Disney: Our ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line cruises

Does your family love Disney? We get it! Whether or not you’ve ever had the chance to visit the iconic Orlando theme park, you should know that there is another way to immerse yourself in the magic of Disney.

How would you like to experience the cruises organized by Disney Cruise Linea, a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company?

Here’s an overview of this family favourite that has been around since 1998.

Disney Cruise Line’s six cruise ships are designed with families in mind. They offer activities and entertainment for all ages, including Disney shows and Broadway-style musicals, theme parties, pools, water games, movie theatres, kids’ clubs, and, why not, fireworks at sea!

Rest assured, the themes remain discreet in many sections of the ships; you will not be “invaded” by fluorescent colours and fairy-tale characters at all times. This differs from ship to ship. Adults even have their own dedicated spaces, such as spas and nightclubs. We’ll look at the characteristics of each below.

Dining on board is also a highlight of Disney Cruises. Passengers can enjoy full-service restaurants, buffets and snacks throughout the day.

As for cabins, there is something for every price and taste, from standard cabins to luxury suites with private balconies.

Most cabins are decorated with a Disney theme. They are convenient for families. For example, some are connected, or have two bathrooms, a refrigerator and extra storage space.

The best way to pay less for your Disney cruise is to use flexible points from some credit cards. Like:

• National Bank World Elite Mastercard
• Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card
• and the American Express Cobalt^® Card

For example, the exchange rate is 1,000 Scene+ points for a $10 credit. This is deducted directly from the credit card balance. An example of using approximately 102,000 points to save $1,020 on a travel booking on Expedia’s website is shown:

The principle is simple:

• Book the cruise with the travel agency or travel website of your choice
• Use your points to receive a credit to the account, according to the credit card redemption award

Please refer to the articles below for step-by-step instructions.

Built in 2011 and renovated in 2020, the Disney Dream has 14 decks and 1,250 cabins to accommodate up to 4,000 passengers. Until recently, this luxury liner showcased the latest industry innovations and Art Deco opulence combined with Disney fantasy.

Gastronomic offerings on the Disney Dream ship

A variety of restaurants are available:

• Eye Scream Treats and Frozone Treats for surprising frozen treats.
• Preludes and Senses Juice Bar serve healthy snacks for the hungry.
• For those with a sweet tooth, Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats is the place to be.
• Palo is a Venice-inspired Italian restaurant for adults only.
• Animator’s Palate offers a Disney-themed dinner show and a variety of Californian, Asian and Pacific Island dishes.
• Cabanas is an all-you-can-eat buffet. But if you’re looking for the ultimate in luxury, Le Remy is the place to go for delicious French cuisine, or Le Royal Palace for a meal fit for a king, inspired by the classic films of our Disney princesses.
• Enchanted Garden serves a seasonal menu inspired by flavors from around the world.
• Flo’s Café serves the outdoors for all those who are hungry but want to enjoy the water games.

Disney Dream ship entertainment

Aboard the Disney Dream ship, you’ll find :

• theatres: the Walt Disney and Buena Vista Theatres present original Disney musicals.
• lounges and bars with various themes: karaoke, dancing, and games. Have fun at the D or relax at the Cove Cafe or Vista Cafe. For a sparkling cocktail, head to Le Rose or District Lounge for a relaxed evening of piano music. Dreamers can head to Deck 12 for the Waves or Deck 13 for the Currents. Lastly, the Meridian and Skyline offer sophisticated, chic bars.
• An adults-only Évolution discotheque with games and cabaret evenings.
• A pub for sports lovers

Disney Dream activities

Children will have fun in Mickey’s pool, in the Funnel Puddle and AquaDuck water games, or following an interactive treasure hunt with Mickey.

Adults can choose between the Senses spa and lounge, the Quiet Cove pool at Satellite Falls, fitness classes, or a stroll through the Vista Gallery to contemplate Disney’s art.

Three Disney boutiques offer Disney accessories and costumes found only on Disney Cruise Line.

Designed for long voyages, the Disney Fantasy is the sister ship of the Disney Dream. It is the same size and configuration but has its own character. Art Nouveau elegance adorns its atrium, while state-of-the-art technology allows for smooth sailing. Built-in 2012, it has 13 decks and 1,250 cabins.

Two deep-sea cruises are offered: Very Merrytime and Halloween.

