2024 Disney Cruise REVIEW: First Family Cruise Experience

Are you getting ready for your family’s first Disney cruise experience? I’m SO excited to share our Disney cruise review with you to help you make the most of this incredible vacation!

We first planned our family Disney cruise to celebrate a milestone back in 2021 (and we all know what happened then…), so in 2024 we finally made it happen. We took the 7-night Disney Fantasy cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in January. It was pricey and oh so amazing. Well, most of it.

Read on to use our first Disney cruise experience to prepare for yours!

Contents:

• Why choose a Disney cruise
• Disney Fantasy ship experience
• Disney cruise dining experience
• Disney Eastern Caribbean itinerary
• Disney cruise tips and tricks
• Booking your Disney cruise
• Pros and cons of a Disney cruise

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Why choose a Disney cruise?

First, Disney cruises are expensive. There’s no denying that. So, why choose a Disney cruise? Is it worth the price and the hype? For us, yes, and I’ll share why.

Before kids, my husband and I went on a Royal Caribbean Cruise and love it. We cheaped out with an inside cabin but didn’t mind it, and were wowed by the food and Broadway quality live theatre. The ship was massive; there were tons of onboard activities; and, their service was impressive. My nephew (ten at the time) could take or leave the kids club.

For our first family Disney cruise experience, we splurged on a balcony cabin (it wasn’t much more than the porthole) and also loved the food, spectacular live theatre, and service you’d expect from Disney. Our ship was smaller with fewer shops and restaurants, but my kids used the kids club a ton and we made the most of the new and nostalgic Disney movies showing in the movie theatres and on the pool screen. And there were activities we just never got to.

One family we met rationalized the expense based on Disney’s larger cabin size, and we were definitely impressed with our spacious cabin size and thoughtful layout.

But the main reason we chose a Disney cruise and say that it’s worth the price is the unique family-friendly measures put in place by Disney. Disney staff are trained to spot and help kids who are lost (which happened to us on Castaway Cay) and at risk of other unsafe situations. With three kids between five and ten, this was worth it so the kids had more freedom and so we could relax.

Mid-way through our 7-night cruise, my younger kids were good to run up to the pool deck for ice cream on their own; I never would’ve let that happen on the Royal Caribbean cruise.

AND after our first Disney cruise experience, I’d add one more huge value-add: Disney Castaway Cay. I elaborate on this below, but this was the only itinerary stop we got great value.

Disney Fantasy ship experience

The Disney Fantasy ship experience is elegant and whimsical. From the moment Mickey and Minnie greet you when you board, from the grand staircase glistening beneath the marvelous peacock chandelier three stories above, this enchanting ship and its crew will whisk you away … to as close to a dreamland as a parent can get!

Disney Fantasy is the second newest ship to the Disney fleet, launched in 2012 and barely surpassed in size by the newest ship, Disney Wish, that launched in 2022. (Note: The Disney Treasure will set sail in December 2024 and is the sister ship to Disney Wish.) The Disney Fantasy has 14 passenger decks, a super-fun AquaDuck water coaster, and lovely adults-only spaces. The adults-only pool area was awesome, with hot tubs along the outer glass and varying pool depths and misters, perfect for reading.

There are plenty of nice lounging areas throughout the ship, including the upper decks and in or overlooking the atrium. Grab a drink at the atrium bar and enjoy classy live entertainment (think: violin meets rock ‘n’ roll classics). The atrium is where you’ll find Disney character experiences (we were tired of lines from Disney World the week prior and chose random character encounters over booking them).

I loved the tasteful integration of Disney magic without the overwhelm. Background music, artwork and decor was all Disney, but was a wonderful variety of classic and new to suit young and old.

Fun fact: The Disney Fantasy ship’s “godmother” is Mariah Carey.

Disney Fantasy cabin review

With three little ones, we booked a deluxe family oceanview with verandah. We’re usually pretty thrifty, so this room felt amazing! The verandah has plexiglass over the bars to calm us paranoid parents.

This cabin felt very spacious (even with three little ones) and had lots of thoughtful features. For one, the toilet and shower/tub were in separate rooms, each with a sink, so getting cleaned up was usually pretty smooth. We made use of the large closet, many drawers, and underbed storage. During the day, we had a full-width couch to watch Disney movies on the TV. For night, a curtain separated our queen bed from the bunk bed and extra bed, which was very handy when they wanted to watch a movie.

I’ve read that the inside cabin experience is much nicer on Disney compared to our Royal Caribbean cabin. On Royal Caribbean, I’d call a family’s room (with a porthole) to find out the weather. Disney’s “magical portholes” include live video from the outside! Brilliant.

Disney Fantasy ship pool and fitness experience

The pool deck is a fun place to be. During the day, enjoy multiple pools (lifejackets provided), the AquaDuck and regular waterslide, and two splash pads, including a shaded area for little ones. Areas are monitored by staff, making it easy to relax on the many pool loungers. Disney movies show on the screen during the day, and live entertainment takes over the deck most evenings.

