Disney Cruises: The Complete Guide

Table Of Content

• Weather
• Search Disney Trippers
• When to Set Sail on Your Disney Cruise
• Prices for Disney Cruises
• Day at Sea
• Sail one-way

If you want to go to Alaska, you’ll have to look at those specific dates. Booking with a travel agent is a good idea because they can keep an eye on discounts for you. Also, consider booking your sailing as far in advance as possible because they closer you get to your sail date, the higher the pricing will be. Disney Visa credit card holders can also receive special perks when booking a Disney cruise. Check out the Disney Rewards website for more information on those perks. As previously stated, pre-2020, it was virtually unheard of for a Disney cruise fare to be discounted.

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Weather

Disney Wish is currently a workhorse of short three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas, home to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. Now, Disney Cruise Line has five ships sailing in those signature colors, along with three more on order. As the mom of a seventeen-year-old son and eighteen-year-old daughter, she has spent much time traveling with kids, and has taken many cruises over the years. Jodi lives in Massachusetts with her family and is the founder of Family Travel Magazine. The Disney Cruise Line offers character greetings, Broadway-style musicals, deck shows, and other entertainment on every sailing. Lastly, special events like Pirate Night and fireworks at sea offer a distinct “Disney Difference” over other cruise lines.

Search Disney Trippers

The weather will depend on where your departure port is located and the Ports of Call on your itinerary. Disney cruises can be some of the most exciting and relaxing vacations all at once, so keep these tips in mind before you book yours! Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney Cruise Line news and more.

When to Set Sail on Your Disney Cruise

It is customary on a cruise to pay gratuities to dining room staff and stateroom hosts (housekeeping). Like airfare, cruise prices can change as the travel date approaches. You might find last-minute deals, but prices are often cheapest when they are first released.

Looking for ALL the Stateroom details for the Disney Magic? Click HERE!

It'll cost a few bucks, but the joy of sipping a “Mickeyccino” will always outshine the complimentary coffee served on board. Standard dining is fantastic, but Disney ships also have adults-only restaurants available at an extra charge. Depending on your ship, this could include the French-focused Remy or fan-favorite Palo. While Remy and Enchante can be pricey, you can enjoy Palo for as little as $50.

There are many options of where you can sail on a Disney cruise and this will also have an impact on when the best time to sail on a Disney cruise is for you. Another thing that you need to think about is where the Disney Cruise ships sail from and which port stops they make. As a general rule, cruise prices are lower when they are first put up for sale, which occurs 18 to 24 months before departure. Only if the cruise doesn’t sell out will there be a price drop on the cruise.

Day at Sea

Galveston, Texas and New Orleans, Louisiana are the “home” of the Disney Wonder. However, the Disney Wonder also sails through the Panama Canal to San Diego as well as to Hawaii and Alaska in the summer months. The Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy are the names of their existing ships. Late summer of 2022 will see the addition of the Disney Wish to this fleet. It will begin its sailings out of the main Disney Cruise Line terminal in Port Canaveral, Florida. The best time to go on a Disney cruise is when your time and budget allow for it.

One booking strategy is to sign up for the Disney Cruise Line newsletter or follow them on social media to receive updates on the latest promotions. Additionally, you can contact a travel agent who specializes in Disney cruises, as they may have access to exclusive deals and offers. To make sure you don’t miss out on any special deals, be sure to check for promotions and offers before booking your Disney cruise. Disney Cruise Line often offers promotions and discounts throughout the year, so it’s important to stay informed and take advantage of these opportunities.

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Each ship has different restaurants — some offer just a meal service while others add in live entertainment. You’ll want to study the ship’s deck plans (or get help from a travel agent) to decide what’s best for you. If you’re driving yourself to the port, you’ll have to pay for extended parking onsite. If you want to take a Disney Cruise, you’ll need to get to one of these locations to board the ship. When you’re ready, they’ll book your reservation, set up your payment plan, and help you keep track of important dates along the way.

