"I don't think it's fair to say that Disney invented family cruising, because a lot of cruise lines made efforts to attract families to their ships starting in the '90s, but I do think it's fair to say that Disney reinvigorated the idea of family cruising," said Douglas Stallings, who edits Fodor's cruise guides. "Disney proved there is a large market for family cruises. They inspired other large cruise lines."

What Disney Cruise Line does best is prove that 'elegant' and 'family friendly' don't have to be mutually exclusive. Disney is a great choice for families that want excellent supervised children's programs as well as activities they can enjoy together."

Cruisers Holidayinsiders.com spoke with, who all cruised last year said with the Line said It was memorable and fun for all
 
From science experiments to all night fun discos it can be hard to tear the kids away for a day off the ship visiting the newly arrived port. 

Adults, Disney ships offer nightclubs, classes, fitness centers, an adult-only restaurant called Palo, and wine, beer and martini tastings. While the kids played, my wife and I relaxed on our stateroom terrace with some wine and cheese. You can also attended a Disney Vacation Club cocktail party.

The Wonder stops at Disney's private island, called Castaway Cay, on its Bahamian cruises. Here too there is something for everyone - including a teen-only beach, an adults-only beach and a family beach. Kids can go on their own excursions with Disney counselors, there's snorkeling, kayaking, banana boat rides, a barbecue lunch and bicycling around the island, while the adults can do there own snorkeled, lunch or swim with stingrays.
 
Returning to the ship for a pirate-themed dinner and deck party, which culminated with a spectacular fireworks show, launched from the stern of the ship. We then saw "Pirates of the Caribbean" on a giant movie screen that was attached to one of the ship's smokestacks on the top deck. The screen displayed a pirate flag for the remainder of the evening.

For families with young children, Disney's nurseries, Flounder's Reef, take infants as young as 12 weeks old and toddlers up to 3. Some cruise lines keep parents on call to change nappies, but the Flounder's Reef staff takes care of that for you.

Disney's Magic and Wonder also have pools with separation filtration systems that allow diapered toddlers to swim. And each stateroom has a bathroom with a bathtub - also relatively uncommon on non-luxury cruise ships.

There are also scheduled opportunities onboard to meet characters like Mickey and Cinderella, and to attend character breakfasts like the ones that are so popular in Disney parks.

Other programs for different age groups include the Oceaneer Club for kids 3 to 7, a playroom designed like Captain Hook's ship, filled with soft, climbable sculptures. Also featured are puppet shows, storytelling and singalongs. Children must be signed in and out by their parents, and they do need to be toilet-trained for this program.

The Oceaneer Lab (ages 8 to 12) is an interactive playroom with a giant video wall, music-listening rooms, and flat-screen computers with software. Activities include making TV shows and radio commercials, brainteasers and scientific creations. On Disney Magic, kids also can "take command" of the ship in Ocean Quest, a scaled replica of the bridge. Kids can sign in and out at their parents' discretion. Parents are provided with a pager when dropping off children 12 and under at any of the centers.

On Disney Magic, teenagers hang out at the Stack, a teen-only lounge area with a dance floor, Internet café, big-screen plasma TV and video games.

The ships also offer full-fledged musicals in onboard theaters. "Toy Story" premiere on the Wonder.

Disney Cruise spokesman Jason Lasecki told Holidayinsiders.com: "the company plans to keep the show exclusively for its cruise passengers".

Holidayinsiders' Fact File:

Book early. This allows you to secure the best staterooms and bargains for the peak travel seasons (spring break, summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas). Disney cruises often sell out well in advance.

The best bargain months to cruise are January, the early part of February and end of August, September, October and non-holiday weeks of November and December.

If you have a particular itinerary in mind, book at least 90 days in advance for the best cabin availability and rates. If itinerary isn't important, check cruises that are departing within 30 days to land the best last-minute discounts.

Itineraries vary. Disney Wonder sails from Port Canaveral, on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Disney Magic will alternate, departing from Canaveral to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay on Eastern Caribbean itineraries, and from Canaveral to Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay on Western Caribbean itineraries.

Magic is offering 12 seven-night sailings departing from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera with port calls in Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, and two repositioning 15-night cruises through the Panama Canal as the boat travels between Florida and California.

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