Disney Treasure cruise ship review: Themed shows, bars and dining are Disney at its best

At a glance

• It’s a family-friendly ship with activities for kids and adults, both separately and together.
• Onboard spaces are themed to favorite Disney characters and rides, including the new Haunted Mansion Parlor, Plaza de Coco restaurant and the theatrical production of “Moana.”
• The attentive and helpful crew, combined with Disney’s attention to detail, make for a seamless vacation experience.

Disney Treasure is a ship built for Disney fans, but you don’t have to be a Mickey or theme park aficionado to love its warm and inviting onboard spaces, adventure-themed decor and next-level entertainment.

Even though the 4,000-passenger, 144,000-ton Disney Treasure is built to the same specs as sister ship Disney Wish, the vibe on board is entirely its own. It features rich jewel tones rarely seen on cruise ships and takes design inspiration from destinations like Morocco, Arabia and Africa; this decor gives venues an alluring yet comfortable feel. That juxtaposition might seem odd until you realize it’s perfectly Disney. The cruise line invites you to travel and test out new experiences on a ship that makes it as easy as possible for families to explore together.

If you’ve never tried a Disney Cruise Line sailing or any cruise at all, you should know that Disney Treasure is one of the biggest ships in the fleet. This means there’s more room for themed dining experiences that combine varied dining with mealtime entertainment, expansive kids clubs for all ages (from babies and toddlers to tweens and teens), indoor and outdoor adult-only spaces, and wholesome activities and shows that magically appeal to all ages.

The cruise line does its best to make travel easy for families. Cabins are designed to make small quarters more livable for a multi-age group, and waiters will cut up your kid’s dinner and engage them with jokes or origami. The attentive service and daily schedule of events will keep everyone off their devices. But be warned: An alluring sweet shop, retail shops selling exclusive merch, salons for adults and kids, and extra-fee restaurants and bars will sing a siren song to induce you to spend so many vacation dollars on board. The memories might be worth it.

If you’re a Disney fan, this ship just might become your new favorite. The spooky Haunted Mansion Parlor, Nautilus-themed Periscope Pub and lively Skipper Society Jungle Cruise-themed bar bring all the theme park nostalgia with Easter eggs for Disney trivia buffs. The new musical “Disney The Tale of Moana” might just be the best show you’ve ever seen on any cruise ship; the cast, staging and effects will blow you away (and possibly make you cry). The new restaurant Plaza de Coco also brings the feels with a hearty side of delicious Mexican cuisine and music.

Aladdin and Jasmine team up with an adventure-seeking Captain Minnie to headline this ship, but so many Disney characters are on board. This includes new comedy actors Coriander and Sage, who will have kids and adults belly-laughing at their silly shows day and night.

Disney Treasure sails weeklong cruises from Port Canaveral, Florida. This allows enough time to try out each restaurant at least twice, sample a variety of entertainment and grab photos with all your favorite characters without sacrificing off-ship adventure time in Caribbean destinations like Disney’s popular private island, Castaway Cay.

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So pack your favorite set of Mickey ears, your pirate garb and your spirit of adventure, and be prepared to be wowed by Disney’s newest — and arguably its best — cruise ship, Disney Treasure.

Disney Treasure cabins and suites

Disney Treasure’s cabins were designed for families of all kinds. The ship has many connecting rooms and balcony cabins that can sleep five. You can save some cash by booking a windowless inside cabin or a room with a round porthole window. On the other hand, you can splash out on a room with access to an exclusive concierge lounge or a swanky two-level suite.

Rooms even have curtains that you can pull from one wall to the other, creating a de facto two-room suite; the master bed is on one side and the living area that converts into a sleeping area for kids (or extra guests) is on the other.

Disney Cruise Line is also known for its split bathroom setup in most cabins. One bathroom features a toilet and sink, and the other contains a shower-tub combo and a sink. There’s toiletry storage and towel hooks in both, meaning multiple people can get ready at the same time. Bathrooms are stocked with Disney-brand sea salt body wash, hand lotion, shampoo and conditioner, but no bar soap.

There’s only one annoyance for travel groups that don’t include a couple. Unlike nearly every other modern cruise ship, the queen-size beds on Disney Treasure do not separate into two twins. This can be awkward if you’re a group of friends traveling together or if you and your adult sibling don’t care to share.