I highly recommend bringing a lanyard to keep track of this important card if it's your first Disney voyage. If, for some reason, your assigned order of restaurants or tablemates (if you have any) aren't working out, don't be shy about asking guest services to make alterations. They will connect you with the appropriate people within the dining team to make necessary adjustments. On Disney Cruise Line, you'll be assigned a dinner rotation through the three included restaurants on the ship. Your serving team will rotate with you, which is pretty fun as they get to know you and your preferences. Unless you're staying in a concierge-level stateroom (more on that soon), room service on a Disney cruise is relatively basic.

If you aren’t local to your port and are flying to them, I cannot say enough how much I recommend arriving a day before your cruise. It means you need to get a hotel, but it also means you won’t miss your cruise if you have flight delays or cancellations. Plus, if luggage is lost the last thing you want is to board the ship without it! Even if the airline can’t get your luggage to you in time, at least you’ll have time to pick up some necessities before you set sail. For cruisers with kiddos, it’s almost always easier to sign up for the kids’ club after you board the ship. You are able to in the terminal but the lines get very long, especially compared to the ones onboard the ship.

Some bars also offer a sommelier bin where you get a nice glass of wine at a discounted price — as long as you put the bartender in charge of choosing your drink. In addition to the included soft-serve ice cream and Mickey bars available via room service, your ship may have some shops with extra-fee ice cream. On Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, you'll find an ice cream shop stuffed with candies, gelato and ice cream — all for an extra charge. On each Disney ship, three main dining rooms serve as dinner restaurants that participate in rotational dining. Each ship has its own lineup of themed rotational restaurants, but the concept remains the same on each.

Keep in mind that some of those benefits may have blackout dates during holidays and special events. If you are already taking a cruise, making onboard bookings can save you money. Some discounts, for military and Florida residents, for instance, are not offered on every sailing. If your schedule is open, and you are looking for the best times to sail on a Caribbean/Bahamian itinerary, I’d recommend May. The weather is generally nice, it’s not one of the peak times, so prices and crowds aren’t too bad. If you want to have bottled water at the ready, bring a case of it onboard.

The ships include the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, and Disney Dream. Disney Cruise Line has also recently purchased the Global Dream cruise ship. This is especially true for the most northern ports, which can experience harsh weather. Bahamas/CaribbeanIf you want to avoid the summer heat, we recommend sailing in winter or spring. Try January or February — most kids are back in school after the Winter Break, and pretty much everyone has settled back into their post-Holiday work rhythm.

You will need to make reservations, and the fee is $4.50 per half-hour for the first child and $4 per half-hour for each additional child. This club does not utilize parent sign-in and -out, so you need to trust your kid if they are coming to Edge. If your 10-to-12-year-old child visits Edge, they can also play at the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club, so they have options. Edge is a much smaller space, but tweens have tons of fun playing video games, having dance parties, doing crafts, playing trivia games and more with their newfound cruise friends.

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Table Of Content

• Departure Ports: Where to Start Your Disney Cruise
• Weather
• Use your Castaway Club perks to book extras early.
• Cruises
• Ports of Call You Can Visit on a Disney Caribbean Cruise

There are plenty of themed watering holes in the adults-only areas of the ships, but on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, Meridian is the place to be. The upscale bar and lounge is located next door to Palo and Remy, but it is open to all adults adhering to its business casual dress code. Though known for its martinis, Meridian also offers a cigar bar, custom craft cocktails, and a gin and tonic cart, as well as a private deck hosting a picture-perfect view of nightly sunsets. Always dreamed of sitting by the stage at Tiana's Place on the Disney Wonder or enjoying dinner in those gorgeous Enchanted Garden booths on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy? Nothing is guaranteed, but requests for a certain table can always be added to your Disney Cruise Line reservation, and they are worth the extra phone call. Concierge guests can make seating requests to their Concierge Service Specialist before boarding as well.

Departure Ports: Where to Start Your Disney Cruise

Disney cruises sell out fast, and the closer you get to your desired travel date, the less likely you are to find availability. As this timeframe emphasizes, Alaska’s cruise season is relatively short, and cruises to Alaska are not available in the winter. There is also hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 through November 30. It is historically most active between August and September, so it may be a good idea to consider travel insurance if you plan on cruising to the Bahamas or the Caribbean during this time. Disney increases its prices during the summer and during major holidays, such as Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.

