should adults with no kids book on the Disney Magic

[bpolan]

We will be at Walt Disney World for marathon weekend and are thinking about cruising out of port canaveral the day after the marathon on the Disney Magic. We are 3 adults, with no kids, but we all love Disney and are runners. This cruise is in January. Will we feel out of place without kids? Do they let kids into the adults only areas?

thanks for all help in advance!

BPOLAN

[Scrapnana]

On the Fantasy there was no problem with kids in the adult areas. At the Quiet Cove pool area once in a while a child would walk through with a parent (it was the only way to get to the forward stairs/elevator) but they did not linger. We had some shows that were adult only. There is no casino. There will be children around the rest of the ship and in the dining room (unless you eat at the extra charge restaurant, Palo). Disney Cruise Line gives the extra attention to detail that you find at WDW and is a very nice way to cruise.

[1drifter]

We have sailed on Disney ships 3 times with extended family--our grown children and their children. So basically we had no small children of our own and did not spend all of our time with family. We would consider going on a Disney ship just the 2 of us. If you love Disney, you'll love their cruise line. We liked the shows, the dining, we love Palo & just like the general atmosphere and level of service. We met a couple onboard who were on their honeymoon. So there are other adult-only cruisers. And because the kids are often in their clubs, you don't feel over-run by kids all of the time. I think you'll like it.

[FoghornLeghorn]

We've sailed Disney 3 times...without children.

Would and will do it again.

Just as magical as Disneyworld and Disneyland...just different. (In a good way)

 

Check out my review - two adults, no kids - just click the link down in my signature.

 

Go for it!!

[wdwlvr]

My DH and I don't have any children and just finished our 17th Disney cruise. I think DCL does a good job of catering to everyone and we have enjoyed the adult only areas as well as things the kids enjoy as well (like having our picture taken with Dug and Russel from UP on our last cruise).

[Zippercat]

In our experience, DCL does a better job of enforcing the adult only areas than other lines.

[iloverags2]

I have been on six Disney cruises. Only one (back in 2000) was with a non-adult (our 13 year old at the time). My seventh cruise this October will be sans children also. We have always had a fabulous time!

[Capt_BJ]

if you are super into Disney you won't be alone being "sans kids". Son did his honeymoon on Mag' in the Med and they had a large table of just honeymoon couples....

 

but if you are thinking you'll be isolated from kids because you can hang in the adult only areas don't be fooled ... in a typical cruise you are restricted to one Palo (adult rest') dinner ressie (altho when they are slow, and IME they have seldom been full, you can get in again).

 

We're very Disney and love DCL, but having been there and done that several times, I spend my cruise dollars on ships that well . . . recommend no kids .... similar cost but no Mouse and no kids!

[Keith1010]

If you like Disney on land you will like the cruise too. I would.

 

Keith

[bphman]

My wife and I just returned from the Disney Dream and had a great time. We had a table with 3 other couples traveling without their kids so it is quite common. There are plenty of adult activities and never saw kids in the adult areas. They have too many activities to keep them busy. No other ship can match Disney's entertainment. It is that well done. Don't miss Palo and, if you ever have the opportunity on the other ships, try Remy. It was special.

[sailor1201]

I hesitate to call myself a runner, but I runDisney. If you enjoy being at WDW or Disneyland, you'll enjoy the cruise. In fact, I think it's a perfect way to celebrate your races. You'll still be "inside the bubble" and they'll take really good care of you. Yes there will be kids onboard, but in January, I don't think there will be tons of them.

 

Disney entertains the kids so well that they're not eager to invade adult spaces, they can't wait to get back to their own clubs.

 

There will probably be fewer children at the second seating for meals.

 

I won't be there because I'm heading back to California to run the Tinker Bell the next weekend.

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Exactly! If you love the parks, you will love the cruise (prob more!)

 

We were a party of 7, and us twinkies at 31 were the youngest as none of us have any kids!