My room was a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which can sleep five with a sofa bed, pull-down bunk bed above and a pull-down Murphy bed. It would be a bit tight, especially for storage, with five people in the room. If you don’t have five, the rooms are extra spacious (roughly 40 square feet larger than a standard balcony cabin that sleeps three or four). It would be nice if the ship would add a sitting chair to fill the floor space reserved for the bed to make that space more usable when no one is sleeping there.

I appreciated thoughtful touches like quiet-close drawers, adjustable dimmer lights (both bedside and reading) above each nightstand, plenty of outlets (both U.S. 110V, European 220V and USB-C — oddly no regular USB), lots of shelves and high beds beneath which you can stash your luggage.

All of Disney Treasure’s cabins and suites are themed toward the more adventurous movies and characters (Pocahontas, Aladdin, “The Jungle Book”), with artwork and coloring in hues of purple, teal and royal blue. It doesn’t have the nautical feel of older Disney ships, but it’s warm and inviting. The blond wood furniture feels fresh but unobtrusive.

If you want to splurge, you’ll find four lavish one- and two-floor Royal Suites. They sleep six and feature enormous balconies with private hot tubs. The largest suite on the ship is the futuristic, Epcot-themed tower suite in the ship’s fake funnel; it sleeps eight across four bedrooms.

Choose the Royal Suites if you will make use of a large balcony. Choose the balcony-less Tower Suite if you have a larger group or plan on hosting friends in your suite, if you will utilize the bunk bed room for kids and if you prefer a larger interior living space.

Related: Disney cruise cabins and suites: Everything you need to know

FOR NO-COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG’S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS.

Disney Treasure restaurants

Disney Cruise Line does dining a bit differently than other family-friendly cruise lines because its main restaurants are also theatrical experiences. The line developed a rotational dining system so no one ever misses a show. The ship has three included main dining venues — Plaza de Coco, 1923 and Worlds of Marvel — and guests choose whether they want early or late seating. They are then given a schedule of which restaurants they’ll eat in each night, and their wait staff rotate through the dining venues with them.

Disney Treasure sails weeklong cruises, so you’ll eat twice in each restaurant. On Pirate Night, you’ll be assigned a repeat venue but it will have a special menu that will be the same in every restaurant that evening.

Plaza de Coco debuted on this ship, and it’s inspired by the movie “Coco.” It offers Mexican-themed menus and two live shows with characters from the movie. The venue is one big open space designed to feel as if you’re dining outdoors in a string light-lit plaza in Mexico. Tables are arranged around a stage where characters from the movie sing, dance and play mariachi music.

The story will bring all the feels, though I found it distracting to try and eat and watch the show at the same time. The croquetas, empanadas, enchiladas and churros get rave reviews, but it can be a tricky menu if you have dietary restrictions.

Returning from sister ship Disney Wish, Worlds of Marvel will delight superhero and comic book fans. The entertainment here takes place on video screens around the room. The first show, “Quantum Encounter,” comes over from Wish and stars Antman from the Marvel movies; the new show for Treasure revolves around Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy.” The menu here is diverse, with something for everyone; the chicken satay appetizer was the big hit at my table.

The third venue is 1923, a California-themed restaurant named for the year the Walt Disney Company was founded. Its decor is based on sketches and props from Disney’s more adventurous films. The venue is split up into nooks, so it feels more intimate than the other two. This restaurant doesn’t feature entertainment, so you can focus on the food. The menu feels more upscale, with dishes like lobster tail and filet mignon.

One of the main restaurants will offer a sit-down breakfast daily and lunch on sea days.

Guests have other options for lunch and breakfast, and these tend to be more popular. Marceline Market is the ship’s pool deck buffet venue, open during the day but not for dinner. Hot tip: You’ll find a pile of crab legs and shrimp daily at lunch at the far end of the buffet. A lowered kids’ buffet serves kid favorites like Mickey waffles in the morning and chicken tenders in the afternoon; the famous Mickey churro waffles come out on the last morning of the cruise.

At the opposite end of the pool deck, Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods is a collection of quick-service venues open from late morning through the afternoon. Options include pizza (with set toppings, including plant-based sausage); build-your-own tacos, burritos and bowls; a grill for burgers, hot dogs and chicken tenders; a barbecue venue serving brisket, pulled pork and macaroni and cheese; and a soft-serve ice cream station (note that it’s not self-serve). Pizza and ice cream are available late into the evening.

