What’s Included in A Disney Cruise Vacation Package?

Have you ever wondered what is actually included on an All-Inclusive Disney Cruise? Yeah, it’s a ton of money and you’re on a boat, but what else do you get? Is it actually like a Disney Park? Are there characters? Is the food free? Is everything actually included? One of the BEST things about a Disney Cruise as a vacation is that YES, almost everything you actually need is already included in the price! That said, we’ll share EXACTLY what is Included in A Disney Cruise Vacation and what isn’t.

Okay, let’s get down to the details here. If you’re a Disney fan hoping for a magical Disney vacation, we can just say that a Disney Cruise is almost always a perfect choice. With a limited capacity onboard, you almost never have to deal with crowds, always have a dinner table waiting, and can always get a good spot for the shows. Not to mention, actually traveling in the process; seeing new sights, and enjoying new cultures. So, what’s Included on a Disney Cruise? Let’s dive in.

Staterooms and Lodging

Just like a Disney Vacation package at any park, you’re paying for your room first and foremost. Your Stateroom is Included in a Disney Cruise Vacation Package, and the main thing that you’re paying for. Complete with all the amenities you would find in a hotel room. Staterooms come with a variety of amenities based on the type of cruise stateroom you choose.

• Split bathrooms are a staple for most staterooms. this means that you have a toilet and a sink in one bathroom, and a sink and a shower in the other.
• Complimentary bath, shower, and spa toiletries
• TV. In-room movies and select streaming stations are also included on the cruise.
• Mini-fridge
• Hairdryer
• Armoire, dressers, closets.
• In-room safe.
• Privacy curtains that divide the primary bed area from the living area, in most staterooms.
• Housekeeping services and designated Room attendant.

Disney Cruise Staterooms come in all shapes and sizes, but for the most part, there are a few kinds to choose from; Inside Staterooms, Oceanview Staterooms with a Port Hole, Oceanview Staterooms with a Verandah, Concierge Level Rooms, and Suites. The cost of your room, is based on the type of room you choose.

Staterooms also come in Deluxe or Standard sizes, as well as specialty suites, such as the two-story Tower Suite on the new Disney Treasure Ship. Check out our reviews and tours of staterooms we’ve stayed in so you can decide which may work best for you. The Disney Wish Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah 6162 and the Disney Wonder Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom 2510 will give you a good idea of the layout.

Dining and Food

Is Food Included on a Disney Cruise? YES! Almost all the main food onboard is included in A Disney Cruise Vacation. By far one of the biggest budget items on any vacation, luckily, Food is included on a Disney Cruise. This means Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner are all included. With a variety of quick-service restaurants onboard, and sit-down restaurants as part of your rotational dining restaurants there is food everywhere on the boat for you to have as needed. (Mind you, things like alcoholic drinks at the bars, specialty coffees and signature dining is extra, but we’ll chat that below.)

• Food at the buffet and quick service restaurants
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner at sit-down restaurants
• Complimentary fountain drinks, tea, coffee, cocoa, and water at drink stations
• All you care to enjoy soft serve ice cream
• Room service, available 24/7
• Pastries from the coffee shop case
• Meals on Castaway Cay

Is all the Food on a Disney Cruise Free?

All meals, snacks, and basic drinks are included. However, there are a few things to note here are that there are certain food categories not included in a Disney Cruise. We go into detail about this in our What’s Not Included in a Disney Cruise post. But, we’ll share some details here. Food at Signature Specialty restaurants, like Palo, is Not Included.

Are Drinks Included on a Disney Cruise?

All fountain drinks, water, teas, and cocoas are included on a Disney Cruise. Alcoholic Drinks are Not Included. Specialty Coffees, like at Cove Cafe, are Not Included. Fancy Smoothies are Not Included. These items cost extra and can be charged to your room. However, don’t feel like they’re needed. There is plenty INCLUDED in your Disney Cruise Package, so you don’t really need these extra things to make your cruise special.

Another huge perk is that just like onboard, your meals on Castaway Cay, Disney’s Private Island, are also included. So, if you’re sailing to the Bahamas, or the Caribbean, and have a stop there, you won’t need to worry about paying anything extra to eat!

