where do disney cruise ships go

The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

After decades of success making families smile and laugh at its theme parks, Disney dipped its toes into the world of cruising in 1998. Disney didn't just copy another cruise line's model for success or slap its name on the side of an existing ship. It created its own brand of cruising.

Disney went so far into charting its own path as to get special approval from the U.S. Coast Guard for its ships' lifeboats to be yellow instead of regulation orange, to tie into the colors of Mickey himself — black, red, white and yellow.

Now, Disney Cruise Line has five ships sailing in those signature colors, along with three more on order. In a normal year, those five ships take tens of thousands of families on sailings to the Caribbean , Mexico, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, Bahamas, through the Panama Canal and even to Australia and New Zealand.

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Having sailed four of Disney Cruise Line's five ships, I can say the experience is indeed special — especially if you have kids. But Disney's not a one-trick cruise line that's only good for one age group. It offers kids clubs and activities to suit babies through teens and has several adults-only areas of the ship . Its newest ship, Disney Wish , provides more cool spaces for adults than any previous vessel.

Disney's attention to detail transfers to its voyages on the sea. But unlike at the Disney theme parks, which can be a bit complicated to navigate, long lines and complex strategies are rarely a part of the Disney cruise experience.

Get the free planning help of a Disney vacation planner via TPG's partner, Mouse Counselors .

What TPG loves about Disney Cruise Line

• Broadway-caliber shows and first-run movies.
• Disney-level service and attention to detail.
• High-quality Disney character interactions and kids clubs.
• Innovative, included rotational dining.

What we could do without

• Disney cruises are expensive.
• The onboard Wi-Fi is not the fastest, especially on ships that haven't been upgraded. And it's not cheap.

Disney Cruise Line fleet

While Disney may be a household name, Disney Cruise Line is actually a small line. It currently sails just five ships, compared to 27 at its family-friendly competitor Royal Caribbean .

Of the five, two are smaller ships, and three are larger.

The largest ships in Disney's fleet are Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, at 1,115 feet long and 14 decks high, and Disney Wish , at 1,119 feet and 15 decks high.

These three ships each have a passenger capacity of 4,000 people spread out across approximately 1,250 cabins. The overwhelming majority of cabins on these ships have an ocean view or private verandah, with only 10%-12% being windowless inside cabins. (On its oldest four ships, these interior rooms have a "magical porthole" that displays a live feed from outside to replicate a window.)

Disney Treasure , expected to join the fleet in 2024, will be in the same larger Triton class of ships as Disney Wish.

Disney Wish is currently a workhorse of short three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral , Florida, to the Bahamas, home to Disney's private island , Castaway Cay.

Disney Fantasy often sails weeklong cruises out of Florida. With the addition of Disney Wish to the fleet, Disney Dream now spends its summer across the Atlantic, offering European cruises from May to September, then spending much of the rest of the year based out of Fort Lauderdale.

The smaller two ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet are Disney Wonder and the line's first ship, Disney Magic .

These two ships are 984 feet long and 11 decks high, and each has the capacity for 2,713 passengers across 875 staterooms. On these two smaller ships, 70% of passenger cabins have ocean views or verandahs.

Disney Wonder is often on the move and currently splits its time among Alaska , the South Pacific, Hawaii, California, Mexico and beyond. Disney Magic spends part of its year based out of Galveston, Texas, or New Orleans and much of the rest based out of Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

Related: Best destinations you can sail to on a Disney cruise

Disney Cruise Line destinations and itineraries

Disney Cruise Line has about 370 annual departures scheduled that range from two- to 15-night sailings. Many new-to-Disney itineraries have recently become available as the line is adding new ships for the first time in a decade.

Disney Cruise Line destinations include:

• New Zealand
• Pacific Coast
• South Pacific

Disney Wish has, by far, the highest number of annual sailings, with 105 three- and four-night cruises departing from Port Canaveral to the Bahamas. These sailings all go to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay; some also stop in Nassau, Bahamas.

Some Disney cruises do what's called a "double dip" and make two stops at the private island, where you can step ashore without leaving the Disney bubble.

Pro tip: If you go to Castaway Cay, rent a bike for a little exercise and a self-guided tour of the island. Or, you can run the at-your-pace 5K that morning around the island.

Coming in summer 2024 , Disney will have a second exclusive beach destination in the Bahamas — Lighthouse Point.

This won't be an entire private island like Castaway Cay, but it will be an exclusive beachfront space designed for Disney Cruise Line with many similar offerings to Castaway. Disney Magic, Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy will call on this new destination for the first time in 2024.

Related: Best tips and tricks for sailing with Disney Cruise Line

Who sails Disney Cruise Line?

Let's start with the obvious: Families love Disney Cruise Line.

The ultimate sweet spot for taking a Disney cruise starts when a child is at least 3 years old and potty trained (the criteria that get them into the included kids clubs) and lasts until they outgrow their love of Disney characters. Remember, Disney now includes the "Star Wars" and Marvel brands and offers themed cruises featuring those characters, too.

A Disney cruise costs more than a similar cruise on a line like Royal Caribbean , so it's easiest to justify the expense when your kids love Disney the most.

So, yes, the stereotype that Disney Cruise Line is full of families is 100% correct.

You'll see many families with kids in those preschool, elementary and middle school years. But you'll also see families with little babies (the minimum age is 6 months on most sailings, 1 year on Panama Canal and transatlantic sailings), tweens, teens, college-age kids and even grandparents who have made a Disney cruise an enjoyable multigenerational travel tradition.

Related: Comparing Disney, Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruises for families

You'll also see cruisers who love Disney regardless of age and are proud to wear their Mickey ears while hearing the first seven notes of the "When You Wish Upon a Star" melody blown from the ship's massive horn.

Just like you don't need kids to have a great time at Disney World or Disneyland, you can happily cruise as adults without offspring on Disney Cruise Line. All the ships have active adults-only sun decks, pool and lounges. Disney Wish especially invested in its adult offerings with an infinity pool, along with more bars spread around the ship instead of being clustered into one main area.

Disney Cruise Line cabins and suites

At a basic level, Disney Cruise Line offers five main types of cabins across the fleet. In its simplified version, the types of cabins on a Disney cruise include:

• Windowless inside cabins
• Ocean-view cabins
• Verandah cabins (with private balconies)
• Verandah cabins with concierge service
• Suites with concierge service

These cabins start at 169 square feet for a standard inside cabin and go up to a two-story, 1,966-square-foot Tower Suite on Disney Wish .

Unless you are OK with the smallest space on the ship or have a budget for the largest, the sweet spot for price and comfort on Disney Cruise Line vessels is probably the cabins that are around 204 square feet and usually come with a queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed and a split bath.

This split bathroom situation places a sink and the shower/tub combo in one bathroom and the toilet and another sink in the other. Each has its own separate door, so someone could use the toilet/sink room while another takes a shower, all in private and at the same time.

You'll find this cabin layout within the Deluxe Inside Staterooms, Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms and Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah categories.

The Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms and Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah add about 40 more square feet to the equation. If you want the largest within those room categories, search for rooms that can hold five people on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Pro tip: You can ask your cabin host for cartoon bedding for the kid's bed if you think your child will be excited to come back from dinner to one of their Disney favorites.

You can connect many of the cabins on the ship , which is often a much more economical solution for a family looking for more sleeping space (and bathrooms) than upgrading to a multibedroom suite. Roughly speaking, a family of four will pay about 50% more for two cabins than they will for everyone to stay in one cabin of the same size.

Related: 7 nights. 4 people. 1 cruise ship cabin. Can we survive?

If you are going all-out on a particular trip, or are simply working with a larger budget, Disney concierge suites are special.

The smallest available room with this service is the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which isn't all that different from the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, other than the included concierge service. From there, you can go up to the one- or two-bedroom suites.

Be prepared for sticker shock, though, as these suites will almost certainly be near or over five figures on many sailings.

While pricey, Disney concierge service eliminates almost all of the potential pain points of a Disney cruise (not that there are many pain points to begin with).

Disney concierge service gets you access to the Disney Concierge Lounge, which has food offerings multiple times per day and a fully stocked fridge with sodas, juices and bottles of water.

In the evenings, you'll find included beer, wine and spirits in the lounge — which you can also take with you as you head out to dinner or to enjoy the view from the deck.

The Concierge Lounge also has its own private deck, and Disney characters have been known to make a private appearance there during the cruise. (Don't worry, you'll get a heads-up.)

Related: Is Disney Cruise Line concierge service worth it?

You also have your own check-in area at the port and are among the first to board the ship, which can mean extra time to enjoy having the waterslides to yourself. At the end of the cruise, you can have a private elevator that takes you down to be some of the first off the ship — which should protect you from a long line to say goodbye.

There are other perks of the concierge level, too, such as early front-row seating at shows, included popcorn and the ability to submit your request for meal reservations at Palo or Remy, cabanas on Castaway Cay, spa treatments, character meet-and-greets or whatever else you wish before other guests. These can be made for you starting 120 days before your sailing, which is before all other guests except those with the highest elite status tier in the Castaway Club .

Passengers on their first Disney cruise don't get to make those reservations until 75 days out if they aren't in the concierge level. The reality is the hottest items are often booked up by then, especially on shorter cruises when there's less time to do everything.

Those in the concierge level in one-bedroom suites and higher can also order room service from the restaurants to their cabin, which means you can have a hot breakfast on your verandah if you wish instead of the regular continental options available to most guests.

If you are on the fence about concierge service, it's arguably most valuable when you are on a shorter cruise, have some specific popular must-have items on your reservation wish list or want someone else to take care of everything. You can also inquire about discounted upgrades at the port, assuming rooms are left unsold on your voyage.

Pro tip: Regardless of your cabin, bring magnetic Mickey or nautical-themed decor for the entrance, as most of the cabin doors are magnetic. Decorating is a fun tradition on a Disney cruise.

Related: Review of sailing in a suite with Disney concierge service

Disney Cruise Line restaurants and dining options

You will not go hungry on a Disney cruise. From room service to evening dinners, meals are (mostly) all included.

Rotational dining

On each Disney ship, three main dining rooms serve as dinner restaurants that participate in rotational dining. Each ship has its own lineup of themed rotational restaurants, but the concept remains the same on each.

Each night, your tablemates and servers will move from one restaurant to the next as a team. This way, the servers get to know that you always want to start with a glass of red wine, or your kids' food needs to come ASAP so you can take them to the kids club as soon as they finish, or (in my case) your daughter wants a side of barbecue sauce with ... everything.

You must choose between an early and a late dinner time, with your showtime opposite your dining time. Some restaurants, such as Animator's Palate, are found on multiple ships, while others are unique to one ship, such as Tiana's Place on Disney Wonder and all of the rotational restaurants found on Disney Wish .

Included restaurants on Disney Magic

• Animator's Palate
• Lumiere's
• Rapunzel's Royal Table

Included restaurants on Disney Wonder

• Tiana's Place
• Triton's

Included restaurants on Disney Dream

• Enchanted Garden
• Royal Palace

Included restaurants on Disney Fantasy

• Royal Court

Included restaurants on Disney Wish

• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure
• Worlds of Marvel

At these restaurants, you can order whatever you want on the menu at no extra charge, with a few exceptions (for example, alcohol and specialty drinks cost extra).

While many guests dress up a bit for dinner (compared to their afternoon pool deck attire), most stay relatively casual for the rotational dining restaurants. Disney does not impose a specific dress-up requirement.

Disney cruise ships offer many other dining options beyond the three included themed restaurants — most included, some not.

Room service

Room service is mostly free (other than sodas or alcohol), though the menu is limited if you aren't staying in a concierge-level cabin. Still, it's free room service, so I'm not one to complain.

Pro tip: Fill the breakfast card out the night before and hang it on your stateroom to get breakfast exactly when you want it the next morning.

And you haven't lived until your kids learn how to call and order free Mickey ice cream bars to the cabin ... every night (just be sure and add a tip).

Buffet and grab-and-go

Your Disney cruise will also include a buffet known as Cabanas on the original four ships and Marceline Market on Disney Wish. The buffet is usually open for breakfast and lunch, though not in the evening hours.

In addition to the buffet, a few grab-and-go quick-service restaurants on the pool deck serve salads, chili, pizza, barbecue and more, depending on which ship you're sailing.

Don't miss these options, as some are quite good. They are typically open from late morning until later into the evening.

Room service, the buffet and the on-deck food counter dining options don't cost extra and are available to you in addition to or instead of your rotational dining.

You'll also find included ice cream on one of the upper decks. A pro-level hack is to get Mickey churro waffles from the buffet in the morning (only available some mornings) and add vanilla ice cream for a vacation-worthy breakfast.

Extra-cost, adults-only restaurants

At the top of the "costs extra" list are the restaurants Palo (found on all five ships, though it's Palo Steakhouse on Disney Wish), Remy (on Dream and Fantasy) and Enchante (only on Disney Wish).

Remy is a fancy adults-only French restaurant that costs $125 per person for dinner (more if you order drinks). This is the type of place where men need jackets and women are expected to wear dresses, pantsuits or a skirt and blouse. Enchante on Disney Wish is similar — you're dressing up for these meals.

Palo is also fancy, though a notch less fancy than Remy. You'll see jackets and dresses in Palo, but you can also get by with nice jeans if you want. This adults-only restaurant serves Northern Italian fare and starts at about $45 per person for a multicourse brunch or dinner, though you can also order a la carte for dinner, which could cost more or less, depending on your order.

I can say with 100% certainty that if you enjoy a nice meal, this is worth the extra $45 once during your cruise . From the breadbasket to the dessert, it's all amazing. You'll gain 5 pounds, but you won't regret a bite.

These reservations are hard to get, especially for brunch, so you'll want to make them the second you are eligible and keep checking back for cancellations if you miss out the first time.

