Is A Disney Cruise Worth It? Review From A Disney Park Fan

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries across the world on their Disney themed cruise ships. Disney is known for its superior customer service and that shines on the Disney Cruise Line experiences. All of the Disney Cruise ships feature Broadway quality shows, themed dining experiences, Disney characters, and a variety of entertainment options. My Disney Cruise review covers the big question: is a Disney Cruise worth it?

Disney Cruise Line has already announced their 2025 itineraries with many sailings available already to book. The Disney Cruise Line is in a time of expansion with two brand new cruise line ships joining the fleet: the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny. A new island in the Bahamas will also join the original Bahama Disney Island, Castaway Cay, to further expand the port stop options for guests.

We recently experienced our first Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream. I am an avid park goer and frequent Disneyland and Walt Disney World multiple times a year. Let's break down all the different aspects of a Disney Cruise in my review and speak to the ultimate question: is a Disney Cruise worth it?

Disney Cruise Review- Marvel Day at Sea, Mexico, Castaway Cay

I recently did a 5-day cruise on the Disney Dream with our ports of call being Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay. This was a Marvel Day at Sea cruise which you can read more about in my review and guide to Marvel Day at Sea. 

The Disney Dream is one of the newer ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet with just the Disney Wish being the most recent one to debut after it. However, that will change soon with the introduction of the Disney Treasure in late 2024 and the Disney Destiny in 2025.

You can read more about the different Disney Cruise ship classes and which one ranks best here. 

Our cruise departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida which is the most recent cruise port for the Disney Cruise Line in Florida. Since this port was still so new for Disney Cruise Line, we did experience a bit of confusion with ride share being unsure how to navigate to the drop off and pick up points for the cruise.

We flew in a day early before our cruise, one of our best Disney Cruise tips, and enjoyed a night in Fort Lauderdale at the historic Riverside Hotel before our cruise. This made our departure day so much smoother as we felt we could really take our time getting to the ship. Fort Lauderdale has plenty do for families and we mainly stayed along the main downtown area although most of the shops and dining there are more adult focused, my teenage son was a bit bored although we did enjoy the presence of so many art galleries in this space.

You can view the currently available dates for 2024 and 2025 along with full itineraries. After viewing the dates be sure to come back and request a FREE quote from our travel partner for your cruise. For a limited time Mickey Visit readers get up to a $400 onboard credit.

Now let's get into the details of my Disney Cruise review including my thoughts in comparison to a theme park vacation!

Easy Peasy Disney Cruise Line Boarding

Boarding our Disney Cruise was a pretty seamless process. We had a later boarding time and I think due to that we avoided many of the larger crowds that come with the earlier boarding times. We simply presented our documentation, went through security, and were on our way.

There will be a few photo ops along the way, depending on your arrival port, that you can take advantage of. We did stop to get one picture here and I'm glad we did because this was one of the last moments my hair looked normal before the ocean breeze and humidity set in. (Ever hear the saying, cruise hair don't care?)

Have your cameras ready when you board because the cast members will call out your family last name and everyone will clap as you board. It's a cool experience!

Your Key to the World Card is basically your identification and payment method while onboard the Disney Cruise. These will be located outside your stateroom door so once you board you simply head to your room and grab them.

Your luggage will arrive later which is why I recommend packing your essentials for the afternoon including any medications you may need plus swimsuits in case you want to swim before your luggage comes. I was a bit apprehensive on how the boarding process would go and it was easier than I expected, this is a helpful part to remember as part of our Disney Cruise review.

PRO TIP: If you want to experience the waterslide on your Disney Cruise (ours was the AquaDuck!) ride it during the Sail Away Party! They open the slide right as the party begins and the line was a walk on the entire time. What a blast to ride the slide and wave to the crowd of people as you zoom by.

What Disney Cruise Room Do You Need?

One common question that comes up in a Disney Cruise review is: what Disney Cruise room do I need? During our Disney Cruise we had a verandah room on the Disney Dream which means it comes with a small outside space with two chairs and a table. This is one of the more spacious staterooms and is two tiers up from an inside stateroom and ocean view.

Having the outdoor space was nice but I found that we were rarely in the room so I don't think we really utilized as much as other families would. We often were only in the room to sleep and then were on our way again.

I think that's the best way to decide what type of stateroom you prefer: how often will a member of your family be in the room? If you think you will need to utilize it often whether you have small kids or other family members that might need the rest, then booking a verandah is worth it. If you're like my family and find yourselves on the go often, then perhaps you'd do fine with a lower tier stateroom.

PRO TIP: If you are prone to motion sickness or are concerned about this on a cruise, consider booking a midship room as these rooms are always the most stable. You will feel the boat rocking much more on the front and back of the ship.

Disney Cruise Review- Themed Dining, Rotational Meals

During your Disney Cruise you will be assigned a dining time that will coordinate with your evening show. You will experience all of the restaurants on your cruise with the rotational dining and there is really nothing you need to do to prepare for this. You just show up at your assigned time and be ready to dine!

On the Disney Dream, we had three different rotational dining experiences: The Royal Palace, Enchanted Garden, and Animator's Palette. The food was always high quality and we were able to play around with the menu as we wanted.

