disney cruise 2023 suite

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Disney Magic Staterooms

Concierge royal suite with verandah, concierge 1-bedroom suite with verandah – accessible, concierge 1-bedroom suite with verandah, concierge 2-bedroom suite with verandah, concierge family oceanview stateroom with verandah.

I spent $10,000 on my family's 5-night Disney Cruise. From a 614-square-foot suite with 2 bathrooms to on-call concierges, here's what it was like.

• My family of four spent $10,000 to stay in a concierge room on a five-night Disney Dream cruise.
• We received free food and drinks, priority booking status, exclusive lounge access, and more.
• It was totally worth it for us and even though it was so expensive we'd consider doing it again. 

I've always wanted to sail concierge and decided to take the plunge on our fall 2022 cruise on the Disney Dream.

On past Disney cruises, we've stayed in verandah (balcony) staterooms. Our last cruise was an inside stateroom , one of the cheapest cabins Disney offers. 

But on our recent five-night sailing on the Disney Dream, my family of four booked a one-bedroom concierge stateroom for $10,000.

We sailed in late September, which is generally a less expensive time of year to cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean. The lower price is likely also because a lot of kids are in school at this time and it's in the middle of hurricane season.

The long list of things we loved about concierge started with our port arrival.

All other passengers are assigned a port arrival time based on their Castaway Club level, how quickly they checked in online once their check-in window opened, or a combination of both.

As concierge guests, our arrival window was any time between 11:00 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. We opted for earlier to maximize our time on the ship . We even had a separate concierge waiting area at the port.

Once on board, we were escorted to a special welcome luncheon that included free alcohol and other beverages we'd normally incur an extra charge for, like smoothies, mocktails, and specialty coffees. 

During the luncheon, one of the concierge hosts visited our table to ask if had questions or if we wanted to make any changes to our schedule.

I booked a 614-square-foot one-bedroom concierge stateroom that sleeps five.

We had a bedroom, full bathroom with a jetted tub, an additional three-quarters bath, a dining table with four chairs, a living room with a sofa and two wing chairs, a desk, and an extended verandah with seating for four.

There were also three closets and tons of storage space in the bathroom and bed (drawers were built into the frame). 

Our larger, more luxurious stateroom was a fun splurge.

You're definitely experiencing some luxury in concierge. 

Our bed linens were Frette and felt fantastic. I loved the sheets so much that I looked them up online and found a set of queen sheets from the brand can cost over $500. 

The sofa folded out into a bed and there was also a Murphy bed.

There were also three pocket doors around the queen bed. I loved that my husband and I had our own space and that we had an extra three-quarters bath for our boys. 

The doors gave my husband and me some privacy but there was little-to-no noise buffer. My kids were on the sleeper sofa talking very quietly and I could hear them clearly.

Still, the space was incredible . We even had plenty of room to move around while the sofa bed and the Murphy bed were down. 

I also loved the decor, which seemed like an upgrade from the usual nautical style in Disney staterooms.

Concierge staterooms have a palette of cream, turquoise, and brown. The artwork seemed nautically themed with a European flair.

As an experienced Disney cruiser, I appreciated the elevated vibe all the way around.

The bathrooms had some enhanced amenities.

The master bathroom had a double sink and regular power outlets that support a hair dryer and whatever else you'd want to plug in.

In my experience, many other Disney Cruise Line staterooms have a bathroom power outlet that will only support a shaver. 

Upgraded Elemis toiletries were provided in both bathrooms.

We received shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body wash. We also had bar soap and gel hand sanitizer in the master bath as well as a flower-shaped sponge with soap already added to it.

Our room also had cotton swabs, hand sanitizer, and even a pad to set a hot hairstyling appliance on.

There were even real bath mats in the master bathroom instead of just the standard bath sheet that most hotels and staterooms provide for you to step on after you get out of the tub or shower.

Although no one goes on a Disney Cruise to watch TV, our stateroom had three screens.

The 24/7 availability of Disney cartoons and animated classics on the televisions was really fun. We could also watch the ship's position and broadcasts with helpful information from the cruise director each day. 

There were flat-screen TVs larger than what you'll find in a regular stateroom in the bedroom and living room. There was also a screen built into the mirror of the master bathroom.

At one point, I watched "The Aristocats" while drying my hair. 

For me, one of the best perks of concierge was access to the lounge just steps from our stateroom.

The lounge was an exclusive haven where we could hang out and grab refreshments throughout the day.

It's open from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. every day and there was always at least one host present who could answer questions and make or cancel reservations.

The concierge station had a fancy coffee machine, too.

Some of the complimentary drinks included bottled water, sodas, juices, and the best coffee on the ship.

I think Disney's free cruise coffee is usually pretty bad so I appreciated being able to have the good stuff whenever I wanted it.

The concierge area also had an open bar from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. each night.

The bar had high-quality wines and liquors, and bartenders could make just about any drink you wanted, except frozen ones.

Food offerings ranged from sweets (cookies, small dessert bites) to savory eats (chilled shrimp, sandwiches). The buffet changed every three hours.

We loved having a dedicated concierge team, which felt like having our own personal assistants.

The concierge team can take care of anything you'd ordinarily stand in line for or go looking for. For example, our itinerary changed due to weather and our concierge hosts helped make sure our adjusted schedules were what we wanted.

When it came time to leave the ship, we even had the option of being escorted off by the concierge staff, bypassing long lines to disembark.

They could also sometimes secure us hard-to-get reservations, such as cabanas on Disney's Castaway Cay port or adult dining at Palo or Remy.

Concierge guests also receive early access to the shows in the Walt Disney Theater.

We were escorted into the theater via backstage elevator before showtime to get the first pick of seats. We also didn't even have to stand in line for popcorn — it was handed to us when we arrived.

The popular Broadway-quality shows fill up fast on full cruises, especially seats in the first few rows. The early access not only ensured we'd sit where we wanted but also enhanced that white-glove experience concierge brings.

There's also a private sundeck for concierge guests.

I spent part of one morning relaxing on the sun deck with a book and I had the space mostly to myself. An attendant came by and offered an ice-cold towel at one point, which I loved. 

The private deck has hot tubs and amenities for concierge guests only.

We had lots of comfortable, shaded seating, a hot tub, nicer towels than you'll find on the main pool deck, a selection of cold drinks, and sunscreen.

I loved that we mostly had this hot tub all to ourselves. The hot tubs on other Disney Cruise decks are usually crowded , especially on sea days.

Honestly, I feel like there were way too many perks to mention.

We also received access to shoe-shine service and Wi-Fi.

Continental breakfast room service is included in the price of all Disney Cruises but, as concierge guests, we could order a hot breakfast with omelets and pancakes from the room-service menu.

Concierge guests also get priority booking before the ship sets sail.

Certain onboard activities (alcohol-tasting seminars, spa appointments, adult dining) and port excursions open up for booking prior to the cruise.

The booking window for concierge guests opens before the other passengers get to look at availability, which means you're at the top of the list for hard-to-book activities. 

Priority booking came in handy for securing a cabana at one of the stops.

Cabanas at Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas, are notoriously difficult to snag. I requested one as soon as our booking window opened and I was put on a waiting list.

Our number eventually came up and we were able to book a cabana for an additional fee.

I noticed most of the people on the beach where the cabanas are located were other concierge passengers so it made me think it would've been more difficult — maybe even impossible — to book a cabana if we'd not been concierge. 

Overall, we have zero regrets and we were happy with our choice to book concierge.

Did our experience with concierge spoil us forever? Yes and no.

I can't afford to book concierge on every future cruise and part of me wishes I didn't know what I was missing. I was perfectly happy in an inside stateroom and I'm sure I would be again. 

Still, our family's enjoyment made the high cost worth it.

If you tally up every drink, smoothie, and bucket of popcorn and expect it to come close to the difference between non-concierge and concierge, it won't. That said, we certainly did enjoy the open bar.  

It wasn't one single thing that stood out to make concierge on the Disney Cruise exceptional but rather the combination of everything working together to elevate our experience . We felt truly special.

We'd consider splurging again, though it's worth noting concierge prices vary by itinerary and cruise length. If you want to spring for the experience, it's worth it to do some research and make sure you'll actually be taking advantage of the perks. 

• Main content

Summer 2023 Disney Cruise Line Itineraries

Disney Cruise Line announced itineraries through Summer 2023 for the Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy legacy ships, plus the brand-new Disney Wish! There are sailings to popular ports of call in the Greek Isles, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska, and the Caribbean. This post covers the destinations, followed by commentary on pricing, our recommended destinations, and why we’ll be booking on opening day instead of waiting for a deal.

Note that “opening day” booking for the general public will begin on May 9, 2022. (Do not call today–these itineraries cannot be booked yet by anyone.) Prior to that, there will be a staggered advance booking period beginning next Monday. Here’s the eligibility timeline:

• May 2, 2022 – Platinum Castaway Club Members, Golden Oak Club Residents
• May 3, 2022 – Gold Castaway Club Members
• May 5, 2022 – Silver Castaway Club Members, Disney Vacation Club Members, Adventures by Disney Insiders
• May 9, 2022 – All Guests

If you’re an existing member, Disney Cruise Line recommends that you log in to your account now to verify your Castaway Club status, so you’ll be all set to book on your designated date. You can also call (866) 784-1592 starting at 8:00 AM Eastern Time, or contact your travel agent.

Disney Dream Marks Inaugural Season in Europe  – For its first-ever summer season in Europe, the Disney Dream will call on a wide variety of destinations among the most treasured in the world. With sailings anywhere from 4 to 11 nights, the Disney Dream will sail from Barcelona and Rome to picturesque ports of call throughout the Mediterranean, including a first-ever seven-night sailing to the Greek Isles with stops in the ever-popular ports of Santorini and Mykonos.

Starting in late Summer 2023 and continuing through early fall, departures of the Disney Dream from Southampton will feature cruises to a wealth of destinations including Spain, France, the British Isles, Norway and Iceland. New ports of call include the picturesque La Rochelle, France and two new ports in Norway, Skjolden and Sandnes.

Summer 2023 sailings to Alaska aboard Disney Wonder  – The breathtaking natural beauty of Alaska will combine with the magic of Disney on 5, 7 and 9-night sailings on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver, Canada. Beginning in May 2023, cruisers will be invited to discover exciting ports like Ketchikan and Skagway, with their prehistoric glaciers, gold mining relics and spectacular land- and sea-life.

Three Alaskan itineraries call at Icy Strait Point, home to a coastal rainforest, wilderness tours and ziplining above the treetops.

Tropical Escapes to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida  – Sun-splashed tropical isles throughout the Bahamas and Caribbean will await guests on three Disney Cruise Line ships from Florida in summer 2023.

For its first full summer of sailing, the Disney Wish will homeport in Port Canaveral near Orlando for a series of three- and four-night Bahamas cruises to Nassau and Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay. The Disney Wish will feature exciting new additions including Disney’s first “Frozen”-themed theatrical dining experience and AquaMouse, a wild water adventure and first-ever Disney attraction at sea.

Port Canaveral will also be the departure point for the Disney Fantasy for sailings ranging in length from five to 10 nights. In addition to seven-night cruises to popular ports in the eastern and western Caribbean, guests will also be able to experience a five-night Bahamian sailing with back-to-back calls at Castaway Cay, a 10-night southern Caribbean itinerary to the islands of Aruba and Bonaire, and an 8-night cruise featuring two days on the beautiful pink sand beaches of Bermuda.

The Disney Magic will make its summer home in Miami for an assortment of destinations. Starting May 27, the Disney Magic will sail 4-night Bahamas cruises and 5-night western Caribbean voyages, followed by two 7-night sailings in July 2023 to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Select summer voyages aboard the Disney Magic will include double days at Castaway Cay.

When it comes to commentary, I don’t have a ton to offer that is unique to the Summer 2023 itineraries. Most of it would be rehashed from the last couple of years, even though I haven’t taken a cruise since late 2019. (Sarah has done a couple, but she’s not the one writing this.)

I know we definitely  will be booking one of these, as we have a 50% off future cruise credit from one of our Disney Wish itineraries that was cancelled. Which cruise we choose is subject to, ahem, internal debate , but we’re both in agreement that “going big” makes sense given the size of the savings. Leading candidates as of right now are to the Greek Isles or Northern Europe; both have many ‘new to us’ destinations that are on our travel bucket lists.

If you’re looking for a recommendation, pretty much everyone who has done one will shower the Alaska itineraries with praise. To be sure, that’s one of the better trips we’ve taken. It’s also pretty approachable.

However, our all-time favorite cruise is the Norwegian Fjords itinerary–by a pretty wide margin. We cover the similarities and differences in Norway v. Alaska Cruises , but the bottom line is that for us, Norway was much better. Others we know who have done both give the edge to Alaska–you really can’t go wrong either way.

Much like Walt Disney World on discount drop day, Disney Cruise Line’s phones will be jammed and the online system will likely slow to a crawl at peak times. Please do not exacerbate this by calling on a day before you’re eligible; they won’t make an exception and let you cut the line. It’ll just waste everyone’s time, including yours.

It’s always a good idea to use an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to do the work for you, but especially for opening day bookings. For one thing, using them to book your cruise is a great way to save time and stress. For another, their services are free to you since they’re paid commission by DCL on the reservation.

Every year opening day price-points make waves on social media once they’re available to book for Platinum Castaway Club members, as prices always jump. This is not really a surprise at this point, but it’s nonetheless easy to be taken aback when first seeing each year’s prices…especially if you remember what prices were 5 years ago.

With that said, it’s worth noting that opening day stateroom rates are largely on the lower end of the historical pricing spectrum. As itineraries start to book up and stateroom inventory becomes more scarce, rates invariably increase. Pricing is demand-based, with cruises in recent years rarely decreasing in price–increases are far more common.

We’ve scored some good deals on Disney Cruise Line over the years (and cover how you can do the same in our How to Save Money on Disney Cruise Line Sailings post), but have had less luck since 2018 (with the exception of last fall and winter, when Sarah scored some exceptional deals).

With the sailings out of Florida–especially Port Canaveral–the odds of prices dropping are stacked against you. Normally, there’s a high probability that opening day prices are the cheapest that those sailings will ever be. Of course, this is assuming pent-up demand and the global economy remain strong heading into 2023, and that’s hardly a sure thing at this point.

Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Disney Cruise Line, just like all other aspects of travel. With that 50% future cruise credit, we’ll likely hedge our bets and book as soon as we’re eligible on May 2 (assuming we can settle on an itinerary between now and then).

If we didn’t have that, I think we actually might wait this time. Not because I necessarily think a recession is on the horizon, but because I think that–at minimum–the bulk of pent-up demand, excess household savings, stimulus money, and so forth will largely be exhausted by next summer. Even if that’s correct, it doesn’t mean the return of deep discounts, but it could spell some relief from the high prices of travel. Or perhaps all of that is simply wishful thinking on my part, and this summer’s stratospheric pricing will be even worse in Summer 2023.

Planning to set sail aboard one of the Disney Cruise Line ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your trip, plan entertainment and other activities, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! If you want personalized recommendations for Disney Cruise Line itineraries, ships, and more, click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise!

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of these Summer 2023 Disney Cruise Line itineraries? Any that appeal to you? Any thoughts on pent-up demand given nearly two years off from cruising? Will you be booking on opening day, or taking a wait and see approach hoping to score a deal later? Do you think Disney Cruise Line is worth the premium pricing? Any other tips to add or recommendations? Do you agree or disagree with our advice? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Any thoughts of them expanding to a Hawaiian cruise?

did the 12 night Northern Europe when it included St.Petersburg,.. have a feeling that stop will be omitted,.. but floating through the Stockholm archipelago was magical and you will flip out!

Wonder if other readers feel conflicted because of the environmental effects of cruises? I love the idea of visiting a lot of cities from my boat but i can’t seem to deal with the bad parts of cruising….

These statistics from Friends of the Earth might make you feel a little better about Disney cruising:

https://foe.org/cruise-report-card/

Finally taking our 2020 Mediterranean cruise this June, fingers crossed. We’ve done the Caribbean and one one-way Mediterranean cruise before but this one going to the Greek isles is our dream. We are sooo excited, the additional cruise credit for cancellations helps, prices have gone up so much, it’s hard to justify a future one, even though I will say the service and food quality are outstanding. But got to try the Wish!

I am cruising Norway in September, based off your post LAST year when the summer itineraries came out! We ultimately went with a different cruise line because of the price difference, but I still have you to thank! I’m getting so excited!

Here’s another vote for Norway! My wife and I did the Disney Norway itinerary six years ago and we’ve generally regarded it as the best trip we’ve ever taken.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Suite Life: Inside The Walt Suite

• By Lauren Mack
• October 18, 2020

A glimpse into the VIP life of Disney Cruises.

LATEST VIDEOS

First Time at Disneyland? Tips You Need to Know

• By Rachel Alger

Maximizing Your Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party – in 2023

• fashion , magic at home

Celebrate May the 4th with These Epic Star Wars Merchandise Deals

What Will Disneyland’s New Toontown Look Like?

Which Park Won D23 Expo 2022?

Make Sure You Follow This Disney Genie Rule

Join our newsletter.

Sign up with your email address to receive a fun once a week update from Perfecting The Magic!

Disney Magic Cruise Ship: Image Courtesy of Disney Cruises

We spent five nights in the Disney Magic’s Walter E. Disney Suite , the most magical place on Disney Cruise Line, to give you the inside scoop.

Located mid-ship on Deck 8 in stateroom 8030 on Disney Magic , the cruise line’s first ship, and the Disney Wonder , the palatial two-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom suite, is on the ship’s port (left) side across from the comparable Roy O. Disney Suite (stateroom 8530) and around the corner from the midship elevator banks. The 1,029-square-foot suite sleeps seven. It’s location is perfect—midship and high enough, so we didn’t feel the ship move when the seas became a little rocky. 

