Let’s face it—if you’re a kid and you hear the words “Disney cruise,” you’re already packing your bag.
So when Emma and Matt Willis told their three children they were going on one… without them? Let’s just say the reaction wasn’t exactly cheerful.
“Wait, You’re Going Without Us?!”
Emma and Matt’s kids—15-year-old Isabelle, 12-year-old Ace, and 8-year-old Trixie—are self-confessed Disney fanatics.
So when the couple announced they’d be heading on a Disney cruise earlier this year, their children were not impressed.
“They were so mad,” Emma laughed, speaking in a new interview.
“They definitely weren’t happy about it—especially when we told them it was around the Caribbean.
They were like, ‘How can you go without us?’”
But Emma explained there was a good reason. “Matt and I had never done a cruise before, and this one came up during term time, so we couldn’t take the kids out of school,” she said.
“We’ve talked about doing something like this for ages.”
Making Time for Just the Two of Them
Even though Emma absolutely loves traveling with her children, she believes it’s important to remember where the family started: with just her and Matt.
“I’m not one of those parents who can’t wait for the holidays to end—I love having them off.
But it’s also important to reconnect as a couple, and this cruise gave us that chance.”
A Disney Cruise Without Kids? Surprisingly Magical
At first, Emma and Matt weren’t sure what to expect. Would a Disney cruise without kids just feel… odd?
“We were a bit sceptical,” she admitted. “We’ve only ever been to Disneyland Paris or Disney World with the kids.
We were worried it might feel weird without them.”
But as it turns out, plenty of adults feel right at home on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.
“It’s like the parks,” Emma explained. “There are loads of grown-ups who just love Disney and don’t feel like they need to have kids with them to enjoy it.”
Disney, But Make It Adults-Only
What surprised Emma most was just how many activities were geared towards adults.
From peaceful spa days to fine dining and quiz nights, they got to enjoy it all—without having to stick to a kid-friendly schedule.
“There’s this amazing Italian restaurant in the adults-only area, different bars, quiz nights, a cinema, and even a theatre with musicals—we watched Frozen, and it was brilliant,” Emma said. “And the spa? Incredible.”
Letting Their Inner Kids Out
Still, Disney wouldn’t be Disney without a little magic.
And even without their children, Emma and Matt couldn’t resist diving into the full experience.
“The moment you walk on the ship, they announce your name over a speaker—like you’re royalty or something,” she laughed. “It’s a little cringe, but you have to just go with it.”
Characters like Donald Duck would randomly pop up on deck, Mickey Mouse waffles were served every morning, and even the coffee came with adorable Disney-themed latte art.
“You’re watching Moana while lying in the sun on a deck chair—it’s surreal but amazing.”
Pirate Night Brings Out Matt’s Mischievous Side
One of the highlights? Pirate Night.
Emma shared how Matt really got into the spirit, dressing up in full pirate gear.
“He looked better than Captain Hook!” she laughed.
“When the kids aren’t with us, he kind of turns into the mischievous one.
It’s great to see him having fun—it makes me have fun too.”
The Kids Are Already Planning Their Revenge
Despite the magical experience, Emma knows she and Matt probably won’t be cruising alone again anytime soon.
“I don’t really have a choice,” she joked. “The kids are still mad! They’ve made it very clear the next Disney cruise has to include them.”
Good News—The Next Cruise Is Closer to Home
Luckily for the Willis family, they won’t have to fly far next time.
The Disney Cruise Line is setting sail from Southampton this summer, offering routes around Europe.
So a family-friendly adventure could be right around the corner.
Want to Join the Magic?
If you’re tempted to plan your own grown-up escape—or a full-on family Disney getaway—cruises are available for summer 2025 and 2026.
You can check out more details at www.disneycruise.com.