Ever since going on my first Disney cruise in 2017 I have been hooked on cruising. It’s definitely the vacation for me. I love how I can relax as much as I want or be as active as I want. I think there might be some stigma still around cruising and that it’s only for “old people” and that it’s boring or cheesy. These things a Disney cruise is NOT! In this post I will talk about what’s included on a Disney cruise and there’s a lot! So, lets buckle in and get excited about cruising with Disney.
Staterooms
Let’s start with the basics, where you’re going to stay. I think one thing that maybe drives people away from cruising is they think they will be in a tiny dark room for their trip. Now staterooms (cruise ship rooms) are typically smaller than your typical hotel room, but they are designed to maximize space. Disney is known for having some of the most spacious staterooms and they utilize the space so well that it’s easy to keep organized. The Disney ships have 4 basic types of staterooms.
Inside staterooms are usually the least expensive, they don’t offer a view of outside but Disney Dream and Fantasy inside staterooms have Magic Portholes to let you see real time ocean views, or you can have magical characters coming by. These are definitely the smallest staterooms at 169 sq ft. but can still sleep 3-4 people. They have a queen bed and there is a pull-out bed and an upper berth pull down bed so smaller or younger families could enjoy this type of stateroom. Now these are the least common room type and can be difficult to get. These state rooms have a full bathroom with a vanity sink, toilet and glass door shower. In the stateroom you’ll also have a desk with cabinets and drawers, and these are great for storing your things. The bed is raised up, so suitcases fit underneath as well. There is a heavy privacy curtain that separates the seating area and the bed. There is also a TV that can give announcements from the ship and is equipped with Disney+! No log in required! You will also have a mini fridge to keep things cold.
Oceanview staterooms are the next category of stateroom. Oceanview staterooms have a port hole to see outside. These rooms are larger than inside staterooms and you get the benefit of natural light from the port hole. A queen bed with upper and lower pull-down berths are included. Just like with the inside stateroom the seating area can be separated by a heavy privacy curtain as well. The port hole will also have curtains to block out light if needed. Now that we have gone up in category most staterooms will feature a “split bathroom” meaning you’ll have one room with a toilet and vanity sink and another room with a shower and vanity sink. These split bathrooms are great when you have multiple people getting ready at the same time. In the stateroom you will also get a TV, desk with cabinets and drawers and ample closet space. You will also have a mini fridge which is great for keeping things like bottled water cold. There are 2 subcategories with Oceanview staterooms. Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms are 218 sq. ft. and sleep 3-4 people. Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms are 237 sq. ft. and sleep 4-5 people.
Oceanview with Verandah staterooms are my favorite stateroom type and the type I personally stay in when I cruise. These rooms are great because they offer a private balcony for you to use! If you have connecting rooms the dividers can be removed (by ship’s crew) and you can have one big one verandah! These rooms come with all the amenities in Oceanview staterooms. They are larger offer bigger seating areas. You will also get a split bath in these staterooms. Some will offer the rounded tub option which is great for families with kids who need a bath. I liked it because there is little seat you can sit on while showering and there’s a little alcove to even hang your swimsuits to dry. Verandahs are great for people who might feel claustrophobic in a smaller room or if sea sickness is a worry being able to step out into the fresh sea air and have a breeze on your face can help a lot. Sleeping configurations are a queen bed, single convertible sofa, upper-berth single pull-down bed and single wall pull-down bed (for rooms that sleep 5). Just like Oceanview staterooms Verandah staterooms have 2 subcategories. Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah Staterooms are 243 sq. ft., including verandah. Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah Staterooms 284 sq. ft., including verandah.
Concierge staterooms are the most luxurious and expensive staterooms on the ship. These rooms can have multiple bedrooms and bathrooms with separate sitting areas and personal verandahs. These staterooms are anywhere from 296 sq ft. to 1,507 sq ft! these rooms are for those who want to stretch out and have the most room. These rooms can be quite difficult to get as they do sell out quickly. Along with these ultraluxe staterooms comes concierge services. Guests enjoy bathrobes and slippers, special pre booking windows and more. Some suites even have their own whirlpool on the private verandah. I must say it’s definitely a dream of mine to stay in the Princess Aurora Suite on the Disney Wish!
So, as you can see these staterooms sound pretty good me. I’ve enjoyed our stateroom every time we have sailed with Disney Cruise Lines. Another thing to note about staterooms is there are accessible options for all categories so if you need a roll in shower or other type of accessible option, they do offer them!
