Your Cruise Your Way Cruise Blog

Disney Magic
09/05/09
Western Caribbean

For those who have the impression that a Disney cruise is for kids only, I’m here to tell you, that is far from the truth. I recently sailed the Disney Magic to the Western Caribbean, visiting the ports of Key West, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel. At first I was skeptical that 2 adults traveling with no kids traveling on a Disney cruise, would have as much fun as other cruiselines, but I was wrong.

Disney goes out of their way to make you feel special such as announcing your names as you enter the lobby of the ship. Once on board, you have your choice of having lunch in the casual buffet restaurant on the top deck, or having lunch in the very uncrowded Parrot Cay restaurant. As the Magic departs Port Canaveral, be sure to attend the Bon Voyage deck party on the top deck with all the Disney characters taking part. It will bring out the kid in all of us.

No need to worry about being bombarded with Disney characters throughout the cruise, as they are very limited to mostly the lobby area duing the evening hours. And if your traveling without kids, the adults only pool area is the place to be (and no one under 18 is allowed and is strictly enforced). The adult only pool is also right next to the Spa and Fitness Facility along with the beautiful Rainforest with heated tile loungers, dry sauna and two steamrooms. This is a very relaxing place to get away from it all, and although there is a fee for use, it is worth it. Currently, the price is 148.00 for two for unlimited use. There are also seperate dry saunas in both the Men’s and Women’s locker rooms.

For those who want to get away from the crowds, but still want to sunbathe, there is a secret place on Deck 7, all the way aft in the back of the ship and is used very little. It is open daily until 11:00 PM.

The nightly production shows on the Magic were some of the best shows I have ever seen on a cruiseship. Although Disney in nature, the quality of their shows were as good as anything you would see on Broadway. Another Adults only area was Beat Street featuring several Adults Only nightclubs which were packed every night.

One of the best nights of the cruise and is not to be missed is Pirate In The Caribbean night. Everyone is encouraged to dress as a Pirate for the night, but if you forget your Pirate gear, Pirate scarfs are provided at dinner. Later at the deck party, Pirates take over the ship, with Mickey saving the day, with the end result being the only ship in the world having Fireworks at Sea!

Another great concept that only Disny provides, is rotational dining, where you rotate with your same tablemates and dining staff among 3 dining rooms (Parrot Cay, Lumierre’s, and Animator’s Palatte). And for something different, Disney’s Alternative Restaurant, Palo’s, is one of the best dining expereinces and at only 15.00 pp it is a bargain.

I would have to say the highlight of a Disney cruise is a stop at Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island). Currently it is undergoing an expansion to make way for the two new Disney ships (Dream and Fantasy) currently being built, with the Dream entering service in 2011. Castaway Cay even has the Flying Dutchman from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ anchored next to your ship. Castaway Cay has also been developed so that no tendering is needed as the ship docks at the pier. I could go on and on, but there is also an Adult Only beach which you can either walk to, or a Tram will take you over to the Adult section (just like at Disney World). There are no outside vendors hawking their wares, although there are Disney Castaway Cay gift shops, along with their own Post Office to mail your post cards from and have them stamped with Castaway Cay.

Disney was recently voted #4 in Travel and Leisure’s Readers Poll, and I can understand why and look forward to sailing Disney again.

Steve Zellers
America’s Vacation Center
800-391-2531
www.avctravel.com/stevezellers
steve.zellers@americasvacationcenter.com