Coffee shops and snack shops

On a Disney cruise, the snacks and pastries you'll see in the coffee shop or kiosk are all included, but the specialty coffee will cost extra. Drink prices are roughly similar to Starbucks, if not a notch lower. Be sure and ask for the Cafe Fanatic card if you're a regular, as your sixth drink will be free.

In addition to the included soft-serve ice cream and Mickey bars available via room service, your ship may have some shops with extra-fee ice cream. This can confuse kids, so I want to warn you beforehand. On Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, you'll find an ice cream shop stuffed with candies, gelato and ice cream — all for an extra charge.

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy also have a juice bar that costs extra.

The exact bars will vary by vessel, but you can expect spots like a wine and Champagne bar, a pub, a laid-back lounge and a bar with live entertainment.

These bars are a lot of fun and are not to be missed if you like live music or a nice drink at the end of the day. Keep an eye out in your app for when and where the happy hours are on board if you want to save a few dollars on your drinks. Some bars also offer a sommelier bin where you get a nice glass of wine at a discounted price — as long as you put the bartender in charge of choosing your drink.

Some of the drink-tasting classes that you book in advance can be a good value if you're a fan of the drink on offer and are interested in learning a little bit while you sip. You'll want to book these before sailing, as many do sell out.

Food on Castaway Cay

If your cruise takes you to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay, you're in luck, as there's plenty of included food to eat there, too.

Just like on board, some of the food on Castaway is included, while alcohol and specialty drinks are not. The Cookie's and Cookie's Too lunch shacks on the island are both included, so load up on hot dogs, barbecue, hamburgers, fries and all the fixings. Vegetarian options are available.

While the food options here are somewhat basic, they still make for a fun and free meal.

However, if you don't like what is on offer on the island, you can always hop back on your ship for lunch and then continue your afternoon on the island after you eat.

Entertainment and activities on a Disney cruise

A valid reason to want to sail with Disney is the onboard fun that awaits — especially for those who love Disney characters and stories.

Theaters and shows

Each Disney cruise ship features two theaters. In the massive Walt Disney Theatre, you'll enjoy Broadway-caliber evening shows such as "Beauty and the Beast," "Frozen," "Tangled," "Disney Dreams," "The Golden Mickeys" and more. If you want a good seat, arrive about 30 minutes early since seating is first come, first served.

The Buena Vista Theatre screens first-run Disney films. These will be the same films still showing in theaters on land. If you happen to be at sea when a new Disney movie premieres on land, you'll also get that same first look at sea.

Pirate Night is a staple on many Disney cruises in the Caribbean. On that themed night, expect everyone to be dressed in their pirate-y best for the evening, so pack accordingly. Your dinner will also have a pirate theme, followed by a fun show up on deck, complete with fireworks.

Pro tip: If you plan to stay up late for Pirate Night, try to work in a nap that afternoon so you don't miss out on the nighttime fun.

Game shows, karaoke, bingo and more

The extensive lineup of interactive game shows, trivia, karaoke, dance parties, bingo and more listed in the Disney cruise app are worth checking out. Some of these are adults-only, while others are fun for the whole family. Most are included in the price of the cruise, though bingo does cost extra — and you could win real money.

Other interior attractions and activities

Meeting Disney characters is a fun part of a Disney cruise.

You can make reservations to meet the popular princesses, but most characters are easy to walk up to and meet via a short line. Or, even better, you often see them roaming about the ship at unexpected times.

You can work off some of those treats and drinks at the onboard fitness center on each ship.

The Senses Spa & Salon is a full-service spa with everything from massages to pedicures and hair care. Promotions are available if you book more than one treatment. If you have a Disney Visa card , you can also save 20% on select onboard services.

Pro tip: The showers in this part of the ship are full-size, in case you are getting a bit claustrophobic in the shower in your cabin.

If you like getting away to relax, look at purchasing access to the Rainforest Room for heated stone loungers, aromatherapy showers and even hot tubs on the larger ships. You can buy a one-day or full-cruise pass to this area of the spa, but get a tour first as the layout and inclusions in this space vary dramatically from ship to ship.

Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

Little cruisers can be transformed into a princess or pirate at sea at the onboard Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which does themed kid makeovers and sells costumes as part of the package. You'll need an appointment; expect to pay $100 to $200 for most packages.

This is a fun thing to do before meeting a princess, before a more formal night or anytime you want to see a huge smile on your kid's face. If you have a princess dress or outfit from home you want to use or reuse, you can purchase a cheaper package at Bibbidi Bobbidi.

Decktop attractions

Waterslides.

All of Disney Cruise Line's ships have some kind of waterslide on board.

The AquaDuck waterslide on Dream and Fantasy takes riders in single or double tubes 765 feet from Deck 12 up and down, through the forward funnel and on a four-deck drop. It's pretty epic. AquaMouse on Disney Wish is also an inner tube-based ride and is not to be missed.

These lines can get long, so I recommend riding first thing when you board if the port is warm enough. Nighttime rides usually have short waits, too.

Disney Magic has the most thrilling waterslide in the fleet, called AquaDunk, and Disney Wonder has its own waterslide in the AquaLab splash area.

Each Disney ship has multiple pools, though if you've never been on a cruise, you may be initially shocked at how small they are — and how busy they can get.

As with the waterslides, we recommend enjoying these first thing when you board if you want to try them without crowds. Otherwise, you won't find so many people in the pools on port days, early in the morning and right before dinner. There are thousands of people on the ship and only a few small pools, so plan accordingly.

Each ship has a pool and hot tub area for adults 18 and up. It can also get busy, but typically less busy than the family area. Select ships also offer an in-pool bar area for adults.

The adult sun deck is a nice place to grab a chair and relax, even if you have no intention of getting in the water.

Splash pads

Your little one has to be potty trained to use the onboard pools. The option for those still in swim diapers is some splash areas, such as Nemo's Reef and Dory's Reef.

Sports deck

If you want to be more active, head to your ship's sports deck to play basketball, foosball, miniature golf and more. You may even have some sports simulator options beyond your traditional in-person fun.

Children's programs

As a parent, my favorite part of a Disney cruise might be the included kids programs that children actually want to attend. If the kids are happy for a few hours, the parents can actually relax, too.

Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for children ages 3–12

All five Disney ships have amazing spaces for kids in the 3-to-12-year-old range in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.

Here you'll find video games, an indoor slide, fun programs and games with the staff, arts and crafts, surprise character visits and more. Your kids need to be potty trained to stay in this club, so use that as motivation for a kid approaching 3 years old before your next cruise.

Your kids don't need an appointment to pop in here; they can come anytime from open to close — and the club stays open pretty late.

Parents can stay with kids and play during open hours on the first day and select times on other dates, but most of the time, the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are kids-only. Your kids will check in and out by scanning a special MagicBand that also tracks where they are within the kids clubs.

Disney Wish has the added perk in the kids club of a slide that takes the kids straight from the main atrium and into the fun.

Know that once your child turns 8, you have the option of giving them self-checkout privileges. While kids up to 12 are welcome in the main Oceaneer Club, they may start moving up to the tween club by the time they are 10 years old.

Edge tween club for children ages 11–14

When your kid outgrows the fun in the main kids club, don't worry. Edge is waiting just upstairs.

Technically, Edge is for kids ages 11-14, but you can get your 10-year-old in with permission — and once they figure that out, it's probably all over for the "little kid club."

Edge is a much smaller space, but tweens have tons of fun playing video games, having dance parties, doing crafts, playing trivia games and more with their newfound cruise friends.

This club does not utilize parent sign-in and -out, so you need to trust your kid if they are coming to Edge. If your 10-to-12-year-old child visits Edge, they can also play at the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club, so they have options.

Vibe teen club for children ages 14–17

Get ready to be jealous of this one. On Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the teen club has its own set of small pools at the front of the ship.

Inside all versions of the teen club, Vibe, you'll find a tech-friendly world with loungers, dance parties, smoothies and other teen-approved fun. Some of the coolest inside space on Disney cruise ships is dedicated to teens ages 14-17, but you can request for your child to attend this club starting at 13 years old.

'It's a small world' nursery for children 6 months to 3 years old

While the three previously mentioned kids clubs are free and do not require reservations, the nursery operates differently. You will need to make reservations, and the fee is $4.50 per half-hour for the first child and $4 per half-hour for each additional child.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

The specific documents you will need will vary by cruise destination. Having a passport is always a good idea, but it's not technically required on all Disney cruises. For example, round-trip cruises originating in Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, New Orleans, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, often do not require a passport.

Passports, when required, must be valid for at least six months. For cruises from international ports, you'll need a passport. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Related: Tips for getting a child's passport

Disney Cruise Line adds a service gratuity of $14.50 per person per day to final bills. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can lower this amount. Of course, you can visit guest services and adjust it upward, too.

To give an idea of the cost, a four-person family on a four-night cruise would pay $232 in recommended tips. The amount is split among your team of dining room servers who quickly learned your kids' preferences for dinner and your cabin hosts who made your room look like magic while you were out enjoying yourself.

An 18% gratuity is added to onboard spa, bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. You can always add an additional gratuity for any of your services or servers.

While room service is free, it's customary to add a few dollars of tip when you sign the "bill."

While some gratuity is included at Palo and Remy, you'll likely want to add an additional tip if you enjoyed the service. If you stay in a concierge-level room or suite, it is customary to tip the Concierge Lounge hosts at the end of your cruise a recommended amount of $8 per night per guest.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on cruise ships

Disney Cruise Line's Wi-Fi, Connect@Sea, is in the process of being upgraded, so speed, bandwidth and cost vary by ship.

If you are on a ship that charges by day instead of by the amount of data used, expect the prices to vary from $12-$36 per day, depending on the speed you select. There are often discounts for buying Wi-Fi access for the length of the cruise.

If you are on a ship that still charges by the amount of data used, we recommend not doing that and connecting either when you are in port or via a plan from your cellphone provider.

Related: What's the best international phone plan right now?

Carry-on drinks policy

Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 milliliters) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. You can keep drinks chilled in the small fridge in your cabin.

Guests wishing to consume wine or Champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corkage fee of $26 per bottle.

Smoking policy

Smoking is permitted only in designated deck areas. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 cleaning fee.

For an additional fee, Disney ships offer full-service laundry and dry cleaning services that will pick up and deliver clean clothes to your cabin.

Ships also provide 24-hour, self-service guest laundry facilities equipped with washers and dryers, along with detergent and complimentary ironing equipment. You pay for the facilities by using your Key to the World card. These services can get busy during sea days on longer cruises, so plan accordingly.

Electrical outlets

All cabins are equipped with multiple 110-volt outlets, which are standard in the U.S. and Canada. Cabins on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are equipped with a combination of 110- and 220-volt (European) outlets.

Small electrical appliances such as electric shavers, curling irons and flat irons with standard North American plugs will function on board; 110-volt items should not exceed 1,500 watts, and 220-volt items should not exceed 2,000 watts. A hair dryer is provided in every cabin for your convenience, but you may bring your own as long as it meets the guidelines above.

The currency on Disney Cruise Line ships, regardless of location, is the U.S. dollar.

When you are on the ship, you will not need cash or a credit card — all incidentals, purchases and services will be charged to your cabin folio. Your Key to the World card (or your DisneyBand+ on Disney Wish ) serves as your onboard payment method. The only exception is if you want to tip a crew member in cash.

In port, you may wish to carry cash or a credit card to buy snacks and souvenirs or to tip your tour guide.

Drinking age

For most Disney sailings, the drinking age on board is 21.

However, on round-trip cruises departing European countries with a lower drinking age, passengers 18-20 years of age can drink alcohol on board with signed parental consent. For round-trip cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Brisbane, guests 18 years of age and older may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages without parental consent.

During the day, people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, that means looking like you're going to the beach. T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside) are fine.

During the evenings, dining attire in the three main dining restaurants is "cruise casual," meaning no swimwear or tank tops, but you don't have to put on a party dress. That said, many guests do dress up a bit in the evening, but it's not required unless you are dining in Palo, Remy or Enchante.

Cruises that are seven nights or longer schedule one "formal night" — though even then, it's only encouraged, not required. On that night, you will see suits, sports coats, cocktail dresses and similar from some guests.

Pro tip: Be sure and pack that pirate gear for Pirate Night.

Related: What to pack for your 1st cruise

Disney Cruise Line loyalty program

Disney Cruise Line has a simple loyalty program, the Castaway Club , with four "elite status" levels that you earn based on how many cruises you've taken with Disney. A three-night and 10-night cruise both count as one sailing for these purposes.

• Silver: One completed cruise
• Gold: Five completed cruises
• Platinum: 10 completed cruises
• Pearl: 25 completed cruises

Related: The TPG guide to cruise line loyalty programs

This isn't the kind of loyalty program where you earn free cruises the way you earn free flights with airline miles. Instead, as you go up in status, you earn perks and earlier access to booking cruises and activities — which is key for getting those hard-to-snag adult dining or Castaway Cay cabana reservations

Silver members

• Book new cruise itineraries one day before the general public and book onboard activities 90 days before sailing.
• Get a "welcome back aboard" gift (such as a bag), have access to a Castaway Club members-only line when boarding and access to a Castaway Club direct phone number.
• Select port arrival time with online check-in starting 33 days before the general public.

Gold members

• All of those perks, but you can book new sailings two days before the general public and can book onboard activities 105 days before sailing.
• On eight-night and longer voyages, Gold Castaway Club members are also invited to a private reception with special entertainment. There are also select merchandise discounts available to Gold members and higher.
• Select port arrival time with online check-in starting 35 days before the general public.

Platinum members

• All of those perks, but you can book new sailings three days before the general public and can book onboard activities 120 days before sailing.
• Priority check-in at the cruise terminal.
• Complimentary evening dinner at Palo or Palo Steakhouse for themselves and everyone in the cabin age 18 and older.
• Select port arrival time with online check-in starting 38 days before the general public.

