disney cruise line ship registry

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Cruise Ship Registry, Flag State Control, Flag of Convenience

Cruise ship registry and flags, what is flag-state (control & responsibilities), flags of convenience - all of these are the subject of the following survey. We offer you a list of smaller and really big cruise ships sailing under foreign flags and some info about cruise ship registration by cruise line company (current operator for chartered ships).

What is "Flag State" (definition)

"Flag State" is the ship's registration country under whose laws it is registered/licensed. Just like any marine vessel, a passenger ship operates under its flag state laws (also used if the ship is involved in an admiralty case). Flag states have the authority and responsibility for a ship, exercising control over the ships. They inspect the ships regularly, certify equipment and crew, issue safety and pollution-related documents, etc.

Each of the flag states has its own ship register where all ships sailing under its flag need to be registered. Some countries even have more than one ship register.

What is "Flag State Control" (definition)

The cruise ship's flag state controls the vessel and its crew - an absolute authority. Ships have to comply with all the flag state's maritime rules and regulations, which are, of course in accordance with the international maritime rules and regulations by the IMO (International Maritime Organisation). The flag state has the absolute authority over the ship, for not complying with the norms the flag state can impose penalties on the ship and crew. Flag states are required to carry out regular inspections, to ensure safe and secure shipping of passengers and goods, to send detailed inspection reports to the IMO. The IMO has 167 Governments as members.

For cruise ships registered in the USA - the USCG (US Coast Guard), search and rescue operations. "The Officer in Charge Marine Inspections" - for the inspection of all US-flagged cruise ships (and other marine vessels) relating to construction/equipment/manning, casualties/accidents and for investigations of cases of misconduct/negligence/incompetence of officers and crew.

For cruise ships registered in the UK - the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) is the flag state control executive agency responsible for the implementation of the GB's and the International maritime law and policies. It operates through the UK's HMCG (Her Majesty's Coastguard) - safety control, coastal water monitoring, and testing, issues licenses to officers/crew, monitoring of the UK's AIS network (real-time ship tracking).

What is "flag of convenience" (definition)

"Flag of Convenience" is called the flag state of a merchant ship when registered in a state different from that of its owners. More than half of all merchant ships in the world are registered under flags of convenience, and according to the latest statistics - around 90% of all commercial marine vessels calling on US ports are under foreign flags. There's only one big sea cruise ship registered in the USA - ms Pride of America, and the sole reason for that is she sails in Hawaii exclusively, the whole year-round.

As the market always determines the prices, often choosing a flag state means minimizing costs to maximize the revenue. And for a cruise ship owner, making a choice between using the fiscal advantages of registering ships in the open registry (under "Flag of Convenience") and registration in a national/close registry means making a choice between good business and not so good business.

In 1922, W. Averell Harriman (American politician/businessman/diplomat) registered two of his American-owned ships under the Panamanian flag, the main reason being to avoid Prohibition. In 1948, E. Stettinius (former Secretary of State under Roosevelt) founded the Liberian ship registry, later followed by Bahamas and Bermuda, Malta and Portugal. Some countries (like Italy and Holland/Netherlands) have cruise ships registered in their national registries.

World's most popular cruise ships flags of convenience

• The list of Bahamas-registered cruise ships includes some of the largest passenger ships in the world from the fleets of RCCL, NCL, and Carnival.
• Under the Panamanian flag operate 2 major cruise ship companies - Carnival (CCL started the "Panama flag state" cruising experience with the Mardi Gras ship in 1972) and MSC Cruises (brand of the Mediterranean Shipping Company, one of the world's largest container shipping lines ).
• Bermudian Flag of Convenience and Cruise Weddings. Bermuda is offering its offshore registry for UK-owned ships since 1974. First, the P&O Cruises line changed its cruise ships' flags from London to Hamilton. Most of the Bermuda-flagged cruise ships (all registered in Hamilton ) are from the fleets of Princess, P&O, and Cunard. And the main reason for that is the Bermudian flag of convenience allows captains to perform onboard weddings (the Bermudian flag is, of course, British, but Bermuda's registry has different legislation).
• Under the Italian flag are Costa and AIDA, with all vessels being registered in Genoa .
• Under the flag of Malta are the RCCL brands Celebrity and TUI. In Malta ( Valletta ) are also registered the ships of Celestyal Cruises transferred away from the expensive flag of Greece.
• Under the royal flag of The Netherlands/Holland are all Holland America ships (a Carnival brand).
• Madeira ( Funchal ) is the offshore registry of Portugal, registered in Portugal ships are from the fleets of Classic International and Iberocruceros (Carnival's brand).
• There are no cruise ships registered in Liberia today. For many years, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity operated under the Liberian flag, but the dictator Charles Taylor changed all that. Under the Liberian flag of convenience, today sail many cargo ships, though.
• CCL-Carnival Cruise Lines is now the only major brand to split its ships between two flags of convenience (Panama and Bahamas), while the others usually stick to one.
• All Galapagos-based ships are Ecuador-flagged.

Cruise ship flags of convenience vs national flag

The flag of convenience helps ship owners to evade their home nation's "inconvenient" rules/regulations, and often for reasons that are not so good. The negative impact is solely on the crew/staff who works on such ships.

• Lower standards of working conditions due to lesser regulations. The crew on such ships often work under stress, or under dangerous conditions, and often without compensation.
• The crew is deprived of basic rights, such as the right to form/join trade unions, and the right to demand proper pay/working conditions.
• A ship under the flag of convenience is under its flag state's jurisdiction, but ship records and other documents can be easily manipulated in cases of illegal trade (like smuggling, for example). Crew members could be charged for a criminal activity they were not even a part of.
• Generally, ships sailing under the flag of convenience offer lower salaries or pay crew/staff later than required.
• Insufficient or no compensation in cases of onboard accidents . Such ships have the right to refuse to pay compensation to a crew member and/or his/her family.
• Busy work schedule without the necessary rest time between assignments (compared to the standard).
• Uncertainty/stress - working on a flag of convenience ship can endanger your career, resulting in sickness, physical and mental impairments, and even bad work record if you decide to seek justice.

Open registry /flag of convenience states today account for more than 55% of the world's shipping.

Flag of convenience list of countries with an open registry

Currently, 27 countries have been declared "Flag of Convenience" states by ITF Global (International Transport Workers' Federation). Founded in 1896, the ITF currently represents a combined membership of around 5 mill workers from 148 countries. ITF (headquartered in London, UK) runs an international campaign against these countries through its "Fair Practices Committee" (seafarers' & dockers' unions).

