Cruises offer a great opportunity to see the world and explore a wide range of ports. You can step off into fascinating cities, or enjoy beautiful beach resorts at your leisure.
But what if you don’t want to?
Cruise ships tend to spend around 8-9 hours in most ports, and that’s time you could put to excellent use on the ship instead if you’d prefer it.
You can ALWAYS stay on a cruise ship while in port
You are never obligated to get off a cruise ship in port and go explore. You can always stay on the ship if you’d rather do that – it can be a great way to relax, save money and take advantage of the ship’s facilities.
Let’s look at the best reasons to stay on a cruise ship.
1. Peace and quiet!
One of the best reasons for staying on the ship is also one of the simplest – the feeling of peace and quiet when most of the guests have gone ashore.
Don’t get me wrong – cruise ships are generally relaxing places to be and there are usually spots you can find if you want to escape the crowds.
But they are busy places too, and during the evenings or on sea days the atmosphere can get quite lively. So it’s nice to experience a ship at a quieter time, and just soak up a more soothing atmosphere when you have the chance.
2. No queues for the best attractions or other features
Another reason to stay on the ship is the chance to try some of the facilities without having to wait in long lines.
Modern cruise ships have all kind of fun features – ziplines, go-karting tracks, rock climbing walls, surfing simulators… And when the ship is full, these popular attractions can often have long wait times.
Port days are quieter, although make sure you check the daily planner for opening times for attractions as some may close on port days, or have exclusive sessions designed for suite guests or people on special packages.
It’s not just the attractions either – if you need to speak to the guest services team about an issue, do it on a port day and you’ll find no queue to wait in, meaning you can get the boring admin stuff out of the way faster.
3. Port day offers
Often you’ll find that cruise ships have special offers when the ship’s in port, meaning you can get a great deal on something that would normally cost more.
This is most common in the spa. Beauty treatments and massages are extremely popular when guests are onboard during sea days or in the build-up to formal nights, but they’re often quiet on port days when most guests are ashore.
So there could be discounted offers on treatments that you can take advantage of. These will be advertised in advance because they know they need to convince people to stay onboard to try them, so keep an eye out and see if you can grab a deal.
4. Empty (ish) swimming pool and hot tubs
Cruise ship swimming pools are hardly massive, and so when everyone’s onboard, you aren’t so much swimming as standing in water. Which is still relaxing, but it’s really nice to take a dip on a port day when you can at least float around a bit, even if the pool still isn’t big enough for a few laps.
Hot tubs can be even worse – there are never enough on a sea day, and some people love to stay in them for hours.
If you want to relax in a hot tub but hate sharing with loads of other people, or having to jump in quickly when there’s space, try using them on a port day and you should find it a lot easier.
5. Save money on excursions
Cruise excursions can be expensive, even if you try to save money by booking them through a third party. With that in mind, you might prefer to save some money by staying on the ship and enjoying the facilities.
Some ports are walkable and can be enjoyed without excursions but if the main attractions are paid-for then think about whether you really need to book onto something, or if you’d be just as happy on the ship.
You’ll also save money on lunch, and on drinks if you have a drinks package onboard, since you can get everything from the ship instead of paying for something shoreside.
6. You’ve done the port already
One of the main reasons people like to skip a port is if they’ve done it already.
Some ports are absolutely worth a repeat visit – either to see things you didn’t manage to catch on your last trip, or just to enjoy the same sights and atmosphere that you loved the first time round.
But others can feel a bit samey once you’ve done them once before, and so those are the ones you might decide can be skipped.
7. You don’t want a long journey
Not all cruise ports are slap-bang in the centre of a city. Some of them, like Le Havre for Paris or Civitavecchia for Rome, are a considerable distance from the main sights that you’re looking to visit.
You just might not fancy stepping off the ship to then go and sit on a coach or train for a couple of hours, to have a few hours exploring before getting back on your transport for the return journey.
That’s especially true when the weather’s nice – you can either sunbathe by the pool, or sit in a small seat on a sweaty, stuffy coach for a little while that might have air-con but it won’t be amazing.
The journey may be worth it if you really want to see the city – but it might not.
8. Port-intensive cruises
A lot of cruises can be pretty intensive on port visits. There are several cruise itineraries that don’t have sea days, especially if you fly into the Mediterranean to start your cruise, or you’re in the Caribbean bouncing between islands.
That’s fun, but it can be pretty tiring, especially if you’re doing a lot of walking tours. You might get to your third or fourth port day and just decide that you want a break, to rest your feet and take a load off.
For these types of itineraries, it’s best to plan in advance. You don’t want to exhaust yourself on your first three days if day four is the destination you’re looking forward to the most.
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Final word
Your cruise is yours to enjoy as you like, so don’t feel like you’re making a mistake if you decide to stay onboard for a day. You might feel like you’re missing out on a port, but you can always cruise again if you want to!
A good compromise, if you’re torn, is to head ashore for an hour or two just to see what the area’s like, and then return to the ship for the rest of the day when it’s still quiet.
My best advice is to research each port in advance, because then you’ll know which are the ones worth exploring and which ones you might prefer to skip.
