Luxury Cruising Editorial

Are you seeking a luxurious getaway that will leave your family with lasting memories? With its elegance and adventure, a yachting holiday can be the perfect way to bond with your loved ones. 

However, a memorable yacht cruise with the whole family requires careful planning and attention to detail.

But don’t worry because this blog is here to offer a five-step guide to organising the perfect family sailing trip. Here’s everything you need to know before you cast off into the horizon with the kids.

1. Choosing the Perfect Yacht  

Selecting the right yacht for your family vacation involves several factors… 

Types of yachts 

Yachts come in various types, each offering different features and amenities. When choosing a yacht, consider your family’s needs and preferences. 

For instance, if you’re bringing along young kids, you might opt for a catamaran or motor yacht with a stable ride. On the other hand, a sailing yacht may be ideal for an adventurous vacation with teenagers

The most luxurious options are large motor yachts. These have luxurious cabins with ensuite bathrooms, a full kitchen for family meals, and sometimes even a jacuzzi for stargazing. 

Yacht sizes   

Another crucial consideration is the yacht’s overall dimensions. Yachts can range from small and intimate to large and luxurious. Think about how much space you’ll need for everyone to relax and enjoy their time onboard. 

Smaller yachts offer a cosy experience, while larger ones often come with more amenities. You’ll need to have the right number of cabins and bathrooms to accommodate your family comfortably.  

Crewed or not?  

Decide on whether you prefer a crewed or bareboat yacht charter. A crewed yacht’s professional crew handles sailing and cooking, letting you relax during your holiday.

The bareboat option requires you to sail and operate the boat. So, choose the crew option based on your boating experience and desire for a stress-free vacation. 

Weighing these factors will make it easier to trim down your choices and pick the perfect yacht for your family vacation. To find one, research the search engine and find numerous luxury yacht charter companies like YACHTZOO. They offer options tailored to your family’s needs, ensuring you find the perfect yacht for your dream vacation.  

2. Selecting the Destination   

Another aspect of planning a family-friendly yachting vacation is choosing the destination. You’ll need to think about the following factors…  

Weather  

Choosing the right weather destination is crucial for a comfortable family vacation. Consider the prevailing winds and temperature ranges of your desired location.   

Tropical destinations like the Caribbean or Mediterranean offer sun, sand, and blue skies for families. If you prefer cooler temperatures, consider destinations like Alaska or northern Europe.

Scenery  

Picture cruising through breathtaking landscapes and capturing lifelong memories. Think about destinations with unique and beautiful scenery your family will appreciate. For instance, take the Maldives’ turquoise waters and white sandy beaches or Norway’s dramatic cliffs and fjords. 

Seasonality  

Consider the high and low seasons of the destination to determine the best yachting vacation time. This can affect the availability of charter options, pricing, and the number of tourists, so choose a time that suits your preferences.   

For instance, the high season in the Caribbean is from December to April, with ideal yachting weather. However, peak tourist season may raise prices and crowd popular destinations. If you prefer a quieter experience, visiting during the low season is best, preferably between May and November.  

By carefully choosing the destination, you can ensure your family enjoys a well-rounded yachting experience. 

3. How Long to Sail For

Next, it’s vital to factor in the duration of your yacht trip, which will depend on your preferences and availability. Consider these options…  

Weekend Getaways 

A short weekend getaway can be a perfect way to relax and recharge. You can sail off to a nearby coastal town or island for a quick escape from day-to-day responsibilities. Depending on where you live, there may be plenty of charming destinations within a few hours’ sail.

Week-Long Adventures  

Envision taking your family on a week-long yacht holiday in the French Riviera. You can spend a few days in Cannes and St. Tropez, where you can indulge in fine dining in top restaurants and enjoy a vibrant nightlife. Then, you can sail to Corsica and Sardinia, known for their stunning beaches and rich culture. Sounds good?

Extended Holiday  

Explore your destination’s charm and way of life on a two-week trip. The longer duration allows your family ample time to enjoy all the experiences at a slower pace. 

Some people even opt to take off for the whole summer, exploring multiple ports of call across the Mediterranean or Caribbean.

4. Organising Family-Friendly Activities  

Next, plan various family-friendly activities to entertain your family. There are countless options for toddlers, seniors, and everyone in between. Here are some suggestions…  

Paddleboarding  

Imagine paddling along calm, turquoise waters while enjoying breathtaking views of your surroundings. It offers an active way to explore the coastline, navigate hidden coves, and spot marine life.

Snorkelling  

Snorkelling is a must-do on a yachting holiday in clear waters. Discover coral reefs, swim among exotic fish, and spot turtles or rays with your family.

Fishing   

Fishing is a wonderful option for those who enjoy a more leisurely activity. Teach your children the art of casting a line and patiently waiting for a bite. While you certainly cannot fish from a cruise ship, you can most definitely fish from a private yacht.

Water Sports  

Yachting vacations offer many exciting water sports, from skiing to canyoning. These adrenaline-packed activities are great for older kids and teens. 

Beach Exploration and Picnics  

While on your yachting vacation, visit the beautiful beaches you come across. Anchor your yacht near a secluded beach and spend quality time relaxing with your family. 

Movie Nights Under the Stars   

After an exciting day, end it on a cosy note with a movie night under the stars. Snuggle up with blankets, grab popcorn, and enjoy a family-friendly movie together.  

The options for family-friendly yachting vacation activities are endless. The key is to choose ones that satisfy everyone and balance excitement and relaxation. By planning various activities, you can give your family an unforgettable adventure on board. 

