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Disney Cruise Review 2024

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Table of Contents

Booking a Disney cruise

Online check-in, embarkation , aboard the ship, disembarkation, disney cruise review recapped.

I’ve always been a big Disney fan. Whether I’m visiting nearby Disneyland or flying to its big brother Disney World, there’s little about Disney I don’t like. This includes its cruises, which I have been eyeing enviously for years. 

Happily, I was recently able to take a Disney cruise, and the experience lived up to my expectations. Let’s talk about it in this review.

Like most everything Disney, its cruises are expensive. While you might find a cruise for a couple of hundred dollars on a different line, expect to pay more for Disney. Room rates start at $1,400 for two guests on the four-night cruise from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that my family and I booked. 

Rather than settling for an interior category room, we booked a deluxe oceanview stateroom with a verandah. Prices can vary but expect to pay a minimum of $2,500 for this room type. 

While booking a Disney cruise is costly, there are ways to help bring down the price. If you subscribe to Disney+ , for example, you may be able to take advantage of an offer allowing the third and fourth guests in your stateroom to sail for free. 

Those who live in Southern California, Florida or Canada may also qualify for discounted rates on select routes and dates, as do those in the military. 

If you’re looking to lower your out-of-pocket cost, you may want to consider paying with a credit card and using statement credits. The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has this ability, as does the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card .

» Learn more: How to get the best deal on your next cruise

Once we booked the cruise, we received an email confirmation. Along with details about our itinerary, the confirmation also included information regarding online check-in and documentation. 

We needed to provide a variety of information before departure, including our passport information, COVID vaccination status and other personal details. Once completed, Disney assigned my family a port arrival time, which let us know when to show up for embarkation. 

We were also mailed luggage tags to attach to our suitcases. This meant we were able to drop off our bags upon arrival and receive them in our room a few hours later. 

» Learn more: The best Disney resort for adults

On the day of departure, we were due to board at 1:45 p.m. Once we arrived at the cruise terminal, however, we were required to join several very long queues before actually getting on the ship. This included a security screening as well as an additional check-in process. 

The cruise ship terminal is decidedly unmagical. It’s a large concrete building filled with ropes and one sad vending machine. The entire process took an hour from arrival until the time we got into our rooms. 

I wish I could say this was unexpected, but Disney is as known for lines as it is for quality. All in all, I didn’t love the embarkation process, but I understand the necessity. 

For what it's worth, those who book Disney cruise concierge rooms enjoy an entirely separate and expedited check-in experience.

» Learn more: The best Disney credit card might surprise you

(Photo courtesy of Carissa Rawson)

We were aboard the Disney Wonder, which is one of five ships that Disney operates. As I mentioned, we had booked a room with a verandah. It felt pretty large for a cruise room, especially since it fit both a king bed and a fold-out couch.

The total square footage of the room came in at 268 square feet, which means a total of three to four guests can fit. However, my family had booked two separate (and connecting) rooms, which meant just my brother and I were sharing a room. 

The room included all the standard amenities you’d expect, including a hair dryer, expansive closet and fridge.

It’s clear that Disney expects many different types of guests. I was grateful for the curtain divider that separated the “living room” from the “bedroom,” since my brother and I each had a private space. 

My favorite part was our private verandah, where we spent a lot of time hanging out, reading and enjoying the wine we’d brought with us. 

I also especially appreciated the bathroom design. Rather than cramming everything into a single space, Disney has chosen to create two distinct bathing areas. One features the shower and a sink.

The other has an additional sink as well as a toilet.

Such a design allows two groups of people to get ready simultaneously, which is super convenient. The shower also includes a tub, which is unusual for cruises. I imagine the intention is to make it easier for children and families. 

Note that each night housekeeping came in for turndown. This included creating fun towel animals, converting the couch into a bed and providing chocolates.

Food and beverage

I’ve been on cruises before where the food was unlimited but nearly inedible. This wasn't the case on my Disney cruise. Simply put, there is food everywhere, all the time, and nearly all of it is incredible. Most food on the ship is included with your fare, though there is one specialty dinner restaurant that costs money. 

Most non-alcoholic drinks are also included, such as coffee and soda. Specialty coffees and smoothies cost extra, as do any alcoholic beverages. 

Guests are allowed to bring up to two bottles of wine or six cans of beer with them when they board and at each port of call.

In the mornings, there are two dining options: a buffet or a sit-down restaurant. We tried out both, and the result was a resounding mixed bag. I greatly preferred the sit-down option, which had fewer options but a much slower pace. 

As for food, I particularly enjoyed the eggs benedict, though you’re able to order as many meals as you’d like. 

My dad, meanwhile, loved the plethora of choices provided by the buffet, although it was much more crowded than the sit-down restaurant. 

At lunchtime, it was also possible to enjoy a plated meal, but we generally found ourselves too full to go in for a big portion. Instead, we enjoyed quick bites from the pool deck, which included paninis, ice cream, chicken tenders, fries, hot dogs, salads and more.

Dinner was the crown jewel of the evening. Each night, we showered, got dressed, then went to eat at a rotating variety of restaurants. Disney breaks up diners into two groups: First seating is at 5:45 and the second seating is at 8:15. We had the second seating, which was a little late for my taste. 

Again, you can order as much as you like during your meals, which quickly becomes a slippery slope. The first night I ordered just a single entree, but by the end, a veritable pile of plates surrounded me during dinner. 

I still have no regrets. 

A final note: Although water is free onboard, it can be difficult to come by, especially if you didn’t bring your own refillable bottle. While room service will charge you for a bottle of water, it’ll bring you as many glasses as you like for free. 

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Entertainment 

There are almost too many things to do aboard this cruise ship, and we struggled a little trying to fit everything in. 

Each night, Disney put on a different show in its main theater. This is perhaps one of the things I was most looking forward to — although nearly all cruises provide live entertainment of some sort, Disney’s is said to be the best. They didn’t disappoint. While these weren’t, maybe, Broadway-quality, they were high-end, well-designed and really fun to watch. 

Paid activities

Most everything you do during your cruise takes place courtesy of the Disney Cruise app. This includes viewing the daily schedule and booking any paid activities. While these are completely optional, they are a lot of fun.

During our trip, we tried both the whiskey tasting and the beer tasting, both of which were worth the additional cost. If this is something you’re planning to do, be prepared to pay from $40 to $70 per person for your activities. 

Games and other activities

Like I said above, there is an absolute abundance of things to do onboard. If you’re not interested in the pool, gym, spa, deck, sports or shows, it’s still possible to find tons of things to do. 

(Photo by Carissa Rawson)

One favorite activity was bingo, which featured a rolling jackpot and took place three out of the four days of our cruise. 

There are also things like Disney movies playing in various theaters, towel folding classes, karaoke, trivia contests, drawing classes and more. 

Activities for teens

If you’re traveling as a family, you’ll be glad to note that there are plenty of things for teens to do as well. While I didn’t spend any time in these venues, I did peek into Vibe, the teen-exclusive hangout area at the top of the ship. Teenagers also have access to the Chill Spa, which is designed specifically for their age group. 

Tweens aren’t left out, either. The Edge club fills the niche between teens and children and features video games as well as a dance floor. 

Children’s activities 

Again, we were a group of four adults traveling together, so we didn’t need to take advantage of any children’s activities, but suffice it to say that kids have a lot to choose from. The Oceaneer Lab was especially popular and is for those ages 3 to 12. 

» Learn more: How I did a 5-day, $4,000 Disney trip for just $1,600

Deck Nine and above featured a couple of different pools, a splash pad, a waterslide and a sports area. 

Although Disney cruises are definitely oriented toward children, they also maintain separate adult-only areas. As a family of four adults, we certainly enjoyed the quiet that came with our own private pool. 

The Senses Spa and Salon offers a wide variety of treatments, from couples massages to haircuts and manicures. I didn’t indulge, but my parents did, and they had a great time. There’s also the option to purchase access to the Rainforest Room, which includes heated stone chairs, a sauna and a steam room.

If you’re the type of person who wants to exercise while on vacation, the ship’s fitness center has you covered. Although I visited only once, I quite enjoyed the well-stocked facilities and the ability to look out over the water while working out. 

There were quite a few treadmills, bikes (both spinning and recumbent), free weights, ellipticals and really interesting curved treadmills that I was too afraid to try. 

Disney gives all its customers 50 MB of free data on day one. After that, you’ll need to pay, though the pricing is exorbitant and starts at $19.99 for an additional 50 MB. It’s not that fast, either, according to my mom, who spent the money and immediately regretted it. 

I resisted the urge to purchase any and instead relied on my international data when we made port. It was tough but I survived. 

» Learn more: How to save on your first — or next — Disney vacation

This four-day cruise included just one stop in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. I’ve never been a huge fan of stopovers on cruises, mostly because I feel like they’re too short and inauthentic. That was the case here, though this wasn’t any fault of Disney. 

The disembarkation and re-embarkation process was smooth, though we did need to board a smaller boat to get to land. Although we could have stayed out from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., we ended up returning early to enjoy lunch on the ship. 

Note that it is possible to book excursions through the Disney Cruise Line app as well as onshore, though we chose not to. 

» Learn more: Cruises might be a surprisingly affordable way to visit the South Pacific

After breakfast on our last morning, it was time to disembark. We chose to hold our luggage with us, though it was possible to have it delivered down to the terminal. 

The disembarkation process was as magical as the embarkation process. That is to say that it was terrible, disorganized and took way too long. We stood in line for more than an hour both on the ship and onshore as we waited for the immigration clerks to process the many thousands of passengers. 

I’ve waited a lot of years to experience a Disney cruise, and at the end of it all, I’m glad I had the opportunity. Was it expensive? Yes. Was it worth the cost? Also, yes. Although I haven’t booked another Disney cruise yet, I’m looking forward to the day I can board one again. 

(Top photo courtesy of Carissa Rawson)

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Disney Cruise Line

Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line |

Find a Cruise on Disney Cruise Line

with a cruise advisor

Cruising with Disney

Disney Cruise Line's ships –  Disney Magic ,  Disney Wonder ,  Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy  and the Disney Wish – receive kudos from families and critics alike for their family-friendly atmospheres, whimsical amenities and well-equipped staterooms. Disney cruises have something for everyone in the family, from epic kids clubs and adults-only spaces to character meet-and-greets and fantastical dining venues.  Although Disney's ships vary in size, each vessel carries approximately one crew member for every three passengers.

Disney Cruise Line's itineraries depart from a variety of ports – including  Fort Lauderdale, Florida ; San Diego  and Galveston, Texas – for sailings in the United States , Mexico , Canada , Europe , Australia and the Pacific and the Caribbean . Voyages last between two and 15 nights, with cruise lengths varying by itinerary and destination. Shore excursions, known as Port Adventures, also change depending on the itinerary and include everything from monkey encounters in Barbados  to wine tasting in Corsica, France. Guests on Caribbean and Bahamian sailings also visit Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas .

Back on board, you'll find plenty of family-oriented facilities, including themed pools, youth clubs and movie theaters. You'll also have the opportunity to eat in the cruise line's Disney-themed main dining rooms and enjoy a variety of Disney-inspired entertainment, such as live shows, dance parties and character meet-and-greets.   

U.S. News Insider Tip: The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is a necessity for a Disney cruise. Not only can you see the schedule of events, but you can text your family and friends for free through the app. – Megan duBois, Contributor    

Pros & Cons

Meals, nonalcoholic drinks and onboard entertainment covered in cruise fare

Special cruise rates are available for United States Military members as well as Florida and Canadian residents

Spacious cabins

Alcoholic beverages are not included in cruise cost; traditional drink packages are not available

Shore excursions incur additional fees

Typically more expensive than other family-friendly cruise lines

• Expert Rating » 4.2
• Traveler Rating » 4.4
• Health Rating » 4.9

Disney Cruise Line has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines for Families
• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines in the Caribbean

Explore Photos

Disney Cruise Line Ships

Disney Magic

Disney Dream

Disney Fantasy

Disney Wish

Disney Wonder

Before You Book

• Typically, a 20% deposit is due at the time of booking, though this may vary depending on the time of booking. The deadline for your full cruise payment depends on your cruise length, stateroom category and embarkation and disembarkation ports.
• Cancellation fees vary depending on your cruise duration and type of accommodation. For more information on the cancellation policy, visit Disney Cruise Line's terms and conditions  page .
• Disney offers a Vacation Protection Plan that covers trip cancellations/interruptions, emergency medical services, baggage loss or delay and emergency medical transportation. The insurance plan also includes another advantage: If you cancel your cruise for any reason not listed above, you'll receive a cruise credit of up to 75% of the cancellation fee to apply toward a future Disney voyage.
• For most sailings, Disney Cruise Line requires passengers to be at least 6 months old, though some itineraries require guests to be 1 year or older. Pregnant women who will hit 24 weeks by their embarkation date or during the cruise may not take the voyage due to safety concerns.
• Guests who require special services must fill out a special request form 30 days before U.S. sailings.  This form can be used for requesting a wheelchair-accessible room, requesting a sign language interpreter or indicating if someone is traveling with oxygen or with a service animal. Disney also lists what European cruises offer American Sign Language interpreters on its website . If an interpreter is needed by a guest on one of the listed sailings, the same special request form should be filled out no later than 120 days before the cruise.

Before You Board

• Visa and vaccinations may be required to travel to select ports of call. For current visa and vaccine regulations for each country, check the  U.S. Department of State , the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  and the  World Health Organization  websites.
• Along with a passport or other proof of citizenship, you will need to bring a completed Online Check-In Port Arrival Form.
• Online check-in is available, and the timeframe for check-in is determined by your status within Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program called Castaway Club, ranging from 30 days for first-time cruisers to 40 days for top-level Pearl members. Disney Cruise Line requires you submit passport information at least 75 days before your trip starts.
• Cruise terminals generally open for embarkation at 11:15 a.m. Travelers will be checked in during their designated Port Arrival Time, which should be selected in advance online. Cruisers who arrive after the Guest Onboard Time listed on their cruise confirmation may not be permitted to board.
• You can pre-book shore excursions, some childcare, spa services and activities, such as Character Greetings, as well as dinner reservations at the adults-only restaurants, Palo, Palo Steakhouse, Enchanté or Remy online 75 days prior to your departure date (if you're a first-time passenger) to 123 days before sailing for Pearl Castaway Club members and Concierge guests. If you are a Concierge Stateroom or Concierge Suite guest, you can call the Shoreside Concierge Associate team 130 days in advance to make bookings over the phone before online bookings open. Dining reservations, character meet-and-greets, some spa services, and some excursions are also available on a first-come, first-served basis once on board.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Disney Cruise Line Review – Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

Senior Content Contributor and News Editor

343 Published Articles 49 Edited Articles

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Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Basic Information

Departure ports, shore excursions, character experiences, specialty cruises, complimentary dining, specialty dining, rotational dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, silver castaway, gold castaway, platinum castaway, disney cruise line navigator app, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

A Disney cruise is a fantasy vacation for so many families. It combines the magic of Walt Disney World with the excitement of a cruise.

