Disney Cruises
Overview
Disney Cruise Line delivers the magic of Disney on the high seas, creating an experience that transforms family cruising into something truly enchanted. Since 1998, Disney has set the standard for family cruising, proving that a cruise can be simultaneously entertaining for children, relaxing for parents, and magical for everyone.
What sets Disney apart is their unwavering commitment to quality. Every detail receives the same attention Disney brings to their theme parks. From the ship horn that plays "When You Wish Upon a Star" to the character rotational dining concept, Disney's obsessive attention to detail creates an immersive experience unmatched in the industry.
The Disney difference becomes apparent immediately. Characters roam the ship for meet-and-greets throughout the day. Broadway-caliber shows feature beloved Disney properties. The adults-only areas provide sophisticated retreats that prove Disney isn't just for kids. And Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas, delivers the ultimate beach day experience.
Disney's fleet has grown to five ships, each offering unique experiences. The newest, Disney Wish, introduces Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge, Marvel dining experiences, and the AquaMouse water attraction. The classic ships Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy each have devoted followings, with rotational dining that moves guests through three different restaurants during their voyage.
Family harmony is Disney's specialty. Oceaneer Club and Lab engage children aged 3-12 with counselor-led activities including themed experiences like Marvel, Star Wars, and Disney Channel. Edge and Vibe give tweens and teens their own sophisticated hangouts. Meanwhile, adults enjoy Quiet Cove, adult-exclusive dining, and bars designed with grown-up sophistication.
Fleet Information
Disney's fleet features five magical ships:
Disney Wish (2022):
The newest addition with unprecedented Disney immersion:
- 144,000 GT with 4,000 passengers (at double occupancy)
- AquaMouse water coaster attraction
- Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge adults-only bar
- Marvel Super Hero Academy for kids
- Frozen and Marvel dining venues
- Worlds of Marvel interactive dinner show
- Grand Hall with stunning Cinderella statue
Starting at $1,599+ per person for 3-night sailings
Disney Fantasy (2012):
Perfect blend of classic and modern:
- 129,690 GT with 4,000 passengers
- AquaDuck water coaster
- Animator's Palate interactive dining
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Virtual portholes in inside cabins
- Midship Detective Agency interactive game
Starting at $1,299+ per person for 7-night sailings
Disney Dream (2011):
Sister ship to Fantasy with distinct personality:
- 129,690 GT with 4,000 passengers
- First AquaDuck installation
- District nightlife area for adults
- Enchanted Art that comes alive
- Premium spa and fitness
Starting at $1,199+ per person for 3-4 night sailings
Disney Wonder (1999):
Classic Disney charm, recently renovated:
- 84,000 GT with 2,713 passengers
- Tiana's Place New Orleans restaurant
- Marvel Super Hero Academy
- Rapunzel's Royal Table
- Alaskan and Pacific itineraries
Starting at $999+ per person for shorter sailings
Disney Magic (1998):
The original Disney cruise ship:
- 84,000 GT with 2,713 passengers
- Rapunzel's Royal Table
- Tangled: The Musical stage show
- European and Caribbean itineraries
- Classic Disney elegance
Starting at $999+ per person for shorter sailings
Onboard Experience
The Disney cruise experience creates magic at every turn:
Accommodations:
Disney offers premium staterooms with exceptional attention to family needs:
- Inside Staterooms: Feature "virtual portholes" showing real-time ocean views with Disney characters
- Oceanview: Large portholes or picture windows
- Verandah (Balcony): Private outdoor space, most popular category
- Concierge Level: Enhanced service, exclusive lounge, premium amenities
- All staterooms have split bathrooms (bath area + toilet/sink) - genius for families!
