Can Adults ACTUALLY Enjoy a Disney Cruise?

So you wanna book a Disney Cruise but you don’t have kids. Or maybe you do but don’t want to ONLY do kid stuff. Is it even possible? Isn’t a Disney Cruise CATERED to the younger set? HA! Hardly.

Ready to Get Cruising?

The Disney Cruise Line fleet is currently comprised of four world-class ships — the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy. And the fleet will soon expand when the Disney Wish makes its debut with a Maiden Voyage scheduled for June 9, 2022But can the adults in your traveling party have fun on these famously family-friendly ships?

OK, it’s true that a Disney Cruise Line ship will have a different vibe than many other cruising options. Most cruise ships are bars, casinos, bars, duty free shopping, bars, and…oh, yeah…BARS. A Disney Cruise is a different beast entirely. There will likely be more kids onboard than you may experience on other cruise lines. And that means that a lot of the entertainment and dining will be catered to a younger crowd as well.

Mickey and Friends

But even though other cruise lines can dedicate more space and resources to adult-oriented activities, there are still plenty of awesome activities and perks for adults to enjoy on a Disney Cruise, regardless of whether they’re traveling with or without children! Remember — all those kids mean a LOT of time and care went into figuring out ways to keep them engaged and happy. If mom and dad walk off the ship exhausted cause their kids never let them relax, most families wouldn’t;t return, right?? This can mean time for mom and dad — or those kiddo-less travelers — to enjoy some adult-centric time. Here’s how.

Incredible Dining

In addition to the main dining locations, which definitely have a kid-centered vibe to them at times, there are also several adult-exclusive restaurants onboard each of the ships for guests aged 18 and up.

Palo

Each ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet offers Palo, a luxurious, adults-only restaurant that specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. Palo offers both brunch and dinner, which are both exceptional experiences.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Keep in mind that reservations are required to dine at Palo and they do book up quickly, so be sure to make your reservation early if this is on your must-do list. Unlike the regular rotational dining options that are included with the cost of your trip, there is an additional $45 fee per person to dine at Palo, not including alcohol, so budget accordingly!

Palo

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are also home to Remy, which serves fabulous French-inspired cuisine for brunch and dinner.

Remy on the Disney Cruise Line

Just like Palo, reservations are required for Remy, and they will often book up quickly as well. There is an additional charge of $75 per person for brunch or $125 per person for dinner. This is a pricey experience, but it’s a great option for those with a passion for fine dining, just like the restaurant’s namesake!

Food at Remy

There will also be several new adults-only dining experiences debuting on the Disney Wish! In addition to the ship’s own version of Palo, guests can also visit The Rose to sip on a before or after-dinner cocktail or choose from a menu of gourmet amuse-bouche and small plates. We imagine this new spot will serve much like a lounge focusing on cocktails and small bites.

©Disney

The Disney Wish will also be home to Enchanté, the ship’s most elegant dining experience, featuring a gourmet menu by three Michelin-starred Chef Arnaud Lallement.

©Disney

For those looking for an extra-special dining experience, each of the Disney Cruise Line ships has upscale, adults-only dining options to try!

Click here to read more about ALL the restaurants coming to the Disney Wish!

Nightclubs & Lounges

While Disney Cruise Line might not be known for its nightlife as much as some other cruise lines, there are some unique nightclubs and lounges onboard each of the ships!

La Piazza

The Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are home to Skyline, an upscale lounge that offers virtual views of the world’s most scenic horizons.

Skyline

The Disney Wonder features Cadillac Lounge, a glitzy lounge inspired by classic Hollywood that features live piano music nightly.

Cadillac Lounge

Other fun options include La Piazza onboard the Disney Fantasy, which has an incredible carousel-themed bar

La Piazza

…and Fathoms onboard the Disney Magic, where you can catch live entertainment in this under the sea-themed lounge.

Fathoms Seating

If there’s a game you’ve gotta catch check out O’Gills Pub, a lively Irish pub on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Magic. Crown and Fin is the pub you’ll find on the Wonder.

O’Gills Pub

And when the Disney Wish sets sail, it will feature Star Wars: Hyperspace Loungewhich will be family-friendly by day and adults-only at night. This new spot will offer interactive tasting experiences and drinks inspired by the film, all set in a virtually-enhanced space that will transport guests to iconic Star Wars locales like Tatooine, Batuu, and more.