Pearl members

• All of those perks, but you can book new sailings four days before the general public and can book onboard activities 123 days before sailing.
• Exclusive cruise terminal check-in (where available)
• Unlimited Digital Photo Package.
• Select port arrival time with online check-in starting 40 days before the general public.

How much does a Disney cruise cost?

Magic ain't cheap, and Disney cruises are expensive. They aren't the priciest voyages out there, but they will cost more than cruises with family-friendly competitors such as Royal Caribbean by a noticeable margin.

For a family of four, the cheapest Disney cruise currently available (not counting the two-night cruises in Australia and New Zealand) is about $2,500. An ocean view will add about $90 and a verandah will add about $500.

On these shortest cruises, concierge-level cabins and access start at a little over $5,000 for a family of four.

Those sorts of prices will only be available during the offseason, such as in mid-to-late January and early February or for repositioning cruises as the ship moves from, say, Puerto Rico to Florida. That same cruise during spring break can cost double or more, so the more date flexibility you have, the better.

A seven-night cruise in the Caribbean will likely start around $5,000 for a family of four. Expect Alaska and Europe cruises to start at $5,000 to $6,000 for inside cabins for a week, and prices go up for longer sailings and upgraded cabins.

You can save money on your next Disney cruise by putting a $250 deposit down while you are at sea on a previous Disney cruise. It's a popular way to get 10% off your next cruise.

Another way to save on a Disney cruise is to look at a one-way repositioning sailing , as those often price lower than other similar cruises. For example, the cruise line may need to end a cruise in a particular port to reposition the ship to do some sailings from there. You'll have to get yourself back home from that port, but you may save on the cruise in the process.

Related: 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on a cruise

How to book

You can book your Disney cruise directly with Disney Cruise Line either over the phone or online, but I'd argue you shouldn't.

Cruises are easy to enjoy but can be complicated to plan if you are new to this type of travel. This is an industry where a travel agent is still a good call. You want someone who can help you pick the right cabin type and location for your group and keep track of when you can snag those onboard activities you really want.

When the wave of pandemic-related cruise cancellations hit in 2020, I was so grateful to have a travel agent — instead of me — spending time dealing with the cruise line.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Another reason to consider going through a travel agent is to get onboard credit. Some travel agents will offer onboard credit based on the amount you spend on your Disney cruise. This is credit you can use toward drinks, spa treatments, excursions or anything else you can charge to your room.

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

Generally speaking, the sooner you book a Disney cruise after it goes on sale, the better, as prices usually only go in one direction — up.

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card points when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases and maybe even offers some built-in travel protections .

• The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers 3 points per dollar on travel and dining and an annual up-to-$300 travel credit.
• The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card earns 2 points per dollar on travel.
• The Disney Premier Visa Card is also a good option, specifically with Disney Cruise Line, as it gives you access to a 0% introductory annual percentage rate for six months following the purchase date on eligible Disney vacation packages, such as a Disney cruise (then a variable APR of 19.24% to 28.24% applies). The card also gets you 10% in savings on some onboard activities and packages while at Castaway Cay.

Related: How to save money on booking a Disney cruise

Bottom line

Whether you are on a three-night trip to Castaway Cay or a bigger crossing to the South Pacific, a Disney cruise is a special vacation that actually feels like a vacation.

The classic styling of the original four ships, the modern storybook styling of Disney Wish, the vast number of inclusions, the rotational dining, waterslides, private island, fun kids clubs, Disney characters, high-caliber entertainment and Disney service shine through.

You'll certainly pay more for the privilege of sailing with Mickey and Minnie than with some other family-friendly lines. But for those with kids in that Disney age range, or for adults who know and trust the Disney brand, it's hard to go wrong in choosing Disney Cruise Line for your next vacation.

More stories to help you plan your next cruise:

• Best Disney ships for everyone
• Everything we know about Disney Treasure, joining DCL in 2024
• Everything you need to know about Disney Wish
• Best credit cards for booking a cruise

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Current Ship Locations

The current locations of the Disney Magic , Disney Wonder , Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , and Disney Wish if in range of an AIS receiver. A ship may still appear on the map at the last known position when out of range. Typically, this is indicated by a lighter shade of blue. You may need to change the zoom level of the map to see a particular ship’s position.

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Where Do Disney Cruises Go?

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on September 30, 2022

Disney Cruise line’s five ships sail to destinations around the globe. Find out everywhere you can go on a Disney cruise.

Thinking of taking a Disney cruise? Disney Cruise Line’s ships visit a wide range of destinations, including Alaska, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Europe, Mexico, the US Pacific coast, the Panama Canal, Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand.

To help you plan your next DCL adventure, here’s everywhere that Disney cruises go!

At-a-glance: where does each Disney Ship sail to?

For a quick overview of what regions of the world each Disney Cruise Line ship visits, check out the chart below. Keep reading for more in-depth information about where each Disney ship will go in 2022 and 2023, and find out some sneak peeks for 2024!

Where do Disney cruises sail from?

Unlike many cruise lines, DCL only releases its itineraries about eighteen months in advance. For the rest of the 2022 season, 2023 cruises, and what we know so far about Disney’s 2024 season, here’s where Disney cruises will sail from:

• Caribbean and Bahamas cruises sail from Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, and New Orleans, with occasional sailings from San Juan and repositioning from New York
• Europe cruises sail from Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Southampton, and Copenhagen
• Bermuda cruises sail from New York and Port Canaveral
• Alaska cruises sail from Vancouver
• Canada cruises sail from New York
• Mexican Riviera cruises sail from San Diego
• Panama Canal cruises sail from Port of Miami and San Diego
• Pacific Coast cruises sail from San Diego and Vancouver
• Hawaii cruises sail from Vancouver and Honolulu
• South Pacific cruises sail from Honolulu and Sydney
• Australia and New Zealand cruises sail from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Brisbane, and Honolulu*(*repositioning)

Transatlantic cruises sail from Miami to Barcelona, and Copenhagen to New York.

Transpacific cruises sail from Vancouver to Sydney via Honolulu, and Sydney to Vancouver via Honolulu.

Where does Disney Wish go in 2022, 2023, and 2024?

Since her inaugural voyage in July 2022, Disney Wish has been sailing three- and four-night Bahamas itineraries , round-trip from Port Canaveral.

Some of Wish ‘s three-night cruises include just one port of call, stopping at DCL’s private island Castaway Cay , but many also include a stop at Nassau .

All four-night sailings call at both Castaway Cay and Nassau, and include one sea day.

In 2024 and for the foreseeable future, it looks like Disney Wish will remain homeported in Port Canaveral to whisk cruisers off to the Bahamas!

You may also like: 7 Best Beaches in Nassau Bahamas for Cruisers

Where does Disney Fantasy go in 2022 and 2023?

Also homeported in Port Canaveral, Disney Fantasy sails seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises in 2022, plus five- and six-night Western Caribbean itineraries.

For 2023, The Disney Fantasy offers six- and seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, along with two eight-night Bermuda cruises in April and September, and a few Bahamas itineraries .

Ports of call that this Disney ship visits include Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, Tortola, St. Thomas, and San Juan. Most Disney Fantasy itineraries also include a day at Castaway Cay.

Where does Disney Dream go in 2022, 2023, and 2024?

For the rest of 2022 until the beginning of May 2023, Disney Dream will be homeported in Miami, sailing four- and five-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries. Ports include Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Nassau. All cruises will also feature a stop at Castaway Cay.

Then Dream repositions to Barcelona, on a 13-day Transatlantic cruise. From mid-May until mid-July 2023, she sails the Mediterranean on seven- to 11-night cruises from Barcelona or Civitavecchia (near Rome).

In late July 2023, Disney Dream repositions to Southampton, running four- to 11-night Northern European cruises from Southampton and Copenhagen.

Then it’s back across the Atlantic to New York in late September 2023 for the Dream . Until early November she sails four- to six-night Bermuda cruises and Canadian Maritimes itineraries.

The Disney Dream is changing its winter home in 2023! She’ll homeport in Fort Lauderdale for the winter season into early 2024.

After repositioning via the Southern Caribbean and San Juan, Dream will return to sailing four- and five-night Bahamas and Western Caribbean itineraries. Ports include Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Nassau. These cruises will also feature a stop at Castaway Cay.

Where does Disney Wonder go in 2022, 2023, and 2024?

Beginning in late September 2022, Disney Wonder sails to Baja California and the Mexican Riviera from San Diego. You can choose three- to seven-night roundtrip cruises to Mexico through the beginning of May, 2023.

In mid-May, the ship sails a Pacific Coast repositioning cruise, ending in Vancouver.

Disney Wonder sails five- to nine-night Alaska itineraries during the summer, starting in mid-May and ending in mid-to-late September.

In early October 2023, Disney Wonder begins its transpacific repositioning to Sydney, Australia via Honolulu, Hawaii. She then sails shorter cruises from ports in Australia and New Zealand, including Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, and Brisbane, until mid-February 2024.

The Wonder then returns to Vancouver via Honolulu in early March 2024.

Where does Disney Magic go in 2022, 2023, and 2024?

After repositioning to New York, Disney Magic sails five- to seven-night Bermuda and Canada cruises through October 2022.

Then she sails south for two Caribbean cruises from San Juan before heading to her winter home in Galveston at the end of November. The Magic sails four- to seven-night Western Caribbean cruises from Galveston until mid-February 2023, visiting ports including Progreso, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Falmouth, and Costa Maya.

You may also like: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

After an overnight repositioning (without passengers) to New Orleans in February, Disney Magic continues sailing four- to seven-night Western Caribbean cruises through early April 2023.

Rumor has it that Disney Magic will go into a 21-day drydock, starting on April 14, 2023.

In early May 2023, the Magic returns to service, sailing a few Southern and Eastern Caribbean cruises from San Juan before heading to Miami.

From late May through the end of September 2023, Disney Magic visits the Caribbean and the Bahamas, on three- to eight-night cruises. Ports vary by sailing, but all spend a day at Castaway Cay.

In early October 2023, the Magic repositions to San Diego, with a Panama Canal full transit stopping at Cozumel, Grand Cayman , Cartagena , Puerto Vallarta , and Cabo San Lucas.

From mid-October 2023 until the end of November, Disney Magic sails two- to seven-night Baja California and Mexican Riviera itineraries, with ports including Catalina Island, Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlán .

The beginning of December 2023 sees the Magic sail eastbound back through the Panama Canal, repositioning to Galveston to begin the winter 2023/2024 Caribbean cruise season.

Where will Disney Treasure go in 2024?

Disney’s sixth cruise ship, Disney Treasure , will set sail on her inaugural voyage sometime in 2024. DCL hasn’t released many details yet about the ship, including where Disney Treasure will sail to!

But watch this space—I’ll provide updates as soon as I find out when Disney Treasure will start sailing, and where she’ll go.

Which Disney cruises go to Castaway Cay?

Castaway Cay , Disney’s private island destination in the Bahamas , offers cruisers a day of pure relaxation on its pristine beaches. Or book a fun activity for your day in port! Disney cruisers can enjoy parasailing, fishing, and water sports, or rent bikes to explore the destination.

All of DCL’s Bahamas cruises include a visit to Castaway Cay, and many of their Caribbean itineraries also include a stop at the private island.

Disney Cruise ships that visit Castaway Cay include Disney Wish , Disney Fantasy , and Disney Dream .

You may also like: 12 Amazing Cruise Line Private Islands You’ll Want to Visit

More resources for your Disney cruise

• How Does Dining on Disney Cruise Line Work?
• Disney Wish: Everything You Need to Know About DCL’s Newest Cruise Ship
• How to Have the Best Embarkation Day on a Cruise

I hope you enjoyed reading about where Disney cruises go! What’s your favorite Disney cruise destination? Or are you planning a DCL cruise right now? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

Liked this post? Pin it for later!

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Where Does The Disney Cruise Line Go? EVERY Destination

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Are you considering a voyage aboard a Disney ship? The enchantment of the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is made possible by a fleet of five world-class ships : the Disney Magic , the Disney Wonder , the Disney Dream , the Disney Fantasy, and the newest ship: the Disney Wish .   The Disney Treasure will join DCL in 2024! Disney Cruise Line has also recently purchased the Global Dream cruise ship .

Where does Disney Cruise Line sail?

With so many ships, guests have even more destinations to choose from ! But what if you are seeking to sail to a specific area of the world? Does Mickey and his Friends go there?

Let’s found out!

Disney Cruise Line Destinations

Whether you are a fan of cruises and/or Disney, there is a seemingly endless array of itineraries and destinations available to passengers. That’s right! If your dream is to sail the Caribbean or the European Riviera, taking a Disney Cruise is an extra magical way to get there !

Bahamas Cruises

For vacations from the United States, a cruise to the Bahamas is a popular itinerary. It can be a quick voyage aboard a 3 or 4 night cruise ! And the sandy beaches and sunny skies beckon travelers to escape, especially during the winter months. Here’s a list of the DCL ports that include a stop in the Bahamas:

Castaway Cay

• Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island in the Bahamas)
• Fort Lauderdale, FL
• Galveston, TX
• Lighthouse Point (Disney’s private port on Eleuthera, Bahamas)
• Nassau, Bahamas
• Port Canaveral, FL (closest port to Walt Disney World)

Ranking The Best Disney Cruise Ships For 2023

Caribbean cruises.

Not far from the Bahamas, the Caribbean also boasts magnificent sun, surf, and sand. A few voyages may be 3-4 nights, however, most will sail up to seven evenings. You’ll find cruises that start from ports in Florida, Texas, New York, and more!

Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wish!

