✨ Setting Sail Into Something New: Our First Disney Cruise Adventure!
- Jillian Wallin
- Mar 29
- 4 min read
All right… a brand‑new topic for me — let’s talk Disney cruises!
I’ve always been a vacationer in the truest sense of the word. I love doing things, seeing things, trying things, and squeezing every ounce of magic out of any trip I take. Sure, I can happily sit on a beach with a drink in hand, but that’s only one tiny slice of what fills my cup when I travel. I’m the girl who wants the experiences, the adventures, the “oh wow, I’ve never done this before” moments.
Quick side note, back in 2020, my husband and I were planning to take our daughter on a Caribbean cruise. And then — as with so many plans that year — the world shut down, and so did our dream of sailing away. Fast‑forward six years, and I’ve been trying to get my family on a cruise ever since. It just never lined up.
Until now.
I turn 40 next year, and in a moment of pure magic (or maybe weakness… who’s to say), my husband finally agreed to go on a cruise with me. Knowing this might be the only cruise I ever get him on, I took a chance:
“How about… a Disney cruise?”
And the biggest surprise of all?
He said yes.
So it’s official — we are booked to set sail out of Fort Lauderdale in April 2027!
As someone who is a confident Walt Disney World‑er and Disneyland‑er, stepping into the world of Disney Cruise Line has been exciting, eye‑opening, and, honestly, a little confusing, it’s a whole new kind of Disney planning, and I’ve already discovered some things that feel totally different from the parks.
Here are a few of the unique (and sometimes surprising!) things I’ve learned so far as we start this new adventure.
🧭 First Things First: Do Your Own Research!
One thing I learned very quickly when stepping into the world of cruising is that everyone has an opinion. TikTok is overflowing with cruise hacks, Facebook groups are packed with passionate debates, and every seasoned cruiser seems to have a strong stance on which ship, which itinerary, and which cruise line is the one to choose.
But here’s the truth:
The best cruise for you is the one that fits your family, your priorities, and your vacation style.
So, before you get swept away by the noise, start by asking yourself the questions that actually matter to you. That’s exactly what I did.
⚓ How We Chose Our (hopefully) Perfect Disney Cruise
A lot of my friends cruise regularly — mostly Disney and Carnival — so naturally, those were the two lines I started comparing. I dove into ship tours, reviews, itineraries, and all the little details that make each ship unique.
And then… I discovered something that changed everything.
Two Disney ships — the Disney Treasure and the Disney Destiny — have a Haunted Mansion Parlor.
An adult‑only bar themed to the Haunted Mansion. I mean… hello? That was an instant must‑have for me.
At first, I thought we’d go big and book the Treasure. But the more I researched, the more I realized that the Disney Destiny checked every single box I didn’t even know I had:
✔ Haunted Mansion Parlor
✔ A Cruella de Vil piano bar (yes, please!)
✔ Themed spaces that feel perfectly “me”
Once I saw that combination, the Destiny became the ship.
🗺 Choosing the Right Itinerary
With the ship locked in, it was time to figure out where and when we wanted to sail. Here’s what helped narrow it down:
🌴 Trip Length
I knew I wanted something between 4 and 7 nights — long enough to feel like a real vacation, but not so long that it became overwhelming for a first‑time cruise family.
🏝 Disney’s Private Islands
I wanted to visit at least one of Disney’s islands in 2027, so any itinerary that didn’t include Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay was out.
🎉 Timing
This part was a puzzle:
My niece’s 21st birthday Epcot Extravaganza is at the end of January
My birthday is in February
I wanted to avoid Spring Break crowds
And we’re sailing in 2027
When I lined all that up, April became the clear winner.
🚢 The Final Choice
We ended up choosing a 4‑night / 5‑day sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, with stops at:
Castaway Cay
Nassau, Bahamas
One day at sea
It felt like the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, and Disney magic.
🧳 Booking: DIY or Travel Agent?
Once the itinerary was set, the last decision was whether to book myself directly or go through my favorite cruise‑specialist travel agent, @EliteTravel!
Under her wonderful guidance, so many of my questions were answered, and because she knows me so well, she pointed me toward even more research options that fit my planning style. So I’ll wrap this post for now, but trust me… there’s much more to come as I continue this journey into a whole new kind of Disney adventure!
Until next time!
Jillian
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