Yes, adults can enjoy the Disney Adventure cruise, too. Here’s how I spent my trip
If your feed has been filled with Disney Adventure content lately, there’s a reason for that. Disney Cruise Line hosted a special Preview Sailing for over 2,500 media and content creators earlier this March, and I was fortunate to snag a spot on the ship before the Maiden Voyage in Singapore.
Since returning, my DMs have been flooded with the same question: "Is a Disney cruise actually worth it if you’re an adult?"
The short answer? Most definitely!
There’s a common misconception that Disney is just for the little ones. But for those of us who grew up with Disney Princess bed sheets or rewinding The Lion King on VHS until the tape wore out, stepping onto the Disney Adventure lets you leave the adult world behind temporarily and transports you straight back to your childhood.
"Everything starts with a story. And here, we have the opportunity to bring 100 years of Disney storytelling to Southeast Asia for the first time. And we wanted to do it in a big and bold way. So this ship is just gifted with so many incredible spaces," said Laura Cabo, Portfolio Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering.
"We knew, with this ship, with only magical days at sea, that we needed to create very different immersive spaces that would tell magical stories," she continued, explaining the idea behind each of the seven themed areas.
Spending five days on board, I could say Disney’s brand of "magical moments" scales up beautifully even for a more mature crowd. So, what activities can you do in Disney Adventure as an adult? Here are some highlights.
Unlimited dining
One of the best perks for guests is the unlimited food and the 24/7 room service. All guests are also on a rotational dining plan, where you go through different restaurants each night while your dedicated serving team moves with you. (By night two, Tin, our Filipina server, already knows my drink order: iced cranberry juice.)
Out of the six main dining rooms, the Animator’s Palate is my favorite. It's an interactive restaurant where the room literally transforms into vibrant color.
"Animator's Palate exists in different ships in the Disney fleet, but the one that we have here is especially unique because we want you to feel like you're eating at an elegant art gallery," Stephanie Jazmines of Walt Disney Imagineering said.
Jazmines highlighted the sequence scored by the London Symphony Orchestra that "focuses on the gathering, the preparing, the making of food, using clips from Disney and Pixar animations." Before your food arrives, you’re asked to draw a character on a sheet of paper. By dessert, the screens around the room feature everyone's animated version of their artwork. (Pro tip: Don't forget to ask your server for your drawing as a souvenir!)
For a more sophisticated vibe, there's the Hollywood Spotlight Club. This is a classy, sit-down dinner where singers and Mickey’s crew serenade you. At first, I hesitated to over-order, but my server insisted I explore the menu to its fullest. I ended up indulging in Lobster Salad, Porcini-Spiced Ahi Tuna, Burrata Mozzarella Cheese and Prosciutto di Parma, and Thai Shrimp Pumpkin Soup all in one go.
But when you want a snack or just something easy and quick, the other dining places across the decks are available, too. You can hit Gramma Tala’s Kitchen for Southeast Asian flavors, Mowgli’s Eatery for Indian dishes, Stitch’s ‘Ohana Grill serves up classic burgers, or Cosmic Kebabs for Mediterranean street food. If you're hit with a late-night craving, Pizza Planet on Deck 17 stays open until midnight.
Want more food finds? Head to the Infinity Bar on Deck 18. Over there, they serve free hotdogs with toppings—a spot that most passengers completely miss! Also, don’t miss the limited Churro Mickey Waffles at the breakfast buffets, the Mickey Ice Cream Bars, which you can order at any restaurant on board, and the soft-served ice cream at Wheezy's Freezies.
Live music
I'm already giving you a heads up, Disney songs are on repeat on the entire cruise ship, and you will find yourself humming along to them all day. But for adults, there's also live music. On any given day, you might catch live bands playing everything from alternative rock to jazz sets at the Royal Court or Tiana's Bayou Lounge. Then, over at Wayfinder Bay, the pool area transforms with late-night acoustic and DJ sets that end before midnight.