Here are the Caribbean ports:

• Basseterre, St. Kitts
• Bridgetown, Barbados
• Castries, St. Lucia
• Costa Maya, Mexico
• Cozumel, Mexico
• Falmouth, Jamaica
• Fort-de-France, Martinique
• George Town, Grand Cayman
• Kralendijk, Bonaire
• New Orleans, LA
• New York, NY
• Oranjestad, Aruba
• Philpsburg, St. Maarten
• Progreso, Mexico
• Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
• Roseau, Dominica
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• St. John’s, Antigua
• St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
• Tortola, British Virgin Islands
• Willemstad, Curaçao

When is the Best Time to Cruise the Caribbean?

Bermuda cruises.

While not quite as popular as the above ports, Bermuda is a beautiful port in the DCL line-up !

No matter where you are sailing, get a Mickey Waffle for breakfast!

If you’re hoping to visit, these ports can take you there:

• Kings Wharf, Bermuda
• Port Canaveral, FL
• Select ports also offered on Disney’s Caribbean or Bahamian cruises

Click here to check out the Disney Wish — Disney’s newest ship.

Alaska cruises.

Not a beach person or looking for a break from the Florida sun? Trade the heat and sandy beaches for mountains, plains, and all the flora and fauna that can be explored in the Pacific Northwest. Yep, you can cruise to Alaska with DCL !

Mickey and Minnie in Alaska

Here are the ports:

• Glacier Viewing (sail-through without disembarking) at Dawe’s Glacier / Endicott Arm Fjord, Hubbard Glacier, or areas along the Stikine Icecap
• Icy Strait Point, AK
• Skagway, AK
• Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
• Victoria (British Columbia), Canada

When Is The Best Time To Cruise Alaska?

European cruises.

Disney’s European cruises include specialty itineraries such as ones that include stops in the British Isles, Mediterranean, and more — all offering a diverse list of ports of call. These sailings are port-intensive, and some may be once-in-a-lifetime destinations!

Kids love the Oceaneering Club!

Check them out here:

• Akureyri, Iceland
• Ajaccio (Corsica), France
• Alesund, Norway
• Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Barcelona, Spain
• Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Bergen, Norway
• Brest, France
• Cádiz, Spain
• Cannes (Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice), France
• Cartagena, Spain
• Catania (Sicily), Italy
• Chania, Greece
• Cherbourg, France
• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
• Cobh (Cork), Ireland
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dover, England
• Dublin, Ireland
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Eidfjord, Ireland
• Frederica, Denmark
• Gdynia (Gdańsk), Poland
• Genoa (Milan), Italy
• Geiranger, Norway
• Gibraltar, United Kingdom
• Gothenberg, Sweden
• Greenock, Scotland
• Hamburg, Germany
• Haugesund, Norway
• Hebrides, Scotland
• Helsinki, Finland
• Heraklion (Crete), Greece
• Ibiza, Spain
• Invergordon, Scotland
• Ísafjörður, Iceland
• Katakolon, Greece
• Kefalonia, Greece
• Kiel, Germany
• Kirkwall (Orkney), Scotland
• Kotka, Finland
• Kristiansand, Norway
• Kusadasi, Turkey
• La Coruña, Spain
• La Rochelle, France
• La Spezia (Florence, Pisa), Italy
• Le Havre (Paris), France
• Lisbon, Portugal
• Liverpool, England
• Livorno (Florence, Pisa), Italy
• Maloy, Norway
• Málaga, Spain
• Marseilles, France
• Mekjarvik (Stavanger), Norway
• Messina (Sicily), Italy
• Molde, Norway
• Mykonos, Greece
• Naples (Pompeii), Italy
• Newcastle upon Tyne, England
• Nordfjordeid, Norway
• Nynäshamn (Stockholm), Sweden
• Olbia (Sardinia), Italy
• Olden, Norway
• Oslo, Norway
• Palermo (Sicily), Italy
• Palma de Mallorca, Spain
• Peter Port, Guernsey
• Piraeus (Athens), Greece
• Plymouth, England
• Ponta Delgada (Azores), Portugal
• Portland (Stonehenge), England
• Porto, Portugal
• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Riga, Latvia
• Ringaskiddy (Cork), Ireland
• Rostock, Germany
• Rotterdam, Netherlands
• Salerno, Italy
• Sandnes, Norway
• Santorini, Greece
• Skagen, Denmark
• Skjolden, Norway
• Southampton, England
• Stavenger, Norway
• Stockholm, Sweden
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Toulon (Provence), France
• Valencia, Spain
• Valetta, Malta
• Vigo, Spain
• Villefranche (Monte Carlo, Nice), France
• Visby, Sweden
• Warnemünde (Berlin), Germany
• Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium

What Is The Best Way To Book A Disney Cruise?

Mexico cruises.

If you’re hoping to experience the beaches, cuisine, and culture of Mexico , these ports of call will take you there:

Grab a cone from Sweet Minnie’s Ice Cream!

• Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
• Catalina Island, CA
• Ensenada, Mexico
• Mazatlán, Mexico
• Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
• San Diego, CA

Everything You CAN’T Bring on a Disney Cruise

Canada cruises.

Hoping to take a unique trip to Canada ? Yep, there’s a cruise for that!

Helmsman Mickey

Here’s a list of ports for Canada cruises:

• Baie-Comeau (Québec), Canada
• Bar Harbor, Maine
• Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Canada
• Halifax (Nova Scotia), Canada
• Québec City (Québec), Canada
• Saguenay (Québec), Canada
• Saint John (New Brunswick), Canada
• St. John’s (Newfoundland), Canada
• Sydney (Nova Scotia), Canada

What Is the Best Age for a Disney Cruise?

Hawaii cruises.

Aloha! Voyage to one of the most popular global destinations for beaches, scenery, cuisine, and wildlife! (Don’t forget Hawaii’s island of Oahu is home to Disney’s Aulani Resort .)

Aulani Views

Check out the list of ports of call here:

• Hilo (Hawaii / Big Island), HI
• Honolulu (Oahu), HI
• Kahului (Maui), HI
• Nawiliwili (Kauai), HI
• Vancouver, Canada

Ultimate List of Disney Cruise Line Tips and Secrets for 2023

Pacific coast cruises.

Want to explore the entire Pacific Coast rather than just the Pacific Northwest? There are ports of call in the following cities:

Disney Dream stateroom

• Astoria, OR
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA

Disney Wish Cruise Ship Menus 2023

• Panama Canal

There are cruise itineraries that can take you to several destinations along the Panama Canal , including the following:

Disney Dream

• Cartagena, Colombia
• Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Disney Wonder Cruising: 2023 Restaurant Guide

Transatlantic cruises.

In it for the long haul and hoping to cruise across the Atlantic ? Transatlantic cruises have ports of call in these locations:

Our Tomato Course is Done!

• Bilbao, Spain
• Ponta Delgada, Portugal

Is Concierge Level Worth It on Disney Cruise Line?

Australia/transpacific/south pacific cruises.

If you’re looking for a long voyage but are hoping to cruise across the Pacific , there are options for you as well! While these are likely to change slightly when the newest ship and port of call in Singapore is complete, you can currently set sail to and from the following cities:

• Lautoka, Fiji
• Noumea, New Caledonia
• Pago Pago, American Samoa
• Sydney, Australia
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Brisbane, Australia
• Melbourne, Australia

NEWS: Disney Announces MagicBand+ Is Coming to Cruises!

Southeast asia.

Disney will homeport a brand-new cruise ship exclusively in Singapore for at least five years, beginning in 2025 .

Disney Wish

More details about itineraries and the maiden voyage will be released later.

Everything That’s Included With Your Disney Cruise

Are you ready to set sail with Captain Mickey, Captain Minnie, and the WHOLE gang ? Because with truly unique features like Rotational Dining in beautifully themed restaurants to its own private island for select itineraries — Castaway Cay! (and — in 2024 — the new Lighthouse Point ) — and SO much more, a Disney Cruise Line sailing is truly a vacation like no other !

What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line

Learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe, are you planning a disney cruise let us know in the comments, trending now.

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What to Expect on a Disney Cruise: A First-Timer’s Guide

Avital Andrews

Avital Andrews, SmarterTravel's editor-at-large, is a travel and lifestyle journalist who is also a contributing editor for AAA's Via magazine. Her stories have been among the 10 most emailed or viewed on the Los Angeles Times, Outside, Sierra, and SmarterTravel websites, and have also appeared in USA Today, HuffPost, Apple News, Business Insider, and many other nationwide outlets. Her travel book , sold at bookstores and on Amazon, is in its fourth edition, and her journalism gets national media attention, including from The New York Times , The Atlantic , Time , NPR, and MTV. She's currently working on her first children's book. Follow her on Twitter @avitalb .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: My laptop—the lightweight and stylish HP Spectre x360—since I'm almost always on deadline.

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: A round-the-world cruise that makes stops to experience Aurora Borealis, the Olympics opening ceremony, Borneo, Madagascar, the Jerusalem Festival of Light, the Bolivian salt flats, Kenya's Giraffe Manor, the Galapagos, the Maldives, Bora Bora, the Seychelles, and every Disney park. (That itinerary definitely exists, right?)

Travel Motto: I'll steal Saint Augustine's: "The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page."

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: Window, always. For the views and also the naps.

Travel Smarter! Sign up for our free newsletter.

What’s it like to go on a Disney cruise? I’ll tell you. But first I should disclose that I’m not indifferent about Disney. As you might gather from some of my previous pieces ( here , here , and here ), I’m kind of a fangirl nerd about most of what Disney produces.

I grew up in Southern California, so my parents took me to Disneyland often. The night before we’d leave, there was always that delicious, uncontainable feeling that made sleep impossible. I suspect I’m not alone in having felt that as a kid. (I might be more alone in still feeling that way now as an adult.)

So when my husband and I decided to burn vacation days by taking our three-year-old daughter on a Disney cruise for four nights, I was kid-on-Christmas-Eve excited. And I thought I had a sense of what to expect on a Disney cruise. Once onboard, though, I realized I wasn’t quite prepared for the full spectrum of what it’s like to travel via Disney Cruise Line.

Before our cruise, I’d scrolled blogs upon blogs devoted to Disney Cruise tips and hacks. But I found that most of these sites assume that their readers are repeat Disney cruisers looking to refine their travel skills. It wasn’t easy to find a primer on the basics for those uninitiated to cruising with Disney. So here you go.

Disney Cruise Ships and Itineraries

We sailed on the Disney Wonder, but if you book a Disney cruise, you may well end up on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, or Disney Fantasy. (A fifth Disney Cruise Line ship will be added in 2021; a sixth in 2023.)

The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are sister ships, having debuted in 1998 and 1999, respectively—although the Disney Wonder is fresh from an intensive 55-day dry-dock renovation, which transformed many of its spaces and made everything aboard feel brand-new. These 83,000-tonners are Disney Cruise Line’s “classic,” smaller boats, with 10 floors and 875 rooms. Each carries 2,713 passengers, though during our four-nighter in mid-November, there were about 2,600, a third of which were kids. Also onboard: 950 Disney Cruise Line employees seeing to it that everybody gets their money’s worth.

Disney’s newer cruise ships, the Disney Dream (2011) and Disney Fantasy (2012) are 130,000-ton vessels with 1,250 rooms that hold up to 4,000 travelers.

The Disney Cruise fleet’s four ships all offer themed family restaurants, live shows, deck parties, elaborate kids’ spaces, character appearances, at-sea fireworks, and more that feels familiar from Disney cruise ship to Disney cruise ship.

“However,” says Jennifer Haile-Tinn, a Disney spokesperson, “each ship is like a new adventure for our guests. Only on the Disney Wonder can kids train alongside their favorite superheroes in the Marvel Super Hero Academy. There are also special entertainment offerings that can only be found on certain ships, such as Frozen, A Musical Spectacular , which is exclusive to the Disney Wonder. ” Other one-ship Disney Cruise Line exclusives include the Aladdin show on the Disney Fantasy, a villain-themed show on the Disney Dream, and “Tangled: The Musical” on the Disney Magic.

There are also stylistic differences from cruise ship to cruise ship—the Disney Fantasy, for example, incorporates Art Nouveau details throughout, while the Disney Dream is more Art Deco.

When choosing your Disney voyage, though, the port stops will likely be your main variables. As Haile-Tinn points out, “Each ship has unique itineraries that allow guests to explore iconic destinations like Norway and Alaska.” The Disney Wonder traverses the Pacific coast—Mexico, California, and Alaska, as well as the Panama Canal. (Our trip made a single stop in Cozumel).

View this post on Instagram Today @disneycruiseline's Wonder ship is docked in the azure waters of sunny Cozumel, Mexico. A post shared by SmarterTravel (@smartertravel) on Nov 12, 2016 at 1:13pm PST

The Disney Magic makes transatlantic crossings and goes into Canada and Europe, including through fjords to see the northern lights. All four Disney cruise ships buzz around the Caribbean, with some itineraries stopping at Castaway Cay, Disney’s Bahamian private island. The Europe and Alaska itineraries have more adults aboard, while the Caribbean jaunts attract more families with kids. Each port stop comes with a big menu of shore excursions (starting around $50 per person), which should be reserved well in advance.

Disney Cruises: Onboard Activities

There’s enough to do aboard a Disney cruise to keep everyone entertained from early in the morning until late at night. So much to do, in fact, that you’ll have to make choices about what to attend and what to give up.

Laid upon your bed each evening, beside the chocolates, is a TV Guide -style sheet called the “ Personal Navigator ,” which lets you plan the following day in detail. (The same timeline is also available on the Disney Cruise Line official app .)

First up is the “Adventures Away” party—after you check out your stateroom and attend a mandatory assembly drill, you head up to the top deck for a high-energy bon voyage celebration, starring Mickey, Minnie, and friends.  Then, for the remainder of the cruise, you’re constantly choosing from a long list of activities.