I'm a vegetarian and there were always vegetarian options but if I didn't like the option (being a vegetarian that hates mushrooms is a curse, since vegetarian friendly dishes seem to always be mushroom based) I could order more appetizers as my meal, if I wanted.

One amazing thing about Disney Cruise Line that I loved is the way they seat smaller groups with similar parties. We were sat with two other moms traveling with their teens which resulted in a great way to make new friends. At first I was apprehensive about being seated with others for our cruise but by the end of it we had all exchanged numbers and became friends.

That is one thing about cruises that are great if you want to make friends, there's so many opportunities to get to know the other groups on the ship and this is especially special for Disney fans!

One of the things that always stands out in a Disney Cruise review is also how the waitstaff for your rotational dining also rotates with you! You will get to know the waitstaff well and they will remember your preferences and what you order. This was such a neat touch and by the end of the cruise we all knew their names and they knew us!

PRO TIP: Don't be afraid to order as much as you want! By the end of the cruise, our entire table felt more bold and we were ordering double entrees, more appetizers, and desserts. There is no problem at all to do this! For example, on our last night our table decided we wanted more dessert so we just all simply ordered double dessert. Since the food is inclusive, you can order as much as you want and mix it up.

Why Everyone Raves About Disney Cruise Shows

The Disney Cruise Line shows was one of the highlights of my Disney Cruise and stands out as one of my favorite things to rave about in my Disney Cruise review! Each Disney Cruise offers a variety of shows that coordinate with your evening dinner times. The Disney Cruise Line shows are Broadway-caliber productions that feature retellings of popular Disney films along with unique stories created just for the cruises.

All of the Disney Cruise Line live shows will take place on each ship's stage theater. Each of these theaters is large enough to fit everyone but there are typically two show times offered each night. There was really no need to line up early for the showtimes unless you preferred to sit near the front of the stage or in the center.

All of the shows during our cruise were magical but the Beauty and the Beast retelling of the live adaption was my favorite. The singing was fantastic, the special effects were captivating, and the entire performance was our favorite during the entire cruise.

You aren't allowed to take photos or video during the performances which I think is a great rule because it forces guests to be in the moment. And it also matches the general etiquette of a live performance at a theater! This was refreshing to enjoy a Disney show without worrying about someone's phone being held up blocking your view.

I visit both Disneyland and Walt Disney World multiple times a year and the shows at the theme parks are some of my favorite experiences of our trips. While many Disney Park shows have my heart, these Disney Cruise Line Broadway-caliber shows just knock them out of the water.

PRO TIP: If you are hoping for interaction from the entertainers in the show or for a closer experience with the characters, opt for an aisle seat on the main floor. Depending on the show, some of the cast may come down and walk the aisles and this can be a thrill for kids to see!

Things to Do on Disney Cruises

Disney Cruise Line excels at providing plenty to do for all ages. There are youth clubs for all ages, including a nursery for infants and a club for teens. Kids can interact and have fun with other kids their own ages and adults can take a moment to enjoy the adult exclusive areas of the ship.

All the Disney Cruise ships include adult only areas for guests 18 and older. Most ships all include a spa, a private adult area pool and bar, coffee bar, wine tastings or cocktail classes, and adult only dining experiences. Many of these come at an additional cost but can be worth it if you are looking to relax on your cruise and indulge.

The Disney Cruise youth  clubs offer the chance for kids to build life long friendships. Each kids club is given their own exclusive space on the cruise ships with activities planned just for these clubs which can also include character meet and greets. My 14 year old son was thrilled with the teen club which its wall to wall tv screens to play video games and private pool deck.

Aside from pools, adult only entertainment, and things for kids to do, there are also activities planned throughout the day for everyone to enjoy. Since this is a Disney Cruise you can expect plenty of character interactions throughout the day, Disney movies playing in the theaters, and of course Disney drawing classes. The night clubs provide entertainment of all kinds from family karaoke to adult only comedy shows.

We never felt like we were lacking anything to do! All you had to do was pull up the Disney Cruise Line app and see the daily events to find our your next activity. Or you could skip the activities and lounge by the pool or the hot tubs. While there is plenty to do, you can also opt to NOT do it all and relax. The freedom of choice is a bit part of a cruise. You can be as busy as you want to be or not at all!

And of course, your evenings are filled with your rotational dining and dinner shows so you always have a fun night planned.

PRO TIP: Some experiences WILL sell out especially the more popular cocktail experiences and reserved character interactions. If you have your heart set on any specific experience make sure to book any experiences you can in advance. But many experiences are only available when you board. 

Disney Castaway Cay Review

Our cruise included a stop at Castaway Cay which is Disney's private island in the Bahamas.

There are multiple beaches on Castaway Cay including family beaches, water playgrounds, and an adult only beach. The island includes the chance to enjoy a range of activities like snorkeling, water crafts, fishing, parasailing, youth clubs, biking, and more.

When you step off the ship and on to the island, you're still in the Disney experience. There will be character meet and greets available, that same high quality level of Disney customer service, plus an inclusive barbecue lunch.

