disney cruise line marvel day at sea

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Marvel Day at Sea

A super celebration, heroic encounters.

Get pumped for action-packed excitement with Marvel Super Heroes. View More

ENCOUNTERS, PHOTO OPS & MORE

Unleash the hero within! Strike a legendary pose during scheduled photo moments with such Super Heroes as:

• Black Panther
• Shuri from Black Panther
• Captain Marvel
• Captain America (Sam Wilson)

Plus, you may spot more Super Heroes throughout the ship during this thrilling day at sea, like:

• Captain America (Steve Rogers)
• Okoye from Black Panther
• Star-Lord and Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy
• Black Widow
• Kate Bishop from Hawkeye
• Mighty Thor
• Ant-Man and the Wasp

Thrilling Entertainment

Witness a Super Hero spectacular featuring some of your favorite Marvel Characters—and Villains—who come together for a breathtaking extravaganza! View More

MARVEL HEROES UNITE

Strange academy: a spellbinding spectacular, warriors of wakanda show, star-spangled uso show, mickey & minnie’s super hero celebration, action-packed activities.

Discover all the exciting Marvel-themed goings-on happening aboard the ship. View More

COSTUME FUN

Movie screenings, kids activities, funnel vision, marvel origins, family trivia, animation academy, more magic for every member of your crew, just for adults.

Adults enjoy the best of both worlds—time with the kids and time alone. View More

• Adult-exclusive dining at Palo, serving classic Northern Italian cooking in an elegant setting
• A tranquil pool and whirlpool spa overflowing with sweeping views and ocean breezes
• Themed nightclubs and lounges, home to exciting live music, cabaret shows and dance parties
• A luxurious spa, featuring rejuvenating and beautifying treatments with sweeping sea views
• A fitness center sporting exercise classes, weight machines and cardiovascular equipment

Fun for the Entire Family

Delight in unique, family-friendly activities throughout the ship. View More

• Extravagant, Broadway-caliber live shows and entertainment throughout your cruise
• A spectacular, Disney-themed fireworks show at sea on most itineraries
• Watch newly released Disney films inside the plush Buena Vista Theatre or catch a Disney classic under the stars
• Themed pool areas that include a kids pool, family pool, splash zone and a water coaster
• Staterooms tailored especially for families that include private verandahs that look out onto the sea, deluxe rooms with expanded space, and convenient split

For the Kids

Imaginatively themed youth clubs await children of all ages aboard the ship. View More

• Kids can learn and play in children’s activity spaces fueled by Disney storytelling and participate in activities
• Tweens ages 11 through 14 are invited to spend time in a youth club all their own—featuring videogames, music, movies, arts and crafts, karaoke and scavenger hunts
• Teens can relax in a fun, parents-free venue until 2:00 AM with activities like karaoke, video game challenges, trivia showdowns, dance parties and tons more—under the supervision of helpful counselors

Your Guide to All the Characters You Can Meet During Marvel Day at Sea

by Tatjana Lazar | Feb 6, 2023 | Disney Cruise Line , Disney Dream , Themed Cruises

If you’re hoping to catch your favorite Marvel superheroes onboard your Disney Cruise Line sailing, here’s your complete guide to all of the characters you can meet during Marvel Day at Sea – and where to find them.

While there’s plenty to see and do onboard your Disney Cruise, when Marvel Day at Sea begins, there’s one crucial mission to complete: Catch as many Marvel and Disney characters as you can for in-person character encounters! As soon as this special one-day experience kicks off on your cruise, you’ll be able to spot superheroes, sidekicks, and even some villains (and mischievous friends) throughout the ship. In fact, there are  so many different characters to meet that it’s tough to catch them all in just a single day!

What can you expect from the character encounters during Marvel Day at Sea? Where can you find your favorite Marvel and Disney characters? We’ve got your complete guide to all the characters, from where to head to who they appear with, below.

Marvel Day at Sea Character Encounters

Click the links to jump to a particular character:

Characters from  Thor

• Characters from  Guardians of the Galaxy

Iron Man and Spider-Man

• Captain America (Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson)
• Characters from  Black Panther

Captain Marvel

Classic disney characters.

• Additional Characters

Have questions? about meeting characters during Marvel Day at Sea!

Loki is one character you might meet during the Heroic Encounters: Asgard experience. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Want to meet an Asgardian up close? You can, if you’ve booked a spot for Heroic Encounters: Asgard for Marvel Day at Sea! During this special meet and greet, you’ll have the opportunity to meet:

• Jane Foster

Thor and Jane Foster greet Guests together, while Loki makes appearances on his own. You don’t know who you’ll be meeting ahead of time – it’s a surprise when you arrive!

All three characters from  Thor are part of Heroic Encounters: Asgard, a reserved meet and greet, which means you’ll only be able to catch them if you reserved this experience up to 30 days in advance of your cruise. You can book Heroic Encounters at the 30-day mark before your cruise sets sail, and they’re completely free!

Characters from Guardians of the Galaxy

Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Catch the Guardians right here on Earth with a special appearance during Marvel Day at Sea. If you’ve booked a spot for Heroic Encounters: Guardians, you’ll be able to snap photos with and meet:

The Guardians appear in duos, so you’ll either have the opportunity to meet Star-Lord and Groot or Gamora and Groot during your encounter!

Both characters from Guardians of the Galaxy are part of Heroic Encounters: Guardians, a reserved meet and greet, which means you’ll only be able to catch them if you reserved this experience up to 30 days in advance of your cruise. You can book Heroic Encounters at the 30-day mark before your cruise sets sail, and they’re completely free!

Two of the most popular Avengers are appearing together during Marvel Day at Sea – and they’re a popular duo! You can catch both Iron Man and Spider-Man appearing in the same spot, but each greets Guests individually so you have a chance to meet both heroes separately.

Both Iron Man and Spider-Man appear as part of Heroic Encounters: HQ, a reserved meet and greet, which means you’ll only be able to catch them if you reserved this experience up to 30 days in advance of your cruise. You can book Heroic Encounters at the 30-day mark before your cruise sets sail, and they’re completely free!

Even if you’ve booked Heroic Encounters: HQ in advance, expect to wait on the day of Marvel Day at Sea! These highly popular superheroes create long lines, and you can expect to wait half an hour or more to get up close to either character. If you’re planning ahead, you’ll want to hop in line for these two early on in the day.

Two Different Captain Americas

That’s right: Marvel Day at Sea gives you the chance to meet with not just one Captain America, but  two different Captain Americas in the same day! Here’s who you can catch:

• Captain America Steve Rogers
• Captain America Sam Wilson

If you’re a fan of the “original” Captain America, Steve Rogers, or want to chat with the newest Captain America (and former Falcon), Sam Wilson, both may be onboard! While character appearances can vary, we were lucky enough to spot both during the day – but due to the popularity of Steve Rogers, we were only able to meet one.

Where to Find Captain America During Marvel Day at Sea

Both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson greet Guests in the same location:  Evolution on Deck 4 . The duo doesn’t appear simultaneously; like all others, they appear throughout the day in 15-minute intervals. Depending on which Captain America you’re hoping to catch, you’ll want to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for an up-to-date list of which Captain America is appearing – and what times they’ll appear at while you’re onboard.

Characters from Black Panther

You’ll have the chance to chat with two of the most popular characters from  Black Panther right onboard the ship when Marvel Day at Sea kicks off! Here’s who you’ll find hosting character encounters throughout the day:

Where to Find the Characters from  Black Panther  During Marvel Day at Sea

Throughout Marvel Day at Sea,  you can find T’Challa on Deck 3 near Preludes. If you’re searching for Shuri, you’ll find her in the very same spot. Characters will appear approximately every 15 minutes, which means you’ll want to stick around if you’re in line and T’Challa or Shuri steps away!

She’s not just down on Earth, but she’s onboard the Disney Dream for Marvel Day at Sea: You can catch Captain Marvel during the scheduled character encounters on Marvel Day at Sea! There’s no reservation required to step into a photo or chat with Captain Marvel; you just have to know where to find her onboard.

Where to Find Captain Marvel During Marvel Day at Sea

You’ll  spot Captain Marvel near Evolution on Deck 4 . Here, she appears with some of the other highly popular Avengers, like Captain America – so you may want to be prepared for long lines on Deck 4 aft if you’d hoping for an encounter with Carol Danvers!

Catch one of the newest characters making a splash in the Marvel cinematic universe onboard the ship during Marvel Day at Sea: Ms. Marvel, the Jersey City teen who’s still new to her powers (and a big personal fan of Captain Marvel!). Because she’s a newer character, you’re likely to find that Ms. Marvel sees shorter lines than some of the longtime Avengers onboard – and she’s around all day!

Where to Find Ms. Marvel During Marvel Day at Sea

You can  find Ms Marvel meeting guests in the Lobby Atrium (in the vestibule) on Deck 3 , midship. Like other superheroes, Ms. Marvel appears about every 15 minutes, so keep an eye out for her if you’re navigating the busy lobby!

If you loved  Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings , you’re not going to want to pass up the rare opportunity to get a character encounter with Shang-Chi himself! He’s onboard for Marvel Day at Sea, and he’s more than happy to show off some of those impressive martial arts moves during your meet and greet to get a great photo.

Where to Find Shang-Chi During Marvel Day at Sea

Shang-Chi hangs out in the Lobby Atrium (in the vestibule on Deck 3 , midship. It’s the same spot where Ms. Marvel is located. Remember, the duo will rotate, so you’ll want to keep an eye on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app to determine exactly when he’s going to make an appearance.

Catch Chip and Dale in Thor and Loki inspired outfits. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

In addition to the famous faces and personalities of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Day at Sea is also full of  other character encounters, too! You’ll have the opportunity to catch meet and greets with classic Disney characters, all of whom are joining in the fun with special outfits and costumes of their very own. And who wants to miss out on a fresh new Mickey Mouse outfit you can only catch while aboard a Disney Cruise during Marvel Day at Sea?!

Here’s a look at the classic Disney characters who are on board and available for special Marvel-themed encounters during this special one-day event:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Donald Duck
• Chip and Dale

You can meet Goofy and Pluto in their Marvel-inspired attire! Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Where to Find Disney Characters During Marvel Day at Sea

Character locations can vary, but you’ll be able to catch these classic Disney characters at the following spots onboard the ship:

• Lobby Atrium (Staircase), Deck 3, Midship
• Lobby Atrium (Vestibule), Deck 3, Midship
• Balcony, Deck 4, Midship

Just keep in mind that these Disney characters do rotate or take breaks approximately every 15 minutes , meaning new characters will appear regularly (and your faves will return for another visit!). Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for an up-to-date list of characters and what times they’ll appear at while you’re onboard.

