Disney Cruise Line 101: A Planning Guide
Considering setting sail on a Disney Cruise ship? Here is everything you need to know to plan a magical voyage.
A word of warning: once you sail with Disney Cruise Line, you might not want to go back to any other cruise line.
Table of Contents
Ships
There are four ships in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet:
Two larger ones (4,000 passenger capacity): Fantasy and Dream
Two smaller ones (2,400 passenger capacity): Magic and Wonder
Each of the ships has a featured restaurant that you won’t find on any other ship and a featured Broadway-style show.
| Ship Name | Featured Restaurant | Featured Show |
|---|---|---|
| Fantasy | Royal Court | Aladdin |
| Dream | Royal Palace | Beauty and the Beast |
| Magic | Rapunzel's Royal Table | Tangled: The Musical |
| Wonder | Tiana's Place | Frozen |
Disney Dream and Fantasy have AquaDuck, a “water coaster”, the first of its kind at sea.
Destinations
Disney Cruise Line has selected the most stunning destinations in the most exciting regions around the world. Destinations include:
- Alaska
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Europe
- Canada
- Caribbean
- Mexico
- Hawai’i
- Pacific Coast
- Panama Canal
- Transatlantic Cruises
Most Bahamian and Caribbean cruises include a stop (or two!) at Disney’s private island – Castaway Cay.
What Is Included?
- Entertainment. Broadway-caliber musicals, deck parties and fireworks at sea.
- Staterooms. Designed for families: extra space and storage, sitting area, and split bath to allow more people to get ready at the same time.
- Variety of Dining Options. Upscale restaurants, buffets, poolside snacks, and 24-hour room service. Includes complimentary soda, tea and coffee on deck and in the dining rooms.
- Youth Clubs. Themed clubs for every age, staffed by specially trained Disney counselors.
- Nightclubs & Lounges. Adults-only areas that include a variety of bars and pubs.
- Pools & Recreation. Freshwater pools and waterslides at sea.
- First Run Movies
- Character Experiences. Meet-and-greets, Princess Gathering, character breakfast on select 7-night sailing
Dining
You will never go hungry on a Disney Cruise ship. You will have access to various food options 24 hours a day.
Sit Down Restaurants
There are three themed sit-down restaurants on each ship. Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining meaning you will be able to check out all of them during the cruise. Your server team moves with you, so you will always have the same server/assistant server.
There are two dinner seating times: 5:45 pm and 8:15 pm.
One of three sit down restaurants will also be open for breakfast and lunch.
| Ship | Restaurants |
|---|---|
| Magic | Animator’s Palate Lumiere’s Rapunzel’s Royal Table |
| Wonder | Animator’s Palate Tiana’s Place Triton’s |
| Fantasy | Animator’s Palate Enchanted Garden Royal Court |
| Dream | Animator’s Palate Enchanted Garden Royal Palace |
Cabanas
Cabanas is a casual, relaxed atmosphere restaurant on the 11th deck offering breakfast and lunch buffet and table service dinner. Dinner features signature dishes from the Main Dining restaurants plus a menu of exclusive delicacies over a 4-course meal.
Counter Service
There are several counter service restaurants on the pool deck offering burgers, sandwiches, ice cream, pizza, fruit and so on.
Room Service
Your cruise fare includes complimentary room service as well. It is available 24 hours a day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks.
Room service will be available until 1:30 AM on the final day of your cruise.
Premium Dining
Each ship has at least one premium, adult-only restaurant. Palo is found on all of the ships. Remy is only found Fantasy and Dream.
Reservations for these restaurants are required and can be made online or aboard the ship. Dress code is enforced.
Palo is serving Italian fare in an intimate setting amid stunning seaside views.
When dining at Palo, the following additional charges will apply:
- Dinner: $40 dining charge per person
- Wine Pairing with Dinner: $59 charge per person, in addition to the $40 dining charge for dinner (total $99 per person)
- Brunch: $40 dining charge per person
Offering the most luxurious dinner experience on board, Remy is an adult-exclusive restaurant serving fine French fare.
