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Disney Cruise Review 2024

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Table of Contents

Booking a Disney cruise

Online check-in, embarkation , aboard the ship, disembarkation, disney cruise review recapped.

I’ve always been a big Disney fan. Whether I’m visiting nearby Disneyland or flying to its big brother Disney World, there’s little about Disney I don’t like. This includes its cruises, which I have been eyeing enviously for years. 

Happily, I was recently able to take a Disney cruise, and the experience lived up to my expectations. Let’s talk about it in this review.

Like most everything Disney, its cruises are expensive. While you might find a cruise for a couple of hundred dollars on a different line, expect to pay more for Disney. Room rates start at $1,400 for two guests on the four-night cruise from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that my family and I booked. 

Rather than settling for an interior category room, we booked a deluxe oceanview stateroom with a verandah. Prices can vary but expect to pay a minimum of $2,500 for this room type. 

While booking a Disney cruise is costly, there are ways to help bring down the price. If you subscribe to Disney+ , for example, you may be able to take advantage of an offer allowing the third and fourth guests in your stateroom to sail for free. 

Those who live in Southern California, Florida or Canada may also qualify for discounted rates on select routes and dates, as do those in the military. 

If you’re looking to lower your out-of-pocket cost, you may want to consider paying with a credit card and using statement credits. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has this ability, as does the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card .

» Learn more: How to get the best deal on your next cruise

Once we booked the cruise, we received an email confirmation. Along with details about our itinerary, the confirmation also included information regarding online check-in and documentation. 

We needed to provide a variety of information before departure, including our passport information, COVID vaccination status and other personal details. Once completed, Disney assigned my family a port arrival time, which let us know when to show up for embarkation. 

We were also mailed luggage tags to attach to our suitcases. This meant we were able to drop off our bags upon arrival and receive them in our room a few hours later. 

» Learn more: The best Disney resort for adults

On the day of departure, we were due to board at 1:45 p.m. Once we arrived at the cruise terminal, however, we were required to join several very long queues before actually getting on the ship. This included a security screening as well as an additional check-in process. 

The cruise ship terminal is decidedly unmagical. It’s a large concrete building filled with ropes and one sad vending machine. The entire process took an hour from arrival until the time we got into our rooms. 

I wish I could say this was unexpected, but Disney is as known for lines as it is for quality. All in all, I didn’t love the embarkation process, but I understand the necessity. 

For what it's worth, those who book Disney cruise concierge rooms enjoy an entirely separate and expedited check-in experience.

» Learn more: The best Disney credit card might surprise you

(Photo courtesy of Carissa Rawson)

We were aboard the Disney Wonder, which is one of five ships that Disney operates. As I mentioned, we had booked a room with a verandah. It felt pretty large for a cruise room, especially since it fit both a king bed and a fold-out couch.

The total square footage of the room came in at 268 square feet, which means a total of three to four guests can fit. However, my family had booked two separate (and connecting) rooms, which meant just my brother and I were sharing a room. 

The room included all the standard amenities you’d expect, including a hair dryer, expansive closet and fridge.

It’s clear that Disney expects many different types of guests. I was grateful for the curtain divider that separated the “living room” from the “bedroom,” since my brother and I each had a private space. 

My favorite part was our private verandah, where we spent a lot of time hanging out, reading and enjoying the wine we’d brought with us. 

I also especially appreciated the bathroom design. Rather than cramming everything into a single space, Disney has chosen to create two distinct bathing areas. One features the shower and a sink.

The other has an additional sink as well as a toilet.

Such a design allows two groups of people to get ready simultaneously, which is super convenient. The shower also includes a tub, which is unusual for cruises. I imagine the intention is to make it easier for children and families. 

Note that each night housekeeping came in for turndown. This included creating fun towel animals, converting the couch into a bed and providing chocolates.

Food and beverage

I’ve been on cruises before where the food was unlimited but nearly inedible. This wasn't the case on my Disney cruise. Simply put, there is food everywhere, all the time, and nearly all of it is incredible. Most food on the ship is included with your fare, though there is one specialty dinner restaurant that costs money. 

Most non-alcoholic drinks are also included, such as coffee and soda. Specialty coffees and smoothies cost extra, as do any alcoholic beverages. 

Guests are allowed to bring up to two bottles of wine or six cans of beer with them when they board and at each port of call.

In the mornings, there are two dining options: a buffet or a sit-down restaurant. We tried out both, and the result was a resounding mixed bag. I greatly preferred the sit-down option, which had fewer options but a much slower pace. 

As for food, I particularly enjoyed the eggs benedict, though you’re able to order as many meals as you’d like. 

My dad, meanwhile, loved the plethora of choices provided by the buffet, although it was much more crowded than the sit-down restaurant. 

At lunchtime, it was also possible to enjoy a plated meal, but we generally found ourselves too full to go in for a big portion. Instead, we enjoyed quick bites from the pool deck, which included paninis, ice cream, chicken tenders, fries, hot dogs, salads and more.

Dinner was the crown jewel of the evening. Each night, we showered, got dressed, then went to eat at a rotating variety of restaurants. Disney breaks up diners into two groups: First seating is at 5:45 and the second seating is at 8:15. We had the second seating, which was a little late for my taste. 

Again, you can order as much as you like during your meals, which quickly becomes a slippery slope. The first night I ordered just a single entree, but by the end, a veritable pile of plates surrounded me during dinner. 

I still have no regrets. 

A final note: Although water is free onboard, it can be difficult to come by, especially if you didn’t bring your own refillable bottle. While room service will charge you for a bottle of water, it’ll bring you as many glasses as you like for free. 

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Entertainment 

There are almost too many things to do aboard this cruise ship, and we struggled a little trying to fit everything in. 

Each night, Disney put on a different show in its main theater. This is perhaps one of the things I was most looking forward to — although nearly all cruises provide live entertainment of some sort, Disney’s is said to be the best. They didn’t disappoint. While these weren’t, maybe, Broadway-quality, they were high-end, well-designed and really fun to watch. 

Paid activities

Most everything you do during your cruise takes place courtesy of the Disney Cruise app. This includes viewing the daily schedule and booking any paid activities. While these are completely optional, they are a lot of fun.

During our trip, we tried both the whiskey tasting and the beer tasting, both of which were worth the additional cost. If this is something you’re planning to do, be prepared to pay from $40 to $70 per person for your activities. 

Games and other activities

Like I said above, there is an absolute abundance of things to do onboard. If you’re not interested in the pool, gym, spa, deck, sports or shows, it’s still possible to find tons of things to do. 

(Photo by Carissa Rawson)

One favorite activity was bingo, which featured a rolling jackpot and took place three out of the four days of our cruise. 

There are also things like Disney movies playing in various theaters, towel folding classes, karaoke, trivia contests, drawing classes and more. 

Activities for teens

If you’re traveling as a family, you’ll be glad to note that there are plenty of things for teens to do as well. While I didn’t spend any time in these venues, I did peek into Vibe, the teen-exclusive hangout area at the top of the ship. Teenagers also have access to the Chill Spa, which is designed specifically for their age group. 

Tweens aren’t left out, either. The Edge club fills the niche between teens and children and features video games as well as a dance floor. 

Children’s activities 

Again, we were a group of four adults traveling together, so we didn’t need to take advantage of any children’s activities, but suffice it to say that kids have a lot to choose from. The Oceaneer Lab was especially popular and is for those ages 3 to 12. 

» Learn more: How I did a 5-day, $4,000 Disney trip for just $1,600

Deck Nine and above featured a couple of different pools, a splash pad, a waterslide and a sports area. 

Although Disney cruises are definitely oriented toward children, they also maintain separate adult-only areas. As a family of four adults, we certainly enjoyed the quiet that came with our own private pool. 

The Senses Spa and Salon offers a wide variety of treatments, from couples massages to haircuts and manicures. I didn’t indulge, but my parents did, and they had a great time. There’s also the option to purchase access to the Rainforest Room, which includes heated stone chairs, a sauna and a steam room.

If you’re the type of person who wants to exercise while on vacation, the ship’s fitness center has you covered. Although I visited only once, I quite enjoyed the well-stocked facilities and the ability to look out over the water while working out. 

There were quite a few treadmills, bikes (both spinning and recumbent), free weights, ellipticals and really interesting curved treadmills that I was too afraid to try. 

Disney gives all its customers 50 MB of free data on day one. After that, you’ll need to pay, though the pricing is exorbitant and starts at $19.99 for an additional 50 MB. It’s not that fast, either, according to my mom, who spent the money and immediately regretted it. 

I resisted the urge to purchase any and instead relied on my international data when we made port. It was tough but I survived. 

» Learn more: How to save on your first — or next — Disney vacation

This four-day cruise included just one stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I’ve never been a huge fan of stopovers on cruises, mostly because I feel like they’re too short and inauthentic. That was the case here, though this wasn’t any fault of Disney. 

The disembarkation and re-embarkation process was smooth, though we did need to board a smaller boat to get to land. Although we could have stayed out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., we ended up returning early to enjoy lunch on the ship. 

Note that it is possible to book excursions through the Disney Cruise Line app as well as onshore, though we chose not to. 

» Learn more: Cruises might be a surprisingly affordable way to visit the South Pacific

After breakfast on our last morning, it was time to disembark. We chose to hold our luggage with us, though it was possible to have it delivered down to the terminal. 

The disembarkation process was as magical as the embarkation process. That is to say that it was terrible, disorganized and took way too long. We stood in line for more than an hour both on the ship and onshore as we waited for the immigration clerks to process the many thousands of passengers. 

I’ve waited a lot of years to experience a Disney cruise, and at the end of it all, I’m glad I had the opportunity. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth the cost? Also, yes. Although I haven’t booked another Disney cruise yet, I’m looking forward to the day I can board one again. 

(Top photo courtesy of Carissa Rawson)

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Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Disney Cruise Line

with a cruise advisor

Cruising with Disney

Disney Cruise Line's ships –  Disney Magic ,  Disney Wonder ,  Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy  and the Disney Wish – receive kudos from families and critics alike for their family-friendly atmospheres, whimsical amenities and well-equipped staterooms. Disney cruises have something for everyone in the family, from epic kids clubs and adults-only spaces to character meet-and-greets and fantastical dining venues.  Although Disney's ships vary in size, each vessel carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Disney Cruise Line's itineraries depart from a variety of ports – including  Fort Lauderdale, Florida ; San Diego  and Galveston, Texas – for sailings in the United States , Mexico , Canada , Europe , Australia and the Pacific and the Caribbean . Voyages last between two and 15 nights, with cruise lengths varying by itinerary and destination. Shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, also change depending on the itinerary and include everything from monkey encounters in Barbados  to wine tasting in Corsica, France. Guests on Caribbean and Bahamian sailings also visit Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas .

Back on board, you'll find plenty of family-oriented facilities, including themed pools, youth clubs and movie theaters. You'll also have the opportunity to eat in the cruise line's Disney-themed main dining rooms and enjoy a variety of Disney-inspired entertainment, such as live shows, dance parties and character meet-and-greets.   