Disney Cruise Line has been around since 1998 and has come to be a fan favorite with a loyal following. Some travelers swear by Disney cruises!

While Disney Cruise Line isn’t huge (it only has 4 ships), it offers experiences you won’t find anywhere else. On each ship, you’ll have ample opportunities to meet and mingle with your favorite Disney characters plus you’ll enjoy Disney themed dining and entertainment.

You can also combine your Disney cruise with a trip to Disney World for a truly unforgettable vacation.

Name: Disney Cruise Line

Parent Company: The Walt Disney Company

Number of Ships: 5 (1 more coming in 2024)

Destinations: 60+

Loyalty Program: Castaway Club

Credit Card: Disney ® Premier Visa ® Card , Disney ® Visa ® Card

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have a huge fleet, but the 5 ships it does operate don’t skimp on amenities or luxury.

• Disney Dream
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Magic
• Disney Wish
• Disney Wonder

Disney’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, will set sail in 2024.

Disney Cruise Line sails to over 60 destinations from 13 departure ports across North America and Europe.

Private Ports/Islands

You won’t be bored while on Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas! There are tons of activities and adventures waiting for you on this private family-friendly resort.

• Castaway Family Beach: Enjoy sailing, kayaking, or swimming on this pristine beach. Enjoy a feast at Cookie’s BBQ and music and dancing at the gazebo.
• Snorkeling Lagoon: Snorkelers of all ages can view the underwater world. Beginners can follow the Discovery Trail while experienced snorkelers can try the Explorer Trail. Whichever one you choose, keep an eye out for the hidden Mickey!
• Serenity Bay: This adults-only area is perfect for relaxation. Get an open-air cabana massage, and then treat yourself to a frozen specialty drink.
• Pelican Plunge: This water play area is a 2,400 floating platform that is home to 2 water slides and a giant “bucket dump” that sprays hundreds of gallons of water on those brave enough to stand beneath it.
• Spring-a-Leak: This water play area is geared towards kids. It’s full of “broken” pipes and plumbing that drip, spray, and mist water.
• Teen Hideout: This space is a space for cruisers ages 14-17 to enjoy on their own.
• Scuttle’s Cove: This sandy play area, supervised by the Disney counselors from the ship, is just for kids and features a 1,200 square foot water play area.
• In Da Shade Game Pavilion: Located near Castaway Family Beach, this area features a variety of games including table tennis, foosball, billiards, and basketball.
• Sports Beach: This area features games like tetherball, volleyball, and soccer.
• Character Greetings: Throughout your day at Castaway Cay you’ll find Disney friends ready to meet you throughout Castaway Cay.
• Castaway Cay 5K: Start your day off with a 5K run around Disney Castaway Cay. This event is open to guests 10 years old and up and must be booked online before your cruise.
• She Sells Sea Shells: This is the island’s souvenir shop that carries a variety of Castaway Cay branded merchandise.
• Olaf’s Summertime Freeze: Here, you’ll find specialty frozen drinks in souvenir cups.
• Gil’s Fins and Boats: This is your place to rent snorkel gear and other water equipment like kayaks, paddleboats, aqua trikes, and stand up paddleboards.
• Flippers and Floats: This location has snorkel gear and inner tubes for rent.

Hot Tip: A second private island destination in the Bahamas, Lighthouse Point, is under construction and due to open sometime in 2024.

There are several shore excursions that you can book for your day at Disney Castaway Cay. Choose from activities like fishing, banana boat rides, parasailing, stingray adventure, glass-bottom boat rides, bicycle rentals, and more.

Hot Tip: Curious about which credit card you should use? Check out our guide to the best credit cards for booking cruise trips  to see which one will get you the most bang for your buck!

Onboard Activities

Disney Cruise Line isn’t just for kids. It offers activities geared to both kids and adults, plus plenty of entertainment for the whole family. You can check out one of the many pools onboard or take in a Disney-themed Broadway-style show like Beauty and the Beast , Aladdin, Frozen, Disney Dreams — An Enchanted Classic , or Disney’s Believe .

You can also check out some of these activities on your next Disney cruise (not all activities are available on every ship):

• AquaDuck waterslide
• AquaDunk waterslide
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab
• Funnel Puddle
• Donald’s Pool
• Edge tween club
• Fitness center
• Goofy’s Pool
• Goofy’s Sports Deck
• It’s a Small World nursery
• Mickey’s Pool
• Midship Detective Agency
• Nemo’s Reef
• Quiet Cove Pool
• Satellite Falls
• Senses Spa & Salon
• Shuffleboard
• Vibe teen club

Hot Tip: The one thing you won’t find on a Disney cruise that is common on other cruise lines is a casino. The only gambling you’ll find on a Disney cruise ship is bingo.

One of the reasons many people choose Disney for their cruise vacation is for the chance to meet and mingle with their favorite Disney characters. On every Disney cruise, you’ll have the opportunity to meet some of your favorite characters throughout the ship.

Character greetings will happen in the lobby atrium, gangway, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, and Disney’s Oceaneer Club. On select ships, character meetings will also be available around the pools and on deck 4.

In addition to regular character meet and greets, keep an eye out for these character experiences on your next Disney cruise (not all experiences are offered on every ship or every cruise):

• Frozen Deck Party
• Marvel Day at Sea
• Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party
• Pirate Night
• Pixar Pals Party
• Royal Court Royal Tea
• Star Wars Day at Sea

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have any mandatory formal nights, however, it does offer optional “dress-up nights.”  Most dining locations are “cruise casual,” which can include shorts and t-shirts. Swimsuits and coverups, however, are not permitted at most dining locations.

There are 2 restaurants, Palo and Remy, with a dress code. Both of these locations also come with additional charges.

Palo Dress Code

Tank tops, swimsuits, shorts, hats, capris, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language or graphics, flip-flops , and tennis shoes are never allowed.

• Men: Dress pants, slacks, or jeans in good condition (no holes) and a collared shirt are recommended.
• Women: A dress, skirt, pants, or jeans in good condition (no holes) and a blouse are recommended.

Remy Dress Code

Jeans, shorts, capris, sandals, flip-flops, and tennis shoes are never allowed. The following requirements are also enforced:

• Men: A jacket (such as a sports, suit, or tuxedo jacket), a dress shirt, dress pants, and shoes are required. Ties are optional.
• Women: Cocktail dress, evening dress, pantsuit, or skirt/blouse are required.

Brunch and Dessert:

• Men: Dress pants, a collared shirt or polo shirt, and shoes are required. A jacket is optional.
• Women: A dress or pantsuit is required.

Bottom Line: You don’t have to dress up on a Disney cruise unless you want to. While some restaurants have a dress code and there are optional formal nights, you can sport shorts and a t-shirt for the duration of your cruise if that’s what you’d prefer.

Disney is known for its themed and holiday cruises. If you’re looking for something a little special, check out these specialty cruises:

• Marvel Day at Sea: This all-day Marvel-themed event includes special meet and greets, a superhero stunt show, a movie marathon, a costume celebration, and more. It’s available on select 5-night cruises departing from Miami in 2021.
• Star Wars Day at Sea: This day-long Star Wars adventure includes character experiences, a Star Wars-themed show, Jedi training, movies, and games. It’s available on select 7-night Caribbean cruises leaving from Port Canaveral in 2021.
• Halloween Cruises: Celebrate Halloween with Mickey and his pals on most cruises leaving late September through Halloween. You’ll get to experience Mickey’s Mouse-querade Party, Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Sing and Scream, haunted stories, an adults-only costume party, and more. Be sure to check out these great Disney Halloween products before you sail.
• Holiday Cruises: Spend the holidays at sea with fun activities including Mickey’s Tree Lighting Magic Ceremony, Santa’s Winter Wonderland Ball, a life-sized gingerbread house, story time with Mrs. Claus, crafts, a Santa Claus meet and greet, and more. Very Merrytime holiday cruises are available each year starting in November. Be sure to check out these great Disney Christmas products before you sail.

Dining and Beverages

Dining and beverages are handled a little differently than other common cruise lines like Royal Caribbean or Princess. Disney Cruise Line offers fewer specialty dining options, a rotational dining structure with 2 set dining times, and no all-inclusive beverage packages.

Here’s everything you need to know about eating and drinking on a Disney cruise:

Look for these complimentary dining locations on your next cruise (please note not all locations are available on every ship):

• Animator’s Palate*
• Daisy’s De-Lites
• Duck-In Diner
• Enchanted Garden*
• Eye Scream Treats
• Frozone Treats
• Pete’s Boiler Bites
• Pinocchio’s Pizzeria
• Rapunzel’s Royal Table*
• Room service
• Royal Court
• Royal Palace*
• Sweet On You
• Tiana’s Place*

*Denotes a Rotational Dining location.

These dining options may come with additional fees (not all locations available on every ship):

• Senses Juice Bar
• Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats

Dinner on a Disney cruise is a little different than some other cruise lines. When you cruise with Disney, you’ll take part in the Rotational Dining experience. That means you and your waitstaff will rotate between 3 distinct restaurants nightly.

Dinner is served at 2 separate seatings, usually around 5:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. Once onboard your ship, you’ll be able to see your dining time, restaurant schedule, and assigned table number. You’ll have the opportunity to indicate your dining time preference when you book your cruise.

Even though Disney caters to families, you’ll be able to find plenty of adults-only locations, including these bars and lounges (not all locations offered on every ship):

• Cadillac Lounge
• Crown & Fin English Pub
• French Quarter Lounge

Hot Tip: Unlike other cruise lines, there are no drink packages available on Disney cruise ships. You’ll have to pay for your drinks individually. In addition to alcoholic beverages, other drinks that may come with a charge are non-alcoholic specialty drinks, smoothies, specialty coffee, and bottled water. However, soda fans can rejoice — it’s included at the buffets and on the pool deck

You also have the option of bringing wine or beer onboard with you. Each guest who is at least 21 years old can bring 2 bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) onboard at the beginning of the cruise and at each port of call.

These must be packed in your carry-on bags. Any alcohol packed in your checked luggage will be removed and held until the end of the cruise.

The staterooms on a Disney Cruise Line ship are designed with families in mind, with options to sleep up to 7 guests in 1 room. On all Disney ships, you’ll find 4 main categories of rooms and 10 unique room types.

All of the staterooms on a Disney cruise ship come with some basic amenities:

• Plush Euro-top mattress
• 22-inch LCD flat-screen TV with remote control
• Full-length mirror
• Refrigerator
• In-room safe
• Phone with voicemail messaging
• Individual climate control
• Shower and tub

Here are some of the highlights:

Inside Staterooms on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream come with a Magical Porthole. This LCD screen, disguised as a porthole, broadcasts a real-time view of the ship’s exterior as it would appear if there was a real porthole in your room. Keep your eyes peeled for any surprises that might float by on your screen, too!

Deluxe Inside Staterooms sleep 3-4 people and come with a few added benefits, including a privacy curtain to separate the bed from the living area and a “split bath” — a vanity, sink, shower, and tub plus an additional half bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet.

If you want a little more room and a private balcony, check out the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. This type of room sleeps 5 people and includes a private balcony with childproof locks.

If you’re looking for total luxury on your cruise, why not opt for the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah . This spacious stateroom is over 1,700 square feet including the verandah and sleeps 5 people.

Royal Suites come with 2 separate bathrooms including a master with double sinks, rain-style shower, and whirlpool tub. Plus you’ll enjoy the private verandah with whirlpool tub and exclusive concierge services.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our detailed guide to booking cruises with points and miles for more information.

Castaway Club

Disney Cruise Line offers a loyalty program called Castaway Club. Once you’ve sailed with Disney once, you’re automatically a member. There are 3 levels of membership with varying benefits.

You’ll be a Silver Castaway member after you complete your first Disney cruise. Benefits at this level include:

• Early access to booking new itineraries
• Early access to online activity planning
• Members-only cruise terminal check-in area
• Welcome aboard gift on each cruise

To become a Gold Castaway member, you need to cruise with Disney 5 times . Once at this level, you’ll get all of the Silver Castaway benefits plus these extra perks:

• Early access to select port arrival times
• Exclusive onboard reception on cruises of 8 nights or longer
• Onboard discounts

You’ll be a Platinum Castaway member after you complete your tenth Disney cruise . This is the highest level of status you can achieve and it comes with lots of benefits in addition to all of the Silver and Gold level perks:

• Platinum priority check-in at the cruise terminal
• Complimentary dinner at Palo

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is essential to help plan your cruise at home and comes in handy onboard as well.

With this app, you can manage all aspects of your cruise reservation both before and during your cruise.

• Plan activities including shore excursions, dining reservations, spa reservations, and more
• View deck plans
• Modify your stateroom
• Make payments
• Complete online check-in
• Use onboard chat to stay connected with family and friends
• Manage special requests

A Disney cruise can be a magical way to spend your vacation. The family-friendly atmosphere is geared towards traveling with kids , and there are plenty of onboard activities to entertain the whole family.

You’ll be able to visit fantastic destinations in places like the Caribbean and even Europe! Plus, your time spent on the ship will be filled with unforgettable character experiences, entertainment including Disney-themed Broadway-style shows, themed dining, and family-friendly activities like swimming and waterslides. There are even adults-only areas for you to relax and renew in style.

If you’ve been on a Disney cruise previously, as a member of the Castaway Club you’ll receive perks and benefits on every Disney cruise you take in the future.

Disney Cruise Line caters towards families more than other cruise lines . You’ll find plenty of staterooms that can accommodate 3, 4, or more people (unlike the traditional 2-person maximum in most cruise line staterooms).

Going on a Disney cruise is a great way to spend your family vacation. Before you set sail, be sure to check out our printable cruise packing list and cruise tips to help make your vacation as memorable and stress-free as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which disney cruise ship is the best.

Which Disney ship is deemed “the best” is subjective sine there are a few things you can take into consideration. Many cite Disney Magic as the best. While it’s the oldest Disney ship, debuting in 1998, it received updates in 2018. The newest Disney ship is Disney Fantasy which launched in 2012 and received updates in 2017.

