Disney Cruise Line (DCL) launched its seventh ship this month, and I was among the lucky few to sail aboard its inaugural voyage from Port Everglades, Florida. The four-day, three-night journey through the Caribbean—with a stop at Disney’s private Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point—was nothing short of impressive. Themed after “Heroes and Villains,” the ship pays tribute to Disney’s most misunderstood characters (to put it nicely), giving icons like Ursula and Maleficent their time in the spotlight.
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My internal battle between good and evil happened at the bar every night, where, against my best efforts to limit my midweek imbibing, Disney’s beverage program lured me to the dark side. As national food and drink editor—and general cocktail enthusiast—I was wowed by the intricacy and intention behind everything served across the ship’s numerous bars.
Leaning into the lush life, I tried about a dozen drinks throughout the voyage, spanning venues like The Sanctum (Disney’s first lounge inspired by the powerful sorcerers and mystical artifacts of Doctor Strange), De Vil’s (named for the incomparable Cruella, of course) and Cask and Cannon (inspired by the iconic Pirates of the Caribbean ride).
A moment of firsts
With Pride Lands: Feast of The Lion King, DCL introduced its first-ever family dining experience aboard the Destiny. The restaurant pays homage to this millennial’s favorite Disney movie through food, drink and music. There’s an extensive African menu featuring mostly traditional cuisine with a few crowd-pleasers (you can’t go wrong with steak), before the main event: a spirited retelling of Simba’s story from cub to king, featuring incredible performances of all the movie classics.
To pair, there’s the punny Can You Feel the Rum Tonight?—a boozy concoction of Starr 7 Year Oak Aged Rum, Amarula Cream Liqueur, mango smoothie mix and a pinch of cinnamon shaken with ice and garnished with fresh mint. On a lighter note, I also loved the South African wine flight, showcasing reds and whites from a great wine region that’s often underexposed. “The idea is to match everything to the concept,” explained Antoine Boissonot, corporate manager for Disney Cruise Line. “It’s not something you’d necessarily think about at a regular restaurant, but we’re doing it here on board.”
Spooky and thrilling
Leading up to the cruise, I was most excited about the Haunted Mansion Parlor, which debuted aboard the Disney Treasure in 2024. Destiny’s version was just as thrilling, with the same spooky humor and spectacle of the ride—plus a few sneakily boozy cocktails. The Chilling Challenge gets a brand-new treatment for Destiny, featuring ingredients like Camus VSOP Cognac, Cointreau Noir, Joto yuzu sake, orange blossom foam and edible viola flowers. It’s so pretty, it deserves a spot on the feed. I also tried Awaken the Spirits, a hibiscus-infused mezcal cocktail that, though batched, was every bit as smooth and flavorful as the others I sampled.
Drinks fit for icons
Cruella De Vil provided plenty of over-the-top fodder for her namesake spot, De Vil’s. The 101 Dalmatians villain’s signature red, black and white aesthetic permeates the modern piano bar, complete with an inventive cocktail menu to match. One of the most involved drinks I experienced aboard was the Perfectly Wretched. Think the most beautiful vanity setup—lipstick, face powder and perfume—and it’s all edible.
The playful cocktail—a bright and fruity mix of Belvedere 10, elderflower, lime, agave, cucumber and strawberries, served in a coupe—is accompanied by edible lipstick (frozen Jell-O) and edible glitter presented as face powder.
Over at Cask and Cannon, the Pirates of the Caribbean-themed bar, you can try a special barrel-aged rum available only on Disney Cruise Line. The private-label rum, made in collaboration with Bacardi, is a treat (and a splurge at $70!) best enjoyed neat or on the rocks. The camera-ready spirit arrives in a treasure chest surrounded by chocolate gold coins.
All the drama, none of the alcohol
Teetotalers and the sober-curious can also experience the magic of Disney Destiny’s cocktail program. “It was important for us to make sure that everybody is included,” said Boissonot, who, together with his team, crafted an old-fashioned dupe that’s shockingly close to the real thing. “They taste like an Old Fashioned, smell like one, but don’t have any alcohol, so you can have as many as you like and not feel guilty about it.” To that end, all of Destiny’s bars and restaurants feature non-alcoholic beverages that are just as involved as their boozy counterparts.
Whether you’re here for the villains, the spectacle or simply a great drink with a great story, Disney Destiny’s cocktail program delivers far beyond theme-park novelty. It’s creative, thoughtful and wildly fun—proof that even on the high seas, Disney knows how to raise the bar. Cheers to the dark side.