Planning a Disney Cruise is magical on its own—especially when you imagine those ocean breezes, Broadway-caliber shows, unforgettable dining, and days filled with both adventure and relaxation. But with multiple ships, itineraries, and themes to choose from, many families wonder: “Which Disney Cruise is best for us?”

At Magic Me Vacations, we help families find the perfect fit based on what matters most—ports of call, dining, entertainment, ship design, and the timing of your sailing. Below, we’re breaking down how to choose a Disney Cruise that matches your family’s travel style.

1. Start With the Itinerary: Where Do You Want to Go?

While the ships are spectacular, the destinations are just as important. A Caribbean cruise will be very different than an Alaskan cruise or a European cruise. Consider what you’re looking for and what your family will enjoy most.

Caribbean & Bahamas

Perfect for families who love beach days, tropical weather, and Disney’s private islands—Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Shorter sailings are great for a first Disney Cruise or traveling with small children, but might feel too short. Longer sailings allow you to visit more ports and enjoy everything the ship has to offer.

Alaska

Ideal for families who want breathtaking scenery, cooler weather, wildlife, cultural experiences, and a sense of exploration. For many, this is a bucket list trip and can be daunting to get to depending on where you live. This itinerary pairs adventure with educational experiences families love.

Europe & Mediterranean

For families wanting history, culture, and once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing. Port-intensive itineraries require more walking and longer days, so they’re often best for older kids or multigenerational groups.

Worried about a long flight across the Atlantic with younger kids? Book a transitioning transatlantic cruise to get to Europe. You can pair it with the immediate sailing once it arrives on the continent. Then you only need to worry about one lengthy flight with the kids.

Mexican Riviera & West Coast

Perfect for families looking to add a cruise before or after a Disneyland trip. These sailings work well for families who want a mix of warm-weather beach time, vibrant culture, and fun port adventures.

Seasonal or Themed Sailings

Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises add holiday magic with themed events and decor—a favorite for families who love festive moments. Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea bring extra themed magic to sailings. Kids and families who LOVE these characters can get an extra dose of them.

Pro Tip: Start by choosing the destination that fits your family’s energy level and interests, then select the ideal ship from the options sailing that route.

2. Consider the Ship Atmosphere & Theming

Each Disney Cruise Line ship has its own unique personality and offerings. Think about what your family will prioritize and enjoy most.

Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, & Disney Destiny

These newer ships really lean into more immersive theming, including Marvel, Frozen, Star Wars, heroes, villains, and epic dining experiences. They’re great for families who love cutting-edge design and storytelling. They feel modern and theme park-focused, but at sea.

Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Classic ships with beloved rotational dining, amazing kids’ clubs, solid entertainment, and a slightly more traditional Disney Cruise feel. Great for families who want a balance of modern features and classic cruise experiences. These ships have lounges and areas that feel themed without being over the top Disney. They are great ships for those who are looking for balance with their sailing between magic and traditional cruising.

Disney Magic & Disney Wonder

Smaller, cozier ships with shorter walking distances—perfect for younger families. The Wonder is home to Tiana’s Place, while the Magic features Rapunzel’s Royal Table, making them favorites among families who love Disney dining with character-driven stories.

Pro Tip: If your kids love a specific franchise—Star Wars, Marvel, Frozen, Moana, or Pixar—selecting a ship with themed dining or lounges adds extra magic.

3. Look at Dining Styles & Entertainment

Disney Cruise Line sets itself apart with rotational dining, meaning your servers follow you to each restaurant. But each ship offers unique experiences which allows you to choose between then.

For Families Who Want Dining with a Show

Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure - Disney Wish
Worlds of Marvel - Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, & Disney Destiny
Plaza de Coco - Disney Treasure
Rapunzel’s Royal Table - Disney Magic
Tiana’s Place - Disney Wonder

For Families Who Love Broadway-Level Shows

Every ship includes incredible entertainment—but the production lineup differs. These are the shows you can expect on each ship:

Beauty and the Beast - Disney Dream & Disney Treasure
Frozen - Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, & Disney Destiny
The Golden Mickeys - Disney Wonder & Disney Dream
Disney Seas the Adventure - Disney Wish, Disney Treasure, & Disney Destiny
Tangled: The Musical - Disney Magic
Disney Dreams: An Enchanted Classic - Disney Magic & Disney Wonder
Disney’s Believe - Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy
Disney Aladdin - Disney Fantasy & Disney Wish
The Little Mermaid - Disney Wish
Disney the Tale of Moana - Disney Treasure
Disney Hercules - Disney Destiny

For Families Who Want Relaxation

Larger ships have more adult-only spaces, lounges, and spa options for parents who want downtime while kids enjoy the clubs. Smaller ships have fewer pools, but the pools they have are larger. Each ship offers a spa with a Rainforest room for adults to enjoy.

Tip: Decide what your family values most—interactive storytelling, classic Disney nostalgia, dining variety, or non-stop entertainment.

4. Think About the Timing: When Should You Sail?

Your perfect cruise may also depend on when you want to travel, and some sailings are only offered certain times of the year while others are offered year-round.

Summer

Alaskan and many European sailings are only offered in the summer. For the Bahamian and Caribbean sailings, you can expect warmer weather and peak family crowds.

Fall

Great for budget-friendly pricing and Halloween on the High Seas. Because kids start back in school as early as mid-August, you’ll typically see lower pricing through September.

Winter Holidays

Very Merrytime Cruises offer holiday décor, themed shows, and special character outfits. This is a festive time of the year to sail and perfect for a holiday surprise. Just know that the closer to Christmas and New Year’s Day, the more expensive the sailings will be.

Spring Break or Long Weekends

Perfect for 3–4 night Caribbean and Bahamas sailings—especially for first-time cruisers. Remember that any school vacations or holiday breaks will see fuller ships and higher pricing.

Tip: If your family prefers fewer crowds and milder weather, late January, early February, and early May offer some of the best conditions and value.

5. Balance Your Family’s Priorities

Here’s a quick checklist to help narrow your decision:

Want maximum theming? → Wish or Treasure
Need a smaller ship for littles? → Magic or Wonder
Want a mid-sized classic experience? → Dream or Fantasy
Want Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay? → Caribbean or Bahamas sailings
Want culture-heavy destinations? → Europe or Alaska
Want a holiday overlay? → Halloween on the High Seas or Very Merrytime Cruises
Need the best value? → 3–4 night sailings during off-peak months

Remember: the “best” ship is the one that matches your family’s interests, pace, and sense of adventure.

Ready to Find Your Perfect Disney Cruise?

Every family’s dream cruise looks a little different—and that’s where we come in. At Magic Me Vacations, we help families cut through the overwhelm and choose the Disney Cruise Line ship and sailing that fits their vision perfectly.

From matching you with the right destination to guiding you through dining, staterooms, shows, and more—we make planning easy, magical, and stress-free. You let us know what you prioritize, and we’ll help you plan the perfect sailing.

When you’re ready to set sail, we’re ready to help.

Choose Your Cruise Sailing

How to Choose the Best Disney Cruise Ship and Sailing for Your Family