Catch More Characters Wandering the Ship During Marvel Day at Sea

Hawkeye is just one of the characters you can catch wandering around throughout the day. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

While character encounters – both scheduled in advance as Heroic Encounters and on the day of Marvel Day at Sea – are sprinkled throughout the ship in key locations, there are even more characters to catch! The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will direct you to these scheduled meet and greet spots. However, if you’re hoping to catch other Marvel and Disney characters, you’ll likely come across them as you make your way to different destinations and activities around the ship.

For example, characters will cross the lobby regularly throughout the day! You may catch Kate Bishop or the Tracksuit Mafia wandering past lines for various meet and greets. Or, you may see Doctor Strange and Black Widow hanging out with guests on different decks. Even Ant-Man, Wasp, and Hawkeye might pop up! With so many different superheroes, villains, and sidekicks roaming around, you really never know who you might run into.

And, in our opinion, this is one of the best parts of the entire day! The interactions you can have with Marvel characters as they wander the decks are fun, exciting, and totally personable. It’s your chance to create little moments with these awesome characters – and when they’re walking freely, you don’t have to worry about waiting in line! So, to make your Marvel Day at Sea especially memorable, you’ll want to look out for these characters without handlers on Decks 3, 4, and 5.

Marvel Day at Sea Character FAQs

How do you know where to find characters during marvel day at sea.

Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app! As soon as Marvel Day at Sea begins, you’ll be able to check out the schedule for both Heroic Encounters and scheduled character encounters. The app will tell you which characters are available, what times they’ll be on deck to meet guests, and when they’ll take a break or rotate out with other characters. You’ll also be able to find their exact location!

A look at the character encounter schedule on the Navigator app. Photo by Tatjana Lazar

Do characters rotate throughout the day?

Marvel Day at Sea can vary from sailing to sailing. While it’s highly likely you’ll be able to catch every one of the characters we spotted on our sailing, changes can happen. For certain character encounters, like the Heroic Encounter experiences that you can reserve 30 days in advance of your sailing, you may experience a wait as certain characters take breaks every so often throughout the day. Other characters, such as for the scheduled meet and greets throughout the ship, may rotate. This means you may get in line for T’Challa, for example, and Shuri might step in for 15-minute intervals.

What characters are on the Disney Dream for Marvel Day at Sea?

We’ve covered the full lineup above! To find out which exact superheroes, villains, sidekicks, and classic Disney characters will be aboard your cruise, make sure to check out the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for your sailing dates. If you’re getting the chance to experience Marvel Day at Sea, it’ll likely include everyone we spotted on our trip!

Which Disney cruises have Marvel characters?

Only certain itineraries will offer Marvel Day at Sea. Currently, you’ll need to book a cruise aboard the Disney Dream – but you can check out which 2024 sailing dates will offer this one-day experience!

Don’t Miss These Super Sweets and Treats During Disney Cruise Line’s Marvel Day at Sea

New Characters From Wakanda: Black Panther Joins Marvel Day at Sea

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Marvel Day at Sea Returns to Disney Cruise Line in 2023

Set sail with the avengers out of miami on the disney dream.

The Avengers are here to save the day whether by land, sky, or even sea! Staring in early 2023, Disney Cruise Line  guests will find themselves transported to a new realm of possibilities with Marvel Day at Sea . Setting sail January through March out of Miami, Florida, these epic vacations will debut new characters and shows that unlock the inner Super Heroes in lifelong Marvel fans and newcomers alike.  Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrill of Marvel comics, film, and animation with the excitement you’ll find onboard a Disney Cruise. The event features all-day entertainment, including meet and greets, stage shows, special screenings, merchandise, food and beverage, and activities for the whole family — both big and little Super Heroes.  And, for the first time ever, more than 30 Super Heroes and villains will be featured in the new heroic encounters: 

• Making their debut at sea, Captain America Sam Wilson, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Kate Bishop, and more will be onboard. Returning fan favorites include Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Thor, Loki, and Black Widow.
• “Heroes Unite” — the signature nighttime spectacular featuring special effects, stunts and pyrotechnics — will assemble an unprecedented line-up of Marvel characters for a time-warping, multiverse-spanning adventure. The action will culminate in an epic battle with never-before-seen villains on a Disney Cruise Line ship!
• Taking place in the Walt Disney Theatre, “Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular” will keep families on the edge of their seats with demonstrations of the power of the mystic arts. The show will feature Doctor Strange, the powerful witch Agatha Harkness and the first-ever appearance of Sorcerer Supreme Wong.
• Young recruits will sharpen their Super Hero skills during an all-new, interactive training experience with Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop held on the upper decks and in the kids’ club.

Additionally, guests are invited to suit up as their favorite Marvel characters for a costume bash, along with joining Mickey and Minnie’s Super Hero celebration, and then dance the night away with the adult-exclusive Ravagers Dance Party, and more! 

Marvel Day at Sea will take place on nine five-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami in early 2023:

• Departing Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18 and March 4, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary features Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. 
• Departing Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Cozumel, Mexico, and Castawy Cay.

To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can visit  disneycruise.com , call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact their travel agent.

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Disney Cruise Line Unveils ‘Marvel Day at Sea’ Details for Sailings in 2023

• by Michelle Snow
• November 14, 2022 November 14, 2022

Disney Cruise Line has revealed details about its upcoming “Marvel Day at Sea” sailings that will take place on select dates aboard the Disney Dream ship in 2023.

For the first time ever, more than 30 Marvel Super Heroes and Villains will be featured in new heroic encounters and live entertainment throughout the event:

What to Expect

“Marvel Day at Sea” brings fan-favorite characters and stories onboard the ship with meet-and-greets, stage shows, film and TV screenings, special merchandise, themed food and beverage offerings, and activities for families, kids and adults.

Highlights of these special sailings include:

• Guests interacting with some of the mightiest Marvel Super Heroes and the menacing foes who oppose them, including the debut of Captain America Sam Wilson, Mighty Thor, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Kate Bishop, and more. Returning fan-favorites include Spider-Man, Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Thor, Loki and Black Widow.
• A brand-new take on “Heroes Unite,” the signature nighttime spectacular featuring special effects, stunts and pyrotechnics, will assemble an unprecedented line-up of Marvel characters for multiverse-spanning adventure. The action will culminate in an epic battle with never-before-seen villains on a Disney Cruise Line ship.
• New in the Walt Disney Theatre, “Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular” will keep families on the edge of their seats with demonstrations of the power of the mystic arts. The show will feature Doctor Strange, the powerful witch Agatha Harkness, and the first-ever appearance of Sorcerer Supreme Wong.
• Young recruits will sharpen their super hero skills during an all-new, interactive training experience with Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Kate Bishop held on the upper decks and in the kids’ club.

Guests are also invited to suit up as their favorite Marvel Super Hero or Villain for an exciting costume bash; join favorite Disney friends for a high-energy party on the upper decks during Mickey and Minnie’s Super Hero Celebration; dance the night away with Star-Lord and Gamora at the adult-exclusive Ravagers Dance Party; and so much more.

All of this is in addition to the fun and relaxation of a tropical Disney cruise vacation aboard the Disney Dream.

Marvel Day at Sea will take place on nine five-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami in early 2023.

• Departing Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Feb. 4, Feb. 18 and March 4, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary features Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
• Departing Jan. 16, Jan. 30, Feb. 13 and Feb. 27, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops at Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay.

Prices start at $1835 for 2 people in a cabin (including Taxes, Fees & Port Expenses), and can be booked at the Disney Cruise Line website .

Or you can save yourself the hassle and reach out to The Disney Blog’s own authorized travel planning expert, Stacey at Pixie Vacations .

Booking your travel with Stacey helps support this blog, and you’ll have access to her wealth of Disney knowledge to help you book your trip. Thank you!

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Marvel & Pixar Days at Sea Coming to Disney Cruise Line in 2023

Disney Cruise Line has announced its themed days for early 2023, with Marvel Day at Sea returning and the new Pixar Day at Sea joining the lineup on other select sailings. This post shares details and also thoughts on Star Wars Day at Sea (seemingly) being retired.

Let’s start with the details about Pixar Day at Sea. Beginning in January 2023, select seven-night sailings on the Disney Fantasy will include a day-long celebration dedicated to Pixar films and characters. If you’ve ever wanted to dine, play, dance, sing, and swim with your favorite Pixar pals, this is your chance.

Pixar Day at Sea will include a variety of unique experiences, including the Pixar Film Festival, exclusive merchandise, photo opportunities, and character encounters with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and Bo Peep from Toy Story ; Mike, Sulley and Boo from Monsters, Inc.; Joy and Sadness from Inside Out ; Dug and Russell from Up ; and Mr. Incredible, Elastigirl and Frozone from The Incredibles.

Pixar Day at Sea will culminate in a new nighttime spectacular that calls on your family to help the Incredibles save the day. As for other entertainment during Pixar Day at Sea, expect a first-of-its-kind theatrical experience bringing to life the beloved story of Miguel and his family from Coco through live music and puppetry.

Of course, Pixar Day at Sea will offer the obligatory dance party, with characters from the films on deck for a bash.

As with other themed experiences aboard Disney Cruise Line, one of the highlights of Pixar Day at Sea will be the food. A new, interactive character dining experience hosted by Sheriff Woody, Jesse and Bullseye will kick-start the day with sing-a-longs, cowboy serenades and all the country breakfast fixins.

Enjoy a Pixar-themed dinner with dishes inspired by the Pixar Animation Studios’ California locale. Immerse yourself in undersea magic while dining in Animator’s Palate with visits from some of your favorite “Finding Nemo” friends, including interactive conversations with Crush.

Pixar Day at Sea will be included on 9 select Disney Fantasy cruises from January through March 2023. Departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, the Disney Fantasy will sail to several guest-favorite destinations in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean itineraries feature stops in ports such as Tortola, St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico, while Western Caribbean sailings visit Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; and Falmouth, Jamaica. Every cruise includes a visit to Disney’s private island oasis, Castaway Cay.

Dates for Pixar Day at Sea have not yet been announced, but standard practice by Disney Cruise Line is to attach these themed offerings to sailings that aren’t selling particularly well. (Despite a lot of pent-up demand, it’s our understanding that cruises, in general, aren’t booking up to the same extent as in the past.)