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is a necessity for a Disney cruise. Not only can you see the schedule of events, but you can text your family and friends for free through the app. – Megan duBois, Contributor    

Pros & Cons

Meals, nonalcoholic drinks and onboard entertainment covered in cruise fare

Special cruise rates are available for United States Military members as well as Florida and Canadian residents

Spacious cabins

Alcoholic beverages are not included in cruise cost; traditional drink packages are not available

Shore excursions incur additional fees

Typically more expensive than other family-friendly cruise lines

• Expert Rating » 4.2
• Traveler Rating » 4.4
• Health Rating » 4.9

Disney Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Explore Photos

Disney Cruise Line Ships

Disney Magic

Disney Dream

Disney Fantasy

Disney Wish

Disney Wonder

Before You Book

• Typically, a 20% deposit is due at the time of booking, though this may vary depending on the time of booking. The deadline for your full cruise payment depends on your cruise length, stateroom category and embarkation and disembarkation ports.
• Cancellation fees vary depending on your cruise duration and type of accommodation. For more information on the cancellation policy, visit Disney Cruise Line's terms and conditions  page .
• Disney offers a Vacation Protection Plan that covers trip cancellations/interruptions, emergency medical services, baggage loss or delay and emergency medical transportation. The insurance plan also includes another advantage: If you cancel your cruise for any reason not listed above, you'll receive a cruise credit of up to 75% of the cancellation fee to apply toward a future Disney voyage.
• For most sailings, Disney Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 6 months old, though some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will hit 24 weeks by their embarkation date or during the cruise may not take the voyage due to safety concerns.
• Guests who require special services must fill out a special request form 30 days before U.S. sailings.  This form can be used for requesting a wheelchair-accessible room, requesting a sign language interpreter or indicating if someone is traveling with oxygen or with a service animal. Disney also lists what European cruises offer American Sign Language interpreters on its website . If an interpreter is needed by a guest on one of the listed sailings, the same special request form should be filled out no later than 120 days before the cruise.

Before You Board

• Visa and vaccinations may be required to travel to select ports of call. For current visa and vaccine regulations for each country, check the  U.S. Department of State , the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  and the  World Health Organization  websites.
• Along with a passport or other proof of citizenship, you will need to bring a completed Online Check-In Port Arrival Form.
• Online check-in is available, and the timeframe for check-in is determined by your status within Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program called Castaway Club, ranging from 30 days for first-time cruisers to 40 days for top-level Pearl members. Disney Cruise Line requires you submit passport information at least 75 days before your trip starts.
• Cruise terminals generally open for embarkation at 11:15 a.m. Travelers will be checked in during their designated Port Arrival Time, which should be selected in advance online. Cruisers who arrive after the Guest Onboard Time listed on their cruise confirmation may not be permitted to board.
• You can pre-book shore excursions, some childcare, spa services and activities, such as Character Greetings, as well as dinner reservations at the adults-only restaurants, Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté or Remy online 75 days prior to your departure date (if you're a first-time passenger) to 123 days before sailing for Pearl Castaway Club members and Concierge guests. If you are a Concierge Stateroom or Concierge Suite guest, you can call the Shoreside Concierge Associate team 130 days in advance to make bookings over the phone before online bookings open. Dining reservations, character meet-and-greets, some spa services, and some excursions are also available on a first-come, first-served basis once on board.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Disney's Newest Cruise Ship Is Its Best Ever — Here's Why

Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, the Disney Wish, sets sail on its maiden voyage this month, and we took it for a test cruise.

Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure , covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products. Originally from South Carolina, Elizabeth moved to New York City from London, where she started her career as a travel blogger and writer.

Disney Cruise Line 's newest ship is different — and that's why we love it. The company was voted the best large-ship ocean cruise line in Travel + Leisure 's 2022 World's Best Awards , and the new Disney Wish is its best vessel yet.

The quintessentially Disney touches that make this cruise line so popular — appearances from Mickey and pals, a deck party with fireworks, themed dining and spaces for all ages, and attentive service from every cast member — are all there. But the Disney Wish elevates the Disney Cruise Line experience with a balance of sophistication and whimsy.

When speaking with Imagineers and Disney Cruise Line leaders on board, they explained the ship's motif of enchantment — a concept integral to many classic Disney films — found in the staterooms, restaurants, recreation areas, and castle-like Grand Hall, the first place guests encounter when boarding on embarkation day.

Walking on board the Disney Wish and entering the Grand Hall feels like stepping into a fairy tale. The large, atrium-like space features soaring columns that lead up to a constellation-speckled ceiling, with a chandelier reminiscent of Cinderella's ball gown at the center and a statue of the heroine herself at the bottom of the staircase. You might even spot a princess or prince waving from the balcony as you walk inside the bright and beautiful space. The tone for the cruise is set here, as you find yourself instantly immersed in the whimsical world of Disney storytelling in an upscale, modern setting that appeals to all ages.

And when we say there's something for guests of all ages, we mean it. With its newest ship, Disney has mastered the art of combining characters, film franchises, and experiences that kids, teens, young families, and even adults traveling without children will enjoy. From the adorable It's a Small World-themed nursery to the tween and teen-focused Edge and Vibe spaces, there are engaging spaces for children from six months to 17 years old. And Disney's Oceaneer Club, accessed by slide from the Grand Hall, includes Marvel, Star Wars , and princess-inspired areas, along with a Mickey playground and the Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, where kids can learn Imagineering secrets and participate in STEAM-infused activities.

As I walked through the space with Laura Cabo, portfolio creative executive at Walt Disney Imagineering, she pointed out each unique touch that makes the Oceaneer Club such a fun and immersive environment for children, down to tiny details that only a trained eye could spot.

That attention to detail is evident throughout the adults' spaces, too. Star Wars : Hyperspace Lounge is perhaps the most hotly anticipated bar on board the Disney Wish , with cocktails inspired by the planets that guests see through the viewport — when they're not blasting through hyperspace, that is.

Cocktail menus at Nightingale's, a piano bar with "Cinderella"-inspired touches, and The Bayou, a beautiful lounge with "The Princess and the Frog" influences, are delightful and diverse, with fun drinks featuring unique elements. In fact, throughout the ship, you'll find tasty, on-trend cocktails — think popsicle-infused spritzes, smoke bubble-topped libations, and sparkly drinks with edible glitter. And it's not all smoke and bubbles — Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by chef Arnaud Lallement offer fine dining for adults only, in a charming setting inspired by "Beauty and the Beast."

We had the chance to enjoy a meal from the esteemed three-Michelin-starred chef, and the tasting menu — starring some dishes you may find at his highly regarded restaurant in Champagne, France — was delicious, alongside a view of the limitless ocean right outside the panoramic windows. Untangled Salon, Hook's Barbery, Senses Spa, Senses Fitness center, and the adults-only deck and pool area offer more grown-up entertainment and relaxation, proving that a Disney cruise is just as fun for adults.

Family-friendly spaces throughout the ship boast a number of Disney firsts: AquaMouse, the first-ever Disney attraction at sea; Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, Disney's first Frozen -themed dining experience featuring singing, dancing, and an adorable Olaf; Worlds of Marvel, the first Marvel dining adventure; and a Broadway-style adaptation of "The Little Mermaid."

There's also the first-of-its-kind two-story Wish Tower Suite, located in the ship's forward funnel and themed to "Moana," with accommodations for up to eight guests. Plus, there are four beautiful Royal Suites and more concierge-level staterooms and suites. No matter the room type, though, guests will enjoy intelligently designed staterooms with fairy-tale touches — even the hallway carpets incorporate symbols from movies like "Tangled" and "Cinderella." And while cute and whimsical, these movie-inspired details aren't over-the-top; the rooms still feel modern, upscale, and bright.

Over the last two years, travel has been challenging, and in many ways, a cruise on the Disney Wish feels like a reprieve from the stress of family vacation planning. I love researching and planning trips, but there's something so relaxing about stepping onto a ship and knowing that everything will be taken care of, from meal planning to child care. And the Disney Wish — with its Michelin-worthy cuisine, beautiful suites, high-caliber entertainment, and fantastical touches — feels like a high-end experience.

The Disney Wish sets sail on its maiden voyage on July 14, 2022, offering three- and four-night itineraries from Port Canaveral to Nassau and Castaway Cay — Disney's private island — in the Bahamas . The ship is the first of three new vessels to be built through 2025 at the Meyer Werft shipyard. We don't have details on these ships yet, but with the Wish sailing the high seas, Disney Cruise Line's future looks pretty magical.

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Disney Cruise Line Review – Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

341 Published Articles 44 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 28 U.S. States Visited: 29

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Editor-in-Chief

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Basic Information

Departure ports, shore excursions, character experiences, specialty cruises, complimentary dining, specialty dining, rotational dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, silver castaway, gold castaway, platinum castaway, disney cruise line navigator app, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

A Disney cruise is a fantasy vacation for so many families. It combines the magic of Walt Disney World with the excitement of a cruise.

Disney Cruise Line has been around since 1998 and has come to be a fan favorite with a loyal following. Some travelers swear by Disney cruises!

While Disney Cruise Line isn’t huge (it only has 4 ships), it offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else. On each ship, you’ll have ample opportunities to meet and mingle with your favorite Disney characters plus you’ll enjoy Disney themed dining and entertainment.

You can also combine your Disney cruise with a trip to Disney World for a truly unforgettable vacation.

Name: Disney Cruise Line

Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company

Number of Ships: 5 (1 more coming in 2024)

Destinations: 60+

Loyalty Program: Castaway Club

Credit Card: Disney ® Premier Visa ® Card , Disney ® Visa ® Card

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have a huge fleet, but the 5 ships it does operate don’t skimp on amenities or luxury.

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Wish
• Disney Wonder

Disney’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024.

Disney Cruise Line sails to over 60 destinations from 13 departure ports across North America and Europe.

Private Ports/Islands

You won’t be bored while on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas! There are tons of activities and adventures waiting for you on this private family-friendly resort.

• Castaway Family Beach: Enjoy sailing, kayaking, or swimming on this pristine beach. Enjoy a feast at Cookie’s BBQ and music and dancing at the gazebo.
• Snorkeling Lagoon: Snorkelers of all ages can view the underwater world. Beginners can follow the Discovery Trail while experienced snorkelers can try the Explorer Trail. Whichever one you choose, keep an eye out for the hidden Mickey!
• Serenity Bay: This adults-only area is perfect for relaxation. Get an open-air cabana massage, and then treat yourself to a frozen specialty drink.
• Pelican Plunge: This water play area is a 2,400 floating platform that is home to 2 water slides and a giant “bucket dump” that sprays hundreds of gallons of water on those brave enough to stand beneath it.
• Spring-a-Leak: This water play area is geared towards kids. It’s full of “broken” pipes and plumbing that drip, spray, and mist water.
• Teen Hideout: This space is a space for cruisers ages 14-17 to enjoy on their own.
• Scuttle’s Cove: This sandy play area, supervised by the Disney counselors from the ship, is just for kids and features a 1,200 square foot water play area.
• In Da Shade Game Pavilion: Located near Castaway Family Beach, this area features a variety of games including table tennis, foosball, billiards, and basketball.
• Sports Beach: This area features games like tetherball, volleyball, and soccer.
• Character Greetings: Throughout your day at Castaway Cay you’ll find Disney friends ready to meet you throughout Castaway Cay.
• Castaway Cay 5K: Start your day off with a 5K run around Disney Castaway Cay. This event is open to guests 10 years old and up and must be booked online before your cruise.
• She Sells Sea Shells: This is the island’s souvenir shop that carries a variety of Castaway Cay branded merchandise.
• Olaf’s Summertime Freeze: Here, you’ll find specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups.
• Gil’s Fins and Boats: This is your place to rent snorkel gear and other water equipment like kayaks, paddleboats, aqua trikes, and stand up paddleboards.
• Flippers and Floats: This location has snorkel gear and inner tubes for rent.

Hot Tip: A second private island destination in the Bahamas, Lighthouse Point, is under construction and due to open sometime in 2024.

There are several shore excursions that you can book for your day at Disney Castaway Cay. Choose from activities like fishing, banana boat rides, parasailing, stingray adventure, glass-bottom boat rides, bicycle rentals, and more.

Hot Tip: Curious about which credit card you should use? Check out our guide to the best credit cards for booking cruise trips  to see which one will get you the most bang for your buck!

Onboard Activities

Disney Cruise Line isn’t just for kids. It offers activities geared to both kids and adults, plus plenty of entertainment for the whole family. You can check out one of the many pools onboard or take in a Disney-themed Broadway-style show like Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin, Frozen, Disney Dreams — An Enchanted Classic , or Disney’s Believe .