What is not included on a Disney cruise?

As with most cruise lines, there are a number of things not included in the cost of your ticket. Dining at specialty restaurants Remy and Palo, alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic specialty drinks and smoothies, specialty coffee, and bottled water are some of the items you will have to pay extra for. Shore excursions are also an additional cost.

How do I get the best price on a Disney cruise?

Disney cruises aren’t cheap, so you’ll definitely want to shop around to get the best price. First, you can look for cruises that avoid peak times like holidays, and summer and spring break times. Next, book early. Unlike other cruise lines, Disney doesn’t usually offer last-minute deals. You can also bundle a cruise with a visit to Walt Disney World. When you book a Disney visit with a Disney cruise, you’ll be able to save some money over booking these separately. Finally, scour websites to find the ones that are offering extra perks. We’ve put together a list of the best websites to book cruises to help you out.

Do Disney cruises have casinos?

No, you won’t find a casino on any Disney Cruise Line ship. This is because of the cruise line’s family-friendly image. If you like to gamble, bingo will be your only option on a Disney ship.

Is there a drink package on Disney cruises?

Disney Cruise Line does things a little differently than other cruise lines, and this is one of those things. There are no drink packages available on Disney ships. You’ll have to pay individually for drinks that aren’t included in your cruise fare. These include any alcoholic beverages as well as some non-alcoholic specialty drinks, smoothies, specialty coffees, and bottled water.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Is A Disney Cruise Worth It? Review From A Disney Park Fan

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries across the world on their Disney themed cruise ships. Disney is known for its superior customer service and that shines on the Disney Cruise Line experiences. All of the Disney Cruise ships feature Broadway quality shows, themed dining experiences, Disney characters, and a variety of entertainment options. My Disney Cruise review covers the big question: is a Disney Cruise worth it?

Disney Cruise Line has already announced their 2025 itineraries with many sailings available already to book. The Disney Cruise Line is in a time of expansion with two brand new cruise line ships joining the fleet: the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny . A new island in the Bahamas will also join the original Bahama Disney Island , Castaway Cay, to further expand the port stop options for guests.

We recently experienced our first Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream . I am an avid park goer and frequent Disneyland and Walt Disney World multiple times a year. Let's break down all the different aspects of a Disney Cruise in my review and speak to the ultimate question: is a Disney Cruise worth it?

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In this planning guide:

Disney Cruise Review- Marvel Day at Sea, Mexico, Castaway Cay

I recently did a 5-day cruise on the Disney Dream with our ports of call being Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay. This was a Marvel Day at Sea cruise which you can read more about in my review and guide to Marvel Day at Sea. 

The Disney Dream is one of the newer ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet with just the Disney Wish being the most recent one to debut after it. However, that will change soon with the introduction of the Disney Treasure in late 2024 and the Disney Destiny in 2025. 

Our cruise departed from Fort Lauderdale, Florida which is the most recent cruise port for the Disney Cruise Line in Florida. Since this port was still so new for Disney Cruise Line, we did experience a bit of confusion with ride share being unsure how to navigate to the drop off and pick up points for the cruise.

We flew in a day early before our cruise, one of our best Disney Cruise tips, and enjoyed a night in Fort Lauderdale at the historic Riverside Hotel before our cruise. This made our departure day so much smoother as we felt we could really take our time getting to the ship. Fort Lauderdale has plenty do for families and we mainly stayed along the main downtown area although most of the shops and dining there are more adult focused, my teenage son was a bit bored although we did enjoy the presence of so many art galleries in this space.

You can view the currently available dates for 2024 and 2025 along with full itineraries. After viewing the dates be sure to come back and request a FREE quote from our travel partner for your cruise .  For a limited time Mickey Visit readers get up to a $400 onboard credit.

Now let's get into the details of my Disney Cruise review including my thoughts in comparison to a theme park vacation!

Easy Peasy Disney Cruise Line Boarding

Boarding our Disney Cruise was a pretty seamless process. We had a later boarding time and I think due to that we avoided many of the larger crowds that come with the earlier boarding times. We simply presented our documentation, went through security, and were on our way.

There will be a few photo ops along the way, depending on your arrival port, that you can take advantage of. We did stop to get one picture here and I'm glad we did because this was one of the last moments my hair looked normal before the ocean breeze and humidity set in. (Ever hear the saying, cruise hair don't care?)

Have your cameras ready when you board because the cast members will call out your family last name and everyone will clap as you board. It's a cool experience!

Your Key to the World Card is basically your identification and payment method while onboard the Disney Cruise. These will be located outside your stateroom door so once you board you simply head to your room and grab them.

Your luggage will arrive later which is why I recommend packing your essentials for the afternoon including any medications you may need plus swimsuits in case you want to swim before your luggage comes. I was a bit apprehensive on how the boarding process would go and it was easier than I expected, this is a helpful part to remember as part of our Disney Cruise review.

PRO TIP:  If you want to experience the waterslide on your Disney Cruise (ours was the AquaDuck!) ride it during the Sail Away Party! They open the slide right as the party begins and the line was a walk on the entire time. What a blast to ride the slide and wave to the crowd of people as you zoom by.

What Disney Cruise Room Do You Need?

One common question that comes up in a Disney Cruise review is: what Disney Cruise room do I need? During our Disney Cruise we had a verandah room on the Disney Dream which means it comes with a small outside space with two chairs and a table. This is one of the more spacious staterooms and is two tiers up from an inside stateroom and ocean view.

Having the outdoor space was nice but I found that we were rarely in the room so I don't think we really utilized as much as other families would. We often were only in the room to sleep and then were on our way again.

I think that's the best way to decide what type of stateroom you prefer: how often will a member of your family be in the room? If you think you will need to utilize it often whether you have small kids or other family members that might need the rest, then booking a verandah is worth it. If you're like my family and find yourselves on the go often, then perhaps you'd do fine with a lower tier stateroom.

PRO TIP:  If you are prone to motion sickness or are concerned about this on a cruise, consider booking a midship room as these rooms are always the most stable. You will feel the boat rocking much more on the front and back of the ship.

Disney Cruise Review- Themed Dining, Rotational Meals

During your Disney Cruise you will be assigned a dining time that will coordinate with your evening show. You will experience all of the restaurants on your cruise with the rotational dining and there is really nothing you need to do to prepare for this. You just show up at your assigned time and be ready to dine!

On the Disney Dream, we had three different rotational dining experiences: The Royal Palace, Enchanted Garden, and Animator's Palette. The food was always high quality and we were able to play around with the menu as we wanted.

I'm a vegetarian and there were always vegetarian options but if I didn't like the option (being a vegetarian that hates mushrooms is a curse, since vegetarian friendly dishes seem to always be mushroom based) I could order more appetizers as my meal, if I wanted.

One amazing thing about Disney Cruise Line that I loved is the way they seat smaller groups with similar parties. We were sat with two other moms traveling with their teens which resulted in a great way to make new friends. At first I was apprehensive about being seated with others for our cruise but by the end of it we had all exchanged numbers and became friends.

That is one thing about cruises that are great if you want to make friends, there's so many opportunities to get to know the other groups on the ship and this is especially special for Disney fans!

One of the things that always stands out in a Disney Cruise review is also how the waitstaff for your rotational dining also rotates with you! You will get to know the waitstaff well and they will remember your preferences and what you order. This was such a neat touch and by the end of the cruise we all knew their names and they knew us!

PRO TIP:  Don't be afraid to order as much as you want! By the end of the cruise, our entire table felt more bold and we were ordering double entrees, more appetizers, and desserts. There is no problem at all to do this! For example, on our last night our table decided we wanted more dessert so we just all simply ordered double dessert. Since the food is inclusive, you can order as much as you want and mix it up.

Why Everyone Raves About Disney Cruise Shows

The Disney Cruise Line shows was one of the highlights of my Disney Cruise and stands out as one of my favorite things to rave about in my Disney Cruise review! Each Disney Cruise offers a variety of shows that coordinate with your evening dinner times. The Disney Cruise Line shows are Broadway-caliber productions that feature retellings of popular Disney films along with unique stories created just for the cruises.

All of the Disney Cruise Line live shows will take place on each ship's stage theater. Each of these theaters is large enough to fit everyone but there are typically two show times offered each night. There was really no need to line up early for the showtimes unless you preferred to sit near the front of the stage or in the center.

All of the shows during our cruise were magical but the Beauty and the Beast retelling of the live adaption was my favorite. The singing was fantastic, the special effects were captivating, and the entire performance was our favorite during the entire cruise.

You aren't allowed to take photos or video during the performances which I think is a great rule because it forces guests to be in the moment. And it also matches the general etiquette of a live performance at a theater! This was refreshing to enjoy a Disney show without worrying about someone's phone being held up blocking your view.

I visit both Disneyland and Walt Disney World multiple times a year and the shows at the theme parks are some of my favorite experiences of our trips. While many Disney Park shows have my heart, these Disney Cruise Line Broadway-caliber shows just knock them out of the water.

PRO TIP:  If you are hoping for interaction from the entertainers in the show or for a closer experience with the characters, opt for an aisle seat on the main floor. Depending on the show, some of the cast may come down and walk the aisles and this can be a thrill for kids to see!

Things to Do on Disney Cruises

Disney Cruise Line excels at providing plenty to do for all ages. There are youth clubs for all ages, including a nursery for infants and a club for teens. Kids can interact and have fun with other kids their own ages and adults can take a moment to enjoy the adult exclusive areas of the ship.

All the Disney Cruise ships include adult only areas for guests 18 and older. Most ships all include a spa, a private adult area pool and bar, coffee bar, wine tastings or cocktail classes, and adult only dining experiences. Many of these come at an additional cost but can be worth it if you are looking to relax on your cruise and indulge.

The Disney Cruise youth  clubs offer the chance for kids to build life long friendships. Each kids club is given their own exclusive space on the cruise ships with activities planned just for these clubs which can also include character meet and greets. My 14 year old son was thrilled with the teen club which its wall to wall tv screens to play video games and private pool deck.

Aside from pools, adult only entertainment, and things for kids to do, there are also activities planned throughout the day for everyone to enjoy. Since this is a Disney Cruise you can expect plenty of character interactions throughout the day, Disney movies playing in the theaters, and of course Disney drawing classes. The night clubs provide entertainment of all kinds from family karaoke to adult only comedy shows.

We never felt like we were lacking anything to do! All you had to do was pull up the Disney Cruise Line app and see the daily events to find our your next activity. Or you could skip the activities and lounge by the pool or the hot tubs. While there is plenty to do, you can also opt to NOT do it all and relax. The freedom of choice is a bit part of a cruise. You can be as busy as you want to be or not at all!

And of course, your evenings are filled with your rotational dining and dinner shows so you always have a fun night planned.

PRO TIP:  Some experiences WILL sell out especially the more popular cocktail experiences and reserved character interactions. If you have your heart set on any specific experience make sure to book any experiences you can in advance. But many experiences are only available when you board. 

Disney Castaway Cay Review

Our cruise included a stop at Castaway Cay which is Disney's private island in the Bahamas.

There are multiple beaches on Castaway Cay including family beaches, water playgrounds, and an adult only beach. The island includes the chance to enjoy a range of activities like snorkeling, water crafts, fishing, parasailing, youth clubs, biking, and more.

When you step off the ship and on to the island, you're still in the Disney experience. There will be character meet and greets available, that same high quality level of Disney customer service, plus an inclusive barbecue lunch.

I loved our day on Castaway Cay and this was one of the highlights of our cruise. We decided to split the day up between paddleboarding and relaxing on the beach. This was easily one of the prettiest places I've ever paddleboarded. The water is so still and beautiful. While you are standing on your paddle board, you can see the water clearly beneath you. We saw a few starfish out on the water and enjoyed just paddling around the area by the boat.

I found the entire day at Castaway Cay to just be…. easy. There was no worry about rushing to get a chair, there was enough space for everyone to grab food easily, and the entire day was just the epitome of beach relaxation. My son was also able to meet up with the other teens at the youth club while I laid in the sun. And to his surprise and the other teens, the younger kids club always plans an ambush with water guns in the teens hideout on Castaway Cay which made for some hilarious memories.

PRO TIP:  Castaway Cay offers tons of advance reservations for snorkeling equipment, floats, etc. but there is really no worry of most of these running out. The water craft rentals may fill up if you have a specific time however everything seemed very flexible. Again, easy!

Disney Cruise vs. Disney Theme Park

So as someone that frequently visits Disneyland and Walt Disney World, it was hard not to compare the experience of a Disney Cruise to a vacation in the parks in this Disney Cruise review.

Disney Cruises are for Relaxing!

One of the biggest differences of a Disney Cruise vs. a Disney Theme Park is the pacing of the cruise is far more relaxed. Even the planning prior to the cruise felt far less than the extent of planning I often do before a Disneyland or Walt Disney World trip. Since you do not have access to most of the event times on the ship until you board, there's really no need to plan your days. One of the only things we planned in advance was our port excursions but everything else we simply did on a day by day basis. If you are looking for a vacation to truly relax, a Disney Cruise is for you. Since I am used to the hustle and bustle of Disney theme parks, this was a challenge for me at first!

Entertainment Quality Differs

While I loved the Broadway-caliber dinner shows, the other entertainment on the ship wasn't nearly the same quality and most of it was structured for a younger target audience. For instance, the deck show for Pirate Night had a few cool moments and of course, the fireworks at the end were a hit. But otherwise the entire show felt a bit cheesy to us and lackluster. While yes, it's directed at younger kids, I don't know that I've had that same reaction watching Disney Park entertainment. I think one thing that Disneyland and Walt Disney World does especially well for their shows is making it enjoyable for all ages. So if you have young kids, they will enjoy it all, but parents might be cringing a bit depending on the show!

More Opportunities to Make New Friends

This was one of my favorite things about our Disney Cruise, it was so easy to make new friends! Disney intentionally sits smaller parties with other parties that are similar so we were seated with two other moms and their teenagers. This ended up working out great for everyone and by the end of the trip we had all exchanged numbers with hopes of doing a cruise at the same time again some day. I also met other Disney Adults at adult only events on the ship, like wine tasting , which was a pretty seamless way to meet new people with similar interests. This is something that just doesn't happen quite as naturally and seamlessly at Disneyland or Walt Disney World unless you're local to the area.

My son also made new friends on the cruise as he spent a ton of time hanging out at the teen youth club . The youth clubs on the Disney Cruise are such a great way for kids to meet other kids. He was unsure of it at first but once he went, I could barely tear him away the rest of the trip.