Next up is Marvel Day at Sea. These cruises for 2022 are currently setting sail across the Caribbean, and will once again be returning in early 2023. They’re also seemingly expanding, and will feature the largest assembly of Marvel super heroes and villains on one ship. Marvel Day at Sea 2023 will be sailing epic voyages from Miami on the Disney Dream.

Marvel Day at Sea combines the thrills of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the fun of Disney Cruise Line during an unforgettable day at sea. This celebration on select five-night Caribbean cruises features encounters with Marvel characters, action-packed entertainment, and super hero-inspired activities designed for the whole family to enjoy.

While Disney Cruise Line hasn’t announced any other specific entertainment for Marvel Day at Sea 2023, it should hit familiar beats–with some of the same general offerings as this year and other themed days at sea. Highlights from the current incarnation of Marvel Day at Sea include Mickey & Friends Super Celebration, which involves the gang dressing up to honor their favorite super heroes. (I love stuff like this and wish Disney still did the Star Wars crossovers.)

There’s also the Star-Spangled USO Show, a fun-filled tribute to Captain America, complete with vintage big band song-and-dance numbers in Fathoms. Finally, the day ends with Marvel Heroes Unite, a dazzling experience where more than a dozen of characters come together for a grand extravaganza.

Along with visiting destinations in the Western Caribbean, including Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman, and Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, guests are able to experience all that the Disney Dream normally has to offer while on a Marvel Day at Sea sailing. Broadway-style shows like Beauty and the Beast, themed dining, activities for every member of the family and Disney Cruise Line’s superlative service and attention to detail are just a few things that await guests on board.

2023 Itineraries: Marvel Day at Sea

• Beginning January 7, 2023, Marvel Day at Sea will take place on nine 5-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami.
• Departing January 16, January 30, February 13 and February 27, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary includes a stop at Cozumel, Mexico and Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay.
• Departing January 7, January 21, February 4, February 18 and March 4, 2023, the Western Caribbean itinerary includes Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Castaway Cay.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these announcements is what is not mentioned: Star Wars Day at Sea. While it’s always possible this is returning later, my guess is that Pixar Day at Sea is its replacement. I’m also guessing that Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser Resort is the reason for this change.

While that might seem like a stretch as the audiences are different for Star Wars Day at Sea and Galactic Starcruiser, there’s almost certainly some overlap. Beyond that, there’s the likelihood of confusion, as both are being marketed as “cruises” despite one being on land.

If this is Disney’s motivation for the change (and again, that’s just a guess), it’s probably a savvy one. In preparing for our own coverage and review of Galactic Starcruiser, I’ve written several prompts to guide my thinking while on board and in assessing the experience. Several of those relate to Star Wars Day at Sea, and whether it might be a better option for some guests. All of that becomes irrelevant if Star Wars Day at Sea is no longer an alternative.

There’s also the very real possibility that I’m overthinking it. Maybe Disney Cruise Line just wanted to try something new or that Lucasfilm tightened up its character integrity rules again, and DCL didn’t want to deal with all of that. Both are entirely plausible and not without precedent.

Beyond that, I guess this news might be exciting for diehard Disney Cruise Line, Pixar, or Marvel fans. I’m sure these themed days at sea will be fun–we’ve enjoyed similar experiences we’ve had on DCL. For me, it’s just hard to be enthusiastic about cruising at this point. While I’m hopeful things will be back to normal by 2023, I was previously hopeful they’d be back to normal by this year.

At this point, I’m in wait and see mode when it comes to cruising. To each their own, but from my perspective there are too many hoops to jump through, compromises to the on-board experience, and the potential risk of being denied boarding erroneously. I realize many of these policies are beyond Disney’s control, but the “why” of the rules matters less to me than their existence.

The silver lining is that Disney Cruise Line has been offering some great deals for Florida residents and others, so perhaps the discounted sailings are enough for some people to jump through the hoops–it’s certainly a great time for bargain hunters, which is quite the contrast to Walt Disney World. Perhaps the discounts will continue if enough people like me are dissuaded from cruising by them. To that point, Sarah got a great rate on a girls’ cruise and said the ship was practically empty—she had a blast and vehemently disagrees with my perspective on hoops and compromises.

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations, 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

Have you experienced DCL’s themed Days at Sea? Are you excited for the 2023 Pixar Day at Sea or Marvel Day at Sea? Would you prefer Star Wars or different IP to either of these options? Any questions? Hearing feedback about your experiences is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

I’m really disappointed that Disney is not advertising Star Wars day at sea. It was going to be our 1st time to experience this. Unfortunately, my is not interested in other themes so we are now looking at Royal Caribbean cruises.

Omg we just booked again, 3rd time, for Mediterranean cruise this June. Really hope it comes to pass, as it’s been canceled twice. Not afraid to cruise, just don’t want to be denied. Here’s hoping the world changes soon

Having been on two Star Wars Day at Sea cruises on the Fantasy, I’m so disappointed that they’ve disappeared from the lineup (although, like you, I’m not yet ready to jump through all the extra hoops to cruise and then possibly get denied boarding). Still, I was hopeful for a third go-around on Star Wars DAS, as it was fabulous both times. It’s just FUN walking around the ship and having Star Wars theme music playing in the background, in the hallways, people getting into the spirit with costumes or carrying lightsabers. We’ve seen all the movies dozens of times but it’s still FUN to have a chance to see them all in the theatre during the week.

Let’s not forget the Galactic Starcruiser is in a whole different price category than a 7-day cruise as well; it’s unfortunate if Disney is taking away this popular option to interact with the characters and celebrate the world of Star Wars solely for financial gain. Ironically as much as my family is hoping to be able to the Galactic Starcruiser experience some day, I look at that as a one-time thing, whereas we met cruisers on both of our SWDAS who came back annually for the event.

@Tom, that is a win win. Didn’t know you enjoyed the horror genre. Also a guilty pleasure For me. I only get to indulge when everyone is gone. As that happens rarely, my go to films past couple times have remained Pans Labyrinth and The Babadook. Sounds like a good totally off topic post…

What horror films did you watch? The Poseidon Adventure, Shipwrecked, Adrift, Life of Pi, Swiss Family Robinson, Titanic, Cast Away, Life Boat, Adrift, The Perfect Storm?

“vehemently disagrees with my perspective on hoops and compromises” I agree with your assessment on cruising 100%. For someone who does the family vacation planning, anything where my kids get excited, we have to fly somewhere, and we could possibly be denied boarding at the last minute is a non starter. Happy for those that can make it happen, take advantages of the deals, etc. Just doesn’t work for my decision calculus.

The scenario was a little easier for us since Sarah just drove over, so denial would’ve just amounted to a few lost hours, a tank of gas, and a parking fee. However, the calculus also would’ve changed if we both went, as then the cat and dog would’ve needed someone to watch them. That plus the compromises and hoops made it enough for me to not be interested. Ended up being a win-win: she got to cruise and I got to sit around for a few days watching horror movies that she would hate! 😉

LOVED the Marvel Day at Sea in 2020. Unknowingly got that trip in just before Covid! I think it’s time. My family is super excited that the offering is on a different ship which helps it not feel like a total do-over. Not sure that we’ll book soon, but I know we will. Costco offers some of these cruises too which is worth looking into for their discounts (usually a Costco gift card).

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Marvel Day at Sea returns with more superheroes, villains than ever on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line's Marvel Day at Sea is coming back, and travelers have a better chance than ever of sailing with their favorite character.

Over 30 Marvel superheroes and villains, the most ever, will take part in the day-long event on select Disney Dream cruises from January through March 2023, according to a news release .

Those include new additions like Captain America Sam Wilson, Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Ant-Man and the Wasp  along with returning characters such as Spider-Man, Black Panther, Loki and Captain Marvel.

The event on nine sailings will include activities like stage shows, movie and TV show screenings, and meet-and-greets.

Cruise lines change COVID-19 rules: Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line further lift requirements

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Finding community on a themed cruise: From 'Star Trek' lovers to motorcycle enthusiasts

What can guests expect from Marvel Day at Sea?

In 2023, the event will feature a new show, "Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular," held in the Walt Disney Theatre, according to Disney. Audience members will see the mystic arts on display, with appearances from characters like Agatha Harkness, Doctor Strange and Sorcerer Supreme Wong.

There also will be an "interactive training experience" where aspiring heroes can hone their skills with Black Widow, Hawkeye and more in the kids' club and on the ship's upper decks. A new version of the "Heroes Unite" show will take guests on an adventure through the multiverse, complete with pyrotechnics.

No time to waste!  Here's what it takes to transform Disney World for the holidays overnight

When is Marvel Day at Sea 2023?

The event will take place on Jan. 7 and 21, Feb. 4 and 18, and March 4 sailings with visits to Disney's Bahamas private island Castaway Cay and George Town in Grand Cayman.

Disney Cruise Line will also hold the event on Jan. 16 and 30, and Feb. 13 and 27 voyages that feature stops at Castaway Cay and Cozumel, Mexico.

Each cruise is five nights long and will leave from Miami.

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Marvel Day at Sea REVIEW- Marvel Disney Cruise Worth It?

Marvel Day at Sea is a day that's built into your regular Disney Cruise that is all about Marvel! You can expect a wide range of Marvel characters to meet throughout the day, including rare characters, Marvel themed food, plus one of the BEST Disney Cruise Line nighttime spectaculars.

This experience is offered multiple times of year on select Disney Cruise Line itineraries. Just look for the “Marvel Day at Sea” in the cruise title to see when it's offered.

I recently experienced Marvel Day at Sea on the Disney Dream and am here to offer a full guide and review on everything you need to know about Marvel Day at Sea. Keep reading for my full guide to Marvel Day at Sea including my review on if this Disney Cruise Line experience is worth it!

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What is Marvel Day at Sea?

Marvel Day at Sea is a celebration that's built into an existing Disney Cruise Line trip. This means that one day on your Disney Cruise experience will be entirely Marvel themed with Marvel characters, activities, entertainment, and an amazing nighttime fireworks show. Marvel Day at Sea will take place on the itinerary where the ship is expected to be at sea the entire day.

This is a one day experience within your Disney Cruise Line trip. However, Marvel experiences like reservation only character meet and greets for Marvel characters will be available for the duration of the cruise.

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Marvel Day at Sea Characters

One of the most in demand experiences on a Disney Cruise Line adventure are the character interactions. Guests on Disney Cruises go all out for this experience and Marvel Day at Sea is no exception. We saw many families dress in their own themed Marvel attire or as characters too which was a fun thing to witness!

