Disney Cruise Line Earns Forbes and Food & Wine Recognition for Service and Dining

Disney Cruise Line has received dual recognition from two major publications: Forbes named it a Customer Experience All-Star, while Food & Wine readers ranked it among the best culinary experiences at sea. A five-star review written by a 10-year-old guest of Animator's Palate aboard the Disney Fantasy offers a candid look at what earns the cruise line its sterling reputation.

Disney Cruise Line has landed back-to-back industry accolades in 2023, earning a Customer Experience All-Star designation from Forbes and a top culinary ranking from Food & Wine readers. The recognitions coincide with the fleet's Silver Anniversary at Sea celebration and are reinforced by direct guest feedback — including an unsolicited five-star restaurant review penned by a 10-year-old passenger.

Two Industry Awards in One Season

Disney Cruise Line was named a Forbes Customer Experience All-Star and recognized by Food & Wine readers for outstanding culinary offerings at sea. Both designations reflect what the cruise line describes as its core commitment: immersive storytelling paired with exceptional service across every touchpoint of the guest experience.

A 10-Year-Old's Five-Star Review of Animator's Palate

During a spring break Caribbean sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy, a Missouri family's 10-year-old daughter, Grace, was assigned a restaurant review for school. Her subject: Animator's Palate. The resulting write-up earned the restaurant a perfect five stars. Grace described the themed decor — paint brush butter knives, film-reel bread plates, Mickey-inspired chairs, and Disney animation artwork covering the walls — as something that "screams Disney" and felt so "welcoming and beautiful" that she "actually needed a moment to take it all in."

Beyond the atmosphere, Grace praised the attentiveness of the waitstaff: "The staff were so kind and so friendly and couldn't do enough to make sure we had the perfect experience." She added that servers seemed to anticipate her family's preferences and consistently recommended the best options. Her personal standout dish: the Chocolate Decadence, which she said she would "order again in a heartbeat."

A Fleet-Wide Dining Lineup

While Animator's Palate captured Grace's attention, the broader dining landscape across the fleet offers a wide spectrum of experiences. Families can dine with Marvel superheroes, attend a wedding celebration in Arendelle, enjoy beignets at Tiana's Place, or celebrate Pirate Night at sea. For adult guests, the intimate Italian dining room Palo and the French-inspired gourmet restaurant Remy provide elevated, specialty dining options — as do various beverage tasting experiences available across the fleet.

Why This Matters for Prospective Guests

Third-party recognition from Forbes and Food & Wine, combined with unsolicited guest feedback like Grace's class assignment, makes a compelling case that Disney Cruise Line's onboard dining is a genuine differentiator — not just a marketing talking point. For travelers weighing cruise options, particularly during the ongoing Silver Anniversary at Sea celebration, these recognitions add credibility to what is frequently described as one of the strongest dining programs afloat. Explore upcoming sailings at DisneyCruise.com.