by Brady Rutgarr

Created on: October 10, 2009   Last Updated: October 13, 2009

When considering whether to take your family on a cruise, especially in economic times such as these, it is important to know what you can expect from your cruise provider. A very popular choice for families with children, and even for those young at heart, is the Disney Cruise Line. Disney offers cruises in locations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, the Mexican Riviera, Europe, and even Alaska. Looking for a Transatlantic cruise? Yep, they've got that too!

The very first thing you can expect from a Disney cruise is the same level of professionalism and dedication from the staff that you might expect from any other formal cruise provider. Don't let the costumes fool you, these people are there to ensure that you have the best experience possible. At the end of your trip they want you to go home and tell your friends and family just how great it was, and then they want you to come back again sometime. So, of course, you can expect that the staff will listen to any of your reasonable requests and will do their best to correct any issues if you let them know.

From the moment you enter the gangway and the portal to the ship is before you, you're given the star treatment complete with red carpet and the dancing flashes of cameras. Sure, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and the rest of the gang are going to be on-board, but you're the star of this adventure and the staff does their best to let you know that they are honored to have you along for the ride. Once you step into the belly of the ship, it's off to find your state room and get settled before heading off to grab a bite to eat prior to the mandatory safety drill and briefing. After that, it's time to get ready for the Deck Party, signaling the departure of the port and the official start of your cruise on the open water. It may be a good idea to bring along something for motion sickness, even if you don't normally have an issue with it. However, you can expect the staff to be prepared in the case of any... unfortunate reappearances of lunch.

You will have the same staff members assigned to your care for the duration of your trip. One person will be in charge of your state room and will be the only person to access your room while you are away. Likewise, you will have the same Head Waiter and Assistant Waiter for all of your formal meals. Expect these staff members to be attentive to your needs and don't be afraid to ask them their opinions on certain dishes. If you don't like how your dish ended up after ordering, let them know in a kind and considerate manner and you can expect that they will correct the matter immediately.

For some families, the cruise daycare and kids' programs can be a lifesaver. Whether you choose to drop the kids off for a few hours or allow them to spend the majority of their time on the boat in the programs, they are sure to have fun. If you have a child under the age of 3, you will be charged an extra fee for daycare on an hourly basis, but the cost is quite reasonable. This allows Mom and Dad to sneak over to the adult's only pool or head off the boat at port for an excursion or shopping. There are also adult-only clubs and bars and many activities for couples and singles alike, so expect to have as many opportunities for fun as the kids. There are also whole-family activities and on-board movies, so if you just want to have some fun with the family, that's available too!

No matter what, when thinking about a Disney cruise, you can expect the same quality of service and fun as you would with any other cruise line. It isn't a matter of settling for a family friendly cruise, it's an adventure the whole family can enjoy, even Mom and Dad.

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