“And now, we invite you to relax, and pull up a chair, as the dining room proudly presents… your dinner,” says the host, mimicking the song ‘Be Our Guest’ from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. The lights dim, music swells, and servers glide across the room in perfect sync. Just like that, the 12-course feast begins. At Oryn, Fairmont Mumbai, guests got a landlocked preview of the dining that awaits aboard the first-ever Disney Cruise Line ship to homeport in Asia.
The Disney Adventure Cruise will dock and sail from Singapore on three, four-day cruises from December this year. Bookings have been open and selling like hot Disney waffles, and now new sailing dates for late 2026 have also been released. Spread across decks are seven themed zones, from the sunlit Imagination Garden to Toy Story Place, San Fransokyo Street, Marvel Landing, and more, each designed to pull guests into the worlds of Disney, Pixar, and Marvel.
Concierge Kitchen’s Pacific scallops
| Photo Credit:
© Disney
While the ship promises a world within worlds, the dinner hinted at how those worlds might taste. Each of the 12 courses echoes a different corner of the Disney Adventure’s dining landscape, beginning with an amuse bouche of potato gnocchi in porcini mushroom and parmesan sauce from Palo Café, paired with a zero-proof Amaretto. Courses from restaurants like Enchanted Summer, Animator’s Table and Mowgli’s Eatery followed, with dishes such as dum aloo blackberry, jackfruit masala kosha tacos, tandoori habanero paneer tikka, and lemon Thai basil tart — each paired with drinks ranging from zero-proof cocktails to champagne and wines from around the world.
Since the menu was curated as a perfect blend to cater to international and Southeast Asian preferences, Mickey Mouse waffles will sit comfortably on the same menu as laksa lemak, Hainanese chicken rice, and tandoori platters. Each course was also curated to suit the dietary requirements of the guests. “On Disney Adventure, we cater to all dietary needs — whether that’s vegetarian, Jain, Halal, gluten-free or allergen-specific,” said Sarah Fox, Vice President and Regional GM for Disney Cruise Line in Southeast Asia. Guests with particular restrictions can even inform the team five weeks before sailing, ensuring the menus are tailored in advance.
Olio & Pepe from Palo’s Cafe
| Photo Credit:
© Disney
But food was only one pillar of the evening, and of the Disney Adventure itself. The spirited discussion that followed dessert sketched out a ship built as much for families and adults, as for food lovers. On the cruise, dedicated youth clubs will split activities by age, giving children and teens their own spaces, while parents can slip away to Broadway-scale shows at the Walt Disney Theatre or outdoor productions. For multi-generational travellers, there are quieter corners too: tea at the Beauty and the Beast-inspired TWG lounge, or coffee in the Aladdin-themed Bacha Coffee Room.
Then comes the service — Disney’s calling card. “It’s not just the dining that changes every night, it’s the service that follows you,” said Ozer Balli, senior vice president of Hotel Operations for Disney Cruise Line. “Your crew move with you from restaurant to restaurant, learning your preferences. Whether it’s what wine you like or making a Mickey head out of ketchup for your child. It’s those little touches that make the experience special.”
Enchanted Summer Restaurant’s jackfruit tacos
| Photo Credit:
© Disney
Beyond food and dining, entertainment, the team promised, will rarely stay on stage. A Marvel spectacular called Avengers Assemble will unfold under the open sky, while an all-new Duffy and Friends story will premiere exclusively on board.
The 12 courses ended, but the sense of spectacle lingered. If this dinner was a preview, the Disney Adventure itself will be the full production. At one point in the evening, Donald Duck waddles in with a sailor’s hat, and even the most composed guests lined up for photos. It was a reminder that while the experience is designed for all ages, Disney’s magic lies in how easily it draws out the inner child in everyone.
The writer was at Fairmont Mumbai at the invitation of Disney Cruise Line.
Published – August 22, 2025 04:32 pm IST