A Disney Cruise Without The Kids – Oh My Yes!

You’ve heard it before, Disney is for Kids. What about a Disney Cruise without the kids, your kids that is?

Well, the biggest Disney kid ever was Walt himself and the Disney cruise ships are a mecca for big Disney kids. Adults and Seniors can have a great time on a Disney cruise ship without the kids and grandkids in tow.

My husband and I have cruised without kids on several different cruise lines, but we keep going back to Disney because of the service, the food, the activities, and the stylish ships, (and no one thinks it is odd at all). Here are several tips to make the most out of your childless cruise.

Book a Long Cruise – Book an Off-Season Cruise

Book a long cruise. When you book a 5, 6, or 7-day cruise, or longer depending on your destination, you will find there are fewer children onboard and more adults. They travel in groups, as adult and senior family and friends, as couples, and as singles.

Most kids can’t be out of school that long unless it is a school vacation. Families with children who are onboard have younger children who are usually in bed early. A Disney Cruise without the kids indeed!

Book an off-season cruise. As we know, kids are out of school for the summer, specific holidays, and the always busy President’s week. Avoid those times to cruise.

Consider cruising in late September, January, February, or early March. Looking for a Halloween or Christmas cruise? Book the first week those cruises start. Everyone wants to cruise on the actual holiday dates. 

Book a TCM Cruise – Yes, It’s a Special Disney Cruise!

Book a TCM cruise. If you love classic movies then a TCM cruise is for you. Theme nights, costume parties, and guest cruisers.

Hayley Mills was on the 2024 cruise onboard the Disney Magic, make this a special cruise and you get to mingle and converse with fellow adult classic movie buffs. A Disney Cruise without the kids to enjoy.

The only drawback is that the Disney stage shows are suspended for this particular cruise. Check out TCM’s website for more information. 

On Board Dining Tips for Seniors on a Disney Cruise Without The Kids

Ask for late dining seating. If you don’t mind eating later in the evening, ask for late seating. Most families want early dining and then attend the 8 pm show in the Walt Disney Theater. Do the early show, then dinner and you will find more adult company. 

Request a table with other adults. Disney Cruise Line will pair adults with adults for your dining table, however, it is a little insurance to make sure you are seated with other Disney Adults.

Should there be an error and you are seated with a family the dining room captain will move you even if you don’t ask. This might take a little rearranging on the staff’s part, so be patient.

Reserve Palo’s Brunch. On cruises longer than 4 days Palo’s Brunch is available and I highly recommend doing it. The brunch is amazing and is more than worth the extra cost. If the brunch is sold out, don’t despair. There are always cancellations. You can call Disney Cruise Lines and ask to be placed on the cancellation list and check the cruise line website often.

If you still haven’t been able to get a reservation by your departure date, go to Palo’s as soon as you board your ship and speak to the maitre de. They will put you on a list. Sometimes a cancellation comes in during your conversation!

Onboard Activities’ Tips for a Disney Cruise Without the Kids

Participate in Onboard Activities. Take the tour of your ship on embarkation day. You’ll catch glimpses of parts of the ship not generally available to the public. Trivia, towel folding, and drawing classes are among the activities onboard the ships. You may encounter a few kids, but most of them are busy in their clubs or at the pool.

Sign up for adult-only activities such as wine and liquor tastings. See a midnight movie, first-run Disney movies are usually offered in theaters and there is always a movie playing on the funnel screen on the pool deck.

Watch a live show. Watch the fireworks. Keep track of what’s happening each day on the Navigator App. The next day’s activities are listed the night before. Check out the onboard games such as Shipboard Detective on the Dream late in the evening when the kids are in bed.

Meet the Characters. The Disney kid in you wants to meet Mickey, Minnie, Stitch, or Belle, but the lines in the atrium are always long and full of kids.

Instead, go to the very last meet and greet of the day. The short lines are mostly made up of childless adult cruisers and you can take a few extra minutes to get that photo you desired with the main mouse and his friends. 

Don’t Forget the Many Adults-Only Areas Onboard

Head to Adult-Only Areas: All Disney ships have an adults-only area that includes a pool, hot tub, and bars. Enjoy a meal at one of the ship’s adult-only dining venues (an extra cost).

Make reservations at the spa (an extra cost) or hit the gym (free). Head to the clubs in the evening for adult entertainment, dancing, and game shows. On Disney’s private islands, go to the adult-only beach to relax and enjoy a delicious outdoor buffet (included).

Relax. Find a chair on the promenade and read a book, watch for leaping whales and dolphins, or take a nap. Visit a coffee bar and sit in a quiet lounge while sipping a specialty brew. 

Taking an adult or senior childless cruise can be fun. Just don’t tell the kids!

Looking for what seniors have to say about a Disney cruise without the kids, or with the kids for that matter? Here is a link to our next article titled, Surprise! Disney Cruises and Seniors!

And, if you are an older adult or senior, don’t foget to join the new Disney for Seniors Facebook Group!