Guest Post! Have Baby, Will Go on a Disney Cruise?

By Corinne in Articles, Cruises, Disney, Travel with Baby Tips

I was delighted to publish this piece written by my dear friend and Disney expert Sandra Pappas of Click The Mouse. As a mom of two amazing kids, Sandra is no stranger to traveling with her kids. Her now-grown daughters have both experienced Disney since they were in diapers. As research for her business, she checked out Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic cruise ship.

Tough work, but someone’s gotta do it!

Sandra Halket of Click the Mouse on the Disney Magic cruise ship — Disney Expert Sandra Pappas of Click the Mouse

Magic and Wonder on the Disney Cruise Line

I boarded Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Magic cruise ship for a 7-day Western Caribbean cruise as a travel agent to conduct some research without my husband and kids.

I repeat.

No husband.

No kids.

With guilt and passport in hand, I boarded the Disney Magic cruise ship for my third Disney cruise.

By day two, I missed my kids. To alleviate some of these feelings, I decided to investigate what they could do on our next family cruise, which I promised to take soon. I also realized participation is part of research, so I indulged and ordered at least three appetizers per meal, tested out the onboard spa and workout facilities, and immediately ordered a Bahama Mama in a DCL keepsake glass.

Disney Cruise Line’s Kids Clubs:

The best thing that Disney Cruise Line offers families is their kids clubs. It’s a Small World Nursery for children 6-months to 3-years-old (or from 1 to 3-years-old on Transatlantic and Panama Canal itineraries), Oceaneer’s Club and Lab for ages 3-10, Edge for tweens, and Vibe for teens only. Kids have so many interactive activities and games to participate in, they probably won’t want you to pick them up. There’s computer activities, movies, dress-up, crafts, books, toys, and even character drop-ins.

Each child is given a paging bracelet where they can contact you if they want to leave the kids club. On our last family cruise my children were four and seven-years-old and they never “buzzed” us once. We couldn’t even get them to leave when the club was closing. They didn’t want to eat meals with my husband and I, go to the shows, or hang out at the family pool.

Call it good or bad, but Disney knows how to entertain kids.

Disney Magic Cruise Ship Kids activities:

Disney’s Oceaneer Club

For kids ages 3-7. An amazing play area designed like Captain Hook’s ship just for kids! Movies, dress-up, games, arts and crafts, and special character appearances!

Mickey’s Pool

Little ones can splash to their hearts’ content in this pool that’s made for play.

Character Experiences

There are so many Disney Characters to see on the ship. You can meet your favourite Princess, Captain Jack Sparrow, Donald, and even the big cheese, Mickey. Don’t forget your autograph book and camera!

Flounder’s Reef Nursery

For ages 12 weeks to 36 months. Little ones feel at home in this Disney group-babysitting area, staffed by trained Disney counselors.

Disney Magic Cruise Ship Family Activities:

Studio Sea

Have fun in this club with activities the whole family can enjoy, from karaoke to TV-style game shows and themed parties, all done the Disney way!

Goofy’s Pool

Goof around with the whole family in this pool that’s perfect for fun in the sun.

Live Shows

Brilliant Broadway-style productions with all the singing, dancing, costumes and special effects you expect in a Disney show.

Deck Parties

On-deck parties with friends, family, and favorite Disney Characters! The fun starts with the Sail Away Celebration and you might even get to enjoy a pirate party and even see a special fireworks show launched off the back of the ship*! (*certain itineraries).

Movies

Catch the latest movies at the Buena Vista Theatre, with a wide-ranging program of first-run features and Disney favourites.

Grown-Ups Are People, Too!

Now that the kids are taken care of, it’s time for some adult time… because we deserve to have fun too. Sometimes we are so pre-occupied with our children’s happiness, we forget our own. On a Disney cruise, they take care of the kids for you so you can have a well-deserved break from temper tantrums, melt downs, and whiney complaints….but not your kids, right?

Disney Magic Cruise Ship Activities Just for Adults:

Quiet Cove Pool

Enjoy the adults-only pool with two great hot tub spas and poolside bar.

Vista Spa and Salon

Pamper yourself at a spa with breathtaking therapies from faraway places, work out with a complete line of exercise equipment, take part in aerobics or yoga classes, and visit a world-class salon.

Cove Cafe

Take a break in at this cozy cafe with specialty coffees, cocktails, cognac, magazines, books, and Internet connection.

Palo

Enjoy delicious Northern Italian cuisine at this elegant, world-class restaurant for adults only. Make your reservations early, this restaurant books up fast for a reason!

Disney Magic Cruise Highlights & Personal Recommendations:

Do not miss any of the shows at the Walt Disney Theatre. They are first class in their production and entertainment value.
Reserve Palo for dinner and brunch. The food and selection are amazing. Dining at Palo was a definite cruise highlight.
Pirate Deck party. Fireworks off the back of a ship in the middle of the ocean, count me in!
Heated ceramic chairs in the Rainforest Spa. If you need a break, this is the place to relax.
Castaway Cay. My first time in the adults-only beach. I still prefer the family beach, but lunch was a treat with adults only. Tip: your kids can still be part of the kids clubs even when at Castaway Cay so you can check out the adults only beach if you wish.
Snorkelling at the family beach in Castaway Cay was incredible. Disney hides special treasures under the water that are surrounded by hundreds of tropical fish. You might even see some familiar faces!

Bon Voyage!

I am so excited to go on my next Disney cruise with the family. I cannot recommend this cruise line enough if you have kids because not only does Disney take care of them, they also take care of the kid inside of you too!

Disney Cruise Line has four ships: Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy. They sail on special itineraries around the world.

Sandra Halket is the founder of Click the Mouse travel agency. In business for over ten years and with literally hundreds of Disney trips under her belt, there is no one more qualified to help you book your Disney vacation.

Connect with her on Facebook.

Have Baby Will Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates/Influencer Program. If you make a purchase through this site, we may receive a small commission. Click here to check out our Amazon Store.

Find the best deal, compare prices, and read what other travelers have to say about the Disney Magic cruise ship at Tripadvisor

Navigation