Posts in category: Disney

Let me start by saying that I’m definitely a budget cruiser. While many people like to cruise for less than $125 (or £100 per night), I’ll aim for half of that, if I can.

While I’m happy to pay a bit more for a special cruise, I had always written Disney cruises off as being way out of my price range. But, I’ve cruised with Disney twice now, on the Magic and on the Wish.

These cruises do cost way more than I’d usually spend though, so let’s look a little closer to see exactly how much Disney cruises cost compared to other cruise lines.

So, let’s dive in and see how much a Disney cruise costs, what you get for the ticket price and whether it’s worth it…

How Much Is a Disney Cruise?

Out of all the family-friendly cruise lines, Disney cruise prices are the highest. But then Disney theme parks are expensive too, and I still took my kids to Disneyland Paris. Because if you can afford it, once-in-a-lifetime experiences like Disney are worth the splurge sometimes.

(Our trip to Disneyland was a few years ago, and my son still sleeps with Mickey Mouse in his bed every night, so the magic of Disney has certainly had an effect on him.)

How Much Is a Disney Cruise Per Person?

To find out how much you can expect to spend on the average Disney cruise, I had a look at the Disney cruises that are currently on sale.

The price of a Disney cruise ranges from $541 (£426) per person for a two-night cruise from Sydney in an inside stateroom, to $12,662 (£9,980) per person for a 15-night South Pacific cruise in a Concierge stateroom with a verandah.

The average cost per person for a seven-night Disney cruise is around $2,950 (£2,058). This is based on two adults sharing a room with a verandah. If more than two people share a room, the per person cost will be less.

Suggested read: What is a Veranda on a Cruise Ship?

How Much Is a Disney Cruise for a Family of Four?

While Disney cruises aren’t just for kids, far from it actually, it’s fair to say that most people taking Disney cruises are families. So, let’s take a closer look at Disney Cruise Line’s family prices…

The Disney cruise price for a family of four ranges from $1,756 (£1,384) for a two-night cruise from Sydney in an inside cabin, to $34,188 (£26,947) for a 15-night South Pacific cruise in a Concierge stateroom with a verandah.

Suggested read: Disney Cruise Concierge – Is It Worth It?

The average seven-night Disney cruise for a family of four costs around $8,0 (£5,700) for a room with a verandah.

On a Disney cruise, the price for a family of four depends on the ages of your children.

• Children aged 13 and over are charged the full adult fare
• Children aged 3 to 12 are charged the child rate
• Children aged 0 to 2 are charged half of the child rate

Whilst most other cruise lines show the prices per person, Disney Cruise Line shows the total price per stateroom. This can make it almost impossible to know how much you’re paying for the adults and how much the child rate is.

The cost of a Disney cruise also depends on how many people are sharing a stateroom. All prices are based on two adults in the stateroom – So a single parent with one child will pay the same as two adults. Solo cruisers also pay the same as two adults.

How Much Is a Disney Cruise for a Family of Five?

The average seven-night Disney cruise for a family of five costs around $10,500 (£7,500) for a room with a verandah.

Cruising as a family of five is always tricky as most cruise ship cabins can only accommodate four people. However, unlike some other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does at least offer some rooms that sleep five.

On Disney Cruise Line’s newest ships, Disney Wish, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, you’ll find more cruise cabins for families of five than you will on the older ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder.

Depending on the ship, you might need to upgrade to a deluxe stateroom to accommodate your family, so Disney cruises for five can cost considerably more than cruises for four. If this is the case, you should consider booking two rooms, as this can actually work out cheaper!

You care read more about Disney Cruise Line accommodation for families of five on MickeyBlog.com.

What Age Is Free on a Disney Cruise?

Disney Cruise Line charges for all guests, even babies. Under threes pay half of the usual child rate. In the past, Disney Cruise Line has offered Kids Sail Free deals, but that offer hasn’t been available since 2013.

What’s Included in a Disney Cruise?

