Disney Cruise Line 101 by Guest Author Kendra Trump

Disney does cruising! The Disney Cruise Line has a fleet of 4 magnificent ships, the Wonder, Magic, Dream and Fantasy. Aboard each of these ships is a fun-filled, magical, experience just waiting for you and your family. Disney knows how to keep guests happy no matter if it’s on land or sea. Disney Cruise Line is a way to enjoy a luxurious vacation with the whole family.

Disney definitely puts a spin on cruising, the design of the ships will have you reminiscing of sailing times from days gone by. The clean sleek lines, colors, and beautiful boats will capture your attention the first time you see them. The ships have 3 pools, a splash zone, the Dream and Fantasy have a water roller coaster slide onboard called the AquaDuck, sports area where you can enjoy a game of basketball, shuffleboard, and a jogging track, exquisite spas, clubs, movie theaters, and beautiful theaters that produce Broadway style shows at sea! There is something for everyone onboard a Disney ship. (One thing you will not find onboard is a casino.)

Aboard the 4 ships are areas for every age young and old. Nurseries for your little ones who aren’t potty-trained as well as a splash zone for those still in swim diapers, diapers swim or regular are strictly not allowed in any of the pools. Amazing kids clubs that make me wish I was a child myself, with fun age appropriate activities. Tween and Teen only clubs, which will keep your older children so happy you will want to know what they did with your real teenagers! And of course the elusive adult-only areas, (spa, pool, hot tub, bar, quiet areas, and adult only dining experiences) yes even though it is Disney there are areas where adults can be adults where no children can be seen or heard.

Worried about keeping track of all the activities onboard or where your children/spouse may be? Don’t be, (2) Wave phones (think cruise cellphones) can be found in each room which allows you to stay in contact while onboard. Personal Navigator newsletters are delivered to your stateroom every evening so you can keep track of all the fun activities onboard and at the port of calls, as well as where and when characters will be meeting! There’s an app for that too, be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to keep you up to date on the happenings of the ship as well!

Not only has Disney outdone themselves on the general areas, the staterooms are top of the line as well, in size and features. Disney’s standard staterooms are some of the largest at sea right now with innovative storage areas to make the most of every square inch in your stateroom. They also have split bathrooms in select categories of rooms, meaning Mom can relax in a hot shower after a day of fun at sea without being interrupted because someone has to “go!”

Aboard the Disney ships you will participate in rotational dining so everyone has the opportunity to enjoy all the restaurants aboard the ships at dinner time. A part of rotational dining is keeping the same server each night, they will start to remember your drink orders and have them ready for you before you arrive if you are a habitual person like myself 😉 Not interested in participating in the main dining option? You are more than welcome to enjoy a quick service meal or the same food everyone else is enjoying in a less time constricted manner at one of the buffets aboard the ship.  Dinner’s not the only time for amazing food experiences onboard, be sure to come back soon for an article all about dining with Disney Cruise Line, it really does deserve its own limelight!

Disney may have an amazing fleet of ships, but they also have their own private island, Castaway Cay, which is definitely the cherry on top of this magical experience. Castaway Cay is an island about midway between the Bahamas and Florida. It is the perfect island experience, beautiful water, pristine beaches, and of course Disney magic! The island is set up much like the ship with areas for kids, teens, families, and adults only. Bonus Tip: For an extra magical souvenir for loved ones or yourself, Castaway Cay has a Post Office on site where you can mail a postcard or letter with the exclusive Castaway Cay postage mark. You will arrive home well before your letter does so this is a nice idea for when you are feeling “homesick” for the islands and want a pretty reminder to magically appear in the mail. The post office does only accept cash, so bring along some small bills when you disembark the ship!

Disney Cruise Lines is a magical vacation for the whole family, stay tuned for more exciting information about sailing the high seas with Disney!

Kendra Trump is a busy mama who loves to travel! With countless trips to Disney Destinations under her belt she found her true passion for helping people experience the magic of travel as a consultant with Simple Luxuries Travel. Kendra currently resides in Northern Virginia, with high hopes of moving to Castaway Cay one day soon! You can follow her blog from first kiss to rocking chairs for more travel fun.