“It’s like watching my childhood come to life,” my wife excitedly exclaimed as we watched the “Beauty and the Beast” stage show onboard the brand-new Disney Treasure.
I, too, couldn’t help but feel emotional at the production that moved my wife to tears. Disney has always been adept at pulling at the heartstrings, of course, but there’s something about Treasure that does so on another level.
The newest ship from Disney Cruise Line, Treasure is the sixth vessel from the line and part of the brand expansion to a fleet of 13 through 2031. It features a bolder color palette and narrative approach than on sister ship Disney Wish.
Theme Park Attractions Recreated
A new feature onboard Treasure that Disney fans will love is The Haunted Mansion Parlor (also set to be reprised on the upcoming Disney Destiny). This stunning recreation of the theme park attraction as a bar and lounge beautifully showcases the talents of Walt Disney Imagineering.
The Haunted Mansion Parlor features nods to the theme park ride of the same name.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertIt’s the first time a Disney ride has been reimagined on one of the line's cruise ships. Overt references — such as phantom ballroom dancers behind the bar — and hidden easter eggs — including a toilet-shaped tombstone in an aquarium of ghost fish — abound. The drinks are just as imaginative; some come with souvenir “death certificates” to take home.
It’s just one example of how Treasure, more than any ship before, lovingly leans into nostalgia on behalf of us proud Disney adults and children alike. Also onboard are the immersive Jungle Cruise-themed Skipper Society and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea-inspired Periscope Pub.
The former is more accessible to families as a bandstand-plus bar that serves pun-heavy beverages and waffles (and even a clever reference to the Ems River the ship had to first navigate from the German shipyard). The latter is a Nautilus submarine atmosphere befitting Captain Nemo, with animated sea creatures above the ceiling and actual shell fossils embedded in the countertop.
Each of the theme park venues makes for a unique way to enjoy a shoreside attraction much longer than the duration of the ride — and I made sure to take in each one multiple times during our preview sailing.
Even More Bars and Dining
Elsewhere onboard Treasure, there is no shortage of additional watering holes, restaurants and other eateries. Scat Cat Lounge, based on animated film “The Aristocats,” is another fresh, playful-yet-refined venue off the atrium, this time with a handy passthrough bar to easily service the Grand Hall, as well. Also new is Jumbeaux's Sweets as the ship’s colorful “Zootopia”-themed treat and ice cream shop, where I sampled a tasty orange-and-chocolate gelato.
Plaza de Coco is a brand-new Mexican restaurant that celebrates Dia de los Muertos.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertNaturally, Disney’s signature rotational dining is featured with 1923 and Worlds of Marvel; for the latter, Treasure’s seven-day voyages include a Groot- and Rocket-hosted trivia dinner. There’s also the all-new Plaza de Coco, a Mexican restaurant where the characters of “Coco" celebrate Dia de Los Muertos with upbeat live mariachi music and a story of familial remembrance. I suggest ordering the Red Chicken Enchiladas appetizer, Michoacan Carnitas entree and Miguel’s Churros Calientes for dessert to sop up any tears.
When it’s time for a caffeinated pick-me-up, the elegant Jade Cricket Cafe — themed to “Mulan” — and HeiHei Cafe, inspired by “Moana,” serve as two of the ship’s coffee bars, as does Cove Cafe. Along with the Quiet Cove Pool, singular hot tub and sun deck, the cafe fills in the ship’s adult-only section at the stern, remaining the only significant shortcoming since Wish with its difficult one-way, dead-end layout. (Here’s hoping this will be resolved come Destiny’s debut.)
Also just for adults are the specialty Palo Steakhouse and Enchante by chef Arnaud Lallement. Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy the expansive Marceline Market buffet and Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods quick-serve stations of barbecue, pizza and more.
Singular Rides and Shows
Like Wish, Treasure features the family AquaMouse water coaster and its expanded Mickey and Minnie Mouse animated experiences, mixing in the new Curse of the Golden Egg storyline with thrilling slide elements. I couldn’t help myself and hopped on the joyful attraction four times in a row, my smile only broadening with each pass.
“Disney The Tale of Moana” is one of the onboard theatrical performances.
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertAlso repeated from Wish without any major changes are the Slide-a-saurus Rex body water slide, Toy Story Splash Zone, 10 individual pools, Senses Spa and the all-ages Hero Zone indoor sports court, along with Disney’s Oceaneer Club for kids, Edge for tweens and Vibe for teens.
The double-decker multipurpose Sarabi show venue displays a new African motif a la “The Lion King” for family games by day and adult-only shows by night. I can’t say enough good things about the evening performance of “Choose Wisely! An Indiana Jones Comedy Adventure.” It’s a hilarious two-person retelling of the five Indiana Jones films, and the interactive improv-style show had both me and my wife rolling on the floor with laughter.
"Disney The Tale of Moana,” set in the Walt Disney Theatre, is truly heartfelt — as I’ve said before, no other cruise line so expertly employs every theatrical technique to tell a story on stage, and this is no exception. The large cast of singers and dancers are second to none, and the puppetry work scales from a small, young Moana to an oversized fiery Te Ka-turned-lush-Te Fiti with fluid motion.
Dreamy Accommodations
When it was time for us to sleep off our adventures, our Aladdin-themed Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah beckoned. A beautiful painting above the bed’s headboard depicted Genie in the moon smiling down upon us — and complemented the Aladdin theme of the ship’s central Grand Hall atrium.
A Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah
Credit: 2024 Jason LeppertWithout a doubt, the best accommodation onboard Treasure is the Epcot-inspired two-story Concierge Tomorrow Tower Suite. Nestled in the ship’s forward funnel, it features two main bedrooms, a library/bedroom and a children’s room; 4.5 bathrooms; a two-story living area with a grand spiral staircase; and an open dining salon.
Altogether, Treasure is, well, a treasure of a cruise ship. Next up for the line is Destiny, debuting in November 2025, and Singapore-based Disney Adventure in December 2025.
