Disney Cruise Line: Ships, Reviews and Cruises

At a glance

Disney Cruise Line is a cruise line in the mass market category, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Celebration, Fla. Cruiseable lists 8 ships in its fleet; the largest are 5 ships (4,000 guests) and the newest is Disney Destiny (2025). It has 259 cruises on sale, with lead fares from $534. Its itineraries most often call at ports listed under Orlando/Port Canaveral (86), Ft. Lauderdale (79) and Nassau (78). It is rated 4 out of 5 by Cruiseable, 4.5 out of 5 by Conde Nast and 4 out of 5 by Frommer's.

Style: Mass market
Headquarters: Celebration, Fla.
Founded: 1998
Fleet: 8 ships

Cruiseable: 4 / 5
Conde Nast: 4.5 / 5
Frommer's: 4 / 5

Our review

Disney Cruise Line: Nonstop entertainment for the family

Disney Cruise Line is all about providing a memorable vacation experience for the entire family. From the moment you step aboard, you know you're on a Disney ship: Life-size Disney characters greet the kids one by one, a Sail-Away Celebration makes departure day special with a kid-friendly dance party, and the week is filled with pirate-themed dinners and nighttime fireworks.

At Vibe on Disney Wonder, youths ages 14 to 17 can make new friends, watch TV, play videogames, listen to music, dance, surf the Internet and more. Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line

There's lots of action on board, from organized daytime activities (game shows, contests) to teen clubs to high-quality stage productions at night. Kids and adults alike can ride AquaDuck, the world’s first “water coaster,” on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and Disney Magic features AquaDunk, a three-story waterslide.

The line's first two ships, Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, are mid-size ships where everything aboard is Disney-related: the songs, artwork, movies and musicals. Two larger ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, joined the fleet in 2011 and 2012. Disney Wish became Disney's fifth ship in summer 2022.

On Disney ships you'll find everything from character meals and meet-and-greets to first-run movies and Broadway-caliber entertainment to adult-only restaurants and deck areas. Disney Cruise Line provides a setting where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and kids can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create. Don't worry about stepping into a cartoon: The ships' decor is stylish, with lots of nice touches — oooo, Frette linens! — and staterooms are big and roomy.

Readers of Travel + Leisure have named Disney the No. 1 Cruise Line for Families for several years in a row. And Condé Nast Traveler magazine named Disney Cruise Line the top Cruise Ships of the World, with Disney Magic voted No. 1 and Disney Dream and Disney Wonder tying for No. 2.

Be aware that Disney cruises tend to be more expensive than other family-friendly cruise ships. Also be aware that there are no casinos on Disney ships.

Age restrictions

A child needs to be at least 6 months old on your departure date — Disney's minimum age is younger than most cruise lines. A nursery is available for children ages 6 months to 3 years, and children's programs are available for kids 3 to 17.

Private island

Castaway Cay in the Bahamas is a popular stop on Caribbean cruises.

Passenger makeup

Lots and lots of families, many with small kids. Disney ships are perfect for family reunions, multigenerational families and adults nostalgic for an immersive Disney experience. Afraid you’ll be overrun by rugrats? Disney ships offer an adults-only area with a quiet private pool, lounges, restaurants and nightclubs.

Where Disney ships sail

Cruise on one of Disney's five ships to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, the California coast, Mexico, Europe, Panama Canal and transatlantic sailings.

Find your perfect cruise on Disney Cruise Line

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The fleet

8 Disney Cruise Line ships

Sailing soon

Next Disney Cruise Line departures

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Showing the 6 soonest of 259 cruises.

Where they sail

Destinations Disney Cruise Line calls at

Number of current Disney Cruise Line cruises calling at each.

Overheard

“Disney is the best cruise line for families. What may surprise you is that the 1,760-passenger Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are gorgeous ships, even without Disney touches like character appearances and first-run movies. Show productions are tops on the high seas, as is the kids’ programming.”

Travel + Leisure

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