Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Which Is The Biggest Disney Cruise Ship

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How Many Ships Are In The Disney Cruise Line Fleet

TOP 5 BEST NEW CRUISE SHIPS IN 2021 (UPDATED – incl. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Virgin, Disney)

One of the Disney cruise ships in the cruise lines fleet | Disney Cruise Line via Facebook

You can choose among four different Disney cruise ships when you book your vacation. They are the Disney Magic, the Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream, and the Disney Fantasy. Each one features a different design and deck plan. They also all have distinctive restaurants, entertainment options, activities, and pools.

On all Disney cruise ships, the price of your cruise includes your room, meals, soft drinks, snacks, character meet and greets, and entertainment. But no matter which ship you choose, some things cost extra. Expect to pay extra for Port Adventures excursions, spa and salon services, babysitting, photography services, phone calls, video games, alcoholic beverages, and adults-only dining venues.

Disney Fantasy And Disney Dream Ships

The other set of Disney Cruise Line sister ships include Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. Larger than Wonder and Magic, these two ships are known as storytelling vessels with art that comes to life for guests. You can even find Magical Portholes within inside staterooms that show live scenes of the sea with occasional Disney characters swimming by. Fantasy and Dream boast the AquaDuck water coaster a transparent tube waterslide that arches over the deck of the boat. Both also offer miniature golf and Goofys Sports Deck with basketball and other opportunities for play. For non-stop entertainment and Disney theming, Fantasy and Dream make good choices.

AquaDuck Water Coaster on Fantasy and Dream ships

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Disney Cruise Lines Newest Ship Is A Technological Marvel

Walt Disney Imagineering working on the AquaMouse, debuting on the Disney Wish summer 2022.

The Walt Disney Company

Disney Cruise Lines newest ship, the Disney Wish, is getting ready to set sail summer 2022. From the moment the first guests book their cruise to the last guest debarking the ship to go back home, those who sail on the Disney Wish will have a host of new technology, most of which is all interactive and will continue to elevate the onboard experience. I got a behind-the-scenes look at some of the technology and secrets coming to the Disney Wish with Walt Disney Imagineering.

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Logistics For Food For Large Families On Disney Cruise

There was so much food!! We couldn’t stop eating. There is even room service, which we didn’t use . Windjammer was where we went to get quick meals that the kids could eat. We often went up there for breakfast and brought it down for the kids. We were suprised to see how amazingly thorough the staff was at giving everyone hand wipes before getting food! Disney seriously takes cleanliness to a whole new level. We grabbed a table, which wasnt hard. What was hard was getting everyone food. With four kids under 7, one parent would get up and get food for EVERYONE, while the next parent was able to get food.

What Is Basically The Same About All Of The Disney Ships

Disney keeps two largest ships at Port Canaveral into 2019

Before going into what is different about each of the Disney cruise ships, lets think about what really is the same.

The level of service is exceptional on all of the Disney ships. It is always very difficult to explain just how above and beyond most of the Disney crew go to give exceptional service to their guests.

You have to experience the Disney difference to believe it. I have witnessed this first hand so many times. The Cast Members go the extra mile and welcome you like family.

Most recently I was on the Disney Wonder and was in Tritons, one of the main rotational dining restaurants, having lunch.

I heard a shout of pure joy as a server recognized a family from a previous cruise. She ran over and greeted that family as if they were long-lost cousins.

Thats the Disney difference that you just cant explain unless you see it. That kind of experience is genuine and is what Disney is all about.

There are other things that are just the same on all of the Disney ships. The large staterooms, most of which have the split bath. The excellent childrens programs. The adult spaces. The Disney rotational dining. Broadway-quality entertainment.

However, there are very distinct differences between each ship. Which Disney cruise ship that you think is the best for you and your family, will depend on other factors.

If you have children of a certain age you will want to look at our Best Disney Cruise Ship for Toddlers Guide.

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Royal Princess Princess Cruises

Th Royal Princess cruise ship was actually christened by the Duchess of Cambridge upon its launch. This added a royal touch to the new ship that is one of the top choices for vacationers who love the outdoor theaters, the special atrium, the excellent dining, the amazing services an all of the amenities that you could imagine on a cruise ship. Theres ample entertainment and they even have a sun deck that is reserved for teens alone.

Ranking The Best Disney Cruise Ships

We are going to rank the Disney Cruise ships from the worst to the best.

