Photo by Michelle Rae Uy

Taking the kids to see Mickey at a Disney theme park can be just as fun for adults as they are for kids. In fact, there are many single, childless adults out there with an annual pass so they can pop into Disneyland or Disney World anytime they want. But after three or so hours of walking around, navigating the crowd and hopping from one long line to the next, you’ll probably need to put your feet up and get a caffeine boost. It’s not exactly the most relaxing vacation.

Combine the best of a Disney trip with many opportunities to unwind by sailing the high seas. What’s amazing about a Disney cruise is it has the best of both worlds, and then some. Here are five reasons why your next Disney vacation should be out to sea.

Forget EPCOT. You’ll be visiting actual far-flung lands

Many people love EPCOT because it gives them a chance to imagine what it’s like to visit foreign countries. But why settle for themed lands when you can explore them for real? Immerse in vibrant cultures, visit famous landmarks, meet many people, and sample delicious cuisines as your cruise ship takes you to several ports of call. Disney Cruise Line’s itineraries this Summer of 2017 will include Icy Strait Point and Hubbard Glacier for Alaska; Amsterdam, Copenhagen and Portland, England for Northern Europe; and Aruba, Barbados and Curacao for Southern Caribbean.

You won’t have to worry about the kids’ safety

Disney Cruises are the most kid-friendly of all cruises, with most of its features, amenities and attractions designed with kids’ and teens’ needs in mind. These, of course, include ensuring their safety and well-being. Whether you’re dropping the kids off at the kids club, letting them run around the main pool deck and giving the teens permission to “party” until 2 am at the teen club, you can let your guard down. They’re in good hands.

You’ll spend a few hours on Disney’s private paradise

Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is a glorious piece of Caribbean heaven. It’s quiet, low-key and idyllic, with wide bike trails, calm waters, white sand beaches, a small water park, and a number of fun activities on offer. You can feed the stingrays, snorkel, kayak, parasail, play volleyball, or simply lounge in the water on a float. Several of DCL’s Caribbean sailings call on the island, and some special five- and five-night sailings will even visit it twice.

Sick of watching Disney movies? Watch a live show instead!

Yes, Disney movies are wonderfully addicting. But you can only watch them so many times before you start going insane. Live shows are so much better. Aboard a Disney cruise ship, guests will be treated to some of the most impressive, most magical nighttime theatrical shows they’ll ever see featuring our all-time favorite Disney characters. Go to dinner with your friends and family then head to the theater to see an original production. You’ll have a hard time not feeling like a kid again.

READ MORE: Disney Cruise Line Looks Ahead to Early 2018 Itineraries

They have the best tween and teen clubs

Many resorts have excellent kids clubs, but you can only count those with clubs designed especially for tweens and teens. DCL ships not only have both, but they’re also equipped with cool, state-of-the-art features that the older kids will certainly appreciate. Kids ages 11 to 14 can pop into Edge to watch TV, play video games, or just chill in brightly colored chairs and cushy beanbags with kids their age. Meanwhile, teens can hang out, have non-alcoholic drink and dance parties, or do karaoke at Vibe. This teen club aboard Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy even has its very own pool deck.

The service is exceptional

Disney cruises may come with a high price tag, but they also some with exceptional service. Disney resort cast members are friendly enough, but the DCL crew takes it one step further. Everyone—from the housekeeping staff to your restaurant servers—will spoil you and make you feel like actual princes and princesses.

The food is excellent

If you’re sick of theme park food, skip Disney World this year and book a Disney cruise instead. Whether you’re piling an obscene amount of food on your plate at the buffet table or you’re sitting down for a five-course Italian dinner, you’ll find that the food as well as the cocktails onboard is incredible. Even the soft serve ice cream is highly addicting!

READ MORE: Six Tips to Make the Most of Disney Cruise Line’s Newly Updated Disney Wonder

The spa onboard is incredible too

There’s little that Disney does well so it’s comes as no surprise that the spa onboard all of DCL’s ships are pretty fantastic too. The Senses Spa & Salon offers several different treatments, from a typical Swedish Massage to a Volcanic Stone Therapy to Facials and Acupucture. More importantly, they also offer several spa amenities including rain showers and spa villas so that you’re not just getting a massage, you’re also getting an experience.

There are special activities for Halloween and the holidays

What’s better than a Disney cruise? A holiday-themed Disney cruise! There’s something more wonderful about celebrating the holidays out in the high seas. For a livelier experience, DCL offers holiday cruises from mid-September through the New Year. The best one might be Halloween on the High Seas, which sees the ships bedecked with impressive Halloween decorations, kid-friendly activities, ghost story telling and parties. There’s also the Thanksgiving at Sea, Very Merrytime Cruise, and the New Year’s Eve Cruise.

You won’t even have to leave the ship if you don’t want to

There are so many things to do onboard. The pool areas alone offer hours of fun, but there are other things too: a fitness center, mini golf, basketball, a movie theater, family entertainment venues, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, Disney’s Oceaneer Club, and several dining options. A Disney cruise takes you to different port of calls, yes. But if you’re the type to spend your vacation lazing around at the pool or just never leave the resort, you won’t ever have to get off the ship until the end.

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