Cyndal BenulloA cruise vacation is an affordable way for anyone interested in travel to pay a fixed price while only unpacking once and still visiting multiple destinations. Although many amenities are included on cruises, all the various cruise lines have their differences when it comes to specific inclusions. For cruisers interested in Disney Cruise Line, we answer the question ‘What does a Disney cruise include?’
Key Takeaways: What’s Included on Disney Cruise Line
- Accommodations: All stateroom categories included with twice-daily housekeeping; Concierge staterooms offer exclusive perks and private sundeck
- Dining: Main dining rooms, buffet, casual poolside eateries, soft-serve ice cream, and room service all included
- Complimentary Beverages: Iced tea, lemonade, filtered water, select juices, milk, hot chocolate, drip coffee, Vitamin Water, and fountain soda included; bottled water, specialty coffee, and alcohol cost extra
- Activities & Entertainment: Pools, waterslides, splash area, sports deck, fitness facilities, jogging track, trivia, comedy, and nightly theater shows all included at no charge
- Youth Programs: Oceaneer Club for ages 3-10, Edge for 11-14, and Vibe for 14-17 all included
- Not Included: Alcoholic beverages and other premium drinks, specialty dining, gratuities ($16-$27.25 per person/day), spa services, shore excursions, and WiFi
- No All-Inclusive Packages: Unlike some cruise lines, Disney doesn’t offer bundled packages
What does a Disney cruise include?
Disney Cruise Line is known as being more expensive than the other mainstream cruise lines. However, one could argue that while the price tag upfront is more costly, Disney does include certain amenities that other cruise lines may not.
Standard inclusions such as room accommodations, onboard activities, food and beverages, and entertainment are the basics. But, Disney Cruise Line puts an extra touch of magic on everything they do. Disney is known for doing things differently.
Cruise lines charging for add-ons and extras is much more prominent now than in years past. While this is also true for some aspects of DCL, Disney Cruise Line prides itself on service and going the extra mile. Therefore, guests can still have a magical vacation without spending extra money.
Accommodations
The cruise fare includes the cost of your stateroom throughout your cruise. All seven Disney ships offer a variety of stateroom categories. These options range from interior rooms all the way to multi-bedroom suites. Of course, the cost of your cruise vacation will depend heavily on which type of stateroom you prefer.
Most Disney cruise ship staterooms, with a few exceptions across the fleet, have split bathrooms. A split bathroom setup is a bathroom with a shower/tub combo and a sink, while a separate bathroom area offers a sink and a toilet. Built with families in mind, this is a game changer compared to other mainstream cruise lines. With small children, it’s a bedtime routine lifesaver.
Further, as Disney imagineers continue to keep families in mind, there is a curtain in staterooms that separates the bed area from the couch/tv area. This gives the adults a closed-off place to relax while the kids are asleep on the pull-out couch.
Further, Concierge staterooms are available on all Disney ships. These staterooms give guests access to additional amenities such as a concierge lounge and sundeck. On Disney’s newest ships, there’s even a separate pool and whirlpools for concierge guests.
Overall, Disney cruise ships offer many stateroom options that will fit any needs. Be sure to research which category is best for your family on your next Disney cruise.
Food and Drinks
While other popular cruise lines are adding more and more specialty dining restaurants at an up-charge (with many also pointing out a decline in the complimentary dining room quality), Disney Cruise Line has stayed true to its roots.
Apart from two adults-only specialty restaurants, all main dining options are part of your cruise fare. This even includes room service! Yes, free room service is available on Disney Cruise Line 24 hours a day. This is a huge perk that incurs a fee on many other cruise lines now.
Disney Cruise Line executes dinner a bit differently too, with a rotational dining service. Each ship has three complimentary themed restaurants. Rotating between the venues, guests have the opportunity to dine at a different restaurant every night. On longer cruises, guests will visit each restaurant multiple times, but the menus will change. Your dining service team will also rotate with you through the restaurants. This helps the staff get to know you, your preferences, and your dining styles.
Additionally, one main dining room per day is open for breakfast and lunch table service options. Be sure to check the Disney Cruise app for times and associated restaurants.
Casual dining includes a buffet on each ship as well as poolside options. The buffets (Marceline Market on the newer ships and Cabanas on the older four), offer a diverse variety of options from basic kid’s selections to unique international cuisine for breakfast and lunch.
Poolside dining options include standard quick-service fare with the likes of pizza, burgers, sandwiches, and chicken tenders on the menu. Disney Wish, Treasure, and Destiny take poolside food to the next level, offering a taco and burrito stand as well as BBQ and more. Of course, the most important part of the poolside food is the soft-serve ice cream station!
Adults-only specialty dining restaurants are available on all Disney ships too. This gives adults an opportunity to experience fine-dining while the kids enjoy the kids club, but it will cost you. These restaurants are NOT part of your cruise fare.
What drinks are included on Disney cruises?
Fountain soda (Coca-Cola products) and Vitamin Water are included on Disney Cruise Line. Iced teas, lemonades, a variety of juices, milk, and basic coffee/tea options are complimentary as well.
For avid soda drinkers, this can be a huge cost-saver, as most other cruise lines require individual purchases or soda package purchases.
Onboard Activities
There is no shortage of fun on a Disney cruise ship. A schedule of complimentary activities is available from sun up to well after the sun goes down to ensure all guests are having a great time.
All Disney ships have a pool deck with various pools, hot tubs, and loungers for cruisers to enjoy. Not only are swimming pools available on every ship, a splash pad is also available on every Disney ship for even the youngest cruisers including those still in diapers. This is a significant difference from most cruise lines, as they often do not offer any aquatic activities for children in diapers.
Still, due to U.S. Coast Guard regulations, children that are not potty trained are not allowed in any onboard swimming pools.
Further, all Disney ships offer at least one waterslide, with some ships offering multiple. The newest ships even feature a water “attraction” called AquaMouse — a water coaster complete with a storyline. Funnel Vision, Disney’s spot for all outdoor movies, plays Disney and Pixar movies around the clock for guests to enjoy. If your idea of a magical vacation is soaking up the Caribbean sun, be sure to grab a spot here on a sea day.
While there is plenty for the kids to enjoy, all Disney ships feature an adults-only pool deck as well. This area has upgraded loungers, pools, and hot tubs for those looking for some quiet time.
Poolside entertainment such as live music and deck parties are happening throughout the cruise too, and you will not want to miss them! You might even see some of your favorite characters.
Sports courts, a jogging track, and a full gym are available on board, while sports simulators and mini golf are on select Disney ships. Not to mention, there’s a movie theater on each ship showing current Disney movies that are still in theaters back home.
The Disney activities staff offer entertainment for all interests during the voyage. Onboard events like trivia, game shows, karaoke, scavenger hunts, drawing and cooking classes, and towel making classes are all available for no additional fee. The Daily Navigator app will tell you times and locations for all activities. Even if you don’t participate, some events are worth watching! Disney separates some of these activities between family friendly and 18+, for those adults who wish to enjoy some of these activities kid-free!
There’s also Disney character meet and greets daily. While there aren’t as many characters as in the Disney parks, you will usually encounter much shorter wait times than you would in the parks. There are ample opportunities to meet Mickey and his friends, various Disney princesses, and more. On Disney’s newer ships, you might even have opportunities to meet characters from Frozen, classic Disney villains, or Marvel Super Heroes.
Nightly Entertainment
While Disney Cruise Line offers a plethora of onboard activities, they don’t skimp on nightly entertainment either. Disney cruise ships feature Broadway-caliber nightly shows, such as Disney’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Moana, and more in the main theater. Here, other nightly shows include original productions incorporating various Disney songs and characters.
Other nightly entertainment may include magicians, comedians, ventriloquists, and live music.
Pirate Night is held on all Disney ships, except for during Alaska sailings. On Pirate Night, dinner features a pirate-themed menu. Special characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow and Captain Hook are available for character meet and greets, and there’s a pirate party on the pool deck!
Additionally, Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line with fireworks at sea! One night per sailing, typically during the Pirate Night deck party, guests can enjoy a fireworks show from the upper decks.
Youth Programs
Disney’s kids’ clubs shine when compared to other cruise brands. Like most cruise lines, these supervised youth programs are part of cruise fare for children ages three to 17. Disney ships also offer open houses for one or more youth areas throughout the cruise. This gives children the opportunity to experience what the clubs have to offer, even if they don’t want to be left alone in them.
Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are the designated areas for children ages three to 10. Here, highly trained Disney Youth Activities Staff engage children in age-based activities. The Oceaneer Clubs are themed to the likes of Star Wars, Toy Story, princesses, and more. Good luck pulling your little ones out of here!
Edge is the supervised club for tweens ages 11 to 14, while Vibe is the supervised club for ages 15 to 17. These clubs provide a place for teens with access to video games, movies, and daily guided activities such as dance parties, trivia, scavenger hunts, and more.
Lastly, It’s a Small World Nursery is the nursery for children six months to three years old. Although, utilizing this space does come at an hourly fee ($9 per hour for the first child, $8 per hour for siblings).
What’s NOT Included on a Disney Cruise?
Although cruises are known for their inclusivity and affordable options, there are still extras on board that are not included in your cruise fare. None of these additions are necessary to have a great vacation, but may be things you want to include in the budget.
Alcohol and Specialty Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are not part of your cruise fare. While Disney ships offer a multitude of fantastically themed bars, any beer, wine, cocktails, and spirits will come at an additional charge.
Additionally, specialty coffee, lattes, espressos, etc., will cost extra. All coffee bars offer a punch card for a free coffee after the purchase of five coffees. So, if you are an avid coffee drinker, be sure to ask for this card. Canned soda, bottled water, specialty mocktails, smoothies, and fresh juice also incur an additional charge.
As mentioned prior, basic drip coffee, basic tea, and fountain sodas are free.
Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer an unlimited drink package like other cruise lines. However, it does offer small deals such as beer and wine packages depending on the amount guests order. A drink of the day is available in alcoholic and non-alcoholic forms at a cheaper price as well.
Can I bring my own alcohol on a Disney cruise?
Yes, guests ages 21+ may bring two bottles of unopened wine or champagne or six beers on board. This is per guest, meaning if there are two adults in a stateroom, they may bring two bottles of wine AND a six pack of beer or four bottles of wine on board.
Any alcohol brought on board must be packed in a carry-on bag. Just be aware that if you choose to open your bottle of wine or champagne in a restaurant, you will be charged a $29 corkage fee.
Gratuities
Gratuities are additional service charges that are not part of your cruise fare. These charges are split amongst the Disney Cruise Line staff that made your vacation great. These “tips” serve as a thank you for their hard work.
These additional fees are a per person, per day amount charged to every guest onboard. Guests can pre-pay these fees or have them added to their onboard account at the conclusion of the cruise.
Current gratuity charges:
- Standard Staterooms: $16 USD per person, per day
- Concierge/Suite Staterooms: $27.25 USD per person, per day
For any crew members that made your trip extra special, guests can tip extra in addition to these standard charges.
Specialty Dining
Though most dining options are included in the upfront cruise fare, some optional restaurants come with a charge. Each Disney ship has adults-only specialty dining restaurants. Palo is found on all ships in the fleet. All ships except Disney Magic and Wonder offer an additional specialty venue. On Disney Fantasy and Dream, it’s a French venue called Remy. On Disney Wish, Treasure, and Destiny, it’s a French restaurant called Enchanté.
These fine dining options have a prix fixe and/or a la carte menu along with top-notch service.
These restaurants do require reservations and fill up quickly. So, if you’d like to dine at one, be sure to reserve your slot when your booking window opens.
Other additional costs are popcorn and candy at Preludes outside of the movie theater, a sweet shop with specialty desserts, and the sports bars with pub-style bites.
Wi-Fi
Cruising used to be the vacation where guests unplugged from the world, and this is still true to an extent! But, Wi-Fi options onboard have come a long way in recent years.
Cruisers can use the Disney Cruise Line app to chat with family and friends onboard without Wi-Fi. This chat feature is included in your cruise fare.
Anything additional to the DCL app such as streaming, social media, texting family and friends back on land, and surfing the internet does come at an additional cost. Disney offers a variety of Wi-Fi packages available for purchase with options for single-day packages all the way to full-cruise length packages. Be sure to check the Wi-Fi rates once you book your cruise or once onboard.
Select Onboard Activities
While cruisers don’t have to spend any additional money for entertainment, there are some activities that do cost extra. Activities like Bingo, mixology classes, and select fitness classes have associated up-charges. However, there are no casinos on Disney Cruise Line ships.
