Complete Guide to a Disney Cruise For Adults

Complete Guide to a Disney Cruise For Adults

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Complete Guide to a Disney Cruise For Adults

This article is your complete guide to vacationing on a Disney cruise for adults! The first thing people think of when they hear a Disney Cruise Line vacation is a bunch of little ones running around and screaming. And we won’t lie, there is a small percentage of that, but there are ways to tailor your cruise to be more adult Disney cruise friendly. Knowing where to stay and how to navigate the ship is a large part of making your cruise feel like an adult-only Disney cruise. I have been on multiple Disney Cruise Line vacations and have had successful relaxing and enjoyable sailing.

We hope you find this post helpful! And if you are planning a trip to Disney World be sure to check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time on your next vacation and find the cheapest Walt Disney World vacation packages!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you’re looking for the best time to visit Disney World check out our Disney Crowd calendar!

Disney World Crowd Calendar

How to Vacation on a Disney Cruise for Adults

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There is no vacation quite like a Disney Cruise Line vacation. While I haven’t sailed on every Disney ship, I have been on multiple Disney Cruise vacations and pride myself on navigating the ship with minimal family interaction. This may not be for everyone, but it comes in handy when you’re trying to have a relaxing Disney adult cruise. While there is no way to eliminate the interactions you will have with other guests under 18, you can plan to minimize it. This is key to having a Disney cruise adults-only feel to your vacation. Before we dive too far into details, let’s cover some basic information about Disney cruises for adults.

How Much is a Disney Cruise for 2 Adults?

  • Two adults can expect to pay an average of $3,000 to set sail with Disney. The cost of 2 Disney cruise adult tickets can vary dramatically though depending on how you want to sail. On average, you can spend anywhere between $1,500 – $2,000 per person for an average 4-day cruise. If you want a longer cruise with a nicer room, you should plan on spending around $4,500 – $7,000 per person. Disney Cruises can be pricey but if you look around, you can find great deals on Disney Cruise Line vacations.

What is the Best Disney Cruise for Adults?

  • I would recommend sailing on the Disney Wish if you’re looking for the best Disney Cruise for adults. Currently the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, it has the most Disney adult-only cruise ship locations to enjoy out of any ship. The Wish also is home to the first-ever Disney Wish adults-only infinity pool!

There are a lot of variables that go into determining the best Disney adult cruises. This article is geared to help you better understand how to plan and what to look for when booking an adults-only Disney Cruise. But where you go and how many nights you sail will be up to you as the type of vacation you want to experience. So let’s get started with the details that will help you have the best Disney Cruise for adults!

Related Post: When is the Cheapest Time to Go on a Disney Cruise?

Adult-only Areas to Know About on a Disney Adult Cruise

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A Disney Cruise ship is designed with everyone in mind. With that being said, some ships are better for certain age groups and types of people. To help eliminate some of your research, if you’re looking for the best ship for a Disney adults-only cruise I would recommend the Disney Wish or the Disney Wonder. Thankfully, any ship you sail on within the Disney fleet will have adult-only areas. It’s important to know that anyone can access these areas. But from what I’ve seen, the Crew Members are great about keeping the areas 18 years and up.

On Board:

Adult Pool Deck

Every ship will have a Disney Cruise adult-only pool. On each vessel, it’s called the Quiet Cove Pool. The Disney Wish for Adults pool is located on Deck 13 in the back of the ship. This is to take full advantage of the infinity pool for the area. Every other Disney Cruise adult-only pool is located in the front of the ship on Deck 9 or Deck 13. My biggest tip for a kid-free cruise is to stay 2 decks below the adult pool on your ship. The most important reason is that you won’t have to walk across the entire ship to access the adult-only areas. Therefore limiting the interactions you’ll have to anyone under 18.

Senses Spa & Salon

The premier Disney Cruises adults-only experience is the onboard spa, Senses Spa & Salon. This spa offers an array of services from full body massages, to facials, light cosmetic procedures, and salon services. One of the greatest things about booking an appointment is that the spa is only open to guests 18 and up. We recommend booking online as soon as you can. If the service you’re looking for is booked, don’t lose hope! You can usually still book on board the ship on your first day of sailing after 1 pm at your ship’s Planning Center.

Bars, Clubs, & Lounges

Adult-only locations on Disney Cruise ships span more than just the pools and spas. There are plenty of bars, clubs, and lounges that cater to adults. And some locations even have an age requirement to enter! Each ship has a variety of lounges that are open to all ages but cater to guests 21+. But there is also at least one designated club/bar for guests 21 and up on each ship. Out of every ship in the fleet, the Disney Wish has the most adult-centered lounges, bars, and clubs. One of my favorite Disney Cruises adult-only experiences on my last cruise was having a drink and listening to a pianist in the Cinderella-themed bar, Nightingales, on the Disney Wish.

Adult-Only Dining

The Disney Cruises adults-only restaurants are also next level! Kitchens belonging to Remi, Paulo, and Enchante are led by Michelin Star chefs and offer some of the most unique dining experiences in the world! Whether you’re looking to book a dinner to celebrate something special or just want to have a meal to remember, the exclusive adult Disney Cruises restaurants do not disappoint. It’s important to note that booking a reservation in one of the restaurants is similar to the spa. They go fast so we recommend booking as soon as your booking window opens. If you are unable to book online, you can generally snag a reservation once you’re on board the ship!

