How To Select a Ship or Itinerary with Disney Cruise Line
For many of us, a magical vacation with Disney Cruise Line is nothing short of a dream come true.


Photo: Disney
After all — what’s NOT to love about delicious food, world-class entertainment, and gorgeous staterooms — all tied together with a dash of Disney magic?



Photo: Disney
But if you’ve ever planned a Disney vacation, you know that the PLANNING can sometimes feel a wee bit overwhelming. Unsurprisingly, the same can be said for planning your first (or 50th!) Disney cruise.
From which ship to sail on and which itinerary to choose, booking your Disney cruise involves a dizzying number of important decisions.


Disney Magic Cruise Ship
So if you’re struggling to select a ship or itinerary for your next Disney Cruise Line sailing, MickeyBlog is here to help! Let’s check it out!
How to Select a Ship and Itinerary for Your Next Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line’s fleet of ships is truly impressive (and ever-expanding!).


Photo: Disney
The current fleet includes Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and the brand-new Disney Treasure. Later this year, Disney will add two MORE ships to the fleet when Disney Destiny sets sail in November and Disney Adventure sets sail the following month.



Photo: Disney
While all of the ships offer pools, dining, spas, kids’ clubs, and live entertainment, each ship also has its own unique vibe, theming, and features that set it apart.
In addition, different ships sail different itineraries and offer sailings of varying cruise lengths.


Photo: Disney Cruise Line
So, how do you choose the right ship and itinerary for you?
Well…the truth is that planning a Disney cruise requires a certain degree of flexibility.


Disney Treasure
To find your perfect cruise, you’ll need to find the sweet spot between your ideal ship, travel preferences, schedule, and personal budget.
Keep in mind that your ideal cruise ship may not offer itineraries in your ideal destination. For example, if you’re interested in sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Treasure, you’ll be limited to itineraries in the Caribbean, because that’s where the ship currently sails.


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In addition, you’ll also be limited to pre-determined sailing dates that are offered by the cruise line. Unlike other vacations where YOU determine your travel dates, booking a cruise requires YOU to adapt to THEIR schedule.


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In the end, you’ll need to weigh your options and choose a sailing that checks as many boxes as possible.


“Treasure Found” Farewell Performance
So how do you choose? Let’s take a look!
Set Your Budget
As with any vacation, budget is a major determining factor. As such, the first step in choosing your cruise is nailing down your budget.


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Once you’ve decided how much you’re willing to spend, use the Disney Cruise Line website to explore itineraries that fit your budget.
Generally speaking, longer cruises will come with a higher price tag — but even if your budget is tight, a shorter cruise isn’t your only option.


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If you have your heart set on a week-long cruise (or longer!), consider booking an inside stateroom to save some cash and stretch your budget.
While inside staterooms do NOT offer a window or balcony, these beautifully appointed rooms are perfect for laying your weary head after a busy day at sea.

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Of course, an inside stateroom isn’t the ONLY way to bring down costs. You can also limit pricey on-shore excursions or choose a local departure port to alleviate flight costs.


Disney Treasure
Whatever you choose, the key is to weigh your options and allocate your money to your highest-priority travel needs.
Choose Your Destination
When it comes to choosing your cruise itinerary, there’s nothing more important than your DESTINATION! Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries ALL over the world — which makes it easy to find a cruise that fits your interests…but HARD to choose just one!


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Disney Cruise Line operates in the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Canada, Australia, and other fascinating locations across the globe.
Unsurprisingly, finding the right itinerary for you hinges on choosing a destination that speaks to you, fits your travel style, or otherwise piques your interest.


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For example, if you’re craving relaxation and fun in the sun, a Caribbean cruise may be perfect for you!
Want to explore exciting cities and new cultures? Try a European cruise with ports of call in Italy, France, England, and more.


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The choice is yours!
Determine Your Ideal Cruise Length
For most of us, the longer the vacation, the better, right? But sometimes, other factors come into play when determining how long to stay — or in this case, sail!


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Disney Cruise Line offers various itineraries of varying lengths. From single-night cruises to extended 14-night adventures, there’s an itinerary to fit every travel need, schedule, and budget.
If you’re short on time or cash, choose a shorter cruise — anything from one to five nights is generally cheaper and easier to squeeze in for a quick getaway. Shorter sailings are also ideal for first-time cruisers who are still finding their sea legs!


(Gregg Newton, photographer)
However, if you have more time and a little extra room in the budget, a longer sailing can bring a deeper level of relaxation.
On a longer cruise, you’ll have more time to settle in, explore the ship, and truly let your hair down. You may also enjoy more ports of call and/or more of those relaxing days at sea.


Image Credit: Disney Cruise Line
Travel Schedule
If you’re free to travel any time of year, you’ll have plenty of flexibility in choosing your itinerary and ship. But if you’re only available to travel at a certain time, be sure to take the weather and seasons into account.


(Chloe Rice, photographer)
For instance, if you’re only available to travel during hurricane season (June through November), you may want to avoid the Caribbean. Likewise, if you’re planning an Alaskan cruise, plan to travel during the warmer summer months to enjoy the region’s most temperate weather.


Image Credit: Disney
Research Your Ship Options
All of Disney’s cruise ships are magical in their own way — but there are some major differences to consider.



Photo: Disney
First off, Disney Cruise Line ships are NOT all the same size. With 875 staterooms each, Disney Wonder and Disney Magic are the fleet’s smallest ships.
Meanwhile, Disney Fantasy, Disney Dream, Disney Wish, and Disney Treasure (as well as the upcoming Disney Adventure and Disney Destiny) all clock in at around 1250 staterooms a piece.


Photo: Disney
But don’t be fooled — a bigger ship DOESN’T automatically mean BETTER!
While bigger ships can come with more amenities (and slightly LESS seasickness for those prone to that sort of thing), smaller ships are generally more intimate and easier to navigate. This can translate to more personalized service from crew members who recognize and remember you!


Disney Wonder Front of Ship
On the other hand, bigger ships tend to offer more dining and entertainment options, including impressive features like water slides and even onboard rides (yes, you read that right!).


Photo: Disney
Finally, remember that Disney’s cruise ships differ in terms of entertainment, restaurants, and general theming.
For instance, Disney The Tale of Moana is available exclusively on the Disney Treasure, while Tangled: The Musical is performed on the Disney Magic.


Photo: Matt Stroshane/Disney
Meanwhile, Frozen fans may prefer Disney Wish for its Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure show, while Marvel fans will love Worlds of Marvel on Disney Wish and Disney Treasure.


Photo: Disney
As with any vacation, it’s important to consider the interests of the people in your travel party — but when it comes to cruising, it’s equally important to STAY FLEXIBLE.
Be sure to research the features and itineraries of each Disney Cruise Line ship, and choose the one that works for you!



Photo: Disney
Ready to Book Your Next Disney Cruise Line Sailing?
If you’re ready to book your next Disney cruise – OR if you need help choosing the right ship or itinerary for you — MickeyTravels can help! Their talented agents will help you plan your magical Disney vacation — at no extra cost to you!


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As always, stay tuned to MickeyBlog for all the latest Disney Cruise Line news!