Disney cruises have a reputation for being the premier choice for family fun at sea but are they a good choice for older sailors as well? I recently returned from a five day Caribbean cruise on the Disney Magic departing from New Orleans with my seventy-eight year old mother so I’d like to let you know what I believe are the pros and cons for older adults and those traveling with special accessibility needs.
PROS
The Ship is Accessible
From the moment we arrived at the port, my mom’s accessibility issues were addressed. My mom has mobility impairments which require her to use a wheelchair or scooter whenever walking more than a few steps is required. She cruised with her own scooter and she was able to easily access the elevator to the main level for boarding. Once on the main level, we were directed to a special counter that was a lower height so that she could easily present her boarding documentation. Also, the shuttle bus at the New Orleans port was equipped with a hydraulic wheelchair ramp.
Onboard the ship, I paid special attention to how easy it was to enter/exit doorways. There was no location on the Disney Magic that was completely inaccessible to scooters. However, there were a couple of instances where my mom’s scooter had a bit of difficulty getting over a steep ramp but with a little push it was no problem.
Tip
Be sure to book an accessible room if you will be traveling with a wheelchair or scooter. The room will be larger and the door to your room will have an automated open/close feature. You will not have the split bathroom feature that Disney cruises are known for but your bathroom will be very large.
Bonus Tip
If attending Pirate night or a deck party, check to see if there is a designated area for wheelchairs and/or scooters.
Adult-Only Activities
You may be pleased to know that even though Disney speaks to the inner-child in all of us, the cruise will have many activities and locations that are adult-only. Whether you want to enjoy a hand-crafted latte at the 18+ Cove Cafe or enjoy an evening of dancing at one of the adult-only night-clubs, or maybe just slip away for some quiet time at the Quiet Cove Pool, the Disney Magic has you covered.
Tip
Beverages at the Cove Cafe are at an additional charge (the pastries are included in your fare) so be sure to ask for a Cafe Fanatic punch card and your sixth drink will be free!
Entertainment for Everyone
Whether you are eight or eighty, you are very likely to enjoy the Broadway style live shows put on by Disney cast members. There is a section in the back of the theater for people with mobility concerns. You can park your scooter or wheelchair just outside of the theater and then walk to your seat, or you can wheel to your seat and a Disney member will park your chair or scooter for you. We sat on the very last row and had a very good view of the production.
Tip
The later show usually has fewer kids so choose the later show if you want more of an adult vibe.
CONS
Limited Excursions
Most of the excursions were marked as “moderate” which, in my opinion, would have been too difficult for my mother or anyone with very limited mobility. Another concern was that most of the excursion busses were not equipped to handle scooters (wheelchairs were accepted in most cases). For this reason, we opted to not purchase any excursions and instead we explored the port on our own. The Disney Magic docked at Cozumel’s Punta Langosta pier. This port is easily accessible for cruisers using scooters or wheelchairs. Once off the ship, it is about a ten minute flat walk to the main shopping area. There are also cycle taxis for hire for anyone who wants a brief ride from the boat to the shopping area. My mom used her scooter and we were in the shopping area in about ten minutes. If you want to go to the main shopping area across the street from the pier, access it from the second level. There is an elevator across from the convenience shop at the end of the pier. Otherwise, crossing at street level will be a challenge because there are no curb cutouts for scooters or wheelchairs.
Tip
Cozumel’s streets didn’t seem to be as ADA compliant as what we may be used to here in the United States. Crosswalks and curb cutouts are at a minimum so keep this in mind if traveling with a scooter or wheelchair.
Long Elevator Wait Time
The elevators on the Disney Magic were always in high demand and especially difficult if you are trying to squeeze in with a scooter or wheelchair. There were three sets of elevators (forward, mid-ship and aft) and unless it was very early or late in the day, we had to wait while already full elevators stopped at our floor. Many people tired of waiting and took the stairs instead but of course this is not an option for those using wheelchairs or scooters.
Tip
After leaving a show or dining, explore the area a bit before trying to get in an elevator. Mom and I found several hidden gems while letting the elevator crowd die down.
There Will Be Kids….Lots of Kids
Is this a con? Maybe not, I mean kids can be super cute and this is a Disney cruise after all. Just be prepared for occasional cries, screeches and a temper tantrum or two. Having said that, there was a baby crawling contest that was one of the most adorable things ever. Mindset is everything.
Tip
Longer cruises seem to have fewer kids than shorter trips so if being around a ton of kiddos isn’t your jam, maybe opt for a fall cruise of six or more days.
Conclusion
Overall, in my opinion, Disney is a good choice for seniors and travelers with disabilities. Even though the excursion offerings for those with mobility impairments were limited on our cruise, the ship itself offered ample entertainment and truly provided a magical experience. All of the Disney cast members went above and beyond to make sure that our needs were met and we never felt that any of our special requests were a problem. The debarkation process could have been better streamlined, especially for travelers with disabilities. It took us over an hour to get off of the ship but I am hoping that was an anomaly.
Your Accessible Cruising Specialist 