5. Ensuring Safety  

Lastly, ensuring family safety is paramount during a yachting vacation. Before starting your adventure, think about these safety measures… 

• Get acquainted with the yacht’s emergency protocols and safety tools. Don’t forget to inform your loved ones, too.
• Check the availability and condition of life jackets and safety gear on the yacht to ensure there are adequate supplies for each family member. 
• Learn the local laws and regulations of your destination to safeguard your family. For instance, swimming and marine life interaction may be restricted in some areas. 
• Have a conversation with the yacht crew about dietary restrictions and allergies so they can prepare suitable meals and snacks.
• Keep a supply of bandages, painkillers, antiseptic ointment, and prescription medications. 

These safety measures will give you peace of mind that your family’s safety is a top priority during your yachting excursion. 

Sailing Towards a Remarkable Getaway 

Ultimately, a memorable family yachting holiday requires careful consideration of the above factors. With meticulous planning, you can create a family-friendly vacation that everyone will remember for years. 

Remember, the real magic of a yachting vacation lies in the liberty to explore at your own leisure. So, what are you waiting for? Start organising your family’s dream yachting adventure today.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Get ready to Live the Adventure with Disney Treasure, after it was announced that the cruise ship will be the first ever to have its own official song.

The new signature song was written by Dewain Whitmore Jr. and Chantry Johnson, and is performed by Jordin Sparks – the youngest-ever winner of American Idol.

I really like ‘Live the Adventure’ because it’s happy – it automatically makes you feel like it’s going to be a great day. It’s saying we can discover the treasure of what the day is going to bring.

Jordin Sparks

Called ‘Live the Adventure’, the song perfectly encapsulates the feeling of an adventurous and happy cruise holiday, while also having some subtle nods to the popular Disney movie Aladdin, which is serving as the inspiration for the Grand Hall on the ship.

While the ship isn’t due to launch until December 2024, the new song is available to listen to now on all major streaming services.

It’s not the only new song to be associated with the cruise ship either. It’s been confirmed that Disney Treasure’s signature theatre show will be “Disney: The Tale Of Moana”.

That show will feature the songs fans already love from the movie, including “You’re Welcome” and “How Far I’ll Go”, but it will also include a new song “Warrior Face”.

And with the Plaza de Coco offering a two-night dining experience featuring songs from the vibrant movie Coco as well, it’s sure to be a ship packed with incredible music and a wonderful atmosphere.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

Royal Caribbean’s newest ship, Icon of the Seas, features the biggest waterpark at sea with SIX record-breaking slides…

Excited? Me too! So, let’s take a closer look at each of the incredible water slides on the first Icon-class ship, Icon of the Seas.

Category Six Water Park

The Icon of the Seas waterpark is called Category 6. This is not just because it has six water slides, but it’s also named after the weather.

In fact, each of the rides – Hurricane Hunter, Storm Surge, Frightening Bolt, the two Storm Chasers and Pressure Drop, are named after freak weather events.

Category 5 hurricanes are the strongest on the planet – so Category 6 is wilder than anything that’s gone before. And this waterpark really is.

It’s the largest waterpark at sea, with an area of over 17,000 square feet.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the waterslides…

1. Hurricane Hunter

For the first time ever, Royal Caribbean has introduced family rafts where four people can ride together. The first of these is the Hurricane Hunter – that’s the pink one.

The Thrill-o-meter rating for this slide is 2 out of 6, so it’s nothing to be too scared of.

This ride is 425 feet long, making it the longest raft slide at sea. It twists and turns with stormy surprises in every direction. 

There are two water curtains, just to make sure that everyone gets completely soaked.

2. Storm Surge

This green slide is another family raft ride. Because we families do love to go down slides altogether.

The Storm Surge is slightly shorter than the Hurricane Hunter at 395 feet. But, with a thrill rating of 4 out of 6, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted.

The slide is designed to look like a Lotus Leaf that hangs over the edge of the ship. As your raft boomerangs against the edge, you can look straight down over the ocean. If your raft gets too near to the edge, a siren will sound to warn you.

3. Pressure Drop

Next up is the yellow Pressure Drop slide. This is the first open freefall slide at sea.

It’s the shortest slide of the bunch at 108 feet, but it’s also the fastest. This slide has the maximum thrill rating of 6 out of 6.

You’ll have to gain the courage to push yourself off the edge, though. If you can do that, you’ll speed down a 66-degree incline into the splashdown. That’s almost vertical.

4 & 5. Storm Chasers

The Storm Chasers are two blue mat racer slides.

There’s fast music, glowing lights and a lot of rushing water. So these slides get a thrill rating of 3 out of 6.

This is the first time that Royal Caribbean has offered mat racers where you can race your friends and see who lands at the finish line first. There’s also a scoreboard so you can see exactly how fast you were!

These slides are the longest on the ship at a whopping 431 feet each. 

6. Frightening Bolt

And finally, the Frightening Bolt. This is the tallest water slide at sea, with a massive drop of 46 feet.

It has the highest thrill rating of 6 out of 6.

On this slide, you’ll stand in a capsule and the floor will completely drop below you. You’ll plummet down until the G-force sets in and shoots you up and around the 360-degree loop.

Each of these thrill slides is sure to get your heart racing and leave you walking away with some great stories to tell your friends and family.

For a closer look at the slides, take a look at this video that I made…

About Thrill Island

The water slides on Icon of the Seas are all located together in an area of the ship called Thrill Island.

Here, you’ll find something for everyone to enjoy. As well as the slides, there’s a rock climbing wall, a walk-the-plank type thing called Crown’s Edge and some other thrill attractions

But, there are also plenty of places to relax. If your grandparents don’t want to go down the tallest waterslide at sea, they can relax in the comfortable seating areas while they watch the kids.

How the Category 6 Waterpark Was Designed

The first step to creating the waterslides on Icon of the Seas was consumer research. Royal Caribbean asked a whole load of people what they enjoy on vacations with their families, and what thrills them.

The focus is on delivering thrill, and the team of designers at Royal Caribbean put a lot of energy into thinking about how they would do that.