On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , the two, 1,781-square feet Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah, as these suites are classified, are located on deck 12 forward in staterooms 12002 and 12502. Each only sleeps five people but boast a private Jacuzzi on the verandah. Prior to sailing in the Walt Suite, I had only been on the Disney Magic. Since then, I’ve been on the Disney Dream. If I could make the decision again, I would have chosen the Walt Suite on the Disney Dream solely for the private Jacuzzi, but we managed to enjoy a nearly private Jacuzzi on the Disney Magic by purchasing a pass to the Rainforest inside the Senses Spa, which has two Jacuzzis with panoramic views. We soaked in these Jacuzzis daily and almost always had them all to ourselves. 

Guests are welcomed into a brief foyer with carved wood credenza, a vase with fresh flowers, and a framed photo of the suite’s namesake. There’s a powder room and an adjacent butler pantry stocked with water and soft drinks. The hallway opens up to a large media room, which includes a couch, coffee table, desk, flatscreen LCD television, wet bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views. 

Amber-lit floor-to-ceiling shelves with artsy vases and a dozen or so Disney books, flank the entry-way to a living room appointed with a full-size pull-down murphy bed, flatscreen LCD television, and enviable ocean views. Adjacent is the master bedroom with queen size bed made up with luxurious 300-thread-count, 100% cotton Frette  linens topped with a plush down duvet, two wooden side tables, another LCD television, and a vanity. The marble and granite master bath features a whirlpool tub and two sinks, a separate walk-in shower, and toilet. 

To the left of the living room is a sea-side dining salon with seating for six that leads to the second bedroom that features two twin beds, two pull-down upper berths, an LCD television, a walk-in closet, and an ensuite bathroom with tub/shower and plush Frette bath towels. Throughout the Art Deco-style suite, each room is adorned with original Disney artwork. We appreciated having two separate bedrooms in the Walt Suite, which provided ample privacy. Having three bathrooms is really handy when everyone is in a rush to get dressed in the morning to go ashore. It’s also helpful when traveling with little ones as they never have to wait to use the restroom.

These special Royal Suites (category R) are all part of the Concierge-level accommodations, which include perks like a Concierge Lounge with complimentary food and nonalcoholic beverages, staterooms stocked with Elemis® Body Exotics products and Spongelle, a flower-shaped ginger bergamot body wash infused buffer, robes and slippers, the Pillow Talk Program (guests can select from a pillow menu that includes hypoallergenic, feather and therapeutic memory foam), and complimentary Wi-Fi. Up to 125 days prior to sailing, concierge guests can submit their requests to the Concierge Team, who can book spa treatments, dining reservations, Castaway Cay cabanas, and Port Adventures on their behalf when the 120-day window opens.

We really made use of the dedicated Concierge service. The crew cheerfully fulfilled all our requests, including stocking the pantry with Mickey Bars and Evian and providing extra Spongelles (they are amazing, and I totally stashed extras in my suitcase). The downside to Concierge is once you sail at the Concierge level, it’s hard to “downgrade” and sail non-Concierge. After our Walt Suite experience, we didn’t book a Concierge stateroom for our next cruise and we really regretted it. 

Walt and Roy Suite Only Perks

As guests of the Walt Suite, we were the first to board after the Family of the Day and we didn’t have to wait to access our palatial stateroom (the Family of the Day is chosen at random by a Disney Cast Member in the cruise ship terminal). Boarding first means we got a few extra hours to enjoy the ship’s amenities and could drop off our day bags before heading to lunch at Cabanas. It was so convenient to not have to lug around bags and we bypassed long bathroom lines by the pool. 

Another delicious perk was the complimentary fresh fruit platter, which included a coconut stuffed with fresh berries.

The Walt Suite and Roy Suite are the only staterooms that offer in-room dining from Palo’s , the chic adults-only fine dining restaurant. Staying in these suites is the only way guests under 18-years-old can dine on the restaurant’s Northern Italian fare like piquant Dover sole garnished with nut brown butter and chopped capers. Guests don’t have to adhere to the upscale dress code that is required when enjoying brunch or dinner in Palo’s dining room. The in-room dining experience was identical to that at Palo’s: a waiter took orders and attended to every detail and a sommelier made suggestions of European wines to pair with our multi-course meal. 

This meal was a highlight of our trip. We kept the verandah door open during dinner, enjoying the ambiance of the sound of the ocean couples with gentle sea breeze. When it came to selecting our appetizers and entrees, we definitely over-ordered. We were accustomed to ordering two or three appetizers each at dinner as the portion size for those tends to be much smaller, but at Palo’s the portions are generous. We ended up ordering so much food that we were unable to finish it all. 

How to book

With only four ships (three more are on the way, including Disney Wish in 2022), there are limited chances to sail in the Walt Suite. The price varies depending on the number of travelers, ship, cruise length, and ports of call. We sailed with seven adults and one toddler on the four-night, five-day cruise from Miami with stops at Key West, Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay in January 2018 for $13,000, but we have seen the rate for these suites as low as $10,500 for a three-night Bahamian cruise sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla. One way to potentially score a discount is to check in early at the port and ask if an upgrade to the Walt Suite is available. If so, upgrading can be done with significant discounts. Having sailed on three-night, four-night, and five-night Disney cruises, I recommend at least a four-night cruise. Three nights is too rushed and not enough time to enjoy the suite life!

Stay in the Disney Know

Sign up with your email address to receive a once a week update from Perfecting The Magic.

We respect your privacy.

Thank you! You’re in!

Jul 8, 2021

What changes should you expect at this year’s Oogie Boogie Bash?

Jul 7, 2021

Tips to help you save cash when you’re making a visit to Disney World

Jul 6, 2021

Black Widow here we go!

Jun 25, 2021

All the details on Walt Disney World’s 50th anniversary are here!

Jun 21, 2021

Aspiring Imagineers are going to love this

Jun 19, 2021

The perfect gifts for the Disney loving dad in your life

Jun 14, 2021

MAC serves up a runway ready makeup collection

Jun 10, 2021

Pride month is here! Check out our favorite fashion finds from the new Disney pride collection.

Jun 8, 2021

June is shaping up to be quite the month for Disney+

May 31, 2021

A quick guide to my staple park outfits!

PTM Recommends

Lauren Mack

Parks | style | entertainment | food, [email protected], perfecting the magic.

Please note: Perfecting The Magic does not represent the  Walt Disney Company  in any way and is not employed by or affiliated with  The Walt Disney Company . 

Walt Disney World

International Parks

Juliet’s Closet

ENTERTAINMENT

Magic At Home

We tried a $10,000 concierge suite on Disney Wish to find out if it was worth the extra cost

Disney Wish is Disney Cruise Line's newest, largest and undeniably fanciest ship. In the summer of 2022, Wish joined the fleet as Disney's fifth ship, and since then, I've become an unabashed fan. The beautiful, modern floating resort is so impressive that it can even win over non-cruisers .

I've been lucky enough to sail on Wish twice. During my first sailing, I was an invited guest of Disney on a media preview cruise and stayed in a stateroom with a veranda. More recently, I sailed as a paying passenger on a regularly scheduled sailing in a one-bedroom suite.

A suite is obviously more luxurious and spacious than a standard room, but arguably the best things about Disney Cruise Line 's version are the numerous concierge perks that come with it.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

On Wish, there is a concierge lounge, complete with a private sun deck and hot tubs. Plus, you'll enjoy complimentary evening cocktails, hot room service breakfast, access to earlier onboard and port activity reservation times, and a dedicated team that handles any needs or logistics that arise on your voyage, among other perks.

If you're considering a cruise on Disney Wish in a concierge-level cabin, here's a look at what you can expect — and when paying extra is and isn't worth the cost.

Disney Wish concierge basics

Concierge lounge access and services on Disney Wish are available to passengers with bookings in the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom category and above.

Measuring 300 to 350 square feet, these entry-level concierge rooms include a private balcony (in some cases) and can sleep up to five people. While they are essentially standard cabins in terms of size, they have the added benefit of touches like a down duvet, a plush robe and slippers, a pillow menu and included Wi-Fi access, according to Disney.

The suites on the ship, ranging from the one-bedroom suite we booked to the over-the-top Tower Suite located in the ship's forward (fake) funnel, also come with concierge access and perks.

Concierge rooms are admittedly pretty pricey when compared to most standard cabins, and they typically sell out before the other room types.

For the least expensive three-night sailings on Disney Wish, expect to pay at least $3,700 for double occupancy or around $5,300 for two adults and two children in the same cabin.

However, it can easily cost more than double that price to sail in a concierge room during peak holiday dates, when the price of the suites quickly crosses the $10,000 mark for a family.

Disney Wish has roughly double the number of concierge cabins of the other Disney ships, with a total of 76 located across decks 11, 12 and 13. This increase in total number of concierge passengers comes with it its own list of pros and cons that I'll address shortly.

Related: 11 ways to save money on Disney Cruise Line

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY CRUISE OR VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Disney Wish concierge perks

The magic of the Disney concierge benefits starts well before you board. Most of these perks are the same regardless of which Disney ship you've booked, though how they play out varies a bit based on the ship and port(s).

Early booking for dining and activities

Starting 130 days before you sail, you can inform the concierge team of your booking preferences for things like onboard dining, spa treatments, port adventures and bookings at Castaway Cay. Then, 120 days before you set sail, that team does its best to secure the reservations you want.

That's an earlier booking window than other cruisers get. Typically, passengers can start booking activities 75 days out for first-time cruisers, 90 days for those with Silver Castaway Club status and 105 days for those with Gold Castaway Club status.

The early access period for concierge cruisers is the same window as those with Platinum Castaway Club status — the highest elite tier in Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program — receive. You don't earn this top-tier status until you've completed at least 10 sailings with Disney, so this head start on booking is a huge benefit for concierge room guests.

This early booking benefit can be the difference between getting that coveted brunch or dinner reservation at the adults-only restaurants, premium spa treatment time or a highly sought-after cabana on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island .

Early ship boarding — and a private lounge at Port Canaveral

Some concierge perks come when it's time to sail.

You get the earliest port arrival time, which often means you'll rub elbows with fewer people in the terminal and end up spending more time on the ship. We were able to arrive at the port starting a little before 10:30 a.m., which is an hour or two earlier than most passengers.

There were no crowds at all in the Port Canaveral terminal, which is Wish's home port, and we didn't have to wait in any measurable lines to have our documents or carry-on bags checked.

A sticker was put on our shirts to denote that we were concierge passengers to the staff, which literally opened doors for us.

By 10:40 a.m. we were in the private lounge reserved for those in concierge cabins and back-to-back cruisers who were enjoying a second consecutive sailing.

The lounge wasn't over-the-top nice but did have spots to sit, charge your phone and sip on a cold drink from the minifridge.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., we found ourselves walking on board the still mostly empty ship.

Onboard welcome lunch

The pools and AquaMouse waterslide weren't yet open when we got onto the ship because it was so early in our sailing. However, I highly recommend using this extra time to head to those the minute they are available. Since we had just cruised on Wish a few weeks earlier, we decided instead to check out the Grand Hall and attend a leisurely concierge welcome lunch in the 1923 restaurant.

This was a good time to get to know the concierge team and ask them about essential tips, like making your booking for the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge before the times are all snapped up. Minutes seriously matter on that one, so make the booking the moment you get on the ship's Wi-Fi and can access the Disney Cruise Line app.

We were also told that our suite should be ready by the time we were done with our meal of smoked salmon, empanadas, and the epic welcome aboard sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, pecan-caramel cupcake bites and butterscotch topping — and that proved correct.

Related: What it's like to eat in the 'Frozen' restaurant on Disney Wish

The concierge lounge

Now we're getting to the good stuff. Located on Deck 12 forward (Deck 13 for the sun deck), the concierge lounge is a showpiece of why you sail in this class of Disney Wish cabin in the first place.

This is where you will find the kind, knowledgeable, personal and gracious team of four concierge hosts. It's also where you can enjoy small plates of snacks throughout the day; access a fridge full of complimentary juice, water and soda; and visit the included bar in the evenings from 5 to 10 p.m.

This particular concierge lounge is massive when you factor in all the indoor space, the outdoor terrace and the entire sun deck.

We enjoyed the sailaway out of Port Canaveral from this deck and would visit each day for small plates of food that you don't usually find on other parts of the ship, such as sushi. We'd also come here to load up on bottled water and some sodas for the room and shore excursions.

Whatever you do, make sure you don't miss the evening happy hours in the lounge. You can get wine, beer, mixed drinks, cocktails and basically anything you can dream up at no extra charge to enjoy there or elsewhere on the ship. Our kids loved the mocktail strawberry daiquiris.

On the sun deck, there are two hot tubs and a small pool available exclusively for concierge guests. There's more than enough seating up here and even an unlimited Dole Whip smoothie machine, if you find yourself craving Disney's iconic treat. It sounds better than it tastes, but the odds are high that your kids will have fun with it.

Hot in-room meals for breakfast and from the restaurants

Everyone on Disney Cruise Line can order room service to their stateroom at virtually any time of day for free. However, in most staterooms, room service breakfast choices are limited to continental options such as cereals, doughnuts, pastries and fruit. In concierge suites, you can order hot room service options, too.

To place an order, fill out the order card the night before. The next day, you'll find yourself starting your day with pretty delicious menu items such as Mickey waffles, avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches, all in the comfort of your room.

At night, most stateroom guests can choose from room service basics such as chicken fingers, hamburgers and chicken wings. But in concierge accommodations, you can also have a meal from the sit-down restaurants brought to your room.

I'd love to say we tried that and show you some pictures of fancy food, but after several rich and involved meals, the chicken fingers and fries were all we wanted on the one night we dined in.

Related: 7 things that surprised me on Disney Wish

Early seating for evening shows

There are no assigned seats for the Broadway-caliber shows (think: "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin") on Disney Wish, but those who are staying in concierge rooms do have their first choice of seats, as you can meet one of the concierge hosts at a special entrance about five minutes before the other guests are let into the theater. This translates to getting your first pick of seats.

These first-come, first-served seats are not in a reserved section, so you do still need to get to the theater pretty early. You'll need to ask the hosts exactly what time they are meeting before the show, but if you want that front-and-center spot, it's a nice perk.

Free popcorn

While watching the evening shows or a movie — or really whenever you get a craving for a snack — you can get free popcorn with your concierge stateroom keycard. It's a small way that the concierge label makes everything feel a little bit easier.

Get walked off the ship at the end of the cruise

On our first Disney cruise , getting off the ship on the final morning was a total nightmare. There were epic queues for the over-stuffed elevators and a seemingly never-ending line to walk off the ship.

If you stay in a concierge accommodation, you don't have to deal with any of those headaches. At certain times in the morning — the final available time to do this on our recent cruise was around 8:15 a.m. — one of the hosts will let you get into a special elevator that quickly brings you down to the deck to disembark without a wait. It's a magical way to end the trip.

You're on your own for the regular line for clearing customs, but getting off the ship itself is a dream that you don't want to end.

Related: What it's like to eat at the Marvel restaurant on Disney Wish

Inside our 1-bedroom suite on Disney Wish

Like the rest of the ship, our one-bedroom suite was lovely, albeit a little plain in certain areas.

First, the highlights, of which there were many: The king-size bed was absolutely heavenly. Given how tight sleeping quarters can be on ships, it was a massive luxury to have such a large bed while on Wish.

The "Tangled"-themed mural on the wall in the bathroom was also breathtaking.

Frankly, the entire bathroom was divine and felt far more like what you'd find in a hotel than in a cruise cabin, thanks to its spacious layout.

Off the living room was another full bathroom that lacked a tub like the primary bathroom, but it still had a shower that was extremely generous in size, especially given it was the suite's secondary shower.

In the living room, there was a small Murphy bed that came out of an awkward divider between the dining and sitting areas. The couch also converted into a bed courtesy of the stateroom host each evening.

That made for a total of three sleeping spaces in this suite.

Disney Wish's layout was a bit different from what I'd found when staying in a one-bedroom suite on Disney Wonder , where suites have smaller single beds in the bedroom instead of the living room. That worked better for me at the time with younger kids, but I can see how Wish's arrangement may be ideal for those with older kids.

Either way, the primary bedroom area was mostly occupied by the bed, so there wasn't much room for anything other than a side table and a dresser.

Another key difference that I'm not sure was an improvement was the use of space between the primary bedroom and bathroom. On Disney Wonder, there was a desk there that was perfect for working, putting on makeup, or organizing and charging all your devices.

On Wish, that hall was instead used for storage, which was OK but a little awkward, especially because the doors were so tough to open that my 7-year-old couldn't always do it without help. Younger kids certainly wouldn't be able to access it on their own. If someone happens to pull out the keycard that allows the lights to come on inside — which happened to us during our cruise — heaven help you, as it is pitch black and almost creepy in there.

Other than the eye-catching light fixture, the dining area also felt a little uninspiring, given how grand the bathroom was. Some art on the walls, perhaps from "Tangled" to continue the theme, would have been nice.

That said, our private balcony was perfect for morning coffee and evening sunsets.

All-in-all, the one-bedroom suite was a lovely space that certainly benefited from the modern decor and bedding, but I'm not 100% convinced it is an overall better use of physical space than what you'll find on the older Disney ships. Still, my two kids, grandma and I were comfortable throughout our cruise.

Related: Disney Cruise Line's ships explained

Related: These are the best credit cards for booking a cruise

Is concierge level worth it on the new Disney Wish?

Now that you have a sense of the suite and what type of magic a concierge-level booking unlocks on Disney Wish, let's talk about when it is — and maybe isn't — worth the splurge.

When concierge level on Disney Wish is worth it

If you simply want to be in one of the ship's suites (and have the funds for it), then you're going to default to having concierge access and perks. You'll not only have more space in your cabin but also all the perks that come along with it.

For what it's worth, my favorite onboard suite is not the most expensive one in the funnel but rather the two-story "Sleeping Beauty"-inspired Royal Suite. Sure, it'll set you back at least $15,000 per sailing, but it's beautiful — to say the least.