Difference in Thrill Level

And of course, the difference in thrill level cannot really be compared as it's just two different experiences. But if your family is looking to ride rollercoasters and attractions, you won't find much of this experience on a Disney Cruise. There is a water slide available but it's not one I would put in the thrill category! However, if traveling and seeing different parts of the world is a thrill for your family, then this where a Disney Cruise shines. You have the opportunity to see so many different destinations on a cruise in a short amount of time. I spoke to a few single parents on the cruise that told me this is why they liked cruising so much, it is a safe and accessible way to travel the world with their kids!

Is A Disney Cruise Worth It?

Now for the real question in my Disney Cruise review: is a Disney Cruise worth it? Disney Cruises can be more expensive than their competitors but if you are looking for a Disney experience, then this is the way to go! There are a few differences that sets Disney apart from other cruise companies such as:

• Soda, juices, etc. all included
• No ‘all you can drink' alcohol package
• Fireworks at sea
• Disney level customer service
• Disney exclusive experiences, themed shows, ships, and more
• Fewer destinations and cruise ships
• No onboard casinos

Personally for me, most of these differences still have me leaning towards Disney. But I am also not a drinker and the idea of being on a cruise ship where all ‘you can drink' alcohol packages are being sold sounds like a nightmare to me. That's just not the type of atmosphere I enjoy. I also have no interest in gambling and I love Disney, so a Disney Cruise works out well for me in this area.

Aside from cruise to cruise comparisons, I feel that Disney Cruise is a worth it based on the experience itself. My son absolutely loved his first Disney Cruise experience and still asks me again and again when the next one is. We spent so much quality time together while also still having space to do our own thing. It was the perfect recharge from our busy lives. 

It was a wonderful combination of relaxation and adventure that worked really well for my family. We are already planning our next cruise! If you are a theme park goer, I highly recommend throwing a Disney Cruise in to the mix to see a much more zen side of Disney. 

Planning a Disney Cruise?

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The Disney Cruises Line is good because of its great customer service, Broadway-quality shows, Disney theming and its the best environment for families!

Disney Cruises offer luxurious options but you can also do a Disney Cruise on a budget depending on what stateroom you pick. Disney Cruises are high end due to their quality but they are not out of reach for families.

Most families consider a Disney Cruise when their kids are 10 and under but teenagers also will have plenty to do on a cruise. Disney Cruises are great for all ages although some of the shows are tailored to younger kids.

Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

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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Disney Cruise Line Review

Saturday, April 20th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Disney Cruise Line
• Best for families and kids at heart of all ages
• Six ships in the fleet
• Sails primarily in the Caribbean, with summer destinations in Alaska and Europe
• Very clean and family-friendly atmosphere: no casino, entertainment prior to 10PM kept very "PG"
• Exceptional clubs for children, pre-teens, and teenagers
• Two private islands in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point
• Broadway-caliber entertainment
• Excellent themed dining
• Marvel and Star Wars-themed cruising on some sailings
• Sterling safety record

Disney Cruise Line is a family-oriented cruise line that operates five ships: the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish, with the Disney Treasure set to sail in the near future. Founded in 1996, the company is headquartered in Celebration, Florida (near Disney World), and operates primarily in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico, with summer voyages to Alaska and Europe. When the Disney Treasure makes its debut, it will likely serve the Asian market with departures primarily out of Singapore.

Surround yourself with Mickey and friends

From the moment you step aboard, you'll be surrounded by Disney characters, music, and decor, creating a magical atmosphere that will delight both kids and adults ( can you find the hidden Mickeys? ). The ships themselves are marvels of engineering, featuring classic nautical design elements blended with the iconic style of Disney. The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are smaller ships, accommodating around 2,700 passengers each, while the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are larger vessels with a capacity of up to 4,000 passengers. All four ships offer spacious staterooms with plenty of amenities, ranging from cozy interior cabins to luxurious suites with verandas and private concierge services.

The dining is truly magical

One of the unique features of Disney Cruise Line is its rotational dining system, which allows passengers to experience three different main dining rooms during their voyage, each with its own distinct theme and cuisine. This means you'll have the opportunity to try a variety of culinary styles, from classic American fare to Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Plus, the staff will follow you to each dining room, providing personalized service throughout your cruise. Even the experience in the dining rooms is Disney-fied, from the "Tangled" characters singing and dancing to being able to interact with Crush (the sea turtle from "Finding Nemo" ), kids watching their own drawings come to life at Animator's Palate, and so much more: even meals are magical.

No drink package needed for soda

Of course, you'll have plenty of options outside of the main dining rooms, from pizza poolside to on-demand soft-serve ice cream and much more. Plus, DCL is the only cruise line we know of that gives guests access to soft drinks at no charge: just fill your cup at the station anytime. (We also recommend getting a cup from the drink station, filling it with soft serve, and then going back to the soda station to make your own Pepsi float!)

#1 for kids clubs

For families with young children, Disney Cruise Line is absolutely exceptional at keeping them entertained. The ships feature separate pools and play areas for children and adults, as well as family-friendly activities like trivia contests, dance parties, and outdoor movies. The biggest attraction is the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, which offer supervised activities and play areas for kids ages 3-12. It's hard to describe how next-level DCL's kids' clubs are, compared with other cruise lines: they're open longer (until midnight, most of the time) and go above and beyond to attend to their guests, even bringing them to dinner at mealtime if their grownups give the okay (while they're busy doing other activities). On one of our sailings, the DCL staff in the Oceaneer Club even changed out some wet clothing ( oops ) and put our child in a complimentary dry pair, called us to let us know, but didn't need us to come and change her ourselves. Okay!

No concerns about safety here

Safety is also paramount in the kids' clubs: children are checked in and out electronically, and anyone picking up a child has to provide the password (that you choose when you set up your child's participation in the club). DCL is also one of very few major cruise lines that have never had a major incident, and the company always scores the highest marks for cleanliness, food safety, and other industry-wide indicators.

Even teens love Disney cruises

For older kids and teens, Disney Cruise Line has the Vibe and Edge clubs, which provide a dedicated space for teenagers to hang out, play games, and make new friends. Again, these clubs really make the onboard experience extraordinary for kids who've graduated from the Oceaneer level and want to have their own fun, from scavenger hunts to smoothie bars and much more. Take your teenager on a Disney cruise and you may not see them all day long.

18-to-20-year-olds have a club too

There's even a club for cruisers ages 18-20: namely, the ones who are too old for the teen club but still too young to drink. It's a lot less structured than the kids' clubs, but it still has some appeal: think dedicated time in the teen club (when the teens are gone) to play video games, and bike rides (with complimentary access to the bicycles) on Disney's private island.

Adults have private spaces onboard

And for adults looking for a more low-key atmosphere, the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Cafe offer a relaxing retreat with ocean views and adult beverages, no kids allowed. We also recommend checking out the Rainforest Room at the Senses Spa: you can pay by the day or purchase an all-cruise access pass. The amenities vary depending on the ship you're on, but think soothing music, heated loungers, essential oil body scrubs, sauna and steam rooms, and so on.

Entertainment beyond compare

Another highlight of Disney Cruise Line is its entertainment offerings, which include Broadway-style musicals, live shows, movies, and character meet-and-greets. Each ship has its own unique lineup of entertainment, so you'll never run out of things to do. The Disney Dream, for example, features a dazzling production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, complete with stunning sets, costumes, and special effects. Also, because of Disney's relationship with Star Wars and Marvel, your sailing could include a world premiere showing of the newest movie in the MCU, Star Wars and Marvel-themed days at sea and entertainment in the kids' clubs. You won't want to miss the pirate deck party either: you'll get themed bandanas at your dinner that evening, and you might even want to bring your own accessories when you sail (like a hook or a pirate hat). Keep an eye out for Mickey ziplining from one of the smokestacks to the other - just before the fireworks show off the side of the ship ( we think this is the only cruise line that does fireworks at sea ).

PG-rated until 10PM

Although the entertainment on Disney is kept pretty PG-rated - there isn't even a casino onboard - and the "adult areas" of the ship are open to guests of all ages during the day (for trivia events, presentations, game shows, and so on), there's no shortage of nightlife for grownups. Yes, the comedians take off their filters during their late-night shows, and guests are welcome to have a few too many while they dance at the "Silent Disco" or other club events.

Two private islands in the Bahamas

Beyond the ship, Disney Cruise Line also offers exciting shore excursions in each port of call, from snorkeling and zip-lining to cultural tours and beach outings. One unique offering is Castaway Cay, Disney's private island in the Bahamas, which features pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and a variety of water sports and activities. This is a highlight of many Disney cruises, and it's a great place to spend a day in the sun with your family. Or, drop your kids off at the island-side kids' club while you go enjoy the adults-only beaches: take a nap in the hammock, look for sea turtles while you snorkel, the day is yours. At the time of this review, Disney's second island in the Bahamas, Lighthouse Point, hadn't opened yet, but we hear that it will place strong emphasis on Bahamian culture and crafts while still providing that private-island feel and Disney-level service.

More expensive than most comparable cruise lines

The biggest downside to Disney cruises is the price: fares tend to be more expensive than other family-friendly cruise lines, though the extra cost is more than justified by the quality of the experience. For example, when pricing out our apples-to-apples comparison (a March sailing in the Caribbean, booked about a year ahead of time), there were 28 sailings to choose from - but the lowest price with Disney ($940 per person, including taxes, fees, and port expenses) rivaled the higher-priced options with other cruise lines, and that sailing was only four nights. On the high end, a 7-night Western Caribbean sailing for that timeframe was over $2,500 per person. You might be able to save with a special offer - look for that link at the top of the site - but you may have to be a resident in a departure port state (like Florida) or be willing to travel on short notice. The easiest way to get a lower fare on a Disney cruise is to book it right when the dates open for booking, which is usually about 18 months in advance.

Gratuities not included in your fare

Your fare also doesn't include gratuities. DCL recommends an amount of $14.50 per night per guest for all non-concierge staterooms. You can adjust that amount or remove the gratuity entirely, but in our experience most guests not only happily pay it but also give their stateroom attendant, servers, and head waiter an envelope with a little something extra on the last night of the cruise. The service is truly that good.

Five-star option, with or without kids

Can you tell that we're huge fans of Disney cruises here? While we've stopped short of making it our highest-ranked cruise line ( because, let's face it, some vacationers don't want to see little kids or life-sized "mice" ), we enthusiastically recommend DCL to anyone who will listen. For parents traveling with children, there's just no other cruise line that even comes close to offering what Disney provides - shocker, we know - and even for the kids at heart, there's plenty to love and enjoy on a Disney cruise. Disney Cruise Line easily earns five stars.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Disney Wonder review: What to expect on the Disney Cruise Line ship with the coolest itineraries

If you like the idea of cruising with Disney Cruise Line , but you want to go beyond the Bahamas and Mexico to destinations in New Zealand, Australia, Hawaii, Alaska and beyond, then Disney Wonder is likely the best Disney ship for you.

That's especially true if you want a ship with a lot to offer that's a manageable size and doesn't tempt you to spend money around every bend.

Disney Wonder is one of Disney's two smallest ships. It doesn't have amenities like a pay-per-scoop ice cream shop or fancy, adults-only infinity pool like you'll find on Disney Wish . Don't worry, though — Wonder still has all-you-can-eat, included soft serve out on the deck and is absolutely charming in its own right.

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

Disney Wonder was the second ship in Disney's fleet, first setting sail in 1999, one year after Disney's original ship, Disney Magic .

In many ways, it is Magic's twin; it's the same size (984 feet long) and has the same number of staterooms (875). However, Disney Wonder features certain shows and restaurants unique to the ship and has a litany of unusual sailings that are unparalleled in Disney's line-up.

I've sailed on all but one of Disney's ships (I'll get on Disney Fantasy one day). I have had the pleasure of sailing on Disney Wonder twice: once to Mexico in a concierge-level suite and more recently to Alaska on my favorite cruise yet in a standard ocean-view cabin.

Based on these experiences and my general obsession with Disney Cruise Line, here's what you need to know about Disney Wonder.

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Overview of Disney Wonder

Disney Wonder can host up to 2,713 passengers spread across its 875 cabins, ranging from windowless inside rooms to multi-bedroom suites. Guests can enjoy 11 decks of fun operated by 950 crew members.

Like all of Disney's ships, Disney Wonder has a classic oceanliner vibe and coloring. Its interior is inspired by art nouveau design from the turn of the last century, unlike Disney Magic's bold art deco aesthetic. Disney Cruise Line uses design, colors and onboard fixtures from the Grand Hall's chandelier (inspired by Ariel's flower) to the carpet to tell a story, set the stage and sometimes even subtly communicate to passengers which way to go.

Disney Wonder is made for families, but it didn't forget about adults along the way. On it, you will find a waterslide; restaurants themed to "The Princess and the Frog," animation and "The Little Mermaid"; four kids clubs dedicated to different age groups (babies and toddlers, kids, tweens and teens); and adults-only spaces including a pool, multiple bars and lounges, and a high-end restaurant. (Incidentally, if you can snag a brunch reservation at that dining venue, I'd say that is the best $50 you can spend on a Disney cruise .)

Two theaters, the Walt Disney Theatre and Buena Vista Theatre, show first-run Disney movies and three Broadway-style productions on each sailing.

Disney is famous for its rotational dining, where your tablemates and servers move from restaurant to restaurant each night. On this ship, you can enjoy your included dinners at Tiana's Place, Tritons and Animator's Palate.

Disney Wonder is a classicly Disney ship that doesn't have the interactive virtual-realty-inspired games or paintings and chandeliers that come to life as you might find on some of the newer ships. But it has the pools, shows, kid clubs, games and itineraries to set the stage for a magical vacation.

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

What I loved about Disney Wonder

Ports of call.

Disney Wonder's biggest claim to fame is where it sails. While my first sailing on the ship was one born of convenience since it was out of my home port of Galveston, it's since moved on. As Disney Wish joined the fleet in 2022 — and with Disney Treasure to follow in 2024 — Disney Cruise Line got to shake up where it sails. Disney Wonder won the port-of-call lottery, so to speak, when it landed some interesting new sailings.

I adored our Alaska sailing out of Vancouver , bringing us to glaciers as well as cities such as Ketchikan, Skagway and Juneau. But if spending the day with Mickey and Minnie in their warmest outfits isn't on your bucket list (and it really should be), the ship also sails to places such as the Mexican Riviera, Sydney, New Zealand, Fiji and Pago Pago in American Samoa.