One great idea we saw many families utilize during Marvel Day at Sea was to come prepared with a Captain American shield or other notable Marvel item and have all the characters sign it. You will also see classic characters dressed in Marvel themed outfits. These will be extremely popular meet and greets!

The day was filled with Marvel character interactions with many listed on the Disney Cruise Line app . Depending on availability, you could schedule a (free) time slot to experience select characters or sign up for other less limited meet and greets. But the app did not always tell you who would be in the atrium of the ship, we stumbled upon MANY Marvel characters not listed in the app before and after dinner. This will be the main greeting hub for them in the evening.

Marvel Day at Sea meet and greet characters can include:

• Black Panther
• Shuri from  Black Panther
• Captain Marvel
• Captain America (Sam Wilson)
• Captain America (Steve Rogers)
• Okoye from  Black Panther
• Star-Lord and Gamora from  Guardians of the Galaxy
• Black Widow
• Kate Bishop from  Hawkeye
• Mighty Thor
• Ant-Man and the Wasp

These character meet and greets varied from designated line up spots to characters that just roamed the ship. Be prepared for long lines in some cases, these character meet and greets are so popular.

Marvel Day at Sea BEST Entertainment

There are multiple entertainment options throughout the day on the cruise ship during Marvel Day at Sea. It would be impossible to do them all, especially if you want to also meet characters, so it's best to pick and choose which ones you are most interested in.

Marvel Heroes Unite

Hands down, the BEST show is the nighttime spectacular Marvel Heroes Unite. So regardless of the other ones you pick, this is the one you cannot miss out on.

Marvel Heroes Unite takes place on the top deck of the ship and features nearly EVERY Marvel character you can imagine as they battle villains above your head via zip lines and the front stage. This show features a variety of stunts, effects, and pyrotechnics. My favorite part is when Black Panther and Shuri hugged and she said, “Where have you been brother?” and he responded, “I never left sister, I've been in your heart.” I might have cried! If you don't know, the actor that played Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, passed away in 2020 so this was a pretty emotional addition to the show. 

The best view for this show is to stand facing the Funnel Vision screen (the big tv on the top deck) on the upmost deck. On the Disney Dream, this spot would be right next to the entrance of the AquaDuck waterslide. From this vantage point you can see everything happening above and below clearly. For this spot I recommend grabbing a seat around 30-45 minutes prior to the show. If you prefer to sit on the middle of the deck, you could get a spot in this area shortly before show time although you may be further back from the stage. 

Mickey & Minnie's Super Hero Celebration

Star-spangled uso show.

My second favorite entertainment option that I enjoyed during Marvel Day at Sea was the Star-Spangled USO Show that takes place in the Evolution dance club. This was an all ages event featuring vintage song and dance numbers with an appearance from Captain America.

This show had great energy and is a must if you like vintage music. Smaller kids might not love this as much but teens and adults will!

Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular

This show takes place throughout the day in the Walt Disney Theatre featuring Doctor Strange, Agatha Harkness, and Sorcerer Supreme Wong. The story follows a group of new students at Strange Academy that end up facing off against Agatha Harkness. This was a fun show, especially to see Agatha, but did feel a bit cheesy at times. Kids will love this one!

Warriors of Wakanda Show

This show is similar to the one offered in Avengers Campus at Disneyland. The Dora Milaje from the Black Panther films led a demonstration for volunteers that want to join the elite group of warriors that defend Wakanda.

Marvel Day at Sea Themed Dinner and Treats

The menu for your rotating dinner option during Marvel Day at Sea will feature Marvel inspired dishes with fun names featuring various Avengers characters.

The food itself wasn't too themed but it was still a fun touch. Most of the names appeared to be based off the region the dishes came from. So since Captain America is from Brooklyn, his appetizer was a Crispy Fried Maryland Crab Cake.

Since Iron Man is from California, his appetizers included a California Strawberry and Walnut Salad (shown above) and Chilled Californian Avocado Soup.

You can also find themed desserts for Marvel Day at Sea in Cabanas Restaurant during breakfast and lunch.

These desserts weren't anything too special, just featured little candy signs, but were still a fun touch.

Additional Marvel Day at Sea Entertainment

Some cruisers go all out for Marvel Day at Sea! We saw so many families in full professional like Marvel costumes and plenty of themed couples and groups. Half the fun was just sitting in the atrium and people watching to see all the costumes.

The Buena Vista Theatre and the deck will play Marvel shows throughout the day. One of the highlights of this for me was sunbathing as I watched an episode of WandaVision on the pool deck. So fun!

Other cruise experiences become Marvel themed like Animation Academy featuring Marvel characters guests can draw and Marvel themed trivia games.

Is Marvel Day at Sea Worth It?

The best thing about Marvel Day of Sea is that this celebration takes place on one of your days at sea meaning your entire day at sea will be filled with plenty of entertainment. However, if you are not a Marvel fan, you may be a bit unimpressed by the offerings. Rather than that entertainment being generally Disney focused, it will have a Marvel theme instead. It is only for one day of the cruise though, the remaining days will focus on the classic Disney Cruise Line offerings. 

If you are a Marvel fan, this is a no brainer. Cruisers really embrace the atmosphere of a Marvel centric day and a large number of guests will dress up. In the evening Disney will invite guests to show off their costumes in the atrium and this is fun to watch to see everyone's creativity. This is a dream vacation for Marvel fans.

Even if you are not a hardcore Marvel fan, the other bonus of a Marvel Day at Sea is you will get two firework shows during your cruise. Marvel Day at Sea doesn't replace Pirate Night and both nighttime shows include fireworks. This alone makes it worth it so you can enjoy multiple evening experiences. Along with that perk, Marvel Heroes Unite is one of the best nighttime spectaculars offered on the Disney Cruise Line. This is a must see experience because of the huge variety of Marvel characters, zip line stunts, pyrotechnics, and firework finale.

Marvel Day at Sea is a Marvel themed celebration on a Disney Cruise Line trip which includes tons of rare Marvel characters, Marvel themed activities plus one of the best Disney Cruise Line nighttime spectaculars and fireworks show.

Marvel Day at Sea cruises still include Pirate Night which means you will get to experience two different nighttime spectaculars and fireworks shows during your cruise.

Yes, there is a fireworks show at Marvel Day at Sea. There is a Marvel themed fireworks show and one for Pirates Night.

Guests of all ages are encouraged to dress up in full Marvel costume during Marvel Day at Sea. Many guests will show up in full costume to just their favorite Marvel themed gear. This is a must add to your Disney Cruise Line packing list.

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay is a college English instructor and has years of writing experience through various nonprofits, charities, newspapers, and online magazines. As the content director of Mickey Visit, she oversees article content and leads our fantastic team of writers to meet guest vacation needs. You can still find her writing weekly content to help make your Disney Parks trip fantastic here on Mickey Visit and Disney Dose- you can also view her recently featured posts on Disney Parks travel on Visit Anaheim, Nerd Wallet and SFGate. Lindsay comes from a dedicated Disney family and enjoys taking her son to the Disney parks as often as possible.

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Marvel Day at Sea on the Disney Dream

It’s themed cruise season for Disney Cruise Line, and for the first time, Marvel Day at Sea is being hosted on select sailings on the Disney Dream. My family and I sailed on the second Marvel Day at Sea cruise, which sailed from Miami on January 16th. Because this offering is so new, we wanted to share all of the details with you, in case you’re considering booking a Marvel Day at Sea cruise in the future, or if you’ve already booked and you’re one of those meticulous planner types (you are welcome here) and you need to know all of the things in advance.

Because this is a post for people that want spoilers and want to plan ahead, there will be spoilers. I can’t help you plan without giving you the details. Even still, I will call out “big” spoilers ahead of time. That way if you want basic who/what/when/wheres, but still want an element of surprise and delight, you can read the basics and avoid the “magic”.

We also need to keep in mind that I experienced the second-ever Marvel Day At Sea on the Dream, so things could still shift and change. This includes (but is not limited to) which characters appear, how many meets you can reserve, when/where characters appear, the number of shows and other offerings, etc. etc. etc. As with all things, your experience may vary.

Characters are absolutely central to Marvel Day at Sea. They are the heart of the entire experience, and this is the one area where Disney Cruise Line absolutely knocked it out of the park. There was no skimping on characters here – almost everyone should be able to meet their favorite Avenger at some point during the day. And you could spend quite literally all day meeting various characters if that’s how you choose to spend your time.

Heroic Encounters

Similar to the Royal Gathering available on Disney cruises (including this one), Heroic Encounters are free, scheduled character meet-and-greets that you reserve 30 days before you set sail – the same day that you can do online check-in. There are three different options to book for Marvel Day at Sea:

• Heroic Encounters: HQ (Spiderman and Iron Man)
• Heroic Encounters: Asgard (Thor and Mighty Thor, or Loki)
• Heroic Encounters: Guardians (Groot and Star-Lord)

Before and when you book, you will learn a few things. First, you are only supposed to be able to book one of the three heroic encounters. In reality, guests on our cruise were able to book as many as we wanted. This wasn’t due to low attendance – our cruise was at 98% capacity. So it’s like a rule that Disney stated but didn’t enforce. This “loophole” could close at any time. Second, you will only get vague descriptions of characters – mostly to safeguard in case certain characters aren’t able to appear. Disney mostly only implies that you can meet Spiderman/Iron Man, Thor, and Groot. The additions of Jane Foster, sometimes-Loki, and Star-Lord were total “bonus” and not hinted at at all. Again, this means that they could change at any time.

The most popular meet  by far is Heroic Encounters: HQ. Even though you have to reserve in advance, and show up at your assigned time, the line is frequently 45 minutes long. Spiderman and Iron Man meet in the D Lounge, and the line not only winds around inside that space, but also significantly down the hall on Deck 4. Prepare yourself for a long wait.

The other two Heroic Encounters are much different. Perhaps they had fewer reservations given out. Asgard and Guardians both happen inside Animator’s Palate. You’re only allowed to line up outside the restaurant 5-10 minutes before your assigned time. Then when the time is right, your entire group for that reserved time is moved inside the restaurant and you all meet the characters quickly.

Scheduled Characters

In addition to the reserved Heroic Encounters, there are many,  many  scheduled character meets that you can find on the Navigator app all throughout the day. Easily every 30 minutes or more frequently. Let’s review some of them by location – where they were meeting during our cruise.

