Disney Treasure cruise first look: Adventures with Aladdin and Donald Duck
There is treasure to be found on this new vessel, says Marc Shoffman, as he spends a nostalgic three nights on the water
Lynk
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A foghorn reverberates across the Atlantic Ocean from Orlando’s Port Canaveral. Rather than the ordinary ear-piercing blast, the slightly more melodic When You Wish Upon a Star echoes through the sea air.
The familiar tune marks the sail away of Disney Treasure, the latest cruise ship in Disney’s growing fleet.
I was one of the first people to stay on its inaugural sailing from Florida, ahead of its maiden voyage on 21 December.
Disney Treasure is the sister ship of Wish and the sixth vessel in the fleet, and has a capacity of 4,000 passengers.
Despite the number of people, I immediately feel noticed when my name is announced as I step aboard. Crew – or cast members, as Disney calls them – clap as each passenger walks into the Grand Hall.
I spend most of my three nights aboard Disney Treasure nodding nostalgically as I remember long-forgotten characters and theme park experiences from my youth.
A bronze statue of Aladdin and Jasmine meets my eye in the Grand Hall, taking me back to one of the first Disney films I watched as a nine year old when it was released in 1992.
But even now, as a 41-year-old, gazing at the massive Moroccan-style rug on the floor and the high ceilings of the Grand Hall, which is lit with an Arabian-inspired brass chandelier, I feel transported to Agrabah.
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The theme of Disney Treasure is adventure, making Aladdin and Jasmine the perfect Disney dignitaries for a welcoming statue) or, as Sharon Siskie, senior vice president at Disney Cruise Line, describes it: “Creating memories that become your treasure.”
Plenty of memories flood back as I climb the stairways and pass artwork from films such as The Jungle Book and Aladdin – the original cartoons rather than the more recent live animations.
Adventure-themed cabins
The cabins aboard Disney Treasure are designed with adventure in mind. Mine is Pocahontas-themed, with a headboard image of the nostalgic heroine in her canoe being watched by her friend Meeko the raccoon.
Other themes include Aladdin, Finding Nemo, Encanto and Up.
Beyond the spacious design and very generous wardrobe space, it’s the little touches that Disney does so well. Light switches have been labelled so that – finally – you don’t have to guess which one you are turning on and off. There is also a night light for the loo so you don’t have to wake up the whole room during late-night visits.
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Around the ship
All members of the family are catered for on board.
Kids will love spotting the Mickey ears hidden in the carpets and lights, and familiar Disney songs play in the hallways to keep you smiling throughout the day.
Mouse ear-shaped sensors open the doors and the pools are named after Mickey and friends, which are in front of a big screen – Funnel Vision – that regularly shows Disney films.
The Aqua Mouse water ride from Wish has also been brought on board. The “water coaster” has the feel of Mickey’s Runaway Railroad at Hollywood Studios. It starts calmly on a track before the water rocks and splashes you as a Mickey Mouse cartoon plays in tunnels while you glide through 760 feet of winding tubes, offering breathtaking views of the ocean and the ship below.
For adults, there is plenty to explore in new bars and dedicated drinks launched exclusively on Disney Treasure.
I particularly enjoy a fruity and sweet gin cocktail called Strawberry Jam in the Scat Cat lounge as a pianist played a mix of jazz and pop tunes. This is a bar dedicated to yet another overlooked Disney treasure – the Aristocats – and the piano has decorative paw marks, bringing back happy memories of the entertaining 1970 animation.
Disney park fans will love some of the other bars on board.
For research purposes, I try the Skipper Sipper rum cocktail in the Skipper Society, a bar dedicated to the Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise ride, where the cheesy jokes that you enjoy on the attraction are printed behind the bar.
Many passengers also flock to the Haunted Mansion bar, a venue based on the Haunted Mansion ride. A spooky soundtrack and cackles fills the air as I try another themed cocktail – the Happily Never After – observed by pictures on the walls on which the eyes may move if you stare for long enough.
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Food, glorious food
Mickey waffles are a must-have for breakfast and you can order cookies and milk to your room for a midnight feast as part of your cruise fare.
Dinner is an experience in itself, with two new immersive dining experiences.
My first is in the Worlds of Marvel for a Guardians of the Galaxy-themed meal. As a bit of a superhero geek, it is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to eat off an Avengers plate while watching Groot go on an adventure and answering Marvel trivia – correctly in most cases.
The popular Coco film is also brought to life on board. The ship recreates the film’s Mariachi Plaza for a Mexican-themed musical fiesta in Plaza de Coco that follows the theme of embracing grief and remembering departed family members during the Day of the Dead.
It is still a happy atmosphere and there aren’t many dry eyes in the house – not just due to the Michelada lager and hot sauce cocktail I am drinking – as Miguel serenades us with his guitar and sings the film’s main song, Remember Me.
The third restaurant I try is 1923, a more classical dining venue based on the year Disney was founded. It is decorated with images of various characters such as Mowgli and Winnie the Pooh – again highlighting those treasures that once dominated Disney.
Enchanted entertainment
There is plenty of Disney magic in the entertainment.
I line up patiently to meet my favourite character, Donald Duck. But in typical Donald style, he doesn’t turn up, and Goofy steps in.
He is equally disappointed, as my Disney-themed T-shirt only showed Mickey, Donald and Pluto.
I catch up with my feathered friend at another character meet-and-greet in the Grand Hall, where passengers can also mingle with Moana and other Disney heroines, such as Rapunzel, and, of course, Mickey Mouse.
Character meet-ups for pictures outside the ship’s famous funnels are scheduled on the Disney Cruise Line app – where you can follow the full itinerary – but it is also worth hanging around in the Grand Hall after dinner where you may be surprised by one or two.
We are also treated to the debut of Disney’s The Tale of Moana. The West End-style show retells the story of the popular film, but it is enhanced with beautiful stagecraft that brings popular songs such as How Far I’ll Go and Shiny to life.
The props and effects are of a West End standard, particularly in the way the fire demon Teka and island goddess Te Fiti are portrayed as giants on the stage. At one point we even feel like we are under water as lighting effects fill the Walt Disney Theatre with bubbles.
Captain Jack Sparrow even makes an appearance during pirate night, abseiling down the ship’s funnel before we enjoy a traditional fireworks show that rivals the park experience.
The ship brilliantly mixes the old and the new of Disney. Whether it is remembering classic characters or modern-day heroes and heroines – or just finding Donald Duck – passengers of all ages will find plenty of hidden treasure on board.
How to do it
Cabins are available on Disney Treasure for week-long sailings from Port Canaveral from 11 January; from £3,810pp.
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