So, you want to book a Disney cruise for your family, but you’re not sure where to start. We’re here to help! Disney Cruise Line has a variety of enchanting options for families of all sizes and ages, with all kinds of interests. We’ll help you find the best family cruise for you—and we’ll share tips for taking advantage of your Disney® Visa® Credit Card along the way.
What is the best cruise for children?
If you’re traveling with tiny tots and little ones, sail away on a Bahamian cruise to Castaway Cay, Disney’s very own private island. With onboard and off-ship activities geared toward the whole family, this cruise is perfect for those seeking a bit of relaxation while also keeping the kids occupied. And you’ll have the option to depart from Port Canaveral, just an hour away from Walt Disney World® Resort for ultimate convenience.
Parents of babies can request complimentary diaper disposal units, bottle warmers, bottle sterilizers, cribs, playpens and strollers (that’s a whole lot less to pack!), as well as fresh pureed vegetables at the main dining room and through room service. At Castaway Cay, you’ll find complimentary wagons to make navigating the island’s sandy beaches with your baby a breeze. Older children can play and learn at the Oceaneer Lab. They’ll be in good hands, so the adults can take a break and enjoy a little free time on their own.
Pro Tip: Save 10% on a Castaway Cay getaway package with your Disney Visa Card!0 Your package includes an adventure in three parts: snorkeling, bicycle rental and float or inner-tube rental.
What is the best cruise for tweens/teens?
Families with tweens and teens can opt for a Caribbean cruise, where there’s plenty to keep those youngsters busy and in high spirits. On the ship itself, they can chill at pools on deck or get their thrills on the water coasters. Tweens can hang out with other kids their age at Edge, a tween-only activity center where they can watch movies, play games and enjoy arts and crafts, led by Disney counselors. Teens can head off to Vibe, a teens-only lounge (chaperoned by fun counselors) where they can meet new friends from around the world. At Vibe, activities are designed to keep teens engaged and encourage them to mingle.
If you opt for an itinerary that takes you to Castaway Cay, you can sign your teens up for The Wild Side, an excursion just for teens where they can snorkel, bike and ride a high-speed boat to discover one of the island’s best kept secrets. Or, if your ports of call include Cozumel, Mexico, you can bring your tweens and teens along to explore mysterious Mayan ruins.
Best of all, they’ll love the food options (because you know how hungry these tweens and teens can get): In-room dining is available 24 hours a day, and most meal items are included in the price of your cruise. So, if your tweens or teens sleep in and need to order waffles at noon? No problem. Cravings for burgers or pizza at 11 p.m.? You’re covered. Whew.
What is the best cruise for multi-generational families?
Bringing the whole crew along? Multi-generational families should check out a seven-night cruise on the Disney Fantasy. This vessel offers plenty of space, ample time to make unforgettable memories and a variety of all-ages activities, like live shows on stage, karaoke, game shows and bingo. If parents, grandparents or even aunts and uncles need some time on their own, they can head to one of two adult-exclusive dining rooms: Palo, featuring Northern Italian cuisine and stunning views, or Remy, with an intimate atmosphere and a dedicated wine room.
Best of all, there are tons of options for the whole family to bunk comfortably and stay nearby. Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms sleep three to five people. Opt for a Verandah room for even more space (and a private place to admire the view). And the Concierge Staterooms are the crème de la crème, with space to spread out, the most luxurious bedding options and exclusive concierge services, including access to the dedicated Concierge Lounge. To create more common space for larger parties, book an adjoining Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with a Verandah or Concierge Royal Suite, and you can open the partition between the adjacent verandahs.
Pro Tip: Commemorate this one-in-a-lifetime vacation with the whole family. Cardmembers save 10% on non-discounted Disney Cruise Line digital photo packages, so you can cherish these moments forever.0
What is the best cruise for adventurous families?