You can also check out some of these activities on your next Disney cruise (not all activities are available on every ship):

• AquaDuck waterslide
• AquaDunk waterslide
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab
• Funnel Puddle
• Donald’s Pool
• Edge tween club
• Fitness center
• Goofy’s Pool
• Goofy’s Sports Deck
• It’s a Small World nursery
• Mickey’s Pool
• Midship Detective Agency
• Nemo’s Reef
• Quiet Cove Pool
• Satellite Falls
• Senses Spa & Salon
• Shuffleboard
• Vibe teen club

Hot Tip: The one thing you won’t find on a Disney cruise that is common on other cruise lines is a casino. The only gambling you’ll find on a Disney cruise ship is bingo.

One of the reasons many people choose Disney for their cruise vacation is for the chance to meet and mingle with their favorite Disney characters. On every Disney cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite characters throughout the ship.

Character greetings will happen in the lobby atrium, gangway, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, and Disney’s Oceaneer Club. On select ships, character meetings will also be available around the pools and on deck 4.

In addition to regular character meet and greets, keep an eye out for these character experiences on your next Disney cruise (not all experiences are offered on every ship or every cruise):

• Frozen Deck Party
• Marvel Day at Sea
• Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party
• Pirate Night
• Pixar Pals Party
• Royal Court Royal Tea
• Star Wars Day at Sea

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have any mandatory formal nights, however, it does offer optional “dress-up nights.”  Most dining locations are “cruise casual,” which can include shorts and t-shirts. Swimsuits and coverups, however, are not permitted at most dining locations.

There are 2 restaurants, Palo and Remy, with a dress code. Both of these locations also come with additional charges.

Palo Dress Code

Tank tops, swimsuits, shorts, hats, capris, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language or graphics, flip-flops , and tennis shoes are never allowed.

• Men: Dress pants, slacks, or jeans in good condition (no holes) and a collared shirt are recommended.
• Women: A dress, skirt, pants, or jeans in good condition (no holes) and a blouse are recommended.

Remy Dress Code

Jeans, shorts, capris, sandals, flip-flops, and tennis shoes are never allowed. The following requirements are also enforced:

• Men: A jacket (such as a sports, suit, or tuxedo jacket), a dress shirt, dress pants, and shoes are required. Ties are optional.
• Women: Cocktail dress, evening dress, pantsuit, or skirt/blouse are required.

Brunch and Dessert:

• Men: Dress pants, a collared shirt or polo shirt, and shoes are required. A jacket is optional.
• Women: A dress or pantsuit is required.

Bottom Line: You don’t have to dress up on a Disney cruise unless you want to. While some restaurants have a dress code and there are optional formal nights, you can sport shorts and a t-shirt for the duration of your cruise if that’s what you’d prefer.

Disney is known for its themed and holiday cruises. If you’re looking for something a little special, check out these specialty cruises:

• Marvel Day at Sea: This all-day Marvel-themed event includes special meet and greets, a superhero stunt show, a movie marathon, a costume celebration, and more. It’s available on select 5-night cruises departing from Miami in 2021.
• Star Wars Day at Sea: This day-long Star Wars adventure includes character experiences, a Star Wars-themed show, Jedi training, movies, and games. It’s available on select 7-night Caribbean cruises leaving from Port Canaveral in 2021.
• Halloween Cruises: Celebrate Halloween with Mickey and his pals on most cruises leaving late September through Halloween. You’ll get to experience Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream, haunted stories, an adults-only costume party, and more. Be sure to check out these great Disney Halloween products before you sail.
• Holiday Cruises: Spend the holidays at sea with fun activities including Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony, Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, a life-sized gingerbread house, story time with Mrs. Claus, crafts, a Santa Claus meet and greet, and more. Very Merrytime holiday cruises are available each year starting in November. Be sure to check out these great Disney Christmas products before you sail.

Dining and Beverages

Dining and beverages are handled a little differently than other common cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Princess. Disney Cruise Line offers fewer specialty dining options, a rotational dining structure with 2 set dining times, and no all-inclusive beverage packages.

Here’s everything you need to know about eating and drinking on a Disney cruise:

Look for these complimentary dining locations on your next cruise (please note not all locations are available on every ship):

• Animator’s Palate*
• Daisy’s De-Lites
• Duck-In Diner
• Enchanted Garden*
• Eye Scream Treats
• Frozone Treats
• Pete’s Boiler Bites
• Pinocchio’s Pizzeria
• Rapunzel’s Royal Table*
• Room service
• Royal Court
• Royal Palace*
• Sweet On You
• Tiana’s Place*

*Denotes a Rotational Dining location.

These dining options may come with additional fees (not all locations available on every ship):

• Senses Juice Bar
• Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats

Dinner on a Disney cruise is a little different than some other cruise lines. When you cruise with Disney, you’ll take part in the Rotational Dining experience. That means you and your waitstaff will rotate between 3 distinct restaurants nightly.

Dinner is served at 2 separate seatings, usually around 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Once onboard your ship, you’ll be able to see your dining time, restaurant schedule, and assigned table number. You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your dining time preference when you book your cruise.

Even though Disney caters to families, you’ll be able to find plenty of adults-only locations, including these bars and lounges (not all locations offered on every ship):

• Cadillac Lounge
• Crown & Fin English Pub
• French Quarter Lounge

Hot Tip: Unlike other cruise lines, there are no drink packages available on Disney cruise ships. You’ll have to pay for your drinks individually. In addition to alcoholic beverages, other drinks that may come with a charge are non-alcoholic specialty drinks, smoothies, specialty coffee, and bottled water. However, soda fans can rejoice — it’s included at the buffets and on the pool deck

You also have the option of bringing wine or beer onboard with you. Each guest who is at least 21 years old can bring 2 bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) onboard at the beginning of the cruise and at each port of call.

These must be packed in your carry-on bags. Any alcohol packed in your checked luggage will be removed and held until the end of the cruise.

The staterooms on a Disney Cruise Line ship are designed with families in mind, with options to sleep up to 7 guests in 1 room. On all Disney ships, you’ll find 4 main categories of rooms and 10 unique room types.

All of the staterooms on a Disney cruise ship come with some basic amenities:

• Plush Euro-top mattress
• 22-inch LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
• Full-length mirror
• Refrigerator
• In-room safe
• Phone with voicemail messaging
• Individual climate control
• Shower and tub

Here are some of the highlights:

Inside Staterooms on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream come with a Magical Porthole. This LCD screen, disguised as a porthole, broadcasts a real-time view of the ship’s exterior as it would appear if there was a real porthole in your room. Keep your eyes peeled for any surprises that might float by on your screen, too!

Deluxe Inside Staterooms sleep 3-4 people and come with a few added benefits, including a privacy curtain to separate the bed from the living area and a “split bath” — a vanity, sink, shower, and tub plus an additional half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet.

If you want a little more room and a private balcony, check out the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. This type of room sleeps 5 people and includes a private balcony with childproof locks.

If you’re looking for total luxury on your cruise, why not opt for the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah . This spacious stateroom is over 1,700 square feet including the verandah and sleeps 5 people.

Royal Suites come with 2 separate bathrooms including a master with double sinks, rain-style shower, and whirlpool tub. Plus you’ll enjoy the private verandah with whirlpool tub and exclusive concierge services.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our detailed guide to booking cruises with points and miles for more information.

Castaway Club

Disney Cruise Line offers a loyalty program called Castaway Club. Once you’ve sailed with Disney once, you’re automatically a member. There are 3 levels of membership with varying benefits.

You’ll be a Silver Castaway member after you complete your first Disney cruise. Benefits at this level include:

• Early access to booking new itineraries
• Early access to online activity planning
• Members-only cruise terminal check-in area
• Welcome aboard gift on each cruise

To become a Gold Castaway member, you need to cruise with Disney 5 times . Once at this level, you’ll get all of the Silver Castaway benefits plus these extra perks:

• Early access to select port arrival times
• Exclusive onboard reception on cruises of 8 nights or longer
• Onboard discounts

You’ll be a Platinum Castaway member after you complete your tenth Disney cruise . This is the highest level of status you can achieve and it comes with lots of benefits in addition to all of the Silver and Gold level perks:

• Platinum priority check-in at the cruise terminal
• Complimentary dinner at Palo

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is essential to help plan your cruise at home and comes in handy onboard as well.

With this app, you can manage all aspects of your cruise reservation both before and during your cruise.

• Plan activities including shore excursions, dining reservations, spa reservations, and more
• View deck plans
• Modify your stateroom
• Make payments
• Complete online check-in
• Use onboard chat to stay connected with family and friends
• Manage special requests

A Disney cruise can be a magical way to spend your vacation. The family-friendly atmosphere is geared towards traveling with kids , and there are plenty of onboard activities to entertain the whole family.

You’ll be able to visit fantastic destinations in places like the Caribbean and even Europe! Plus, your time spent on the ship will be filled with unforgettable character experiences, entertainment including Disney-themed Broadway-style shows, themed dining, and family-friendly activities like swimming and waterslides. There are even adults-only areas for you to relax and renew in style.

If you’ve been on a Disney cruise previously, as a member of the Castaway Club you’ll receive perks and benefits on every Disney cruise you take in the future.

Disney Cruise Line caters towards families more than other cruise lines . You’ll find plenty of staterooms that can accommodate 3, 4, or more people (unlike the traditional 2-person maximum in most cruise line staterooms).

Going on a Disney cruise is a great way to spend your family vacation. Before you set sail, be sure to check out our printable cruise packing list and cruise tips to help make your vacation as memorable and stress-free as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which disney cruise ship is the best.

Which Disney ship is deemed “the best” is subjective sine there are a few things you can take into consideration. Many cite Disney Magic as the best. While it’s the oldest Disney ship, debuting in 1998, it received updates in 2018. The newest Disney ship is Disney Fantasy which launched in 2012 and received updates in 2017.

What is not included on a Disney cruise?

As with most cruise lines, there are a number of things not included in the cost of your ticket. Dining at specialty restaurants Remy and Palo, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic specialty drinks and smoothies, specialty coffee, and bottled water are some of the items you will have to pay extra for. Shore excursions are also an additional cost.

How do I get the best price on a Disney cruise?

Disney cruises aren’t cheap, so you’ll definitely want to shop around to get the best price. First, you can look for cruises that avoid peak times like holidays, and summer and spring break times. Next, book early. Unlike other cruise lines, Disney doesn’t usually offer last-minute deals. You can also bundle a cruise with a visit to Walt Disney World. When you book a Disney visit with a Disney cruise, you’ll be able to save some money over booking these separately. Finally, scour websites to find the ones that are offering extra perks. We’ve put together a list of the best websites to book cruises to help you out.

Do Disney cruises have casinos?

No, you won’t find a casino on any Disney Cruise Line ship. This is because of the cruise line’s family-friendly image. If you like to gamble, bingo will be your only option on a Disney ship.

Is there a drink package on Disney cruises?

Disney Cruise Line does things a little differently than other cruise lines, and this is one of those things. There are no drink packages available on Disney ships. You’ll have to pay individually for drinks that aren’t included in your cruise fare. These include any alcoholic beverages as well as some non-alcoholic specialty drinks, smoothies, specialty coffees, and bottled water.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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My First Disney Cruise – Everything I Loved and Hated (Honest Photo Review)

For YEARS I’ve wanted to try a Disney cruise and last week I finally did it.

I’ve just disembarked the Disney Magic and I thought I knew what to expect from a Disney cruise, I’ve been cruising since I was a child with other cruise lines but this cruise was the biggest culture shock ever.

Every couple of hours I would find something new that I didn’t expect at all, some of which were really great surprises and some things I really didn’t like at all. 

