Disney Cruise Line 101: Answering Your Top Questions About Taking a Disney Cruise

Deciding to take a Disney Cruise: easy.

Having a blast on a Disney Cruise: even easier.

Planning a Disney cruise? Well, let’s just say there’s a reason why we’ve written more than fifteen thousand words on cruising with Disney (and we loved writing every single one).

There is so much to know about taking a Disney Cruise, from understanding Rotational Dining, deciding where to dine and understanding the process of making dinner reservations, to deciding where to go, which ship to sail on, what to wear…

Oy, mateys. There’s a lot to learn.

As Disney experts, we receive countless emails and DMs about cruising. We’ve collected our most frequently asked questions here in one place to give you an easy to reference guide on cruising with the Mouse.

Let’s dive in (dad jokes; we got ‘em).

Which part of the ship should I stay in?

If we had a dollar for every time we heard this question well…we’d probably use them to take a Disney cruise.

First time cruisers in particular want more information on not just which Disney Cruise ship is best, but where to stay on the ship. For us, there’s no right or wrong, good or bad; like the ships themselves, where to stay onboard is about preference.

For the party animals, we like mid-ship. Regardless of which ship you choose, “mid-ship” is typically the hub for all activities on board.

Pros:

You’re near all the fun - great when you have small kids or you don’t want to do a lot of walking.
You’re less likely to experience motion sickness in the middle and lower decks of ship

Cons:

More hallway and elevator traffic - and as a result, more noise.

Looking for a great view? (again…dad jokes; once you start, you just can’t stop). Cabins on the top decks typically do experience a bit more sway, but they will also have the best views. Staterooms on higher decks typically tend to be pricier in line with their better views. On the Disney Cruise Line, top deck rooms at the front and back of the ship tend to have the best views.

For those looking for peace and quiet at night, the quietest decks are typically 7, 8, or 9, as these staterooms ordinarily are not above or below public spaces.

Is a Disney Cruise Line Concierge Stateroom worth it?

When it comes to having the most comfortable, convenient vacation possible, luxury services are always the way to go. That said, it’s worthwhile to evaluate which amenities are worth the splurge for you and your family; not all luxury appeals to all crowds.

Here’s what we like about Disney Cruise Line Concierge Staterooms:

Private amenities. Booking a concierge stateroom allows you to enjoy exclusive areas where you can use the internet, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and a large-screen TV. This gives you valuable peace and quiet in what essentially amounts to a floating resort. Some ships also offer private sun decks for concierge guests.

Personal concierge services that include earlier booking dates for excursions and activities, special onboard meals and offerings, the ability to book cabanas at Disney's Castaway Cay private island before others, and early access to the theater each evening so you can choose the best seats.

Which staterooms are best for larger families?

Many families choose Suites as they are likely to fit the entire family - while also offering a bit more luxury. Disney Cruise Line’s largest concierge suites can sleep 7 people.

Potentially a more budget-friendly option, some families find that booking two rooms gives them more flexibility. On a ship, “connecting” rooms are two staterooms with an interior door between them. “Adjacent” rooms are side by side and have no interior door between the rooms. Just note that every stateroom must have an adult (over age 18) on the reservation. It’s also important to note that connecting staterooms do tend to be noisier- you will hear what is going on next door.

You may also have heard about the ‘split’ bathroom. Most Disney Cruise Line staterooms have a bath, sink, and shower which is in a separate room from the toilet and sink - great for families.

Which staterooms are budget friendly?

If you are truly watching the budget, you might want to choose the Inside Staterooms. These rooms are offered at a lower cost because they have no portholes to see outside. That said, on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, these staterooms will have a virtual porthole with a view of the ocean outside (and even an occasional visit on the screen from a Disney character!). So no ocean view, but plenty of Disney fun.

Where should I stay if I get seasick?

When considering the different categories of rooms, an important consideration is your sea legs. As mentioned above, if you tend to get motion sick, you may want to book mid-ship and on a lower deck as they don’t move as much as a room in the front (forward) or in the back (aft).

Which staterooms have verandahs?

