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See What We Loved (& Hated) in Our Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

We are back from our second cruise on Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. This DCL cruise ship offers new dining and entertainment, along with plenty of familiar favorites. During our seven days onboard, we experienced it all and share our signature Disney Treasure cruise ship review to help you decide if it’s right for your next vacation.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Casual Dining

Disney Treasure, much like sister ship Disney Wish, is home to some of the best grab and go dining options at sea.

Heidi and I couldn’t get enough of Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods on the pool deck. Donald’s Cantina mixes up custom-made tacos, bowls, or salads. However, one ingredient that was definitely missing was nacho chips.

Goofy’s Grill is home to typical lido deck fare, like hamburgers and hotdogs. But it also serves irresistible chicken fingers and fries. Additionally, Mickey’s Smokestack BBQ offers classics like ribs, roasted chicken, sausages, and pulled pork with various sauces.

Although, Daisy’s Pizza was a bit of a letdown. In our opinion, the pizza here ranks below average especially when compared to other lines like Princess Cruises or Virgin Voyages.

Inside, Marceline Market is Disney Treasure’s buffet. The breakfast options included all your typical selections that remained the same throughout the cruise. We were able to get custom-made omelets with a short wait. Of course, there was also an endless supply of Mickey waffles for kids and adults alike, along with other continental and hot breakfast items.

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review Lunch at Mercaline Market

I couldn’t pass up the signature shrimp cocktail and crab legs for lunch. These staples of the Disney buffet are available every day. There are other upgraded seafood options as well, along with more traditional fare like pre-made salads and international cuisine that varied daily.

However, this dining venue is not open for dinner. Thus, guests must go to the main dining rooms if they want a substantial dinner meal.

Pool Deck

Disney Treasure features eight pools scattered throughout the outdoor decks. Most of them are relatively small and often filled with families and kids.

Midship on Decks 11 and 12 are the six main pools. Of course, they are all named after Disney characters. The Mickey and Minnie pools are the largest, flanking the forward and aft end of the Deck 11 pool area. However, Mickey’s pool is often closed as it doubles as the main stage for outdoor deck parties and shows. Cascading up from the Minnie Pool, there are also the smaller Donald, Daisy, Pluto, and Goofy pools and additional sun loungers on Deck 12.

Pool Deck on Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

These two outdoor decks can get busy on sunny sea days. So, don’t be surprised if all the deck chairs are claimed by mid-morning.

Fun fact – If you stand on the forward end of the deck and look aft, you will see that the pools form a hidden Mickey.

Guests looking for the quietest family pool should head forward on Deck 14. Here, the Chip and Dale pool area features plenty of additional loungers mostly in the shade. The nearby Currents Bar isn’t too far away for a daytime drink either.

Those with little ones will find a friend at the Toy Story Splash Pad on Deck 12 forward. Next to the Splash-a-Saurus Rex waterslide and Trixie’s Falls, this area is tucked away from the main pool deck. Wheezy’s Freezies is right next door, serving non-alcoholic frozen smoothies, a limited bar, and Dole Whip.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Finally, adults can escape the crowds (and kids!) at the Quiet Cove. All the way aft on Deck 13, this is where Heidi and I spent most of our time outdoors. The Quiet Cove offers a variety of plush loungers, oversized chairs, a café, and a bar. Not to mention, there’s an infinity pool overlooking the ship’s stern. However, the area is a tad small for a ship of its size, especially when compared to Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Sports Deck

While Disney Treasure is geared toward families and kids, there are not as many outdoor activities as you would expect, like a basketball court or mini-golf course found on other ships in the fleet.

Instead, Deck 13 is home to the main sports area, the Hero Zone. This indoor complex has a full-sized basketball court with a variety of open play and competitions scheduled throughout the cruise. There are also air hockey tables, foosball tables, and cornhole to use free of charge.

Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

The big draw in the Hero Zone is the Incredi-Games challenge course. If you are unfamiliar with this inflatable challenge, the Incredi-Games is an obstacle course where two “athletes” go head-to-head to see who can make it up, down, and through several challenges the fastest.

The event happened several times during our week-long cruise, so check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for dates and times during your sailing.

Of course, there’s also the AquaMouse: Curse of the Golden Egg towering above the pool deck. This water raft ride is complimentary, and it is a fun time. I donned my bathing suit and hop on this 760-foot-long attraction, which puts guests in the middle of a Mickey and Minnie animated adventure. The ride is open to all guests who are at least 42 inches or taller—just time your ride so you are not stuck in a long line.

