disney cruise royal caribbean

Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean (Who’s the Winner?)

Are you looking for a comparison between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean? Many families are loyal to a specific cruise brand and may feel leery about trying a different cruise line. This is especially true for those who are avid cruisers with Disney or Royal Caribbean.

If you are wondering how two of the most popular cruise lines measure up against each other, this post is for you! In the article below, we take a deep dive into the similarities and differences between cruising with Disney and Royal Caribbean. We’ll compare pools, entertainment, food, service, staterooms, and more!

Whether you’re a first time cruiser torn between which cruise brand to choose or you’re debating making the leap to new territory, you’ll find everything you need to know. So, for a full account of who wins in a Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean showdown, continue reading below for our candid thoughts and honest opinions on these two popular cruise lines!

Let’s begin our comparison by discussing the similarities and differences between Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line ships. Royal Caribbean International features over 20 cruise ships in its fleet. This is a lot larger than the Disney Cruise Line fleet, which has (at the time of this writing) 5 ships.

When planning your family cruise vacation, it may be difficult deciding which ship to choose. Even though the Disney Cruise Line ships offer varying levels of activities and entertainment, you can confidently assume that all of the ships are kid-friendly.

Because of this, it’s fairly easy to choose the best Disney ship for your family since there are only 5 to choose from. Once you narrow down your search by travel dates, itineraries, and prices, you’ll probably find just a few options available.

On the other hand, Royal Caribbean offers multiple ship classes that feature different levels of family friendly activities and entertainment. Most cruisers would argue that the Oasis class ships and the new Icon class are the most kid-friendly vessels. However, many of the smaller ships have incorporated water slides and kid-friendly activities as well.

Who wins? Since Royal Caribbean offers a much larger variety of ships to choose from, we will give them the win for best ship options!

Cruise Planning

The cruise planning process for a Disney Cruise is quite different than that of Royal Caribbean. Depending on what type of planner you are, you may appreciate one more than the other.

Disney Cruise Line

The cruise booking process for a Disney Cruise is super simple. When booking your cruise, you basically choose a stateroom and pick your (early or late) dining time. Depending on your Castaway Club status, you can then add on excursions (aka port adventures) and reservations for a few onboard activities. First time cruisers with DCL can do this at 75 days before your cruise.

Additionally, you will want to research your particular ship’s entertainment options and dining venues. The Disney ships don’t offer a ton of restaurants, so this process is fairly simple. After all of those tasks are completed, you can mostly relax until your cruise. For a complete guide to planning a Disney Cruise vacation , you can check out this post. In that article, we provide a timeline with tasks to complete to get organized for your trip!

Royal Caribbean

The Royal Caribbean booking process is similar to Disney’s in that you choose your cruise cabin and dining time. However, on Royal Caribbean, you will choose between early, late, and My Time Dining. After you book your cruise, you’ll want to access the Online Cruise Planner. This is where you can purchase extras like internet packages , The Key, dining packages, and drink packages to name a few.

You’ll want to go through each of the extra items in the Online Cruise Planner to determine if it’s cost effective for you or if it’s something you would like. As you get closer to your sail date, you will have the opportunity to book specialty dining reservations, show reservations , spa appointments, etc. So, you’ll want to spend some time researching all of the available restaurants on the ship in which you are sailing.

You will notice that a lot of the dining options are complimentary, but many of them are considered specialty restaurants. Furthermore, some of the Royal Caribbean restaurants are only complimentary during certain meals (like breakfast) but not at all meals. If you’re a planner, this is a pretty tedious process as each restaurant features different menus, hours of operation, styles (buffet, sit down, counter service), dress codes, etc.

Winner: Disney Cruise or Royal Caribbean

We are going to give the edge to Disney Cruise Line in the cruise planning department. A Disney cruise vacation is a super simple vacation to plan, but planning a Royal Caribbean cruise can sometimes feel similar to planning a visit to Walt Disney World. That being said, the reason Royal Caribbean is more stressful to plan is because it offers so many extras (packages, restaurants, activities) that it’s hard to consider this a con.

The actual boarding process is fairly similar with both cruise lines. After arriving at the port during the port arrival time you chose during online check-in, you will go through security before arriving at the check in desk. My family and I have never had an issue with either cruise line and have always boarded the ship in a timely fashion.

One main difference between the boarding process for DCL and RCCL is that Disney Cruise Line announces your family as you walk onboard. Before you step into the ship’s atrium, a cast member will ask you for your family name. He/she will then welcome your family onboard over a microphone while surrounding cast members clap and cheer your arrival.

This is actually a really special moment right before you step foot into the beautiful atrium of the ship. Royal Caribbean does not announce your arrival like this, but you will find crew members at the entrance greeting and waving. You then enter the ship in the Royal Promenade, which is sort of like a beautiful mall.

Who wins? Our winner for best boarding experience goes to Disney Cruise Line for the magical touch they add to the embarkation process.

Muster Drill

The dreaded Muster Drill is the safety lesson that every cruiser must participate in before the ship is cleared to sail. Each stateroom has a specified muster station (near the lifeboats) where cruisers must report in the event of a severe emergency. Disney Cruise Line requires all passengers to meet at their muster stations at a specific time on embarkation day . Cast members at each station relay all the important safety information that you need to know for the cruise.

This is obviously not the most exciting time, especially if it’s incredibly hot outside or if you have young kids. Luckily, it usually takes less than 30 minutes. Royal Caribbean adopted a new way to complete these safety drills during the pandemic.

On the morning of your cruise, you can watch the safety video in the Royal Caribbean app. You then click the prompt in the app to confirm you watched the video. Once you board the ship, you walk over to your assigned station, and a crew member will scan the app to show that you participated. And that’s it!

Who wins? Royal Caribbean hands down wins the muster drill experience.

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer different types and levels of staterooms on their ships. That being said, Royal features a lot more options than Disney. Disney basically provides options for interior staterooms, ocean view staterooms with windows, oceanview staterooms with balconies, and suites. Royal Caribbean features many stateroom options for guests. If you’re sailing on an Oasis class ship, you can choose from:

• interior rooms
• cabins with windows
• staterooms with balconies overlooking the ocean
• rooms with balconies overlooking one of the neighborhoods

Furthermore, Royal Caribbean offers elaborate suites that include multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, wrap around balconies, outdoor hot tubs, and more.

Who wins? While my family and I like the split bathroom that Disney provides, we are going to award Royal Caribbean with the best staterooms since they offer so many more options.

Suite Perks

Before we begin discussing suite perks, it’s important to note that for the remainder of this post, we will mostly be comparing the Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships to the Disney Cruise Line fleet. The larger ships that are part of the Oasis class and Icon class offer some of the more popular features for families.

Disney’s Concierge Level and Royal’s Suite Class include high-quality rooms and amenities for guests. If you sail in a concierge suite with Disney, you may receive perks like priority boarding and tendering, access to a suite lounge with food and beverages, access to an exclusive sun deck, and priority reservations onboard the ship.

For a full review of all the perks included, you can check out our post on Disney Cruise Line Concierge Level Benefits . In that post, we discuss the extras you receive from cruising in the Concierge level. We also provide our honest opinion on whether or not it’s worth the price!

Royal Caribbean provides different levels to its suite program, including the Sea Class level, Sky Class level, and Star Class level. Depending on the level your room includes, you will have access to different perks.

One major difference in the suite perks between the two lines is the access to an exclusive suite restaurant. Royal Caribbean suite guests can dine in Coastal Kitchen, which is a beautiful suite restaurant that offers special menus and exemplary service.

Furthermore, if you opt to book one of the top level suites, aka the Star Class, you get access to a Royal Genie. This opens the door to even more perks. Guests can use the Royal Genie to bypass lines at the waterslides, gain priority seats in entertainment venues, and eat meals in their cabin among other things.

Winner: Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line

Royal Caribbean wins the award for best suite perks. The newest Icon class ships seal the deal even more by providing an entire exclusive neighborhood for suite guests!

The dining options onboard the Royal Caribbean ships and the Disney ships are quite different. In addition to the main dining rooms, which we will discuss in more detail below, Disney Cruise line offers a few dining venues that are included in your cruise fare. These dining options include the buffet, room service, and quick service restaurants near the pools. In addition, DCL offers a few specialty restaurants for an additional charge. Although the most popular of these are the adults only dining venues.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line features numerous restaurants in addition to its main dining rooms. Guests can enjoy the buffet, El Loco Fresh, quick service stops for pizza or hot dogs, and cafes. Additionally, Royal Caribbean offers multiple family-friendly specialty restaurants with options for Italian food, BBQ, pub fare, steaks, and even four course meals.

Who wins? Although it can feel stressful differentiating between all the available options onboard the Royal Caribbean ships, we will award Royal with best dining options over Disney Cruise Line.

Main Dining Rooms

The differences in the main dining room experiences onboard Disney Cruise ships and Royal Caribbean ships are quite vast.

Dinners in the main dining rooms are some of my family’s favorite experiences on the Disney ships. Disney Cruise Line features three main dining rooms on each of its ships. These dining rooms are themed, and some of them even include live shows based on popular films like Frozen , Tangled , and The Princess and The Frog . Each evening, you rotate to a different dining room so that you can experience the uniqueness of each one.

After being seated in the dining room, kids are given crayons and a separate menu that serves as a coloring page. The assistant server greets you and takes your drink order before the main server arrives to take your food order. If you are torn between two items, the server will usually bring both of them to you.

Although subjective, my family and I find the food delicious and are usually stuffed by the end of the meal. As you dine, your kids are entertained with coloring, dinner shows (when available), and magic tricks/balloon animals from the servers.

The main dining room experience on the Royal Caribbean ships is much different. You dine in the same room each night, so families don’t rotate like on Disney. In addition, the dining rooms are not themed; however, they are really beautiful. While kids have a separate menu, they are not given coloring pages or crayons to keep them busy.

Nor did we experience magic tricks or special attention from the servers. Although, the servers are incredibly kind and helpful. My family and I found the food quality in the Royal Caribbean dining rooms to be really good. However, the portions were extremely small, and we all left feeling hungry.

Winner: Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean

The winner for best main dining room experience easily goes to Disney Cruise Line for its theming, service, and portions.

This section is going to compare the pool decks on the Disney Cruise ships and the Royal Caribbean ships. Since there’s a lot to break down here, I’ll separate each topic below. 

Before we start discussing the differences between the pool decks on Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line, I want to mention a major difference between the two brands: pool towels.

Royal Caribbean requires you to show your SeaPass card at the towel desk on the pool deck in order to take a towel. A crew member will mark down the number of pool towels you take, and you will be charged if you do not return them. This towel check-out process was always super simple.

However, returning the towels was a different story. My family and I would pile our four towels on a chair with our coverups, flip flops, phones, etc. as we swam. (Note that we used one chair for this and always chose a chair that was in the back row.)

After swimming, we would go back to the pile of towels to discover that one of them was missing. This happened to us numerous times on our Oasis of the Seas cruise. Luckily, we noticed that the crew member at the towel desk didn’t count the towels when we returned them. So, we were able to just show our SeaPass card and throw the towels in the laundry bin. 

But, until we learned this, my family and I were completely stressed out about missing one towel each day. We also had to check our onboard account at the end of the cruise to make sure we hadn’t been wrongly charged for towels as I heard this was common occurrence. To read about some of the other important things we learned as first time cruisers with Royal, check out our post on Royal Caribbean Tips and Tricks .

Disney Cruise Line has a super simple pool towel process. Towels are readily available at stations for you to grab and go whenever you like. You then return the towels to the Used Towels station when you are finished. This means you don’t have to stand in line to check out towels or to return them. Additionally, you can take your towels back to your stateroom after swimming, and the room host will dispose of them with your bathroom towels.

Disney Cruise Line easily wins the pool towel competition. I did not anticipate the headache that the pool towels would become on Royal Caribbean.

Swimming is one of the most popular activities for kids to enjoy on cruise ships. While Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both feature multiple pools on each ship, there are quite a few differences in the pool decks. Disney Cruise ships offer notoriously small pools; although, they are themed well (like the Mickey Pool). My family and I like to swim right after boarding on embarkation day and right after the pools open on sea days. This helps to bypass at least some of the crowds.

Royal Caribbean Oasis class ships also provide several swimming pools for families to enjoy. These pools are larger and hold a lot more people. Plus, the Sports Pool on Oasis of the Seas is heated and always felt warm, even in December. Disney and Royal will heat other pools if the temperature drops below a certain point. However, we enjoyed having a fully heated pool even in the 80-degree weather since it was often windy and cool when you stepped out of the water.

Who wins? Royal Caribbean easily wins the award for best pools compared to Disney Cruise Line.

Water Play Areas for Babies

Cruise lines across the board do not allow non-potty-trained kids in their pools. Luckily Disney and Royal both provide splash pad areas for these kids to play. Although, it’s important to check your specific ship as some of these splash zones differ drastically.

The Disney ships offer small splash pads like Nemo’s Reef and Nephews’ Splash Zone that feature fun geysers, Disney characters spraying water, and (sometimes) tiny slides. 

Some of the Royal Caribbean ships provide either the H2O Zone or a baby section of Splashaway Bay. 

Who wins? While we like the theming of the splash zones on the Disney ships, the Royal Caribbean baby play areas are just as sufficient for babies and toddlers. Therefore, we will call this race a tie for both cruise brands.

Water Slides

The Disney Cruise Line ships feature water slides; although, they can be different depending on which ship you book. Some of the Royal Caribbean ships also offer water slides, but many do not. So, make sure you check out the options before you book if water slides are important to you.

Additionally, some of the Royal Caribbean ships feature a Splashaway Bay water play area for kids who may not quite meet the height requirement for the larger water slides. This splash zone is a huge hit for kids and is much more fun than Disney’s Aqua Lab splash area.

Who wins? Royal Caribbean wins for best water slides since they feature a lot more of them.

Pool Deck Food and Drinks

The Disney Cruise ships offer counter service dining options right by the pools. You’ll also find lots of tables and chairs where you can eat a quick lunch or snack. Royal Caribbean did not offer this on Oasis of the Seas. If you wanted to grab food, you had to walk to a completely different deck. My family and I really missed the ease of getting food while wearing our swimsuits and eating by the pool. Instead, we had to put on our coverups and shoes, pack up our things, and brave the buffet or another dining venue.

Additionally, the Disney ships provide easy access to free drink stations on the pool deck. And guests who want a cocktail or drink that’s an extra cost can easily order from one of the many servers walking around by the pool. We tried to order drinks by the pool multiple times on Oasis of the Seas and were told that we needed to go to the bar. I’m not sure if this is standard or if they were low on workers, but we also missed the ease of ordering alcoholic drinks and beverages while still watching the kids swim.

Who wins? The winner of available food and drinks on the pool deck is Disney Cruise Line.

Pool Atmosphere

While the pool decks on Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are both typically full of families, there are a few differences. The Disney ships feature a large TV screen that plays popular Disney shows and movies while you swim. I didn’t realize how much we would miss this until sailing with Royal, but the large screen is just another one of those magic touches that Disney provides.

Another important difference in the atmosphere on the pool deck is the presence of cigarette smoke. I know that the Disney ships offer designated smoking areas, but I do not know where those are because I have never smelled smoke on a Disney ship.

I anticipated smelling smoke in and around the casino on Royal Caribbean; however, it did not occur to me that we would also smell it outside by the pool. One of the smoking sections is located near the heated pool that my kids loved to play in. Unfortunately, we frequently smelled cigarette smoke outside by this pool.

Who wins? Disney Cruise Line is the winner for the best pool deck atmosphere.

My family and I love attending the family friendly shows onboard the Disney Cruise ships. We enjoy eating dinner and then heading to a show each evening of the trip. The Disney Broadway style shows are all incredibly entertaining for both kids and adults. Plus, the comedy and magic shows we have seen on Disney ships have also been great.

We really missed this aspect of cruising while on Royal Caribbean. Although the Oasis class ships offer amazing Aqua shows that you don’t want to miss, we didn’t really love the other options onboard.

Our family attended the ice show but found it very bizarre and even boring. Additionally, the Broadway style shows weren’t really appropriate for our youngest child. We had been excited to attend the comedy show, but the comedian on our sailing performed adult- only shows, even at 7:00 pm. Therefore, we found ourselves with a lack of entertainment options to enjoy in the evenings before bedtime.

Who wins? Because of this, we are choosing Disney Cruise Line as the winner for best shows.

Onboard Activities

Since we already discussed the pools and water slides above, we will talk about other onboard activities in this section. Both of the cruise lines offer some similarities in regard to onboard activities like cooking classes, sports decks, youth clubs, game shows, etc.

When highlighting the differences between the two cruising brands, Disney Cruise Line provides fun entertainment options for families like character meet and greets, fireworks show, Pirate Night, Midship Detective Agency, and Hero Zone .

Royal Caribbean offers their own onboard experiences that include rock climbing walls, ice skating rink, dry slide, Flow Rider, carousel, and zip line.

Who wins? We are going to call the onboard activities race a tie as Disney Cruise Line offers incredible options, especially for families with younger kids. However, if your kids are older and meet the height requirements of the Royal Caribbean activities, you would probably give them the edge.

The price of a Disney Cruise is notoriously higher than that of other cruise lines. It is true that Royal Caribbean cruises are cheaper; however, there are a few important points to make here. My family and I typically travel in a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on Disney Cruise Line.

