11 magical things we learned from our first Disney Cruise in Australia
Disney’s first cruise season in Australia brought magic to our seas.
It was all leading up to this.
When we started this blog as an experiment just over a year ago, we’d already started planning this trip. When Disney Cruise Line (DCL) announced they were coming to Australia for the first time in 25 years, we knew that we had to be on it. After all, Australia is at least 10 hours flight away from the nearest Disney Park.
The problem was neither of us had been on a cruise before. So, we took a test cruise with Royal Caribbean. Then another with P&O. Plus, a third one with Virgin Voyages. Our training had become a passion by the time we stepped aboard the Disney Wonder in late December 2023, sailing into 2024 in style.
So, with our best Mickey t-shirts and ears on, the friendly staff called our names and we were finally on our first Disney Cruise ship, the Disney Wonder. Still covered in Christmas trimmings, we were enchanted immediately. Anyway, the short version is that we loved it so much we’ve already booked another one — but what did we learn?
The Disney Wonder arriving in Sydney for the first time in October 2023
It’s ok for big kids
Avast! Who be these scallywags?
When we took advantage of the open house slots, we saw how cool the kids' areas were, but is there enough for adults? We need not have feared: about 30% of the ship is adults only. The Cove area has its own bars, coffee shop and pools. Deck 3’s nightclubs and lounges included The Cadillac Lounge, a beautifully car-themed bar with amazing cocktails (ask for the Gimlet or G&T, seriously). We spent long stretches in the Crown & Finn Pub doing beer tastings, trivia, drawing classes or just chilling by a porthole with a beer. Like the rest of the ship, it’s filled with Easter eggs and fun details too. Speaking of which…
Take the tour
There’s a 40-minute tour called The Art of the Theme. This is a must. Crew are given about 90 minutes to 2 hours worth of content and get to decide how much or little they discuss. One crew member was fascinated with the architecture and forced perspective. Another guy spent most of the tour on carpet. (There are over 100 unique carpets on the ship, after all). You’ll learn so much, like where the hidden Donald can be found in Azure. (Hint: light leads the way).
Immersion is the key
Sit for a while in the French Quarter Lounge. Look at all the details. It’s the unique value of Disney and it rewards participation. We dressed as pirates. We met a Wookie. We almost never go on water slides. By the fourth day, we’d both been on the Twist and Spout multiple times. Disney encourages you to explore and have fun. The best of these was Animator’s Palate, a restaurant themed around the history of animation. As the room shifts from black and white to colour, your own drawings come to life on the walls around you. So, yes: we were official Disney animators by the end of the trip too.
The legendary Mickey waffles
It’s vegetarian friendly
Between us, we have various food allergies and vegetarian needs. This was never an issue. Every restaurant has options, some not even on the menu. Quick service restaurants almost universally had Impossible Burgers and hot dogs, fruit and salad options. The brilliant servers at the rotational dining always took care of us.
Everything is in USD
We take it for granted that a Disney trip is expensive. While there is no shortage of free activities, some costs add up quickly: booze, merchandise, speciality dining and tastings. Make sure you do the mental conversion as you go. We’re librarians, so spreadsheets may have been involved.
Turn off the Internet, tune into fun
Like everybody else, we’re attached to our phones and laptops. Our daily ritual is catching up on YouTube subscriptions and streaming together. Yet given the cost of the Internet on this voyage – a staggering US$108 to US$242 per device (based on $18 to $42 a day depending on the speed) – we chose to opt out. You know what? After a day or two, we barely noticed. In fact, if it weren’t for the DCL app and cameras, our phones may have just stayed in our pockets
Believe the hype: Palo Brunch lives up to the legend
Two words: bottomless brunch. Palo is one of Disney’s specialty dining restaurants, one we enjoyed on our first night for dinner as the sun went down over Sydney. It is absolutely wonderful, and the Italian food is divine. (Pro tip: order the soufflé). Yet the real value is the Palo brunch, a multi-course made-to-order meal. For US$60, you get an included champagne/mimosa, plus as many appetisers, entrees (that’s mains in the Antipodes), desserts and pasta dishes as you care to enjoy. They just kept bringing us food. Honestly, we’d do the trip again just for Palo.
Be prepared to line up
Disney lines are a bit of a cliche. Still, you’ll need to get used to them. While characters roam the boat, and turn up in the kids areas regularly, you’ll want to get in line for the meet and greets at least 30-40 minutes early. The same for the theatre shows. They time them to alternate with dinner service, but get there an hour before they start, especially if you have a large group. On our first show night, we got there 30 minutes before the show started and the line was already past the shops.
Yes, there are fireworks. At sea.
Security is amazing.
Of course Disney does fireworks at sea. That’s because the fireworks are biodegradable - Disney calls them ‘fish food.’ We were lucky enough to get them twice on our voyage. Once at Marvel Day at Sea, a spectacular deck show featuring Marvel superheroes. Then on New Year’s Eve sailing back from Noumea with a glass of bubbly in our hands. Does it get any better than that? (Pro tip: watch from the starboard side of the ship for best viewing).
Staff are impeccable
At Disney, the staff are the Cast Members because they are putting on a show – and you’re at the centre of it. Every person we met was genuinely lovely, from tour guide Leah, to stateroom attendant Maria and games master Bianca, who always made sure everyone was included. The rotational dining model means you move from restaurant to restaurant each night, but the staff go with you. So, if you tell them your dietary requirements or favourite things once, they’ll remember. Oh, if you haven’t prepaid your gratuities (can recommend!), or even if you have, please tip your servers well!
Pixie dust is included
Yes, Disney Cruises can be expensive, but they certainly make it feel like a luxury outing. Every time we came back to our room, we got a little something. Chocolates and towel animals at turndown time. Mickey bandanas on Pirate Night. An art print to celebrate the New Year. Soda, tea and coffee are all included. If you play the trivia or art games, chances are you will walk away with a medal or souvenir.
