The Value of a Disney Cruise Vacation
As a long time fan, traveler, and Disney College Program intern, the Walt Disney World® Resort is my “home away from home,” but one of my absolute favorite vacation experiences is the Disney Cruise Line. My husband jokes that it is a lot less walking (- which is true! I often average about 7-10 miles a day when I go to the Disney Parks), but it is such an enjoyable vacation for the entire family, which is why I think a Disney Cruise is really worth it.
Highlights of the Disney Cruise Line
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- Some of the most spacious staterooms in the industry – and most include split bathrooms
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- One of the few cruise lines that includes coffee, soda, tea and water as part of the fare – no additional beverage packages needed
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- They have 2 private islands in the Bahamas and on these islands most entertainment, towels/chairs, and food & drink, are also included
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- Included entertainment features Broadway-style shows, live performances, plenty of character appearances, and the only cruise line that shows fireworks at sea!
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- The Kids, Tweens and Teens Clubs are included (and filled with fun age-appropriate activities!)
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- Exclusive adults-only (18+) areas
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- Popular itineraries in the Bahamas and Caribbean, but also unique ones in Alaska, the Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, Hawaii, and more! (And soon the Disney Adventure will be sailing from Singapore.)
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- Special limited time sailings: Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merry-time, Pixar Day at Sea, and Marvel Day at Sea
Unique Spaces For All Ages
The Disney Cruise Line truly has something for everyone, which makes it great not only for your family, but as an option for extended family vacations. These multi-generational and multi-family trips are becoming more common in my industry and the Disney Cruise Line is a fantastic option for everyone to have an enjoyable trip!
I always say that Disney is first and foremost for families, so you’ll find plenty of activities for the whole gang to do together. It isn’t only for families though (I went on plenty before I had kids!) While I do book many families and multi-generational clients on the Disney Cruise Line, I have many adult couples also sailing to celebrate anniversaries or just because they know and love the consistency in customer service, cleanliness, and storytelling only Disney can provide. Regardless of your age, I think you’ll find that a Disney Cruise is worth it!
Kids Clubs on the Disney Cruise Line
Guests of all ages can find fun and unique spaces on the ship catered just to them. Its a Small World Nursery (ages 6 months up to 3 years) is an adorable area for the youngest sailors to be supervised while their parents enjoy some adult-only time throughout the ship. The Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club are spaces reserved for children ages 3-10 that feature activities, experiments, character appearances, video games, and more. There are different rooms themed after Disney favorites from Tinkerbell in Pixie Hollow, Dr. Strange from Marvel Universe, or Andy’s Room from Toy Story! My son now will check himself into the Oceaneer Club after dinner and hang out there all night! As an only child, he is good about making friends in spaces like this. But there are trained staff leading activities and interacting with children all throughout their time here. The Tweens and the Teens each have their own dedicated spaces and activities at Vibe and Edge. We’ve seen everything from just hang out spaces to flash mobs and scavenger hunts on board!
Adult Areas on the Disney Cruise Line
Last, but certainly not least, are the adults-only spaces. There are a number of bars and night clubs that are 18 and over after a certain time in the evening. They serve themed libations in each area. These locations often also host tastings throughout the sailing, such as wine tasting or mixology. On our last cruise we did a Beer Tasting that was held in the Irish Pub with 5 different variations of beer and they educated us on the differences in styles, processes for making them, and ingredients. Another time we did a Chocolate and Wine Pairing tasting event in the French-themed bar, Ooh La-La. While you do pay extra for this and advance reservations are required, I highly recommend it. The Cast Members that lead these events are always top-notch! It is a fun thing to do on a “Day at Sea.”
Additionally there is a coffee shop on each ship called Cove Cafe that is reserved for guests 18+. This is a great place to grab a latte, read a book, or do your daily word game. There is indoor seating or outdoor seating if you prefer the fresh air of the ship deck. We also like the adults-only dining locations. These are not included with your cruise fare, but a must-do for any foodies out there! These are above and beyond when it comes to service, menu innovativeness, and food quality. On our “Very Merry-time” holiday sailing last Thanksgiving, we did brunch at Palo, the adults-only Italian restaurant, and it was such an incredible experience!
Is the cost of a Disney Cruise worth it?
It is no secret that Disney Cruise Line is typically not the cheapest option, but I always tell my clients that it isn’t an “apples to apples” comparison. There are some things about a Disney Cruise Line vacation that you can’t put a price tag on.
- Disney Storytelling. The theming and attention to detail on their ships is incredible.
- Cast Members going above and beyond. There have been multiple Cast Members that have completed wow-ed us on vacation. Just this last cruise on the Fantasy, we enjoyed our Assistant Dining Room Server so much, we are requesting her on the Treasure as she told us she is going there next!
- Entertainment. From the number of activities going on throughout the ship, to the character interactions, and the evening shows, the entertainment on board is consistently awesome.
- Cleanliness. Disney consistently receives high cleanliness scores on their inspections. From some not-so-lovely stories you hear about budget cruise lines, this is super important so that you feel comfortable and confident when cruising.
