Picking the right stateroom for you and your family can be a tough job. Do you save some money and go with an indoor cabin with no view, or do you spend a little more to get a cozy balcony so you can wake up and say hi to a beautiful ocean right in front of your eyes? Cruises are just getting bigger and bigger, and this also means that there are more and more accommodation options inside these sea juggernauts.
Disney Cruise Line has four general stateroom categories that are very easy to understand. You have everything from your traditional indoor cabin to rooms with cozy balconies and beautiful, expansive suites that come with private concierge service. Each general category has several sub-categories, which will depend on the ship.
For example, on the Disney Dream, you have the general Verandah room and three sub-categories: Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, and Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah. In this case, room size will vary a bit, and the Navigator’s Verandah means that the balcony is enclosed for greater privacy.
The main stateroom categories are:
- Inside
- Oceanview
- Verandah
- Concierge
As is the case with most cruise lines nowadays, you have options ranging from small and cozy inside cabins, perfect for 3-4 guests, all the way to "mansions" inside a ship that are two levels tall and almost 2,000 square feet.
Let’s take a closer look at the main room categories.
Inside Cabins aboard Disney Cruise Line
Good for: those that want to save some money, small parties, if you don’t care about a view of the ocean, if you won’t be staying in your stateroom a lot, you want to save money and use it for cruise add-ons.
Room for: 1-4 passengers
Price: $$
Starting price for a party of four guests on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral aboard Disney Treasure: $7,300
Inside cabins offer no view of the ocean and have no natural light. As the name implies, they are located on the inside of the ship and are considered the cheapest option on virtually every cruise line. When it comes to Disney, you usually have two options for inside cabins: the standard inside cabin and the deluxe inside cabin. The deluxe cabin is slightly bigger and perfect for 4 guests.
These cabins come with a queen bed and a sleeper sofa. They also feature a "magical" porthole that shows live feeds of the ship and the outside. If you don’t plan to stay inside your cabin much, they might be a good option for you. They are also great for budget travelers who plan to spend less on their rooms and more on cruise add-ons, from drink packages to excursions and tours.
Oceanview cabins aboard Disney Cruise Line
Good for: if you want a room a little bit bigger than usual, if you care a lot about natural light, if you don’t plan to stay in your room a lot.
Room for: 1-4 passengers
Price: $$
Starting price for a party of four guests on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral aboard Disney Treasure: $8,000
Oceanview cabins are a classic feature on cruise ships. These rooms are slightly larger than inside cabins and, instead of a magical porthole, they offer a real one. This means you get a charming circular window (or sometimes two, depending on the ship) with views of the ocean. For safety reasons, these windows cannot be opened.
Oceanview cabins usually come in two sub-categories: Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom and Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom. As you might expect, the main difference is room size, with the family oceanview stateroom being larger. This option is ideal if you want natural light and an ocean view or simply prefer more space than inside cabins offer. The price isn't much higher than that of inside cabins, making it a good value.
Verandah cabins aboard Disney Cruise Line
Good for: you want to enjoy the fresh ocean breeze, you want to pay a little more to have more space and luxury.
Room for: 1-5 passengers
Price: $$$
Starting price for a party of four guests on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral aboard Disney Treasure: $8,500
Another classic room category on cruise ships, and probably the most popular option, is the Verandah room. These rooms are spacious and perfect for families of 4-5 guests. They come with their own balcony, ideal for enjoying a glass of wine or waking up early to the ocean breeze with a cup of coffee.
On the Disney Dream, for example, there are three subcategories of Verandah cabins: Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, and Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Navigator’s Verandah. The differences among these are room size and balcony type. The Navigator’s Verandah is considered slightly larger and more private than the others, while still offering excellent ocean views.
Concierge suites aboard Disney Cruise Line
Good for: you want nothing but luxury, you plan to stay inside and enjoy your cabin a lot, you love the concierge perks offered by Disney.
Room for: 1-7 passengers
Price: $$$$$
Starting price for a party of four guests on a 7-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral aboard Disney Treasure: $21,000.
This is it: the best room category aboard Disney Cruise Line. These are the largest rooms on the ship and sometimes offer multiple bedrooms for several families to share the same cabin. There are also subcategories. On the Disney Dream, for example, you have the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah, the Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, and the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. The main difference is size, but all cabins in this category come with concierge perks.
The Disney Wish, on the other hand, features several different concierge rooms, including the ultra-luxurious Concierge Wish Tower Suite. There are six different sub-categories in total! As always, the main difference is size. Some concierge suites aboard the Disney Wish offer expansive verandahs, while others have rooms that are two stories tall.