ITF's list of "bad guys" (flag of convenience countries) includes:

• Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba
• Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda
• Cambodia, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Cyprus
• GIS (German International Ship Register), Gibraltar
• Lebanon, Liberia, Luxembourg
• Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Myanmar
• Netherlands/Dutch Antilles
• St Vincent, Sri Lanka
• Tuvalu (Ellice Islands, Polynesia)
• Vanuatu (South Pacific).

As a rule, cruise ships under the flag of convenience have a multinational crew and are owned by large multinational companies.

What is the difference between closed and open registries?

"Open Registries" are organizations that will register foreign-owned ships. One of the first open registries is the Liberian and Panamanian registries, followed by the Bahamian and Bermudian, and more recently - those of Malta and Portugal.

"Closed (national) Registries" require that a cruise ship be owned and constructed by national interests and to be fully or partially crewed by its citizens. This usually increases the ship's construction and operating costs. Italy (Genoa) and The Netherlands (Rotterdam) are two of the national registries featuring big-size cruise liners owned by companies like HAL-Holland America, Costa, AIDA.

Flag states list of the largest ship registries in the world

Note: These are flag-states serving all types of ships (official data 2011).

• PAN-PANAMA (22,6 %) registry port Colon
• LBR-LIBERIA (11 %) registry port Monrovia
• MHL-MARSHALL ISLANDS (6%) registry port Majuro
• HKG-HONG KONG (5,8%)
• GRC-GREECE (5,3%)
• BHS-BAHAMAS (5%) registry port Nassau
• SGP-SINGAPORE (4,8%)
• MLT-MALTA (4,4%) registry port Valletta
• CHN-CHINA (3,5%)
• CYPRUS (2,5%) registry port Limassol
• SOUTH KOREA (1,6%)
• NORWAY (1,5%) registry port Oslo
• JPN-JAPAN (1,4%)
• GERMANY (1,4%)
• ITALY (1,3%) registry port Genoa
• ISLE OF MAN (1,3%) registry port Douglas
• INDIA (1,2%)
• DENMARK (1%)
• ANTIGUA & BARBUDA (1%)

When the Coronavirus crisis started (2020), Looyd's List ranked as "the world's top 10 flag states" the following countries:

• Panama, with total GT 234,735 million tons, total DWT 350,511 million tons, total vessels 9596
• Liberia (187,801M / 299,328M / 4295)
• Marshall Islands (170,971M / 276,365M / 4313)
• Hong Kong (130,306M / 206,273M / 2739)
• Singapore (96,101M / 142,956M / 4914)
• Malta (82,443M / 116,279M / 2588)
• Bahamas (64,127M / 77,341M / 1474)
• China (61,065M / 91,718M / 5130)
• Greece (38,042M / 65,755M / 1527)
• Japan (28,689M / 42,933M / 3852)

The following infographic shows 2015 statistical data about the number of commercial vessels (passenger and cargo ships) registered in foreign states compared to those carrying the boat's national flag.

Cruise Ship Registry

Cruise ships registry choices are made by cruise lines (or ship operators when the vessel is on charter). The main factors determining their decision are:

• flag-state's capabilities to deliver the services the company needs
• flag's reputation in the worldwide community of major international shipping companies
• flag-state's performance (how a cruise ship is prioritized by port states)
• seafarers pool (officers and crew) able to meet the flag's needs
• the number of fees (charges) and taxes (country's tax rates).

In summation, because the cruise shipowner immediately becomes subject to all safety/labor/environmental laws of the flag-state, the majority of nations with the most popular open registries tend to be countries with the laxest safety/labor/environmental codes, low tax rates, very cheap port fees.

Why most cruise ships are registered in Bahamas/Panama, and not in USA?

The Bahamas (port of Nassau) is the No 1 registry of cruise ships worldwide and the world's 3rd largest ship registry after Panama and Liberia. Why cruise lines do not enjoy the idea of having their ships registered in the United States and prefer to operate ships registered in other countries?

The biggest of the largest in the cruise travel industry (Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney) along with major shipping companies (like Chevron, Texaco and Exxon - the parent company of Esso and Mobil) prefer The Bahamas as flag-state/flag of convenience (see the definitions below) over USA simply because for a "Bahamian" ship US labor laws do not apply.

On any marine vessels registered in the Bahamas there are no codes about the number of hours a seafarer may work or his/her days off, no minimum wages, staff can be punished by the captain in case of complaining about issues (such as safety or food quality, for example). In other words, while on the ship, the captain has the absolute authority. This is the classic maritime law. Similar "benefits" offer Panama and Liberia as flag states.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Line Documentation

Anyone embarking on a Disney Cruise Line sailing must provide identification documents prior to check-in . Some guests, particularly those who are new to international travel, may find the documentation requirements confusing. We’re here to help. But before we get started … please note that these are the rules for UNITED STATES CITIZENS .

Residents of other countries have different requirements. It is your responsibility to have the correct paperwork. When in doubt, consult the DCL website, call DCL at 1-800-951-3532, or consult US Department of State resources.

Are there different documentation rules for children and adults?

All people, regardless of age, must provide identifying documents to sail. See below for the few exceptions where people under the age of 16 may use slightly different paperwork.

What identification documents will I need to sail?

This depends on where your sailing originates and where you’re going. There are different rules for different types of voyages, which I’ll enumerate below.

That said, the gold standard for travel identification is a passport book. A passport will work as an identifying document in all travel situations.

What are the reasons why I wouldn’t want to get a passport?

The main reason people opt out of getting a passport is price. Currently the price for adults to get a new or renewal passport book is $135 (good for 10 years) and for children under age 16 is $100, (good for 5 years). There is also a $35 execution fee for each person. If you have a large family, that can add a hefty cost to your vacation.

Additionally, there are now significant processing times for passports. Waits of up to 16 weeks are not unheard of. If you book your cruise close to your sail date, you might not have time to get a passport delivered.

Or if, for example, your cruise is a family reunion that includes an elderly relative who will clearly be unable to travel beyond your sailing, then applying for a passport might not be worth the expense and trouble.

Even so, a passport can be a valuable ID tool in other non-travel situations for most citizens.

What is a passport card? How is it different from a passport book?

• Use : Allows international travel by air, sea, or land.
• Size : Larger, with more pages for visas and stamps.
• Cost : More expensive than a passport card.
• Recommended for : Extensive international travel.
• Use : Allows land and sea travel between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.
• Size : Wallet-sized, similar to a credit card.
• Cost : Less expensive than a passport book.
• Recommended for : Traveling to specific nearby countries by land or sea.

Note that one of the main differences between a passport card and passport book is that the book may be used for air travel while the card may not. If you were to encounter an emergency on a Caribbean island (for example), you could use a passport book to fly home quickly. This would not be possible with a passport card.

I’m going on an Alaskan DCL cruise and see (below) that there are different rules for different arrival methods. Why does it matter how I get to Vancouver?