Tiana's Place

One of the best restaurants in all of the Disney Cruise Line fleet is found only on Disney Wonder. Not only does Tiana's Place have great Cajun specialties (beignets, anyone?), but it's a fantastically fun party from appetizer to dessert. You'll only find Tiana's Place on Disney Wonder, so if you'd love to enjoy shrimp and grits with Tiana herself, this is your chance.

The Disney Cruise Line crew members are always great, but they have the opportunity to be even greater on Disney Wonder. Thanks to a schedule of longer sailings, the crew can get to know the guests on board over the course of a week rather than meeting a new set of passengers every three or four days.

For example, the restaurant servers knew what our kids wanted to drink by the second or third meal. The room hosts learned who our friends were on board and would let us know where our teens were hanging out when they noticed us looking around.

Great entertainment

There's always something fun to do on Disney Wonder, from the game shows to on-deck performances and the three evening Broadway-style shows, including "The Golden Mickeys," "Frozen: A Musical Spectacular" and "Disney Dreams" (which is guaranteed to make your eyes water a bit on your last night).

These aren't just shows that help you pass some hours in the evening; some of them — especially Frozen — are at the level you would pay to see on Broadway. It's also really fun at night to pop into the theater and see a new Disney movie that is still playing on land without worrying about the costs of tickets or pre-reserving good seats.

What I didn't love about Disney Wonder

It's not the latest and greatest.

While Disney Wonder is in great shape and gets upgrades on a regular basis, its bones are 25 years old. Some of the styling — while classic — feels dated compared to Disney's newer ships, like Disney Wish. My family also missed the fun tech-enabled interactive elements they'd enjoyed on the line's newer ships because it gave them something to do between scheduled activities.

The food is good — but not the best in the fleet

I enjoy the food on all Disney Cruise Line ships, but Disney Wonder is a step or two behind the new Disney Wish when it comes to dining. This is especially true in the grab-and-go department. The on-deck food on Wonder leans heavily into comfort food (pizza, burgers and chicken fingers). Although you can find other options if you look carefully, I missed the variety of Disney Wish with its taco bar and BBQ.

Disney Wonder needs a new bar

Not to overplay the comparison between one of Disney's oldest ships and its newest, but you really see the difference in design from the '90s versus today with the onboard bars. On Wish, they are spread throughout the ship, and you can find bright, airy spots to have a cocktail. On Disney Wonder, the bars are concentrated in one area, and all of them are dark and feel like tucked-away pubs. They could use a modern-day glow-up and more views of the sea.

Disney Wonder cabins and suites

Disney Wonder has multiple room types: windowless inside cabins (starting at 184 square feet), ocean-view cabins (starting at 214 square feet), verandah rooms with private balconies (starting at 268 square feet) and concierge-level suites that go all the way up to 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom suites that sleep up to seven guests.

We've had a chance to check out a few of those room types.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

Most recently, we sailed to Alaska in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom that slept up to four guests with a queen bed, single convertible sofa and a pull-down upper berth. It's a comfortable room type for a family of three or a younger family of four.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

This room type is similar to the ocean-view room type, with the difference being the verandah rather than a porthole window. If you will use the private balcony, it can be worth buying up to this room type, as my parents did on our recent Alaska cruise. The cost to go from an ocean-view category to this one can be a few hundred dollars on some sailings or thousands more, as it did on our Alaska sailing.

This room type, like most on Disney Cruise Line, has a split bathroom design. There's a sink and shower in one small bathroom, and a sink and toilet in another. This arrangement allows more guests to get ready at the same time.

One-bedroom concierge suite

On a 2020 sailing, I had the chance to stay in a one-bedroom concierge suite, which measured 614 square feet and had a true living room area, along with a bedroom. The layout features a small dining nook, a living area with the double convertible sofa, a true separate bedroom with a queen-size bed and two bathrooms.

This was an indulgent way to sail with my mom, where we could all have our own space. The suite comes with concierge service, which takes things to the next level in terms of perks.

Those in concierge-level accommodations get access to the Concierge Lounge, found midship on Disney Wonder's Deck 10. You don't need concierge access to have a great time on Disney Wonder, but if you can afford it, it sure is amazing.

When we sailed in a suite, we made the most of the lounge with its small food plates set out throughout the day, the included evening happy hour starting at 5 p.m. daily and the fully stocked fridge to grab bottled water and canned drinks to enjoy around the ship and on excursions.

Related: Is Disney concierge level worth it?

Disney Wonder restaurants and bars

Disney Cruise Line pioneered what it calls "rotational dining." You get a schedule for your cruise, and you rotate through each of the included onboard restaurants, swapping each night. Your serving crew rotates with you, so you always have the same waiters even in different dining venues.

At all of Disney Wonder's rotational restaurants, you can order as much as you want and sample your way around the menu. Want three appetizers? Go for it. Want two lobster tails? They're yours. Want something like chicken fingers that you don't see on the menu? Just ask, and the waiters will deliver if possible.

If you are a true foodie, you won't be overly impressed by the included food on Disney Wonder, but most cruisers will be excited about something on each menu. We certainly enjoy trying various options — especially the seafood — without worrying about the cost.

Animator's Palate

One of Disney Wonder's three included-in-your-fare rotational dining venues is Animator's Palate, a staple on multiple Disney ships. Tucked away on Deck 4, this restaurant has a few different interactive shows and animation offerings on longer sailings — I won't spoil it. The physical restaurant will also come to life over the course of your meal, starting in black and white and ending up in color.

Don't miss the special guest who shows up at the end of your meal at least one of the nights.

While I'm not a huge fan of this dish, a popular item on the menu is the black truffle pasta purseittes.

Previously mentioned as one of my favorite parts of the ship, Tiana's Place on Deck 3 is always a good time. On longer sailings, the entertainment in this restaurant will include jazz performers on one night and a full-on, second-line parade around the room with Tiana herself on another.

I'm a big fan of the shrimp and grits — or anything Cajun-themed — and definitely don't miss the beignets for dessert.

Triton's

Off the main atrium on Deck 3, Triton's is the most formal of the three included restaurants on Disney Wonder.

It's themed loosely on "The Little Mermaid," but not in a way your kids will likely notice. If you are looking for dinner to be an experience and want to know which restaurant to skip, I'd recommend this one. It's more traditional than the other venues in the rotation.

On-deck food

Whether you want a quick lunch or are in the mood for a more casual dinner, eating out on Deck 9 is a viable option on Disney Wonder. On-deck eateries include:

• Daisy's De Lites: Salads, sandwiches, fruit and customizable rice bowls (the latter are one of my favorite options on Disney Wonder)
• Sulley's Sips: For-purchase beverages and smoothies as well as free soft-service ice cream
• Pinocchio's Pizzeria: Pizza by the slice with various toppings, available for long hours each day
• Pete's Boiler Bites: Burgers, veggie burgers, chicken fingers, fries, and often-overlooked gyros and hummus

Cabanas buffet

If you're looking for a classic cruise ship buffet meal, head to Cabanas. Currently open for breakfast and lunch on Disney Wonder, Cabanas is a traditional self-serve buffet. It's impossible to go hungry when you make a plate here because the venue offers everything from Mickey waffles (keep an eye out for the mornings that they have churro Mickey waffles) to chilled shrimp and crab legs.

No reservations are required; you can walk in any time during open hours. Some dishes change daily, while others are consistent throughout the cruise. My top recommendation is to start at the back of the line, where you'll find most of the seafood, so you don't fill up too much on the carb-loaded treats at the beginning of the line.

Palo adults-only restaurant

The only place to have brunch or dinner on the ship without the kids is at Palo. The adults-only restaurant is reserved for the 18-and-up crowd.

The dress code here is a bit nicer than in other onboard restaurants. T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire are not permitted. You don't need to go super formal; a dress or a nice shirt with pants or jeans is perfect for dinner.

Unless you have Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Platinum status or higher, dining at Palo will cost you a bit, but I'd argue it's worth it. In fact, I've said it's the best $50 you can spend at sea .

Brunch at Palo is a set price of $50 for all you care to eat from the menu, served on plates instead of via a buffet. For dinner, you can select the $50 prix fixe menu, with a choice of dishes for each course, or you can order a la carte from options such as baby arugula salad ($7), prosciutto and burrata pizza ($16) and jumbo scallops ($32). No matter what you get, save room for the chocolate souffle ($10) for dessert.

Palo is not part of your rotational dining plan, so you'll need to make advance reservations online or via the Disney Cruise Line app. Booking windows will vary based on your room selection and Castaway Club status, but they will typically open a few months before your sailing.

Bars and lounges

On Disney Wonder, the bars are mainly in the adult area on Deck 3 forward. Though the spaces might be used for general activities during the day, the area transforms each evening into a space just for the over-18 crowd.

The lounges here include:

• Crown & Fin Pub: British-themed pub with beer on tap, sports games on the TVs and small bites in a little buffet offering in the evening
• Cadillac Lounge: Decor inspired by late-1950s Hollywood with live piano some nights
• Azure: Nightclub with a bar where you'll find different evening acts and dancing
• French Quarter Lounge: New Orleans-themed spot where you'll find beignets (for purchase) and cocktails, along with family-friendly activities during the day.

Pro tip: There are usually happy hours somewhere on the ship each day; check the onboard app for details. If you want to save a few dollars on your glass of wine — and like to be surprised — you can also save by having a sommelier's choice glass of wine at some of the bars; you get a nicer glass of wine for a lower price if you let the bartender choose the vintage.

Coffee drinkers can find the basic beverage in Cabanas via room service or at the self-service drink station just outside of Cabanas on the top deck. If you prefer something fancier — such as a cold brew, salted caramel coconut latte or espresso — you'll need to pony up a few dollars at the Cove Cafe. Expect to pay around $6 or $7 for coffee drinks — or more if you go for the cocktails on the menu. The muffins and pastries are free of charge.

Pro tip: Get the Coffee Fanatics punch card if you plan to purchase multiple coffee-based drinks on your cruise. With the card, you get your sixth drink free after you purchase five coffee drinks.

Disney Wonder activities

Pools and water play areas.

Disney Wonder has a few different pool areas. The main Goofy's Pool and two adjacent family-friendly whirlpools are on Deck 9 midship. Only guests ages 3 years old and up (and potty-trained) can use this pool.

Aft of Goofy's Pool is the Aqua Lab area. Here, you'll find a small, shallow pool for kids ages 3 and up; a splash pad meant for cruisers under age 3 in swim diapers; and a twisting waterslide made for those 38 inches and taller. This slide is a one-at-a-time slide and does not utilize inner tubes.

Forward of Goofy's Pool is the Quiet Cove Pool and two whirlpools, all for the exclusive use of adults only.

Pools are heated, and the hours vary, so check your Disney Cruise Line app once on board.

If your young child doesn't meet the age minimum for the older kids clubs, there is a nursery for those ages six months to three years. Unlike with the other kid clubs, reservations are required for the nursery, and you'll need to pay an hourly fee.

The kids clubs are one of the best parts of a Disney cruise. They are so good that most kids want to visit them frequently, which means parents get a chance to be on vacation, too.

The main and largest kids clubs on Disney Wonder are the Oceaneer Club and Lab, open to guests ages 3 to 12 years old (and toilet trained). These two clubs have separate entrances on Deck 5, but they are connected via a "secret" hallway just for the kids who are checked in.

The clubs' schedules offer a mix of activities, games and free play that take place in themed areas, including:

• Andy's Room, where there's even a Slinky Dog-themed slide
• Marvel Super Hero Academy
• Disney Junior
• Frozen Adventures

These kid clubs are free, and reservations are not required. Check the operating hours in your app once on board, but the clubs are often open until midnight.

Disney knows that little kids and big kids don't mix, so it also has separate hangouts for tweens and teens. Edge is the tween club for guests ages 11 to 14. Found on Deck 9, the club is themed as an under-the-sea submarine. Tweens can come here to draw, play video games or hang out, but supervising youth counselors also lead group activities, such as scavenger hunts, dance parties, bingo and more.

Unlike the Oceaneer Club, where there is a formal check-in and checkout procedure, the tween club allows kids to come and go. If you don't want to give your 11- or 12-year-old that independence, then the Oceaneer Club and Lab are better suited for them than Edge.

On the flip side, if space is available, you can sign a waiver for your 10-year-old to level up into Edge a year early if you think they are ready. This is most useful when sailing with older friends or family members already in Edge.

Teens ages 14 to 17 have a space all their own in Vibe. On Disney Wonder, you can find Vibe tucked away in the funnel on Deck 11. Its cool spot gives it an exclusive vibe, befitting its name.

Like in Edge, teens can hang out and play arcade games, video games, draw or chat with the counselors and other teen visitors. If space permits, parents can sign a form to allow their 13-year-old to hang out at Edge one year early.

Bibbity Bobbity Boutique

If your kid has always wanted to be a princess, Bibbity Bobbity Boutique is an awesome (albeit expensive) Disney Wonder experience. It's a salon for kids where fairy godmothers (aka stylists who work there) will transform them into their favorite princess or prince, Captain Mickey or another whimsical character. The character might depend on the costumes available on your sailing.

Depending on the package you book, your kid will choose an outfit before getting a makeover involving a glitter-infused hairstyle, painted nails and fancy make-up. The fairy godmothers do a great job at making their princesses-in-training feel extremely special.

You need to make advance appointments for Bibbity Bobbity, and prices range from $100 to $200, depending on the package you select. (Fair warning: The $100 package doesn't include the outfit or backpack, so BYO if you go that route.)

Activities and shows

From the Sail Away party on deck the first afternoon to the See Ya Real Soon final farewell in the main atrium on the last night, there will be more shows and activities to see and experience on Disney Wonder than you'd ever be able to do in just one trip. (But seriously, don't miss the first and last shows; they are fantastic.)

In your Disney Cruise Line app, you'll find the time for all these shows and activities, such as trivia, bingo and karaoke. All the shows and most activities are free, but there are a few exceptions, such as bingo, that cost if you want to play. While it might feel weird at first doing a family game show or playing trivia, the more activities you participate in, the more fun you have.

On-deck fun

For independent fun, head up to the Wide World of Sports area on Deck 10 forward. There, you'll find a netted area for basketball, ping pong and foosball. Down on Deck 4, the promenade features a walking or running track that goes all the way around the ship. You'll find shuffleboard courts there, as well.

Character encounters

Sailing with Disney isn't complete without meeting some of your favorite pals on the ship.

