First Disney Cruise questions usually focus on things like what to pack, when to arrive at the port, and how to choose the right stateroom.
Those are all important.
But after several Disney cruises, Nancy and I believe the biggest surprises are often the things people never think to ask about before they sail.
Before our first Disney cruise, we expected something that felt a lot like a Disney theme park vacation at sea. We expected crowds, busy schedules, and lots of activity from morning until night.
Instead, we discovered something very different.
We recently asked more than 100,000 Disney-loving adults in our online community what surprised them most about their first Disney cruise. While everyone had their own experience, several themes appeared again and again.
First Disney Cruise Surprise #1: It Felt More Relaxing Than Expected
One of the most common responses was how relaxing a Disney cruise felt.
That doesn’t mean people spent the entire cruise sitting by the pool. Instead, many guests described how much easier the days felt compared to other vacations.
On a typical theme park vacation, there is often transportation, security, long walks, and constantly moving from one location to another. On a Disney cruise, your stateroom, restaurants, entertainment, lounges, and pools are all just a short walk away.
For many first-time guests, that simpler pace was one of the biggest surprises of all.
First Disney Cruise Surprise #2: There Was Much More To Do Than Expected
Another common surprise was the number of activities available onboard.
Many people imagine spending most of their cruise eating, watching a show, and sitting by the pool. While you can certainly do that, many guests discover trivia contests, cooking demonstrations, Broadway-style productions, movies, beverage tastings, live entertainment, and numerous activities throughout the day.
The interesting part?
Many guests said they were surprised by both how relaxing the cruise felt and how much there was to do at the same time.
First Disney Cruise Surprise #3: Disney Cruises Were More Adult-Friendly Than Expected
This may be the biggest misconception of all.
Many adults considering their first Disney cruise assume the experience is primarily designed for families with young children.
While families are certainly a major part of Disney Cruise Line, many adults discover adult-exclusive lounges, Quiet Cove Pool, Cove Café, specialty dining, beverage tastings, and numerous opportunities to enjoy the cruise at their own pace.
What surprised many people wasn’t simply that these experiences existed. It was how naturally they fit into the overall cruise experience.
So What Could Your Experience Be Like?
The answer that kept appearing in our community survey was surprisingly simple.
Many people expected a vacation that would feel busy, crowded, and heavily focused on children.
Instead, they discovered a vacation that felt more relaxing, more flexible, and more adult-friendly than they imagined.
Those were only a few of the surprises shared by experienced Disney Cruise Line guests.
In the video, we take a much deeper look at the responses when we asked more than 100,000 Disney-loving adults what surprised them most about their first Disney cruise, including onboard service, Disney atmosphere, adult activities, and why so many people immediately start planning their next cruise before the first one is even over.
If you’re planning your first Disney cruise, the full video may help you understand what the experience actually feels like before you step onboard. Here it is again for you one more time:
If you are worried about overpaying for your first or next Disney cruise, here is an article which many have found very helpful to understand the different pricing options and strategies so you do not overpay for your very first or next Disney Cruise.
