Honest responses please: Would a childless couple enjoy the Disney Cruise...

[Drfate102]

We are a married couple for 16 years and we do not have children. We have done 9 Disney Cruises and have two more booked. Loved the Treasure over the Wish, my favorite ship is the Wonder and my wife's is the Fantasy. We have had great times every cruise but we are into Disney, first date was at EPCOT, I proposed at the Magic Kingdom and we did our Honeymoon at Disneyland and for my 50th Birthday we went to Disneyland Paris and are looking at Tokyo. We are Disney World Annual Passholders, DVC members and D23 members. We have been talking about borrowing our niece and nephew and take them on a cruise so we can see what it is like to take children on a Disney Cruise.

 

[OhhBother]

My DH and I (no kids) did our first Disney cruise in 1999 and did five more through 2003. At that point, we started branching out and have largely stuck to Celebrity, Princess, NCL Haven and expedition ships in the two decades since.

With that said, we're sailing on the Disney Treasure in September. The lure of the Haunted Mansion Parlor was too much. We loved DCL as kid-free adults in our late 20s. I suspect we'll still love it in as kid-free adults in our 50s.

 

[asgur5]

If you dont have children but can afford the prices of a disney cruise then dont do a cruise at all and go and explore the world. Do italy, new york, hike the alps, go to egypt, tropical island, anything else. If you love disney theme parks go to tokyo or shanghai disney.

I only do the cruise cos kids love disney, the aesthetics of the ships are nice and the cruises give parents free time from the kids. But lets face it, the food is awful outside the upcharge restaurant (and they arent great just ok), the pools are tiny and completely unenjoyable, the cruise activities are lame, the shows are great but short and targetted at a childs mind, which you can appreciate and enjoy as a parent but probsbly not without kids.

If i didnt have kids i wouldnt waste my annual leave on it compared to all the other options for childless adults

 

[ludari]

As a solo adult cruiser with no children I've completed 9 Disney Cruises. Now the adult areas provide some privacy for adults it's not completely secluded from children passing through the area since anyone can walk through the area because of the forward elevators. Depending on which Disney ship you are on you will have more secluded adult area on the upper deck but without a pool or hot tub and you will have to be content with a sallow soaking type pool (Wish & Fantasy) Now children don't bother me on the cruise since I know what I'm getting into plus they have their own areas and they tend to enjoy them very much.
I just returned from my last Disney Cruise this past March and the previous time I cruised with Disney was in 2014 (I have cruised numerous times with other cruise lines). On my last Disney Cruise I felt that the food quality has gone down and I was disappointed since I've always considered DCL a luxury cruise line. Now the service, shows and staff are top-notch but unless I'm cruising on one of the newer Disney ships I will stick with Celebrity and the occasional Virgin, Royal and NCL.

 

[cwis]

We are a married couple that do not intend to have children. We love vacationing with Disney, as they usually have strong products, you know ahead what you're paying for, and cast/crew members are incredibly talented, and do their best to correct/fix/amend for all of the mistakes they invent at headquarters.

That being said, Disney Cruise Line is one of the cruise line we prefer, if not the number one.
For these reasons, among others:

- It's the only cruise with an adult-only area, and pool deck.
- It's mostly smoke-free. There are designated smoking areas that can be worrisome on some ships, though.
- It's casino-free.
- The background music on the ship is incredible. I dont' know about you but I don't care about pop/rock music while on a cruise, whereas a jazzy Disney song makes my day.
- No unlimited alcohol drink packages. That means guests who can't behave are somehow limited by how much their credit card allows for vomiting on the open decks at night. If you've been on other cruise lines, you know what I'm talking about.
- Upcharge restaurants are 18+.

 

[imbelle]

We are a married couple that do not intend to have children. We love vacationing with Disney, as they usually have strong products, you know ahead what you're paying for, and cast/crew members are incredibly talented, and do their best to correct/fix/amend for all of the mistakes they invent at headquarters.

