Disney Cruise for adults? What ship

[Salf777]

Hi Disney and also cruise lover here. Usually prefer smaller lines like Azamara and Oceania but have been thinking about a Disney Cruise when life gets back to normal. So it’s just my wife and me. Would you say a Disney Cruise is enjoyable for just adults? If so what ship is the best? I have read great things on different sites but when I read the reviews here read things like it’s impossible to get reservations in the fine restaurants, private island food wasn’t good, etc. I realize everyone has a different experience on every sailing but in general how is dining, and ship experience for adults only? I have heard entertainment is great!

[Shmoo here]

17 minutes ago, Salf777 said:

Hi Disney and also cruise lover here. Usually prefer smaller lines like Azamara and Oceania but have been thinking about a Disney Cruise when life gets back to normal. So it’s just my wife and me. Would you say a Disney Cruise is enjoyable for just adults? If so what ship is the best? I have read great things on different sites but when I read the reviews here read things like it’s impossible to get reservations in the fine restaurants, private island food wasn’t good, etc. I realize everyone has a different experience on every sailing but in general how is dining, and ship experience for adults only? I have heard entertainment is great!

Since we didn't start cruising until our kids were adults, we've always done adult only cruises.  We've been on all 4 Disney ships.  Depending on what you're interested in, any of them are great to cruise on.  The Magic class (Magic & Wonder) are smaller, while the Dream class (Dream & Fantasy) are larger.  If it's important to you how many people are onboard.

 

It's not "impossible" to get reservations at Palo or Remy, especially if you're not married to a specific day/time.

 

I enjoyed the food on Castaway Cay, it's your typically BBQ/buffet type food, certainly not fine dining.

 

I'd book a cruise on any Disney ship in a minute.

[gometros]

Depending on the length of the cruise, Palo Brunch can be a challenge sometimes, but we've never had difficulty getting reservations for dinner or at any of the Remy offerings. Remy is as fine dining as it comes. 

[mrp4352]

We love the smaller ships.  The crew feels like they have a bit more time to get to know the passengers (although that may also be caused by the longer sailings), they're easy to move around on and (to me) have more interesting itineraries.  I believe DCL also holds some reservations out for on-board bookings at Palo, so even if you can't find them on line, you should be able to get in.  Also, check back regularly to see if something opened up. It does happen.  

 

@gometros - Kungaloosh!!!

[ArthurUSCG]

Castaway Cay buffet isn't the best food, but what you expect for an outdoor cook out. The adult section has additional choices that the family side does not have. The adult side is amazing, it quiet and sitting in the hammock while drinking an adult beverage is magical.

The normal dining rooms have good food and on the shorter 3-4 night cruises, I would not miss eating there. You can request a private table or one with other adults. On the Disney ships, there are 3 different restaurants that you and the wait staff rotate thru each night. The menu is different at each restaurant and on theme nights (Pirate night).

[Missus_Aitch]

I would totally take a Disney cruise as an adult if the budget allowed.  The adults only areas are so serene and always spacious, and we’ve always booked the fine dining on days and times of our choosing.  I also recommend the spa, if you roll that way.

 

Re size, I think the Aqua Dunk ride on the smaller two is more fun than the Aqua DUCK on the larger ones.  But the larger have golf simulators.  There are a few little things like that that are different.  You really can’t go wrong with any of them.

[Texter2]

Salf777, we have been on two Disney transatlantic cruises and they were both fantastic. If you have the time, I highly recommend. There are some kids, but few. There were more on the Eastbound in the Spring than the Westbound in the Fall. The entertainment was great and the food was good. We will take again (when we can). 

[CruisingWalter]

Hi there, yes a Disney Cruise for adults can be fun, but I would definitely recommend one of the two larger ships. My wife and I found activities for adults lacking, particularly during the day. And the "Adult Club Section" in the aft of the ship could have made better use of the space by creating 2 or 3 large spaces. But the food and service is the best we have ever experienced at sea of the 7 or 8 cruise lines we've sailed. The meal at Remy was the absolute best at sea and one of the best meals we've ever had period. I wrote a review from an adult perspective back in 2016 when we sailed the Fantasy, I hope this is helpful!

https://www.whereswalter.tv/post/review-disney-fantasy-cruise-ship

Edited January 24, 2021 by creativegenius
adding one point

[fla gang]

I am a loyal fan of Royal but I have also been on several Disney cruises. Took my entire family with me on the Disney Dream for my retirement party. Food and service are superb. Shows are all Disney and they are very good. My only drawback was no casino, but that's ok. Not something I have to include. I like the newer Disney ships much better than the older ships. If and when things ever get back to normal I will book another cruise. I'm just not letting any cruise line hold my money right now with all of the uncertainties!

[Dizzney9915]

On 2/20/2021 at 2:40 AM, fla gang said:

I am a loyal fan of Royal but I have also been on several Disney cruises. Took my entire family with me on the Disney Dream for my retirement party. Food and service are superb. Shows are all Disney and they are very good. My only drawback was no casino, but that's ok. Not something I have to include. I like the newer Disney ships much better than the older ships. If and when things ever get back to normal I will book another cruise. I'm just not letting any cruise line hold my money right now with all of the uncertainties!

I like the food better on Disney. Most everything else I prefer Royal if it is just the two of us sailing. 

[gwsster]

Just booked an August 2022 Northern European Cruise on Disney.  I did the British Isles in 2019 with my DH and another couple.  It was one of the best cruises ever.  I have done the Magic I think 4 times and the Wonder once or twice.  What I do like is that in off season there are fewer children.  I like the smaller ships and the Disney ships are so well maintained and clean.  The Staff are happy and the cabins are well maintained.  The food is comparable to any of the other good lines but the service is amazing.  The prices are a little higher because Disney doesn't have a Casino and I think they make up for that in the cruise prices.  What I do like are that the prices quoted are for 2 people  and include the port taxes and fees, but not the gratuities.  The other lines quote a per person rate and then add the taxes and fees which raises the per person cost very much.  There are adult themed activities and Comedy clubs and entertainment in the later hours and they are very strict about NO children in these venues, I saw them turn away parents with children.  If you don't like Disney this is NOT the cruise for you. 

[joeecco]

We are considering booking our wedding onboard for Europe 2022 but we have a few questions.

My little brother will be 17 at the time of sailing and is very mature and loves hanging around with us on ships so Vibe wouldn’t be for him. Therefore what areas/bars are open on an evening that allow 17 year olds and what sort of entertainment is on in those areas. What time do they close? 
 

We aren’t party animals but like to have a long enjoyable evening and we’re worried that all the reviews we are seeing seems as if it’s only the adults only areas that stay open later. 
 

 

[Shmoo here]

On 3/27/2021 at 6:41 AM, joeecco said:

We are considering booking our wedding onboard for Europe 2022 but we have a few questions.

My little brother will be 17 at the time of sailing and is very mature and loves hanging around with us on ships so Vibe wouldn’t be for him. Therefore what areas/bars are open on an evening that allow 17 year olds and what sort of entertainment is on in those areas. What time do they close? 
 

We aren’t party animals but like to have a long enjoyable evening and we’re worried that all the reviews we are seeing seems as if it’s only the adults only areas that stay open later. 
 

 

I answered on your other thread.