Feel the Disney Magic on Scandinavian cruise
CHRISTINA SAVVAS TAKES TO THE HIGH SEAS WITH DISNEY AND FINDS IT’S NOT JUST FOR KIDS
WHEN I broke the news to my family, it was like Christmas had come early. I have a princessobsessed six-year-old daughter and a car-mad little boy who lights up every time he sees Mickey Mouse.
So – pardon a drum roll here – we’re going on a ... Disney cruise.
It was as if Santa had just dropped down the chimney. Yes, that excited!
We were sailing on the aptly named Disney Magic, a 300 metre-long luxury liner which has 11 public decks and can accommodate 2,700 passengers.
As we arrived at Dover, and caught a glimpse of the ship, it began.
“Is that a slide on the ship?” Kiki squealed, while Savva shouted “There’s Goofy!”
The magic started right there.
The ship is in Mickey Mouseinspired colours – black hull, white superstructure, yellow trim and two giant red funnels, each bearing a Mickey Mouse logo. Disney Cruise Line is the first to have yellow lifeboats, instead of the traditional orange.
It was granted special permission from the US Coast Guard. That’s Disney for you.
And when the ship’s horn sounds, it’s the first seven notes of When
You Wish Upon a Star.
We’d planned ahead because there are things you should book before they sell out, such as Port Adventures, the Bibbidi Bobbidi boutique and special character meetings.
The Princesses, especially Anna and Elsa are hugely popular. You don’t want to be Frozen out.
And here’s a top tip: download the Disney Navigator app. It allows for free in-app texting with fellow passengers and can be used without purchasing a wireless package.
It’s great for communicating with your group, meeting new friends onboard and, most important of all, finding out where to see Mickey and friends. You get alerts sent to your phone if you favourite something on the app.
The kids can also request club staff to contact you by message if they wish to be picked up.
Our stateroom offered enough space for all four of us to relax, sleep, wash, and store our luggage. Although not huge, we never felt cramped, thanks to the clever layout. While you’re at dinner, your room hostess turns the couch into a comfy kid’s bed and adds a guard rail.
Each night, hard-working and friendly Michaela would leave little chocolates on our bed and light-up snowflakes for the Frozen party. Then she’d fold our towels into animal figures.
We had a separate toilet and bathroom in our stateroom – useful when you have young children and worth the extra cost. But I suggest a balcony isn’t worth the extra money. While it was lovely to have, we kept it locked in case Savva climbed the table and chairs.
If you simply want chill out time in your room, there’s half-dozen or so channels entirely devoted to Disney. The kids loved this.
There are early and late sittings at dinner each night at three main venues: Rapunzel’s Royal Table, The Animator’s Palate and Lumiere’s. Disney operates a rotation system so you get to try each of them. Then there’s Cabanas if you want a more casual arrangement, although there’s no buffet dinner option. There’s also the pizza place, snack bar and kebab hut.
The food was hands down the best I’ve had on a cruise or at any all-inclusive hotel, a wide choice and great quality, plus staff who take time to get to know you and the kids.
Special care was taken to make every meal magical for the children but The Animator’s Palate especially stood out for us. I won’t ruin the surprise but the first show left us emotional and the second amazed. When it comes to animation, Disney does it best.
If you want food in the comfort of your own stateroom it’s included in the price. There’s a large selection and orders are delivered promptly.
But if you really want to push the boat out, arrange childcare for the kids and get to the adults-only eaterie Palo. The food at this Venice-inspired restaurant is incredible. We enjoyed brunch so much we went back for another, and for an evening meal.
The brunch menu is amazing.
One large table is dedicated to selections of breads, muffins and pastries, along with sliced fruits and fresh vegetables. An entire aquarium’s worth of fish is available in another section, including prawn cocktail, salmon, seared tuna, scallops, crab legs, crawfish and mussels.
Eggs cooked in every conceivable
way are on the menu. I can recommend eggs benedict with a steak! Then there’s made to order pizza and calzone. But make sure you save enough room for dessert. The chocolate soufflé is divine.
Remember that alcohol is not included in the cost of your cruise – I recommend looking at the drinks packages on offer if you enjoy a cocktail or two, or a bottle of wine or bubbly with dinner.
Service throughout is exemplary.
Each crew member seemed genuinely enthusiastic.
So what’s to do other than eat? There’s enough to keep everyone entertained from early in the morning until late at night.
The live shows were out of this world. We got to see Disney Dreams, Twice Charmed and Tangled during our sail and they were mesmerising, fun and emotional. But it was all the extra bits of entertainment that were the icing on the cake, in the dining rooms and at the parties throughout the week. When was the last time you joined a conga line between courses at a swish restaurant? Then there are quizzes, karaoke, cookery classes and the cinema. Movies are released on board and in theatres simultaneously so you get to see the new ones first. Many new Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars films have 3D showings, allowing guests to experience eye-popping effects on the high seas.
Our children had a fantastic time, especially watching the shows and meeting the characters. At the age of three, Savva was too young to visit the kids’ clubs with his older sister but settled well in the nursery, where he enjoyed the crafts and games.
He made it clear, however, he wanted to join the older kids and took great pleasure in the few open house sessions during the week.
One thing for those with even younger children. Any child who isn’t potty trained can’t use the on-board pools. I spoke to a few disappointed parents who were limited to the three little ducks area. It wasn’t the end of the world given the milder temperatures but something to consider on a Caribbean itinerary.
Above all, Disney Magic isn’t just for kids. There’s so much to do, from watching the latest flicks in the cinema to massages and facials in the spa, and other adults-only areas such as Palo, a pool, a pub and nightclub. There’s also whiskey tasting and silent discos!
This was the one of the best family holidays we have ever had. Amazing food, first-class entertainment and outstanding service. The staff, from more than 80 different countries, sprinkle the fairy dust onto what is the most magical experience.
A ship that more than lives up to its name.