We find that the equivalent to this on Oasis of the Seas is the more expensive Junior Suite . Therefore, you can’t necessarily compare the price of a balcony room on Disney to one on Royal. The Junior Suites are more expensive than a regular balcony room, but they tend to still be cheaper than a Disney stateroom. For example, our Royal Caribbean 7 night cruise in a Junior Suite cost the same as a Disney 4 night cruise in a Deluxe Family Balcony room.

Additionally, our junior suite provided a few suite perks like priority boarding and access to the exclusive suite restaurant at dinners. I will add that my family and I usually do not purchase additional items on Disney cruises, but we did enjoy a few of the specialty restaurants onboard the Royal Caribbean ship for an additional cost. This by no means made the two prices equal, but it’s something to consider.

Who wins? I’m sure it’s no surprise that the winner of the best prices goes to Royal Caribbean over Disney Cruise Line. Even after the add-ons, our 7 night trip was cheaper than a shorter Disney cruise.

Winner of Best Cruise: Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean

Overall, I would recommend both cruise lines for a family vacation. If you are an experienced Disney cruiser, you may find the service on Royal is not up to par. I suggest booking a Junior Suite (or higher) so that you have access to Coastal Kitchen for meals.

Our main cons with Royal compared to Disney were the lack of service, cigarette smoke, and evening entertainment. Also, the Oasis of the Seas felt incredibly crowded; although, this was to be expected on such a large ship.

If you are a loyal Royal Caribbean cruiser who is debating Disney Cruise Line, you may find Disney to be a bit boring. I suggest going in with a laid back mindset as you will find much less going on throughout the ship. If your kids are younger and enjoy meeting characters like Mickey Mouse, you should be fine.

However, teens and older kids may miss the larger pools, waterslides, rock walls, zip line, etc. So, if you’re wondering who the overall winner is in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise match up, it’s the family who gets to enjoy a vacation with either of these fabulous cruise lines! You’re sure to have a great time no matter which you choose!

In summary, my family and I have developed an appreciation for both cruise lines and would happily sail with either of them again. I hope you found this post helpful at highlighting the main differences between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

You may have completely different experiences with the two brands, and I hope you feel free to comment below with anything you’d like to add to my review! Will you choose Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line? Comment below to share your vote!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean: How They Stack Up

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Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean are two well-known companies for cruises. Although they both set sail from multiple ports within the United States, that’s about where their similarities end.

Let’s take a look at Disney Cruise versus Royal Caribbean, including the main differences between these two powerhouses.

» Learn more: The best ways to book a cruise

The main difference: Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean

The biggest difference when it comes to Disney versus Royal Caribbean is fleet size. Disney Cruise Line has just five ships, while Royal Caribbean boasts 26 ships in its fleet.

Royal Caribbean also has much larger ships; its Wonder of the Seas craft can accommodate 6,988 passengers. In comparison, the Disney Wish — the biggest ship on Disney’s cruise line — can only hold 4,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise Line

Because Royal Caribbean is a much larger cruise line, it can sail many more routes than Disney Cruise Line. You can find a Royal Caribbean cruise nearly anywhere in the world, including but not limited to:

North America.

The Panama Canal. 

South America.

Disney does have quite a few routes, despite its much smaller size. You’ll find destinations including:

The Caribbean.

» Learn more: The pros and cons of cruises

Cabin types

Most cruise lines feature fairly similar cabin types, and Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line are no different. You can expect all the standard cabins, such as interior, oceanview, verandah and suites on both cruise lines.

However, Royal Caribbean has done its best to differentiate itself with interior rooms featuring windows to indoor spaces. Some of its ships also include virtual balconies, which operate gigantic digital screens to show outdoor views in every room.

Disney Cruise Line, meanwhile, is a little different in that all its rooms are built to accommodate families. You’ll find group-friendly features such as curtained room dividers. You’ll also be able to enjoy split bathrooms; these include a toilet and sink in one room and a shower and sink in another.

» Learn more: How Norwegian and Royal Caribbean cruise lines differ

Not sure whether to take a Disney Cruise or one on Royal Caribbean? You’ll certainly want to consider the amenities that each cruise line offers. Again, you can expect to enjoy certain standard amenities when cruising on either of these lines. This includes daily activities, dedicated children's areas, live entertainment, pools, spas and fitness centers.

However, you can find much more on these ships. Royal Caribbean’s ships can accommodate many more activities, so you’ll find things such as:

Indoor skydiving 

Multiple water slides.

Rock wall climbing.

Wave pools.

Zip lining. 

Although smaller, Disney Cruise Line’s ships still provide plenty to do. This can include:

Broadway-quality shows.

Character meet and greets.

Movie screenings

Water slides and more. 

The biggest enticement here is that Disney’s ships all offer Disney-branded entertainment, so if you’re a fan of, say, "Frozen," "The Lion King" or Mickey Mouse, you’ll have a blast on a Disney cruise.

» Learn more: Disney cruise review 2023

Cruises generally aren’t all-inclusive so it’s definitely something you’ll want to consider in a comparison of a Royal Caribbean cruise and a Disney cruise. When onboard, your food is included, as is entertainment, access to the pools and many other activities.

However, there are a few differences in inclusions between these two cruise lines.

First, those sailing on a Disney Cruise Line ship will not need to pay extra if they’d like to drink soda, as soft drinks are included on these cruises. This is not the case for Royal Caribbean; if you’d like to have soda, you’ll need to pay or purchase a soda package.

Second, Disney cruises offer complimentary in-room dining. This is available 24/7 and even includes unlimited Mickey ice cream bars sent to your room. While Royal Caribbean also offers 24/7 room service, it charges a fee for delivery.

» Learn more: Are cruises all-inclusive?

Pricing is probably where the Disney-versus-Royal Caribbean breakdown is most noticeable. Disney cruises are significantly more expensive than Royal Caribbean ones.

For example, a three-night cruise from Miami to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean will cost as little as $770.48 for two people.

On Disney, meanwhile, a three-night cruise departing from Port Canaveral and heading to the Bahamas is a minimum of $1,993. That’s more than twice as much as a Royal Caribbean cruise.

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Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer packages for purchase for your cruise. If you’re interested in Wi-Fi , you’ll be able to purchase a package on either cruise line. The cost is going to vary based on the speed you choose and how long you’re sailing.

Royal Caribbean also offers the ability to purchase a drink package that includes alcohol. This means you’ll be able to have as many alcoholic drinks as you’d like, including wine, beer and liquor.

While Disney does allow you to buy a reusable beer mug that grants you discounted refills, there’s no beverage package available for guests. This is true for both alcohol and specialty drinks such as smoothies; these are charged on a per-item basis.

» Learn more: How much does a Disney cruise cost?

If you’re debating Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise Line

While it's true that both Disney and Royal Caribbean offer cruises, they’re fairly different overall.

Royal Caribbean has larger ships, more amenities, and more cruises available.

Disney Cruise Line, meanwhile, has a much smaller fleet that carries fewer passengers. But you’ll still find a wide variety of sailings across the globe.

You can expect to pay more for a Disney Cruise than Royal Caribbean, but you’ll also be able to enjoy free unlimited sodas and room service.

(Top photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean)

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Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise: The Major Differences

Posted on Published: 04/10/2023

If you’ve been a frequent reader here, you know that I am an avid cruiser on the Disney Cruise Line. I absolutely love their beautiful ships and fantastic service and have been happy on every single sailing I’ve done. We’ve reviewed all of their ships here and we’ve always had a positive experience.

However, this past winter break, my family sailed on Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and also really loved it. Many people have asked for a Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise comparison so they can choose the best option for their family.

We have loved our experience on both cruise lines, and I plan to travel on both in the future. But there are some discrete differences that are good to know, and you are likely to have a different experience on each line. Both are great for a family vacation, and both are great cruise lines for young adults and teens.

Disclosure: I’ve been on cruises on both lines at no/discounted cost, and have also paid my own way on both. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links and a purchase/click through one of these links may result in a commission paid to us at no additional cost to you.

Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise: The Most Major Differences

Compare prices – see Disney Cruise Line sailings here, and Royal Caribbean sailings here .

Number of Ships on Royal Caribbean Vs. Disney Cruise.

There are currently five Disney Cruise ships in service, with an additional ship, the Disney Wish, which began its inaugural season last summer. These five cruise ships are in three different classes- with the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder being the two smaller ships and the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy being the larger two ships.

The Disney Wish is a new class – the Triton class. An additional two ships in the same class as the Disney Wish have been ordered for the future.

Royal Caribbean has twenty-six ships in service, with another four announced (including three in the new Icon class). There are a number of different classes – including the Oasis, Freedom, Quantum, Radiance, Voyager, and Vision Classes.

Because of the larger number of Royal Caribbean ships, you are likely to find an itinerary with ports of call that work for your busy schedule. Royal Caribbean sails in many places that Disney Cruise Line doesn’t, including ports in Asia, Australia, and Israel.

With the smaller number of ships and classes on the Disney Cruise Line, there is a sense of familiarity when sailing. Every time I step onto a DCL ship, I feel comfortable, almost like going home.

On the other hand, Royal Caribbean ships, with their large fleet, vary by class and have exciting, active entrances. I don’t feel the sentimentality but do get excited to explore the ship. There are some similarities among the ships but also many differences.

For many families, this is the most important factor. Cruises can be expensive. In general, I’ve found that the base rate on the Disney Cruise Line tends to be high than a similar-length cruise on Royal Caribbean.

However, you’ll want to look at the inclusions. Some things are included in the Disney Cruise Line that isn’t included in Royal Caribbean . These include soft drinks and room service fees (for delivery of everything except for continental breakfast).

Drink Packages

Both cruise lines offer complimentary basic beverages, including tap water, coffee and tea (excluding premium coffee), and standard juices. Other beverages are available a la carte, and each cruise line has different beverage purchase options.

On Royal Caribbean, there are several beverage packages available for purchase in advance or once you are on board (you can usually save money by purchasing in advance). The options include the Deluxe Beverage Package, the Refreshment Package, and the Soda Package. Drinks at the Starbucks locations on the ships (for those with a Starbucks) are not included in any of the packages.

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have a package that includes all alcoholic drinks. They do, however, offer standard and premium wine packages. Beer packages are also offered. They also have an alcoholic and nonalcoholic drink of the day.

Keep in mind that soft drinks are included in a Disney Cruise, so you won’t have to pay separately for these. Premium coffees are also offered on Disney Cruise Line for an additional fee.

Both cruise lines have plenty of activities to keep you busy while you are at sea. The activities that you’ll experience on these lines vary, however.

The Disney Cruise Line ships have lots of Disney magic, as you’d expect. You’ll see Disney characters, Disney entertainment, and Disney movies. There are also fun deck activities, including pools, a splash area for young kids, a play area, water slides, hot tubs, a sports deck (with a basketball court), and outdoor movies.

If you are sailing on Disney Magic, you’ll get an opportunity to ride the AquaDunk, while the Disney Dream and Fantasy offer the AquaDuck. The new Disney Wish a new attraction called the AquaMouse.

Royal Caribbean ships are filled with fun activities, but these vary by ship. For instance, on the Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas , different experiences include an iFly, a climbing wall, a FlowRider, a North Star observation capsule, and bumper cars. On the Wonder of the Seas , you’ll see a FlowRider, two rock walls, a carousel, Ultimate Abyss slides, mini golf, zip lining, ice skating, and a sports deck. Be sure to check the specific activities on the ship you are booking because they do vary.

If you are interested in gaming, both cruise lines offer bingo. However, the Disney Cruise Line ships do not offer casinos, while the Royal Caribbean ships do.

Entertainment

All of the cruise ship entertainment that I’ve seen has always been top-notch. Disney Cruise Line offers Broadway-style musicals in the Walt Disney Theater. On longer sailings, there are often other entertainers, like magicians and ventriloquists, who perform there.

You can also see first-run movies from Disney-owned studios in the Buena Vista Theater. Singers and other musicians perform at various venues across the ships, throughout the day.

There are also other entertainment options on the Disney Cruise Line ships, including animation classes, trivia, game shows, and more. The schedule for these can be found in the Personal Navigator or the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.

Royal Caribbean also boasts fantastic onboard entertainment. Their shows showcase wonderful talent but aren’t specifically family-friendly. They also have some very unique venues, including an ice-skating rink, an aqua theater, and smaller theaters like Two70. Keep in mind that these venues do vary by ship. Like on DCL, performers can be seen in bars and other venues throughout the day.

They also offer karaoke, game shows, trivia, laser tag, and other programming each day. There’s no lack of entertainment. I’ve found that the shows on Royal Caribbean are especially unique, innovative, and enjoyable, and often have great special effects.

Restaurants

Disney Cruise Line offers rotational dining. Each night, you’ll visit a different restaurant of the three options, and your serving team travels with you. I’ve always loved this because you never get tired of the restaurant, and it’s great to have the same team traveling with you, especially if you have dietary restrictions. The restaurants are heavily themed, often with entertainment and typical Disney magic. For longer cruises, you’ll visit the same restaurants again, in the same rotation.

There are two premium restaurant options on the Disney ships. Remy and Palo are adult-only restaurants that are available on the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream , while the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder only offer Palo. The Disney Wish has Palo and a new restaurant called Enchante. These are offered for an additional fee.

In addition to the dining rooms and restaurants, there are lots of quick-service options available throughout the ships. Complimentary room service is also available.

Royal Caribbean typically offers one main dining room, although some ships have two. There are two seatings, as well as “My Time Dining”. You’ll have the same servers in the main dining room throughout the cruise.

Unlike DCL, Royal Caribbean ships offer many specialty restaurants that are not included in your cruise fare. These specialty restaurants include varied options such as Johnny Rockets, Izumi Sushi and Tepanyaki, Chops Grille, and Hooked Seafood, and they can be a great add-on to your cruise.

Themed Cruises

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line offers themed cruises throughout the year. These can make your cruise experience even more exciting, with special events, decor, and characters. Some of these included:

• Halloween on the High Seas
• Marvel Day at Sea
• Pixar Day at Sea
• Very Merrytime Cruise

If your cruise is one of these special-themed cruises, it will be clearly labeled.

Laundry Facilities

I generally don’t like to do chores on my family vacations, but sometimes I do have to wash clothes. Disney Cruise Line has several self-service laundry facilities onboard. There is an additional fee for using them, but they are very easy to use and you’ll get an alert on your app when the machine stops.

Royal Caribbean doesn’t have any self-service facilities. However, there is a full-service laundry option if you need clothes to be cleaned during your trip. Sometimes, there is a promotion where you’ll receive a bag in your stateroom, and everything that fits in the bag is washed for one flat fee.

Private Islands

A private island or island resort can be one of the best cruise ship excursions. Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer these experiences.

Disney Cruise Line’s Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries typically stop once at Disney’s Castaway Cay, a private island in the Bahamas. Castaway Cay is stunningly beautiful, with excursions, character interactions, beaches, a kids’ club area, and much more. It’s usually my favorite stop on the Disney Cruise Line. There’s a new private destination in the works.

Royal Caribbean has two private island/resort areas. Perfect Day at CocoCay is a newly-renovated Bahamian Island offering a water park, hot air balloon, private beach club, excursions, and more. It really has something for everyone, and after several trips, there are still so many things I haven’t explored there.

In addition to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean also has a private resort area in Labadee , Haiti. Labadee offers an inflatable water park, an alpine mountain coaster, an overwater zip line, along with beautiful beaches. Both of these private properties are offered on select, but not all sailings in the Caribbean.

Kids’ Clubs

If you are traveling with children, kids’ clubs may be a big part of your cruise ship experience. Both cruise lines offer kids’ clubs with great programming.

On Royal Caribbean, ships offer the Adventure Ocean Club – which is split out into babies, juniors, and kids. The Adventure Ocean Club is free and offers “edutainment” programming for younger kids, including talent shows, art programming, science projects, and much more. There’s also an area dedicated specifically to teens.

The Disney Cruise Line offers the Oceaneer Club and Lab. These innovative kids clubs have some fantastic theming and activities, including Star Wars and Toy Story-themed areas. Kids have so many different areas to play in. Disney Cruise Line also offers dedicated teen and tween clubs along with their youth clubs.

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line offer paid WiFi access. Royal Caribbean has two levels of internet access- a standard and one that allows steaming and is paid by the day. Disney’s internet access, however, is paid for by the amount of data used.

Both cruise lines offer apps that are free to use while on the ships. Disney’s app allows for free messaging to others on the ship, while Royal Caribbean charges a nominal fee for that service (although they’ve recently been waiving that fee). Disney Cruise Line also offers complimentary iMessage access for all guests on the ships.

Considering a family cruise? Check out our guide to family cruising , with posts about popular cruise terminals, cruise ships, and cruise lines, as well as tips for cruising.

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Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise

If you’re considering embarking on a memorable cruise vacation, you might find yourself torn between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean. Both cruise lines offer an array of destinations, experiences, amenities, and fun for all ages. But how do you determine which one is the right fit for your next getaway? To assist you in making the best decision, we’ve put together a detailed comparison of Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise, highlighting the key differences and helping you select the perfect cruise experience for your needs.

What Is a Disney Cruise?

Disney Magic | Image © Disney

A Disney Cruise is a magical vacation experience that captivates the entire family. As a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company, Disney Cruise Line expertly combines the enchantment of Disney’s world-famous entertainment with the adventure and relaxation of a cruise vacation. Onboard their uniquely designed ships, you’ll find a wealth of activities, world-class entertainment, award-winning dining options, and fun for all ages – from children’s activities to adult-only areas. There’s something for everyone when you cruise with Disney !