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
Holland America Line has officially opened bookings for its 2026 Grand World Voyage aboard Volendam. The premium cruise line also unveiled and opened bookings for its 2026 Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage on Zaandam. The two extended cruises sail roundtrip from the United States in January 2026 and will rendezvous in Sydney, Australia, during their journeys.
NEW! Grand Australia and New Zealand Itinerary
The newly unveiled Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage offers guests an immersive journey Down Under while also exploring Hawaii, Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu across the South Pacific. With 10 extended port visits, guests have more time to explore the culture and nightlife in destinations like Papeete, Tahiti, and Raiatea, French Polynesia.
“Our Grand Voyages are renowned for connecting guests with the world’s most fascinating places while sailing roundtrip from the United States,” said Beth Bodensteiner, chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. “Our team crafted this itinerary to show guests the parts of Australia and New Zealand they expect to visit, but also included frequently asked for, but rarely visited, ports throughout Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.”
With the Grand World Voyage sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage cruising roundtrip from San Diego, California, travelers can explore a variety of global destinations in ease without the need for international or long-haul air.
The Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage will visit 44 ports across 10 countries over the 93-day voyage. Guests sailing on this cruise will be privy to an intimate experience on one of Holland America Line’s perfectly sized ships, offering access to smaller ports.
The 2026 Grand World Voyage, which was announced in February but is now available for booking, will sail to 48 ports across 25 countries on an east-to-west route — traveling as far south as Antarctica and as far north as Oslo, Norway. Guests will experience all seven continents during the journey.
On March 7, 2026, Volendam and Zaandam will be at Sydney together. Zaandam arrives March 6 for an overnight, and Volendam arrives March 7 for an overnight.
2026 Grand Australia and New Zealand Highlights — Zaandam
93-day voyage. Departs Jan. 4, 2026, roundtrip from San Diego.
The ship heads southwest and around the Hawaiian Islands with an overnight in Honolulu before continuing south, island hopping around Fiji and the South Pacific. Zaandam explores the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea before nearly circling the Australia and visiting New Zealand before heading northeast through Tonga and French Polynesia, returning to San Diego.
44 total ports in 10 countries across two continents.
Two-day Great Barrier Reef scenic cruising experience in the Ribbon Reef Region and Far North Region.
Six overnight calls: Honolulu, Hawaii; Fremantle (Perth), Sydney and Hobart, Australia; Auckland, New Zealand; and Papeete.
Four late-night departures: Adelaide, Australia; and Moorea, Raiatea and Huahine, French Polynesia.
2026 Grand World Voyage Highlights — Volendam
132-day voyage. Departs Jan. 4, 2026, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
Volendam heads south along the east coast of South America, crossing the equator and sailing down to Antarctica for a four-day scenic cruising experience. The ship then makes its way up the west coast of South America and over to Easter Island before traversing the islands of the South Pacific en route to Australia. Volendam explores Singapore and the Maldives, then calls at Alexandria, Egypt, for an overnight stay before meandering through the Mediterranean and northern Europe, ending with an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
48 total ports in 25 countries across seven continents.
Nine overnight calls: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Papeete; Sydney; Bali, Indonesia; Singapore; Malé, Maldives; Safaga (Luxor) and Alexandria (Cairo), Egypt; and Lisbon, Portugal.
Five late-night departures: Moorea, French Polynesia; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy; Oslo, Norway; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
NEW: A rare Grand cruise through the Gironde Estuary to Bordeaux, France.
Early Booking Bonus Benefits
Guests who book the full 132-day Grand World Voyage or 93-day Grand Australia and New Zealand Voyage by June 16, 2025, receive onboard spending credits and amenities valued at up to $9,350 or $7,900 respectively, per person. Perks for all guests who book early feature a $500 air credit per person if booked through Flight Ease, complimentary roundtrip airport transfers, a $500 Grand Mariner Discount for past guests and a 3% pay-in-full discount.
Additional extras can include onboard credits up to $2,000 per guest, complimentary luggage delivery service to and from the airport, prepaid crew appreciation, a free shore excursion and laundry and dry-cleaning service when booking certain stateroom categories. Terms and conditions apply. Visit hollandamerica.com for full details.
A Grand Onboard Experience
On each Grand Voyage, Holland America Line ships provide gracious service, superior amenities and unexpected experiences. Guests can relax during leisurely days at sea, taking advantage of the extra time to participate in shipboard activities. Shipboard entertainment shines in the evening with local cultural performers and special guest headliners. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner. Dining is elevated to a new level on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, has announced that 100% of its ships across the global fleet are equipped with Starlink’s high-speed, low-latency global internet connectivity.
The completed installation further enhances Carnival Corporation’s onboard experience for its guests and crew to provide even faster service, greater capacity, and more reliable Wi-Fi on its fleet of 90-plus ships across its portfolio of world-class cruise brands. The roll-out of Starlink is the latest in a series of innovations and investments from Carnival Corporation that have collectively quadrupled its fleetwide bandwidth since 2019 through its industry-leading connectivity strategy.
