Magic at sea

The castle located at Imagination Garden | Photo by Claire Salonga

We all know the magic of Disney—not just the 2009 compilation album or the studio show and tour in Orlando—but that moment when you step foot into any Disney park, and suddenly, everything is transformed. You end up grinning like a child again, with eyes filled with wonder.

I can’t quite explain why or how the magic happens. All I know is, one minute my colleagues and I are lugging around bags through snaking immigration lines, then the next minute, we’re embarking on the Disney Adventure amid crew members’ rapturous cheers. We turn a corner and cross paths with a princess or a once-2D character now life-sized and tangible, and suddenly all of us—adults in our 20s and 30s—are squealing and giggling like kids.

That’s the magic I’m talking about: how stepping into a world crafted by Disney could reawaken the inner children inside anyone.

Our team was among those aboard the preview sailing of the Disney Cruise Line’s (DCL) newest ship, the Disney Adventure. This new ship, the largest in the fleet so far, is also the first time DCL is setting a homeport in Asia, specifically Singapore, the top cruise hub in the region.

While it is the largest ship on the fleet, its itinerary is designed for short cruises, with packages for three-day and four-day sailings. The Disney Adventure also does not stop at any ports of call.

View from the staterooms on the ship’s aft | Photo by Claire Salonga

Sights aboard

The Disney Adventure boasts several firsts in the Disney Cruise Line, including being the first ship to have a physical castle (a hallmark of any Disney theme park!) and the first to have a roller coaster at sea.

There are seven themed areas across the ship, inspired by various Disney and Pixar titles. We found ourselves frequenting the vibrant San Fransokyo Street—inspired by the fictional Tokyo x San Francisco city in “Big Hero 6”; Discovery Reef—inspired by films like “The Little Mermaid,” “Finding Nemo,” and “Lilo and Stitch”—for casual dining options; the eponymous Toy Story Place for late-night bites (particularly Pizza Planet); and the Imagination Garden (where the castle is located) for more dining and entertainment.

As expected of a Disney-operated cruise, entertainment options also abound. Several lounges and bars on the ship have performers throughout the day, but most noteworthy are the shows on the ship’s bigger stages.

At the Garden Stage, kids (and those who love all things cute) can enjoy a Disney Adventure exclusive show called “Duffy and the Friend Ship,” featuring Duffy the Disney Bear (a teddy bear character popular in Disney’s Asian parks) and his friends. Also at the same venue is the signature “Avengers Assemble” show that makes use of the amphitheater’s advanced stage system to bring to life the varied powers of the Avengers. (Spoiler alert: Yes, characters will fly overhead!)

But if you can only catch one show, make it “Remember,” showing at the Walt Disney Theater. Starring “Wall-E”’s Wall-E and Eve, and featuring beloved characters from Disney classics like “Aladdin,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Beauty and the Beast,” “Frozen,” and “Tangled,” and Pixar favorites like “Coco,” the show is a feat of storytelling, thanks to its mix of theatrical puppetry and animatronics alongside spectacular live performances by human cast members.

While the preview sailing’s performances had to deal with several technical malfunctions, overall, the story, from start to end, remained so impactful and heartfelt that it was unanimously our team’s favorite show on the cruise.

Our own Avengers assembling our dinners every night—dedicated service teams anchor your rotation dining experience – Photo by Claire Salonga

The magic of human connections

Aside from entertainment, a Disney Cruise experience is not complete without talking about the food. Menus across Disney Adventure’s restaurants feature some standard international fare but also lean heavily into Asian cuisine. This is also the first DCL ship to focus on regional flavors (and the first to have Asian luxury beverage brands like TWG Tea and Bacha Coffee with boutiques on board).

DCL also takes pride in an experience that is uniquely theirs: rotation dining. This concept means a family or group of guests is assigned their own pair of service crew who will cater to them every night at every restaurant they are scheduled to dine at. There, you can expect your team of servers to greet you at your assigned table, take note of and remember your preferences, allergies, and go-to orders.

But more than the flavors that are close to home, there’s a personal and human touch that makes the trip even more special, and fosters deeper connections, too. Amid the sea of faces and experiences you walk past as you go about your days on the ship, seeing these familiar people over dinner as you wind down for the day helps anchor the experience.

You can schedule meet and greet sessions with various characters – Photo by Mikey Yabut

Something for the grown-ups, too

Often, we think of Disney as a world connected to our childhood. That’s why visiting theme parks is often an escape—and also why that kind of feeling permeates throughout the cruise. But aboard the Disney Adventure, we also found experiences and spaces that were more exclusive to grown-ups.

On the upper decks, wellness facilities such as a spa, gym, saunas, and temperature-regulated pools are open for those who also want a quieter, more relaxing time on the cruise.

Various themed bars are also open every evening: Buccaneer Bar, for example, has a sports pub vibe inspired by Captain Hook (with views of the vast ocean out the windows); Spellbound at the Town Square is more akin to the Evil Queen’s lair, where you can choose from a selection of “potions”; while Tiana’s Bayou Lounge offers something a bit more lowkey festive. Wait “after hours,” and the usually all-ages Marvel Style Studio goes adults-only, transforming into a speakeasy.

And if you’ve still got more adult money to splurge, a special omakase is also available at the premium restaurant Mike & Sulley’s Flavors of Asia.

Avengers Assemble, one of the live shows on the cruise

Deepening ties with Asia

The launch of the Disney Adventure is said to not only be a way for DCL to penetrate the wider Asian cruise market, but also serves as a way to introduce Disney’s magic to more audiences.

For some passengers, this cruise may serve as their first personal and physical experience of the world of Disney. Infusing decades of storytelling magic with Singapore’s cosmopolitan character, the Disney Adventure is an apt playground, balancing comfort, luxury, hospitality, and play.

Cruise essentials

A good pair of walking shoes: You’ll be walking a lot all over the ship (and even at the port). Make sure you’re comfortable as you get your steps in.
Light jacket or cardigan: While it’s good to be ready for some sun aboard the ship, don’t forget to pack at least one jacket—some indoor areas can be chilly.
Water bottle: Drink stations are available throughout the ship, but having your own bottle on hand will be more convenient and sustainable. (Alternatively, you can opt to buy a tumbler on board.)
Disney-themed trinkets to share: Disney Cruises have this practice called “pixie dusting” and “fish extender,” where guests decorate their stateroom doors with Disney-themed magnets and bags or pocket organizers containing small, handmade gifts to exchange with other passengers
Medicine for motion sickness: This is something I learned the hard way. It’s common to have post-cruise vertigo, also known as Mal de Debarquement Syndrome (MdDS), or “sea legs”—that feeling of swaying or bobbing as if you’re still at sea, even after you’ve disembarked. A tip I wish I knew sooner was to take the meds on your last day on the ship. (I didn’t, so I had to deal with my “landsickness” for three days post-cruise.)