Disney Cruise Line’s fleet may be small, but picking the perfect ship for your vacation can still be a challenge. With each ship offering something different, from high-tech thrills to classic Disney charm, it’s easy to see why opinions differ among cruisers.
But how do you figure out which Disney ship will suit your travel style best? To help you decide, I’ve turned to the voices of real cruisers who’ve sailed these ships and shared their honest opinions about what works and what doesn’t.
This guide ranks Disney’s ships using traveler reviews, highlighting the features that receive the most praise and identifying areas where some ships fall short.
How I Sourced the Data
To compile this ranking, I dug into popular review sites and forums like CruiseCritic, TripAdvisor, and CruiseLine, where thousands of travelers share their Disney cruise experiences.
I also explored social media spaces such as Facebook groups, Twitter discussions, and Instagram posts, ensuring we captured both personal stories and expert insights.
Disney Fantasy
Class: Dream Class
Launched: 2012
Capacity: 4,000 passengers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.6/5)
The Disney Fantasy is a top choice for families and Disney fans alike, offering a magical experience packed with entertainment, impeccable design, and family-friendly activities. As one of Disney’s most celebrated ships, the Fantasy is known for its whimsical decor, themed dining experiences, and stunning entertainment options like Broadway-caliber shows and character meet-and-greets.
Other highlights of the ship include Disney exclusives like Pirate Night and fireworks at sea, which create unforgettable moments for passengers of all ages.
While primarily geared toward families, the Disney Fantasy is thoughtfully designed to cater to all types of cruisers. Adults can enjoy tranquil retreats like the Rainforest Room at the Senses Spa or upscale dining at Palo and Remy.
The ship’s attention to detail and service ensures a polished experience, although its family focus means some areas, like the pool deck, can get crowded.
Common Praises:
- Exceptional service: One guest shared, “The service was amazing!! Our room steward was exceptional and really went over and beyond to make sure we were comfortable.”
- Well-designed family spaces: As one guest said, “Kids (ages 9, 6 & 2) had a blast—the older ones couldn’t get enough of the club and lab, and the toddler was well taken care of.”
- High-quality entertainment
- Memorable dining experiences, especially at Palo and Remy
- Character meet-and-greets and magical Disney touches
Common Critiques:
- Overcrowded pool areas: “Pools were generally crowded, but the lines for the slides and water ride were manageable,” noted a guest.
- High price point compared to other cruise lines
- Food quality in casual dining areas can be inconsistent
- Some cabins and areas showing signs of wear
Disney Dream
Class: Dream Class
Launched: 2011
Capacity: 4,000 passengers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.3/5)
The Disney Dream is a family-friendly cruise ship that’s perfect for Disney fans and first-timers. Its sophisticated design, paired with Disney-themed touches, makes it a fun and welcoming environment. From character meet-and-greets to dazzling Broadway-style productions, the ship offers endless entertainment, including the thrilling AquaDuck water coaster.
The Dream is filled with activities for kids, ensuring younger guests have plenty to enjoy. At the same time, adults can unwind with options like the Senses Spa or savor a quiet meal at the exclusive Palo and Remy restaurants.
Guests often praise the ship’s cleanliness and the friendly, attentive service from the crew. However, the ship can feel crowded at peak times, and some reviewers note that the food quality in casual dining venues could use improvement.
Common Praises:
- High-quality entertainment: “The entertainment was top notch, and the food was amazing!” remarked a passenger, celebrating their 60th birthday on board.
- Impressive water attractions like AquaDuck
- Clean and well-maintained public areas
- Thoughtfully designed family cabins
Common Critiques:
- Inconsistent Food Quality: “The food was horrible at every restaurant. I never finished a meal, and it all had the same taste,” one review mentioned.
- Rigid App-Based Scheduling: A guest noted, “The reliance on the Disney Cruise App for managing every aspect of our day felt overly rigid and impersonal.”
- Crowded dining areas and pool decks during peak times
- Some staterooms feel smaller than expected
- High price point compared to other family cruise lines
Disney Magic
Class: Magic Class
Launched: 1998
Capacity: 2,700 passengers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)
The Disney Magic is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a more classical, Disney-themed cruise experience. With its intimate size as one of the fleet’s older ships, it creates a warm, inviting atmosphere perfect for families and Disney lovers.
Popular highlights on The Disney Magic include attractions such as Rapunzel’s Royal Table and the imaginative Oceaneer Club. Its smaller scale also allows for more personal service and a less crowded environment.
Guests love the Disney Magic for its timeless character and family-friendly features, including Broadway-style shows and character meet-and-greets that delight Disney enthusiasts of all ages.
However, being an older ship, some areas show their age, and amenities like pools and staterooms can feel a bit smaller compared to modern cruise ships. Despite this, the ship’s immersive Disney atmosphere makes it a favorite if you’re seeking a fun cruise experience for the family.