An additional charge is required to dine at Remy:
- Dinner: $125 dining charge per person
- Remy Champagne Brunch: $75 charge per person; $30 additional charge per person when adding the Champagne pairing
- Remy Dessert Experience: $60 charge per person; $25 additional charge per person when adding the wine pairing
- Petites Assiettes de Remy: $50 charge per person (includes a wine pairing with each course)
- Remy Wine Pairing Experience: $105 charge per person
Pirate Night
One of the onboard experiences that sets Disney apart from all other cruise lines is the Pirate Night.
You get to enjoy the Pirate Night on Caribbean cruises: start with feasting on a pirate-themed dinner, followed by “Pirates IN the Caribbean” show and deck party, then finish the night with fireworks at sea.
Don’t miss the characters dressed in their best pirate gear.
Dress up is encouraged, so don’t forget to pack your pirate costume!
Check out these AliExpress deals if you don’t own one:
Kids/Youth Clubs
Disney Cruise’s youth clubs offer non-stop entertainment. It is very likely you will barely see your kiddos as they will not want to leave the clubs.
Oceaneer Club (ages 3-12)
Here the young guests will be able to interact with Disney characters—and each other—as they explore multi-themed magical lands.
Each cruise ship have differently themed Oceaneer Club.
| Ship Name | Kids Club Theming |
|---|---|
| Fantasy | Andy's room (Toy Story) Star Wars Command Post Pixie's Hollow Marvel Super Hero Academy |
| Dream | Andy's room (Toy Story) Star Wars Command Post Pixie's Hollow Disney Infinity game room |
| Magic | Andy's room (Toy Story) Disney Junior Pixie's Hollow Marvel Super Hero Academy |
| Wonder | Andy's room (Toy Story) Disney Junior Pixie's Hollow Marvel Super Hero Academy Frozen Adventure |
Oceaneer Lab (ages 3-12)
The lab is a highly interactive space, where the kids can play games, perform crazy experiments and discover all kinds of activities.
Edge (ages 11-14)
Edge provides Guests ages 11 to 14 with their own special hangout where they can connect with other tweens from around the world. Equipped with high-tech entertainment including flat-screen TVs, computers and video games and featuring daily guided activities, this interactive play space is bound to become your tween’s favorite on-ship destination.
Vibe (ages 14-17)
Vibe provides Guests ages 14 to 17 with their own special place where they can break off from the family and connect with other teens from around the world.
Vibe aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy has the look and feel of a hip urban night spot, with multiple areas, a secret entrance and its own outdoor deck space.
Vibe’s hangout central is its high-tech media room, where teens can watch movies or play video games on a 103ʺ LCD screen with digital surround sound.
"It's a Small World" Nursery (ages 6m - 3)
There is a nursery for the youngest guests, however, unlike the clubs above, it is not free. Childcare at “It’s a Small World” nursery is available at the following rates:
- $4.50 per half hour for the first child
- $4.00 per half hour for any additional children in your family
The minimum reservation time is one hour. Since space is limited, you must make reservations in advance.
Onboard Experiences and Activities
Free Activities - No Advanced Reservations Required
These activities are free and don’t require a ticket to attend:
- Movies at the movie theater
- Character meet-and-greets (besides the ones listed below)
- Classes (scrapbooking, origami, character drawing, towel folding etc)
- Trivia
- Karaoke
- Broadway-style shows
- Deck parties
Free Activities - Ticketed
These high-demand activities are free but they require an advanced reservation. To reserve tickets before your cruise begins, visit My Cruise Activities within your advanced booking window.
Princess Gathering
Attend a majestic, high-seas meet-and-greet as Disney Princesses appear for autographs, hugs and photos.
Meet Characters from Frozen
Meet Anna and Elsa. On some cruises, Olaf joins the sisters as well.