Concierge level is also worth it if you want the best service that Disney Cruise Line has to offer.

For example, if you are only ever going to sail once, paying up for all the bells and whistles may be the way to go. That way, you can have someone on hand to magically handle all the logistics and requests and be available for any onboard questions and assistance.

On shorter cruises, like the three- and four-night options on Wish, the concierge can also help you maximize your time by letting you on as early as possible. Additionally, it's a fantastic category to book if you really enjoy lounges when you travel and plan to make the most of the ones on and off the ship.

On Wish specifically, you have the added benefit of the private sun deck with hot tubs. If you think you'll use those, then it's a real value-add.

And of course, when the price differential between the more standard cabins and concierge rooms is smaller — let's say $1,500 or so, it's obviously more worth it than when the price differential is thousands and thousands of dollars.

Finally, if you have hard-to-get reservation requests (like the perfect Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique time slot) and don't otherwise have Platinum Castaway Club status, which allows you to book it at the first available moment, then being in a concierge room increases your odds of snagging those valuable timeslots.

When concierge level on Disney Wish isn't worth it

As mentioned, if funds are not an issue and you want the best of the best, then great, book a concierge cabin on Disney Wish. We eagerly await the postcard you send us from your fabulous vacation.

However, for most of us with finite vacation budgets, there are trade-offs requiring us to maximize each decision. As a result, having concierge access on your first Wish sailing may not be the best use of money.

Having sailed both in and out of these accommodations on Wish, I found myself enjoying more of the ship itself when sailing without concierge access.

On your first Wish sailing, you already have three new-to-you restaurants to enjoy, which makes dining at the adults-only specialty restaurants less of a priority since doing so means you'll need to skip one of the included restaurants. If you don't eat in the adults-only spots, you don't need help getting those coveted bookings, meaning you'll get less out of the pricey concierge experience.

The on-deck food, like Marceline Market, is also worth visiting on your first Disney Wish cruise, but you may find it harder to work it in when you have access to the concierge lounge.

The same applies for drinks. Since drinks were included in the concierge lounge each evening, I felt silly going to the ship's fantastic bars, such as the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge and The Rose, because of the out-of-pocket costs attached to those cocktails.

Even with concierge perks, you may also find yourself out of luck in getting some highly sought-after benefits. This happened to me with one perk I was really looking forward to: the hard-to-book cabanas on Castaway Cay.

Because there are more concierge cabins on Disney Wish than there are cabanas on Castaway Cay, you are not guaranteed the ability to rent one. Athough we requested one as soon as possible, we were not one of the lucky ones to snag a cabana.

If you decide to skip the extra expense of concierge level, that means you'll have more money to put toward the new offerings on board, such as cocktails with popsicles in tasty flavors in the adult-only pool area.

Bottom line

There's no question that sailing with concierge access on Disney Wish is a fantastic experience, but you probably could have guessed that. It improves an already low-stress vacation so it becomes an essentially stress-free getaway with magical moments at every turn. The concierge team can grant virtually every wish you could dream up.

Sipping evening cocktails on the private deck while sailing away into the sunset was simply phenomenal, and having a lounge to pop into for treats, drinks or reservation assistance was a convenience I could get used to.

However, magic comes at a cost.

Disney Cruise Line is already more expensive than most family-oriented cruise lines, and Disney Wish is the most expensive of the Disney ships. Add concierge access on top of that and, well, it's certainly not cheap. If you are going to have to take fewer trips over the course of a year or two to afford a concierge-level room on Disney Wish, then you're probably better off skipping it on your first sailing. After all, part of the fun of being on Disney Wish is checking out all the one-of-a-kind facilities you'll only find on this ship.

Related: Comparing Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney for a family cruise

Once you've tried all the restaurants, found your favorite bars and explored every corner of the ship, a concierge accommodation is absolutely worth considering — if you have the means to make it happen. The upgraded stateroom, concierge lounge and other perks provided with these rooms are a treat to experience while cruising.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

• Food + Snacks
• Disney Restaurants
• Trip Planning

21 Disney Cruise Concierge Perks and Benefits (2024)

Last updated on Jan 1, 2024 by Adam Bryan . This post may contain affiliate links.

Disney Cruise Line prides itself in being one of the best cruise lines in the world.

From its world-class service and unique dining experiences to Broadway-style shows and immersive kid clubs, Disney Cruise Line is on a level of its own. Unfortunately, that also comes at a price.

Even with a standard stateroom, you can expect to pay a significantly more than other cruise lines. But, did you know that there’s an even higher level of stateroom and service that provides you with exclusive access to private areas on the ship and an array of perk and benefits only available to certain guests.

What is the Disney Concierge Level?

Disney cruise concierge perks and benefits.

• What’s in the Concierge Lounge and Sundeck?

How much do Disney Cruise concierge staterooms cost?

When is the cheapest time to sail for a concierge room, is disney cruise concierge level worth it, disney cruise concierge faqs.

The Concierge Level is similar to a club-level room that you can get at Disney World or Disneyland.

By staying in a Concierge Level stateroom, you’ll pay more for your cruise in exchange for access to a lounge, a personal concierge team, and extra services that make your cruise even more relaxing, memorable, and engaging.

Here’s an in-depth breakdown of what you can expect by staying in a Concierge Level stateroom on any of the Disney Cruise Line ships.

Here are some perks and benefits you can expect to receive when staying in a Concierge Level stateroom.

(Just note that a few of these perks are only available on certain ships, such as the new Disney Wish)

Pre-Arrival Services

Disney’s signature Concierge services begin before you board the ship by providing you with some nice benefits before you even step foot on the ship.

• As a concierge guest, you can pre-reserve many of your onboard activities and services online up to 120 days prior to your sail date. 
• You can also email or call the Concierge team and inform them of your preferences  130 days in advance . That way you can almost guarantee an activity, popular exclusion, or adult dining reservation. The 130-day window is especially handy when trying to reserve a  Cabana at Castaway Cay since those are gone almost instantly when the booking window opens up for Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Club members.
• The Concierge team can help you plan every detail of your cruise such as Port Adventures, reservations for adult-exclusive restaurants like Palo, Remy, or Enchante, spa treatments, nursery stays, dining room seating requests, and even special occasions and celebrations.

Embarkation Services

Once you arrive at Disney’s cruise terminal, whether if it’s at Port Canaveral or any other international port, you have a few perks and benefits that most guests not staying in Concierge staterooms have access to.

• You can arrive at any time after  11 am
• Once you drop off your bags and park, you have access to a  dedicated Concierge check-in line  which normally has less than 4 people in it.
• As soon as you go through security, you are immediately greeted by a Cast Member that will take you toward the back of terminal and into a private waiting area. Then from there you will be brought onto the ship. (This waiting area is currently only available at Port Canaveral).

Shipboard Services

As soon as you step onto the ship, that’s when the Concierge magic truly shines.

• After the amazing Cast Members announce your arrival into the stunning atrium, you are directed towards a  private lunch  available only for Concierge Guests. This restaurant all depends on what ship you’re on.
• During your lunch, a member from the Concierge team will greet you and go over your pre-booked itinerary as well as take requests to help you book additional activities or excursions . (For example, on the Wish, as soon as we spoke to ours, we asked for a Hyperspace Lounge reservation and she got us a reservation the next day at a reasonable time).
• Each stateroom has upgraded amenities such as a pillow menu, upgraded lines, higher-end toiletries, and even a mini-fridge.
• You get exclusive access to dedicated areas around the ship such as the  Concierge Lounge  and a  private sundeck .
• Inside the Concierge Lounge, you’ll find complimentary food, snacks, appetizers, refreshments, and some of the best coffee aboard the entire Disney Cruise Ship.
• You’ll receive  complimentary  beer, wine, and spirits from 5 pm to 10 pm daily inside the lounge.
• On the private Concierge Sundeck on the Wish, you’ll have access to two hot tubs, lounge chairs, a full bar, two showers, and a wading pool, not to mention complimentary raspberry or  Dole Whip  smoothies.
• On the private Concierge Sundeck on the Fantasy and Dream, you’ll have access to a hot tub, lounge chairs, and a shower.
• You’ll have access to lounge chairs on the private Concierge Sundeck on the Magic and Wonder, .
• On the Wish, you’ll get early access to the Walt Disney Theater for shows. Thirty-five minutes before the doors open to everyone else, Concierge guests can head to a private entrance on deck 2 where a Concierge Team Member will escort you to the theater and allow you to choose your seats before everyone else.
• Complimentary fresh popcorn  before shows and movies at the refreshment stands when you show your Gold Key to the World Card on the Wish. On all other ships, you’ll get free bagged popcorn that you can pickup from the lounge.
• Private dining tables . As a Concierge guest, you won’t have to share your table with any other parties at the three rotational restaurants. This is by far one of my favorite concierge benefits.
• 24 hours of complimentary continuous basic surf internet packages for everyone 18+ or older
• Pre-paid gratuities are added to your shipboard account to give to your dinner wait staff, as well as housekeeper.
• On disembarkation day, there is also a continental breakfast, specialty coffees, and other beverages.

Disembarkation Services

When it comes to saving time, the biggest perk is using the Concierge disembarkation service. 

• From 7:15 am to 8:15 am, you can meet a Concierge team member in the lounge and they’ll escort you down the elevators towards midship which is where you can essentially cut the exit line and get off the ship quickly. This is a massive time saver especially since when you catch the elevator right outside the lounge, one of the Concierge team members will make the elevator express meaning you won’t have to stop on every floor down to the 3rd.

What’s in the Concierge Lounge and Sundeck?

The concierge lounge always has a rotating menu of food, appetizers, desserts, fresh fruits, snacks, and bottle beverages such as soda, water, and juice.

Also from 5 pm to 10 pm daily, there is an open bar where you can enjoy beer, wine, cocktails, and top shelf liquors.

Unlike the other 4 ships, the Disney Wish concierge lounge also has a real lunch menu where you can order food and they’ll serve you at your seat/table. It’s a really nice touch if you don’t want to go out to deck 11 and grab something to eat.

The prices for a concierge room vary dramatically depending on your ship, duration of cruise, time of the year, and where you’re sailing. But one thing that stays consistent is that the concierge level has some of the best stateroom and suites available on the entire ship.

On average, you can expect to pay around $3,713 for two adult guests in a standard Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Disney Wish. For a family of four adults, that same stateroom will cost around $5,332 . And finally, for a family of 2 adults and 2 children, that same concierge stateroom will cost $5,304 . This is just example pricing for a sailing in September of 2023.

To help give you a better idea of costs, I’ll break down the cost for a 3-night cruise on the Wish that goes to the Bahamas, a 7-night Alaskan Cruise on the Wonder, and a 7-night Mediterranean cruise on the Dream.

Every example will include 2 adults and 2 children.

Example A: 3-Night on the Wish

For a 3-night voyage on the Wish for 2 adults and 2 children, concierge staterooms start at $6,909.

Here’s a better breakdown of the costs for each room and suite type:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $6,909
• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom = $7,521
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $9,179
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Extended Verandah = $13,683
• Concierge 1-Story Royal Suite with Verandah = $20,069
• Concierge 2-Story Royal Suite with Verandah = $22,979
• Concierge Wish Tower Suite = $27,272

And if you wanted to see these concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

Example B: 7-Night Alaskan Cruise on the Wonder

For a 7-night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver in a concierge stateroom for 2 adults and 2 children, you can expect to pay on average around $14,285 in late August and early September, $24,877 during June and July, and $15,427 in May. This is pricing for a standard concierge family oceanview stateroom with verandah.

Here’s a better breakdown of the costs for each room and suite type for the cheapest sail date in September 2023:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $14,285
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $20,959
• Concierge 2-Bedroom suite with Verandah = unavailable
• Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah = unavailable

And if you wanted to see the concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

Example C: 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise on the Dream

For a 7-night voyage leaving from Barcelona on the Dream for 2 adults and 2 children, concierge staterooms start at $13,933.

Here’s a quick breakdown of all the stateroom and suite costs:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $13,933
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $19,933

Lastly, if you want to see the concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

One last thing is that these rooms are always the first to go. So, if this is something you want to try, be sure to book a Concierge stateroom well in advance, especially if you’re searching for sail dates during the summer, spring break, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.

Currently, if you’re sailing out of Miami or Port Canaveral, the cheapest sail dates are found in January and February , as well as in September and early-November .

Also, when searching for a stateroom on the Wish specifically, you’ll find cheaper staterooms when you book for the upcoming year. Prices will then get progressively more expensive as the sail date approaches.

As of this writing, Concierge staterooms are the cheapest in September 2023 .

What Does a Concierge Key to the World Card look like?

As a concierge guest, you’ll receive a gold Key to the World card as opposed to the standard light blue other guests will be wearing.

Personally, I don’t think you get better treatment if you’re wearing a lanyard with a gold card or blue card, especially since almost every Cast Member interaction is very positive.

The only true perk of showing this off is when you’re claiming your freshly popped popcorn before a movie or show lol.

If you value time and comfort over anything else, then yes, concierge level is absolutely worth it.

I think I spoiled myself by staying in Concierge level rooms and just the thought of slight inconveniences makes this worth the price.

But there are some things I recommend you consider if you’re still on the fence about it:

1. Concierge Level is 100% worth it on the Disney Wish.

No questions asked. Hands down the best concierge experience of any Disney Cruise ship.

Even on the Dream or Fantasy, concierge is really nice, especially since you have your own portion of the ship blocked off for concierge guests only.

2. It’s best trying it out on a 3 or 4-night cruise.

On the shorter cruises leaving from Port Canaveral or Miami, you’ll generally find the cheapest Concierge rooms.

Plus, I enjoy the 3 and 4 night cruises because you don’t necessarily have to get off the boat at Nassau, but instead you can use all the Concierge amenities as well as the main pools and slides with less crowds on the ship.

3. Skip Concierge on any of the Europe cruises.

From personal experience, we found ourselves leaving the boat at 7 am daily and not returning until 530-6 pm since we were out every day on our European excursions. It felt that we couldn’t take advantage or even relax in the lounge since we were never on the ship.

Plus, the prices for a standard Concierge on a Mediterranean cruise, and northern European or Norwegian cruise are quite obnoxious.

Unless you don’t mind spending the money, I wouldn’t break the bank to stay Concierge level on anything over 7 nights, at least in Europe.

4. The service is exceptional across the board.

No matter what ship you choose, you’ll receive incredibly personal attention from your Concierge team.

5. The Magic and Wonder have small lounges, but they’re better than the Fantasy and Dream.

The concierge lounges on both the Magic and Wonder are bright and comfortable and they look out onto the ship with its floor-to-ceiling windows. The lounges on the Dream and Fantasy are a little dark and windowless (minus a small skylight). But they make up for it with the nicely sized private sundeck and hot tub upstairs, which the Magic and Wonder lack.

6. If your first concierge experience is on the Wish, it will absolutely ruin the other ships for you.

At least from my experience, I don’t think I can go on the other ships after seeing the Wish’s lounge and sundeck. Plus, let’s not forget about those king-sized beds in every Concierge stateroom.

7. Concierge on an Alaskan Cruise is one of the best experiences.

Unfortunately, this incredible experience comes at a price. However, you can witness breathtaking views in the heated lounge as you navigate through the straits of Alaska.

Plus, most excursions only last a few hours so you still have time to return to the port and shop/eat, as well as hang out on the boat before the ship needs to leave. It definitely didn’t feel as rushed.

So with all that being said, I hope this helped simplify your decision on whether or not sail in a Concierge Level stateroom on your next Disney Cruise.

So will you cross this off your Disney Cruise bucket list ?

Alcohol is complimentary on a Disney Cruise but only during certain times of the day. During the embarkation lunch, there are alcoholic beverages available. Every evening between 5 pm and 10 pm inside the concierge lounge, you can enjoy a complimentary selection of domestic and imported beers, wines, and hard liquor.

Generally, your Concierge stateroom will be ready by the time you board starting at 11 am.

No, you will be printed out pre-paid gratuities from your onboard account that you can give to your wait staff and housekeeper.

Yes, all five Disney Cruise Ships have Concierge level staterooms and suites. However, the amount of rooms available are limited except for on the Wish.

Yes and no. You can book a similar-sized room to what you’ll find on the Dream, Fantasy, Wonder, and Magic for around the same price. However, the Wish has a few more suite options than the other ships that prices are significantly higher than what you’d pay on the other four ships.

No, your membership will not add any additional Concierge-only perks or benefits.

Yes, 24 hour room service is always free on a Disney Cruise, no matter what stateroom level you’re in.

Yes, all guests staying in a Concierge stateroom gets access to complimentary bottled sodas, water, juice, and coffee in the Concierge Lounge or sundeck.

Yes, by communicating with the Concierge team via the Navigator App or by stopping into the lounge, the Concierge team can assist you with most needs.

More Disney Cruise

About Adam Bryan

Hey what's up, I'm Adam, founder of Urban Tastebud Disney and I spend most of my days eating (and researching, but mostly eating) around Disney Parks to create useful travel planning content that will help you maximize your time and money at Disney.

Reader Interactions

June 22, 2023 at 11:13 am

Hi, I’m a mom interested in planning family Disney Cruise trip. Do you have a checklist you can recommend that I follow, in order to plan the most cost effective trip. I would like to cruise on Disney Magic ship. Thanks in advance!

June 22, 2023 at 10:04 pm

Hi, here’s a Disney Cruise trip planning checklist and timeline that I’ve written:

https://disney.urbantastebud.com/disney-cruise-planning-checklist-timeline/

hope this helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

First Time Disney Cruise Tips: The Complete Guide

If you’re already a fan of the Disney theme parks , you might have wondered what cruising with Disney is like. Maybe you’ve never even cruised before — a whopping 40% of Disney Cruise passengers say they wouldn’t have even considered cruising if Disney Cruise Line didn’t exist.

So what’s it like cruising with Disney? And what do first-time cruisers need to know ? Here, we’ll cover the basics so you can decide if a Disney Cruise is right for you!

