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Why Cruise with Disney?

By Sabrina Shoe - Pixie and Pirate Destinations April 10, 2012
There are many different cruise lines to choose from when you are planning a cruise vacation.  Each line has it’s own character, benefits, and drawbacks, but no matter what kind of cruise vacation you are looking for, you can find it on a Disney Cruise.

Families with Young Children
This demographic is the most obvious choice for a Disney Cruise, of course. The first class kids clubs, the characters, the abundance of family activities; all cater to families with young children. From the moment you step inside the cruise terminal you are surrounded by Disney magic - from the character appearances and the cartoons playing in the terminal to keep little ones occupied while waiting to board to the family time in the kids clubs that evening so everyone has a chance to get comfortable.  Children can choose to participate in scheduled activities in the kids clubs, or just hang out there all the while being engaged and watched over by the counselors. Parents can spend a romantic evening alone - dancing in one of the night clubs, enjoying a drink at one of the bars, or even attending a comedy show - while the kids are having a blast in the kids clubs. The kids clubs operate on port days as well, and there is an entire area on Disney’s private island - Castaway Cay - dedicated to the kids club. This means that mom and dad can head over to the adults-only area of the island for a couples massage while junior happily plays in the sand with his friends in the kids club.

Of course, you’ll want to spend time as a family with the kids as well! Disney offers a dizzying amount of choices for family time, from the pools to the movie theater on board to the karaoke and family game shows - there is something for every family to enjoy together. At dinner, the waiters take excellent care of every member of the family, especially the kids.  Food is presented in appealing ways - ketchup in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head, for example - and the waiters often take a few minutes at each meal to connect with the children, through jokes or brainteasers, they engage the children and make the meal entertaining. Of course, don’t forget about the family friendly evening entertainment in the form of variety acts (on longer cruises) and the fabulous Broadway style stage shows Disney presents. From an awards show format awarding various Disney characters for their most famous roles, to the farewell show on the last night of the cruise, these entertaining and touching shows are for the young and the young at heart.

Disney’s Castaway Cay is about as close to paradise as you can get. Clear blue-green water as far as the eye can see, family friendly activities like snorkeling with (de-barbed) stingrays and tetherball, and a large shallow water lagoon at the Family Beach all adds to the appeal. You can spend the day playing in the sand with your children, taking a family bike ride, sliding off Pelican Plunge into the lagoon, or playing checkers in the open-air game room.

Every day offers new experiences for the whole family, either together or individually.

Families with Older Children
Some families may think that their children are too old for a Disney Cruise, but I would have to disagree!

Disney offers separate clubs for tweens and teens up to age 17. These clubs operate in separate areas of the ship and offer age appropriate activities and spaces for each age group. The clubs operate on Castaway Cay as well, and the teens even have a chance to participate in their own excursion on Castaway Cay - no parents allowed! Tweens and teens get to spend time meeting new friends their age from across the country, sometimes even from across the world, giving them a new perspective and a chance to form new friendships.

Parents can spend time alone without worrying about what their tweens and teens are up to - they are participating in scavenger hunts, playing video games or singing karaoke with their new friends, or hanging out at the teen pool. Family time is still important with older children of course, so the family dinners, movies, and shows are always an option. And on Castaway Cay, you can challenge your tweens and teens to a game of beach volleyball or snorkel as a family and see who can find the underwater Mickey first.  

Port adventures and excursions can be great family time as well. Disney offers many excursions from swimming with dolphins to kayaking to a submarine adventure. And there are land-based excursions too, for example the Ardastra Gardens and City Tour in Nassau and the Butterfly Farm Tour in St. Maarten.

Adults and Couples
Disney Cruise Line has done an amazing job creating adult only areas on each ship, from the bars and nightclubs, to the specialty adults only restaurants Palo and Remy (on the Dream and the Fantasy), the adults only pool areas and the spa, there are plenty of ways to enjoy some grown up fun and romance. Disney even offers weddings and vow renewal ceremonies onboard and on Castaway Cay!

The customer service and attention to detail while sailing with Disney Cruise Line is impeccable. Disney has some of the largest staterooms available and the food is top notch. The spa services are highly rated and there is even a fitness center onboard that offers classes and/or machine workouts.  

Disney Cruise Line is luxurious and fun at the same time - perfect for Disney fans young and not so young!

Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Canada and New England, Mexican Riviera, and Europe. Any and all of these destinations offer fun and adventure for the whole family, the young and young at heart, anyone who loves cruising, Disney, or outstanding service. In short, everybody will love a Disney Cruise!

For more info on Disney cruises or any Disney vacation, be sure to contact our site sponsor Sabrina!
Sabrina Shoe
Disney Vacation Planner
Pixie and Pirate Destinations, LLC
http://www.pixieandpiratedestinations.com/sabrina-s.html
sabrina@pixieandpiratedestinations.com
https://www.facebook.com/PAPDSabrina