They decided to build a waterpark that would cater not only to the bold, brave and fearless, but to the whole family. They wanted to offer experiences that you just can not get anywhere else.

As part of the design process, the designers used virtual reality to really get a feel for how the waterpark was coming together.

The waterpark has two different towers which enabled Royal Caribbean to create slides that are longer and faster than ever before.

With a waterpark as big as this one, the designers were very conscious about how so much weight could be safely added to the ship.

They were very aware of how the wind could affect the funnel area and so they had to bring in a lot of experts to make sure that they could design the water park in a way that would be technically sound.

But, the good news is that they have succeeded. Guests are loving the Icon of the Seas water slides, and I’m sure you will too if you get to sail on her!

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

There are so many Disney characters that start with the letter P. While you might struggle to think of any at first, there are quite a few Princesses, heroes and animal friends.

If you’re looking for a complete list, you’re in the right place. So please, be my guest and read on for a full list of Disney characters whose names start with the letter P.

Disney Characters That Start With The Letter P

Pacha from The Emperor’s New Groove

Pacha is a local village leader who lives in the kingdom of Emperor Kuzco. He appeals to the Emperor not to destroy his village, but his concerns are ignored. Despite this, he helps Kuzco when he is turned into a Llama.

Pain and Panic from Hercules

Pain and Panic are a pair of shapeshifting demons that work for Hades. They kidnap Hercules and feed him a potion that makes him mortal, but they do not succeed in killing him.

Panchito Pistoles from The Three Caballeros

Panchito Pistoles is a Disney character that starts with P. He is a Mexican rooster and gunslinger who explores Mexico with Donald Duck and Jose Carioca in The Three Caballeros.

Pascal from Tangled

Pascal is a chameleon belonging to princess Rapunzel in the animated film Tangled. He tries to protect her from Eugene before they all realise the true threat is Mother Gothel.

Patch from 101 Dalmatians

Patch is a Disney character starting with P in 101 Dalmatians. He is one of the 15 dalmatian puppies that are kidnapped by Cruella De Vil. Patch is the only one who tries to fight her.

Peach from Finding Nemo

Peach is a pink starfish who lives in the fish tank at the dentist. She keeps an eye on the dentist and knows when he will need to go to the toilet based on how many coffees he has drunk.

Pearl from Finding Nemo

Pearl is a small pink octopus who goes to school with Nemo. She swam close to the boat belonging to the divers that took Nemo.

Peg from Lady and the Tramp

Peg is a Tibetan Spaniel who lives in the dog pound in Lady and the Tramp. She steps in to stop the other dogs from bullying Lady.

Pegasus from Hercules

Pegasus is a winged horse created by Zeus for his son Hercules. Pegasus finds Hercules when he is a teenager and they become friends and work together on Hercules’ quest to become a hero.

Penny from The Rescuers

Penny is a young orphan who is kidnapped by Madame Medusa, who wants her to fetch a diamond from a small cave. She stands up to Madame Medusa and her crocodiles until Bernard and Miss Bianca arrive.

Pepa Madrigal from Encanto

Pepa is the daughter of Alma Madrigal in the animated movie Encanto. She has been given the gift to control the weather, which can cause chaos as her emotions fluctuate.

Percy from Pocahontas

Percy is a dog who belongs to Governor Ratcliffe in the animated movie Pocahontas. He becomes friends with Meeko after seeing him stealing biscuits.

Perdita from 101 Dalmatians

Perdita is a dalmatian dog who meets her mate Pongo in the movie 101 Dalmatians. Together, they have 15 puppies who get kidnapped by Cruella De Vil. They set out to rescue them and end up bringing home all 101 dalmatians.

Perla from Cinderella

Perla is a female mouse that is friends with Cinderella. Perla and the other mice help finish Cinderella’s ballgown, but it gets destroyed by her stepmother and stepsisters.  

Peter Pan from Peter Pan

Peter Pan is probably the most famous Disney character that begins with P. He is a boy lives with the Lost Boys and the fairy Tinkerbell in Neverland.  He flies to London, where he meets Wendy and her two younger brothers.

Petunia from Meet the Robinsons

Petunia is a wooden hand puppet controlled by Fritz in the 2007 movie Meet the Robinsons. She could be a substitute for his wife, or Fritz’s split personality.

Phil from Hercules

Phil is a retired Satyr who spent his life training heroes but has become jaded and convinced he will never find anyone with true hero potential. Hercules convinces him otherwise.

Philippe from Beauty and the Beast

Philippe is a horse owned by Belle and her father. The horse runs away when first approaching the Beast’s castle but later helps Belle to find her father.

Prince Phillip from Sleeping Beauty

Prince Philip is the son of King Hubert in the animated movie Sleeping Beauty. He has been betrothed to Aurora since they were young, but they have never met. He doesn’t want to marry someone he has never met and falls in love with a peasant girl – Aurora in disguise.

Phoebus from The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Phoebus is a war veteran who appears in The Hunchback of Notre Dame. He’s asked to rid Paris of gypsies, but he falls in love with one of them – Esmeralda, and works to save her and her people.

Pico from Encanto

Pico is a toucan in the animated movie Encanto. He’s friends with Antonio Madrigal, who has the gift of being able to speak to animals.

Piglet from Winnie the Pooh

Piglet is a small and timid pig who is best friends with Winnie the Pooh. He is one of the toys that lives as an animal in the imaginary Hundred Acre Woods. He is scared of lots of things but is also a loyal and dependable friend, which makes him one of the most beloved Disney characters starting with P. 

Pinocchio from Pinocchio

Pinocchio is one of the most famous Disney Characters beginning with the letter P.  He’s a wooden puppet made by Geppetto who is brought to life by the Blue Fairy. He sets out with Jiminy Cricket to learn about the world and ends up sacrificing himself to save Geppetto.  