Sailing to popular destinations such as the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska, and Europe, Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of itineraries that create unforgettable journeys. Guests can expect character meet-and-greets, Broadway-style shows, themed deck parties, and VIP access to local attractions through the Port Adventures program. With an emphasis on family-friendly entertainment and exceptional service, Disney Cruise Line ensures that every voyage fills your heart with lasting memories and a sense of wonder.

What Is a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

Icon of the Seas | Image © Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line is a leading cruise operator known for its innovative ships and exhilarating onboard experiences. From the moment you embark on one of their state-of-the-art vessels, you’ll be swept away into a world of adventure, excitement, and relaxation. Royal Caribbean’s commitment to providing an extraordinary vacation is evident in its diverse range of activities and immersive experiences, ensuring that each day is filled with unforgettable memories for every guest.

Aboard a Royal Caribbean Cruise, there’s no shortage of opportunities to delight and entertain passengers of all ages. Whether you’re soaking up the sun on their beautifully designed decks, browsing the selection at duty-free shops, or savoring delectable dishes at their world-class restaurants, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Beyond the array of onboard entertainment and activities, guests can expect spacious, comfortable staterooms complete with top-notch service and mesmerizing ocean views.

Comparing Disney Cruises and Royal Caribbean Cruises

When choosing between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean for your next vacation, it’s crucial to understand the key differences between these two renowned cruise lines. We’ve prepared a comprehensive comparison of their fleets, pricing, itineraries, destinations, activities, dining, suitability for kids and adults, and overall experience to help you make an informed decision.

Disney Cruise Line operates a smaller, more intimate fleet of  five ships : Disney Magic , Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , Disney Wish , and Disney Wonder . Each ship is designed with the signature Disney touch, creating a magical and immersive atmosphere for guests of all ages. On the other hand, Royal Caribbean boasts a larger and more diverse fleet of  27 ships , offering a vast range of amenities, experiences, and styles to cater to different tastes and preferences.

Disney Cruise Line is often regarded as a more premium experience than Royal Caribbean, resulting in higher Disney Cruise costs per person . For example, we compared prices for two nearly identical cruises: an interior stateroom on a 3-night Bahamian cruise sailing from Port Canaveral on July 7, 2023, with stops at Nassau and the cruise line’s private island, Disney’s Castaway Cay. Aboard the brand new Disney Wish , the cost per person per night was around $480, while on Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas, the cost was about $395 per person per night.

It’s important to consider the inclusions in the price of each cruise line when comparing costs, as they add value to your vacation experience. Disney Cruise fares include a wide array of dining options, entertainment, and activities for all age groups. On the other hand, Royal Caribbean’s pricing also encompasses various amenities, including onboard activities, entertainment, and dining choices, which contribute to the overall value of their cruise offerings.

To secure the best pricing for Disney Cruises or Royal Caribbean cruises, consider using an experienced and highly-rated travel agency like The Vacationeer . They can answer questions, provide advice, help find the perfect itinerary, and ensure you get the best pricing available for either cruise line. As a Diamond-Level Disney Authorized Vacation Planner, they can offer top-notch service and competitive prices, including up to $1000 in Disney cruise onboard credit . Contact them today for more information – their expert services are free of charge!

Itineraries

Both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer short and long-term trips, with cruise durations ranging from three to eleven days and occasional extended itineraries exceeding eleven days. Each cruise line provides a unique selection of routes and stops, so it’s essential to consider your desired destinations when choosing the right option for your vacation.

Moreover, this will determine the necessary travel documentation, such as whether you need a passport for a Disney Cruise or a Royal Caribbean cruise. Being aware of the destinations for your chosen cruise is vital to have all the required documents, including passports, visas, and vaccination certificates, depending on the locations visited. Work with The Vacationeer to ensure a seamless process from start to finish.

Destinations

Disney Cruise Line primarily focuses on popular and family-friendly destinations, including the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Alaska , Hawaii , and Europe . In recent years, Disney has expanded its offerings to encompass more exotic locations such as Australia and New Zealand. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line guests have access to exclusive destinations like Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island , where they can immerse themselves in a tropical paradise infused with Disney magic.

In contrast, Royal Caribbean offers a more extensive range of destinations, catering to various interests and preferences. Their itineraries cover not only the popular cruise spots but also more remote and exotic locales, such as Asia, the South Pacific, the Middle East, and South America. This diverse selection of destinations provides seasoned and adventurous cruisers with a wide array of unique experiences and opportunities to explore different cultures around the world.

Disney Cruise Line is renowned for its family-oriented activities and immersive Disney-themed experiences. Onboard, guests can enjoy character meet-and-greets, Broadway-style shows, themed deck parties, and various interactive experiences, such as themed trivia, scavenger hunts, and animation workshops. Disney Cruise Line also offers a wide range of age-appropriate activities for children, including kids’ clubs, teen lounges, and designated spaces for adults to relax and unwind. 

Train to save the world at Marvel Super Hero Academy

The activities are designed to appeal to the Disney enthusiast, creating a magical and enchanting atmosphere that leaves a lasting impression on guests of all ages.

Alternatively, Royal Caribbean is known for its extensive array of activities that cater to both thrill-seekers and those looking for more leisurely pursuits. Their ships boast state-of-the-art features, such as surf simulators, zip lines, rock-climbing walls, and ice-skating rinks, providing an adrenaline rush for the adventurous. Additionally, Royal Caribbean offers more traditional cruise activities, including poolside relaxation, spa treatments, and fitness classes. 

Guests can also enjoy various entertainment options, such as live music, Broadway-style shows, and comedy performances. With a broad selection of activities, Royal Caribbean appeals to a wider range of interests and preferences, ensuring there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Dining on both Disney and Royal Caribbean cruises is designed to cater to a variety of tastes and preferences, with options ranging from casual bites to upscale, fine dining establishments. Disney Cruise Line features a distinctive rotational dining system that lets guests enjoy multiple themed dining experiences during their voyage, including character meals that captivate younger travelers. 

Some of Disney Cruise Line’s notable restaurants include Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, and adult-exclusive dining options such as Palo and Remy, which offer sophisticated dining experiences. In addition, Disney is known for its excellent food quality and presentation, ensuring that every meal is a memorable one.

On the other hand, Royal Caribbean offers an even more extensive selection of culinary choices, with an impressive array of onboard dining venues, including partnerships with celebrity chefs and specialty restaurants that serve a wide range of international cuisines. From sushi to Italian, guests can indulge in diverse culinary experiences throughout their journey. 

Royal Caribbean also provides flexible dining options, such as My Time Dining, which allows guests to choose their preferred dining time and seating arrangements, making it a convenient choice for travelers seeking variety and flexibility in their dining experience.

Best for Kids: Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean Cruise

Disney Cruise Line is the undisputed leader when it comes to catering to children, offering age-specific kids’ clubs, character interactions, and entertainment that focuses on creating a magical experience for younger guests. Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab provide a vast range of activities and themed play areas featuring favorite characters from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars, ensuring children of all ages are engaged and entertained. Additionally, Disney Cruise Line offers kids-only events, such as themed dance parties, scavenger hunts, and interactive shows that immerse them in the world of Disney. 

While Royal Caribbean also offers kids’ clubs, family-friendly activities, and dedicated spaces for teenagers, such as the Adventure Ocean program and teen lounges, the cruise line’s offerings cater to a broader age range, and the focus is not solely on younger children. Disney’s emphasis on enchanting experiences and the familiarity of beloved characters make it the top choice for families with younger children who want to be fully immersed in the magic of Disney throughout their cruise experience. There is no doubt that Disney Cruise Line is the best cruise line for kids !

Best for Adults: Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean Cruise

For adults seeking a diverse array of onboard experiences, dining options, adventurous activities, and a more extensive range of nightlife and entertainment choices, Royal Caribbean may be the more appealing option. The cruise line’s ships feature numerous bars, lounges, and clubs, providing a wide variety of atmospheres and experiences to suit different tastes. In addition, Royal Caribbean offers an impressive array of entertainment options, such as Broadway-style shows, live music, comedy clubs, and even outdoor movie nights under the stars.

While Disney Cruise Line also offers adult-only areas, lounges, and entertainment, including upscale dining options and exclusive adult-only sections on their ships, Royal Caribbean provides a broader variety of options that cater to a wider range of preferences and interests. Furthermore, Royal Caribbean’s itineraries include more exotic and remote destinations, such as Asia, the Middle East, and South America, which may be more appealing to adults seeking unique and culturally enriching travel experiences. This makes Royal Caribbean the best choice for adults who want to combine the excitement of a cruise vacation with the opportunity to explore new and diverse locations.

Best For Families: Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean Cruise

Selecting the ideal cruise for your family vacation involves careful consideration of various factors, including your budget, desired destination, preferred activity level, and the interests of each family member. For instance, if you’re seeking a kid-friendly experience infused with that extra touch of Disney magic, a Disney Cruise is likely your best bet. Many people consider Disney Cruise Line the top choice for families with children, thanks to its captivating character interactions, enchanting entertainment, and age-specific kids’ clubs.

Conversely, if your family is in search of a more adventurous and diverse experience with a broader range of destinations, including exotic and remote locations, a Royal Caribbean cruise might be the better option. Royal Caribbean’s extensive array of onboard activities, such as rock climbing, zip-lining, and surfing simulators, appeals to thrill-seekers and active families. Additionally, their wide variety of dining options and partnerships with celebrity chefs cater to diverse culinary preferences, ensuring that there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

When choosing between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean for your family vacation, take the time to assess the specific interests and preferences of each family member, as well as your overall vacation goals. You may want to involve your family in the decision-making process to ensure everyone’s needs and desires are taken into account. By carefully evaluating these factors and considering the unique offerings of each cruise line, you can confidently choose the perfect cruise experience that will delight your entire family and create cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Best Overall: Disney Cruise vs. Royal Caribbean Cruise

Deciding between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean ultimately hinges on your priorities, preferences, and expectations for your vacation. Both cruise lines provide exceptional experiences for cruisers of all ages but with distinct differences in fleet size, pricing, itineraries, destinations, activities, and dining options.

If your heart is set on a family-centric experience, complete with the enchanting ambiance of Disney-themed entertainment and a strong focus on creating lasting memories, Disney Cruise Line is likely the better option. Renowned for its magical atmosphere, captivating entertainment, exclusive destinations, and family-friendly focus, Disney Cruise Line is perfect for families with younger children or die-hard Disney fans.

On the other hand, if you’re in search of a more diverse range of activities, dining options, and destinations, with choices that cater to both families and adults, Royal Caribbean may prove to be the more suitable choice. As a luxury cruise line, Royal Caribbean offers a more standard type of cruise experience while still providing a wealth of upscale amenities and activities. With a broader selection of destinations, including exotic and remote locations, Royal Caribbean can be an excellent option for well-traveled families or those looking for a more adventurous and varied cruise experience.

Final Thoughts

To choose between these two cruise lines, take into account your budget, the destinations you want to explore, the type of activities you prefer, and the overall atmosphere you desire during your vacation. Additionally, consider the age range and interests of your travel companions. It’s essential to research the itineraries, onboard activities, and accommodations offered by each cruise line, as well as read reviews from fellow travelers. It’s always wise to consult with a travel agent specializing in cruises to gather further insights and recommendations. By carefully weighing these factors, you can confidently select the cruise line that best matches your needs and preferences. This will ensure an unforgettable and enjoyable cruise adventure for everyone involved!

Why Wait? Book your Next Cruise Today!

Both cruise lines are great, but when it comes to the Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise debate, we lean slightly towards Disney Cruise Line due to the fantastic level of service and amenities. If you’re ready to book your Disney cruise , contact the Disney experts at The Vacationeer ! Their planning services are provided at no additional cost to you, and there’s never any obligation to book. Plus, they offer up to $1000 in onboard credit as a booking bonus to be spent on extras not included in the cruise fare.

Should you be interested in exploring Royal Caribbean options, The Vacationeer would be more than happy to help you compare pricing and find the best itineraries at the lowest price. Whatever your choice may be, contact them now for a free instant price quote and start planning your dream cruise vacation today. With their assistance, you’ll be able to navigate the Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise decision and find the perfect match for your unforgettable getaway. They can even help you compare Disney Cruises against other cruise lines such as Norwegian , Princess , and Carnival .

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Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean: The Ultimate Comparison

Are you considering Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean for your next family vacation? You’re not alone! That’s why we have created this ultimate comparison guide to help you make the right decision for your family! Deciding between these two cruise lines can be like picking your favorite ice cream flavor – both are delightful but in different ways. As seasoned travel professionals who have a love for both theme parks and cruises, we are here to guide you through this exciting journey. Choosing a R oyal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise doesn’t have to be difficult! But from what we found, it’s a lot of back and forth on their respective websites. So, we have put together this guide to help you compare the two cruise lines in one place. 

We hope you find this post helpful! And if you are planning a Disney Cruise Line Vacation, check out our other FREE vacation planning tools. Our goal at The Park Prodigy has always been to help you save time on your next vacation and find the cheapest Disney Cruise Line vacations !

Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean

Embarking on a cruise is like stepping into a world of wonder, and when it comes to choosing between Disney Cruise Line vs   Royal Caribbean , the decision becomes an even more intriguing adventure. As a seasoned traveler who has set sail numerous times on an adult only Disney Cruise vacation , I’ve experienced firsthand the enchantment that Disney uniquely provides on their ships. It’s perfect for those seeking a sprinkle of pixie dust and character-filled moments. Disney cruises are a dream come true for families and Disney aficionados alike. But what about Royal Caribbean? With its own set of charms and surprises, it caters to a different, yet equally thrilling, set of preferences. So, let’s dive into the specifics of each, exploring why you might choose one over the other for your next unforgettable vacation.

Choose Royal Caribbean for the Largest Selection of Suite Types and Perks

• Royal Caribbean stands out with its diverse array of suite options. From cozy interior rooms to sprawling Royal Suites, there’s something for every family size and budget. If you’re seeking a touch of luxury on vacation with a more reasonable price tag, Royal Caribbean is the ship for you!

Choose Disney for Truly Family-Friendly Accommodations

• Disney Cruise Line is the epitome of family-oriented cruising. Their staterooms are designed with families in mind, offering ample storage, split bathrooms (a godsend!), and whimsical touches that appeal to both kids and kids at heart. Disney Cruises has also always been my preferred cruise line for its impeccable customer service!

Related Post: Complete Guide to a Disney Cruise for Adults

Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean – The Basics

Disney Cruise Line: 

• Western, Eastern, & Southern Caribbean
• Northern Europe
• Norwegian Fjords
• Mediterranean
• British Isles
• Mexican Riviera
• Panama Canal
• Pacific Coast
• Transatlantic
• South Pacific
• New Zealand & Australia
• Singapore – Sailing in 2025

Royal Caribbean:

• Greece & Greek Isles
• New England

Important to know :

When it comes to destinations,  Disney Cruise Line   vs   Royal Caribbean both whisk travelers away on journeys filled with wonder and excitement. Each cruise line has a wonderful variety of routes that cater to any traveler’s dream. Each company also has its own private island. Royal Caribbean’s CocoCay offers diverse activities, including hot air balloon rides and a water park! Disney Cruise Line’s island, Castaway Cay , is an idyllic paradise exclusively for Disney cruisers. This serene haven is often cited as a pinnacle experience, offering families a unique blend of Disney magic and tropical bliss. We have to give this one to the Disney Cruise Line for their slightly more expansive destination list. The only downside of DCL’s routes is the missing stops in Greece and Italy in comparison to Royal Caribbean.

Related Post: When is the Cheapest Time to Go on a Disney Cruise?

Cabin Types – R oyal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise

• Standard/Deluxe Inside
• Deluxe/Family Oceanview
• Deluxe/Family Oceanview with Verandah
• Concierge Family Oceanview
• Concierge Family Oceanview with Verandah
• Concierge 1 & 2 Bedroom Suites with Verandah
• Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah
• Concierge 1 & 2 Stroy Royal Suites with Verandah
• Concierge Wish and Treasure Tower Suites
• Interior Studio, Spacious, Virtual Balcony, and promenade View
• Oceanview Studio, Spacious, Ultra Spacious, & Spacious Panoramic
• Oceanview with Large Balcony Ocean View, Spacious Ocean View, & Ultra Spacious
• Oceanview Suite with No Balcony Staterooms
• Junior 1 Bedroom & Large Balcony Suite
• Grand 1 & 2 Bedroom, Large Balcony, Panoramic, & Loft Suite
• Owner’s 1 & 2 Bedroom, Panoramic, & Loft Suite
• Royal 1 Bedroom Suite & 2 Bedroom Loft Suite
• Villa 4 Bedroom Suite
• Boardwalk View, Central Park View, Boardwalk AquaTheater View Neighborhood Staterooms
• 2 Bedroom Crown Loft & Sky Loft Suite
• 1 Bedroom AquaTheater, Spacious AquaTheater, & AquaTheater with Large Balcony Suite
• 2 Deck, 1 Bedroom Star Loft Suite
• 2 Deck, 1 Bedroom Grand Panoramic Suite
• 2 Deck, 2 Bedroom Royal Loft Suite

All cruise lines have 4 major categories of staterooms to choose from, no matter what they’re called. These are Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, and Suites. Royal Caribbean dazzles with its extensive array of cabin types, catering to diverse preferences and budgets; Disney Cruise Line stands out with its family-centric approach to accommodation design. But even though the DCL has families in mind, Royal Caribbean truly has a stateroom for any type of vacation you’re looking to have. So no matter what, when you compare Royal Caribbean vs Disney , you have to give it to the RC ships for their custom vacation thinking. Also, while we have listed out every stateroom available for each cruise line, some rooms are only available on select ships!