I was definitely skeptical when I booked this cruise. I’d heard amazing things from my friends who love Disney but I just didn’t see how a Disney cruise could be worth the price.

This cruise was the most expensive cruise I’ve ever paid for and it was 3x what I usually pay when I cruise. 

I was worried that I’d feel as though I wasted that money and although I’d heard about how amazing the food was and the service but I wasn’t sure if this was better than the other cruise lines that I know and love, would it be 3x better to justify the cost? Or if it was just a case of paying a premium for the Disney brand. 

Why Did I Decide to Book a Disney Cruise?

When I saw that a Disney ship was coming to the UK though, I thought this was my chance. I’ve been curious about it for years and although I didn’t think I was the target market for a Disney cruise. I wanted to find out who was. 

The Disney cruise experience started before we even got to the port.

When I booked this cruise, Mickey Mouse phoned me to welcome me on board when I boarded the ship, Mickey and Minnie were there to welcome us too.

Mickey and Minnie Welcomed us Onboard 

Usually when you embark on a cruise you might be handed a glass of something bubbly but you’re pretty much left to your own devices, you can just wander off and explore the ship but on the Disney Magic when you board, your family name is announced and Mickey and Minnie do a dance.

It was a great start to the cruise because it really kind of set the scene, there was never any doubt what cruise line you were on and the kids seemed to love it. 

The crew do this same kind of welcome show over and over again for embarking guests and afterward we were sent on to do our muster drill.

The Muster Drill Was Completed Next

The muster drill is a compulsory safety drill that has to be completed on cruises where they tell you about things like what would happen in an emergency and how to put on a life jacket.

The muster drill was completed on our phones and Disney have an app that you use to do most things onboard.

The app was pretty good overall. There are definitely other cruise lines with better tech and better apps but that isn’t really the point of a Disney cruise. 

We went onto find our muster station and had to scan the sign with our phones. Mum’s phone was having none of it but luckily we could complete the muster drill for both of us on my phone.

The crew onboard were really really helpful and they would have helped us to do the muster drill if we got stuck or if you don’t have a phone I’m sure they’d have an alternative.

I Loved The Promenade Deck

Our muster station was this big promenade deck and this quickly became one of my favourite places onboard, I love a promenade deck where you can walk all the way around and I think it’s good to note the extra safety precautions like the glass here to stop any little children from trying to climb between the bars.

The Disney Magic Was Built in The 1990s

The Disney Magic was built in the late 1990s and that makes her pretty old by cruise ship standards.

She’s also pretty small, for the time she would have been a large cruise ship but now the world biggest cruise ship is almost 3x the size of the Disney Magic.

I have to say I did love not having far to walk to the top deck and wherever I was, I was never far from my cabin which was good but personally, I’m a fan of the big cruise ships.

That is a personal preference though and I’m sure many people cruising with Disney prefer the smaller ship size.

If you’re cruising with young children I doubt you want to be having to go 15 decks up to get the buffet, that isn’t a problem on the Disney Magic though. 

The thing that’s more important to me than the age and the size of a ship, is how the spaces work and if they’ve been well looked after by the cruise line. I’ve been on some ships from the 1980s and 1990s, which were in much better condition than newer ships. 

After completing our muster drill, we went to the top deck to take a selfie with the funnel. I feel as though that’s a thing you have to do on a Disney cruise and I actually managed to find some sunshine briefly for the photo which was a miracle. It’s the Disney magic I guess! 

Soda is Included on The Pool Deck

Wandering around the top of the ship I realised that this is where you could get free soda from.

On Disney cruises soda and tea & coffee are available in the buffet and on the pool deck free of charge. If you order a soda from a bar it’ll cost you money, so I made good use of it and I drink a lot of soda and we grabbed one to start exploring the ship.

On the top deck there is a swimming pool, waterslides, sports court and lots of seating. 

Theres also an adult only pool too and we did find that there were a few adult only areas onboard, which I thought I may need to retreat to at some point. 

I was a bit worried that I would be totally overwhelmed by this Disney cruise. When I cruise I usually cruise to relax. I don’t have any children myself but I decided to embrace all things Disney, I was only cruising for 3 nights but I don’t really think I understood at that point what I was actually getting myself into. 

We Went in Search of Food (Of Course)

One of the most important things about cruising for me, is eating and by the time we got onboard we were pretty hungry. We headed to the buffet but it was closing so we decided to grab a hotdog and fries from the poolside grill. 

The buffet was closed a lot more than I would expected and sometimes lunch would only be open from 12-2 and then the buffet wouldn’t reopen until around 6pm which I found really strange.

On most other cruise lines the buffet rarely closes at all, if it does, on some cruise lines like MSC the buffet is open for 20+ hours a day. 

The buffet was a nice big space with lots of seating and when we did manage to eat in the buffet though the food was great, just more of it would have been nice. 

Room Service is Free on Disney Cruises

The room service is free though, which is good. I ordered a pizza and some cookies which was nice, on some cruise lines you do have to pay for room service.

If you order drinks through room service they’ll cost you money though so if you are doing this, run up to the pool deck to get some soda and bring it to your room, that’s what I did. Luckily because the ship isn’t very big, it was never far to go. 

We Had a Balcony Cabin

We went next to find our cabin and I’ve never had a cabin quite like it. One thing that Disney seem really good at is giving out upgrades. I booked an oceanview cabin and was upgraded to a balcony cabin.

Most of the people I spoke to onboard had either been given an upgrade or had paid to upgrade their cabin, the sailing I was on was at reduced capacity so it may have something to do with that. 

I’m usually more of an inside cabin kind of person but they weren’t available to book when I booked this cruise. Disney cruises almost always sell out very fast and that’s one of the reasons they can charge as much as they do. 

The cabin was pretty big and our balcony was a really nice size. There were lots of surprises in here, like me having to sleep on the sofabed and the toilet being in a different room.

Disney do ‘Rotational Dining’

After exploring our room and wandering around the ship it was dinner time. When it comes to dining, Disney do something that no other cruise line does.

On most mainstream cruise lines you’ll either have fixed time dining or flexible dining where you just show up the restaurant when you’re hungry. 

On Disney everybody has a fixed time for dinner and it’s not just your time thats set but actually the restaurants you eat in too.

Disney calls this ‘rotational dining’ and basically, you are assigned a different restaurant each night and your waiters and everybody else in that restaurant follow you to the next restaurant. 

I thought that it worked really well and our waiters knew that I was drinking Coke Zero throughout the cruise, so I never even had to order a drink, it just arrived like magic (see what I did there)!

I love the soft drinks being included in with meals and because our cruise was only 3 nights, we never had any kind of dress codes or formal nights, I wore jeans to dinner everyday which made a nice change.

The service was really good and the waiters would take the time to talk to the kids. Some of our dining experiences were much better than others but the best was the first we had in Animator’s Palate.

Animator’s Palate Was a Great Dining Experience

I’ve never ever had a dinner quite this one and I don’t know if I would have believed it if it was described to me. When we came into the restaurant, everything was black an white and when we sat down we were given a piece of paper and a pen and told to draw a character. 

After we had finished our food, the animations came to life and danced around the restaurant. It was really clever and fun and it was definitely the dining highlight of the cruise.

The Food Quality Was Good

The food was good and I liked that there were multiple veggie options available.

Having cruised recently with other cruise lines like Princess and Celebrity, I’d say that the food was about the same in quality.

To find out what’s included in a Disney cruise (almost all the food and lots more) check out this post: What’s Included on a Disney Cruise? – Food, Activities and Exclusions

The Theatre Shows Were Great (If a Little Overwhelming)

After dinner we went onto the theatre and really I think this is what a Disney cruise is all about. We watched Tangled the musical and it was great, it was definitely of broadway quality and no expense was spared.

The team of singers and dancers were all very talented, the set design was amazing and in other shows they even had things like bubbles and fake snow. 

A word of warning though, I did find the theatre to be quite overwhelming. I had kids kicking me from behind, toys being dropped on me, kids were running around the back and it was hard to see through everybodies’ Mickey ears. 

I did talk to a few people when I was onboard and after I got back, they said that I should have picked the late dining seating and therefore gone to the earlier shows because there would be less children on that schedule.

I didn’t really think about that before but it does make sense.

I understood that I was on a cruise line mostly aimed at children and because I cruised out of the school holidays, most the children onboard were between about 2-5.

I didn’t expect the kids to sit still throughout dinner and the show but its definitely worth being aware of. My mum was hit by a Thor hammer, whipped with a Rapunzel braid, you name it, the kids were a bit wild and it did get very, very loud at some points. 

If you’re a parent though, or a child, it must be nice to be able to see a theatre show without having to worry about the kids making too much noise.

Top Tip: Buy Mickey Ears Pre-Cruise!

I will say I did feel a bit out of place without any Mickey ears! If you are taking a Disney cruise definitely get some before you go.

They only had one type left in the gift shop and for $40 I decided against it. You can get great ones online before you go though and lots of people had personalised ears.

If you want to wear custom T-shirts and things that is totally cool on a Disney cruise. Lots of people had matching Mickey ears, T-shirts, bags, you name it. I’ve never met cruise guests that are so passionate about their cruise line.

If you’d like to learn more about Mickey Ears, check out this post from a Expedition Hopper which explains what they are for, who wears them, and where to buy them: Everything You Need To Know About Mickey Ears

Disney Cruisers Decorate Their Cabin Doors

It was intense but really cool to get to talk to people from the Disney crowd, Disney fans always are very friendly and they decorate their cabin doors like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s incredible. 

Below are a couple of my favourite examples from the ship.

These magnets can be bought on Etsy here: Disney Cruise Door Magnets.

Disney do Towel Animals and Chocolates on the Pillow

When we came back to our cabin we found a towel animal waiting for us and a chocolate on the pillow.

10 years ago you’d find that most cruise lines would do towel animals and chocolates on the pillow but this is definitely a thing that the majority of cruise lines have stopped doing recently.

I personally quite like it and the chocolate on the pillow was good too.

As I went to sleep in my sofa bed I felt pretty content and happy with my first day onboard, I still had some questions though that I needed answering.

What would the daily schedule be like on a sea day? Would there be many activities for adults and would I be able to eat enough cookies to make back the cost of the cruise fare? 

Breakfast Options Onboard (I Found Mickey Waffles!)

The buffet was open until 10.30 for breakfast which was good because I’m not an early riser and we also went to the sit-down restaurant another day for breakfast because I was told that I HAD to try the Mickey waffles.

I did try them, and they were good, very very sickly sweet with this pink sugary stuff but it was nice to try them. Maybe that was why the kids on board were so hyper, they started their day with Mickey waffles!

The Daily Schedule

Despite the bad weather, plenty of people went for a swim and they constantly showed different Disney movies on the pool TV. They’d also show movies in the theatre and there were lots in the cabin to watch too, if you could get the little TV to work that is. 

The daily schedule on the sea day was made up almost entirely of waving at characters, Disney trivia and Disney movies.

Sometimes the schedule would look like: waving, waving, bingo, waving, waving, selling something, beer tasting, waving, waving, drawing, waving. (A real example from my Disney cruise).

I did my fair share of waving on this cruise and it was cool to see all of the Princess and Marvel Characters.

COVID Social Distancing Measures Were Still in Place

It was a little bit strange because there are still COVID social distancing rules in place, so nobody could put their arms around Mickey Mouse or hug Thor but it is what it is, not much can be done about that. 

One thing that I missed on the daily schedule was live music, there was a little bit but I’m more used to cover bands and singers being around the ship.

Of course, we did have the Disney music being played through the speakers, all day but for me personally, I’m a big fan of sitting in a big lounge with a band playing and I didn’t find any big lounges really, or much live music. 