Guests have a few ways to visit characters on Disney Wonder. Scheduled character meet-and-greets are listed on the itinerary each day in the Disney Cruise Line app. These will be popular events.

For example, if you are on Disney Wonder as it sails to Alaska , the first day that Mickey, Minnie and friends appear in their Alaska-exclusive outfits out on deck (which is also likely the day you sail close to a glacier), lines will form at least 30 minutes before the greetings start.

However, some of the best character interactions will be the ones that aren't announced or planned. You may see a character on the promenade waving goodbye to land as you sail away from a port or "sleep-walking" in their pajamas at night when no one else is around.

Definitely go to some of the scheduled character interactions if you want to get a photo, but keep your eyes peeled for those unannounced moments, too.

Senses Spa and Rainforest Room

On Deck 9 forward, you'll find the Senses Spa — home to treatment rooms, a nail and hair salon, a fitness center, locker rooms and the Rainforest Room thermal suite.

You can book spa treatments before the sailing and once on board. Look for discounts on booking treatments on port days, and if you book multiple treatments, you can often also qualify for a discount.

The adults-only Rainforest Room features heated stone chairs, various shower experiences and steam rooms. Access to this room costs extra, so visit the spa on the day you board for prices and availability. If you've been to the Rainforest Room on Disney Wish , Dream or Fantasy, know Disney Wonder's version is smaller. It does not include any whirlpools or some of the other offerings you'll find in the larger thermal suites.

Disney Wonder nighttime shows and movies

Each Disney ship has a lineup of Broadway-caliber nighttime shows and a schedule of movies in the Walt Disney and Buena Vista theaters.

Currently, the flagship evening performances on Disney Wonder sailings are:

• "The Golden Mickeys"
• "Frozen: A Musical Spectacular"
• "Disney Dreams — An Enchanted Classic"

Seating is first-come, first-served, so get to the theater early for your pick of seats. Your time to see the evening show will be opposite your dinner time, so early dinner means seeing the late show, and late dinner means seeing the early performance.

In addition to the Broadway-style shows, Disney Wonder has a schedule of first-run and recent Disney movies that you can pop in and watch inside the Buena Vista Theater on Deck 5. If you are on the ship while a Disney show premiers on land, you can catch its opening night on the ship, too.

Disney Wonder itineraries and pricing

As we've mentioned before, Disney Wonder hit the lottery of itineraries.

While every year is a bit different, for at least the next year or two, Disney Wonder's schedule includes summer sailings from Vancouver to Alaska, an October trip to Hawaii after the Alaska season, then fall and winter sailings to, from and around Australia and New Zealand. There's a spring stop in Hawaii, followed by sailings from San Diego to Mexico before it resumes its summer season beginning in May in Vancouver.

Pricing starts less than $2,000 for a family of four on some of the short Australia and New Zealand sailings. Sailings on the U.S. West Coast start around $3,000 for a family of four in an inside cabin.

To do a weeklong Alaska sailing with a family of four, prices will start at $5,100 for an inside cabin in the early or late season. Prime summer sailing dates from June to August cost a couple of thousand dollars more for that same interior cabin and thousands more still for a balcony cabin.

Related: How to save money on a Disney Cruise

What to know before you go

Required documents.

The required documents for sailing on Disney Wonder vary based on your itinerary.

All guests 16 and over who are U.S. citizens on the sailing from Vancouver to Alaska will need a U.S. passport, but children ages 15 and under can do that sailing with a state-issued birth certificate. Americans flying to Canada from the U.S. (or vice versa) will need a passport to enter the country by air, regardless of age.

U.S. citizens on round-trip sailings from the U.S. West Coast to Mexico can do the sailing with a passport or a state-issued birth certificate and a physical government-issued photo ID.

Those on the sailings to and from Australia and New Zealand will need different documents based on their nationality, but those from the U.S. will need passports and potentially visas, too.

Green-card holders and non-U.S. citizens must check requirements based on destinations visited. Additionally, you will need to check in for your cruise online, fill out the appropriate information and select an arrival time for your embarkation day.

Disney Cruise Line recommends $14.50 in gratuities per guest per night; this is the amount auto-applied to your onboard bill unless you request to increase or decrease it. The gratuities are split among your dining room server, assistant server, head server and cabin host.

Those in the concierge level are charged $15.50 per person per night, with the additional going to the cabin assistant host, who helps with those accommodations. Tips for the concierge lounge team are neither included in that amount nor automatically added to your onboard statement. Disney recommends you tip $8 per person per night; you can do this in cash or ask to have it added to your folio toward the end of your cruise. The tips would then be shared among the concierge hosts.

I recommend bringing cash and tipping not only the concierge hosts but also the bartenders in the concierge lounge, assuming you get your drinks there.

For a seven-night sailing for a family of four, automatically charged gratuities come to $406 in a non-concierge cabin and $434 in a concierge cabin, plus an additional $224 in recommended tips to the concierge lounge attendants. In other words, don't forget to budget for this. You can also leave additional amounts charged to your room or in cash.

Also not included in the amounts above are tips at the bar, at the adults-only dining restaurants, at the spa and for room service; tipping is recommended for those services. Note that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, deck service tabs and spa services.

Wi-Fi is not currently a strength of Disney Wonder. It is quite expensive and priced in an old-school manner.

There is no cost to connect to the ship's Wi-Fi network when used only for the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app (which can also be used for messaging other guests on the ship). Otherwise, Disney Wonder's current Wi-Fi options start at $19 for a 100 MB package and go up from there. At some point, the ship will likely switch to the program most other Disney ships use, which charges by the day and not by the amount of data.

Carry-on drinks policy

Guests 21 years and older (18 or under for round-trip Australia and New Zealand cruises) may bring a maximum of two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. You can keep drinks chilled in the small fridge in your cabin.

Guests wishing to consume wine or Champagne brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corkage fee of $26 per bottle.

Smoking policy

Smoking is permitted only in designated deck areas. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies, and those who violate this rule will face a $250 cleaning fee.

For an additional fee, Disney ships offer full-service laundry and dry cleaning services that include the pickup and delivery of clean clothes to your cabin.

On Disney Wonder, you'll also find self-service laundry on Decks 2, 6 and 7 midship. You pay for the facilities by using your Key to the World card. These services can get busy during sea days on longer cruises, so plan accordingly.

Electrical outlets

Cabins are equipped with multiple 110-volt outlets, which are standard in the U.S. and Canada.

Small electrical appliances such as electric shavers, curling irons and flat irons with standard North American plugs will function on board; 110-volt items should not exceed 1,500 watts, and 220-volt items should not exceed 2,000 watts. A hair dryer is provided in every cabin, but you may bring your own as long as it meets the guidelines above.

The currency on Disney Wonder, regardless of location, is the U.S. dollar.

On the ship, you don't need cash or a credit card — all incidentals, purchases and services will be charged to your cabin folio. Your Key to the World card serves as your onboard payment method. The only exception is if you want to tip a crew member in cash.

In port, you may wish to carry cash in a local currency or a credit card to buy snacks and souvenirs or to tip your tour guide.

Drinking age

The drinking age on Disney Wonder depends on where the ship is sailing at the time. For sailings to and from the U.S. West Coast and Canada, the drinking age is 21.

However, for round-trip cruises from Auckland or Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia, guests 18 years and older may purchase and consume alcohol. For repositioning cruises between Hawaii and Australia, parents or guardians may sign a "Beverage Consent Form" that allows their 18- to 20-year-old children to consume alcoholic beverages while in the adult's presence.

During the day on Disney Wonder, people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, most passengers will wear T-shirts, shorts and bathing suits (with a cover-up to go inside). For Alaska cruises, guests should wear layers and bring jackets, hats and rain gear for cooler or wetter days.

During the evenings, dining attire in the three main restaurants is "cruise casual," meaning no swimwear or tank tops, but you don't need to dress up too much. The exception is if you are dining in Palo, where you do need to dress up a bit more.

Cruises that are seven nights or longer schedule one "formal night." Passengers can choose to wear a fancy dress, suit or sports coat, but it's not a problem if you prefer casual attire. You will see folks in jeans and shorts on formal nights alongside passengers in dresses and suits. For the kids, princess dresses and other Disney-themed costumes are always appropriate.

Pro tip: Be sure and pack that pirate gear or themed attire for Pirate Night or Frozen Night on the Alaska cruises.

Related: What to pack for your Disney Cruise

Bottom line

Disney Wonder has been the setting for family vacations for about 25 years, and it doesn't show any signs of hanging up its waterslide anytime soon.

It's not the newest, flashiest or most modern ship in Disney's fleet, but it makes us smile every time we step on board. There's more than enough to do to stay busy on your sailing, and it's still a compact enough ship that you don't spend half your cruise figuring out where everything is.

In other words, Disney Wonder is a great choice whether you want to start your cruising with a ship that is a bit smaller or you are ready to chart an adventure to one of Disney's most far-flung ports of call.

If you're looking for a just-right-size Disney Cruise Line sailing and enjoy a more classic approach to life at sea, Disney Wonder could easily be the ship for you.

Related readings:

• Best tips for sailing with Disney Cruise Line
• Best credit cards for booking a cruise
• 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids
• The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries
• The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney Cruise Line ship
• Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock when setting sail with Mickey
• Best Disney cruise ships for everyone — even Disney adults

My First Disney Cruise – Everything I Loved and Hated (Honest Photo Review)

For YEARS I’ve wanted to try a Disney cruise and last week I finally did it.

I’ve just disembarked the Disney Magic and I thought I knew what to expect from a Disney cruise, I’ve been cruising since I was a child with other cruise lines but this cruise was the biggest culture shock ever.

Every couple of hours I would find something new that I didn’t expect at all, some of which were really great surprises and some things I really didn’t like at all. 

I was definitely skeptical when I booked this cruise. I’d heard amazing things from my friends who love Disney but I just didn’t see how a Disney cruise could be worth the price.

This cruise was the most expensive cruise I’ve ever paid for and it was 3x what I usually pay when I cruise. 

I was worried that I’d feel as though I wasted that money and although I’d heard about how amazing the food was and the service but I wasn’t sure if this was better than the other cruise lines that I know and love, would it be 3x better to justify the cost? Or if it was just a case of paying a premium for the Disney brand. 

Why Did I Decide to Book a Disney Cruise?

When I saw that a Disney ship was coming to the UK though, I thought this was my chance. I’ve been curious about it for years and although I didn’t think I was the target market for a Disney cruise. I wanted to find out who was. 

The Disney cruise experience started before we even got to the port.

When I booked this cruise, Mickey Mouse phoned me to welcome me on board when I boarded the ship, Mickey and Minnie were there to welcome us too.

Mickey and Minnie Welcomed us Onboard 

Usually when you embark on a cruise you might be handed a glass of something bubbly but you’re pretty much left to your own devices, you can just wander off and explore the ship but on the Disney Magic when you board, your family name is announced and Mickey and Minnie do a dance.

It was a great start to the cruise because it really kind of set the scene, there was never any doubt what cruise line you were on and the kids seemed to love it. 

The crew do this same kind of welcome show over and over again for embarking guests and afterward we were sent on to do our muster drill.

The Muster Drill Was Completed Next

The muster drill is a compulsory safety drill that has to be completed on cruises where they tell you about things like what would happen in an emergency and how to put on a life jacket.

The muster drill was completed on our phones and Disney have an app that you use to do most things onboard.

The app was pretty good overall. There are definitely other cruise lines with better tech and better apps but that isn’t really the point of a Disney cruise. 

We went onto find our muster station and had to scan the sign with our phones. Mum’s phone was having none of it but luckily we could complete the muster drill for both of us on my phone.

The crew onboard were really really helpful and they would have helped us to do the muster drill if we got stuck or if you don’t have a phone I’m sure they’d have an alternative.

I Loved The Promenade Deck

Our muster station was this big promenade deck and this quickly became one of my favourite places onboard, I love a promenade deck where you can walk all the way around and I think it’s good to note the extra safety precautions like the glass here to stop any little children from trying to climb between the bars.

The Disney Magic Was Built in The 1990s

The Disney Magic was built in the late 1990s and that makes her pretty old by cruise ship standards.

She’s also pretty small, for the time she would have been a large cruise ship but now the world biggest cruise ship is almost 3x the size of the Disney Magic.

I have to say I did love not having far to walk to the top deck and wherever I was, I was never far from my cabin which was good but personally, I’m a fan of the big cruise ships.

That is a personal preference though and I’m sure many people cruising with Disney prefer the smaller ship size.

If you’re cruising with young children I doubt you want to be having to go 15 decks up to get the buffet, that isn’t a problem on the Disney Magic though. 

The thing that’s more important to me than the age and the size of a ship, is how the spaces work and if they’ve been well looked after by the cruise line. I’ve been on some ships from the 1980s and 1990s, which were in much better condition than newer ships. 

After completing our muster drill, we went to the top deck to take a selfie with the funnel. I feel as though that’s a thing you have to do on a Disney cruise and I actually managed to find some sunshine briefly for the photo which was a miracle. It’s the Disney magic I guess! 

Soda is Included on The Pool Deck

Wandering around the top of the ship I realised that this is where you could get free soda from.

On Disney cruises soda and tea & coffee are available in the buffet and on the pool deck free of charge. If you order a soda from a bar it’ll cost you money, so I made good use of it and I drink a lot of soda and we grabbed one to start exploring the ship.

On the top deck there is a swimming pool, waterslides, sports court and lots of seating. 

Theres also an adult only pool too and we did find that there were a few adult only areas onboard, which I thought I may need to retreat to at some point. 

I was a bit worried that I would be totally overwhelmed by this Disney cruise. When I cruise I usually cruise to relax. I don’t have any children myself but I decided to embrace all things Disney, I was only cruising for 3 nights but I don’t really think I understood at that point what I was actually getting myself into. 

We Went in Search of Food (Of Course)

One of the most important things about cruising for me, is eating and by the time we got onboard we were pretty hungry. We headed to the buffet but it was closing so we decided to grab a hotdog and fries from the poolside grill. 

The buffet was closed a lot more than I would expected and sometimes lunch would only be open from 12-2 and then the buffet wouldn’t reopen until around 6pm which I found really strange.

On most other cruise lines the buffet rarely closes at all, if it does, on some cruise lines like MSC the buffet is open for 20+ hours a day. 

The buffet was a nice big space with lots of seating and when we did manage to eat in the buffet though the food was great, just more of it would have been nice. 

Room Service is Free on Disney Cruises

The room service is free though, which is good. I ordered a pizza and some cookies which was nice, on some cruise lines you do have to pay for room service.