Related Post: How Many Ships Does Disney Have?

• Inside: $2,326
• Oceanview: $2,528
• Verandah: $2,824
• Concierge: $6,430
• Interior: $493
• Oceanview: $563
• Balcony: $616
• Suites: $1,421

All pricing above is for a 3-night sailing to the Bahamas on March 7th, 2025, from Port Canaveral, Florida. 

It’s almost impossible to compare the price on a cruise. Countless factors go into how much a cruise costs. Such as destination, duration, cabin type, and how many people are in your party. Our examples above are for similar cruises for each company! But in terms of pricing, this is where the contrast between a Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean Cruise Line  will be the most noticeable. As you can see in our pricing example above, Disney is more expensive than Royal Caribbean. But it doesn’t stop there; Disney Cruise Line is more expensive than almost every other cruise line out there! While it doesn’t make the top three most expensive cruises, it most certainly loses in the price factor when comparing these two popular cruise lines.

• Live Shows & Entertainment
• Disney Character Experiences
• Family Friendly Activities
• Fireworks at Sea
• Deck Parties
• Movie Theaters
• Rotational Main Dining
• Adult-Exclusive Dining
• Youth Clubs
• Nightclubs & Lounges
• Family Venues
• Pools & Water Slides
• Spa & Salon Services
• Sports & Fitness Centers
• AquaMouse – A Disney Attraction at Sea –  available only on the Wish & Treasure
• Main Dining

Both Disney Cruise Line   vs   Royal Caribbean excel in delivering a wide array of onboard amenities, each tailored to their unique brand of cruise experience. Royal Caribbean takes a slight lead when it comes to amenities geared towards adults and adventure seekers. With thrilling attractions like rock climbing walls that challenge you to reach new heights and surf simulators that bring the excitement of ocean waves onboard, they cater to those seeking an adrenaline rush and active leisure. Conversely, Disney Cruise Line focuses on family-centric amenities. They excel in creating enchanting environments and activities that captivate the imaginations of both young and old. From character meet-and-greets to themed play areas, Disney ensures that every family member, regardless of age, experiences the wonder of their magical world at sea. This distinct focus makes Disney cruises a haven for families looking to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of Disney.

Related Post: How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost Per Person?

Inclusions – Disney vs Royal Caribbean

• Your Stateroom

Entertainment

• Variety of Dining Options
• 24-hour Room Service
• Pools & Recreation
• Private Island
• Character Meet & Greets

When weighing Disney Cruise Line or Royal Caribbean , it’s vital to consider the inclusions, as cruises aren’t typically all-inclusive. Both offer essentials like meals, entertainment, and pool access. A standout difference is in beverages; Disney Cruise Line includes free soda, unlike Royal Caribbean, where soda requires an extra fee or a soda package. Additionally, Disney cruises excel with complimentary 24/7 in-room dining, complete with my personal favorite perk: unlimited Mickey Premium ice cream bars! In contrast, Royal Caribbean provides 24/7 room service but charges a delivery fee. These distinctions are crucial in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise debate, especially for families prioritizing convenience and value.

Related Post: Every Disney Cruise Ship from the Newest to Oldest

Add-on Packages

• Pre-Pay Gratuities
• Ground Transportation
• Refillable Beer Mug
• In-Room Gifts
• Internet Access (unless staying in a Concierge-level stateroom)
• Port-Adventures
• Vacation Protection
• Beer, Wine, Spirit, & Sodas
• Internet Access

In the Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean comparison, both offer purchasable Wi-Fi packages, with costs varying by speed and cruise length. A key difference is Royal Caribbean’s inclusive alcoholic drink package, allowing guests unlimited access to wine, beer, and spirits. Contrastingly, Disney Cruise Line doesn’t offer a similar beverage package; instead, they have a unique reusable beer mug for discounted refills. For alcohol and specialty drinks like smoothies, Disney Cruise Line charges per item. This distinction is crucial for those considering the Disney vs Royal Caribbean choice, especially if inclusive drink options are a priority.

Related Post: Every Disney Cruise Ship Ranked

Booking Experience

• Through us! Click here for discounted Disney Cruise vacations!
• Online via the Disney Cruise website
• By calling the Disney Cruise Line at (800) 951-3532
• Online via the Royal Caribbean website
• By calling Royal Caribbean at (844) 278-9745

For me, the ease of booking a cruise can really impact my willingness to purchase a vacation. And I have to honestly say that Disney Cruise Line offers a very helpful, streamlined, and informative booking process. Originally, I wasn’t going to put this section into the guide. However, after doing my due-diligent research on the two cruise lines, I found it incredibly difficult to easily find some key information on the Royal Caribbean website. The website has the essential booking links displayed promptly on the home page, but for any detailed information, you have to dig in the search bar. At the same time, the DCL website lays everything out for you right on the home page. Making it a pleasurable and easy booking process. If you’re looking to eliminate the stress of booking your Disney Cruise, let us do it for you !

Related Post: Book Your Discounted Disney Cruise Stateroom!

Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line – The Fun Stuff

• 4 Main Dining Options
• 2 Sweet Shops
• 3+ All Day Eateries
• 4 Additional Fee Dining Options
• 1 Main Dining Room
• 5+ All Day Eateries
• 1 Sweet Shop
• 11 Additional Fee Dining Options

In the Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean culinary showdown, both cruise lines emerge as champions in their own unique ways. Disney Cruise Line excels in themed dining experiences that are a feast for the senses and the imagination. Families dining on a Disney cruise are treated to more than just a meal; they enjoy immersive, character-driven experiences , making each dinner a memorable part of the Disney vs Royal Caribbean journey. In contrast, Royal Caribbean impresses with its vast array of dining options. Whether you’re seeking international cuisine, gourmet experiences, or casual bites, Royal Caribbean delivers, making it a strong contender in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney cruise debate for food enthusiasts. This diversity in dining is a hallmark of the Royal Caribbean Disney Cruise comparison, ensuring that every guest’s palate is well catered to on their sea voyage.

Related Post: Complete List of Disney Cruise Line Characters

• Broadway-quality Shows
• Disney Character Greetings

Themed Cruises

• Themed Nights
• Themed Dining
• Escape Rooms
• Ice Skating Shows

Both cruise lines excel but cater to different tastes. Disney Cruise Line dazzles with Broadway-caliber shows and character-filled deck parties, a major draw in the Disney vs Royal Caribbean choice for families. These immersive, Disney-themed performances make every night on a Disney cruise an enchanting experience. On the other side, Royal Caribbean impresses with a diverse range of spectacular shows and live entertainment, from musical extravaganzas to acrobatic feats, appealing to a broader audience. This variety positions Royal Caribbean as a compelling option in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney cruise discussion for those seeking versatile and high-quality onboard entertainment.

Related Post: Your Complete Guide to Disney Christmas Cruises

Private Islands – R oyal Caribbean Cruise vs Disney Cruise

• Castaway Cay – Bahamas
• Lighthouse Point – Bahamas –  opening Summer 2024
• Coco Cay – Bahamas
• Labadee – Hati

The allure of exclusive private islands is a significant highlight when choosing a cruise line. Both cruise lines offer their guests this unique experience but in distinctively different styles. Disney’s Castaway Cay stands out in the Disney vs Royal Caribbean debate for its quintessential Disney magic. This private island delivers an immersive Disney experience, complete with character greetings that delight both young and old. The island’s meticulously themed environments transport guests into a storybook paradise. In contrast, while Royal Caribbean also offers private island experiences, they focus more on relaxation and island activities rather than themes, a factor to consider in the R oyal Caribbean Disney cruise decision. However, the private islands of the Royal Caribbean offer a wider array of activities and beaches to enjoy. This distinction in private island experiences is a key element in choosing between Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

Related Post: Check out Disney’s Adult-Only Beach!

Kids’ Clubs

• Oceaneer Club – Ages 3 – 12
• Oceaneer Lab – Ages 3 – 12
• Edge – Ages 11 – 14
• Vibe – Ages 14-17
• “It’s a Small World” Nursery – Ages 6 months – 3 years
• Adventure Youth Program – Ages 3 – 12
• Teens & Tweens Program – Ages 13 – 17
• Babies & Tots Program – Ages 6 months – 3 years

Both cruise lines excel in providing exceptional kids’ clubs. However, Disney Cruise Line takes kids’ entertainment to a magical realm. Their clubs are not just spaces for play but portals into the enchanting world of Disney movies. Here, in these vividly themed and interactive clubs, children engage in activities led by their beloved Disney characters, an experience that stands out in the Disney vs Royal Caribbean debate. This direct interaction with the characters from their favorite stories makes every moment spent in Disney’s kids’ clubs a memorable adventure, a significant draw for families when booking a discount Disney Cruise . It’s this immersion into the Disney universe that gives Disney Cruise Line an edge in the Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean choice for those seeking a truly Disney-centric experience for their children.

Related Post: How to Book a Disney Cruise at a Discounted Rate

• Pixar Day at Sea
• Marvel Day at Sea
• Halloween on the High Seas
• Very Merrytime Cruises
• High Seas Motorcycle Rally
• Rock Legends Cruise
• Star Trek Cruise
• Ultimate 80’s Party
• The Old School Cruise
• Super Legends Cruise
• Christmas Cruise

In our epic Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean showdown, themed onboard experiences are a key highlight. Disney Cruise Line specializes in themed cruises, like Halloween on the High Seas , providing an immersive experience with character encounters, special shows, and activities that deeply engage fans, making Disney an ideal choice for those seeking themed adventures at sea. Conversely, Royal Caribbean caters to those who prefer shorter-themed events, offering themed nights, weekends, and parties. This approach suits travelers in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise debate who enjoy a blend of thematic and varied entertainment, offering a taste of themed fun without committing to a full-themed voyage.

Related Post: All of Disney’s Themed Cruises

Which is Better: Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise

Choosing between a Disney Cruise Line and a Royal Caribbean cruise depends on what aligns best with your family’s vacation needs. For those enchanted by Disney’s magical and immersive experiences , tailored specifically for families and Disney enthusiasts, Disney Cruise Line is an ideal choice, perfectly fitting the Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean narrative. And if your preference leans more towards a variety of experiences suitable for different ages and interests, Royal Caribbean is a great cruise option. It offers an array of activities that cater to both adventure-seekers and those seeking relaxation, making it a strong contender in the Royal Caribbean vs Disney cruise decision. Each line offers unique and memorable experiences, but the right choice for your Disney or Royal Caribbean adventure will depend on your specific vacation desires and expectations.

Is a Disney Cruise Cheaper than Royal Caribbean?

• No, a Disney Cruise is typically more expensive than a Royal Caribbean Cruise. However, the value you get from a Disney cruise – especially if you’re a Disney fan – can make the extra cost worth it.

So, while both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean provide exceptional family vacation experiences if your heart is set on the enchanting world of Disney, we’ve got something special for you. At The Park Prodigy, we understand the allure of a Disney Cruise’s magical journey. That’s why we’re excited to offer exclusive deals on Disney Cruise Line vacations! Embark on a voyage filled with Disney magic and unforgettable moments, all at a fantastic value. Visit us to explore these exclusive discounted Disney Cruise offers and get ready to set sail on a dream vacation. Bon voyage and happy cruising!

Related Post: What is the Best Disney Cruise Ship?

Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean FAQ

Q: What age groups are best suited for Disney Cruise Line?

A: Disney Cruise Line is ideal for families with children, especially those who love Disney characters and themes. It’s also great for multi-generational groups, offering activities and entertainment that appeal to all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. We also think that, if planned correctly, it’s great for adults who enjoy the Disney theme parks as an adult-only getaway!

Q: Does Royal Caribbean offer any family-oriented activities similar to Disney?

A: Yes, Royal Caribbean offers a variety of family-oriented activities. While they don’t have Disney characters, they do have family-friendly shows, kids’ clubs, and activities like rock climbing and ice skating that appeal to both children and adults.

Q: Can adults enjoy a Disney Cruise even if they’re not traveling with children?

A: Absolutely! Adults can enjoy Disney Cruises, too. There are adult-only areas, including lounges, spas, and pools, ensuring a relaxing and enjoyable experience even without children.

Q: What type of entertainment is offered on Royal Caribbean for teens?

A: Royal Caribbean provides a range of entertainment options for teens, including teen clubs, sports tournaments, DJ training sessions, and themed parties specifically designed for young adults.

Q: Are there any exclusive destinations that Disney Cruise Line visits that Royal Caribbean does not?

A: Yes, Disney Cruise Line has exclusive rights to Castaway Cay, their private island in the Bahamas, which is a unique destination not visited by Royal Caribbean.

Q: What is the average length of a cruise for both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean?

A: Both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean offer a range of cruise lengths, typically from 3 to 7 nights, with some extended voyages lasting up to 14 nights or more.

When is The Best Time to Embark on a Disney Cruise?

Our   Disney World Crowd Calendar  is the best tool to help you get the most out of your time at sea. This is simply because most guests who embark on a Disney Cruise pair their sea vacation with a land one in the parks. That’s why we break down park crowds, park hours of operation, ticket prices, and average temperature to help you better book your Disney Cruise Line Vacation. We also break down   the best time to go on a Disney Cruise   based on specific times of the year and special events.

Are You Ready to Plan Your Next Disney Cruise Trip?

Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World? Be sure to speak with a   Disney World Travel Agent   for the most recent deals and promotions. The Park Prodigy will provide a  Free Quote  for all  Disney Cruise Vacation Packages .  The Park Prodigy can also help you save up to $20 per ticket when purchasing your   Walt Disney World Tickets ,  and we offer promotional discounts for special events such as   Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party Tickets   and  Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Tickets .

Don’t forget to check out our wonderful friends over at  Theme Park Today , as well!

Who We Recommend

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* Your magic rewards program points are automatically calculated into all theme park ticket prices!

Kurt Gillman

Kurt is a former Disneyland Cast Member and seasoned explorer and is your trusted guide to the world of theme park travel. With countless visits to Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, Universal Hollywood, Tokyo Disneyland, and even aboard the Disney Cruise Line, Kurt's expertise and passion make him the perfect companion for your enchanting adventures. As the Multi-Media Manager, Content Creator and Writer for The Park Prodigy, Kurt hopes his experience and knowledge of the theme park industry can not only save people money, but give them the stress free vacation of their dreams. If he isn’t found trying the newest treats in Disneyland, Kurt enjoys relaxing at home with his dog Sam and playing video games with friends in his free time.

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Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Which family-friendly cruise line is for you?

If you're planning a cruise vacation with kids, you're likely focused on two brands: Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

While other cruise lines cater to families, these two lines top the charts. Royal Caribbean is known for its humongous ships that are chock-full of family-friendly attractions, from waterslides and ice skating shows to huge kids clubs and adults-only solariums and sun decks. Disney is always top of mind for a family getaway, and the characters, quality of entertainment and family-focused service you're used to in its parks and hotels carry over onto its cruise ships.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

How do you make a decision when your vacation choice falls to Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean? The cruise lines are different in many ways — discover what sets the lines apart to determine which is the best for you.

Size of ships

Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the largest cruise ships in the world , including the 250,800-ton, 7,600-passenger titleholder, Icon of the Seas . Its Freedom, Quantum and Oasis Class ships are no joke either. Freedom Class ships measure roughly 156,000 tons and carry upward of 4,500 passengers at maximum capacity, Quantum Class ships measure 169,000 tons and accommodate 5,000 passengers, and Oasis Class ships measure a bit more than 225,000 tons and carry between 6,600 and 7,000 passengers.

As befitting their size, these ships are full of attractions and entertainment options, a range of cabins and suites at varying price points and multiple dining and drinking establishments.

The fleet does include smaller ships among its 28 vessels. The Vision and Radiance Class ships carry around 2,500 passengers when full. However, these ships lack many of the family-friendly attractions that Royal Caribbean is known for, and are also the vessels the line sends on longer voyages or based in secondary home ports, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Baltimore. On many of these smaller ships, you'll find more adults, though all will have kids clubs and welcome families.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Disney Cruise Line has a much smaller fleet with only five ships (soon to be six by late 2024). These ships come in three sizes: the 83,000-ton Disney Magic and Disney Wonder carry 2,713 passengers at maximum capacity; the 130,000-ton Disney Dream and Fantasy carry 4,000; and the 144,000-ton Disney Wish (and its soon-to-debut sister, Disney Treasure ) can also accommodate 4,000. That puts its larger ships on par with Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class.

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Disney's smaller ships still bring all the Disney magic, including waterslides, family-friendly dining options and all the Disney character and princess encounters you could wish for.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Cabins and suites

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line ships offer a range of cabin and suite categories, so travelers can choose the amount of space, layout and price point that works for them.

Both cruise lines divide cabins generally into windowless inside cabins (on both lines, certain ships have digital screens that simulate windows, displaying video from outside the ship), ocean-view rooms with porthole or picture windows that do not open, balcony cabins with private verandas and suites with extra space and VIP amenities.

Both lines offer top-level cabins and suites with access to exclusive lounges and deck space and the services of a concierge. You can find these Concierge-level rooms on all Disney cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean's Suite Class is only offered on its newest classes of ships (Icon, Oasis and Quantum).

