6 Things That Disney Cruise Line Does Different
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Disney Cruise Line is part of the Walt Disney Company. Like many cruise lines, it offers a variety of fun activities, dining options, entertainment, ships, and fantastic destinations. However, the way Disney Cruise Line does things is different from that of most cruise lines.
I LOVE cruising, and it is my first choice of travel method. Disney has always had a special place in my heart. I am a massive fan of Disney Parks and DCL, so it was no surprise that Disney Cruise Line is the first Disney-related topic in my new Discussion Series on YouTube.
I have been on Disney Cruise Line ships, the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Wonder (most recently, in 2022). I also sailed with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line many years ago on the Oasis of the Seas. In 2025, I will sail on my first-ever Carnival Cruise on the Carnival Celebration.
For total transparency, some things I think that set DLC apart from other cruise lines may be my biased opinion, while other things are truly unique to Disney, and no other CL does/has those things.
Overview of Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line has six ships with navy blue coloring, golden swirls, stern characters, and red funnels. Each ship has a unique design and overall theme. A blog post detailing each ship is coming soon.
Disney Magic
Disney Wonder
Disney Dream
Disney Fantasy
Disney Wish
Disney Treasure
Disney Destiny
Disney Adventure
With destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Canada, Europe, and soon Asia, Disney Cruise Line has two private islands in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Like most cruise lines, a variety of dining options, entertainment and activities, and cabins are included in a Disney Cruise. However, there are some things that DCL does differently than most.
1. Dining
Most cruise lines have various dining options on each ship, from the main dining room, buffet, casual dining (quick service), room service (some CL may be extra $$), and specialty dining (extra $$). Disney is the same when it comes to dining offerings. However, the way the cruise line does main dining is unique to DCL, with a rotational dining experience.
Main Dining
Disney Cruise Line offers three main dining rooms with a unique theme and shows (select dining) on each ship, and guests rotate between each restaurant nightly along with your wait staff!
So, guests will be in a different restaurant each night with the same wait staff who goes above and beyond to make your dining experience exceptional. If you have young children, for example, the wait staff may learn that your child orders the same food every night, and it will be waiting for your arrival so they can eat and maybe go to the kids club while you finish your meal.
Most cruise lines offer options for dining times, including an any-time dining option, but DCL has two options:
Early seating 5:45-6:00 pm
Late seating 8:00-8:15 pm
However, what DLC does differently is the nightly stage shows during each meal, so you can catch the show before or after your dinner, depending on the time you’re seated.
On my most recent DCL cruise, my husband and I had late seating, and we would catch the early show before dinner. It was so convenient for us, as we could see some late-night activities around the ship after dinner—or go straight to our cabin for the evening if we were tired from the day’s activities. More on entertainment later.
You can dine in the main dining restaurants for dinner; one is open for breakfast and lunch. So, if you want to skip the buffet breakfast and be waited on, you can check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see all dining hours.
Pro tip:
Disney Cruise Line offers special menus for various events such as Pirate Night (Caribbean sailings, Frozen Night (Alaska Sailings), Holidays, and even a special menu on the night of The Golden Mickeys show. For European and Alaska Sailings, there are a few dishes with regional inspirations for a complete DCL menu every night.
Room Service
Regarding room service, most cruise lines are starting to charge for this service; Disney Cruise Line still shows that it is included when writing this in October 2024. It was still included on my DCL cruise in Feb 2022 on the Disney Wonder.
Buffet and Casual Dining
Like almost all other cruise lines, the buffet is always open, but there are specific breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours.
As far as casual dining, DCL has all casual dining options on the pool deck and a soft-serve station. Other cruise lines have casual dining options around their ships, not just on the pool deck.
On DCL, there may be some bars and lounges that offer appetizers. On the Disney Wonder, we sailed during the Super Bowl, so the lounge we were in to watch the game had a variety of game-day snacks and appetizers.
Character Dining
Most sailings offer the option of booking character dining experiences, which often cost extra. On the Disney Wonder, a 5-night cruise, Royal Court Royal Tea was a special tea party with the Disney Princesses. Seven-night or longer sailings may offer a character breakfast experience. More on character experiences later.
In Summary
Three themed main dining restaurants that guests rotate along with their wait staff each night. Some restaurants have shows, and some sailings have special menus.
Room service is included
Casual dining options are only located on the pool deck
Character dining experiences
2. Entertainment
Daytime Activities
Cruise lines pride themselves on providing various entertainment options for guests, from various daytime activities like trivia and bingo ($$) to behind-the-scenes tours, pools and waterslides, various alcohol tastings ($$), and napkin folding classes. The list is endless as cruise lines constantly change guests' activities to give them a fresh experience.
DCL is no different; they offer many similar activities, but what sets them apart from other cruise lines:
Sailaway party - Sail-a-Wave on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, Sailing Away Deck Party on the Disney Dream and Fantasy, and Set Sail on a WIsh on the Disney Wish is a high-energy character show on the pool deck set to fun music and a unique song to the ship you’re on! Other cruise lines tend to have a party with a DJ on the pool deck for their sailaway party. Note: it has been a long time since I have been on a non-DCL ship, so I am slightly biased on the caliber of the DCL sailaway parties.
Drawing Classes - DLC offers drawing classes for various characters as part of their daily activities on almost all of their ships.