Preludes: Shuri and T’Challa – the two different iterations of Black Panther rotate every 30 or 60 minutes in Preludes, outside the Walt Disney Theater. This line tended to approximately 30 minutes long, and the attendant would let people in the line know whether they would be meeting Shuri or T’Challa based on how far back they were in line. I never got to meet T’Challa, but Shuri was absolutely lovely. We bonded over being technically-inclined women, and she invited my daughters to Wakanda to help them learn more things. Keep in mind, since this location is constantly occupied by a character, attendants and photographers have to occasionally swap out, and that also pauses the line.

Lobby: Ms. Marvel and Shang-Chi – Ms. Marvel and Shang-Chi regularly had the shortest lines of any of the scheduled characters, which was helpful since long lines are tricky in the already-busy lobby. This location wasn’t constantly occupied like Preludes, but it almost always had one of these characters. Ms. Marvel is delightful and very effusive with teenage energy. Shang-Chi is happy to talk cars or cool moves, and will gladly teach you some new photo poses.

Evolution: Sam Wilson, Steve Rogers, and Captain Marvel – this trio easily had the longest lines of any of the scheduled meets. And they would rotate every 60 minutes. The line would wind all of the way around Evolution, through the rest of the District, and even out into the hallway beyond the District. It was remarkable and intimidating. The wait typically averaged an hour long, which meant that a different character would be meeting when you got to the front. As a result, my family only met one character in this space. We saw Captain Marvel very early in the morning, before the lines ballooned. One note – both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson meet at Captain America – you won’t see Falcon on this cruise.

Wandering Characters

The lines were long for scheduled meets, and the characters lived up to expectations. But if you didn’t want to (or couldn’t) deal with the lengthy waits, you weren’t out of luck. Because Disney brought the real magic in the unscheduled character appearances. These are the appearances that really made the day magical. So many characters appeared so frequently and seemingly randomly that it felt like you were on a SHIELD quinjet and just observing what a day is like amongst the Avengers.

So here’s the real Marvel Day at Sea hack. You just sit in the lobby all the live-long day. You see a character, you walk up to them (or they walk up to you), you have a conversation, an interaction, and then you both move along. No lines (usually), just hanging with Avengers like it’s an everyday normal thing.

We learned this hack late in the day, but but even so, we saw all of the following characters wandering without handlers or lines in the lobby on decks 3, 4, or 5:

• Kate Bishop
• Black Widow
• Doctor Strange
• Captain Marvel
• Steve Rogers
• Tracksuit Mafia

Classic Disney Characters

You’ll see a very limited selection of scheduled classic Disney character meet-and-greets late in the afternoon and early evening. These all happen after the costume celebration, and before the Mickey and Friends deck show (both described in more detail below). Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale all do some Disney-bounding as their favorite Avengers. You can meet them after the costume celebration, or during the scheduled time.

In addition to characters, there are so many activities to choose from throughout the day. After all, there’s got to be something to do for the people that get tired of all of the lines!

The Avengers Training Initiative will happen once on Deck 11 on Marvel Day at Sea, and then once in the kids club on the same day. It will also repeat sometime later in the cruise. We decided to let our kids attend during the kids club session because it was  much less crowded. According to them, they got to meet and learn from Sam Wilson and Black Widow – and then they made their very own superhero masks (which looked suspiciously like Mardi Gras masquerade masks …).

Comic Vault

For several hours throughout the morning, and again in the afternoon, you are invited to check out a tablet that comes pre-loaded with 273 different Marvel comics. The tablets are available near Vista Cafe on Deck 4. You give the attendant your stateroom number, and then the tablet is yours to do with what you will. You can take it back to your stateroom, or wherever else you’d like. But I highly recommend remaining in the area and reading on one of the couches in Vista Cafe, because you’re in a perfect location to see those wandering characters while you read your comics.

Trivia is a staple of Disney cruising. And any trivia session is pretty difficult to win. This is especially true of Marvel trivia on Marvel Day at Sea. You’ve got lots of big fans that know all of the things and want to show off. You can attend any of a variety of “normal” trivia throughout the day, or you can wait for the Ultimate Showdown late at night, where you participate in trivia in a series of rounds, always paired up with another person. The winner moves on and the loser is eliminated. On our cruise, two brothers made it to the final round, and had to eventually go to a tie-breaker, which the older brother won.

Animation classes are a classic offering on any Disney Cruise Line sailing. You can usually learn to draw Mickey, Stitch, Minnie, Goofy, or other characters. On Marvel Day at Sea, these animation classes convert into “Marvel Comic Academy”, and they all happen in District Lounge. During Marvel Comic Academy, you learn how to draw Spiderman or Iron Man or other Avengers.

These classes are popular, and the area is also incredibly busy (and loud) thanks to the long lines for the characters in Evolution. The folks leading the classes also have less experience drawing these characters than they do the other more “classic” Disney characters. Plus, the characters themselves are just more difficult to draw. So our family found these classes to be slightly more frustrating and hard to follow than the offerings on other days. Still fun, but something to note if you’re used to following along and ending up with a perfect character to be able to show off and brag about.

Costume Celebration

Almost everyone dresses up for Marvel Day at Sea. Similar to Pirate Night on other sailings, the spectrum of costumes is very wide. Some people don’t dress up at all. Others wear themed t-shirts. And some go all-out with elaborate costumes. There were certainly many more toward the “elaborate” side of that spectrum on Marvel Day at Sea, especially kids in costumes.

So, before the main dining rotation, Disney hosts a costume celebration in the lobby. Large groups of people are ushered up to the “stage” all at once, where everyone can admire their costumes. The entertainment hosts interview a few participants, everyone claps and celebrates their fellow cruise passengers.

At the end of the celebration, Mickey and Friends crash the party in their Avengers-bounding outfits. When the celebration is over, they all spread out to different parts of the lobby. At that time, you’re welcome to line up for pictures with them. Attendants will move things along quickly, only allowing one photo per party (and no official photographers).

Entertainment

Disney Cruise Line entertainment is always spectacular. No other cruise line has all of the same caliber of Broadway-style entertainment, deck shows, or fireworks at sea. And the special entertainment  for Marvel Day at Sea, as a whole, doesn’t disappoint.

Warriors of Wakanda

Wakanda has a great amount of representation during Marvel Day at Sea – in addition to Shuri and T’Challa constantly meeting their fans in Preludes, Okoye is onboard, and leads the cruise passengers in warrior training 2 or 3 times throughout the day. Each of these training sessions happens in the lobby, and Ms. Marvel/Shang-Chi aren’t meeting during show time.

The first Warriors of Wakanda showtime is by far the most crowded – so feel free to wait for a later showing. If you’ve attended the equivalent entertainment offering at Avengers Campus in Disneyland … this will seem similar (read: identical). You will learn some important lessons about the true heart of a warrior, and then get to practice some moves and chants with Okoye.

Strange Academy

Strange Academy is shown in the Walt Disney Theatre 3 times throughout the afternoon of Marvel Day at Sea. It is a 30-minute show put on by the same talented performers that star in the other Broadway-style shows throughout the cruise. Strange Academy is the only place where you’ll be able to see Wong and Agatha Harkness, and it also features Doctor Strange and 4 graduating “students” with various skills.

The crew of the ship really talked this show up as a do-not-miss … so we went in with very high expectations. It was a cute show, with some funny moments. Kids will like it, but it’s certainly not the most impressive entertainment of the day.

Mickey and Friends Super Hero Celebration

Between dinner services on Marvel Day at Sea, many families head up to the pool deck to watch Mickey and Friends in their deck show. During this celebration, two entertainment hosts help Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip, Dale, and Pluto teach everyone how to be a real super hero. This involved some crazy dance moves, as well as some intentional focusing on character traits befitting of any hero. This isn’t the “big” deck show of the evening, but it’s a lot of energetic fun during a time of day when you probably won’t be doing anything else anyway.

Heroes Unite

Be ye warned: spoilers ahead. Read the first section only if you want information on where and when to snag a spot, and then only read further if you want all of the details.

Marvel Day at Sea culminates in one big spectacular show at 10:15 pm on the pool deck. This is absolutely a well-designed and well-executed (at least by the second sailing – I’ve heard there were problems with the first) capstone to a busy and exciting day.

First things first – a reminder is pushed to all guests 45 minutes before the show starts, which means that spots start filling up very early. Even if you arrive 40 minutes before showtime, you will likely not find a spot on the railing on the upper deck, or anywhere close to the stage on the main deck. This is an event that is worth arriving early for. I recommend standing on the port side of the upper deck, midway between the stage and the Aqua Duck entrance. This will put you in the perfect spot to see many of the character entrances (and there are  many of them), as well as the fireworks and the stage action.

Now come the show spoilers: the show itself is a lot of fun – the basic concept is that you are attending a technology expo hosted by Tony Stark. Except the tech that he’s showing off uses quantum technology to jump between multiverses. And powerful tech like that attracts powerful enemies who want to control it themselves. You’ll visit three different multi-verses – each introducing you to different heroes and different villains. Eventually _all_ of the Avengers onboard will appear, as well as the Tracksuit Mafia, Taskmaster and his goons, and Loki and Scarlet Witch. When the fight reaches a breaking point, Captain Marvel flies in to turn the tide. Of course, as she arrives, so do Kree fighter ships (it’s dark in the middle of the ocean, y’know, so you just can’t see them up there). She fights them off with … fireworks.

The scale of this show is astounding. There are generally more characters on stage than you can count, especially in the finale. And if you’ve been on a Disney sailing before, you know that a spectacular moment in Pirate Night shows is when Captain Mickey ziplines in to save the day. In this show, there are 8 different zipline entrances. Eight! Spiderman, Taskmaster, and Captain Marvel all use the “traditional” zipline. Doctor Strange, Black Panther, and Spiderman (again) all rappel down in front of the Funnel-Vision screen. And Kate Bishop and Taskmaster goons use a side-to-side zip in the middle of the crowd on the main deck.

Marvel Day at Sea also comes with its own menu that is offered at each of the three rotational dining locations. Appetizers, entrees and desserts are all  roughly themed to various Avengers. I’ll post pictures of the menu below. Overall, we enjoyed it better than the Animator’s Palate menu, and less than the Enchanted Garden and Royal Palace menus. But your experience and preferences may vary!

