A Disney World vacation can be so magical! Children and families can play together in the most magical place on Earth. My family has enjoyed making memories together for many years.
However, there is a downside. Walt Disney World can also be:
- crowded
- hot and humid - exhausting
- overwhelming to plan**
- so much walking!
**Of course, using Trips by Mary takes a lot of the planning off your shoulders!
What if you could have all the magic without the hassle and worn out shoes?
Moms and Dads, allow me to present a Disney Cruise Line vacation! A Disney Cruise combines all the magic for the kids PLUS a relaxing experience for the adults as well. Just think!
- no dining reservations needed.
- no early morning wake ups to get to the Bus Stop and the park gates before the crush
- no learning My Disney Experience
- no learning Genie+
AND - you get the character meets, Prince and Princess makeovers at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, a first class club for all kids from 4-18 years plus adult only areas, a beautiful spa and the service is incredible.
Disney Cruise Line Basics
Disney Cruise Line has four ships (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy), with the fifth (Disney Wish) coming online in July. They sail all over the World, including the Bahamas and Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and Europe itineraries. For a first time cruise, I recommend looking at a 4 to 7 night Caribbean or Bahamas cruise that includes Disney's private island called Castaway Cay.
If you have your dates and travel party lined up, contact Trips by Mary (919-817-4081 or email mary@tripsbymary.com) and we can look at itineraries for you.
Not sure about cruising and safety? The Disney ships are so CLEAN! Seriously. Your cabin is cleaned twice a day. All public areas are constantly being cleaned and maintained. Before you enter a dining room or the buffet, you MUST wash your hands. Cast Members will watch you do it. To enter the kids clubs, you MUST wash your hands. Spaces are under a continuous state of being refreshed, painted, cleaned.
COVID
Every passenger who is eligible to be COVID vaccinated are 100% vaccinated. In addition, EVERY passenger MUST have a negative COVID test result at the port prior to boarding. Children who are not old enough to be vaccinated take two tests, one 3 days prior to cruising and one at the port.
What's Included
When you book a Disney Cruise Line vacation, your accommodations, all your meals, all your soft drinks (included soda, tea, coffee, lemonade), kids clubs and onboard entertainment (including nightly shows, movies onboard, even Disney movie premiers) are all included in your fare. There are pools and water slides, both for families and adult only areas to enjoy. Enjoy a sports deck, shuffleboard, and lots of family fun activities like games, crafts and demonstrations.
Not included are adult beverages, upgraded dining at the adult only dining locations, specialty coffees, gratuities and shore excursions.
Onboard the Ship
You can have a fabulous trip just experiencing all of the included activities. The onboard entertainment team run a variety of games like trivia, crafts and cooking demonstrations and lectures on the ship so you will never be bored.
But you are also welcome to just enjoy a lounge chair. Read a book. Or play on the sports deck (my family loves playing mini-golf onboard) or shuffleboard. There's a fitness center and a running/walking track as well.
Each evening, there is live music in the atrium. Kids love to dance around and just have a great time. There are a variety of nightclubs for adults too with dancing and live music or trivia games.
For me, the 'At Sea' days, with no port stops are the most fun! I love the laid back family fun onboard the ship. On our last cruise, we played BINGO, made a 3D ship out of paper, and played a Disney Cruise Line Trivia Game. I also had time to finish a book.
One night of your cruise, you will even be able to enjoy the only fireworks at sea! These are presented on the same night as a pirate night on Caribbean cruises!
Castaway Cay
Every time I set foot on Castaway Cay, I want to stay forever! This picture perfect beach has it all! Clear, turquoise water. White sand. Plenty of loungers, umbrellas, hammocks and chairs for everyone. Three dining locations (one is adults only). Wait staff bringing drinks to the beach. Plus, you can snorkel and find hidden Disney treasures. Or, get a float and bob around. Feed stingrays. Bike around the island and explore. Or, run the Castaway Cay 5K. There's even a kids club on the island!!
Service
Disney has always provided a level of service not seen at most theme parks. While the service is still good at the parks, the Disney Cruise Line cast members are simply outstanding! Your stateroom will be cleaned twice a day, including nightly turn down with a towel animal creation and chocolates. That's in every stateroom, not just concierge level.
Your wait staff at the restaurants gets to know you and your family. They stay with you as you change restaurants. They remember your beverage preferences and even cut your children's meat for them. I promise, you won't want to come home!
If you have questions about a Disney Cruise Line vacation, please reach out to me. I would love to help you plan your next family vacation!!
Mary Graham owns Trips by Mary, an affiliate of Cruises & Tours Unlimited and is celebrating six years in business. Her most recent cruise was a 4 night Bahamian Cruise on the Disney Dream.
She takes the stress and hassle out of planning and doesn't charge any fees for vacation package clients. Theme park vacations. All inclusive resort vacations. European destinations. Ocean Cruises and River Cruises.
Contact her by email: mary@tripsbymary.com or call 919-817-4081.
Visit her website: www.tripsbymary.com.
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