While US citizens can certainly visit Alaska with no extraordinary identification, DCL cruises headed to Alaska embark from the Canadian port of Vancouver.

As noted above, you can use a US passport card to arrive in Canada via land or sea, but not by air. If you’re a US citizen and take a train or car to Vancouver you can use a passport card or Trusted Traveler card, but not if you’re flying to Vancouver. You should also be aware that some port excursions on the Alaskan cruises travel into Canada. Your ID documents may impact whether a particular excursion is available to you.

I’d like to get a passport, but my cruise is coming up soon. Is there any way to get a passport quickly?

To get a passport in 7-9 weeks, the US State Department offers an expedited service for an additional $60 per application in addition to the regular passport fees.

If your sailing is sooner than 9 weeks away, you might qualify for Urgent Travel processing. If your travel is fewer than 14 days away, you may be able to get an in-person processing appointment. These appointments can be hard to come by may not be available near your home. Call 877-487-2778 for more information.

My child does not have a passport or a Government-issued photo ID, does this mean they can’t sail?

Children age 15 and younger are an exception to the above rule. If your child is 15 or younger, they may use one on the above documents without also providing a photo ID.

Note that US states can provide a non-driver official ID for citizens ages 16 and up. The fee for this is typically less than the fee to get a driver’s license.

Can I use my Social Security Card for cruise ID?

No neither Social Security nor Global Entry cards are acceptable of proof of United States citizenship for travel outside of the US.

I have a baby. Are there special circumstances for getting a passport for an infant?

I’ll refer you to an excellent article from Afar Magazine that addresses this very topic.

What is the six-month validity rule for passports?

If you have a passport that is expiring in the next year, you may want to renew it prior to your cruise. Most countries require your US passport to have a minimum of 6-months validity after your intended return date.

The purpose of this validity is to safeguard against unforeseen delays you may face in leaving the country you are visiting. (You get stuck in a country due to a new pandemic outbreak, for example.) The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens renew their passports approximately nine months before the date of expiration.

I’m getting married and am going on a cruise for my honeymoon. Can I still sail if my new married name doesn’t match my passport?

You may be able to use a passport with a previous name if you also bring with you a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court documents showing a legal name change. That said, you’ll run into fewer problems is your booking and identification documents all match.

This is a situation where you should call DCL and the US State Department in advance to ensure that you’ll be able to sail. In some cases, changing the name on your cruise booking or expediting an updated passport may facilitate your travels.

All this passport stuff is confusing me. Can anyone help?

While DCL doesn’t offer any help, several other major cruise lines recommend VisaCentral.com (877-304-8071) as a reputable source of passport assistance. This is a fee-based service, but if you just want someone to guide you through the process, these folks can help.

How do I get my ID documents to Disney Cruise Line?

DCL asks guests to submit their ID documents online prior to sailing. This takes place during the Online Check-In process . You must also bring all your ID documents with you to your cruise embarkation.

Identification Rules for Different Situations

Ok. let’s say i’m sailing out of a united states port and returning to the same united states port (a “closed loop” cruise). what documents do i need for this.

For a sailing that starts and ends in the United States (for example, those sailing both to and from Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, New York, or New Orleans), guests will need to present a valid original (not a copy) US passport book, a valid original (not a copy) US passport card, or a valid original (not a copy) Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST).

If you don’t have a passport or Trusted Traveler card, you can substitute with any of the following:

• Puerto Rico birth certificates issued prior to 7/1/10 are not acceptable
• Hospital-issued birth certificates are not acceptable
• Original Consular Report of Birth Abroad issued by the Department of State AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)
• Original Certificate of Naturalization issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services AND a physical Government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail)

Note: Closed-loop sailings are the most common type of Disney Cruise Line voyage, but there are many others. 

What if I’m not going a US-based closed loop cruise? Do the rules change?

Yes. And there are several variations, so be sure you know the rules for your specific situation.

For Alaskan cruises originating in Vancouver , US citizens will need:

US Citizens (Including Children) Traveling to or Returning From Canada (Vancouver) by Air

• Original valid US Passport

US Citizens (Guests 16 years of age and older) Traveling to Canada (Vancouver) by Land or Sea

• Original valid US Passport Card
• Original valid Trusted Traveler Card (NEXUS, FAST)

US Citizens (Guests 15 years of age and younger) Traveling to Canada (Vancouver) by Land or Sea

Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original passport and a Permanent Resident Card to travel outside the US. Photocopies are not acceptable. If traveling by air to Canada, US Permanent Residents must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).

For one-way (repositioning) Caribbean cruises (examples may include Galveston to San Juan, San Juan to Miami or Fort Lauderdale).

US Citizens (Including Children)

• Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.

For European sailings :

• Original valid passport (valid at least 6 months after the sailing has ended)
• Additionally, you may be required to obtain a multiple-entry visas for Europe ( Schengen Visa ). It is each Guest’s responsibility to identify and obtain all the necessary visas.

For Pacific Coast or Canada sailings between Hawaii and Vancouver – One-way (repositioning) cruises :

US Citizens (Including Children) Traveling to or Returning from Canada by Air

Us citizens (including children) traveling to or returning from canada by land or sea.

For Panama Canal crossings :

Note: Guests who are legal permanent residents of the US must present a valid original Permanent Resident Card. Photocopies are not acceptable.

For Transatlantic crossings :

• Original valid US Passport (valid at least 6 months after the sailing has ended)
• In addition to a valid passport, you may be required to obtain multiple-entry visas for Europe ( Schengen Visa ).

US Legal Permanent Residents

In addition to all the permutations listed above, there are several ID variations needed for US guests going on the Australia and New Zealand cruises, including the South Pacific Repositioning sailings,  depending on whether there are minor children in the party, whether the minors are accompanied by their legal guardians or not, and whether the cruise makes a port stop in New Caledonia (a French territory). US citizens will need a passport book for these sailings and visas may be necessary in some situations. PLEASE speak to a travel agent or DCL directly to ensure that you understand the nuances of ID requirements and permissions for minors for these sailings.

What have been your experiences with ID documents for Disney cruises? Let us know in the comments. 

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Erin Foster

Erin Foster is an original member of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel (now PlanDisney), a regular contributor to TouringPlans.com, and co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line. She's been to WDW, DL, DL Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland, Aulani, DVC Vero Beach, and DVC Hilton Head. She's a Platinum DCL cruiser and veteran of 10 Adventures by Disney trips. Erin lives near New York City, where she can often be found indulging in her other obsession - Broadway theater.

