Who doesn’t love unlimited ice cream at sea? One of the best treats aboard Disney Cruise Line ships is the self-serve soft serve ice cream station – a dream come true for anyone with a sweet tooth. But here’s the ultimate hack that I swear by: bring your own cup.
Sure, the cones are fun and classic, but if you’ve cruised in the Caribbean or The Bahamas, you know how fast that ice cream melts. Between the sunshine and the humidity, it sometimes starts dripping before you even get your first lick. Side note: My very first job was at McDonald’s and ice cream cones needed four swirls, so that’s the only way I make them! Look how soft that ice cream is – it wouldn’t stand high like it would in a colder climate.
A cup makes it easier to pile on extra swirls (because, let’s be honest, who stops at one?), and an insulated tumbler takes it up another notch, keeping your ice cream cool long enough to enjoy every creamy bite. Hot (or cold) tip: If you don’t bring your own mug, grab a paper one from the beverage dispensers by the pool. But don’t just get a cold cup like I did; grab a hot cup, as they have more insulation! You can see how melty mine got in the pic below during my walk from Deck 11 Midship to our stateroom on Deck 9 Forward.
Be aware that the spoons are not sitting out on the counter, but there is typically a crew member close by who will gladly give you a spoon upon request. You can either return it in one of the bins on top of the trash cans or add it to your room service tray to be picked up, as I did.
The ice cream flavor lineup on a cruise is always a highlight. You’ll usually find chocolate and vanilla on tap, but the real stars are the rotating flavors like strawberry and banana – both smooth, fruity, and ridiculously good together. On our recent sailing, the machines only offered chocolate and vanilla on debarkation day, while strawberry and banana appeared on the second day. Let’s just say they are worth the wait. On one cruise years ago, they had blueberry ice cream on tap! We’d love to see that flavor again.
Whether you prefer mixing flavors, making a double-decker or side-by-side swirl, or adding your ice cream to a cup of soda for an impromptu float, this little trick makes your at-sea days even sweeter.
So, next time you’re packing for your Disney Cruise, skip that extra pair of sandals and make room for your favorite cup. When you’re standing on deck with your perfectly chilled swirl of strawberry-banana goodness, you’ll be glad you did. Unlimited ice cream, a cool breeze, and Disney magic – it doesn’t get a whole lot better than that.
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