Common Praises:
- Classic, Intimate Ship Design: One cruiser shared, “We love the classic cruise style of the Magic, especially the wooden finishes and elegant details. It feels like a true ocean liner experience.”
- Exceptional dining experiences, especially at Rapunzel’s Royal Table
- Excellent service from the friendly and attentive crew
- Engaging entertainment
- Family-focused amenities and activities
Common Critiques:
- Signs of Aging on the Ship: “The boat is old and too small for the amount of passengers,” one guest noted.
- Smaller staterooms compared to newer ships
- Pools can feel crowded during peak times
- Limited dining options outside of main restaurants
Disney Wonder
Class: Magic Class
Launched: 1999
Capacity: 2,713 passengers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
For a cruise that offers a cozy, family-friendly experience with a splash of Disney magic, the Disney Wonder fits the bill. With its vibrant décor, dedicated crew, and entertainment options, the ship makes a strong impression, especially with its iconic features like Tiana’s Place, inspired by The Princess and the Frog.
The Wonder is known for its rotational dining, where guests experience different themed restaurants with the same attentive wait staff, and the Broadway-style shows that captivate audiences of all ages. Additionally, the ship offers cruises to both Alaska and tropical destinations, making it a great choice for all kinds of travelers.
While many appreciate the ship’s cozy size and well-maintained facilities, some find the smaller pools and limited late-night dining options a drawback. Its family-friendly atmosphere and world-class entertainment shine, but adults traveling without children or those accustomed to larger, more modern ships may feel the offerings lack variety.
Common Praises:
- Immersive Dining Experiences: A reviewer praised, “Rotational Dining at all 3 restaurants were great. Excellent service provided by our servers from Indonesia, Raka & Angoro. Great selection of food…”
- Exceptional service and friendly, attentive crew
- Engaging Broadway-style shows/themed entertainment
- Spotlessly maintained ship
- Rotational dining with personalized service
Common Critiques:
- Small Pools and Overcrowding: “The pool was tiny and packed most the time. The waves were unfortunately rough during our time, so the slide was closed most of the time,” one guest said.
- Activities Geared Towards Young Children: One reviewer stated, “There wasn’t a lot to do on the ship. My son is 10 and the kids club was packed full of young kids, and he was too young for the teen club.”
- Limited dining options late at night
- High cost compared to other cruise lines
Disney Wish
Class: Wish Class
Launched: 2022
Capacity: 4,000 passengers
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3.3/5)
The Disney Wish, Disney’s newest ship, brings a modern take on the magic of Disney at sea. On board, you’ll find whimsy, Disney-inspired interiors, including luxurious staterooms, kids’ spaces, and plenty of dining and entertainment options.
Highlights include the AquaMouse water ride, immersive dining experiences like Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, and cinematic entertainment options. The ship is designed to dazzle young families and Disney fans, ensuring a memorable trip for the whole family.
However, the Disney Wish has received mixed reviews, with some travelers calling it a visual masterpiece but a logistical challenge. Many guests were disappointed with the ship’s crowded layout, lack of adult-focused amenities, and limited dining options outside scheduled hours.
While the character meet-and-greets and themed experiences shine, some feel the ship struggles to balance its premium price point with value, leaving adults and seasoned cruisers feeling underwhelmed.
Common Praises:
- Modern Ship Design: One passenger shared, “The ship was spectacular with Mickey details from bow to tail. We had a veranda room and the floor plan was great for a family of 5.”
- Exceptional service from staff and crew
- Immersive entertainment and dining experiences
- Great for young families with kids’ activities and character interactions
- AquaMouse water ride and unique onboard attractions
Common Critiques:
- Crowded Spaces and Poor Layout One reviewer observed, “Terribly designed ship. Very small spaces. Elevator size was clearly sacrificed…”
- Long Wait Times for Attractions and Dining: A passenger stated, “Supposed to be 5-minute slide wait but we’re an hour and a half…”
- Limited dining options during non-meal hours
- Lack of activities for older kids and adults
- Expensive compared to other cruise lines
Which Disney Ship Should You Choose?
When deciding which Disney ship to book, the good news is you can’t go wrong with almost any of them. Each ship is popular for its family-friendly activities, fun entertainment, and great service that brings Disney magic to life. However, the fleet’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, has gotten more mixed reviews.
The Disney Wish is modern and offers plenty of Disney-themed features like the AquaMouse ride and dining inspired by Frozen. But many travelers find it crowded and less enjoyable for adults, with limited options outside of scheduled activities. Additionally, some reviewers mentioned complaints about the price.
If you want a more solid option, the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream are top picks for their entertainment and family-friendly spaces. The Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are also great choices, offering a smaller, more casual atmosphere.
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