There Are Kids Clubs For Kids of All Ages

Most of the kids would be enjoying extra activities in the kids clubs of course. Most cruise lines have kids clubs and I actually went to the kids clubs with Norwegian Cruise Line when I started cruising, I loved it so I’m sure the kids on this cruise did too.

They have kids clubs for kids of all ages and they get to meet the characters and do crafts and dance and everything. 

An Interesting Discovery on The Promenade Deck!

When wandering around the promenade deck, I came across this area which I thought was so cool. I’ve never seen anything like this just open to the public before but that’s the nerdy ship side of me coming out.

The promenade deck was also the jogging track so people would be running and walking around here in the evenings and day times. 

Frozen at Sea – A Pool Deck Party

Despite the cold UK weather, Disney did manage to put on a show called Frozen at Sea.

This was like a festival, but Frozen themed and for kids on the top deck by the pool. Anna and Elsa sang and even Olaf came out to see everybody.

There was fake snow, lots of people dancing and it was cool to see everybody having such a good time. It was freezing though, I imagine this would have been quite different in the sunshine. 

Adult Only Activities and Areas

In the evening there would often be adult-only trivia which did sometimes have non-Disney themes, there was a 90s music trivia at one point that I remember and a few other things.

There are only a couple of places onboard that are adult-only and we didn’t really spend much time there. I’d prefer to be out and about seeing what’s happening on the ship, than spending too much time in the pub.

If I was on an cruise line that included drinks, or I had a drinks package, this might have been different.

There isn’t much late night entertainment happening on a Disney cruise, so we would usually watch a movie before bed in our cabin, which was nice.

Disney cruise ships don’t have casinos and they don’t have drinks packages. To find out what else Disney cruises don’t have, check out this post: You Won’t Find These 9 Things on a Disney Cruise

Who Are Disney Cruises For?

I spoke to quite a few people onboard and since I’ve got home, who LOVE Disney cruising.

They all said to me that they cruise with Disney because of the Disney community and how well the staff take care of them and their children. 

I came at this cruise from a cruise perspective, as opposed to a Disney side and I had great fun finding out who Disney Cruises are for, but personally when I look at the cost and what I could get for the price on other cruise lines, it just doesn’t add up for me. 

It really confirms my point about there being a cruise line for everybody and not every cruise line being for everybody. Life would be very very dull if we all liked the same things.

To put it into perspective, my next cruise is over double the length of my Disney cruise, it includes flights to Spain, transfers, luggage, all gratuities, and all-inclusive drinks, a ship I much prefer personally and is quite a bit cheaper than my Disney cruise. Over double the length and cheaper. 

You’ll never get the Disney magic or Disney entertainment or anything Disney on other cruise lines though, so it’s difficult to compare, and really it’s just a case of if that’s worth the price to you.

For me personally, no. For many many other people, absolutely yes. 

One thing that I did find strange, and it seems like even Disney cruisers find this strange, is the way that Disney do tipping. To find out how that works and why I was so confused to find this in my cabin, check out this video:

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Sadly, the magic is gone from the Disney brand.

Sadly, the magic is gone from the Disney brand. We originally booked a Mediterranean Cruise with Disney for the Summer of 2020. It was rescheduled and eventually cancelled; because of course for unforeseen circumstances that the world had to deal with. We ventured back for our 4th Disney Cruise last year, from San Diego to Mexico. We noticed some differences from our first three cruises. Mainly less staff, food quality had went down and certainly less magic (all for of course much higher costs). That being said, we REALLY wanted to get our 5th sailing in. We felt the time was right to reschedule the Mediterranean Cruise; so in April of 2023 we booked the Summer of 2024. Now a trip like this takes a lot of planning. You have to fly overseas. You have to book stays, and arrange to get to and from. I won’t go in to all that, as it’s not Disney’s problem. I’ll start with stating that when you’re out of your element, it’s always nice to have assistance. Disney offers to pick you up from a hotel of their choosing on the day of the cruise. We called and asked what hotels, they told us and said they weren’t ready to add the transfers yet. Call back first of the year they said. So we did, and what do they say after I booked and paid for the stay…. “We cannot take you from the resort to the shop because you didn’t book the Hilton resort through us.” Isn’t that grand? They wanted us to cancel my reservation directly with the hotel and spend $800 more booking direct from Disney so we could then pay them to take us to the ship. Never been an issue before, but now it is. Not a big deal, we’ll find our own way. Fast forward to today. We’re logged in to our reservation, and see that they cancelled our day in France. Just poof, gone. Enjoy your additional Day at Sea! So all the things we had planned for that day are no more. Our guides, and excursion, no longer valid or refundable. Now how does Disney make this right… they offered a $250 credit! We lost 3x that from bookings we made. We also are now sailing around the Mediterranean an extra day instead of experiencing the culture we had expected. At $7100 for a 5-night cruise I asked them to do better. They were cold and uncaring (Hi, Maddie!). They’d rather refund the trip and let us figure it out ourselves. So that’s what we did. Look, we’re blessed to be able to afford trips like these. We’re smart enough to navigate around the country and make the most of the time there. What we won’t do any longer is be gifting Disney exorbitant amounts of money for lackadaisical offerings and poor planning on their part. There was a time they would have made this right. There was a time their parks were easier to navigate. There was a time we looked forward to venturing to Disney. That time has passed. Disney has become a vacation for the privileged, which is sad for the country. However, if that’s your consumer, you keep them happy. You make it right. It wouldn’t cost much to do so. Disney can read this review, my name, and see we’ve been to their cruises and parks 30+ times in 15 years. Loyalty like that should be rewarded and not ignored. So, now think about the aftermath… no longer will we spend money on their cruise line. We likely rethink anything Disney at this point, and now someone with 300k followers on socials gets to talk about why you too should avoid Disney altogether. Hopefully reviews like this sting enough for the powers that be to take a hard look at customer experience. I know my company would suffer if I snubbed my customers in the same manner.

Date of experience : April 02, 2024

The service provided by Disney Cruise…

The service provided by Disney Cruise Line is always exceptional. The cast members and crew are always going above and beyond to help guests. The quality of food is amazing, the entertainment is brilliant and the magic of Disney is astounding. We choose to sail with Disney Cruise Line every time and won’t sail with any other cruise company. The expanding fleet of ships means there are new opportunities and even more magic to choose from. 5 star service.

Date of experience : March 01, 2023

Fantastic experience

Wow, what an experience. My wife and 2 children took the Caribbean cruise earlier this month on the Disney Dream and the service is exceptional. Considering the ship is full of sugar fuelled children, the staff were so calm and helpful, the ship was spotless in all areas and the entertainment and facilities were amazing. Food was second to none for the price you pay for the cruise and our little one has allergies to dairy, soy and fish, for which they had plenty of alternatives. I would highly rate this cruise.

Date of experience : April 22, 2023

What a great experience

What a great experience! The characters were out the entire trip, the food was amazing, the shows were great! No complaints my kids had a great time aged 6 and 3. A little pricey but well worth it we are already planning on another one! Thanks Olivia and Jasmine!

Date of experience : April 29, 2023

Amazing service

Amazing service! Disney have gone above and beyond to make sure my experience is amazing and i havent even gone on my cruise yet. So excited for it now

Date of experience : August 10, 2023

Best support

I have a problem with my booking and need to cancel my trip. Disney Cruise Line make everything possible to help me and give my money back. Thank you Disney, your team is awesome!

Date of experience : April 18, 2023

Disney cruise line is the best cruise liner in the world

I sailed with Disney cruise line twice and we keep booking cruises with Disney cruise line although Disney cruise line are more expensive than other cruise lines it's worth every penny. I've been on the Disney magic and Disney Fantasy. When I go my online check-in I usually choose port arrival times for 11.45am to 12pm so I can enjoy lunch at cabanas buffet. When I first got on a Disney cruise ship the magic and fantasy cast members asked my for my surname and I said O'Brien and they said on the microphone please welcome O'Brien family and there was in line of cast members clapping hands. I went to Cabanas and there was lot's of food to enjoy there was pizza's, macaroni cheese, rice, crabs and shrimps and there was a selection of desserts pumpkin pie, jello, apple crumble and lemon mousse. People are friendly on the cruise and we made a lot of friends on the cruise from day 1. On the Disney cruises tea, coffee, hot chocolate, water and soda's such as CocoCola and sprite are complimentary at beverage station, cabanas and in main dining rooms. On the Disney magic and fantasy I went to the oceaneers club/lab during open house hours because during open house hours anyone of all ages can participate in youth facilities during youth activities open house hours and in the oceaneers club in the toy story room I was excited and surprised when I seen Woody I had a photo with Woody. On the Disney cruise navigator app Woody wasn't on the daily navigator so that was a lovely surprise. On the fantasy cruise ship I sat in the green RC car and when I went on the Disney magic ship I went on the slinky dog. I enjoyed the star wars machines on the Disney Fantasy in the oceaneers club and I enjoyed doing puzzles on the magical dance floor. I enjoyed the oceaneers club/lab open houses on port day's because they have lot's going on and it's opened for all ages and I enjoyed the dance party with Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie and they had BB8 encounters in the star wars room. I went to cove cafe because the when I order a cappuccino or latte the bar man said to me what picture do I like and I chosen Belle from Beauty and the Beast and he did a picture of Belle on top of the coffee froth which was magical and also they have complimentary cakes in cove cafe I love chocolate orange cake. In the D lounge they had an activity anyone can cook inspired by Disney's pixar ratatouille and it was a demonstration of cooking lobster ravioli and the sauce and you get to try it out and also you get a free glass of wine during anyone can cook event. The chef gives the opportunity for anyone to ask questions and they give you a recipe to take home. One thing that's my favourite about the cruise is character greetings I found it awesome on formal nights when Goofy was in a tuxedo that was great fun and it's fun greeting with characters especially Mickey and Minnie because Mickey wears a tuxedo and Minnie wears a wedding dress on formal nights. I like the Frozen gathering and Princess gathering because you can book Frozen and Princess gathering on the Disney cruise line navigator app and when you turn up you get to straight in to greet them and collect autographs. I like meeting Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie on embarkation day and sea day's they told me that they were driving the ship. I loved the meet and greet with Peter Pan it was a long queue but it was worth it he liked my pirates hat and he said we'll see you tonight for our pirates party I also met Captain Hook and Smee. Pirate Mickey and Pirate Minnie were there too. I also met Daisy and Minnie they were dressed up for a tea party. The fireworks out on deck were excellent, colour and magical. I loved Castaway Cay because it's Disney's private island I did the stingray adventures and I met Captain Jack Sparrow I told him that it's the best beach in the world. At cookies BBQ I had lunch there the food was delicious I had pulled pork in a bread roll, corn on the cob, packet of chips ( Lays make ) salad and french fries. The food at cookies BBQ at Castaway Cay is included in the price of the cruise fare and soda's, tea, coffee and hot chocolate at beverage stations at Castaway Cay. I hire out a river tube and went swimming in the tropical sea with it the sea is crystal clear. On the Disney magic I had Oceanview stateroom my stateroom number was 1078 and on the Disney Fantasy I had an standard inside stateroom my stateroom number was 7679. I enjoyed animators pallate restaurant because I talked to Crush the sea turtle and I enjoyed the character dance party in Enchanted gardens. On the Magic I like Rapunzels Royal Table restaurant I ordered Mickey bars every night for desserts even though they not listed on menu. I enjoyed the shows and musicals in Walt Disney theatre my favourite was frozen the musical on the fantasy and I liked Tangled the musical on the magic because I loved the lanterns.

