One of my favorite things about being a Disney fan is getting excited whenever something new comes along. A new attraction? I’m there as long as it’s not a thrill ride. A new restaurant? Absolutely. A new resort? Sign me up.
So why am I having such a hard time convincing myself that I need to sail on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Adventure? I still haven’t been onboard the Disney Treasure, so I thought maybe it was that.
But I’ve been asking myself that question for months now, and I still don’t have an answer.
On paper, the Disney Adventure sounds like a ship I should be counting down the days to experience. It’s unlike anything Disney Cruise Line has ever built. There are entirely new entertainment offerings, an incredible number of restaurants, immersive themed spaces, and experiences you simply can’t find anywhere else in the fleet.
And then there’s San Fransokyo Street.
I have been obsessed with it since the first moment I saw images of it online. Every time I see new photos or video of that area, I want to walk through it even more. It looks gorgeous.
The attention to detail is incredible, and as someone who has always loved Big Hero 6, it’s probably the part of the ship I’m most excited about.
I also really want to see the castle inside Imagination Garden in person. It looks like one of those spaces that photos probably don’t do justice.
The restaurants are another big draw. Disney Adventure has more dining options than any other Disney Cruise Line ship, and that’s something I genuinely find exciting. Half the fun of a Disney cruise is discovering a new favorite restaurant, so I’d happily spend several nights just eating my way around the ship.
But here’s where I get stuck. I’ve realized over the past several years that my cruise preferences are moving in the opposite direction from where much of the industry is headed.
I’ve sailed on enough ships to know that I’m generally not drawn to the giant mega ships covered with water slides, amusement park-style attractions, and neighborhoods that feel more like a floating city than a cruise ship. That’s not necessarily a criticism. Millions of people absolutely love that style of cruising. It’s just… not really my thing.
I’ve always appreciated that Disney’s original ships felt elegant without being overwhelming. Even the Wish-class ships, while certainly larger and busier than the Magic and Wonder, still feel unmistakably like Disney Cruise Line to me.
The Disney Adventure feels different.
When I look at photos of the upper decks, I don’t immediately think, “I can’t wait to relax there.” Instead, I see something that reminds me more of the mega ships offered by other cruise lines. I completely understand why families with younger kids might love that energy, but I’m not sure it’s what I personally look for when I’m booking a cruise.
Then there’s the practical side of things. Right now, Disney Adventure is sailing exclusively from Singapore.
I’ve always thought it would be a great experience to visit Southeast Asia, but getting there from the United States is a major trip. It’s expensive, it takes a very long time to reach, and it isn’t the kind of vacation you decide to take on a whim. Plus, the closest Disney theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland, is approximately a 4-hour flight from Singapore, so, not exactly close.
If the Disney Adventure eventually begins sailing somewhere closer to home, I think my decision would become much easier. I’d likely book a sailing just to experience everything the ship has to offer.
But would I plan an entire trip to Singapore primarily to sail on Disney Adventure? That’s the question I honestly can’t answer.
Part of me says yes because I never want to miss something new from Disney. The other part of me wonders if I’d enjoy spending that same vacation on one of Disney’s other ships instead.
Maybe that’s why I’m so curious what everyone else thinks.
If you’re a frequent Disney Cruise Line guest, is the Disney Adventure on your must-sail list? Is San Fransokyo Street, Imagination Garden, and the collection of new restaurants enough to convince you to make the journey?
Are you like me, curious about what the ship offers but not entirely convinced by the overall experience? That’s a HUGE ship that holds a ton of people, and I’m not sure if I’d love being on a ship with that many passengers.
I’d really love to hear where all of you stand on this one because I have a feeling I’m not the only Disney cruiser who’s feeling a little conflicted.
Request a Quote Today
You need to incorporate this cruise with an overall vacation to Singapore!
You will find Singapore fascinating enough that the cruise is just icing on the cake.
Being a lover of the Magic class ships and just now getting use to the Dream class ships, it will be interesting if we like this ship when we sail on her in September. I have to admit, for the $1b+ they spent revising the ship, I wonder, as you said, if they got the magic right, and put the ship in the correct market given the reports from prior cruisers about the issues with theft, and the pushing and shoving. I hate the Wish class ships as they are so cut up, so my view maybe jaded.