Everything You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Ships

Table Of Content

• Disney Cruise Line fleet
• Entertainment and activities on a Disney cruise
• What is the best Disney Cruise Line ship?
• Pregnant Disney Cruise Passenger Airlifted Off Ship by U.S. Coast Guard: See Video
• Castaway Club levels
• Decktop attractions
• Before returning to the ship, I send a postcard from the island and check out the special merchandise

Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft. Video taken by the Coast Guard shows the pregnant woman on a stretcher getting lifted into the helicopter. The base fare for these trips includes almost everything, so if you’re looking to drop the cost of a Disney cruise, consider avoiding add-ons. This means skipping out on things like wine tastings and specialty drinks as well as forgoing dinner at Palo, the adults-only Italian restaurant that comes with additional costs. Disney Cruise Line takes these appealing aspects of a cruise and then sprinkles its Disney-magic on it. From the intuitive concierge services and top-class entertainment to adult-friendly amenities and unbelievable kid's programming, Disney Cruise Line is an excellent option for seafaring vacationers, especially families.

Disney Cruise Line fleet

For all destinations, if you’d like to save money, avoid peak periods and search all available dates to find the lowest rates. This is true even on less popular cruises, such as those sailing up to Alaska. The cheapest rate we found — the previously-mentioned $1,958 — is for a cruise in late January, a time when those with school-aged children might have trouble getting away.

Entertainment and activities on a Disney cruise

Each ship has its own lineup of themed rotational restaurants, but the concept remains the same on each. You also have your own check-in area at the port and are among the first to board the ship, which can mean extra time to enjoy having the waterslides to yourself. At the end of the cruise, you can have a private elevator that takes you down to be some of the first off the ship — which should protect you from a long line to say goodbye. Disney Wish is currently a workhorse of short three- and four-night sailings from Port Canaveral, Florida, to the Bahamas, home to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay.

What is the best Disney Cruise Line ship?

Much like its age-appropriate activities for kids, Disney provides the same consideration for adults. Cruises are easy to enjoy but can be complicated to plan if you are new to this type of travel. You want someone who can help you pick the right cabin type and location for your group and keep track of when you can snag those onboard activities you really want. Another way to save on a Disney cruise is to look at a one-way repositioning sailing, as those often price lower than other similar cruises.

Department Of Homeland Security Takes Disney Cruise Line Employee Into Custody On Child Pornography Charges - Daily Caller

Department Of Homeland Security Takes Disney Cruise Line Employee Into Custody On Child Pornography Charges.

Posted: Fri, 19 Apr 2024 23:10:00 GMT [source]

The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Law enforcement found sexually explicit pictures and videos of minors on two phones belonging to Tirso Neri, who was working on the Disney Dream. The material featured both teenagers and young children, according to an affidavit signed by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Eric Stowers. There's also the adults-only lunch spot where I always enjoy a beachside barbecue. Plus, just off Serenity Bay Beach is a fun beachside bar serving up drinks and snacks.

During the day, the dress code is always casual; at night it's usually the same, though you can't wear swimwear and tank tops in the dining rooms, but you can wear jeans or shorts. On the optional formal and semiformal night, you'll find many people glitzing it up. Really, the cruise line's dedication to quality, supervised programming for kids underscores Disney's dedication to the parents.

There are also adults-only pool and outdoor areas on the Disney Wonder cruise ship, beverage seminars, and the Senses Spa’s “rainforest room”. As Travel + Leisure's on-staff Disney expert, I visit Disney theme parks, resorts, and cruise ships several times every year. I most recently experienced the magic of Disney Cruise Line on the inaugural sailing for the Disney Wish in 2022. “Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft,” the Coast Guard said.

Decktop attractions

The adult sun deck is a nice place to grab a chair and relax, even if you have no intention of getting in the water. These lines can get long, so I recommend riding first thing when you board if the port is warm enough. All of Disney Cruise Line's ships have some kind of waterslide on board. These reservations are hard to get, especially for brunch, so you'll want to make them the second you are eligible and keep checking back for cancellations if you miss out the first time. This split bathroom situation places a sink and the shower/tub combo in one bathroom and the toilet and another sink in the other.

Before returning to the ship, I send a postcard from the island and check out the special merchandise

As a bonus tip, you'll receive an itinerary of character meet-and-greets each day, according to Disney Insider Tips, and the lines at these scheduled events aren't typically long. That said, you'll also randomly spot characters on the boat throughout the cruise, such as a sleepwalking Goofy. Again, Disney characters aren't around every turn, but if your family does encounter a pool-lounging Lilo or dancing Donald Duck, feel free to say "hi" and snap a photo.

While pricey, Disney concierge service eliminates almost all of the potential pain points of a Disney cruise (not that there are many pain points to begin with). The smallest available room with this service is the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which isn't all that different from the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, other than the included concierge service. A Disney cruise costs more than a similar cruise on a line like Royal Caribbean, so it's easiest to justify the expense when your kids love Disney the most. But unlike at the Disney theme parks, which can be a bit complicated to navigate, long lines and complex strategies are rarely a part of the Disney cruise experience. After decades of success making families smile and laugh at its theme parks, Disney dipped its toes into the world of cruising in 1998.

On that themed night, expect everyone to be dressed in their pirate-y best for the evening, so pack accordingly. Your dinner will also have a pirate theme, followed by a fun show up on deck, complete with fireworks. These bars are a lot of fun and are not to be missed if you like live music or a nice drink at the end of the day. Keep an eye out in your app for when and where the happy hours are on board if you want to save a few dollars on your drinks. Some bars also offer a sommelier bin where you get a nice glass of wine at a discounted price — as long as you put the bartender in charge of choosing your drink.

For some, the Disney brand and a cruise vacation may not seem compatible, but after experiencing one, even cruise aficionados tend to agree — Disney and cruising aren't just compatible, Disney cruises are indeed magical. And if you've already decided to sail with The Mouse, we've added five bonus tips to enhance your experience. When you choose to apply (and are approved) for a new credit card through our site, we may receive compensation from our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

Speaking of gear, at Castaway Cay, cruisegoers can borrow free towels as soon as they get off of the ship. There are plenty of towel-return stations around the island, so I also never have to carry wet, sandy towels back on the ship. Disney is notable in that it also allows you to bring your own alcohol on board. Each guest older than 21 can bring up to two bottles of wine or six cans of beer when they first board and at every port of call. Considering that alcohol on the ship can be pretty expensive, this is a good way to save money. If you’re looking for an all-out experience, it’s pretty easy to rack up a big bill.

However, on round-trip cruises departing European countries with a lower drinking age, passengers years of age can drink alcohol on board with signed parental consent. For round-trip cruises from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Brisbane, guests 18 years of age and older may purchase and consume alcoholic beverages without parental consent. For an additional fee, Disney ships offer full-service laundry and dry cleaning services that will pick up and deliver clean clothes to your cabin. Little cruisers can be transformed into a princess or pirate at sea at the onboard Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, which does themed kid makeovers and sells costumes as part of the package. You'll need an appointment; expect to pay $100 to $200 for most packages.

Cruise bookings are predicted to reach record highs this year, but not all itineraries are created equally — especially if you're looking to sail with Disney Cruise Line. Sorry, but to create your cruise package you'll need to speak to our Disney Experts. If any of these apply to you, you may have special access to discounted Disney cruise prices.