Rivals On-Land Connectivity
The upgrade rivals on-land connectivity experiences, enabling guests and crew to stay connected anywhere in the world, including sharing pictures and videos, scrolling on social media, streaming live content, and working remotely. The added bandwidth also boosts each ship’s operational and communications capabilities with more continuous onboard equipment monitoring and real-time connectivity and data sharing between ship and shore teams, along with the enhanced versatility to more quickly roll out new guest services and features, even while at sea.
Starlink Internet
Carnival Celebration sailing away from Port Miami
“Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard,” said Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”
Carnival Corporation began its fleetwide roll-out of Starlink in December 2022 with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises ships, before expanding to the company’s other world-class cruise brands, which include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard.
The Starlink expansion further advances the company’s multi-provider strategy to deliver the same reliable, high-speed Wi-Fi service available on land while on board its global fleet of 90+ ships visiting more than 800 ports worldwide. Designed to support a variety of constantly moving vessels that sail all over the world, the company’s system leverages technologies from a diverse range of suppliers and is capable of dynamically routing internet traffic and optimizing network speeds to provide a consistent experience to guests across every brand and itinerary.
Carnival Corporation has successfully integrated Starlink internet connectivity throughout its entire fleet, enhancing the onboard experience for guests and crew alike.
Guests aboard Carnival ships now enjoy high-speed, low-latency internet, allowing them to stay connected, stream their favourite content, and even work remotely if needed.
Josh Weinstein, CEO of Carnival Corporation, highlighted the benefits: “Starlink has been a game-changer for the onboard connectivity experience our cruise lines deliver to their guests, and we’ve already seen a surge in guest satisfaction and positive feedback from the super-fast and reliable Wi-Fi service we provide onboard.”
Weinstein added, “We see this technology as a win-win-win – it provides our guests with more flexibility to stay as connected as they’d like on vacation, it allows our crew to stay in touch with friends and loved ones, and it enhances our onboard operational systems.”
The rollout began in December 2022, starting with Carnival Cruise Line and AIDA Cruises. It then extended to Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK), and Cunard.
The integration of Starlink not only enhances the cruising experience but also aligns with Carnival Corporation’s commitment to providing top-notch services for its guests.
Whether travellers are looking to relax, stay connected, or work remotely, the upgraded internet service ensures a seamless and enjoyable journey.
I used it on my Cunard cruise in May 2024 and can confirm it was rapid – I got all my work done extremely quickly and was able to spend most of the day sunbathing!
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Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
With 128 days at their fingertips, guests on Holland America Line‘s 2024 Grand World Voyage aboard Zuiderdam used their time and their talents again this year to support Project Linus, a not-for-profit organization that provides handmade blankets to children in the U.S. who are seriously ill, traumatized or otherwise in need.
World Cruisers Knit Blankets
Project Linus blankets on display on the Lido deck that were made during the 2024 Grand World Voyage. (Source: Marty Gottlieb)
Throughout the world cruise — which departed Fort Lauderdale Jan. 3 and will conclude back in Florida on May 11 — approximately 150 guests participated in the project, knitting more than 500 blankets utilizing over one-million yards of yarn.
Project Linus at Sea has been going on for more than 20 years on Holland America Line’s Grand World Voyages and is led by guests. Holland America Line supports the guest volunteers by contributing materials and helping secure space on board where they knit and crochet the blankets.
“This is such a welcome tradition on the Grand World Voyage,” said Henk Mensink, Zuiderdam’s general manager. “Guests love it as an extra sea day activity, and we’re all glad to be doing good for some children in need.”
Grand World Voyage guests Gail and Marty Gottlieb, who led the project on board for the fifth year, helped to source the one-million yards of yarn directly from manufacturers, with funding from other guests and Holland America Line. Before embarking in January, they sorted through it all in their garage and then rented a trailer truck to haul the supplies to Fort Lauderdale. Once on board, guests jumped at the opportunity to get involved in giving back on the world cruise.
“This is a great cause and unfortunately, the need is still there. There is a lot of camaraderie among guests making blankets for the children and we are glad to have another successful effort,” said Marty Gottlieb.
Project Linus at Sea
Project Linus blankets on display on the Lido deck that were made during the 2024 Grand World Voyage. (Source: Marty Gottlieb)
Five Fun Facts on Project Linus at Sea:
Project Linus was named after the adorable security blanket-toting character from the Peanuts comic strip.
Guests on Holland America world cruises have been making blankets for Project Linus for more than 20 years.
On average it takes 20-25 hours to complete one blanket and light & bright colors or patterns are the most popular among guests.
Guests used more than one-million yards of yarn in more than 40 colors to complete the blankets.
On the 2020 Grand World Voyage guests completed 500 blankets; in 2023 guests completed 618 blankets and in 2024, guests completed 500 blankets.
On behalf of the nation’s largest source of wild domestic seafood, the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) has announced a first-of-its kind partnership with Holland America Line, which will certify the cruise line’s dining and galley team members for their understanding of the species, benefits and responsible fishing practices of the Alaska fishing industry, via ASMI’s proprietary Seafood U® educational course.
Alaska Seafood – Sustainable Seafood Education
ASMI’s Seafood U Certification proudy on display of a Holland America Ship sailing Alaskan waters.
