What it's like to cruise Disney with your whole family: The highs and lows
What it's like to cruise Disney with your whole family: The highs and lows
Show Caption
Hide Caption
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom tour on the new Disney Treasure
USA TODAY took a ride on the brand new Disney Treasure cruise ship. Here's what to know about the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom.
Disney Treasure offered good food and exceptional service, especially at Palo restaurant.
Broadway-caliber shows like "Beauty and the Beast" and "Moana" were highlights, though showtimes conflicted with other activities.
The cruise was expensive, with extra charges for many amenities and activities, especially those geared towards adults.
'Family Travel' is a six-part series showcasing the best experiences and destinations for young families looking for an escape. If you'd like to contribute to our future reporting and share your experience as a source, you can click here to fill out this quick form.
I just got back from a weeklong sailing on the Disney Treasure with a group of ten people – ranging from toddlers to septuagenarians – and I've got thoughts on the magic at sea.
If you're considering a Disney Cruise Line trip for your next big family vacation, here's what to expect, what surprised me, and what I wish we knew before we booked.
A floating Disney bubble: What families can expect on Disney cruises
#1 thing I liked: The food was surprisingly solid
Having been on multiple cruises on the major cruise lines serving American passengers, I would say Disney's Treasure had a strong food offering. No, the dishes weren't always piping hot, and the cocktails leaned a little too sweet for my taste, but the flavors were consistently strong.
Each of the ship's three main restaurants rotates menus nightly, which helps when you're assigned to each twice or thrice. Across our group of ten, there wasn't a dish we didn't finish – and that's saying something with a couple of picky eaters. From carnitas at Plaza de Coco to beef tenderloin at 1923 to the chicken schnitzel at Worlds of Marvel, most dishes earned a solid 7 out of 10 from our crew. What made it better was the exceptional service. The waitstaff remembered our preferences and handled every request with warmth and care (shoutout to Thynelly and Duwi).
We also tried the Treasure's two adults-only restaurants: Enchanté and Palo. Enchanté felt special – fine-dining level, easily a 9/10 for ambiance and service – and we only docked a point because our tastebuds weren't ready for the sophistication of the French menú. Palo, on the other hand, was a home run. Every dish, from the arugula salad to the chocolate soufflé, was a 10/10. If you're looking for one splurge-worthy dinner onboard, make it Palo.
#2 thing I liked: The shows were pure Disney magic
There's a reason 'Disney-quality' is the gold standard when people talk about live entertainment. Both "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney the Tale of Moana" were full-blown stage musicals with incredible production value. The set design, sound engineering and cast were all Broadway-caliber. My mom even leaned over mid-show to ask if they were lip-syncing – because the vocals were that pristine.
Yes, the storytelling felt a little rushed if you know the movies by heart. But quick pacing is probably wise when your audience includes lots of5-year-olds. Our only complaint was that the shows in the Walt Disney Theatre were shown on one day of each voyage – which is their typical scheduling. However, due to an unexpected medical evacuation that delayed our stop at Castaway Cay, we had to choose between staying on the island or catching "Moana." We picked the show, but I'm still salty about missing Disney's private beach.
#1 thing I didn't like: Nickel-and-diming, and not enough for adults
Let's talk about what Disney Cruise Line doesn't include. For a seven-day Caribbean sailing in a stateroom with a porthole view, we paid about $5,000. That's in the range between premium and luxury pricing, but the perks didn't always match the cost. There's no drink package. Specialty coffees and alcoholic drinks are à la carte. Adult trivia? That was free, but get there early before the room fills up. Wine tasting? Extra cost. Beer tasting? Extra cost. Workout classes? Extra cost. Spa access? Extra cost. Technically, you could attend a presentation about diamonds or luxury watches, but we all know how those end.
The truth is, most of the free activities were geared toward kids. Adults in our group had a harder time finding things to do besides eat, drink and hang by the crowded pools.
I tried to be productive and hit the gym, but the fitness center was small and often full. Granted, every cruise line attracts a different type of gym goer. I was working out by myself in Aurora Expeditions while timing when to avoid rush hour on Virgin Voyages. DCL was surprisingly busy every day of the sailing for the size of the facilities. Typically, not a huge deal, but as mentioned above, when there's not much for adults to do other than eat and drink, it did stick out. (Grateful for those Peloton bikes, though.)