I loved our day on Castaway Cay and this was one of the highlights of our cruise. We decided to split the day up between paddleboarding and relaxing on the beach. This was easily one of the prettiest places I've ever paddleboarded. The water is so still and beautiful. While you are standing on your paddle board, you can see the water clearly beneath you. We saw a few starfish out on the water and enjoyed just paddling around the area by the boat.

I found the entire day at Castaway Cay to just be…. easy. There was no worry about rushing to get a chair, there was enough space for everyone to grab food easily, and the entire day was just the epitome of beach relaxation. My son was also able to meet up with the other teens at the youth club while I laid in the sun. And to his surprise and the other teens, the younger kids club always plans an ambush with water guns in the teens hideout on Castaway Cay which made for some hilarious memories.

PRO TIP: Castaway Cay offers tons of advance reservations for snorkeling equipment, floats, etc. but there is really no worry of most of these running out. The water craft rentals may fill up if you have a specific time however everything seemed very flexible. Again, easy!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney Theme Park

So as someone that frequently visits Disneyland and Walt Disney World, it was hard not to compare the experience of a Disney Cruise to a vacation in the parks in this Disney Cruise review.

Disney Cruises are for Relaxing!

One of the biggest differences of a Disney Cruise vs. a Disney Theme Park is the pacing of the cruise is far more relaxed. Even the planning prior to the cruise felt far less than the extent of planning I often do before a Disneyland or Walt Disney World trip. Since you do not have access to most of the event times on the ship until you board, there's really no need to plan your days. One of the only things we planned in advance was our port excursions but everything else we simply did on a day by day basis. If you are looking for a vacation to truly relax, a Disney Cruise is for you. Since I am used to the hustle and bustle of Disney theme parks, this was a challenge for me at first!

Entertainment Quality Differs

While I loved the Broadway-caliber dinner shows, the other entertainment on the ship wasn't nearly the same quality and most of it was structured for a younger target audience. For instance, the deck show for Pirate Night had a few cool moments and of course, the fireworks at the end were a hit. But otherwise the entire show felt a bit cheesy to us and lackluster. While yes, it's directed at younger kids, I don't know that I've had that same reaction watching Disney Park entertainment. I think one thing that Disneyland and Walt Disney World does especially well for their shows is making it enjoyable for all ages. So if you have young kids, they will enjoy it all, but parents might be cringing a bit depending on the show!

More Opportunities to Make New Friends

This was one of my favorite things about our Disney Cruise, it was so easy to make new friends! Disney intentionally sits smaller parties with other parties that are similar so we were seated with two other moms and their teenagers. This ended up working out great for everyone and by the end of the trip we had all exchanged numbers with hopes of doing a cruise at the same time again some day. I also met other Disney Adults at adult only events on the ship, like wine tasting, which was a pretty seamless way to meet new people with similar interests. This is something that just doesn't happen quite as naturally and seamlessly at Disneyland or Walt Disney World unless you're local to the area.

My son also made new friends on the cruise as he spent a ton of time hanging out at the teen youth club. The youth clubs on the Disney Cruise are such a great way for kids to meet other kids. He was unsure of it at first but once he went, I could barely tear him away the rest of the trip.

Difference in Thrill Level

And of course, the difference in thrill level cannot really be compared as it's just two different experiences. But if your family is looking to ride rollercoasters and attractions, you won't find much of this experience on a Disney Cruise. There is a water slide available but it's not one I would put in the thrill category! However, if traveling and seeing different parts of the world is a thrill for your family, then this where a Disney Cruise shines. You have the opportunity to see so many different destinations on a cruise in a short amount of time. I spoke to a few single parents on the cruise that told me this is why they liked cruising so much, it is a safe and accessible way to travel the world with their kids!

Is A Disney Cruise Worth It?

Now for the real question in my Disney Cruise review: is a Disney Cruise worth it? Disney Cruises can be more expensive than their competitors but if you are looking for a Disney experience, then this is the way to go! There are a few differences that sets Disney apart from other cruise companies such as:

• Soda, juices, etc. all included
• No ‘all you can drink' alcohol package
• Fireworks at sea
• Disney level customer service
• Disney exclusive experiences, themed shows, ships, and more
• Fewer destinations and cruise ships
• No onboard casinos

Personally for me, most of these differences still have me leaning towards Disney. But I am also not a drinker and the idea of being on a cruise ship where all ‘you can drink' alcohol packages are being sold sounds like a nightmare to me. That's just not the type of atmosphere I enjoy. I also have no interest in gambling and I love Disney, so a Disney Cruise works out well for me in this area.

Aside from cruise to cruise comparisons, I feel that Disney Cruise is a worth it based on the experience itself. My son absolutely loved his first Disney Cruise experience and still asks me again and again when the next one is. We spent so much quality time together while also still having space to do our own thing. It was the perfect recharge from our busy lives. 

It was a wonderful combination of relaxation and adventure that worked really well for my family. We are already planning our next cruise! If you are a theme park goer, I highly recommend throwing a Disney Cruise in to the mix to see a much more zen side of Disney. 

Planning a Disney Cruise?

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