If you’re anything like me, the desire to plan your next Disney Cruise is always on the back of your mind.
Especially with the launch of Disney Treasure in December of 2024 and the upcoming Disney Destiny at the end of 2025, I’ve been jonesing to get onboard and see what Disney Cruise Line’s newest cruise ships have to offer.
But of course, budget is always something to consider – with Disney Cruises costing an estimated $500 to $10,000 per person depending on factors like length of the cruise, region and destination, cabin type, and cruise ship.
Unfortunately for cruisers on a budget, the DCL brand is known for being one of the more expensive family friendly cruise lines. But, that doesn’t mean these magical voyages are out of reach – especially with some proper planning and saving.
How Does the Cruise Ship Impact Price?
Disney Cruise Line has been rapidly expanding. Currently, DCL has six ships in service – with Disney Destiny expected to embark on her maiden voyage in November of 2025 and Disney Adventure launching for the Asian cruise market in December of 2025.
By 2031, the fleet will grow to include 13 ships. So, what Disney ships are prospective guests able to sail on right now?
- Disney Magic (1998)
- Disney Wonder (1998)
- Disney Dream (2011)
- Disney Fantasy (2012)
- Disney Wish (2022)
- Disney Treasure (2024)
Especially when a cruise line first launches a new vessel, demand to experience all the new amenities onboard is at its highest – which leads to higher prices. This means that bookings for Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny, for example, will likely cost more than a new booking on the original Disney Magic or Disney Wonder.
I checked the Disney Cruise Line website to compare the different ships and was able to confirm this theory.
What Does it Cost to Sail on Disney Treasure?
Disney Treasure Cruise Price
Disney Treasure, which has only been in service for just over a month, has been alternating between 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
Demand is still so high for these sailings that I was actually taken to a virtual waiting room before I was able to compare prices and dates.
Upon my review, I found that week-long Caribbean voyages on the 4,000-passenger ship in 2025 ranged from $4,431 to up to just over $7,000 for basic, inside cabins for two guests.
Ocean view and verandah, or balcony cabins, tend to fall in the $5,500-$7,500 range – with concierge suites costing as much as $45,356 on her May 3, 2025, sailing.
What Does it Cost to Book a Cruise on an Upcoming Disney Cruise Ship?
Disney Adventure Cruise Ship
As Disney Destiny gets closer to her launch date, her itineraries are also going up in price – which I again had to wait in a virtual waiting room to see.
The new Wish-class cruise ship will begin her career by offering 4 and 5-night Bahamas sailings based out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The 4-night sailings start at $2,618 for two people in an interior cabin and the 5-night sailings start at $2,916 under the same criteria.
I had personally been eyeing a 4-night itinerary on Disney Destiny that visits both of Disney’s private islands: The original Castaway Cay, and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point that opened in summer of 2024.
When I checked the pricing at the end of 2024, this itinerary was offered for just over $2,000 for two guests. But as of the end of January 2025, this sailing (which is offered several times) now starts at $2,618 for two guests and reaches up to $3,314 for a basic interior cabin.
Bookings have also opened for Disney Adventure – which will be based in the Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore to cater to the Asian market.
Her 3-night cruises start at $2,310 for two guests, while her 5-night sailings start at $4,864.
How Much Does it Cost to Sail on Older Disney Cruise Ships?
Disney Fantasy (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
There may be less demand for ships that have been around for at least a few years, such as Disney Wish, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy, which can sometimes lead to lower prices.
That said, the time of year, the length of the cruise, and the destinations on the itinerary can all lead to fluctuations in price.