We only focus our ranking on the ship amenities and which Disney Cruise ship is the best. We are not focusing on cruise itineraries.

The Disney Cruise Ships do sail around the world, leaving ports of call including New York City, Port Canaveral, San Juan, San Diego, Galveston, Barcelona, and more. Not all cruise ships sail to all destinations. This is something to keep in mind when picking the best Disney Cruise ship for your family vacation.

If you are traveling to the Bahamas, you may have the option of cruising on the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, or the Disney Magic. However, if you are cruising to Alaska, you will only have the option of the Disney Wonder.

This is something to keep in mind when planning your Disney Cruise vacation. For now, lets dive into our list of the best Disney Cruise ships.

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Open House For It’s A Small World Nursery And Oceaneer’s Club

I would highly recommend visiting the open house right when you embark so you can see the space your kids will love being in! It will also give you a chance to get their cruise bands. You have the option to keep the magic bands for a fee I kept the bands because they had the Disney Cruise Line emblem on them.

Disney Cruise Theme Sailings

Top 8 Features on the Disney Wish Cruise Ship – Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise lines also offer a number of differently themed sailings.

One of the most popular is the Star Wars Days at Sea. If you are a Star Wars fan you really should think about booking one of the Star Wars special cruises.

For more details about what to expect you can see our guide here.

The Disney Magic has Marvel Days at Sea on select dates.

If Star Wars or Marvel is not your thing then you may want to enjoy one of the seasonal cruises such as the Halloween on the High Seas Cruises or a Very Merrytime Cruise.

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Nemos Reef Vs Nephews Splash Zone

Disney Cruise Line doesnt allow children in the pools unless they are 3 years of age or older AND potty trained. Your options for toddler splash zones on the Disney ships vary by ship.

Nemos Reef is located on both the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. This splash pad is a decent sized play area with features that pour or shoot water. There is also a tiny slide in Nemos Reef for those small kids who arent yet able to use the other slides on the ship.

The baby and toddler water play areas on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder are much less elaborate. Since these splash zones are smaller and offer less exciting water features, they are better for babies and younger toddlers.

If you have an older toddler or a preschooler, Nemos Reef on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy is the definite winner here.

**Note- an additional water play area called the AquaLab is available on the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wonder, and Disney Magic. Like the pools, this area is for those children who are three years old or older AND potty trained.

Embarking The Disney Dream

I dont remember waiting in line to embark at all! We somehow knew pretty easily it was our turn, and headed towards the Mickey entrance. The cast members took our Keys to the World and passports again for validation. I remember having to put my carry on backpack into a conveyor belt for a security check and a cast member asking for our family name. They took another photo at this point of the family. As we entered, the cast members announced us onto the ship. It was so awesome!

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Disney Magic Cruise Ship

Weighing in at 83,338 gross tons and measuring 964 feet long by 106 feet wide, the Disney Magic cruise ship is also the smallest in the fleet. I, personally, love this feature of the ship. While mega-ships look great and have more amenities, I would be worn out just walking from one place to another!

Additionally, the Disney Magic has 875 staterooms whereas the Fantasy and Dream have 1,250 staterooms. More staterooms equals more people, and thats not always a plus in my book. Disney Cruise Line pioneered the rotational dining concept, and our family loved eating in a new place every night. On the Magic, youll get to experience Animators Palate, Cariocas, and Lumieres. Each dining experience is expertly Disney themed and provides the ability to branch out and try new things!

TravelingMom Tip: Dont miss the great sales going on right now at shopDisney for both Halloween Costumes and Back-to-School items. Score a deal on items you can also use in the Disney parks!

What Comes Standard In Every Stateroom

welcome

First, its good to know what comes standard in every Disney Cruise Line stateroom:

  • A queen bed

I love the fact that Disney Cruise Line has a bathtub in almost every stateroom!

This is not the norm for most cruise lines.

With little kids a tub is kind of a must so its nice Disney thought of it all. Naturally they arent as big as your tub at home but they should do the trick for your kiddos.

For adults? Id probably stick with the shower.

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What To Expect For Adults

With all this talk of characters and kids clubs, the adults may worry there is nothing for them. Fear not! The Disney Magic has a lot of great amenities for adults. Palo, the adults only restaurant on the ship, features an extensive menu of fine cuisine. Italian fare and incredible views of the sea sound like the perfect evening to me!