The bottom line: Great for families with small kids
Our party of 10 included six who were on their third DCL sailing and four newbies (myself included). It was great to watch the kids light up exploring the ship, attend character meet-and-greets, and retell their adventures each night at dinner.
Disney does an excellent job catering to families with small children. The activities, the entertainment, the energy – it's built for young families.
For adults without kids, grandparents or those hoping for more balance between grown-up fun and family time, you might find yourself wishing for more options – or at least fewer upcharges.
Would I go again? Maybe with a smaller group, and with clearer expectations. Because when Disney says it's for families, they really mean families with little ones front and center.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tom's Guide
2 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
5 Marvel movies worth watching again before 'Ironheart' comes out next week
For anyone who knows the name Ryan Coogler, "Ironheart" on Disney Plus is a show you're going to want to watch. Debuting next week, it looks like a light-hearted origin story for the character first introduced in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," named Riri Williams. But Executive Producer Coogler has been on a roll lately. He not only directed that 2022 film but also the well-received "Sinners," which already has Oscar buzz. Plus, he directed the original "Black Panther" as it can be hard to keep all of these Disney shows straight if you haven't watched the recent Marvel films since they came out a few years ago. To help, here's a homework assignment. These five movies will serve as a refresher for the Black Panther superhero and help prepare you for going back to Wakanda when "Ironheart" comes out June 24. Each movie is also available to watch on Disney Plus making this assignment super easy. (Note: These movies are presented in the order of which ones are worth watching first, starting with the two main "Black Panther" films, but you can watch them in any order.) The film that started it all, "Black Panther" from 2018, starred the late Chadwick Boseman as a superhero gifted with super strength and even more super technology. He wore the Vibranium Panther Suit and had claws that could rip through just about anything. The most interesting character trait with Black Panther, though, was that he was also the King of Wakanda. That means there are elements of a monarchy to the series and a deep family dynamic. It's not quite clear how Riri Williams, as Ironheart, will factor into that equation. Once you are done watching "Black Panther," the next best option is to (re)watch "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" because it introduces the Ironheart character. We first meet Riri Williams as an MIT genius experimenting with vibranium technology. The film, released in 2022, was partly an origin story for Ironheart — even if the main story arc was more about the character Shuri becoming a new iteration of Black Panther. We also first meet the villain, Namor. Released way back in 2016, but still one of the best Marvel movies to date, "Captain America: Civil War" introduced Black Panther with a compelling backstory. Chadwick Boseman's character T'Challa is introduced in Civil War as the Prince of Wakanda. His father, King T'Chaka, is part of a delegation intending to sign the Sokovia Accords to put restrictions on the Avengers. He is killed when a bomb explodes, setting the stage for T'Challa to become not only King of Wakanda but also the Black Panther to honor his late father. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Marvel knows how to build momentum for their characters — at least, that was true back in 2018. After Black Panther came out in February 2019, the superhero emerged as a key player in "Avengers: Infinity War" that April. (It's hard to remember both films were released only months apart.) Fortunately, that meant it was also easy to remember Black Panther — who ends up leading a massive battle against Thanos and his army. In case any of us need a reminder (and this is a major spoiler alert): Black Panther was part of the blip in "Infinity War." His character is restored in "Avengers: Endgame," but due to the real-life passing of Chadwick Boseman, the Black Panther mantle is passed to his on-screen sister Shuri in "Wakanda Forever. "That's a good backstory to keep in mind. "Ironheart" doesn't focus on Shuri, but we're sure there are flashbacks or references throughout the show. That's because Black Panther is a protector of sorts for Ironheart as Riri Williams learns the ropes.