AquaMouse on Disney Treasure

Finally, the Senses Fitness Center is on Deck 5, all the way forward. It offers various workout equipment, cardio machines, and free weights. There is also a cycle room and fitness classes, which are an up-charge. Disappointingly, the ship does not have a dedicated walking/jogging track; though, many do use the outdoor promenade which starts on Deck 4 and ascends to Decks 5 and 6.

Onboard Activities

Disney experts and casual fans alike will find a variety of themed activities on Disney Treasure. We held our own in some competitions, like the Beauty and the Beast trivia, but I certainly did not measure up to the real Jedi masters in the Star Wars-themed sessions.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Games like Majority Rules and the ship’s take on Hollywood Squares featuring the Disney villains took place in the Sarabi Lounge, along with other events like a Silent Disco, Match Your Mate, and other adult-only activities in the evenings.

There were also family events and karaoke throughout the day, mostly occurring in the Triton Lounge.

In addition to game shows and trivia, guests could also learn to draw Disney characters or create their own keepsakes at the art classes.

Perhaps the highlights of the Disney Treasure onboard activities were the various events hosted by the ship’s storytellers, Sage and Coriander. These included the Choose Wisely Indiana Jones-themed comedy adventure, the Jungle Cruise interactive adventure, and a hilarious retelling of Disney’s Aladdin. We thought this duo was a great addition to the Disney entertainment line-up.

Disney Treasure Storytellers

Of course, Disney Treasure had many character meet-and-greet opportunities at all times throughout the day as well. From classic Disney pals to the Princesses, guests could grab pictures with all their favorites. There’s Minnie in her new adventure outfit, Captain Mickey, Captain Hook on Pirate Night, and some characters even don their formal attire on dress-up night.

Not to mention, there were also dance parties, deck parties, and other fun events featuring Disney’s Fab Five.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Additionally, Disney Treasure hosts other signature events like Tink’s Neverland Challenge in the Hero Zone, the always-fun Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash, the upbeat Let’s Set Sail sail away party, and the iconic Pirate Night. Only on Disney Cruise Line can guests don their finest pirate attire and rock out to the Pirates of the Caribbean deck party and Pirate’s Rockin Parlay Party complete with fireworks!

Of course, there are other up-charge activities available as well. These include liquor tastings, the Senses Spa’s Rainforest Room (thermal suite), Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the kids, the Untangled Salon and Hook’s Barbery for hair and nail services, and Bingo, among others.

Thus, there is never a dull moment on Disney Treasure!

Entertainment

No one tells a story like Disney. In fact, from the moment you step into the Grand Hall, Disney Treasure takes guests on a cruise adventure. The theming in the public spaces, like the three-story atrium, transports guests to a whole new world. However, the main theater entertainment will test how far you’ll go.

In the Walt Disney Theater, guests are treated to three unique Disney production shows. In Seas the Adventure, we settled in for a voyage with Captain Minnie, firstmate Goofy, and the rest of the crew for a Welcome Aboard type revue show. With popular Disney songs from the likes of Elsa, Tiana, and Hercules, you and your kids are sure to love it.

Seas the Adventure Disney Treasure

New for Disney Treasure is A Tale of Moana. Featuring a cast of performers from the South Pacific, this modified retelling of the Disney animated film should not be missed. In fact, we watched it twice as it was that entertaining. Featuring all of the high notes from the film, with some theater magic and an elaborate stage set, it is as heartwarming as the original.

This is the most popular show on the ship. So, don’t be surprised if guests line up an hour (or more) in advance to ensure they get a seat when the theater doors open.

A Tale of Moana on Disney Treasure

Equally entertaining is Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. This tale as old as time introduces elements of the 1990s animated classic with the live-action film remake from the 2000s. With a talented cast of performers and elaborate costumes and props, you can’t help falling in love with this production.

Beauty and the Beast on Disney Treasure

During a seven-night cruise, each of these three productions typically has three showtimes: two evening showtimes and a matinee on a different day. The main theater might also show first-run movies or headliner acts on other nights. Just check the Disney Cruise Line app for showtimes. During our sailing, we got to watch Mufasa, as well as two headliners: a magician and a ventriloquist.