And for fellow Pinoys: we all know a vacation isn't complete without some singing. You’ll be happy to know there are private karaoke rooms at D’Lounge, so you can belt out your favorite ballads. Keep an eye on the Navigator App, too; that’s where they’ll announce the Silent Disco parties.
Adults-only spa and gym
If you want some quiet time for yourself, book a reservation at the Infinite Bliss Spa – Elemis at Sea while the kids are at the "it's a small world" nursery or the Edge tween club. Aside from their signature facials, massages, and nail services, their Rainforest Room is a must-visit. For a $75 one-day pass, you can already enjoy its amenities, including the salt room, gentle steam sauna, experience shower, cold plunges, and hot pool.
Speaking of pools, while it's not exactly adults-only, the infinity pool hidden behind Deck 18 AFT has a relaxing panoramic view of the ocean. You can even order cocktails inspired by the Infinity Stones from the bar, too!
And if you're looking to burn off all those calories, the Fitness Center is free to access and open 24/7.
Activities, shows for any age group
Disney made sure there's something for everyone; some onboard activities cater even to those 18 and above to help pass the time. You can learn how to draw and make origami with the young ones, but there's also Trivia Nights and Bingo, too!
Over at San Fransokyo Street, which is inspired by Big Hero 6, there's an arcade and four movie houses that screen your favorite Disney films throughout the day.
Then, family-friendly shows like Avengers Assemble, Moana: Call of the Sea, Remember, Let's Set Sail, Duffy and the Friend Ship are scheduled throughout the cruise—just check your Navigator App! Plus, you can't miss the only fireworks display on a Disney cruise, "The Lion King: Celebration in the Sky." (Pro tip: For the best view, go to Deck 18 Starboard side.)
Adults-only bars and exclusive cafes
Unlike most other cruise lines that charge for soda packages, Disney includes unlimited fountain drinks, Bacha coffee, TWG tea, and hot chocolate in your fare. And in case you missed it, Bacha and TWG opened its first-ever boutique aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship!
But, if you want to unwind a bit, wine and alcoholic beverages are served in certain bars and restaurants. Buccaneer Bar hosts game nights, while Spellbound offers elaborate “potions.” For something more laid-back, the Wayfinder Bar and Infinity Bar serve up refreshing poolside cocktails with a view.
Here's another tip: the Marvel Style Studio—where kids and adults can get makeovers and shop for Marvel items—turns into a speakeasy bar after 8 p.m. Here, they offer high-end spirits and premium whiskeys.
Longest roller coaster and more rides
Riding a roller coaster in the middle of the ocean probably isn't on your vacation bingo card, but you’ll definitely regret skipping a chance to ride the longest roller coaster at sea. While the Ironcycle Test Run was unfortunately still in trial mode during my visit, watching it in action was enough to get the adrenaline pumping.
If you’re a Marvel fan, the rest of the Marvel Landing area is just as immersive with rides like Pym Quantum Racers and Groot Galaxy Spin. And to beat the heat, head up to Deck 17 for some poolside fun at Toy Story Land or at Wayfinder Bay on Deck 10.
Homey staterooms
At the end of a long day, there is nothing quite like coming "home" to a thoughtfully designed stateroom, where every corner is designed with details from Disney films.
I stayed in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which comfortably sleeps four and offers a private balcony. The room is perfectly equipped for a premium stay, featuring a queen-sized bed with bedside charging ports, a sofa bed, and a split bath and toilet. It also includes thoughtful extras like a mini-fridge and a Bacha kettle along with coffee and TWG tea.
Some suites even have separate living rooms and access to the Concierge lounge.
As a Disney Cruise first-timer, I loved walking through the hallways to see the decorated stateroom doors—a tradition known as "Pixie Dusting." Even in my own room, I would find surprises. I’d return every night to find a different towel animal waiting on my well-prepped bed.
I also made sure to dive into some of the cruise’s open secrets. I spent my days collecting charms, tracking down Disney characters, and even requesting my official first-timer’s certificate.
All these little details prove that the Disney Adventure isn't just for kids. Adults can absolutely join in the fun—even as a solo traveler like me.