2 thoughts on “ Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Line Documentation ”

The Panama Canal information is not correct. You can only travel with a Passport or similar document. The Disney Website is NOT correct with that information. There were folks on the WB Panama Canal this year that ended up with cancelled cruises because they followed what was on the DCL website. Their documentation was never approved prior to port and Disney called them to remind them they needed passports. This is outlined in the Western Hemisphere Trave Initiative and on the Customs and Border Control Website as well. Further NEXUS is not valid as this is a sea entry as well.

We did a closed loop out of Italy this summer (2023). At the time, Italy was ok with a child’s passport with 3+ months remaining, it was DCL that refused (via the app) and calling only gave vague answers like ‘probably OK’ but could not guarantee anything. As this would have mean all 3 of us missing a 7 day cruise with no refunds or place to stay, we went to the Consulate in Rome for an emergency passport. Surprisingly, took only a few hours (we had her birth certificate and her standard passport) and the fee paid was applicable toward a renewed passport once we got home.

One of more than a few things as 1st time cruisers that we had to learn as we went from DCL.

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Disney Wish Fact Sheet

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Setting sail in summer 2022, the Disney Wish is the fifth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, joining the Disney Magic (maiden voyage in 1998), the Disney Wonder (maiden voyage in 1999), the Disney Dream (maiden voyage in 2011) and the Disney Fantasy (maiden voyage in 2012).

Birthplace Meyer Werft shipyard – Papenburg, Germany

Maiden voyage July 14, 2022

Home Port Port Canaveral, Florida

Ship’s Registry Bahamas

Tonnage About 144,000 gross tons (confirmed at delivery)

Length             Beam               Draft                Height

1,119 feet          128 feet            27.2 feet           221 feet

19.5 knots cruising speed (maximum 23 knots)

Fuel Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

Capacity 4,000 passengers

1,254 staterooms (includes 53 concierge staterooms and 23 concierge suites)

• 948 verandah staterooms (70%)
• 185 oceanview staterooms (20%)
• 121 inside staterooms (10%)

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A Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In Cheat Sheet

5/3/2023   |   Cruises

It’s almost here! You have been dreaming of setting sail on your Disney cruise for months and months, and the time has finally come!

Soon you will be able to complete your online check-in. To keep you from being one of those frustrated sailors in your Facebook group, we are going to prepare you for smooth sailing through the online check-in process by making sure you are armed and ready with everything you need!

Check-In dates vary by your Castaway Cay level or if you are sailing Concierge:

- Pearl / Concierge Level = 40 days prior to sailing - Platinum Level = 38 days prior to sailing - Gold Level = 35 days prior to sailing - Silver Level = 33 days prior to sailing - First time Disney Cruise Line cruisers = 30 days prior to sailing

Before Your Online Check-In Date:

- Confirm the exact spelling and full name of each guest between your Disney Cruise Line reservation and the government-issued identification you will be using for boarding. (Passport, birth certificate, etc.). They must match exactly. - Confirm the expiration date of the government-issued identification you will be using for boarding. - Be sure you have already created your DisneyCruiseLine.com and have linked your cruise reservation(s). - Download the official Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and checked for any updates.

- Make sure you have linked any other friends’ or family’s reservations to your reservation so that you are seated together at dinner and can book activities together. - Confirm that you have booked your on-board activities and shore excursions. (The booking window for this also varies depending on your Castaway Club status or if you are sailing in a concierge stateroom. If you are unsure of the date, you can start booking, pull up your reservation on DisneyCruiseLine.com).

You can cancel activities and excursions up until 3 days before your sailing.

Triple check your Online Check-In Date on the app or at DisneyCruiseLine.com. Remember: the check-in time is Midnight Eastern Time on your check-in day. Meaning, if your check-in date is Tuesday April 18, you can start the check-in process at midnight Eastern on Monday night.

Important: Online check-in closes at midnight the day before your cruise. If online check-in is not completed by then, you may be denied boarding.

What to Have Ready at Check-In*:

- A clear photo of each passenger’s passport. Be sure there is no glare and that you can easily read the passport number, name, issue and expiration date, and the photo is clear.

- Passports need to remain valid for a minimum of 6 months after your debarkation date and have at least a few blank pages available. (Requirements can vary by country).

- A clear photo of each passenger. This should be different than the passport photo and should be a solo photo of the guest from the shoulders up. Select a photo that has a plain background.

- Flight information (even if you are not using Disney transportation)

- Pre- and Post-Cruise hotel information

- A credit card to keep on file for onboard purchases

- Name and phone number of an emergency contact not traveling with you

* I recommend having copies of your passports and photos on both your computer and phone in case the website or app is not working for you. This will reduce possible delays in having to transfer the information over while checking in.

At midnight Eastern time on your online check-in date:

Remember: the check-in time is Midnight Eastern Time on your check-in day. Meaning, if your check-in date is Tuesday April 18, you can start the check-in process at midnight Eastern on Monday night.

You will be able to log in to your Disney Cruise Line account (I personally prefer the app), select your sailing, and click on “Begin Check-In.” Click through each step in order. The icons on the right will fill in as each section is completed.

- Guest Information - Onboard Account - Travel Plans - Port Arrival Time

Port Arrival Time (PAT). Most people will select the earliest time available so there is more time to explore the ship before you sail away. You will also be automatically assigned a Boarding Group.

Note: if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel and have booked the Disney Cruise Line transfer, you will not be asked to select a Port Arrival Time.

- Cruise Contract

Once you have completed your Online Check-In, you will see the message “You’re All Set to Sail!” You can check back periodically before your cruise to ensure your documents have been reviewed by a cast member and your check-in has been upgraded from “Pending” to “Complete.”

Be sure to print out (and you can also add it to your digital wallet on your iPhone) your Port Arrival Form.

At the 30 day mark, you will also be able to:

- Book the Princess Gathering. This princess meet-and-greet is included in your cruise fare, but it requires a reservation and is limited due to the popularity. - Purchase a photo package. Purchasing in advance will be the least expensive pricing available. You can opt to purchase once on-board at a higher price. Disney Visa holders get a discount on-board, but the pre-purchase price that is offered to all guests will be the best pricing.

Make sure to add any special requests which is very easy to do directly in the app. This can include things like: high chairs, bedrails and cribs; dietary requests; celebration planning. This should be done at least 5 weeks prior to your sail date. Additional requests for food allergies and accessibility assistance/medical equipment can be requested on the Special Services Form.

Website Glitches:

Remember: technology is not perfect. If you are getting an error message in the app, try the website. If you are getting an error on the website, try the app. If neither works, try an incognito browser/window on your device.

Disney Cruise Line can be reached at 800-951-3532, or contact your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist. (Please note - Disney Cruise Line will not answer specific questions regarding your reservation or make any changes for you if you are booked with a travel agent).

Special Situations:

- What if we have multiple staterooms to check in?

