The Disney Cruise Line experience has something for everyone regardless of age, says Edward Park.Can a cruise be any more family-friendly than this? When you book with Disney Cruise Line, you not only receive world-class hospitality, you get an on-board entertainment experience that only Disney can offer - for the whole family to enjoy.
From live Disney shows to meet-and-greets with Disney characters, from fun-filled children’s clubs to relaxing adults-only spaces, Disney Cruise Line offers something for all the family, so you can savour that all-important time as a group and still indulge in your much-deserved time alone.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE FAMILY ACTIVITIES
For family time together, top billing goes to deck parties such as Pirates IN the Caribbean, which boasts a fireworks display at sea that’s exclusive to Disney Cruise Line – and to headline acts you can catch at the Walt Disney Theatre on board your ship, such as The Golden Mickeys or Toy Story - the Musical.
But throughout the day there’s so much else to enjoy as a family, such as first-run movies at the on-board cinema, swimming pools and entertainment clubs such as Studio Sea (on Disney Magic and Disney Wonder), a venue themed like a TV studio where you can sing, dance and play games as a family.
These special places give you the opportunity to enjoy time together but there are also clubs targeted specifically at children.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
These range from nurseries such as Flounder’s Reef on the Disney Magic, a day-care centre themed around the Little Mermaid for children aged three months to three years, all the way through to Edge and Vibe, spaces where 11-13 year-olds and 14-17 year-olds respectively can enjoy music and TV or play the latest video games.
In between, Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab are two clubs designed for children aged three to 10 and are fully supervised by trained Disney Youth Coordinators.
On Disney Magic, for example, Disney’s Oceaneer Club is designed to look like Captain Hook's Pirate Ship – giving kids the chance to dress up as their favourite hero and a crow’s nest slide and rope bridge for exploring.
The Oceaneer Lab on Disney Dream is inspired by Toy Story and has a reading area and interactive “laboratory”.
Best of all, at the themed activities in these venues, siblings and friends of different ages are able to play together. While activities may be aimed at certain age groups, participation is based on a child’s interest level and maturity. Everything is superbly imagined and designed to make sure that each member of the family has a wonderful time, whatever their age or tastes.
Of course, it would not be Disney without the opportunity to interact with much-loved Disney characters, though it’s in a relaxed and personalised way so you can immerse yourself into the experiences as and when you want to. There’s never any pressure.
Characters appear at deck parties and at kids’ clubs, so children can meet them and have photos taken. There are also sessions for signing autographs.
Add it all up and there’s almost an entire deck dedicated to children on Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Wonder, so there’s no chance for boredom.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE ADULT ACTIVITIES
Relaxation and fun isn’t just for the kids, so there are plenty of adults-only spaces on board where you can wind down without the youngsters in tow.
On Disney Magic – the ship you’ll sail on if you choose a Mediterranean cruise this summer – you can relax in the Vista Spa, operated by Steiner of London, which offers spa treatments that can be booked online before your holiday.
On Disney Magic there is also an adults-only pool bar and a piano bar. The Diversions bar, which is adults-only after 9pm, hosts events such as parties for 18-25 year-olds or a singles’ night.
DISNEY CRUISE DINING
Your dining experience will always be first-rate with Disney Cruise Line. Thanks to the “rotational dining” system, you can try a different restaurant each night, allowing you to experience all the different eating venues of the ship, though you’ll still have the same serving staff, who will be able to suggest dishes to suit your tatstes.
Most food is included in the price of your cruise including unlimited breakfast and lunch buffets, multi-course table service dining at the main family restaurants each night, soft drinks with meals and many snacks throughout the day and evening.
All family activities and entertainment are included, too, with the exception of spa and salon treatments, access to some video games and the internet.
There’s also adult-exclusive dining available at extra charge, with Italian restaurant, Palo, available on all ships. On Disney Dream, there’s an adult-only gourmet restaurant too — Remy, which offers gourmet French-inspired cuisine.
It all adds up to a holiday with something for everyone, from young buccaneers to the young at heart.
As well as all the enchantment on board, remember too that Disney Cruise ships visit a variety of appealling destinations on just one holiday.
There’ll be chances to take part in new and exciting activities on shore, or make history come alive for youngsters in some of the world’s great cities. Who said eduction can’t be fun?
So for a fun-filled cruise that the whole family can enjoy, from the Caribbean to the Bahamas, try sailing away with Disney Cruise Line.
DISNEY CRUISE LINE HIGHLIGHTS
Deck parties include the Sail Away party where you meet your favourite Disney characters - and Pirates IN the Caribbean, which finishes with an amazing fireworks display at sea.
There’s almost a whole deck of space devoted to age-specific children’s activities on board Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Wonder.
The Walt Disney Theatre on board each ship has original live shows for the whole family to enjoy - including headline acts such as Disney Dreams, The Golden Mickeys or Toy Story - The Musical.
Each Disney Cruise Line ship has about 950 crew members representing more than 60 nationalities - and about one crew member for every three guests.
On Disney Dream, sailing from Florida, inside staterooms even have a Virtual Porthole, giving live views of the outside of the ship, with extra appearances from animated characters such as Mickey Mouse or Peach, the starfish from Finding Nemo.
The amazing AquaDuck waterslide on Disney Dream is the first ‘‘water coaster” on a cruise ship. This exciting ride includes twists, turns, uphill acceleration, a “lazy river” and a thrilling four-deck drop — and extends out over the side of the ship.
BOOK A DISNEY CRUISE LINE HOLIDAY
To book a Disney Cruise, visit www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/disney, call 0844 573 4390 or visit one of 68 Virgin Holidays stores at Debenhams, Tesco or House of Fraser nationwide.
If you book your family on a Disney Cruise between May 23 and July 31, 2011, Mickey Mouse will call your kids to tell them the news (terms and conditions apply: see website for details).
Start planning your Disney holiday now with the help of our special Disney website
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