Disney Cruises: The Complete Guide

Disney Cruise Line is more than just a vacation; it's an experience combining Disney magic, luxurious accommodations, and family-friendly entertainment — plus there's the convenience of getting to port in various destinations without ever having to unpack.

However, these perks often come at a premium. Upfront Disney Cruises prices generally command a far higher sticker price than competitors in the family cruise space such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruise Line. But at the same time, Disney Cruises tend to have far more things included in that upfront sticker price, versus the latter options that follow more of an a la carte model, which might make your final cost not that much different depending on how many extras you want.

Plus, for families weighing a trip to Disney World versus a Disney Cruise, the latter often turns out cheaper given how much is included once onboard.

Here's how to maximize your Disney Cruise experience while keeping costs under control.

Disney Cruise Line offers a high-end experience for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. While the cost is typically higher than other cruise lines, Disney cruises are known for their exceptional service, unique theming, and inclusivity. Here are a few highlights:

• Large families and groups with kids: Activities and entertainment cater to kids, teens, and adults, making it ideal for multigenerational trips.

• People who appreciate themed experiences: Part of the upcharge is the theme park-like experience you'll get onboard. From "Star Wars" lounges to "Frozen" dining rooms, Disney brings its iconic stories to life throughout your sailing.

• Travelers who prioritize exceptional entertainment: Cruises have Broadway-caliber shows, character meet-and-greets and themed deck parties make every moment magical. If you're just going to chill at the spa, Disney might not be worth it. But for people who'll go to the shows every night and want to meet the characters, you can get your money's worth (plus lines to meet the characters are typically much shorter on cruises versus at the theme parks).

• Adults seeking a romantic vacation: Don't feel like you can't cruise even if you're traveling sans kids. Yes, Disney Cruises can be quite romantic. Quiet pools, elegant dining venues, and themed bars ensure adults can enjoy their own slice of luxury.

Disney Cruise Line's fleet of about a half-dozen ships is rapidly growing. The fleet sails to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and beyond.

Disney has several departure points from within the United States, including options from San Diego, New York City, Miami, and Galveston, Texas. Its most frequent departures are from Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, to the Bahamas and the Caribbean or from Vancouver, British Columbia to Alaska.

Choosing a cruise itinerary

Depending on where and when you sail, itineraries have their own unique touches.

For example, starting January 2025, Disney's cruises from Australia and New Zealand will add-on meet-and-greets and interactive games with ultra-popular characters Bluey and Bingo, from “Bluey,” the beloved  Emmy®-winning animated series.

Time of year matters too. Disney Cruise Line transforms its ships for the holidays with unique themed sailings that elevate the onboard experience. Halloween on the High Seas cruises feature spooky decor, a "Mickey's Mouse-querade Party," themed crafts and special character appearances in Halloween costumes. Meanwhile, Very Merrytime Cruises during the Christmas season offer festive decorations, holiday-themed activities and appearances by Santa Claus himself.

Choosing a cruise ship

There's no best Disney Cruise ship for everyone, as every traveler has different preferences. Some love smaller, more intimate ships, while others prefer the massive, floating city vibes. Maybe it's recency bias, but newer ships (like the Disney Treasure that launched in December 2024) are generally regarded as the best.

Here are some highlights of the newest ships:

Disney Wish (launched 2022)

• AquaMouse: The first Disney attraction at sea, combining water slide thrills with show scenes and special effects.

• Themed Areas: "Frozen," Marvel, and "Star Wars" experiences for all ages.

• Luxury Accommodations: Spacious staterooms and the opulent Concierge Tower Suite.

Disney Treasure (launched December 2024)

• Themed Bars: Highlights include the Jungle Cruise-inspired Skipper Society and the world’s first Haunted Mansion bar.

• Expansive Offerings: Building on the innovations of the Disney Wish with additional dining and entertainment options.

Disney Cruise Line offers all the usual cabin types, including inside, oceanview, verandah and concierge-level rooms. Their largest rooms can accommodate up to seven guests.

» Learn more: Disney Cruise Review — Mickey at Sea Gets an A+

Here are the most important features to consider when choosing your stateroom:

1. Spacious layouts: Though hardly huge (it is a cruise, of course) Disney staterooms are generally larger than those on most other cruise lines. Even the standard interior rooms are designed to maximize space and include thoughtful touches like split bathrooms—a feature that allows one person to use the shower while another uses the sink and toilet.

2. Family-friendly features: Many rooms include convertible sofas, pull-down beds, and privacy curtains to create separate sleeping areas for parents and children. Some suites also offer additional bedrooms and large verandahs for added luxury.