In a rush? Check out the 💡 Key Takeaways at the end of each section

Magic Onboard   |  Costs   |  Ports   |   Itineraries   |  Ships Staterooms   |  Dining   |  Requirements   |  How to Book

Prefer to Speak With Someone? Connect with a Vacationeer Who Specializes in First Time Cruisers.

Magic Onboard: What Makes Disney Cruises Special?

Image © Disney

Perhaps you’re wondering what’s the big deal about cruising with Disney. Or maybe you have taken another cruise before and aren’t sure if Disney will be that different. Here are a few quick highlights of the things that make a Disney Cruise special, whether you’re a first-timer or a seasoned cruiser.

Disney Characters

It’s no surprise that Disney ships host Disney characters throughout the journey. It starts with a sail-away party and continues with traditional character meet-and-greets each day. You’ll have many opportunities to see Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy, Pluto, plenty of princesses, and a smattering of other beloved characters.

Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point

Disney’s private island in the Bahamas offers a special getaway for passengers on select cruises. Castaway Cay (pronounced “key”) offers dedicated beaches for families and adults, plenty of fun recreation such as snorkeling and water slides, and free meals on-site. You’re sure to have a great day in the sun!

Meanwhile, Disney’s newest private port,  Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , is currently under construction in Eleuthera, Bahamas. It is expected to welcome its first guests in Summer 2024.

Disney introduced the cruise industry’s first-ever fireworks at sea. It won’t quite be the same as what you’d see inside Magic Kingdom or EPCOT, but it’s still quite impressive. Note that not every voyage offers fireworks.

Kids, Tween, and Teen Clubs

Many cruise lines offer a kids club, but Disney’s are (not surprisingly) among the most impressive. Disney doesn’t have casinos on its ships, so they have room to devote nearly an entire deck just to younger cruisers. Children will get a special wristband on the first day and can use it to check themselves into the clubs whenever they like. Clubs are divided into specific age groups so everyone has an ideal experience.

The Oceaneer Club (ages 3-10) features extensively themed play areas and character interactions. This is where most kids spend the majority of their cruise — even eating lunch there! The Kid’s Club on each ship is a little different, but they’re all great fun. There’s even a kid’s club on Castaway Cay! It’s no wonder we consider Disney to be the best cruise line for kids !

For older kids, Edge (ages 11-14) gives tweens a high-tech hangout of their own. Teens can visit Vibe (ages 14-17), a venue that runs the gamut from chill relaxation to energetic dance parties.

Best of all, these spaces (and many more) are already included in the cost of your cruise!

For the tiniest cruisers (up to age 3), the “it’s a small world” nursery! offers babysitter-style daycare for an additional fee.

Not Just for Kids

Worried that you won’t be able to escape the kids on your Disney Cruise? You’ll be happy to learn that each ship contains spaces limited to those ages 18 and up. Relax at the adults-only Quiet Cove pool, or dance the night away at each ship’s entertainment district, featuring several nightclubs and lounges. Many adults enjoy relaxing at Senses Spa and its Rainforest Rooms . There are even adult-exclusive dining options. You don’t need to have kids to take a Disney Cruise — there’s plenty for adults to enjoy onboard !

Unique Dining

Most meals are included in the cost of your cruise and you’re never far from a snack throughout the day. There’s even free room service 24/7!

Disney is unique in that most non-alcoholic drinks are included in your fare — most other cruise lines require you to buy a separate drink package even for sodas. Alcohol and specialty drinks still cost extra on a Disney cruise.

Disney cruise ships feature a unique “ Rotational Dining ” concept in which you dine at a different restaurant each night but your servers travel along with you. You’ll have the same dining staff each night, so they’ll get to know you and your preferences. Some restaurants even feature live entertainment or character dining during your meal!

Themed Nights and Themed Cruises

Disney holds special themed nights on many of its cruises, going far beyond usual cruise line mainstays such as Formal Night.

For example, some Disney cruises have a Pirate Night where everyone dresses up as pirates, enjoys a special meal, and then heads up to the pool deck for a pirate-themed party.

Sometimes an entire Disney Cruise can be themed . One popular offering is the Halloween on the High Seas cruise, which includes a giant pumpkin tree in the ship atrium, costume parties, and trick-or-treating. Very Merrytime cruises bring the holidays onboard, with Christmas trees, gingerbread houses, and visits from Santa.

Family-Friendly Staterooms

Extra care was put into the design of your stateroom (your “hotel room” on the ship). You’ll find space-maximizing designs like hideaway bedding, under-bed storage space, and room dividers. Most stateroom bathrooms are in a split configuration that allows two people to get ready at the same time.

Water Rides and Pools

Most Disney ships have unique water coaster style attractions which propel you along on a raft or let you plunge down a steep drop. There are also plenty of pools and splash zones.

Broadway-Style Shows and Live Entertainment

Each night offers live entertainment, including Broadway-style shows featuring Disney characters. Some are stage adaptations of Disney films such as Frozen or Tangled , while others are entirely original. Admission is free — there are no assigned seats, so all you have to do is show up, sit wherever you like, and enjoy the show! Each show is presented twice nightly, so you won’t have to miss dinner.

Free Movies

Cinema buffs will enjoy the unlimited free movies onboard. No ticket needed — just drop in and catch the latest from Disney, Marvel, PIXAR, and LucasFilm! Should you be cruising during the release of a highly-anticipated Disney film, you’ll be treated to a Prem-EAR at Sea !

Navigate with the App

The convenient and free Disney Cruise Line Navigator app lets you count down to your trip and then chart your course onboard with planning tools, deck plans, daily schedules, and even a chat function to reach fellow cruisers.

Download the app before you get onboard and you can use it for free — just follow the on-screen instructions to avoid data charges. Separate Wi-Fi connectivity is sold onboard the ships should you desire to keep up with emails and social media.

A Cashless Experience Onboard

No need to carry your wallet everywhere — all your purchases onboard and at Castaway Cay (except for postage stamps) are conveniently charged right back to your room account. Just settle up at the end of your cruise.

Castaway Club

Cruisers are automatically enrolled in DCL’s loyalty program, the Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club . Starting with your second Disney Cruise, you’ll receive gifts in your stateroom, earlier booking windows for onboard activities, and other perks for being a repeat passenger.

💡 Key Takeaways for First Time Cruisers

✔️  The special magic of a Disney Cruise goes far beyond just seeing Disney characters

✔️  Disney offers kids, teens, and adults their own dedicated spaces, so families can have together time and alone time

✔️  Live entertainment is presented every night onboard, with three Broadway-style shows plus additional entertainment

✔️  Innovations like rotational dining and fireworks at sea offer an experience you won’t find on other cruise lines

✔️  Disney cruises include extras that other cruise lines may charge extra for

There’s So Much That Makes a Disney Cruise Special. Ready to Experience It All?

Cost of a Disney Cruise

Cost is obviously a major consideration for people considering a Disney Cruise. Let’s look into what’s included and how much you’ll pay.

What’s Included in the Cost

Cruises aren’t truly all-inclusive , but they’re close! Your cruise fare includes your stateroom, most meals (including room service), most non-alcoholic drinks, live entertainment, pools & water slides, most onboard activities, and taxes & fees.

You’ll need to pay extra for specialty dining, specialty drinks, off-ship activities, tips, and souvenirs, among other things. Getting to the ship (airfare, ground transport) and optional travel insurance is also extra.

Read More: What is Included on a Disney Cruise – and What Isn’t?

Cost of Disney Versus Other Cruise Lines

There’s no denying that Disney is one of the more expensive cruise lines . A similar cruise on another cruise line will almost always be cheaper than cruising with Disney.

• On the Disney Wish : $2,880
• On Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas : $2,370

You’ll have to decide if what you get when cruising with Disney is worth the additional expense . Disney Cruises may cost more when compared to Royal Caribbean , Princess , Norwegian , or Carnival , but many families still wouldn’t cruise with anyone else.

Cost of Disney Cruise Versus Disney World

Comparing the cost of a Disney Cruise to a Disney World vacation is a bit difficult, because there are so many variables and differences between the two. For example, Disney World requires theme park tickets while a Disney Cruise includes all meals.

• 4-Night Cruise to Nassau and Castaway Cay in Oceanview Stateroom: $4,902, meals included
• 4 Nights in Disney Moderate Resort Preferred Room, with Tickets: $4,241, meals extra

There are plenty of ways to make both options cheaper, and there are ways to make them both costlier. If you’re trying to decide between the two, reach out to a Disney travel agent who can run some comparisons for your situation.

Read More: Disney Cruise Versus Disney World

Cost Factors

Several factors contribute to the cost of a Disney Cruise:

Departure Port and Itinerary

It’s no surprise that a 4-night cruise will cost more than a 3-night cruise. More nights cost more money.

• 3-Night Cruise: $1,988+
• 4-Night Cruise: $2,554+

Destinations matter, too. Some ports are more expensive to visit than others and some itineraries are simply more popular and command higher prices.

• Western Caribbean Cruise: $3,372+
• Norwegian Fjords cruise: $5,423+

Stateroom Type and Location

The type of stateroom — and its location on the ship — affects the price paid. A “better” stateroom generally costs more.

• Inside (no view) stateroom: $2,564+
• Oceanview (window) stateroom: $2,780+

Who is Traveling

Cruise fares are per-person . The first two people in a stateroom always pay full price for the type of stateroom they’re staying in.

The remaining people pay a reduced rate based on their ages: adult (13+), child (3-12), and infant (2 or younger) . These rates usually don’t change much (if at all), no matter the type of stateroom.

• First two adults: $1,329 each
• 15-year-old: $759
• 7-year-old: $728
• 2-year-old: $401

Prices are based on double occupancy. Solo travelers should expect to pay almost as much as two adults would have paid.

• Total for Two Adults: $1,404+
• Total for One Adult: $1,178+

Time of Year

Cruises are typically more expensive during popular months — such as summer and spring break.

• In January 2024: $2,128+
• In April 2024: $4,810+

Other Factors

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. 2023 cruises and 2024 cruises are already bookable, and some 2025 cruises  are also accepting bookings.

Waiting to book may also mean that cheaper types of staterooms are booked, so only more-expensive categories are left. The best sail dates can even sell out, meaning you have to pick another.

And special events onboard the ship, such as Very Merrytime cruises and Halloween on the High Seas cruises may command higher prices.

Read More: How Much Is a Disney Cruise?

When calculating the cost of a Disney Cruise, don’t forget gratuities (tips). It is customary on a cruise to pay gratuities to dining room staff and stateroom hosts (housekeeping). These amounts are not included in your cruise fare.

On Disney Cruise Line, the standard gratuity rate is $14.50 per passenger, per night (plus a little more if you’re staying in a Concierge room). This will be automatically charged to your stateroom account at the end of the cruise unless you visit Guest Services to adjust the amount (or pre-pay it).

Tips for other crew, such as bartenders and porters, is at your discretion and separate from the standard gratuities described above.

Read More: How Does Tipping Work on a Disney Cruise

Onboard Credits

One way to make your cruise money go further is using an Onboard Credit , which is somewhat like a rebate.

Onboard Credits don’t directly reduce your cruise fare, but they act as money that can be used while onboard the ship to purchase things that cost extra — souvenirs, specialty dining, alcoholic beverages, and even gratuities for the crew.

Some travel agencies offer up to $1,000 in onboard credit for Disney Cruises. Most travel agencies don’t charge any planning fees to book cruises through them, so it truly is free money for those already planning a cruise.

Read More: Disney Cruise Onboard Credit

✔️  Basic expenses such as lodging, most food and non-alcoholic drinks, and most activities are included in the cruise fare

✔️  Disney cruises generally cost more than other cruise lines, due to being a premium experience

✔️  Prices are based in part on the type of cruise, type of room, time of year, and who is traveling

✔️  Booking early gives you the best chance at getting the room and sail date you want at the lowest price

✔️  Book through a travel agency to receive an Onboard Credit (money to use while onboard the ship)

Get a Personalized Price Quote and Onboard Credit

Cruise pricing can be confusing and it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Fortunately, you can get free help planning your Disney Cruise from the Disney experts at The Vacationeer !

Working with an Earmarked Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner  such as The Vacationeer is the best way for first-timers to plan a cruise .

You’ll have one, dedicated agent from start to finish — no giant call centers and waiting forever on hold! Your Vacationeer will answer your questions , share great advice , and help you find a cruise that fulfills your dreams and respects your budget .

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.

Best of all, they provide a generous Onboard Credit of up to $1,000 .

Their services are completely free , and there’s absolutely no obligation to book  when you contact them.

Departure Ports: Where to Start Your Disney Cruise

Disney Cruise Line sails from 19 departure ports around the world. If you want to take a Disney Cruise, you’ll need to get to one of these locations to board the ship.

Florida Departure Ports

• Port Canaveral, FL
• Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale), FL

Other U.S. Departure Ports

• Galveston, Texas
• Honolulu, Hawaii
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• New York, New York
• San Diego, California
• San Juan, Puerto Rico

International Departure Ports

• Auckland, New Zealand
• Barcelona, Spain
• Brisbane (Queensland), Australia
• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Dover, England
• Melbourne (Victoria), Australia
• Sydney (New South Wales), Australia
• Southampton, England
• Vancouver, Canada

It’s tempting to just book a Disney Cruise that starts close to home; but you might need to travel to a far-away port to get a certain type of cruise, your preferred time of year, or your preferred Disney Cruise ship.

For example, Disney’s Alaska cruises start only in Vancouver. Galveston hosts Disney ships during winter only, not summer ( Florida is the only state that hosts Disney cruises every month of the year) . And the popular new Disney Wish cruise ship sails only from Port Canaveral.

Port Canaveral — Disney’s Home Port

Port Canaveral, Florida is the Disney cruise departure port that’s closest to Walt Disney World, about 60-90 minutes away. It’s close enough that many people choose to bundle some time at Disney World with a Disney Cruise.

Multiple Disney Cruises sail from Port Canaveral each week, year-round. The port is so busy that Disney has its own private cruise terminal building there.

Port Everglades — Disney’s Second Home Port

Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida becomes a second year-round home port for Disney Cruise Line in late 2023. The Disney Dream will be the first Disney cruise ship assigned to there, starting November 2023. At least one more ship is expected to join by 2025, and Disney will likely build its own dedicated terminal there.

Getting to the Departure Port

Most people take flights to reach the city of their departure port. We strongly suggest you fly in a day early and spend the night at a hotel. This helps prevent missing your cruise due to a flight delay. (Your return flight home shouldn’t be too early, either, in case of port delays.)

Disney has agreements with hotels near each departure port; you can stay a night or two before/after your cruise and bundle the hotel reservation in with your cruise reservation. Of course, you can also stay at any hotel you like by booking separately.

Disney also sells ground transfers that will get you from select airports to the departure port, and to/from Disney Cruise Line’s approved hotels. Or, you can take a taxi, Uber, Lyft, or a shuttle.

If you’re driving yourself to the port, you’ll have to pay for extended parking onsite. Port parking prices are set by the Port Authority, not by Disney.

✔️  You’ll need to find a balance between a departure port that’s easy to get to — and one that hosts the kind of cruise you want to take

✔️  Some ports host Disney Cruise departures year-round. Others might only host a Disney ship for a short time each year.

✔️  It’s wise to fly in a day early so flight delays don’t cause you to miss the ship

✔️  You can add pre/post cruise hotel stays and ground transportation to your cruise reservation

Get One-on-One Help Planning Your Cruise

Disney Cruise Itineraries: Where the Ship Goes

A big part of booking your Disney Cruise is picking your itinerary — which ship you’re on, when/where the cruise begins, where it goes, and how long it lasts.

Picking a Cruise

You can choose short 2-night jaunts or longer cruises lasting up to two weeks. 3-, 4-, and 7-night itineraries are the most common.

As for where to travel, there are numerous possibilities. The most popular — Bahamas cruises and Caribbean cruises — are offered year-round.

Bahamas cruises are a perennial favorite

Other options are offered only at certain times. Alaska cruises happen in the summer to avoid the worst of the cold weather. And at least one Disney ship spends part of the year cruising in Europe .

It’s not just warm-weather destinations — sail through misty fjords on an Alaska cruise with Disney

Additional options include Hawaii cruises , Mexico, the Pacific Coast, Canada, Bermuda, the South Pacific, and New Zealand / Australia.

There are even a few one-way cruises, which start in one location and end in another. These include Transatlantic, Transpacific, and Panama Canal cruises.

Read More: Best Disney Cruise Line Itineraries

Ports-of-Call

There’s enough to do onboard the ship to keep you busy from breakfast to bedtime, but cruising is also a great way to experience other parts of the world. After all, where else but on a cruise does your hotel move to a different city each day?

Any time your ship visits a port-of-call (a stop during your cruise), you’ll be able to leave the ship for a few hours to go exploring. There’s no charge to leave the ship, but you’ll pay for any activities you do while you’re there.

Just be sure to make note of what time the ship will be leaving — you don’t want to be left behind!

Read More: Where Does the Disney Cruise Go?

Castaway Cay

Disney has its own private island in the Bahamas. Castaway Cay  is included as a stop on many Bahamas and Caribbean Cruises. The island is so popular among Disney Cruise passengers that a few cruises offer two stops at Castaway Cay.

Because Castaway Cay is Disney’s own island, you won’t be competing for beach space with passengers from another cruise line — Disney doesn’t even bring two of its own ships there on the same day.

Highlights include a family-friendly beach, an adults-only beach, a kids club, water slides, all-you-can-eat BBQ, and all types of water recreation. There’s lots to do and enjoy on the island!

Read More: Castaway Cay — Disney’s Private Island

Port Adventures

Although it’s free to leave the ship and explore on your own, you might choose to take a Port Adventure . This is a paid activity, usually organized by a tour operator who has an agreement with Disney. Some cruise lines call these shore excursions .

