The Disney Destiny's Haunted Mansion Parlor Serves Some Truly Killer Drinks

"I watched all three movies and really got into the facts [about the ride]. I really love it," Dela Cruz says, leaning in. The Parlor itself has its own lore: "We have portraits here with the captain and bride, so this place, it's telling their story, and if you look closely, you can find hidden clues to figure out what happened to them."

As if on cue, thunder crashes and the lights flicker, and before long, the hitchhiking ghosts appear on the bar mirror, ready to entertain. The effect walks that classic Disney line of being spooky-yet-not-scary; a place you can take your kids (who are welcome to enter before 9 p.m.) to enjoy one of their custom spirit-free sodas, such as Creepy Crawly Cola or Grim Grinning Grape, as they take in the frights.

It's also the one time Dela Cruz will break character—to ensure the kids feel comfortable and aren't afraid. If they start looking spooked, "I offer to let them feed the [ghost] fish" in the parlor's aquarium, which often makes them smile.

It's that commitment to the story, from the cast members to the Victorian-inspired decor, that makes the Haunted Mansion Parlor one of the most transporting spaces aboard the Disney Destiny. Even the menu, displayed on iPads, features a hidden game to unlock a drink you otherwise wouldn't find listed: The Spirits Have Been Released, which features two cocktails served together—one, an orange-lemonade-whiskey concoction, the other, a bubbly blend of gin, blackberry and blueberry flavors.

It's not all gimmicks though; these drinks are legit. An old-fashioned had just the right balance of bite and orange-tinged spice as a top Manhattan bar, despite being served with gummy eyeballs during my visit. And the nonalcoholic drinks were equally well-balanced (in fact, the beverage director aboard the ship explained those recipes required even more attention, as it's easy for those to skew too sweet or too fizzy).

If you're into cocktails, I recommend trying The Last Catch, featuring Old Forester Statesman bourbon, Monin Rose, lime, pineapple and mango flavors. And if you're feeling something zero-proof, Sympathetic Libations is worth ordering—it's like a non-alcoholic margarita with a fruitier twist, courtesy of blood orange and cherry sour, topped with a lime salt foam.

And if you're looking for an unconventional spot to exchange (or renew) your vows, well, this is it. Beyond having a built-in honeymoon—you are on a cruise destined for the Bahamas, after all—the Parlor can host weddings with up to 25 guests. Not counting the undead, of course.