If you have several staterooms to check in, you can opt to have each stateroom have their own account and try to coordinate as best you can with Port Arrival Times.

Alternatively, you can link the reservations to one account so that one person can be responsible for checking everyone in. That person would need to have all the information ready for each stateroom. They will still need to toggle between each reservation.

With either method, you likely will not get the same PAT. If this is the case, you can all arrive at the latest PAT time to board together.

- What if we do not have passports or are traveling on Visas?

For complete details on proper documentation for sailing on a Disney cruise, please refer to the official Disney Cruise Line website .

I strongly, strongly urge you to have a valid passport for everyone in your traveling party in case of emergency.

Just a few weeks to go!

Now that you're checked in, you can make a packing list, start putting your vacation essentials together, place your travel documents/Port Arrival Form/passports in a folder in a safe place, and look forward to stepping on board your Disney cruise!

Other helpful hints: Packing List Prohibited Items Alcohol Policy

Nancy loves sailing with Disney Cruise Line and would love to help your family plan their next adventure!

Tagged: cheat sheet , Disney Cruise , Disney Cruise Line , online check-in , Planning , Travel , trip , Vacation

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How to Check-In for Your Disney Cruise

Updated January 25, 2024.

Online check-in is similar to pre-COVID sailing. You can begin using either the webpage or the app at 12:01 am Eastern Time. Your check-in date is based on your Castaway Club status.

• Pearl – 40 days before sailing
• Platinum – 38 days before sailing
• Gold – 35 days before sailing
• Silver – 33 days before sailing
• First-Time Disney Cruisers – 30 days before sailing

What Do I Need to Check in for My Disney Cruise?

If you haven’t downloaded the app, now is the time to do it; you will use it for most things on board. The biggest recommendation is to gather all your documents and take all your pictures BEFORE you start completing the form s. Have any flight and hotel information handy.

Guest Information

You will need to provide personal details, including address, contact info & emergency contact. You will need to include a clear image of your passport or proof of citizenship.  Also, you will need a photo/selfie of each guest for your onboard account security photo. The photos must be an image file like a jpg or a png. If you are taking your photos with your iPhone, you will need to export your photos as jpg . 

You will need a picture of the photo page of your passport. If you’re using a driver’s license, you will need to have a photo of the front and the back of it .

If DCL doesn’t accept your passport/proof of citizenship or security photo, they will email you to inform you that a new one is required.

Security Photo Tips

This should be a recent colour photo of you facing forward, from the shoulders up, with no filters . Your face should be fully and clearly visible; please remove eyewear that prevents your eyes from being seen and any items on top of your head . There should be no other people or objects included in the photo . We took ours in front of an empty wall.

It may take some time for your online check-in to change from pending to approved. Most are approved a few days before the sailing .

Onboard Account

You will need information on how you plan to pay your stateroom charges. Your credit card or debit card numbers and expiration dates. At this point, it will ask you which members will have charging privileges. If members of your party are paying for their own charges, you can enter their card information. You can not put a dollar limit on charging privileges.

Travelling With Children

Children under 3 years old can be registered for the Nursery if they cruise after October 2022 . If you are sailing before that date, you must sign up for the nursery once you are onboard. You can register kids ages 3-12 for the Oceaneers Club/Lab during check-in. Pre-teens and teens, they will register once you are onboard at the Edge and/or the Vibe.

Travel Plans

You will need information about your plans before & after the cruise. If you are flying in for the cruise, you need your flight details, including Airline, Flight Number, Departure Time, and Arrival Time. Also, you will need your plans to leave the port after the cruise.

PAT (Port Arrival Time)

This is why you are filling out this information at 12:01 am and not waiting until morning. It is your chance to choose your arrival time at the port.

Most people want to spend as much time on the ship as possible and are trying to get the earliest PAT. On our upcoming cruise, the earliest PAT was 10:45. We took Disney Transfers and received boarding group 3 with a PAT of 11:00 – 11:15. The earliest PATs depend on the port you are sailing out of; some ports have guests arrive later than others. Concierge Guests do not need to select a PAT.

Since Covid, they have been much stricter about arriving at your PAT. If you arrive earlier, you will likely be turned away .

Cruise Contract and Boarding Pass

Read & agree to the cruise contract and print or email the contract. You will be given a Boarding Pass with a QR Code when complete. You can add it to your Apple wallet.

You will need it throughout different stages of the boarding process. It is a good idea to have a printed copy if you encounter any technological problems. The QR code will be used to board the ship because you have not yet received your KTTW cards. Keep reading for details.

KTTW (Key to the World) Cards and lanyards will await you at your cabin in your Fish. You will no longer get your card at the desk in the port and use your QR code to board the ship.

Optional Forms

During check-in, you will also find some optional forms. They include authorization to administer an epi-pen , special services form , and authorization for minors travelling without a parent or legal guardian .

Bring your patience; the website can be glitchy, especially when check-in first opens, with many people attempting to check in. If you are using Disney transportation and are not concerned with an early PAT , it might be best to wait and check in later.

Check out the other  menus for the restaurants on the Wish . Keep checking back or sign up for our newsletter for the latest  Disney Cruise News , like  the return of pre-booking character meets , the current  pre-cruise Covid testing ,  Disney Cruise rumours , and the  latest discounts .

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Table of Contents

About Disney Cruise Line cruises

Disney cruise line prices, disney cruise line loyalty program: castaway club, what is the best disney cruise line ship.

Disney has a massive global footprint across its theme parks, films and merchandise. And it doesn’t stop there. Among its many offerings is the Disney Cruise Line, whose fleet of five ships sails all over the world.

Family-friendly but with adults-only areas, Disney cruises offer some of the most comprehensive cruise options around. Let’s break down everything there is to know about the Disney Cruise Line, including pricing, destinations and its loyalty program.

You can always expect some magic from Disney, and there is no exception when sailing on Disney Cruise Line. Although its fleet is small, it offers a high-end, family-friendly experience for guests. Here’s a quick overview of Disney Cruise Line’s key features.

Cabin types: Disney Cruise Line offers all the usual cabin types, including inside, oceanview, verandah and concierge-level rooms . Disney Cruise Line’s cabins are larger than average and designed for families, with split bathrooms and privacy curtains. Their largest rooms can accommodate up to seven guests. 

Main U.S. routes: Disney has several departure points from within the United States, including options from San Diego, New York City, Miami, and Galveston, Texas. However, its most frequent departures are from Port Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida, to the Bahamas and the Caribbean or from Vancouver, British Columbia to Alaska.

Loyalty program: Disney Cruise Line offers the Castaway Club to repeat guests. It has four membership levels — Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl. The first level is earned by completing a single cruise. 