Pleakly from Lilo and Stitch

Pleakly is a former member of the Galactic Federation in Lilo and Stitch. He loves everything about earth and wants to learn all about it. He ends up joining Lilo and Nani’s family. 

Pluto from Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas / Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers / Mickey’s Twice Upon A Christmas

Pluto is a yellowy-orange coloured dog who first appeared in 1930 as Mickey Mouse’s pet. He is unusual for a Disney character as he is not anthropomorphic and cannot speak. Pluto is known for his loyalty and playful personality, and he’s one of the most iconic Disney character names – especially for character meet-and-greets on cruises.

Pocahontas from Pocahontas

Another very famous Disney character beginning with P is Pocahontas. She is the free-spirited daughter of the chief of the Powhatan tribe. She is not keen on marrying the warrior Kocoum, and she falls in love with the settler John Smith. 

Pompidou from Ratatouille

Pompidou works as a pastry chef at Gusteau’s restaurant in the movie Ratatouille. He is good at making tasty desserts.  

Pongo from 101 Dalmatians

Pongo is the dalmatian pet of Roger Ratcliffe in the movie 101 Dalmatians. He has 15 puppies with Perdita, but they are kidnapped by Cruella de Vil, and they set out to save them and the other kidnapped pups.

Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story

Mr Potato Head is one of Andy’s toys in the Toy Story movies. He is quite cynical but is dedicated to his friends and willing to take risks to help them. 

Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast

Mrs Potts was the head housekeeper in the castle in Beauty and the Beast. When the master was turned into a Beast by an enchantress, Mrs. Potts was turned into a teapot. 

Powhatan from Pocahontas

Powhatan is Pocahontas’s father, and he is the chief of the tribe. He is suspicious of the white settlers and determined to protect his people. His daughter helps him to find a way to make peace with the setters and spare the life of John Smith.   

Preston B. Whitmore from Atlantis

Preston B. Whitmore is an old friend of Milo’s grandfather in the animated movie Atlantis. He agrees to fund Milo’s mission to find Atlantis. Eventually, he helps cover up the existence of the underwater city. 

The Prince from Snow White

The Prince falls in love with Snow White just from hearing her singing. The evil queen is jealous of this and orders Snow White to be killed. He searches for Snow White and revives her with true love’s kiss. 

Prince Charming from Cinderella

Prince Charming is the prince of the kingdom in which Cinderella lives. His father holds a ball in the hope that the prince will find a woman to marry. He falls for Cinderella, but she runs off at midnight, leaving only a glass slipper. 

Mr. Pricklepants from Toy Story 3

Mr Pricklepants is a stuffed hedgehog toy owned by Bonnie in Toy Story 3. He helps explain to Woody and the gang that Sunnyside Daycare is not all that it seems. 

Priya from Turning Red

Priya is a teenage girl who is interested in werewolves and vampires in the movie Turning Red. She is friends with Mei Li and is supportive of Mei as she struggles with her transformations. 

P. T. Flea from A Bug’s Life

P.T. Flea is a Disney Pixar character starting with P in the animated movie A Bug’s Life. He is the ringmaster of the circus and is only interested in making money. He fires the entire troupe after he nearly dies during a performance. 

Pumbaa from The Lion King

Pumbaa is a warthog who lives a happy-go-lucky life in the jungle with his best friend Timon. They meet Simba after the death of his father in The Lion King. They become friends and live together until Simba returns to Lion Rock. 

More in this series:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the magical world of Disney characters and focusing on characters whose names start with the letter “A”.

From the classic Disney princesses to the lovable animal companions, there are plenty of characters to discover and rediscover.

So, whether you’re a die-hard Disney cruise fan or simply looking for ideas for a costume party, join us as we dive into the enchanting world of Disney characters that start with “A”

Disney Characters That Start With The Letter A

Abigail from The Fox and the Hound

Abigail is a Disney character that starts with A in the animated movie The Fox and Hound. She is a milking cow belonging to Widow Tweed.

Abu from Aladdin

Abu is a monkey who is friends with Aladdin in the 1992 movie. At the start of the film, Abu and Aladdin live on the streets, where Abu has perfected the art of stealing from street merchants. 

Acer from Cars 2

Acer is a 1975 AMC Pacer car that stars in the animated movie Cars 2. He works for Professor Z and helps him disrupt the World Grand Prix.

Prince Achmed from Aladdin

Prince Achmed was one of the nobles who visited the palace in the hope of marrying Princess Jasmine. He was told to buy some manners by Aladdin before being rejected by Jasmine and the Sultan. 

Adella, Alana, Andrina, Aquata, Arista, Attina from The Little Mermaid

Let’s group these six Disney characters starting with A together since they are the older sisters of the Little Mermaid princess Ariel. They are the first ones to work out that she is in love with Prince Eric, and later, they celebrate together when Ariel and Eric get married. 

Agnarr from Frozen

Agnar is the King of Arendelle and the father of Elsa and Anna. He was concerned about Elsa’s magic powers and took her to the Trolls after she accidentally hurt Anna. He then kept Elsa locked in the castle and tried to help her control her magic. 

Al from Toy Story 2

Al is a greedy toy collector who wants to sell a complete set of toys, including Woody along with Bullseye, Jessie, and Stinky Pete. He plans to send them to a museum in Japan.

Aladdin from Aladdin

Aladdin is a poor but kind-hearted street thief who falls in love with Princess Jasmine. He finds a magic lamp with a Genie that can grant him three wishes – but the Genie cannot make Jasmine fall in love with him. 

Alberto from Luca

Alberto is a sea monster that lives on an Italian island in the animated movie Luca. He meets Luca and helps him enter the Portorosso Cup so that they can buy a Vespa and travel the world together.

Alice from Alice in Wonderland

Alice is a young girl who follows a white rabbit and finds herself in Wonderland. She meets many strange and fantastic people as she tries to find her way home. She attends an un-birthday tea party and avoids being beheaded by the Queen of Hearts.

