New to Cruising? Try a Weekend Trip

Aboard the Disney Wonder, I found myself on my second-ever cruise ship, and first with Disney. The ship’s iconic red, white and black (actually, really dark “Monica” blue, named for its creator, as black has a non-cruise-ship meaning in the nautical world) welcomed us in the stunning entrance on Deck 3.

Being new to Disney cruises, and not having a kid in tow, this quick weekend excursion sounded like a great way to test the waters — literally.

Taking a quick walk around the ship while we waited for our rooms to be ready, we found the adults-only pool. Luckily, we had an exceptionally sunny day while leaving the Port of San Diego, en route to Ensenada, Mexico. Friendly staff walked around, offering drinks while we waited to depart and get ready for dinner at Artist’s Palette.

The two-day cruise would have us in Mexico by the next morning.

Another adults-only section of the ship I found myself in: Palo. The incredible Italian restaurant caters to parents, adults and couples looking for a reprieve from the kid-centric areas of the ship with an amazing lineup of menu options.

A Kid’s Pool on Disney Wonder. Photo: Joshua Daniels – Dreamstime.com

One fun fact I took away from a tour of the ship, Palo is a mainstay on Disney Cruise Line vessels, as it pay homage to Italy, the country where the ships were built. Palo, meaning pole, symbolizes the iconic poles along the canal and gondolas in Venice, which can be found artfully placed around the restaurant. The brunch spread could have fed an army, and the added menu options for a main course were over the top — in the best way.

In Ensenada, we hit the town shops for a few hours. Local shops and restaurants lined a couple streets a short walk from our ship, which you could see in the near distance the whole time — a sigh of relief for nervous travelers.

For any adult onboard looking for some nightlife, this ship has an after-hours floor catering to adults. With a variety of lounges, pubs and nightclub-esque locales, you can stay busy long after dinner. Some musts while on a Disney cruise — see a show. There will be limited showings, as this is a quick trip, but just be sure to get to the theater early. If some R&R is more your thing, book an appointment at the spa or just spend some time in the saunas.

The cruise was short, but sweet, and a great way to introduce locals or travelers visiting San Diego to the all-inclusive cruising world. It’s a quick weekend trip where guests can see exclusive Disney shows, including movies just released in theaters, lay by the pool, sip tropical drinks, spend a day at the spa and dine like royalty — all with the changing views of Southern California and Baja Mexico in the distance.