ASMI’s Seafood U® is a short digital course that can be taken from anywhere, even a cruise ship. It provides education on the various Alaska seafood species, health benefits, fishing methods, and overall sustainability practices of the state, which supplies more than 60% of our nation’s wild seafood. Seafood U® Training for Holland America Line’s culinary teams began earlier this year, in advance of the cruise line’s 2024 Alaska season. Approximately 2,500 shipboard team members covering six ships will undergo the training.
Serving Alaska Seafood
Serving Alaska seafood on Holland America Line ships has long been part of the brand’s immersive culinary experiences and commitment to sustainability. On any Alaska cruise, the line serves more than 2,000 pounds of Alaska salmon, 1,000 pounds of Alaska cod, 800 pounds of Alaska halibut, 500 pounds of Alaska rockfish, and much more. Guests can enjoy Alaska seafood-based dishes like an Alaska salmon chop salad or roasted fennel crusted Alaska halibut.
In 2022, Holland America Line was awarded Responsible Fisheries Management (RFM) certification for all six of its ships that sail to Alaska, making it the first cruise line to achieve this distinguished credential by serving only certified sustainable and traceable wild Alaska seafood.
Committed To Serving Fresh, Sustainable Seafood
“We’ve shared the thrill of Alaska’s glaciers and wildlife with our guests for more than 75 years and supporting sustainable fishing and local business is an important commitment for us,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “With this new step, Holland America Line has committed to not only serving fresh, sustainable seafood, but ensuring our team has the knowledge to be expert sources to our guests as we cruise Alaska’s waters.”
Wild seafood is overall preferred 4:1, with products that are clearly marked as wild, and more so with the Alaska Seafood logo, being more desirable to shoppers.1 And while the vast majority of consumers want to eat sustainably, more than 3 in 5 Americans say they’re not sure which seafood is sustainable and which isn’t.2
“We know consumers are interested in learning about how to select seafood that’s high-quality, nutritious and sustainable. ASMI’s Seafood U® is available across various industries, so that anyone involved in the seafood industry, from processors to chefs and restaurant staff to grocery store seafood departments, can better understand the value of Alaska seafood,” said Leah Krafft, Foodservice Marketing Manager at ASMI. “We’re thrilled to take this step with longtime supporter of the Alaska seafood industry, Holland America Line, and hope it can serve as an example for how other operators can easily become more knowledgeable.”
Seafood from Alaska
Seafood from Alaska includes five species of wild salmon, cod, halibut, wild Alaska pollock, sablefish, rockfish, sole/flounder, crab and more that are available year-round. Alaska is the only state with sustainable fishing written into its constitution and the Alaska seafood industry goes to great lengths to ensure they only harvest what the environment can support, meaning consumers can feel good about choosing seafood from the area, whether that’s on a cruise ship, from a restaurant menu or from the seafood case, freezer or shelf-stable section of the local supermarket.
The Seafood U® training course is available across industries and beneficial for staff anywhere seafood is bought, sold or served. To inquire about access to the training program, please reach out to Leah Krafft at lkrafft@alaskaseafood.org.
A Disney cruise is a magical experience, but it’s also not cheap. You’re looking at cruise fares often twice as high as some other cruise lines, but how much of that is down to just the ‘Disney’ price tag, and how much is related to what’s included in your fare?
It’s important to know exactly what your Disney cruise includes, because if you’re already unsure about paying the price for one and you don’t realise which extras you’ll also need to pay extra for, you might be in for a nasty shock.
So, in this guide I’ll explain everything that you’ll get included in the price you pay, and the parts of your cruise that you’ll need to pay extra for (if you want to).
By the end, you’ll be able to get a rough idea of exactly how much you’ll need to budget for a Disney cruise holiday.
What’s Included in a Disney Cruise and What Costs Extra..?
1. Accommodation
When you book a Disney cruise, your accommodation is one of the main things you’re paying for. You’ll get to choose from a range of different stateroom options, including:
Inside – the cheapest options with no window
Oceanview – with an in-room porthole
Oceanview with Verandah – a room with a private balcony
Concierge Suites and Family Staterooms – the most spacious and luxurious accommodations onboard
Regardless of which category you choose, you’ll get all the following:
A TV with in-room movies to enjoy
A hairdryer
A fridge
Signature spa, bath and shower toiletries
Twice-daily housekeeping services
Most staterooms also have split bathrooms – ideal for families, these separate the toilet and shower into separate rooms, so that they can both be used by different people at the same time.
Guests in a Concierge Suite or Family Stateroom also get the following:
Early reservations for shore excursions and speciality dining
Priority boarding and disembarkation
Access to a private lounge and sun deck
Upgraded room amenities including a pillow menu, bathrobe and slippers
Priority theatre seating
A concierge host to help with anything you need on the ship
The vast majority of the food you eat on a Disney cruise is included in the fare you’ve paid. There are only a handful of venues where you’ll need to pay extra, including:
Palo, an Italian steakhouse that costs $50 per person
Remy, a French restaurant that costs $80 per person for brunch and $135 per person for dinner
Enchante on Disney Wish, costing $80 per person for brunch and between $135 and $205 per person for dinner
Preludes Snack Bar, which has a la carte pricing
Vanellope’s Sweets & Treats, selling candy and gelato with a la carte pricing
Palo restaurant on Disney Magic
Some of those prices are pretty high, right? The good news is you don’t ever need to visit those restaurants, and the included ones are excellent.