All of Disney Cruise Line's cabins were designed with families in mind. Most have a split bath design, with a sink and toilet in one room and a tub-shower combo and sink in another. They have room-dividing curtains and plenty of extra berths, with sofabeds and pulldown bunks. Royal Caribbean does have some family cabins fleetwide, especially on Icon of the Seas, but the majority of its rooms were not created with families of three and four in mind.

Royal Caribbean is your line if you're looking for over-the-top suites on the biggest ships. The collection includes stunning two-floor suites, including the Ultimate Family Townhouse and Ultimate Family Suite on Icon and Oasis Class ships which are a kid's dream accommodation.

Royal Caribbean also has some quirky cabins you might find fun, including ocean-view and balcony rooms that look onto the open-air, interior "neighborhoods" on Oasis and Icon Class ships, such as the fun-loving Boardwalk, leafy Central Park and kid-friendly Surfside. Icon of the Seas has new Infinite Balcony cabins, which have extra interior space and a glass wall that rolls down halfway (like a car window) to bring fresh air into the room.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Food and drink

Neither Royal Caribbean nor Disney Cruise Line is known for amazing food across the board; however, both have restaurants that will wow you.

When comparing Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean on dining, Royal Caribbean is your best bet, especially on its larger ships, if you want a lot of dining variety and don't mind paying extra for certain meals. Disney Cruise Line is the winner for family-focused restaurants and some amazing adults-only restaurants.

All Royal Caribbean ships include three meals a day in its multideck, banquet-style main dining rooms and Windjammer Marketplace buffets. Ships will also have a couple of additional included venues for snacks and fast-casual meals, such as cafes (with extra-fee coffee), Sorrento's pizza and El Loco Fresh for Mexican fare.

If you're willing to pay, you'll find nearly everything you could wish for: sushi and hibachi, steak, seafood, Italian, Southern, Johnny Rockets, pub fare and inventive dishes created using molecular gastronomy. Suite Class guests have access to an elevated, intimate dining room called Coastal Kitchen.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Disney Cruise Line takes a completely different approach to dining. Each of its ships features three included sit-down restaurants, and passengers are given a schedule of which venue to visit on which night. Your waiters rotate through the dining rooms with you, so they can get to know your preferences. The eateries are often themed to Disney movies or characters and might have a stage show or other entertainment as part of the fun.

In addition, a buffet is open for breakfast and lunch, along with all-day dining at poolside, grab-n-go venues for things like pizza, burgers and sandwiches.

Adults can seek a quieter, more romantic meal in Disney's various adults-only, extra-fee restaurants, including the Italian Palo and the French Remy or Enchante. At $50 per person, Palo is a great value for brunch and dinner with all-you-can-eat options from an extensive menu, all of very high quality. On the flip side, Remy and Enchante are among the most expensive specialty restaurants at sea.

Both cruise lines offer room service , but Disney's is included in the fare, while you have to pay extra on Royal Caribbean.

Kids activities

Both cruise lines excel at entertaining kids (especially on Royal Caribbean's bigger and newer ships), but the lines take different approaches here as well. To start, both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have large kids clubs on their ships, with separate spaces for kids and teens, as well as extra-fee nurseries for the littlest cruisers.

Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab are expansive play spaces themed to Disney, Pixar and "Star Wars" characters. You can play in Andy's Room from "Toy Story" or fly the Millennium Falcon in a "Star Wars" simulation. Activities range from arts and crafts and science experiments (like making goop) to playing video games or digital entertainment on the Magic Play Floor. Tweens and teens each have separate hangouts with lots of games and hangout space.

On Royal Caribbean ships, teens and tweens share a hangout, and the cruise line is experimenting with new programming to host activities around the ship for this picky age group. Kids still congregate in Adventure Ocean with multipurpose spaces for sports, games and crafts and plenty of high-tech entertainment. Newer ships have separate artist's studios, theaters, science labs and game space.

And, of course, both cruise lines plan kid and family activities around the ship, outside of the drop-off kids programming in the clubs. On Disney Cruise Line, families can take photos with their favorite characters and princesses, enjoy family trivia and karaoke, and attend events like a Pirate Night deck show or dance parties in the main atrium. Royal Caribbean might offer a family festival with games and face painting or field day-style competitions.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Onboard attractions

Disney might be a wiz at theme parks, but no cruise line does onboard attractions better than Royal Caribbean. Look to its biggest, newest ships for wow-factor attractions, including a FlowRider surf simulator , waterslides (including a six-slide water park on Icon of the Seas) and giant dry slides, escape room, ice skating rinks, laser tag pop-ups, bumper cars (on Quantum Class ships), zip lines, rock climbing walls and sky diving simulators.

However, its Vision and Radiance Class ships take a more traditional, pared-down approach to onboard attractions, focusing on pools and hot tubs, the casino and the spa. Choose your ship carefully if you have certain whiz-bang attractions on your to-do list.

Disney Cruise Line ships will have a water ride or slide or two, indoor and poolside movie theaters and a spa, but don't expect the over-the-top attractions of a Royal Caribbean ship. The line focuses more on activities than attractions and lazy days by the pool.

Related: The 10 wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship

Entertainment

When you compare the entertainment of Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise Line, you're not going to get a clear winner. Both lines excel at entertainment but — this won't surprise you — the two lines have different strengths when it comes to onboard shows.

Disney Cruise Line knows how to turn out high-quality shows, and each ship will offer three original Broadway-style musicals in its onboard theater. Some of them are musical versions of favorite animated classics, such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tangled." Other shows combine characters and songs from the Disney playbook to create original shows, like "The Golden Mickeys."

Disney is also known for captivating top-deck events, such as its Pirate Night shows, complete with fireworks, rappelling pirates and Mickey and friends dressed in their pirate best. Its ships run classic Disney movies on its poolside screen and first-run shows from the entire Disney portfolio in the indoor movie theaters. Adult entertainment in the lounges at night might include interactive game shows, karaoke, live music or even a solo show from a cast member.

Royal Caribbean also gets high marks for its stage shows, which range from shortened versions of Broadway musicals to original song-and-dance revues. Some ships have separate clubs where guest comedians perform, ice rinks for original Ice Capades-style shows and AquaTheaters for innovative acrobatic-diving-dancing performances. Expect high-tech effects, including the use of robotics, to enhance the entertainment.

The cruise line employs numerous musicians, including pianists who perform at the Schooner Bar, Dueling Pianos bar and even in the elevator and other unexpected locations (you never know where the Stowaway Pianist will appear). Ships with Royal Promenades host festive parades, dance parties and midnight balloon drops.

Who is on board?

Disney Cruise Line unsurprisingly attracts a lot of families, especially families with little kids in that princess-worshipping sweet spot, as well as multigenerational families. However, the line also attracts its fair share of adult couples, friends and families with grown children. It's not uncommon to find couples celebrating an onboard wedding or their honeymoon.

What most of these Disney passengers share is a love of the brand, whether that's the characters and movies or Disney's obsession with high-quality entertainment. Also, Disney cruises don't come cheap, so families tend to be well off, or they've saved for years for a special trip.

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

Royal Caribbean sees a larger variety of passengers across its fleet due to multifaceted ships and a wide range of cruise fares. You'll find families with kids of all ages (including adult ones), couples celebrating milestones from weddings to retirements, and lots of bachelor and bachelorette parties, spring breakers and girlfriend getaway groups. Who is on board will vary depending on the ship, the time of year and the length and destination of the cruise.

If you want a more adult environment, look for smaller or older ships, longer itineraries and off-peak travel times. If you want to find families, look for weeklong cruises sailing during school breaks. The party crowd and younger friend groups gravitate toward the super-short three- or four-night or weekend itineraries.

Related: The best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for every type of traveler

Itineraries and pricing

Disney Cruise Line ships mainly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas on weeklong or shorter sailings. Three- and four-night cruises from Florida home ports, especially Port Canaveral, are ideal for tacking onto short visits to Disney World in Orlando.

Disney Wonder is the cruise line's Pacific-based ship. It sails to Mexico, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawaii (the latter as repositioning cruises). Disney Dream is the line's transatlantic ship. It sails to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida, but also crosses the ocean to offer European cruises (Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Western Europe).

Disney has previously offered Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises from northeastern U.S. home ports but does not currently have any on its schedule.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

With a much larger fleet, Royal Caribbean has a much more diverse itinerary roster, but its focus is mainly the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Europe. In the summer, the line might base a dozen ships in the islands, half as many in Europe and four in Alaska, with the rest sailing to places like Bermuda, Canada and New England, Mexico and Asia. It can offer ship and itinerary options within one cruise region at the same time, whereas Disney might only have one ship sailing one route.

Royal Caribbean also offers cruises to the South Pacific, Pacific Northwest, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Panama Canal, as well as transatlantic and transpacific crossings to move ships to new home ports.

You'll also have a wider selection of departure ports in the U.S. with Royal Caribbean. Its ships sail from secondary home ports, such as Baltimore, Boston, Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey), Galveston, New Orleans and Tampa, as well as the major Florida ports, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Perhaps because Disney Cruise Line has far fewer ships to fill than Royal Caribbean, its prices are generally much higher on similar itineraries. For example, at press time, the cheapest seven-night Caribbean cruise you can book on Disney Cruise Line starts at $1,449 per person, based on double occupancy and not including taxes and fees. Royal Caribbean's cheapest weeklong cruise starts at $377 per person.

However, Royal Caribbean's newest ships are very much in demand, and pricing can rival Disney's. The cheapest seven-night cruise on the line's recently debuted Icon of the Seas starts at $1,723 per person; its 2025-arriving sister Star of the Seas isn't much more affordable, with rates starting at $1,677.

Bottom line: Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean

If you're looking at Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean for your next vacation at sea, you can't go wrong with either line.

Choose Disney Cruise Line if you're a huge Disney fan or are traveling with kids who are. Choose that line if you prefer smaller ships that are still kid-focused but offer plenty of adults-only spaces. Finally, book a Disney if you can afford the high fares and if your preferred destination and travel dates match up with the line's more limited schedule.

Choose Royal Caribbean if you like big ships and cruises that appeal to all ages and interests or if you're looking for smaller ships and are fine with older ships and more traditional onboard activities. If you need a wide variety of itineraries to choose from, are looking to cruise to more far-flung destinations or need options for affordable rooms or a wide selection of suites, Royal Caribbean is the line for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean: Which family-friendly cruise line is for you?

If you're planning a cruise vacation with kids, you're likely focused on two brands: Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.

While other cruise lines cater to families, these two lines top the charts. Royal Caribbean is known for its humongous ships that are chock-full of family-friendly attractions, from waterslides and ice skating shows to huge kids clubs and adults-only solariums and sun decks. Disney is always top of mind for a family getaway, and the characters, quality of entertainment and family-focused service you're used to in its parks and hotels carry over onto its cruise ships.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

How do you make a decision when your vacation choice falls to Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean? The cruise lines are different in many ways — discover what sets the lines apart to determine which is the best for you.

Size of ships

Royal Caribbean is known for having some of the largest cruise ships in the world , including the 250,800-ton, 7,600-passenger titleholder, Icon of the Seas . Its Freedom, Quantum and Oasis Class ships are no joke either. Freedom Class ships measure roughly 156,000 tons and carry upward of 4,500 passengers at maximum capacity, Quantum Class ships measure 169,000 tons and accommodate 5,000 passengers, and Oasis Class ships measure a bit more than 225,000 tons and carry between 6,600 and 7,000 passengers.

As befitting their size, these ships are full of attractions and entertainment options, a range of cabins and suites at varying price points and multiple dining and drinking establishments.

The fleet does include smaller ships among its 28 vessels. The Vision and Radiance Class ships carry around 2,500 passengers when full. However, these ships lack many of the family-friendly attractions that Royal Caribbean is known for, and are also the vessels the line sends on longer voyages or based in secondary home ports, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Baltimore. On many of these smaller ships, you'll find more adults, though all will have kids clubs and welcome families.

Related: The 7 classes of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, explained

Disney Cruise Line has a much smaller fleet with only five ships (soon to be six by late 2024). These ships come in three sizes: the 83,000-ton Disney Magic and Disney Wonder carry 2,713 passengers at maximum capacity; the 130,000-ton Disney Dream and Fantasy carry 4,000; and the 144,000-ton Disney Wish (and its soon-to-debut sister, Disney Treasure ) can also accommodate 4,000. That puts its larger ships on par with Royal Caribbean's Freedom Class.

Unlike Royal Caribbean, Disney's smaller ships still bring all the Disney magic, including waterslides, family-friendly dining options and all the Disney character and princess encounters you could wish for.

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Cabins and suites

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line ships offer a range of cabin and suite categories, so travelers can choose the amount of space, layout and price point that works for them.

Both cruise lines divide cabins generally into windowless inside cabins (on both lines, certain ships have digital screens that simulate windows, displaying video from outside the ship), ocean-view rooms with porthole or picture windows that do not open, balcony cabins with private verandas and suites with extra space and VIP amenities.

Both lines offer top-level cabins and suites with access to exclusive lounges and deck space and the services of a concierge. You can find these Concierge-level rooms on all Disney cruise ships, but Royal Caribbean's Suite Class is only offered on its newest classes of ships (Icon, Oasis and Quantum).

All of Disney Cruise Line's cabins were designed with families in mind. Most have a split bath design, with a sink and toilet in one room and a tub-shower combo and sink in another. They have room-dividing curtains and plenty of extra berths, with sofabeds and pulldown bunks. Royal Caribbean does have some family cabins fleetwide, especially on Icon of the Seas, but the majority of its rooms were not created with families of three and four in mind.

Royal Caribbean is your line if you're looking for over-the-top suites on the biggest ships. The collection includes stunning two-floor suites, including the Ultimate Family Townhouse and Ultimate Family Suite on Icon and Oasis Class ships which are a kid's dream accommodation.

Royal Caribbean also has some quirky cabins you might find fun, including ocean-view and balcony rooms that look onto the open-air, interior "neighborhoods" on Oasis and Icon Class ships, such as the fun-loving Boardwalk, leafy Central Park and kid-friendly Surfside. Icon of the Seas has new Infinite Balcony cabins, which have extra interior space and a glass wall that rolls down halfway (like a car window) to bring fresh air into the room.

Related: Royal Caribbean cruise ship cabin and suite guide: Everything you want to know

Food and drink

Neither Royal Caribbean nor Disney Cruise Line is known for amazing food across the board; however, both have restaurants that will wow you.

When comparing Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean on dining, Royal Caribbean is your best bet, especially on its larger ships, if you want a lot of dining variety and don't mind paying extra for certain meals. Disney Cruise Line is the winner for family-focused restaurants and some amazing adults-only restaurants.

All Royal Caribbean ships include three meals a day in its multideck, banquet-style main dining rooms and Windjammer Marketplace buffets. Ships will also have a couple of additional included venues for snacks and fast-casual meals, such as cafes (with extra-fee coffee), Sorrento's pizza and El Loco Fresh for Mexican fare.

If you're willing to pay, you'll find nearly everything you could wish for: sushi and hibachi, steak, seafood, Italian, Southern, Johnny Rockets, pub fare and inventive dishes created using molecular gastronomy. Suite Class guests have access to an elevated, intimate dining room called Coastal Kitchen.

Related: The ultimate guide to cruise ship food and dining

Disney Cruise Line takes a completely different approach to dining. Each of its ships features three included sit-down restaurants, and passengers are given a schedule of which venue to visit on which night. Your waiters rotate through the dining rooms with you, so they can get to know your preferences. The eateries are often themed to Disney movies or characters and might have a stage show or other entertainment as part of the fun.

In addition, a buffet is open for breakfast and lunch, along with all-day dining at poolside, grab-n-go venues for things like pizza, burgers and sandwiches.

Adults can seek a quieter, more romantic meal in Disney's various adults-only, extra-fee restaurants, including the Italian Palo and the French Remy or Enchante. At $50 per person, Palo is a great value for brunch and dinner with all-you-can-eat options from an extensive menu, all of very high quality. On the flip side, Remy and Enchante are among the most expensive specialty restaurants at sea.

Both cruise lines offer room service , but Disney's is included in the fare, while you have to pay extra on Royal Caribbean.

Kids activities

Both cruise lines excel at entertaining kids (especially on Royal Caribbean's bigger and newer ships), but the lines take different approaches here as well. To start, both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have large kids clubs on their ships, with separate spaces for kids and teens, as well as extra-fee nurseries for the littlest cruisers.

Disney's Oceaneer Club and Lab are expansive play spaces themed to Disney, Pixar and "Star Wars" characters. You can play in Andy's Room from "Toy Story" or fly the Millennium Falcon in a "Star Wars" simulation. Activities range from arts and crafts and science experiments (like making goop) to playing video games or digital entertainment on the Magic Play Floor. Tweens and teens each have separate hangouts with lots of games and hangout space.

On Royal Caribbean ships, teens and tweens share a hangout, and the cruise line is experimenting with new programming to host activities around the ship for this picky age group. Kids still congregate in Adventure Ocean with multipurpose spaces for sports, games and crafts and plenty of high-tech entertainment. Newer ships have separate artist's studios, theaters, science labs and game space.

And, of course, both cruise lines plan kid and family activities around the ship, outside of the drop-off kids programming in the clubs. On Disney Cruise Line, families can take photos with their favorite characters and princesses, enjoy family trivia and karaoke, and attend events like a Pirate Night deck show or dance parties in the main atrium. Royal Caribbean might offer a family festival with games and face painting or field day-style competitions.

