So you have decided you definitely want to sail with Disney Cruise Line. You are ready for the Broadway-caliber Disney shows, Disney characters, themed dining rooms, exciting deck parties, and so much more. But, you are now faced with a choice. A possibly easy but also very hard choice. Which Disney Cruise ship should I choose?!
Overview of the ships
The Disney Magic was the first Disney Cruise Line ship launched back in 1998. The Disney Wonder quickly followed in 1999. These two ships brought Disney Cruise Line to the forefront in the cruise line industry. Then in 2011 and 2012 the Disney Dream and Fantasy set sail joining the other two.
All four ships are reminiscent of classic ocean liners with their double smokestacks, sleek lines, nautical styling and interiors greatly influenced by the styles of the early 20th-century. Although, you will not mistake them for any other line with their distinctive Disney accouterments–Mickey head logo on the stacks, striking gold scroll and Mickey Mouse head detailing on the bow and stern of the ship along with 3D Disney Characters hanging from the stern. Then, throughout the interior of the ship Disney art is on the walls, crafted into the railings, woven into the carpets, and hidden for your enjoyment. Definitely Disney–so fun but so elegant and classic.
The Disney Magic and Wonder are very similar ships. They definitely have differences but the size, passenger capacity, and general arrangement of the ship are almost the same. These ships are smaller and hold less passengers but the staterooms are a smidgen larger. Both of these ships have been reimagined multiple times so they are as up-to-date as the other ships.
The Disney Dream and Fantasy have more amenities because they are larger ships and have more room. They are 151 feet longer, 35 feet taller, and 15 feet wider. Due to three additional passenger decks, the Dream And Fantasy are able to hold 50% more passengers and crew. These ships added “virtual portholes” in inside cabins, the Aqua Duck waterslide, Midship Detective Agency game, Remy, outside area for teens, and Venellope’s Sweets and Treats.
Note: The larger size of these ships means that you feel the sailing motion a little bit less than the smaller ships.
What to consider when choosing a ship
Destination
For some this will be what chooses the ship. Some destinations only have one ship sailing there so the choice is very easy. But some have multiple ships sailing throughout that part of the world so the decision gets a little trickier.
Where do they sail?
- Disney Magic — Bahamas, Western Caribbean, Burmuda, Eastern Caribbean, Norwegian Fjords, British Isles, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Western Europe
- Disney Wonder — Alaska, Bahamas, Western Caribbean, Baja, Pacific Coast, Mexican Rivera, Panama Canal,
- Disney Dream — Almost all Bahamas, a tiny bit of Western Caribbean, and Eastern Caribbean
- Disney Fantasy — Bahamas, Western Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Southern Caribbean
As you can see, if you want to sail to Alaska, California, Mexico, or the Panama Canal you will be on the Wonder. If you want to go to Europe then your choice is the Magic. To sail to the Southern Caribbean you will have to be on the Fantasy.
Now, if you want to go to the Bahamas or Western Caribbean you could sail on any ship. So, you might narrow things down by the number of nights sailing, departure port, size of ship, number of stops at Castaway Cay, or time of year you want to sail. Let’s take a look at these options now.
Nights of Sailing and Departure Port
Disney Magic–Since the Magic sails so many different itineraries, you don’t have as much choice of a sailing date if you want a specific cruise destination. Also, the Magic is the only ship out of Miami.
- 3, 4, 5 Night Bahamian from Miami
- 5 Night Bermuda from New York
- 5 Night Western Caribbean from Miami
- 5, 6, 7 Night Eastern Caribbean from Miami, or one-way from Miami to San Jan, Puerto Rico or New York
- 7 Night Norwegian Fjords, British Isles, or Northern Europe from Dover, England
- 7 Night Western Europe from Barcelona, Spain to Dover England
- 11 Night Norwegian Fjords and Iceland from Dover, England to Copenhagen, Denmark
- 7 Night Northern Europe from Dover, England
- 8, 10 Night Northern Europe from Copenhagen, Denmark (10 N from Dover to Copenhagen)
- 6, 7 Night Mediterranean from Barcelona, Spain
- 8, 9, 11 Night Mediterranean with Greek Isles from Civitavecchia (Rome) (11N ends in Barcelona, Spain)
- 13 Night Transatlantic from Miami to Barcelona
Disney Wonder–If you want to sail from somewhere in the US outside of Florida then the Wonder is the ship for you.
