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Physician on FIRE has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Physician on FIRE and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. POF does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Credit Card Providers determine the underwriting criteria necessary for approval, you should review each Provider's terms and conditions to determine which card works for you and your personal financial situation.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
“The Disney Fantasy welcomes the Sanchez Family on board.” This resounding announcement caught our attention as we crossed the gangplank onto the Disney Ship.
An amazing scene greeted us: The ship’s Crew in formal white applauding our family as we entered this beautiful atrium with a circling staircase. Our three-day cruise in the Caribbean with my wife and nine-year-old daughter had started.
Since that first cruise, we’ve been on three more trips with Disney—all in the Caribbean leg, leaving Port Miami or Port Fort Lauderdale in Florida.
This article will tell you—
- Everything to know about the Disney Cruise schedule 2024.
- The lowdown on all the cruise liners and the new Disney cruise ship.
- All the themed cruises, including Marvel and Pixar.
Read more:
- Traveling With Points and Miles
- Walt Disney World for the FIRE Crowd
- Credit Cards for Free Travel and Cash Back
- 47 Lessons from 47 Days on 3 Repositioning Cruises
Before digging into the Disney Cruise destinations and dates for 2024, let me share some of my personal highlights.
My daughter fell in love with Disney’s Oceaneer Club. We would drop her off in the early afternoon when my wife and I wanted some time alone walking the decks. Our daughter was asking to be dropped off sooner by the second day.
But what sets Walt Disney Cruises apart is the attention to detail. An immersive experience similar to what occurs in the theme parks is apparent on these cruises—my favorite is the nightly-themed dinners.
Families rotate through the various restaurants for dinner. The serving team that greets you on Day #1 is the same team throughout the voyage. By the second day, they already know what drinks and appetizers your family likes.
Keep reading to see how to make your own memories at sea—
What Are the Disney Cruise Ships?
It’s no secret that Disney is one big playground for kids—and the cruises are no exception. But that doesn’t mean adults should sleep on this experience!
In October, U.S. News and World Report released its highly anticipated 2023 evaluation of the top family-friendly cruise options. This comprehensive assessment ranked the top five ships from among the 17 most renowned ocean cruise lines, assigning each vessel on a scale of one to five. The conclusion was that Disney Cruise Line was the best for families, scoring 4.46.
While there are tons of kids-only activities, you’ll see activities for the complete family, along with adult-only bars and restaurants.
Here’s a round-up of what to expect across all Disney Cruise ships in 2024:
- Senses Spa & Salon: The Senses Spa & Salon offers spa and beauty treatments ranging from $82 to $499.
- Palo: Indulge in classic Northern Italian cuisine with a modern twist at Palo—Disney’s adults-only restaurant (not included in the ticket price).
- Quiet Cove Pool: If you’re keen to escape the splashing, the Quiet Cove Pool is exclusively for guests over 18.
- Cove Café: Enjoy some downtime at the Cove Café, an adults-only lounge serving specialty drinks, coffee, and tea.
- It’s a Small World Nursery: Disney’s hourly babysitting service is available for little ones from 6 months to 3 years of age. Check out the place beforehand during one of their free open days.
- Disney’s Oceaneer Club: Kids aged 3 to 12 can explore magical lands and interact with Disney characters in this imaginative club.
- Edge Club: Tweens aged 11 to 14 can mingle while playing games, watching movies, and getting creative with cruisers their age.
- Vibe Club: For teenagers aged 14 to 17, there’s the chance to hang out, listen to music, play games, and enjoy group activities.
So, how do you choose which cruise?
Here are all the Disney Cruise 2024 dates, alongside the activities, entertainment, and dining unique to each cruise ship—
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Disney Magic Cruise
Launched | 1997 |
---|---|
Capacity | 2,400 |
Cheapest dates | January 17th - 21st January 26th - 30th February 26th - March 1st |
Best for | Cost-savers |
Take a break from the summer heat with the Frozen Deck Party, where your kids can meet and party with their favorite characters.
If they’re a little frosty about meeting Elsa, you can also enjoy Tangled: The Musical—Disney’s live adaption of the animated film. For dining, stop by Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where you can enjoy food and music.
For the thrill-seekers, don’t miss the AquaDunk, where you can plunge down their three-story body slide. Like me, if you’re all about lazing around, explore the four pools on deck, including the adults-only Quiet Cove Pool.
Check out our spreadsheet for all the destinations and costs onboard the Disney Magic ship.
