Disney Cruise Line

Utopia of the Seas and Disney Wish are two cruise ships geared toward offering great family vacations. 

Utopia of the Seas, part of Royal Caribbean's massive Oasis Class, is a floating city for all ages, offering water slides, zip lines, immersive dining experiences, and more. On the other hand, Disney Wish offers a more magical experience, combining Disney’s iconic storytelling with the convenience and fun of a cruise.

Both ships promise an unforgettable family adventure to the Bahamas, but which one is the perfect fit for your next vacation?

Today's cruise ships are impressive. They have everything from massive water parks to roller coasters, surfing simulators, and more. 

Disney Cruise Line remains a popular option for those hoping to mix classic Disney magic with a cruise vacation. However, Disney does things quite differently than other mainstream lines, such as Royal Caribbean and Carnival. 

For example, Disney doesn't offer drink packages or flexible dining times, which isn't always ideal for those who enjoy laid-back cruises that don't revolve around three-course dinners. 

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For example, my cabin aboard Vision of the Seas felt like it was stuck in the 90s with outdated decor and a noticeable lack of outlets.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.