Choosing to sail aboard Disney Cruise Line as an adult is not a decision to make lightly. With constant character meet and greets, an entire deck dedicated to a kids’ club, and a top deck that plays Disney movies all day and night, is Disney Cruise Line sailing something adults should really consider?
Photo courtesy of Disney
After all, Disney is the most expensive cruise line…so is it worth the extra price for guests not wanting to fully immerse themselves in Disney magic! Disney puts just as much focus on the adult areas and activities as they do on the kiddos, and the attention to detail in the adults’ areas really make a DCL sailing unique! Let’s explore some of the highlights of sailing aboard DCL as an adult!
Photo by Maria Salerno
Adults-Only Restaurants
For me, the highlight of my cruise was my dinner at Palo. One of two onboard, adults-only restaurants, Palo was the epitome of excellence from the setting, to the service, all the way through to the incredible food.
Remy and Palo make up the two adult-exclusive dining options on board. Offering both for-purchase brunch and dinner seatings, the price we paid to dine in these restaurants was not only worth it, but spoiled the main dining rotation for the rest of our sailing!
From the moment you enter these restaurants, you’re immediately immersed in a story. At Remy, small nods to Ratatouille can be seen throughout the design- right down to featuring two very real, very old, and very expensive (think $19-$36,000!) bottles of wine shown on screen in Ratatouille.
At Palo, Italian inspiration seeps from every corner of the restaurant. “Palo” gets its name from the gondola poles used by Venetian gondoliers. Both Palo and Remy enforce dress codes and do not allow children. The food from both restaurants is the best quality you’ll find at sea aboard any cruise ship…and the food honestly beats most restaurants I’ve tried on land!
Adults-Only Pools, Cafes, and Bars
On deck 12 is where you’ll find the adults-only pools. Two pool areas dedicated to those guests 18+ create a very different– and very welcome- atmosphere than what you’ll find in the family pool areas.
The areas are not only free of children, but free of any overly-Disney touches too. I immediately noticed that the music in the adult areas is not the traditional Disney music you’ll hear throughout the rest of the ship, but a playlist curated for adults.
Instead of kids club entertainment staff, you’ll find bar servers waiting to bring you the alcoholic ‘drink of the day’ (only $6.20 WITH gratuity included!), or anything you choose from the full bars.
Photo by Maria Salerno
Cove Cafe
The adults-only area is also home to Cove Cafe. The Cove Cafe is a bright, open coffee shop/bar that serves the best coffee you’ll find onboard. Cove Cafe is a unique environment that features photos of Walt Disney throughout his many travels, giving it a very upscale feel.
In the evenings, Cove Cafe sells alcoholic beverages and also hosts some of the many adults-only tastings as well!
Photo Courtesy Disney Parks Blog
The District
The adults-only areas up on deck are far from the only spots to hang out kid-free! The District is truly the hub for adults-only activities and 21+ watering holes. There are 5 different adults-only spaces within The District, all featuring bars:
- The District Lounge
- Pink Champagne Bar
- Pub 687
- Skyline
- EvolutionWith 5 differently themed bars and lounges, The District is the place to be for specialty cocktails, live music, adult trivia, live sports, and even some of the adults-only tastings!
Photo by Maria Salerno
Adults-Only Tastings
Speaking of tastings, The Disney Dream has no shortage of beverage tastings and mixology classes! Wine, whiskey, bourbon, and tequila tastings were all offered on my 4-night sailing. Plus, four different mixology classes were happening over the course of the cruise too! These fill up fast, and we recommend booking well in advance of your cruise in order to ensure you get a spot!
I was lucky enough to secure a reservation for the onboard wine tasting, and I can’t recommend it enough! We were offered 5 different wines to taste, plus a glass of prosecco, while we were led through a crafted tasting hosted by a very knowledgeable DCL Cast Member.
photo by Danny Shuster
Exercise Classes, Trivia, and More!
The best way to discover everything there is to do for adults is through the DCL Navigator app. Once onboard, the daily itineraries for your sailing will appear…and you can start planning what you’d like to do!
If the tastings aren’t for you, there are so many other amazing things adults can do onboard! One morning, I signed up for an included on-deck morning stretch. The class took place on the top deck, and we witnessed a gorgeous sunrise! I also played a few adults-only trivia games that proved to be a great way to meet other adult cruisers. There are even yoga classes on Castaway Cay, a favorite of our CEO, Steph.
There really are so many things for adults to do on a DCL sailing that I couldn’t possibly do everything in just one sailing. The beauty of being an adult is that you can choose how much, or how little, you want to immerse yourself in the Disney aspect of the cruise…your cruise is truly what you make it!
