ONBOARD DISNEY TREASURE — You can throw all the pixie dust you want at me, but I’m far from being an unconditional Disney fan.

In nearly 30 years in this industry, it had never occurred to me to visit one of Disney’s theme parks, or cruise with Goofy.

Confession: If I agreed in 1998 to go to Disneyland to cover the reimagined Tomorrowland, it was mainly because the trip included a stopover in Pasadena. Millionaire’s Row and its architect-designed houses were much more appealing, you see!

Fast forward more than 25 years, and here I was covering ‘the whole package’: both a land-based experience and the inaugural media cruise of Disney Treasure, sister ship to Disney Wish (and to Disney Destiny, set to join the fleet in November 2025).

Not backing down from anything, I set off for three days at sea aboard a cruise ship almost as long (341 metres) as the Empire State Building is high (380 metres, minus the spire and antenna).

As per Disney tradition, this floating village (that can house some 4,000 passengers) has its own theme: adventure! Isn’t adventure the heart of Disney storytelling?

The same goes for Pixar and Marvel’s cinematic universes, where the heroes and villains – this is a first – join Mickey and his gang.

The decor, shows and animations all revolve around the popular adventures of these characters. In the Grand Hall, which looks like a palace from Agrabah in Disney’s 1992 hit Aladdin, passengers can pose in front of the ship’s iconic statue: Aladdin and Princess Jasmine on the Magic Carpet. In the evening, you dine in the company of The Avengers or the protagonists from the movie Coco, who perform in a Mexican plaza during the Día de los Muertos – this is especially well done.

On stage, Moana, the heroine who isn’t pining for any prince, takes the spotlight in a Broadway-style production with set designs that Robert Lepage would certainly appreciate.

As for the grand nighttime party with fireworks and rock music, the theme is pirates – and it’s fitting because Disney Treasure will only sail the Caribbean Sea during seven-night cruises departing from Port Canaveral, FL.

Finally, Pocahontas watches over my sleep from the artwork above the bed in my stateroom. In the ‘Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah’ category, this cabin for five people is thoughtfully designed: it includes a sofa bed (you could also opt for a hidden bunk bed in the ceiling) and a wall bed, meaning a family of four could invite grandma! Special mention for the separate toilet from the bathroom (which also includes a mini bathtub).

FANS AND KIDS FIRST!

In every corner of the ship, Disney Imagineers have created incredible environments.

For the children, they’ve dedicated age-appropriate areas, such as Small World Nursery (under 3), Edge (11-14 years), Vibe (14-17 years) and Hero Zone (for all).

For kids ages 3 – 10, The Oceaneer Club completely blew me away: five spaces, five adventures, including the impressive Star Wars Cargo Bay. Hello, Chewbacca! At the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, I could have been transformed into Rapunzel for a day if I had been five years old. And then there’s the AquaMouse, the famous high-up water slide on the top deck.

Star Wars at the Oceaneer Club ©Carolyne Parent

The creators also went above and beyond in the spaces designed for adults. The Haunted Mansion Parlor bar recreates the atmosphere of an iconic Magic Kingdom attraction, and its ‘supernatural’ effects are sure to surprise (no, I won’t spoil anything!).

The Skipper Society Lounge is also a nod to another iconic park attraction: the Jungle Cruise. The Periscope Pub takes us aboard Jules Verne’s Nautilus, heading for Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea. At the retro jazz bar Scat’s Cat, we’re in The Aristocats’ world: a cat has even left its paw prints on the piano…

Adjacent to the upscale (and paid) restaurants Palo (specializing in northern Italian cuisine) and Enchanté (French cuisine by Arnaud Lallement, three Michelin stars), the cocktail bar The Rose delighted me with its cozy atmosphere and views of the ocean.

THE PERFECT STOPOVER

I also loved the Jade Cricket Café (hello, Mulan; I do know my classics!), the adults-only area The Cove, which features a panoramic pool, bar, and café at the stern, and the Rainforest relaxation oasis, both indoor and outdoor, in the Senses Spa.

A beautiful place of relaxation, this Rainforest… ©Carolyne Parent

After these experiences, it was off to Jumbeaux’s Sweets, straight out of Zootopia. The ice cream shop with 20 flavours, 16 unusual gelato types (carrot cake, really?), and other treats is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Elsewhere, from the Marceline Market buffet (kudos for the kids’ section at child height) to the Hollywood-style 1923 restaurant, through the aforementioned Worlds of Marvel and Plaza de Coco, and the stands on deck 11, I ate well. While the dishes aren’t gourmet, they are more than decent.

Finally, a word on the stopover at Castaway Cay, DCL’s private island in the Bahamas: the beaches for adults and families are spacious; the marine area, which resembles a lagoon, is supervised by lifeguards; the site is beautifully set up (buffets, picnic areas, restrooms, showers); and several experiences are offered, including biking, snorkeling and ray feeding.

In short, everything is great, just like the rest of this wonderful and perfectly well-oiled world.

You might be wondering if I’m now a Disney fan… What do you think?

This story originally appeared at ProfessionVoyages.com, part of The Travelweek Group