Not only is there plenty of variety for your casual options during the day, but the Disney main restaurants are something truly special.
Instead of dining in one restaurant, you’ll rotate between them on your cruise to give you a range of experiences, including one that will feature an interactive show throughout the meal. The specific restaurant and show varies depending on your ship.
The food that you have to pay for is only for special occasions or treats – most people don’t spend any money on food on a Disney cruise.
3. Drinks
On most cruise lines, you need to pay for the drinks you want to enjoy during the cruise – those aren’t included in the fare, beyond maybe basic teas, coffees and fruit juices served at breakfast.
Disney Cruise Line is a little better, because you can enjoy a range of soft drinks throughout the cruise at no extra charge, either from the restaurants or at beverage stations near the pool area.
These drinks include:
Coca-Cola
Diet Coke
Coke Zero
Water
HiC Fruit Punch
HiC Pink Lemonade
Fuse Ice Tea
Sprite
Sprite Zero
Coffee (standard coffee only – speciality coffee is charged for)
Hot Chocolate
Assorted Teas
If you want to order drinks from the bar (including those drinks above) then you will be charged – they’re only free at restaurants and the beverage stations.
All other drinks must be paid for, including alcoholic ones. And unlike most other cruise lines, there’s no all-inclusive drinks package you can pay for on Disney Cruise Line.
You can buy beer and wine packages, but these are set amounts that offer a small discount, rather than being unlimited. Disney’s a family cruise line, and it wants to discourage anyone from drinking too much alcohol.
But, if you aren’t someone who drinks alcohol, you can absolutely enjoy a Disney cruise without paying anything extra for your drinks.
4. Room Service
There’s a great room service menu that guests can enjoy on Disney’s cruises, and almost everything on there is completely free of charge.
Room service is available 24 hours a day, with breakfast options available from 7 am until 10 am and then a range of meals and snacks available outside of these hours.
For breakfast, you’ll need to order using a hanger that you fill in the night before, and place on the door handle outside your cabin. Otherwise you can order room service on the app, with options such as salads, pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, wings and desserts.
There are a small number of items on the menus that have an additional charge, including some snack items – buttered popcorn, peanuts and M&Ms for example – along with any drinks that you order. You’ll need to pay for those along with the 18% gratuity – more on that later.
Everything else is included though, so why not treat yourself?
5. Entertainment
Frozen show on Disney Wish
Disney’s ships offer some incredible live entertainment – not just in the restaurants but in the onboard theatres too. Your favourite Disney movies are brought to life on stage, not just with all the songs you know and love already but even some new ones exclusive to the ship.
There are also parties that you can enjoy on deck, including the fun-packed sailaway party and Mickey’s Pirate Party, where guests are encouraged to put on their best pirate costumes and join in with plenty of fun and games.
And you’ll never have to pay for any of the stunning entertainment on your Disney cruise. All of the parties and shows are included at no extra charge.
6. Activities
Disney’s cruise ships are packed with fun things to keep the whole family busy throughout the day, including waterslides, character meets, Goofy’s Sports Deck, and even on the newest ships a full-blown Disney Attraction at Sea in AquaMouse, which is like a water coaster with interactive elements.
Most of the activities on Disney’s cruises are free. There are just a handful of special experiences that have an additional cost, such as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover.
You’ll also need to pay for things like arcade games, as you’d expect. But generally, the activities that you take part in are included in the fare – even the ‘premium’ options like the AquaMouse.
On most other cruise lines, their top attractions have an additional fee, so that’s a win for Disney on this instance.
7. Kids’ Clubs
The kids’ clubs on Disney’s cruise ships are completely free – you can drop the kids off and leave them for the entire day if you want, and you won’t be charged a penny extra. The only exceptions are for babies and toddlers, where there’s a $9 per hour charge, but if your kids are over three years old then it’s free.
And on Disney Cruise Line, those kids’ clubs really are something special. There are different clubs for different age groups, each offering age-appropriate activities with that Disney sparkle. Teens will love their cool hangout areas, and younger children will take part in all kinds of princess, pirate and superhero-themed adventures.
The kids’ clubs are open from 9am until around midnight on most cruises, and you don’t even have to pay for the evening sessions like you would on some other cruise lines.
It’s perfect if you want to enjoy family dinner together but then a quiet adults-only evening – drop the kids off for a couple more hours of fun, then go pick them up to take them to bed. Just hope they’re awake or that you don’t have too far to carry them.
8. Service Charges
Most big cruise lines charge guests a daily gratuity rate, and Disney Cruise Line is no different. All guests will be expected to pay these automatic gratuities for their cruise, which for most guests will be $14.50 per night.
This includes infants and children too – gratuities will be calculated to include them, so if you’re travelling as a group of two adults and two infants, the daily cost will be $58.