» Learn more: Disney Cruise Review — Mickey at Sea Gets an A+

Disney Cruise Line destinations

Although Disney currently operates only five ships, the cruise line still manages to cover most of the world. Here are the locations you can currently sail on a Disney cruise:

New Zealand.

Pacific Coast. 

Panama Canal.

South Pacific. 

Transatlantic. 

Cruises are available in a variety of lengths, from three nights up to 15 nights.

Disney cruises tend to be more expensive than the average cruise. Currently, for example, the cheapest cruise departing from Port Canaveral is a three-night trip to the Bahamas, which costs $1,958 for two guests.

And you’ll pay more to take a "special occasion" Disney cruise. The same three-night Bahamas cruise sailing during Disney's Silver Anniversary at Sea starts at $2,345 for two guests.

When it comes to timing, standard logic applies. The high season will cost more, especially during holidays and the summer break.

The cheapest rate we found — the previously-mentioned $1,958 — is for a cruise in late January, a time when those with school-aged children might have trouble getting away. Meanwhile, the most expensive period for this cruise takes place over the Christmas holiday and rings in at $3,737 for an inside stateroom.

For all destinations, if you’d like to save money, avoid peak periods and search all available dates to find the lowest rates . This is true even on less popular cruises, such as those sailing up to Alaska .

The cheapest cost for two guests to Alaska from Vancouver is $2,983 in mid-September, while the same cruise will cost you $4,607 if you sail over the Fourth of July holiday.

One-way positioning cruises — that is, those that end in a different location from where they started — are often much cheaper per night than standard round-trip cruises.

What’s included

Disney cruises are more inclusive than most cruises. You don’t, for example, need to pay extra for soft drinks on a Disney cruise like you would on Norwegian Cruise Line . You’re also entitled to complimentary room service 24/7, unlike on Virgin Voyages, where you'll be charged a $5 fee for each delivery.

Here are more inclusions you can expect.

Live, high-quality entertainment.

Large staterooms (designed for parties of up to three guests).

Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay (on most Bahamas and Caribbean cruises).

Upscale restaurants, quick-service dining, poolside snacks and room service.

Adults-only lounges and pool areas.

Waterslides (on some ships).

» Learn more: How much does a Disney cruise cost?

Disney isn’t known for its loyalty programs. For example, there is no frequent traveler program associated with staying at one of its resorts or frequenting its parks. However, Disney Cruise Line rewards repeat customers with various benefits, including a complimentary specialty dinner, free photo downloads and an exclusive terminal check-in area.

Castaway Club levels

The Castaway Club levels are Silver, Gold, Platinum and Pearl.

How to earn : Sail on one cruise.

Best benefits : Book cruises one day before the general public, online activity planning 90 days before sailing, check in 33 days early, exclusive terminal check-in.

How to earn : Sail on five to nine cruises.

Best benefits : Book cruises two days before the general public, online activity planning 105 days before sailing, check in 35 days early, onboard reception, special discounts. 

How to earn : Sail on 10 to 24 cruises.

Best benefits : Book cruises three days before the general public, online activity planning 120 days before sailing, check in 38 days early, complimentary specialty dinner.

How to earn : Sail on 25+ cruises. 

Best benefits : Book cruises four days before the general public, online activity planning 123 days before sailing, check in 40 days early, complimentary unlimited digital photo package. 

» Learn more: Which is cheaper, Disney World or a Disney cruise?

The Disney Wish is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship and certainly its best. It just launched in the summer of 2022. Among its many amenities, guests can find the first-ever Disney attraction at sea. It’s a 760-foot water slide filled with show scenes, lighting, music and more that touches down into a lazy river.

The Disney Wish also has dedicated areas themed for "Frozen," the Marvel Universe and "Star Wars."

In addition, the Disney Wish has all the regular amenities you’d expect on a Disney cruise, including live entertainment, pools and spacious staterooms.

Disney Cruise Line does not offer free Wi-Fi. Instead, it has three levels of packages from which to choose:

Stay Connected: $10 per day for the entire cruise or $12 per day for a 24-hour period.

Basic Surf: $20 per day for the entire cruise or $24 per day for a 24-hour period.

Premium Surf: $30 per day for the entire cruise or $36 per day for a 24-hour period.

These packages are available on the Disney Wish, Disney Magic, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. The Disney Wonder still operates on the old data-usage Wi-Fi packages.

Most of your daily expenses, including your food and non-alcoholic beverages, are included when sailing on a Disney cruise. However, if you’d like specialty drinks or alcohol, you’ll need to pay extra. Gratuities are not included, and Disney Cruise Line's recommended tip is a minimum of $14.50 per guest, per night.

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer the standard drink package other cruise lines offer. Drink packages allow you to pay a flat-rate price and drink as much alcohol as you’d like.

Instead, you’ll either pay per drink or purchase bundled quantities onboard. It’s also possible to purchase a specialty beer mug at the pub onboard, which can then be refilled across the ship. Much like Disney’s popcorn buckets, your beer mugs entitle you to cheaper refills on all your beer.

In the past, Disney Cruise Line required that you be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 before sailing, but this is no longer the case. Guests departing from the United States are not required to do either, though the cruise line highly encourages you to get vaccinated before sailing.

Most of your daily expenses, including your food and non-alcoholic beverages, are included when sailing on a Disney cruise. However, if you’d like specialty drinks or alcohol, you’ll need to pay extra. Gratuities are not included, and

Disney Cruise Line's recommended tip

is a minimum of $14.50 per guest, per night.

(Top photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line)

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-3x Earn 3X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Whether it’s your maiden voyage or you’ve sailed on dozens of voyages, there is lots of information you’ll need to know before casting off on your next Disney Cruise Line adventure. Please be sure to review all of these procedures and requirements prior to sailing and contact your Dream Designer with any questions.  Bon Voyage!

Embarkation Day Health Questionnaire

All Guests are required to complete a health questionnaire prior to arriving at the terminal. The form can be found on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App on Embarkation Day. In addition, an email will be sent out to all Guests with a link where Guests can fill out the questionnaire. A secondary screening by a health care professional may be required based on the answers provided in the health questionnaire.

What to Bring

Please be prepared to present the Disney Cruise Line QR code found on your Port Arrival Form when you reach the terminal. Guests should expect to show this code multiple times throughout the embarkation process. You will also need to have your driver’s license, birth certificate or passports handy, as they will be checked before entering the building. 

Arrive On Time

To reduce the time needed to board the ship, Guests should complete their Online Check-In and select a port arrival time at home.