This same deck is where you’ll find the casual Cabanas buffet (with limited hours), other casual eateries, all-you-can-eat ice cream, and a variety of self-serve sodas, teas and coffee.

There’s also a mini golf course, spa, salon and fitness center onboard. I tried the running track on Deck 4 but found it underwhelming and annoying; since it’s just part of a regular deck, anyone could wander out to enjoy the view … and get in your way.

Disney Fantasy entertainment review

Our family LOVED the live theatre experience on the Disney Fantasy. Shows included Aladdin and Frozen, plus Disney’s Believe on the last night, that pulled in a variety of Disney nostalgia and storytelling that we all appreciated.

We also made use of the movie theatre, including Wish when it was just released and older beloved Disney movies, too. If you love popcorn, get a refillable bucket at the start of the cruise – use it at the movie theater and live theater.

I was usually pretty tired by the time pool deck parties started (around 10 p.m.), but I was always glad I went. The Sailing Away and Pirates of the Caribbean show and fireworks were spectacular. They can get crowded, so mentally prepare.

Disney Fantasy kids clubs experience

Kids have a variety of spaces for their own Disney cruise experience. Ages three to 10 have the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, which is where my oldest spent a ton of time. She loved the video games, group games and crafts. My two youngest enjoyed some activities more than others.

I appreciated the many open houses during the week for parents to check out these spaces. When these happened, staff used the connecting doors in the back to move all kids to the other room, so there was never a security issue. My older kids could check themselves in and out, which ended up being very handy.

Ages 11 to 14 have the Edge and ages 14 to 17 have the Vibe. We didn’t use these spaces, but when we peeked in, they looked rather sparse.

And then there’s the nursery for under three years. If you plan to use the nursery, book in advance, as parents said it was tough to get in; and there’s an extra fee.

Disney cruise dining experience

If you’ve done much research into Disney cruise reviews, you’ll have heard of Disney’s rotational dining approach. This was nice to change up the dining experience but keep the personal service (your servers move with you), but be sure to check your app in advance so you know where you’re going each night.

The Enchanted Garden and Royal Court atmospheres are grand and elegant, while the Animator’s Palate is colorful and fun. At the Animator’s Palate, you receive a sheet of paper when you arrive to design your character, and later they animate them around the restaurant. So fun! We were disappointed that we didn’t get to do this the second dining there, though.

The dishes at these three restaurants are unique and we always enjoyed our meals. The kids menu, however, got tiresome by the end of the cruise.

Dress is mostly casual, but Disney royalty is always welcome … especially at the Enchanted Garden and Royal Court.

While you can enjoy breakfast or lunch at the Enchanted Garden or Royal Court, we mostly ate these at the casual Cabanas buffet. The variety and quality of food at Cabanas was fantastic. That said, it was only open for certain hours each day (make note of these somewhere!) and was usually super busy. You can order room service for free, but food options are limited.

Another casual option we enjoyed throughout the day were the food service windows on the pool deck. You could get the typical food like burgers and pizza, or pretty decent sandwiches and lots of fruit. And, of course, free-flowing soft ice cream. Cones were served by staff, which I appreciated to keep it tidy and help little ones.

Now, one thing I didn’t enjoy was the late dining experience. I’d read that Disney staff would pick up kids after dinner and take them to kids club, or that kids could eat at kids club, but neither happened. It was really hard for my five-year-old to sit well long enough for us to enjoy our dinner.

Disney Eastern Caribbean cruise itinerary review

I was set on booking the 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise for our first family Disney Cruise experience. We already sailed the Western Caribbean with Royal Caribbean and I wanted to experience other islands.

That said, even a simple beach excursion on Tortola and St. Thomas were way too expensive for us and we weren’t up for bartering for a private taxi. At both stops, we got off the ship to check out the local port shops (and access free wifi) but spent most of those days at the pool.

Consider a separate booking site like Get Your Guide to find cheaper excursions, with lots of options in the Caribbean and beyond.

The itinerary highlight – and a huge advantage of this Disney cruise review – was Disney Castaway Cay. This private Bahamian island is essentially an extension of the ship, with an on-island buffet, on-demand ice cream and refreshments, kids club, water structures, and long, beautiful, well-kept beaches with plenty of loungers and bar service. If you have little ones who nap, you can easily go on and off the ship.

It was AWESOME.

Disney cruise tips and tricks

I won’t claim to have all the Disney cruise tips and tricks up my sleeve after one sailing, but I do have some for you with my first Disney cruise experience.

• Bring quality two-way radios. This would’ve been super helpful as our kids got more freedom throughout the cruise. And keep in mind that kids club staff can only send generic messages; we weren’t able to tell our daughter where we were when she checked herself out.
• Bring your maximum allowed alcohol. Alcoholic drinks are expensive on the ship, so if you might drink, bring your six-pack of beer or two bottles of wine … in your carry-on luggage only (for anyone 21 years and older). 
• Make friends with the app. This is where you’ll find all ship activities and announcements and make your bookings. Use the filters and save your favorites to get reminders.
• Book must-haves as soon as you get online access. This includes shore excursions, dinner reservations and nursery services. Booking as soon as you can guarantees your spot but also frees you from long lines once you board. First-timers can book 75 days before sailing; return sailors can book 90 days before.
• Pack Disney gifts. Save money by brining your own favorite Disney shirts and gear (Etsy has lots of great options), including Disney ears, dress-up clothes and autograph books. Bring gift bags and surprise your kids their first morning at sea!
• Bring door decor. So many families came prepared with fun decorations for their cabin door! I’d avoid kids names, but personalized decorations would make your door MUCH easier to find. Check out these fun ideas on Etsy.

