I have just come back from the inaugural Disney Cruise from Sydney to Hobart (4 nights) and it was amazing.
A great family holiday. Especially if you are a Disney fanatic. From the moment you board you find yourself transported into a Disney wonderland with each family/guest being introduced as you step onboard.
Our experience down under is very different to the experience onboard Disney Cruise Lines in America as for the majority of cruisers it is their first time on a Disney Cruise Ship. We are all excited, and because our cruises are short, between 2-6 nights, we are trying to experience everything we can onboard, whether that be character meet and greets, trivia or learn to draw the Disney characters. With that comes longer lines for the Character meet and greets, which can average an hour or longer, but these are worth it. Being able to get your photo with your favourite character and even their autogragh and to see the smiles on your kids faces as they meet their beloved Disney character.
Mickey BarsIf you have cruised before, cruising on Disney Cruise Lines is not the same. It has that uniqueness, whether it be the Mickey bars from room service or with lunch and dinner or the amazing show in the restaurant Animator’s Palate which is made from everyone’s drawing that they have to do before dinner, nothing compares to a Disney Cruise. Everyone seems to go from day to night without getting changed for dinner, as they are shorter cruises there are no elegant or formal night requirements. Just relaxed casual.
 Triton's Restaurant |  Pinocchio's Pizzeria |  Cove Cafe - Over 18s Lounge |
Fish Extender Door DecorationDid you know door decorating is actually a thing! On Disney Cruises it is. They are decorated with different Disney magnets, some only have a couple with their names on them and others have so many all over their door. There is no right or wrong with this.
If you have never travelled on Disney Cruise Lines there are some terms you may never have heard of like Fish Extenders and Pixie Dust or Pixie Dusted. Fish Extenders are usually made of fabric, they look similar to a large envelope with a string attached to the top, and hang outside your stateroom door on a fish-shaped hook, hence the name “fish extender”. Some people make theirs or you can buy them from Amazon. The term fish extender comes directly from the description of hanging the holder on the decorative fish (or seahorse, depending on which side of the ship a cabin is on) outside a guest’s stateroom door. In a nutshell, Fish Extender exchanges are organised group gift exchanges arranged ahead of time through a Facebook group page or forum. And then Pixie Dusted: Pixie Dust includes any sort of small gift or treat you bring to give to others. An alternative to Fish Extender gifts is Pixie dust gifts. Smaller gifts that can be given out to random staterooms on a Disney cruise, just because! Essentially, guests will leave a surprise gift (pixie dust) in your fish extender at some point during your sailing.
Another thing to note is the Disney Cruise Lines Navigator app, it has a great chat function where you can keep in contact with everyone in your stateroom as well as others you meet on your cruise so you can meet up for drinks, trivia and all things Disney.
I loved my first experience on Disney Wonder and I can’t wait to book my next Disney Cruise, maybe in America!
As a cruise specialist, I'm enthusiastic about helping my clients and their families discover the ideal cruise experience that perfectly suits their needs. Please follow me for more cruise tips and advice on @travelling_missjane or Facebook TravelManagers - Jane Fowler. If you're considering booking a Disney Cruise, or any cruise, please get in touch with me.
Sail Away Party onboard Disney Wonder, cruising from Australia.