Character Experiences:
Disney's signature magic includes:
- Character meet-and-greets throughout the ship
- Character breakfast and dining experiences
- Princess gatherings for aspiring royalty
- Marvel Day at Sea (select sailings)
- Star Wars Day at Sea (select sailings)
- Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merryman Christmas cruises
Youth Clubs:
Industry-leading programming for every age:
- It's a Small World Nursery: Ages 6 months - 3 years
- Oceaneer Club/Lab: Ages 3-12 with themed experiences
- Edge: Tweens 11-14 with their own hangout
- Vibe: Teens 14-17 with club atmosphere
- Counselors are Disney cast members
Adult Exclusives:
Disney proves grown-ups matter too:
- Quiet Cove: Adults-only pool, hot tubs, and bar
- Palo: Upscale Italian dining (adults only, extra charge)
- Remy (Dream, Fantasy): French fine dining
- Meridian: Cocktail lounge with port views
- Nighttime Entertainment Districts: After Hours (Wish), District (Dream/Fantasy)
Pools and Recreation:
- Family pools with character theming
- AquaDuck/AquaMouse water coasters
- Goofy's Sports Deck activities
- Wide World of Sports deck areas
Dining & Entertainment
Disney's dining features the revolutionary rotational dining concept:
Rotational Dining:
Guests rotate through three main restaurants, with their servers rotating with them:
- Experience different themed venues each night
- Same excellent waitstaff learns your preferences
- No reservations needed for main dining
- Set seating times (early or late)
Main Dining Restaurants (Included):
Each ship features unique venues:
Disney Wish:
- 1923: Celebrating Disney animation legacy
- Worlds of Marvel: Interactive Avengers adventure dining
- Arendelle: Frozen musical dining experience
Disney Fantasy/Dream:
- Animator's Palate: Interactive screens, character animations
- Enchanted Garden: Versailles-inspired elegance
- Royal Court/Royal Palace: Cinderella-themed dining
Disney Magic/Wonder:
- Rapunzel's Royal Table / Tiana's Place: Themed immersive dining
- Animator's Palate: Character animation magic
- Triton's: Little Mermaid inspiration
Specialty Dining (Extra Charge):
- Palo: Upscale Italian, adults only (~$45/person)
- Remy (Dream/Fantasy): French cuisine, adults only (~$125/person)
- Enchanté (Wish): Fine French dining
Casual Dining (Included):
- Cabanas: Buffet with made-to-order stations
- Flo's V8 Cafe (Wish): Quick service
- Pinocchio's Pizzeria: Pizza and sandwiches
- Eye Scream Treats: Soft-serve ice cream
- Room Service: 24-hour complimentary
Entertainment Excellence:
Disney invests heavily in Broadway-quality shows:
- Original Disney theatrical productions on every ship
- First-run Disney movies in state-of-the-art theaters
- Deck parties with fireworks at sea (Disney is the only cruise line permitted!)
- Character shows and parades
- Themed deck parties (Pirates Night, etc.)
Current Shows Include:
- Wish: The Little Mermaid, Frozen
- Fantasy: Frozen, Disney's Aladdin
- Dream: Beauty and the Beast, Disney Dreams
- Wonder: Frozen, Tangled
- Magic: Tangled, Disney Dreams
Pricing Guide
Disney pricing is premium but delivers exceptional value:
Base Cruise Fares:
Rates per person, double occupancy (reflect premium positioning):
- Inside: $200-400/night (varies significantly by sailing)
- Oceanview: $250-450/night
- Verandah: $300-550/night
- Concierge: $500-1,000+/night
- 3-night sailings have highest per-night rates
- 7+ night sailings offer better per-night value
What's Included:
- All meals including room service
- All youth programming (nursery has fee)
- All entertainment and shows
- Character meet-and-greets
- Pools and recreation
- Port charges
- Gratuities are extra ($14.50/day suggested)
Cruise Now, Pay Later Options:
- Lock in rates with deposit
- Payment plans available through Disney
- Disney Visa cardholders get rewards
- Final payment typically 120 days before
- Price protection for certain bookings
Why Disney Costs More:
- Fewer passengers = more space per person
- Extensive character experiences
- Broadway-quality entertainment
- Premium food quality
- Industry-leading youth programs
- Exceptional crew training
- Fireworks at sea (exclusively Disney)
Castaway Cay Private Island:
Included in Bahamas/Caribbean cruises:
- Pristine beaches included
- Character experiences
- Pelican Plunge water play
- Adult-exclusive Serenity Bay
- No additional cost for basic amenities
Value Maximization:
- Book early for best cabin selection
- Consider repositioning cruises for value
- Disney Vacation Club members get discounts
- Compare 7-night versus two 3-night cruises
- Florida residents sometimes get special rates
Frequently Asked Questions
Not at all! Disney excels at adult experiences too. Quiet Cove is an adults-only pool area. Palo and Remy are sophisticated adult dining venues. Nighttime entertainment districts cater to grown-ups. Many couples cruise Disney for the exceptional service and quality, even without children.