Dinning
The next biggest hang up I think people have with cruising is the food. Let’s face it, no one wants to eat mediocre food while on vacation. There is NO such thing as mediocre food on a Disney cruise let me tell you! Disney does dining a little differently than other cruise lines as they use a rotational dining experience. Each ship has 3 main dining rooms, once you get your key to the world card it will tell you which restaurant you will eat at on which night. What’s so great about the rotational dining is you get to experience each unique restaurant and your serving staff rotates with you. Thats right the same lovely gentleman or lady who serves you on the first night will be with you for your entire cruise and they will always remind you each night where your next dining experience will be. You will have a whole team that follows you. If you have food allergies they know and will help you make the right choices for you, they will bring you your favorite drink right off the bat, it really makes the whole experience feel so personalized. Each restaurant has a unique theme. The picture to the right is Worlds of Marvel, Disney calls it “a cinematic dining experience” this restaurant is on the Disney Wish. Another fan favorite is on the Disney Dream and Fantasy Animators Palate where you get to design a character and at the end of the meal you will get see it come to life! I can honestly say I’ve never had a bad meal on the Disney ships. Now rotational dining is only for dinner. Usually, the buffet and one restaurant will be open for breakfast and lunch. Remember all this is included with the price of your cruise. If want 2 appetizers, you can do that! no charge!
The ships do offer a buffet that is open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. They usually offer a wide variety of things to eat like cold cereal in the morning or hot oatmeal and pancakes. There is something for everyone at the buffet. People really do enjoy the buffets as a more casual dining experience. The ship will also have other quick service offerings usually on the pool decks. So, if you want just a quick lunch you could grab pizza and chicken nuggets with fries for example. Remember all of this is included in your basic price for the cruise. Room service is also included with exception to prepackaged foods which will have a charge. Want breakfast brought to your room? Disney will do that. Would you like some Mickey Bars in your room waiting for you after a long day at the beach? Room service will gladly bring you some.
Another thing that sets Disney apart is things like soda, coffee, tea, milk and juice is all included. On the pool decks there are drink stations that have pretty much everything. And you can order these things at dinner too with no additional cost. Also, free soft serve ice cream! Now there are some things that you do have to pay extra for in terms of food on Disney ships. Prepackaged food is usually an up charge. Specialty coffee like lattes and Capuchinos are also not included. Adult only restaurants are not included in the price of a Disney cruise, but I do highly recommend Palo’s for dinner or brunch, the experience is amazing. In the evenings the club areas become adult only and any alcohol must be purchased.
Entertainment
When we think of cruise ship entertainment, I think we tend to go to old washed-up acts and performers that are past their prime. Not on a Disney cruise! Disney has Broadway style and level shows. Disney’s Believe or Aladin A Musical Spectacular anyone? I’ve seen both of these shows 3 times and I loved them every time! Certain shows play on different ships so I can really only tell you about what I’ve seen on the Fantasy but in August we will do a short cruise on the Disney Wish and I can’t wait to learn and experience a new ship! Disney also has movie theatres on board, and they show currently released movies. Disney will even do premieres at sea! There are also deck parties like Pirate Night and the world-famous fireworks at sea! Disney is the only cruise line allowed to do fireworks at sea.
The Disney Wish has Disney’s Uncharted Adventure, an interactive adventure where you can use your phone (no additionally purchased internet needed) as an enchanted spy glass to help captain Minnie find the magic! The Disney Dream and Fantasy have something similar called the Midship Detective Agency and it’s similar to what I described above. Guests can use their phone and Navigator app to help solve a mystery on the ship! These things and other on-board activities are again included with the price of your cruise. You do not have to pay extra to do these activities. Disney ships also have different clubs and areas for a multitude of activities. My husband and I love to do trivia! Just look at your Navigator app and see what’s happening!
The Disney ships also have sport zones. Pictured to the left is miniature golf on Goofy’s Sports deck on the Disney Fantasy. There is also sport simulators, basketball hoops, running tracks and shuffleboard. So, if you like to keep moving and do more physical activities the sports decks are great for at sea days! These amenities are included in your cruise.
The one thing Disney Cruises are “lacking” that most other cruise lines have is a casino. There are no casinos or gambling on Disney Cruises. For my family we don’t gamble, and casinos just aren’t our style, so we definitely don’t mind that the Disney ships don’t have casinos.
Pools
What Cruise wouldn’t be complete without a pool. The Disney Ships have several pools, some are adults only, some are for young children and others are for families or age specific like tweens and teens and don’t forget the waterslide. Pictured here is Mickey’s Pool on the Disney Fantasy. You could say this is the “main pool” this is a family pool and is for everyone to enjoy. What’s super cool is on select nights they cover these pools so the deck can host deck parties like Pirate Night!
Smaller kiddos can enjoy wonderfully themed splash areas like Nemo’s Reef pictured here to the left from the Disney Fantasy. Disney also follows sanitation guidelines about swim diapers and other baby related things. They also have complimentary swim vests for young swimmers.