Date of experience : April 02, 2022

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Category Archives: Stateroom Review

Disney Wish Stateroom 13000 Tour – Princess Aurora Royal Suite

The Disney Wish features a pair of 2-story concierge Royal Suites on deck 13 forward. Each of the 1,759 sq. ft suites can accommodate up to 6 guests, and feature Continue Reading →

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Disney Wish Stateroom 14000 Tour – Wish Tower Suite

The Disney Wish 1,966 sq. ft. Concierge Wish Tower Suite offers accommodations for up to 8 guests with it’s own grand spiral staircase, an open dining salon, pantry with wet Continue Reading →

Disney Wish Stateroom 7128 Tour – Category 4C Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

During the christening cruise aboard the Disney Wish, I stayed in stateroom 7128, a Category 4C Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. In general, the deluxe family oceanview stateroom with verandah category offered Continue Reading →

Disney Wish Stateroom 7689 Tour – Category 11B Standard Inside Stateroom

During the Maiden Voyage aboard the Disney Wish, I stayed in stateroom 7689, a Category 11B Standard Inside Stateroom. In general, the inside stateroom category offered on the Disney Wish is about 169 Continue Reading →

Disney Magic Stateroom 8598 Tour – Category 4E Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah

During #DCLBlogCruise 2 aboard the Disney Magic, we stayed in stateroom 8598, a Category 4E Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah. In general, the category offers 304 square feet of space, Continue Reading →

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Smooth sailing on a family Disney cruise: Review of Concierge level on the Disney Wonder

Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here .

Cruising with Disney , it seems, is even more fun the second time around -- especially with an upgrade to more spiffy quarters.

Almost a year ago, we had a successful sailing on the Disney Dream out of Florida, so we booked another Disney cruise to start 2020. This time we only needed a two-hour drive from home in Houston to hop aboard the ship in the Port of Galveston. No airplanes were involved on our journey across the sea to Mexico on the Disney Wonder, one of the two original ships in Disney's fleet. I can't overstate how fantastic it was to just drive to the port, board a ship and go. No TSA 3.4-ounce limits on liquids or the five-hour flight delays that had plagued our last few trips.

The Disney Wonder is noticeably smaller than the Disney Dream we sailed on previously. The Wonder has 875 cabins and room for up to 2,700 passengers, as opposed to the larger Dream's 1,250 staterooms and capacity for up to 4,000 guests. I was curious as to whether the smaller, older Disney ship would feel like a lesser experience.

For this cruise, we splurged on the Disney Concierge level in the hope of eliminating some of the disappointments of our first Disney cruise. To say I was excited for our trip is a dramatic understatement, and the experience largely lived up to my highest expectations.

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Disney cruises are expensive and there aren't many ways to use points for booking, although you can certainly earn a ton of points by booking with the right credit card.

You can earn 3x points per dollar by putting the travel charge on your Chase Sapphire Reserve, which I did.

To use points on a Disney cruise, the easiest way is to make payments with a card that has fixed-value points you can use for travel . This includes the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card (currently with a bonus of 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. (worth $750 in travel). Here are some additional tips for using points when booking a cruise .

Although deals and redemptions are scarce, you can purchase Disney gift cards at a discount and then use them toward your cruise. It won't cut the price in half, but you can save 5-10%, depending on available offers and how hard you work on stacking them.

Related: The best credit cards for booking cruises

If you have the Disney Visa , you can save on board with discounts on spa treatments, Castaway Cay packages and photo packages. You can also get a promotional 0% introductory APR for six months on select Disney vacation packages from the date of purchase charged to the card (then a variable APR of 19.24% to 28.24% applies), if you need a little breathing room to pay off all that shrimp and magic. However, in terms of earning or using points, the Disney Visa isn't actually the best card out there, even for a Disney cruise.

On our first Disney cruise, my family of four booked two connecting staterooms to meet our needs for sufficient sleeping quarters and living space. Two cabins aren't necessary for a family of four sailing on Disney, but they were necessary for my family's sanity. We don't sleep well crammed into one small area. On this cruise, my mom came to experience her first cruise while my husband took a different trip with his dad.

We wanted to try another approach to accommodations, so we booked a one-bedroom suite instead of two staterooms. To be clear, two staterooms on Disney are almost always going to be less expensive than a one-bedroom suite. We went this route, in part, to try out Concierge level.

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We've become fans of the website CruiseCompete. This site allows cruise shoppers to select the cruise that interests them and then travel agents "compete" for their business by submitting quotes via email. The base sailing price is typically the same from all sources, including Disney, but the perks and bonuses can and do vary. Our best offer was via Cruise Vacation Outlet. They offer a stateroom credit based on the cost of your cruise, which for us amounted to $750 in an onboard credit. The cruise was pricey -- very pricey -- but that's $750 we wouldn't have gotten if we'd booked directly with Disney.

Looking at prices for a similar four-night cruise from Galveston to Cozumel for next January, prices for a family of four start around $3,300 for an inside stateroom. A stateroom with a balcony starts at $3,800 and a Concierge-level stateroom starts at $5,700. A one-bedroom Concierge suite, like the one we booked, is pricing around $7,000 for the same itinerary next year -- which is about what we paid this year. These suites sleep four to five people, and are 614 square feet, including the balcony.

Related: Interesting way to save money on a Disney Cruise

Embarkation

We arrived in Galveston at 11 a.m. Both times I've cruised, I've been pretty confused about where to go, where to park, where to drop off the bags, etc. There are signs, but it is a little chaotic. Once we figured out where we were supposed to be, the magic began.

I dropped off the bags with Disney cruise tags that had been mailed to us after booking. (Our bags later appeared in the hall outside our stateroom a few hours after boarding.) I also dropped off my kids and Grandma so they didn't have to do the parking lot/shuttle shuffle with me. The nearest open parking lot in Galveston was not within reasonable walking distance of the ship, unlike when sailing Disney from Port Canaveral. After a quick trip back from the parking lot and paying $55 to park for four nights, we were all back together and ready to walk into the terminal. Note that not all parking lots at the Galveston Port Terminal accept guests sailing on Disney, so the official lot is probably your best bet.

Inside the terminal, guests are guided by cheerful employees wearing big white Mickey Mouse gloves. You go through a security check reminiscent of an airport, but with shorter lines and fewer restrictions.

Next up is the Disney Cruise Line check-in desk. This is where our Concierge perks kicked in. We were able to walk right up to a special section with no wait.

Related: What to pack for your first cruise

Our passports were checked again and we were given our "keys to the world." These keycards serve as room keys and ship IDs. They also provide kids club access and charging privileges on the ship. You don't have to wear them on a lanyard around your neck, but it's the easiest way to keep track of them. It wasn't until the end of the cruise that I realized our gold-colored cards meant Concierge level. This made them easy to spot by the crew as most of the keys are blue.

Once we were through all the formalities, we had a brief wait. The waiting areas aren't fancy, though Concierge guests do have their own area and can board first -- just after the Disney-selected "family of the day."

My family was the third to board the ship, at 11:45 a.m. This was hours earlier than we were able to board on our first Disney cruise . I think my mom was overwhelmed with excitement and about ready to cry, which was pretty awesome. She grew up near the water on the Gulf Coast, watching ships her whole life, but this was her first time to step foot on anything larger than a car ferry.

All families are greeted by name as they board a Disney cruise. We were immediately invited to have lunch in Tiana's restaurant, which was reserved for Concierge guests for this meal. However, we had other plans.

On our first Disney cruise, there was almost always a long line for the waterslide and the pools were crowded, so our goal was to enjoy those amenities first thing before the ship was full of more than 2,000 guests.

One quick stop for snacks in the Concierge lounge later, the girls changed into their swimsuits (kept in our carry-on bags) and away we went to start the fun.

Much more on the pools and slide later, but the plan worked. My two girls enjoyed the water features on this sailing for at least an hour and we didn't see another guest during that time.

Laugh if you want, but it was my turn to tear up when I saw our suite: Number 8048.

Regular Disney staterooms are more than fine (and we will probably opt for them when we are lucky enough to cruise with Disney), but the suite was special. Seeing it brought together months of anticipation about the voyage. Square footage is at a serious premium on a cruise ship, so to have two full rooms, two bathrooms and some extra nooks and crannies was really, really cool.

When you enter the suite, there is a bathroom with a toilet and shower immediately to your right.

On the left is a good-sized row of closets, drawers and shelves. This provides storage when the living portion becomes a bedroom.

Past the entry hallway, there is a dining table for four and wet bar with a minibar underneath stocked with soda and water. These are all included, so drink up. You can also refill it as much as you'd like from the large fridge in the Concierge lounge.

The couch was transformed into a bed each evening by the stateroom staff. They do their best to meet with you on the first day to find out what you prefer for sleeping arrangements.

The living room has its own balcony access and TV with Disney movies and shows on demand.

A sliding door separates the living area from the bedroom area. (The door was quite loud. Even in moderate seas, if you tried to shut it all the way, it banged in its tracks all night.)

The queen-size bed in the bedroom area was quite comfortable.There is room for luggage to be stored underneath. (Though that's not how I store luggage anymore .)

A twin-size bed is against the wall across from the TV and next to the queen bed.

Pro tip: You can ask your stateroom hosts to provide cartoon sheets for the twin-size beds.

Rounding out the bedroom is another door that opens onto the large veranda and a second TV.

Between the bedroom and the main bathroom area is a small, but extremely functional, desk area next to the main closet. We used this to store and charge all the electronics. It really helped keep the whole family's smaller items organized.

Finally, there is the master bathroom. The bath area off of the master bedroom features a full-size tub and vanity.

The shower and toilet occupy separate spaces in another section.

Bath amenities are provided in large bottles of the Disney's H2O+ line that you could move from the shower to the bathtub, as needed.

You can't talk about the stateroom without talking about the great stateroom hosts. They cleaned the room and put away the extra beds each morning. Then, while we were out to dinner and a show, they magically transformed it back into a clean, calm space for sleeping. Only once during the cruise did they accidentally try to work their magic while we were in the room -- and that was our fault because we changed dining times at the last minute so we could take a nap.

Overall, this space worked well for our party of four, but it is worth noting that on Deck 8 we heard a fair amount of noise at times, mostly from kids running on the outdoor Deck 9 area above. We were also able to hear when a young child in the room next to ours was crying, which thankfully was only a passing issue at times.

Ports of call

Our four-night itinerary on the Disney Wonder was:

• Galveston, Texas
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Return to Galveston

Our only true port of call was Cozumel, which I was excited to see. I love much of the beautiful Cancun/Playa del Carmen area but hadn't been to Cozumel.

Day 1: Galveston

We spent the first few hours on the ship playing in the pool, eventually enjoying the Concierge lunch in Tiana's, registering in the kid's clubs and exploring. Around 4 p.m. it was time for the fun to officially begin with the "Sail Away" party.

While my mom went to the front of the ship to watch us pull away from the dock, an important moment for her, the girls and I went to a singing, dancing, laughing character-fueled party on deck.

I highly recommend this show; it was a ton of pumped-up fun. We missed it on our first cruise, in part because we just hadn't fully settled into the ship yet.

Drinks are for sale everywhere on deck leading up to this party, if you want to raise a glass to the start of your vacation.

Day 2: At sea

If you follow our adventures, you may already know that my youngest daughter and I both are prone to motion sickness . We were both mostly unfazed by our first Disney cruise, but not this time.

On our first full day at sea, I felt like drunk death for the first half of the day despite being 100% sober. My youngest daughter didn't feel great either. The captain described the sea as moderate in his daily announcements, but when pool water doesn't stay in the pool because the waves are so big, I call it more than moderately yucky. The remedy was some time on deck and Dramamine.

With our sea legs a bit sturdier, it was time to meet some characters and take in a movie. On a Disney cruise, some characters (like the princesses) require advance free reservations, while others are available for walk-up meet-and-greets.

The classic princesses gather in the ship's main atrium while the Frozen princesses gather in a transformed Animator's Palate.

To see characters for whom you don't have reservations, you can beat the lines by having one adult stand near where the character's published appearance is (arrive 10-15 minutes early) and hold the place for the rest of the family to join.

