Have a magical time sailing with Mickey! (Disney Cruise Line)

Member Name: JT86

Product:	Disney Cruise Line
Date:	09/06/08 (408 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lots to do, great service, visit different ports of call

Disadvantages: Costly

We awoke from a comfortable night's sleep in our queen size bed to a knock on the door. It was the free room service with our breakfast - a tray piled high with fresh fruit, toast, cereals, pastries, muffins, juice and tea. Drawing back the curtains and opening the patio door, I stepped out onto our private verandah and noticed we'd docked already.

After eating breakfast on the verandah we got ready and debarked the ship. A quick tram ride down to the main beach and we were off to explore. This was the definition of paradise. Swaying palm tress overlooking the white sand beach, where colourful sailboats were lined up, framing our magnificent ship in the background.

We hired a couple of bikes for an hour and set off to explore further. Luckily we'd chosen to do this in the morning before the day got any hotter. After cycling up a long, wide path we arrived at the adult's only beach, Serenity Bay. The crystal clear waters beckoned us to take a dip. My husband ventured out to explore the shallow reefs while I pulled up a beach chair and sat with the gently lapping at my feet.

Cycling back to return our bikes we passed beautiful tropical foliage, and staff members who were always ready with a smile and a wave.

Tired and hot from peddling we hired a sea kayak and floated around, occasionally paddling to get out of the way of the other variety of watercraft sharing the blue lagoon with us.

Next it was time for lunch, served buffet style at "Cookie's BBQ." Burgers, grilled mahi mahi, chicken, salad, pasta, cookies, fresh fruit, so much to choose from! Once our hunger was satisfied it was time for the highlight of the day so far - parasailing.

We headed on out to sea on a boat with our two local guides and some fellow parasailers. My husband and I were strapped into a harness and attached to the parachute and before we knew it we were flying through the air above the ocean. The ten minutes passed quickly and once we'd come in for a smooth landing on the boat we zipped at speed back to the shore.

Back on the boat it was time to sail away from this wonderful paradise island. The ships horn played the first seven notes of "When you wish upon a star," marking our departure.

We'd been privileged to spend the day on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas, just a short distance from the Abacos islands. The only way to visit the island is onboard one of Disney's cruise ships - the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

~~ ITINERARIES ~~

The two ships sail different itineraries-
3 Night Bahamian cruise - calling at Nassau, and Castaway Cay.
4 Night Bahamian cruise - calling at Nassau, Castaway Cay and a day at sea.
7 Night Eastern Caribbean - visiting St. Maarten, St. Thomas/St. John, Castaway Cay
and three days at sea.
7 Night Western Caribbean - sailing to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay, with two days at sea.
Special itineraries - each summer the Disney Magic usually leaves it's home port of Port Canaveral in Florida and sails to somewhere new. Last year it was the Mediterranean, and this year it's the US West Coast, calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, with two days at sea. In 2009 it will be remaining at Port Canaveral, but adding two new stops to the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, St Croix and Tortola.

~~ ROOMS ~~

Staterooms, as they are known, come in different categories, ranging from a category 12 inside stateroom, up to a category 1 suite. We stay in category 6, an outside stateroom with verandah. All rooms will comfortably sleep up to four people, and feature TV, mini fridge, closet, bathroom (split bathroom in category 10 and above), safe, and convertible sofa.
Each stateroom has a nautical theme and free H2O toiletries are provided daily.

~~ DINING ~~

As with most cruise lines, once onboard all food and soft drinks are free. The only thing you'll have to pay for is alcohol, and soft drinks from room service. An exception being the adult's only dining room Palo, but more on that later.

Each stateroom is allocated a dining rotation, experiencing a different restaurant each night. Although you're dining somewhere different each evening, your servers will remain the same, as they move from restaurant to restaurant with you. This is a very nice touch, as it enables them to get to know your tastes and preferences. By the end of our last cruise we'd become good friends with our three servers and it was sad to say goodbye to them.