Below is the cost of booking a Disney Cruise in 2025 onboard one of the fleet’s older vessels. All prices reflect the starting price for two guests as of the time of publication and are subject to change:
Disney Wish (2022)
- 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $1,986+
- 4-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $2,506+
Disney Fantasy (2012)
- 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $2,031+
- 4-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $2,141+
- 3-night France Cruise from Southampton, UK: $2,535+
- 5-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $2,806+
- 4-night Spain Cruise from Southampton, UK: $3,320+
- 7-night Western Europe Cruise from Southampton, UK: $3,587+
- 7-night Mediterranean Cruise from Barcelona, Spain: $3,818+
- 7-night British Isles Cruise from Southampton, UK: $4,671+
- 13-night Eastbound Transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral to Barcelona: $4,846+
Disney Dream (2011)
- 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $1,660+
- 4-night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $2,062+
- 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $2,527+
- 5-night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $2,865+
Disney Wonder (1999)
- 4-night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Melbourne, Australia: $1,432+
- 3-night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Melbourne, Australia: $1,645+
- 3-night Disney Magic at Sea Cruise from Sydney, Australia: $1,671+
- 3-night Baja Cruise from San Diego: $1,713+
- 4-night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego: $1,990+
- 4-night Baja Cruise from San Diego: $2,136+
- 5-night Pacific Coast Cruise from San Diego: $2,280+
- 9-night Hawaii Cruise from Honolulu: $3,284+
- 7-night Mexico / Mexican Riviera Cruise from San Diego: $3,358+
- 7-night Alaska Cruise from Vancouver: $3,914+
Disney Magic (1998)
- 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $1,514+
- 4-night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, Texas: $1,526+
- 5-night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, Texas: $1,700+
- 4-night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale: $1,750+
- 3-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $1,859+
- 4-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $1,994+
- 6-night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston, Texas: $2,269+
- 5-night Bahamian Cruise from Port Canaveral: $2,403+
- 10-night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral: $5,906+
Sailing Dates Impact Cruise Fare
Disney Wonder Cruise Ship in Melbourne (Photo Credit: Graham Drew Photography).
Where you sail to, the time of year, and how much demand that destination is experiencing can all impact the cost of your voyage.
For example, Disney Wonder sails to Alaska every summer – with Alaskan cruises seen as particularly desirable in recent years.
The sailings booked during the prime Alaska season (June through August) are usually more expensive than itineraries scheduled outside of peak times, such as at the very beginning or end of the cruise season.
For example, Disney Wonder’s May 12, 2025, 7-night sailing to Alaska starts at $3,914, while sailings with the same itinerary in June and July begin in the ballpark of $4,500 to over $5,000.
Similarly, cruises to the Bahamas are usually cheaper in months like September and October because they fall within the Atlantic Hurricane Season – so the price reflects the added risk of cancelled sailings or changed itineraries due to inclement weather.
Additionally, prices are more likely to skyrocket during the holidays and summer vacation – when it’s easier for families with kids to take vacations. These times of year also tend to coincide with Disney’s seasonal celebrations, such as Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Christmas Cruises.
Special Event Sailings May Be Priced Differently
Photo Copyright: Disney / Matt Stroshane
In addition to the time of year, some Disney cruises also feature exclusive special events: such as Marvel Day at Sea.
These cruises feature exclusive thrilling activities and opportunities for meeting characters who aren’t necessarily on every voyage, such as Captain Marvel, Thor, Black Widow, Loki, Black Panther, and Captain America.
The cruise cost may reflect the extra entertainment provided on these special sailings.
In 2025, Marvel Day at Sea will be hosted on select 5-night Western Caribbean and 5-night Bahamas sailings onboard Disney Dream – starting at $2,303 and ranging all the way up to over $45,000 for the most luxurious concierge staterooms and suites.
In the past, DCL also hosted Pixar Days at Sea and Star Wars Days at Sea – but these voyages are not currently available to book.
Cabin Type and Category Impacts Cost
Disney Cruise Prices
As with all the major cruise lines, DCL offers different categories of cabins to accommodate guests during their voyage.