Port Adventures can be as simple as transportation and admission to a nearby tourist attraction, or as complex as a guided tour with special activities and a meal. Popular Bahamas and Caribbean Excursions include everything from dolphin interactions to Jamaica “Bobsled” rides.  Alaska cruise excursions allow you to ride the White Pass Railway through Yukon territory or take a helicopter flight to land on a glacier. Castle tours are popular excursions on European departures. Or explore volcanoes on a Hawaiian cruise excursion.

You can book similar experiences on your own, but there’s a huge benefit to booking Port Adventures through Disney: if your Disney-arranged tour runs late, they’ll hold the ship at the port — or pay for you to catch up to the ship at the next port!

Many itineraries include at least one Day at Sea. The ship won’t stop at any ports that day — you’ll just stay out on the open ocean. It’s a fantastic way to relax without feeling like you’re missing anything! Catch a free movie, watch a show, try a new restaurant, go swimming, or just order room service and stay in bed!

✔️ Your cruise will visit different ports, allowing you to exit the ship and experience a new area and culture.

✔️ Choose to visit the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, or many others.

✔️  You can explore on your own, or pay for prearranged activities called Port Adventures

✔️  Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, is a popular stop on many Bahamas and Caribbean Cruises

✔️  A Day at Sea lets you enjoy the ship without missing anything on shore

Need Help Picking an Itinerary? A Vacationeer can help!

Disney Cruise Ships

Image © Disney / Kent Phillips

Your Disney Cruise ship is almost like a floating city. Onboard, you’ll find hotel-style guest rooms, restaurants, nightclubs & lounges, theaters, shops, pools & water slides, and even a medical center.

Disney has five ships to choose from , with three more under construction. We’ve listed them here alphabetically.

Disney Dream

The Disney Dream was the third ship in the fleet, first sailing in 2011. It has 1,250 Guest Staterooms for 4,000 passengers and is similar in size to the Disney Fantasy . It is significantly larger than the Disney Magic .

Itineraries: Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Transatlantic

Departure Ports: Barcelona, Civitavecchia (Rome), Copenhagen, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, New York, San Juan, Southampton

Rotational Dining: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace

Adult-Exclusive Dining: Palo, Remy

Broadway-Style Shows: Beauty and the Beast, Disney’s Believe, The Golden Mickeys

Youth Clubs: Edge, “it’s a small world” nursery!, Oceaneer Club, Occeaneer Lab, Vibe

Oceaneer Club Features: Andy’s Room, Disney Infinity Game Room, Pixie Hollow, Star Wars – Millennium Falcon, Disney’s Once Upon a Time, Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends, Jedi Training – Experience the Force

Disney Fantasy

The Disney Fantasy was the fourth ship in the fleet, first sailing in 2012. It has 1,250 Guest Staterooms for 4,000 passengers and is similar in size to the Disney Dream .

Itineraries: Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean

Departure Ports: Port Canaveral

Rotational Dining: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court

Broadway-Style Shows: Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, Disney’s Believe, Frozen – A Musical Spectacular

Youth Clubs: Edge, “it’s a small world” nursery!, Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, Vibe

Oceaneer Club Features: Andy’s Room, Star Wars – Command Post, Marvel Super Hero Academy, Pixie Hollow, Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends, Woody’s Roundup, Doctor Strange – Defy the Dark Dimension

Disney Magic

The Disney Magic was the first ship in the fleet, first sailing in 1998. It has 877 Guest Staterooms for 2,713 passengers and is similar in size to the Disney Wonder .

Itineraries: Bahamas, Mexico, Panama Canal

Departure Ports: Galveston, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, San Juan

Rotational Dining: Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s, Rapunzel’s Royal Table

Adult-Exclusive Dining: Palo

Broadway-Style Shows: Disney Dreams – an Enchanted Classic, Tangled – The Musical, Twice Charmed – An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story

Oceaneer Club Features: Andy’s Room, Marvel Super Hero Academy, Disney Junior, Pixie Hollow, Thor Becoming Worthy, Puzzle Playtime with Mickey and Friends, Mickey and the Roadster Racers, Disney Royal Academy, Join the Lion Guard

Disney Wish

The Disney Wish was the fifth ship in the fleet, first sailing in 2022. It has 1,254 Guest Staterooms for 4,000 passengers.

Itineraries: Bahamas

Rotational Dining: 1923, Arendelle – A Frozen Dining Adventure, Worlds of Marvel

Adult-Exclusive Dining: Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, Palo Steakhouse

Broadway-Style Shows: Disney Seas the Adventure, Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular, The Little Mermaid

Youth Clubs: Edge, “it’s a small world” nursery!, Oceaneer Club, The Hideaway, Vibe

Oceaneer Club Features: Marvel Super Hero Academy, Star Wars – Cargo Bay, Fairytale Hall, Walt Disney Imagineering Lab, Mickey and Minnie Captain’s Deck.

Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder was the second ship in the fleet, first sailing in 1999. It has 877 Guest Staterooms for 2,713 passengers and is similar in size to the Disney Magic .

Itineraries: Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, Pacific Coast, South Pacific

Departure Ports: Auckland, Brisbane, Honolulu, Melbourne, San Diego, Sydney, Vancouver

Rotational Dining: Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place, Triton’s

Broadway-Style Shows: Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic, Frozen – A Musical Spectacular, The Golden Mickeys

Oceaneer Club Features: Andy’s Room, Marvel Super Hero Academy, Disney Junior, Frozen Adventures, Captain America’s Super Hero 101, Mickey’s Roadster Racers, Join the Lion Guard

Future Ships

Disney is building three more cruise ships , which will eventually bring the total fleet size to eight.

The Disney Treasure will become the sixth ship in the fleet in December 2024 and should be similar in size and design to the Disney Wish .

Disney has purchased the partially-constructed Global Dream and will convert it into the new Disney Adventure  by 2025. This ship will be based in Singapore for at least five years.

The Disney Destiny , an additional custom-built ship (similar to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure ), is also expected to join the fleet in 2025.

✔️  There are five Disney Cruise Ships to pick from, with more being built

✔️  Each ship offers different itineraries and leaves from different departure ports

✔️  The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are smaller ships, while the rest of the fleet is significantly larger

✔️  Each ship has unique elements not found anywhere else in the fleet

Ready to Book? Vacationeers are standing by!

Staterooms (Cabins)

Your stateroom is your “hotel room” on the ship. It’s your own private space to sleep and relax onboard. Disney designed its staterooms thoughtfully, with sensible layouts and extra storage space that’s perfect for families. You’ll have a stateroom host who provides daily housekeeping and a nightly turndown service.

What’s in a Stateroom?

Your stateroom includes these amenities and more:

• A traditional bed, usually queen-sized, designed to sleep two
• A sleeper sofa (plus a pull-down upper berth and/or Murphy bed in rooms holding 4-5 people)
• A private bathroom, usually in a split design which lets two people get ready at the same time
• A mini-fridge
• A television
• A desk or table
• Drawers, closets, and other storage space
• An in-room safe

Some staterooms even include (locking) internal doors that allow you to reach a neighboring room without going into the hallway — a great option if you’re sailing with extended family or as part of a group cruise .

Four Types of Staterooms

There are four main types of staterooms to pick from, and the price changes based on what you pick.

Inside Staterooms

Inside staterooms do not offer any direct outside view. These are the smallest and least expensive rooms onboard the ship.

An Inside Stateroom on the Disney Wish | Image © Disney

Oceanview Staterooms

Oceanview staterooms have at least one window, called a porthole, that lets you look out from your room. The window does not open.

The giant porthole featured in some oceanview staterooms on the Disney Dream | Image © Disney

Verandah Staterooms

Verandah staterooms have private balconies that let you step outside your room to enjoy the fresh ocean air.

A stateroom verandah onboard the Disney Magic | Image © Disney

Concierge Staterooms

Concierge staterooms are either oceanview or verandah, but add in additional perks and benefits . They may be a traditional room, a one- or two-bedroom suite, or even an astounding multi-story room. These are the costliest rooms onboard the ship.

The stunning Concierge Wish Tower Suite stateroom on the Disney Wish | Image © Disney

Picking Your Stateroom

To pick a stateroom for your cruise, you first need to select the Type of stateroom.

Next, you’ll pick a stateroom Category , which is based on room size, layout, and occupancy.

Then, you’ll pick a Subcategory , which is based mainly on location within the ship — forward (toward the front), midship (toward the middle), or aft (toward the back), and whether you want to be on an upper or lower deck.

Finally, you’ll pick the exact stateroom you’ll be staying in. This is one of the big ways that reserving a cruise stateroom differs from reserving a hotel room.

There are lots of things to consider when picking a stateroom. You’ll want to study the ship’s deck plans (or get help from a travel agent) to decide what’s best for you.

Read More: Best Staterooms on a Disney Cruise

✔️  A Stateroom is your private “hotel room” on the ship

✔️  There are different types of staterooms: Inside (no view), Oceanview (window), Verandah (balcony), and Concierge (window or balcony plus extra service)

✔️  Your choice of stateroom affects the cost of your cruise

✔️  You’re usually able to pick the exact stateroom you’ll stay in

Get Free Stateroom Advice from a Disney Cruise Expert

Because you pick your exact stateroom on a cruise, you’ll want to make sure you’re thinking of everything before choosing.

Get free guidance from The Vacationeer ! They’ll discuss costs , help you choose, and book your stateroom for you at no additional charge !

They’ll even give you a free Onboard Credit of up to $1,000 to use toward purchases on the ship!

You’re never under any obligation to book, so there’s no risk in contacting them!

Dining on Disney Cruises

If you go hungry on a cruise ship, you have only yourself to blame! There’s plenty of food available 24/7, most of which is already included in the cost of your cruise.

Dinner (Rotational Dining)

The nightly dinner service is a highlight for most Disney Cruisers. Each ship has different restaurants — some offer just a meal service while others add in live entertainment.

Oaken, Elsa, and Olaf toast Anna and Kristoff’s engagement at Arendelle – A Frozen Dining Adventure

Dinner when you cruise with Disney includes something called rotational dining . Passengers are pre-scheduled to visit a different restaurant each night of the cruise — no need to make separate reservations. The same servers travel with you to each restaurant; by the end of the cruise they’ll know you well enough to have your favorite drinks ready and remember how you like your steak.

When you make your cruise reservation, you’ll pick your dining time — either Main Dining (around 5:30 PM) or Second/Late Dining (around 8:15 PM). Want Second Dining but are concerned about the kids? Servers will expedite children’s meals if requested, and Oceaneer Club representatives come to the dining room to take the kids while the grownups continue eating.

You may be seated with another group ; if so, it will be the same people for the entire cruise. Some families love this because they can make new friends — but if you want to be seated at a private table with no other guests, ask your travel agent to note that request on your reservation.

Your dinner is already included in the cost of the cruise, so it’s a great way to try something different. Fearlessly order the escargot or pate — if you don’t like it, you can always get something else at no charge.

You’ll never know if you like Escargot unless you try it!

Even “complicated” foods like crab legs and lobster are served in a way that’s easy for novices to eat. Can’t decide between steak or chicken? Get both ! Your crew will happily serve you two entrees or bring three desserts.

There’s usually at least one optional dress-up night / formal night during dinner. If you don’t want to participate, you can always pick an alternate dinner option.

Breakfast, Lunch, and Alternate Dinners

Breakfast and Lunch onboard are less “rigid” than dinner. Each ship features a buffet-style restaurant where you don’t have to show up at a set time and can sit wherever you like.

Marceline Market on the Disney Wish

This same location also typically serves an “alternate” dinner if you’re just not that impressed by your assigned restaurant’s menu.

One of the usual dinner restaurants may also offer breakfast or lunch on some days of the cruise. These can be a more-relaxed meal than the often-lively buffet restaurant.

Adult-Exclusive Dining ($)

Each ship has at least one adult-exclusive restaurant which offers elegant meals for an additional fee. Reservations are required, and a dress code applies. Service is mainly at dinner, with an occasional brunch offering.

Lumiere leads the way to Enchanté, an adult-exclusive restaurant on the Disney Wish

Snacks can always be found on the pool deck — food windows offer up everything from chicken tenders to hot dogs to pizza to BBQ or Tex-Mex (offerings vary by ship). And there are free ice cream cones, too!

You don’t need to purchase a drink package if all you want is soda, milk, juice, or standard coffees/teas. They’re included at no additional charge — just fill up at one of the complimentary drink stations onboard the ship.

Specialty beverages (smoothies, iced coffees, etc.) and alcohol cost extra.

Room Service

Room service operates 24/7 and is included in the price of your cruise (but please tip the crew member who brings it to you).

The menu is relatively simple, but not sparse. You’ll find salads, soups, burgers, sandwiches, wings, fruit/cheese trays, cookies, and cake, among other offerings. Canned sodas and packaged candies are also offered, but cost extra.

You can get breakfast through room service, but it’s mainly pastries and cereals — no eggs, bacon, or oatmeal. Room service shuts down on the last night of the cruise, so you will not be able to get room service breakfast before you leave the ship at the end of the cruise.

Lounges and Bars ($)

There are plenty of lounges and bars on each ship. These can be simple places to get a drink, lively dance clubs, or highly themed experiences such as a Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge.

No wretched hive of scum and villainy here! Hyperspace Lounge offers amazing views.

Offerings vary by ship. Most drinks here cost extra, but you can purchase optional drink packages to help ease the cost.

Read More: Food on Disney Cruise Line

✔️  Most meals and non-alcoholic drinks are already included in your cost. Alcohol and specialty treats cost extra.

✔️  Breakfast and Lunch are casual meals with buffet-style service

✔️  You pick a dinner time when you book your cruise. You’re automatically assigned a different restaurant each night.

✔️  You have the same servers at each dinner

✔️  Youth Activities Counselors pick up children from Late Dining so parents can continue eating

✔️  You might be seated with other cruisers at dinner unless you request otherwise

✔️  Snacks, room service, and lounges fill in the gaps between meal times

Questions About Dining? Consult a Specialist

Requirements for Booking & Cruising

Booking and boarding a cruise is a bit more complex than booking and checking into a hotel.

What’s Needed to Book a Disney Cruise

When you’re ready to book a cruise, you’ll need to have some information handy.

First, you’ll need to know exactly which cruise you want to take .

You’ll also need to know who is traveling . “Guessing” now and modifying later can be complicated and costly.

For each passenger, you’ll need:

• Legal name (exactly as it appears on government-issued ID)
• Country of Citizenship
• Phone Number

Infant/Pregnancy Restrictions

Infants must be at least six months old on the day the cruise begins. For Transatlantic and Panama Canal cruises, the minimum age is 1 year old.

Passengers who enter their 24th week of pregnancy before or during their cruise may not sail.

Neither a doctor’s medical statement nor a waiver of liability will be accepted.

When do You Pay for Your Cruise?

You’ll usually only need to pay a deposit (typically 20%) when you book; you might even be able to hold a spot for 2 or 3 days before the deposit is due. Either way, once your deposit is paid, you can pay the balance on your own schedule . There is a final payment deadline and you won’t be able to book any onboard activities until you’ve paid in full.

If you need to modify or cancel, do so before cancellation penalties begin. Some last-minute bookings must be paid in full right away and have strict cancellation rules.

Requirements to Board a Disney Cruise

Cruising is a method of international travel. You’ll need to present proof of citizenship and proof of identification  to board.

Accepted Documents

Some cruises allow U.S. citizens to board with only a Government-issued photo ID and an official copy of a birth certificate . There are very specific requirements for this — check the information provided with your cruise booking.

The best option is to have a passport. If you have a mid-cruise emergency or miss the ship at a port-of-call, you will  need a passport to board a plane.

Read More: Do You Need a Passport for a Disney Cruise?

Boarding the Ship for the First Time

Ahead of your cruise, you’ll be able to do Online Check-In to complete and print important documents . By all means do so — it’s no fun doing paperwork at the terminal! You’ll also pick a port arrival time during this step.

You’re allowed to have both checked bags and carry-on bags . You’ll receive airline-style luggage tags in the mail prior to your cruise — put those on any bags you want to check at the port, then give the bags to a Porter at the terminal (don’t forget to tip) . Those bags won’t be delivered to your stateroom until later on the first night, so be sure your carry-on contains any medicines, sunscreen, swimsuits, etc. that you’ll need for the first afternoon and evening. I like to give those items their own section on my Disney Cruise packing list to make sure I don’t accidentally put anything important in the wrong bag.

Passengers and bags undergo security screening at the terminal , so don’t pack or bring any prohibited items . You’ll then head to a check-in counter for a quick security photo, basic health questionnaire, and other necessary info. Then you’ll wait until your boarding group is called.

Once you board the ship, you’ll be able to access most areas right away, but your stateroom may not be ready until mid-afternoon.

Exiting the Ship at the End of Your Cruise

On the last night of the cruise, you’ll have the option to have your checked bags picked up and delivered directly into the terminal.

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. You’ll be given new luggage tags to place on each bag. 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.

If you DO NOT have them pick up your luggage, you’ll be taking part in Express Walk Off . You will be responsible for getting all of your luggage off the ship with no help. You’ll need to leave the ship as soon as the Express Walk Off announcement is made, as early as 7:00 AM. Those doing Express Walk Off skip their scheduled breakfast on the last morning, though there are usually some pastries and coffee available somewhere on the ship.

Either way , you’ll need to clear Customs at the port after you exit the ship. You’ll receive a declaration form in your stateroom on the last night. Take some time to fill it out then — it’s no fun, but it’s even less fun to have to rush to do it the next morning.

If you’re not doing Express Walk Off, you’ll head to breakfast at the designated time and place. Then, you wait for the announcement that you’re clear to leave the ship, and off you go.

And that’s it! Your first cruise with Disney is sadly over – but it’s already time to start dreaming about the next one!