Further, there are two intimate cinemas showing first-run Disney Movies, Never Land Cinema and Wonderland Cinema. So, we caught a screening of Moana 2 onboard while it was still in the theater. While the movies are free, the popcorn costs extra.

Pro Tip: You can score discounted popcorn refills if you have a Disney Parks refillable bucket. Or, you can purchase a refillable bucket while on the ship. If purchased outright, popcorn will cost you $4, but it will only cost $1.75 for a refill in one of these buckets.

Bars and Lounges

As we do on all cruises, we visited all the bars and lounges on Disney Treasure. It might surprise those who have not sailed on a DCL ship to know that there are quite a few bars. While the drinks are undoubtedly for grown-ups, the venues are themed for Disney fans of all ages. And the theming in some of them is very elaborate.

While the bars’ locations are identical to those on Disney Wish, a few key lounges have been rethemed.  

Perhaps our favorite was the Haunted Mansion Parlor on Deck 3. Now, foolish mortals can unwind with some spirits in this one-of-a-kind lounge. Oh, and there are the drinks, too. With signature cocktails, a signature beer, and soda, this venue offers some of the most unique libations with a side of happy haunts.

Even if you are not a fan of the classic Disney attraction, the Haunted Mansion Parlor draws guests in with its immaculate attention to detail, ornate decor, and interactive elements like singing portraits and playful spooks on the digital screen behind the bar. Don’t pass up concoctions like the Chilling Challenge, The Happily Never After, and the Regions Beyond.

Equally fun for theme park fans is the Skipper Society. Taking comical nods from the Jungle Cruise attraction, this bar offers a signature cocktail menu and immersive decor. Home to trivia contests, arts and crafts sessions, and live music at night, the Skipper Society wears many hats throughout the day. While taking a trip downriver, you will want to order a Salted Caramel-tini, the Safari So Good, and the Skipper Sipper.

Perhaps the least themed new space is the Scat Cat Lounge. This piano bar pays homage to the Disney animated classic The Aristocats, with more subtle nods found in the wallpaper and decor. While the piano music was subdued, we liked the signature cocktail menu. Among our favorites was the Grape Jam cocktail, made with peanut butter whiskey. You could also sip Purrfect Tinis like the Crème de La Crème and the Francais.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Another intricately themed new venue is the Periscope Pub. Inspired by the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction, this nautical pub is home to its own craft beers. It’s also the ship’s resident sports pub with several large televisions to catch a game.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Not to mention, the venue offers bar bites for an up-charge like chicken wings, burgers, German pretzels, and more. However, we feel the venue could use some live music, like a pub guitarist in the evenings.

Disney Treasure also has two cafes serving signature coffees and cold brew-infused cocktails, the Hei-Hei Cafe and Jade Cricket Cafe. The ship even has a “speakeasy”. At certain times of day, Hook’s Barbery opens up as a gentlemen’s parlor making customized Old Fashioned cocktails.

Aft on Deck 12 is The Rose. This upscale bar is the perfect place for a pre-dinner or after-dinner cocktail for adults dining at one of the two specialty restaurants on the ship.

The Rose on Disney Treasure

On the pool decks, there are two small pool bars and the Lookout Bar. The Cove Bar is on Deck 13 aft, and the Currents Bar is forward on Deck 14. These bars serve a similar menu with distinct cocktails, including the Strawberry Basil Pop Spirtiz, made with popsicles.

While many of the bars are elaborately themed and the menus feature signature cocktails that are delicious, Disney Cruise Line does not offer a drink package. So, even though we are not big drinkers, we easily racked up a bar tab of over $1K for the week-long cruise including alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees.

Main Dining Room

Along with its casual dining, Disney Treasure shined with its main dining.

The cruise ship features three distinctly unique main dining rooms as part of its rotational dining concept. Each morning, one main dining room is open for breakfast. The offerings here are pretty standard fare. Likewise, most days, one main dining room is open for lunch. This was usually 1923.

1923 Dining Room on Disney Treasure

Like all DCL ships, all cruisers are assigned a set dining time, and there is no flexible dining option. We had the early dinner seating at 5:30 PM. For our cruise, Devina and Caro were our waitstaff team. They were terrific, friendly, and attentive.

On this 7-day itinerary, we rotated through all three dining rooms twice, getting to experience the unique atmosphere and dinner menus. Yes, each dining room has two unique menus so you don’t have to eat the same thing twice. The seventh menu is a Pirate Night menu served across all three dining rooms.

