9 Best Things To Do For Grandparents On Disney Cruise Line

When it comes to multi-generational cruising, there’s a host of options to please every type of family, but one of the best options is Disney Cruise Line. The incredible ships in the Disney fleet are all built with families, yes, even grandma and grandpa, in mind. From spacious cabins that often come with connecting doors (a big win for grandparents who want their own distinct space) to enchanting common spaces and pool decks where grandparents can spend quality time with their grandkids, Disney really has thought of everything. 

If you’re a grandparent going on a cruise with your family, you’ll want to keep reading. I’m sharing the top nine things to do for grandparents on a Disney Cruise, whether you always want to be near your kids and grandkids or when you need some time to yourself. 

Activities to Do With Your Grandkids

There are endless possibilities of things to do on a Disney Cruise. You’ll want to keep an eye on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to see the full schedule of events each day, but these are some of the top activities for grandparents to do with their grandkids. 

Enjoy Broadway-Style Shows Together

On each Disney Cruise Line ship, there’s a host of Broadway-style shows inside the Walt Disney Theater. These shows are typically an hour or so long, and some retell classic Disney stories like Aladdin, Tangled, Moana, and more. The shows are beautifully done and worth arriving a bit early for to get a good seat near the stage. Grandparents will appreciate the high level of detail in the costumes and set design, while kids will love seeing their favorite characters on stage. 

My favorite shows are Tangled: The Musical, which is exclusive to the Disney Magic, and Disney Hercules, which is solely available on the new Disney Destiny. Tangled is a fun take on the Disney Animation Studios film, with some original songs (I love “Flower of Gold”) and a take on the lantern scene that gets everyone in the theater teary-eyed. Disney Hercules is a modern retelling of the animated classic, with over-the-top costumes and a curtain call that will have you on your feet dancing. 

Related: 8 Disney Cruise Hacks Every Guest Should Know

Play Bingo

Let’s be honest, did you really go on a cruise if you didn’t play bingo? I don’t think so. Throughout the cruise, Disney hosts a handful of bingo sessions, which can be played on traditional paper cards or on machines. Of course, grandparents and grandkids are encouraged to play together, but only the grandparents can actually win. 

I’ve been in a few sessions where the kids get more excited than their winning family member, which always makes for a great memory, especially if you’re the one winning a few hundred or thousands of dollars. 

Participate in Family Game Shows

Another great activity for grandparents to do with their grandkids on Disney Cruise Line is to participate in the family game shows throughout the cruise. On the four classic ships (Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy), these usually take place in the D-Lounge, and on the Wish Class ships (Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, Disney Destiny, and the upcoming Disney Believe), these games typically take place in Triton Lounge or the main entertainment hub near the movie theaters (called Luna, Sarabi, and Saga, on Wish, Treasure, and Destiny, respectively). 

This is where the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will come in handy again so you know what time and where these games are being played. 

Related: The #1 Thing Adults Will Love About Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship

Meet Characters

One of the highlights of a Disney Cruise for many families is the chance to see Disney characters without long wait times like in the theme parks. Throughout the cruise, you can see, get photos with, and get autographs from classic characters like Mickey Mouse and his pals, Disney Princesses, Marvel superheroes, and more. And if you’re traveling with toddlers and young children, you can even meet Bluey and Bingo onboard select sailings.

Watch Fireworks from the Top Decks

If your family is sailing on a Caribbean or Bahamian Disney Cruise, you’re in luck because you’ll get the chance to see fireworks at sea. This once-a-cruise experience is usually paired with the Pirate Night themed evening, where people onboard dress up as pirates, there’s a pirate-themed dinner, and plenty of pirate activities like trivia, dance parties, and character meet-and-greets. The night culminates with the fireworks display, which can be seen from the top decks. 

Activities Grandparents can Enjoy Away From Kids

When the grandkids are out enjoying the kids club, it’s your time to sneak away and enjoy one of these adult-only activities. 

Adult-Only Dining

Onboard each Disney Cruise Line ship, there are a few adult-only restaurants. On the classic ships, those include Palo and Remy, the latter of which is only on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and on the Wish Class ships, grandparents can enjoy Palo Steakhouse and Enchante. 

I particularly love Palo on the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic because it features a first-come, first-served bar where you can enjoy a cocktail and select items from the food menu. On a recent Disney Cruise to Alaska, after a long day of excursions, I opted to sit at the bar instead of going to one of the main dining rooms for dinner, and it was a quiet retreat that helped me reset for an evening of fun.

Related: Everything to Know About Disney’s Newest Cruise Ship, the Disney Treasure

Relax at Senses Spa

There’s no better place to enjoy some kid-free rest and relaxation than the Senses Spa onboard each of the Disney Cruise Line ships. Here, grandparents can enjoy a host of spa services like facials and massages, plus Disney Cruise Line’s incredible Rainforest thermal suite. 

In fact, the Rainforest is the one area I always go on a Disney Cruise, and often buy a length-of-cruise pass if I’m sailing on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy. On these two ships, you have access to a locker and changing room, and across the hall is the entry to the Rainforest. Inside the first room, there are saunas and steam rooms plus a handful of experience showers. But the real joy is the middle room, which features a line of tiled heated loungers and access to two hot tubs. The loungers and hot tubs also offer panoramic views thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows.

Adult beach at one of the islands

At both of Disney’s island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, there are adult-only beaches. After spending some time together with your grandkids at the family beach, check the youngsters into the on-island kids clubs, then enjoy the adult-only Serenity Bay. 

Both islands’ Serenity Bay offer oceanfront beach chairs and umbrellas, a dedicated bar, and an adult-only restaurant serving up beach BBQ favorites and island delights. I particularly love the ribs at both Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. 

Related: Readers Voted This Iconic Fleet the No. 1 ‘World’s Best’ Cruise Line (Again!)