Disney Cruises: The Complete Guide

Let's be clear: Disney Cruise Line is expensive. We're not talking about a modest premium over other cruise lines—we're talking about paying sometimes double or triple what you'd spend on a comparable sailing with Royal Caribbean, Carnival or Norwegian. A three-night Bahamas cruise for two on Disney runs around $2,000, while the same itinerary on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian Cruise Line might cost $800. Lines like Carnival Cruise Line are often even less.

So given the high Disney Cruises prices, why would anyone pay that much? Because Disney cruises deliver something fundamentally different from other cruise lines. If you view cruising as a floating hotel that efficiently transports you to a new city every day, Disney is not for you. Save that approach for lines like Norwegian or Royal Caribbean, which are excellent in quality but don't have the Disney markup.

Disney cruises are designed for people who want to spend most of their time on the ship itself. The onboard experience is the point, not the ports. You're paying for Broadway-caliber entertainment, opportunities to interact with characters more closely than you'll ever manage in the parks and dining experiences that double as theatrical productions.

For example, The Lion King-themed dining room on the new Disney Destiny isn't just a restaurant — it's a show unto itself, with live performers around you while you eat.

Most specialty dining is included in your base fare, unlike Norwegian or Royal Caribbean where you'll pay $50+ per person for comparable restaurants. The shows rival anything you'd see on Broadway. Character meet-and-greets have reasonable (and often no) wait times compared to the hour-plus lines at Disney World. If you're the type of family that will attend every show, meet every character and treat the ship as the destination, Disney can deliver value despite the steep upfront cost.

But if your plan is to spend most days off the ship exploring ports and you just need somewhere comfortable to sleep at night, you're wasting money. Book a mass-market cruise line and pocket the difference.

• Large families and groups with kids: Activities and entertainment cater to kids, teens and adults, making it ideal for multigenerational trips. The kids' clubs are exceptional and actually give parents a break, unlike some cruise lines where the children's programming feels like an afterthought.

• People who appreciate themed experiences: From "Star Wars" lounges to "Frozen" dining rooms, Disney brings its iconic stories to life throughout your sailing. This is part of what you're paying for — the immersive theming extends far beyond what other cruise lines attempt.

• Travelers who prioritize exceptional entertainment: The shows are genuinely excellent. If you're the type to attend every performance and you want to meet characters without the insane wait times you'd face at Disney World, you can get your money's worth. If you're just going to chill at the spa and skip the entertainment, Disney is probably not worth it.

• Adults seeking a romantic vacation: Don't feel like you can't cruise without kids. Disney has quiet pools, elegant dining venues and themed bars designed specifically for adults. The Haunted Mansion bar on the Disney Treasure is legitimately one of the coolest bars we've seen on any cruise ship, period.

Disney Cruise Line's fleet has grown to seven ships, with the newest vessel, Disney Destiny, having launched in November 2025. The fleet sails to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska and beyond.

Disney has several departure points within the United States, including 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, cruises from Australia and New Zealand feature meet-and-greets with Bluey and Bingo from the Emmy-winning animated series "Bluey."

Time of year matters too. Halloween on the High Seas cruises feature spooky decor, Mickey's Mouse-querade Party and character appearances in Halloween costumes. Very Merrytime Cruises during the Christmas season offer festive decorations, holiday-themed activities and appearances by Santa Claus himself. Expect to pay a premium for these special sailings. We've seen the same itinerary cost 20% more during special events.

Choosing a cruise ship

There's no single best Disney cruise ship, as every traveler has different preferences. Some prefer smaller, more intimate ships, while others want the massive floating city experience. Generally, newer ships like the Disney Treasure (launched December 2024) and Disney Destiny (launched November 2025) are regarded as the best, though that might be recency bias.

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 Destiny (launched November 2025)

• "Villains" theme: The first Disney ship centered around Disney villains, with themed dining and entertainment celebrating iconic antagonists

• "The Lion King" dining experience: A theatrical restaurant experience where live performers bring Pride Lands scenes to life around you while you eat. It's genuinely impressive.

• Hero Zone: An interactive play area themed to Marvel and "Star Wars" universes.

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. A comparable sailing on Norwegian Cruise Line might cost $800-1,000 for the same dates and itinerary.

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).

Disney cruise military discounts

Eligible active and retired military personnel earn a $250 onboard credit per stateroom for all 2026 sailings from Florida aboard the Disney Wish and Disney Dream. Disney also offers military rates on select cruises, though specific pricing varies by sailing.

The $250 onboard credit is substantial. It can cover specialty dining (for the few restaurants that aren't included), shore excursions, spa treatments or onboard shopping. Visit disneycruise.com for complete details on eligible sailings and booking information.

Book early (or very late)

Disney releases cruise inventory about 18-24 months in advance, and the lowest prices are typically available when bookings first open. If you can commit that far ahead and your dates are flexible, you'll find the best selection and pricing.

On the flip side, last-minute bookings (within 90 days of sailing) can sometimes offer deep discounts as Disney tries to fill remaining cabins. This requires significant flexibility in your schedule and willingness to take whatever cabin category is available, but savings can be substantial — sometimes 30-40% off the original price.

The worst time to book is the middle ground: 3-6 months out, when early-bird discounts have evaporated but it's too early for last-minute deals.

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 Disney Cruise Line rewards repeat customers with benefits including a complimentary specialty dinner, free photo downloads and an exclusive terminal check-in area.

The Castaway Club has four membership levels—Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. You 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?

Disney Cruise Line delivers a premium experience, but you need to be honest with yourself about what you're buying. If you're the type of family that will attend every show, eat at the themed restaurants, meet the characters and treat the ship as the destination, Disney can justify its premium pricing. The entertainment quality genuinely rivals Broadway, the character interactions are more accessible than at the parks and most specialty dining is included.

But if your cruise style involves spending most days off the ship exploring ports and you just need somewhere comfortable to sleep, you're overpaying. Mass-market cruise lines like Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and Carnival offer excellent quality at a fraction of the cost. Save the Disney premium for when you'll actually use what you're paying for.

(Top photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)