A cruise ship at sea under a clear sky

Cruise · Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line

No queues, no park maps and no six o'clock alarm — but no rides either. It is a genuinely different holiday from a Disney park, and the families who love it are usually the ones who were told that before they booked.

Southampton, Barcelona or FloridaMeals and clubs includedYear-round sailingsGuide price from £1,449pp

The short version

A Disney cruise is not a cheaper way to do a Disney park

It is a different holiday that happens to share the characters. People who expect one and book the other are usually disappointed.

What you get: no queues, no park maps, no six o'clock alarm. Children's clubs that genuinely free up your day, meals included, and rotational dining where your waiters move with you. Character meets are scheduled and calm rather than a scrum.

What you do not get: rides. There is a water slide and a cinema and a great deal of deck space, but nobody sails with Disney for the attractions. If your family's idea of a Disney holiday is roller coasters, book a park.

Sailing from the UK

Southampton matters more than the ships do

Most Disney sailings leave Florida. A handful leave Europe, and for a lot of British families that changes the entire calculation.

From Southampton — Disney has sailed from the UK in recent European seasons, usually a short run of Northern European or British Isles itineraries in summer. No flights, no transfers, no jet lag, and you can take as much luggage as you can carry. These sell out early and the dates change year to year, so ask us what is actually loaded before you plan around it.

From Barcelona or Civitavecchia — Mediterranean sailings, a short flight away, and often better value than the same week in Florida once you count the airfare.

From Port Canaveral — the main fleet base, an hour from Orlando. This is where the cruise-and-stay combination makes sense: a week in the parks, then a week at sea, one long-haul flight covering both.

What is included

More than a park holiday, less than all-inclusive

The fare covers most of what you will actually use, which makes budgeting easier than a park trip.

Which ship

The older ships are smaller, and that is not a criticism

Fleet placement changes each season, so treat this as the shape of it rather than a timetable.

Wish, Treasure and Destiny are the newest and largest, with the newer themed spaces and the AquaMouse. Best for first-timers and for families who want the most on board.

Dream and Fantasy sit in the middle — large, well-proven, and usually running Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries from Florida.

Magic and Wonder are the originals and considerably smaller. Quieter, easier to navigate with small children, and the ones most often sent to Europe and further afield.

Disney Cruise Line packages

Cruise fare, flights and transfers as one booking. We will tell you what the gratuities and excursions add before you commit, not after.

7 nights

Mediterranean · inside stateroom · Best value
  • Return flights to Barcelona or Rome
  • 7-night Disney sailing
  • All main meals and children's clubs
from £1,449per person

7 nights

Caribbean from Port Canaveral · oceanview · Most booked
  • Return flights to Orlando
  • 7-night Caribbean sailing with Castaway Cay
  • Oceanview stateroom
from £1,749per person

14 nights

Parks and cruise from Florida · Both halves
  • Return flights to Orlando
  • A week at Walt Disney World, a week at sea
  • One long-haul flight, two holidays
from £2,899per person

Guide prices, per person, based on two adults sharing, including return flights, accommodation and park tickets or cruise fare as stated. They indicate what a holiday of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, ticket type and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.