As an adult, I'd always been a bit skeptical of Disney cruises. I imagined them as glorified amusement parks, filled with screaming children and overly saccharine experiences. But after taking my first Disney cruise, I realized I had been sorely mistaken. The magic of Disney, not confined to the theme parks, extends seamlessly to the high seas, offering a truly enchanting and unforgettable adventure for adults as well as children.
My first Disney cruise surprised and impressed me. The cruise I was on was the first Halloween on the High Seas cruise of the Halloween season, so that added some more fun and activities to our cruise. Pair that with a visit to their newest private island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Pirate Night, fireworks at sea, and an adults-only brunch and you've got one heck of an experience!
Best Things about a Disney Cruise
- Short wait times for character meetings
- Adults only spaces
- Private Island Destinations
Please note: This was a hosted media experience.
Short Wait Times for Character Meetings
Even as an adult, I love meeting Disney characters and having my picture taken with them. What I DON'T like is the LONG lines required to accomplish this. The last thing I want to do while at the theme parks is spend a ton of time standing in mile-long lines full of cranky people, in the hot Florida sun. I just can't do it anymore. Thankfully, Disney cruises make this experience MUCH easier and enjoyable.
Yes, there are times when the lines can get long, but for the most part, we waited 15-20 minutes at most. PLUS, you are standing in line inside. In the air conditioning!
During our cruise, the characters were sometimes in their special Halloween on the High Seas costumes, which tended to make some of the wait times longer. Thankfully you can see when and where characters are scheduled to be and can make plans around that if there is one you really want to see.
Pro-Tip: Book the Princess Gathering! This meet-and-greet is where guests can meet multiple Disney Princesses at once for photos, hugs, and autographs. The princesses that appear vary by ship and personal schedule, but have included Belle, Aurora, Rapunzel, Tiana, Ariel, Cinderella, and Snow White. Reservations are complimentary and can be made 30 days before sailing. I was able to get photos with Cinderella, Tiana, Belled, and Ariel all in less than 15 minutes.
Adults Only Spaces
After a day of spending time around families and kiddos, you may need a break from it all for a little adult time. Each Disney ship has a section with adults-only bars and entertainment venues. Whether you are looking for a chill jazz club, a place to grab a pint and catch your favorite sports, or a chance to dance the night away – they’ve got you covered.
On the second night of the cruise, I learned that each of the adult venues has a Happy Hour each day. During these one-hour blocks wine, beer, and select cocktails are half-price. Imagine my surprise when two glasses of wine, with tax and tip, came to only $13.26. Sweet!
Each venue’s happy hour is at different times, so make sure to check the DCL Navigator app to see when those are. You can even add the happy hours to your “plan” and the app will send you a notification about 10 minutes before happy hour starts.
Pro Tip: You are allowed to bring a 6 pack of beer or 2 bottles of wine with you on to the ship. There is a small fridge/cooler in your stateroom to keep these cool. If you are bringing wine on board you are even allowed to bring it to the restaurants for dinner. Just make sure you bring a wine bottle opener! If the staff has to open the bottle you are charged a corkage fee, but if it's already open you are set.
Quiet Cove Adults-Only Pool
I love spending time in the sun and by the pool, but with all the family activities going on on the pool deck it can be a little hard to truly relax. This is where the Quiet Cove Pool comes into play. It’s the ideal spot to swim, socialize, sip drinks, and soak up the sun. This tranquil adult-exclusive area also includes 2 whirlpool spas, Signals pool bar, and Cove Café.
I spent a few hours there on our final day relaxing in the pool and finishing my book. It is on the same deck as the other pool and Cabanas restaurant, so it is just a short walk to grab a bite to eat or a soft-serve ice cream cone (I recommend the strawberry & chocolate swirl).
Adults-Only Restaurants
Each Disney ship has at least one adults-only restaurant. On the Disney Magic it is Palo, an Italian-inspired restaurant. They are open daily for brunch and dinner. I was lucky enough to get to check out their brunch and recommend it 100% – it was a 10 out of 10 experience and worth the extra upcharge.
For just $50 per person you get an all-you-care-to-enjoy brunch experience. It includes a choice of a mimosa, glass of prosecco, or a non-alcoholic bellini to get your meal started.
Your meal starts with pastries and a bread basket, then moves on to things like antipasto plates, eggs, pancakes and waffles, flatbread pizza, and soups. Then you finish up with your entree and a great selection of desserts. I recommend sharing the antipasto plates and pizzas if you want to try those. Everything was amazing and you want to make sure that you can try as many things as possible.
This plated experience is a great way to start the day in a relaxing and beautiful environment. Just make sure to make a reservation ahead of time because their brunch fills up quickly.
Private Island Destinations
The cruise I was on went to Disney’s new private island Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. This island paradise is located on the island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas. While the destination is geared towards families and kids, there are plenty of things for the adults to do.
My favorite part of the day was snorkeling in the clear blue waters at the island. Did you know that Eleuthera is the only place on the planet with PINK sand? It was one of the coolest things I’ve even seen.
While you aren’t going to see any large sea creatures, there are plenty of reefs to explore and native fish to check out. And you can’t go wrong with a relaxing swim in the Carribean sea.
I was impressed with the food that was offered on the island. It is a buffet BBQ lunch with a lot of options. You have everything from hamburgers and hot dogs, to ribs and chicken, to fresh fish and vegetable dishes. I had the Bahamian grouper, two different cold fruit/veggies salads, and a pretty delicious baked mac and cheese, Of course, I finished that off with a soft serve one (yup, they have it on the island too). Lunch is served from 11:30 to 3:00 and I would suggest going earlier rather than later.
Most families head straight to the kids' play area and eating lunch early gives you a chance to eat before things get chaotic. We ate right at 11:30 and had no problem getting our food or finding a spot to sit and eat.
The island does have an adults-only area just like on the ship, complete with its own bar, restaurant, beach, and cabanas. I was told that the adults area wasn’t as secluded as it is on Disney’s Castaway Cay, but it still offers all the same adults-only amenities. But don’t worry, there are total of 3 bars located on the island so you are never far from a cold beer or cocktail.
Pro Tip: There are self-serve soda fountains (with water) by each of the restaurants, so make sure to bring a reusable cup and water bottle with you so that you can stay hydrated during the day.
If you have kids with you, you are able to drop them off at a special kids club on the island so that you can enjoy a bit of adult time on your own. Just keep in mind that the hours of the kids club are shorter than the time you will be on the island, so make sure to make a note of that so you don’t forget to pick up your kiddos.
My adult Disney cruise experience had been more than just a vacation; it was a journey filled with wonder, laughter, and unforgettable memories. It was a testament to the enduring power of Disney magic, proving that it's not just for children but a timeless experience that can ignite the childlike spirit within all of us.
