I’ve always thought cruises weren’t for me. Being trapped on a boat didn’t sound like my idea of fun, and neither did crowds or the germs that come with them. But then Disney invited my family to a media preview sailing on its newest cruise ship, the Disney Destiny. It felt like the perfect opportunity to see what cruises were really like, and I certainly couldn’t pass up the chance for my kids.

Well, TL;DR: Before we even left the ship, I paid $250 for a Placeholder Reservation so I could save 10% on a future Disney cruise (more on that later), so you could say we enjoyed it!

Keep reading to see why we loved the Disney Destiny and how, after 38 years of not being a cruise person, I am now a proud Disney Cruise Person. (Yes, I am only a Disney Cruise Person. I’m not willing to try any other cruise line just yet! Haha.)

 

Endless Entertainment 

First, if you’re going on a Disney Cruise, make sure to get the Disney Cruise Line app. This is where you’ll find the daily schedules for onboard activities and entertainment.

There is too much entertainment, and there are too many activities on board to name all the options, so I’ll share a few of our favorites.

1. Nightly Shows and Parties

During our three-night Bahamian cruise, there was plenty of nighttime fun. The Disney Destiny has two Broadway-style shows, Hercules and Frozen. Hercules is exclusive to Destiny. Everyone in the family, including my teen and tween boys, was blown away by the performers’ talent, the set design, and the incredible puppetry. Hercules was our favorite, which makes sense in a house full of boys, but Frozen was great as well.

We also had a Pirate Party on our cruise. Some guests went all out with their costumes, but we used the complimentary pirate handkerchiefs that Disney provided. The show featured a musical performance by Captain Redd and her band of buccaneers. To end the night, Captain Jack Sparrow made an appearance, and we were treated to a fireworks show over the sea.

 

 

2. Kids’ Clubs

If you’re looking to entertain the kids while also getting a break for yourself, look no further than the onboard clubs.

Kids ages three to ten (they must be potty-trained) can enjoy Disney’s Oceaneer Club. One thing I loved about the Oceaneer Club is how kids can check in. From the Grand Hall, there is a slide they can take that drops them right into the club. Once inside, there are hand-washing stations that wash the kids’ hands for them. When they leave the club, they wash their hands again. This germaphobe mom appreciates that!

Pro tip: Don’t skip the open houses—parents and kids of all ages can explore the spaces during this time, too!

Check out our “Disney Wish” highlight on Instagram for a complete walk-through of the Oceaneer Club. (The club is the same on the Disney Destiny.)

 

 

 

 

For tweens ages 11 to 14, there is Edge, where they can play video games, hang out, and meet kids their age. Vibe is the hangout spot for teens ages 14 to 17. In the Disney Cruise Line app, kids can also see the activities happening in these spaces, designed just for them.

 

 

3. Hero Zone

My boys loved Hero Zone. Here you’ll find a basketball court, cornhole, ping-pong tables, air hockey, and foosball. One day, there was an inflatable Incredibles obstacle course, and the kids loved racing each other through it. Pack socks for this activity.

 

 

Of course, we also loved meeting our favorite Disney characters. There are also pools, two waterslides, a splash zone for younger kids, craft times, trivia games, live music, movie theaters playing the latest Disney and Marvel movies, and more. On our last night on the ship, we were running from activity to activity, trying to squeeze in every last moment. Trust me, you won’t run out of things to do or get bored.

 

 

Disney Dining

One of my least favorite parts of family vacations is figuring out where we are going to eat when we are somewhere new. Having food available 24/7 and having the dining decisions made for us was so nice. When you book your cruise, you can select either early dining (5:45 p.m.) or late dining (8:15 p.m.). You are assigned a restaurant each evening, and your servers move with you, so you get to know them, and they get to know you. On the Destiny, the three restaurants were:

• 1923—named for the year that the Walt Disney Company was founded. 
• Pride Lands: Feat of the Lion King, a musical dining experience that celebrates Simba’s journey to fulfill his destiny as King of the Pride Lands
• Worlds of Marvel for tasty bites and superhero surprises.

 

 

 

 

Additionally, there is Marceline Market, which is a buffet, and Festival of Foods, located on the pool deck, where you can find pizza, burgers, tacos, and BBQ. My kids especially loved the BBQ and ate their weight in soft-serve ice cream cones.

 

 

And don’t forget about room service. You can order food to your room 24 hours a day.

Mitch and I also had brunch at Palo, the Destiny’s adults-only steakhouse, on the day we were docked at Nassau. Premium meals like brunch or dinner at Palo are not included in your cruise fare, but brunch costs just $55 per person and is well worth it. In full disclosure, Disney covered brunch for the two of us. I highly recommend dropping the kids off at the Oceaneer Club and enjoying a nice meal at Palo.

 

Disney Magic Is Everywhere! 

While on the Disney Destiny, I felt completely immersed in the Disney Magic. It is real. From the moment we walked onto the ship and into the Great Hall, where we saw Spider-Man waving to us, we felt it. The Great Hall has a statue of the Black Panther, and the chandelier is modeled after vibranium.

 

 

The Disney Destiny is themed around heroes versus villains. The front of the ship features the villains, and the aft (back) highlights the heroes. This theme was so much fun. From the art and decor to the rugs, wallpaper, and elevators, the theme comes to life everywhere. And of course, you can meet your favorite heroes and villains while onboard. My youngest especially loved meeting Loki.

 

 

Disney thinks of every little detail when it comes to branding, and they do it in such a classy way. That really stood out to both Mitch and me on this cruise.

 

Staterooms 

I didn’t know what to expect from a room on a cruise, but it was not this. These rooms were  much better than I expected and were very spacious and inviting.

We were in two connecting Category 4A Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandahs on Deck 11. Our stateroom host transformed the kids’ room each night by turning the couch into a bed and pulling a second bed and ladder from the ceiling while we were at dinner. Each morning, while we were at breakfast, everything was put away again.

Each room had a different theme, and ours were Big Hero 6 and The Incredibles.

 

 

 

One thing that really stood out to me was the amount of storage. There was room to unpack and store our suitcases, and we still had so many empty cupboards and drawers. I also appreciated having a desk with good lighting where I could get ready in the mornings.

Another huge highlight of these rooms is the split bathroom. Whoever came up with this idea deserves a raise.

 

 

 

Castaway Cay

While we loved the ship and honestly could have spent the whole vacation enjoying everything it had to offer, Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, was a huge hit.

You can rent snorkeling gear and bikes, but my kids loved playing in the ocean, going down the waterslide, and eating even more soft-serve.

 

 

 

 

Castaway Cay was beautiful, and of course, there were characters to meet and souvenirs to buy. We left with an Olaf cup after purchasing a smoothie. Soda, food, and soft-serve are complimentary on the island.

 

So, Would We Go Back?

As I mentioned above, we purchased two Placeholder Reservations (because we need two rooms) for a future cruise. A placeholder is a future cruise credit that you buy while onboard a Disney Cruise. It costs $250 per room and is applied to your deposit when you book. The real perk is that by purchasing a placeholder, you save 10% on that future booking. You have two years to use it, and if you decide it won’t work out, you can have the $250 refunded. It is risk-free and a great way to save if you think you might want to go on another cruise.

So as of now, I am planning on another cruise. We loved this ship so much that I think we would go back, but do four nights next time, or maybe try an Alaska Disney Cruise like Jess did.

 

Bottom Line

This won’t be my last Disney Cruise. If you, like me, have been hesitant to give cruising a try, consider starting with a Disney Cruise. A three-night cruise was the perfect introduction for us.

 

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