Like the Disney Dream, it features virtually the same activities and restaurants. There’s also an Ooh La La champagne bar, a 1970s-inspired nightclub, The Tube, the British-inspired O’Gills Pub and the Royal Court Royal Tea, where you’ll be invited to have tea with the Disney princesses.

Built in 1998 and renovated in 2017, the Disney Magic has 11 passenger decks, 875 cabins (252 inside and 625 outside), four restaurants, three swimming pools, 12 elevators and 20 lifeboats.

Blending classic nostalgia with modern amenities, in addition to the classic activities found on the Disney Dream, Disney Magic highlights include a high-speed AquaDunk water slide, the themed Brazilian restaurant, Carioca inspired by Disney’s Three Caballeros, Lumiere’s restaurant, reinvented play areas, kids’ clubs and the Fathoms nightclub for adults.

Created especially for children, families and adults, Disney Cruise Line’s latest ship, the Disney Treasurewill take you on a journey around the worlds of Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, with attractions inspired by classic Disney films and the parks, as well as animated entertainment with the film characters. You can book your cruise early in December 2024 to discover the Caribbean.

The crew will welcome you to the magnificent lobby, with statues of Princess Jasmine and Aladdin and the Magic Carpet and its splendid three-storey spiral staircase.

Gastronomic offerings on the Disney Treasure ship

Choose from three magical, immersive restaurants for an extraordinary interactive experience:

• Imagine yourself in the heart of Mexico, in the Plaza de Santa Cecilia, on a starry night with Coco.
• Dine at the most elegant restaurant, 1923, which will take you back to the years of the Walt Disney Studios’ creation.
• Accompanied by the Avengers, your evening will explore powerful quantum technology with the exclusive presence of Spider-Man.

To complete this gastronomic offer, you will find on the Treasure ship all you need to refuel with :

• the Marceline market with sweets from Missouri, where Walt Disney spent his childhood,
• a “Jumbeauxs Sweets” ice cream parlour inspired by Jerry Jumbeaux Junior from the film Zootopia,
• food stations featuring your movie characters’ favorite dishes,
• the Cove Café, a relaxing poolside café for adults,
• Palo Steakhouse for a special Italian meal for adults only,
• The Enchanté restaurant is run by three Michelin-starred French chef, Arnaud Lallement.

Lounges on the Disney Treasure ship

The ship offers entertaining and relaxing facilities with:

• the Triton lounge for karaoke lovers, accompanied by a delicious island cocktail,
• the Sarabi, a family venue during the day that becomes an adults-only venue in the evening,
• the Skipper Society lounge, inspired by the famous Jungle Cruise attraction,
• the Periscope pub, for immersion in 20,000 places under the sea,
• the Rose will delight you with its cocktails and elegant decor of roses, mirrors and skyline views reminiscent of the castle in Beauty and the Beast.

Disney Treasure activities

Children can experience the story of The Curse of the Golden Egg with the AquaMouse aquatic attraction. Take your kids to the Hero Zone, where they can find a host of challenges, games, and more. Join Rey and Chewbacca in their ship for a new mission with the Resistance, make floating lanterns in Rapunzel’s art studio, create your own stories in Belle’s library or learn spells in Anna and Elsa’s Sommerhus!

Clubs for all ages, from the youngest (3 months to 3 years) to the oldest (14 to 17 years), are available so that every member of the family can enjoy their trip on board the ship!

Disney boutiques invite you to dress up in the costumes of your favourite characters. Collectors’ items and miscellaneous items are specially sold here. Want to relax? Visit the Senses spa for a wellness treatment, the barbershop or the Untangled hair salon.

At night, you can relive the adventures of your favourite characters in musical shows on the themes of The Princess and the Frog, Moana, The Snow Queen 2 and Beauty and the Beast.

And of course, two movie theaters (NeverLand and WonderLand) inspired by Peter Pan’s Neverland and Alice in Wonderland, will let you relive magical moments.

Disney Treasure outdoor activities

If you thought you’d seen the whole ship, you’re wrong! Outdoors, enjoy the fun and excitement of the Toy Story Splash Zone, or relax child-free in Quiet Cove.