Disney is unlike other cruise lines in that it includes soda in your fare — with a caveat. You can enjoy free soda at meals and from serve-yourself drink stations on the pool deck and inside Marceline Market. However, if you order soda in a can from a bar, it will cost you extra.

Adults have extra dining options if they’re willing to pay for kid-free meals. The two venues, Palo and Enchante as well as their attached Rose Bar are set apart in one corner of Deck 12; walking inside feels like stepping into a different, more upscale ship. Enjoy the attentive service, lower noise levels and extra elbow room before returning to the more bustling areas of the ship.

Palo is everyone’s favorite, serving all-you-can-order, waiter-served brunch (do not miss the almond croissants) and fine Italian dining in the evening. Enchante’s menu is a multicourse French dining experience for lunch and dinner, created by chef Arnaud Lallement. His land-based restaurant has earned three Michelin stars; Disney fans will know him as the culinary mind behind Remy on Disney Dream and Fantasy.

A few of the bars serve food, including an extensive pub grub menu at Periscope Pub. The burger here was created by celebrity chef Jon Ashton, and you shouldn’t order unless you are extremely hungry or sharing it with a friend. The giant soft pretzel is a more manageable and shareable option. Skipper Society serves Belgian waffles topped with Nutella or maple syrup.

Parents, be aware of two pricy snack traps. One is the ship’s new Jumbeaux’s Sweets, a Zootopia-themed wonderland that tempts with a multitude of housemade ice cream, sorbet and gelato flavors (including sugar- and dairy-free); it also offers treats like character-themed chocolate bark, creative baked goods and packaged candy. You can’t avoid the bright pink venue between the pool deck and Marceline Market.

Preludes sells movie theater drinks and treats by the ship’s two cinemas and main theater. The smell of popcorn is pervasive, and your kids will beg for the snack every time you go to see a show. On a weeklong cruise, buy the refillable bucket for $9 and enjoy $1.75 refills; you’ll save money because a disposable bucket costs $4 every time.

Room service is free and available around the clock — a wonderful option for families not found on many other cruise lines. Order continental breakfast (pastries and breads, cereals, juice, coffee and tea) by checking boxes on a card and hanging it outside your door before you go to bed. The all-day menu is found on the Navigator app. Choose soups, salads and American fare like chicken tenders and burgers, pasta and desserts.

Related: Disney cruise food: The ultimate guide to restaurants and dining on board

Disney Treasure bars and lounges

Disney Treasure’s themed bars are some of the most fun places to drink at sea, and the venues are so inviting that they’re open to cruisers of all ages until 9 p.m., so kids don’t miss out. This approach means that adults can have a fun evening out on board and also that all the bars have fun mocktail menus — great for kids or grownups who don’t drink.

The most-anticipated bar on Disney Treasure is The Haunted Mansion Parlor, a spooky sitting room inspired by Disney World’s famous attraction. You can enjoy cocktails with black-lit messages served in Halloween-worthy drinking vessels; meanwhile, you’ll be treated to periodic spooky shows as ghosts manifest in the paintings on the wall, the giant mirror behind the bar and even in the unusual mid-bar fish tank.

You can try and solve the mystery of just what happened to the ship captain whose portrait is by the fireplace, but some ghosts take their secrets to a watery grave.

Skipper Society pays homage to the fast-talking jokesters who drive the boats at Disney’s Jungle Cruise attraction. The tropical-themed bar is the place to go for live music, trivia and rum-forward drinks. Down the hall, the Scat Cat Lounge has an upscale vibe as would befit an Aristocat. A pianist tickles the ivories during themed sets while you sip cocktails from Turkish tea cups or enjoy Champagne paired with chocolate or strawberries.

If Jules Verne’s Captain Nemo were a sports fan, he might have turned the Nautilus submarine into a sports bar 20,000 leagues under the sea. Instead, Disney Treasure has done it for him with the Periscope Pub five decks above the sea. Come here to enjoy craft beers (including a few bespoke brews exclusive to Disney) while watching the day’s games.

Disney Treasure has bars in all the right places — by the pool, in the Grand Hall, in Sarabi (an activity and secondary show space), and by the buffet and adults-only restaurants. The Cove Bar serves the adults-only pool, complete with cocktails that come with a popsicle — perfect for a hot afternoon pick-me-up. The nearby Cove Cafe serves specialty coffee for a fee, plus coffee-flavored cocktails. The Rose is your dressed-up, date-night destination for a drink before dinner at Palo or Enchante (or whenever you’re feeling fancy).