Day 3: Cozumel

Using some of the $750 stateroom credit, I booked a port excursion through Disney that included three stops during our one port day in Mexico: Mayan ruins, Mayan chocolate and Playa Mia Beach Club. It was $55 for kids, $69 for adults and sounded great since it had a little bit of everything.

We met our group at 10:15 a.m. and left the ship with them by 10:30 a.m. The tour operator took the group on a 30-minute bus ride to the Mayan ruins.

There was plenty to see to entertain impatient children for an hour, but our tour guide did more talking in one or two spots than really guiding the group to explore the area. About halfway through our time, we peeled off from the main group so we could see more of the area, which was wise given our interests.

Next up was a 30- to 40-minute drive to the location of the chocolate and beach break. The chocolate was very good with many varieties available for tasting in the gift shop. My favorite part was a sample of homemade corn tortillas with mole sauce -- I wish there had been more opportunities like that on the tour.

Finally, after spending about $40 for chocolate bars to take home, we had 90 minutes at the Playa Mia Beach Club. Lunch was not included in our package, but it was close to 2 p.m. and we were hungry. By this point in the afternoon, the buffet looked less than great to me, so we ordered off the menu. The food was served in an area that could hold hundreds of people at one time and it wasn't great (the margarita was undrinkable and awful), but we survived.

The last hour of the excursion was spent in the pools and on the beach. We didn't fully explore the waterpark area, and the beach was less than glamorous.

I didn't love the way we spent our time on Cozumel. I didn't hate it either, but there probably are better beaches and much better food in the area. Our tour returned to the ship about 15 minutes before the all-aboard time, so almost as soon as we were back on the ship, we were pulling away from Cozumel.

Pirate Night is held aboard ship during the evening after spending the day in Mexico, making for a pretty full day. So full that we begged to change our dinner to the late dinner so we could work in a nap before the nighttime fun.

You want to go all-in on Pirate Night. Trust me, your kids will love it. The meals that evening are all pirate-themed, there are pirate games and then a big pirate show.

There's dancing, pirating, battling and eventually, a fireworks show. Full warning, though, this fun goes on way past normal bedtime, so plan ahead with naps.

Day 3: At sea

On the third day we spa-ed, saw another movie, did a tequila and margarita tasting and ate Mickey bars, lots of Mickey bars. We were legitimately on vacation.

The tequila and margarita tasting was in the Cadillac Bar and Lounge and wasn't quite what I had hoped for. It was much more tequila and much less margarita. Only go to this one if you are a fan of hard liquor, which I'm not.

Even if you are on a shorter cruise, be sure to devote a full day just to exploring the ship and enjoying movies and more. Other than the big-ish waves at first, I was thankful to have two sea days on this cruise; our first cruise had none.

You are paying a premium to cruise with Disney, so make the most out of what is included on the ship.

You don't actually have to get off the Disney ship at all to have a full family vacation. From basketball to pools and waterslides to shows to the spa to kids clubs and more -- there are tons and tons of amenities, most of which are included in your base sailing price.

Pools and slides

On the Disney Wonder, there are three main pool areas for guests. There's the adults-only pool, the main pool and a smaller kid-friendly pool nearest the waterslide and splash area. Children still in diapers are not permitted in the pools, but can go into the splash area with swim diapers.

Here's the thing: The pools are small and they aren't as useable as you might think. We headed straight for the pools as soon as we got onboard this time around to avoid the crowds we experienced on our first Disney cruise. That strategy worked great, and indeed that first hour was the only hour we spent in the pools on our cruise. I won't post the photo of what it looks like when 15 people are in one hot tub, but you can imagine it for yourself.

Not only did the pools and slide get much busier at times, but on our first full day at sea, the water essentially sloshed out of most of the pools because it was so choppy. As shown below, the waterslide was still open on that sea day, but the line stretched all the way down the stairs.

Only one person at a time can go down the slide and you must be 38 inches or taller. My 4-year-old was tall enough by several inches, but the solo-sliding requirement made her decide to stay in the splash zone.

The adult-pool area had lots of swimmers and hot-tubbers at some times but was generally less busy than the family areas.

There are four or five different kids clubs on the Disney Wonder, depending on how you count. The largest, busiest two clubs are the Disney Oceaneer Club and Lab -- designed for children ages 3-12.

The two clubs are on Deck 5 and are connected by a "secret" passageway. The clubs are free for kids in that age range, though they do need to be potty-trained and one-on-one care is not provided. These connected kids clubs have a slide, a video-game area, a Marvel-themed area, Andy's playroom area, craft areas, movies, games, activities and character visits.

Your child's exact location within the club is tracked with what looks like a Disney Magic Band, and you can check them in and out at will. The only time parents are allowed to actually hang out in this club is during designated open-house hours.

On our first cruise, my girls (then 3 and 9) had a blast in these clubs and begged to return together again and again. However, I made a strategic error this time.

The tween club, Edge, is for kids 11-14, but I made the mistake of discovering that 10-year-olds can go to Edge with parent approval. I gave that approval and then my 10-year-old never wanted to go back to the "little kid club." Ever. This created lots of heartache for my 4-year-old who felt left behind. As a result, kids club time for her was not nearly as easy a sell on this cruise.

My 10-year-old, however, never wanted to leave Edge; she enjoyed hanging with the "big kids." Note that Edge is a come-and-go space without a parental check-in process. We did have some issues with my daughter not being where I thought she would be courtesy of that newfound ship freedom.

Lesson learned: Perhaps you should hide the fact that 10-year-olds can visit Edge, especially if you have a younger child still in the main kids clubs.

For teens, there is also Vibe, for ages 14-17. Consider yourself warned: Once your kid gets a taste of the clubs for older children, they may want nothing to do with the more supervised clubs for the young ones.

There are two types of shows on the Disney Wonder, the nighttime Broadway-caliber shows and Disney movies. The nighttime shows are scheduled opposite your dining time. This means if you have early dinner, you go to the late show, and vice versa. Of course, you are free to mix this up by not going to your regular seating for dinner and instead ordering room service, going to a grab-and-go food station or the Cabanas buffet.

On our cruise, nighttime shows included "Golden Mickeys" and "Frozen" -- both of which are excellent.

The Walt Disney Theatre has open seating, so you should get there 15-20 minutes before shows start for better seats. But here's a problem for families: There's no way to enjoy meals in the regular dining rooms (which are very good), see the shows and get to bed at a reasonable hour.

Some pretty cool offerings, like Pirate Night, don't even start until 10 p.m. or later. This isn't a big deal the first day or two of the cruise, but by the end of the cruise, I saw full-scale meltdowns everywhere. I'd love to see more matinee showings of the nighttime shows so families can make the most of their cruise and still get kids to bed at reasonable times. This was offered once, with "Frozen," but typically those with early dinner times (like us) end up going to shows that don't start until 8:30 p.m.

One of my favorite things to do on a Disney cruise is see a movie. It feels luxurious to walk right in and enjoy a first-run movie. On this cruise they were showing movies such as "Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker," "Maleficent 2" and "Frozen 2." Those in Concierge level can pick up sodas in the lounge and free popcorn at the shop right outside the theater. Otherwise, a bucket of popcorn is about $3.50.

There are two movie theaters on the Disney Wonder and some of the showings are in 3-D.

The Senses Spa is located in the forward area of Deck 9 on the Disney Wonder, which means that parts of the spa -- like the salon area -- have some great unobstructed ocean views.

Although I've seen some discounts on the spa during port days in the past, I didn't notice any this time. However, we still had some of that stateroom credit to use, so we happily made a few spa appointments for the last full day of the cruise.

My 50-minute massage was, in short, exceptional. It's hard to judge a whole spa on one service, but it really was great.

The spa treatment room wasn't overly impressive, nor was the area where you change clothes and shower. In fact, there was a line for the two showers at one point. However, the treatment was good enough that I didn't care about the rest. A small warning: They will try to sell you products unless you make it clear you're not interested.

My mom and I also had shampoo/blow-dry appointments in the spa and we both enjoyed them.

If you want some relaxation without paying for full spa services, you can purchase access to the Rainforest area of the spa. During our cruise, it was $29 per day if you purchased access onboard. It is likely cheaper if you buy access online ahead of time. This will also protect you from a potential sell-out which wasn't an issue on this cruise, but can happen. You can also buy a multi-day pass if you want to make this a part of your daily cruising routine.

This tranquil room has heated stone loungers, aromatherapy steam and showers with different temperatures and pressures. But wait, there's more.

Since you're already at the spa, you can use the full-size showers in the spa dressing rooms to clean up instead of relying solely the smaller showers in your stateroom. Beware that there may be a wait for the changing-room showers as there are only two in the women's dressing area of the spa on the Disney Wonder. It is a solid option if you get claustrophobic and want a larger shower space.

Adult-only area

The spa isn't the only kid-free area on the Disney Wonder. You can also head to the Quiet Cove area located on Deck 9.

Here you'll find plenty of comfy lounge chairs, a main adult-only pool and two hot tubs.

There's also an adult coffee shop that transforms into a bar as the day goes on.

This is where you can get your cold brew fix each morning. If you plan to make multiple visits, pick up a frequent-sipper card that gives you a free specialty drink when you buy five on that particular cruise.

The beverages in this shop are sold for a fee, but the pastries in the display case are free.

Concierge lounge

I'm going to do a whole separate article on whether the Disney cruise Concierge level is worth it, so stay tuned for a deep dive into the service and access it conveys. But here's an overview of the lounge itself.

The Concierge lounge is open from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. and serves meals and snacks at the following times:

• Continental breakfast (7 a.m.-10:15 a.m.)
• Lunch snacks (11:00 a.m.-1:45 p.m.)
• Afternoon offerings (2:45 p.m.-4:15 p.m.)
• Dinner snacks (5:00 p.m.-8:15 p.m.)
• Dessert (9:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.)

For breakfast in the lounge you will often find smoked salmon, diced fruit, muffins, pastries and these truly addictive Mickey-shaped cinnamon rolls. There's also a great coffee machine and sugar cubes shaped like Mickey's head.

At lunch you'll generally find wraps, small sandwiches and single-serve desserts.

In the evening, there are complimentary beverages from 5 p.m.-10 p.m. This is a big deal as alcohol is not routinely complimentary anywhere else on the ship. The bartender on our ship knew everyone's name by the second evening and was a true joy to see each night.

During the evening (and during the day on the first day of the cruise), you have your pick of wine, liquor and beer. Available brands include, Tito's, Bombay Sapphire, Crown Royal, 1800, Jack Daniel's, etc.

For evening snacks, there are small salads, cheese, bread and more.

Having complimentary wine in the evening in a private lounge is pretty great. You can get a glass to take to dinner or your stateroom too.

Second perhaps to the adult beverages, my favorite lounge offering was the stocked fridge -- which you can raid. This means you can have drinks on hand in your stateroom, to take on excursions and enjoy around the ship. There's bottled water, sparkling water, Coke products, juice and juice boxes. I didn't count how many drinks we consumed over the course of a four-night cruise, but a couple dozen is a fair estimate.

A cool event in the Concierge lounge was a special meet-and-greet with a surprise Disney character after the Cozumel port day. On our cruise, the special character was Stitch, but I believe it varies from cruise to cruise. There was a line to meet the character, but it was no more than five minutes while we were there.

In addition to the main indoor area, the Concierge lounge on the Disney Wonder has a private bathroom just outside the entrance, as well as an upper-deck outdoor area that overlooks the adult-pool area.

Food and beverage

Main restaurants.

The Disney Wonder has three main restaurants. These are included in your cruising price and your serving team rotates with you each night. For example, they remembered that my oldest daughter likes barbecue sauce with virtually everything and had it ready at subsequent meals.

The newest restaurant option on the Disney Wonder is Tiana's, a New Orleans-themed restaurant.

