Port Adventures are preplanned excursions that provide what Disney considers to be the best recreation, leisure and sightseeing activities each destination has to offer. Each shore excursion is specially selected and thoroughly planned by the Disney Cruise Line. With so many different ports of call, the port adventures vary widely. Almost all Port Adventures require quite a bit of walking, so wear comfortable shoes. Those who choose to go on a Port Adventure must add the package to their Disney Cruise at the time of purchase.
Some consider the best part of a cruise to be the moment the ship reaches the shore. The beach offers most of what anyone can hope for after being confined to a ship. Passengers soak in the sun, play in the sand with their families and swim in the ocean to cool off. The island of Cozumel, Mexico, one port of call on the Disney Cruise, offers world-renowned diving locations. Divers form around the world often choose this cruise simply for the prime scuba diving experience. Snorkeling and swimming with dolphins are two other activities that many passengers partake in at other ports, including the Grand Cayman Island, Key West and any of the Virgin Island locations.
Each port of call offers its own shopping experience, and many passengers spend their time ashore perusing the stores and shopping. The shops at each destination provide gifts and trinkets to bring back to friends and family members at home. The Disney Cruise Line even employs what it calls "Ports of Call Shopping Experts." These shopping experts help direct passengers to some of the best boutiques, marketplaces and shopping districts at each port. The shopping experts hold seminars aboard the ship, but the recorded event can also be watched on the stateroom TVs provided in each cabin. Some of the proposed shopping tips pertain to haggling for jewelry prices in the Grand Cayman, purchasing silver at Cozumel and taking advantage of the duty-free shopping at Nassau. Look for signs outside the shops that say "Disney Approved." These purchases come guaranteed by the cruise line and have been proven to be among the safest shopping spots.
Each of the ports of call host a variety of tours that can be taken by passengers of the Disney Cruise. Island tours are plentiful and offered at nearly every port. Cozumel even offers a tour of the Mayan ruins, a treat for history or anthropology buffs. Key West, another historically rich port of call, offers tours of Mallory Square, Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory. St. Thomas and St. John, located in the Virgin Islands, also offer tours to passengers of the Disney Cruise. These include the Virgin Island Eco Tours, Drake's Seat, Tillett Gardens and more.