Star Wars & Marvel Characters
Some of Star Wars and Marvel characters during the special themed cruise (see more on these cruises below) require advanced reservations as well.
Character Breakfast
A Character Breakfast is featured on one morning of select 7-plus night cruises with a minimum of 2 days at sea. You can pose for pictures, collect autographs and spend quality time with Mickey, Minnie and the gang or a host of Disney Junior pals.
Paid Experiences
Royal Court Tea
Experience the royal treatment at this magical tea party, as well as enchanting visits from some popular Disney princesses.
The menu includes a selection of herbal teas and 2 delicious courses—one sweet and one savory.
Every child receives an assortment of gifts as a keepsake of their teatime experience.
- Princess-Themed Gifts
Jewelry box, link bracelet, necklace with charms, a Cinderella doll, autograph book with pen and tiara - Knight-Themed Gifts
Royal Court cinch bag, sword and shield, pins, autograph book and Duffy the Disney Bear plush
- Princess-Themed Gifts
This experience is similar to Disney’s Perfectly Princess Tea at Grand Floridian at Walt Disney World.
The price is $220 for a child an $69 for an adult.
Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique
Bibiddi Bobiddi Boutique offers a variety of makeovers just like the ones on “land”. The packages start at $65 and go all the way to over $600.
There are special makeovers available on the Pirate Night and during the themed cruises (Star Wars and Marvel).
Beverage Seminars
You can attend several beverage tastings onboard: martini, beer, champagne, rum and so on. Prices range from $20 to $35. Adults 21+ of course
Spa
Guest ages 18 and up can indulge in a rich selection of therapies specifically designed to soothe and invigorate and Senses Spa and Salon available on all ships.
The offerings include massage, aroma stone therapy, body wraps, facials, shampoo, cut & style, manicures, pedicures.
There is also Chill, a spa designed exclusively for Guests 13 through 17 years of age.
Private Spa Villa | Senses Spa
Port Adventures
Port Adventures are shore excursions that have been specially selected by Disney Cruise Line. They are perfectly suited for families and allow you to experience the best a port can offer.
These Port Adventures tend to be more expensive than excursions booked on your own. However, in the unlikely event you are late coming back to the ship after DCL organized excursion, the ship will wait for you. You will be left behind if you venture out on your own.
In addition, if a ship can’t dock, DCL will automatically refund the Port Adventure cost. Some independent providers have no refund policy.
Booking Window
Once your cruise is paid in full, you can make reservations online as soon as your cruise activities booking window opens for the following onboard activities (some fill up quickly and most have an additional fee):
- Spa & Fitness
- Adult Dining (Palo/Remy)
- Port Adventures
- Onboard Fun: Beverage Tasting Seminars, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirates League, Character Breakfasts, Golf and Sports Simulators (Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy), Ticketed Character Greetings (no additional charge), Royal Court Royal Tea
- Nursery
Your advance booking window is determined by your Castaway Club membership level, as follows:
| Castaway Club Level | Booking Window |
|---|---|
| First-time guests | 75 days prior to sail date |
| Silver Castaway Club Member | 90 days prior to sail date |
| Gold Castaway Club Member | 105 days prior to sail date |
| Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Member | 120 days prior to sail date |
Subject to availability, you can also make reservations on board your ship after 1:00 PM on the day of your departure for all these activities. Visit Guest Services for more information.
Gratituties
The gratuities are not included in the cruise fare. The suggested gratuity for the Dining Room Service Team and Stateroom Host/Hostess is $13.50 per passenger/per day. Total gratuity is based on the length of the cruise.
You can pay the gratuities in advance or have them added to your onboard account prior to the end of your cruise.
If you wish to change the amount of a gratuity or pay the gratuity in cash, stop by the Guest Services desk, located on Deck 3, Midship.
A 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs, and An 18% gratuity will automatically be applied to all spa services.