All Disney Cruise ships offer staterooms with verandahs. Depending on the category and location of your stateroom, you will have either a solid white wall verandah where you need to stand up to look out at the water, or a plexiglass-sided verandah. If you have a strong preference of one over another, your travel agent can advise you on which room would be best for you. Oceanview rooms also have a large porthole - unless you are on deck 1, in which case you will have 2 smaller portholes.

Which Stateroom Should I Book?

Balconies and portholes, upper decks and lower. There are a LOT of considerations when it comes to which stateroom to book. Choosing the right stateroom depends not just on party size and budget but also on your interests and how you like to travel.

The good news is that Disney Cruise Line has some of the largest and best-designed staterooms in the industry - up to 25% larger than average.

First of all, there are accessible rooms in all 3 categories of stateroom - inside, oceanview, or verandah. But each of those three stateroom types has several different classifications (A, B, C etc.)

Concierge: Concierge Suites provide the most opulent and spacious onboard accommodations for parties of 5 to 7 Guests. Choose from a number of Suite options—all with verandahs. In addition to Suites, you may choose a Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. All Concierge-level staterooms offer the convenience and personal attention of dedicated Concierge Services.

Oceanview with Verandah: These spacious staterooms for 3 to 5 Guests offer private verandahs for enjoying scenic vistas and refreshing ocean breezes. Note that there a number of different Verandah styles available.

Oceanview: Beautifully styled, these rooms for 3 to 4 Guests provide a stunning ocean view through the in-room porthole.

Inside: These spacious staterooms are perfect for 3 to 4 Guests and are outfitted with stylish nautical fittings, natural woods and imported tiles.

Here is an overview of the subcategories available:

1A - Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah

1B - Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

2A - Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

2B - Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah

3A - Concierge Family Oceanview with Verandah

4A - Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah

4B - Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah

4E - Deluxe Family Oceanview with Verandah

5A - Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah

5B - Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah

5C - Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah

6A - Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah

7A - Deluxe Oceanview with Navigators Verandah

9A - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

9B - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

9C - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

9D - Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

10A - Deluxe Inside Stateroom

10B - Deluxe Inside Stateroom

10C - Deluxe Inside Stateroom

11A - Standard Inside Stateroom

11B - Standard Inside Stateroom

11C - Standard Inside Stateroom

Seem overwhelming? While some sites will provide you with info for every stateroom on every ship (there are thousands) we find it overwhelming for most people - and not really informative or helpful. We find that the best way to choose a stateroom is to start with your budget, party size, ship of choice, and favorite likes and dislikes. From there, your travel advisor can present you with only the staterooms that are right for you.

What a relief.

Which is the Best Disney Cruise Ship?

This is a hard one - and there really isn’t an answer. Unlike other cruise lines, you’ll find that the age of the ship and size of the ship are irrelevant; cleanliness, service, entertainment, dining options, comfort, and convenience are all on even par regardless of which ship you choose. The best Disney Cruise ship for you is the one that’s got the right itinerary at the right time for you and your crew.

Which is the Best Disney Cruise Ship for Kids?

Well, like our last question, we think they’re all great. But here are some valuable things to know about taking a Disney Cruise with kids.

Disney built its cruise ships with kids in mind – the first cruise line to prioritize families. Each ship has something for kids of all ages, from nurseries for toddlers (aptly named It’s a Small World) to Nurseries to the Oceaneer Club for kids aged 3-7. Then there’s the Oceaneer Lab for older kids 8-12, and for the really cool kids ages 11-14 theres Edge. Disney doesn’t leave out the teens, either (who, let’s face it, want a little fun and whimsy too, no matter how blasé they try to be). Vibe, the teens only hangout actually manages to be cool while still retaining its Disney magic.

Your favorite Disney Characters appear on every ship, though there are different themes aboard each (like Cars-themed casual dining or the Finding Nemo dinner show, or the soon-to-arrive Moana show on the Treasure - launching in 2024).

In short, every ship is a haven for kids, with a wealth of amenities, magic, and wonder.

Which is the newest Disney Cruise Line ship?

