crew and see where you want to dine and what’s happening that day.
I would 10/10 recommend booking a Disney Cruise, whether it’s you and your partner, your family or whoever. No matter what age you are, it’s a place where your inner child comes alive, and there's always something to do or see.
There are Disney Cruises departing from Auckland starting from November this year, so if you're keen to get amongst the magic, you can book now! There's so much on offer for all ages - you won't be disappointed.
This article was written alongside Disney Cruise Line.
Ports of call and offerings may change at any time without notice. On board venues, experiences, services and offerings may be modified or limited in capacity or availability, and are subject to restrictions, cancellation or closure without notice. Additional costs may be required for some experiences and may need to be booked in advance. See disneycruise.com/updates.
