What it's like to cruise Disney with your whole family: The highs and lows
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I just got back from a weeklong sailing on the Disney Treasure with a group of ten people – ranging from toddlers to septuagenarians – and I've got thoughts on the magic at sea.
If you're considering a Disney Cruise Line trip for your next big family vacation, here's what to expect, what surprised me, and what I wish we knew before we booked.
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises
Having been on multiple cruises on the major cruise lines serving American passengers, I would say Disney's Treasure had a strong food offering. No, the dishes weren't always piping hot, and the cocktails leaned a little too sweet for my taste, but the flavors were consistently strong.
Each of the ship's three main restaurants rotates menus nightly, which helps when you're assigned to each twice or thrice. Across our group of ten, there wasn't a dish we didn't finish – and that's saying something with a couple of picky eaters. From carnitas at Plaza de Coco to beef tenderloin at 1923 to the chicken schnitzel at Worlds of Marvel, most dishes earned a solid 7 out of 10 from our crew. What made it better was the exceptional service. The waitstaff remembered our preferences and handled every request with warmth and care (shoutout to Thynelly and Duwi).
We also tried the Treasure's two adults-only restaurants: Enchanté and Palo. Enchanté felt special – fine-dining level, easily a 9/10 for ambiance and service – and we only docked a point because our tastebuds weren't ready for the sophistication of the French menú. Palo, on the other hand, was a home run. Every dish, from the arugula salad to the chocolate soufflé, was a 10/10. If you're looking for one splurge-worthy dinner onboard, make it Palo.
There's a reason 'Disney-quality' is the gold standard when people talk about live entertainment. Both "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney the Tale of Moana" were full-blown stage musicals with incredible production value. The set design, sound engineering and cast were all Broadway-caliber. My mom even leaned over mid-show to ask if they were lip-syncing – because the vocals were that pristine.
Yes, the storytelling felt a little rushed if you know the movies by heart. But quick pacing is probably wise when your audience includes lots of5-year-olds. Our only complaint was that the shows in the Walt Disney Theatre were shown on one day of each voyage – which is their typical scheduling. However, due to an unexpected medical evacuation that delayed our stop at Castaway Cay, we had to choose between staying on the island or catching "Moana." We picked the show, but I'm still salty about missing Disney's private beach.
Let's talk about what Disney Cruise Line doesn't include. For a seven-day Caribbean sailing in a stateroom with a porthole view, we paid about $5,000. That's in the range between premium and luxury pricing, but the perks didn't always match the cost. There's no drink package. Specialty coffees and alcoholic drinks are à la carte. Adult trivia? That was free, but get there early before the room fills up. Wine tasting? Extra cost. Beer tasting? Extra cost. Workout classes? Extra cost. Spa access? Extra cost. Technically, you could attend a presentation about diamonds or luxury watches, but we all know how those end.
The truth is, most of the free activities were geared toward kids. Adults in our group had a harder time finding things to do besides eat, drink and hang by the crowded pools.
I tried to be productive and hit the gym, but the fitness center was small and often full. Granted, every cruise line attracts a different type of gym goer. I was working out by myself in Aurora Expeditions while timing when to avoid rush hour on Virgin Voyages. DCL was surprisingly busy every day of the sailing for the size of the facilities. Typically, not a huge deal, but as mentioned above, when there's not much for adults to do other than eat and drink, it did stick out. (Grateful for those Peloton bikes, though.)
Our party of 10 included six who were on their third DCL sailing and four newbies (myself included). It was great to watch the kids light up exploring the ship, attend character meet-and-greets, and retell their adventures each night at dinner.
Disney does an excellent job catering to families with small children. The activities, the entertainment, the energy – it's built for young families.
For adults without kids, grandparents or those hoping for more balance between grown-up fun and family time, you might find yourself wishing for more options – or at least fewer upcharges.
Would I go again? Maybe with a smaller group, and with clearer expectations. Because when Disney says it's for families, they really mean families with little ones front and center.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is a Disney cruise worth it for big families? What I loved, and didn't
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