If you are thinking about taking a Disney cruise vacation, you may be wondering what all is included in the cost. There is so much that is included in your price. When you book your trip the cost you pay is per person regardless of age, where in the theme parks under 3 is free. Infants and children do usually have a reduced fee compared to adults but the number of guests in each room will also be a factor. The price you pay to book the cruise includes your room, food, entertainment, port fees and taxes.
Stateroom
Disney offers a range of stateroom sizes with a range of cost to help fit a variety of budgets starting with the inside staterooms sleeping up to 4 guests to the 2-bedroom suites that sleep up to 7. The cost of the rooms will be the cheapest when the sailing dates are released so book early to get the best rate.
Dining
Included in your cruise are many dining options including what DCL calls rotational dining where guest will dine at one of three sit down restaurants each evening. For cruises longer than 3 nights you will repeat restaurants, but they often have themed nights so it’s a little different than your first meal. There is also a buffet open for breakfast and lunch daily in addition to quick eats on deck 11. Also included is 24-hour room service, while the food is not extra you should tip when they deliver your food. There are a few items that have an additional fee and should be noted as such on the room service menu. There is also a variety of Coke brand drinks, tea and coffee at no extra charge available.
One of the dining options that my kids love is the complimentary ice cream. They have this soft serve station on the ship and there is also one on Castaway Cay. The kids always skipped dessert in the restaurant to play in the kids club so before bed we would come up here and grab a cone and watch the movie playing above the pool, a perfect way to end each day.
Entertainment
There is so much to do throughout the day on the ship, while there are a few things that have an extra fee like the Bibbidi bobbidi boutique, princess tea, and beer/wine tastings most of the activities are included. Disney has amazing Broadway style shows that the whole family will love. The ships have a movie theater where guest can see world premiere movies. They also play movies on one of the funnels in front of the pool throughout the day. There is also variety acts, karaoke, trivia and mixers. The ships have a number of pools including ones that are for adults only. Each ship has either a water slide or water coaster and a kids splash area for little ones to play. There are even special themed events like Pirate night, Star Wars, Marvel.
One thing Disney does that makes their cruises great for families is the dedicated kid spaces. Kids and teens between the ages of 3 to 17 have their kids clubs where they can free play or participate in scheduled activities and games. There is the Oceaneer’s club/lab for kids 3 to 12, Edge for 11-to-14-year old’s and Vibe for 14-to-17-year old’s. These clubs are included in the cruise fee, for kids 3 and under Disney has the Small World nursery but this service does cost extra and needs to be book as early as possible because it can book up. There are also character meet and greets, some go to the kids clubs others have assigned times and locations around the ship.
Some ships include a stop at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. Here you will have access to a family friendly beach with waterslide as well as an adults only beach. Your lunch is included at Cookies BBQ, there is also the same drinks and soft service ice cream found on the ship. Along the beach you will find lounge chairs, umbrellas and towels all available to guest at no charge. There is even a kids club on the island called Scuttles cove for kids to play while the grown-ups can relax at the adults only beach.
There is so much included in your Disney cruise it’s definitely worth the cost and it’s so much more relaxing than being in the theme parks. There are some extras that you need to keep in mind when setting your budget including tips for your waitstaff and housekeeping, alcoholic beverages, specialty dining at Remy and Palo, shore excursions, photo packages, spa services, Wi-Fi and transportation to the port or parking at the port. At the bare minimum be prepared to pay the gratuity for the staff and your transportation to get you to and from the port.