Disney Cruise Line

Today's newest cruise ships are all the rage with ice skating rinks, rollercoasters, go-kart tracks, waterparks, and more. However, newer isn't always better. Last year, I sailed on three old cruise ships built in the 1990s for Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Disney, and my experiences couldn't have been more different. 

For example, my cabin aboard Vision of the Seas felt like it was stuck in the 90s with outdated decor and a noticeable lack of outlets. In comparison, my interior stateroom on Disney Magic also had a nostalgic charm but greater attention to detail. 

Taking a Disney vacation is exciting whether it's the one of the world-class theme parks or aboard one of Disney's magical cruise ships! At sea, however, you won't find endless attractions like Space Mountain, Haunted Mansion, and Expedition Everest. 

Instead, Disney figured out how to bring the excitement from one of their theme park attractions to their cruise ships with the launch of the AquaDuck on Disney Dream. This unique water coaster travels around the aft of the ship and is included in your cruise fare! 

Disney Cruise Line is set to increase the daily recommended gratuities for all passengers regardless of cabin category.

Disney will raise the daily gratuity rate to $16.00 per person, per night for standard cabins, up from $14.50, and Concierge staterooms to $27.25, up from $23.50. It is the same amount for all passengers, including children and infants. 

Disney Cruise Line is one of the pricier mainstream options, so I avoided it for years, opting for more budget-friendly lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean. 

However, growing up sailing with Disney and having fond family memories aboard Disney Magic and Fantasy, I longed for the day I'd return to the most magical ships at sea—there's nothing quite like sailing with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and your other favorite pals!

With only six ships currently in operation, Disney Cruise Line is one of the smallest mainstream cruise lines, and each ship is part of one of three classes: Magic, Dream, and Wish.

Disney does not have as long of a history, either. Disney Magic, the cruise line's first ship, debuted in July 1998, followed by Disney Wonder in August 1999, Disney Dream in 2011, Disney Fantasy in 2012, Disney Wish in 2022, and Disney Treasure in 2024. 

Following the fourth Wish Class ship's debut in 2027, Disney Cruise Line will launch three smaller vessels that can access more ports of call and support the company's environmental goals. 

Welcome guest writer Sarah Cinq-Mars! Sarah's a 5th-grade teacher based in North Carolina. When she isn't teaching or being taught the latest slang by her students, she's catching up on the latest true crime podcast, playing with her 12-year-old dog, or checking out the area's newest restaurants.

I finally decided it was time to sail on my first Disney Cruise. My partner and I booked a 3-night cruise on Disney Magic, where we sailed to their new private destination in the Bahamas.

If you are someone who has been to the Disney theme parks, then it is likely that you have heard of Disney Cruise Line and vice versa! 

Fans of the Disney company are usually fans of both the theme parks and the Disney Cruise Line, or are they? During our first experience sailing with Disney Cruise Line, we spoke to several fellow passengers who remarked that they enjoy Disney Cruise Line way more than the theme parks, which we were initially surprised about. 

Growing up, I cruised with both Royal Caribbean and Disney. However, as a child, I was unaware of the difference in pricing. Now as an adult funding my own cruise obsession, I've become more conscious about seeking out the best value for my money.

This year, I sailed on two of Royal Caribbean's and Disney's oldest ships to compare their offerings. Though the price point was similar, Royal Caribbean offered the best overall value.