All Aboard the Disney Destiny
Setting Sail on the Maiden Voyage
On Wednesday, November 19, 2025, Danette and I flew to Fort Lauderdale after work in anticipation of setting sail on the maiden voyage of the brand-new Disney cruise ship, the Disney Destiny. This was our first maiden voyage. We quickly discovered that the majority of those on the cruise had been on many Disney cruises, with many at the Pearl Castaway level.
The following morning, we shuttled from the hotel to the airport, then on to Port Everglades, and embarked on the ship around 11:30 am. We were so excited to hear the words, “Welcome aboard, Cravens Family,” upon entry, as we stepped into the magnificent Grand Hall, complete with Hero Minnie Mouse greeting everyone. From that moment, there was an unmistakable buzz in the air. Families, longtime Disney cruisers, and first-timers all gathered for this very special trip.
We took a stroll around parts of the ship. It’s vast, with 15 decks and over 1,200 staterooms. What sets it apart from any other cruise ship, even its Disney siblings, is its bold “Heroes and Villains” theme. Every corner of the ship celebrates the dynamic duality of Disney stories: the clash of light and dark, bravery and mischief. Throughout the ship, you’ll find nods to a wide array of beloved Disney, Pixar, and Marvel characters - from Hercules, Spider-Man, and Black Panther to Cruella deVil, Loki, and Maleficent.
After lunch at the Marceline Market, a buffet with various international cuisines, we headed to our room to get settled in. Our deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah was located on the starboard side of the ship on the 9th floor. The room was so nice! It can accommodate up to 5 individuals with a queen bed, a single convertible sofa bed, an upper berth single pull-down bed, and a single wall pull-down bed. It has a split bath: a bathroom with a vanity, sink, and tub with a glass door, and a half bath with a vanity, sink, and toilet. The room also included features such as a pull-out drawer mini-frig, and a flat-screen TV. The room was themed with Princess Merida decor.
We headed up to the poolside decks for a sail-away party with Disney characters and dancers. As the ship pulled away from Fort Lauderdale, the decks were alive with anticipation, and an almost tangible sense of excitement was in the air. From the party, we headed back to the room to get ready for dinner and the evening.
Dining options include rotational dining at Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King (this was our dinner spot on the first evening), Worlds of Marvel, and 1923. We met a couple named Rich and Lisa, and we ate with them each evening. Casual, quick-service options include Merceline Market and Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods on the pool deck. The ship has some very unique and fun lounges, including The Haunted Mansion, De Vil’s Piano Bar, and the Sanctum. And let’s not forget about room service. We ordered it for breakfast on the first morning so we could enjoy it on the verandah. We also ordered a couple of Mickey bars on the afternoon of the day at sea.
On the entertainment front, the ship offers Disney's Seas the Adventure, Frozen: A Musical Spectacular, and a brand-new musical that made its debut on our cruise, Disney Hercules. The ship also offers pools, hot tubs, the AquaMouse, large outdoor movie screens, and two indoor movie theaters, a deck area just for adults over the age of 18, and a pirate's party complete with fireworks. For families, the ship offers themed preschool, kids, and teen clubs. For adults, the ship provides a spa with a Rainforest Room and a private, outdoor hangout spot. There are plenty of planned activities, including trivia, bingo, meet-and-greets, photo ops, and more.
One highlight of the trip was our time in DeVil’s Piano Bar, where we got to be front row to a show called Treble-Making with Cruella. Danette, dressed as Cruella, got to be on stage, assisting with choreography, and was part of the first stanza of the new song the crowd was composing for Cruella. It was so fun!
Over the next few days, we sailed toward the Bahamas, with a stop at the brand new Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and at Disney Castaway Cay, with the last day at sea as we made our way back to Fort Lauderdale. On our day at Lookout, we took a cultural excursion on the Island of Eluethra, a 100-mile-long, 2-mile-wide Bahamian Island. The excursion included four stops over 50 of the 100 miles, including a Junkanoo Shack where we made our own mask, a blue hole, a shop to grab souvenirs, and a cave. Before heading back to the ship, we checked out the Lookout areas and the beach and participated in an authentic Junkanoo parade. There is an area just for adults called Serenity Bay. For our day at Castaway Cay, we participated in the 5K race and took an aqua trike out into the bay. There were other water activities such as kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing, and paddleboarding. This island also has an adult-only area. For both days, Disney provided an incredible BBQ lunch.
Danette and I had a great time! Sailing on the maiden voyage was so fun and felt like being a part of history. It was an unforgettable time, the perfect blend of a relaxing tropical escape and a high-energy Disney adventure! The combination of immersive theming, thoughtful design, and Disney-level storytelling made the experience unforgettable.
If you’re considering a cruise, you should definitely consider the Disney Destiny. Whether you’re channeling your inner hero or embracing your mischievous side, this ship invites you to live your Disney story at sea.