Related Post: What is the Best Disney Cruise Ship?

On Shore:

Serenity Bay

On Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, there is an entire section of the island specifically dedicated to guests 18 and over. This section of the beach is called Serenity Bay and is located on the far left side of the island from the ship. The only downside of this adult-only Disney Cruise beach is the double-edged sword that is the location. The proximity from the ship is quite far and requires about a 2-mile walk. However, some trams take you there but they can be infrequent and hard to grab especially if it starts to rain! There is also a chance you could miss out on grabbing a chair since they are all first come first serve.  I have always found a pretty secluded spot on the family beach if you don’t want to walk or take the tram!

Adult-Only Excursions

There are adult Disney Cruise port adventures and excursions on almost every cruise itinerary. Adults-only activities range from snorkeling tropical reefs to touring historic sites to dining under the stars to an open-air cabana massage on the beach at Castaway Cay. You can find what specific adult-only excursions your port of call offers in the Port Adventures listings for each cruise. I have never been on any port excursion! I like to take the opportunity of a docked ship to explore and enjoy a very empty ship.

Disney’s New Lighthouse Point

Disney has purchased and will open its second private island in the Bahamas in 2024! This new destination will offer an adult-only beach, dining area, exclusive bars, and beachside cabanas.

Related Post: How Much is a Disney Cruise Per Person?

Is there a Disney Cruise for Adults Too?

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If you’re still wondering are Disney Cruises fun for adults, the answer is yes! Having been on multiple Disney Cruises without children myself, I would recommend going on a Disney Cruise to anyone. They’re great for any stage or walk of life. While they are more expensive than other cruise lines out there, the one thing that keeps me going back is the service. The Disney Cruise Line has the “old school” above-and-beyond service Disney was built on. Do you want a Mickey ice cream bar at 1 am? No problem. If you want a meal you had at another restaurant three nights ago? No worries! The Crew Members on the Disney ships truly cater to your every need and are there to make your vacation one to remember! 

Are Disney Cruises Worth it for Couples?

  • Yes! If you plan out your cruise ahead of time you can have the greatest adult-only Disney Cruise vacation. The number one thing to plan is where your stateroom is. If you’re able to stay anywhere on the ship, the best spot to stay is about 2 decks below the adult-only areas. This way, not only do you not have to walk across the ship to get there, but you can take the stairway up only two flights of stairs instead of waiting for the busy elevators.

Depending on where your stateroom is can have an impact on your experience. If you’re staying at one end of the ship but the adult-only areas are at the other, you’ll have to walk through common areas more often. This means that you’ll have greater exposure to families and guests under 18 and will break the adults-only Disney Cruise experience. You can stay one deck below but usually that’s where the ship’s buffet is. I haven’t experienced this, but other guests have stated you can hear the chairs scraping on the floor in the early hours as the restaurant prepares to open.

Related Post: Every Disney Ship from Oldest to Newest

Disney Cruise for Adults FAQ

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Q: Are there adult-only Disney Cruises?

A: There are no cruises that are exclusively for adults only. However, there are adult-only areas on every Disney Cruise ship! You can enjoy adult-only dining, swimming, bars, nightclubs and so much more! Every ship’s itinerary will also include adult-only excursions at different ports of call throughout the sailing.

Q: Can you enjoy a Disney Cruise as an Adult?

A: If you plan and know where to stay when to book, and what to do, yes! My biggest piece of advice is to plan! Just like you would for a Disney World vacation. The good thing is that most cruise line bookings open a year in advance so there is plenty of time to plan your trip to make it as adult-friendly as possible.

Q: What are the Disney Cruise Booking windows?

A: Your advanced booking windows are determined by your Castaway Club Membership status. For first-time sailors, you can book your experiences 75 days before your sail date. Once you sail once on Disney Cruise you will automatically become a Silver Castaway Club Member. This allows you to book at the 90-day mark. From there, Gold level can book 105 days in advance, Platinum 120 days, Pearl 150 days, and Concierge guests can book 190 days before sailing.

Q: How long does it take to walk to Serenity Bay?

A: This depends on how fast you walk! It’s a two-mile walk each way from the ship to the adults-only beach on Castaway Cay, Serenity Bay. On average, it can take about 40 min each way. But if walking 2 miles isn’t part of your vacation itinerary you can take the tram from the pier!

When is The Best Time to Visit Disney World?

Our Disney  World Crowd Calendar is the best tool to help you maximize your time in the parks. We break down park crowds, hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature. We also list the best time to visit Disney World based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney World Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a Disney World Travel Agent for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a Free Quote for all Disney World Vacation Packages. The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your Walt Disney World Tickets, and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets.

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at Theme Park Today, as well!

Kurt Gillman

Kurt is a former Disneyland Cast Member and seasoned explorer and is your trusted guide to the world of theme park travel. With countless visits to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Tokyo Disneyland, and even aboard the Disney Cruise Line, Kurt's expertise and passion make him the perfect companion for your enchanting adventures. As the Multi-Media Manager, Content Creator and Writer for The Park Prodigy, Kurt hopes his experience and knowledge of the theme park industry can not only save people money, but give them the stress free vacation of their dreams. If he isn’t found trying the newest treats in Disneyland, Kurt enjoys relaxing at home with his dog Sam and playing video games with friends in his free time.