Ideal for: families with children of all ages.
Snapshot: Voted “Best Cruise Line for Families” by Travel + Leisur readers and for seven years in a row, Disney Cruise Line is the epitome of kid-friendly cruise. While many cruise lines offer kid-friendly features and services, only Disney Cruise Line puts all its focus on families. Along with creative kids’ clubs, fun family spaces, and a rich repository of Disney family entertainment, there’s also plenty that will appeal to parents. Brimming with classic 1920s ocean liner styling, Disney ships are sophisticated and packed with adult appeal, from the sleek art nouveau design and art deco flourishes to the variety of adult-centric areas, including the spa, the gym and adults. only pool areas, cafeteria and nightlife.
Family Highlights: Expect fabulous entertainment including Broadway-quality musicals, first-run Disney movies, and classic Poolside Disney movies; oversized family cabins with split bathrooms (shower / tub on one side; sink on the other); rotating dining room that allows passengers to try all the restaurants; fantastic pool areas on the upper deck and sports play areas; and kids’ clubs with exceptionally creative Disney-themed programming. Caribbean cruises feature a day on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.
Disney Magic guests will enjoy a spectacular original stage show of “Tangled: The Musical” featuring three songs created exclusively for this show by Academy Award-winning composer Alan Menken and Grammy Award-winning lyricist Glenn Slater .
Kids Stuff : Disney offers supervised kids’ clubs and activities for children ages 6 months to 17 years. For children ages 3-12 (and loosely divided into smaller groups for ages 3-4, 5-7, 8-9, and 10-12), the Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab offer cooking classes, cooking workshops science, movies, video games. , scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and more. Disney’s vast arsenal of family entertainment (including the recently acquired “Marvel” franchise) is built into the children’s spaces and provides opportunities for characters to meet up on the ship.
Older kids also have their own hangouts and activity programs: Edge for preteens ages 11-14 and Vibe for teens ages 14-17.
On longer trips, including transatlantic crossings, trips to Hawaii, and transits through the Panama Canal, the minimum age for children is 12 months.
Best Ships – With only four ships in the fleet, it’s hard to pick a favorite. The two newer sister ships, the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , and the newly renovated Disney Magic (relaunched in October 2013) have more elaborate upper deck water play areas than the Magic’s sister, the Disney Wonder , which launched in 1999. Dream and Fantasy presents the AquaDuck Water Mountain Ride, which briefly approaches the side of the ship and circles the perimeter of the upper deck in a translucent tube. The Magic presents the AquaDunk, a three-story slide that begins by dropping through a bomber hatch and zooming over the side of the ship before splashing into the landing pool.
Better Deals: Last minute trips (within two to three months of booking) usually offer a better chance of getting a lower rate.
Good to Know: Disney is a premium cruise line with a premium price. However, families will find value in prices that are closer to being all-inclusive than other cruise lines. There are relatively few paid activities and dining options on board, and even non-alcoholic beverages are included in the rate. On the downside, Disney offers sales and specials less often than other cruise lines.
Special Sailings: Halloween at Sea takes place on most voyages aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships from late September through October. Families enjoy an abundance of terrifyingly fun events and activities, special decorations, Disney characters in costume, unique menu items in the restaurants, and themed parties on the terrace.
During the holiday season, Very Merrytime cruises celebrate Thanksgiving through Christmas and New Years with celebrations and special events.
On select voyages, Disney Cruise Line offers its Star Wars Day at Sea, a one-day celebration aboard the Disney Fantasy that celebrates legendary adventures and iconic characters from the Star Wars franchise.
In Fall 2017, Disney introduced Marvel Days at Sea, a special one-day celebration aboard select trips on the Disney Magic . Families can participate in numerous Marvel-themed activities during this special event, which is included in the Disney cruise fare.
Coming in 2018: early As of 2018, Disney cruises will sail from home ports on both coasts. Favorite tropical itineraries in the Bahamas and the Caribbean depart from Florida and Puerto Rico, and a variety of Baja and Mexican Riviera departures depart from California.
In early 2019, Disney Cruise Line will offer an extended two-month season from San Diego to the sun-drenched Baja and Mexican Riviera. A host of options to the Bahamas and the Caribbean from Florida ports, plus southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Disney Cruise Line will add two ships in 2021 and 2023. The ships will be slightly larger than Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy and each will include 1,250 staterooms.
Each cruise line has its own distinctive personality and characteristics. Is Disney Cruise Line Right For Your Family? Read up on the best cruise lines for kids to find out which one is the best option for your family’s vacation style.
