When most people think about taking their kids to Disney, they’re picturing the parks. Long lines, overpriced snacks, and parents wondering if a second mortgage was really worth seeing their kid’s face light up when they met Elsa.
But Disney cruises? That’s a different conversation entirely. And one I think a lot of families aren’t having when they should be.
Jennifer and I just sailed on Disney’s brand new ship, the Disney Destiny, on a 5-night cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. Our iterary was a day at sea, Nassau, Disney’s new private island Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, another day at sea, and back to Florida. This was my first Disney cruise, and I went in with assumptions that turned out to be both right and wrong in interesting ways.
What I Expected (and What Actually Happened)
I expected exceptional service. Disney delivered. The crew was attentive without being intrusive, genuinely seemed to enjoy their jobs, and remembered details about guests that made interactions feel personal rather than scripted.
I expected a beautiful ship. Check. The Destiny is stunning, with themed areas that feel immersive without being over the top. The design actually makes sense for how people move through the ship.
I expected lots of children. Yep. Families with young kids were everywhere, exactly as advertised.
Here’s where it got interesting.
I expected most activities would be geared toward families with kids. Surprise: there were plenty of adult-only spaces and activities. Quiet Cove Pool was adults only. The Haunted Mansion is an adults only lounge with creative drinks and decor and being a fairly small venue there was always a line to get in. If trivia is your thing there were adults only options every day, and while a lot of the entertainment is kid-friendly, there are musicians who perform adults only sets; and on our cruise, a magician who did family friendly shows as well as those for adults only. You’re not stuck doing kid stuff all day if you don’t have kids with you.
I expected great food. The food was good, not great. But here’s the thing: the dining experience itself was very good, and for cruising, that distinction matters. Disney does rotational dining, which I genuinely loved. You eat at a different restaurant each night (1923, Worlds of Marvel, and Pride Lands on the Destiny) but your wait staff rotates with you. One of my favorite parts of cruising is getting to know the waiters and dining room staff over the course of a week. The usual downside is eating in the same room every single night. Disney figured out how to give you variety while keeping that personal connection. Those Imagineers are good at designing every detail!
They also do two seatings without “anytime dining,” which means everyone has an assigned table and time. No waiting. No crowds at the entrance wondering when a table will open up. And because dinner ends at a predictable time, you can actually catch the nightly entertainment without rushing or missing it entirely.
I expected pushy sales tactics for overpriced Disney merchandise. Nope. The shops had fair prices, lots of options, and zero pressure. That was a pleasant surprise.
Jennifer's Take (Which is Different Than Mine)
Jennifer is more of a Disney person than I am, and she had a genuinely different experience on the same cruise. She loved the shows, movies on the pool deck, and the overall entertainment. She went to the fireworks on pirate night while I lamed out and went to bed early. (She said they were worth staying up for.)
She’s already talking about going back with her adult kids who are Disney fans, though she admits she’d have a hard time justifying the price unless she was going with people who’d really appreciate it. That’s actually the perfect summary of Disney cruises: if you’re the right audience, it’s worth every penny. If you’re not, in my opinion, there are better ways to spend your money.
Explore Disney cruises sailing from San Diego, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, and Galveston
Use the port links above to research and book. Same prices as booking direct with the cruise line, but you get our unbiased support and expertise from the moment you book until you return home. We work for you, not the cruise lines.
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What Wasn't Worth It for Me (But Might Be for You)
I’m barely a casual Disney fan. I haven’t watched most of the movies. The character meet and greets, which people of all ages lined up for, held zero interest for me. Having access to every Disney movie on the stateroom TV? Not a selling point for me. Disney trivia? Not my thing. As expected, the shows are fantastic productions and if you have watched the movies, you’ll love them. For me the production and quality of the cast members was amazing. Musicians playing songs from the movies? Pleasant background music, but not why I’d choose this cruise.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique was adorable but irrelevant to my life. For an additional cost, they transform kids into princesses, knights, or sea captains with costumes, makeup, and hairstyling. Watching little ones dressed as their favorite characters meeting the adult princesses was genuinely precious. But I’m past that stage of life.
Pirate night had people in full costumes for dinner and the deck party. Again, cute. Not my scene.
And here’s the financial reality: Disney doesn’t have a drink package. Cocktails are expensive. You pay for soda at the bar (though it’s included in the main dining rooms and buffet). Specialty dining at Enchante, their upscale restaurant, runs serious money on top of an already premium cruise price.
The Price Reality
Let’s talk about what Disney actually costs, because this is where a lot of families need to make a real decision.
A 4-night cruise from Florida on
in June 2026 starts around $650 per person. It’s one of Royal’s newest ships, it’s massive and has lots to do.
A similar cruise on Disney Destiny? About $2,000 per person.
That’s not a small difference. That’s “we could take two cruises on another line for the same price” difference.
So the question isn’t whether Disney is good. It’s whether Disney is worth triple the price for your specific situation.
Who Should Take a Disney Cruise (And Who Shouldn't)
If you have young children and any level of Disney fandom in your family, a Disney cruise delivers on its promise. The experience is designed for you, executed well, and creates memories your kids will talk about for years. The price premium makes sense because you’re getting exactly what you’re paying for.
If you’re a Disney adult (the superfan kind, not just someone who enjoyed The Lion King), you’ll find plenty to love. The themes, character interactions, and overall Disney immersion is top-tier.
If you’re like me, past the young kids stage, interested in smaller ships, better itineraries, less chaos, and above-average food for less money, Disney probably isn’t your best choice. I’d rather spend that money on Celebrity for superior food and a more refined onboard experience. Or if I’m going to spend close to Disney pricing on a mainstream cruise line, I’d choose Norwegian’s Haven or MSC Yacht Club. Those experiences align better with what I’m looking for at this stage of my life.
Jennifer and I both had a good time on Disney Destiny. But having a good time isn’t the same as choosing the right cruise for your money, your stage of life, and your actual interests.
The Bottom Line
Most people don’t think about Disney cruises when they think about family vacations. They’re thinking parks. But if you’ve got young kids and you’re looking at vacation options, a Disney cruise should absolutely be in the conversation. It’s a different animal than the parks, with advantages that might surprise you.
The real question is whether it’s the right choice for your family compared to other cruise options, or compared to other vacation types entirely. That’s where the specifics matter: your kids’ ages, your budget, what you actually enjoy doing on vacation, and whether Disney magic is worth three times the cost of other quality cruise experiences.
If you want to explore Disney cruises or compare them to other options, you can book directly through our website if you prefer to research and book on your own. If you’d rather talk through which cruise line and itinerary actually makes sense for your family’s specific situation, schedule a consultation and we’ll help you figure out where your vacation dollars will create the best memories.
