Journeys with Jenn
Tips and tricks for traveling. I will be focusing on Disney travel experiences but will sprinkle in some other great locations for travel adventures.
Journeys with Jenn
Sailing with Disney
Ever wondered what makes Disney Cruises so magical? Join me as I share the highlights from celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary aboard the Disney Magic sailing from Galveston. This voyage was my second cruise but my husband's very first – and watching his transformation from skeptic to enthusiast was almost as delightful as the cruise itself!
The Disney Magic may be the oldest and smallest ship in the fleet, but don't let that fool you. From the moment we stepped into the stunning atrium, we were enveloped in that distinctive Disney charm and attention to detail. The rotational dining system brilliantly combines variety with personalization – you experience a different themed restaurant each night while your servers follow you, remembering your preferences. Animator's Palette was our absolute favorite, but Rapunzel's Royal Table and Lumiere's were equally impressive. With food available 24/7 (including room service at no extra charge!), mealtime becomes a highlight rather than just a necessity.
Entertainment aboard is truly next-level. The Broadway-caliber shows like "Disney Dreams" showcase production values that rival what you'd see in the parks. Beyond the main stage productions, there's entertainment tailored for every age group and interest – movies, games, cooking demonstrations, and adults-only events that let grown-ups have their own version of fun. Disney's legendary commitment to celebrations made our anniversary extra special, with champagne deliveries, recognition at dinner, and those famous towel animals with an anniversary twist.
For first-timers, I share practical tips we wished we'd known: pack motion sickness remedies even if you don't usually need them, bring refillable cups with lids, book activities as soon as your window opens, and give yourself time to explore the ship without rushing. My husband admitted he didn't expect to enjoy cruising – but by day two, he was already asking when we could book our next Disney sailing. Whether you're celebrating something special or simply seeking a unique vacation experience, Disney Cruise Line delivers magic in ways you might never expect. Ready to set sail on your own magical journey? Let's make it happen!
Welcome, hello travelers out there. This is Journeys with Jen, the podcast where we talk about all things travel, especially Disney. I am your host, jennifer. Today I'm excited to share some very special experience with you our Disney cruise. My husband and I just got back from celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary on a Disney cruise and let me tell you it was absolutely incredible cruise. And let me tell you it was absolutely incredible Since it was his first and my second cruise. We experienced it from completely different perspectives. Whether you're thinking about a Disney cruise for the first time you've gone many times or you're just curious about what makes them special, I'm sharing our highlights, surprises and tips to help you plan your very own magical sailing. So let's dive in.
Speaker 1:We decided to do a seven-day, six-night cruise for our first one. We wanted to jump into the deep end and committed to getting the full experience. Let's start by talking about Embarkation Day. We sailed out of Galveston, texas, on the Disney Magic. The Disney Magic is the oldest and smallest ship in the fleet, but she's been beautifully maintained and updated to meet Disney's highest standards. We arrived at the port in Galveston, disney had everything running smoothly. In fact, they were just finishing up the debarkation of the previous cruise and were getting ready to start ours. We arrived way too early, so stick to your check-in time. The check-in process was a breeze and before we knew it we were stepping onto the ship, being welcomed in classic Disney fashion. That moment when you walk into the atrium for the first time, wow, it's stunning the decor, the music and the cast members greeting you. It's pure Disney magic. And for my husband, this was his first time ever cruise, so watching his reaction was simply priceless.
Speaker 1:What did we do first? Why, food? Of course we headed straight to Cabana's for lunch, and let me say Disney does not mess around when it comes to dining. But more on that in a minute. Let's talk about some of the highlights. Let's talk about some of the highlights. Well, okay, back to food, because everybody knows I love food. Honestly, the dining was one of our favorite parts.
Speaker 1:Disney does what's called rotational dining, so each night you get to experience a different themed restaurant, but the servers come with you, so you get to try new things while still having the comfort of the personal touch and of the servers that already know what you like. We absolutely loved Animator's Palette, the atmosphere, the food and, of course, disney Magic. Don't miss out on Rapunzel's Royal Table or Lumiere's either, and there's so much food I can't even describe it. If you have a picky eater, don't worry, there's plenty of things for them to eat. You can also get food whenever you want, whether on the pool deck at Cabana's, your rotational dining or even room service that's open 24-7. And the best part On a Disney cruise, it's included in the price and entertainment.
Speaker 1:Oh guys, I cannot tell you about the entertainment. Disney's Broadway style shows are next level. We saw Disney Dreams and were blown away. It felt like something straight out of the parks or right off of a Broadway stage. Disney really knows how to put on a performance. And don't miss any of the shows offered on your cruise. Remember, this is the same entertainment group that brings you the movies, the shows in the parks and what's on Broadway. Disney Entertainment is top-notch.
Speaker 1:Now, besides the shows, there's entertainment for everyone, whether you're a child, a tween, a teenager, a family or even some adults wanting some adult time. There's something for everyone. Whether you're a child, a tween, a teenager, a family or even some adults wanting some adult time, there's something for everybody. There's movies, games, bingo, giveaways, cooking, demonstration and Broadway performers sharing on small stages. We were lucky enough to be chosen as one of the three couples to play Match your Mate, disney's version of the newlywed game. It was so much fun. This was in the adults only time on the entertainment. Now, some special moments we had. It was our 30th anniversary and Disney, of course, made it extra special. We had champagne left in our room, our dining team sang to us at dinner and brought out a special dessert, and our cabin host created a special towel figurine for us. It's those little touches that make Disney stand apart, and on the Disney Cruise you feel like everything is personalized and is just so magical.
Speaker 1:Now, what surprised us most on the cruise was simply the level of service. Our stateroom host kept our cabin so clean and tidy and our stateroom was much bigger than we had ever imagined or expected. It had plenty of space for the two of us and there was even enough room for a third or fourth person. My husband admitted he didn't expect to like the cruise, but by the second day he was ready for me to book us another one. If it's your first time cruising, let me give you a couple of things we learned that might help you out.
Speaker 1:First, when packing. I suggest packing motion bracelets or medicine, even if you're not prone to motion sickness, it's just good to have it on hand. And pack a refillable mug or cup with a lid on it. That way you can go up to the pool deck and fill up that cup with your favorite drink anytime you want. Plan ahead as soon as the booking window opens for your time. Be sure you book your activities, your dining experiences, because those things will fill up fast. So check out your login on your Disney Cruise Line, either on the app or online, and get those things booked, and even the excursions. Go ahead and look at the excursions. Remember you can always cancel your excursion or any of the things you've booked on Disney Cruise Line the day before without a cancellation fee. That's the nice thing about Disney they don't charge you until you go.
Speaker 1:Also, be sure you give yourself time to explore the ship. You're going to want to see your surroundings and become familiar with it. There's so much to do and see. You don't want to rush from one thing to the next, so I suggest taking some time to explore that ship, especially on that first day. So would we book another Disney cruise? 100%, yes. It was the perfect mix of relaxation, adventure and Disney magic, and for my husband's first ever cruise, it completely won him over. So if you're considering a Disney cruise, I say go for it. Whether you're celebrating something special or just looking for a unique vacation, it's experience like no other. That's it for today's episode. I hope you enjoyed this. Don't forget to subscribe to my podcast, leave a review or follow me on Facebook and Instagram for more travel tips and some Disney magic, and when you're ready to book your next adventure, reach out. I'd love to help you do it. Until next time, happy travels and keep dreaming.