Alisha Hawthorne from Lightyear

Alisha is Buzz Lightyear’s commanding officer and best friend in the 2022 movie Lightyear. She captains a ship called the Turnip, which crashes on an unknown planet and is left stranded for years. 

Alistair Krei from Big Hero 6

Alistair Krei is the rich and ambitious CEO of Krei Tech in Big Hero 6. He tries to buy Hiro’s microbots at the science show, but Robert stops this from happening. 

Alan-a-Dale from Robin Hood

Alan-a-Dale is a rooster who is one of Robin Hood’s merry men in the animated version of Robin Hood. He is a singing minstrel who lives in Nottingham and acts as the narrator for the story. 

Alma Madrigal from Encanto

Alma is the matriarch of the Madrigal family in the animated movie Encanto. She created the source of magic that passes to her family. She encourages her children and grandchildren to use their gifts for the benefit of all.

Anastasia from Cinderella

Anastasia Tremaine is one of Cinderella’s ugly stepsisters. She destroys Cinderella’s homemade dress before the ball, and later, she tries and fails to fit the glass slipper.

Anchor from Finding Nemo

Anchor is a hammerhead shark who Marlin and Dory meet on their search for Nemo. He is a pacifist shark who refuses to eat fish and narrowly escapes when an underwater mine explodes. 

Andy from Toy Story

Andy is the boy who owns the toys in Toy Story. His favorites are Woody and Buzz but all the toys love him and want to make him happy. When Andy grows older, they have to adjust to life with him playing with them less often. 

Anger from Inside Out

Anger is Riley’s red angry emotion in the movie Inside Out. He has a hot temper,  is very controlling, and always thinks that he knows best.

Anna from Frozen

Anna is one of the most loved Disney characters beginning with A. She is a princess of Arendelle and Elsa’s younger sister in the animated movie Frozen.  She becomes estranged from her sister when they are young after Elsa accidentally hurts her with magic. 

Antonio Madrigal from Encanto

Antonia is the youngest of the magical Madrigal family in the animated movie Encanto. He is shown discovering his gift of talking to animals.  He is one of the few members of the family who is respectful of his cousin Mirabel, who has no magical gift.

Apollo from Hercules

Apollo is one of the Olympian gods who is sent to find Hercules when he gets kidnapped from Mount Olympus. Apollo fails in this quest and is later rescued from imprisonment by Hercules himself.

Archimedes from The Sword in the Stone

Archimedes is an owl who is kept by Merlin in the animated movie The Sword in the Stone. He can talk and often reminds Merlin of things that he has forgotten. He has a fear of the witch Madam Mim.

Archimedes Q. Porter from Tarzan

Archimedes is an English scientist who travels to Africa to study gorillas in the movie Tarzan. He travels with his daughter Jane, and he is supportive when she falls in love with Tarzan.

Arianna from Tangled

Arianna is the Queen of Corona and Rapunzel’s mother in the animated film Tangled. She took a healing draft while pregnant which gives Rapunzel special healing powers. This leads to her kidnapping and imprisonment in a tower.

Ariel from The Little Mermaid

Ariel is the youngest daughter of King Triton and the main character in The Little Mermaid. Ariel is obsessed with the human world, and makes a deal with the sea witch Ursula, trading her voice for legs. 

Arlo from The Good Dinosaur

Arlo is the youngest member of an Apatosaurus family who is afraid of everything. He falls into a river and must brave the wilderness to find his way back home.

Art from Monsters University

Art is one of the least well-known Disney Pixar characters that start with A. He is a furry purple monster who attends Monsters University where he takes part in the Scare Games with Mike and Sully.

Arthur from The Sword in the Stone

Arthur is an orphan who becomes the apprentice of the wizard Merlin in the animated movie The Sword in the Stone. He is able to pull the sword from the stone, which reveals that he is actually Arthur Pendragon, the true heir to the throne of England.

Asha from Wish

Asha is a 17-year-old girl who helps the citizens of the Kingdom of Rosas to have their wishes fulfilled despite the controlling power of King Magnifico. She’s the heroine of the movie a new major Disney character beginning with A.

Atta from A Bug’s Life

Atta is a Disney Pixar character beginning with A who is the princess of the ant colony in the film A Bug’s Life. She is nervous about taking over from her mother as queen but grows more confident thanks to her friendship with Flik.

Audrey Ramirez from Atlantis

Audrey Ramirez is the chief mechanic on an expedition to discover the lost continent of Atlantis. Eventually, she turns on the captain of the ship when she discovers that he plans to destroy the people of Atlantis for his own personal gain. 

Audrey from Home on the Range

Audrey is a Disney character that begins with the letter A in Home on the Range. She is a  nervous red hen who lives at Little Patch of Heaven farm. She is prone to panicking easily and often lays an egg when she does so. She assists the cows in their capture of Alameda Slim the cattle rustler. 

Augustin Madrigal from Encanto

Augustin is the father of Isabela, Luisa, and Mirabel in the animated musical, Encanto. He does not have any magic powers and is rather accident-prone. Fortunately for him, he is married to Julieta who has the gift of healing. 

Aurora from Sleeping Beauty

Princess Aurora is the unfortunate child who is cursed to die in the future on her christening day by the evil Maleficent. Luckily, the three good fairies are able to alter the curse so that she only falls into a deep sleep when she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel. She must wait for true love’s kiss to wake her. 

Auto from WALL-E

Auto is a Disney Pixar character that begins with A. He is a robot built by the Buy N Large Corporation who appears in the movie Wall-E. He is programmed to follow a 700-year-old rule not to let anyone return to Earth. 

More in this series:

Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

When booking your cruise accommodation, the number of options can be a little dizzying. It’s even worse if you’ve never cruised before, or you’re trying a new cruise line, because they all have different names for their stateroom categories.