The cost is also higher for guests staying in Concierge Staterooms and Suites, where the daily charge is $15.50 per day.
At the end of your cruise you’ll get a paper that breaks down where your tips go.
On top of that, Disney Cruise Line often includes tip envelopes in your stateroom at the end of your cruise, should you wish to give more tips to helpful members of the crew. You don’t need to do this – it’s entirely optional.
Also, there is another gratuity you’ll need to pay – 18% every time you order drinks or use the spa services. This is added to your account automatically.
9. WiFi
You can access WiFi internet on a Disney cruise, but you’ll need to pay. There are a limited number of websites you can access without buying a WiFi package, but it’s Disney’s own websites only.
There are three different packages you can buy, depending on what you want to do when you get online. What’s interesting about Disney is that you don’t need to pay for the full cruise if you don’t want to – you can just pay for single-day access.
WiFi Package
Cost Per Day (Whole Cruise)
Cost For 24 Hours
Stay Connected Package
$16
$18
Basic Surf Package
$24
$28
Premium Surf Package
$34
$42
The Stay Connected package is a basic social media package. You won’t be able to access the internet or your emails if you choose this package – you’ll be limited to social media apps only.
The Basic Surf package works with all social media apps and unlocks full web browsing, including email clients.
But if you want the fastest speeds, you’ll want the Premium Surf package, which lets you use music and short-form video streaming apps like YouTube. Even with this fastest internet, you won’t be able to use apps like Netflix.
Not everyone wants to use the internet on their cruise, so this is definitely an optional cost. If you have to work or you need to be online to be contactable, then you’ll have to pay up, but you can get away with it if you just stick to finding free WiFi whenever you’re in port – there’s usually somewhere close by.
10. Laundry
You might want to make use of Disney’s laundry services onboard the ship. There are two different laundry options available.
Firstly there’s a full service laundry and dry-cleaning option which charges by the item – expect to pay around $1.50 for a pair of socks, or $11 if you want a suit dry cleaning. This is a next-day service, though you can also pay fees to speed things along – 50% more for a same-day service returned that evening, or 100% more for the express service returned in just a few hours.
It’s cheaper to use the self-service laundry facilities if you’re on a budget. You can find everything you need in the laundry room and you just need to use your room key to pay. It’ll cost around $3 for a wash load and $3 for the dryers.
Of course, remember that most Disney cruises are shorter itineraries – so you may find it easier to just pack enough clothes along with a few spare outfits.
11. Flights and Overseas Transfers
Most Disney cruises depart from the US, particularly on the newest ships in the fleet, though there are other options around the world. Regardless, unless you’re lucky enough to live close to the port, you’re likely going to need to book flights to get you to the ship.
You’ll also need to think about transfers – getting from the airport to the cruise ship.
It is possible to book flights with Disney Cruise Line directly. The Disney Cruise Line Air Program has a couple of different fare options – choose Flexible Fares if you want the freedom to change your plans or cancel, or opt for Restricted Fares if you want the lowest price.
You can also book flights independently, or ask your travel agent to do it for you. If you don’t book through the cruise line, then you’ll need to keep an eye on your flight details and make sure times don’t change, potentially causing you to miss the cruise. Disney will do that for you if you book through them.
A lot of people flying to the US to sail often like to add on a hotel stay for a couple of days, including a trip to the Orlando theme parks – but then costs are definitely going to increase!
12. Transfers to Southampton
There is the option of cruising from Southampton, if you don’t want to pay for flights or you just want the convenience of cruising from home. Your choice is then more limited for duration and ship, but there are some good itineraries available.
However, you’ll need to think about costs for getting there. You could get a coach or the train, or you could drive down – but then parking becomes a consideration too.
And if you’re travelling a long distance, you should think about booking a hotel near the cruise port, otherwise you’ll risk missing your cruise if there’s any traffic or problems with the train on the day. The ship won’t wait for you!
Again, if you choose to book with a travel agent then they can help you with all of this but if you book directly with Disney, you’ll need to arrange it all yourself.
13. Shore Excursions (Including Cabana Hire)
Shore excursions arranged through Disney Cruise Line aren’t included in the price you pay – if you want to book onto one of the tours that the cruise line offers then you’ll need to pay an extra fee.
Exactly how much will depend on the nature of the excursion. Sightseeing tours can start at around $35 per person, but the more unique excursions can cost a lot more – fancy seeing Cannes by private yacht, for example? Expect to pay over $6,000 per person! That’s quite pricey for a trip that’ll only take a few hours…
You don’t have to pay for these trips – you can arrange your own through another company and typically, you’ll save compared to Disney’s prices, or just wander of the ship and explore for free.
You’ll also need to pay for some activities on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, such as cabana rental if you want the luxury of your own cabana for the day. This starts at $399 per day, but that’s the total price for four guests.
NEW DEALS JUST RELEASED!
Don’t miss the latest Disney Cruise Line offers…
To Conclude
Disney Cruise Line is expensive, and you typically get the same type of inclusions as you would on other cruise lines – except for the soft drinks, where Disney does give you more free inclusions than most others.