That being said, Disney Cruise Line is one of the cruise line we prefer, if not the number one.
For these reasons, among others:

- It's the only cruise with an adult-only area, and pool deck.
- It's mostly smoke-free. There are designated smoking areas that can be worrisome on some ships, though.
- It's casino-free.
- The background music on the ship is incredible. I dont' know about you but I don't care about pop/rock music while on a cruise, whereas a jazzy Disney song makes my day.
- No unlimited alcohol drink packages. That means guests who can't behave are somehow limited by how much their credit card allows for vomiting on the open decks at night. If you've been on other cruise lines, you know what I'm talking about.
- Upcharge restaurants are 18+.

Adding the adults only Serenity Bay beaches to the list!

 

[mollygirl13]

My husband and I have no kids and we have done 13 Disney Cruises. I am currently in my hotel room at the Hyatt MCO getting ready to go to sleep and when I wake up tomorrow will be cruise #14. This time we will be on the Treasure. We absolutely love DCL. It is perfect for us.

 

[radev104]

We went twice without kids but went as a family. One time we had 4 teenagers and the next was a one-year-old. We loved both trips. There are many adult things to do on the cruise. There are many adult areas on the ships as well. We did tastings and activities on sea days and excursions on port days. I'm not sure how dinners work because we had big parties. I loved the whole experience, and everyone asks why we choose Disney over other cruise lines which can be more adult friendly. Disney is always clean and if there is an issue they always try to get it resolved as fast as they can.

This next cruise will be our first with kids, little man will be 9 months when we go. It's going to be so different but such a fun time seeing everything through his eyes.

 

[Dug720]

- It's the only cruise with an adult-only area, and pool deck.

No - Celebrity and Royal both have adult-only pool decks. (not sure about others as I haven't been on them). In many cases it is indoor so climate-controlled and yes there *may* be "family hours" in colder climates. But they have an adult pool deck. It is true that they don't have an area for just adult clubs - but neither does Disney until after 8 or 9 (and not at all on Triton Class since the lounges are scattered all over).

- It's mostly smoke-free. There are designated smoking areas that can be worrisome on some ships, though.

Same with Celebrity. There is no indoor smoking on Celebrity.

I love Disney and cruising with Disney, but I will also sail Celebrity and find them comparable in cruise-specific (meaning things related to CRUISING and not a certain entertainment group) things. Just wanted to correct a couple of things.

(And FWIW I've seen some pretty inebriated people on Dinsey - and have never seen anyone "vomiting on the open decks at night" on Celebrity - or Royal new that I think about it.)

 

[cwis]

No - Celebrity and Royal both have adult-only pool decks. (not sure about others as I haven't been on them). In many cases it is indoor so climate-controlled and yes there *may* be "family hours" in colder climates.

Thanks for mentioning it. I am not huge fan of indoors pools so I had this completely overlooked.

There is no indoor smoking on Celebrity.

Even in the casino? I remember a cruise on MSC where going through the casino was often the quickest path and it smelled even during the times the casino were not operating.

Also call me grumpy if you will, smoking on the open decks annoys me. I am an ex-smoker and don't mind the smell of it, it's just that if I am given the chance, I prefer going on a smoke-free vacation. MSC had this policy where half of a side of the main pool deck was a designated smoking area and i didn't like it.

(And FWIW I've seen some pretty inebriated people on Dinsey - and have never seen anyone "vomiting on the open decks at night" on Celebrity - or Royal knew that I think about it.)

Me too, I remember seeing people fighting — badly — in one of the MDR. And yes, those guests had the wine package. But still, I find this is to a lesser extend on Disney. YMWV.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for mentioning it. I am not huge fan of indoors pools so I had this completely overlooked.

Even in the casino? I remember a cruise on MSC where going through the casino was often the quickest path and it smelled even during the times the casino were not operating.

Also call me grumpy if you will, smoking on the open decks annoys me. I am an ex-smoker and don't mind the smell of it, it's just that if I am given the chance, I prefer going on a smoke-free vacation. MSC had this policy where half of a side of the main pool deck was a designated smoking area and i didn't like it.

Me too, I remember seeing people fighting — badly — in one of the MDR. And yes, those guests had the wine package. But still, I find this is to a lesser extend on Disney. YMWV.

I don’t really do pools at all (they skeeve me out) but I pay attention to adult spaces so I can find a nice place to read. And indoor is nice for those of us paler ones because I don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen indoors.

And no smoking inside? Yes, even in the Casino on Celebrity. Royal allows it, which is why I didn’t include them. But Celebrity is 100% smoke free inside.