Related: 5 best cruise lines for families

Onboard attractions

Disney might be a wiz at theme parks, but no cruise line does onboard attractions better than Royal Caribbean. Look to its biggest, newest ships for wow-factor attractions, including a FlowRider surf simulator , waterslides (including a six-slide water park on Icon of the Seas) and giant dry slides, escape room, ice skating rinks, laser tag pop-ups, bumper cars (on Quantum Class ships), zip lines, rock climbing walls and sky diving simulators.

However, its Vision and Radiance Class ships take a more traditional, pared-down approach to onboard attractions, focusing on pools and hot tubs, the casino and the spa. Choose your ship carefully if you have certain whiz-bang attractions on your to-do list.

Disney Cruise Line ships will have a water ride or slide or two, indoor and poolside movie theaters and a spa, but don't expect the over-the-top attractions of a Royal Caribbean ship. The line focuses more on activities than attractions and lazy days by the pool.

Related: The 10 wildest attractions you'll find on a cruise ship

Entertainment

When you compare the entertainment of Royal Caribbean vs. Disney Cruise Line, you're not going to get a clear winner. Both lines excel at entertainment but — this won't surprise you — the two lines have different strengths when it comes to onboard shows.

Disney Cruise Line knows how to turn out high-quality shows, and each ship will offer three original Broadway-style musicals in its onboard theater. Some of them are musical versions of favorite animated classics, such as "Beauty and the Beast" and "Tangled." Other shows combine characters and songs from the Disney playbook to create original shows, like "The Golden Mickeys."

Disney is also known for captivating top-deck events, such as its Pirate Night shows, complete with fireworks, rappelling pirates and Mickey and friends dressed in their pirate best. Its ships run classic Disney movies on its poolside screen and first-run shows from the entire Disney portfolio in the indoor movie theaters. Adult entertainment in the lounges at night might include interactive game shows, karaoke, live music or even a solo show from a cast member.

Royal Caribbean also gets high marks for its stage shows, which range from shortened versions of Broadway musicals to original song-and-dance revues. Some ships have separate clubs where guest comedians perform, ice rinks for original Ice Capades-style shows and AquaTheaters for innovative acrobatic-diving-dancing performances. Expect high-tech effects, including the use of robotics, to enhance the entertainment.

The cruise line employs numerous musicians, including pianists who perform at the Schooner Bar, Dueling Pianos bar and even in the elevator and other unexpected locations (you never know where the Stowaway Pianist will appear). Ships with Royal Promenades host festive parades, dance parties and midnight balloon drops.

Who is on board?

Disney Cruise Line unsurprisingly attracts a lot of families, especially families with little kids in that princess-worshipping sweet spot, as well as multigenerational families. However, the line also attracts its fair share of adult couples, friends and families with grown children. It's not uncommon to find couples celebrating an onboard wedding or their honeymoon.

What most of these Disney passengers share is a love of the brand, whether that's the characters and movies or Disney's obsession with high-quality entertainment. Also, Disney cruises don't come cheap, so families tend to be well off, or they've saved for years for a special trip.

Related: 5 reasons why Disney cruises aren't just for kids

Royal Caribbean sees a larger variety of passengers across its fleet due to multifaceted ships and a wide range of cruise fares. You'll find families with kids of all ages (including adult ones), couples celebrating milestones from weddings to retirements, and lots of bachelor and bachelorette parties, spring breakers and girlfriend getaway groups. Who is on board will vary depending on the ship, the time of year and the length and destination of the cruise.

If you want a more adult environment, look for smaller or older ships, longer itineraries and off-peak travel times. If you want to find families, look for weeklong cruises sailing during school breaks. The party crowd and younger friend groups gravitate toward the super-short three- or four-night or weekend itineraries.

Related: The best Royal Caribbean cruise ship for every type of traveler

Itineraries and pricing

Disney Cruise Line ships mainly sail to the Caribbean and Bahamas on weeklong or shorter sailings. Three- and four-night cruises from Florida home ports, especially Port Canaveral, are ideal for tacking onto short visits to Disney World in Orlando.

Disney Wonder is the cruise line's Pacific-based ship. It sails to Mexico, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand, the South Pacific and Hawaii (the latter as repositioning cruises). Disney Dream is the line's transatlantic ship. It sails to the Caribbean and Bahamas from Florida, but also crosses the ocean to offer European cruises (Mediterranean, Norwegian fjords, Western Europe).

Disney has previously offered Bermuda and Canada/New England cruises from northeastern U.S. home ports but does not currently have any on its schedule.

Related: The ultimate guide to Disney Cruise Line ships and itineraries

With a much larger fleet, Royal Caribbean has a much more diverse itinerary roster, but its focus is mainly the Caribbean, the Bahamas and Europe. In the summer, the line might base a dozen ships in the islands, half as many in Europe and four in Alaska, with the rest sailing to places like Bermuda, Canada and New England, Mexico and Asia. It can offer ship and itinerary options within one cruise region at the same time, whereas Disney might only have one ship sailing one route.

Royal Caribbean also offers cruises to the South Pacific, Pacific Northwest, Australia and New Zealand, Hawaii and Panama Canal, as well as transatlantic and transpacific crossings to move ships to new home ports.

You'll also have a wider selection of departure ports in the U.S. with Royal Caribbean. Its ships sail from secondary home ports, such as Baltimore, Boston, Cape Liberty (Bayonne, New Jersey), Galveston, New Orleans and Tampa, as well as the major Florida ports, Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.

Related: The ultimate guide to Royal Caribbean cruise ships and itineraries

Perhaps because Disney Cruise Line has far fewer ships to fill than Royal Caribbean, its prices are generally much higher on similar itineraries. For example, at press time, the cheapest seven-night Caribbean cruise you can book on Disney Cruise Line starts at $1,449 per person, based on double occupancy and not including taxes and fees. Royal Caribbean's cheapest weeklong cruise starts at $377 per person.

However, Royal Caribbean's newest ships are very much in demand, and pricing can rival Disney's. The cheapest seven-night cruise on the line's recently debuted Icon of the Seas starts at $1,723 per person; its 2025-arriving sister Star of the Seas isn't much more affordable, with rates starting at $1,677.

Bottom line: Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean

If you're looking at Disney Cruise Line versus Royal Caribbean for your next vacation at sea, you can't go wrong with either line.

Choose Disney Cruise Line if you're a huge Disney fan or are traveling with kids who are. Choose that line if you prefer smaller ships that are still kid-focused but offer plenty of adults-only spaces. Finally, book a Disney if you can afford the high fares and if your preferred destination and travel dates match up with the line's more limited schedule.

Choose Royal Caribbean if you like big ships and cruises that appeal to all ages and interests or if you're looking for smaller ships and are fine with older ships and more traditional onboard activities. If you need a wide variety of itineraries to choose from, are looking to cruise to more far-flung destinations or need options for affordable rooms or a wide selection of suites, Royal Caribbean is the line for you.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

This article may contain affiliate links that Microsoft and/or the publisher may receive a commission from if you buy a product or service through those links.

Fairytale Wonders

Sharing our love of Disney & Travel

How Royal Caribbean Compares to Disney Cruise Line

In this post, we’ll be comparing Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line and talking about some of the similarities and differences.

As lifelong Disney travelers (and travel agents specializing in Disney vacations), we have taken a lot of Disney cruises over the years. In fact, it’s our favorite way to vacation! I have been on 15 Disney cruises, while Josh has been on 22. Even as adults without kids, we have loved sailing with Disney Cruise Line as a couple, or with friends and family. We actually met onboard a Disney Cruise, and we love it so much we had a Disney Cruise wedding too. We had all that cruise experience, but had never tried sailing with another cruise line. When the opportunity came up (through our job) for us to sail with Royal Caribbean, we knew we had to try it! Here’s what it was like for avid Disney cruisers to go on our first Royal Caribbean cruise!

Our FIRST Royal Caribbean Cruise

Our Royal Caribbean cruise was a 7-night sailing aboard the Harmony of the Seas. The Harmony of the Seas is an Oasis class ship, and one of the biggest ships in the world! We sailed out of Port Canaveral to the Eastern Caribbean. Our cruise sailed to St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s famous private island.

Harmony of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has the biggest cruise ships in the world. Harmony of the Seas is not quite the biggest (the biggest is the brand new Wonder of the Seas ) but it is VERY big! Being so large, it has space for a lot of unique things you won’t find on any other ship. You’ll find unique things like an ice skating rink, an AquaTheater, a Zip Line and more! The ships has its own Central Park and a Boardwalk. Both these areas are open area (Central Park from Deck 8 up, and the Boardwalk from Deck 6 up) so the ship has a unique shape to it with its big open sections in the middle. Despite the size, we found we got used to it very quickly and were easily navigating it by the second day.

Comparing our Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line

Since posting about our Royal Caribbean cruise on TikTok and Instagram , we have gotten a LOT of questions asking how it compares to our Disney Cruise experiences. It felt impossible to fit our thoughts into a short TikTok video, or even the caption of an Instagram post, so we thought a blog post was the best way to share our answer.

The short answer is that for us personally, we found the two cruise lines to offer very different experiences. While there are similarities, each cruise line will offer something different. Both offer an experience that will appeal to different types of people! Or, they may even appeal to the same person at different times, depending on what you’re looking for on a particular vacation. Even though we may prefer one over the other, it doesn’t mean we wouldn’t ever sail with the other again.

And for the long answer….

Royal Caribbean Compared to Disney Cruise Line: Similarities & Differences

When comparing two different cruise lines, we’re going to start with the similarities. Obviously, they are both cruises! On all cruise ships, you’ll experience the amazing feelings of being at sea and the incredible ocean views. They both offer an experience that combines your hotel, entertainment, dining and more, all in one vessel. On both cruise lines, you can also expect to be enjoying a lot of really delicious food!

Another similarity is that they both offer the opportunity to sail to multiple destinations while only unpacking once. They sail to many of the same regions, and will visit the same ports on similar itineraries. For example, if you are comparing a Western Caribbean cruise between the two, the ports/itineraries will likely be similar.

Now, onto what you’re really interested in – the differences. If you’re torn between the two, hopefully these comparisons will help you in making your decision!

As I mentioned, both cruise lines offer a lot of really delicious food. No matter the cruise line you choose, be prepared to EAT! It’s hard to choose which cruise line was better because we felt they each had different strengths.

Our favorite place to eat on the Harmony of the Seas was the buffet, Windjammers. This was where we really felt that Royal Caribbean had the edge over Disney. We both agreed Windjammers really impressed us (much more so than Cabanas on the DCL ships)! Windjammers had a superb variety of offerings, and the food was always hot and fresh. We really loved it and ended up eating there almost every day! We also loved that they had a themed dinner night each evening like Chinese, Indian and Caribbean night.

Main Dining

Alternatively, when it came to the Main Dining Room on RCCL, it couldn’t compare to the main dining on Disney Cruise Line. We had a pretty negative overall experience in the Main Dining Room on the Harmony (more on that later), but the food was still very good. Disney has amazing rotational dining , while on Royal Caribbean you are eating in the same Main Dining Room each night. The restaurant is also much less themed. About half the menu was the same each night, while the other half changed out daily. The menu selection we found to be less ‘fine dining’ than Disney’s main dining. They had some casual options on the menu like spaghetti or fish & chips, which are just less ‘fancy’ than we expected. There were also certain premium entrees that cost extra. Overall though, almost everything we had was delicious!

Specialty Restaurants

On Disney, the main dinners feel like a key part of the cruise experience. On Royal, we felt like the Main Dining Room is very similar each night to encourage you to pay extra for the specialty restaurants. The specialty restaurants onboard cost extra and there are a lot to choose from. We were trying to keep costs down, so we only ate at one – Jamie’s Italian. The food at Jamie’s was very good and we enjoyed it! We didn’t love that you have to pay extra for so many of the restaurants, though.

Disney Cruise Line has specialty restaurants too, but it’s only 1-2 per ship and they are adult-only dining. Those restaurants (Palo and Remy) feel like optional experiences to us – definitely not a must-do because the main restaurants are so fantastic. But on Royal Caribbean, the specialty restaurants feel more like a common thing and you should expect to pay more for those or feel like you are missing out.

Casual Dining

For quick service/grab-and-go meal options, we found both fairly equal. Both offer a variety of casual dining options. There are definitely quick options on both cruise lines that we liked and others that we liked less. One thing we really liked on the Harmony was Sorrento’s pizza, which was open until 1:00 AM and was delicious! One that we didn’t care for was the Boardwalk Dog House; for a place that only has hot dogs, we thought the hot dogs would be better. Overall though, there was a lot to try and for the most part was great!

Room Service

Finally, room service! We only got room service once on the Harmony of the Seas because there is an extra fee. While the food is free, there is an $8 fee per order plus a service charge and gratuity. However, the food was very good quality! The salmon and cheesecake I had were really delicious. The room service food quality was better than Disney Cruise Line, however Disney’s is free. On Disney we usually get room service most nights – but on Royal the fee deterred us from doing that.

As you can see, it’s a trade-off because both cruise lines did better in certain areas. Overall though, they do both have great food so your taste buds will definitely be happy on either one!

Entertainment

For entertainment, we didn’t go in with the highest expectations because we are used to the phenomenal entertainment on DCL. Disney is an entertainment company first, and a cruise line second. They are an entertainment company with a cruise ship , while Royal Caribbean is a cruise line with entertainment. We’ve heard that before, and found it to be an accurate assessment about the quality of the shows. That doesn’t mean the shows were bad, and there was definitely a good variety, but for us overall it just wasn’t up to the level we have experienced with Disney.

Unique Shows

One of Royal Caribbean’s biggest assets is the unique variety of entertainment. They had shows in both the ice skating rink and the AquaTheater in addition to the Royal Theater and smaller venues around the ship. We really enjoyed the ice skating show (iSkate)! If you’re sailing on the Harmony of the Seas, that is definitely a must-do. In the AquaTheater, they we’re running a show called Big Daddy’s Hideaway Heist. The stunts involved in the show were great and the performers were very talented. However, we found the actual plot of the story very strange and hard to follow. We would have honestly preferred if the cast just came out and did cool tricks, rather than try to work it into this storyline.

Royal Theater

In the main theater, they had different shows throughout the cruise. One thing we didn’t like is that you have to make reservations in advance. On Disney Cruise Line, we are used to having our set show time and no reservations needed, so that was an adjustment for us. We went to 3 different shows – Grease, a comedian and a game show called Love and Marriage (adults only). The other main performance was a Journey cover band, which we didn’t go to see.

Grease was the musical aboard the ship. It was shown 3 times (one afternoon, one evening and one late night) throughout the cruise. It was well done, the performers were talented and the production quality was good. Our biggest complaint was with the show itself – it was not family-friendly in the slightest. While the movie Grease is already not very kid-friendly, this show was far beyond that and much more vulgar than we expected, especially for a family cruise line. I wouldn’t recommend this show for teenagers, let alone kids, due to the crude and sexual nature (note: we aren’t parents, this is just our opinion). For a family cruise line, we wish they had a show that was more designed for the entire family or at least toned it down a bit to it was more suitable for all audiences.

Love and Marriage

Love and Marriage was the piece of entertainment that most surpassed our expectations. If you’ve sailed with Disney, you are probably familiar with Match Your Mate. Love and Marriage was the exact same concept – a couple’s game show like the Newlywed Game. This adult-only show was hosted by the cruise director in the Royal Theater and was super fun. It was very funny, the host was great and the couples who participated were hilarious. We also loved that they had a Kiss Cam in the theater while waiting for the show to start! This is a must-do for adults on Royal Caribbean.

Variety Show (Comedian)

The comedian we saw did Action Comedy like juggling and unicycling! He did some very cool tricks like juggling machetes, climbing a free-standing ladder and doing some very cool unicycle stunts. While it wasn’t the best cruise ship performer we’ve ever seen, it was definitely not the worst either. This was pretty on par with the quality of performances we would expect to find on a Disney cruise. We enjoyed it and were glad we went to see it.

Disney Characters

A key component of Disney Cruise Line’s entertainment that you won’t find on RCCL is of course the characters. We enjoy seeing the characters around the ship, but we aren’t super into meeting them like some people are. If you are a big Disney fan and especially if you have kids with you who are really into characters, this may be something you would really enjoy about a Disney cruise.

One area they also did very well was the live music. They had so much live music happening around the ship! Musicians were playing in a lot of venues and doing all kinds of different genres. While Disney Cruise Line has live music around the ship too, I feel it’s rare to see people really dancing and enjoying it like we saw on the Harmony.

Unique Activities

In terms of activities, there’s no comparison when it comes to the sheer amount of unique activities onboard Royal Caribbean! Ice skating, rock climbing, casino, a zip line, a Bionic Bar, the Ultimate Abyss (giant slide), the FlowRider – there were just so many unique things to do. We were able to try some of them during our trip and it’s cool to be able to say we’ve been zip lining on a ship! The closest Disney Cruise Line has to that would be the water coasters and mini golf on some of the ships, it’s nowhere close to the amount that Royal Caribbean has. The sports facilities on the Harmony of the Seas were also numerous and we constantly saw people using them.

Scheduled Activities (like Trivia)

Both Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line also offer activities like trivia and crafts that happen throughout the day. For these types of activities, we’d say Disney offers more variety and more of a mix of adult-only and family friendly offerings. We only went to one trivia session on the Harmony (we saw Disney trivia scheduled and knew we had to go)! It’s hard to compare the quality of a trivia session, but bear with me. Just in simple things like the paper and pencils provided, the way the trivia was run and the seemingly random photos on the powerpoint of questions (unrelated to each particular question), we would say the production quality was lower.