While the exact offerings may vary slightly from ship to ship, Disney generally offers four categories of staterooms, listed in order from least to most expensive: Inside cabin (no exterior view), Oceanview cabin (porthole window); Verandah cabin (private balcony); and concierge suite (luxury suites with extra perks).
Within these categories, different types of rooms can be selected. For example, guests looking for an Oceanview stateroom can choose between a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom, which sleeps up to four cruisers, and a Deluxe Family Oceanview stateroom, which can accommodate up to five passengers.
Read Also: What NOT to Do When Choosing Your Cruise Cabins
Of course, the nicer the room, the higher the cost – but that’s not to say the bottom-ranked interior cabins aren’t nice.
I most recently stayed in an interior cabin onboard Disney Dream in 2022 with my husband, and the room still felt spacious. It also had a digital porthole screen that could show us a live stream of the current outside conditions and had an animated setting that let our favorite Disney and Pixar characters come visit us.
The exact stateroom pricing will vary by sailing and ship, but just to give a couple examples, I looked at bookings for the upcoming Disney Destiny and the first ship in the fleet, Disney Magic.
The Disney Destiny itinerary I explored was a 4-night Bahamian sailing based out of Fort Lauderdale, which is scheduled to embark on March 19, 2026.
Disney Destiny Booking
For this sailing, standard inside staterooms started at $3,314, Oceanview staterooms started at $3,570, verandah cabins started at $4,026, and concierge accommodations started at $8,194 – with all pricing at double occupancy.
Going from the hottest new ship to the oldest in the Disney Cruise Line fleet again seems to be a bit more budget friendly.
For example, Disney Magic has a scheduled 6-night Bahamian sailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Galveston, Texas – which will be setting sail on November 14, 2025. Even though this sailing is two days longer, the cruise fare is lower than the Disney Destiny voyage I looked at above.
For this cruise, inside cabins start at $2,280, Oceanview cabins start at $2,556, verandah cabins start at $3,204, and concierge suites start at $6,648.
If you’re looking for an upgrade but are hesitating due to the cost, it may also be worth letting Disney select your stateroom on your behalf. You’ll select a room-type and be guaranteed accommodations in your chosen category (or a better one), but Disney will select your actual room.
You can choose your own stateroom at the time of booking – which is called a guaranteed cabin – but I have had friends and family save up to 35% by letting Disney assign their stateroom.
What is Included in the Cost of a Disney Cruise?
Disney Dream Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
By now, it’s obviously no secret that the cost of cruising with Disney can be a hefty one – even for a short 3-night cruise. It’s true that Disney cruise costs tend to surpass other family friendly cruise lines.
On brands like Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, or Royal Caribbean, it is usually possible to find week-long itineraries at less than $1,000 per person – and shorter weekend getaway sailings for less.
That said, paying for a Disney Cruise also means you’re paying for an elevated – and dare I say magical – world class experience. Although many do opt to purchase extras (more on those later), the cruise fare covers pretty much everything a vacationer could need to have a great adventure at sea.
Included Dining from Disney Cruise Line
Kid’s counter at Marceline Market, Disney Treasure (Photo Credit: Carolyne Parent)
You’ll never go hungry on a Disney cruise! Included in the cruise fare is breakfast, lunch, dinner, many snacks, soft serve, and 24 hour room service – of which I am personally guilty of using to order ice cream and Mickey Bars to my stateroom in the middle of the night.
Hours may vary based on the sailing and cruise ship, but Disney ships offer both table service and a casual buffet – called Cabanas – for more quick and casual dining.
More quick service venues, which offer American favorites like burgers and pizza, can be found throughout the ships and on the pool deck / Lido deck.
At dinner time, Disney offers both an early and late seating time – with the earlier seating usually at 5:45 p.m. and the later at 8:15 p.m.
Each night, guests rotate to a new themed dining room – such as Animators Palate, Enchanted Garden, Triton’s, and Lumiere’s – for a different, magical dining experience.