Room service and gratuities at Palo/Remy are at your discretion.
Themed Cruises
Throughout the year Disney Cruise Line offers themed cruises:
Marvel Day at Sea
Select 5-night cruises from Miami to The Bahamas and the Western Caribbean in 2020 will feature a Marvel Day at Sea. This heroic day is filled with one-of-a-kind entertainment, unforgettable meet-and-greets, and special offerings for the entire family:
- Marvel movie marathon
- Marvel trivia
- Costume celebration
- Super Hero stunt show
- Photo-ops and character sightings
- Marvel Heroes Unite deck show
- and much more
Star Wars Day at Sea
Star Wars Day at Sea is available on select 7-Night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral. It combines the power of the Force and the magic of Disney for an engaging, day-long adventure unlike any other.
Enjoy such activities like:
- Summon the Force show
- Jedi Training Academy
- Porgs scavenger hunt
- Special fireworks show
- Star Wars movie marathon
- Star Wars trivia
- Character sightings and photo-ops
- and much more
Halloween on High Seas
This spook-tacular experience is available on most itineraries departing late September through Halloween.
Some festive entertainment during this ghoulish cruise include:
- Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party
- Halloween Activities
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream
- Haunted Stories of the Sea
Very Merrytime Cruises
These holiday-themed cruises are offered in November and December.
Share in the magic with festive onboard decorations that include a life-sized gingerbread house, a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands, poinsettias and shimmering lights, and experience numerous merriments including:
- Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony
- Mickey’s Winter Wonderland Ball
- Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party
- Santa Claus Meet-and-Greet
- Disney Character Greetings
- Gingerbread House
- Storytime with Mrs. Claus
- Themed Activities and Crafts for Kids
Plus, on December 24 and 25, enjoy these additional treats:
- Cookies on Christmas Eve
- Special holiday towel animals
- Caroling with the kids and crew
Fish Extender Exchange
Fish Extender Exchange is a gift exchange organized by the passengers, it is not sponsored by the cruise line. The idea of this exchange was born in 2005 and has been going ever since.
Passengers participating in this gift exchange leave gifts in the Fish Extender for other participants. It could one large gift for the whole cabin , or a smaller gift for everyone in the room.
What is the Fish Extender? It could be anything you can hang on the fish hook by the door (see pictures below) that can hold the gifts. There are tons of custom made fish extenders available on Etsy, or you could make your own, or buy any kind of hanging pockets at Walmart/Amazon. I got a few options on AliExperess (the links are below). And we used a Christmas stocking on the Merrytime cruise.
To sign up for Fish Extender Exchange, search for a Facebook group for your sailing – it is very likely the sign up will already be going on.
My daughter couldn’t wait to go back to the room to see if there were any surprises waiting for her.
Here are some Fish Extender options found on AliExpress:
Some of the items I got for the Fish Extender Exchange for our cruises:
See our Disney Cruise Line tips, tricks, and secrets here:
Need help planning your Disney Cruise?
My travel planning services are absolutely FREE. From choosing a perfect cabin to arranging port transportation, I can help you plan a magical voyage.
Contact me for free, no obligation quote.
See the onboard credit offer below.
Exclusive Onboard Credit Offer
| Cruise Fare | Onboard Credit (new bookings only) | Onboard Credit (onboard booking & transfers) |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $999 | None | None |
| $1,000 – $1,999 | $50 | $25 |
| $2,000 – $2,999 | $100 | $50 |
| $3,000 – $3,999 | $150 | $75 |
| $4,000 – $4,999 | $200 | $100 |
| $5,000 – $5,999 | $250 | $125 |
| $6,000 – $6,999 | $300 | $150 |
| $7,000 – $7,999 | $350 | $175 |
| $8,000 – $8,999 | $400 | $200 |
| $9,000 – $9,999 | $450 | $225 |
| $10,000 – $10,999 | $500 | $250 |
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