The Disney Treasure, the newest addition to Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, embarked on its maiden voyage in December 2024, offering an unforgettable blend of adventure and enchantment.
Inspired by tales of exploration, the ship features unique themed experiences, including a Coco-inspired dining experience, Marvel hero meet-and-greets and the first-ever Zootopia interactive experience at sea.
The ship promises upmarket accommodations, captivating Broadway-style entertainment and a wide range of family-focused activities. Sailing away to tropical Caribbean destinations, the latest Disney Cruise experience is proving to be incredibly popular.
Hopping on a preview voyage from Port Canaveral, Florida in December, Dave Monk embarked on his very own fairytale voyage. The Mirror reporter shared his experience aboard the magical vessel that delivers more than a nod to the ‘Disney of yesteryear.’
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Here’s what Dave told The Mirror:
Dave Monk aboard the Disney Treasure -Credit:The Mirror
Skeleton fish perform a spooky song and dance in an eerie aquarium, eyes blink from cobwebbed portraits, and the spirits are definitely out of their bottle. Welcome to the Haunted Mansion parlour on the new Disney Treasure cruise ship.
Here, patrons can try cocktails like The Chilling Challenge, Happily Never After, and Final Vow. If you’re looking for something less ominous, head over to the Periscope Pub, inspired by 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea, where a display of ‘water’ shimmering on the ceiling gives the illusion of being in a submarine.
Any other cruise line would be concerned about having mice on board. But with Disney, Mickey and Minnie are the stars of the show in every sense. They, along with friends like Donald Duck and Goofy, lead singing and dancing and appear around the ship, waving to guests and greeting children.
Mickey and Minnie even have their own 760ft water ride – AquaMouse – which sends riders on inflatable rafts around a series of clear tubes high above the top deck.
But it’s not just classic cartoon characters on board the 4,000-passenger ship, which I joined on a preview cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, ahead of its highly anticipated maiden voyage last week. French Polynesian princess Moana stars in a stunning new stage version of the film.
As you might expect with Disney, production and performance levels match – or even exceed – those in the West End or Broadway.
Hawaiian actress Kaena Kekoa shines in the central role as she braves eerie sea mists and faces off against giant puppets. The other main theatre show is Beauty and the Beast, which leaves you humming a tune and grinning from ear to ear, while Minnie and Goofy head up a show that brings together beloved characters from a hit-filled catalogue in Seas The Adventure.
Marvel heroes feature in one of the many restaurants, while Pixar star Miguel leads a dinner performance in a new Mexican eatery, Plaza de Coco -Credit:Kent Phillips
As Disney has expanded, snapping up big names like Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel, so too has its roster of characters. Marvel heroes make an appearance in one of the many dining spots, while Pixar’s Miguel takes centre stage at a dinner show in the new Mexican restaurant, Plaza de Coco.
With seven pools, tranquil spaces and adults-only bars on offer, you don’t have to be a diehard Disney devotee (or even a parent) to enjoy the cruise. The ship’s theme is adventure.
From the moment you step on board and your name is announced to applause from the entertainment staff, you’re welcomed into the Grand Hall, home to a statue of Aladdin and Jasmine. There’s plenty of carpet too – not flying, but spread across the floor of the striking three-deck atrium.
One standout moment for me was pirates night, complete with a band belting out rock renditions of popular songs before fireworks lit up the sky.
You certainly won’t be left feeling peckish. Disney has a unique system where the same waitstaff greet you at different venues over three nights.
My culinary journey began in Worlds of Marvel, continued the next evening in 1923 – named after the founding year of Walt Disney Animation Studios – and concluded in Plaza de Coco. The meals were scrumptious.
However, I believe you can gauge a lot about a cruise line’s food from its buffet, and I savoured a perfectly cooked slice of sirloin, accompanied by mash and other sides, at Marceline Market. While there’s plenty of fast food available, don’t assume it’s all burgers, pizzas and chips.
For a particularly luxurious evening, start with cocktails at The Rose lounge, followed by dinner at the upscale restaurant Enchanté. There’s even a bourbon bar tucked away in the men’s hairdressers, while the new venue Skipper Society is inspired by the Disney ride Jungle Cruise.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor honours more than five decades of fandom -Credit:Kent Phillips
As expected, kids are well taken care of, with clubs for all ages from infants to teens, giving parents some much-needed ‘us’ time. And it’s not just the little ones who will be salivating over the treats at Jumbeaux’s Sweets ice-cream parlour.
When it comes to lodging, you can’t top the Tomorrow Tower Suite, which occupies most of the forward funnel – a dummy fixture, if you were curious. The suite can accommodate up to eight guests in two main bedrooms, a library/bedroom and a children’s room.
If you’re a Disney fan but can’t splash the cash, fret not as 70% of the rooms boast balconies and 451 have interconnecting doors — perfect for family adventures. Unwind in the Senses Spa or catch the latest flicks in the onboard cinema; it’s all Disney enchantment minus the casino. The journey kicks off with a magical night at Disney World, Orlando, before cruising from Port Canaveral.
The itinerary?
A three-night sail featuring a jaunt to Castaway Cay, Disney’s exclusive island, where hours can be whiled away in an adults-only cabana or swinging in a hammock at Serenity Bay. Then, enjoy a sea day unwinding before heading back to dock.
Disney Treasure, sibling to the 2022-debuted Disney Wish, is the sixth ship in what will become a 13-strong fleet by 2031. Next up, Disney Destiny hits US waters and Asia welcomes the colossal Disney Adventure, complete with Disney’s inaugural roller coaster.
This new behemoth was snapped up from a defunct cruise line, prepped to bring dreams alive at sea.
As Walt Disney famously mused about Disneyland, California: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”
It’s a sentiment that rings true aboard these vessels — a nod to yesteryear, a glimpse into tomorrow and the everlasting power of imagination.
In conclusion, if you’ve got a soft spot for nostalgia and wonder, this cruise is bound to delight. Set sail on a carpet ride to ‘A Whole New World’… Ready to book your very own fairy tale?
Disney Cruise Line is offering a seven-night journey on the Disney Treasure, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, on September 20. The cruise will make stops at Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Castaway Cay in The Bahamas.
Prices start from £2,703 per person, which includes return flights from Heathrow to Orlando. For more information visit: