It’s funny that, over the years, cruise ships have basically become mega-resorts that travel across the sea. You can find full water parks on top of those giants, ice rinks, bumper cars, and sometimes even... roller coasters!? Seriously, what are people going to build on top of them in the future? Whole cities? Wait, I think this is already happening.
We are talking about Disney, so of course they are going to take the idea of a cruise ship to the next level. We still don’t have a Magic Kingdom on top of a cruise, but just give them time.
Oh, you won’t find any casinos inside Disney Cruise Line (DCL) ships. Mickey isn’t much of a fan of gambling.
Let’s see some of the stuff you can find onboard Disney Cruise Line:
- Meet & Greets
- Live Shows based on Disney movies
- Disney Theaters
- Fireworks shows
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Game shows & karaoke
- Pirate Night
- Rotational Dining & shows at select restaurants
- Kids Club
- Senses Spa & Salon
- Fitness Center
Disney Wish, the most recent Disney Cruise Line ship, takes the idea of fun activities to the next level. There, you can find AquaMouse (the first-ever ride aboard a cruise ship), the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, and two huge theaters dedicated to the world of Disney. Disney Wish also features amazing Broadway-level shows based on The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. What we want to say is that, as time advances, these ships become more and more advanced, getting closer than ever to something like Walt Disney World.
Shows aboard Disney Cruise Line
C’mon, friends. We are talking about Disney! If every cruise ship out there has its very own show, of course Disney would take its vast catalog of cartoons and movies and do something spectacular with it, right?
It’s no surprise that these shows are based on some of the most beloved movies of all time, like Beauty and the Beast, Frozen, and Aladdin. You can’t book or make reservations for these shows in advance, so make sure to arrive at least 30 minutes before the official time to secure a good spot.
Now, if you are staying in a concierge suite, you do get priority seating for most shows. You need to head to the Concierge Lounge 30 minutes before the show and wait a bit there. You will then be guided through the backstage to enter the theater before anyone else and grab your spot near the stage.
Here are some shows that you can see aboard Disney Cruise Line:
- Beauty and the Beast (Disney Dream and Disney Treasure)
- The Tale of Moana (Disney Treasure)
- The Little Mermaid (Disney Wish)
- Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular (Disney Wish)
- Frozen - A Musical Spectacular (Disney Wonder and Disney Fantasy)
- Tangled: The Musical (Disney Magic)
There are many more shows than the ones listed above, some of them based on Mickey & Friends. The Disney Cruise Line Blog has an excellent list of current shows on display on each DCL ship that you might want to check out.
Pirate Night
Why did the pirate buy an eye patch? Because he couldn’t afford an iPad!
Okay, sorry. I swear we won’t have too many pirate puns here. Pirate Night is a classic aboard every Disney Cruise Line ship and happens on select nights during certain itineraries, mostly those that visit the Caribbean. Arrr you ready for an extra dose of fun?
Pirate Night is great. Not only do you get to have dinner in an atmosphere where your waiters also dress as pirates, but there will be a huge party on the main deck waiting for you, where everyone will be dressed as pirates! Even Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy appear as swashbuckling heroes to say hi and dance with you.
Meet & Greets aboard Disney Cruise Line
Thankfully, there's a good chance that you won’t need to make any reservations or spend extra money to meet your favorite Disney characters. Check your DCL app for meet-and-greet times and locations, then join the line to take a picture with them, much like you would at Disney World or Disneyland. There's also a good chance you'll encounter them randomly walking across the ship, providing another great opportunity for photos.
If you are staying in a Concierge suite, you also have access to the exclusive Sun Deck, where Disney characters often appear to say hello. This provides a great opportunity for photos without the crowds or lines.
Royal Gathering
This is a complimentary meet-and-greet experience where you can say hi to a group of Disney Princesses! The princesses are random, adding to the surprise. You can meet several of them from a list that includes Belle, Rapunzel, Moana, Tiana, Cinderella, Ariel, and Snow White. You can book this activity 30 days in advance, so make sure you do it as soon as possible.
Royal Court Royal Tea and Olaf’s Royal Picnic
These two meet-and-greet experiences are among the paid options aboard DCL ships.
The Royal Court Royal Tea is available on the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy, while Olaf’s Royal Picnic is available on the Disney Wish. At the Royal Court Royal Tea, you get the chance to have lunch and interact with several characters, including Disney Princesses. Olaf’s Royal Picnic follows a similar structure but features characters from Frozen.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
You might be wondering, “what is that thing with the weird name?” Yeah, I asked myself the same question a while ago.
The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is basically a kids' salon where your children can be transformed into a Disney Princess, a Disney Prince, a proud knight, or even a pirate. Disney staff give them a complete makeover, including the costume. You can also save some money by bringing the costume from home.
Prices usually range between $100 and $200, and you need to make reservations in advance.
Pools & Waterslides aboard Disney Cruise Line
Pools
I have to say I’m not the biggest fan of the pools aboard Disney Cruise Line. Disney tries a different strategy when it comes to pools - instead of the huge pools you often see on ships like Royal Caribbean, they have several mini-pools for infants, children or adults. This means that they aren’t spectacular and the play areas around them aren’t that big either.
This is the complete list of pools you may find aboard Disney Cruise Line:
- AquaLab: a water themed playground.
- Donald’s Pool: great for teens and families.
