DISNEY CRUISES EUROPE: 7 INSIDER TIPS
By Sheila Hendrick
A Disney Cruise is a magical adventure for the whole family. It is a wonderful way to travel and explore new countries without having to worry about keeping the kids entertained.
For those that don’t have much experience of family cruises, we asked our resident Disney expert, Charlotte for some tips on what to expect from a Disney Cruise:
Q. DID YOU GET CABIN FEVER ON THE SHIP?
No. Absolutely not; the ship that I travelled on, the Disney Magic is 984 feet long and 106 feet wide. It has 11 decks, and can fit 2,700 passengers and 950 crew members very comfortably. Let me give you an example of how big the ship is; there are a total of 6 bars and lounges, 3 large swimming pools and 10 dining areas. And guess what? This is one of the smaller ships—the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy are much bigger!
Q. WHAT PORT DOES THE SHIP DEPART FROM?
You have a choice as to which port you would like to depart from. Hop aboard the Disney Cruise ship from any one of the following Ports: Dover England, Barcelona Spain, Copenhagen Demark and Venice Italy.
Q. WE LOVE KIDS, BUT IS THERE ANYWHERE QUIET ON THE SHIP?
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Yes, the crew really go out of their way to ensure everyone has a good time, including the adults. So while the kids are watching a show and provided they are old enough to be left on their own, you can go chill out in one of the adult-only areas on the ship. A group babysitting service is also available during the day in the “It’s a small world nursery” for kids aged 12 weeks to 3 years. Older kids can join the youth clubs which have long opening hours.
Q. IS IT POSSIBLE TO ENJOY TIME AS A COUPLE?
This is something I get asked most often about the Disney Cruises. Yes it is possible to enjoy time together as a couple. This is your holiday too after all! Check out this helpful video with the top 5 adult activities onboard the Disney Cruise and see how you can make the most of your time as a couple. The Disney Dream ship has 4 adult-only bars/lounges and an adult-only swimming pool aptly named Quiet Cove Pool.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TO EACH DESTINATION?
Booking a “Port Adventure” is a great way to get around for families. Guides can take the hassle out of exploring a new country or city and can point out all the highlights so you don’t have to fight over who read the map wrong! There are loads of “Family Adventures” that you can do at every port, including sightseeing, snorkelling, boating and craft-making depending on the destination, activity level and age range.
Q. WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS BAD?
That’s no problem! You can stay on the ship while it is in port. It is difficult to bring kids around if it’s raining and Disney knows this. There are indoor swimming pools, movies and play areas on board the cruise ship for the kids to enjoy while you relax by the pool.
Q. WILL THE KIDS BE ENTERTAINED FOR THE DURATION OF THE CRUISE?
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Yes and more! Disney rolls out the red carpet for each kid on board. It’s a first class experience for them with a huge amount of choice. After breakfast they could go straight to the Bibbodi Bobbodi Boutique where they can be kitted out in their favourite Disney Princess costume, join the Oceaneers Club where they will participate in supervised activities all day and then come back for a dance and maybe a show before bed. They will also get to meet and hang out with their favourite Disney characters—trust me this will be the trip of a lifetime for the kids.
Q. WILL THE ADULTS BE ENTERTAINED FOR THE DURATION OF THE CRUISE?
You won’t believe the amount of activities on offer for adults on board a Disney Cruise. I had a very relaxing holiday aboard the Disney Magic Cruise Ship. How? Well there’s a spa, a salon, nightclubs, bars, movies, top class restaurants and an adult only swimming pool where adults can kick back and spend the day relaxing with a cocktail.
With so many options for cruises, we asked Charlotte to give us her recommendation for the next Disney Cruise to book:
“Disney has just introduced the new 12-night Northern Europe Cruise for 2015. This is definitely the one to book for the more adventurous Irish family. Like I always say, travel the continent that you live in first before exploring the rest of the world. Also the weather should be more agreeable for Irish skin and the kids will learn loads on this educational adventure.”
For and insider's look into what inspired this Disney Cruise fleet click here.
BOOK YOUR DISNEY CRUISE TODAY!
For more insider tips on Disney Cruises and Disneyland Paris talk to Charlotte or one of our other experts on 01 8047 160.