Additional venues for specialty coffee and coffee-forward cocktails include Heihei Cafe and Jade Cricket Cafe on decks 4 and 5 as well as the Marceline Market Cafe at the buffet’s entrance.

Wheezy’s Freezies is strategically placed by the little kids’ splash area and serves smoothie-style frozen drinks. You won’t see any booze here, but the bartender will happily spike your drink if you’re over 21.

Disney Treasure does not offer a drink package like other cruise lines do.

Disney Treasure activities

The heart of Disney Treasure is the Aladdin-themed Grand Hall, which makes a stunning first impression when you step onto the ship for the first time. It’s not just an entryway; shows, dance parties, photo ops and interactive events take place here daily. Look up to the balcony above the stage; a Disney character will likely be waving at you.

If the ship had a second heart, it would be the pool deck area on decks 11 and 12. The ship doesn’t have a central pool. Instead, the center of the pool deck has lounge seating that faces a giant screen showing Disney movies and a stage for the line’s popular sailaway and Pirate night shows. A small pool in front of the screen is a great place to keep cool catching a flick; several smaller pools cascade from deck 12 to 11 on the opposite side.

One deck up and forward on Deck 12 is the Toy Story Splash Zone for kids in diapers, plus a kiddie waterslide and splash pool. Head up two decks to Deck 14, and you’ll find an often undiscovered pool and sun deck all the way forward; there’s a smoking deck here, too. On the opposite end of the ship on Deck 13 is the Quiet Cove infinity pool, hot tub and sun deck for adults only. The space is not as open as on older Disney ships but wraps around the back of the ship in a U shape. The cushioned rocking chairs are the place to bliss out as the sun sets. The deck above is designated for smokers.

Concierge guests have a private pool and sun deck on Deck 13 forward.

Circling above the entire top deck area is the AquaMouse water ride. Board a two-person, figure-eight-style inner tube and ride a conveyer belt up into the attraction while watching a cartoon story play out on the screens around you. Then you’ll plunge into the wet part of the ride as you race through clear tubs elevated above the pool deck. The ride is meant for families, but you will experience a few thrills and will definitely get wet.

Disney Treasure does not have a casino, but it does have a lovely spa where you can get your choice of massages, facials and body wraps. The Rainforest thermal suite is breathtaking, with indoor and outdoor areas, cushioned swings and day beds, a steam room, a sauna and a cold room. You can purchase a day pass or cruise-long pass. The fitness center is across the hall, with cardio machines, free weights and resistance machines, and workout classes for a fee.

The Untangled Salon and Hook’s Barbery (complete with a somewhat secret bar) are midship on Deck 4; also here is the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where kids can get made over into princesses and pirates for a hefty fee. In the mood to spend more money? Shops on decks 3, 4 and 5 sell everything from jewelry fit for a princess to character-themed stuffies, dolls and merch to Disney Treasure logo wear. A shop on Deck 11 sells all the beach- and pool-day accessories you forgot to pack.

Activities on Disney lean into the wholesome Disney vibe, even when they’re aimed at adults. Character meet-and-greets and photo ops are a highlight, but families can come together for crafts, trivia and karaoke. The Hero Zone on Deck 12 is an indoor play space for all, with sports courts, bean bag toss and foosball in a two-level space. The two-level Sarabi on decks 4 and 5 is the place for game shows, trivia and family activities during the day and adults-only entertainment at night. (Don’t miss “Choose Wisely! An Indiana Jones Comedy Adventure” even if you’re not an Indiana Jones fan.)

Need to kill time between events with fidgety children? Whip out your mobile device and play “Disney Uncharted Adventure,” a digital scavenger hunt activated from your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.

Disney Treasure has two movie theaters showing first-run movies and recent favorites as well as a theater featuring live musical performances on Deck 4 forward. The new show “Disney The Tale of Moana” — the first time Disney has brought Moana’s story to a theatrical performance — will blow your mind in a good way thanks to the diverse cast’s talent, the amazing puppetry and the special effects. This isn’t cruise ship entertainment; this is Broadway-caliber theater. (And, yes, the creative minds that imagined the puppets for Broadway’s “The Lion King” also developed the puppets used in this show.)