- 4, 5, 6 Night Western Caribbean from Galveston, TX
- 6, 7 Night Bahamian from Galveston, TX
- 4, 5 Night Western Caribbean from New Orleans, LA
- 7 Night Bahamian from New Orleans, LA
- 14 Night Panama Canal from New Orleans, LA to San Diego, CA and San Diego, CA to Galveston, TX
- 2, 3, 4, 5 Night Baja Cruise from San Diego, CA
- 7 Night Mexican Riviera from San Diego, CA
- 5 Night Pacific Coast from San Diego, CA to Vancouver, BC
- 7, 9 Night Alaska from Vancouver, BC
Disney Dream–Most all of the Dream sailings are to the Bahamas. You are limited to only a few sailing dates (November) if you want to sail the Caribbean on the Dream.
- 3, 4 Night Bahamian from Port Canaveral, FL
- 5 Night Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL
- 7 Night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL
Disney Fantasy–Sails to the Bahamas mainly in October and November and Early summer. The rest of the year she is in the Caribbean.
- 3, 4 or 5 Night Bahamian from Port Canaveral, FL
- 6 or 7 Night Western Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL
- 7 or 8 Night Eastern Caribbean from Port Canaveral, FL
Size of Ship and Amenities
Disney Cruise line has only two sizes of ships to choose from which makes decisions a little easier. The Magic and Wonder are smaller and the Dream and Fantasy are larger. Remember, each pair are mostly identical in size and the amenities onboard.
Both ships have:
- Infant, child and tween clubs (slight differences but all awesome)
- Buena Vista Movie Theater
- Live Shows in the Walt Disney Theater
- D Lounge family nightclub
- Senses Spa and Fitness Center
- Outdoor sports court
- Pool Deck with two family pools and Twist and Spout Waterslide, and Nemo’s Reef (splash area)
- Funnel Vision screen
- Palo (adult dining room)
- Three Main Dining Rooms
- Cabanas Buffet
- Counter-service food on pool deck
- Beverage Station and Eye Scream (complimentary soft serve ice cream) on pool deck
- Adult night-life, Dance club, Live Music, Sports Bar, Pool bar (different themes on each ship)
- Adult-only area–Quiet Cove has lounge area, pool, cafe, and bar
- Coffee Bar
- Shopping and Shutters photo studio (Shutters not on Dream)
Magic and Wonder
- 2400 passengers
- 11 passenger decks
- AquaLab Interactive Play Area on pool deck
- AquaDunk (only on the Magic)
- Concierge-only lounge with 270-degree view of ocean (Wonder only)
Dream and Fantasy
- 4000 passengers
- 14 passenger decks
- Goofy Mini Golf
- AquaDuck water coaster around the ship (no AquaLab on the Dream)
- Funnel Puddle Wading Pool in front of forward funnel
- Better Chill Spa for teens
- Premium Ice Cream Shop
- Remy (adult dining room)
- Champagne Bar
- Martini Bar
- Upscale “Craft Cocktail” Bar
- Satellite Falls (another adult-only pool area)
- Enchanted Art
- Midship Detective Agency
- Magical Portholes in Inside Staterooms
Days at Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island. At Castaway Cay guests get to enjoy so many beach activities and more. Relax on the beach, swim in the ocean, bike around the island, play volleyball, play on the waterslides and splash pad. There is a children’s area with Cast Members from the Oceaneer Club. And also a special area for teens. Guess what, there’s an adult only area too. Plus, all your food is provided, all day long.f
There are many itineraries that stop for one day at Castaway Cay.
- All Bahamian Cruises
- Caribbean Cruises out of Florida
Once in a while the Disney Dream will have two stops at Castaway Cay. If you would like to cruise on one of these itineraries get on a list with a Travel Advisor to alert you as soon as they are available.
How else can you get two stops? Often Castaway Cay lovers will take two shorter cruises back to back (b2b) in order to stop at Castaway Cay twice.
So, when you are trying to decide on a Disney Cruise ship which thing will help you choose? Is itinerary most important? The amenities on the ship? Castaway Cay? Let me know below!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Other links that might interest you:
- Disney Cruise vs. Disney World: Which is best for your family?
- What Makes a Disney Cruise Special
- Planning a Family Reunion? Consider a cruise!
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