There are two dinner seatings nightly, and guests are allocated either the early (5:30-6:00pm) or late (8:00-8:30pm) seating.

Onboard there are three sit-down restaurants, a self-service buffet restaurant, pizza counter, fast food counter, ice cream / fresh fruit counter and 24 hour beverage station, along with an adult's only coffee bar and room service.

Each night, dinner is a four-course affair, where guests can choose from an enticing menu which not only features gourmet & exotic dishes, but also a selection of plain foods for the more fussy eater.

Diners spend the first three nights in the three different restaurants, before starting the rotation over again for cruises longer than three nights.

Animator's Palette
Dinner here is something special, well, it is Disney after all! The walls are covered with drawings of animated characters, with everything starting off in black and white. As each course is served, colour begins to appear throughout the room, culminating in all of the servers parading out with dessert, their waistcoats having changed from black & white to colour.

Lumiere's (Disney Magic) / Triton's (Disney Wonder)
Elegant restaurants with a French theme.

Parrot Cay
A colourful, casual and more relaxed restaurant, serving a tropically themed menu on the first rotation night.

After the first three nights, the dinners are themed.

Pirates IN the Caribbean
The evening starts with a Caribbean themed menu, which is presented on a treasure map scroll. After dinner, where bandanas are handed out to everyone, a deck party is held culminating in a fireworks show (yes, fireworks on a cruise ship!) and late-night dessert buffet.

Other themes on the seven night cruises include a Master Chef dinner, Captain's Gala and 'Til we meet again.


~~ ENTERTAINMENT ~~

Each night a show is put on in the onboard theatre, ranging from Broadway style musicals to caberet and variety shows.
An adult entertainment district houses a sports pub, piano lounge, and live music club where there's a different theme each night, such as 80s night.

~~ ACTIVITIES ~~

You'll be spoilt for choice for things to do onboard. Whether it's splashing around in one of the three pools (one adults only, one family, one kids) or taking part in an onboard tour of the galley or bridge.

Kids' clubs will take care of the little ones while you are free to get a pampering in the spa, buy a masterpiece at the art auction, or simply lie back and relax in the sun. Many report that their kids don't want to leave the clubs because they've had so much fun and made new friends. Each of the two onboard clubs offer a full day's schedule of activities aimed at the different age groups.

Teens are catered for in their own teen club which hosts activities and parties specially for that age group.

Infants and toddlers can be taken care of by qualified staff in the dedicated nursery, which sadly is only open at certain times of the day.

~~ PRICES ~~

So, what can you expect to pay?

Prices vary widely depending on which stateroom category you choose, and which itinerary.
For a 3 night Bahamian cruise prices start at $399 for a category 12 stateroom, rising to $2,299 for a category 1 Royal Suite. For a category 6 stateroom prices start at $789.
For a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise you'd be looking at a minimum of $799 for a category 12, or $1,349 for category 6.

Remember that prices include most food and soft drinks once onboard.

Special offer and discounts can be attained. I'd recommend booking through a specialist Disney travel agent (many can be found online). They not only offer special free onboard credit offers, but also block book rooms at group rates, then sell off individually, passing the savings onto you.

~~ VERDICT ~~

We've done both the 4 night Bahamian and 7 night Western Caribbean cruise, and the only thing stopping us from returning is lack of money!

We have friends who have sailed with other Cruise Lines and say they don't even compare to the level of service and quality attained with Disney Cruise Line. Disney is a bit more expensive than it's main rivals, but I believe you get what you pay for.

Whether you're single, married with no kids or have a family of six Disney Cruise Line has something to offer you. Many people may be put off by the Disney element of this cruise line, but once onboard it isn't "in your face" and there are plenty of places to escape to if you're all Disney-ed out. Although if you hate Disney with a passion you're probably better off trying Royal Caribbean!

Visit the official site at http://www.disneycruise.com/

Summary: Highly recommended for new or return cruisers