You’re the family who loves the outdoors, never says no to an adventure and grabs life by the horns. Life is meant to be lived—and that’s exactly what you’ll be doing on a Disney Cruise Line Alaskan cruise, resuming spring 2022. Setting off from Vancouver (a city you can explore before or after your cruise), you’ll sail along the scenic Inside Passage past the magnificent Dawes Glacier. In the historic mining and fishing towns of Skagway or Icy Strait Point, you can choose from dozens of adventurous activities like zip-lining, horseback riding, rafting, dog sledding, rock climbing and gold panning. At your next stops, Ketchikan and Juneau, you can take the family on cultural and science-based expeditions to see whales in the wild and rainforest trails.
And just because you love adventure doesn’t mean you don’t know how to relax: With two days at sea, you can take advantage of the many amenities on board the ship, like nightclubs, lounges and the spa. Of course, there’s also a fitness center, so you can stay active and ready for the next escapade around the corner.
Pro Tip: On port days, you can use your Disney Visa Card to save 20% on a non-discounted massage or facial service at the onboard spa.0
What is the best cruise for festive families?
If you love the holidays, take those festivities to the next level by joining a Very Merrytime Cruise for some seasonal magic at sea. You can set sail from multiple ports in Texas and Florida, with stops at a range of destinations such as Cozumel, Nassau and Disney Castaway Cay. Ships get decked out in holiday décor, like a 24-foot Christmas tree, garlands and shimmering lights (and Disney Characters wear their holiday finest, too!). Keep an eye out for Santa Claus sightings, too.
For cruises making a stop at Castaway Cay, you’re in luck, as the merriment continues on land. The island is transformed with “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree and more. You get the best of both worlds: a tropical beach vacation and all the wintertime holiday cheer you could ever want.
Pro Tip: Want to bring some of the joy back with you? Cardmembers save 10% on select merchandise purchases of $50 or more aboard Disney Cruise Line ships, so you can buy gifts for loved ones at home (or a memento for yourself, of course).0
What is the best cruise for families who like easy international getaways?
Traveling to another country can be closer and easier than you might think. Treat yourself to an easy international getaway with a sun-drenched Mexican cruise, departing from San Diego, California. You’ll get to explore the best of the Baja Peninsula, including the charming beach town of Ensenada and the white sand beaches of Cabo San Lucas.
Itineraries start with quick two-night cruises that whisk you off to Ensenada for a day to sample the local cuisine, hot springs and pristine beaches. If you choose a four-night cruise, you’ll be able to visit Cabo San Lucas to swim and snorkel at Lover’s Beach, visit a glass-blowing factory that uses ancient techniques and hang out with dolphins at the Cabo Dolphin Center. With so many options, you’ll be able to plan this vacation exactly the way you want it: as an outdoor adventure tour or a relaxing, romantic retreat.
What is the best cruise for families who want to cross continents?
If you and your family are ready to set sail and explore a whole new continent together, take a European cruise to discover prehistoric ruins, world-class museums and grand palaces. If you’re looking for a longer voyage, the options go all the way up to a 12-night getaway that sweeps you around the Mediterranean, from Santorini and Athens to Monte Carlo, Marseille and Barcelona. A variety of trips start in ports around Europe and last anywhere between two and 12 nights.
At ports of call like Civitavecchia (Rome), you can visit the Roman Forum and walk where Roman senators once passed, then immerse yourself in the architectural splendor of the Sistine Chapel. If your European cruise stops in Copenhagen, you’ll be able to wander around this charming town, stopping at the Royal Library (where you can have yourself a little Belle-in-the-books moment). In the heart of Copenhagen, kids of all ages will enjoy Tivoli Gardens, an amusement park open since 1843, featuring carnival rides and the world’s tallest carousel. And these are only a few of the many places you can visit.
Pro Tip: When planning your big European vacation, don’t forget that you can redeem your Disney Rewards Dollars on the ship toward dining, souvenirs and even onshore excursions to make the experience even more special.0
There’s something for everyone on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, and lucky for you, you’ve got lots of ways to maximize your Cardmember perks for an even more exciting trip. Whichever destination you choose, bon voyage!
