Disney Cruise Line
Bringing Disney-style entertainment and theatrics to the high seas, Disney Cruise Line (DCL) is an American cruise line owned and operated by The Walt Disney Company. Not surprisingly, the four majestic ships in the line appeal the most to families with children, but teens and adults also enjoy spending several days at sea with the Disney characters. Disney cruisers also have exclusive use of Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, private islands in the Bahamas operated by Disney Cruise Line.
The line's fleet cruise the Bahamas and Caribbean out of Port Canaveral and Miami in Florida, and Galveston in Texas, as well as seasonally to Alaska from Vancouver. Walt Disney World is only an hour away from Port Canaveral, and combining a cruise with a trip to the World is becoming more and more common. The "Land and Sea" vacation packages also come to Disneyland when a ship is assigned to the Port of Los Angeles.
UnderstandThe Disney Cruise Line fleet is small compared to the other major cruise lines, but Disney has placed their focus on quality over quantity.
Get on boardAll Disney cruises are international. That means you will need your passport, and you will have to pass through Canadian or US Customs upon your return, even if you never left the ship.
Get aroundThe Magic and Wonder are each 964 feet long, 106 feet wide, and have 10 full-length decks. The Dream and Fantasy are each 1,115 feet long, 125 feet wide, and have 12 full-length decks.
See and doThis section covers things you can do on-board each ship or at Castaway Cay. For information on ports of call, head to their respective pages. Examples: Nassau, U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Cozumel.
BuyThe shops on-board and at Castaway Cay are duty-free. A seminar is available, usually during the first day of the cruise, that will explain the ins and outs of shopping on a Disney Cruise.
EatEach ship has three formal dining rooms where dinner is served in two shifts. Each dining room has a different theme, and a different cuisine for dinner. At least one night on each cruise recommends formal attire.
DrinkSelf-serve fountain drinks and carbonated drinks are free, as are non-alcoholic drinks served at the main dining rooms. Drinks available at a show, movie theater or bar area will cost money.
SleepEach ship has several classes of staterooms, with interior staterooms generally costing less than oceanview staterooms. A limited number of suites and balcony staterooms are also available.
ConnectEach cruise ship has IP telephones and wireless Wave Phones in every stateroom. Each stateroom gets the use of two Wave Phones for free, and can get more for an extra charge.
Stay safeRegulations require every cruise to begin with a "muster drill". At approximately 4PM before the ship departs, the ship will sound its foghorn with the distress signal: seven blasts, followed by a longer eighth blast.
CopeThis is a ship: there is risk for seasickness. If you think this could happen to you, bring and take medication, and take it a few hours before the cruise begins.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Disney Cruise Line" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0