Disney cruises generally include a little more than you would get on other cruises. For example, you’ll get free soft drinks, ice creams and room service throughout your cruise. Those small extras can add up when you have to pay for them every day.

That said, on Disney cruises, you will need to budget extra for the daily gratuity charge, alcoholic drinks and WiFi. These are extra on most other cruises too.

Your Disney cruise ticket includes:

• Accommodation on the ship
• Port fees and taxes
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and ice creams
• Soft drinks and coffee
• 24-hour room service
• Entertainment
• On-board activities
• Kids’ clubs
• Meet and greets with Disney characters

What’s Not Included in a Disney Cruise?

On a Disney cruise, you’ll pay extra for:

• Transport to and from the ship
• Excursions
• Alcoholic drinks
• Bottled water
• Dining in speciality restaurants
• Gratuities (tips)
• Spa and salon services
• Babysitting
• Video games
• Photography services
• WiFi

You can read more about exactly what’s included and how much everything else costs in this Guide To What’s Included with Disney Cruises.

How Much Are Gratuities on a Disney Cruise?

The suggested gratuities (tips) to pay on a Disney cruise are $14.50 per person, per day if you’re in a regular stateroom. In addition, an 18% gratuity will be automatically added to your bill for each drink and spa service. You may tip extra if you wish.

On a 7-night Disney cruise, a family of four would be expected to pay $406 in gratuities. These are split between dining room servers and stateroom hosts. Tips for drinks and spa services will be extra and you may also wish to tip for room service and shore excursions.

If you stay in a Concierge Class stateroom or suite, be aware that the daily gratuities are significantly higher – $23.50 per person, per day.

Is Childcare Free on a Disney Cruise?

On Disney cruises, kids’ clubs are free of charge for children aged three and over. Disney ships also have the “It’s a Small World” nursery, which offers childcare for under threes. The cost for this is $4.50 per half hour for the first child and $4.00 per half hour for any other children in your family.

Are Disney Cruises All-Inclusive?

Disney cruises cannot be said to be all-inclusive because alcoholic drinks are not included in the price. However, cruises with Disney Cruise Line include almost everything else, including meals, snacks, soft drinks, entertainment, activities, taxes and port fees.

Do Disney Cruises Have Alcohol Packages?

Disney Cruise Line does not offer drinks packages. On a Disney cruise, you must pay for all alcoholic drinks, smoothies, speciality coffees and bottled water, as well as any non-alcoholic drinks that are served in lounge areas (i.e. not during meals or from the beverage station).

How Much Are Drinks on a Disney Cruise?

The drinks on a Disney cruise are reasonably priced compared to other cruise lines. You can expect to pay around $10 for a glass of wine and $6 for a beer.

Disney Cruise alcohol prices:

• Speciality coffee – $2.25 to $3.95
• Beer – $5 to $7
• Glass of wine – $6.25 to $12.75
• Cocktail – $6.75 to $12

You can see some photos of Disney cruise drinks menus on DisneyCruiseLineBlog.com

Are Disney Cruises Worth the Money?

To decide whether Disney cruises are worth the money, I’ve compared the price of Disney cruises to all of the other family-friendly cruise lines…

How Much Is a Disney Cruise Compared To Other Cruise Lines?

I looked up the average price per person for a seven-night Caribbean cruise based on two people sharing a balcony cabin. As well as the cruise fare, I also factored in the cost of gratuities and noted whether drinks are included or extra.

As you can see from the table below, Disney cruises are more expensive than other mainstream cruise lines. They are priced at around double what you would pay for the average cruise.

In August 2021 I cruise with Disney Cruise Line and also with MSC Cruises. Let me tell you, they are world’s apart! You may also be interested in this guide that I wrote upon my return: Why Are MSC Cruises So Cheap?

Why Are Disney Cruises So Expensive?