The main reason Disney is more expensive is because it’s Disney – so you know you can expect amazing service for your whole family, great character interactions, and that little touch of pixie dust throughout.
Now, you’re prepared to budget in full for a Disney cruise, which will help you decide whether it’s the right cruise line for you or if a cheaper option (with more money to spend on extras) would be a better choice.
Jenni Fielding is the founder of Cruise Mummy. She has worked in the cruise industry since 2015 and has taken over 30 cruises. Now, she helps over 1 million people per month to plan their perfect cruise holidays.
We know how important it is to find a good deal on the perfect vacation for you and your family. So we allow you to easily browse the top price drops and provide cruise tips to help you save money. Browse popular cruise lines below to find even more specific cruise deals which you’ll want to take advantage of.
Current Top 10 Cruise Price Drops
You can follow our current Top 10 Cruise Line price drops page and see what cruises are dropping in price and then check prices with various agents. These prices change throughout the day, so be sure to check often.
Top 10 Balcony Cabin Deals
Here are lists of all cruise lines based on the different criteria. The first being the lowest overall price for a balcont cabin and the second for the lowest priced Balcony cabin for an Alaska cruise.
Top Balcony Cabin Deals By Cruise Line
Here are listings for the specific cruise lines, showing the lowest prices for a balcony cabin cruise for all of the ship’s in the cruise line fleet. So these tools offer an quick way to find the best deal based on price for a balcony cabin.
I hope you enjoyed finding these special cruise prices. Be sure to share this page with a friend and come back again to see more great prices on Princess Cruises.
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Taking a trip with Princess Cruises offers luxury and ease. Yet, understanding your drink options can feel complicated. There are many Princess Cruises drinks packages to choose from. Choosing the right one is key to enjoying your vacation without overspending. Imagine enjoying a great cup of coffee with your Princess Cruises coffee card or a special cocktail at sunset. The right drink package on Princess Cruises can turn a great trip into an extraordinary one.
Princess Cruises Drinks Packages
What Drinks are Included on Princess Cruises?
When it comes to drinks on Princess Cruises, there are some that are included in the price of your cruise fare, while others come at an additional cost. Similar to most cruise lines, Princess Cruises provides basic beverages that are complimentary. These include non-bottled iced water, iced tea, lemonade, brewed coffee, tea, and juice at breakfast. However, it’s important to note that soft drinks, espresso-based beverages, and all alcoholic beverages are not included and will incur an extra charge.
It’s worth mentioning that Princess Cruises has a policy that prohibits guests from bringing any alcoholic beverages onboard at embarkation. So, if you’re planning to enjoy alcoholic drinks during your cruise, you’ll need to consider purchasing a drink package or paying for each drink individually.
“Drinks included on Princess Cruises:
Complimentary Drinks
Additional Cost
– Non-bottled iced water
– Soft drinks
– Iced tea
– Espresso-based beverages
– Lemonade
– Alcoholic beverages
– Brewed coffee
– Tea
– Juice at breakfast
So, while you can enjoy a selection of refreshing beverages free of charge, it’s important to budget for any additional drinks you may want to indulge in during your Princess cruise.
Princess Cruises Drink Package
On every Princess Cruise, passengers get free hot tea, coffee, lemonade, and iced tea. It’s great for those who love simple, refreshing drinks. When picking a drinks package, think about what you like, your needs, and how much convenience you want. These cruises have lots of options to make your trip remarkable.
Here are the four drink packages:
Package
Includes
Cost
Classic Soda
Sodas, juices, mocktails, smoothies
$14.99 per day
Zero Alcohol
All non-alcoholic drinks
$29.99 per day
Plus Beverage
Drinks up to $20 each
$64.99 per day
Premier Beverage
Drinks up to $15 each
$84.99 per day
Note: All Drink Packages charged an extra 18% service per day.
Deciding Between Plus & Premier Cruise Packages
Choosing the right fare package is crucial for a great time on your cruise. Princess Cruises has options to suit everyone, balancing luxury with budget. We’ll look at the beverage packages in both the Princess Plus and the drink packages, helping you pick the best for your sea journey.
Comparing Plus and Premier Beverage Package Benefits
Each package, like the Princess Plus Package and the Premier Drinks Package, has unique benefits. This section explores the perks and value of these options, helping you decide if the All Inclusive Drinks Package is right for you.
1. Premier Beverage Package
$84.99 per day + 18% service charge
Includes drinks up to $20:
Top shelf spirits, reserve wines by the glass and new high-end crafted cocktails by Mixologist Rob Floyd
Selection of 75+ spirits, 40+ wines by the glass, 20+ high-end, crafted cocktails
Premier wines by the glass including Duckhorn, Stag’s Leap, Grgich Hills and Cattier Champagne
Private Woodford Reserve Bourbon Selection created exclusively for Princess
Personalized Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Single Barrel Select
25% discount on wine bottles (including rare vintages)
25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda
2. Plus Beverage Package
$64.99 per day + 18% service charge
Includes drinks up to $15:
Cocktails, wine by the glass, beer, specialty coffees fountain sodas, bottled water, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), new juice bar, mocktails and crafted cocktails by Mixologist Rob Floyd
50 spirits, 25 wines by the glass, 25 beers, all specialty coffees & non- alcoholic drinks
25% discount on wine bottles (including rare vintages)
25% discount on large bottles of water and cans of soda
3. Zero-Alcohol Package
$29.99 per day + 18% service charge
Enjoy premium and specialty coffees and teas along with sodas, fresh juices and healthy smoothies (juice bar), hot chocolate, “zero-proof” mocktails, bottled water, San Pellegrino, Evian and Red Bull Energy Drinks througout your entire cruise with this zero-alcohol beverage package.