If you order drinks through room service they’ll cost you money though so if you are doing this, run up to the pool deck to get some soda and bring it to your room, that’s what I did. Luckily because the ship isn’t very big, it was never far to go. 

We Had a Balcony Cabin

We went next to find our cabin and I’ve never had a cabin quite like it. One thing that Disney seem really good at is giving out upgrades. I booked an oceanview cabin and was upgraded to a balcony cabin.

Most of the people I spoke to onboard had either been given an upgrade or had paid to upgrade their cabin, the sailing I was on was at reduced capacity so it may have something to do with that. 

I’m usually more of an inside cabin kind of person but they weren’t available to book when I booked this cruise. Disney cruises almost always sell out very fast and that’s one of the reasons they can charge as much as they do. 

The cabin was pretty big and our balcony was a really nice size. There were lots of surprises in here, like me having to sleep on the sofabed and the toilet being in a different room.

Disney do ‘Rotational Dining’

After exploring our room and wandering around the ship it was dinner time. When it comes to dining, Disney do something that no other cruise line does.

On most mainstream cruise lines you’ll either have fixed time dining or flexible dining where you just show up the restaurant when you’re hungry. 

On Disney everybody has a fixed time for dinner and it’s not just your time thats set but actually the restaurants you eat in too.

Disney calls this ‘rotational dining’ and basically, you are assigned a different restaurant each night and your waiters and everybody else in that restaurant follow you to the next restaurant. 

I thought that it worked really well and our waiters knew that I was drinking Coke Zero throughout the cruise, so I never even had to order a drink, it just arrived like magic (see what I did there)!

I love the soft drinks being included in with meals and because our cruise was only 3 nights, we never had any kind of dress codes or formal nights, I wore jeans to dinner everyday which made a nice change.

The service was really good and the waiters would take the time to talk to the kids. Some of our dining experiences were much better than others but the best was the first we had in Animator’s Palate.

Animator’s Palate Was a Great Dining Experience

I’ve never ever had a dinner quite this one and I don’t know if I would have believed it if it was described to me. When we came into the restaurant, everything was black an white and when we sat down we were given a piece of paper and a pen and told to draw a character. 

After we had finished our food, the animations came to life and danced around the restaurant. It was really clever and fun and it was definitely the dining highlight of the cruise.

The Food Quality Was Good

The food was good and I liked that there were multiple veggie options available.

Having cruised recently with other cruise lines like Princess and Celebrity, I’d say that the food was about the same in quality.

To find out what’s included in a Disney cruise (almost all the food and lots more) check out this post: What’s Included on a Disney Cruise? – Food, Activities and Exclusions

The Theatre Shows Were Great (If a Little Overwhelming)

After dinner we went onto the theatre and really I think this is what a Disney cruise is all about. We watched Tangled the musical and it was great, it was definitely of broadway quality and no expense was spared.

The team of singers and dancers were all very talented, the set design was amazing and in other shows they even had things like bubbles and fake snow. 

A word of warning though, I did find the theatre to be quite overwhelming. I had kids kicking me from behind, toys being dropped on me, kids were running around the back and it was hard to see through everybodies’ Mickey ears. 

I did talk to a few people when I was onboard and after I got back, they said that I should have picked the late dining seating and therefore gone to the earlier shows because there would be less children on that schedule.

I didn’t really think about that before but it does make sense.

I understood that I was on a cruise line mostly aimed at children and because I cruised out of the school holidays, most the children onboard were between about 2-5.

I didn’t expect the kids to sit still throughout dinner and the show but its definitely worth being aware of. My mum was hit by a Thor hammer, whipped with a Rapunzel braid, you name it, the kids were a bit wild and it did get very, very loud at some points. 

If you’re a parent though, or a child, it must be nice to be able to see a theatre show without having to worry about the kids making too much noise.

Top Tip: Buy Mickey Ears Pre-Cruise!

I will say I did feel a bit out of place without any Mickey ears! If you are taking a Disney cruise definitely get some before you go.

They only had one type left in the gift shop and for $40 I decided against it. You can get great ones online before you go though and lots of people had personalised ears.

If you want to wear custom T-shirts and things that is totally cool on a Disney cruise. Lots of people had matching Mickey ears, T-shirts, bags, you name it. I’ve never met cruise guests that are so passionate about their cruise line.

If you’d like to learn more about Mickey Ears, check out this post from a Expedition Hopper which explains what they are for, who wears them, and where to buy them: Everything You Need To Know About Mickey Ears

Disney Cruisers Decorate Their Cabin Doors

It was intense but really cool to get to talk to people from the Disney crowd, Disney fans always are very friendly and they decorate their cabin doors like nothing I’ve ever seen before. It’s incredible. 

Below are a couple of my favourite examples from the ship.

These magnets can be bought on Etsy here: Disney Cruise Door Magnets.

Disney do Towel Animals and Chocolates on the Pillow

When we came back to our cabin we found a towel animal waiting for us and a chocolate on the pillow.

10 years ago you’d find that most cruise lines would do towel animals and chocolates on the pillow but this is definitely a thing that the majority of cruise lines have stopped doing recently.

I personally quite like it and the chocolate on the pillow was good too.

As I went to sleep in my sofa bed I felt pretty content and happy with my first day onboard, I still had some questions though that I needed answering.

What would the daily schedule be like on a sea day? Would there be many activities for adults and would I be able to eat enough cookies to make back the cost of the cruise fare? 

Breakfast Options Onboard (I Found Mickey Waffles!)

The buffet was open until 10.30 for breakfast which was good because I’m not an early riser and we also went to the sit-down restaurant another day for breakfast because I was told that I HAD to try the Mickey waffles.

I did try them, and they were good, very very sickly sweet with this pink sugary stuff but it was nice to try them. Maybe that was why the kids on board were so hyper, they started their day with Mickey waffles!

The Daily Schedule

Despite the bad weather, plenty of people went for a swim and they constantly showed different Disney movies on the pool TV. They’d also show movies in the theatre and there were lots in the cabin to watch too, if you could get the little TV to work that is. 

The daily schedule on the sea day was made up almost entirely of waving at characters, Disney trivia and Disney movies.

Sometimes the schedule would look like: waving, waving, bingo, waving, waving, selling something, beer tasting, waving, waving, drawing, waving. (A real example from my Disney cruise).

I did my fair share of waving on this cruise and it was cool to see all of the Princess and Marvel Characters.

COVID Social Distancing Measures Were Still in Place

It was a little bit strange because there are still COVID social distancing rules in place, so nobody could put their arms around Mickey Mouse or hug Thor but it is what it is, not much can be done about that. 

One thing that I missed on the daily schedule was live music, there was a little bit but I’m more used to cover bands and singers being around the ship.

Of course, we did have the Disney music being played through the speakers, all day but for me personally, I’m a big fan of sitting in a big lounge with a band playing and I didn’t find any big lounges really, or much live music. 

There Are Kids Clubs For Kids of All Ages

Most of the kids would be enjoying extra activities in the kids clubs of course. Most cruise lines have kids clubs and I actually went to the kids clubs with Norwegian Cruise Line when I started cruising, I loved it so I’m sure the kids on this cruise did too.

They have kids clubs for kids of all ages and they get to meet the characters and do crafts and dance and everything. 

An Interesting Discovery on The Promenade Deck!

When wandering around the promenade deck, I came across this area which I thought was so cool. I’ve never seen anything like this just open to the public before but that’s the nerdy ship side of me coming out.

The promenade deck was also the jogging track so people would be running and walking around here in the evenings and day times. 

Frozen at Sea – A Pool Deck Party

Despite the cold UK weather, Disney did manage to put on a show called Frozen at Sea.

This was like a festival, but Frozen themed and for kids on the top deck by the pool. Anna and Elsa sang and even Olaf came out to see everybody.

There was fake snow, lots of people dancing and it was cool to see everybody having such a good time. It was freezing though, I imagine this would have been quite different in the sunshine. 

Adult Only Activities and Areas

In the evening there would often be adult-only trivia which did sometimes have non-Disney themes, there was a 90s music trivia at one point that I remember and a few other things.

There are only a couple of places onboard that are adult-only and we didn’t really spend much time there. I’d prefer to be out and about seeing what’s happening on the ship, than spending too much time in the pub.

If I was on an cruise line that included drinks, or I had a drinks package, this might have been different.

There isn’t much late night entertainment happening on a Disney cruise, so we would usually watch a movie before bed in our cabin, which was nice.

Disney cruise ships don’t have casinos and they don’t have drinks packages. To find out what else Disney cruises don’t have, check out this post: You Won’t Find These 9 Things on a Disney Cruise

Who Are Disney Cruises For?

I spoke to quite a few people onboard and since I’ve got home, who LOVE Disney cruising.

They all said to me that they cruise with Disney because of the Disney community and how well the staff take care of them and their children. 

I came at this cruise from a cruise perspective, as opposed to a Disney side and I had great fun finding out who Disney Cruises are for, but personally when I look at the cost and what I could get for the price on other cruise lines, it just doesn’t add up for me. 

It really confirms my point about there being a cruise line for everybody and not every cruise line being for everybody. Life would be very very dull if we all liked the same things.

To put it into perspective, my next cruise is over double the length of my Disney cruise, it includes flights to Spain, transfers, luggage, all gratuities, and all-inclusive drinks, a ship I much prefer personally and is quite a bit cheaper than my Disney cruise. Over double the length and cheaper. 

You’ll never get the Disney magic or Disney entertainment or anything Disney on other cruise lines though, so it’s difficult to compare, and really it’s just a case of if that’s worth the price to you.

For me personally, no. For many many other people, absolutely yes. 

One thing that I did find strange, and it seems like even Disney cruisers find this strange, is the way that Disney do tipping. To find out how that works and why I was so confused to find this in my cabin, check out this video:

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

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Disney Cruise vs. Disney Aulani: Which Vacation is Right For Your Family?

Y ou’ve been to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. Or maybe both! You are looking to take another Disney vacation but maybe with a bit of a twist to change it up this time. Most Disney-loving families turn next to a cruise vacation aboard Disney Cruise Line or a trip to Hawaii to Aulani, Disney’s resort on the island of O’ahu.

I hear a lot from friends and readers who aren’t sure whether Aulani or a Disney Cruise is the best next step in their Disney travels. I’ve had the good fortune to try both on multiple occasions over the years, experiencing them with my kids at different ages and stages.

Both are travel experiences I’d highly recommend. Although this post pits Aulani vs. Disney Cruise, there really isn’t a winner and loser here. Rather, one trip may simply be better suited to the ages of your kids or the way your family likes to travel. What I hope to do is point out those sweet spots where you are likely to get more out of doing one of these trips compared to the other.

But if budget allows and you have the interest, I sincerely hope Disney-loving families eventually do both!

Check out some of my introductory posts to DCL and Aulani first if you don’t know all the basics:

• Mistakes I Made on My First Disney Cruise
• Comprehensive Review of Disney’s Aulani Resort
• Tips for Disney Cruise Line with Toddlers and Preschoolers
• Disney Aulani Splurges Worth the Money

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through links in this post. See our full disclosure policy linked in the menu at the bottom of this site.)

Similarities Between Disney Cruise Line & Aulani

Before I dive into the differences between these two vacations, let’s start with the similarities. Disney Aulani (which opened in Ko Olina on O’ahu in 2011) was very much modeled after Disney Cruise Line (which launched in 1998). In fact, Aulani was designed to bring much of the Disney Cruise experience to land. So it’s not surprising that the two have a lot more in common than they have different.

Both are luxury-level (translation: expensive) Disney vacations. If you are used to doing Disney on the cheap by staying in a value resort or an inexpensive off-property hotel at Disney World or Disneyland, you probably aren’t going to be able to do that with either Aulani or Disney Cruise.

To be sure, there are certainly ways to reduce the costs of both Aulani and DCL. But be realistic about the total bill you are going to be facing with either of these vacations.

Both Disney Cruise Line and Aulani offer a vacation experience that is very different from the Disney parks. A trip to Disney World or Disneyland means a lot of walking and logistics navigating theme park lines day after day. You’ll find a totally different daily schedule on an Aulani or DCL vacation.

The footprint and scope of both Aulani and the Disney Cruise ships are smaller. There are no attractions to ride. You can plan much less if you prefer. If you want to spend a day lounging by a pool or visiting a spa, there’s time for that. In fact, that’s really the point of these vacations.

Of course, there’s amazing Disney service and lots of Disney entertainment and characters to experience if you wish. But there’s far less theme park rat race. (Although I can’t promise you won’t encounter crowds and lines in several situations!)

Disney Cruise Line vs. Disney Aulani: Key Differences to Consider

So now on to the differences that matter between these two kinds of vacations. What factors you should consider in picking which one is right for you?

Where Are You Located?

Location, location, location. For families with limited vacation times and sometimes limited patience with little ones on planes, minimizing travel time is often an important factor in making vacation decisions.

For fellow West Coast families, the logistics of getting to Hawaii can be quite simple. And they are even simpler and cheaper now that Southwest Airlines has been flying to Hawaii the last several years. I’m a California girl and can travel to Hawaii on an easy 5 hour flight. As a result, Aulani feels “close” to me.

For families in the Midwest or on the East Coast, however, visiting Aulani is more of a challenge. A Hawaii trip can require multiple plane connections, maybe a redeye flight, and some serious jet lag and time zone changes. That may not be how you want to spend vacation – especially with babies or toddlers. I get it.

The majority of Americans will be much closer to a Disney Cruise Line vacation than an Aulani one. In that case, Disney Cruise may be a smarter choice. DCL currently has five ships (the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, the Disney Fantasy, and the new Disney Wish). There are two more on the way (the Disney Treasure and a yet-to-be-named ship that will be Asia-based). Chances are one is stationed closer to you. Itineraries currently include the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, the West Coast of Mexico (Mexican Riviera), Australia, and several more.

Within just North America, cruises set sail out of Florida (Port Canaveral near Orlando, Miami, and Fort Lauderdale), Galveston, New Orleans, San Diego, Vancouver, and New York City. Indeed, even as close as Aulani is for me, DCL’s San Diego sailings are much closer!

How Flexible Is Your Travel Schedule?

Even though DCL sailings are closer geographically, there is one countervailing factor to consider. Cruise itineraries start and end only on specific days. As a result, it may be harder to find a DCL sailing that fits your ideal schedule constraints. This is especially true given the fact that most travelers fly in a day before a cruise starts to minimize the risk of a flight delay making them miss the ship.

