Disney Cruise Line Ships

Disney is unique to other cruise liners because it only has a small fleet of four ships. In 2019, Disney Cruise Line placed an order for three new ships. The first of these, named Disney Wish, launches in 2022

Disney Wonder & Disney Magic

The Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are the smallest ships in the fleet holding around 1700 people. These were built in the late ’90s but have been refreshed in the previous few years.

They are small intimate ships with an Art Deco theme on the Magic and an Art Nouveau theme aboard the Wonder. The incredible decor is one of the things we love about Disney Cruise Line.

Both ships are packed with family-friendly features. Large outdoor screens, indoor cinemas and water slides. The decor is amazing with and impeccably themed dining rooms and an abundance of entertainment.

The Walt Disney Theater showcases exclusive Broadway-style Disney shows with ’Tangled: The Musical’ on the Magic and ‘Frozen: The Musical’ on the Wonder.

The Disney Magic has the high intensity “Aqua Dunk” water slide retrofitted in 2013 and both the ships feature more traditional water slides for younger travellers.

It’s not all about the kids, however. There is an adult-only area at the front of the ships. During the day, the adult’s area features live acoustic music to help you relax under the sun.

Disney Magic Pool — Disney Magic's pool deck had a refurbishment in 2013 Photo: Cruise with Ben & David

It’s easy to experience everything on-board these smaller ships along with getting to know the crew and other passengers.

Both ships have only one speciality extra-charge restaurant onboard ‘Palo’ offering delicious Italian style brunches and Dinners. Palo is adults only.

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy

The Dream and Fantasy, built-in 2011 and 2012, are the newer and larger ships in the fleet holding up to 4000 passengers.

They both feature the Aqua Duct “water coaster” which wraps around the ships and smaller slides for younger kids. The "Aqua Duct" is one of the best water slides on a cruise ship.

The adults-only areas are extensive with waterfalls and hot tubs away from the chaos of the family pool.

These ships are filled with digital art and unique touches such as a digital “porthole” screen in inside cabins offering an outside view with a Disney twist!

These ships also offer the ‘Remy’ Specialty dining restaurant along specialising in French cuisine alongside ‘Palo’. Both restaurants are for adults only.

Disney Cruise Line Destinations

The two larger ships the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are frequently on shorter Caribbean itineraries.

Disney Magic and Disney Wonder offer more unique itineraries. During the summer months, The Disney Magic sails to Europe while the Disney Wonder sails to Alaska, the Panama Canal and the West Coast of the USA.

Disney owns their own island in the Bahamas - Castaway Cay - an idyllic island with lush surroundings and crystal blue beaches.

The island has plenty of facilities including pristine beaches, an Adults only beach and an at-sea jungle gym. If you are feeling fit try out the 5K run held every time a ship visits the island.

Other activities available for an extra charge include snorkelling, bike rentals, cabana Rentals and spa treatments.

Food on the island, included in the price of your cruise, includes a delicious BBQ.

Disney Magic sails in Europe during the summer months. Photo: Cruise with Ben & David

Dining

Disney offers set dining times. Each ship has 3 main dining rooms which you rotate through every evening but keep your same servers – it’s a nice touch.

You begin to bond with your servers and by the end of the cruise, they feel like friends. The servers will learn what you like and what you don’t like quickly.

The quality of food is outstanding. The best we have experienced in the main dining room. Menus are packed with themed foods and a varied selection. Each plate is like a performance!

The dining rooms themselves are themed with shows and activities taking place while you eat. Each ship has the amazing “Animator's Palate” where your drawings come to life plus two other uniquely themed restaurants.

During your meals, you can expect to have live performances and appearances by Disney characters and even the servers sometimes get in on the action!

There is one formal and one semi-formal night per 7-day cruise.

The buffet on-board offers breakfast and lunch plus there are several snack venues around the ships.

You can also choose to dine in the buffet on an evening for a sit-down meal without any reservations or extra charge.