There are a few reasons why Disney cruises cost more than other cruises. Here are some of the main ones…

1. Disney Cruise Ships Have Larger Staterooms

The staterooms on Disney cruise ships are 25% larger than on the average cruise ship. So that means that fewer passengers can fit on to a similarly sized ship.

2. Disney Cruises Have No Casinos

Cruise lines make a huge chunk of their revenue from their onboard casinos. Some cruise ship casinos are so big you could get lost in them and some high-rolling cruisers may spend more in the casino than they do on their cruise fare.

Disney Cruise Line is doesn’t have casinos as they focus on activities that families can enjoy together. Most of these activities are included in the cruise fare.

3. Disney Lets You Bring Your Own Drinks on Board

Disney has the most generous alcohol policies of all cruise lines. You can bring two bottles of wine or six beers per person on to the ship at each port of call [Source].

Each time you get off the ship, you can go to the shop and bring on more wine to drink in your room.

3. There’s a Huge Demand for Disney

People love Disney. As DCL has only five medium-sized ships, these are easily filled with Disney fans from all over the world. This means that Disney can charge a premium and people will gladly pay it.

Comparing a Disney cruise to a cheaper cruise line is a bit like comparing a trip to Disney World with a trip to your local funfair. Yes, it costs more, but it’s a completely different experience.

You might visit your local funfair every year and visit Disney World once in your lifetime. The same could be said for a Disney cruise compared to a cheaper cruise.

If you love Disney and want an exceptional experience that you will remember forever, then yes, most people who have taken a Disney cruise would say it is worth every penny.

Many people choose to return to Disney cruises year after year as they feel that it offers a special experience that’s not available with other cruise lines.

I’ve been lucky enough to interview a lady who has been on 89 Disney cruises, mostly without children…

INTERVIEW: “I didn’t enjoy my first Disney cruise, then I went on 88 more!”

How To Save Money on a Disney Cruise

If you’re considering a Disney cruise on a budget, read on for some money-saving tips…

What’s the Cheapest Month To Take a Disney Cruise?

The cheapest month to take a Disney cruise is September. As almost all children should be in school in September, the demand is lower and so are the prices. Disney cruises in September are around 40% cheaper than they are in July.

What’s the Cheapest Destination for a Disney Cruise?

The cheapest destination for your Disney cruise will often be one that you don’t have to fly to as adding in flights and a pre-cruise hotel will bump up the cost of your vacation.

If you live in the US, short cruises to the Bahamas are the cheapest as many of these last only three nights. If you live in the UK a cruise from England or Barcelona may be your best bet.

Can You Pay for a Disney Cruise in Instalments?

When you book a Disney cruise, you will pay a deposit of around 20%, with the balance due somewhere between 75 days and 120 days before you depart. Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer the option to pay in instalments. However, if you book with a travel agent, they may allow you to set up a monthly payment plan.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Book a Disney Cruise?

The cheapest way to book a Disney cruise is to book as far in advance as you can for the best price. Disney sometimes offer discounts for Florida residents and for the US military, so be sure to claim these if they apply to you.

When it comes to booking your cruise, a good travel agent will be able to get you a discounted rate compared to booking direct, so it’s always worth getting a quote.

The Bottom Line

While Disney cruises are usually more expensive than other cruises, those on a budget shouldn’t necessarily write them off. If you’re a Disney fan or are travelling with kids, a Disney cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will give you memories to treasure forever.

I can honestly say that the Disney Wish is the best cruise ship I’ve ever experienced – that makes it worth the money, if you can afford it.

There are many ways to save on your Disney cruise. I’d recommend looking out for shorter sailings from your local port, booking as early as you can and using a good travel agent to secure the best rates.

If a seven-night cruise with flights is above your budget, then look out for short cruises from your local port as a way to save money.

Related Posts:

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.

Read more about me

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

Read more about the Disney Concierge perks.

2. Food

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Check out my guide to how much a Disney cruise costs compared to other cruises for more information.

Related Posts:

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.

Read more about me