On Deck 3 midship, the 1923 dining rooms pay homage to Roy and Walt Disney. With hundreds of Disney artifacts from the animation vault, this swanky dining room is reminiscent of an early 20th-century supper club.

Before you settle in for dinner, you should order a Riverside Old Fashioned. The menus here are equally upscale. Our favorites included baked oysters, tortiglioni pasta, filet mignon, and lobster tail. You also can’t pass up the apple pie or the apple cheesecake for dessert.

On Deck 4 aft is the Worlds of Marvel. This was the least appetizing of the three main dining rooms for us. Although, the Linguine Nero is one of the best dishes on the ship. Other stand-out menu items included starters like the line’s signature Porcini Sacchetti, the chicken schnitzel, and the celebration cake or key lime pie.

The Worlds of Marvel is an interactive dining experience. All around the dining room, screens come to life with characters from the Marvel Universe. There are two different shows during a seven-night rotation, and you might even get a selfie with a real-life superhero during dinner.

Brand new for Disney Treasure is Plaza de Coco. This dinner show features characters and music from the Disney Pixar animated film Coco. Miguel and his family welcome guests for a lively and colorful celebration in Mariachi Plaza. The second dinner, Dia de los Muertos, is when Miguel reunites with his great-great-grandparents.

This restaurant was another one of our favorite additions to the ship. While the theming and decor were great, it doesn’t hurt that we enjoy Mexican food too.

Of course, both meals start with nacho chips and salsa. From there, we enjoyed three-course meals perfectly paired with mariachi music and other live entertainment on the center stage.

Across the two nights, we sampled starters like the beef empanada, shrimp diabla, and chorizo croquettes. Modern takes on authentic Mexican classics like pollo asada and Michoacan carnitas paired well with the signature cocktails. For dessert, tres leches and churros were the perfect sweet ending.   

Also, remember that Disney Cruise Line offers free 24-hour room service. Breakfast consists of mostly continental items, fresh fruit, bagels, and cereal. During the day, there are more hearty items like chicken wings and chicken tenders. Of course, we couldn’t pass up a few Mickey ice cream bars either.

Room Service for Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Specialty Restaurants

While there are various complimentary dining options, there are a couple up-charge eateries on Disney Treasure as well. You should consider making reservations at these specialty dining venues, especially if you are looking for a break from the kids and the main dining room.

The two adult-only specialty restaurants are on Deck 12. Both restaurants are themed around Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

There is Enchante, serving fine French cuisine from the charming maitre’d, Lumiere. Palo Steakhouse is themed after The Beast’s loyal butler, Cogsworth. We dined at both restaurants to ensure we ate everything on the cruise ship.

Palo Steakhouse is a cruise line evolution of the Palo Italian eatery on other DCL ships. This restaurant offers the best of both worlds.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

The menu boasts Italian classics like fried calamari, freshly made pasta, pizzas, and more. Steak lovers will want to carve up one of the choice or prime selections, along with sides. I opted for the 4-course Prezzo Fisso for dinner, a great value for $50. Heidi ordered a la carte. 

On select days, Palo also serves brunch. This multi-course menu offers a little bit of everything for a flat fee. We did our best to work through the menu during a sea day.

It was a feast, from omelets to antipasti and pizza to entrees like chicken parmesan and lasagna. Of course, there is dessert as well.

The other adult-only option is Enchante. Again, the restaurant offers an a la carte option or several tasting menus. With a seasonal menu curated by a three-star Michelin chef, we expanded our palette one night of our cruise.

I tested the Passion menu. Again, Heidi went with some a la carte options.

While the service was superb and the setting was elegant and refined, the food did not justify the hefty price tag in our opinion. If we were to dine at Enchante again, we would stick with entrees, a cheese course, and dessert.

In addition to these two specialty restaurants, guests can grab pub fare at the Periscope Pub. The a la carte menu offers tasty bites priced from $8 to $16. This was a popular spot on our cruise during the football playoffs.

Yes, there is free soft-serve ice cream at Minnie’s Delights. But, for those with a sweet tooth, you might consider Jumbeaux Sweets, a Zootopia-themed confectionery.

With 30+ flavors of ice cream and gelato, cupcakes, cookies, and candies, you could rack up quite a bill. We recommend skipping the frozen treats and opting for something else, like the Paw Shortbread Sandwich, an elevated take on Nick Wilde’s pawpsicle.

Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

Staterooms

Disney Cruise Line offers some of the largest staterooms at sea. That said, we are accustomed to staying in Deluxe Family Verandah staterooms on DCL ships. For this trip, we booked a guaranteed verandah cabin, and we were assigned to a deluxe verandah stateroom, cabin 7194, a few weeks before sailing. This Deck 7 stateroom was almost fully aft on the ship’s port side and featured Aladdin theming.

According to the Disney Cruise Line website, this 7A category stateroom measured approximately 200 square feet.

Disney Treasure cruise ship review - stateroom

Not missing any details, along with the art in the cabin, the carpet in the hallway also coordinated with the 1992 classic film. As further guidance for guests, the signature beetle and hidden mickeys in the rug are facing forward. This design element assists guests in figuring out which way to walk when returning back home in the evenings.

Upon entering our stateroom, the split bathrooms were to our right, with the closets to our left. The queen-sized bed was on the midship wall facing aft. Beyond the bed were the sofa, desk, and balcony.

We just stayed in a Deluxe Family verandah stateroom during our media sailing on Disney Treasure, and the size difference was noticeable. In fact, for a seven-night cruise, we had just enough storage space in this cabin for all our clothes and gear. Still, compared to other contemporary cruise lines, the room was certainly on par with capacity and finishes.

Like most staterooms on DCL ships, our cabin featured two bathrooms. This split bathroom design makes it easy for families to get ready in the morning. With a separate shower/sink and toilet/sink setup, multiple family members can use the facilities simultaneously. Even though we are just a couple, this setup definitely came in handy when preparing to go ashore in the mornings.

The sofa was adequately sized, and the desk featured plenty of shelves and drawers. Although, the closets were a bit on the narrow side. One closest featured a small clothes bar and only a few shelves while the other featured a full clothes bar. This limited our ability to stow away shoes and our packing cubes with undergarments and the like.

Another big difference between our two Disney Treasure cabins was the balcony. While most balconies on the ship measure approximately 43 square feet, ours was noticeably smaller. This stateroom was the last accommodation before an aft-facing stateroom, so our balcony was curved and narrow at one end. It had just barely enough space for our chairs and table.

Disney Treasure cruise ship review

Recap of Our Honest Disney Treasure Cruise Ship Review

There is a lot to love about Disney Treasure.

From the premium menu selections in the main dining rooms to the theming and decor of the public areas, Disney Cruise Line ships are like deluxe resorts at sea. Those with a keen eye for detail will appreciate the elaborate theming and elegant spaces, from the chandelier and bronze statue in the Grand Hall, to the Agrabah-inspired motifs, right down to the wallpaper in the Haunted Mansion Parlor.

The staterooms offer plenty of space and have innovative designs perfect for families and couples alike.

For those with kids, the youth centers are a big draw. The Deck 2 Oceaneer Club has themed rooms resembling the Millennium Falcon and playrooms themed after several Disney Princesses.

Older kids have separate spaces too, including Edge for tweens and Vibe for teens. These venues are home to video games, organized activities, dance parties, and more.

Of course, adults can have a good time on Disney cruises too! There are various daytime and nighttime events; granted, the vast majority are Disney-themed though. Still, you can partake in trivia and game shows, take in a movie, enjoy an elegant dinner without the kids, relax in the Quiet Cove, or sip signature cocktails while enjoying live music.

With that said, the public spaces can get busy, especially during character meet-and-greets and parties, or even the lines to take photos. Crowds can also be an issue at shows. For one showing of A Tale of Moana, we arrived 30+ minutes before showtime and quite literally got some of the last seats in the theater.

Disney Treasure cruise ship

Then, there is the price. Our guaranteed balcony cabin was just over $5,000 for a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary. So, Disney Treasure is considerably more money than similar-sized cruise ships catering to families from the likes of Royal Caribbean or Carnival Cruise Line. Thus, you will be paying a premium to cruise with Mickey and friends. However, given the reactions we saw amongst our fellow cruisers, for many, it was well worth it.

In fact, we too think that Disney Treasure is a notch above other ships in the fleet, including Disney Wish. We loved the Grand Hall, Haunted Mansion Parlor, and Coco-themed restaurant. The ship truly does set the stage for an unforgettable adventure, albeit with a hefty price tag.

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