The Disney Treasure is easily my new favourite cruise ship, and three nights onboard really stuck with my family. It was such a beautiful, memorable experience, we’re already looking ahead to see when we could book our next trip.
Disney’s ships have always felt classy and fun, pulling from the classic, early days of cruise travel, but the Treasure is an evolution of everything that made the cruise line so special. The ship is stunning, and it’s filled with storytelling and adventures that feel new, even for Disney.
It’s bright, refined, and you won’t find another cruise ship like it, or experiences like this, either.
Disney Cruise Line was incredibly kind to invite me on the media preview sailing for the Treasure, with my wife and daughter, and the trip even included a stop at Walt Disney World for two days before the sailing.
We spent those two days staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and visiting Magic Kingdom and Epcot, trying some of the holiday treats, enjoying the light shows and festive events, but still counting down every hour until we left for the Treasure.
What I loved about the experience was that it showed just how far Disney has come with their cruise ships. You could drop me anywhere in the ship, and I would know it was a Disney ship, but they have also worked hard to upgrade the look, feel, and mood. The Grand Hall is majestic and inviting, the new staterooms are warm and bright, but most of all, everything feels much more immersive.
At the top of those immersive experiences is the new Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Plaza de Coco, but it goes beyond those unique spaces. Sarabi, Quiet Cove, 1923, Oceaneer Club, Skipper Society, and Scat Cat Lounge all feel like fresh, new, inviting spaces. They’re all so refined and upscale, and you can see that everywhere, including smaller spaces like Heihei Café, or the Jade Cricket Café.
And everything is so authentic, especially in the way that Plaza de Coco is inspired by Mexican culture and dishes, and the Tale of Moana is inspired by Hawaiian stories, art, and culture. These are such unique experiences, made all the more real by the people involved.
As Disney fans, we had such an amazing time with the music on board, the stage productions, taking in the story with Coco, and then the night of heroes at Worlds of Marvel. We loved the art throughout the ship, the little touches like the pawprints across the piano at Scat Cat Lounge, and the absolutely jaw-dropping details in every corner of the Haunted Mansion Parlor that makes it the perfect dive into the iconic attraction.
These spaces are complete experiences, and they’ll make you want to watch the movies, or step back into the attractions at the parks.
But it’s so impressive seeing the way that the Disney Treasure seamlessly brings you into the spaces, thanks to the cast, the performers, and the whole crew. I can’t praise them all enough. They all go above and beyond.
We woke up in the morning and enjoyed the view from the balcony, and then had breakfast together at Marceline Market. We enjoyed the stage shows together, had our photos taken with characters, danced on Pirate Night and watched fireworks, and then took turns riding the new AquaMouse together. It was really special family time.
We also had our own time to enjoy everything on board. For families that are always so busy, it was the perfect chance for my wife and I to have some date nights.
My daughter spent hours and hours in the Edge tween club, making new friends, playing games, making crafts, and having a blast. And then my wife and I had drinks in the Haunted Mansion Parlor and snacked at some of the bars and lounges. Having time like this for each of us is such a special gift on a vacation.
There are big spaces for everyone to gather together, and quiet spaces to go off and relax. There are bars for socializing, restaurants for dinners together as a couple, or as a family, stores for shopping, and Disney references everywhere to take in. Or you can sit in a pool, or on a lounger, and chill out in the sun.
And all of this is above and beyond the actual destinations you’ll get to explore on the seven night cruise.
If you’re curious about your first Disney cruise, or even if you’ve been on Disney cruises before, the Treasure is going to wow you. It feels like nowhere else, different from the parks, and from the other ships.
Stepping on board, the cast welcomes you, and you’ll go on adventures through Agrabah, Motunui, and beyond. You’ll meet pirates and heroes and even some villains, and each night you can witness the special Kiss Goodnight, and finish the trip with the Treasure Found goodbye party in the Grand Hall.
The Disney Treasure is a ship with passion and heart, and it tells a very big story. When travel is so often about the destination, I love the way that the Treasure is all about the journey.
Stay tuned for more coverage of the Disney Treasure, and to get a peek at the Haunted Mansion Parlor, watch the video below.
All photos by W. Andrew Powell/The GATE.