We ordered the Farmhouse appetizer, both Thor entrees, plus the Hawkeye pork and the Scarlet Witch Gnocchi. We also, regrettably, ordered the specialty Wakanda Forever drink after reading the description and joking about how terrible it sounded on Instagram. The menu promises a Coke Zero with Simply Strawberry and Banana, Caramel, and Himalayan Salt. Salted caramel strawberry banana coke? That’s a choice. Imagine our surprise when it showed up with another unlisted ingredient with yet another flavor – blue raspberry pop rocks. It was … a lot. Our kids enjoyed it, because the overwhelming flavor is “sweet”. But it’s not something that I can recommend to anyone else.

Our family whole-heartedly recommends a Marvel Day at Sea cruise to any Avengers fans out there. You’ll have so much fun making memories with your family and the characters you’ve come to know and love.

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Becky Gandillon

Becky Gandillon was trained in biomedical engineering, but is now a full-time data and analytics nerd. She loves problem solving and travelling. She and her husband, Jeff, live in St. Louis with their two daughters and they have Disney family movie night every Saturday. You can follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-gandillon/ or instagram @raisingminniemes

5 thoughts on “ Marvel Day at Sea on the Disney Dream ”

We’re on the Marvel cruise now and this post is incredibly helpful, thank you!!!

Which day was marvel day at sea for planning? First day at sea or second?

For this cruise, it was on the first day at sea. The second day at sea was the last day of the cruise, which comes with its own activities (and packing), so they can’t really schedule anything substantial for that day.

Was the only thing you needed to make reservations for the Heroic Encounters? Everything else is wait in line or first come/first serve?

That’s right!

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Marvel Day at Sea Returns to Disney Cruise Line in 2025

Disney Cruise Line announced that Marvel Day at Sea will return to the  Disney Dream  in 2025! Setting sail from Fort Lauderdale from January through early March, this unique day at sea combines the fun and relaxation of a Disney cruise vacation with fan-favorite Marvel characters.

On these special itineraries, guests are invited to experience the epic adventures of the legendary superheroes from the Marvel Universe during an unforgettable day at sea. Marvel Day at Sea promises the largest collection of Marvel superheroes and villains assembled on a cruise ship. This day-long celebration will feature entertainment for the whole family, including superhero sightings, Marvel-themed activities, and unique food and beverage offerings.

Marvel Day at Sea will be offered on five-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises sailing from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:

• Departing Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Feb. 24 and March 10, 2025, the Bahamian Caribbean itinerary includes Nassau, Bahamas, Grand Cayman and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point .
• Departing Feb. 1, Feb. 15; March 1 and March 15, 2025, the western Caribbean itinerary includes Cozumel, Mexico, and Castaway Cay .

Related : Is a Marvel Day at Sea Cruise Worth It If I Don’t Like Marvel?

About Post Author

Jackie Gailey

Senior Editor at The DIS and DCL Fan | Disney Vacation Club Member | Thrilled to have been a ’13/’14 Disney Parks Moms Panelist (now planDisney) | Lover of all things Disney; the Magic of Disneyland, Walt Disney World, and Disney Cruise Line | ºoº

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Join the largest assembly of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains at sea for one action-packed day during a 5-night Disney cruise adventure to the Caribbean.

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Meet favorite super heroes like Black Panther, Thor, Loki, Iron Man, Groot, Captain Marvel and more during scheduled photo opportunities.

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Experience the power of the mystic arts in a spellbinding show, see how to train like a Wakandan warrior, and witness a nighttime spectacular of epic effects with an incredible assembly of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains.

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FULL GUIDE to Pixar Day at Sea on Disney Cruise Line!

by Madison Owens · April 25, 2024

There are a lot of different options when it comes to setting sail with Disney Cruise Line — there are five different ships to choose from, with a new one debuting by the end of the year , and another one in the works . They all have exclusive features and sail to a variety of destinations, so how do you choose which ship is right for you?

Photo: Disney

Well, obviously, the places you want to sail to should be the first thing you consider! But, beyond that, some ships offer special themed days during their voyage that might sway your decision.

Disney Fantasy Atrium

We recently sailed on the Disney Fantasy and experienced their Pixar Day at Sea. And now, we’ve got a full breakdown of the event so you can see if it’s right for you, or know what to expect if you’re taking the same journey soon!

Pixar Day at Sea

Pixar Day at Sea is an official day during your cruise. We were on the seven night Western Caribbean cruise and our Pixar Day was on our second day at sea.

There are a ton of different things to do, from seeing exclusive characters to participating in some exciting events, so let’s break it down!

The theming of this cruise is obviously all about Pixar! Disney adds a themed window cling to your veranda door the night before Pixar Day at Sea.

The screen on the top deck — Funnel Vision — has the Pixar Day at Sea logo screen on it until the first movie of the day begins.

There is also a giant Pixar Day at Sea Luxo Ball backdrop in the atrium throughout the entire cruise for you to take pictures in front of!

We spotted banners in the cabanas on Pixar Day at Sea, like this one of Flik…

…and this one of Russell and Carl.

They were also seen by Flo’s V-8 Cafe!

So much fun!

Something very cute is that at the end of your Pixar Day at Sea, there is a Wall-E blanket animal waiting for you in your room! There could be other characters that are made, but we got Wall-E and we were so happy to see him!

You can meet a bunch of fun Pixar characters throughout your cruise! Some of them will require reservations, but others will not.

We met Bo Peep from Toy Story, who doesn’t require a reservation and meets multiple times during the cruise. She’s exclusive to the Pixar Day at Sea cruise!

You can also meet Buzz Lightyear…

…and Jessie!

All of these characters will give you a card with their autographs on it instead of signing individual autographs.

You can meet more Toy Story characters (Woody, Jessie, & Bullseye) during the Hey Howdy Breakfast on the cruise, which is offered on two days during the cruise and is reservation only.

Rex is also available on the cruise, but he’s reservation only and you have to book a time to meet him before your cruise begins.

We definitely suggest scheduling this meet and greet because he’s super cool and very popular!

After we met with Rex, Cast Members said they had a surprise for us if we walked down a little further, and we saw Buzz again! On a different day of the cruise the surprise character down here was Bo Peep.

Merida from Brave also meets throughout the entire cruise!

Joy and Sadness from Inside Out began meeting guests the night before Pixar Day at Sea.

They had a fun Inside Out backdrop behind them and we’re very popular!

Mike and Sulley were meeting in from of stateroom door 2319!

The door even had Boo magnets on it — so cute.

Here’s a closer look:

These two characters will also give you an autograph card when you meet them.

The Incredibles meet during the cruise as well, but they are reservation only! It rotated between Frozone and Mr. Incredible and Edna Mode and Mrs. Incredible. We got to meet the latter!

These characters were super popular but they did have some availability pop up while we were on the cruise.

A character exclusive to Pixar Day at Sea is Miguel from Coco. He was very popular, with his line being about an hour long wait for all three of his meeting times throughout the day.

Remy from Ratatouille meets during a few days on the cruise but he has very high demand! The rat had the longest lines we saw to meet a character during the cruise.

Finally, you can meet Mickey and Minnie Mouse in their Pixar Outfits at the end of Pixar Day at Sea!

Animators Palette — Undersea Magic with Crush

During one night of our cruise, we went to this themed dinner at Animator’s Palate!

The food itself isn’t themed, but the restaurant is. All of the shelves have Pixar props and the screens around the room will display some of your favorite characters from Finding Nemo!

The restaurant has a lot of blue lighting, making you feel like you’re actually under the sea.

Animator’s Palate

Similar to Turtle Talk with Crush in EPCOT, Crush actually talks to you during this dinner! He will come around to your table and visit. He might even ask if he can take a “shelfie” with you!

Some of the things Crush talked to us about were what we did on the ship that day and where we’re all from.

Then, the fish that form pictures with their school come around and you can play charades with them! You have to try and guess what object they’re forming into.

Bruce also swims in and out of the frames along with the other fish and friends from Nemo’s tank.

Now, let’s talk about the food. First of all, know that you can get a Crush souvenir sipper cup during this dinner — he’s so fun!

Here’s a look at the menu!

For our appetizer, we got the Sliced Serrano Ham with Manchego cheese and olive tapenade.

We also tried the Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes. These are pasta purses filled with truffle-scented cheese and coated with a delicate champagne sauce.

For our soup and salad course, we got the Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup with bacon bits and chives.

Then, for our main course, we got the Ginger-Teriyaki dusted Angus Beef Tenderloin. This is served on top of wasabi mashed potatoes with bok choy and a tamarind barbecue reduction.

For dessert, we got the signature dessert, which is the Lemon Icebox Pie. This is served with lemon curd and berry creme.

Here’s a look at the other dessert options:

Pixar Dinner

On Pixar Day at Sea, you can enjoy the Pixar Dinner at all of the rotational dining locations. This dinner has California-inspired fare themed to Pixar Animation Studios.

We started with some specialty cocktails! This is The Vespa, which is Duke Kentucky Straight Bourbon, fresh lemon, and Pinot noir.

We thought this was like a playful take on a sidecar — it was delicious and not too sweet! You can definitely taste the bourbon but the Pinot noir mellows it out.

We also tried the Chef’s Hat, which is a non-alcoholic cocktail with coconut, pineapple, banana, and cotton candy.

This is good — it’s like coconut Dole whip but you also get some of that cotton candy flavor.

For our appetizer, we got Russell’s Baked Shrimp “Mac and Cheese.” This had chili fried shrimp, cavatappi, white cheddar, and gruyere cheese. It was really good but we still think it could’ve been a bit cheesier!

For soup, we got the Yeast of Eden’s Cream of Broccoli Soup which came with Pizza Dough Croutons. This was seasoned well and delicious!

For our main, we got a vegetarian dish — the Lava “Poke” Bowl. This came with tofu, tamari, cucumber, red cabbage, radish, brown rice, sesame, avocado, cilantro, and wasabi lemon drizzle. This is also gluten free!

This dish was just okay. The flavors didn’t really mesh together to become one cohesive dish, and there wasn’t much flavor to begin with.

For dessert, we got Coco’s Strawberry Churros Calientes. These had strawberry sugar crystals on the outside and came with a double chocolate sauce.

These were very crunchy thanks to that sugar on the outside and a delightful way to finish dinner!

We also got the signature dessert, which was the Playful Pixar ball! This was a baked vanilla cheesecake with blueberry filling and lemon almond cake.

It’s so cute! The lemon and blueberry are very subtle and compliment the cheesecake well.

Here’s a look at the other desserts on the menu!

Other Pixar Food on Board

If you’re looking for some Pixar-themed snacks, you can find a bunch over at Sweet on You for an extra cost! They’re available throughout the entire length of your cruise.