This restaurant is an absolute party. We enjoyed shrimp and grits, lobster salad, beignets and way too much fluffy bread.

But that's not even the best part. The best part is the live music, dancing and general merry-making that is the theme of this restaurant.

We missed the main meal in Animator's Palate as we dined at the adults-only Palo that night. We were able to enjoy Animator's Palate during Pirate Night, but it's not the same experience. Rumor has it that the restaurant transforms from black and white to color as the main meal goes on. We'll have to catch it next time.

We enjoyed Animator's Palate during the pirate-themed night with shrimp, crab cakes, noodles, jerk chicken with red beans and rice ... and the requisite kid meal: macaroni with chicken strips. Your kids can order whatever they want from the menu, but my 4-year-old happily stuck to a narrow list of options.

All the restaurants were good, but Triton's was probably my least favorite. It wasn't bad, it just wasn't as fun or themed as the others. If you want to skip one, this is it.

Still, we managed to eat our weight in seafood.

As you are ordering your courses, know that on a Disney cruise, included dessert is never more than a request away. In fact, the servers often insist you at least try it. And in that case, we all know calories don't count.

Quick service

There are a multitude of included quick-service dining options -- pizza, chicken fingers, burgers, hot dogs, chili bowls, ice cream, salads, gyros and more. Basically, no one will ever go hungry.

For lunch, we usually went to the Cabanas buffet which is open for three meals per day -- plus late into the night on Pirate Night. Cabanas has everything from chicken fingers to ham, stir-fry, seafood, salad, fruit, calamari and dozens of other selections.

Room service

I'm a sucker for room-service breakfast and thankfully it's included for all guests on a Disney cruise. The only catch is that the menu is continental. Donuts, muffins, beverages and cereal are no problem, but there's nothing hot (or particularly healthy) on the included menu.

However, a perk of Concierge level is that Concierge guests can order from the Triton's breakfast menu and have hot items delivered to the room. We ordered omelettes, Mickey waffles, bacon, sausage, yogurt parfaits, hashbrowns and more.

Note that although normal room service was always delivered during the time I selected on the door hanger the night before, our one special room-service order from Triton's took a long time to arrive. That may be a fluke, but budget at least an hour for delivery. Once it arrived, it was perfect.

Last, but far from least, ordering ice cream Mickey bars from room service is a must-do. There's no fee for this (other than an optional tip) -- so your kids may want to make this a part of your daily cruise routine. Our oldest daughter learned how to order the bars herself on our previous cruise ... and put those skills to use on this one. (Just be careful what you wear when eating a melting Mickey bar -- something in these bars is very hard to get out of clothes.)

There's no better meal on the Disney Wonder than Palo. This is an 18-an-up restaurant that requires reservations and costs an additional $40 per person. We couldn't get into Palo on our first cruise as Disney newbies because it was already booked by passengers who had access to advance reservations. First-time cruisers are at the bottom of the advance-booking food chain. But this time, Concierge-level access made it happen, and with the kids together in the kids club (at my insistence) my mom and I dined so well that we went into a legit food coma.

Our reservation was at sunset, a visual treat. People also dress up more here, which raised the ambience a notch or two over Pirate Night.

The service was out-of-this-world exceptional. And the food, well, I'll crave it forever.

Palo is an Italian-themed restaurant. On the menu you'll find everything from heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella to tableside antipasti to grilled lobster with pasta, to calamari to handmade gnocchi to scallops to the best meat on the ship (per the chef) -- the prime beef tenderloin.

Every bite was rich and succulent, but my favorites were the butternut squash agnolotti and chocolate souffle (both shown below). Once you pay your $40 fee, you can order away at no additional charge, which can be quite the bargain considering some items on the list. What a wonderful experience this was.

Finally, the ship has bars and an entire area devoted to adults, though kids can enter some of these spaces at times. Outside Tiana's restaurant is the French Quarter Lounge which has live music in the evenings. Kids were welcome here during our visit, though the area was never busy when we stopped by.

There's an English pub, Crown & Fin, that was lively during some football playoff games. There's typically a selection of complimentary bar food at the buffet in this pub.

Also in the "After Hours" portion of the ship is the previously mentioned Cadillac Lounge, where we did the tequila tasting. There is some fun live piano and jazz here in the (kid-free) evenings.

Overall impression

There's a lot to take in on a four-night Disney cruise. Nothing is perfect, but our sailing was pretty darn awesome. It was admittedly very expensive, even by Disney standards. However, it was worth it. We had no worries, my mom got to come with us and it has even piqued the interest of my dad and extended family now taking their first cruises . As for me, it makes me think even bigger when it comes to cruising. Alaska is now on my radar, though likely not in Disney Concierge level as that would probably cost as much as a small car.

The Disney Wonder is a perfectly sized ship. It was large enough to keep us entertained for multiple days, but small enough that my 10-year-old could navigate it pretty well by the second day. The elevators were laughably small (we logged many flights of stairs), but otherwise it didn't feel small in any way.

I wouldn't hesitate to return to the Disney Wonder for this or a longer sailing. The only thing that may get in my way is the temptation of booking a sailing on the all-new Disney Wish when it enters the fleet.

Disney Cruise Prices: How Much Will This Vacation Cost?

W ith a fleet of five luxury cruise ships — and a sixth coming in December of this year — featuring waterslides, Broadway-quality shows and Disney fun for the entire family, Disney cruises are an attractive vacation option. The ships sail in all parts of the world, and Disney even has its own private island.

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If that all sounds like the makings of a perfect family vacation, you’re likely not wrong. But you’re also likely asking: How much does a Disney cruise cost? In fact, Disney cruise prices vary as wildly as Captain Jack Sparrow’s moods. But there’s no magic in divining if a Disney cruise is worth it for you or not, or how you can save money and still step aboard the “happiest place” on water.

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How Much Is a Disney Cruise?

Assuming you don’t want to fly to Sydney for a two-night cruise to Brisbane, Australia, and then fly home again, Disney cruise prices are least expensive if you leave from Florida. For example, a three-night, one-way cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to San Juan, Puerto Rico, was $1,494 as of March 20. As far as round-trip cruises, a four-night western Caribbean cruise leaving from Galveston, Texas, and visiting Progreso, Mexico, was priced at $1,518. On the West Coast, a three-night Baja cruise from San Diego to Ensenada, Mexico, and back again ran $1,712.

All these prices were for two adults sharing an inside cabin. The rates also included all taxes, fees and port expenses.

The Cost of Leveling Up to a Nicer Cabin

As mentioned above, Disney cruise prices cover a vast range. And while they’re not among the most expensive cruise liners, they can get pricey. The above cruises, as well as other cruise offerings, offer a number of different cabin types. For instance, for the Fort Lauderdale cruise listed above, here are the price differences for cabin types for two adults:

Longer Cruises Are Generally More Expensive

As you might expect, in addition to the port of departure and the level of cabin, the length of your cruise will have a major impact on its price. Disney offers cruises lasting anywhere from two to 15 nights. 

The most expensive cruise GOBankingRates could find was a 12-night Mediterranean cruise visiting eight ports, ranging from Greece and Turkey to Spain and Italy. An inside cabin for two adults on this cruise ran $11,417, while a Concierge-level cabin tilted the scale at $33,665.

With more than 600 cruises on offer around the world, however, cruises can be found at virtually every price point between the low and the high.

How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost for a Family of 4?

There aren’t many brands that scream family louder than Disney, which is why it offers pricing for families of four. If two of those guests are under 18, it does not double the price. It does increase it substantially, however. For instance, for a three-night, one-way cruise from Fort Lauderdale to San Juan, an inside cabin comes in at $1,494 for two adults and $2,506 for a family of four with two under-12 children.

And that 12-night Mediterranean cruise visiting eight ports, which ranged from $11,417 to $33,665 for two adults? It’s $17,501 for an inside cabin for four and $45,141 for a Concierge-level cabin.

Are Disney Cruises All-Inclusive?

Most of what you are probably going on a cruise to experience is included, but there are some notable exceptions. For instance, while all your meals, including 24-hour room service, are included, bottled water and alcohol are not. There are also luxury dining experiences that are not included.

As far as entertainment goes, there are Broadway-quality shows, firework displays, Disney character experiences, movie screenings, pools, waterslides and more included. You’ll also enjoy in-room movies, nightclubs with live music, adult pools and fitness centers for free. However, there are plenty of add-ons that can add up fast. 

Here are some vacation necessities and favorites that aren’t included in the price of the cruise:

• Airfare/transportation to or from the departure or final port
• Pre- or post-cruise hotel stays
• Certain family and kids experiences
• Bottled water, alcoholic beverages and specialty drinks
• Wireless internet
• Vacation protection plan
• Adult-exclusive dining
• Spa and salon visits
• Many Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) amenities

What Is Disney’s Private Island Like and How Much Is a Cruise There?

Disney’s private island, called Disney Castaway Cay, lies in the Bahamas, and as the name implies, it is exclusive to Disney cruise guests. A tropical island, Castaway Cay has white sand beaches, clear blue water and picturesque palm trees. However, this is a family fun-themed island, so there are plenty of amenities and adventures.

Things To Do on Castaway Cay

• Beach Time: Grab one of the plentiful beach chairs and umbrellas available.
• 5K Run/Walk: Run or walk the 5K trail around the island; complete it and earn a medal.
• Character Appearances: Take advantage of a photo op with one of the many Disney characters on the island.
• Sports Beach: Play a game of volleyball or tetherball.
• Snorkeling Lagoon: Follow the two underwater trails and search for the hidden Mickey.
• Serenity Bay: Relax at an adults-only beach with massages, a bar and BBQ.
• Pelican Plunge: Slip into one of two twisty water slides or a water play section.
• In Da Shade Game Pavilion: Play table tennis, foosball, billiards, and basketball in the shade.
• Teen Hideout: Let your 14- to 17-year-olds enjoy an exclusive spot of their own.
• Boat Rentals: Rent a kayak, paddleboat, aqua trike or stand-up paddleboard.
• Shopping: Shop for your favorite Disney souvenirs.

The Cost of a Cruise to Castaway Cay

For two adult guests staying in an inside cabin, the least expensive cruise to Castaway Cay that GOBankingRates found was a three-night trip from Fort Lauderdale for $1,631. On the opposite end of the spectrum was aboard Disney’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, for its maiden voyage. This was a seven-night trip visiting Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay for $11,279, for a Verandah-level cabin (the only level offered).

How Can I Save Money on My Disney Cruise?

In addition to some of the more obvious ways to save money on a cruise , such as using credit card points for airfare and any hotel stays, avoiding add-ons like spa treatments and excursions, and choosing round-trip cruises departing from ports nearest your home, there are some unexpected ways to save money on your Disney vacation.

Alcohol is not included in Disney cruise prices, but you can bring a limited amount of your own aboard. Guests 21 and older (18 and older in Australia) can bring up to two bottles of wine (750 milliliters each) and six 12-ounce beers on board at the start of their journey and at each port of call. However, you will be charged a $27 corkage fee if you choose to drink the wine (or champagne) in one of the ship’s dining rooms.

Special Offers

Disney Cruise Line lists several special offers. For instance, you can enjoy up to 25% off select cruises designated by the cruise line. These offers do come with some restrictions, however, like allowing Disney to choose your cabin, and are nonrefundable. Other discounts include up to 25% off on select sailings for Canadian residents and special military rates.   

Costco Travel

Costco Travel has partnered with Disney Cruise Line and offers significant discounts on select cruises for its members. For instance, a quick search found a four-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral, visiting Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, which retailed for $2,303 per person on Disney Cruise Line’s site, offered at $1,284 per person on Costco Travel’s site. So if you are a Costco member, it’s worth shopping Costco Travel .

Prices and deals are accurate as of March 20, 2024, and are subject to change.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : Disney Cruise Prices: How Much Will This Vacation Cost?