 

We had the best cruise in years if not ever. This was the Dream but it sounds like you are getting updated Magic so it may be as good.

 

I love seeing all the kids as pirates or princesses. (You see them all happy which is cute but you don't have to take them home! woohoo. Just like the parks.)

 

Family Karaoke was a blast! (We don't need rap cuss words or drunkies to make our karaoke fun.) They have great family entertainment and to us, exceptional dining and food. We brought an assortment of our own bar favorites and so I bought one buy one get on drink on the cruise.

 

I would recommend DCL to any cruisers. There weren't ANY more kids on it than the Carnivals and at least there is enough magic for everyone. We got photos with 4 princesses!

 

Bon voyage.

[Kathie859]

This is just my take on the subject: I was on a 3 generation cruise on the Fantasy last year and found children an issue in the "adults" only areas. I met several couples who were traveling without children--for the most part they owned shares in DVC, the Disney time share product, and used their points for the cruise and seemed unbothered by the kids. Now I adore me some Disneyworld and Disneyland and have had annual passes to the parks in past years. So I did enjoy the theme of the ship and the movies on board.

 

For me, there's no way I'd go on DCL without kids. Frankly, there's no escaping them on the ship. The food on DCL was certainly no match for HAL (my more recent frame of reference) and was just "okay" in my book.

[ducklite]

My opinion--unless you are REALLY into Disney, don't do it.

 

DCL is great, but the itineraries are limited and the ports are generally mundane.

 

With no kids, we've decided that other ships that cater more to a child free passenger is a better option for us. We paid the same amount of money for a week in Europe as we did for three nights on the Dream. We probably won't cruise DCL again unless there is an amazing Florida Resident Rate or we are going with family who still have little ones in tow.

[Seatbelt_Bag_LOVE]

My husband and I really enjoyed the Fantasy without kids. There were quite a few people on the cruise without kids. I would think the magic would be just as fun. We already booked again on the Fantasy, but I am excited to try Magic after renovation. (which it will be in January).

[moki'smommy]

My only problem with DCL is that IMHO they do NOT do a good job of keeping kids out of the adult only areas during the day. Yes, they enforce the adult only shows and the night club area after 9. However, kids routinely walk, skate on wheelies, etc. thru the Quiet Cove area and are sometimes IN the Cove Cafe. We've seen it on the classic ships (where there are other easy walk ways to get where one is going) and on the new ships (where it is more difficult) We've asked CMs to remove children from the Quiet Cove pool. I don't mean teens who are trying to get by, I mean 6 year olds. The CMs do have them removed when notified.

 

I can't fault the bar tender in the Cafe. He wants his tips, and running off the kids will run off his business. But...the sign clearly says "guests 18 and older." Maybe the parents can't read!

 

As to kids coming into the pool area to talk to mom and dad--why are these lovely children running the ship unsupervised? They can contact a parent on a wave phone from any house phone or stateroom phone, so no need to come to see mom. MOST of the time, these are brief encounters, but every so often one of them plops down or engages in a noisy discussion with a parent. No, the Quiet Cove area is not intended to be quiet--it is a name, not a noise level. However, it is clearly designated as adult and should be maintained as such. And no, I'm not a child hater. BUT...I don't play in their Oceaneer's Lab and they shouldn't play in my adult areas.

[spencersmama]

In my opinion, it seems as though Disney (and parents) do a better job at keeping the kids out of the adult pool area on the smaller, older ships. I personally feel it's because there are so many more people on the larger ships taking up almost the same amount of pool and public space up on top. So the crowds try to disperse and parents try to get around the rules. I have also had kids invade adult areas on other cruise ships, so it's not unique to Disney.

[Cruisin' Along]

We just finished our 3rd DCL cruise and were adults only. We had a fantastic time, yet again. I can't wait to book our 4th cruise. There are always a number of adults only groups onboard. To me, there is something for everyone on a Disney cruise. Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, can't be beat for beautiful beaches and fun activities.