Please note: All Guests—including Platinum Members—are required to select a port arrival time before making their way to the cruise terminal . Please be aware that Guests will not be permitted at the terminal or in parking areas before their scheduled arrival time. Guests who arrive early will be asked to return at their scheduled arrival time, and Guests arriving after their scheduled time may be delayed and asked to wait behind those arriving at their scheduled time.

Please be prepared to present the Disney Cruise Line QR code found on your Port Arrival Form when you reach the terminal. Guests should expect to show this code multiple times throughout the embarkation process.

Check-In Area

Regardless of whether Guests are dropped off or parking a personal vehicle at the port, All Guests will enter the terminal through the main check-in area. This area is located on the first level of the terminal.  Have your identification as well as your Disney Cruise Line QR Code ready to be shown.  This is where you will receive your Boarding Group number. After check-in is complete, Guests will undergo security screening.   

Boarding will usually begin at approximately 11 am.  When you hear your boarding number announced, head straight towards the large Mickey Ears (Port Canaveral Only).  Have your Disney Cruise Line QR Code ready to be scanned as your board.  After entering you will then enter the beautiful Grand Atrium. Have your camera set to video and rolling when you board, as you will be greeted in style by Crew Members and Disney friends like Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie.  

Stateroom and Mandatory Emergency Drill

All Guests must participate in the pre-departure assembly drill to comply with U.S. Coast Guard and international safety regulations. Everyone on board will be notified when the drill is to begin, and everyone is required to take part.

You will be asked to follow the instructions heard over the ship’s loudspeakers. To locate your assembly station, use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app .  When you locate your assembly station, everyone assigned to your stateroom must report there and be checked present by Crew Members before setting sail.  Once the drill is completed, it’s time to set sail!

View the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for a list of offerings available to you and your family on board the ship.

While waiting for your stateroom to be ready you can enjoy lunch at Animator’s Palate located on Deck 4 Aft or at Cabanas on Deck 11 Aft.  Check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app after boarding to see the lunchtime selections available. Quick and casual-dining offerings will also be available at the ship’s many outdoor eateries on the upper decks.  Crew Members will greet Guests as they arrive at each dining room to help promote proper physical distancing between travel parties.

There is no longer an option to register children for Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab at the port. Parents can either register their children 3 to 12 years of age for Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab during the Online Check-In process or once they are on board the ship.

Upon boarding the ship on Embarkation Day, both children and parents must check in at the front desk at Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. During this time, parents will fill out final paperwork and children will receive a Disney Cruise Line Youth Activities wristband, which grants them access to both Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. Parents are also invited to tour the facility, meet the counselors and learn more about the many activities offered. Please note that children must be fully toilet trained to be admitted to either facility.

Entering your Stateroom

Upon completion of the Mandatory Emergency Drill your stateroom should be available.   You may then proceed to your staterooms until this drill is complete.

Departure Time

Your ship will normally depart the port by 5:00 pm. 

Wedding Registry

Expert Registry Tips Every Couple Needs to Know

When planning your wedding, there are things that are nice to know, and there are things you need to know—advice so essential any bride who’s lucky enough to hear it thinks, “I’m so glad someone told me that!” If you’re wondering whether there’s something you may have missed (or even if you’ve got everything under control), check out our indispensable planning secrets below. Take advantage of the high cost of weddings and sign up for a credit card with a rewards program. Whether it gives you airline miles or great shopping deals.

I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a Get a grip on the approximate number of guests you’ll invite before settling on a venue. This will ensure there’s ample space for your crew. As a rule of thumb, allow for 25 to 30 square feet per guest. That may seem like a lot, but it’s really not if you count the space you’ll need for the tables, bustling waiters, the band and a dance floor.

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Request an extra hour for cocktails or for your band to throw in that Frank Sinatra sound-alike before you sign on the dotted line. Most vendors would rather secure the reservation than nickel-and-dime you early on (which might turn you off of them). Later on, though, they may be less inclined to meet you halfway.

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Disney Cruise Line ships from newest to oldest — a complete list

What's the newest Disney Cruise Line ship? It's something you'll want to know if you're in the market for a Disney cruise.

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is typically also the Disney Cruise Line ship with the most bells and whistles and the most up-to-date cabins, restaurants, bars and attractions. It's what you want if you want the very latest and greatest in a vessel for your Disney cruise vacation.

Right now, the newest Disney cruise ship is the 1-year-old Disney Wish . It just debuted in July 2022. However, Disney Wish won't be the newest Disney Cruise Line ship for long. It'll soon be supplanted as the newest Disney cruise vessel by the currently-under-construction Disney Treasure — a sister ship being built to the same basic design. Disney Treasure is scheduled to begin sailing in 2024.

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

Two other relatively new Disney cruise ships are Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. Both began sailing about a decade ago.

In all, Disney operates just five cruise vessels — far fewer than such cruise brands as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line . Founded in 1998, the line has gone long periods without adding a single new vessel, with occasional bursts of expansion, including one taking place right now.

The line has never retired a vessel since its debut in 1998. The oldest Disney cruise ship, Disney Magic, is 25 years old.

In general, Disney's newest ships are bigger and more amenity-packed than its older ships. If you crave the most possible activities in a Disney cruise vacation, you'll want to stick to the line's three most recently built vessels.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Disney's two oldest cruise ships — those built in the 1990s — are about 40% smaller than the line's newest vessels and have fewer venues on board. Still, even these smaller ships offer a lot of attractions as compared to many vessels at competing lines.

Here, every Disney ship currently in operation is ranked from newest to oldest:

1. Disney Wish

Maiden voyage: 2022 Size: 144,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,508

2. Disney Fantasy

Maiden voyage: 2012 Size: 125,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,500

3. Disney Dream

Maiden voyage: 2011 Size: 125,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 2,500

4. Disney Wonder

Maiden voyage: 1999 Size: 85,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,750

5. Disney Magic

Maiden voyage: 1998 Size: 83,000 gross tons Passenger capacity : 1,750

What is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship?

The newest Disney Cruise Line ship is Disney Wish. As noted above, it debuted in July 2022. Measuring 144,000 gross tons, it's also the biggest Disney cruise ship and has more amenities than the line's older vessels.

TPG has had staffers on Disney Wish three times over the past year to experience and review the vessel. For more on the ship and its new features, see the following guides and reviews:

• Exclusive first look: Peek inside the new Disney Wish
• 7 things about Disney Wish that surprised us
• 9 things to know about Disney Wish
• Yes, there's a $5,000 drink on Disney Wish — but it's more than a drink
• Why Disney Wish isn't just for kids
• Why Disney Wish may win over non-cruisers
• Is a concierge suite on Disney Wish worth it? We tried one to find out
• Review: The new Enchante restaurant on Disney Wish
• Review: The new Worlds of Marvel restaurant on Disney Wish

What is the oldest Disney Cruise Line ship?

