Today, my wife and I are leaving for a cruise—but not just any cruise, this is a Disney cruise!
I know, I know, I can hear some of you groaning already. Even if you enjoy the cruise experience, you see Disney Cruises as too expensive, or overflowing with little rug rats dressed as princesses or pirates, or a place where you can’t gamble or drink way too much… and those are all true to some extent, but there are things we really enjoy about the experience.
We don’t gamble, so not being on a casino ship is a plus for us. We also don’t smoke or drink and, while those elements are present, they’re not as prevalent as on other cruise ships. We actually have gone on several Disney cruises of different durations, and never brought any other family or children with us, but it’s never been an annoying amount of rug-rattery going on. The kids have their own decks (and having toured them, I really want to be 7 again!) so they’re not constantly underfoot. Being a couple with no kids is just fine, and there are lots of couples who go without any kids, so we are in good company.
The thing that stands out to us is how well-themed everything is. Disney’s magic is about the small touches that add up to a magical experience, from shop themes to characters in sailing gear, decks fitted with one movie’s accoutrements to incredible dining experiences, entertainment to islands, they have everything wrapped together in a nice, form-fitting, sparkly bow. But you probably won’t be too surprised to hear that what I notice most…
…is the music!
I’ve talked in this forum before about the power of music. Nobody harnesses this power better than Disney. Every experience is enhanced by the background music! Whether you’re walking down the deck to movie songs, eating breakfast to smooth jazz covers of “The Bare Necessities” or “Kiss the Girl,” or getting on a tram at the private island to reggae and Moana, the music is perfectly matched. Every musical piece is cleverly picked and designed to lift your spirits, tie your activity in with the Disney characters and products. It’s not obnoxiously overdone, just there, and you find yourself singing along…
Anyway, it’s time to get on board. I’ll probably write one of these next week, gushing about some musical something-or-other, but for now we’re just going to go let the experience take us away… and yes, I’ll be singing along!
Bon Voyage.
– Phil
P.S. My wife asked me to add that we also appreciate the service. From when they announce your family coming on board, to the dining experiences, to the times ashore, to when they wave goodbye with big Mickey hands, you are treated like royalty. Every service experience is top-notch, and sets them apart from everyone else.