✔️  Make sure you’ve gathered all of the necessary information before you book your cruise

✔️  You usually only need to pay a deposit to book, with the remaining balance due later

✔️  Be prepared to provide photo ID and proof of citizenship to board

✔️  Consider getting a passport, even if your cruise doesn’t require one

How to Book Your First Disney Cruise

There are many ways to book a Disney Cruise , including directly through Disney Cruise Line’s website or phone number.

But for first time cruisers , you’ll get the best service and guidance by booking through an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner such as The Vacationeer.

Here’s why:

• Free help planning your Cruise — there’s no charge to book with The Vacationeer and they’ll walk you through every big decision
• The best prices — they know all the  ways to save , so you’ll never pay more than if you’d booked it yourself
• The best discounts — they can help with  Military discounts , Florida resident rates , and more
• One dedicated agent from start to finish — no huge call centers and no waiting on hold ( unlike major wholesalers )
• Expert advice from frequent cruisers — your agent knows the ships because they sail on them, too
• They’re First Cruise experts — Vacationeers book thousands of trips each year and specialize in helping first-timers
• Up to $1,000 to use onboard — get a free Onboard Credit for Port Adventures, gratuities, souvenirs, and more
• Land and Sea Specialists — Want to spend some time at Disney World, too? Your Vacationeer handles it all!

Related Posts:

How Much Does A Disney Wish Cruise Cost for 2023?

Sharing is caring!

Are you thinking of sailing on the Disney Wish but wondering how much it will cost?

The new Disney Wish is perhaps the most spectacular of all the Disney Cruise ships.

She is now sailing out of Port Canaveral Florida.

Here are the Disney Wish prices for 2023 – all the sailings have now been released and are available to book.

If you want to know what the Disney Wish cost is, here is our comprehensive guide!

If you want to know the costs for a 2022 Cruise on the Disney Wish go to this:

Disney Wish 2022 Costs Revealed

Disney Wish Cruise Costs – What You Must Know

When reading this guide about the price of the Disney Wish, make sure that you have these things in mind:

• The cost of a Disney Cruise can vary a lot from day to day. Usually, the lowest cost available, is on the first day that the cruise is able to be booked.
• Disney cruises rarely discount rates. It is true there are some last-minute bargains to be had, but this is the exception rather than the rule.
• Also with the Disney Wish being the first new ship in over a decade it is unlikely we are going to see any discount prices on the Wish for some considerable time.
• All prices shown are for 2 adults sharing a Disney Wish Stateroom.
• Prices are correct at the time of writing this article which was last updated on 9 March 2023.
• The prices shown are the lowest price available in that category. For example, it is likely that in the Disney Wish Concierge section it will be the verandah rooms shown. You aren’t going to get the Tower Suite for $5,000!

Many of these cruises have now sailed for 2023. I will keep the pricing in as a historical reminder of what the last known prices were for that sailing , but most show unavailable as they were sold out before they sailed.

Note that many sailings for the Wish for 2023 were completely sold out.

All pictures of the Wish Cruise ship are Disney Concept Art

W ant to See All the Disney Wish Restaurant Menus?

Disney wish 3 night bahamian cruise 2023.

• Port Canaveral, Florida
• Castaway Cay

Sailing on 1/6/23, 1/13/23, 1/20/23, 1/27/23, 2/3/23, 2/10/23, 2/17/21, 2/24/23, 3/3/23, 3/20/23, 3/17/23, 3/24/23, 3/31/23, 4/7/23, 4/14/23, 4/21/23, 4/28/23, 5/5/23, 5/12/23, 5/19/23, 5/26/23

Disney Wish 4 Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral

• Nassau, Bahamas

Disney Wish Tips and Secrets

I have so many tips and guides to the Disney Wish to share with you!

We have all been waiting so long for this new Disney Cruise Ship.

It is over a decade since the last Disney Cruise ship launched – so the excitement has been building for a long time for the new Disney Wish.

Here you can see the Disney Wish Restaurant Menus including Enchante and Palo.

One of the most exciting new features is the Disney Hyperspace Lounge Bar .

Here is a guide to the Disney Wish Staterooms including where you will find the very best Disney Wish Inside Staterooms.

Check back often as we are adding new articles and information all the time!

Will you be sailing on the Disney Wish Cruise Ship ? Were you surprised at the Disney Wish cost?

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Disney Cruise Mom Blog

I am a mom who loves all things Disney, but especially Disney Cruises! I enjoy sharing everything I have learned and hope that it will help others plan their own vacations.

Disney Dream Room 12520

August 18, 2017 by Disney Cruise Mom 4 Comments

This is Disney Dream stateroom 12520  which is a category 02B Concierge One Bedroom Suite with Verandah.  It is towards the front of the ship on the starboard side, right next to the forward elevators, and connects to room 12518 next door, which is a category 03A Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah.  It sleeps 5 people.  These photos were taken in August 2017.

This reader was celebrating their 15th anniversary, so their stateroom host made them this:

Check out the TV in the bathroom mirror:

This room has an amazing view of Castaway Cay:

They could also see the fireworks from their verandah:

A view of the bar in the concierge lounge:

This is the concierge sundeck:

A huge thanks to Audrey for sending me these photos! If you have photos of a stateroom that you would like to share, please email them to me at [email protected].

You can see my other stateroom reviews here .

As always, don’t forget to like me on Facebook ( click here ) and follow me on Pinterest ( click here ) for all of the latest Disney Cruise Mom Blog updates!

June 5, 2019 at 7:24 pm

I was wondering if u have a review of the Disney Dream Royal Suite? I have it booked for August ‘19 for my gf’s & mine 2nd year anniversary. Just wondering so I could get more info or if not I could give you my pics & review when we go lol. Your site has been very helpful so far, thanks!

June 6, 2019 at 12:14 pm

Hi Jesse! I don’t have a review of the Royal Suites but would love for you to send me some photos so that I could add it to my collection!

July 8, 2019 at 10:09 am

Do you have any photos of how the rooms connect? The 1-bedroom and the family concierge? We just booked those and are trying to get an idea of what to expect. Also, I have heard that connecting rooms can also have the divider on the verandas pulled back, do you know if this is true?

July 8, 2019 at 11:20 am

Hi Catherine! Yes, the divider can be removed between the 2 verandas, but ask your room host to do it as I think they need a special tool. The connecting door between the 2 rooms is on the wall in the living room. If you look at the photo with the 2 kids standing next to the pole (the boy is holding a strawberry), you can see the connecting door in the background, between the TV and the wooden cabinet (which holds the murphy bed). I hope this helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

To view the Disney Cruise Mom Blog privacy policy, click here .

©Disney Cruise Mom Blog 2020. All Rights Reserved. Disneycruisemomblog does not claim to represent, is not affiliated with, endorsed by or officially connected with Magical Cruise Company, Limited, dba Disney Cruise Line, or their parent company, The Walt Disney Company.

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Sweepstakes
• It List 2024 Overview: It List 2024
• The 100 Best New Hotels of the Year
• The Best New U.S. Resorts of 2023
• The Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels of 2023
• The Best New International Resorts of 2023

The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023

• The Best New City Hotels of 2023
• The Most Luxurious New Hotels of 2023
• Hotels + Resorts
• It List 2024 The 100 Best New Hotels of the Year The Best New U.S. Resorts of 2023 The Best New Affordable Luxury Hotels of 2023 The Best New International Resorts of 2023 The Best New Cruise Ships of 2023 The Best New City Hotels of 2023 The Most Luxurious New Hotels of 2023 CLOSE Part of It List 2024

Travel + Leisure’s 2024 It List.

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Elizabeth Rhodes/Travel + Leisure

For the first time, we’re spotlighting new cruise ships on Travel + Leisure ’s It List, as these exceptional vessels become more and more like floating resorts — celebrity chefs, crystal chandeliers, and Rolex boutiques included.

Explora Journeys’ Explora I

Paul Brady/Travel + Leisure

It’s not every day a new cruise line arrives. The debut of the remarkable Explora I was a moment years in the making for Explora Journeys , the upstart luxury operator that aims to bring a European sensibility to the world of vacations at sea. So far, the project is a smashing success, thanks to the ship’s low-key vibe, standout food and beverage, and intriguing itineraries that visit in-demand ports in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. My own August 2023 trip on Explora I , from Copenhagen to Hamburg, Germany, included fulfilling visits to places such as Oslo and the town of Stavanger, Norway, a gateway to adventurous hiking with a postcard-perfect Old Town. The ship itself was also a destination, with its abundance of outdoor space — including an alfresco fitness center — and pools at seemingly every turn. The 461 suites, all of them with balconies, are filled with luxurious touches such as Frette linens and robes, heated marble floors, and Dyson hair dryers. But Explora I truly shines when it comes to food: During the week I was aboard, it was impossible to find a bad meal — and I was often astonished at the quality of, in particular, the pasta served in the Emporium Marketplace and the sushi on offer at Sakura, two of the nine restaurants aboard. The most ambitious of them all is Anthology, a rotating-chef concept that has seen a residency from seafood whiz Mario Ulaissi, known for his Michelin three-starred restaurant on Italy's Adriatic coast, and that recently welcomed Emma Bengtsson, from Aquavit , in New York City. Much has been made of Explora I ’s Rolex boutique — the first on any cruise ship — but for my money, the other shops on board were more interesting: The company has tapped family-owned businesses around the world to create capsule collections of resort wear, handbags, fragrances, sunglasses, and beautiful gifts that can’t be found elsewhere. From $2,050 per person for a six-day sailing. Accessible ship. — Paul Brady

Oceania Cruises’ Vista

Nick Tortajada/Courtesy of Oceania Cruises

The new Oceania Vista is in a class of its own; no really, it’s the first in Oceania Cruises ’ new Allura class. Of its 11 bars and restaurants, three are entirely new to the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings–owned brand — including a high-end cocktail spot called Founders’ Bar, serving 26 intricate drinks that use house-made syrups and top-shelf booze like Whistle Pig and parsley-infused Grey Goose. As Oceania levels up, the cruise line has produced a ship that feels more like a floating resort than the vessels that came before. There’s pickleball; a health-conscious restaurant, Aquamar, serving made-to-order salads and pressed juices; and a coffee shop that looks like one in walking distance of my home in L.A. (marble counters, gold accents, leather bar stools) and pulls an espresso shot of similar quality. Vista has more suites than others in the Oceania fleet, too: There are 14 Oceania Suites (up to 1,200 square feet); eight Vista Suites (up to 1,850 square feet); and three Owner’s Suites with Ralph Lauren Home decor and two massive terraces (2,400 square feet). But the most hotel-like touch? A celebrity chef–driven restaurant, Toscana, where Giada De Laurentiis — the ship’s godmother — supplied two recipes for the menu. As someone who watched a lot of Everyday Italian in the early aughts, I was particularly excited to try her signature, Capri-inspired lemon spaghetti, and lemon-cream sauce with grilled shrimp and capers didn’t disappoint. From $2,499 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Maya Kachroo-Levine

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas Grandeur

Courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ sixth ship, the Seven Seas Grandeur , sailed its inaugural season in December, joining sibling ships Seven Seas Explorer and Seven Seas Splendor as the newest member of the luxury fleet. The cruise line is a favorite among T+L readers for its gorgeous ships and all-inclusive pricing that covers unlimited shore excursions, dining at specialty restaurants, and even round-trip airfare. Grandeur lives up to its name thanks to stunning, art-filled spaces designed by cruise ship interior experts Studio Dado: signature restaurant Compass Rose is enchanting with interiors inspired by a fairy-tale forest; the Observation Lounge sparkles with an undulating chandelier and swanky bar; and the $11,000-per-night Regent Suite has a private en suite spa and custom Treesse mini pool. As I boarded Grandeur for the ship’s inaugural sailing, I was mesmerized by the grand staircase and glittering chandelier. And with a maximum capacity of 744 guests, I found it easy to take time to myself in the myriad of quiet spots tucked throughout the ship, whether in the Serene Spa and Wellness area, in the Library, or on the Sports Deck overlooking the ocean. Seven restaurants include specialty steakhouse Prime 7, pan-Asian restaurant Pacific Rim, and breakfast and lunch buffet La Veranda, which refines the cruise buffet experience with daily specials like paella and sushi. Several bars and lounges, a pool and hot tubs, a casino, Broadway-style productions, and cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Kitchen make the ship a destination in itself, though guests will want to take advantage of those included excursions on Caribbean, Central American, North American, and European itineraries, ranging from seven to 16 nights, during the ship’s 2024 season. From $4,669 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — Elizabeth Rhodes

Silversea’s Silver Nova

Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Carrying 728 passengers, Silver Nova is big for the luxury sector, but boasts a hugely important metric: a capacious passenger space ratio — that is, the number of guests relative to the size of the ship. Simply put, this ship offers more elbow room per passenger than almost any other cruise vessel. Silver Nova is wrapped in glass, with an asymmetrical layout; the funnel is positioned off-center, so is the pool, offering an expansive, uncluttered pool deck. Many features of the brand-new ship recall previous Silversea successes, my favorite of which is the S.A.L.T. (Sea And Land Taste) program, expanded for Silver Nova . S.A.L.T. perks include a gorgeous, sea-facing lab for hands-on culinary lessons (at no additional cost), plus a new concept, the Chef’s Table, where an 11-course menu is prepared for just 24 diners. All facets of the S.A.L.T. ecosystem, including ingredients, a bar, lectures, and shore excursions, are keyed to the region Nova is sailing. While food is a drawing card for Silver Nova , accommodations also received a revamp. Tied to the theme of bringing the outside in, there are brilliant new suites found in the aft starboard corner of the ship, with wraparound balconies revealing a 270-degree view.  This is where you can tuck me in when I win the lottery and head off on a world cruise. But until then, Silver Nova will summer in Alaska and spend northern hemisphere winters in Australia and New Zealand, places where top-deck views should prove ceaselessly rewarding. From $3,250 per person for a seven-night sailing. Accessible ship. — David Swanson

It List 2024

• Help Center
• 1-866-921-7925

Start Searching

• Packages  
• Hotels  
• Cruises  
• Rental Cars  

* Indicates required fields

Rental Period:

pickUpDate - dropOffDate

Pick-Up: pickUpTime - Drop-Off: dropOffTime

Pick-Up Location:

pickUpAddress

pickUpAgencyName

pickUpAgencyAddress

Drop-Off Location:

Same as Pick-Up Location

dropOffAddress

dropOffAgencyName

dropOffAgencyAddress

Coupon Override

Please call.

For drivers under the age of 25, additional fees and/or restrictions may apply.

For information and assistance in completing your reservation, please call:

We're unable to find your location.

Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Disney Cruise Line

Family-friendly fun, experience magic with disney cruise line.

• Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Take to the seas with Disney Cruise Line for a magical adventure.

Venture forth with Disney Cruise Line to faraway lands. Visit the sunny Caribbean, home to the famous Jack Sparrow, or head off to the fairy tale lands of Europe to visit Elsa and Anna. Disney effortlessly blends family friendly with elegance for an extraordinary experience. Let the kids take full advantage of Disney’s Oceaneer Club while the adults enjoy the tranquil spa. Try to see if you can spot all the hidden Mickeys onboard, and don’t be surprised if some of your favorite characters show up to help. Plus, receive a Digital Costco Shop Card, courtesy of Costco Travel, with every sailing.

Featured Deals

Disney treasure.

Disney Cruise Line Maiden Voyage Winter 2024 Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Discover Disney Dream

Disney Cruise Line Europe with the Magic of Disney Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Experience Disney Fantasy

Disney Cruise Line One-of-a-Kind Venues and Experiences Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Summer 2025 Vacation Wishes, Granted

Disney Cruise Line Summer 2025 Itineraries Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

2025 Itineraries

Disney Cruise Line Bahamas, Caribbean, Hawaii and More Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

2024 Itineraries

Disney Cruise Line Return to Favorite Destinations in 2024 Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Disney's Specialty Themed Cruises

Disney Cruise Line Pixar and Marvel Day at Sea Itineraries Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Alaskan Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Round-Trip Vancouver 7-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Wonder Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Eastern Caribbean Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Round-Trip Port Canaveral 7-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Fantasy Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

Spain Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Round-Trip Southampton 5-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Dream Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

France Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Round-Trip Southampton 4-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Dream Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

British Isles Cruise

Disney Cruise Line Round-Trip Southampton 7-Night Cruise Aboard Disney Dream Digital Costco Shop Card Courtesy of Costco Travel

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

Explore Disney Cruise Line Ships

Disney Dream

Costco member reviews.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

As can be expected from Disney, the Disney Dream was specially designed with families in mind, combining sleek style and convenient facilities with splashes of magic and cruise-industry firsts—like the splashtacular AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea.

Disney Fantasy

Building on the classic style of her sister ships, the Disney Fantasy is the fourth cruise liner in the Disney Cruise Line fleet. This ship features the same attention to detail that Disney is known for, while introducing new and immersive, one-of-a-kind venues and experiences for everyone in the family.

Disney Magic

Disney Magic pays homage to the timeless style of the past while embracing the contemporary. Experience Disney's traditions of extraordinary family entertainment and superb service while you ride the waves.

Set your compass toward the Disney Treasure, the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, where the spirit of adventure meets the daring tales of classic Disney films and Disney park attractions—sailing 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries beginning December 2024.

Disney Wish

Set sail aboard the Disney Wish—Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship sailing to the Caribbean and The Bahamas. On board, there’s enchantment everywhere you turn, where fantastical worlds and beloved characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars are brought to life in new and amazing ways for everyone in the family.

Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder pays homage to the timeless style of the past while embracing the contemporary. Experience Disney's traditions of extraordinary family entertainment and superb service while you ride the waves.

Explore by Cruise Line

Explore more travel, there's still time to book summer travel.

Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean and More

Included Extras or Digital Costco Shop Card

Luxury Cruises

Sail in Style and Comfort

Ultimate Lavish Vacation Experience

Save on Rental Cars

Exclusive Costco Member Pricing

No Cancellation Fees

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

We are processing your payment.

Do not refresh your browser or exit this page.

