Newletter:
This is to answer all who have asked, "Why go on a Disney Cruise without kids?"
It has been twelve years since Disney made waves in the cruise business. In typical Disney fashion, they set out to build a beautiful ship worthy of their name. They accomplished just that, omitting characteristic cruise ship amenities, like a casino, many shops (Disney only has two) and a no library. They have instead included things like extra-large staterooms that would appeal to families and couples. There are entertainment spots for adults, three Disney styles restaurants and an outstanding Spa.
My wife Julie and I have spent 46 days on either the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder and I only went one time with someone under ten. Do not get me wrong, I love kids, but the adult sections are abundant.
The apparent question is why would anyone sail Disney without children? Well, we knew the ship was one of the more stylish of those ships offering 7-night sailings (plus their new Ship Disney Dream - doing 3 & 4 day cruises), and had several amenities limited to adults, including the excellent restaurant, Palo. We assumed that having adult only pools, spas and a section on Disney’s island would work much better for us. We assumed correctly.
You are probably asking yourselves, "Aren’t there a million kids running around?” No the Teens, and younger ones - have their own sections of the ship too – away from their mom and dad’s too. They also have a secret passageway to the Buffet area...when they eat with their cruise directors.
What are you looking for when planning a Cruise? We are looking to eat high-quality food, relax on a beach or sun-deck and actually sit on a recliner for hours, read a decent book, do some Sudoku and listen to “the oldies" on our iPods.
Okay you ask – what does Disney have?
We start our journey boarding on the Disney Bus at Orlando’s Airport. We take a short 45-minute drive to Port Canaveral - watching old Disney cartoons. As you pass over a large bridge, which leads to Port Canaveral, you will see several ships in port, and your eyes are immediately are drawn to the one with the black hull, with yellow and red funnels. As you get closer, you might see Goofy hanging over the side making sure the paint is freshly applied.
Embarkation is very organized. You might even get pictures with your favorite Disney character. When you are actually boarding, listen closely when you take your first steps on the ship...you will be entertainingly surprised.
Julie and I have stayed in the Staterooms with verandas, 39 out of the 46 days we cruised on Disney. The last cruise we stayed in an inside stateroom and we had plenty of room. One the new Disney Dream ship, the inside cabins will have some great surprises...
We always booked our spa and Palo reservations in advance.
Disney Magic has four dinner restaurants on-board, three of which you rotate through over the course of the cruise, keeping the same dinner companions and servers throughout the cruise. One exception is Palo (and Remy for the new Disney Dream). This adults-only restaurant is noted for great food and high quality service.
Disney also uses the Topsider Buffet for a special dinner each day of the cruise. This restaurant has the same food as the other restaurants. So if you are one of those that like to eat on your own schedule, Disney has that too.
Since Julie and I love cruising, we look forward to activities such as: dancing, walking, relaxing and attending the Broadway-type shows each night. We love the formal night, dressing up is fun every once in awhile.
Disney does have its nightclubs, watch for the 60's, 70's and 80's nights...and have fun bumping 'all night long.'
Mornings I love a good cup of coffee – Disney has the Cove Cafe. The cafes proximity is right out the adults-only pool; enjoy the view of the ocean from cushioned lounge chairs.
Tip: Your trip includes shipboard accommodations, dining, entertainment, character experiences, all meals (except for Palo), room service, soda and coffee bar, entertainment, Broadway style shows and first run movies. Does Not include things like liquor, photographs taken by Disney Cruise staff, and any excursions.
During the seven-day cruise, you will have three days at sea, you can choose to participate in the adult-oriented offerings – such as, beer or wine tastings or time at the Spa. Also the sport bar – in 2004, I watched the Red Sox beat St Louis as they won their first World Series since 1918.
On Pirates of the Caribbean deck party night, I always dress in full Pirates outfit. The night ends with "real" Disney Pirates and the only cruise ship that has fireworks at sea. We then head to the pirate’s buffet.
Some nights we watched the movie, on the outdoor television. We discovered that watching movies poolside, under the stars, was pretty neat.
The Disney Dream™ is the majestic third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Boasting 14 towering decks, a ship length of 1,115 feet and a maximum width of 125 feet, the 130,000-ton vessel includes 1,250 staterooms and has the capacity to comfortably accommodate 4,000 passengers—along with the over 1,458 Crew Members who tend to the needs of every cruise Guest each and every day. You can book this trips anytime as the first saling is January 26, 2011.
The new Disney Dream has some wonderful new features – such as:
- AquaDuck is an exciting 765-foot-long water coaster located at Deck 12, Midship that transports Guests on an exhilarating journey up, down and around 4 decks, over the side of the ship and through the Forward Funnel.
- Remy is a luxurious Adult Exclusive restaurant located on Deck 12, Aft aboard the Disney Dream. Offering the most upscale and romantic dining experience available onboard, the restaurant serves the finest in French-inspired cuisine for dinner
- In the Inside Statroom, you will be surprised when you walk-in and see the Magical Porthole with real-time views of the outside weather and once in awhile you will see a surprise visitor…
We always look forward to Castaway Cay - Disney's private island in the Bahamas, we get on our tram, and headed to Serenity Bay, the island's adult-only beach. The setting is peaceful and something I am not used to on a beach -- quiet. Then it’s time for a great barbecue for lunch.
Arriving back in Port Canaveral after seven day cruise, we had our answer to what kind of adults take a cruise, without kids, on Disney. We found relaxing days at the pool, fun filled events to be involved in, great food, active... Therefore, if you do not have a good time, it's not Disney fault.
If you want a restful getaway, where you can enjoy good food, roomy and tastefully decorated staterooms, high-caliber stage shows and un-crowded adults-only spaces, from a coffee bar and gorgeous spa, to a pool and private beach; then this is a ship well worth sailing.
If you have any questions, please let me know...I can be reach at MrGoofy1@yahoo.com or visit my website www.MrGoofy1.com.
Rich
www.MrGoofy1.com
Magic Maker, Off to Neverland travel