There are character greetings around the boat (wait time in line: about 30 minutes). There are free, first-run movie screenings at the theaters. There’s an outdoor splash zone and swimming pool (Disney movies play on the huge screen above), plus a huge waterslide—worth it especially for the exhilarating view from the top—and a top-floor gym, which also affords a wide-ocean view. You can get a spa treatment, play Bingo, or make crafts. You can take your kids to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, where they get transformed into princesses and pirates (princess packages start at $65). Or you can send them off to the kids’ clubs while you enjoy the nightlife at After Hours, the stylish and boozy adult district.

You can also, of course, eat.

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Food on Disney Cruises

All meals are included in your Disney cruise fare, unless you choose to dine at Palo or Remy, adults-only restaurants where a dress code is enforced, reservations are a must, servers are experts, and food is a step up.

At the other Disney cruise restaurants, the attire and cuisine are more casual. There are more than enough menu options for kids, and vegetarians won’t have a hard time either. As is the case throughout this experience, there really is something for everyone on a Disney cruise. You won’t have strangers at your table, just your own party, but you do tend to be seated near the same people each time you dine, so conversation with neighbors becomes inevitable.

Our first restaurant experience on the Disney Wonder was at a new restaurant called Tiana’s Place, based on The Princess and the Frog, a movie in which Tiana dreams of opening a restaurant in Louisiana. “Tiana’s Place transports guests to New Orleans,” says Ozer Balli, the cruise line’s Vice President of Hotel Operations. “We have a grand tradition of transforming our stories into real life.”

Indeed. Princess Tiana herself visits each table to greet her guests as they enjoy Cajun and Creole entrees (for dessert: pillowy beignets) while a talented quartet jazzes up familiar tunes. The rollicking finale is a joyful parade during which kids and staff march through the dining room as they clap, don Mardi Gras beads, play toy instruments, spin umbrellas, and belt out Disney songs.

Another impressive restaurant, called Animator’s Palate, is a tech-driven shrine to Disney’s drawn history. Screens all around the dining room bring to life how pencil sketches turned into movie gold. You’re assigned to draw a character on your placemat, then hand it to your server. Soon thereafter, your drawing, alongside those of your fellow diners, gets animated into a truly magical on-screen mashup.

For breakfast and lunch, there are big buffets available, as well as specialty stands that serve pizza, gyros, ice cream, and whatnot. It’s all you can eat, all day long. And yes, it’s all included.

There are two dinnertime options: 5:45 p.m. or 8:00 p.m.—you pick before you get on the boat. Then it’s the same each night, and you’re expected to be punctual.

If you’d rather skip the dining room, though, or if you get hungry in the middle of the night, room service is included, too, and you can order as much as you want without being charged extra. This was one of my favorite onboard luxuries.

The Rooms on Disney Cruise Ships

Our accommodations were bigger than expected, with an extraordinarily comfortable platform bed. Seriously, I haven’t slept that well in ages. It may have been the ship’s gentle rocking that lulled me to sleep so quickly, or maybe it was the melty-soft bedding, but whatever the trick, man, I want that at home.

The best part of our room, though, was our glassed-in balcony, where we sat with drinks and watched the ocean go by. We saw dolphins, tugboats, oil rigs, rain, birds, Mexico, clouds, and sunsets. Our hours on the balcony were beautiful—by far the most tranquil part of our Disney cruise.

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Our room had enough space for all three of us to hang out, sleep, bathe, and store our luggage. Though not huge, we never felt cramped, thanks to the clever layout and a few key features: While you have dinner, your room attendant turns the couch into a comfy kid’s bed and adds a guard rail.

We kind of fell in love with our room attendant, actually. Every night he’d leave little gifts on our bed—Mickey bandannas for the pirate party one night, Ghirardelli squares the next—and every night, he’d fold our towels into amusing figures. But more than the stuff he left and the diligent care he took of our room, he was genuinely kind, sincere, and a very hard worker. My daughter still talks about “Mr. Bhong”—he became as cherished to her as the Disney characters.

(Side note: Bhong is Filipino, and it’s hard not to notice that the onboard staff makes for a real-life version of Disney’s “It’s a Small World” ride. Unless you visit U.N. headquarters, you’ll never meet so many people from so many different countries in one place. All of them wear their country of origin on their name tag, and they’re very likely to talk about where they’re from. When I asked Balli whether it’s intentional that the crew members are so international, he replied, simply: “We have the opportunity to go around the world and find the best talent with the most passion for our product.”)

The onboard Wi-Fi in the room is not free—more on that later—but there is a nice-sized TV that runs a 24-hour Disney movie marathon on nearly every channel.

In the hallway, many of your neighbors will have decorated their doors with their favorite Disney characters. (There are printables online , and a cottage industry that deals in door decorations for Disney cruises.) We didn’t come prepared for this onboard tradition, but it was cute to watch my daughter develop the belief that behind each decorated door lived the characters on it.

Disney Cruise Shows

Twice nightly in the 977-seat Walt Disney Theatre, performers on the verge of Broadway put on fantastic stage extravaganzas, and there’s a new show to see each night. You don’t need to reserve a ticket or pay anything extra—just show up and grab a seat at any of the Disney cruise shows.

In November, “Frozen, a Musical Spectacular” debuted on the Disney Wonder. It really is a spectacular interpretation of the smash-hit movie, with plenty of wow moments and special effects that inspire the audience to break into applause mid-song. The most notable one is during Elsa’s rendition of “Let It Go,” when she transforms, right onstage, from the reined-in princess to the glittery-blue queen while reclaiming her own power. It’s hard not to get swept up while watching—my little one’s mouth was open the entire time.

We also saw “Disney Dreams,” a heartfelt Disney cruise show that uses special effects—and its singers’ prodigious talents—to whisk us into favorite Disney scenes and songs. At one point, there’s the theater-wide illusion that Tinkerbell has covered the entire boat in pixie dust.

And during “The Golden Mickeys,” the loose plot is that a clumsy stage manager learns to believe in herself to become the star of the show—a positive message packed, again, with Disney friends, plus an on-screen appearance by Disney CEO Bob Iger.

Note that Disney cruise shows aren’t necessarily the same across boats, so if there’s one you have your heart set on seeing, make sure you’re choosing the right ship .

Kids’ Areas on Disney Cruise Ships

Whichever Disney cruise ship you’re on, there will be several places where you can drop your children off to be supervised by attentive camp-counselor types while they (and you) have fun.

Aboard the Disney Wonder, we left our three-year-old at the Oceaneer Club ($9 per hour) while we dined at Palo. I worried about her during our meal but when I picked her up, she was absorbed in an art project and wouldn’t leave until she was finished. After that, she kept asking us to take her back to the kids’ area.

There’s no mystery as to why children love these spaces: Disney Cruise Line’s creative professionals invested many months of thought and work into making each room magical. As Theron Skees, the project’s lead Imagineer, put it, “We created the spaces to immerse kids in stories. The idea that we can add story into everything we do is really exciting.”

This means that popular characters like Elsa, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, and Black Widow interact with the kids in settings inspired by those characters’ films and shows. On the Disney Wonder, there’s the Wandering Oaken trading post from Frozen, Andy’s colorful playroom from Toy Story , a Marvel-themed Super Hero Academy, and a “navigation center” where kids can feel like they’re steering the ship. Basically, kids playing on Disney cruises will feel as though they’ve melted into a movie.

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Disney Cruise Costs

So what about the cost? Well, this isn’t a budget vacation—but it won’t necessarily zap your savings, either. Fares on the Disney Wonder start at $978 per adult and $360 per kid for a three-night Bahamian cruise in a room with no balcony. So for a family of four, the minimum price to get onboard is around $2,700, though that number could go way up depending on the type of stateroom you choose, where your itinerary goes, and for how many nights.

While that might sound like a lot for a short vacation, a Disney cruise doesn’t turn out to be as expensive at it seems at first glance. For all its upfront inclusions—all food, shows, and activities—a four-night Disney cruise can actually end up being less expensive than a four-night Disney World vacation, as this handy comparison chart demonstrates. Plus, you can book early to save money.

And if you live close enough to drive, instead of fly, to your embarkation port, taking a home port cruise  will cut your overall cost, which explains why our sailing out of Galveston was packed with Texans. Onboard, the best way to keep your tab small is to forgo add-ons—especially onboard Wi-Fi and alcohol. Keep in mind that you can bring your own alcohol as long as you comply with Disney Cruise Line’s fairly reasonable rules on the matter.

The Overall Disney Cruise Experience

If you’re trying to figure out what type of trip a Disney cruise ends up being, I’ll be honest: There’s so much to do onboard that it can’t really be called a relaxing vacation, unless you’re absolutely determined to make it that way. With all that goes on—all the time—it’s easy to fall prey to some serious FOMO.

But that’s not a bad thing. You come off the Disney cruise with so many new memories that having made the effort to show up to a majority of activities ends up having been worth it.

One strategy to avoid coming home exhausted: Tack on a couple of relaxing beach days after your cruise. We stayed along Galveston’s seawall for a couple of nights afterward, at the beautiful Hilton in the San Luis Resort . This proved to be a good way to unwind, a worthy quiet counterpoint to the exuberance of the Disney cruise experience.

From another perspective, though, taking a Disney cruise is an unexpectedly good option if you’re looking for a vacation that offers a detox from mainstream and social media, and the constant rush of emails and texts—the perfect way to kick off a digital cleanse. This is mostly because it’s very expensive to be connected: $20 buys just a few minutes online.

If you purchase enough megabytes to be as plugged in as you are at home, you’ll spend a small fortune. So, unless money is of no concern, you stay disconnected for the vast majority of the cruise, which is sometimes frustrating but mostly serene. No matter what’s going on in the world, a Disney cruise is basically Disneyland on the boat: unapologetically happy, removed from reality, and with no trace of the morose or glum.

As for that signature excitement that Disney is so expert at generating, it’s vividly a Disney cruise from start to finish. A week before we got on the boat, Mickey and Minnie “called” my daughter to tell her how excited they were to see her onboard. I received a beautiful packet in the mail with my itinerary, luggage tags, and instructions about how to get the most out of our Disney cruise experience.

View this post on Instagram Embarking next week! Follow my coverage over at @smartertravel (Insta, Twitter, and Periscope) as @disneycruiseline debuts its redone Wonder ship. #disneycruise #disneywonder #travel #disney #wanderlust #lovemyjob A post shared by Avital Andrews (@avitalb) on Nov 4, 2016 at 2:38pm PDT

Our last night aboard, at 10:15 p.m., all the main characters gathered in the lobby atrium to give guests a final chance to interact with them, take photos, and give hugs. The cruise director delivered a farewell speech, and each child was handed a battery-run candle and invited onstage to partake in a moving rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” followed by an avalanche of Mickey-shaped confetti. I let my little one stay up late for this, and it was worth it. In true Disney form, it was the perfect ending.

More from SmarterTravel:

• 6 Cruise Ship Myths You Shouldn’t Believe
• 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before My First Disney World Vacation
• Disneyland vs. Disney World: Which Is Cheaper?

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40 Disney Cruise Tips and Secrets You Should Know Before You Go

These tips will make your Disney cruise vacation even more magical.

Cruise vacations are a great way to unwind and relax in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, and a Disney cruise takes the traditional experience up a notch with unique, familiar touches and a little bit of magic. With so much to know before you set sail with Disney Cruise Line, it's easy to miss out on the most interesting facts and features.

Even if you think you know all about the ships and activities on board, you can still return to port without ever knowing about the secret sundecks, unannounced character greetings, and unexpected Mickey-shaped foods. Whether you're planning for this year or the next, prepare yourself for a hefty dose of Disney knowledge, because for you, these Disney cruise tips and secrets are no longer under wraps.

Meet the Expert

Adrianna Hwang is a planDisney panelist specializing in Disney Cruise Line.

Heather Peggs is a Disney travel expert with Castle Bound Travel Company.

Book your cruise early to get the best deal.

Disney uses a dynamic pricing system, meaning the earlier you book, the more you’ll save. Early bookings also ensure that you get your desired cabin. You can even book your next cruise while on board to save even more. The best part? This placeholder is fully refundable if plans change.

Consider booking a themed sailing. 

Disney Cruise Line offers a limited number of themed sailings, including Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea itineraries. These cruises up the ante with specialty shows and character appearances from beloved franchises, including Captain America , Toy Story , and more. You’ll also want to check out the special holiday cruises surrounding Halloween and Christmas. During these sailings, you’ll spot characters in special outfits and can enjoy themed food and beverage options, specialty entertainment, and much more. Disney Cruise Line guests love to bring themed attire to celebrate the occasion, so plan ahead if you want to partake in the fun.

Save big and let the mouse pick your room.

If you’re not picky about where your cabin is located on the ship, you can save a substantial amount of money by letting Disney pick your cabin. Just select your room type, like an inside cabin, and your specific cabin number will be assigned closer to your sail date.

See if cabin upgrades are available when you arrive at the port.

When available, cruisers may be able to snag an affordable last-minute room upgrade at the port, saving hundreds on a higher-tier room. 

Download the app before you go. 

Disney Cruise Line’s exclusive Navigator app is an absolute must-have to make the most of your time at sea. It adds convenience while taking care of practical vacation elements, like payment, online check-in, and trip modifications. This is also your go-to for pre-registering for Disney Cruise Line’s wide range of activities and keeping tabs on the daily schedule, which includes showtimes and deck parties. You can also communicate with your family and other cruise-goers for free using the app.

And don’t miss out on this convenient notification feature: “Scroll through the daily activity schedule to look for entertainment options that interest you, and be sure to click the heart icon next to any listings you don't want to miss,” planDisney panelist Adrianna Hwang tells Travel + Leisure . “If you've enabled notifications for the app, you'll receive a reminder about 15 minutes before the activity will begin. It's a really helpful feature when you lose track of time relaxing by the pool!” 