There are at least one adults-only speciality dining restaurant on each of the ships for a high-quality cannery experience.

Entertainment

There’s lots of entertainment on offer from pub quizzes, game shows, cooking demonstrations, onboard cinema and Disney themed shows in the Walt Disney Theater. There’s also live music around the ship a disco or karaoke happening in the nightclub on an evening!

Families have a dedicated venue offering family-friendly entertainment while adults have the After Hours area offering adults-only nightclubs, bars and entertainment.

There is an extensive spa and gym onboard the ships.

For adults, there are wine, whiskey and cocktail tasting sessions available for an extra fee.

Occasionally depending on your cruise, you can also attend free cooking demonstrations and ship tours.

There’s a large outdoor screen showing movies and Disney programming throughout the day and into the night where you can cosy up under a blanket provided by the crew.

The indoor 3D “Buena Vista Theatre” Cinema shows the latest releases and some movies yet to be released on land. All are included in the price.

The Walt Disney Theater hosts nightly Broadway Style shows as well as visiting acts. The shows are award-winning and you can expect three different shows on each ship.

There is always something going on, you can not be bored. A lot of thought and effort is put into the entertainment.

There’s a themed Pirate Night on each cruise with a large outdoor party, show and fireworks taking place on deck. Everyone dresses up and you end the night with a dessert party in the buffet.

Throughout the year Disney also offer themed sailings such as Star Wars and Halloween sailings.

The Walt Disney Theatre shows award winning musical performances Photo: Cruise with Ben & David

Kids Clubs

The children’s clubs, as expected, are the industry leader with something for children of all ages. The younger children will be entertained all day in the incredibly themed and interactive children’s clubs while teenagers have their own lounges to hang in.

Cabins

Disney offers everything from inside cabins, sea view cabins, cabins with a veranda and suites. Concierge service cabins are also available.

The staterooms are very tastefully decorated and designed with families in mind. They are well-appointed with ample storage, split bathroom and toilets and comfortable beds. All the staterooms are family-sized.

The little touches of Disney theming are lovely and not over the top.

Disney Magic Cabin — The cabins include touches of disney history and design. Photo: Cruise with Ben & David

What's included on Disney Cruise Line

Food: The main dining rooms, room service, soft serve ice cream, the buffet and snack locations. We suggest a dollar tip for each plate ordered for room service.
Drinks: Fountain soda (not from bars), water, juices, tea and coffee from the buffet.
Entertainment: All Entertainment, the cinema and kids clubs.
Fitness: Gym, Pools & Sauna

What's not included on Disney Cruise Line

Soda purchased from the bars is an extra cost.
Coffee, tea and smoothies from the Cove Café is also an extra cost.
Alcohol is an extra cost with a gratuity added to each bill. You also may need to pay additional tax depending on the sailing. There are no Drinks packages available.
The ‘Palo’ and ‘Ramie’ restaurants cost from around $30-$55 for brunch to $30-$85 for dinner.
The onboard nursery - charged per hour.
Excursions
Gratuities - Gratuities in 2021 are $13.50 per person per night.
Spa Treatments
Salon & Bibbity bobbity boutique
Some actives, such as drinks tasting, are also an extra cost.

Who is a Disney Cruise for?

Most passengers are families which is unsurprising.

You will find plenty of couples without children and solo travellers particularly those who are fans of Disney. They enjoy the underused adult areas and the enhanced food offerings on board.

Longer sailings such as the Transatlantic have significantly less family’s and are mainly adult groups, couples and solo travellers.

Disney Cruise Line is popular with Honeymooners and offers ceremonies at sea.

If you or anyone in your family is a Disney fan, this is for you.

Have you cruised on Disney Cruise Line?

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Disney cruise line horn — The famous disney cruise line horn is designed in the colours of Mickey Mouse. Photo: Cruise with Ben & David

The Ultimate Guide to Disney Cruise Line