New York Post
3 hours ago
- New York Post
Multiple theater fans ‘fall ill' waiting in heat to watch Rachel Zegler perform ‘Evita' balcony scene amid backlash: report
Multiple theater fans received medical help after they 'fell ill' while standing in sweltering temperatures to see Rachel Zegler perform from an outdoor balcony during the hit West End production of 'Evita.' Over 200 excited fans waited outside the London Palladium for hours in nearly 90-degree heat on Thursday to see Zegler, known for starring in Disney's live-action flop 'Snow White,' sing 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' for free as part of the musical, according to The Sun. But not everyone made it to the show's most famous number, which served as the Act II opener. 5 Rachel Zegler performed 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' from the balcony of the London Palladium.'We were called at 8:16 p.m. (sic) yesterday to reports of a person unwell in Argyll Street, central London,' a London Ambulance Service told the outlet. Two ambulance crews responded to the theater, where Zegler made her West End debut in the Jamie Lloyd's production just days earlier. 'While treating the patient, our crews were called to help a second person who was unwell nearby,' the spokesperson added. 'One patient was taken to [the] hospital and the second was given medical advice and discharged at the scene.' Zegler reshared a series of Instagram posts from paid ticketholders who praised her performance on Thursday night — but has not publicly commented about the fans who got sick while waiting to see her sing outside. 'Crowd control is bad enough on the public street but with the heat it's becoming really dangerous,' a source told the outlet. The Post has reached out to the Zelger's team for comment. 5 Hundreds waited outside the venue to see Zegler perform the most popular song in 'Evita' on Thursday. Ian West/PA Images/INSTARimages 5 Two people fell ill while waiting to see the actress perform in sweltering temperatures. Invision The scare is just the latest controversy attached to the production. At the start of Act II, Zegler, playing Eva Perón, the former First Lady of Argentina, walks out on the balcony overlooking the street outside the venue and sings 'Don't Cry For Me Argentina' to unpaid audiences outside the theater while ticketholders inside watch via live stream. The uncommon creative decision angered fans who paid hundreds of dollars to see Zegler in the show directed by Lloyd, who is known for his unconventional staging in shows like Broadway's 2023 revival of 'A Doll's House' and 2024 revival of 'Sunset Boulevard.' 5 The West End revival of 'Evita' opens July 1. Brett D. Cove / 5 The musical will have a 12-week limited engagement in London. Invision One fan called the livestream decision 'a bit of a rip off' to ticket holders inside. 'If I paid for a theater ticket, I wouldn't be so thrilled that I couldn't see all of the performance in person,' one person commented on X. But some theater fans promote the decision to have her sing on the balcony. 'The show is about Eva Peron giving power to the people,' a social media user on TikTok wrote. 'Singing this song on the balcony to the people who can't afford tickets makes so much sense.' The musical debuted on Broadway in 1979 with book and lyrics by Tim Rice and music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. London's revival of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical officially opens July 1 and is scheduled for a 12-week limited engagement.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Danny Boyle admits he couldn't make 'Slumdog Millionaire' today because of cultural appropriation concerns
English director Danny Boyle said that he would not direct "Slumdog Millionaire" if it was made today due to "cultural appropriation" and would rather have a "young Indian filmmaker" make it instead. "We wouldn't be able to make that now. And that's how it should be. It's time to reflect on all that. We have to look at the cultural baggage we carry and the mark that we've left on the world... At the time it felt radical," Boyle told The Guardian. 'Snow White' Becomes Disney's Worst-performing Live-action Remake In Nearly 10 Years Set in India, the movie tells the story of Jamal, a young "slumdog" who's been selected to appear on the country's version of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", and hopes to also find his childhood lost love, Latika. Throughout his appearance, events from his tumultuous life are shown in flashback and help him answer the questions. Released in 2008, "Slumdog Millionaire" was a hit with audiences and critics, grossing nearly $380 million on a $15 million budget and winning eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Director for Boyle. Denzel Washington Shuts Down Reports He Bailed On Cannes Film Festival After Red Carpet Incident Read On The Fox News App However, despite its success, the movie was controversial for appearing to exploit Indian culture and portray stereotypes of India from a western perspective. Some Indian critics enjoyed the movie, but some Indian artists were underwhelmed, claiming it was "saturated with stereotyped images of India," TIME magazine reported. Boyle added that while the film was in production over 15 years ago, he was sensitive to the exploitative implications of making the movie as a foreigner then. "We made the decision that only a handful of us would go to Mumbai. We'd work with a big Indian crew and try to make a film within the culture. But you're still an outsider. It's still a flawed method. That kind of cultural appropriation might be sanctioned at certain times," Boyle told The Guardian. He went on to say, "But at other times it cannot be. I mean, I'm proud of the film, but you wouldn't even contemplate doing something like that today. It wouldn't even get financed. Even if I was involved, I'd be looking for a young Indian filmmaker to shoot it." Boyle's other notable movies include "Trainspotting," "Steve Jobs," "127 Hours" and the "28 Days Later" horror series. The latest, "28 Years Later", was released on Friday. Boyle nor his representatives immediately responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment. Click Here To Read More On Fox NewsOriginal article source: Danny Boyle admits he couldn't make 'Slumdog Millionaire' today because of cultural appropriation concerns