The other two marquee shows are a live-action “Beauty and the Beast” and a shorter welcome show, “Seas the Day,” starring Goofy and other favorite Disney characters. On the other nights, the main theater might screen the newest Disney movie or host guest entertainers.

Once per cruise, Disney Treasure unfurls the skull and crossbones for Pirate Night, when everyone (including you) dresses up in their finest pirate attire. The featured event is a pirate-themed deck show, party and fireworks display starring Jack Sparrow. Get to the pool deck early for the best viewing spot. The ship will also throw a ’90s-themed deck party called Mickey’s Color Spin Deck Party, and you’ll want to dress for that occasion as well.

Disney Treasure for families

Disney cruise ships are among the best options for families with kids of all ages, and Disney Treasure is no exception. There’s a complimentary kids camp, an extra-fee nursery and family activities all the livelong day.

The ship’s Oceaneer Club for kids ages 3 to 10 is a wonderland of play spaces on Deck 2 with a slide leading from the Grand Hall into the club. Inside, themed spaces include Marvel Super Hero Academy (where you can design a superhero suit), Star Wars Cargo Bay (watch out for stormtroopers!), Walt Disney Imagineering Lab (where you can create your own theme park attraction and then virtually ride it) and Fairytale Hall (for craft and story time).

Next door, the It’s a Small World Nursery allows parents to drop off babies and toddlers for play and nap time. (There’s an hourly fee.)

Tweens ages 11 to 14 can hang out in Edge, tucked away at the back corner of Deck 5. It has foosball, plenty of video game stations and tables for board games. Youth staff members say their schedule of competitive games gets reluctant kids socializing.

Teens ages 14 to 17 (yes, 14-year-olds can choose which club to chill in) can meet up at Vibe, a light-filled space with an urban loft vibe. It is furnished with comfy couches and easy chairs for movie watching, gaming, chatting and presumably scrolling social media. Young adults ages 18 to 20 will also find meetups for this often-forgotten-on-cruises age group on the daily schedule.

Beyond the kids clubs, nearly everything on this Disney ship is created with families in mind. Every restaurant offers kid-friendly fare; even the bars welcome kids before 9 p.m. with sodas and mocktails. The daily schedule is filled with family events, live entertainment is G-rated, and Disney characters are constantly appearing for photos and hugs. Cabins are designed to make sharing a room easier for families, and restaurant wait staff knows how to engage with young cruisers. Disney does its best to make sure vacationing with kids goes as smoothly as possible, and the impact is noticeable.

Related: Disney cruise kids club: A guide to the Oceaneer Club

Disney Treasure itineraries and pricing

The ship will sail weeklong Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral (near Orlando), Florida. Most of the ship’s Eastern Caribbean itineraries will include the same ports, but a few swap out St. Thomas for San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Seven-night Western Caribbean sailings feature two sea days and call in Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands; Falmouth, Jamaica; and Castaway Cay. Seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises visit St. Thomas and Tortola in the Virgin Islands plus Castaway Cay and offer three days on the ship at sea.

Related: How much does a Disney cruise really cost?

Prices for Western Caribbean sailings start at $4,381, based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin and $5,411 for a balcony cabin.

Fares for Eastern Caribbean cruises start at $4,466, based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin and $5,558 for a balcony cabin. If you plan on sharing a room with additional people (such as your kids), that will bring the total cabin fare up.

Disney Treasure accessibility

Disney Treasure offers accessible cabins in the inside, ocean-view, balcony and Concierge categories; this includes a one-story Royal Suite. Accessible features include bathrooms with roll-in showers, toilet grab bars, lowered towel bars and accessible vanities, plus extra space around beds and lower closet bars. Doorways have ramped thresholds. These cabins also have visual indicators and bed shakers for doorbells, phone calls and emergency alarms.

Theaters and cinemas offer wheelchair-accessible seating. One pool on Deck 11 has a wheelchair lift. The line’s website says you must request pool lift access in advance from guest services.

Bottom line

Disney Treasure is a cruise ship that is easy to love, whether you’re a Disney fan or just traveling with one. Like all Disney cruise ships, it offers a level of service and activities that make travel less stressful for families.

The ship stands out from its fleet mates for its inviting warmth, its next-level immersive bars and restaurants, and shows that will wow even the most jaded cruise ship theater critic. The heart of Disney Treasure — or should we say, its treasure — is family, as evidenced in its signature shows and its core audience. And no matter what kind of family you travel with, you’ll find something to love on board.

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