This guide will focus on Suites, Mini Suites and Balcony Staterooms – what are they, how are they different, and ultimately which one is the best choice for you?

What Is the Difference Between a Balcony Room, a Mini Suite and a Suite on a Cruise?

Balcony Staterooms and Suites are similar, although Suites are often much larger. Suites will come with additional perks too, which may involve complimentary drinks, enhanced service or exclusive access to parts of the ship. Mini-Suites bridge the gap between Balcony Staterooms and Suites.

When I say that they’re similar, what I mean is that typically (but not always) a Balcony Stateroom and a Suite will have a sleeping area, a living area and a balcony facing out onto the ocean.

But there are of course exceptions – some balconies don’t face the ocean, some suites don’t have balconies, and so on.

Plus, suites may have multiple bedrooms or living areas, or they may just be more separate, perhaps with a curtain. In most balcony staterooms on ships, the bedroom and living area are within the same actual room.

So what about Mini Suites? These aren’t available on every cruise line and they can be known by various different names. Generally, they are very similar in layout (and sometimes size) to a Balcony Stateroom, but they may be slightly larger.

They may also have what you would consider as ‘entry level’ suite perks – not the full list by any means, but a few additional extras that make them better than a standard Balcony room.

Different Balcony & Suite Types

Here’s a quick breakdown of the various types of Balcony or Suite you might find on a ship. This is not an exhaustive list, because every cruise line is different, but this gives you an idea of the various types of rooms that might be available.

Standard Balcony

A Standard Balcony cabin or stateroom will be the average balcony room on a ship – you’ll get a decent-sized room and a balcony which usually has enough space for two chairs.

Smaller Balcony

Some Balcony Staterooms may be listed as having a smaller balcony – this will typically be due to the design of the ship. They may be cheaper, although not always – so it’s good to check deck plans when you book.

Virtual Balcony

Available on some Royal Caribbean ships, a Virtual Balcony isn’t a real balcony. Instead, it’s an Inside Stateroom with a large TV screen that gives the illusion of a balcony.

Internal Balcony

Some Balcony Staterooms don’t have a view of the ocean, but instead have a view over an internal part of the ship. Commonly found on larger Royal Caribbean ships, they may have views of the Central Park or Boardwalk.

French Balcony

Available on river cruise ships, this is a balcony that you can’t step out onto. French Balconies are common on river ships because the ships have to be narrow.

Obstructed View Balcony

Unfortunately, some Balcony Staterooms will have an obstructed view. This could be down to the lifeboats, or a metal railing instead of a clear one. Usually, these rooms are cheaper.

Enclosed Balcony

Some ships will have Balcony rooms that are more enclosed, with solid walls and a ceiling above you, likely paired with a solid metal railing too. You get less of a view, but more shelter from the weather. These are also known as Cove Balconies.

Deluxe Balcony

A Deluxe Balcony room will either have a larger room, a larger balcony, or both. They aren’t usually significantly bigger or they would be classified as a suite, and so they aren’t often of great value.

Mini Suite

Mini Suites are available on some cruise ships and are a middle step between Balcony staterooms and full suites. The perks are minimal, and sometimes the rooms aren’t much bigger than Balcony rooms.

Junior Suite

Junior Suites are the same as Mini Suites, it’s just that different cruise lines call them different things. They are typically a reasonable amount larger than a Balcony Cabin. Don’t expect a huge list of perks though.

Ocean View (Window) Suite

While rare, some cruise ships have Suites that do not feature a balcony, but instead have large windows. Typically found at the front of a ship, where a balcony may not be permitted due to the weather, they are still worth considering.

This also answers the question of what is a balcony suite – because some cruise lines will name their entry-level suites a Balcony Suite to show they have a balcony, if they also have some that don’t.

Grand Suite

Grand Suites (or equivalent) are typically the mid-level suite on a ship, and will include a reasonable amount of additional benefits to enhance your cruise.

Spa Suite

Some cruise ships have Spa Suites – themed suites that include priority access to the onboard spa and select furnishings or features that are spa-like within the room.

Family Suite

While many suites are capable of sleeping more than 4 guests, there are some ships which have dedicated Family Suites for larger travelling parties, potentially up to 14 guests. One of the best of these is the three-storey Ultimate Family Townhouse on Icon of the Seas.

Special View Suites

Some suites may have a special view. This could just be a prime location on the ship, such as the aft, or it could be something specific, like Royal Caribbean’s AquaTheater Suites which have a view over the ship’s AquaTheater – your own private theatre seats every night.

Suites With Direct Access To Features

There are some cruise lines that have suites giving you direct access to features onboard. It may be the spa, or it could be a family area, like Surfside Suites on the Icon of the Seas for Royal Caribbean.

Owner’s Suite

On most cruise ships, the Owner’s Suite is the best suite on the ship, although not always. Typically the largest, it may have a balcony that is bigger than most standard rooms, never mind the actual suite itself.

Split-Level Suites

Some cruise lines have started designing suites split across multiple levels, giving guests more space and more distinction between the bedroom areas and the living spaces. Also known as Loft Suites or Duplex Suites, these are great for families or guests who like to host parties.

Balcony Staterooms, Mini Suites and Suites By Cruise Line

Here’s an overview of the differences between Balcony Staterooms, Mini Suites and Suites for some of the world’s biggest cruise lines.

Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean fleet is huge, and there is a lot of variety among the ships in terms of available accommodation.

The cruise line doesn’t have Mini Suites, instead, they call them Junior Suites. They are significantly larger than Balcony Staterooms, but the list of Junior Suite perks is limited.

Most Royal Caribbean ships have Grand Suites. These are mid-range suites and the list of Grand Suite perks is considerably longer. They are usually available with either one or two bedrooms.