Funnel Vision - The big movie screen at the pool almost always has a Disney movie playing. On our sailing for the Super Bowl, we could have watched the game at the pool, but it was raining, so we went to the other options available. This isn’t unique to DCL, except Disney Movies are available all day.
First-run movies - if a Disney film is in theaters or about to be released, DCL will show it in its on-ship movie theaters.
Nighttime Activities
Deck parties—These are usually a whole show like the sailaway parties. Depending on the itinerary, most sailings will have a special event deck party. Caribbean sailings will have Pirate Night, a unique dining menu, a deck party/show, and fireworks at sea. DCL is the only cruise line that can set off fireworks at sea
Broadway-caliber shows - Every night of a DCL cruise, guests can expect two showings of a different show. These shows are Disney-themed and sometimes cheesy in the best way possible. Usually, one show is exclusive to that ship. Having nightly Broadway-style shows is unique to DCL; RCCL is close. DCL does not typically have any other headliner performances other than lounge performers. Different cruise lines often have comedians and bands perform throughout the day/night.
Night Clubs & Lounges - Guests can catch drinks, hang out at themed lounges, watch dueling pianos or lounge performers on board, or head to the nightclub for a silent DJ party. DCL is not known for its nighttime activities.
Summary
2 Broadway-style shows nightly
Sailaway parties and deck parties (Pirate Night) are indeed performances
First-run movies available in the movie theater
Disney-themed trivia and drawing classes
Themed lounges and nightclubs (newer ships have more Disney-themed areas).
3. Rooms
Like all cruise lines, DCL offers various cabin categories. They call their cabins ‘staterooms.’ The Disney-themed stateroom split bathroom is unique to DCL and is perfect for multiple people in a cabin. Two bathroom roms - one has a sink and tub/shower, the other has the toilet and another sink, and both have mirrors.
Stateroom Categories
Standard Inside staterooms - windowless staterooms on the ship's interior. It features a queen bed (or two twin beds) and a single sofa bed; some have a pull-down bed that sleeps 3 to 4 guests. This is the only category not offering a split bath. The Disney Dream offers a virtual porthole (a screen miming the outside view).
Deluxe inside Stateroom - a windowless stateroom on the ship's interior. It features a queen bed (or two twin beds), a single sofa bed, and a split bath; some have a pull-down bed that sleeps 3 to 4 guests. The Disney Dream offers a virtual porthole (a screen miming the outside view).
Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom - similar to the interior staterooms but with one large or two small portholes for a view to the outside. It features a queen bed (or two twin beds), a single sofa bed, and a split bath; some have a pull-down bed that sleeps 3 to 4 guests.
Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom - similar to the interior staterooms but with one large porthole to view the outside. It features a queen bed (or two twin beds), a single sofa bed, and a split bath; some have a pull-down bed and/or wall pull-down bed that sleeps 3 to 5 guests.
Deluxe Ocean View Stateroom with Verandah/Navigators Verandah -This private verandah (balcony) features a queen bed (or two twin beds), a single sofa bed, a pull-down bed, and a split bath, sleeping 3-4 guests.
Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah- This private verandah (balcony) features a queen bed (or two twin beds), a double sofa, a pull-down bed, and a split bath, sleeping five guests.
Suites and Concierge - Suites sleep up to 7 and vary significantly from ship to ship, and they often have 1 or 2 available on each boat, so they tend to book very fast. Some Suites have a private hot tub on the veranda. The concierge sleeps up to 5 have more rooms available. Most feature multiple bedrooms and 2-2.5 bathrooms, including a whirlpool tub, numerous couch beds, and pull-down beds with a huge verandah. Suite and Concierge guests can enjoy the concierge lounge, extra services, and upgraded amenities.
Summary
DCL staterooms feature Disney decor and a split bathroom perfect for families and multiple people.
All staterooms sleep at least three and up to 5, while suites sleep 6-8.
4. Beverages
Unlike other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line does not offer beverage packages. However, all soft drinks, drip coffee, juice, water, and tea are included. This is unique to DCL—other CLs only include water, tea, and lemonade, and basic beverage packages often include soft drinks.
Bringing alcoholic beverages aboard:
“Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage, and each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.” - DCL FAQ.
All alcoholic beverages are purchased a la carte. To save money, you can buy the Souviner beer mug or the drink of the day cup to refill while on board and bring back to use on future cruises. These souvenir cups are larger than what is usually served, but you’re only paying for the average-sized drink/beer.
5. Service
Most cruise lines have a high level of service; however, with Disney Cruise Line, it is on another level. I am biased in this area since I love Disney and have only been on DCL and Royal Caribbean. However, my favorite thing Disney does differently regarding service is the rotational dining experience with the same wait staff.
6. Character Experience
This is definitely a given, but you won’t see as many characters on any other cruise line as you do on Disney Cruise Line.
Whether you are an avid Disney fan or have kids, you will appreciate the characters. I love seeing them, but I don't need to meet them. I love that they wear different outfits for different sailings or holidays, such as an Alaskan sailing or the holidays. It is super fun to see them.
This aspect of a DCL cruise may only be for some, but you don't need to see or interact with them. DCL has so much more to offer, so don’t let that deter you from considering a Disney Cruise Line Cruise.
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