Entertainment and Activities

Wondering what to do once you’re onboard a Disney Cruise Ship? Never fear. With nightly Broadway-style shows, new-release films, and staff-led activities like Trivia, cooking classes, and games there is plenty to do. And it’s all included in a Disney Cruise.  You’ll get to experience deck parties, fireworks, and Disney character meet and greets as part of the fun, and at no extra charge!

Disney Movies and Theater Shows

Included on a Disney Cruise are first-run new-release Disney Movies in the theaters, and Theater Shows. Both are shown throughout your cruise and are free to enjoy.

Kid’s Clubs | Age 3-17

Disney Cruises comes with a variety of kid-centered activities and entertainment. And you can find it all in the Kid’s Clubs spaces. The activities, led by cast members, are free to experience for children and simply require registration once onboard. These spaces include slides, movies, games, crafts, a Magic Playfloor, and sometimes even character visits! Themed to the Princesses, Marvel, and Pixar films, the Kid’s Clubs offer plenty of fun.

Tweens and Teens have clubs of their own in Vibe and Edge. Featuring video games, dance parties, smoothie making, music, and more, there are plenty of fun things for them to do as they make new friends onboard!

Fireworks and Deck Parties

Disney Cruise Line offers Fireworks during one night of your cruise, Typically during Pirate Night or at the Freezing the Night Away Party. These, and other Deck Parties offer afternoon and nighttime entertainment at no extra cost.

Water Attractions

Visiting the pools, hot tubs, splash pads, and water attractions is a must-do on any Disney Cruise. And thankfully, all the Pools and Waterslides are included in your cruise cost. Even the AquaDuck and AquaMouse water slides!

Trivia and Games

Offered throughout the cruise is a variety of games, trivia, and classes that are all included in your cruise! Everything from Disney Trivia to Improv games, and Guess that Song… all included.

Recreation

Every Disney Cruise Ship has Shuffleboard on deck 4, and a basketball court on the top deck. And if you’re staying on the larger ships, like the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, you can even play mini-golf! And if you’re sailing the Disney Wish, there is a recreation room filled with bouncy house-type activities, ping pong, and more!

Disney Character Meet and Greets

Meeting Disney characters onboard, even the Disney Princess in the Princess Royal Gathering is all included in a Disney Cruise. And while that event does require a separate ticket, it’s FREE. You can meet the rest of the Disney Characters onboard throughout your stay! Everyone fro Mickey and Minnie and Goofy to Donald and Daisy, and sometimes even Dr. Strange! The characters you meet may differ, but the main ones are usually available. Just head to the line when you see them!

Signature Customer Service

As the winner of the Cruise Industry’s top awards, Disney Cruise Line knows what they’re doing! And EVERYONE will tell you the reason they keep going on Disney Cruise Vacations is because of the amazing customer service. Honestly, we run into people who don’t even seem like huge Disney fans, without kids, who just keep cruising with Disney! And while you can pay extra for concierge services, which are stellar, the service you get already is pretty top-notch! So what kind of customer service do you get on a Disney Cruise?

Designated Room Host

Did you know you get a Room Host? Disney Cruise Line offers housekeeping staff that you get to know and who get to know you. They are at your service throughout your entire trip. From things like cleaning your room to turning down your bed. This team makes towel friends and gives you pillow chocolates. They also get to know all your preferences and do their best to serve. PLUS, they are someone to share your cruise with. Your Room Host is genuinely interested in what you do each day, what you’re looking forward to, and how they can make your life better. Seriously, this alone is worth the cost of the entire cruise. It’s completely first-class service.

Designated Waitstaff

Part of your Disney Cruise Package includes designated waitstaff. The people who serve your meals include a Lead Host, a Server, and an Assistant Server. This team makes sure you have your meals served just how you like them each time you visit one of the sit-down restaurants. They learn which beverages you prefer, and recommend which meals you most like on the menu, based on your preferences.

Designated Cast Members in the Kid’s Clubs

While only the “it’s a small world” nursery requires a fee, the rest of the Disney Kid’s Clubs have designated cast members trained in childcare that are there for your child the entire cruise!

Even the Disney Cruise Line Cast Members who aren’t there to serve your every whim, are still there for you! We’ve had the most wonderful interactions with cast members at the coffee places, who also learn your preferences, and everyone onboard! Absolutely top-notch!

