ONBOARD THE DISNEY DESTINY -- Disney knows its fan-favorite characters aren't just the good guys.
With its newest cruise ship, the Disney Destiny, the line invites guests to embrace their sly affection for the villain, and in doing so, it brings an entirely new energy to its Wish class of ships.
Incredibles artwork in a Disney Destiny stateroom. Photo Credit: Teri West
This third ship in the class, named on Nov. 10 in Port Everglades, has a heroes-and-villains theme that is evoked everywhere from venues to carpeting to surprise character appearances during performances or the sailaway party.
An appreciation for the bad guy's flair -- be it Cruella De Vil's lavish fashion sense or Loki's wit -- may seem more adult. But as a full crew of Cruella-costumed young girls spotted onboard the ship's inaugural sailing proves, it has the multigenerational appeal of anything Disney.
Travel advisors onboard approved.
"We're finally seeing villains get their day," said John Magi, owner of Florida-based Dreams Unlimited Travel.
Of course, heroes are equally important, and the Destiny offers a balance between the two. For example, a statue of T'Challa -- otherwise known as Black Panther -- greets guests upon entry to the Grand Hall.
A Black Panther mosaic near the guest services booths. Photo Credit: Teri West
Among the biggest draws to a new Disney ship is a new show, and on the Destiny, it's a delicious production of "Hercules."
The visuals are stunning, from the simple -- a flurry of rose petals descending on Megara at the end of a solo -- to the elaborate -- five massive serpent heads erupting from the stage as Hercules battles the Hydra. The actors are vocally pristine (especially Hercules' riffs during "Go the Distance").
When it debuted on the Disney Treasure, "Moana" set a new bar for Disney Cruise Line shows, which consequentially meant expectations were even higher for "Hercules," said Beci Mahnken, owner of MEI-Travel in Issaquah, Wash.
"Hercules absolutely met my expectations," she said just hours after seeing the show for the first time. "It's great storytelling with incredible energy."
While Moana is still her favorite, "Hercules definitely brings its own magic to the stage," she said.
The Destiny also offers a new supper-club-style Lion King experience in a venue called "Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King." Six performers occupy a stage at the center of a large dining room and perform a plot-light but song-heavy version of the film.
There are no puppets or lion costumes. Instead, the cast is a set of storytellers that include percussionists, powerhouse vocalists and a dancer.
Lighting is dim, and the vocals generally overpower the murmur of conversation but don't drown out waiters checking on tables. With a couple of breaks throughout, the experience is well timed for a three-course meal. Entrees range from a standard steak and potatoes to a Moroccan vegetable tagine.
The ship has several other new-to-Disney food and drink venues.
DeVil's, a bar and lunge featuring a grand piano adorned with Dalmatian spots. Photo Credit: Teri West
First are three bars: the One Hundred and One Dalmatians-themed De Vil's, the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed Cask and Cannon, and The Sanctum, themed to Marvel's Doctor Strange.
De Vil's feels the most chic. Its black, white and red color scheme plays with the film's palette to bring a Disney essence to a space that feels truly adult, with a grand piano festooned with Dalmatian spots centering the room and art deco-style seating and lighting.
The Sanctum is cozy in the way of a library or high-end tavern. It has plush seating and dim lighting and offers a hint of magic, with cocktails that appear to levitate or, in the case of the $25 Vapors of Valtorr, topped with a tower of bubbles. Occupying the space of The Bayou on the Disney Wish and Skipper Society on the Disney Treasure, The Sanctum will at times have live music or crafts. Cask and Cannon is outfitted like a pub and offers burgers, a pretzel and a cheese plate.
Edna A La Mode Sweets is an Incredibles-themed space for specialty sugary delights. Colorful pastries tempt from glass enclosures neighboring an expansive array of gelato and ice cream.
Edna A La Mode Sweets, a shop for ice cream, gelato and pastries. Photo Credit: Teri West
A ship with multigenerational appeal
Rachel McElaney, president of Disney specialist Be Our Guest Vacations, said she senses a multigenerational appeal to the Destiny because of what she called a more luxurious feel.
"You hear superheroes, and you're not going to think luxury, but they delivered that in a really strong way," the Indiana-based advisor said.
She thinks it would be a particularly good ship for multigenerational families or adults traveling without children.
And its four- and five-day sailings offer a more affordable way for a family to sail with Disney than a longer cruise, McElaney said, while the suites bring in an upscale client.
"To me, this is a very easy ship to sell," she said.