You can get things like a pack of macarons or Toy Story letter blocks…

…Rice Krispy Treats, marshmallow sticks, dipped Oreos…

…chocolate-dipped strawberries…

…and character cupcakes…

…like this Lightning McQueen one!

At the cafes aboard the ship, you can get Pixar characters put on the top of your coffee!

There are also Pixar novelty cups and popcorn buckets available on the ship all week for an additional fee.

These popcorn buckets are $20 each and will get you $1 refills on popcorn.

During Pixar Day at Sea, the drinks are themed to Pixar. We got this non-alcoholic drink called Balloons that was themed to Up .

This had pineapple Dole whip and strawberry puree with bubble gum flavor that added some nice sweetness. We really liked it!

There are a ton of themed activities on board during this cruise! First up, we checked out Sarge Says, which is essentially Simon Says with the Green Army Men from Toy Story.

This is mostly geared toward kids but can be enjoyed by people of all ages. The room lights up when Sarge tells you to do things like dance, salute, and march.

But, the best part is that you get to take a picture with the Green Army Men at the end!

Open Mike Nite happened two times on our trip, once before Pixar Day at Sea and once during. There are three unknown judges and guests are brought on stage to help tell jokes and get the audience to laugh in order to fill the scream canister!

At the end, Mike Wazowski himself comes out and everyone takes a bow. It’s basically like an open mic at a comedy club.

If you want to go on a scavenger hunt, check out the Wilderness Explorer Shipshape Adventure Scavenger Hunt, which only happens during Pixar Day at Sea. Window clings are added around the ship and you have to find them all and figure out what word they’re spelling.

At the end of the day, there’s a Wilderness Explorer meeting where you earn a badge (a stamp on your paper) if you’ve figured out the word and you get to meet Dug and Russell from Up !

To channel your inner animator, you can attend Learn to Draw Animation Academy, which was available for the entire day during Pixar Day at Sea. You learn to draw different Pixar characters!

We ended up drawing Lightning McQueen, but we also saw options like Joy, Merida, Mike and Sulley, and Panda Mei.

Similar to this, if you’re interested in what it’s actually like to work for Pixar, you can go to Meet the Storytellers. This is only offered one time during the cruise with a different member of Pixar Animation Studios for each voyage.

On our cruise, we got to hear from Eric Rosales, who has worked on Lightyear and The Incredibles at Pixar. He also showed us the process of how the Pixar short Self was made. And, at the end, the audience got to ask him a few questions!

One really popular activity on the ship was Jack-Jack’s Diaper Dash! It felt like almost the entire ship turned out for it when looking around the atrium.

During this, babies are placed on a mat to see who will crawl to their family member on the other side the quickest! So cute.

If you’re looking to channel your inner fashion diva, you can check out Edna Mode’s Style Show! This only happens on Pixar Day at Sea.

Edna Mode will appear at the top of the stairs and scurry down to judge all of the Pixar costumes that everyone’s wearing for the night. Cast Members went around and asked people to be in the fashion show, which had different categories, like DIY, Incredibles, and Pixar Friends.

You then walked the runway while Edna made some very nice comments on your outfit. When your group is done walking the runway, you line up for a group photo!

If you’re looking for some arts and crafts, you can make things like 3D Pixar character crafts, like building your own Forky in the kids clubs on board.

There are also multiple opportunities to partake in Pixar trivia throughout the trip…

…and live entertainment that focuses on songs from Pixar movies!

Some other things that only happen on Pixar Day at Sea are fun games like Dory’s Memory Game…

…Toy Story Boot Camp (which is only in the Kids Clubs!)…

…and Crush’s Pool Party.

Entertainment

There is a bunch of fun entertainment that happens throughout your cruise! First of all, you can watch a variety of Disney movies at the Buena Vista Theatre. Some of the ones we had on board were Turning Red, Toy Story, and Frozen .

There are also Pixar movies played in between other Disney movies on Funnel Vision on the top deck! We saw them play Hercules, Monsters, Inc., The Little Mermaid, and Ratatouille.

You don’t miss out on those Pixar-themed deck parties! The Celebrate the Supers Deck Party features Mr. and Mrs. Incredible, Frozone, and Jack-Jack.

The supers are introduced and Edna Mode also appears to show off her designs and how she has modernized them for the supers.

Then, they realize that Jack-Jack is missing! They try to capture him running around the deck, and then we spot him at one point up in the smoke stack!

The Incredibles are able to capture the baby and everyone celebrates with fireworks above the ship!

There is also the Pixar Pals Celebration on Deck, which features a bunch of Pixar friends coming out to dance with everyone!

Joy and Sadness come out first and take turns dancing and changing the emotions and vibes of the dance party when they pass off the core memory to each other.

Then, Remy comes out and he dances and stirs a big pot!

After that, Wilderness Explorers Dug and Russell come out and dance to “The Bird is the Word.”

Miguel from Coco then comes out and gets you to dance along with him! The steps to the dance are up on the screen and you stomp and clap and snap with Miguel.

Then, Mike and Sulley come out and challenge everyone to scream to fill the canister that’s up on the screen.

Finally, the Toy Story Friends come out and dance…

…before introducing Partysaurus Rex!

Merchandise

There’s also some exclusive merchandise that you can grab on the ship over at Mickey’s Mainsail!

Get this exclusive pin featuring a variety of Pixar characters for $17.99.

Check out the adult T-shirt available in here! It’s a ringer T-shirt with the ship on the front…

…and the same design as the pin on the back. Get it for $34.99!

There is a kids shirt as well — it has the ship and some Pixar characters on the front and the back is plain.

You can get it for $31.99.

That’s our full guide to Pixar Day at Sea on the Disney Fantasy! Stay tuned for more Disney Cruise Line news and updates.

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The Best Time To Take A Disney Cruise

I f your family loves Disney, a Disney cruise may be something that is on your mind. Although you won’t be experiencing any attractions or rides, you will enjoy Disney magic while experiencing the world outside of Walt Disney World. Wondering when is the best time to take a Disney cruise? Here is our guide to figuring out the best options for your family.

Disclosure: Over the years we have taken media cruises on the Disney Cruise Line, and have paid full price for many of our sailings. This post contains affiliate links (and an affiliate phone number), and if you click through or purchase through one of these links/numbers, I may be paid a commission.

When booking a Disney Cruise, I recommend booking with Get Away Today. Plus, when you mention Family Travel Magazine, you get an extra $25 in onboard credits! Give their agents a call at 877-510-2929.

When deciding the best time to take a Disney Cruise, you’ll need to look at a few factors. If you have older kids, you may be stuck with only just a few weeks of availability due to sports, work, and school commitments.

My high school/college kids are so busy that school vacations are the only times that we can travel for more than a weekend. These times are very fun to travel but are likely to be more expensive – including the airfare.

If your schedule is open, and you are looking for the best times to sail on a Caribbean/Bahamian itinerary, I’d recommend May. The weather is generally nice, it’s not one of the peak times, so prices and crowds aren’t too bad.

If you have younger children who aren’t in school yet, take advantage of that time. You also won’t have to worry about hurricane season at that point.

Pricing Considerations for Your Cruise

Pricing is one of the most important factors you should consider. As you’d expect, the peak times of the year, like holidays, spring break, and other school vacations, are when you’ll often see the highest prices.

Some discounts, for military and Florida residents, for instance, are not offered on every sailing. Flexibility in booking can allow you to save some money.

It’s not just the cruise price that you should look at. If you are flying into the port or staying either a night before or a night after your cruise, the flights and hotels may also be more expensive during school vacations and holidays. So you’ll have to weigh whether the extra cost is worth the convenience of traveling during this time.

Some families choose to combine their family cruise with a trip to the theme parks for a Disney land and sea vacation . Again, this is usually a more expensive trip during holidays and school breaks – for both the parks and the cruise line.

When booking, it’s always a good idea to book early. Disney Castaway Club members can often book early when the cruise fares and itineraries are first announced. That way, you will have your choice of stateroom categories and won’t be left with the more expensive rooms, especially if you are hoping for a more affordable room category. Interior staterooms and ocean view staterooms (porthole) can be cheaper options for your trip.

If you are already taking a cruise, making onboard bookings can save you money. Your next cruise can be booked before the end of your cruise.

You can book a placeholder if you aren’t sure what itinerary you want to experience next or don’t have your available dates handy. Keep in mind that some of those benefits may have blackout dates during holidays and special events.

Also look at the price including travel insurance. It’s always a good idea to have your vacation spending protected.

Travel insurance may also cover you if you have a medical emergency (but always check coverage) A good travel agent can help you find the best rates for your dates and may even offer onboard credit.

Crowds on Your Cruise

Like prices, crowd levels are often the highest during school vacations and holidays. Although you may only be able to travel during these busy times, it’s important to understand in advance that you’ll need to make your reservations as early as possible and arrive at the airport with plenty of time. On our last cruise, we had to fly on Christmas Day, and the airport was extremely crowded with many delays.

Once your reservation is booked, based on your Castaway Club level, you should also plan your shore excursions early. If you have an especially popular port adventure, it likely will be booked up during the busy sailings. Cabanas at Castaway Cay are especially difficult to book because the demand far exceeds the supply.

Special Events at Sea

Disney Cruise Line offers some special, themed sailings that can be so much fun. These special cruises include Halloween on the High Seas, Disney’s Very Merrytime Cruise , Marvel Day at Sea, Pixar Day at Sea, and Star Wars Day at Sea. During these sailings, you’ll experience things like a decorated cruise ship, themed shows, and special events.

Often, these sailings can be more expensive than cruises without a theme. So you’ll need to decide whether or not the special theme is worth it for your family. If you aren’t excited about the extra decor/entertainment, you may want to save money and opt for a standard cruise.

Weather/Hurricane Season

Weather is another factor in deciding the best time to take a Disney Cruise. If you are planning a Caribbean/Bahamian itinerary cruise, you’ll want to look at the average temperatures in the islands you’ll be visiting. These cruises are typically offered year-round, although the Bahamian temperatures tend to be cooler in the winter months.

I generally prefer the spring, summer, and fall months when cruising to the Bahamas. Even early December can be nice. Surprisingly, while the summer months are hot, they don’t feel too hot.

The southern Caribbean islands generally have warm temps year-round. It’s important to look at hurricane season, however. A tropical storm or hurricane can affect your sailing so you’ll want to keep this in mind if you decide to cruise in these months. My September sailing resulted in an extension of two extra days due to a hurricane in Florida.

Itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line

Some of the itineraries on the Disney Cruise Line are only offered at certain times of the year. Alaskan cruises , for example, are only offered during the late spring/summer months because of the cold weather the rest of the year.

Other limited sailings include Northern Europe and San Diego (but can vary by year). So, if you are looking to take one of those sailings, you’ll have limited options for timing.

Ages of Kids on the Disney Cruise Line

Instead of a time of year, you may be wondering what the best ages are to take a Disney Cruise with your kids. You won’t want to go when your kids are too young because they won’t be able to enjoy all of the activities and amenities.

I’d recommend waiting until your kids are old enough to enjoy the kids’ clubs. They are fantastic, and your kids will likely want to stay in the clubs for much of your time at sea. Although the regular youth clubs are open to kids 3 and up, my kids had fun in them once they were about 5 years old.

After that age, I think that any kid would enjoy sailing on the Disney Cruise Line. We recently went on a trip with our 17 and 19-year-olds, and they still have a great time sailing with Disney.

Compare itineraries and prices here .

More Disney Cruise Ships Resources: Click to read more about the Disney Cruise Line ships including restaurants, tips, itineraries, activities, and more.

The post The Best Time To Take A Disney Cruise appeared first on Family Travel Magazine .

Protect Your Trip »

The 7 best 3-day cruise itineraries for 2024.

Plan a long weekend getaway aboard a cruise for fun, scenery and entertainment.

The Best 3-Day Cruise Itineraries

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Line

Hop aboard the Carnival Radiance for a short but fun-filled cruise weekend.

Whether you're short on vacation days or you only have a long weekend to spare, three-night cruises offer a fun and affordable way to get a change of scenery. These shorter sailings from the U.S. often amount to a weekend cruise and only depart from Florida and California for now. However, short cruises still let you dine and dance on board, enjoy world-class entertainment, and visit nearby destinations like Nassau in the Bahamas; Key West, Florida; or Ensenada, Mexico.

If you're looking for short cruises that pack a lot of good times into a weekend vacation, you should know that many cruise lines offer these trips, including Norwegian Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises. Read on to find out which short cruises we recommend, where they depart from, and everything you can see and do over the span of three incredible nights.

3-Day Cruises From Florida

Norwegian sky from miami.

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruise Line

Dates: Aug. 2 to 5, 2024

Departure port: Miami

Stops: Key West, Florida; Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $399 per person

This three-night cruise on Norwegian Sky departs from Miami in August 2024 with stops at two iconic tropical destinations. The vessel's first stop is Key West , where cruise passengers will have the day to visit the southernmost tip of the United States, book a snorkeling or kayaking tour, or bar hop along the world-famous Duval Street. From there, the cruise stops at Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas, which is a private island paradise that's only for cruise passengers. Here, visitors can enjoy some beach time, plan a WaveRunner adventure or snorkel the clear waters to watch out for wildlife.

When not at port, passengers on Norwegian Sky can enjoy the ship's 10 dining options, onboard spa, casino at sea, and variety of pools and hot tubs. The Norwegian Cruise Line vessel even has a sushi bar and a Starbucks onboard, and it was completely renovated from top to bottom in 2019.

Book a Norwegian cruise on GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

MSC Seashore from Port Canaveral

Conrad Schutt | Courtesy of MSC Cruises

Dates: Multiple dates in November and December 2024

Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida (Orlando)

Stops: Nassau and Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Bahamas

Starting price: $169 per person

This three-night cruise on MSC Seashore departs from Port Canaveral near Orlando and takes passengers to two tropical destinations in the nearby Bahamas . The first is the island of Nassau, which is known for its luxury resorts (including the exclusive Atlantis Paradise Island Bahamas), huge casinos and powder white sands. After that, guests can spend a second day at port at MSC Cruises ' private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. This island offers a perfect beach retreat for people who just want to relax, including several expansive white sand beaches with ample seating, an interior ocean lagoon for swimming, and beach bars and eateries dotted throughout.

MSC Seashore features huge pools, an onboard water park for kids, the expansive MSC Aurea Spa and 11 distinct dining venues for passengers to choose from. The ship also boasts the exclusive "ship within a ship" Yacht Club area, which offers the best of everything for discerning guests.

Find an MSC Cruises deal on GoToSea.

Celebrity Reflection from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Celebrity Cruises

Dates: Ongoing in 2024

Departure port: Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Stops: Perfect Day at CocoCay and Nassau, Bahamas

Starting price: $273 per person

This three-night cruise on Celebrity Cruises ' Celebrity Reflection departs from Fort Lauderdale and leaves for two days in the sunny Bahamas. The first stop gives guests a full day to enjoy at Perfect Day at CocoCay, a cruise line private island that's typically reserved for Royal Caribbean guests. This island paradise features an exclusive beach club, idyllic white sand beaches for swimming and floating, a water park, a zip line, and plenty of places to eat and drink all day. The next stop is Nassau: Visitors can dine and shop their way through the port area or book a fun day pass to the Baha Bay water park, which is located at resort Baha Mar and features waterslides, an expansive lazy river and incredible cuisine options right at the park.

Celebrity Reflection was recently refurbished in 2022. It features an incredible array of included dining options, eight specialty and exclusive dining establishments, and bars and lounges throughout the ship. The Retreat, a VIP ship-within-a-ship concept, is also offered on board for those who want an elevated cruising experience.

Explore Celebrity Cruises on GoToSea.

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Disney Dream from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

Dates: Nov. 6 to 9, 2024

Stops: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Disney Castaway Cay, Bahamas

Starting price: $1,973 per stateroom

This three-night Bahamian cruise on Disney Dream stops at two exclusive destinations in the Bahamas – Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, then Disney Castaway Cay. The first stop offers incredible beaches with play areas and crystal-clear water for swimming, as well as the Bahamian Arts and Culture Pavilion for families who want to learn something about the local culture on vacation. At Disney Castaway Cay, families can relax the day away on white sand beaches, go biking or kayaking, ride two waterslides, and more. Both destinations even have adults-only beach areas for cruisers who are traveling kid-free.

Disney Dream holds a maximum of 4,000 passengers and has everything you would expect on an exclusive Disney Cruise Line vessel, including kids and family areas, adults-only dining options and pools, and two large theaters. The ship also has several supervised kids clubs as well as dedicated clubs for teenagers and tweens .

Read: The Top Cruises for Babies and Toddlers

Liberty of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International

Stops: Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas

Starting price: $263 per person

Royal Caribbean International also boasts a Bahamas cruise from Fort Lauderdale that stops in Nassau and at the line's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay. In Nassau, cruisers get the chance to explore one of the most popular cruise ports throughout the Caribbean, where you can book an excursion to a local beach, plan a snorkeling adventure or play in one of the two biggest casinos throughout the region at Atlantis or Baha Mar. At Perfect Day at CocoCay, families can stay active with waterslides, book a kayaking tour or ride a hot air balloon up to 450 feet in the air.

Liberty of the Seas is also an ideal ship for families thanks to fun features like a huge onboard water park with slides, an ice skating rink with shows and the Broadway at Sea theater. The Royal Caribbean vessel also has nearly a dozen different dining venues, including Cupcake Cupboard, Johnny Rockets, a pizza kitchen and an old-world Italian eatery called Giovanni's Table.

Compare Royal Caribbean International cruises on GoToSea.

3-Day Cruises From California

Navigator of the seas from los angeles.

Dates: Throughout 2024

Departure port: Los Angeles

Stops: Ensenada, Mexico

Starting price: $282 per person

Royal Caribbean offers a three-night West Coast adventure on Navigator of the Seas that includes a fun day at sea and a full-day stop in Ensenada, Mexico. This Mexican destination is known for the many activities that can be enjoyed along its rugged shores, which can include leisurely days at nearby Estero and Mona Lisa beaches, hiking experiences, exploration of Baja California's wine region, whale watching and more.

Dates for this sailing are offered throughout 2024, and the ship itself has plenty to keep passengers enthralled while at sea. For example, Navigator of the Seas features the longest waterslide at sea, enlarged pool deck areas for relaxation, ice skating shows and shopping – not to mention Broadway-style shows with dancers, acrobats and singers. There are also 12 unique dining options onboard, including Starbucks, Jamie's Italian by Jamie Oliver and Johnny Rockets.

Carnival Radiance from Los Angeles

Dates: Jan. 26 to 29 and Sept. 24 to 27, 2024

Departure port: Long Beach (Los Angeles)

Starting price: $244 per person

Carnival Radiance also embarks on three-night journeys to Mexico from Los Angeles throughout the year, including in January and September 2024. This Carnival Cruise Line itinerary includes a fun day at sea and a stop in Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can plan a sightseeing trip, nosh on the unique Baja cuisine the area is known for, shop for silver jewelry and other keepsakes, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Carnival Radiance itself serves as the perfect floating vessel for this fun weekend vacation, with onboard amenities that span the Cloud 9 Spa and WaterWorks water park with slides to a comedy club and special clubs for kids and teens. The ship also boasts an adults-only solarium and 10 different bars to choose from.

Book a Carnival cruise on GoToSea.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a professional travel writer and cruise expert who has covered family travel and cruises for more than a decade. She has cruised more than 40 times across most of the major cruise lines in destinations throughout the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Johnson used her personal experience and research expertise to curate the itineraries for this article.

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Disney Treasure: A First Look at the Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde Character Statues for Jumbeaux’s Sweets

Today, the Disney Parks Blog posted a new entry into the Disney Treasure’s Ship Log with a first look at the character statues as they are being painted before their eventual installation in Jumbeaux’s Sweets, the fanciful new dessert destination set to debut onboard the ship later this year.

Jumbeaux’s Sweets, draws inspiration from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Zootopia. In collaboration with Disney Animation, artists are using precise shade of bubblegum pink-striped wallpaper to the vintage-style light fixtures, each décor element inside Jumbeaux’s Sweets was thoughtfully chosen by Imagineers to transport future Disney Cruise Line guests into the colorful world of Zootopia. The venue’s central design feature will be an eye-catching statue of the film’s unlikely crime-solving duo, Officer Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde.

The statue-building process began with sketched designs and a collaboration between Imagineers and the Walt Disney Animation team to create a one-of-a-kind digital model of the piece. The precise measurements from the digital model were used to cast the statue in bronze. Finally, the statue was transported to Florida to be painted.

Jay Abruzzese can be seen adding the finishing touches to both characters. Soon the statue will be ready to be installed inside Jumbeaux’s Sweets and complete the vision Imagineers dreamed up long ago for the venue.

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