I hate that it is allowed on outside decks as well (especially how on at least the Classics and Dream class ships it is where the outside steps to the upper adult deck is), but until people figure out it is a nasty habit and make it illegal, there will be outdoor spaces allowing it on all lines.

 

[Joanna71985]

I've done 13 cruises (with my next one in Sept), and all have been without kids. I love cruising, and I prefer it over the parks

 

[cwis]

I don’t really do pools at all (they skeeve me out) but I pay attention to adult spaces so I can find a nice place to read. And indoor is nice for those of us paler ones because I don’t have to constantly reapply sunscreen indoors.

My wife is a huge pool fan. As long as I can chill out with a soda, my iPad, and relax in a quiet place, I follow her wherever she wants to go. Indoor usually is noisy, though you're right, no sunscreen is a bonus, indeed!

And no smoking inside? Yes, even in the Casino on Celebrity. Royal allows it, which is why I didn’t include them. But Celebrity is 100% smoke free inside.

Wonderful tip, thank you. Noted!

I hate that it is allowed on outside decks as well (especially how on at least the Classics and Dream class ships it is where the outside steps to the upper adult deck is), but until people figure out it is a nasty habit and make it illegal, there will be outdoor spaces allowing it on all lines.

Agreed, 100%. That, and most lines do not care at all if/where people smoke, as if it was not a fire hazard. At least Disney takes it seriously when you report to GS that someone is smoking on their balcony.

 

[Dug720]

My wife is a huge pool fan. As long as I can chill out with a soda, my iPad, and relax in a quiet place, I follow her wherever she wants to go. Indoor usually is noisy, though you're right, no sunscreen is a bonus, indeed!

The nice part with it being adult-only is the noise level is considerably less than if kids are allowed in. There are usually nice views out the windows all around as well. I do keep sunscreen on since the roof is glass...but I don't have to reapply as often that way.

 

[plutolovr]

Virgin Voyages is adult-only. No smoking indoors, even in the casino. While we do a Disney Cruise at least once a year as adults (in our 60's) Virgin has become one of our favorites. I have sailed 5 times already and have another one later this year for my daughter's 40th birthday.

I took my daughter (who worked for Disney for 10 years, and still contracts with them) on her first Disney Cruise a few weeks ago, and whole she enjoyed it, she prefers Virgin and Royal over Disney for adults only.

 

[Dug720]

Virgin Voyages is adult-only. No smoking indoors, even in the casino. While we do a Disney Cruise at least once a year as adults (in our 60's) Virgin has become one of our favorites. I have sailed 5 times already and have another one later this year for my daughter's 40th birthday.

I took my daughter (who worked for Disney for 10 years, and still contracts with them) on her first Disney Cruise a few weeks ago, and whole she enjoyed it, she prefers Virgin and Royal over Disney for adults only.

Unfortunately Virgin's earliest ads that looked like frat parties (the guy in a diving helmet in what looked like a mosh pit is burned in my mind) did too good of a job selling the line as that for me to take them seriously as a possibility. I didn't do frat parties in college and definitely don't want them now.

I know people claim that Carnival is more than the party ship that their "Fun Ship" ads they used to have made them, but that campaign was too good. Don't have any desire. (Granted the seemingly weekly reports of massive brawls on their ships doesn't help either.)

 

[plutolovr]

Unfortunately Virgin's earliest ads that looked like frat parties (the guy in a diving helmet in what looked like a mosh pit is burned in my mind) did too good of a job selling the line as that for me to take them seriously as a possibility. I didn't do frat parties in college and definitely don't want them now.

I know people claim that Carnival is more than the party ship that their "Fun Ship" ads they used to have made them, but that campaign was too good. Don't have any desire. (Granted the seemingly weekly reports of massive brawls on their ships doesn't help either.)

Virgin isn't like that. Yes, there are fun parties, but you can avoid them. There are so many nice quiet, laid back spaces on the ship, and good music. We do like the parties. It's great to see so many people of different ages, walks of life, just enjoying life.

 

[Jason Martin]

Absolutely. Have done 23 Disney cruises and 7 of them without children. Had a great time with all of the adult areas. You will have a blast