Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are two of the most family-friendly cruise lines at sea. From included youth programming to state-of-the-art amenities and spacious cabins, both lines are ideal for families looking to create lasting memories at sea.
That said, there are some stark differences between the two. Royal Caribbean, for example, features a variety of activities for children, teens, and adults alike—including ice skating, water parks, rock climbing walls, and more.
On the other hand, Disney Cruise Line focuses on bringing beloved Disney characters to life, with character meet-and-greets and parties, themed dining, and Disney-exclusive production shows.
Here are 6 things Royal Caribbean does better than Disney Cruise Line that you should be aware of before booking your next family cruise vacation.
Mega-thrills
Onboard Royal Caribbean's newest ships, you'll find everything from water parks to rock climbing walls, mini-golf courses, sky diving simulators, ice skating rinks, zip lines, FlowRider surf simulators, and more—perfect for families seeking adventure-filled days at sea.
Disney ships, however, lack the same level of high-energy activities that Royal Caribbean offers. Most ships have at least one water slide—with newer ships featuring the Aqua Coaster/Aqua Mouse. However, that's the extent of adrenaline-pumping activities you'll find onboard.
Instead, the cruise line excels at creating magical, immersive experiences, such as character meet-and-greets, themed dining, and Broadway-style performances, that the whole family—regardless of age—can enjoy.
Read more: 8 things Disney Cruise Line does backwards
Specialty restaurants
All Royal Caribbean ships have family-friendly specialty restaurants, with newer ships offering even more diverse dining options, ranging from Utopia of the Seas' immersive train car restaurant to Pier 7, Icon of the Seas' casual all-day brunch spot.
In comparison, Disney ships reserve their specialty restaurants for adults. Some ships, such as Disney Magic, have just one specialty restaurant onboard, too. Instead, the focus is on the rotational complimentary dining. Families are assigned to one of three dining rooms with different menus and themes each night.
Animator's Palate, for example, brings beloved Disney characters to life on television screens throughout the restaurant. On the other hand, Rapuznel's Royal Court is an immersive dining experience where guests dine in a fairytale-inspired setting while celebrating the princess' birthday!
Royal Caribbean's main dining experience is more streamlined, offering a consistent menu across all dining rooms. In other words, all guests enjoy the same nightly menu regardless of which dining room they visit—if there's more than one.
Read more: Pros and Cons of a Disney Cruise
Flexible dining
While on the topic of dining, it's important to note that Disney doesn't offer flexible main dining times. Instead, you'll eat at the same time each evening, whether you choose early or late seating.
Not only that but you'll have the same tablemates and wait staff. While this can be great for families who enjoy consistency, it means less flexibility for guests who want to adjust their dining times based on excursions or onboard activities.
Royal Caribbean lets passengers choose whether they want a set or flexible dining experience. With Royal Caribbean's My Time Dining, families can choose when they'd like to eat each evening, whether at 6:00pm on a sea day or 8:00pm after a long day ashore. Plus, you can make reservations or simply show up to the dining room when hunger strikes, eliminating the need to plan your day around dinner.
Muster drill
Disney Cruise Line is one of the only lines requiring passengers to attend an in-person muster drill. All guests meet at their assigned assembly stations at the same time and listen to important safety briefings.
All guests are released simultaneously once the drill is complete, leading to congested hallways and elevator banks. Moreover, if your assembly station is outside, you'll have to withstand the elements, whether heat, rain, or cold. This can be uncomfortable for families with young children or guests with mobility issues
In contrast, most of Royal Caribbean's muster drill can be done through your mobile device or stateroom television. Once you've watched the required safety videos, you can check in at your muster drill within a certain time frame. Before sailing away, the emergency horn will be sounded, and a few more important announcements will be made over the public address system.
Fleet variety
There's no denying Disney's rapid fleet expansion, with eight ships expected to enter service through 2031. Still, that only brings Disney's total fleet size to 13, compared to Royal Caribbean's 28 operational ships in 2024.
While Disney prioritizes offering cruises around the globe, from Alaska to Europe and even Australia, the itineraries are far fewer due to the limited number of ships in each region, often just one in seasonal destinations.
For example, Disney Wonder is the only cruise ship deployed to Alaska in the summer, whereas Royal Caribbean is planning on sending four ships to The Last Frontier in 2025. With Wonder being the only Disney ship in Alaska, there are fewer sailings and less availability, leading to higher prices.
Read more: 16 easy ways to save money on a Disney Cruise
Drink packages
Finally, those looking to have a carefree drink experience won't want to sail with Disney, as they don't offer traditional drink packages. Guests on a Royal Caribbean ship can splurge on one of three packages: Classic Soda, Royal Refreshment, and Deluxe.
The Deluxe Beverage Package is the only alcoholic option and includes an unlimited number of drinks valued at up to $14 per day, ranging from specialty coffees to bottled water, soda, glasses of wine, beer, and cocktails made with top-shelf liquor.
Passengers sailing with children or who can't envision breaking even on the Deluxe Package—which often costs upwards of $75/day—can choose the Royal Refreshment Package, which includes nearly all non-alcoholic drinks, from frozen mocktails to energy drinks, soda, specialty coffee, and more. Finally, there's the Classic Soda Package—perfect for guests who want unlimited soda.
Disney, however, doesn't have any unlimited drink packages. Instead, they offer a wine package, which allows guests to save on bottles of wine. Passengers can also purchase a refillable beer mug and receive a small discount on select beers throughout the cruise.
While these options are convenient for wine and beer enthusiasts, they don't offer the same level of flexibility or convenience as Royal Caribbean's drink packages.
Read more: I tried the Royal Caribbean drink package nobody knows about. Why it's worth the money
Elizabeth Wright
Elizabeth graduated from New York University's Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute with her M.A. in Journalism in May 2023. Growing up, she had the privilege of traveling frequently with her family and fell in love with cruising after sailing on the Oasis of the Seas her freshman year of high school. She wanted to pursue a career that highlighted her passion for travel and strengths as a writer.
