A Disney Cruise is not just for kids! Check out all that there is to do on a Disney Cruise for adults. I promise that you will have so much fun!
A Disney cruise is the BEST cruise you will ever set sail on! I don’t just say that because I am a die-hard Disney lover, but because they truly are the best. From the world-class service and exquisite dining, to the extravagant accommodations onboard, you will never be disappointed when you take a cruise with Disney.
Although, a lot of times when I mention to a couple or group of adults that they should take a Disney cruise, they look at me like I’m crazy. They picture themselves surrounded by children and activities that are only meant for children, but a Disney cruise is not like this at all! It’s not just for kids, and there is an abundance of activities that are adults only. As a matter of fact, my husband and I love Disney cruises so much that we went on a Western Caribbean cruise for our honeymoon AND our first anniversary, and also on a Bahamian cruise in the spring of 2016! This was when we had no kids, and we TOTALLY enjoyed every minute of it!
So, if you are wondering just exactly what all of the craze is about for adults on a Disney cruise, here are 15 fun things for you to do on your adult-only trip!
1. Adult-only dining at Palo and Remy
My husband and I LOVE visiting Palo when we go on a Disney Cruise. It is hands-down our favorite meal during our entire vacation. We love the elegant and relaxing atmosphere, and especially the beautiful ocean views. Palo offers the finest Italian cuisine you can get, giving you several courses including antipasti, an appetizer, main course, and dessert. On the other hand, Remy offers French cuisine also in an elegant setting with stunning ocean views. Each of these restaurants offer different experiences, so it would be so much fun to experience both on your cruise. My husband and I are looking forward to trying Remy on our next cruise, as they also offer brunch, a dessert party, and a tasting tour called “Petites Assiettes de Remy” where you can sample food and wine.
If you’re celebrating something special, like a honeymoon, birthday, or anniversary, be sure to let your waiter know! They are awesome at making celebrations extra special, and sometimes they will even give you an extra dessert. For our honeymoon and first anniversary (which also happened to be my birthday!) we got this adorable little surprise sent to our table. I wanted to take it home, but I unfortunately was told I couldn’t. Ha! By the way, the chocolate soufflé’s are TO DIE FOR! I would pay to get on another cruise right now JUST for these soufflé’s, honestly!
2. Adult-Only Excursions Onshore
No matter where you go on a Disney cruise, there’s always kid-free tours and excursions for you to enjoy onshore. Things like wine tastings, sightseeing tours, and adventure tours are abundant. When my husband and I visited Grand Cayman, we took an air conditioned, narrated van tour around the island and got to stop at the Turtle Farm and held some turtles! When we visited Cozumel, Mexico, we took an adult-only ATV ride through the jungle! In Falmouth, Jamaica we got to tour a BEAUTIFUL plantation, swim with dolphins, and eat an delicious, authentic Jamaican jerk chicken meal! The options are literally endless, we’ve done so many fun things.
3. Special Adult Activities Onboard
There are also fun things just for adults to do onboard the ship! You can check your daily navigator (on your Disney Cruise Line app OR you can request a papy copy to be sent to your room!) to find out exactly what is happening all throughout the day on the ship. There are activities such as Bingo (you can win cash prizes!), trivia, cooking classes and wine tastings. There are all kinds of activities for you to enjoy while you’re sailing! Me and my husband had SO much fun doing Bingo together!
4. Adult-Exclusive Pool Areas
The adult only pool areas are where we spend most of our time on a Disney cruise. You can relax and unwind in the sun in Quiet Cove, Satellite Falls, or in the hot tub! In Quiet Cove, there’s a swim up bar that you can order delicious drinks from! My favorite is the Banana Pina Colada.
5. Walking the Deck at Sunset/Nighttime
Nothing says romantic like a sunlit or moonlit walk with your love! If you’re taking a trip with your spouse or significant other, be sure to take a walk out on a deck at night. My hubby and I love to go to the deck where the main lobby is because that’s where it’s the least windy, BUT we also like to go to the very top deck too! No matter where you go, the views are unbeatable and the ocean breeze feels amazing. It’s so nice to just sit on a deck chair and talk!
6. Coffee Shop Date
Here’s another activity for the couples! If you love coffee and you are sailing on the Disney Fantasy, head to Cove Cafe! This adult only cafe serves all kinds of coffees, alcoholic beverages, and snacks. The coffees and alcohol are for a price, but the snacks are free and unlimited! They have several options ranging from mini cakes, to cookies, to various pastries. This is a great place to just relax and get away from the heat!
7. Breakfast on the Verandah
This is honestly one of my most favorite parts of our cruises (I’ve said that a lot, haven’t I?). If you choose to purchase a room with a verandah (which is TOTALLY worth it by the way!), order room service and eat breakfast out on the verandah! In your room, there are door hangers that have food order forms on them. Fill one of these out with any breakfast items you want (bagels, cereal, croissants, juice, milk – they have lots of options!) and the time that you want it to be delivered to your room. Hang it on your door before 1am, and they will deliver it to your room in the morning! We loved just being able to relax in our PJ’s on our own verandah, listening to the ocean waves and enjoying the view!