This is especially important if character meet-and-greets are a priority for you. “The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will list character appearance times and locations so that you can be sure to catch your favorite Disney characters on board,” Hwang adds. “If you select the specific character listed in the Daily Activity Schedule within the app, you'll even see the full schedule of times to meet them throughout the cruise so that you can plan accordingly.” Hwang suggests arriving at the greet locations at least five to 10 minutes early.

Use your Castaway Club perks to book extras early. 

If you’re looking to book extras, like shore excursions and elevated dining experiences, your booking window depends on your loyalty to Disney Cruise Line. The Castaway Club is Disney’s version of a frequent cruiser program, and sailors earn status based on the number of sailings they’ve been on. Higher status translates to earlier booking windows, so Disney Cruise Line loyalists can score their desired bookings first. 

Related: What to Know About Castaway Club, Disney Cruise Line's Loyalty Program

Plan to exchange your currency onboard.

Not only does Disney Cruise Line take no commission for exchanging bills , but they'll actually honor the transaction's rate of exchange for any leftover money. Simply present your receipt prior to the end of the cruise, and they'll convert your foreign currency back to your preferred denomination at the same rate, even if the exchange rate has since changed. (Note: This only applies to bills, not coins, and there is no ATM on board.)

Bring a reusable water bottle. 

While there are water fountains and bottle refill stations on board, they can be far away from your room — and disposable bottles (not included in the fare) can add up. The tap water in each room is drinkable, but sinks are often too small to accommodate big bottles. You can bring packs of bottled water, but you'll have to carry it through embarkation — it cannot be packed with luggage — so consider bringing refillable bottles or tumblers.

See characters in their special cruise wardrobe.

Thought you knew everything there was to know about the Fab Five? Wait until you see them in their exclusive Disney Cruise Line wardrobe. Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Minnie wear special outfits for Pirate Night, and they also tailor their outfits to where the ship is headed that day. On Alaska sailings, expect to meet Mickey in fisherman's overalls and Minnie in a fur-lined coat; on trips through the Mediterranean Sea, Goofy dons an Italy-inspired suit. Specialty characters are also known to show up from time to time, like Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle appearing as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus during the spooky season.

Aspiring princesses won’t want to miss the Royal Gathering.

The Royal Gathering is your chance to meet and greet with Disney royalty, like Tiana and Cinderella, all at one time and place. It’s offered on most cruise itineraries but there is a catch: while tickets are free, they are required to attend. “Complimentary tickets to the Royal Gathering are available to be booked online or through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or Disneycruise.com 30 days before your sail date,” Hwang adds. “Take this experience to the next level for your little one by reserving a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover an hour or two before the Royal Gathering begins.” 

And know that the most memorable character experiences won’t be at meet-and-greets.

The lines to meet Mickey and Minnie are (amazingly!) short on Disney Cruise Line, but favorites like Daisy Duck are known to freely wander the pool and jogging track decks, playfully surprising guests and often sharing elevator rides for a once-in-a-lifetime interaction. Don't miss the character dance parties either, which allow kids and adults to line dance with Goofy and shake it off with Donald Duck for an experience that goes beyond a hug and photograph.

Order whatever you’d like to eat — and as much as you’d like. 

Disney Cruise Line’s dinnertime meal service operates on a rotating restaurant schedule, so you'll get to enjoy each restaurant the ship offers — and some more than once on longer sailings. These highly themed restaurants, like Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure on the Disney Wish , offer pre-fixe dinner menus. Torn between two entrees? Order them both. Each of your ship’s included rotational dining restaurants comes with a fixed three-course option that is all-you-care-to-enjoy.

Splurge on specialty dining. 

Standard dining is fantastic, but Disney ships also have adults-only restaurants available at an extra charge. Depending on your ship, this could include the French-focused Remy or fan-favorite Palo. While Remy and Enchante can be pricey, you can enjoy Palo for as little as $50. 

And on the Disney Wish , you won’t want to miss its newest iteration, Palo Steakhouse. “If you've sailed with Disney before, you may be familiar with Palo, but on the Wish , Palo Steakhouse is even better,” Heather Peggs, a Disney travel expert with Castle Bound Travel Company, shares with T+L. “I highly recommend trying the A5 wagyu steak, which is about a fifth of the price it would be off the ship, and it's absolutely phenomenal!”

These upgraded dining experiences are known to book up well in advance, but there is occasionally a waitlist available for canceled and missed reservations. “If you can't snag a reservation before the cruise, inquire in person on the day you embark,” Hwang adds. “Look for the activity listed as ‘Dining Reservation Changes’ to speak with a crew member about reservation availability.” 

Request the best seat in the house at dinner. 

Always dreamed of sitting by the stage at Tiana's Place on the Disney Wonder or enjoying dinner in those gorgeous Enchanted Garden booths on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ? Well, it's not entirely luck of the draw. Nothing is guaranteed, but requests for a certain table can always be added to your Disney Cruise Line reservation, and they are worth the extra phone call. Concierge guests can make seating requests to their Concierge Service Specialist before boarding as well. You never know when Disney will sprinkle a little extra magic onto your vacation.

And don’t miss the best dinner entertainment.

The dinner show at Animator's Palate is a highlight if you’re sailing on the Magic, Wonder, Dream, or Fantasy, but it's the second visit to that dining room that can't be skipped. It's called Animation Magic, and guests get to draw their own characters and see them come to life on the screens mid-meal. The incredible display is only offered on longer sailings on the Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy, so make sure you don’t skip it. Even better? Request that your rotation allows two visits to Animator's Palate that don't overlap with Pirate Night to ensure you enjoy the show.

Grab a free soda at this spot.

Soda is included during sit-down meals, but if you’re craving a thirst quencher outside of those times, go to the free-flowing beverage stations near the pools on each Disney ship.

Sip cocktails at this favorite bar. 

There are plenty of themed watering holes in the adults-only areas of the ships, but on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , Meridian is the place to be. The upscale bar and lounge is located next door to Palo and Remy, but it is open to all adults adhering to its business casual dress code. Though known for its martinis, Meridian also offers a cigar bar, custom craft cocktails, and a gin and tonic cart, as well as a private deck hosting a picture-perfect view of nightly sunsets.

Check out the Star Wars -themed bar on the Disney Wish .

Star Wars : Hyperspace Lounge is a bar exclusively found on the Disney Wish . “Whether you’re an avid Star Wars fan or just want to explore the galaxy, you will be able to enjoy delicious alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages that are simply out of this world,” adds Peggs. Reservations are no longer required, but there might be a wait, especially during peak hours; visit when the ship is in port to avoid the crowds. During the day, guests of all ages are allowed in.

It’s a multi-sensory experience in this immersive, interactive venue, and you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled in case anyone orders the $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal cocktail.  

Save on drinks during happy hour at sea. 

Be sure to check the Navigator app for daily happy hours at different bars and lounges. The exact offers vary, but they can include deals like half-off draft beer and discounts on specialty cocktails. And if you’re looking to take your cocktail knowledge to the next level, cruises also offer add-on mixology classes and tasting experiences.

Ask about the Sommelier Bin for discounted wine. 

Once a bottle of wine is opened, Disney must serve it (in its entirety) that day. Because of this, Disney ships have a sommelier bin, with opened bottles of wine served by the glass at highly discounted rates. This is your chance to sip on otherwise pricey pours at a bargain price. Now that’s Disney magic.

Or B.Y.O.B. to save money.

Looking to save a few bucks? While Disney ships offer a bevy of specialty cocktails, you can bring your own drinks — with some limitations. Hard liquor is a no-go, but each cruiser 21 years of age and up can bring two bottles of wine (or six-packs of beer) on board with them. If you’re thinking of bringing that bottle of wine with you to dinner, be aware that Disney does charge a corkage fee. You can also bring sealed bottles of water on board with you.

Take a second look at that barbershop on the Disney Wish .

Hook’s Barbery may look like any old upscale barbershop when walking by — but it’s hiding one of the best-kept secrets aboard any Disney ship. Tucked away within the salon is a hidden speakeasy-style bar serving expertly crafted cocktails, including a smoked old fashioned. Its liquor selection is extensive and surprising with rare and vintage pours.

Snack on soft serve on and off the ship.

If you’re a frequent Disney cruiser, you’re probably familiar with the line’s free-flowing soft-serve ice cream. And if the craving strikes when visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, you’ll be glad to know it’s also available on the island for the ultimate sugar rush in the sun.

Get an extra-magical coffee. 

Few can resist a Mickey-shaped treat while visiting any Disney property, but the best mouse-themed treat on the ships can be found at Cove Cafe . Order a cappuccino, ask for Mickey's face on it, and prepare to enjoy your jolt of caffeine with some extra magic. It'll cost a few bucks, but the joy of sipping a “Mickeyccino” will always outshine the complimentary coffee served on board. 

Order a Mickey bar — and more — with free room service. 

You’ll be glad to know that, unlike other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line’s room service is completely free and offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best part? You can have an iconic Disney treat, the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, delivered directly to your room.

Book early if you plan to use the ship’s nursery.

Bookings open early for guests looking to take advantage of the onboard nursery. Available for an extra charge, the It’s a Small World Nursery is available to supervise your child ages six months to three years old, ideal if you’d like a quiet dinner or time to explore one of the ship’s many themed lounges without the little one in tow. And don’t forget — the other youth clubs for kids, tweens, and teens are absolutely free.

Teens can hang out in the coolest part of the ship.

Every Disney ship has a Vibe , an onboard youth club that is exclusively available for teens ages 14 to 17. There is supervision, of course, and Disney Cruise Line's famously fun activities, but it's practically a private resort for high schoolers to chill in all day and night — no parents allowed.

Explore the kids clubs during the open house. 

Activities at the Marvel Super Hero Academy and Star Wars : Millennium Falcon play areas are reserved for young ones, but all kids club spaces empty out for the open house, when anyone can wander in and check out Vibe's arcade games or Oceaneer Lab's high-tech designs. Don't skip out on Andy's Room, which brings Toy Story to life while making for incredible Instagram snaps. And you won’t want to miss a multi-level slide on the Disney Wish which takes you from floor to floor in the ship’s soaring lobby. “Little ones can get comfortable with and excited about areas where they will play without their grownups,” shares Hwang.

Join a secret community of friends — hiding in plain sight.

Ever seen those homemade decorations hanging beside neighbors' doors? They're called fish extenders, and they're used by a network of families who have packed small gifts, treats, and trinkets to exchange with each other throughout their trip. To get in on the fun for your next sailing, visit the DisBoards Cruise Meets forum or CruiseCritic's Roll Calls . Many times, there are Facebook groups for your exact sailing as well. This can be particularly helpful with shy kids as they can get acquainted with other cruise-goers their age ahead of their journey.

Add an Adventures by Disney trip to your vacation.

You can enhance your Disney Cruise Line experience with Adventures by Disney Escapes before or after your sailing. Experience global cities through expertly curated itineraries in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and beyond. 

Spring for a concierge-level room and relax on a private sun deck.

There are plenty of perks that come with booking a concierge-level room — namely early access to onboard bookings, personalized service, and in-room amenities. And perhaps the best part, concierge guests have access to their own private sun and lounge deck outfitted with upscale lounge chairs, complimentary sunscreen, and chilled face towels, as well as a pool deck host who can fulfill any requests for full relaxation.

See the latest Disney movies. 

Enjoy the latest Disney releases at the on-board theater without having to buy tickets in advance. Even better? Many new Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars films have 3-D showings, allowing guests to experience eye-popping effects on the high seas. Movie times are available on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. And during the holidays, classics are featured, like “Hocus Pocus” during Halloween sailings.

Skip the ports to enjoy fewer crowds at the pool.

It may be tempting to disembark and explore Jamaica or relax on Castaway Cay, but if you stay behind, you can enjoy fewer crowds at the pools. This could be your prime chance to experience the AquaMouse water coaster, the cruise line’s first attraction at sea on the Disney Wish , with little to no line.

There are also lots of activities to take advantage of on board. “I must say I'm a huge fan of staying on board even on port days to explore the array of classes, Broadway-caliber shows, and, of course, the games,” adds Peggs. “If you're looking for family-friendly options, a couple of my favorites are Bingo, which they have every day during your sailing, napkin and towel folding, bar trivia, and so much more!”

Don’t miss the musicals.

While it may be tempting to take advantage of quieter swim times in the evening, you won’t want to miss your ship’s musical offerings. Broadway-quality productions including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” (exact offerings depend on the ship) are a must-see. “These are beautifully done and are wonderful for the entire family,” Peggs adds. “Plus, if you purchase a popcorn bucket at the beginning of the cruise, you will be able to enjoy $1.50 refills for the remainder of your cruise!”

There’s an under-the-radar design tour.

Adults 18 and up can enjoy one of the cruise line’s best walking tours. “The Art of The Theme Show Tour gives adults an insightful look into the detailed and thoughtful design of several spaces throughout the ship,” adds Hwang. “It's usually offered in the mornings and provides some fun trivia to share with anyone in your party.” 

Unwind at the spa.

You’re on vacation — it’s time to pamper yourself in the state-of-the-art spa. “If you are interested in booking a spa treatment, attend the open house before the ship sets sail,” Peggs shares. “You might get lucky and win a voucher for 10% off or possibly a facial or massage during the raffle. Speaking of savings, the more spa services you get while on board, the better the price will be. If you want to secure a spa day/week pass, be sure to book them sooner rather than later as they sell out pretty quickly!”

There’s a totally free fan-favorite activity.

If your itinerary takes you to Disney’s Castaway Cay, then you can partake in one of Disney Cruise Line’s most beloved activities, the Castaway Cay 5k — and it’s completely free to all guests. Suitable for runners and walkers alike, this on-your-own race invites you to discover Disney’s private island from a different vantage point as you travel through its stunning tropical paths. All participants receive an exclusive medal when they finish.

Not feeling well during your sailing? Disney can help.

There’s nothing worse than feeling sick on vacation. But have no fear, the mouse is here to help. Each ship is equipped with on-site medical help, and if you experience seasickness, complimentary medicine is available.

