Are Disney Cruises For Adults?! (& More Disney Myths!)

Guest post by Michelle

As a single mom on a budget, it took a while for me to even consider a cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line -Until I did the research.

There are points to consider if you want to secure the best price as noted below, and it is well worth it! 

Although I was firmly instructed to start with a seven-day cruise, we started with a more affordable three-day aboard the Disney Dream.

I fell in love with cruising with Disney! In this blog, I will bust five common myths about cruising with Disney.

Myth #1: Disney Cruise Line is only for children

Disney Cruise Line is for children, teens, adults, grandparents, and everyone in between.

My second cruise was a four-day cruise aboard the Disney Wonder with my sister. We left the children at home to celebrate our 40^th and 44^th birthdays and my college graduation.

Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay, has an adult-only beach – Serenity Bay – that includes beautiful water, peaceful hammocks, a bar, and a BBQ lunch.

On the ship, there is adult-only: swimming pools, hot tubs, restaurant(s), spa, fitness centre, bars, and seminars with alcohol & wine tastings.

Myth #2: It’s more expensive than other cruise lines

On the surface, this may be true, but you get so much more for your money on a Disney Cruise!

Ways to save:

• Book early, travel during school months and book an interior stateroom.
• DCL also includes some items in the cost of the cruise that other lines don’t.
  • Including all sodas at dinner and at the station on the pool deck, as well as all items from the room service menu.
• They also allow a limited amount of beer and wine to be carried on for consumption in your stateroom.

To me, it’s more than worth the cost because you are simply treated like royalty the entire time you’re there by everyone aboard the ship. The combination of discrete Disney memorabilia that tugs at the heartstrings as well as the abundance is truly worth the cost.

*Pro tip for Room Service:

Order the All Hands on Deck Cheese Platter when you are getting ready in the evening, and the warm cookies and milk or a Mickey Ice Cream bar for bedtime. Fun and Delicious!!

Myth #3: It’s like Disneyland at Sea 

It’s so much better.

• There is one water ride on three of the ships. The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy have the AquaDuck, a water coaster at sea, and the Disney Magic has the AquaDunk, a thrill water ride with a drop.
• There are no other rides onboard.
• *Since this post was written, Disney Wish has been launched with the AquaMouse waterslide.

There are many similarities with Disneyland though – and some are better!

• If you like characters, that aspect can be far better. There are less lines, less people, it’s more organised, and you get many more opportunities to meet characters on board the ship.
  • You can even catch a picture with them just wandering around occasionally (see Stitch below).
• Every cruise also has Broadway-style Disney stage shows that are simply amazing!!
  • The dining rooms are all themed differently – from fun to elegant, and the Disney details in the main dining rooms are truly a delight!!

Myth #4:  I will bump into Disney characters all the time

You will randomly bump into characters, and in some fun ways.

The picture below is of “Captain Jack” running towards my sister and I on the adult beach at Disney’s Private Island.

It’s a lot more fun to see characters when there are no kids around and you have a cocktail!

We also ran into Stitch wandering around, and I waited in line to get pictures with Mickey and Minnie in my cap and gown.

There are princess meet and greets as well, with multiple princesses, that people seem to really enjoy. I was happy with the Captain…

Myth #5) You must dress as a Princess (or Prince) for formal night

False. Some people dress as a princess, and they are not always children.

That’s the joy of Disney, but not the requirement. People dress in anything from shorts to a suit or cocktail dress for formal night.

There are photographers for those nights and some like to get family photos so you will see people quite dressed up for formal night.

Dress seems to be more of Sunday church wear and nice dinner out, rather than ballgowns.

There will also be people still dressed from their day in port and some in more casual wear. It’s up to you (unless you book the adult-only restaurants which have a dress code).

If you’ve ever thought about cruising with Disney, my suggestion is to do the research. It’s an amazing experience with memories that last long afterwards – for kids and adults of all ages!

Emma says: Thanks for this Michelle! Disney are a cruise line that I never considered, despite your glowing review. I’m just not a big Disney person! (Never even seen the Lion King…) 

Disney Magic

Since Michelle wrote this article, I have taken my first cruise on the Disney Magic.

It was a very memorable cruise – but as I suspected, Disney aren’t the cruise line for me. Plenty of others onboard loved it though…

Find out all about that cruise here:

Before You Go

Tipping onboard the Disney Magic was unlike anything I had ever seen or heard of before. I had paid my gratuities upfront – but that wasn’t the end of it. Find out about that here:

Tipping on a Disney Cruise Wasn’t What I Expected – (Here’s How it Works)

Disney cruises can be expensive. Get tips and hints on getting the best deal here:

Cut The Cost of Your Disney Cruise – 6 Budget Booking Tips