Making the dining experience particularly unique is that the same waiters will cater to the same guests during the cruise each night, following their assigned parties to the different venues. This means that the crew members get very familiar with their passengers’ tastes and preferences.
For example, our waiter on Disney Dream identified my husband’s favorite soda and it was always waiting for him on the table when we sat down to dinner after the first night.
Speaking of drinks, water, coffee, tea, and soda is unlimited and included in the cost of the cruise – with no drink package purchases required (or even available). Only specialty drinks, such as alcoholic beverages, come with an additional charge.
Endless Entertainment onboard Disney Cruise Line
Photo Copyright: Disney / Kent Phillips
I could write an entire article just on the entertainment that is included with your Disney Cruise – for both adults and families.
Every sailing includes special themed parties, such as the famous Pirate Night (sometimes even with fireworks at sea), Broadway-style entertainment in the Walt Disney Theater nightly, and special character meetings with Disney princesses, Pixar favorites, and Marvel and Star Wars characters.
Many of the Fab Five, which includes Mickey Mouse and his friends, roam the ship for surprise meet and greets. For example, one night I spotted a sleepwalking Goofy, wearing his pajamas, while sailing on Disney Wonder when I was a kid.
There are also many other interactive activities happening around the ship on a daily basis, including Bingo, both family friendly and adults-only game shows, and my personal favorite to watch: The Disney Diaper Dash (or Jack Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dasher) where crawling babies race in the main atrium.
All Disney ships have themed pools as well, with family friendly spaces and the Quiet Cove Pool for adults only.
While Disney Magic and Disney Wonder have water slides, the newer ships have revolutionized the water slide experience with the introduction of the AquaDuck slide (on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy) and the AquaMouse (Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, and Disney Destiny).
Starting for kids 3 and up, the youth clubs (the Oceaneer Club, Edge, and Vibe) – where kids have fun under the supervision of trained counselors – are also included in the price of the cruise fare.
That said, the Small World Nursery for babies and toddlers between 6 months and 3 years old requires reservations and charges an hourly fee.
What IS NOT Included in the Cost of a Disney Cruise?
While Disney Cruises are generally regarded as all-inclusive, there are some optional extras and unavoidable expenses to keep in mind.
Getting to the Cruise Port
Disney Dream Docked in Port Canaveral, Florida (Photo Credit: denbaim)
First and foremost, don’t forget to consider the cost of actually getting to the cruise port. If you don’t live within driving distance, for example, you’ll need to factor airfare into your budget.
It’s also recommended to schedule flights so that you arrive at least one day before your sailing to lower the risk of missing your cruise ship due to unexpected delays, which means you’ll also need to consider hotel costs for at least one night.
If you are driving to the cruise port, make sure to factor in the cost of parking. Most of the cruise ports have a daily rate for cruise passengers, and some do require parking reservations to be made in advance.
Tipping the Crew Members
Disney Treasure Crew Member at the Kids Club (Photo Credit: Carolyne Parent)
It’s also highly encouraged to add gratuities for the hard working cast members (as Disney employees are called) who work hard to make your vacation magical.
As of January of 2025, pre-paid gratuities for Disney guests is set at $16 per person, per day for standard cabins and $27.25 per person, per day for concierge-level staterooms and suites.
Some cruisers also bring cash to tip the crew members in person for excellent service – either instead of or in addition to pre-paid gratuities, which are usually handled online prior to setting sail.
That said, pre-paid gratuities – and gratuities in general – are optional and up to each guest’s discretion.
Shore Excursions
Disney Dream Passengers Heading Ashore in Nassau (Photo Credit: Adam McCullough)
While it’s often possible to explore the ports on the itinerary without a tour or guide, many cruisers find that shore excursions are the best way to take advantage of their time in the destination.
Disney Cruise Line offers excursions online prior to embarkation day and at the Port Adventures Desk once onboard – with the price depending on the activity and destination.
Some private vendors may also offer excursions at a lower rate, but the advantage of booking through Disney is the knowledge that the vendors have been pre-vetted.
