Disney cruise western caribbean

"My business is making people happy," said the legendary Walt Disney. For one week, our mission was to see if people of all ages enjoyed cruising on Disney Cruise Line's seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary. Of course, children would enjoy a cruise filled with Disney characters, activities created for their age group, and meals designed to tempt their demanding taste buds. But what about grandparents and parents who want quiet adult time? Or teenagers who want to socialize with their own?

We first spotted Goofy dangling on a line at the bow of the Disney Magic, perpetually painting the final touches to the ship's name as we entered the art deco-style terminal, constructed exclusively for the Disney Cruise Line at Port Canaveral, Florida, a short drive from Orlando.

After registering, we received our "Key To The World" cards. These were all we needed while aboard the ship: for display with our photo ID when embarking and debarking the ship; for opening our stateroom door; for locking and unlocking our in-room safe; and for use as charge cards when we purchased gifts, pictures, and drinks onboard. As we entered the lobby of the Disney Magic, our formal names were announced. Captain Mickey and his crew greeted us with "Saludos Amigos" and cheered our arrival.

Next, we checked out our stateroom. There was a queensize bed, convertible sofa, and pull-down bunk. The split bathroom with a bath/shower is a great design for families. The natural woods and imported files make the room feel elegant. We noticed our luggage had not yet arrived. Fortunately, we'd packed our bathing suits in carry-on bags and changed into them before touring the ship.

Up at the Topsider's Buffet, lunch was waiting for us. Our daughter was handed a child's tray, divided so different foods wouldn't touch. Iced tea, fruit punch, water, milk, coffee, and hot tea were complimentary. For those who crave a soda or lemonade, drink mugs can be purchased for $35; they can be filled and refilled, at no additional cost, at any restaurant or bar onboard, or on the line's private island, Castaway Cays.

After lunch, small kids splashed in the Mickey Mouse pool with its yellow curved slide, while older children swam in the Goofy pool. Teenagers checked out Common Grounds, the teen-only hangout, as adults enjoyed the solitude of the Quiet Cove pool. We chose to relax in the spa next to the Goofy pool before enrolling our daughter, Elizabeth, in the Oceaneer's Club. After completing a registration form, she received an information bracelet and we received a pager, which operates anywhere on the ship.

Some of the activities planned in her "Personal Navigator" were Goofy's pajama party, movie night, dress-up in captain's closet, and magical experiments learned in Professor Goo's lab. The children's activities on the Disney Magic were well organized and ran smoothly.

We joined everyone upstairs for the festive sail-away celebration. Passengers of all ages learned new dance steps and joined the conga line with many of the Disney characters. When the captain blasted the horn to announce our departure, it was not the usual single note blast, but rather the first measure of When You Wish Upon A Star.

As we sailed away from Port Canaveral, it was time to get ready for dinner. Disney offers variety to passengers with a rotating dining schedule. Our first night was at Parrot Cay, a dining room with a colorful Caribbean flair. Under gingerbread trim, a live band played background music for our listening enjoyment. On the second evening, we all dined in the elegant Lumiere's dining room. Located in the center of the ship, this room has the romantic feel of a classic ocean liner. The third night we experienced Animator's Palate restaurant (Disney spent more than $5 million to create this room). As we ordered our entrees, the "paintbrush" pillars slowly turned from black and white to pastel colors; Disney theme-music swelled as various screens on the walls came to life, showing the famous Disney animation stars and short films.

Adults also have the option of dining at Palo restaurant. Located on the upper deck, with views of the sea, it is the quietest restaurant onboard. The quality of food and service is well worth the $5 per-person service fee. The fourth night, Elizabeth met friends in the Oceaneer's Club for dinner and a treasure hunt, while my husband and I shared a leisurely, four-course meal at Palo. Afterward, we strolled down "adults-only" Beat Street and watched a cabaret show, danced to the celebration of music from the '80s at Rockin' Bar D, and listened to piano artistry in Sessions.

On her weeklong Western Caribbean route, the Disney Magic visits four ports-of-call. The first is the island of Key West, southernmost point of the continental United States. From the 11 shore excursions offered by the line, we chose the 90-minute Conch Train Tour, then visited the Shipwreck Historium and the nearby Aquarium. For lunch we had a delicious Cuban sandwich at the Bay View Bistro, followed by a walk along the infamous Duval street.

Grand Cayman is the second port call. With 18 excursions to choose from, we opted for the Stingray City snorkeling and discover Cayman tour. Our air-conditioned bus drove to an ancient geological formation site called "Hell"; next we held sea turtles at a turtle-breeding operation; then we toured past schools, churches, and fancy condominium complexes to the harbor where we boarded a boat to Stingray City. A 40-minute boat ride took us to a sand bar where we jumped in, swam with, fed, and photographed more than 40 magnificent stingrays.

When on the island of Cozumel, the next port, I recommend the six-hour Xcaret Eco Archeological Park excursion. A 45-minute boat ride took us Playa del Carmen, on mainland Mexico. There our guide escorted us on an air-conditioned bus for a 20-minute ride to Xcaret. Once a Mayan ceremonial center, it is now a nature-adventure park where we snorkeled in an underground river, held colorful butterflies, explored Mayan rains, and watched fellow passengers swim with dolphins.

Back onboard the Disney Magic, we ate dinner before joining the "MEXICALI-fragilisticexpialidocious" sail-away party. At the next table was a family with a disabled child in a wheelchair. I questioned them about the cruise. "The ship is very handicap-friendly with push-plates to open every door. The cabins [there are 14 handicapped-equipped staterooms] are spacious, and a crewmember is always available to help us in the elevator or off the boat," they said.

We had two days at sea. On the first, we joined families at Parrot Cay for the character breakfast. Mickey and Minnie Mouse gave hugs and posed for pictures, while children started their morning with Mickey Mouse waffles, eggs, and fresh fruit. Later, we took our daughter to "Tea with Wendy"; the character from Peter Pan taught us the proper way to drink a cup of tea and nibble on chocolate-chip cookies. On our second day at sea, we swam, played ping-pong, and attended a cooking demonstration. Nearby sat a couple in their 70s. I asked them if they were enjoying the cruise. "The ship is beautiful and all the activities make us feel young." stated California senior Toni Katz.

The final port-of-call is Disney's own private island, Castaway Cays, located in the Bahamas. Families can bicycle around the isle (training wheels are available for smaller guests), snorkel in the lagoon to find Captain Mickey's sunken treasures, swim out to a play structure, and eat lobster burgers at Cookie's BBQ.

After lunch, we signed our daughter in at Scuttle's Cove. While she built sandcastles with her new friends, we biked to Serenity Bay, a quiet, "adults-only" beach. Here we enjoyed a half-hour massage in a cabana overlooking the bay, then relaxed in lounge chairs, gazing out at the emerald-colored water.

Back onboard we prepared for our last evening on the Disney Magic. After dinner we watched the "Farewell Variety Show." American sign-language interpreters were near the stage, interpreting the show for three hearing-impaired guests. Angela Roth and Marvin Mollinedo, who interpret on the Disney Magic at least twice a month, are given scripts for the various shows and work on their signing choreography; they often steal the show with their animated expressions.