We didn’t attend as many activities on Royal Caribbean because we spent most of our time enjoying the hot tubs and relaxing in day beds. The sheer number of hot tubs onboard was so impressive for us! We really enjoyed that. While Disney Cruises have a great adult-only pool area, we always have felt the lack of enough hot tubs was a major downside. On the Harmony, we also loved the Solarium area. A beautiful relaxing space (for guests 16+) with tons of lounge chairs and day beds. That was definitely a win for us! In terms of pools, the Harmony’s were definitely bigger but of course it’s a much larger ship with many more people. I would think the guest to pool ratio was fairly similar. I do wish they had an adult-only pool but overall, the pool areas were really great!

We really loved our stateroom on the Harmony! The staterooms on Disney ships are a bit more homey, while our room on the Harmony was very modern and stylish. We really appreciated the color scheme and the theming of the room. When we first walked in, we were SO impressed by our room. It definitely exceeded our expectations in terms of the design.

Our room had beds that could be arranged as two twins or as one Royal King (double). I believe our particular room could only sleep 2. For families, I believe rooms that can sleep 4 are available with the exact same layout, but the sofa pulls out to make additional sleeping space. Some Royal Caribbean ships/rooms have pullman beds that come down from the ceiling over the main beds, so it can really vary depending on your ship and room type. The Disney ships have more similar layout across the board, with a queen bed (a true queen, it can’t convert to twins; we find this way more comfortable) and a sofa that converts into a single-size bed. In additional, the vast majority of DCL rooms have another single size bed that pulls down from the ceiling over the sofa, forming bunk beds. Kids seem to love the bunk beds and it’s a very functional design for families.

In regard to the size, the staterooms on Disney Cruise Line are larger than the our room was (we had a regular Oceanview stateroom). A regular Oceanview stateroom on the Disney Fantasy is 204 square feet, while on the Harmony of the Seas it’s 179 square feet. With the layout, the main area of the room didn’t feel that much smaller than we are used to on Disney ships. When you walk into most Disney staterooms, the first part is narrow with closets and the split bathroom. When we walked into our room on the Harmony, it was right into the main area, so it felt more open.

Unlike Disney’s split bathroom layout, our bathroom was a more traditional layout with a toilet, shower and sink. As you would expect from a cruise ship, the bathroom is quite small. Overall, it was functional enough for the two of us and the design was nice. It had shelves for storage which helped make up for the lack of counter space. With a family sharing the room, I think I would miss DCL’s split bath design more but with just the 2 of us it was fine. The water pressure in the shower could have been better, but it wasn’t too bad. I take long showers, which did cause the bathroom floor to flood on two different days but I don’t think most people would have that happen.

A few additional notes about the stateroom:

• We found the bed was not comfortable; both our backs were getting sore by the end of the week.
• The big TV in front of the bed was really nice, but we didn’t end up using it because the movies cost about $12 each for on-demand.
• One thing we liked was that the desk could be moved very easily. When we got room service or late night pizza, we could slide the desk to the sofa and use it to eat!
• The amenities could definitely use some improvement. There was one pump in the shower that had a hair/body wash combo, and bars of soap. There was no lotion and no conditioner. For most of us with long hair, a soap/shampoo combo is not enough, and I can’t imagine how tangled it would be without conditioner! Luckily, I had heard about this before and brought my own shampoo and conditioner.

Cruise ships are known for having fantastic service, so our expectations were high. Overall, we had very good service from the vast majority of the crew we interacted with on our Royal Caribbean cruise. Disney is also known for having amazing service, so I think on Disney Cruise Line you get the combination of both stellar Disney service and stellar cruise ship service for the best overall.

While overall service on Royal was good, I did allude earlier to a very negative experience we had during our cruise. After getting a terrible table location and bad service in the Main Dining Room, we asked to be moved to a new table. We talked to someone and thought everything would be fine. However, when we arrived the next night they put us back at the same table again even after we told the hostess that we had talked to a manager already about moving.

Nobody wanted to help us and they kept passing us off to someone else. There ended up being at least 4 crew members involved who all acted like they were too busy to help us. It literally felt like nobody cared at all that we were unhappy, and like we were an inconvenience to them. We were polite the whole time and maybe that was why they didn’t take our request seriously; but the entire thing was SO awkward and uncomfortable. Even though they eventually moved us, after that experience we both agreed there was NO WAY we were going back to the Main Dining Room again, so we ate in the buffet the rest of the cruise.

Just a fluke?

That one negative experience really put a damper on things for us and impacted our enjoyment of the cruise. I truly hope that it was just a rare fluke and that the vast majority of guests would not experience something like that. It’s hard to give a fair judgement on that when this is the only Royal Caribbean cruise we’ve been on. From friends and clients who have sailed Royal, we haven’t heard of bad experiences like this. But, compared to a Disney Cruise Line cruise – I’ve been on 15 and never had an experience anywhere even close to this. It’s rare for us to have problems because we are very easy going, but I have not felt so disregarded before and that nobody cared and everyone was too busy to help us.

We try not to let that one experience damper our view of the service for the whole cruise. We interacted with a lot of really wonderful crew members, especially in the buffet. They definitely wouldn’t deserve us giving a bad rating of Royal’s service overall. But, we can’t say we had wonderful service the whole time when we also had such a negative experience, and we always want to be honest with you on here.

“What’s Included?” on Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line

It’s important to remember that these two cruise lines do typically come at different price points, with Royal Caribbean being less expensive than Disney Cruise Line. Many travelers choose Royal Caribbean over Disney for that reason alone. That will definitely reflect in the amount of things that are included on each. Overall, Disney Cruise Line includes a lot more things. For us personally, we like for things to feel more all-inclusive and not feel like we are being nickel-and-dimed. For others, they don’t care about paying as they go for things, especially if the final total still may come out less than a Disney cruise would.

Optional Extras

There are things that are not included on Disney Cruise Line as well. However, we feel like on Disney we could easily go the whole cruise without paying for those extra items as they all feel ‘optional’ for us. On our Royal Caribbean cruise, we felt more like we were missing out if we didn’t pay for some of the extras. I touched on that when discussing the Main Dining Room. On Disney, the specialty restaurants are an optional extra (just for adults) which don’t feel necessary because the main dinners are so spectacular. On Royal, the Main Dining Room is less themed and much more repetitive, making the specialty restaurants feel more like a must-do.

Here are a few things that cost extra on our Royal Caribbean cruise that we wished were included:

• Chat feature on the Royal Caribbean app ($2 per person per day)
• On-demand movies on our stateroom tv (about $12 per movie)
• Soda (beverage packages available)
• Room Service ($8 fee per order, plus service fee/gratuity)

Another example of this is the beverages onboard. On Disney Cruise Line, alcoholic and specialty drinks (like smoothies or specialty coffees) are extra. Soda is included though, both at the 24-hour soda fountains and in the restaurants (not at bars though). Juice is also included in the restaurants as well.

On Royal Caribbean, they offer soda packages at about $9 per person per day. I don’t drink soda, so I mostly drank water with the occasional lemonade (which was free in the restaurants). Josh likes soda but didn’t think he would drink enough to make the soda package worthwhile ($63 + gratuity is a lot of soda). He decided not to get it, but then ended up not even buying any soda throughout the cruise. They also offer beverage packages that include specialty drinks (like smoothies or specialty coffees) for about $30 pp/pd, or an alcohol package that was about $90 pp/pd. All the beverage packages also have an automatic gratuity added as well.

Guests wishing that Disney Cruise Line had an alcohol package option will likely be happy to know that Royal Caribbean offers that! Disney Cruise Line of course has alcohol available for purchase, but they do not offer unlimited drink packages. This helps them keep more of a family-friendly environment. For those who want to drink more while on vacation (enough to get good value out of the $90 per person/per day alcohol package), Royal Caribbean will likely be more your speed.

Neither Royal Caribbean or Disney Cruise Line includes Wi-Fi in the cost of the cruise. If you want Wi-Fi to share your vacation photos or (like us) typically have to work while you travel, Royal Caribbean has the superior Wi-Fi option. On Disney Cruise Line, they offer internet packages by the megabyte or by the minute. With slower internet speeds at sea, that goes quick! On Royal Caribbean though, their VOOM internet is available for a set daily price and worked perfectly for us the entire cruise. We wish DCL offered an internet service like that!

Comparing Royal Caribbean’s Private Island to Disney Cruise Line’s Private Island

It’s honestly hard to compare the private islands we’ve visited because they are so different. Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) is designed to seem as though you have stumbled across a lost paradise. For this reason, it’s not very built up. Perfect Day at CocoCay, the Royal Caribbean private island we visited, is almost the opposite. It’s very built up with unique and exciting adventures to experience! A water park, zip lining, a hot air balloon, over the water bungalows (in addition to cabanas and daybeds to rent)…. the list goes on. For those wanting a day of thrills, CocoCay offers things no other private island does!

Similar to how we felt on the ship, it seemed that in order to get the full experience on CocoCay you should consider opting to pay extra. On Perfect Day at CocoCay, guests can choose chill or thrill. The thrilling activities like the water park, zip line and hot air balloon ride cost extra, each was about $100 per person on our cruise. If you’re planning to go that route, be sure to factor in the costs for your planned activities. The ‘chill’ option is more easily done for free; though there are options for guests to pay extra to have access to the Coco Beach Club. Guests can chill at the Oasis Pool or one of the beaches for free, though; that’s what we did.

Perfect Day at CocoCay: Our Experience

Our day at CocoCay was extremely windy, which unfortunately caused some issues. Many of the activities were cancelled or unavailable, like the zip line, hot air balloon, kayaking, and swimming with the pigs excursion . We spend the first part of our day exploring the island, just walking around and taking it all in. We basically did a loop of the entire island seeing all the unique things and taking photos and videos!

Once we arrived back where we started, we went to find a beach chair to relax in. Due to the wind, the first beach we went to, Chill Island, had sand blowing up so much (getting in our eyes) that we decided to go to a different beach. Of course, the wind is not something Royal Caribbean can control! We walked to Harbor Beach, which was completely full; not an open chair in sight. We then walked to the Oasis Pool; again, not an open seat anywhere. We walked to South Beach, and again found it completely full. After all this walking, we decided to grab some food from the Snack Shack.

As we ate, we eyed the beach chairs and just after we finished eating, we finally saw one open up. We instantly snagged it so we could lay out and relax. However, after a few minutes there, we figured with the island so busy there were probably a lot more open chairs on the ship. So, we just decided to go back.

Crowd Levels

If we had known how busy it would be, we definitely would have been sure to go EARLY and stake out a spot. For how crowded it was, it likely would also be worth it for a lot of people to rent a cabana or daybed (or an over-the-water bungalow if you wanna be fancy!). For comparison of crowds, there were two ships at CocoCay on our day, one large (ours) and one smaller ship. Our ship was sailing a little over 50% capacity, but I’m not sure about the other ship. So, the crowding wasn’t because there were two ships since it’s very common to have two ships there, and we weren’t even at full capacity!

Private Island Food

The food situation on the island felt very similar to the ship. There were some complimentary options, but there were also other options that cost extra. We partook in the complimentary option, one of the Snack Shacks. We had chicken sandwiches, fries, mozzarella sticks and funnel cake. Everything was pretty good, we especially liked the mozzarella sticks and the funnel cake. For comparison, all the food on Castaway Cay is included.

Conclusion: Comparing Royal Caribbean to Disney Cruise Line

As you can probably surmise from the things we highlighted in this post, there were definitely some things we really liked about Royal Caribbean but also some things we didn’t like. On Royal Caribbean, we especially loved the buffet, the Solarium/day beds, the hot tubs and the Wi-Fi! For the entertainment (overall), the main dining, attention to detail and the level of service, we prefer a Disney cruise.

For our own personal travel style, we both feel that Disney Cruise Line is still our preferred choice. It’s been our favorite way to vacation for years now, and that hasn’t changed. However, we still had a great time on Royal Caribbean! We can definitely see that there would be circumstances where we might choose Royal Caribbean for a particular vacation over a Disney cruise. For example, a trip with young adult friends who maybe aren’t as big Disney fans.

Though we may have a personal preference for DCL, we also know people who have a personal preference for Royal Caribbean! There definitely isn’t a wrong choice, only differences! Some things will work better for certain people than others. We hope this post helps you compare the differences and make a more educated decision on which one may be best for you. If you’ve sailed on either of these cruise lines, let us know your experience and which one you prefer!

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Royal Caribbean vs Disney Cruise Line

Wednesday, April 10th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean
• Best for guests of all ages
• 27 ships in the fleet
• Some of the largest ships in the cruise industry: from 2,400 to 6,000+ passengers
• Exciting onboard activities can include rock climbing, ice skating, escape rooms, FlowRider and waterslides, and much more
• 300+ ports of call
• Two private islands: CocoCay (Bahamas) and Perfect Day (Labadee, Haiti)
• Great last-minute cruise deals
• Excellent safety record

Royal Caribbean International is a cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida, operating a fleet of 27 ships that sail to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Alaska. The company offers innovative onboard experiences, such as Broadway-style shows, the Bionic Bar, and Virtual Balcony cabins, as well as a wide range of activities like ice skating and rock climbing while at sea. Royal Caribbean is suitable for guests of all ages and is well known for having some of the largest ships in the cruise industry, 300+ ports of call, and two private islands: CocoCay and Perfect Day. The company is also known for great last-minute cruise deals and having an excellent safety record. We recommend Royal Caribbean as one of the first places to search for your next cruise.

• Disney Cruise Line
• Best for families and kids at heart of all ages
• Six ships in the fleet
• Sails primarily in the Caribbean, with summer destinations in Alaska and Europe
• Very clean and family-friendly atmosphere: no casino, entertainment prior to 10PM kept very "PG"
• Exceptional clubs for children, pre-teens, and teenagers
• Two private islands in the Bahamas: Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point
• Broadway-caliber entertainment
• Excellent themed dining
• Marvel and Star Wars-themed cruising on some sailings
• Sterling safety record

It's no surprise that Disney cruises are the #1 pick for families traveling with children, but it's an excellent choice for the young at heart too. The attention to detail and service provided onboard are legendary, from the rotational themed dining and Broadway-caliber shows to the pirate deck party complete with fireworks. Whether you want to relax on Disney's private islands or catch the world premiere of the latest Marvel movie while at sea, there's no shortage of magic when you sail with DCL. This is one of our favorite cruise lines, with or without kids in the travel party.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Comparing Disney Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival — And How the Disney Wish Stacks Up

By Quincy Stanford Leave a Comment

Deciding on a cruise vacation can be a daunting task. There are some major players in the cruise industry, each with its own draws.

Disney Wish Concept Art ©Disney

For Disney fans, it can be hard to beat a Disney cruise — but whew, that price! Carnival might offer a much more affordable option and Royal Caribbean has the largest ships on seas. With Disney launching its largest ship yet , the Disney Wish , it seems a better time than ever to compare these cruise lines. So, how does Disney Cruise Line stack up to other major players like Carnival and Royal Caribbean? And where does the Disney Wish fit in with all this? Let’s find out.

Let’s start with the basics. Though Disney is a giant in the global entertainment industry, Disney Cruise Line is a relatively niche brand in the cruise world. The smallest of the three we’re talking about today (with just four existing ships and the coming Wish), what really sets Disney Cruise Line apart is, well, Disney .

Slushy on a Cruise

Disney Cruise Line offers the “magic” that the Disney brand brings to many fans. You’ll hear Disney music in the hallways, meet Disney characters, eat Disney-themed treats, and see Disney shows.

For those who love the Mouse, you can see why Disney becomes a contender in the who-do-I-cruise-with question.

Mickey at Castaway Cay

Royal Caribbean is the largest of the three lines we’re comparing today with a whopping 26 ships. Royal is known for its innovation and emphasis on the “wow” factor. The ships are huge with one of them holding the title of largest passenger ships in the world and the activities onboard are extremely unique.

©Royal Caribbean

Carnival has a different, more casual approach to cruising across its 23 ship fleet. The atmosphere aboard a Carnival cruise is known to be extremely laidback and the going rates tend to be the most budget-friendly of the three lines by far.

Now, let’s get into the details.

Royal Caribbean has the largest ships in its fleet with Carnival closing the gap and Disney trailing behind — though the Wish will take Disney closer to its competitors in size.

Royal Caribbean

As we mentioned, Royal Caribbean has some of the largest passenger ships in the world. The Wonder of the Seas is currently the largest cruise ship globally and all five of the Oasis-class vessels also sit at the top of the list. The smaller ships accommodate around 1,600 passengers with the Wonder of the Seas accommodating almost 7,000 passengers.

Carnival has long trailed behind Royal Caribbean when it comes to ship size but with the launch of its latest ship, the Mardi Gras, it’s done some catching up. Smaller Carnival ships carry around 2,600 passengers and the Mardi Gras has a competitive capacity of approximately 2,500 passengers.

Disney’s ships are MUCH smaller than those of its competitors. Currently sailing, the smaller ships carry around 1,700 passengers and the larger ships carry around 2,500 passengers.

Captain Minnie on the Ship’s Bow

The Wish will up the average, carrying 4,000 passengers , but it’s still hardly comparable to the gargantuan ships of the other two lines.

Click here to see how the Wish has been rated!

Itineraries.