8. Go See a Movie
If you’re looking to beat the heat, sit down, and watch a movie, you have 2 options! First, you could head over to the Buena Vista Theatre and catch a movie there! They have movies playing all day, and you can watch them at your convenience. Also, is there a new release movie you are DYING to see but it hasn’t quite come out yet? The cool thing is, SOMETIMES you can catch them on your cruise! When my husband and I went for our anniversary, Dr. Strange was only a week or so away from hitting theaters. We got to view it before anyone else in America did! I thought that was super cool.
Second, you could wait until the evening time once the main Mickey pool closes and watch a movie on the big screen! Each night, there is a movie playing out on the deck that you can watch in deck chairs. Grab some ice cream and enjoy the show!
9. Get Pampered at Senses Spa and Salon
Need a little relaxation? For an extra price, grab a massage at the spa! Not only do they offer massages, but they also offer teeth whitening, body wraps, facials, aromatherapy and so much more. Do you need your nails done? They do mani’s and pedi’s, hair styling and also several men’s grooming options. Grab a free non-alcoholic drink, a robe, and some slippers and relax!
10. Bar/Lounge Hop
All of the Disney cruises have tons of bars and lounges onboard for adults to enjoy, and after 10pm they are adults only! They are all themed differently and offer different atmospheres! My favorite bar aboard the Fantasy is the Skyline Bar. The views “magically” transform from one city to another through a panoramic screen. It’s pretty cool!
11. Go Watch a Live Broadway Show
Every night of your cruise, you have the opportunity to watch a world-class Broadway style Disney show. Let me tell you, you CANNOT miss these shows! They are absolutely fantastic. They are entertaining for the whole family and just as entertaining for the adults. They are filled with music, dancing, and magical stunts and tricks that will seriously wow you.
12. Get your tan on at Serenity Bay on Castaway Cay
If you’re sailing on a Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary, be sure to visit this adult-only beach on Disney’s private island because it is absolutely GORGEOUS! It truly is paradise. This is a great place to work on your tan, sip on your favorite drink, and just soak it all in and RELAX! The water is crystal clear and there’s island music playing everywhere. It’s truly a must do when visiting Castaway Cay!
13. Go Shopping
If you love to shop, there are several shops on board where you can go to get all of your Disney Cruise Line souvenirs! You can find anything from backpacks, mugs, to fine jewelry and clothing. The shops are usually open all day, except on port days.
14. Watch the Fireworks During Pirate Night
Pirate night is one of my favorite nights! Dress up in your best pirate gear for this special night aboard Caribbean and Bahamian cruises. During pirate night, your dinner will be pirate themed and characters aboard the ship will be dressed in their pirate best. There’s also a fun pirate themed show complete with fireworks at the end of the night. My husband and I truly enjoyed this night, it was so much fun!
15. Relax in Your Stateroom and Watch a Movie on Demand
If you’re exhausted from the days activities and just want to relax in your stateroom and watch a movie, do it! There are a wide variety of movie options on demand on your TV from classic Disney movies to relatively new releases. My husband and I enjoyed doing this every night with a plate from room service!
I have never been that interested in cruises, but the more I read about Disney cruises I’m changing my opinion. 🙂 I’ve never heard from anyone who hasn’t loved them!
They are the BEST! You couldn’t pay me to go on any other cruise line 🙂
I want to hit up a cruise but I’m terrified, for whatever reason I think it would end up like the Titanic. Everything looks so fun and exciting though. Maybe one day I’ll be able to muster up the courage to go.
You sound just like my mom, haha! Don’t be scared, you won’t even realize you’re on a boat when you’re out there! 😉
Whoa, I didn’t realize there were so many fun things for adults to do on a Disney cruise. Looks like you had a blast.
Oh yes, it’s so much fun!
I had no idea there were so many adults only things you could do on a Disney cruise. Thanks for the tips!
Most people don’t! But it’s so much fun!
a cruise sounds pretty good this time of year! looks like a lot of fun
Doesn’t it?!
I’ve never been on a cruise, but this sounds so fun!
It is the trip of a lifetime!
What a great post! I’m a huge Disney lover and if we were ever to do a cruise with Disney I’d be loving all the adult and child entertainment I’m sure! I mean you’re never too old to meet mickey and minnie! BUT this list is perfect for those wanting to get away from the kids and enjoy some adult holiday time! Loved it!
You are so right! Never too old to hang out with your favorite characters 🙂
Thanks for the tips! We leave for our first Disney Cruise in January, and I am SO excited. My husband and I already booked our dining time at Palo’s. I will have to try out your other suggestions.
Oh how wonderful, I hope you have a BLAST! Disney cruises are so much fun! Enjoy your Palo dining!