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Animal Kingdom Lodge: Perfect for Teens
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Priceline.com
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Shades of Green
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Making The Most of Bell Services at Disney's Deluxe Resorts
DVC's Old Key West Resort

Cruising

Preparing For Your Disney Cruise
New Ships!
Cruise Security
International Port Security
Convincing a Husband to Cruise
Palo Dinner Review
Vow Renewals Onboard
Cruising With Special Diets
Cruising St. Martin
One in a Million Cruise
Zip-A-Dee-Zip-Line: A Canopy Adventure
A 'Magic' Time In The Mediterranean
A Wrap-Up From DCL's Inaugural Mediterranean Cruise
DCL: Not Just for Kids!
Spa Villas Review

Touring

Laugh Floor Comedy Club
Mickey's PhilharMagic
Fantasyland For Adults
Mission: SPACE
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster
Star Wars Weekends
Animal Kingdom
Expedition EVEREST
Surviving the Parks as First Time Parents
Surviving the Holidays
Overcoming Kids Fears
Planning Park Days
Four Parks in One Day
Touring with Toddlers
A Kid's Perspective
A Teen's Take
Educational Epcot
Flower & Garden Festival
Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party
Scary Places (Halloween)
Playing "Millionaire"
Winning "Millionaire"
A Day With Allie
Past Attractions at Magic Kingdom
Meeting Mickey
Disneyland at 50
Future of Disneyland
Beyond the Disney Parks
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Monorail System
California Adventure
Expanding Disney's California Adventure
10 Reasons to Love Disneyland
A WDW Veteran's First Trip to Disneyland
A Disneyland Veteran's First Trip to Walt Disney World
Disneyland Homecoming
Walt Disney World With Pre-Teen Boys
Keys To The Kingdom Backstage Tour
Pirates & Princess Party
WDW with Teens? Absolutely!

Dining

Disney Dining Plan
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Dining Plan Revisited
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Artist Point Review
California Grill Review
Nine Dragons Review
Spoodles Review
The Turf Club Review
Crystal Palace Review
Yak & Yeti Review
Tutto Italia Review
Character Dinners
Dine With A Disney Imagineer
Eating Healthy at Disney
Food Allergies
White Water Snacks
MurderWatch Mystery Theatre
Disneyland Dining: Yamabuki
Disneyland Area Dining: Pirate's Dinner Adventure
Party For The Senses
Artist Point
1900 Park Fare Dinner Review

Making Magic

Romance At Disney World
Beating The Post Trip Blues
Discovering the Magic
Magic of Slowing Down
Unexpected Treasures
Wishes Fireworks Cruise
Backstage Tours
Epcot's Segway Tour
Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival
Taking Great Photos
Taking Great Fireworks Photos
Digital Photo Q & A
Souvenirs on a Budget
Pal Mickey
Birthdays at Disney
Reunions and Gatherings
Holidays (Christmas)
More Holidays
Disney Intimate Weddings
Disney Vow Renewals
Custom Events
Scrapbooking
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Scrapbooking Supplies
Finding Scrapbook Supplies at WDW
Memories and Milestones
Scavenger Hunts
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Hidden Mickeys
Hidden Mickeys Book Review
Richard Petty Experience
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Ft. Wilderness Trail Ride
Disney Podcasts
MouseFest 2006
Cirque du Soleil: La Nouba

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We were sitting at the diner, enjoying our coffee and French toast, and extolling the virtues of our latest travel adventure to anyone who would listen. We were fresh from a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic, and what a wonderful time we had!

While going on and on about the magic that is a Disney cruise, a patron from the table behind started telling us about a Caribbean cruise he had been on. I asked what cruise line, and he named one of the other cruise lines. He then followed that up with "I took an adult cruise, not a Disney cruise."

Hmmmm...

To a lot of people, the very word "Disney" conjures up visions of children laughing, characters hugging, and the general joy that comes with childhood. So naturally, this vision would spill over into a Disney cruise. It must be all giggles and diapers and sticky, jelly-covered fingers, right?