Unless there is an unusually extreme delay, the Disney ships will also wait for guests on excursions booked through the cruise line, while they will not wait for late guests who opt to explore on their own.
Specialty Experiences and Shopping Onboard
Disney Cruise Line Palo
While much is included in the cost of the Disney Cruise, there are some optional extras that can make a voyage extra magical.
For families with kids, that might include a makeover experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Packages to turn kids into their favorite princess, knights, or sea captains, start at $99.95.
Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy also offer a special Royal Court Royal Tea, where kids ages 3-12 get to enjoy tea with their favorite Disney princesses. The cost for this experience is $250 for kids and $75 for adults.
Meanwhile, adults may want to invest in spa treatments or specialty dining experiences onboard – which are a great way to reconnect and rekindle their romance during their cruise.
Specialty dining venues like Palo, Palo’s Steakhouse, Remy, and Enchanté offer fine dining experiences for guests over 18.
They come with an extra flat rate fee for the meal (between $50 to $200 per person, depending on the restaurant). But any alcohol or specialty cocktails consumed during the meal, and some specialty items on the menu, will also come at an extra cost.
And of course, make sure to leave some budget for shopping! Not only does Disney have some great shops onboard, but there is no shortage of souvenirs to purchase while in port.
When I was most recently on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, I think I spent nearly $100 at one store in under ten minutes.
Onboard Wi-Fi
Disney Magic Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: StudioPortoSabbia)
If you want to continue to use devices like cellphones and laptops at sea, you’ll need to invest in an onboard Wi-Fi package.
Disney currently offers three different packages depending on your internet needs, which includes the “Stay Connected” plan ($16 per day), the “Basic Surf” plan ($24 per day), and the top tier “Premium Surf” plan ($34 per day).
It’s also important to make sure phones are turned off or on airplane mode to avoid being hit with huge roaming charges from your cell service provider upon your return.
How to Make a Disney Cruise More Affordable
Disney Wish Cruise Ship (Photo Copyright: Melissa Mayntz / Cruise Hive)
There’s no denying that Disney cruises are pricey, but that doesn’t mean they have to be out of reach. The following tips can help you save money the next time you book a Disney Cruise – and may even carry over to the other cruise lines.
First, be strategic about when you book. Usually, cruises are at their most affordable when they are booked very far out or just before the sailing when the cruise line may offer deals to try to sell the remaining capacity. After all, it’s better for business to sell some cabins at a discount than to leave them empty!
Similarly, there are certain times of year when the cruise lines might be more likely to offer discounts or extra perks (i.e., lower deposit, onboard credits), such as during the holidays or Wave Season.
For context, Wave Season lasts from January to March annually and is like an extended Black Friday event for the cruise lines – where many brands offer their best deals of the year.
It may also be worth working with a reputable travel agent, who may have access to discounts that are not available to the general public.
Last but not least, consider opening a Disney Visa credit card. Cardholders get discounts while onboard, including 10% off photo packages, 10% off shore excursions at Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, and 20% off some spa treatments.
That said, many credit cards do offer the chance to earn points with purchases, which might be redeemable to help cover the cruise or other travel expenses.
The Bottom Line: Is Disney Cruise Line Worth the Cost?
Mickey and Minnie Mouse Welcome Disney Treasure
This is a question that every cruiser will have to answer for themselves, but in my experience, my Disney cruises were worth every penny. I find the quality of the entertainment, food, and customer service to be elevated compared to what I have experienced while sailing with other cruise lines.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost to Live On a Cruise Ship?
Of course, my experience is unique, and others may feel differently from me. For example, I embarked on my first cruise as a big fan of Disney – and my love for the brand has only grown. If you’re not a Disney fan, you might not see the same magic that I do.
That said, if your biggest desire is to take a Disney cruise, it’s definitely possible to save and look for deals to make your dream cruise possible.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com