4. Classic Soda Package
$14.99 USD* per person, per day + 18% service charge
This package includes all sodas, fruit juices, mocktails and smoothies.
Princess Plus and Princess Premier Cruise Packages Compared
Princess Cruise offers many choices in packages and they now have bundled packages that make your cruise more inclusive by allowing you to have more things included with additional packages at a good value.
Package
Princess Plus
Princess Premier
Cost:
$60 per day
$80 per day
Beverages:
Plus Beverage Package (including the service charge)
Premier Beverage Package (including the service charge)
Wi-Fi:
1 device per guest
4 devices per guest
Crew Appreciation Tips:
Included
Included
Premium desserts:
2 per day
Unlimited
Fitness classes:
2 per cruise
Unlimited
OceanNow® (delivery anywhere onboard):
Included
Included
Room service delivery:
Included
Included
Casual meals:
2 per guest
Unlimited
Medallion Device
Shipped to home free
Shipped to home free
Speciality Dining:
Not Included
2 speciality dining meals per guest
Professional photos:
Not Included
Photo package
Reserved theater seating:
Not Included
Reserved theatre seating
Princess Prizes:
Not Included
Princess Prizes
Must-Know Details for Avoiding Extra Charges
Choosing your beverages carefully is important. Remember, drink packages cannot be refunded or shared. You must buy the package for the whole cruise. This applies even if you don’t use it every day.
When one adult gets an alcohol package, others in the same cabin must too. Try to stay within the 15 alcoholic drinks per day limit. Souvenir glasses and minibar drinks are not covered, which might add extra costs.
Final Thoughts
Starting your journey with Princess Cruises, you get a wide choice of drinks to make your cruise even better. There are many drinks packages for your trip, focusing on what you like and great value. Princess Cruises offers a mix of drink prices and alcohol packages, making each guest’s experience special. You can choose from the Princess Beverage Package or the exclusive Princess Cruise Line Drink Package, depending on what you prefer.
Princess guests discovering the scenic east coast on a 2025 Canada & New England cruise sailing out of New York City can now immerse themselves in historic America as they tour the nation’s capital, interact with early settlers at a living history museum, visit Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and stand on the same soil as Thomas Jefferson at his Monticello estate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Historic America Cruisetour
Come Feel the Love
This Historic America cruisetour takes guests on a seven-night, hosted land tour with overnight stays in Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Staunton, Gettysburg and Philadelphia prior to boarding a seven-day Canada/New England cruise onboard Enchanted Princess roundtrip from New York City.
“Visiting our nation’s capital, nearby historic cities and landmarks always ranks high on travelers’ lists of places to visit in their lifetime,” said Terry Thornton, chief commercial officer, Princess Cruises. “We make traveling to historic America easy, educational and memorable with our knowledgeable and inspiring tour guides sharing the incredible stories of our country’s settlers, leaders, landmarks and historic sites.”
What Is Included?
This Historic America cruisetour includes hotels, motorcoach transportation, sightseeing and most breakfasts and dinners. Sample itinerary details:
Day 1: Arrive Washington, DC
Day 2: Tour Arlington Cemetery, Embassy Row, National Cathedral, museums of choice, evening illumination tour of Lincoln, Vietnam, World War II, and Korean War Memorials
Day 3: Visit Mount Vernon, George Washington’s iconic estate, and Jamestown Settlement before arriving in Williamsburg for dinner at a Colonial Williamsburg Tavern
Day 4: Full day of Colonial Williamsburg historic area
Day 5: Tour Richmond National Battlefield Park and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello estate
Day 6: Enjoy Harpers Ferry National Historic Park and guided tour of Gettysburg Battlefield
Day 7: City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, for Independence Hall, Liberty Bell, First Bank, Carpenter’s Hall, Betsy Ross House, Elfreth’s Alley and Christ Church
Day 8: Arrive in New York City to embark Enchanted Princess for cruise
Day 9: Newport, Rhode Island
Day 10: Boston, Massachusetts
Day 11: Portland, Maine
Day 12: At Sea
Day 13: Halifax, Canada
Day 14: At Sea
Day 15: Return to New York City
On sale now, there are 10 Historic America cruisetour options in 2025 with departure dates of August 16, 23, 30; September 6, 13, 20, 27; October 4, 11 and 18, 2025. Rates start at $4,529 per person.
250th Anniversary of America in 2026
Thornton added, “With the upcoming 250th anniversary of America in 2026, now is the time to visit our nation’s historic landmarks and celebrate our independence.”
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting www.princess.com.