Here are the various options when deciding between a Royal Caribbean Suite vs Balcony rooms:

Read more: Royal Caribbean Suite Perks

Carnival

Carnival ships have a range of Balcony options and some specialist suites that are worth explaining.

As well as the standard Balcony cabins, you can also choose Extended Balcony cabins, where the actual balcony is extended. But be careful as sometimes that’s at the expense of space in the room.

Spa Balcony rooms are available, which are situated close to the onboard spa, and you can also book Cove Balcony cabins – these are more enclosed, with a walled-in balcony space and essentially a large open window area.

Carnival also has specialist room types – Cloud 9, Havana and Family Harbor. Cloud 9 rooms are spa-themed, Havana rooms are directly linked to the Havana poolside area (with Havana Balcony cabins and Suites including a private cabana).

Family Harbor staterooms and suites give access to the Family Harbor Lounge with various fun activities for all the family.

Here’s a look at your Carnival Suite vs Balcony options:

Read more: Carnival Cruise Suite Benefits

Holland America Line

Holland America is another cruise line that officially does not have Mini Suites, but does offer a suite option which feels like it should be considered as a mini suite.

That’s the Vista Suite. They’re not much bigger than the Verandah Staterooms on the ship, and they don’t offer many perks at all – just a choice of pillows, a stocked mini bar, and the use of some binoculars in your suite (but you can’t keep them!).

The main thing to look out for with Holland America is the Spa accommodation. This is available at Verandah Level and at Suite level (you can also get Interior and Ocean View Spa rooms).

Spa Verandah Staterooms and Spa Suites are the same size as regular suites, but they offer perks such as priority booking of spa treatments, and a range of extras in your room such as a countertop water feature, yoga mats, bath salts and more.

Read more: Holland America Line Suite Benefits

Norwegian Cruise Line

With NCL, there aren’t a huge number of Balcony cabins to choose from. You can either opt for a standard Balcony, or one aimed at families. A third option, Spa Balcony, was removed in late 2023 and reclassifed as a regular Balcony.

NCL does have Mini-Suites, although they have been rebranded as “Club Balcony” Suites. They’re larger than the Balcony rooms and include the same variants – standard, family or spa. They include a small list of perks, including complimentary treats and a half-bottle of sparkling wine when you embark.

Read more: NCL Club Balcony Suites Vs Balconies

With the full suites, some of the modern ships have all of the suites in The Haven – an exclusive upmarket area of the ship. On older NCL ships, you might have a split between suites in The Haven and suites elsewhere on the ship. The perks you get for any of these suites is quite an extensive list.

Read more: NCL Suite Perks

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has probably the simplest breakdown of staterooms and suites of any of these major cruise lines.

But to be clear – not all options are available on all ships.

With Balcony Staterooms, you have a choice between Standard, Deluxe and Premium Deluxe. And it all comes down to size.

Typically a Standard Balcony will sleep 2 to 4 but use Pullman beds, while a Deluxe stateroom adds a sofa bed for additional comfort. Premium Deluxe Balcony Staterooms have a larger balcony, with both a sofa bed and Pullman bed.

There are two categories of Mini Suite too, with the basic Mini Suites being as much as 46% larger than a Standard Balcony Stateroom. You get a few perks too, but only in the room – upgraded mattress topper, two TVs instead of one, and a bathtub with massage shower.

Club Class Mini Suites are where you start to get traditional Suite perks – priority embarkation, welcome drinks, access to exclusive dining options and so on.

And then Suites are the largest accommodation options on Princess Cruises, with a longer perk list too. The best are Sky Suites, though these are only available on the very latest ships. They have vast balconies overlooking the pool deck and are stunning.

Read more: Princess Cruises Suite Perks

Final Word

Generally, a Balcony Stateroom is a good choice of accommodation for most people who want to enjoy a view with fresh air. Suites are aimed at those with a larger budget, who want to be made to feel special on their cruise by either boarding early, or having free drinks waiting for them.

When it comes to Mini Suites, it depends on the cruise line. Some are barely worth the upgrade cost over a Balcony, while with cruise lines like Princess the difference can be substantial. That’s why it’s always worth checking deck plans and reading reviews before deciding which option is best for you.

To help you avoid these worst cabins , I’ve created a cabin checklist that you can get for free.

Just enter your email address below and you’ll receive it in your inbox straight away.

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me

There are some amazing crew stories on the internet about their time working on cruise ships, including lots of very funny tales about their time on board.

But there are clearly some nightmare scenarios as well, including some where the passengers have absolutely no idea anything is even going wrong!

I’ve picked out 11 of the best nightmare stories from cruise ship workers – how would you have reacted during these incidents?

A Silent Tragedy

A passenger tragically passed away in a hot tub during the first night out of port. A crew member recounted that for hours, the man’s demise went unnoticed as he remained propped up, with his sunglasses concealing the situation. During this time, other passengers joined the hot tub, mistaking his lack of interaction for antisocial behaviour.

The grim reality was only discovered by the crew when they came to close the pool area for the night. The body was discreetly moved to the ship’s morgue.

Remarkably, aside from the deceased’s family, none of the other passengers was made aware of the incident, preserving the tranquillity of the voyage for the rest.

From Redditor Wolfgang7990

Bullet Scare

During a routine voyage, an unexpected and alarming incident occurred when a bullet was fired from the shore at the ship’s navigation bridge. The bullet ricocheted off the bridge and struck a crew worker’s hand, causing no serious injury but leaving her understandably shaken. She subsequently took a few weeks off to recover from the traumatic experience.

While the ship awaited the arrival of local police to investigate and record statements, the guests were informed of a delay in departure under the pretence of taking on fresh water. Remarkably, this harrowing event remained a well-kept secret, never reaching the ears of the guests or the public.