The Disney Wishset sail in 2022, sailing the seas of the Bahamas. It features 1,250 cabins, innovative technology, spectacular entertainment and more Disney characters than ever before. Its bright, spacious atrium has three floors with a grand staircase and enormous chandeliers.

Gastronomic offerings on the Disney Wish cruise ship

Three upscale family restaurants offer gourmet specialties around the themes of Arendelle, Worlds of Marvel and 1923.

Entertainment on the Disney Wish cruise ship

Enjoy a fun-filled aquatic experience with AquaMouse, a Disney attraction at sea. Children can take on challenges in the Hero Zone or have fun in the water games. Aladdin- and Fantasia-themed shows are staged at the Walt Disney Theatre, and two movie theatres, Wonderland and NeverLand, offer Disney films.

A must-see is the Walt Disney Imagination Lab, where children can become Disney “imagineers” and then test their creations!

Be transported to the galaxy in the Star Wars Hyperspace lounge with its stellar views, and dine at Palo Steakhouse or at Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement for an epicurean meal.

The little sister of the Magic Disney Ship, the Disney Wonder also has 11 passenger decks, 875 staterooms (252 indoor and 625 outdoor), four restaurants, three pools, 12 elevators and 20 lifeboats. This vessel was refurbished in 2019 and was first built in 1999.

From ping pong on the Wide World of Sport deck to video games and an arcade in the Quarter Masters, there’s plenty to keep kids busy. The ship offers cruises to Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, the South Pacific and the Pacific coasts.

The ship offers the Caribbean cuisine of Parrot Cay and the upscale Triton restaurant for the most delicious and refined cuisine.

Disney Cruises sail to many destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Europe, Alaska, Canada and Mexico.

These 5, 7 or 9-night trips allow you to visit Vancouver before or after the cruise.

They’ll lead you to natural wonders and breathtaking scenery in the comfort of your Disney cruise ship through Tracy Arm Fjord. You’ll enter the Alaskan backcountry by visiting Ketchikan, where you can walk through an authentic totem pole park.

Disney’s 9-day Alaska cruise includes an encounter with the enormous Hubbard Glacier. It stops in Juneau, Icy Straight, Ketchikan and the historic gold rush town of Skagway, or the remote island of Sitka.

Disney Cruise Line offers several cruises in the Bahamas, departing from different American ports: Port Canaveral, Miami, Galveston and New York. These cruises range from 3 to 7 nights.

In particular, you can discover Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island with the Disney Dream, Fantasy and Wish ships. This island paradise is the perfect setting for barbecue dinners, beach games and character experiences. There is even a beach for adults only.

You can now cruise to the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands aboard theDisney Fantasy. Here’s the route:

Day 1 Port Canaveral

Day 2 At sea

Day 3 At sea

Day 4 Tortola

Day 5 Saint Thomas

Day 6 At sea

Day 7 Castaway Cay

Day 8 Port Canaveral

You can now book cruises in Spain, France, and Italy aboard the Disney Dream. Here’s one of the itineraries:

Day 1 Barcelona

Day 2 Toulon

Day 3 Livorno

Day 4 Civitavecchia – Rome

Day 5 Naples

Day 6 At sea

Day 7 Palma de Mallorca

Day 8 Barcelona

This includes the entire board, from dinner on the first night to breakfast on the last day; port taxes; the captain’s welcome cocktail and the gala nights and their special menu; participation in the leisure activities and entertainment organized on board and the shows.

In 2024, a new stopover will be offered: Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, Disney Cruise Line’s new island. This stopover will be included in most Disney Caribbean and Bahamas cruise itineraries from Florida.

Moreover, Disney is now offering an Australia-New Zealand cruise aboard the Disney Wonder from US$1,420.

Starting in 2025, two new Disney cruise ships will be added:

• The Disney Adventure ship will be based in Singapore for a five-year period in partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board. The ship is sure to have all the latest features and most dazzling experiences in the Disney fleet. It is thought that the ship will sail the seas between ports in Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia, as well as Australia and New Zealand, to complete the Disney Wonder cruise offering.
• The Disney Destiny ship will be delivered in 2025, featuring the theme “Heroes and Villains.” It will feature characters from The Lion King, Hercules and One Hundred and One Dalmatians and reinforce the company’s leading position in family cruises.

Disney Cruise Line cruises are the perfect experience for families who want to explore different destinations around the world while experiencing the magic of Disney on board!