Disney Cruise with Kids: Honest Review and Best Tips

First of all… this trip was amazing. Like, hands down, our Disney Cruise was one of the best cruises I’ve ever been on. And I’ve been on somewhere between 15 and 20 cruises at this point.

But this was our very first Disney cruise, and it just hit different. If you’re considering a Disney cruise with kids, I have a lot of thoughts to share. All my best tips, my honest opinions (as an experienced cruiser), and things I wish I knew ahead of time.

Surprising Our kids With a Disney Cruise

Also, quick side note… we didn’t just tell the kids about this trip. We surprised them using a genie lamp and three wishes, and it was every bit as magical as it sounds. I shared the whole thing here: How to Surprise Kids with a Disney Trip Reveal

Why Using a Disney Travel Agent Made Planning So Easy

One of the best decisions we made for our Disney cruise with kids was using a Disney-certified travel agent.

We booked through Small World Vacations, and I would 100% do that again.

• They handled all the booking details
• Walked us through check-in and boarding
• Sent helpful reminders and tips we wouldn’t have known

And the best part is it’s completely free to use them. Disney pays their commission, not you.

If you’re booking a Disney cruise, going with a Disney-certified travel agent is 100% the way to go!

How We Afforded a Disney Cruise for a Family of 7

Let’s be real… Disney cruises are not cheap. We didn’t get a discount, but we did plan ahead. We used credit card points from our business spending to help cover a big portion of the trip.

Here’s what we did:

• Booked the cruise using our Chase business credit card
• Earned points from the purchase
• Redeemed points using the “pay yourself back” feature

If you run a business or have large expenses, this is one of the easiest ways to make a big trip like this more doable.

The Credit Card I Used:

The card I use for earning travel points is the Chase Sapphire. It does come with a higher annual fee (around $700), but the perks and points have made it more than worth it for us. This is how we offset a big portion of this trip. If you want to check it out, I’ve linked my referral here. You can see the current benefits and decide if it’s a good fit for your family.

Is the Food Good on a Disney Cruise?

I was honestly shocked by how good the food was. Out of all the cruises I’ve been on, Disney had the best food overall.

What stood out:

• Flavorful meals (not bland like other cruises)
• Really good desserts
• Kid-friendly staples like pizza and chicken nuggets
• Unlimited soft-serve ice cream

Even the buffet was consistently good.

Pools, Water Slides, and the AquaMouse

The pool setup on the Disney Destiny is perfect for families. Instead of one large crowded pool, there are multiple smaller pools, which actually works better with kids. Makes things feel less crowded and so much easier for supervising little swimmers.

And then there’s the AquaMouse. It’s a water coaster that takes you around the ship in a tube, and my girls could have done it all day. We actually stayed on the ship when we docked in the Bahamas just to take advantage of the shorter lines.

Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point (Disney’s Private Island)

This was one of the highlights of the entire trip. Disney absolutely nailed this experience.

• Clean, beautiful beaches
• Lunch provided (same quality as the ship, same servers that have been with you all week)
• Tram transportation
• Life jackets and beach chairs provided

We spent the whole day playing at the beach, and it felt safe, easy, and relaxing. No need to pay for extra excursions!

Disney Cruise Shows and Entertainment for Kids

The shows were so well done. They were all high quality and family-friendly productions, while being enjoyable for the kids and adults to watch.

In addition to all the amazing shows, there’s also a themed night. On our Disney cruise, it was Pirate Night, which is a ship-wide event with a fun deck party and fireworks at sea. It ended up being one of our favorite nights. Shop all our pirate costumes here.

What I Didn’t Love About Our Disney Cruise

Even though we had a great time, there were a few things I wish I had known before we set sail.

The Disney Cruise App Needs Work

• Hard to find information
• Events scattered in different sections
• We missed things because they weren’t clearly listed

I expected to have access to a clear, daily schedule with locations of events, either listed on the app or left on a piece of paper in my room each day. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

No Way to Track Kids on the Ship

On our recent Princess cruise, the kids each had their own medallions with wrist straps. Those medallions let us track them anywhere on the ship, which gave so much peace of mind, in case we were ever separated. On the Disney cruise, they use key cards rather than medallions, but there’s no tracking feature at all.

Limited Character Meet-and-Greets

This surprised me the most. We expected to be able to meet a bunch of characters while on our Disney Cruise. I honestly anticipated seeing them just strolling around the ship. But…

• Characters are only available at scheduled times
• Some require reservations
• Not all characters are available to be seen
  • For example, Elsa was in the Frozen show but not available for meet-and-greets.

No Sports Court or Outdoor Activities

There was no:

• Basketball court
• Mini golf
• Outdoor sports space

Not a dealbreaker, but something we noticed that we’ve always enjoyed on other cruises.

Is a Disney Cruise Worth It for Families?

For our family, yes.

A Disney cruise with kids felt:

• Easier than a theme park
• Less waiting in lines
• Full of fun moments for the kids

We won’t do it every year, but it’s definitely something I would do again.

Tips for Booking a Disney Cruise with Kids

f you’re planning a Disney cruise, here’s what I’d recommend:

• Use a Disney travel agent
• Bring lanyards for everyone
• Don’t feel pressure to get off at every port
• Plan character meet-and-greets ahead of time
• Consider upgrading your room if traveling with kids

More Tips for Cruising with Kids (Don’t Skip This)

If you’re planning a cruise with kids and want all the little details that make a big difference, I put together a full guide here: Cruise With Kids: Best Tips for Big Families. It covers everything from what to pack and how to stay organized to the small things that keep everyone happy (and you sane). Even though it’s not Disney-specific, these tips apply to any cruise and will make your trip so much smoother.

📌 Save This Disney Cruise Tips for Later

If you’re planning a Disney cruise with kids, save this post so you don’t forget the little things that make a big difference.

Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruises with Kids