Disney Cruise Line fans are passionate about the line’s Disney-themed ships and experiences, but is a Disney cruise really as perfect as it’s made out to be?
As one of the major players in the cruise industry, Disney Cruise Line is, unsurprisingly, popular with fans of the Disney brand. Die-hard Disney fans often flock to the line without considering other options. In their mind, it’s Disney or bust.
Even though the cruise line does offer one-of-a-kind experiences in the cruise industry, such as themed rotational dining and character experiences, it has some major faults.
Read more: Pros and Cons of a Disney Cruise
The price of a Disney cruise is significantly more expensive than cruises on other lines, for example, and the archaic muster drill process is inconvenient and disappointing.
By default, Disney Cruise Line fans might view a Disney cruise as the best option out there, but there are some serious drawbacks to consider before booking a cruise with the line.
These are the 5 things loyal Disney cruisers don’t want to hear about taking a Disney cruise.
You’re the only major cruise line that still does the in-person muster drill
Disney Cruise Line, like all other cruise lines, is legally obligated to conduct muster drills for passenger safety. These drills teach passengers where to go in case of an emergency onboard.
For years, the muster drill was a dreaded experience for most cruise passengers. Traditionally, passengers were required to meet at their muster station at the same time as everyone else. This led to large crowds in public spaces, and it was a downer on an otherwise exciting embarkation day.
By now, most cruise lines have transitioned to a virtual muster drill. Nearly every major cruise line in the United States, including MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Princess Cruises, implements an e-muster drill in lieu of the traditional method.
Read more: 8 things Disney Cruise Line does backwards
On these cruise lines, passengers watch a safety video on their phones. Once onboard, they must report to their muster station for a brief safety demonstration at a time that best suits their schedule. There’s no need for all passengers to go to their muster station at the same exact time.
Disney Cruise Line does not offer this convenient option. Instead, all passengers are required to visit their muster station at a designated time.
Fans of Disney Cruise Line might accept this as normal, but with today’s technology (and the clear success of the e-muster drill on other cruise lines), there’s simply no reason why the cruise line still needs to use this archaic process.
You’re paying WAY more than cruisers sailing on other lines
It’s no secret that anything with the Disney brand is expensive. Whether it’s a day at Magic Kingdom or "world tour" at Epcot, Disney vacations are anything but cheap.
Just like the company’s theme parks, a Disney cruise comes with sky-high prices. In the peak summer months, it’s not uncommon for a family of four to spend over $5,000 for an interior room on a 4-night cruise.
To best compare cruise line prices, I researched cruise fares from five mass market cruise lines for a June 2027 departure. I searched for the price of a balcony cabin for two adults and two kids on a 4-night cruise to The Bahamas. These prices include the cruise fare, taxes, and fees for the cabin, but do not include gratuities.
- Disney Dream (June 14): $6,421
- Wonder of the Seas (June 21): $4,424
- MSC Seaside (June 14): $1,744
- Carnival Mardi Gras (June 10): $2,626
- Norwegian Escape (June 14): $3,912
Of the selected cruises, the sailing on Disney Dream is the most expensive. Disney fans might make the argument that the higher cost is worth it, yet others might wonder whether the Disney branding is really worth spending thousands of dollars extra.
A Disney cruise is still a cruise, after all, and the line shares many similarities with other, cheaper cruise lines.
You’ll find pools, multi-course dinners, themed bars, high-quality entertainment, and onboard thrills on other mass market cruise lines at a fraction of the cost. Many of these cruises visit the same (or similar) destinations as a Disney cruise, too, whether a private destination in The Bahamas or a bustling European city.
Plus, if you book a cruise on a cheaper line, you can stretch your budget further. You might have more wiggle room to upgrade your cabin, reserve specialty dining meals, or buy a drink package.
The Wish Class ships have been a disappointment for many fans
When cruise lines debut new vessels, the brand-new ships are usually fan-favorites. The innovation of Carnival Cruise Line’s Excel Class was a huge step forward for the line, whereas MSC’s World Class ships quickly became fan-favorites among MSC cruisers.
Disney’s Wish Class ships, however, are not unanimously popular with fans. There are currently three ships in the class—Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny—but many Disney fans prefer the line's older ships to the newest vessels.
Common complaints of Wish Class ships include an oddly-designed layout, smaller adults-only spaces, and crowding in public areas. The ships have a capacity of over 4,000 guests, but some guests note that pools and public spaces feel too small for the passenger capacity.
Read more: Disney Ships by age: Newest to Oldest
In an industry where each new cruise ship is expected to be the “latest and greatest,” the Wish Class ships have been a disappointment for many fans.
Your “free” soda isn’t really free
Disney Cruise Line fans love to point out the "free" soda on Disney’s ships, but is it really free?
All Disney Cruise Line ships include unlimited Coca-Cola products, including Coke, Coke Zero, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, and Minute Maid Lemonade. These drinks are available via self-service stations around the ship, and also in the dining rooms.
Unlimited soda is certainly a nice benefit, but it hardly justifies the high price of a Disney cruise compared to other lines. Other mainstream cruise lines may not offer included soft drinks, but they sell soda packages at an affordable price.
Read more: Disney Cruise Drink Package: Tips & Tricks to Save Money
Carnival’s Bottomless Bubbles package costs $11 per day, while Norwegian’s Unlimited Soda Package costs around $15 per day. Royal Caribbean Classic Soda Package ranges between $8 and $12 per day.
On a 7-night cruise, this equates to around $100 per person for unlimited soft drinks. This is likely less than the price difference of sailing on Disney Cruise Line versus another line.
Finally, other cruise lines are fun for kids, too
When parents think of bringing their kids on a cruise, a Disney cruise often springs to mind. Whether it’s the character meet-and-greets or famous Pirate Night, there’s no question that a Disney cruise is an excellent choice for families.
Even still, many Disney Cruise fans neglect to realize that other cruise lines are fun for kids, too. Some ships, in fact, might offer even more to do for kids than a Disney cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line’s biggest ship, Carnival Jubilee, features everything from a ropes course to a roller coaster onboard, whereas Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas has an entire neighborhood dedicated to families. It features a carousel, splash zone, arcade, kid-friendly dining venues, and a play place.
MSC Cruises partners with LEGO to provide building blocks in its kids clubs, while Norwegian Cruise Line offers activities like go-karts, laser tag, and aqua parks.
Even though Disney Cruise Line offers programming specific to the Disney brand, most other mainstream cruise lines offer plenty of ways to keep kids busy and entertained.
Jenna DeLaurentis
Jenna DeLaurentis enjoys exploring new ports of call around the world on a cruise ship, learning about new cultures, discovering beautiful landscapes, and trying diverse cuisine. She loves to get active while in port, whether cycling through mountains in the Caribbean or scuba diving under the sea.