We are encountering just this very challenge as we plan for our Thanksgiving travels. One of my kids doesn’t have the full week off of school this year. We found there simply isn’t a Disney cruise that we could travel to and sail on in the time allotted without having her miss at least one day of school.

Related: Tips for Missing School to Travel

In contrast, Aulani offers the ultimate in flexibility. Guests can arrive and depart on any day of the year at any time. This has meant we’ve been able to squeeze in a visit to Aulani even on a long weekend where a nearby cruise simply wouldn’t have aligned with the kids’ school holidays. So for travelers who need flexibility, Aulani may ultimately be the more flexible of the two.

Do You Want a More All-Inclusive Experience?

Many families prefer to take all-inclusive vacations. They can take a lot of the guess work out of budgeting. Others much prefer to pay a la carte for what they actually consume and value. (For what it’s worth, I’m pretty ambivalent personally about this choice. I usually find myself on a la carte vacations most of the time.)

If you are the type of traveler who values the all-inclusive model, Disney Cruise Line is much closer to an all-inclusive vacation than Aulani. Food and a number of on-board activities and entertainment options are included in the cost of a cruise. There are extras like many drinks, shore excursions, and tips to watch out for, but they are fewer and farther between.

Aulani, on the other hand, is much more like a standard resort vacation. You pay for the room, but all of the food and drinks are an additional expense. Aulani has number of free activities like the amazing pools, waterslides, lazy river, and beach (and kids club – more on that below). But most of the premium experiences cost extra, including an evening show, Aulani’s Ka Wa’a Luau . And as you might imagine, everything else is simply more expensive in Hawaii.

Does Anyone in Your Family Get Motion Sickness?

This may seem like a small consideration but it matters in a big way. There is a small portion of the population for whom cruising is just not a realistic vacation choice thanks to motion sickness or related health issues.

I have a friend who took her 8 year old on a Disney Cruise for the first time only to discover that his stomach was radically incompatible with cruising. He was terribly seasick on the ship for four days straight. In fact, they headed straight to the ER to rehydrate him after docking. He didn’t have any history of other types of motion sickness so this reaction was quite an unfortunate surprise.

It’s impossible to know for sure whether any of your family members will be affected by cruises until you take one. The vast majority of people who don’t already have known motion sickness or related problems will be fine on any cruise, especially with a little Dramamine or SeaBands for backup. I personally have vertigo and have no problems even on small ships in big waves, although my father with Meniere’s disease can no longer cruise. But if this worries you and you have not cruised before, I’d steer clear of a long open water DCL itinerary as your first trip. It’s not much of a vacation for anyone if even one member of the family feels poorly.

If you have someone with known motion sickness issues of any significance, a cruise may be a gamble you just don’t want to take.

Do You Have a Big Family or Need more Space?

If you have more than two kids, you are probably already used to the challenge of standard hotel rooms. Most of them are built for four – if that. Upgrading to larger accommodations or even booking two rooms brings major increased costs.

Big families will likely find that both Aulani and Disney Cruise Line present the usual challenges. As you can probably imagine, however, space is a little easier to come by on land than on sea. Larger suites and condos are ultimately a bit more readily available at Aulani.

Aulani has some more flexible options for larger families because of its abundance of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) villas ( Related : Find out how we rented at Aulani using DVC points and saved big  or rent from David’s Vacation Club Rentals yourself). One bedroom villas sleep up to 5 people. Families of 6 or more will need to upgrade to the two or three bedroom villas. To be sure, these premium rooms do not come cheap. But the villas have full kitchens and washer/dryers that make them very convenient and even cost-effective for larger families.

Disney Cruise Line does have some options that work for bigger families as well. DCL ships have a number of cabins that sleep 5. They are more limited in supply and may sell out before the rest of the cabins do, so early planning is required. And they are a tight squeeze even when you can find them.

Many larger families often opt to book two connecting cabins on Disney Cruise Line for more space. This limits the cabin types available to you depending on the ship, but can work well. And on cheaper itineraries like those in the Caribbean, this strategy often isn’t prohibitively expensive, although it can be to some destinations.

Do You Want or Need Childcare?

Both Disney Cruise ships and Disney’s Aulani Resort have complimentary kids clubs. (Truthfully, the clubs are built into the cost of the room/cabin. But I prefer to celebrate them as free.) While some of the DCL and Aulani childcare offerings used to be similar, that is not really the case anymore. It’s important to get up to speed on what the parameters are in 2023 to determine what will work best for your childcare needs.

Disney Cruise Line offers two connecting kids clubs, the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, included in the cruise cost. Kids ages 3-12 are permitted to visit as long as they are potty trained. No reservations are required, and I’ve never yet seen a club reach capacity. The clubs are open for long hours that give parents a lot of flexibility any time of the day.

All the DCL ships also have a nursery aboard in addition to the kids clubs. The nursery takes kids from 6 months old through age 3 (note that 3 year olds can do either the Oceaneer Club & Lab or the nursery). At $9 per hour, this childcare option isn’t free, but it’s a good value for what it offers.

Aulani has never had a nursery for babies and toddlers like Disney Cruise Line, but it does have a kids club called Aunty’s Beach House . Aunty’s used to operate much more like Disney Cruise Line’s clubs. Parents could drop kids off on a whim for any length of time. Unfortunately, it no longer works this way in 2023.

Aunty’s currently admits kids ages 4-12 only (it used to take 3 years olds too). Reservations are essential and book up weeks in advance online. Kids are limited to one free 90 minute pre-set session per day, at either 8am, 10am, or noon. Aunty’s also is not open in the evenings, so it’s not an option for parents who want to use it for an adults-only date night.

My kids adored Aunty’s in the pre-2020 times. You can probably sense my frustration at the current pared back state of affairs. If you need or want meaningful included childcare, Aulani’s offering doesn’t make the grade at the moment. If you simply want a break from the kids here and there and can plan ahead, it will suit just fine.

The bottom line? If you have a baby or toddler who is younger than 4, there is no Disney-operated childcare option for you at Aulani. And for kids 4-12, the options are more limited at Aulani than on Disney Cruise Line. If you are like my family and often use kids clubs, this difference between Aulani and DCL can be a crucial tie-breaker.

Trips With Tykes Tip : Need a sitter for younger kids or a date night at Aulani? There’s an outside service we recommend with background checked nannies that serves the resort. Find out more about Nanny-Land’s services here and be sure to use Crown Code: TWT for $80 in savings off the registration fee.

Do You Have Teens?

When I first published this post, my kids were still in elementary school, so I had no experience yet with the teenage point of view on Aulani and DCL. But I just recently took a Disney cruise with my daughter for her 14th birthday and we visited Aulani a few months before that. So I grilled her hard on what she thought about both experiences for teens.

Both offer a safe atmosphere where parents can let teens roam and explore independently. While Aulani will always be her first love, she thought Disney Cruise Line currently delivers far more for the teen set.

Disney Cruises simply have so much more for teens to do. They have an abundance of night time programming and exclusive tween/teen clubs, Edge and Vibe. At Aulani, there used to be some programming for teens before 2020, but it hasn’t returned to the schedule. In my experience, Aulani appears to be drawing more families with little ones in recent years than it did before, so there may not be the demand for it ever to return. On our last trip to Aulani, we had a lot of family bonding and fun together, but my daughter grew a little restless not having an organized way to meet kids her age.

That said, Aulani would still work well for teens on a vacation with extended family and friends and built-in socialization. But DCL is better when traveling with just your immediate family because it is easier for teens to make and meet friends on board.

The verdict? If you have an active teen who likes to socialize, the safer bet is DCL. Further reading from fellow travel bloggers who have done both vacations with teens too:

• Guide to Aulani with teens
• What parents of teens will love about Disney Cruises

Do You Have a Passport?

As someone who has been lucky to travel internationally since I was a child, I sometimes forget that most Americans don’t have passports! At $130 per adult and $100 per child in 2023 (+ a $35 acceptance fees for new applicants), they are a big cost that can really add to a trip’s budget.

You obviously don’t need passports at all for an Aulani vacation (for the geographically challenged – yes, Hawaii is a US state). But passports are needed or at least highly advised for most Disney Cruise Line itineraries.

Technically, there are a few exceptions. You and/or your kids may be able to make do with a passport card (only $65) or ID and birth certificate if you are taking a closed loop cruise to many Caribbean countries, Canada or Mexico.

But I don’t recommend this approach at all. If your ship is diverted to a new port due to weather, you might not be able to get off. It’s also risky to travel internationally without a standard passport in the case of a medical or family emergency.

So, if you and your kids are not yet passport holders, definitely factor the cost of a passport into your Disney Cruise Line vacations as you make your travel decisions!

Do You Want to Do More than Disney?

One of the reasons many vacationers choose an Aulani or Disney Cruise Line vacation is that they offer so much more than Disney travel. They come with tried and true Disney service and amenities that families can trust to meet their travel needs. But they aren’t merely a theme park vacation. They are both much more focused on the destination.

It is certainly possible to do either of these vacations and stay entirely within the Disney bubble if you wish. You can go straight from Honolulu Airport to Aulani and never leave until it is time to go back to the airport. If you choose a DCL itinerary that doesn’t have many or any ports of call other than Castaway Cay (or if you don’t get off the ship!), you’ll have a mostly Disney-centric experience as well.

But it’s also possible to explore a lot more on either of these vacations. Aulani is a short skip and a hop away from Pearl Harbor. You can spend a day driving to the North Shore or visiting Waikiki Beach or hiking Diamond Head. You can even combine a few nights of an Aulani vacation with a stay elsewhere in the Hawaiian islands to both save money and see more sights.

And even if you do stay only within the resort, you’ll still learn plenty about the local culture. Disney has worked diligently to make Aulani authentically Hawaiian in its offerings. It’s more than just character meals and pixie dust.

With Disney Cruise Line you can quite literally see the world. Opt for a tropical vacation with a Caribbean or Mexican Riviera itinerary. Or you can explore culture and history in Europe or experience outdoor adventure in Alaska. The numerous options make a DCL trip even more of a destination-focused vacation that just happens to have magical Disney touches.

Frequently Asked Questions about Disney Cruises and Aulani

Still have questions about the Disney Cruise vs. Aulani debate? Here are a few more queries that may have crossed your mind.

Can I take a Disney Cruise TO Aulani?

If you want to have your cake and eat it too by taking a Disney Cruise that includes an Aulani vacation, is that possible? Not exactly.

As of 2023, Disney has added Hawaii to its cruising schedule, but only in a very limited fashion. One ship, the Disney Wonder, stops in Hawaii as it repositions from its summer Alaska itineraries down to Australia in the fall (and then as it returns to the West Coast in spring 2024).

The ship doesn’t stop at Aulani (and in fact, only the fall itinerary includes Honolulu). And these one way trips are 10 days each and quite pricey.

Conceivably, you could DIY an itinerary to do both DCL and Aulani, as follows:

• Depart on the Disney Wonder on October 3, 2023 from Vancouver to Hawaii.
• Debark the Disney Wonder on October 13, 2023 in Honolulu.
• Transfer to Aulani for a stay of several nights.

But realistically, this isn’t going to work for the vast majority of family travelers. Sorry to disappoint!

What costs more: a Disney cruise or an Aulani vacation?

As you can probably imagine, there is no definitive answer to this question. A lot depends on the date you would like to travel. And for cruises, the price can vary based on the destinations involved and the ship.

To help illustrate general costs, I priced out sample 4 night vacations for a family of four on the same dates. Since Aulani doesn’t include food like DCL, I budgeted $250 for a family per day. Believe it or note, this is a reasonable Hawaii food budget if you plan to eat out most dinners but also plan to get some groceries or grab and go food at other times.

For a trip right after Labor Day this year (September 4-8, 2023), here is what the least expensive room/cabin runs for each:

• Disney Magic 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Miami (inside cabin): $3452
• Aulani $2242 (standard room with current 25% off fall discount) + $250/day food budget = $3242

Here’s another example for early next year (January 8-12, 2024) that includes higher end accommodations (a veranda cabin on Disney’s newest ship vs. a one bedroom villa at Aulani):

• Disney Wish 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral (veranda cabin): $5063
• Aulani $4100 (1 bedroom villa) + $250/day food budget = $5100

As you can see, the prices for Aulani and Disney Cruises are generally in the same ballpark. There are, however, some exceptions to this rule. For example, Disney Cruises to Alaska tend to be quite a bit more expensive than other cruise destinations. Disney Aulani also tends to run more published seasonal sales where you can sometimes snag a lower nightly room price if you are very flexible.

At Aulani, you can also book a shorter stay to save money. A lot of travelers on a budget who still want to experience Aulani may want to book a one or two night stay and spend additional nights at a more moderately priced hotel elsewhere on O’ahu. Disney Cruises in North America, in contrast, are a minimum of a three night price commitment.

And of course, you also have to consider airfare costs and other add-ons your family might want to experience when making the full cost comparison.

Aulani vs. Disney Cruise: The Final Word

Whatever you decide between Aulani or Disney Cruise Line, I’m fairly confident you will experience a memorable family vacation.

We have enjoyed our times immensely at each and plan to return to both. Aulani was probably a better fit for kids when they were preschoolers/grade school age and Disney Cruise is working a bit better now as our kids get into the teen years. But that could change as both DCL and Aulani make adjustments to their offerings.

Let me know which one your family is choosing (or has chosen) first and why!

Disney Cruise Line & Aulani Vacation Deals!

If you aren’t renting DVC points through David’s Vacation Club Rentals for the Aulani villas, consider using Trips With Tykes partner,  Get Away Today , to book your vacation package with additional perks. Get Away Today specializes in Disney travel and knows Aulani and Disney Cruise Line well (in addition to their bread and butter, Disneyland) so you can take advantage of their expert advice while snagging some deals.

For DCL, they’ll be able to snag you the best in discounts and other perks. For Aulani, their agents constantly monitor new sales and will apply deals and discounts if they are announced after you make an initial booking. Fill out  this form for an Aulani vacation quote request from Get Away Today  and this form for a Disney Cruise vacation quote request (and if you prefer to talk to them on the phone, tell them Leslie at Trips With Tykes sent you).

Disclosure: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and Disney Cruise Line has provided my family with complimentary and/or discount accommodations and activities during some of our vacations to Aulani and aboard Disney Cruise Line. Most of our Aulani and DCL trips have been at our own expense. As always, all opinions are my own. 

The post Disney Cruise vs. Disney Aulani: Which Vacation is Right For Your Family? appeared first on Trips With Tykes .

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