- All that is included. As I mentioned above not only do they have some the most spacious staterooms, but all the added benefits make cruising with Disney worth it. From the unlimited soft-serve ice cream and soft drinks, to the kids clubs and activities, nightly entertainment, and more — there is so much that you can enjoy on a Disney Cruise.
For a more extensive list, see my Top 10 Reasons to go on a Disney Cruise post!
Adventure is Out There – Disney’s Newest Ship, the Disney Treasure
The recently christened, Disney Treasure, joined the fleet with its Inaugural sailing on December 21, 2024. This stunning ship features brand new areas that are filled with Disney storytelling. I can’t wait to personally experience it in July!
Highlights Unique to the Disney Treasure:
- Atrium is themed from A Whole New World with Aladdin and Jasmine
- New restaurants include Plaza de Coco (themed from Disney/Pixar’s Coco) and Worlds of Marvel,
- New Broadway-style show Disney The Tale of Moana
- AquaMouse water coaster adventure featuring an all-new Mickey and Minnie Mouse short called Curse of the Golden Egg
- Themed lounges (18+): The Haunted Mansion Parlor, Skipper Society, Periscope Pub, and Scat Cat Lounge
Disney Treasure Itineraries
The Disney Treasure will only be sailing 7-Night itineraries to start and will be visiting both the Eastern and Western Caribbean with a stop at Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
7-Night Eastern Caribbean Itinerary
- Port Canaveral, FL
- Day at Sea – A seemingly endless array of one-of-a-kind offerings to inspire and delight awaits you throughout the ship.
- Day at Sea
- Tortola, British Virgin Islands
- About this Port: The largest and most populous of the 60 British Virgin Islands, Tortola serves as a warm-weather retreat for visitors looking for a tropical escape.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Wander the picturesque grounds of Mount Healthy National Park
- Swim and interact with dolphins at Dolphin Discovery
- Soak up the sun and surf of Tortola’s most popular beach, Cane Garden Bay
- St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
- About this Port: Once occupied by Dutch-owned sugar cane plantations and pirates, this island paradise provides relaxation and recreation to all who visit her shores.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Bask on a white-sand beach or explore the tropical terrain by bike
- Scuba dive at a marine sanctuary and observe tropical fish, turtles and rays
- Soar high over a lush rainforest canopy on a zipline adventure
- Day at Sea
- Disney Castaway Cay
- Reserved for Disney Cruise Line Guests, this private island paradise is home to white-sand beaches and recreation for all ages.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Bring the family together for swimming, snorkeling, biking, kayaking and more
- Kids can ride 2 winding waterslides and socialize inside exclusive clubs
- At a private beach, adults sip on cocktails, sunbathe and enjoy massages
7-Night Western Caribbean Itinerary
- Port Canaveral, FL
- Day at Sea
- Cozumel, Mexico
- About this Port: With 20 miles of protected coral reef, this lush island paradise is popular among snorkelers and scuba divers.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Scuba dive at Playa San Francisco Beach
- Shop for handmade jewelry at the duty-free Port Shopping District
- Trace the history of Cozumel at the Museo de Cozumel
- George Town, Grand Cayman
- About this Port: On this largest of the Cayman Islands, bask on stunning Seven Mile Beach and enjoy cosmopolitan shopping and dining.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Follow in the footsteps of history at Pedro St. James Castle
- Peruse historical artifacts at Cayman Islands National Museum
- Connect with nature at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park
- Falmouth, Jamaica
- About this Port: Historic Falmouth on Jamaica’s north coast is your gateway to the Ocho Rios waterfalls, the Negril beaches and Montego Bay.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Interact and swim with dolphins at Dolphin Cove
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at how rum is made at Appleton Estate
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Soak up the unspoiled scenery at Dunn’s River Falls
- Day at Sea
- Disney Castaway Cay
- Reserved for Disney Cruise Line Guests, this private island paradise is home to white-sand beaches and recreation for all ages.
- Some Things to See & Do:
- Bring the family together for swimming, snorkeling, biking, kayaking and more
- Kids can ride 2 winding waterslides and socialize inside exclusive clubs
- At a private beach, adults sip on cocktails, sunbathe and enjoy massages
These itineraries are great all year around, so whether you’re looking to escape the Kansas winters or just want to enjoy some fun on a summer break from school, you can enjoy the newest Disney Cruise Line ship when it works for your family!
Working with Spirit of Adventure Travel
One of my favorite tidbits to share is that my services are completely free to you as long as I book the vacation package. That is right – no additional fees to work with an expert on your next vacation and you’re supporting a small business!
I help ensure that no details are forgotten and you don’t miss any planning milestones. I offer to book excursions and activities for my clients when they open, and also help with things such as pre-night hotel stays, ground transportation to and from the cruise port, and extras you may need like electric scooter rentals, strollers, and special dietary requests. While I can’t pack for you, I do provide all my clients with a suggested cruise packing list to even make that process easier on you! You get to sit back, relax, and actually enjoy your vacation!
Additionally, all of my clients receive a pre-travel itinerary with all the details they’ll need to know for traveling, along with my tips and tricks to ensure you have the best vacation experience possible. As a travel agent specializing in Disney Destinations, I can help you get the more value out of your vacation — which makes taking a Disney Cruise definitely worth it!