- Funnel Puddle Pool: this pool offers a cool place to relax while you enjoy the great view.
- Goofy’s Pool: family pool + big television screen. A good combo for sure.
- Mickey’s Pool: a shallow pool great for young children.
- Nephew’s Splash Zone: a fun splash area that is perfect for children under 3yo.
- Nemo’s Reef: similar to Nephew’s Splash Zone, awesome for guests under 3yo.
- Quiet Cove Pool: dedicated to 18+ guests that want a bit of peace.
- Satellite Falls: available on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream, another area reserved for guests that are 18yo+.
Waterslides
Every Disney ship has its very own waterslide, with recent ships featuring the latest innovations. For example, on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, you can experience the AquaDuck, while on Disney Wish, you'll find the AquaMouse. Both are essentially 'water coasters' where you can ride alone or with a friend. They offer great fun, and AquaMouse even incorporates story beats similar to what you’d find at Hollywood Studios's Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway.
The lines for the waterslides can get long, and you can’t reserve a spot in advance. A good strategy is to ride them in the evening or during a port stop when the crowds thin out. Alternatively, try boarding early to ride the waterslide as soon as possible.
Kids Club aboard Disney Cruise Line
If the pools are a bit disappointing, the same cannot be said about the Kids Club. Following typical Disney tradition, Disney Cruise Line is arguably the best option for families with young children seeking a fantastic vacation, and the Kids Club is a significant reason for that.
The Kids Club inside DLC ships can be divided into:
- "it's a small world" nursery! (6mo to 3yo): a nursery for infants that includes trained staff ready to lend you a hand. Make reservations in advance, since space is extremely limited.
- Disney's Oceaneer Club (3 to 10yo): an amazing Kids Club featuring character meet & greets, videogames, play areas and more. Kids are divided into groups based on their ages. Does not require reservations.
- Disney's Oceaneer Lab (3 to 10yo): similar to the Oceaneer Club, but focuses more on creativity, with some activities based on drawing, painting, etc. Does not require reservations.
- Edge (11 to 14yo): for the teens out there. This club is more focused on videogames and activities for older children.
- Vibe (14 to 17yo): Vibe is a teens-only lounge, where kids ages 14 to 17 can enjoy music, movies, video games and more.
Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab do not require reservations. You can register any children in your travel party during your online check-in process, which can begin 30 days before your sailing date. Upon checking in at the port, registered children will receive Oceaneer bands. These bands function similarly to MagicBands; they are scanned when kids enter and leave the club, and staff can also track children through these bands.
The Oceaneer Club, in particular, receives fantastic online reviews. There's always something happening there, from dance parties to “Sloppy Science” classes. Connected through hallways, the Oceaneer Club and Lab allow children to freely explore both spaces.
You can find the operating hours for all youth clubs in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Typically, they are open from 9 am until midnight. Parents can join their kids in the Oceaneer Club during specific times, although more often than not, this space is dedicated solely to children.
Nightlife aboard Disney Cruise Line
The nightlife aboard Disney Cruise Line revolves around shows, pool parties, and lounges. If you're expecting a nightclub with hard techno music or seeking a romantic cruise experience, this may not be the ideal choice. However, for Disney enthusiasts looking to unwind in a fun and familiar environment, you'll find plenty to enjoy with Mickey and friends.
Adults-only bars and lounges
Who would have known that there are several adults-exclusive bars and lounges aboard Disney cruises? Yeah, that’s hard. They are the perfect option for you to relax after a long day talking to Mickey or getting a tan under the scorchy Caribbean sun.
Some of my favorite bars are located inside the Disney Wish, like:
- Nightingale’s: a cozy, beautiful piano bar.
- The Bayou: Unwind over spirited cocktails, live music and warm Southern hospitality.
- Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge: a bar from a galaxy far, far away that always reminds me of the Cantina from A New Hope. Unfortunately, I haven’t spotted Greedo or Han Solo here… yet.
Drink of the Day
When it comes to bars and having fun, here's a great tip for you.
Always ask for the Drink of the Day! There's both an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic version, and they're not only special and tasty but also come at a very affordable price! The Drink of the Day typically costs $6.50, making it a fantastic way to save money, especially considering that some cocktails can cost $15 or more. Additionally, you can purchase a souvenir cup upon arrival and use it to enjoy refills of the Drink of the Day at an even better price. You can also use your souvenir cup while visiting Castaway Cay!
Disney Cruise Line Shore Excursions
You can view your Disney Cruise Line reservation in the Navigator App, where you can pre-book shore excursions, restaurant reservations, and spa appointments. You can also register your kids for the Kids Clubs through the app.
Here’s when you can book your shore excursions:
- 120 Days in Advance: Concierge Guests in Stateroom Categories 1 - 3 and Platinum Castaway Club Members.
- 105 Days in Advance: Gold Castaway Club Members in any Stateroom Category.
- 90 Days in Advance: Silver Castaway Cay Club Members in any Stateroom Category.
- 75 Days in Advance: New Disney Cruisers in Stateroom Categories 4-12.
Port Adventures
Port Adventures are optional, paid excursions organized by Disney Cruise Line. Staff organize groups to participate in various activities and explore the cities depending on the port of call. You have to make a reservation in advance and prices depend on your destination. Excursions can go from a simple bike rental at Castaway Cay to $1000USD helicopter trips.
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