Weather

The best time of year to go on an Alaska cruise depends on what type of experience you are looking for. If you are looking for warmer weather and longer days, the summer months of June to August are typically the best time to go. You are more likely to experience wildlife, as well as see glaciers, during this time of year. If you are looking for a more affordable cruise and don’t mind cooler weather, then the spring or fall months are the best time to go. The scenery is still beautiful and you may even get the chance to witness the northern lights! Whichever time of year you choose, an Alaska cruise is sure to be a memorable experience.

Use your Castaway Club perks to book extras early.

Let’s break down everything there is to know about the Disney Cruise Line, including pricing, destinations and its loyalty program. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Other limited sailings include Northern Europe and San Diego (but can vary by year). So, if you are looking to take one of those sailings, you’ll have limited options for timing. If you have younger children who aren’t in school yet, take advantage of that time.

If you are on a ship that still charges by the amount of data used, we recommend not doing that and connecting either when you are in port or via a plan from your cellphone provider. Disney Cruise Line adds a service gratuity of $14.50 per person per day to final bills. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can lower this amount.

Families will love the kids club being included at no additional cost as well! The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12), Edge (ages 11-14), and Vibe (ages 14-17) host activities daily, all of which are included in the cruise fare. For the ultimate luxury experience, there are concierge staterooms available on every ship. Concierge guests receive include perks such as larger rooms, complimentary WiFi, personalized assistance with shore excursions, and more. Depending on the weather at different times of the year, length of your cruise, and itinerary, it can make a great deal of difference!

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Alaskan cruises, for instance, are only available during the late spring and summer months due to the cold weather for the remainder of the year. If you wish to take one of those cruises, your options will be limited. In addition to offering better rates, off-peak times also tend to provide more stateroom availability and choices. Reserving far in advance will get you the best rates and a guaranteed stateroom. Likewise, sailings on dates near a school break – or that fall near a long weekend – are usually busier as many families pull their children out of school for the weekend. Be aware of your family’s school schedule, work schedule, and upcoming events.

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They often signify that the cabin is participating in a gift exchange with others on the cruise that they arranged beforehand on Facebook. Disney Cruise Line divides kids into four age groups — the nursery (up to age 3), the primary kids club (3–12), a tween club (11–14) and a teen club (14–17). You can pay with discounted Disney gift cards to save a little money. In my experience, you can save up to half the cost compared to upgrading your room in advance. This type of fare comes with additional restrictions, so read the fine print carefully.

One more thing to consider is which Disney Cruise ship is best for you! They each offer unique dining rooms and dining experiences, different shows, and different amenities. The newer ships, like the Disney Wish, often have a higher price, but new experiences. Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy are often cheaper but without some of the new amenities. The weather can greatly affect your cruise experience, so it’s a good idea to consider the climate when planning your trip.

As you’d expect, the peak times of the year, like holidays, spring break, and other school vacations, are when you’ll often see the highest prices. For example, Disney Dream will sail a three-night cruise to move it from San Juan to Ft. You can book a cabin with a balcony for $1,580 for two people, which is a solid price on Disney Dream. The $3,326 price tag for a concierge-level cabin is very good; those cabins usually start at close to $800 to $1,000 higher on many other three-night sailings.

The best part of a Disney cruise, for me, is how much is already included in my cruise fare. If you DO let them pick up your luggage, everything must be packed and placed outside your room by a certain time (which might be during your dinner). You won’t see your bag again until you’re off the ship, so be sure not to pack anything you’ll need prior to that — shoes, undies, medicine, etc. Breakfast on the last morning of your cruise will take place at a set time, at the same restaurant you were assigned to dine at on the night before.

January (except around New Year’s) and early February are cheaper than average. The weather is still pleasant in the Bahamas and the Caribbean, so you can take advantage of lower prices and escape the cold winters back home. In addition, September isn’t a popular month to go on vacation because children are back in school after Labor Day, and parents are usually back at work. Cruises are less expensive several times of the year, but one month stands out as the cheapest. Animator’s Palate is an innovative restaurant where the show is drawings coming to life on screens all around you. You may experience two different shows, depending on the length of your cruise.