Further, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is an up-charge experience allowing children ages three to 12 to transform into their favorite princess, knight, or sea captain.
Spa Services
All spa and salon services come at an additional fee on Disney Cruise Line. Senses Spa and Salon offers a variety of treatments such as massages, manicures, pedicures, facials, haircuts, and more.
The Rainforest Room on each Disney ship includes heated loungers, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms, ice rooms, aromatherapy showers, and more. To access this thermal suite, guests need to pre-purchase a pass for the duration of the cruise. Select day passes are available for purchase once onboard the ship based on availability.
Shore Excursions
While Disney Cruise Line is your form of transportation to many amazing ports of call, activities at each port of call are not part of your cruise fare. Disney offers a variety of shore excursions at each location. Or, guests can book excursions through a third-party retailer if they’d prefer.
Excursions can range from full day experiences to something as simple as a walking tour or a cooking class. The longer the experience, typically the more expensive it is. Pricing also varies depending on the port of call and region of the world.
Booking shore excursions in advance is highly recommended, but guests can head to the Port Adventures desk onboard the ship to check for any last-minute availability.
Other Onboard Expenses
Other onboard expenses that guests could incur are laundry services should you want any clothes washed or pressed, photo packages, any onboard celebrations such as room decor or specialty cakes, or any souvenirs.
Overall, Disney Cruise Line offers so much as part of their standard cruise fare that guests certainly do not have to spend additional money once onboard the ship. While Disney Cruise Line prices are higher than other popular cruise lines, there are many included amenities that other cruise lines charge for.
For those trying to stay on a budget, I highly recommend researching beforehand what add-ons are important to you. This way you can plan, budget, and book accordingly so there aren’t any surprises.
Disney Cruise Line: What’s Included vs. Additional Cost
| INCLUDED IN YOUR FARE | ADDITIONAL COST |
|---|---|
| All staterooms with twice-daily housekeeping & basic amenities | Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, specialty coffee, smoothies, and fresh juice |
| Main dining rooms & buffet | Specialty dining restaurants |
| Casual poolside dining and room service | Treats from the dessert shop |
| Fountain soda, iced/hot tea, lemonade, juices, milk, & drip coffee | WiFi internet packages |
| Pool decks, waterslides, and splash areas | Gratuities ($16-$27.25 per person/day) |
| Sports deck, jogging track, and fitness center | Senses Spa treatments & thermal suite access |
| Character meet-and-greets | Bingo, mixology classes, & select fitness classes |
| Nightly theater shows | Shore excursions |
| Live music, trivia, karaoke, deck parties | Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique |
| Comedy shows | Laundry services |
| Funnel Vision (outdoor) and theater (indoor) movies | Photos & celebration packages |
| Oceaneer Club (kids), Edge (tweens), and Vibe (teens) youth programs (ages 3-17) | Shopping & retail purchases |
| Visits to Disney’s private destinations (on select sailings) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Inclusions
Is Disney Cruise Line all-inclusive?
No, Disney is not an all-inclusive cruise line. However, it does include more in the base cruise fare than other mainstream cruise lines such as fountain soda, room service, and first-run movies in the theater. You still have to pay extra for things like alcoholic and specialty beverages, specialty restaurants, wifi, the spa, and shore excursions.
Is wifi free on a Disney cruise?
No, you have to pay extra for internet access on all of Disney Cruise Line’s ships. The line offers different internet packages you can purchase for your sailing.
Are gratuities included on Disney Cruise Line?
No, daily gratuities are not included in the Disney cruise fare. Guests in standard staterooms are charged $16 per person, per day. Guests in suites and concierge accommodations are charged $27.25 per person, per day.
Are Disney Cruise Line’s kids’ clubs free?
Yes! Kids and teens have complimentary access to their own dedicated spaces to hang out, do activities, and meet new friends.
Is food included on Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point?
Yes! Buffet-style barbecue lunch is provided complimentary at both of Disney’s private destinations in the Bahamas.
Comments
Did you find our guide to what does a Disney cruise include helpful? Do you usually splurge on extras during your DCL cruise? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on Disney Cruise Line’s inclusions.
){kind=link}
){kind=link}
2 comments