The oldest Disney Cruise Line ship is Disney Magic. Unveiled way back in 1998, it was the very first Disney cruise ship ever built, and its arrival in 1998 marked the beginning of the line.

Disney Magic isn't just the oldest Disney cruise ship but also the smallest Disney cruise ship. Measuring just 83,000 gross tons, it's about 40% smaller than the new Disney Wish. As a result, it has fewer venues than Disney Wish but also a more intimate feel.

Because it offers fewer and smaller attractions than the new Disney Wish and other newer Disney ships, Disney Cruise Line typically uses Disney Magic and its slightly younger sister ship Disney Wonder for its more destination-intensive itineraries — trips where you're going to spend much of your time off the ship and onboard amenities are less important.

Disney Magic, for instance, is the ship that Disney sends to Europe every summer for itineraries that are all about exploring cities such as Barcelona and Rome (reached via the port of Civitavecchia, Italy).

What new Disney Cruise Line ships are coming?

Disney Cruise Line currently has two new cruise ships on order. The first to arrive will be Disney Treasure in 2024. As noted above, it's a sister ship to Disney Wish, and it'll have many of the same features as that vessel.

Another vessel in the same series, known as the Triton class of ships, is on order for delivery in 2025.

The Triton-class vessels are being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, which also built Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

In addition, Disney Cruise Line recently bought a massive, partly finished cruise ship that was originally ordered for Asia-based Dream Cruises. The unfinished ship became available for purchase after Dream Cruises went out of business.

Disney plans to finish construction on the vessel and operate it out of Singapore starting in 2025. The ship will sail Southeast Asia voyages aimed at the Asia cruise market.

What is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship available for booking?

Disney Wish is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship you can book right now. The line's next new ship, Disney Treasure, is not yet available to book.

What is the newest class of Disney Cruise Line ships?

The Triton class is the newest class of Disney Cruise Line ships. It'll be made up of at least three vessels, the first of which (Disney Wish) has already debuted.

The Triton class is the shiny new thing at Disney Cruise Line. The first of the vessels, Disney Wish, debuted with a whole new array of Disney "wow" on board, from the "Star Wars"-themed Hyperspace Lounge that offers a "window" view of passing starships to Marvel- and "Frozen"-themed restaurants.

First look: Disney Wish's new 'Frozen' dinner show

In addition, cabins on Disney Wish include seven ocean-view rooms located over the bridge, a first for Disney Cruise Line. The rooms have extended living areas with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bow and out across the ocean. If that isn't enough, there also are four Royal Suites with a "Sleeping Beauty" theme, two of which feature a two-story floor plan.

What's the difference between newer and older Disney cruise ships?

The three newest Disney Cruise Line ships are notably bigger than the two oldest Disney Cruise Line ships. As a result, they have room for more onboard venues and attractions than the older vessels.

On all three of the newer vessels (Disney Wish, Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream), you'll find large water coasters careening around the top deck — a level of attraction you won't find on the older Disney ships.

The newer Disney cruise ships also are home to kiddie waterslides, decktop kiddie play areas and several pools apiece. The ships' insides are loaded with huge children's play areas, family entertainment and even adults-only venues.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line

Disney's two oldest ships are about 40% smaller than its newest ships and have fewer such features. They have a notably more intimate feel, at least in the pantheon of relatively big, mass-market ships. They also hold fewer people. While Disney's newest ships are designed to hold around 4,000 passengers with every berth full, the line's two oldest vessels (known as the Magic class) are only designed to carry about 2,500 passengers with every berth filled.

That makes the two oldest Disney ships a good choice for someone who wants to try a Disney cruise but isn't eager to travel with huge crowds. The oldest ships in the Disney fleet thus appeal to a subset of Disney fans who prefer more intimacy in a cruise vessel and don't mind giving up some onboard amenities to get it. They are also sometimes less expensive to sail on, on a per-day basis.

Related: Don't miss out on these Disney loyalty perks

In addition, because of their size, the oldest ships at Disney are able to operate itineraries to places that aren't as easy for big ships to visit. Not all ports in the world can handle a ship the size of Disney Wish.

Note that all Disney ships are renovated and upgraded on a regular schedule every few years, so even the oldest Disney cruise vessels have newer carpeting, updated furniture, modern decor in cabins and other updates. In many cases, they also have had entire eateries and bars renovated over the years with concepts that first debuted on newer vessels.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• 8 cabin locations on cruise ships you should definitely avoid
• Which cruise brand is best for you? A guide to the most popular lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your first cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways that cruising newbies waste money on their first cruise
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• Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Current Ship Locations

The current locations of the Disney Magic , Disney Wonder , Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , and Disney Wish if in range of an AIS receiver. A ship may still appear on the map at the last known position when out of range. Typically, this is indicated by a lighter shade of blue. You may need to change the zoom level of the map to see a particular ship’s position.

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Disney Cruise Line names its newest cruise ship

I t was bound to happen sometime, but Disney Cruise Line waited until its last of three new sister ships to name one Disney Destiny.

The sister ship to Disney Wish, which debuted out of Port Canaveral in 2022 and the soon-to-debut Disney Treasure arriving in Central Florida this December, the third ship in what was originally called the Trident class had its keel laying ceremony Wednesday at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.

It won’t start sailing until 2025, and its home port has yet to be named, but among the details revealed for what will be the eighth ship in the cruise line’s fleet was the theme of the vessel, “Heroes & Villains.”

As such, the filigree artwork for the bow will be of Minnie Mouse wearing a superhero-style outfit complete with a cape.

The cruise line said among the characters from which it will mine features on board will be classic Disney animation films, “The Lion King,” “Hercules” and “One Hundred and One Dalmatians.”

Disney of course owns plenty of good vs. evil intellectual property including Star Wars and Marvel.

“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager for the cruise line, in a press release. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising.”

Just like Disney Wish and Treasure, Disney Destiny will be powered by liquefied natural gas, a cleaner burning fuel that’s part of the cruise industry’s efforts to reduce emissions.

All three are the 144,000 gross-ton, 1,254-stateroom vessels but still targeting the 4,000-passenger capacity of its older ships, 2011’s Disney Dream and 2012’s Fantasy. The line’s first ships are the smaller Disney Magic that debuted in 1998 and Disney Wonder in 1999. They come in at 84,000 gross tons with 875 staterooms.

The line also is finishing construction for an Asia-bound cruise ship named Disney Adventure that will be the largest in the fleet at 208,000 gross tons.

Disney Wish became the line’s first new ship in more than a decade. It continues to do short three- and four-night Bahamas sailings while Disney Treasure will pick up seven-night trips to the Caribbean.

©2024 Orlando Sentinel. Visit orlandosentinel.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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