Disney Wonder Cruise
Launched | 1998 |
---|---|
Length | 964 feet |
Capacity | 2,400 |
Cheapest dates | January 3rd - 5th January 12th - 14th October 20th - 22nd November 1st - 3rd |
Best for | Cruisers who want to explore Australia or Alaska |
On cruises to Alaska, your kids can enjoy the Pixar Pals Party, where they’ll watch performances and meet some famous characters.
For more entertainment, the Disney Wonder cruise ship has the Frozen, A Musical Spectacular inside the Walt Disney Theatre. The Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic musical is also worth a watch, as it celebrates well-known Disney characters.
Don’t forget to dine at Animator’s Palate or Tritans for an underwater meets fine dining experience. The rotational dining concept includes these restaurants, with evening dining slots at 5.45 p.m. or 8.15 p.m.
For more information on pricing and dates, go through the full Disney Wonder 2024 itinerary here.
Disney Dream Cruise
Launched | 2010 |
---|---|
Capacity | 4,000 |
Cheapest dates | April 5th - 8th April 12th - 15th April 19th - 22nd November 6th - 9th |
Best for | Those looking for a European cruise |
Disney Dream is home to Goofy’s Sports Deck, an open-air activity center with virtual sports simulators, a miniature golf course, and a basketball court.
It doesn’t stop there—the Disney Dream also boasts of the AquaDuck, a waterslide that takes you all over the ship.
If you’d rather keep dry, the Midship Detective Agency is an interactive activity that uses clues and technology to help you solve the crime (think Agatha Christie).
Dining options include the Royal Palace—a restaurant celebrating the Disney Princess films with a French-inspired menu. And if you’re feeling boujee, pre-book at Remy’s, which offers French cuisine exclusively for adults.
For all the dates and costs for the Disney Dream, check out the 2024 schedule.
Disney Fantasy Cruise
Launched | 2012 |
---|---|
Capacity | 4,000 |
Cheapest dates | October 12th - 16th October 16th - 20th November 2nd - 6th November 6th - 10th |
Best for | Pixar fans |
Just like the Disney Dream, this cruise houses Goofy’s Sports Deck as well as the famous AquaDuck waterslide.
To top things off, you can enjoy the Pixar Day at Sea from January 13th to March 9th. For one day during the 7-day cruise, you’ll be surrounded by activities, shows, and Pixar characters, including those from Toy Story, Monsters Inc., Inside Out, and The Incredibles.
For more entertainment, head to the Walt Disney Theatre to see the stage adaptation of Frozen, and the popular Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular.
For a bite to eat, you can try Animator’s Palate and the Royal Court for some French dining. Or opt for some refinery at Palo—the adults-only Italian restaurant found on most Disney Cruise liners.
Use our detailed 2024 spreadsheet to compare all the dates and costs for Disney Fantasy.
Disney Wish Cruise
Launched | 2022 |
---|---|
Capacity | 4,000 |
Cheapest dates | May 3rd - 6th May 10th - 13th |
Best for | Frequent Disney cruisers |
The Wish is home to one of Disney’s most impressive attractions at sea—the AquaMouse. I’m talking about a water coaster made up of 760 feet of tubes, with lighting, music, and special effects—your kids won’t get enough of this!
The Wish also offers an interactive Disney Uncharted Adventure that lets you use your mobile to explore the ship through special quests.
Kids can train at the Marvel Superhero Academy, adventure at the Star Wars: Cargo Bay, or make crafts at the Fairytale Hall. And for the toddlers, there’s the Toy Story Splash Zone with oversized rubber bath toys and a rex slide.
That’s not all. You get to experience a theatrical dining experience at the Arendelle, which kicks off following the events of Frozen 2. Plus, there’s World of Marvel, where you can join Ant-Man and the Wasp during “Avengers: Quantum Encounter”.
Adults can nerd out at the Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge with interactive tasting experiences and sci-fi-themed beverages. Over-18s can also head to the Palo Steakhouse—an updated version of Palo found on the other cruises.
View the 2024 schedule for all the costs, dates, and departures onboard the Disney Wish.
Disney Treasure Cruise
Launched | 2024 |
---|---|
Capacity | 4,000 |
Cheapest dates | December 28th - January 4th |
Best for | Those willing to splurge |
The newest Disney Cruise ship brings you Plaza de Coco, an interactive dining experience with Mexican cuisine. Disney Treasure also has the popular Word of Marvel restaurant, with dishes inspired by the movies.