Grab every photo before the clock runs out.

Even if you skipped every character meet-and-greet, you'll still be able to cram in a week's worth of photos at "Til' We Meet Again," the goodbye show on the final night of each sailing. After a short heartwarming performance, loads of Disney characters, princesses, and theater performers will disperse throughout the crowd, posing for photos on a first-come, first-served basis. The onboard photographers will have already shut down, so you can snap as many iPhone pictures as you'd like, making for a full album in one fell swoop. This experience only lasts for around 20 minutes; you can find the exact time in the Navigator app.

Want to disembark first? Carry your own bag.

You don’t want to sour a wonderful vacation with a never-ending line simply to exit the ship. Instead of leaving your luggage out the night before, carry it off the ship yourself and arrive at your final destination without having to wait in lengthy port queues.

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Disney Cruise Line

Beginner’s Guide to the Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

by Elyssa Esposito , Digital Integration Specialist

If a Caribbean adventure is calling your name, look no further than the Disney Fantasy ! The Disney Fantasy joined Dream Class in 2014 alongside its sister ship, the Disney Dream. With 14 decks of nautical fun, you’re sure to find activities the whole crew will enjoy. Here are some of the offerings you’ll find aboard the fourth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet:

1. Welcome Aboard

When you board the Disney Fantasy, crew members will greet your party by name, and a bronze-sculpted Mademoiselle Minnie Mouse will welcome you into the atrium. As you take in the Art Nouveau-inspired designs, be sure to look up at the stained glass chandler embellished with crystal beads.

2. Signature Dining

Rotational dining ensures that all guests can enjoy all three themed dining experiences while on board. Your party and service team will rotate to a different table service restaurant each night. As part of your rotational dining experience on the Disney Fantasy, you’ll savor flavors from around the world at Enchanted Garden , dine like a king or queen at Royal Court , and embrace your inner artist at  Animator’s Palate !

3. Broadway-Style Entertainment

Don’t miss an evening of unbelievable sights and indescribable feelings at “ Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular .” You can also catch a showing of “ Disney’s Believe ,” a heartwarming story of a family who comes together through the power of Disney magic, or enjoy the tale of two sisters from Arendelle who discover that some people are worth melting for in “ Frozen, A Musical Spectacular .”

4. Adult-Exclusives

If you’re an avid Disney cruiser, you may be familiar with the exquisite Italian cuisine at Palo . But did you know adults can also treat their tastebuds to carefully crafted French-inspired fare surrounded by elegant, Parisian décor inspired by Ratatouille at Remy ? Be sure to make a reservation for one of the two adults-only dining experiences aboard the Disney Fantasy!

For late-night drinks, dancing and entertainment, Explore Europa, an adults-only area that is home to a collection of lounges and bars featuring La Piazza , O’Gills Pub , Ooh La La Lounge , The Tube , and Skyline .

5. Embrace Your Inner Detective

Don’t miss out on the Midship Detective Agency , a fun-filled mission that the whole family can enjoy. Help Mickey and his pals solve a mystery while exploring interactive artwork on a self-guided journey around the ship. Can you discover whodunit?

To learn more about additional offerings and planDisney tips, be sure to swipe through our planDisney Pocket Guide:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by planDisney (@plandisneypanel)

You can also download a copy of the Disney Fantasy planDisney Pocket Guide here .

Stay tuned for more planDisney pocket guides as we explore all the Disney Cruise Line ships, and don’t forget to check out our past editions on the Disney Magic , Disney Wonder , and Disney Dream . Complete your pocket guide collection with the Disney Resort hotel pocket guides to help you plan your next vacation ashore! For more fun tips and great advice for planning your next Disney vacation stop by @planDisneyPanel on Instagram, @planDisney on Twitter, or planDisney.com . We look forward to answering your planning questions.

Panelists receive compensation for their participation on planDisney.

Destinations: Disney Cruise Line

Topics: planDisney

You may want to update your dates. Disney Fantasy joined the DCL fleet in 2012, not 2014 as mentioned in the article. Maiden Voyage: March 31, 2012

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Everything You Need to Know About Disney’s Private Island 

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What To Do on a Disney Cruise

Disney knows how to bring that extra oomph needed to make any vacation feel both magical and memorable. This is why people are always in search of where to book a Disney Cruise and want to know if there is a military discount for Disney Cruises .  

The company’s exquisite taste and top-notch customer treatment have made the Disney Cruise Line one of the most beloved family retreats. Staterooms (cabins) provide comfort and privacy, driving home that the Disney Cruise Line was created to wow every guest . 

Why the Disney Cruise Line Is a Great Experience 

Since its first cruise in 1998, the Disney Cruise Line has enjoyed an ever-growing fan base that loves the cozy staterooms and scenic ocean views the ships offer. Even in the inside staterooms on some ships, virtual “Magical Portholes” reveal the world outside of the ship and allow passengers to stay connected with nature. 

While on board, the cruisers get surprise visits from beloved Disney characters, adding to the delight. The line also has cruises themed around iconic movie franchises like Pixar and Marvel, guaranteeing a unique and fun experience. There is also the 3:1 ratio of guests to crew members – this means customers are guaranteed exceptional services while on board, even when the ship is full. 

What to Do While on a Disney Cruise

Go to the spa.

The spas on Disney Cruise ships always have a nice assortment of treats available. For instance, during your spa visit, you can get a sensory shower or enjoy the private hot tub overlooking the ocean. 

Ride the AquaDuck, AquaMouse, or Aqua Dunk

If connecting with your inner child is something you have your heart set on, then the AquaDuck, AquaDunk, and AquaMouse rides on the Disney Cruise can offer you just that – they’re unique water slides/rides only available on Disney Cruise ships, and they ensure you have a unique, memorable experience at sea.

Watch a Live Show

On a Disney Cruise, it’s easy to watch live shows while on board. There is a new show every night that offers guests a Broadway-like experience. They also screen Disney movies that fans can enjoy.

Similar to the 5Ks offered during the popular Disney World marathons, the Castaway Cay 5K is a great way for people to enjoy Disney’s private island before everyone else arrives. In addition to some exercise, you can also get a keepsake medal.

Although dressing up like a princess, pirate, or other Disney character might sound goofy, it’s actually one of the best ways to have a good time when you cruise with Disney . Dressing up to fit the theme onboard is an easy and fun way to participate in the Disney magical experience. Dress like a pirate and you’ll receive your own bandana and can enjoy a pirate night with Mickey or Jack Sparrow.

Join a Fish Extender Exchange

On each Disney Cruise, some passengers coordinate a gift exchange activity in which different families bring gifts to one another throughout the voyage. Children get to learn the importance of sharing, and the entire process builds excitement and connection for everyone.

Let the Kids Join the Disney Cruise Kids Club

The Disney Cruise has kids’ and teens’ clubs—a good way of ensuring that kids get to socialize while onboard.  Just be warned – they may not want to leave!

Attend the Sail Away Party

There is no denying that Disney knows how to throw a party – this is why passengers have unlimited options when it comes to celebrations. For instance, the Sailing Away Deck Party occurs when Mickey Mouse and his friends take to the center stage and lead everyone in a dance to officially start their vacation.

Stay Up and Watch the Fireworks

Disney fireworks are a sight to behold and certainly live up to their reputation. Disney was the first cruise line to offer fireworks at sea, typically provided on one night only, and only on select itineraries.

Final Thoughts

The Disney Cruise Line experience doesn’t only consist of just beautiful, grand ships – the entire experience provides endless Disney-themed, family-friendly options that ensure you and your loved ones never run out of options to make new memories at sea. 

Ready to book your Disney Cruise? Check out our extensive travel guides and tips today!

Want even more recommendations? Seek out the advice of a professional Disney Vacation Planner!  We recommend The Vacationeer , because their agents specialize in Disney Cruises and know everything that’s special about a Disney ship.  Their planning services are free to use , and you’re never under any obligation to book — so contact the Vacationeer today to start planning your Disney Cruise!

Next Article:   Disney Difference — Adventures by Disney

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The Best Disney Cruises: Which Ship Line is for You (2024)

On board each ship, there’s a Disney touch around every turn. Here’s the scoop on the best Disney cruises!

Each ship offers a different set of distinctive gratuities, cast members, and magical activities.

Perhaps you’re drawn to Disney Dream’s immersive world or the Broadway-style shows on Disney Fantasy.

Maybe the unique onboard features of the Disney Magic attract you, or the adventures offered on the Disney Wonder. 

There’s also the highly anticipated Disney Wish on the horizon.

So, which one will make it to your travel bucket list? Let’s find out.

Disney Dream Cruise Review

Step aboard the Disney Dream Cruise and little ones are magically transported into a world where Disney promises that “the vacation of a lifetime will be a vacation for the whole family”.

It is one of the best Disney cruise line ships we have for Disney Cruise Line with excellent food and dining options, high‑quality live shows and entertainment, and room service available 24 hours a day.

Docking at Port Canaveral, you’ll love Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

Trust the Disney Cruise reviews, your Disney Cruise Line vacation starts here.

Exploring the Disney Fantasy

So long, Disney Dream of dreams; now, set sail another best Disney Cruise ship, The Disney Fantasy.

You could think of this as the gold standard of Disney ships, with Disney characters, Broadway-style entertainment, and posh main dining rooms.

Although the new Disney Wish has just made waves as Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Fantasy is the epitome of the Disney Cruise Line experience.

Disney Magic Ship Highlights

Consider Disney Magic, a cruise ship with 2,713 passengers, part of Disney Cruise Line.

Yet it’s also filled with Disney-exclusive attractions, including Broadway-style musical performances, flat-screen TVs, and a table-service restaurant.

And, don’t forget Caribbean cruises with excellent service.

Use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for an even better experience.

Unveiling Disney Wonder

Next on our list is Disney Wonder, one of the new ships in the Disney fleet and a sister to the newest Disney cruise ship.

You’ll love the friendly cast and crew members, the rotational dining options, and the Walt Disney Theater.

With Disney Wonder, it’s all about exciting port adventures.

Get ready for a journey on the best ship, you won’t forget aboard this amazing Disney ship.

Disney Wish: What to Expect

On the horizon of your next dream vacation, Disney Wish stands proud, promising an unparalleled cruise experience.

As one of Disney’s new vessels, its maiden voyage will take you through the grand hall, hyperspace lounge, and the worlds of Marvel.

You’ll experience the frozen dining adventure, explore Disney’s Oceaneer Club, revel in adult spaces, and relish themed dining.

Disney Wish truly is an enchanting journey waiting for you.

Dining Options on Disney Cruises

After exploring the enchanting features of Disney Wish, you might be wondering about the culinary adventures that await on Disney Cruises.

From Rapunzel’s Royal Table to the Royal Palace, Animator’s Palate, and even dining options on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, the best Disney cruises cater to every personal preference.

Disney’s Oceaneer Club serves up enchanted classics , ensuring a magical dining experience for all.

Entertainment on Disney Ships

Disney ships offer plenty of entertainment, with live music and Disney films blasting on screens on the pool deck.

Dance with your favorite Disney characters at the Golden Mickeys, or meet Captain America in the kids clubs.

Dine among Toy Story sketches at Animator’s Palate, or take a stroll through Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

There’s never a dull moment aboard, ensuring your cruise is a magical adventure.

Family-Friendly Features

Disney cruise ships are equipped with plenty of family-friendly features that will satisfy every member of your family’s wishes.

Sail away with a Disney adventure and expect young children to be wowed by Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

You’ll find hot tubs, Animator’s Palate, Small World, and movie theaters reminiscent of Walt Disney World.

Disney Cruise Line Ports of Call

Disney Cruise Line’s ports of call offer a world of enchantment, transporting you to some of the most coveted destinations in the globe.

You’ll visit various locations, including Disney’s private island, Lighthouse Point, and Fort Lauderdale.

Shore excursions might include a Star Wars experience, dining at Rapunzel’s Royal Table and Animator’s Palate, or kid’s fun at Disney’s Oceaneer Club.

Specialty Cruises: Halloween and Christmas

If you’re looking to festively deck the halls (or the docks), Disney offers special cruises for Halloween and Christmas.

Picture yourself setting sail on the seven seas, celebrating the holidays at Rapunzel’s Royal Table, or re-enacting a Cinderella fantasy at Animator’s Palate.

Disney’s private island promises a treasure trove of holiday fun for years to come, especially among Disney’s Oceaneer Club kids.

Unique Disney Cruise Activities

Unique Disney Cruise ActivitiesThere are many things you’ll do on a Disney cruise that you can’t experience anywhere else, from dining at Rapunzel’s Royal Table to virtual sports simulators.

You can hang with Ariel in the Animator’s Palate or at the Oceaneer Club.

You can cruise out of San Diego, but not too far: the Disney Dream is still within touching distance of America’s finest shores.

All the same, you can sail safe in the knowledge that Disney has excellent health ratings.

Just wait until you see Disney’s private island!

Castaway Cay: Disney’s Private Island

Picture stepping off your cruise ship and onto the pristine sands of Castaway Cay, Disney’s very own private island. Here’s what awaits you:

• Serene beaches are perfect for sandcastle building.
• Adventures at Pelican Point, snorkeling amidst hidden Disney treasures.
• Mouthwatering BBQ at Cookie’s BBQ.

Isn’t it time you felt the magic of Disney sprinkled on a tropical getaway?

Comparing Disney Cruise Ships

Exploring Disney’s impressive fleet of cruise ships can be quite a challenging task.

Each ship offers a unique blend of magical experiences. But don’t fret!

Whether you’re a fan of the classic Disney Magic or the newer Disney Dream, each ship has its own flair.

You’ve got to take into account size, amenities, and character-themed experiences.

So, buckle up, it’s time to delve into the world of Disney cruises!

