I’ll admit it. Before our recent adventure aboard the Disney Wonder of the Disney Cruise Line, I was the person who was never really interested in taking a cruise. I didn’t see how a vacation on a ship would really leave me feeling like I’d just taken a vacation of a lifetime. I’m happy to say that the Disney Cruise Line blew me away so I’m sharing today why book a Disney cruise as a first-time cruiser.
Why Book a Disney Cruise as a First Time Cruiser
Service
I think this is the number one thing I have been raving about to everyone I’ve spoken to about the cruise. Even my husband is still talking about it, and he doesn’t really talk much. I was literally blown away by the above and beyond service of the Disney Wonder. Everyone aboard the ship is genuine in their love for what they do.
Moms and dads, this one will make you want to book a Disney cruise by itself. Andriana, our dining room server, was amazing. When she served our food, she cut the food for our kids!
The first time, I offered to do it instead. She smiled and told me to “eat, Mama“. When do you hear that?! From start to finish at mealtime, you are treated like royalty.They even had chocolate milk ready at the kids’ seats on evenings after our first meal.
This big one that got me was Sofia, our assistant server. She took food to our room herself on an evening that our son was melting down at the table. I thought she was going to simply send a runner to our room. Nope! She scooped up the food, asked me our room number and off she went. That really took me by surprise.
I honestly cried when we left the ship because I felt like these people became friends. You keep the same serving staff with you as you rotate dining locations each evening. They get to know you so well and do so much. I didn’t want to leave them. That’s just how much care they put into their work and guests.
The Food
Now that I’ve talked your ear off about the service (really I could keep going on about that), let’s talk food. Everyone’s favorite thing while on vacation, right? You will not go hungry aboard a Disney cruise. If you do, I don’t know how. This might be the best reason for why book a Disney Cruise.
About everywhere you turn there are quick service options, drink stations, and ice cream. I think my husband hit up about every ice cream station aboard the ship. Never walk on deck without an ice cream cone in-hand.
We rotated through three restaurants each evening aboard the ship. I’ll share more of my favorites on those later. The food was phenomenal at each.
There was an evening my daughter wanted a burger, which wasn’t on the menu. Andriana made sure to get her one. Sofia would even bring extra Mickey Premiums for my husband each night. Unheard of anywhere else.
We also ordered room service for breakfast and for late night snacks. All included, minus the tip. Never go to bed with a sweet tooth.
The Ambiance
I really got a kick out of the ambiance music aboard the ship. It is all classic Disney tunes with a piano bar style twist. You’ll easily recognize the melody as it plays softly.
I don’t even need to mention the views you have. The beautiful ocean, the sunrise, and sunsets. Nothing compares. Be prepared to have your breath taken away.
Aboard the ship, there are feasts for the eyes. Beautiful artwork, the ship itself. There is so much detail. It isn’t just something you walk around and don’t see. You will notice the beauty of the ship.
Castaway Cay
Most already know that Disney has their very own private island in the Bahamas. If you haven’t been there, you’re missing out. From the beautiful blue waters to the perfect beaches, you’ll leave a piece of yourself on this island.
I’ll mention again the service. Even on the island, you receive the ultimate. Our kids were having fun playing in the sand, so I went to go get lunch at Cookie’s BBQ. Another buffet that you cannot go hungry at. I had two trays that I was juggling while getting drinks.
A Cast Member came beside me and offered to hold the trays. As I thanked him and went to take the trays to the beach, he offered to follow me and hold them for me. I told him that it was pretty far off down the beach where my family was. He didn’t care. He followed me and helped deliver the food. I never see this service anywhere else.
You can choose to do fun excursions like swimming with stingrays, snorkeling, bicycle rentals and even rent stocked cabanas to enjoy. Or you can do what we did and find a comfy spot at one of the beaches (we were at the “family beach”) and simply relax.
With no WiFi, no phone service, this working mom was forced to finally unplug. I loved it. If you have children and want to do these excursions alone, don’t worry.
Scuttles Cove is a reserved area for the kiddos. The counselors will check them in and care for them while you go play. There is even a Teen Beach with fun activities.
When you return to the ship, you are greeted with flavored or regular water and cool towels. Another note on the service. This was such a nice feature to return to after a warm day on the beach.
The Oceaneer Club and Lab
Don’t think that if you have kids you won’t be able to enjoy some time alone with your spouse aboard the ship. The Oceaneer Club and Lab will be somewhere your kids will never want to leave. Our son actually told me to “get out” once when I went to check on him.
I laughed because a few other moms from the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration and I were saying how we don’t let just anyone watch our kids. However, there is something about Disney that makes you feel “okay” with it.
Both of our kids had magic bands on that were basically GPS equipped with them. I would simply walk into the check-in area, give them our child’s name and they would know where they were at all times. They also take photos prior to the boarding the ship of the children and parents so they can easily match you. A great safety precaution.
They even feature characters who come and play with the kids. Where else will you get interaction like that with Disney characters? You don’t even see that in the park!
photo courtesy of Disney Special Events
For the little ones, there is the It’s A Small World Nursery. In order for your child to stay in the Oceaneer Club and Lab, they must be potty trained from start to finish. If your child is 3 and under and isn’t quite there yet, don’t worry. The nursery costs $9 an hour (subject to change) and the staff is trained and equipped to care for your child.
Entertainment
The fun doesn’t just stop with the kids. The adults can enjoy time as well. We took an evening to enjoy some downtime at Crown & Fin pub aboard the Disney Wonder. We enjoyed chatting with our bartender and a Bourbon Fizz.
The Broadway-style shows are mesmerizing. Our favorite was of course, “Frozen“. The costumes were gorgeous, the special effects were show-stopping and the vocals…WOW! Our daughter kept asking me how they knew the movie so well. She literally thought the characters stepped out of the film.
Exclusively aboard the Disney Wonder in the Walt Disney Theatre, Frozen, A Musical Spectacular tells the classic story from the animated feature Frozen and is presented like never before with an innovative combination of traditional theatrical techniques, modern technology and classic Disney whimsy. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)
The Pirate Night was filled with energy and lots of fun for the kids. A specific “Kids Zone” lets kids get in on the action with the Cast Members and characters. Plus, fireworks take flight on that evening. Don’t forget to go on deck too for the “Adventures Away” party as the ship leaves port. It will start your cruise off right.
photo courtesy of Disney Special Events
Why Book a Disney Cruise? The List Never Ends!
Seriously, I have written well over 1,000 words on this post about why book a Disney cruise as a first-time cruiser and I could still go on. I don’t think I’ve even begun telling you just how amazing a Disney cruise is. As I started with, I never thought I’d actually want to take a cruise.
Now that we have cruised with Disney Cruise Line, we’re hooked. My friends who know how much I love Walt Disney World have been shocked when I tell them that Disney Cruise Line has really become neck and neck with my choice of Disney vacations.
photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line (Todd Anderson, photographer)
If you have never been on a cruise before, consider booking a Disney cruise. The magical experience is nothing you’ve ever had before. You will leave the ship touched by the hospitality and amazement it has to offer.
The biggest of thanks to the 2017 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration that we were invited to attend with a conference fee. We received discounted and complimentary items from Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and their sponsors during our stay. While not required to write about our experiences, I wanted to share with you these amazing memories. All opinions are my own.
Ready to book your Disney Honeymoon? Check out Why Honeymoon at Walt Disney World with some of my experience as a honeymooner to Disney.
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