MAGIC takes to the High Seas

Do you believe in Magic? The Magic continues on the high seas with the Disney Cruise Lines! We all know that feeling you get when you walk into Disney World, and you begin walking up Main Street USA… to Cinderella’s Castle. That is magical and nothing can beat the feeling. However, you can also feel the magic on the Disney Cruise Line when you enter the ship and your family’s name is called as you are welcomed and introduced to the Disney Cruise Family. Today we will focus on Disney Magic. The first in the fleet and she was commissioned in 1998. After spending four nights on the ship and five days, we are family.

I do not use the term family loosely. That is exactly how you feel from the time you arrive on the boat and then throughout your stay on your respective Disney Ship. From day one, you are met with kindness and a feeling that makes you think you are home. Your steward helps with your room daily and creates amazing characters throughout the week to welcome you when you are ready to call it a night. This is complete with chocolates!  For 80% of your dining experience, you will have two servers for the dining rooms, and they will follow you throughout the rotational dining.

Rotational dining? Is that needed? OH YEAH! It is an amazing concept that Disney does on all their cruise ships in the fleet. On the Disney Magic, specifically there are three restaurants within their rotation:  The Animators Palat, Rupunzel’s Royal Banquet Hall, and Lumier’s. These are the restaurants that are within the rotation. There are several “quick service” places on deck 9, and there is one adult only restaurant called Palo, an Italian restaurant like no other. To top it off, there is a buffet that is open for breakfast and lunch called Cabanas. The main thing to know is that no matter where you go to eat, the food is AMAZING! You will not leave hungry. There is food in every nook and cranny … and if you are still hungry – FREE ROOM SERVICE! In addition, there are soft drinks, coffee, water, and coco stations available on deck nine in Cabanas and out by the pool. In the restaurants, drinks are included. Now, these are on the Disney Magic, Palo is a restaurant that is located on many ships. So, you will have different venues depending on the ship.

There are a few things that are additional. Palo is an adult only restaurant, and you are required to pay for your meal. Alcoholic drinks are not included and there is not an alcoholic drink package either. However, on the Disney Magic, there are several bars, some are adult only, while others like the “Soul Cat Lounge,” you have live entertainment and kids dancing while parents sip on a cocktail.

One thing that I was able to debunk were several myths about Disney Cruises.

Myth 1:  Disney Cruise Lines is only geared towards kids.

Answer:  FALSE. There are several things for your kiddos to participate in like activities, specialty events, shows, movies, crafts, etc. However, there are activities, specialty events, shows, movies, etc., that are geared only to adults. There are lounges, a smoking area, The Cove coffee area, adult only pool, and hot tub. In fact, in the off season, Disney Magic usually has around 35% that are adult only bookings/cabins.

Myth 2:  It is just like the parks. Disney all over in your face, you cannot get An

Answer:  Disney parks can be sensory overload for some, I still love it, but The Disney Magic has the Disney branding throughout the ship, in the rooms, in the atrium, the dining rooms, but it is extremely subtle. There are still characters on board, but it is up to you if you want to do the meet and greet. The beauty of Disney Magic is how each detail has meaning behind it.

Myth 3:  It's only for families.

Answer:  Yes, they are very popular with families, however Disney cruises are popular with couples, friends, and girls’ trips. Disney ships have adult-only areas, including pools, restaurants, beaches, and activities! You have heard the phrase “kid friendly,” well this is also “adult and couple friendly”.

Myth 4:  It's too expensive.

Answer:  Well, you get what you pay for! Disney cruises can be more expensive than other cruise lines, but some say they're worth it for the premium experience.  There is no drink package, alcohol is not included, but you can fill up reusable cup and you can refill them at any soft drink, coffee, water, coco, juice, area! Or order it through room service. The food is amazing and so are all the experiences.

Myth 5:  You must dress up.

Answer:  The only places on the ship with a dress code are the dining rooms, and that depends on the dining venue. Not all rotational dining rooms require specialized dress code. Dining establishments like Palo, do requite pants and a shirt with a collar. If you go on a Halloween cruise – 90% of the guests will dress up. For Pirate Night about 70% of the guests dress up.

Myth 6: I’ll Get Bored 

Answer: Bored? Only if you want to. There are so many things to do on a Disney cruise. The ship is full of options like cooking classes, wine tastings, first run movies, animation classes, trivia contests, bingo, and Broadway quality shows (and I haven’t even mentioned the wonderful kids’ clubs for your kids). Or you can focus on health, fitness, and beauty by using the fitness center, the 1/3 mile running track, or the Spa. Every port is full of options as well. Some have ridden camels in Tunisia, wandered the streets of Rome, ridden Segways in Malta, snorkeled with sea turtles in St. Thomas, kayaked in Ketchikan and zip lined in Skagway. Does any of that sound boring to you? I did not have enough time to do it all!

Lighthouse Point, the newest island sanctuary to be added on the itinerary stop is nothing less than amazing and tranquil. Disney again adds what they bring to each and every thing they do – quality service, magical encounters, and the cultural experiences that make Disney. From the Cultural Center located in the middle of Lighthouse Point, to the beach, and water fun for the kids, to Sanctuary Bay that is adults only, there is something for everyone. OH… and yes, the food! Which is always nothing but amazing.

As Disney continues to add vessels to their fleet, there is no question that the Imagineers will continue to push the page and strive for magic for both the young and older Disney fans for as long as they can. Disney magic continues throughout the seas.

For more information, please contact Amy Chen at Simply-Traveled for all your magical Disney Needs at 615.961.6474 or a.chen@cruiseplanners.com.