Well, nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, a Disney cruise can be a magical family vacation. But it can be, and it was for us, a wonderful adult experience.

We began our adventure in a stateroom with a navigator's verandah. This little slice of heaven allowed us to sit out and overlook the deep blue sea, various ports of call, and even one tropical depression named Andrea by ourselves, with not a child in sight. I had surprised my husband with a little stateroom gift, which included a cheese and fruit platter and a bottle of Asti Spumante. We were well on our way to enjoying a "grown-up" cruise, and we hadn't even left port yet!

We had chosen the early seating, so we were seated with a lot of families; however, there is the option of the late dining rotation, which will have fewer children and more adults. And the dinner choices make you think you are on a gourmet dining experience. You can also forgo the whole dining room experience for a change, and have in-room dining. We had breakfast delivered to our room on our last full day, and we felt like royalty, dining privately al fresco while the ship docked at Castaway Cay.

And while we are on the subject of dining, did I mention Palo? Palo is the adults-only dining experience on both of Disney's cruise ships. You must be 18 to get in, no ifs, ands, buts, or children. A seven-night cruise offers chances to go for dinner, champagne brunch and high tea at Palo. We did dinner and brunch; both meals were outstanding, upscale, delicious and definitely adult!

So what about entertainment? Well, the first thing you will notice is that deck 9 is divided into three distinct and separate areas. There is the kiddie area, complete with Mickey's pool, and then there is the family area, complete with Goofy's pool. But keep going...further down the ship is Quiet Cove, the adults-only pool area. Here you will find plenty of lounge chairs, comfortable seats, two hot tubs, and the pool, all reserved for guests over the age of 18. You can get a drink from Signals bar, or sip a quiet double latte from The Cove Cafe, a coffee bar, also exclusively for the enjoyment of the adult crowd!

Not far from Quiet Cove is one of the Disney Cruise Line's highlights, The Vista Spa and Salon! Here you can get a massage, work out on state of the art equipment, get a manicure, enjoy a spa treatment or relax in the Tropical Rainforest Room. And guess what? Adults only!

And how about night time? Well, Disney is of course known for its great family entertainment, and the shows are geared that way at the main, Walt Disney Theatre. But after the last show, head on down to Beat Street (the Magic) or Route 66 (the Wonder) for some kid-free entertainment. There are comedy shows, illusionists, live music and themed party nights. Do your disco best and you might get to be one of the Village People live and on stage!

You can also end your night with a relaxing drink in the Promenade Lounge. While this is not an exclusive adults-only area, musical entertainment and drinks provide an adult atmosphere. We sat here several nights, and never really noticed any children.

Of course, part of the fun of a cruise is the shore excursions. While there are few "adult only" shore excursions, you can choose carefully. Or, you can do a port-of-call on your own! This is what we opted to do at Key West. We spent a relaxing day wandering the city, with lunch at Margaritaville and several wonderful side trips. On Grand Cayman, we did the Rum Point Beach adventure, which was family oriented, but by the time we found our place in the sand, we might have well been the only ones on the island! And Castaway Cay has its share of adult-only spots as well. Take the tram past the family beach and head out to Serenity Bay, the adults-only beach, complete with its own bar and barbecue. Grab a few chairs or a hammock and enjoy the crystal blue waters. For a real treat, book a couples massage in the open air cabanas! (These need to be booked in advance, but they are wonderful!) When you get hungry, you can eat at the open-air adult barbecue, right at Serenity Bay. This dining alternative means you never have to leave the adult area, even to eat! And there are a few things on the adult buffet that aren't on the family buffet, including salmon and steak!

So there you have it! A relaxing adult time provided by one of the world's foremost leaders in family entertainment. Your cruise can be as adult or as family oriented as you want to make it. Either way, you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime!

Updated 04/06/07

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Disney Cruise Line: Not Just For Kids!

We were sitting at the diner, enjoying our coffee and French toast, and extolling the virtues of our latest travel adventure to anyone who would listen. We were fresh from a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic, and what a wonderful time we had!