What about the concierge perks, you might ask? According to Disney, “Concierge Guests enjoy a separate waiting area in the terminal and are among the first to board. Your stateroom will be stocked with a selection of beverages, and you'll have access to the Concierge Lounge, which offers complimentary alcohol in the evening, snacks throughout the day, and an amazing private sun deck.” Keep in mind that you do not get access to a private butler, despite what the name might suggest to some passengers.
Concierge perks
This is a list of the concierge perks you will find aboard Disney Cruise Line:
- Priority booking 120 days in advance for activities and excursions
- Separate check-in area
- Board the ship before everyone else!
- Personal concierge
- Access to an exclusive sun deck
- Exclusive lounge (with free snacks and drinks)
- Daily free alcoholic drinks
- Stocked in-room refrigerators
- Special gifts
- Additional complimentary Wi-fi packages
- Access to in-room dining
- Private character meet and greet
- Early seating to shows
Is the concierge service worth it? Well, that entirely depends on you. These rooms are pricey, but they come with some cool benefits.
Priority embarkation and disembarkation are always welcome. The private sun deck is also enjoyable, as some Disney characters make appearances there from time to time, allowing you to take exclusive photos with them without large crowds around. The chance to book activities in advance is also a great perk, and one of the few ways you can secure a cabana in advance if you plan on going to Castaway Cay.
Choosing your ideal Stateroom aboard Disney Cruise Line
Choosing the right stateroom isn’t easy, especially aboard Disney Cruise Line. You’re paying a premium for these rooms, which promises a top-tier adventure aboard the ship. Disney Cruises often receive great reviews, but the main complaint from passengers is consistently the price. At times, these cruises can cost up to twice as much as what you’d pay aboard Royal Caribbean, for example. However, there are unique experiences that you can only find on a Disney Cruise, like encountering a giant anthropomorphic Mouse that always brings a smile to our faces.
If you prioritize the Disney experience over your accommodations, I’d suggest opting for an indoor cabin and saving the extra money for onboard activities. This could also be a great choice for first-time travelers to discover the magic inside Disney's beautiful ships. If you enjoy it, you can consider upgrading your next vacation to a verandah cabin and inviting more friends along.
Verandah rooms are also a good option, but the price difference is noticeable: it usually costs $700 more per guest compared to a standard inside cabin for a 7-night cruise. However, if you can’t do without natural light and enjoy having your own private balcony (who doesn’t?), this could be an excellent choice. This is especially true if you are taking a short cruise and want to experience Disney cruises firsthand.
Concierge rooms are probably not ideal for first-time travelers. If you opt for this type of room, you might find yourself inclined to spend more time enjoying your cabin and the concierge lounge, rather than exploring all the ship has to offer, from its multitude of restaurants to shows and character meet-and-greets. If you've already sailed on the same ship multiple times, then perhaps it's worth checking if the concierge service is truly enchanting.
Location
Just as important as choosing your cabin category, choosing the right location can also impact the quality of your cruise. Let’s see some of them
Midship cabins
This is a safe and often considered the best option for many cruisers. Being in the middle of the ship means you're conveniently close to everything, especially the elevators. Another good perk? Cabins in the middle of the ship experience less motion, making them ideal for those prone to seasickness during a cruise.
Aft balcony
These are the rooms located at the aft (back) of the ship. Specifically, these rooms overlook the stern (back) of the ship rather than the sides. Aft rooms often have larger balconies and offer a serene view of the waves generated by your vessel. They are also generally quieter than rooms in the middle of the ship, making them a good choice for those seeking less noise. The main drawback is that they can be a bit farther from the elevators.
The Bow
The bow is also known as the front of the ship. Some cabins are actually cheaper in this location, and the reason is simple: this is the area that shakes the most. If you often feel seasick, avoid cabins located on the front of the ship at all costs. Cruise passengers prone to motion sickness should search for a room in the middle of the ship, and usually on higher levels.
Hump Balconies
These are the rooms located on the outward curves of the ship's outline. They feature larger balconies compared to standard balconies, often at the same price. Another advantage is that these rooms are typically situated in the middle of the ship, offering two good perks for a great deal.
Connecting cabins
Many rooms offer connecting cabins, which are especially common for interior cabins. Connecting cabins provide extra space, effectively doubling the size of the room and accommodating up to eight people in total. And guess what? You get an extra bathroom too!
When sailing with Disney Cruise Line, connecting cabins can be a great way to save money. If you're traveling with a large group and aren't concerned about concierge perks, consider booking two connected inside cabins instead of a suite. You can end up saving 50% by following this strategy.
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