In a time when it seems as if cruise lines are releasing new ships into the waters yearly, always trying to outdo the next one in size, entertainment and amenities, Disney brings a new chapter of storytelling and magic to the ocean as it releases its seventh ship, the Destiny.
As thousands flocked to the ship for its first Inaugural Preview Sailing and Christening, Firefly Travels got to be part of it all. So, let’s step aboard and discover what makes the Destiny a truly magnificent addition to the Disney fleet.
After making your way through the cruise terminal, you are greeted in the Grand Hall with the statue of the Black Panther, the Wakandan hero. The atrium boasts elegance and beauty, the central hub of the ship, that stands three stories tall and is decorated with the amazing chandelier that is inspired by the vibranium meteorite, and the focal point for the nightly ‘Kiss Good Night’ light show that ends each day.
The Grand Hall hosts character meet-and-greets, including some of our favorite Villains, such as Maleficent and Loki. This is where you’ll also find mini-stage shows and traditional cruise happenings, including the ‘See Ya Real Soon’ party, where our favorite Disney pals bid farewell to their guests on the last night of the cruise. The Grand Hall is highlighted by its 360 degree lighting that changes based on the character’s presence, setting the mood and giving it a truly immersive feel.
As the first ship that carries its theming from stern to bow, the Destiny creates immersive storytelling where magic meets mischief as the Villains and Heroes we have come to love interweave their stories throughout. From the breathtaking artwork to subtle details, such as the carpeting, you can discern where you are on the ship with the aft celebrating the heroes and the forward, the villains.
Even the staterooms continue the motif, bringing more characters to life, with decks themed after films like Hercules, Mulan, Raya, the Incredibles, and Big Hero 6, telling stories of courage, conflict and victory.
Besides the theming and elegant decor, every stateroom is designed optimizing space and providing plenty of storage, keeping in mind what families need when traveling on the high seas. This Preview Cruise gave us the opportunity to tour a variety of staterooms from an Interior room to a 2- story Royal Suite with Verandah which was luxurious splendor at its best. Nearly every one of the verandah and ocean view staterooms include the signature standard of the split bathroom, which is so convenient and functional for families.
Disney Cruise Line entertains both the young and old at heart, and the Destiny is designed with the perfect balance. The whimsical Wreck-it-Ralph entrance into the Oceaneer’s Club- even featuring a peppermint slide from the Grand Hall- welcomes the young to be creative, use their imagination and meet some friends.
Inside they can immerse themselves in themed areas, such as train to be their own super hero in the Marvel Super Hero Academy, as well as step into their own fairytale in Fairytale Hall. The tween and teens find their own space in the Edge and Vibe Clubs, where the Edge provides activities and gaming in a space depicting a New York City loft style, and the Vibe offers a Parisian loft-inspired theme with neon-lighting. Families of all ages will love the Hero Zone, a Wish-class favorite, where air hockey, foosball, and ping pong tables line a huge two-story open space. Here, basketball hoops and larger-than-life activities, such as the inflatable Incredi-Races which we experienced during our tour, make it the ultimate playground at sea.
We cannot forget to highlight the amazing job that Disney Cruise Line does with creating spaces for adults,but the Destiny takes this to the next level. Whether you are sipping on an upscale coffee at Café Megara or Café Merida, or indulging in villainous fun at the Haunted Mansion Parlor or De Vil’s Piano Lounge this ship offers so many experiences with a unique Disney twist. You can find plenty of spaces to relax and get some quiet on the adult only decks and pool, as well as by taking an escape for pure bliss at the Senses Spa.
Known for both its attentive service and decadent menus, the dining experiences followed suit with the Disney Cruise Line reputation. The rotational dining experiences of Pride Lands: The Feast of the Lion King dinner show, 1923 and World of Marvel, enhance your dining experience with a perfect mix of food and entertainment. Each of these venues offer menus, decor, and interactions that match their theme, carrying out the storytelling that Disney does so magically.
The live musical experience offered at Pride Lands, brought out all the feels with some of our favorite music and the beloved story of the Lion King. We made sure we took advantage and enjoyed an adult only meal at Palo’s, which is a dining experience for the mature palate, offering mouth-watering steak and extraordinary Italian dishes. In addition, the Destiny also offers Enchanté as an adult-exclusive restaurant serving French-inspired cuisine. There truly is something for everyone’s interests and food preferences.
The delicious dining options continued to the buffet at Mercantile and the Mickey’s Festival of Foods on the pool deck. The variety and offerings at both of these venues was extensive, and covered so different flavors. Mercantile’s breakfast buffet included your favorite Mickey waffles, eggs, meats and other breakfast specialities, where the lunch offered a variety of hot options and even plenty of flavors for the seafood lover. Mickey’s Festival of Food includes your favorite pizza, burgers and never ending ice cream, but this class of ships has expanded to offering a barbeque option and cantina, which included both tacos and rice bowls.
Each night we were entertained by Disney Cruise Line’s amazing entertainment and Broadway-style shows. The highlight was the all-new, high energy Hercules musical, where the Muses kept the audience laughing and singing along while larger-than-life puppets—like the Hydra and the Titans—brought epic battles to the stage. And we cannot forget about the iconic Pirate Night that is capped off with a spectacular firework show. Disney Cruise Line remains the only one in the industry that offers this magical experience.
In just three nights, we tried our best to soak up all that this ship has to offer, exploring all its nooks and crannies, discovering why this ship is such a great addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet and should be your next adventure at sea.
We hope you enjoyed learning about the Disney Destiny. If you would like to learn more, we have a few other cruise-related reviews on the site, including our review of Halloween on the High Seas on the Disney Wish. You might also enjoy our review of dinner at Enchante.
Ready to set sail on your own Disney Cruise Line voyage or have questions about the Disney Destiny? Get in touch with Deanna to learn more.
