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Disney Cruise Line: Not Just For Kids!
by SUE KULICK, PassPorter Guest Columnist
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!
Related Links:
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Updated 04/06/07
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