In 2017, Disney Cruise Line announced that they were adding three new ships to their fleet. The new vessels will be the same size, roughly 135,000 gross tons, hosting around 1,250 guest staterooms. The new ships are powered by “clean-burning liquefied natural gas,” but size and fuel are where the similarities end. Each vessel will have individual one-of-a-kind experiences.

The first of the new ships was the Disney Wish, and the second is the Disney Treasure, which will welcome guests in December 2024. The Disney Adventure is in the process of being redone to serve the Singapore market – a launch timeframe has not been announced.

What is the alcohol policy on Disney Cruise Line?

We get this one a lot. Owing to the high cost of alcoholic beverages on all cruise ships, guests want to know if they can bring their own alcohol onboard their Disney cruise. The short answer is yes; but there is a but.

Guests 21 years and over are permitted to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) when they first board, and also at each port of call. The bottles or cans must be packed in your carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.

Guests who wish to bring the wine or champagne that they have brought to enjoy in one of the onboard dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00* per bottle.

Important items to note:

Any alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the end of the cruise.

All alcohol brought onboard must be in its original, unopened container. Partially used bottles or those in which the seal has been broken will be destroyed.

Any wine or champagne in excess of 2 bottles or beer in excess of 6 beers will be stored until the end of the cruise.

Bringing liquors and spirits (including powdered alcohol) onboard is prohibited. These items will be stored until the end of the cruise.

Guest MUST retrieve any stored alcohol at the end of the cruise. Items not retrieved will be destroyed and no compensation will be offered.

Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.

Does Disney Cruise Line Have a Dress Code for Dining?

Like most cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does have a dress code. “Cruise casual” is the dress code for most onboard dining locations. As part of their policy, they ask that you do not wear tank tops or swimwear into the dining rooms, although shorts and jeans are allowed.

Pirate Night is a popular event on the Disney Cruise ships. Enjoy a pirate-themed dinner followed by the “Pirates IN the Caribbean” show, deck party, and fireworks. Guests are welcome and encouraged to wear pirate attire – each guest is even provided with a pirate bandana in their stateroom. Many guests bring full pirate costumes, and in the main dining rooms, servers will be dressed for the occasion.

Most cruises have special theme nights that provide opportunities to dress up for a one-of-a-kind family photo. Here’s a breakdown of special dress events by cruise itinerary:

3-night cruises:

One cruise casual night—no swimwear or tank tops

One pirate night themed deck party

One optional “dress-up night”—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women

4-night cruises:

First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops

One pirate night themed deck party

One optional dress-up night—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women

Final night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops

7-night cruises:

First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops

One pirate night or other themed deck party

3 additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops

One formal and one semi-formal night to provide guests the opportunity to dress up and take advantage of the onboard photography services. Though optional, DCL recommends dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women

Dress Codes for Palo and Remy: Disney Cruise Line’s Adults-Only Restaurants for Guests 18 and Older

Tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, shorts, hats, cut-offs, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics, flip-flops, or tennis shoes are not permitted at Palo or Remy.

At Palo (Dinner and Brunch):

The elegant northern Italian-inspired dining venue aboard the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy.

For Men: dress pants or slacks and collared shirt; jacket is optional

For Women: dress, skirt or pants with a blouse

Jeans may be worn if in good condition (no holes)

At Remy:

Serving sophisticated French cuisine aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

To preserve the elegant atmosphere, you are asked to adhere to a strict dress code when dining at Remy - this is your time to dress to impress.

At dinnertime, the following dress code is enforced:

Men: A jacket (such as a sports, suit or tuxedo jacket) is required, with dress pants/slacks and shoes. Ties are optional. Please no jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

Ladies: Cocktail dress, evening dress, pant suit or skirt/blouse are required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

During brunch and dessert, the following dress code is enforced:

Men: Dress pants and a shirt are required for men. A jacket is optional. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

Women: A dress or pantsuit is required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

Booking your Disney Cruise

This is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Disney Cruise Line (too soon?) but it sure does get us excited about what we consider to be one of the best family vacations for the money.

Learn more about Disney Cruise Line and have all your questions answered by reaching out to our friends at Willow + Wand. Request one of their Disney Cruise experts and tell them we sent you for free travel planning services, tips, and tools.