All three of the cruise lines offer varied itineraries, but Royal Caribbean sails to the most locations and to some parts of the world that Carnival and Disney do not.

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries include popular destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Alaska . The line has been known to have as many as seven ships cruising in Europe during a given summer season compared to one from Disney and three from Carnival.

Beyond that, Royal Caribbean sales across the globe with itineraries featuring destinations in Asia, Australia, and South America .

With Carnival’s budget focus, the majority of the cruises sail out of the United States, making it easier for the target audience to reach embarkation ports by car. The majority of itineraries sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico with fewer itineraries sailing in Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii .

With fewer ships, Disney is more regularly limited but does have a tendency to break out. The line always sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean (making it easier for passengers to combine a vacation with Disney World and a cruise) with seasonal sailings to Alaska .

The Disney Magic

Other destinations vary year by year but have included Mexico, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and Canada with New England . With its initial launch, the Wish is only set to sail out of Port Canaveral to the Bahamas .

Want to see more of the DCL itineraries? Click here!

Cabin sizes are pretty similar across the three lines although Carnival actually has the largest base inside cabins. The general vibe of the cabins is also fairly different from line to line.

Royal Caribbean’s cabins typically measure around 180 square feet , not including the balcony and there are a variety of higher-level options and suites as well. Decorations-wise, the general feel is elegant, more akin to what you might find at an upscale hotel.

Wonder of the Seas ©Royal Caribbean

Some more unique features include floor-to-ceiling screens in inside rooms that project real-time exterior views and unique or quirky room offerings . One ship has a stateroom that’s view is blocked by the Ben & Jerry’s sign; so, naturally, it’s decorated with a cow theme and the residing passengers are treated to free ice cream daily on the cruise.

Carnival’s staterooms typically measure around 185 square feet , not including the balcony. Of course, there are specialty cabins and suite offerings with this line too. The decor tends to be more colorful than Royal Caribbean, but less swanky.

Disney’s rooms are, on average, about 25% larger than standard rooms on other lines with the average standard cabin measuring around 205 square feet , not including the balcony. These rooms also come with Disney touches , and on the Dream and Fantasy, inside rooms have “Magical Portholes” that show real-time views with animated characters . More luxury rooms are available as well.

©Disney | Disney Dream stateroom

On the Wish, cabins are around 205 square feet as well, with extensive Disney touches including feature artwork and more.

©Disney Wish Stateroom

The staterooms are also designed with families in mind.

To see more of the Wish Staterooms, click here!

Royal Caribbean has by far the more unique activities with a focus on innovative experiences. On the other hand, Carnival has a more casual and party-friendly vibe, and Disney goes all out with Disney-fied activities and a variety of pools.

When Royal Caribbean calls themselves “innovative,” they mean it. This line brings a wild assortment of activities and the sheer size of the ships means they can pack a LOT of interesting recreation onboard. Royal ships have been known to feature surf simulators, zip-lining, ice skating, bumper cars, and high-thrill activities.

On some ships, the variety of activities is so great that it’s literally impossible to experience it all in seven days. Because there’s so much to do, these ships trump Carnival and Disney when it comes to family-geared offerings too. Basically, if you want your cruise to feel a bit like it has an onboard amusement park or mall, Royal Caribbean comes the closest.

Carnival’s activities are more standard with a focus on pool parties and classic cruise activities. Some newer ships feature more innovative activities, like a coaster at sea, but Carnival is all about some good old-fashioned fun.

Where Carnival really shines is the nightlife. Unlike Royal Caribbean and Disney, Carnival puts a real focus on getting the party going and KEEPING it going at nightlife venues around the ships.

As we’ve mentioned, Disney’s real stand-out factor is the fact that many of the activities are Disney activities. You can meet your favorite princesses, join in on pirate days, and play games featuring your favorite Disney characters. Disney also makes a priority of offering pools geared to all ages with more interesting features than your standard pools and hot tubs. Disney is also the only one of the three lines that does not offer gambling onboard — though Disney is looking into sports betting in other segments of the company.

Disney Cruise Line

The Wish is expanding on this further with more innovative offerings like the Disney Uncharted Adventure AR Experience and Disney’s first attraction at sea, the AquaMouse water coaster .

Click here to see more of the AquaMouse!

Reviews tend to agree that Disney stands out when it comes to dining with a fairly inclusive, rotational program. Carnival cruises are also pretty inclusive when it comes to dining with a mix of premium restaurants and included restaurants and a focus on casual fare. Royal Caribbean is widely considered the least inclusive with more specialty restaurants and celebrity concepts than other lines — for an added fee.

Royal Caribbean caters more to a foodie audience with diverse specialty restaurants, a wide variety of dining venues, and celebrity concepts . These ships also have family-friendly spots and a more culturally diverse cuisine than the other two cruise lines.

On the other hand, the wide selections of specialty restaurants could be a disappointment for those who like the all-inclusive nature of cruising as many of these come at a premium .

Carnival cruises offer more options to passengers so you can pick fixed or flexible dining  depending on what would be the right option for you. These ships offer some celebrity concepts, but fewer upscale options. Unlike Royal Caribbean, the basic dining options are typically well-liked, though there are specialty options available as well.

Disney cruises feature a rotational dining system where guests are assigned a dining time and waiter and they eat with the same group at the same time each night in one of the three main dining rooms on a pre-set schedule. Additionally, there are a few anytime options included and two specialty restaurants for an added fee .

Palo Brunch

Even without paying extra for food, you still get to try multiple table-service restaurants as part of the rotational dining. Additionally, unlike the other two lines, Disney does not charge for soda or room service . Our own team members who have taken a number of cruises note that the dining is what really stands out for Disney .

The Disney Wish will be no different with three rotational restaurants: 1923, Worlds of Marvel, and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure .

It will also offer two specialty restaurants and a number of casual dining locations, lounges, and a sweets shop .

Want to see ALL the restaurants coming to the Disney Wish? Click here!

Entertainment.

Entertainment varies pretty heavily across the three cruise lines. Royal Caribbean has a focus on variety shows and Broadway-scale shows, Carnival is more about the party scene, and Disney has a Broadway focus as well but with the Disney twist.

Six of Royal Caribbean’s ships feature Broadway or West End musicals on every sailing . Beyond that, unique variety shows like water-based high dive and acrobatics performances and music and dance shows in high-tech performance venues are the standards.

Carnivals entertainment is typically found in its nightlife offerings with DJs, parties, piano bar concepts, and more. Carnival is not super known for sweeping stage productions; the fun is found more on deck and in the bars.

Disney’s entertainment features Broadway-scale performances of classic Disney stories plus performances of original stories for the cruise ships . Beyond that, the ships are all licensed to screen Disney movies — including those that are still in theaters on land .

The Little Mermaid

The Wish will continue the trend with Broadway-style shows at the Walt Disney Theatre: The Little Mermaid , Disney Seas the Adventure , and Disney’s Aladdin: A Musical Spectacular . A team member noted that the cohesive stories in Disney cruise shows are an awesome perk for Disney fans, compared to the more medley style on Royal Caribbean.

To see more about the Disney Wish shows, click here!

Private islands.

All three of the cruise lines have access to their own private island and many sailings feature a stop at these spots. Royal Caribbean will take you to Perfect Day Island at CocoCay, Carnival swings by Half Moon Cay, and Disney stops at Castaway Cay.

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Island is an absolute show-stopper and is widely considered the best of the cruise lines’ private islands . There are sandy beaches, theme park rides, water slides, and other wild opportunities like riding in a helium balloon above the island .

Additionally, Perfect Day Island just got a $200 million overhaul adding a major water park , and an exclusive private beach club is coming this year. One of our team members who’s been to both Perfect Day Island and Castaway Cay said the two were about on par with one another — but she went before the $200 million plus-ups.

Carnival’s island, Half Moon Cay has more basic offerings with a large white sand beach and activities such as watersports, boat trips, swimming, and snorkeling .

Disney’s Castaway Cay also has a more traditional cruise experience with beaches, water play areas, walking trails, dining locations, a snorkeling lagoon, character appearances, and more !

Castaway Cay (Disney’s Private Island)

The Wish’s Bahamian sailings will stop by this destination!

Click here to read things we wish we’d known before heading to Castaway Cay!

Quality for families.

All three of the cruise lines offer a solid family focus to passengers. Disney is widely considered the most family-geared because of the brand, but Royal Caribbean and Carnival do a lot to optimize for families as well.

Royal Caribbean is an awesome option for adults and families alik e — though maybe not for those looking for a quiet getaway. Additionally, these ships offer drop-off daycare for babies and toddlers (a rare cruise offering) and offer activities for kids of all ages .

Carnival cruises are positioned as bringing a family-friendly approach to cruising and are often mentioned as a great option for first-time travelers and those with children . This line isn’t, however, the best for those looking for a more upscale sailing.

Disney’s staterooms are designed with families in mind — an approach that will continue on the Wish. Additionally, kids tend to resonate with the characters onboard and Disney-themed activities .

Add Star Wars and Marvel-themed play areas and you’ve got a ship kids will love to play on. The Wish continues the line’s trend of offering TONS of kids-only and adults-only activities.

Want to see more about the Wish kids’ clubs? Click here!

When it comes to pricing for these cruise lines, the three options are fairly different from one another. Carnival is the cheapest with Royal Caribbean typically costing about twice as much and Disney cruises typically costing about four times as much. Whew.

Royal Caribbean is in the middle with moderate fares , however, this line is also known for offering discounts throughout the year . You can typically find reasonable fares on the older ships, just be warned that the newer ships are much pricier. Beyond that, Royal Caribbean has many dining and activity options that cost EXTRA !

Carnival is a budget option with the lowest prices of the three . In fact, the line made a name for itself by providing affordable cruises and most of the dining, entertainment, and activities are included .

Disney cruises are notoriously expensive and the line rarely offers any discounts or promotions. For Disney fans, the Disney “magic” can be worth the price, but for those without a connection to the brand, another line might make more sense.

The Wish is coming in on the pricy side too, with inside cabins starting at $400 per night .

To learn more about Disney Cruise pricing, click here! 

Our team typically ranks Disney Cruise Line above Royal Caribbean and Carnival — but keep in mind, we’re all Disney fans here. Each of the cruise lines has its merits and the right call for you might not be splurging on a Disney cruise just so your ship can be captained by Mickey Mouse.

Carnival, for instance, is hard to beat for those on a tight budget. It’s simply the most affordable. But, you get what you pay for when it comes to experience, and jumping up to Royal Caribbean or Disney could be the move for those who can afford a pricier vacation.

Royal Caribbean also features more older kid and teen amusements than Disney as Disney is geared at the younger crowd with most attractions. So, families with teens and those looking for a more extreme time with attractions might prefer Royal Caribbean of the three.

With Disney, you’re getting that Disney magic with a hefty premium to do so, but for many a Disney fan that can be worth it. Disney’s renowned service and attention to detail are also a staple onboard and with the themed offerings coming to the Wish, the cruise line certainly has its draws (if you’re willing to pay for them).

We’ll be getting an up-close look at the Wish as it gets closer to its first sailing, so stay tuned to DFB to find out exactly how worth it a cruise on Disney’s newest ship really is.

Click here to learn more about Disney Cruise Line!

Don't do it alone.

Our favorite people over at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches, and best of all, money, when you book your Disney trip or cruise.

So book that trip now, then sit back and enjoy planning your Disney World Trip with a DFB-approved expert! Click here for a no obligation price quote today, and let them know DFB sent you 🙂

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What You Need to Know About Disney Cruise Line

Learn all about disney cruise line and its various ships, explore disney’s mega cruise ship – the wish, a full list of what you can’t bring on a disney cruise, these are the best times to book your disney cruise, the best ways to save space in your tiny cruise cabin, 10 things you need on your next cruise (that you won’t think to pack), what it’s like to live on a cruise ship for 6 months, join the dfb newsletter to get all the latest disney news delivered right to your inbox click here to subscribe.

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Travel | Cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with…

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Subscriber only, travel | cruise demand leaves pandemic in rearview with record passengers, more construction on tap.

MIAMI BEACH — The COVID pandemic drove the cruise industry to a standstill, but numbers released Tuesday signal the years of comeback are officially over with more expansion on tap.

More than 31.7 million passengers took cruises worldwide in 2023, said Kelly Craighead, Cruise Line International Association president and CEO, speaking at the annual Seatrade Cruise Global conference at Miami Beach Convention Center.

CLIA is the lobbying group for member cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC and most other major brands.

The pandemic shut down sailing from March 2020 with only a small number of ships coming back online 18 months later in summer 2021. Cruise lines didn’t return to full strength until partially through 2022, so it wasn’t until a full year of sailing in 2023 that the industry could get a real handle on just what the demand had grown to as people returned to vacation travel.

“We are an industry that’s resilient and thriving all around the world, breaking records in ways we might never have imagined,” she said.

The 2023 total is 2 million more than the industry had in 2019. CLIA projects 34.1 million in 2024 growing to 34.6 million in 2025. It’s still a miniscule chunk of the overall travel pie of more than 1.3 billion, but cruise’s share is growing.

She noted that surveys of travelers who would consider a cruise for a vacation are at an all-time high, noting that 82% who had previously cruised said they would cruise again, but more importantly, among those who had never sailed, 71% would consider it.

The youngest generations — Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z — are the biggest drivers.

The fleet for the growing demand continues as well, including the introduction this year of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas.

She said CLIA member lines had more than 300 ships sailing globally for the first time in 2023, with 14 new ships that began sailing in 2023 and another eight expected before the end of the year. They have 88 new ships on order through 2028.

Already this year, both Royal Caribbean Group and Carnival Corp. announced major new ship construction deals, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings added to that this week with its order of eight more vessels across its three brands.

The heads of those groups were on stage to discuss where the industry is headed and enjoy their recent success.

Carnival Corp.’s president and CEO Josh Weinstein put it in a way that gained plaudits from fellow panelists and others at the conference.

“The concept of pent-up demand for cruising is gone,” he said. “We have been cruising for three years, right? It’s over. This is natural demand because we all provide amazing experiences. We delivered happiness to literally 31 million guests last year. And people see it, they feel it.”

A big part of what cruising missed during the pandemic he said was that word-of-mouth promotion that is needed to convince people to try their product.

“We now have 31 million people getting off our ships and going home and telling their friends and family who have never cruised before, ‘You don’t know what you’re missing.’ ‘This is amazing.'”

All of the leaders echoed the industry line that they offer a much better value than land-based vacations, but that the experience gap between the two has now shifted in their favor coming out of the pandemic.

“The appreciation for building memories with your friends and family coming out of COVID is at extraordinarily high levels,” said Jason Liberty, president & CEO at Royal Caribbean Group. “Also wealth transfer, right? Grandparents wanting to see that wealth transfer live, watching their kids and their grandkids experience that is also at an all-time high. … We have the secular trends of people buying less stuff, they want experiences. We’re in the experience business.”

Another bright aspect to the industry has been the spillover effect of all of the new ships since the pandemic, said Harry Sommer, president & CEO at Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

“Their new products are so extraordinary, and so much better than what was delivered back in ’15, ’16 and ’17, that it’s driving additional excitement for the entire industry,” Somer said. “When any new ship is delivered, no matter whether it’s part of our portfolio or the other portfolios, demand improves for all of us because it adds excitement to the industry.”

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Breaking news, disney guests who lie about disabilities to cut long lines will face lifetime bans from both parks.

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The happiest place on Earth is bringing down the hammer.

Walt Disney World updated its protocols Tuesday to crack down on guests who lie about having a disability in order to cut the parks’ notoriously long lines.

Those caught cheating the Disability Access Service (DAS) program will be hit with lifetime bans from both the California and Florida resorts.

The new rule was added to Disneyland’s frequently asked questions web page under: “What happens if any of the statements made by a Guest in the process of registering for DAS are found to be not true?”

“If it is determined that any of the statements a guest made in the process of obtaining DAS are not true, the guest will be permanently barred from entering the Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland Resort, and any previously purchased Annual Passes, Magic Key passes, tickets and other park products and services will be forfeited and not refunded,” the drop-down response reads.

The strict policy change was one of several announced Tuesday as Disney overhauls its DAS system, which was previously described as a program “to assist guests who have difficulty tolerating extended waits in a conventional queue environment due to a disability.”

DAS guests would not get to cut lines, but their passes would allow them to virtually save a spot in the queue and wait out the designated time elsewhere in the park — an opportunity past abusers used to go to souvenir shopping, grab lunch or meet cast members.

Not all disabilities qualify for DAS, but Disney clarified Tuesday that it is intended for guests who have a “developmental disability like autism or similar” that makes it difficult for them to wait in conventional lines.

The program should only accommodate a “small percentage” of guests, Disney said — not the growing number of people that the iconic parks theorized have been abusing the passes over the years.

DAS usage in the parks has tripled over the past five years, Disney officials told Nexstar’s Scott Gustin.

In order to crack down on misuse, park officials are now requiring that all DAS guests enroll in the program via a virtual video meeting with Inspire Health Alliance experts ahead of their trip.

While documentation of a disability is not required, the health professionals will evaluate whether the guest needs the DAS pass.

Cast members were previously conducting such meetings.

All existing DAS pass holders will be required to re-apply — so that the cheaters can be weeded out.

The new rules will go into effect on June 18 at Disneyland and May 20 at Walt Disney World.

Disney did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

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Ep. 408 - Are We There Yet: An Update from Aboard Royal Caribbean's Ultimate World Cruise with Leslie from Point My Soul North

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