‘I went on Disney’s new cruise ship and it was a fairytale in the Caribbean’

Plaza de Coco

The new cruises ship is packed full of Disney themed dining experiences (Image: Kent Phillips)

The Treasure, the latest addition to the Disney Line’s fleet, set sail on its maiden voyage in December 2024.

The ship, inspired by tales of exploration, offers a unique blend of adventure and enchantment with themed experiences such as a Coco-inspired dining experience, hero meet-and-greets, and the first-ever Zootopia interactive experience at sea.

With luxurious accommodations, captivating Broadway-style entertainment and lots of family-focused activities, the ship sails to tropical destinations.

Dave Monk, cruise expert, shared his experience aboard the magical vessel that pays homage to the ‘Disney of yesteryear.’

He described a spooky song and dance performed by skeleton fish in an eerie aquarium, blinking eyes from cobwebbed portraits, and spirits out of their bottle in the Haunted Mansion parlour where passengers can try cocktails like The Chilling Challenge, Happily Never After, and Final Vow.

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The Haunted Mansion Parlor

The Haunted Mansion Parlor honours more than five decades of fandom (Image: Kent Phillips)

For those seeking something less ominous, the Periscope Pub, inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, offers an illusion of being in a submarine with a display of ‘water’ shimmering on the ceiling.

While most cruise lines would be worried about having mice on board, Disney embraces it with Mickey and Minnie Mouse being the main attractions. Alongside their pals Donald Duck and Goofy, they lead singing and dancing performances and are seen around the ship, greeting guests and children, reports the Mirror.

The iconic duo even have their own 760ft water ride – AquaMouse – which sends riders on inflatable rafts through clear tubes high above the top deck. But it’s not just classic cartoon characters that are featured on the 4,000-passenger ship, which I had the pleasure of joining on a preview cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, before its eagerly awaited maiden voyage last week.

French Polynesian princess Moana is the star of a breathtaking new stage adaptation of the film. As expected with Disney, the production and performance levels rival or even surpass those in the West End or Broadway.

Hawaiian actress Kaena Kekoa shines in the lead role as she navigates through spooky sea mists and confronts giant puppets. The other main theatre show is Beauty and the Beast, which leaves you humming a tune and grinning from ear to ear, while Minnie and Goofy lead a show that brings together beloved characters from a hit-filled catalogue in Seas The Adventure.

As Disney continues to grow, acquiring big names like Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel, its character roster has also expanded. Marvel heroes can be spotted in one of the many dining areas, while Pixar’s Miguel is the star of a dinner show at the new Mexican restaurant, Plaza de Coco.

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Dave Monk

Dave Monk aboard the Disney Treasure (Image: The Mirror)

With seven pools, serene spaces and bars exclusively for adults, you don’t have to be a diehard Disney fan (or even a parent) to enjoy the cruise. The ship’s theme is adventure.

From the moment you step on board and your name is announced to applause from the entertainment staff, you’re welcomed into the Grand Hall, home to a statue of Aladdin and Jasmine. There’s plenty of carpet too – not flying, but spread across the floor of the striking three-deck atrium.

One standout moment for me was pirates night, complete with a band belting out rock renditions of popular songs before fireworks lit up the sky. You certainly won’t be left feeling peckish.

Disney has a unique system where the same waitstaff greet you at different venues over three nights. My culinary journey began in Worlds of Marvel, continued the next evening in 1923 – named after the founding year of Walt Disney Animation Studios – and concluded in Plaza de Coco.

However, I believe you can gauge a lot about a cruise line’s food from its buffet, and I savoured a perfectly cooked slice of sirloin, accompanied by mash and other sides, at Marceline Market. While there’s plenty of fast food available, don’t assume it’s all burgers, pizzas and chips.

For a particularly luxurious evening, start with cocktails at The Rose lounge, followed by dinner at the upscale restaurant Enchanté. There’s even a bourbon bar tucked away in the men’s hairdressers, while the new venue Skipper Society is inspired by the Disney ride Jungle Cruise.

As expected, kids are well taken care of, with clubs for all ages from infants to teens, giving parents some much-needed ‘us’ time. And it’s not just the little ones who will be salivating over the treats at Jumbeaux’s Sweets ice-cream parlour.

When it comes to lodging, you can’t top the Tomorrow Tower Suite, which occupies most of the forward funnel – a dummy fixture, if you were curious. The suite can accommodate up to eight guests in two main bedrooms, a library/bedroom and a children’s room.

If you’re a Disney fan but can’t splash the cash, fret not as 70% of the rooms boast balconies and 451 have interconnecting doors – perfect for family adventures. Unwind in the Senses Spa or catch the latest flicks in the onboard cinema; it’s all Disney enchantment minus the casino. The journey kicks off with a magical night at Disney World, Orlando, before cruising from Port Canaveral.

The itinerary?

Indulge in a luxury escape with Disney Cruise Line’s three-night sail, featuring an exclusive stop at Castaway Cay—Disney’s private island paradise where adults can luxuriate in a cabana or gently sway in a hammock at Serenity Bay. Revitalise during a relaxing day at sea before docking brings the adventure to a close.

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The Disney Treasure cruise ship

The Disney Treasure cruise ship is an impressive vessel (Image: Disney)

With the launch of the Disney Treasure, the sibling ship to 2022’s Disney Wish, Disney’s enchanted fleet is growing towards a total of 13 ships by the year 2031. Eagerly anticipated is the US debut of Disney Destiny and Asia’s introduction to the grand Disney Adventure, boasting Disney’s first-ever roller coaster at sea.

This floating wonderland was acquired from a now-defunct cruise line and refurbished to transport guests into an otherworldly dream. Much like Walt Disney once described Disneyland in California, these cruises promise a journey beyond time: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”

If your heart yearns for times gone by and dreams yet to be, stepping aboard these magical vessels conjures sheer delight—an enchanting voyage to ‘A Whole New World’ awaits. Are you ready to book your fairytale at sea?

Embark on the seven-night expedition aboard the Disney Treasure, setting off from Port Canaveral, Florida, on September 20. The excursion includes visits to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and a whimsical escape to Castaway Cay in The Bahamas.

Fares commence at £2,703 per person, encompassing return air travel from Heathrow to Orlando. For additional details and reservations, pay a visit to:

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