Booking Tips for Cruises

For those seeking the ultimate Disney cruise experience on the high seas, the Disney Cruise Line fleet offers an enchanting array of options.

From the iconic Disney treasure-filled voyages aboard the classic ships to the modern amenities and innovative features of the newer sister ships, there’s a perfect Disney cruise for every traveler. 

Here’s how you can snag a great deal:

• Book now! Early bird gets the worm – or in this case, the best staterooms!
• Look for off-peak dates: You’ll find lower prices during these times.
• Use a travel agent: They can help you navigate the best deals and discounts.

Disney Cruises

Whether your a first time cruiser, adventurer, or returning for another magical journey, the Disney Cruise Line promises a Cinderella story to come to life.

Where the enchantment of beloved characters like the Little Mermaid accompanies you on an ocean view adventure.

With virtual sports simulators and activities tailored for younger children, every moment aboard feels like an enchanted classic.

As the Disney Cruise Line continues to expand with additional ships in the coming years, the promise of royal Caribbean adventures and unforgettable memories only grows stronger.

For an insider tip, consider exploring the offerings of the best Disney ship for your specific preferences and embark on a voyage that exceeds your wildest dreams.

Get the scoop on more like this:

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The post The Best Disney Cruises: Which Ship Line is for You (2024) appeared first on Sarah Scoop .

27 Do’s and Don’ts for Your First Day Onboard a Disney Cruise Ship

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You may have waited months or even years for your Disney cruise. Finally, the day is here. You are about to board your Disney cruise.

What are you going to do on that first day of your Disney cruise? How will you get the most out of embarkation day on one of the Disney ships ?

Disney Cruise Tips

Disney cruise veterans may know exactly what they are going to do as soon as they board the ship. Disney Cruise first-timers may have no idea what they want to do.

They can be totally overwhelmed about what to see and do.

Join this Disney Cruise Group for Tips. Secrets and Exclusive Giveaways!

We have spent many months on Disney cruises and can give you some ideas of do’s and don’ts for your first day upon the Disney ship.

DON’T automatically head straight to the Disney ship buffet. Unless you want to follow the crowd.

The Disney Cruise Ship buffet Cabanas or Marceline Market if you are on the Disney Wish, is pretty much where everyone else will go when they board the ship.

Ask a Cast Member where to eat to avoid Cabanas or Marceline Market .

We always much prefer to go to Enchanted Garden on the Fantasy or Dream or Triton’s on the Wonder. It is so much more relaxing.

DO head straight for the Disney Aquaduck if you are sailing on the Disney Fantasy or the Dream.

Or if you are on the Disney Wish, go to the AquaMouse!

Make sure that you pack your swimming gear in your carry-on luggage so that you can avoid the long lines that will soon form.

Be among the first to ride Disney Aquaduck while everyone else is in the buffet!

DO Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App before you leave port. This will mean that you can use it to see daily onboard activities, menus, and schedules.

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App is free to download and use onboard the ship. You can even use the onboard chat facility to text fellow passengers for free.

DON”T be hit with a cell phone call and data charges. Always investigate what you will be charged for if you use your cell phone at sea.

Charges can be excessive. You really don’t want the shock of a huge cell phone bill when you get home.

We always switch to airplane mode to be safe, the minute that we leave port.

DO change your rotational dining seating if you are not happy with your allocation. Disney cruise lines always do what they can to accommodate your requests.

If you have early dining and really wanted the later seating your request will usually be accommodated.

Early seating is the most sought-after , but Disney cruise lines want you to be happy.

They will always try to accommodate your request for early dining if they can.

DO make reservations for Palo on all the ships and Remy on the Disney Dream and Fantasy. The new Disney Wish has the exclusive adult dining restaurant Enchante.

Although many of the reservations will have been made prior to sailing they usually have some available.

Check out your Navigators App or schedule to see the number to call or the lounge to visit to talk with the dining reservation Cast Members.

DO visit Guest Services to see if there are any tickets left for the ticketed-only events.

DO go to the Senses Spa and make your reservations if you haven’t already done this online. The popular treatments such as the Couples Spa do book early onboard a Disney Cruise.

If you want a length of cruise pass for the Disney Rainforest Room you really need to book this on your first day as they only sell a limited amount.

DON”T forget to take lots of photos. You will have many amazing memories from this Disney cruise.

It is so easy to take hundreds of photos that will remind you of happy times for many years ahead.

You may also want to consider buying the Disney Cruise Photo Package. Click Here to find out how to save money on this option.

DON”T skip the mandatory Muster Drill. The information about where your Muster Station is will be on your Key to the World Card and your Navigators App.

The Muster Drill is usually held around 4 pm, before Sail Away. You will either have your Muster Drill in one of the restaurants or out on Deck. If you are unsure of the location on any of the saftery procedures, always ask a Cast Member.

Please always be on time to the Muster Drill. It can’t start until everyone is there. So if you are late you are going to be delaying a lot of people onboard as they all have to wait for you.

DO visit the Port Adventures Desk if you still need to book your excursions and activities for all ports of call.

If you are still undecided about what to do on Castaway Cay you can visit our Disney Cruise Castaway Cay Activities Guide

DO sign up for any classes that you think you will enjoy.

The Wine Tasting and Mixology events are very popular and do get booked up. Go to Guest Services to reserve your space.

DO take some time to walk around the ship to get orientated.

It can take some time to get familiar with where various features are on the Disney ships .

Remember that you can always ask a Cast Member for help!

DON’T skip the Disney Cruise Sailing Away Party. They are always a lot of fun and get you into vacation mode!

DO try out the Drink of the Day.

These are a bargain at $5.25 plus gratuity. We usually find that the cocktails on the first day are rather more generous with the alcohol!

Always remember that you can take 2 bottles of wine per adult with you onto the Disney Cruise.

You must pack the bottles in your carry-on.

This is a great 2-Bottle Wine/Water Bottle Tote to protect the bottles in your carry-on bag.

DO check out the adults-only areas on each of the Disney ships if you can.

We always go to Satellite Falls on the Disney Fantasy and the Quiet Cove Pool on any of the Disney ships. It tends to be quieter on the first day.

DON”T miss the first night of entertainment. Disney cruise lines have the best entertainment at sea. The first night sets the standard and you will see some of your Disney favorite characters.

DO take the time to meet your Stateroom Host They work incredibly hard to make your stateroom experience memorable.

If you need anything extra such as blankets or pillows make sure that you ask them. They will be happy to help.

DO browse around the shops as soon as you can. They won’t be open until you sail away.

However, the first night is the perfect time to check out what is available. If you see something that you want then buy it as supplies run out quickly.

DO go to your first rotational dining restaurant. This is the first time that you will meet your Disney wait staff. They will soon get to know you and your preferences for dinner.

The food on a Disney Cruise is amazing!

Still don’t know how Disney dining works on a cruise? Check out our guide at How Does Disney Cruise Rotational Dining Work?

DO take advantage of your balcony if you have a verandah stateroom. There is nothing like watching the sunset over the ocean, or simply putting your feet up and relaxing in your own space.

DON’T forget to take the Walking Ship Tour.

This is a really good way to get to know where everything is on the ship. It is usually scheduled for around 1.45 and 2.15 on the first day and repeats on select days on the cruise.

DON”T leave it too long to unpack. There is a lot of storage space in all Disney cruise staterooms .

They are well thought out. It doesn’t need to take a long time to unpack.

You can personalize your stateroom and make your stateroom a home away from home, particularly if you have followed our Useful Things to Pack For A Disney Cruise guide.

DO take the kids to the Open House at the Youth Activities Center. Most children love the kid’s clubs on a Disney cruise and this will give them a chance to make friends early on.

It will also give you the chance to go and enjoy some time in one of the adults-only areas on the ship!

DO check out your Navigator’s schedule to see when your favorite Disney characters are available for meet and greet.

DON”T miss all the Disney movies which are shown on a Disney cruise. The Buena Vista Theater is a great place to watch classic and new-release Disney movies .

A special treat is to watch a Disney movie on Funnel Vision at the pool.

Plan to do this at least once at night after dinner and a show. There is nothing like sitting out under the stars and watching a great Disney movie.

DO savor the moment. Time onboard your Disney ship seems to go so quickly.

The first day of your Disney Cruise is the day that you have been looking forward to. Make the most of these moments with your loved ones.

Join my Disney Cruise Group for exclusive Tips and Free Giveaways!

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Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Saturday 27th of April 2024

You mention signing up for “classes” as in wine tasting & mixology, are these free? If not, how much are they?

Thursday 2nd of May 2024

Unfortunately they are not free. Here is a guide to all of the tastings available and the current pricing https://www.everythingmouse.com/disney-cruise-tastings

Disney Cruise Tips107 Disney Cruise Tips and Hacks You Have to Know Before You Sail 2018 - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Saturday 21st of July 2018

[…] 27 Do’s and Don’ts For Your First Day On A Disney Cruise Ship […]

Travel | Disney pitches authenticity for new Bahamas…

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Subscriber only, travel | disney pitches authenticity for new bahamas cruise destination lookout cay.

Construction continues in April 2024 for Disney Cruise Line's new Bahamas destination on the island of Eleuthera called Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point set to open in summer. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

The site map for Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, which is opening in summer 2024 on the Bahamas island of Eleuthera. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

One of the main entertainment options at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will be the Junkanoo Rush Out, run by a local Bahamian Junkanoo Group, introducing guests to the signature festival of the Bahamas with a colorful parade full of music and dancing. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

Located at the Play-Play Pavilion at Disney Lookout Cay, the Disney Fun in the Sun Beach Bash will be a beach party with a variety of games. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

Bahamian fashion designer Theodore Elyett came up with unique designs for Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Daisy and Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip & Dale. (Courtesy/Disney Cruise Line)

It’s not a clone of Castaway Cay, the popular Bahamas private island DCL has been visiting for more than two decades.

Speaking at a panel discussion Thursday at Walt Disney World, Denise Case, director of entertainment creative for Disney, said when Imagineers built that first destination the theme was “everyone’s just kind of cast away on a deserted island in the middle of the Bahamas.”

“It’s a very fictional place,” she said, adding that Lookout Cay “is a real place with real people and a real culture. It is truly about the Bahamas. There’s nothing fictional really about it.”

Much like Disney pursued an authentic Hawaiian experience at its Aulani resort, Imagineers have tackled that approach for the new port of call at the southern tip of the island of Eleuthera. It’s set to welcome its first visitors in June.

Among new details released Thursday, the cruise line revealed the first full site map, which shows a massive swath of green for the 900-acre development.

“One of the things that I love about this map is how untouched the site is,” said Joey Gaskins, DCL’s regional public affairs director and a Bahamas native.

To date, only 16% has been developed and 152 acres have been given back to the government of the Bahamas “because the site is so meaningful, and so I think looking at that very small footprint on what is a significant piece of property is really important on the environmental story as well,” Gaskins said.

He also gave the history behind the name Lighthouse Point, when asked if there was an actual lighthouse on the site. The answer is: sort of.

“The technical name for the building on the site is actually a light station, so it’s not a lighthouse in the traditional sense of a tower with the light on top that’s going around,” he said. “But there’s a structure there that had an outdoor kitchen, a living facility, and that was used to guide ships in from the water.”

The area is actually known for shipwrecks, he said. A settlement on the island now called Rock Sound used to be called Wreck Sound, and the island has a history of people sustaining themselves with goods from the wrecks.

“In other words, ships would wreck against the reefs, and they would go out there and collect wherever they could, sell the goods for later,” he said,

It’s one of the interesting stories line hopes its visitors discover when they venture on excursions away from the destination, including visits to the light station, which is not part of Disney’s property.

“We’ve committed to creating safe access to that, so people can take a look at it and see it, and again, keep it protected,” he said.

Other excursions look to take advantage of Eleuthera’s natural beauty.

“It has a lot of natural wonders — the Glass Window Bridge that separates the Exuma Sound from the Atlantic Ocean; you have pink sand beaches that stretch for miles; blue holes that have mermaid stories attached to them; cathedral caves that reach up into the sky,” Gaskins said.

Guests will have plenty to enjoy within the property lines, with offerings leaning heavily on Bahamian culture, especially the carnival-esque parade called Junkanoo, which is traditionally celebrated across the nation on Boxing Day on Dec. 26 and New Year’s Day on Jan. 1.

“Junkanoo is the preeminent cultural celebration of the Bahamas,” he said. “It includes goatskin drums, cow bells, whistles, brass, and these amazing costumes made out of cray paper and cardboard. … It is really a celebration of freedom.”

Its origins are debated he said, with some saying it came from Africa and others that it was born of colonial settlement, “but what it has become for us in the Bahamas is symbolic of who we are as a people. It is our creativity, our energy, all of it encapsulated across these two parades during the holidays.”

Visitors to Lookout Cay will get daily doses of the parade and participate in the event Disney organized with the help of the Bahamas National Junkanoo Committee.

“You’ll be able to participate with the music, you’ll be able to make a Bahamian craft,” Case said. “You’ll learn about the cardboard and the pasting and the cray paper. Let me tell you it’s harder than you think y’all.”

The color and vibrancy of that spills over to the character designs for Mickey and the gang that will be found at the resort, but also to the buildings, especially at the heart of the resort called the Goombay Cultural Center, said Kassandra Rose, a creative director with Walt Disney Imagineering.

“You’re also going to see Junkanoo influenced in the architecture and the artwork from the local Bahamian artists,” she said. “The Junkanoo feel of all aspects of culture coming together and really community, so the guests will be able to come and learn from local artists and learn about tradition and be completely inspired by that environment from the artwork on the walls to the patterns on the ceiling.”

One more note about Bahamian authenticity: when asked about how to pronounce “Cay,” the overwhelming opinion is to say it like “key.”

“If you’re Bahamian, it’s always ‘key,'” Gaskins said. “So we’ve adopted that pronunciation, I think, for Lookout Cay.”

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