What's The Best Part of a Disney Cruise? The Ease!

What’s the best part of a Disney Cruise?  That seemingly simple, yet potentially overwhelming question is one we get asked many times.  Why is it so hard to answer?  Because while there are many specific things to point to—food, entertainment, service, ports, the real answer is more elusive as it is about a feeling.

From the moment you make your reservation for a Disney Cruise there is a feeling of excitement and anticipation.  Luxury and adventure wait you and your family.  And, while millions venture to Walt Disney World either to stay at the resorts or for a day trip to the parks, fewer walk onto Disney ships to have their family name announced followed by applause from the crew.

You can do as much advance planning as you like, but there are limits.  Prospective guests can check-in online and reserve port adventures, spa treatments, and special adult dining opportunities as well as gain access to paperwork.  Guests can even make sure the kiddos are registered for the kids club prior to boarding and select their dinner seating—main or second.  But, that’s where it stops.  Some, dare I say extreme planners, want to preplan their dining rotations, know which movies will be showing while on board, and preregister for onboard activities such as seminars or family activities.  But, that’s not going to happen.  Disney Cruise Line wants you to make some of those “what I am going to do today?” decisions when you get on board.  And as far as the dining rotation goes, guests will know the moment they receive their Key to the World card (if they understand the letters on the card) and not a moment before.  And, for guests not sure of the code on the card, the dining rotation is clearly printed on the dining room tickets guests will find in their stateroom.

We’ve heard cruising nay sayers that they are worried they would be bored on the ship.  After spending more than a month, collectively, on a Disney ships, I can say our family has never been bored.  Even on days when the ship is in port and there are fewer activities to select from, we have found plenty to do.  Of course, it isn’t the same adrenalin rush as Tower of Terror, but there are fewer lines, less crowd, and moderate temperatures.  And, there’s more to do than just lounging by a pool, but that is available if you want.  The daily Navigator that is delivered to staterooms each evening has the entire list of activities for the next day including character meet and greets.  We love reading and deciding our plan for the next day and we’ve been known to change our plans at the last minute.

Then there’s the whole idea of unpacking once and seeing all the ports of call on a ship’s itinerary.  One can see most of the world from a Disney ship.

Speaking of packing and unpacking, Disney Cruise Line even makes handling luggage a breeze with luggage tags that allow the luggage to be delivered right to your stateroom.  And, plenty of porters to make toting luggage to or from the port easier.

There’s the word I’ve been searching for. . . easier!  The best part of a Disney Cruise Line vacation is the ease.  For us, there is no easier vacation than a Disney Cruise Line vacation.  Planning and preparing are easy.  And, being on vacation is easy!  Our family can do things together or separately and we are just moments apart.  No busses to catch, schedules to keep track of, dining reservations to worry about—it is all easy.  I’m not saying that a Walt Disney World vacation can’t be magical, it definitely can.  But if you are looking for ease and magic, then Disney Cruise Line might be your ticket.  The only vacation that I can think of that is easier is an Adventures by Disney vacation.  And interestingly enough, when we adventured previously, every guest had already sailed with Disney Cruise Line.  Coincidence?  I don’t think so!  Make my next Disney Cruise 7 nights and easy!

Sailing With Disney Cruise Line--Our Easiest Vacation!

“What was the best part?”  “What do you like best about cruising with Disney?”  “What is the most magical part of a Disney cruise?”

Those are some of the typical questions we get asked when folks find out that we just completed our fifth Disney cruise.  I find the questions difficult to answer, but the husband seems to answer them easily.  Maybe I put too much thought into my response, trying to judge what is behind the question or discern what the question asker is really getting at.  So, I am going to attempt to answer the questions posed above simply and efficiently, the way the husband would answer them.

“What was the best part?”  The best part of a Disney cruise that stops at Castaway Cay is Castaway Cay.  Hands down.  We have sailed 5 times and have now spent 7 days at Castaway Cay.  It is paradise, a tropical paradise.  Beauty, cleanliness, activities, ice cream, lunch, frothy drinks, warm sand, and Disney characters all in one place.  Did I say it was paradise? 

We have taken one Disney cruise that did not stop at Castaway Cay and it always felt like there was something missing from our cruise.  Don’t get me wrong, the cruise was great, it was just that we missed Castaway Cay.

“What do you like best about cruising with Disney?”  Ease.  Cruising with Disney is the easiest vacation we take.  Everything is easy, including booking your next cruise!

When I was at a shop at Hollywood Studios waiting on the boys and wearing my Castaway Club lanyard, a Cast Member working in the shop asked if I had just sailed.  I said yes and we went on to compare stories about sailing with Disney.  Seems this Cast Member's “Nana” had worked for Disney Cruise Line since before the first ships were built and she had 18 Disney cruises to her credit, not counting her upcoming Mediterranean cruise this summer to celebrate her college graduation.  She completely understood when I said it was easy.  Here I was standing in the middle of Hollywood Studios in the middle of Walt Disney World explaining that sometimes “this can be hard” meaning navigating the crowd, buses, dining reservations, weather, etc.  It is never “hard” on a Disney ship or at least from our experience.

“What is the most magical part of a Disney cruise?”  Okay, this question is too hard, as there are tons of magical parts. . . when your server cracks open your lobster and pulls it out in piece, or when your stateroom host leaves towel figures for you decorated with Sleepy chocolates, or when Goofy appears in his pajamas for a photo op, or . . . the list goes on and on.  So, I’m changing the question to “What is the most relaxing part of a Disney cruise?”

Ah, that’s better.  This one I can answer.  The most relaxing part of my Disney cruise was being on Castaway Cay sipping red, frothy, adult beverages.  I had no cares in the world!

I can also tell you I took more naps on this vacation.  I napped on Deck 11 near the pool.  I napped near the pool at Coronado Springs.  I napped on Castaway Cay.  Water, sun, warmth, relaxation. . . I’m sensing a pattern here.

When we returned home, our favorite travel agent phoned to inquire about our trip.  In addition to appreciating her for the call, I told her that if she has any clients on the fence about cruising with Disney to feel free to have them call me.  I would do my best to alleviate their fears.  The husband is taking a whole different route to promoting Disney Cruise Line and that is to try and get the boy hired as a spokesperson.  The phone hasn’t been ringing for either opportunity. . .yet!