No kidding: These 12 cruises are the perfect multigenerational family vacation option

T he launch of Disney Cruise Line in 1998 was a game changer for family cruises. Now in its third decade of operation, Disney Cruise Line consistently tops the list of best cruise lines for families. And its newest ship (for now), Disney Wish , is unquestionably one of the best cruise ships for kids ever made. But Disney isn't the only major player in the family cruising space. 

A host of other cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises , Princess , Norwegian , MSC , and Royal Caribbean , have helped usher in a new era of family vacations on cruise ships with amenities like kids clubs, water parks, stage shows, theatrical dining experiences, reduced fares for young children, and even kids sail free deals . And because the best cruise ships for kids are also great for grownups , you have plenty of options when it comes to the best family cruises. 

NO HIDDEN FEES: 7 best all-inclusive cruise lines in the world

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

1. Disney Wish

Disney Cruise Line

The sheer volume of onboard entertainment options for families on Disney Cruise Line's newest ship, Disney Wish , takes things to a whole new level. From action-packed dinner-and-a-show experiences like Worlds of Marvel and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure to the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge , and Incredibles-themed inflatable obstacle course , you'll never run out of things to do. 

BIG SAVINGS: Kids sail free: 7 cruise lines with kids cruise free deals this year

Sailings on the Disney Wish also include a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay , which is always a highlight of any family cruise. Castaway Cay’s family beach is a great place for swimming, and you can rent bikes, kayaks, and snorkeling gear to see colorful tropical fish and perhaps even a sea turtle munching on seagrass.

2. Disney Magic

While every ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet has a claim to be among the best family cruises, the original DCL family cruise ship deserves a special mention: Disney Magic is the ship that launched Disney Cruise Line in 1998, and with DCL's constant improvements and upkeep, the ship doesn’t feel outdated at all. Pirates, princesses, superheroes, and a thrilling water slide with a three-story drop are just a few of the fun features that make this a kid-favorite ship on one of the best cruise lines for families. In 2013, Disney added the AquaDunk high-speed thrill slide and Marvel Avengers Academy kids club. In 2018, a Tangled dinner theater restaurant made its debut. 

WATER WORLDS: 50 best cruise ship water parks for kids and tweens

As one of the smaller ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, Disney Magic can be a less overwhelming experience for younger kids and first-time cruisers, especially given the trend among family cruises to be bigger and louder with every new ship. (The fabulous Disney Wonder is similarly sized.) But there's more than one reason to consider a Disney Magic voyage in 2024. This year, the ship will be the first to sail to Disney Cruise Line’s newest private island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point , in the Bahamas.

3. Disney Treasure

Making its debut in December 2024, Disney Cruise Line's sixth ship will be called Disney Treasure and it will be the ship for fans of the Disney theme parks. Venues inspired by classic attractions such as the Haunted Mansion, Jungle Cruise, and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea are among the highlights to look forward to when the ship sets sail. The sister ship of Disney Wish will also have a high-tech Worlds of Marvel dinner show and a theater-in-the-round dining experience, this time themed to Pixar’s Coco. 

CAPTAIN MICKEY: 7 best Disney cruises for families in 2024  

Disney Treasure will also feature a brand-new original Broadway-style production called "Disney The Tale of Moana" in the Walt Disney Theatre. Other shows performed on board will include "Beauty and the Beast" and "Disney Seas the Adventure." Best of all, Disney Treasure will sail seven-night itineraries to both the Eastern Caribbean and Western Caribbean. That means you can enjoy two distinct dinner shows in the Worlds of Marvel and Plaza de Coco restaurants, and all of the Broadway-style shows on stage during one family cruise. 

4. Icon of the Seas

Royal Caribbean

A brand-new class of ship is heading to North America in 2024, and it starts with Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas in January. Among the many firsts for Icon of the Seas is the AquaDome, the largest glass and steel structure on any cruise ship, seven pools, six record-breaking waterslides, eight separate neighborhoods, 40 ways to drink and dine, four stages, and a three-level ultimate family townhouse. The innovative AquaDome is a peaceful oasis during the day and a vibrant hotspot at night with a 55-foot-tall water curtain and AquaTheater that debuts performances with divers, skateboarders, and robots. 

FAMILY CRUISES: 5 best cruise ships to entertain your teen  

Thrill-seekers will love Category 6, the largest waterpark at sea with six waterslides. There's also the Crown’s Edge, which is part skywalk, part ropes course, and 100 percent thrill ride where you can dangle 154 feet above the ocean. And, of course, you'll also find the Royal Caribbean staple FlowRider surf simulator and the Lost Dunes mini golf course. Those looking to take it easy should head to Chill Island, which features four pools spread over three decks with sweeping ocean views.

Fans of Royal Caribbean will enjoy the Royal Promenade with 15 restaurants, bars, and lounges; Central Park's open-air neighborhood filled with live plants and trees; and Surfside, the first neighborhood designed specifically for young families. The ship's seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean family cruises all stop at Perfect Day at CocoCay , the line’s award-winning private island. Families will find an array of activities on Perfect Day at CocoCay, such as its beaches and freshwater pool (included) and an expansive water park and zip line (available for an extra charge).

5. Wonder of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Oasis-class ships debuted in early 2022 and instantly ignited buzz that they might be the most kid-friendly cruise ships in the entire world. At 1,188 feet long and 18 decks tall, there's plenty of room for families to spread out and find entertainment onboard the Wonder of the Seas . Two dedicated private teen spaces onboard make vacationing with teenagers a little easier. In fact, teens aged 16 and up can even enjoy a massive teens-only hot tub that literally protrudes over the edge of the ship on Wonder of the Seas' deck 15. 

SCENIC VOYAGES: Everything you need to know about river cruises in the USA

Grade school kids and even the littlest ones have it pretty great, too. For big kids, there’s an enormous multiple-deck play area called Wonder Playscape . For the youngest passengers, there's the Adventure Ocean play area full of soft toys and games for toddlers. And a playground with climbing equipment gives them a space to work off their energy. Wonder of the Seas also has the most amazing family suites around. They come complete with two levels of space, an in-suite slide, table tennis, and plenty of room for the whole family.

6. Oasis of the Seas

When it launched in 2009, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas was the largest ship in the world, accommodating more than 5,500 passengers per voyage and cementing the line's place among the best cruise lines for families. After a reimagining 10 years later, Oasis of the Seas is still a popular option for family cruises in 2024 with its Caribbean-inspired pool deck, rock climbing walls, and Perfect Storm trio of multistory waterslides. Among the many reasons that make Royal Caribbean one of the best cruise lines for families is that its Symphony of the Seas builds upon the strengths of the line’s other Oasis Class ships. 

7. Norwegian Viva

Norwegian Cruise Line

What makes Norwegian one of the best cruise lines for families? For one thing, you’ll never hear "I’m bored" from kids. And with its three-story race track, two escape rooms, The Rush and The Drop dry slides, The Wave waterslide, immersive virtual reality games, Topgolf simulator, mini golf, waterpark, splash ground, and kids’ clubs, your family’s biggest problem on the Norwegian Viva might just be deciding how to balance all the activities with quiet relaxation. 

GO ALL IN: These 6 cruise lines offer the best themed cruises

The Norwegian Viva arrived in North America in December 2023 and offers Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early 2024 before heading to Europe through November. The ship's Observation Lounge has panoramic 180-degree views to soak in the scenery or take Insta-worthy photos on Oceanwalk’s glass walkway. After playing the day away in port or on the ship, your family can enjoy dinner followed by a live performance of Beetlejuice: The Musical, based on the cult-classic Tim Burton film.

8. Carnival Panorama

Carnival Cruise Line

One of Carnival Cruise Line ’s newer ships, the Carnival Panorama 's many kid-friendly features have already made it one of the best cruises for families. The Panorama has supervised kids programs in three different age categories, a massive aqua park, the popular SkyRide aerial attraction, SkyCourse ropes course, and the first SkyZone trampoline park at sea. 

DON'T OVERPAY: How to save money on a Carnival Cruise (with or without kids)

In addition, Carnival's exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises provides "Seuss at Sea" experiences on family cruise vacations, such as Dr. Seuss Bookville, Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, and the Seuss-a-palooza Parade. Based in Los Angeles, Carnival Panorama sails week-long round-trip cruises to the Mexican Riviera in 2024.

9. Caribbean Princess

Princess Cruises

Made famous by the classic '80s TV series "The Love Boat," Princess Cruises now hosts more than two million passengers each year. Kid-friendly Caribbean Princess underwent an extensive renovation in 2017 that boosted its family offerings to include Camp Discovery Youth and Teen Center, HD Movies Under the Stars, and the Reef Family Splash Zone (the line's first splash zone at sea). 

MOVIES UNDER THE STARS: 11 best outdoor movie screens for your backyard staycation

Caribbean Princess will be 20 years old in 2024, but another extensive drydock refurbishment in 2022 has kept the ship from feeling dated. Other features that earn the Caribbean Princess a spot on my list of best family cruises include its partnership with Discovery Inc. for "Discovery at SEA" activities, which feature Animal Planet and Discovery Channel programming, the Stanley the Bear experience, and JrChef@Sea cooking classes. In summer 2024, Caribbean Princess heads to Southampton for a series of European cruises before heading back to Florida.

10. MSC Meraviglia

Unless you're a hardcore cruise family, MSC Cruises might be the largest cruise line you’ve never heard of. One of the leading cruise lines in Europe, South America, and other parts of the world, MSC is working hard to get a foothold in North America by offering great deals on family cruises. These include kids ages 18 and under sailing free on select departures , and young children ages two and under always sailing free. 

FIRST-TIMERS: 19 things to know before your first cruise with kids  

Family-friendly MSC Meraviglia launched in 2017 and it features seven different kids’ clubs for children from babies to age 17. Teens have their own space with a cinema, game room, and live stage. And Meraviglia’s Polar Aquapark has three different waterslides, including a high-speed “champagne flute,” that easily make it one of the best cruises for families. Families can play together in the vast entertainment area that includes an MSC Formula One Racing Simulator, a full-sized bowling alley with two lanes, an interactive XD cinema, a flight simulator, and a video games arcade. There’s also a Sportsplex facility for basketball, tennis, squash, volleyball, pickleball, mini golf, and five-a-side soccer.

11. MSC Seascape

MSC Cruises

The U.S. flagship of the MSC Cruises brand, MSC Seascape was designed with families in mind and offers plenty of options for onboard entertainment. The cruise line's partnership with LEGO includes a DUPLO room for children ages three to six and a second LEGO room for kids ages seven to 11 with the opportunity to earn a LEGO Master Builder certificate. Teens have three different themed areas to engage with their peers. 

BRING THE LITTLE ONES: 10 toddler-friendly vacations that are just as much fun for parents  

You have to check out Robotron on these family cruises. Robotron is a robotic arm ride that sends you 173 feet above the sea, giving you a unique 360-degree view as you're moved in different directions and flipped upside down. At night, Robotron offers a personalized DJ experience where you can curate your musical journey with colors and music preferences. 

MSC Seascape sails from Miami on the Bahamas and Caribbean family cruises, including a visit to MSC Cruises' private Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Ocean Cay features two miles of white sand beaches and a variety of family-friendly activities such as snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming. Some family cruises dock overnight at Ocean Cay, allowing you to watch the spectacular Lighthouse light show.

12. Celebrity Equinox

Celebrity Cruises

An upscale cruise line with prices to match, Celebrity Cruises appeals to families with older children or multigenerational groups looking for luxurious family cruises. Celebrity Equinox is not the newest ship in the line (its inaugural sailing was in 2009), but this kid-friendly cruise ship received an extensive overhaul as part of the "Celebrity Revolution" in 2019 and continues to impress with its family cruises in 2024. 

COUPLES CRUISES: 7 best cruise lines for couples (and their most romantic voyages)  

Celebrity's Camp at Sea kids' program offers a diverse and constantly changing series of activities so that it’s "never the same camp twice." And Celebrity Equinox partners with Miami’s Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science to offer STEM programming on topics such as the importance of plankton to the Earth’s oceans. Other kid-friendly activities on Celebrity’s family cruises include hot glass blowing classes and demonstrations, as well as lawn games such as croquet and bocce on the real grass of the Lawn Club.

7 great cruise lines for families (and their 12 most kid-friendly ships) originally appeared on FamilyVacationist.com .

More from FamilyVacationist:

• 13 cheap family vacations that are super fun
• 50 best family vacation ideas for all ages
• 25 best family vacation spots in the U.S.

FamilyVacationist.com and TourScoop.com are owned and operated by Vacationist Media LLC. FamilyVacationist covers family vacation ideas ; family vacation spots ; all-inclusive family resorts ; and must-have travel accessories for families. TourScoop covers guided group tours and tour operators , tour operator reviews , tour itinerary reviews and travel gear recommendations . The views and opinions expressed in this column are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect those of USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: No kidding: These 12 cruises are the perfect multigenerational family vacation option

Travel | Royal Caribbean breaks ground on Nassau beach club

Share this:.

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on X (Opens in new window)

Daily e-Edition

Evening e-Edition

• Entertainment
• Theater and Arts
• Things to Do
• Restaurants, Food & Drink

Breaking News

Travel | madeline soto: stephan sterns charged with first-degree murder, things to do, subscriber only.

Royal Beach Club Paradise Island is a 17-acre development in Nassau, The Bahamas set to open in 2025. (Courtesy/Royal Caribbean)

Bahamas government and Royal Caribbean executives break ground during a cermony for the Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in Nassau set to open in 2025. From left to right: Phylicia Woods-Hanna, director of investments of The Bahamas; Jay Schneider, Chief Product Innovation Officer, Royal Caribbean International; Dr. Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness of The Bahamas; Jason Liberty, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group; Philip Davis, prime minister of The Bahamas; Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International; I. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation of The Bahamas; JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport of The Bahamas; Philip Simon Jr., president and general manager, Royal Beach Club and Royal Caribbean International Bahamas; and Russell Benford, vice president of government relations – Americas, Royal Caribbean Group. (Courtesy/Royal Caribbean)

Royal Caribbean and the government of the Bahamas broke ground Monday on the joint venture to develop a strip of land in the cruise port of Nassau called Paradise Island.

The government in 2023 gave the OK for the cruise line to develop a 17-acre portion into what will be called Royal Beach Club Paradise Island when it opens in 2025. Cruise line executives and government officials, including Prime Minister Philip Davis, grabbed shovels along the white sandy beaches with turquoise water in the background.

“With the signing of the deal [for] Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, we embark on this project to further enhance the vitality of our tourism product,” Davis said. “Signing today’s agreement, we add another world-class experience to our tourism offerings. And even more importantly, we take a bold step toward greater Bahamian empowerment in the tourism industry.”

The site is on the western edge of the strip of land that runs alongside the waterway through which ships brought nearly 4.5 million passengers in 2023, making Nassau the world’s busiest cruise port of call.

Royal Caribbean’s site expects about 2,000 visitors a day. They will be ferried over from the port but then return by land going through downtown Nassau.

It’s the first site for the smaller-sized beach club private destination Royal Caribbean plans to build out as opposed to its private island and resort destinations such as Perfect Day at Coco Cay in the Bahamas and Labadee on Haiti’s northern coast.

The Paradise Island spot will play up Bahamian culture alongside traditional offerings such as the beach, cabanas, four food and drink venues and three pools with swim-up bars. The site is being designed by a Bahamian architectural firm, and will give space for local artisan work for sale and live local music.

The project is a public-private partnership under which Bahamians are invited to own up to 49% of it. The plan is for locals to manage the experiences offered at the resort.

The cruise line will own 13 acres of the property while 4 acres go to Crown Land, which is a territorial area owned by the state. The cruise line will also pay a new tourism levy in exchange for the development.

“Marking more than the beginning of the construction process, today’s groundbreaking event symbolizes partnership, momentum and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community,” said Jason Liberty, the cruise line parent company Royal Caribbean Group’s President and CEO. “We are grateful to our partners for their support, especially the Bahamian government, who stand with us here today in celebration of what is to come.”

The additional attraction to the port augments a $300 million overhaul of the Nassau Cruise Port that had its grand opening last year.

Already the port has expanded its capacity to six ships, including the ability to dock three of the massive Oasis-class ships from Royal Caribbean at once.

The revamp includes a new terminal building, Junkanoo museum, 3,500-person amphitheater, living coral exhibit plus more entertainment, food, beverage and retail space. Once complete, the port’s capacity will jump to more than 33,000 passengers per day. It had been around 20,000 a day.

More in Travel

The new issue of Explore Florida & the Caribbean takes you places

Transportation | Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Travel | Port Canaveral chalks up record month amid growing cruise demand

Transportation | Spirit Airlines shows improvements, but still finishes last in travel industry customer satisfaction study

Protect Your Trip »

The 10 best cruises for teens in 2024.

The best cruises for teens provide the right mix of autonomy and time with family.

The Best Cruises for Teens

Amy Smith | Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Teen spaces on cruise ships foster friendships through games, music, events and more.

Cruises make the perfect family vacation, especially when traveling with teens. Teens can mix and mingle with others their age in teens-only clubs, play games, listen to music, or grab a pizza and watch a movie under the stars. If your tweens and teens need more action-packed fun to keep them entertained, some cruise ships act like floating amusement parks with zip lines, racetracks, roller coasters, ice skating rinks, laser tag, waterslides and more.

The following lines offer the best cruises for teens and tweens, along with their parents.

Find your perfect cruise

MSC Cruises

Courtesy of MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises offers plenty of family fun and activities for teens on its ships, including sports tournaments, waterslides and a family disco. On select ships, you'll also find the full-size MSC Formula Racer simulator, an interactive XD cinema, a virtual reality experience, zip lines and an arcade room. The Young Club programming by MSC Cruises offers daily activities for 12- to 14-year-old tweens, while teens 15 to 17 can participate in sports and dance competitions as well as video game tournaments at the Teen Club. Older kids can also participate in fun themed events, karaoke, piloting practice at the Drone Academy and flash mobs – and there's a teens-only disco.

