Summary of Tips for Enjoying Disney Cruises as an Adult
Disney cruises, with their roaming characters and casino-free ships, may seem primarily for families. However, the immaculate vessels provide numerous opportunities for adults to enjoy themselves—without having to engage with any little ones high-fiving Mickey. The key is to follow a few strategic tricks to guarantee a relaxing and almost crowd-free sailing experience. You might forget kids are onboard at all.
1. Take the “Art of the Theme” Tour on the First Sea Day
Anyone new to the ship should take the “Art of the Theme” tour, offered on most sea days. Although the tour focuses on the ship’s artwork, it’s also an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the ship at the start of a sailing. You’ll learn intriguing tidbits both fascinating (Disney lobbied the Coast Guard to paint its lifeboats a new, patented shade of “Mickey Yellow” instead of the regular orange) and useful (the world maps in the hallway carpets face forward, helping you avoid getting disoriented on the nearly identical floors).
2. Book a Stateroom with a Verandah
Watching the sea go by from a private balcony is a luxury well worth the investment—the mesmerizing water and having an outdoor space away from the crowds is invaluable. You won’t be charged excessively for this privilege either. On many Disney Caribbean and Bahamas sailings, verandah rooms cost only $150 to $200 more than inside staterooms (for the entire trip). However, note that you won’t get to experience Disney’s innovative Magical Portholes, digital “windows” in interior staterooms that display real-time ocean views with occasional character visits.
3. Buy Alcohol Ahead of Time
Disney is among the few major cruise lines allowing passengers to carry on their own alcohol. Although you can only pack drinks into your carry-on (as checked luggage can be rough and lead to spills), this policy results in significant savings—particularly if you are dining at fine establishments onboard. Each guest can bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne and six beers at the beginning of the trip and at each port of call. Expect a $25 corkage fee in all dining rooms.
4. Book Port Adventures the Second Day
On the first day at sea, the line for booking port adventures can be long. Avoid the temptation to book immediately, and wait until the second day. Most excursions remain available, and the lines are generally much shorter. If you’re concerned about an excursion selling out, ask a bartender for their professional opinion, as many have sailed long enough to understand crowd patterns and preferences.
5. Purchase Spa Treatments on Port Days
The adults-only Senses Spa offers plenty of massages and facials, with discounts up to $40 on port days (specials vary by sailing). If you prefer not to skip a sunny day at port, consider booking a treatment for the hour or so before you need to be back on the ship.
6. Enter the Castaway Cay 5K
Nearly every Caribbean sailing docks at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. Since beach space can sometimes be competitive, signing up for the Castaway Cay 5K might be beneficial. This (untimed) fun run loops around the isle, helping you get your bearings for the day, with the added advantage of timing: you’ll exit the ship as soon as it docks. Remember to pack a beach bag to stash on a lounge chair before taking off.
7. Splurge on a Grownup Dinner
All Disney cruise ships feature at least one adults-only, fine-dining restaurant (for an additional fee). The newer Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream offer two options: Palo, a Northern Italian restaurant ($30 surcharge), and Remy, a white tablecloth French dining experience ($85 surcharge). Both are worth the extra expense, presenting meals that rival notable city eateries. For an unforgettable experience, enjoy the unique wines displayed at Remy, including a coveted bottle once sampled by food critic Anton Ego in the movie Ratatouille—available for a staggering $25,000.
8. Explore the Ship at 5:30 p.m.
The golden hours on a Disney cruise occur from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The initial dinner seating—favored by many families with young children—begins at 6:45 p.m. Consequently, the main deck starts to clear out around 5:30 p.m., allowing for easy exploration of parts of the ship that typically have long lines during the day. On the Disney Fantasy, the AquaDuck—a remarkable “water coaster” that runs around the entire ship—has no lines at sunset. Take full advantage of this opportunity and enjoy several rides in succession before unwinding in the adults-only hot tub as the sun sets.