©Disney

If you’re looking for a fun spot to grab a cocktail, Disney Cruise Line has several ultra-themed options to choose from!

Learn more about Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge!

Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay

Most Bahamian and Caribbean cruises include a stop at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island.

Castaway Cay

If you’re looking for some peace and quiet while you’re on the island, there is an adults-only beach that’s perfect for catching up on your R&R.

Disney Dream at Castaway Cay

Of course, there are a TON of family-friendly activities at Castaway Cay, but some of the options might appeal more to the “grown-ups,” like yoga classes, hiking trails, and beach sports.

Bikes on Castaway Cay

Whether you want to rest and recharge or burn off some energy with something more active, Castaway Cay is a highlight for cruisers of ALL ages!

RECIPE: Make 4 Tropical Drinks Straight from Disney’s Castaway Cay!

Broadway-Caliber Entertainment

Each of the Disney Cruise Line ships features a lineup of original musicals and award-winning live productions offered onboard nightly.

Walt Disney Theatre

Performances include adaptations of familiar stories like Aladdin and Tangled as well as original productions.

Tangled: The Musical ©Disney

The onboard shows are intricate productions with elaborate sets and incredibly talented performers, making them must-see entertainment for theater fans of all ages!

©Disney

The lineup of shows varies by ship, so if there’s a particular production you have your heart set on experiencing, be sure to check which ship it’s performed on before booking!

Check Out a Virtual Viewing of Disney Cruise Line’s ‘Tangled: The Musical’!

Adult-Oriented Activities

Just like there are areas and activities specifically geared for the kiddos, there are also sections and activities on the ship that are strictly for the 18 and older crowd. If you’re looking for a relaxing break away from the regular pool area, each ship also has the Quiet Cove Pool for guests age 18 and older.

There’s MORE pools than just the family pools onboard

And if you want to get really relaxed, check out Senses Salon & Spa, available on each of the ships! Here, you’ll find spa treatments, massages, facials, body wraps, and aromatherapy, all available for an additional fee.

©Disney

There’s also an adults-only fitness center on each of the ships which have both weight machines and cardio equipment for those looking to keep up their workout routine at sea!

Cardio Equipment

Plus, guests can also choose from other entertainment like mixology classes, cooking classes in the Palo kitchen, live music, and more.

Pasta Cooking Station

There are even some shore excursions for adults only if you’re looking for a more adventurous option during your time off the ship!

Culinary Port Adventure ©Disney

Scheduled offerings can vary by sailing but the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app offers up-to-date information for passengers on each ship!

Disney Cruise Line Could Add Another Year-Round Port in 2022

Youth Clubs

If you are traveling with the kids and want to enjoy some alone time, each ship offers several youth clubs for kids age 6 months to 17 years to enjoy supervised fun.

©Disney

The kiddos can enjoy activities like games, arts and crafts, and themed parties, all under the supervision of trained Crew Members!

©Disney

In our experience, this is the highlight of the trip for your kids. They can meet characters like princesses and Marvel superheroes, do crafts and activities, and even have meals here — no need to pick them up early to go eat every single night! Plus, they give parents a special phone so they’re always in contact with the club and can enjoy their time away from their kiddos totally stress free. So, if you’re traveling with the kiddos but just need a little alone time on your trip, Disney Cruise Line has you covered!

Find out more about the new youth clubs coming to the Disney Wish!

Given Disney’s reputation for family-friendly fun, it’s no surprise that a lot of the activities on the Disney Cruise Line are created to cater to families. BUT that doesn’t mean ev-er-y-thing you do is just for kids. SO many adults opt to go on a Disney Cruise namely for the well-renowned Disney service onboard and the quality and care given to every aspect of your trip. It’s not a party boat like you may find on some other cruise lines — Disney notably does NOT offer a casino onboard any of their ships, for instance —  but you can still have a very adult time onboard if you choose. For those who don’t mind spotting some characters on the way to their mixology class, a Disney Cruise can be a GREAT time for the adults as well!

PHOTOS & VIDEO! Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Star Wars Bar Coming to the Disney Wish

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!

Order Your Copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Today!

With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!

With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet.

Click here to order your copy of the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2021 to save 25% off the cover price today!

Use code WDW2021 at check-out for 25% off the cover price today!

ready-to-shop-button
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 🙂

What is your favorite thing to do on a Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments!

The post Can Adults ACTUALLY Enjoy a Disney Cruise? first appeared on the disney food blog.