Who doesn’t love a fun waterslide? On the Disney Wish they have the Aqua Mouse, which is basically a Disney attraction at sea! This first of its kind immersive water slide is sure become a favorite. Ships like the Fantasy and the Dream also have water slides that you ride down on in a raft type float. What’s super cool is you go through clear tubes that jut out from the ship over the water! talk about a view!
Of course, Disney hasn’t forgotten the adults. Quiet Cove pool pictured here on the Wish and Satellite Falls are great adult only spaces that can take you away from the hustle and bustle of the family pools. These areas also have whirlpools, comfy seating, cafés and bars. The only thing not included in the price is alcohol and specialty coffee.
Kids
Ok lets talk about the kids real quick. Disney if of course known for their family friendly fun but you may not want to be with your kids 24/7 on vacation. Disney has a solution to that! Kids Clubs!
For kids 3-12 years old the Oceaneer Lab and Oceaneer Club is where it’s at. Character interactions and other activities are offered. There are consolers at the club that help kids engage in fun activities.
Edge is a club for tweens, specifically designed to be a fun, chill space for kids ages 11-14. This youth club is chaperoned and offers a fun space for kids to chill, play video games or engage with planned activities. Hours may vary but typically the club is open from 10:00am to 1:00am.
Vibe is a dedicated teen space, like you need a key to the world card to get in! Teens will love the exclusive feel of this chaperoned club. This club for 14–17-year-olds has loads of fun things to do that encourage them to mingle. Vibe also has a coffee bar and offers non-alcoholic drinks and snacks like smoothies. These clubs also tend to be open later into the evening as well so parents can kick back and have fun.
All of the above-mentioned youth clubs are complimentary! These services are included in your cruise price. There is one form of childcare that does require reservations and has some cost attached to it and that is the “it’s a small world” Nursey. This is for very children aged 6months to 3 years old. Of course, there are well trained Disney crew to watch your little one while you relax. The nursery is great for little ones to explore and learn and have a quiet room for naps. Well trained counselors will be happy to feed and change your child.
Adult Only
Disney is great at creating unique adult only spaces. On the pool decks there are usually 2 adults only pool areas complete with pool side bars and cafés with comfortable seating and lounging areas. Pictured to the left is Satellite Falls on the Disney Fantasy.
For some the most relaxing thing they can do is a good work out. The fitness centers on the ships are free to use. While not exclusively adult only, kids 14-17 must be accompanied by an adult. I can tell you from my experience walking by I rarely saw kids in there anyway. For additional charge you can participate in classes and personal training.
The ships have areas that during the day are open to everyone like the Europa District pictured here on the Fantasy at Ooh La La Bar. Usually, these areas have multiple themed night clubs and bars. It’s no cost to go to these and have fun to dance the night away. As always alcohol is an extra charge.
Castaway Cay Disney’s Private Island
I think Castaway Cay is one of my favorite ports of call. Disney’s private island is amazing and there’s so much to do! All the beaches and beach amenities are complimentary for you to use with the exception of things like cabanas that need to be reserved. Another great thing about Disney cruises is that they provide you with beach towels and not just at Castaway Cay! It’s all ports of call so no need to pack a heavy beach towel. Are you hungry? There are Cookies and Cookies Too where you can get yummy BBQ, steak, salad and other offerings at no charge! Want to cool down after swimming? Have some ice cream! There are several beaches on the island, a snorkeling beach, family beach, kids club areas and adult only beaches. If you bring your own snorkel equipment there’s no charge but you must still wear a snorkel vest and Disney will provide that for you free! You can also meet characters like Goofy and Stich on Castaway Cay.
Serenity Bay is Castaway Cay’s adult only beach. Situated at the far end of the island it’s a short tram ride away. Here you will find Cookies Too eatery and Castaway Air Bar and Air Bar BBQ. Now alcohol must be purchased but you can use your Key to the World card from the ship to make any purchases on the island! The food is free as is the use of umbrellas and lounge chairs.
So, as you can see there is so much to enjoy on a Disney cruise! I personally think cruising with Disney gives you quite the bang for your buck especially since they include so many things other cruise lines up charge for and the immersive atmosphere Disney creates truly is magical. There’s something for everyone on a Disney Cruise Line vacation and these vacations paired with their amazing destinations and ports of call can make it the perfect fit for multi-generational family trips. Stay tuned for more posts about cruising in the near future and make sure to follow me on social media channels, Instagram: staceygoontravel, Facebook: staceygoontravel, Twitter: staceygoontrvl and comming soon TitTok: Staceygoontravel!
If you’re interested in more information about a Disney Cruise Line vacation or other Disney Destination vacation, feel free to request a free quote through my website: www.academytravel.com/stacey
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