Fitness Center & Yoga

If you’re hoping to keep up your workout routine, you can look forward to walks on deck, free yoga classes, and access to the gym. Filled with weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, and workout machines, the Senses Gym is available on each Disney Ship. Included in your Disney Cruise you can experience all of this for FREE.

Transportation to Each Port

Sailing from port to port is included in your Disney Cruise Vacation Package. Whether you’re island hopping in the Caribbean or visiting each port along the Alaska Inner Passage, the Disney Cruise Ship gets you there as part of the cost.

Shore Excursions cost extra, but some port towns are walkable, and have restaurants, and shops nearby.  We recommend booking some shore excursions to make the most of your trip. Our short excursions for our Disney Alaska Cruise really made the difference. But, certain towns, like Ketchikan, were very walkable.

Safety

Okay, while you may not be thinking safety should be included, it is. And on a Disney Cruise, you are more safe than almost everywhere else. There’s a health center onboard, for any illnesses, sickness, or emergencies that may happen. And a security team to check in and check out every guest when you get off the boat. There is approximately, 1 cast member for every 3 guests onboard a Disney Cruise. This means you are surrounded by people who are there to look out for you. And they are there to make sure you have a fun and safe vacation. Such a priority when planning any family vacation.

What’s Included in the Price of a Disney Cruise?

Frankly, your Disney Cruise price vacation package includes A LOT of things, as we covered above. But for a quick look at a checklist here’s the list. 

• Your stateroom along with all applicable taxes and port fees
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Soft drinks served at meals and at each ship’s beverage station
• Snacks and ice cream throughout the ship
• Disney Character Meet & Greets
• Entertainment including live Broadway-style productions at the Walt Disney Theatre as well as Disney movie classics and current first-run films at the Buena Vista Theatre
• Fitness Center and Recreation
• Designated Customer Service Team
• Transportation to Each Port

What’s Not Included on a Disney Cruise?

What doesn’t a Disney Cruise include? From alcoholic drinks to fancy coffees to nursery services, here’s a quick list. Check out our post on What’s Not Included on a Disney Cruise for detailed info on each.

What Things on a Disney Cruise Cost Extra?

A Disney Cruise Package Includes a lot of things. Tips, Tours on Shore, and your travel to the ship are not included.

• Tips and Gratuities
• Airfare and Ground Transfers
• Wi-Fi and Internet
• Shore Excursions
• Spa and salon services
• Nursery Care
• Onboard photography service
• Phone calls
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
• Video games
• Popcorn, Peanuts and Packaged Snacks
• Reserved Activities like Royal Court Tea and Olaf’s Picnic
• Laundry Services
• Castaway Cay Snorkel and Bike Rentals
• Alcoholic beverages, Smoothies, Specialty Coffees
• Adults-only dining venues, Palo (aboard all ships) and Remy (aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy)

When Do You Need to Book a Disney Cruise?

To get the best prices, and a good itinerary, plan to book your about 18 months ahead of time. Since costs are always going up, the sooner you book, the cheaper price you’ll lock-in. This also gives you a chance to research Port Excursions for cruise and decide if you want, or need,  to pay extra for anything.

Is a Disney Cruise Cheaper than Walt Disney World?

A Disney Cruise is cheaper than Walt Disney World when you stay more than 3 nights. This is due to not only the higher price per room and ticket costs but also daily food costs at WDW, which are typically an additional $100 per person per day. A Disney Cruise includes food costs, destination travel, and entertainment that doesn’t cost extra. It also offers a more Deluxe vacation and more value than a trip to Disney World.

While a Cruise Ship doesn’t have rides or Cinderella’s Castle, it lends more to the vacation vibe, many families crave. There are no crowds to deal with and no transportation to arrange once onboard. Your room is easily accessible for late evenings, and you get everything you need in close proximity. Characters, Dining, Movies, Games, and more are all within a few decks of each other, making a Disney Cruise the easiest vacation you can plan!

Need even more reasons to Go on a Disney Cruise? Check out our Disney Cruise section for all the things you can do on a Disney Cruise. Have questions or need to book a Disney Cruise? Check out our Disney Travel Specialist Planning Services.