• Use your first day wisely. Explore the ship and take note of spots to check out later, including favorites spots to relax (tip: check out higher decks). Take advantage of the kids club open house to get your kids (and you) familiar with it, including the check-in/out processes. And leave the kids there while you explore adult-only spaces.
• Take in the shows. The Disney cruise experience includes a lot of excellent activities, but the live shows are truly spectacular. If kids kicking your seatback drive you crazy, opt for upper level seating or seats with adults already behind you. Take in the evening pool deck parties, and arrive early if you care about the view.
• Avoid late dining with little ones. If you’re stuck with late dining, embrace casual dining options for kids beforehand and drop them off at kids club. Or, check them in after they’re done eating and go back to enjoy the rest of your meal. I was ever-optimistic and ever-disappointed with my five-year-old’s stamina.

Do you have any other tips to add? Share them below!

Booking your Disney cruise

Given how expensive a Disney cruise is, how do you book your cruise to get the best value? My recommendation is to go through a travel agent that adds value through onboard credits.

Disney doesn’t allow travel agencies to undercut Disney Cruise Line prices, so you won’t find a cabin price cheaper than booking directly with Disney Cruise Lines. So, your option for adding value is to find the agency with the best credit option for you. Options:

• Costco Travel: Get a Costco gift card based on your cruise cost.
• Cruise Direct: Receive competitive onboard credits, no booking fees and flexible payment plans.
• Dreams Unlimited: Their onboard credit includes tax, which bumped us up to the next level.

You can also watch Disney Cruise Line’s website for 50% deposits and special rates for Florida residents, military, and Canadians. However, special rates are typically for higher-priced dates and select cabins.

When should you book your Disney cruise?

The price of a Disney cruise will never get better than when the cruise first opens. I tracked Disney cruise prices for over a year back in 2020 when I originally booked, because I wanted to know if this was true.

We ended up booking a week before the cruise when we physically landed in Florida. We live in Canada and cross-border travel proved unreliable with the 2021 turmoil. So, I braced myself for disappointment and a plan B, but in the end, the only disadvantage was late dining; the price difference was nominal.

I am not a fan of any cruise line’s cancellation policy, but Disney’s is better than Royal Caribbean. You lose the entire cruise fee if you cancel within the final 14 days before the cruise (30 days for RC), 75% if you cancel 29 days before (60 days for RC), and 50% if you cancel 55 days before (74 days with RC). Given our family was looking at $15K CAD, we risked the last-minute booking.

When is the cheapest time to take a Disney cruise?

The cheapest time of the year to go on a Disney cruise in the Caribbean is September and early October. Other comparably cheaper prices for Disney cruises in the Caribbean are select sailings in January, April and May.

Find my research and analysis for Disney cruise prices to the Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, and Alaska.

Pros and cons of a Disney cruise

If you like summaries, this section is for you!

Disney cruise review PROS:

• Kid security: Unique Disney staff training for dealing with lost kids and other security issues.
• Disney Castaway Cay: Essentially an island extension of all that’s included on the cruise.
• Family friendliness: There are SO many things for kids to do to keep them happy. Even just Disney movie streaming in your cabin. (And let’s be honest: If they’re happy, we’re happy. And the reverse is true, too.)
• Disney theater: Disney’s live theater storytelling and performances are spectacular. Access to new theater releases and classics on big-screen are fun, too.
• Magical (and tasteful) Disney theming: The entire Disney cruise experience is wrapped in the enchanting world that IS Disney, from music to art and decor to spontaneous character greetings.  (C’mon, I know you have a secret crush on Belle!)

Disney cruise review CONS:

• Price: No doubt, the top disadvantage to this Disney cruise review.
• Smaller ships: A con if you prefer size and lots of shops, but a pro for small and tired legs!
• Kids EVERYWHERE: If you don’t like kids, beware. Disney has some great ideas, like staff-manned ice cream and adults-only spaces, to temper the craziness. But the craziness is real. Be prepared.

Conclusion

I think you can tell that we loved our first family Disney cruise experience. We were thinking it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but we loved it so much we’re already talking about the next time while all our kids still embrace the magic.

But I hope this Disney cruise review has given you tips to take along on your own sailing. Like avoiding late dining (especially with young kids) and exploring the ship right away, so you don’t miss out. And when to book to get the best value.

Do you have questions or other tips to add? Share below!

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• When to BOOK your Disney Cruise: Eastern Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska
• First Family Trip to DISNEY WORLD Review
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Featured photo credit: Me!