Disney's signature dining concept rotates guests through three different themed restaurants during their cruise. Your same waitstaff moves with you, learning your preferences. You experience different venues without reservations. It's unique to Disney and guests love the variety and personalized service.
Absolutely! Characters appear throughout the ship for meet-and-greets. You can see princesses, Mickey and friends, Marvel heroes (select sailings), and Star Wars characters (select sailings). The Disney app helps track character locations. Lines form but are well-managed.
For families who value quality family time, character experiences, and exceptional service, Disney delivers value that justifies the premium. The youth programs are industry-leading. Adult experiences are sophisticated. Everything feels premium. For Disney fans especially, the immersive magic is priceless.
Castaway Cay is Disney's private island in the Bahamas, visited on most Caribbean/Bahamas cruises. It features pristine beaches, character experiences, water activities, and the adults-only Serenity Bay. Ships dock at the island (no tender needed). Most amenities are included.
Gratuities are not included but strongly encouraged. Disney suggests $14.50/day. You can prepay or have it charged to your account. Tips go to dining room servers, assistant servers, and stateroom host. Special service staff (spa, bar) receive individual tips.
Infants as young as 6 months can sail on most Disney cruises. The It's a Small World Nursery accepts children 6 months to 3 years (hourly fee applies). For transatlantic and certain longer voyages, the minimum age is 12 months.
Guest Reviews
Our first Disney cruise on the Wish exceeded every expectation. The AquaMouse had our kids (8 and 11) riding all day. Worlds of Marvel dinner was interactive and incredible - Ant-Man appeared! The attention to detail everywhere amazed us. Our server Diego learned our kids' favorites by night two. Castaway Cay was paradise. Worth every penny for these family memories.
Ship: Disney Wish | Destination: Bahamas | April 2024We cruised Disney Fantasy without kids and it was wonderful. Palo for brunch overlooking the ocean - magical. Remy's seven courses rivaled Paris restaurants. Quiet Cove pool never crowded. Skyline lounge showed cityscapes changing. The shows were genuinely Broadway-quality. We assumed Disney was only for families. Wrong! Returning next year.
Ship: Disney Fantasy | Destination: Caribbean | February 2024Just my 6-year-old and me on Disney Dream for her birthday. She didn't want to leave Oceaneer Club! Princess meet-and-greets made her cry happy tears. I actually relaxed while she was supervised by incredible counselors. Pirate Night fireworks were spectacular. Our servers made her birthday dinner so special with a cake. Worth saving two years for this trip.
Ship: Disney Dream | Destination: Bahamas | March 2024Disney Wonder for Alaska was spectacular. Glacier Bay took our breath away. Tiana's Place brought New Orleans to Alaska! The kids (13, 16) loved having their own teen spaces. Edge and Vibe kept them busy and making friends. Only drawback: ship is older and showing some wear. Cabins felt dated compared to newer ships. Still, service was impeccable and the experience was wonderful.
Ship: Disney Wonder | Destination: Alaska | June 2023