There’s something you should know about me that might surprise you. I went on a Disney cruise before it was cool. In fact, I went on a Disney cruise before Disney Cruise Line even existed! You’re probably asking yourself two questions at this point: “how?” and “just how old is she?!?”
At 10 years-old I went on my very first cruise, a “Disney cruise” onboard Premier Cruise Line (they had a partnership with Disney that allowed characters on their ships and offered cruise, hotel, and theme park packages). I was reminiscing about that first cruise today with Paul Thornton as he interviewed me for the third in his series of cruise books and thought to myself, “even though I’m cheaper than Jack Benny (that should offer you a clue as to my age) and low-key hate Disney (Walt would want you to go easy on me in the comments), as someone who cruises for a living I really shouldn’t have let 30+ years go by between Disney cruises.”
So that got me thinking about planning a Disney cruise. And since food is one of the most important aspects of cruising, I was curious as to whether the quality and variety of food on Disney would justify the extra cost. I figured some of my readers may be wondering the same, so I reached out to a Disney loving cruise buddy and he sent along these recent menus (these specific menus are from the Dream and the Fantasy – other ships will vary slightly, but this will still give you a basic idea of what to expect).
He also sent me a primer on “rotational dining,” which I think sounds pretty unique and fun.
It’s like speed dating with food! Disney ships have three main dining rooms with a different menu and theme. Each evening of your cruise you will rotate to a different restaurant (assigned to you in advance) with your same table-mates and wait staff. In looking over the menus posted below, the three dining rooms are: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and Royal Palace. There’s also a pirate theme night that will take place in one of those dining rooms and I’ve included that menu as well.
I’ll spare you any further song and dance (you’ll get plenty of that if you decide to book a Disney cruise) and get straight to the menus. But if there’s anyone reading who has cruised on Disney, please chime in in the comments with your experience and your favorite menu items.
This breakfast menu will be available in one of the main dining rooms and is included in your cruise fare.
Aminator’s Palate is one of the three main dining rooms you will “rotate” through for dinner. If you are on a Disney ship other than the Dream or the Fantasy the dining rooms will have different names.
Enchanted Garden is one of the three main dining rooms you will “rotate” through for dinner. If you are on a Disney ship other than the Dream or the Fantasy the dining rooms will have different names.
Royal Palace (called “Royal Court” on the Fantasy) is one of the three main dining rooms you will “rotate” through for dinner. If you are on a Disney ship other than the Dream or the Fantasy the dining rooms will have different names.
On most Disney itineraries there will be a Pirate-themed night that will take place in whatever restaurant you’re assigned for that night. Here’s the menu:
Here are the kid’s menus for a 7-night sailing. Each menu will also include an additional page with activities for kids to complete while waiting for their meal to arrive. Or for adults who forgot to charge their phone.
This is the kid’s menu for Pirate Night:
Room service is included for free on Disney cruises (except for specialty items noted below), but be sure to tip. I typically tip $2 per item ordered, but do whatever you’re comfortable with.
Hang this room service card on your stateroom door the night before and have a continental breakfast delivered the next morning at your chosen time.
This complimentary outdoor cafe offers three food stations with the following options:
Cool off with a frozen beverage at Frozone Treats. Smoothies are currently priced at $3.95 for a small and $5.25 for a large.
“Ralph’s Family Challenge for one, please.”
This adults-only Italian specialty restaurant offers a prix fixe option for $45 or you can order à la carte.
At $125 for the prix fixe option (you can also order à la carte), Remy stands out as the most expensive specialty restaurant at sea. The French-inspired offerings are the work of two world renowned chefs, Scott Hunnel, from the award-winning Victoria & Albert’s at the Disney World Resort, and Arnaud Lallement, a Michelin 3-starred chef recently named one of the world’s 10 best chefs by Le Chef.
These menus almost make me want to get a real job so I can afford them! That seems extreme though. Instead I think I’ll start subtly working on my in-laws, tugging gently on their heart strings: “Your grandson will love you more if you take us all on a Disney cruise!”
If my next post includes a photo of me pouting in 30-year-old Minnie ears with a “DONATE HERE TO SEND PROF. CRUISE ON A DISNEY CRUISE” button, you’ll know it didn’t work. And with that…
CLASS DISMISSED.
Homework (10 points): Share your thoughts on cruising Disney in the comments. If you’ve taken a Disney cruise, what did you think? If you haven’t, why not? Tips? Tricks? Highlights? Worth the higher cost? Not worth the higher cost? Favorite menu items? I want to hear it all! I love learning from my cruise friends, especially when they know way more about a topic than I do! Thanks in advance!
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