Our Disney Cruise Vacation: A Trauma Survivor’s Perspective

May 22, 2020.

As a trauma survivor and overcomer of childhood sexual trauma, I am always seeking out meaningful experiences that will enhance my life and give me some sense of accomplishment. Our Disney Cruise did just that.

We took our first family cruise in 2013, Christmas week on board the Disney Dream. Our kids were ages two, seven and ten at the time. It was a cruise-land package with 3 nights on the ship and 4 days at the Disney Parks.  (Photo Courtesy of Disney Dream)

I have always been a fan of Disney.  However, today I want to share with you how Disney Cruise Lines won me over and how they made this trauma survivor feel a bit of magic.  I believe that every person should experience a trip like this at least once.  Here’s why:

1. It’s Magical

Somewhere in the midst of forgotten tears and sleepless sorrow is that ever-present-yet-fading wish for magic. For me, it was the dream of being whisked away to a fun and magical land—kind of like in the movie Peter Pan. It was the magic of believing that in a whimsical moment, all the things that caused you emotional pain could suddenly be turned into anything you imagined it to be…clouds of marshmallows, showers of skittles and rivers of chocolate fondue.

The Disney Dream allowed me (as an adult) to experience the magic that I had once longed for as a child. As we entered the gigantic vessel, we were mesmerized by both the Christmas and Disney décor. The music playing in the background made me believe again.

I’m not sure if my kids experienced the magic the way I did, but they sure were ecstatic over being on the Atlantic blue ocean with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Cinderella and Princess Tiana. (Photo Courtesy of Disney Dream at Castaway Cay)

We were thrilled at not having to wait in line for hours to get photos with all the characters like at Disney World. I remember their eyes being filled with wonder surrounding all the hidden Mickey’s they found around the ship. I was mystified by their happiness and my heart raced over experiencing the simple pleasures…like seeing the moon reflect on the crystal black ocean while fireworks exploded into the wide-open sky. Simply magical.

2. It’s Contagious

What’s contagious?  The positive energy onboard. Kids laughing and clapping, running and exploring and crying because they don’t want the day to end. Parents smiling and hugging and talking and cuddling because they know that every dime spent was well worth the investment and will be remembered much longer than any unwrapped gift under the Christmas tree.  Sometimes when you’re at home it is easy to focus on the stressful events surrounding you, but not while you’re on a Disney Cruise. The positive energy is uncanningly contagious. Parents happy. Kids happy. Workers happy. Everyone happy.

3. You Are Treated Like You Matter

Ever feel like you weren’t important?  Not on the Disney Dream. When we stepped onboard the ship, our family’s name was announced like we were royalty. We were blown away and so surprised. (Sorry about the spoiler). I’ll never forget the feeling. That feeling of “Girl, you matter!” Everyone knew our name. From the wait staff to the state room attendants, and we were made to feel important. My kids felt important too. From the call they received from Mickey before we left home telling them he couldn’t wait to welcome them aboard, to the card that was left for our youngest son in our cabin on the last night of our cruise.  I can’t tell you enough how I wish I could wave a magic wand and have every child and every adult who has ever lived through trauma to experience this type of treatment. Now don’t get me wrong, I know that people can be treated like this in other places, but Disney sure does get it right in this area.

4. They Eliminate Your Worries

Disney Cruise Line does an excellent job of pre-calculating every mom’s fear and anxiety.  When we went to the Kids Club to check our kids in, we were given a wave phone. Disney predicted that I might be that overly concerned parent who worries about someone trying to take advantage of my precious little kids. I know it’s not failproof but it sure did eliminate some unnecessary worry. The wave phone allows you or the staff watching your child to text or call if there is a concern or update. I also used it to text my husband to remind him to pick up the kids from the club if I was taking a nap in my room. There was not an extra charge for the phones and it helped that we didn’t have to use our own cell phones in order to contact someone about our kids. They also put armbands on the kids so we would know their whereabouts at all times—another thumbs-up for Disney Cruise Line.

Sodas are included in the cost of the cruise so we didn’t have to spend time arguing over whether or not they could have soda with their pizza. Steve and I were able to enjoy a special night at dinner alone because the staff allows you to sign your child up to eat with the other children in the kid’s program, and we definitely took advantage of that. I’m not sure our youngest was happy about that but at least he received a special visit from a Disney Princess while we were away.

5. You take with you memories that last a lifetime.

So many of my childhood memories were suppressed because I wanted to forget the bad. Our Disney Cruise made it so that I wanted to remember the good. I wanted to remember every laugh, every happy moment with my kids, every unexpected smile. I wanted every memory to last forever. We purchased our favorite photos and you already know that I walked away with additional priceless memories that I captured on my phone. Ahh, what I would give to go back and freeze that moment in time.

I cannot say enough about experiences like this. It was an opportunity to be pampered, catered to and waited on with a smile. You don’t experience exceptional service like this everywhere. Trust me I know. After we debarked we headed to the Disney Parks for 4 more days of unprecedented adventure.

What my kids enjoyed most about our Disney Cruise: The AquaDuck water slide, the kids club (yes there was an entire floor dedicated to the kids), the unlimited access to food and sweets, poolside movies and 3-D Disney movies in the theater, Pirate night, the dance parties and onboard activities, and the huge sandbox and water works at Scuttle’s Cove at Castaway Cay (Disney Cruise Line’s Private Island). 

What my husband enjoyed most about our Disney Cruise:  The never-ending smiles from me and the kids, the mad points he scored from making this trip happen, the Broadway-style shows, the adults-only area, dining in all three dining rooms and Castaway Cay. 

What I enjoyed most about our Disney Cruise: The Royal treatment, being able to be childlike again, the magic and wonder (that I still feel even when writing about it), and the peace of knowing that God had it all in His plan.

Have you had a similar experience? Leave me a comment below.

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