For the kids, you’ll find many of the activities found on Disney Wish, including the Marvel Superhero Academy, Star Wars: Cargo Bay, and the Fairytale Hall. There’s also the Hero Zone and the AquaMouse for the more adventurous family members.
Treasure also introduces the adults-only Skipper Society, a tropical lounge inspired by the Jungle Cruise attraction.
Check out the 2024 schedule with dates and costs for the Disney Treasure.
Holiday and Themed Cruises
What’s better than going on a Disney Cruise? Going on a Disney Cruise with festive decorations, spooky activities, and a Thanksgiving dinner you don’t need to cook yourself.
Alas, while all the festivities can make your vacation extra special, they’re also the most expensive and busiest times to cruise.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs so you’re not blindsided—
Independence Day
Magic | Wonder | Dream | Fantasy | Wish | Treasure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | 1 - 6 July | 1 - 8 July | N/A | 29 June - 6 July | 1 - 5 July | N/A |
Costs (2 persons) | $4,319 - $6,449 | $4,753 - $31,451 | N/A | $5,129 - $15,055 | $4,159 - $9,063 | N/A |
For the 4th of July, the Disney Cruise fleet is decked out in red, white, and blue with lots of patriotic activities. Kids can meet Chip and Dale, while your whole family can enjoy performances to celebrate the U.S. of A.
Dining options include an all-American feast, and the evening is topped off with a fireworks show. Keep in mind, that Disney Dream doesn’t sail on July 4th, so you’ll have to pick another cruise ship if you want to celebrate at sea.
Halloween on the High Seas
Magic | Wonder | Dream | Fantasy | Wish | Treasure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | Sep 13th - Nov 5th | N/A | N/A | Sep 21st - Oct 26th | Sep 13th - Nov 1st | N/A |
Costs (2 persons) | $1,627 - $7,259 | N/A | N/A | $2,585 - $12,101 | $2,179 - $6,983 | N/A |
Halloween on the High Seas lets you party in your favorite costumes, sample spooky-themed food, and take pictures with the famous Pumpkin tree.
Kids can meet Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow as they channel the Sanderson sisters from Hocus Pocus. And families can get involved in creepy crafts and even some trick-or-treating.
Thanksgiving
Magic | Wonder | Dream | Fantasy | Wish | Treasure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | Nov 25th - Dec 1st | Nov 24th - Nov 29th | Nov 27th - Dec 2nd | Nov 23rd - Nov 30th | Nov 25th - Nov 29th | N/A |
Costs (2 persons) | $4,083 - $12,303 | $2,043 - $4,673 | $4,158 - $10,288 | $5,003 - $14,453 | $4,567 - $9,023 | N/A |
The best thing about cruising on Thanksgiving is not having to cook, decorate, and entertain family members you only see once a year. Instead, you can put your feet up and enjoy a traditional turkey dinner surrounded by Thanksgiving-themed decor.
And just because you’re at sea doesn’t mean you’ll miss the football. The NFL games will be streamed throughout the ship on LED screens, including the on-board pubs.
Christmas: Very Merrytime
Magic | Wonder | Dream | Fantasy | Wish | Treasure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | Nov 21st - Dec 29th | N/A | Nov 14th - Dec 26th | Nov 16th - Dec 14th | Nov 8th - Dec 27th | N/A |
Costs (2 persons) | $2,007 - $12,927 | N/A | $2,498 - $12,497 | $2,993 - $14,453 | $2,311 - $13,263 | N/A |
From mid-November to December, the ships are dressed up with lights, garlands, Christmas trees, and a life-sized gingerbread house. Festive activities include joining Mickey and Minnie to light the Christmas tree and celebrating at the Holiday Deck Show.
Santa Claus will make a special appearance, and kids can enjoy making crafts and Christmas gifts. Your family will be treated to a traditional festive menu with a few eyebrow-raising twists (ahem, cranberry turkey pizzas).
New Year’s Eve
Magic | Wonder | Dream | Fantasy | Wish | Treasure | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Dates | 29 Dec - 2 Jan | Dec 28th- Jan 3rd | Dec 30th - Jan 4th | Dec 29th- Jan 5th | 30th Dec- Jan 3rd | Dec 28th - Jan 4th |
Costs (2 persons) | $3,135 - $9,871 | $4,082 - $10,478 | $6,048 - $14,388 | $6,008 - $16,809 | $5,167 - $13,583 | $7,080 - $21,570 |
New Year’s Eve is the most expensive period to go Disney cruising. But it’s one heck of a way to ring in the new year.