From Redditor ElGofre

The Unplanned Swim Home

On a cruise near Australia, a crew member hailing from a nearby Pacific island made a dramatic exit. As the ship sailed away from his homeland, he chose that moment to resign, leaping overboard in an attempt to swim home.

However, the ship was already about a mile away from the island, turning his bold endeavour into a risky situation. The crew member was eventually rescued.

Blaming a Rogue Wave

A bizarre rescue unfolded off the coast of Cozumel, Mexico, when a passenger from one cruise line was found floating in the open ocean by a ship from another line. Astonishingly, the man was discovered alive and unharmed.

Upon reviewing security footage, it was revealed that the man, intoxicated and dancing alone on Deck 5 in the middle of the night, performed a running jump off a lifeboat into the sea, leaving his phone behind.

His drunken state seemingly protected him from injury upon hitting the water. He was subsequently rescued by the passing cruise ship.

Adding to the oddity, his family, travelling on the same ship but in a different room, was unaware of his absence. The man later claimed to the news that he was pushed off the ship by a rogue wave, a statement met with scepticism given that such a wave would need to be over 40 feet tall to reach Deck 5. Possible, but the security footage undermined his story.

From Redditor too-tsunami

Fake Terror Threats At Sea

Aboard the Legend of the Seas, a bizarre incident occurred one morning. The staff, accustomed to typical onboard dramas like brawls or passenger liaisons, were summoned unexpectedly by their manager while they were enjoying some ‘relaxing’ time after their shift.

They learned of a terrorist threat specifically targeting Americans on the ship, originating from a note found in the toilets. The situation escalated with the FBI and their dogs boarding, receiving an unusual welcome with applause from the crew and passengers.

The plot took a surreal turn when the perpetrator was revealed to be a 23-year-old pregnant woman, desperate to reunite with her boyfriend, who had recently been released from jail. Her identity was uncovered through a matching note found in her room.

In a strange twist, her family chose to remain onboard for the remainder of the cruise. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, interviewed on CNN, disassociated from her.

Amidst this chaos, the crew was instructed to open the shops to distract passengers. This led to complaints from guests eager to disembark in Hawaii to visit a volcano, adding to the surreal atmosphere of the ordeal.

From Redditor Lazeniabeach

Stormy Debut

In his first weekend on his maiden voyage, a crew member faced the wrath of Storm Katie off the British coast in 2016, enduring winds over 90mph/145kmph.

Working in the onboard stores, he witnessed significant stock loss, including shattered Swarovski crystal sculptures, as the ship rolled violently. Navigation was challenging due to the ship’s constant list, and routine activities were upended.

Adding to the turmoil, a recent norovirus outbreak had escalated to a “red level” hygiene alert, necessitating strict sanitisation protocols and disrupting normal operations. Despite the chaos and discomfort, there were no serious injuries or damage to the ship.

After enduring this ordeal for several days, the weather cleared, and the alert was lifted. The crew celebrated their resilience with an exceptionally memorable party.

From Redditor ElGofre

From Redditor Puzzleheaded_Job835

Inebriated Leap

During a crew member’s tenure on a cruise ship, a memorable incident unfolded when a guest, cut off from the bar for excessive drinking, caused a scene. 

Escorted by security to his cabin, he redirected his anger towards his wife, who promptly locked him out on the balcony. In a rash decision, the man jumped off the balcony but fortuitously landed on a lifeboat decks below. 

Miraculously unharmed, likely due to his intoxicated state, he was disembarked at the next port. His wife chose to continue her cruise solo, a decision that seemed quite reasonable under the circumstances.

From Redditor bestbet33

Shortcut Gone Wrong

Once, a drunk passenger thought that using the gangway between the ship and the dock was going to be too slow a process, so he thought it would be easier just to jump from the ship.

He didn’t make it, falling between the ship and the dock. Thankfully, he escaped without injury.

From Redditor Puzzleheaded_Job835

The Great Toilet Paper Shuffle

On the second day of a 14-day voyage to Antarctica, disaster struck in the form of a burst water pipe in a storeroom, drenching the entire supply of spare toilet paper.

Faced with a potential crisis, the cabin stewards embarked on a stealthy mission. They meticulously rotated toilet paper rolls between cabins with lower and higher usage, carefully managing the limited resource.

Remarkably, this operation was so discreet that none of the guests noticed the shortage. As a result of this close call, toilet paper storage was reorganised, with supplies now strategically hidden in each cabin, rather than in a central location.

From Redditor myjobisawesome

Secret Fires

Over a span of 2.5 years on a cruise ship, the crew confronted three major fires, all breaking out in areas designated for the crew. Each time, these emergencies were swiftly and effectively handled by the ship’s highly trained fire team. The passengers remained oblivious to the true nature of these incidents, only noticing the absence of their waiters during dinner service.

This scenario underscores the extensive training that cruise ship crew members undergo to manage such critical situations. Unbeknownst to the passengers, their waiter wasn’t just serving meals but was also part of the team that played a crucial role in safeguarding the entire ship.

From Redditor wanderinggal

DJ Gone Rogue

An incident aboard a Carnival cruise ship, narrated by cruise director Big Sexy Josh, now a Carnival travel agent, involved a DJ who, under the influence of alcohol, made a reckless decision.

At around 3 am, the DJ accessed the ship’s intercom system and announced an abandon ship order. This ill-advised action resulted in utter chaos and panic among the passengers and crew.

The aftermath of this pandemonium led to a significant change in the ship’s protocol, with stricter limitations being placed on who could access the intercom system.

From Redditor tortuga_tortuga

Final Word

It’s a good thing that most cruises go smoothly, right? Because these stories sound horrendous – I’m glad they are rare.

I’ve stuck to cruise ship stories from workers, but there were loads from cruise guests as well. Have you ever experienced a nightmare cruise, or had something shocking happen during your sailing? Leave your tale in the comments!

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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.

Read more about me