[logan25]

We (child-free adults) chose our only Disney cruise last October (during the school year) on Magic. I did spend my quiet time reading in the Cove. Certainly, children were basically everywhere on the boat, but no more than other cruises we've taken. I would choose to sail Disney again if the price was right.

[Irene7]

When my family cruised on the Dream this past May, we had no problems. There were 4 of us, my hubby and 2 daughters 18 and 22. Plenty for adults to do. I also want to mention that, while we were in the adults only pool, 2 girls approx 12 years old came over and attempted to get in the adults pool. A crew member went over immediately and told them they had to go back to the family pool. These two girls, would not give up and actually begged to stay. While they were begging I watched the crew member shake his head NO constantly. The 2 girls left and I was impressed. Go for it and have a great time!:)

[OCruisers]

Our niece & DH love cruising on Disney because the Adult Areas really are Adult .

 

LuLu

~~~~

[cyclenut]

If you love Disney and have not yet tried DCL, then you should give it a go. My wife and I have sailed as a couple only and as adults with adult children and will probably come back to DCL some day. We have a dummy date booked. I would like to share a few observations that we think make DCL a little less desirable than some other lines.

 

1) I enjoy live theater and do love the shows on board. However, I don't find the Disney shows to be any better than the other lines I have sailed. In fact, my favorite of all shipboard shows was on the Freedom. Disney shows are live to track, meaning no live orchestra. That is very typical Disney but other lines use a live orchestra. I find that enhances the shows and makes them much more equal to what you would find on land. The talent is pretty much the same.

 

2) Disney uses rotational dining, which nobody else does. This is nice and makes dining each night a bit of a different experience. I thought the food was a bit better but my wife didn't.

 

3) The nightlife on DCL is much more limited. There are plenty of things to do during the day but with so many families on board, there are basically a couple of clubs to enjoy after 10pm while the rest of the ship sleeps. With no casino, there isn't as much variety either. I am not a heavy gambler but sometimes it is cool just to walk through and watch others, especially if you just aren't ready to turn in.

 

4) The pool areas on DCL are generally smaller. Not sure why. Yes, there is an adults only area, but it isn't very large.

 

5) Palo on DCL is better than it ought to be for a cruise line. Top notch and I haven't found any place on a ship that matches it.

 

Each person who sails will have a different experience. I prefer RCL for adults, but if you are extending your Disney experience, what better way to do it than on a Disney ship?

[collectormm]

You will love the Magic. We have been on 8 Disney Cruises as well as other cruise lines, and love the Disney Magic and Wonder the best. Yes, they are smaller ships which makes it even more enjoyable. My husband and I go by ourselves, no children. The adult area/pool is nicer than on the Dream, not as accessible for children to walk through as on the Dream/Fantasy. The adult areas for nighttime is great also. We have our 9th cruise planned for February on the Magic. Can't wait to see all of the new upgrades and areas. So enjoy:)

[bpolan]

When my family cruised on the Dream this past May, we had no problems. There were 4 of us, my hubby and 2 daughters 18 and 22. Plenty for adults to do. I also want to mention that, while we were in the adults only pool, 2 girls approx 12 years old came over and attempted to get in the adults pool. A crew member went over immediately and told them they had to go back to the family pool. These two girls, would not give up and actually begged to stay. While they were begging I watched the crew member shake his head NO constantly. The 2 girls left and I was impressed. Go for it and have a great time!:)

 

Thanks for all the replies! We've cruised on several other cruise lines, both with and without young kids. We booked this with our adult daughter to spend 4 days recovering from the half and full marathons, love disney and just wanted some down time, rather than spend it in the parks. Sounds like we will enjoy the cruise and all its disney themed things! I certainly don't mind being around kids, and especially love seeing the little ones light up when they see and meet the characters! Looking forward also to running the castaway cay 5k run!

[seavoyager6]

No

 

And with kids either.