You’ll have the option to eat from a New Year’s Eve menu, where many guests opt to get glammed up for the occasion. As the evening progresses, you’ll have access to lots of activities, entertainment, and an impressive fireworks display at midnight.
Pixar Day at Sea
Pixar fans can get a taste of their favorite movies onboard the Disney Fantasy from January to early March. Families can sing, dance, and dine with their favorite Pixar characters, ending the night with a fireworks finale.
It seems Pixar Day at Sea has replaced Star Wars Day at Sea in 2024. But if you still want to get in touch with the dark side, the Disney Wish and Treasure have plenty of nods to the famous movie franchise.
Marvel Day at Sea
There’s no shortage of superheroes onboard the Disney Dream. From January to March, their West Caribbean cruises will see the likes of Spiderman, Thor, Iron Man, and more.
Aside from plenty of photo ops, you can enjoy stunt-packed shows, including Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular, Warriors of Wakanda, and the Star-Spangled USO Show.
There are also opportunities to dress up, watch movies, compete in trivia nights, learn animation techniques, and get involved in interactive Superhero sessions.
What’s Included on a Disney Cruise?
There’s nothing worse than being hit by unexpected bills on vacation. So here’s the scoop on what’s included in your 2024 Disney Cruise before you order that extra round of mojitos.
What’s included:
- Meals at the three main themed Disney restaurants, buffets, and quick dining services.
- Unlimited soda, coffee, tea, juice, milk, and water at meals. The pool deck also has some free soda stations.
- Dining and lounge chairs are included at Disney Castaway Cay. (But you’ll need to pay extra for alcohol and rental equipment).
- Kids clubs (ages 3-17) are all covered. This includes Disney’s Oceaneer Club, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, Edge, and Vibe.
- All theater performances, firework shows, movie screenings, and deck parties are included.
What’s not included:
- Specialty restaurants, such as Remy, Enchanté, and Palo, can reach up to $200 per person. Gratuity for all meals and services isn’t included.
- Bottled beverages, alcohol, smoothies, and specialty coffees. You’ll also need to pay more for poolside bars and cafes.
- Shore excursions can be organized by Disney but come at an extra cost. (You also have the option to book independently).
- The nursery charges $9.00 per hour for one child and $8.00 per hour for additional children in the same family.
- The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique ($99.95 – $450 pp) and the Royal Court Royal Tea ($220 per child) aren’t included.
Remember: One of the most expensive parts of cruising is paying for flights (not included in the ticket price). To save money, check out our guide to scoring cheap flights.
How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise
Disney is known for being pricier than other cruise lines. Tickets will cost anywhere from $1,400 to $21,000 for just two people. And don’t hold out for any sales, discounts, or deals—what you see is what you get.
But here are some tips to slash those costs—
-
- Choice of ship: Older cruise ships are less expensive, so Magic and Wonder are the best options for lower ticket prices.
- Time of year: Take a look at the Disney Cruise schedule 2024 to compare prices. January, April, May, and November tend to be cheaper, but it can vary from ship to ship.
- Staterooms: Inside cabins are the cheapest staterooms. There’s so much to do onboard that you’ll probably only use your room for sleeping anyway.
- Costco Travel: No agency can offer Disney Cruise discounts, but by booking through Costco Travel, you’ll receive a Costco Shop Card after your cruise. You can use this card to get discounts on merchandise and gas at Costco Warehouses.
- Florida residents: Sunshine State residents can save up to 35% on Disney cruises. Deals are limited to cruises departing Florida and often apply to specific rooms and dates.
- Travel agent: Booking through a travel agent can help smooth over the whole process and also get you some onboard credits. Agents like The Vacationeer will offer vouchers for spa treatments, cocktails, excursions, and souvenirs.
- Dining: All food is included except when dining at specialty restaurants. To cut costs, stick to the all-inclusive restaurants and don’t go crazy with alcohol, which isn’t covered in the ticket price.
- Travel cards: If you’re planning on spending while onshore, get a card that rewards you for traveling and doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. Check out our recommendations for the top travel cards.
Take a look at more tips and lessons for repositioning cruises.
Dining on a Disney Cruise
If you’ve done some digging into Disney cruises, you’ve probably seen rotational dining pop up a few times. The concept is simple: Disney gives you a schedule that lets you rotate around the three all-inclusive themed restaurants every night.