On MSC Seascape , teens can stay busy in three new concept spaces. "Future" features a state-of-the-art technology area with the latest-generation consoles, VR and video screens for hours of entertainment. "Chill Out" is just as it sounds – a place to hang out, chat, and play foosball and pingpong. Meanwhile, "Music" is a dance club where kids can choose their own tunes and dance the night away with cool lighting and sound effects. If all that isn't enough, Robotron, the first of its kind at sea, is an amusement park-like ride that combines the thrill of a roller coaster with personalized music and lighting.

MSC World Europa boasts the largest and most engaging kids area in the fleet with an impressive 8,245 square feet of action-packed space. The new Teens Lab features an immersive area for teenagers with more than 20 of the latest consoles, seven VR stations and dozens of video games. Drone Academy 2.0 is a high-energy relay race for drones. There's even more onboard fun at Z Active, a sports program that offers basketball, football and zorb ball alongside two firsts for the line – pickleball and hoverboards. Teens can also take a spin on the bumper cars at the MSC Sportplex.

MSC Euribia – the line's newest ship, which set sail on its inaugural cruise in June 2023 – has a total of 7,500-plus square feet of space dedicated to kids ages 0 to 17. The new Teens Club Extra Space offers three different areas: the Young Club (ages 12 to 14), the Teens Club (15 to 17) and the Teens Lab (12 to 17). Some of the activities include those found on other MSC ships, such as Z Active, Drone Academy 2.0 and the MSC Dance Crew competition. Teens will also have access to new video games; pingpong; World Quest, an interactive game show based on trivia and geography; and Caravaggio, an immersive spy game show about an art heist.

Compare  MSC Cruises on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line boasts a teens-only venue, Entourage, which caters to young adults 13 to 17 years old. This supervised space – available on 16 of the line's 19 ships – keeps teens busy in an adults-free lounge that's filled with video games, movies, music, arts and sports. Teen counselors on Norwegian Cruise Line plan activities and challenges to keep kids entertained throughout the cruise. A list of detailed activities is available on embarkation day so teens can plan out their schedule for the cruise.

Norwegian Prima , the first vessel in the Prima class, features many first-at-sea innovations perfect for entertaining families and energetic teens, including the three-level Prima Speedway. With cars reaching up to 30 miles per hour, this quarter-mile-long racetrack is one of the highest-rated attractions on Prima. Adventurous teens will also want to check out The Drop and The Rush. Billed as the fastest slides at sea, these chutes offer thrill-seekers a heart-pumping 10-story freefall plunge.

If that's not enough action, teens can also play The Bull's Eye, a classic game of darts that uses a video tracking system, or check out Tee Time for a pumped-up version of mini-golf set against a Las Vegas backdrop. In the Galaxy Pavilion, an indoor gaming complex, you'll find more than a dozen attractions, including immersive simulator experiences, escape rooms and the Topgolf Swing Suite – all of which are unique to Norwegian Prima. When it's time to cool off, the Tidal Wave waterslide is another first for the brand, letting guests ride inner tubes to catch the surf.

Norwegian Viva, the second vessel in the Prima class, is set to launch in August 2023. As the newest ship in NCL's fleet, Viva will also feature these exciting high-tech attractions, including Viva Speedway. If you and your teens are fans of the movie "Beetlejuice," you're in for a treat: The Broadway musical adaptation will debut on the new ship.

The line's Breakaway Plus class – Norwegian Escape , Joy , Bliss and Encore – is also popular with families as these ships offer plenty of activities and attractions suited for active teens, such as go-kart tracks, outdoor laser tag and VR games in the Galaxy Pavilion.

Find  Norwegian Cruise Line deals on GoToSea .

Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line features two cool spaces dedicated to teens and tweens, who can hang out on comfy couches, watch shows or movies, and play video games. These hangouts, called Edge (for ages 11 to 14) and Vibe (ages 14 to 17), are available on all Disney Cruise Line ships.

On Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream , the space at Vibe also features a private outdoor deck with chaise lounges, wading pools, foosball and more. While indoors, teenagers can mingle with others their age, or just kick back and relax in individual nooks. There's a dance club area for karaoke contests, talent shows and dance competitions. The trendy indoor-outdoor space – at almost 9,000 square feet – is accessible with a teens-only card or DisneyBand+. On the new Disney Wish ship, Vibe has a French twist inspired by a Paris artist's loft with neon signs and funk pop art.

For tweens sailing on Disney Fantasy or Dream, Edge is a bright, loft-style gathering spot – located in the funnel – that has individual computer stations for gaming and a massive video wall for screening television, movies and games. There's also a lit-up dance floor for dance parties. Two nifty features of the space – and its location – are views of the pool decks below as well as three portholes that allow for glimpses of the riders on the water coaster, AquaDuck, as they zoom by.

On the first night of the cruise, kids receive information on what activities and events will be available during their vacation so they can curate a personalized entertainment itinerary. Some fun options throughout the week may include "Gotcha," a game of elimination where one teen will become the ultimate victor. For a special treat – and a bit of pampering – guests ages 13 to 17 won't want to miss an afternoon at Chill Spa, located inside Senses Spa & Salon.

Book a  Disney cruise on GoToSea .

Royal Caribbean International

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

The newly updated space for teens 13 to 17 years old on Royal Caribbean International vessels is hidden behind a secret speakeasy entrance. The dedicated venue, which has a gaming lounge and music, is a cozy place to hang out to meet other teens on the ship. There's also an outdoor patio where you can relax in the sun or chill out under the stars. Teens will find planned activities throughout the day at the lounge, including sports tournaments, a nightly teen disco and themed parties.

Social 100 is an exclusive new space for ages 13 to 17 on Wonder of the Seas . The outdoor space sits next to the waterslides and boasts a hot tub, lawn games, cozy seating, a selfie area, and a bar serving zero-proof cocktails and shakes. The indoor part of Social 100 features a gaming area, foosball tables, a vending machine and more comfortable spaces for teens to mingle.

Teens have plenty of activities they can do with their families on Royal Caribbean's ships, especially on the new Icon of the Seas, the first vessel in the Icon class. Slated for its inaugural sailing in January 2024, Wonder of the Seas will be the  world's largest cruise ship .  Cruisers of all ages will have endless opportunities for fun with more venues, activities and attractions than you've ever seen on a cruise ship.

Teens and their parents will appreciate Chill Island, a three-level pool deck with the first swim-up bar at sea. The new water park, Thrill Island, boasts six waterslides, including exciting firsts at sea, such as Pressure Drop, the first open freefall slide. If that's not enough to get the adrenaline pumping, teens can check out Crown's Edge – a combination thrill ride, skywalk and ropes course – or other Royal Caribbean favorites like Adrenaline Peak, Sports Court, the FlowRider surf simulator or the reimagined mini-golf course.

If you're hanging out in the new Surfside neighborhood on Icon, a dedicated space for young families, teens will have easy access to the supervised teens-only club, Social 020, from this open-air space.

When you head ashore to Perfect Day in CocoCay, one of the best  cruise line private islands , teen cruisers will find plenty of fun land-based activities like Thrill Waterpark and 1,600-foot-long zip lines. Be sure not to miss another thrilling experience: Up, Up and Away. The helium balloon ride soars 450 feet above the ground to the highest vantage point in the Bahamas , offering incredible panoramic views of the island and surrounding turquoise waters.

Explore  Royal Caribbean cruises on GoToSea . 

Holland America Line

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Holland America Line

The Kids Club on Holland America Line offers a fun supervised program for 13- to 17-year-old guests in an adult-free zone known as The Loft. The name is in the process of changing to High Score!, and you'll already find the updated concept on Oosterdam and Eurodam . The line's other ships will change over to the new venue throughout 2024. High Score! is a family game room that serves as a secret getaway for teens by day. In the evenings, entire families can come to play skeeball, board games and join in other activities.

The teens-only space (during the day) on Holland America Line resembles a New York artists loft where kids can listen to music, watch movies, play games and meet and hang out with same-age cruisers. Programs and activities at the current space, The Loft, include themed events, karaoke, a teen disco and nighttime activities such as Poker Night and video game tournaments. Youths can also participate in pingpong, basketball and other teens-only sporting events. If they still need more entertainment to keep them busy, the Kids Club offers origami lessons and watercolor painting as well as competitions in "Mario Kart," air hockey, foosball, pinball and more.

The Kids Club is complimentary for guests. The space is open daily, and you'll also find teen events around the ship. When it comes to dining, there are many teen-friendly dining options – where teens can even enjoy mocktails like nonalcoholic mojitos – at venues throughout the ship.

If you're cruising to Alaska with Holland America or other adventure-filled destinations, look for excursions that will appeal to younger family members like zip lining tours, trail hikes, float trips, helicopter tours and wilderness safaris. Alaska is a teen favorite, especially in Skagway (one of Alaska's top destinations ), where travelers can get a thrill out of dog mushing with a team of Alaskan huskies, taking a ride on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railroad, or going on a rock climbing excursion.

Find  Holland America Line cruises on GoToSea .

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks Newsletter

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Sign up to receive the latest updates from U.S News & World Report and our trusted partners and sponsors. By clicking submit, you are agreeing to our Terms and Conditions & Privacy Policy .

Princess Cruises

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

The modern Beach House lounge is the go-to place for passengers ages 13 to 17 to socialize and meet others their age when sailing on a Princess Cruises ship. Fun activities for teens include late-night movies and tournaments where they can challenge their peers in video games or at air hockey, foosball and table tennis. For more energetic activities, join in the fun during indoor dodgeball and basketball games. Or, learn new dance moves from some of the dancers in the crew, then hit the dance floor for one of the competitions. At the "Rock the Boat Party," teenagers can dress up and party the night away with mocktails and new friends on the ship.

"Movies Under the Stars" is one of Princess' signature events. Guests can watch movies, sporting events and concerts while bundled up with cozy blankets on the pool deck outdoors. Teens will enjoy the complimentary snacks – not to mention the special movie nights designed with them in mind, such as "Scary Movie Night." You might even find teen makeovers and glitter tattoos some evenings on the ship.

The line's three newest ships – Discovery Princess , Enchanted Princess and Sky Princess – offer the most activities for teens, but all of the ships in the fleet host youth programs in partnership with Discovery, along with plenty of other family-friendly activities. These offerings include Discovery Family and Animal Planet shore excursions and onboard entertainment like "The Voice of the Ocean," a musical competition.

Parents will be able to keep track of their busy teens anywhere on the ship with the state-of-the-art Princess MedallionClass system. The quarter-size wearable medallion and accompanying app allow guests to personalize their itinerary and locate family members and friends on board.

When Sun Princess launches in February 2024, as the first vessel in the line's Sphere class, it will feature Park19. This top-deck family activity zone boasts many outdoor adventures, including Sea Breeze – the first Rollglider at sea. The ADA-accessible seated ride offers a hang-gliding experience with panoramic views of the ocean and ports of call. Families and teens can also check out the climbing obstacle course, cargo nets and lookout points. The ship also has a recreational court – which offers pingpong, shuffleboard, fitness classes and more – and a splash zone where you can cool off after all the outdoor activities.

Inside Sun Princess, tweens and teens will find two centers just for them: Neon Grove and The Underground. Both spaces offer cozy and colorful areas for young adults to hang out, socialize, and play video games on the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch. They'll also find foosball, skeeball and air hockey on top of planned activities like movie nights, dance parties and scavenger hunts.

Explore  Princess Cruises on GoToSea .

Adventures by Disney

Adventures by Disney offers river and expedition cruises for the whole family; the itineraries span many choices and experiences for tweens and teens with a focus on culture, history, gastronomy and adventure. The river cruises are operated in partnership with AmaWaterways, while the expedition cruises are a collaboration with luxury French cruise line Ponant.

If you're sailing on the Adventures by Disney Rhine River Cruise itinerary, for example, guests can choose between various exciting excursions. While you're docked in Strasbourg, France , for the day, teen-friendly options include a tour of the Black Forest, complete with a toboggan run and a visit to a woodworking museum. Another choice here is to visit Germany's Europa-Park, a one-of-a-kind theme park located between the Black Forest and the Vosges Mountains. In Melk, Austria, on the Danube itinerary, families can go for a bike ride along the Danube River, hike to the castle in Dürnstein or visit a family-run apricot farm.

Another great feature of these cruises is that teens can opt to have dinner and evening get-togethers with same-age cruisers, so they don't have to dine with their parents or younger siblings every night. Adventure Guides also curate special activities for teens like game shows and pool parties.

In destinations like Antarctica, the Adriatic and the Galápagos Islands , expert naturalists lead tours during these bucket list trips. You might even find a bit of Disney storytelling woven into the presentations by the Adventure Guides.

Keep in mind if you have younger kids as well as teens that children need to be 5 or older to sail on the river cruises. For the Galápagos Islands expedition cruises, the minimum age for Junior Adventurers is 7, and for expeditions to the polar regions, kids need to be 10 years of age or older.

Read: The Best Cruise Insurance Plans

Carnival Cruise Line

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Celebration, which launched in November 2022, is the line's newest Excel-class ship. It features an expanded family and youth program, including its offerings for teens. The line also rolled out the new program fleetwide in spring 2023.

The Carnival Cruise Line teen programming at Circle "C" is for tweens ages 12 to 14, while Club O2 is for ages 15 to 17. In these venues you'll find entertainment like themed dance parties – and even a Carnival prom – as well as video games, movies and karaoke. Circle "C" stands for "Cruise, chill and connect," and that's what teens can do in this colorful, contemporary space with engaging counselors. New activities include anime drawing lessons and pop culture games at Circle "C." Older teens can foster new friendships while engaging in Japanese crafts and authentic tea ceremonies at Club O2.

Teens will appreciate Carnival's onboard water park, Waterworks, which includes a splash park and slides. Carnival Panorama even has the trampoline park Skyzone. Teenage passengers won't want to miss the first roller coaster at sea, BOLT, on Excel-class ships: Mardi Gras , Celebration and the upcoming Jubilee, scheduled to launch in December 2023.

For even more action, Vista-class ships feature Skyride. This two-lane, bike-like ride is suspended above the top deck of the ships and extends out over the ocean. More indoor fun can be found at Thrill Theater (on Horizon and Vista ), an immersive cinematic experience where you'll feel the seat rumble, the wind blow through your hair and even a spritz of water during the action-packed video.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea .

Celebrity Cruises

Michel Verdure | Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

This line's Teen Club features activities focused on kids 13 to 17. Some of the events offered for teens in the Camp at Sea program on Celebrity Cruises range from video game tournaments and sports competitions to culinary classes and silent disco parties. Teen cruisers can even book glass-blowing classes on Celebrity Solstice , Equinox and Eclipse . The offerings for young passengers are similar at either The Basement on Edge-series ships ( Edge , Apex , Beyond and Ascent, set to launch in November 2023) or at X Club on Solstice- and Millennium-class ships. Note, however, the line's three Galápagos expedition vessels do not have the teen venues. Families who need accessible accommodations, activities and programs will also find autism-friendly cruises on Celebrity.

When it comes to pampering, Celebrity's spas offer spa menus for 13- to 17-year-olds. Teens can book facials that are designed for young sensitive skin or have express pedicures and manicures. When you're ready to relax, schedule a two-by-two massage, where parents and kids can have a side-by-side treatment.

Celebrity also offers family-focused excursions that highlight cultural attractions, wildlife sightings and adventure. Some of these tours include seeing gentoo, king and Magellanic penguins in the Falkland Islands; taking an aerial tram through the treetop canopies of a rainforest in Costa Rica ; and going on a small culinary or sightseeing group excursion in Europe and other destinations around the world. On Caribbean sailings – especially when school is out for summer or on holidays – Celebrity has additional family-friendly shore excursions on its five- and seven-night sailings.

Find a  Celebrity Cruises deal on GoToSea .

Cunard Line

Cunard Line offers programs and activities for passengers ages 13 to 17 years old in its Teen Zone. This dedicated space is a place for teens to hang out with cruisers their own age and play video and team games, table tennis, and more. On the first day of the cruise, you'll find an activity program for young guests delivered to the stateroom so your teens can plan out their vacation experience, which may include entertaining theme days, deck sports, quizzes and dancing at the disco.

Teens on Cunard Line can participate in the activities around the ship, hit the pool for a dip, practice their putting or try their hand at croquet. If you're sailing on Queen Mary 2, those interested in science, wildlife and the solar system can watch up to four 3D films a day (on sea days) in the largest planetarium at sea.

Compare  Cunard Line cruises on GoToSea .

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Gwen Pratesi has been an avid cruiser since her early 20s. She's sailed to destinations around the globe on nearly every type of cruise ship built, including the newest megaships, luxury yachts, traditional masted sailing ships, and expedition vessels in Antarctica and the Galápagos. Pratesi covers the travel and cruise industries for major publications, including U.S. News & World Report.

You might also be interested in:

• Cruise Lines That Let Kids Sail Free
• The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers
• The Top Adults-Only Cruises
• Cruise Packing List
• Royal Caribbean vs. Carnival

Top Resorts Where Kids Stay Free

Tags: Travel , Cruises , Family Vacations

World's Best Places To Visit

• # 1 South Island, New Zealand
• # 4 Bora Bora

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

You May Also Like

The best whale watching in cape cod.

Lyn Mettler April 24, 2024

Best Whale Watching Tours in Maine

Marisa Méndez April 23, 2024

The Best Wineries in Napa Valley

April 23, 2024

The Best East Coast Beaches

April 19, 2024

The Best Luggage Brands

Rachael Hood April 17, 2024

The Best Hard-sided Luggage Picks

Erin Evans , Rachael Hood , Catriona Kendall , Amanda Norcross and Leilani Osmundson April 17, 2024

The Best Carry-on Luggage

The Best Yellowstone National Park Tours

John Rodwan April 17, 2024

The Best Rome Colosseum Tours

Laura Itzkowitz April 17, 2024

Best Alaska Tours

Lyn Mettler April 16, 2024