3. Virtual portholes: Interior staterooms come equipped with "Magical Portholes" that display real-time views of the ocean, occasionally featuring animated Disney characters. This unique feature adds a fun, immersive element to even the most budget-friendly rooms.

4. Room categories: Disney offers four main categories of staterooms: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. While Inside rooms are the most economical, Concierge-level suites provide a high-end experience with extra perks like priority boarding, exclusive lounges, and personalized service.

5. Attention to detail: From Mickey-shaped fixtures to whimsical artwork, Disney staterooms are infused with subtle magical touches that make the experience truly special.

Early booking is essential for securing popular room types, especially those in the Concierge category, which often sell out quickly.

Disney cruises tend to be more expensive than the average cruise. While prices vary by exact sailing, budget about $2,000 for a three-night trip to the Bahamas for two guests.

Special sailings: Expect to pay more to take a "special occasion" Disney cruise. A similar, three-night Bahamas cruise sailing albeit during Disney's Silver Anniversary at Sea can cost about 20% more.

High-season sailings: Sailing in the high season will cost more, especially during holidays and the summer break. For example, we found a $2,000 cruise in late January, which is a time when those with school-aged children might have trouble getting away. Meanwhile, the same room type, destination and duration — albeit during the pricey Christmas holiday — rings in at $3,700.

To save money, avoid peak periods and search all available dates to find the lowest rates. This is true even on less popular cruises, such as those sailing up to Alaska (Alaska sailings are usually more affordable in mid-September compared to mid-summer, particularly holidays like the Fourth of July. Just note the increased risk of bad weather when sailing that late in the season).

What’s included in a Disney cruise

Disney cruises are more inclusive than most cruises. You don’t, for example, need to pay extra for soft drinks on a Disney cruise like you would on Norwegian Cruise Line. You’re also entitled to complimentary room service 24/7, unlike on Virgin Voyages, where you'll be charged a $5 fee for each delivery.

Here are more inclusions you can expect.

• Live, high-quality entertainment.

• Large staterooms (designed for parties of up to three guests).

• Access to one of Disney’s private islands, either Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point or Castaway Cay (on most Bahamas and Caribbean cruises).

• Upscale restaurants, quick-service dining, poolside snacks and room service.

• Adults-only lounges and pool areas.

• Waterslides (on some ships).

» Learn more: How much does a Disney cruise cost?

What’s not included in a Disney cruise

While Disney is fairly generous in terms of what's included relative to competitors, there are a few expenses where you might need to make additional space in your vacation budget. Things that require an additional fee include Disney Port Adventures, spa services, adult-exclusive restaurants like Palo and Remy, Wi-Fi and specialty drinks.

Specialty drinks can range from hand-crafted lattes at the cafe to mocktails and cocktails at the bars. Sure, the extra charge is annoying, but take solace in knowing that sometimes the cruise line bar ranks among the coolest part of a voyage.

The company has increasingly leaned into over-the-top, themed bars, often based on Disney's movies or theme park rides. For example, the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge on the Disney Wish allows you to sip on mixed drinks like "Spire Sunset" and "Cloud City" while you admire iconic locales in the “Star Wars” universe — including Tatooine, Mustafar and Coruscant — through a virtual window into the galaxy.

Disney Treasure has among the best bar scenes of any cruise, period. It's home to multiple adult-exclusive themed bars including the world’s first Haunted Mansion-inspired bar, as well as a Jungle Cruise-themed bar called Skipper Society.

Disney isn’t known for its loyalty programs. But while there is no frequent traveler program associated with staying at one of its resorts or frequenting its parks, Disney Cruise Line rewards repeat customers with benefits including a complimentary specialty dinner, free photo downloads and an exclusive terminal check-in area.

That's through the Castaway Club, which has four membership levels — Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. Earn the first level simply by completing a single cruise. 

Castaway Club levels

The Castaway Club levels are Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl.

Silver

• How to earn: Sail on one cruise.

• Best benefits: Book cruises one day before the general public, online activity planning 90 days before sailing, check in 33 days early, exclusive terminal check-in.

Gold

• How to earn: Sail on five to nine cruises.

• Best benefits: Book cruises two days before the general public, online activity planning 105 days before sailing, check in 35 days early, onboard reception, special discounts. 

Platinum

• How to earn: Sail on 10 to 24 cruises.

• Best benefits: Book cruises three days before the general public, online activity planning 120 days before sailing, check in 38 days early, complimentary specialty dinner.

Pearl

• How to earn: Sail on 25+ cruises. 

• Best benefits: Book cruises four days before the general public, online activity planning 123 days before sailing, check in 40 days early, complimentary unlimited digital photo package. 

» Learn more: Which is cheaper, Disney World or a Disney cruise?

(Top photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)