Plus, you’ll have the same servers for each restaurant—so you can avoid going through any dietary restrictions every time you go somewhere different to eat.
Due to high capacities, there’s a good chance you’ll be placed on a table with other cruisers. If you want more privacy, it’s best to call ahead pronto to let them know your seating preferences.
You can also skip the all-inclusive restaurants and opt for specialty dining. These restaurants aren’t included in the ticket price and can cost $50 to $200 per person. To secure your reservation, book ahead through the Disney Cruise Line app.
And remember—alcohol isn’t included in the ticket price, and there are no alcohol packages. But you can bring two bottles of wine or a six-pack of beer at embarkation (unopened in your carry-on).
What’s the Best Credit Card for a Disney Cruise?
While Chase offers two official credit cards for Disney—the card_name and the card_name, they probably aren’t worth it unless you’re a diehard Disney fan.
The Premier card has a annual_fees annual fee and lets you earn 5% Disney Reward Dollars on card purchases made at DisneyPlus.com, Hulu.com, or ESPNPlus.com. You also get 2% on other card purchases with the chance to redeem for airline tickets.
The Visa card is almost the same but with no annual fee and a rewards rate of 1% Reward Dollars on all card purchases. But you’re more restricted with your redemption options here, as you can’t redeem for flights.
Both cards come with Disney-themed designs and savings on merchandise, Disney goods, and dining within the park and Disney cruises. However, rewards and redemption options are mostly locked into the Disney universe.
If you want a more well-rounded card to help with flights and hotels, these are my recommendations—
- card_name: Chase offers 50% more value when booking travel through the Chase portal. You can get a 1:1 redemption when transferring points to airlines with partners including Southwest, United, and JetBlue—all good options for Disney travel. The $300 annual travel credit can also help tackle airline and hotel expenses.
- card_name: Need a hotel before or after your cruise? Marriott has some great hotels around Fort Lauderdale, including the Fort Lauderdale Marriott North and Residence Inn. Marriott also throws in a free night award worth up to 85,000 points.
- card_name: The Platinum card comes with a hefty annual_fees annual fee but is packed with travel perks for your journey to the port. You get up to $200 airline fee credit and $200 hotel credit each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings. You can also transfer points to Amex’s airline or hotel partners for a 1:1 ratio.
- card_name: If you’re considering a Disney cruise, I’m assuming you’re also a fan of the parks. Unlike other non-Disney cards, Bilt lets you redeem points directly for Disney tickets for Disneyland and Disney World through the Bilt Travel Portal. Bilt points are worth around 0.7 cents to 2 cents each, and you can also use them to get to the port by transferring them to Bilt’s hotel and airline partners for a 1:1 ratio.
Read our Bilt Credit Card Review for more details.
FAQ
Where will Disney Wish sail in 2024?
Disney Wish will sail to Nassau in the Bahamas and Disney Castaway Cay.
The latter is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, with beaches, walking trails, water play areas, and open BBQ locations. There are also plenty of shops, restaurants, activities, character appearances, and sports for the family.
How much does a Disney Cruise cost for a family of 4?
On average, Disney Cruise 2024 prices are between $4,000 to $7,000 for a family of four. However, the ticket price doesn’t include excursions, shopping, spa treatments, nursery fees, alcohol, and specialty dining. So families should expect to spend at least an extra $1,000 for additional costs.
Are there any Disney cruises from NYC in 2024?
Disney won’t be sailing out of New York in 2024. This is likely due to the high costs involved, so Disney cruises tend to alternate the years they depart from the Big Apple (it may be back on the schedule in 2025).
What are the best Disney Cruise alternatives?
Some of the best Disney Cruise alternatives include Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Line, and Norweigan Cruise Line.
These cruise lines have plenty of activities and amenities for families, including young children. They also offer cheaper ticket prices than Disney cruises, which are known for being more expensive.
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Physician on FIRE has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Physician on FIRE and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Some or all of the card offers that appear on the website are from advertisers. Compensation may impact on how and where card products appear on the site. POF does not include all card companies or all available card offers. Credit Card Providers determine the underwriting criteria necessary for approval, you should review each Provider's terms and conditions to determine which card works for you and your personal financial situation.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
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2 thoughts on “Disney Cruise 2024: Itinerary, Dates & Destinations”
very different than 47 days of repositioning, thanks!
https://www.physicianonfire.com/repositioning-cruises/