My husband and I really enjoyed the Quiet Cove Pool, which is reserved for ages 18+. Featuring two whirlpool spas, a pool, plenty of deck chairs, and a dedicated bar, Quiet Cove Pool is the perfect spot to relax and unwind. Further unwinding can occur in any one of the three lounges that caters exclusively to adults. Fathoms, Keys and OGills Pub are perfect for adults looking for a late-night party or relaxing nightcap while out at sea.

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The 4 Best Disney Cruise Ships

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Best for Short Cruises: See Disney Dream Rates

Only sails to the Bahamas on short, 3-to-5-night voyages that include Disneys privately-owned paradise, Castaway Cay.

Fantasy spends her time sailing to the Bahamas as well as longer voyages to both sides of the Caribbean.

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These Are All The Details You Need To Know About Disney Cruise Ships

If you plan to take a Disney cruise, its easy to get overwhelmed. Disney doesnt have nearly as many cruise ships as other cruise lines. But it still has enough itineraries and ships that making a choice, especially for your first Disney cruise, can seem impossible. Fortunately, choosing between Disney cruise ships doesnt have to be that difficult. And while we may not be able to give you a definitive answer to the question of which Disney cruise ship is the best for your family, we can give you all the details you need to make the right choice yourself.

Disney Cruise Ships By Age And Size 2021

TOP 5 BEST NEW CRUISE SHIPS IN 2022! (ft Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Norwegian, MSC, Disney, Virgin)

This post looks at Disney Cruise Ships By Age And Size, and I was shocked to see during my research that the Disney Cruise Fleet in terms of cruising is quite an old fleet compared to Cruise line such as Royal Caribbean who are constantly striving to deliver new and exciting ships.

However you only need to look at reviews to know Disney has a huge loyal following who are happy to pay the extra price for the Disney Experience. Many loyal fans are insistent that once you cruise Disney you never look back.

What You Will Find On This Page

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New Vacation Operation Unit

In February 2009, Tom McAlpin left the Disney Cruise Line presidency and was replaced by Karl Holz as president of Disney Cruise Line and New Vacation Operations. In early 2009, Disney and Canaveral Port Authority extended their agreement to 2022 with expansion to the terminal to handle the new class of ships. A re-posting of the Disney Magic to Europe in 2010 adding DCL’s first North European cruises with Mediterranean cruises.

With the arrival of Disney Dream in 2011, Disney Wonder was relocated to Los Angeles. With the arrival of Disney Fantasy in 2012, Disney Magic was relocated to New York City in May 2012 for only the Summer season, before relocating to Galveston, Texas.

In late 2012, Disney Wonder began sailing cruises out of Miami, Florida, respectively. In 2013, the Disney Magic relocated to Barcelona, Spain and the Disney Wonder relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia. for the summer season. In Autumn 2013, the Magic and the Wonder returned to the United States but switched home ports, with the Magic leaving out of Miami and the Wonder leaving out of Galveston. In January 2014, the Wonder took over for the Magic in Miami and the Magic joined the Dream and Fantasy in Port Canaveral, placing all four ships in the state of Florida for the first time. Since then, the Magic and the Wonder have once again switched places.

Regal Princess Princess Cruises

The Regal Princess launched in 2014 as a new member of the Princess Cruise Line. This is one of their most stunning ships and it rolled out with a new line of entertainment options for guests, including a pool deck with shows featuring water and light to thrill guests in the evening with 33 foot shots of water into the air along with music in sync with the water and lights show. There are also magic shows, comedy acts, a television studio with cooking demonstration tapings that guests can attend, and much more.

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Many Of The Best Port Excursions Cater Specifically To Adults

Disney Cruise Line offers all kinds of excursions when you disembark at various ports. There are hundreds to choose from but these notable choices stand out as well-suited for grown-ups.

Bacardi Rum and Distillery Tour in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Disney Fantasy

While docked in Puerto Rico, take a guided tour through the Bacardi Rum Distillery where you’ll learn about the company’s history, how they make their liquor, and taste some, of course.

ATV Adventure available on select sailings

For a dose of adventure alongside nature, several destinations such as Bonaire, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic offer ATV tours for adults, which are often paired with perks like lunch or a beach break.

Temezcal Ritual in Mexico on Disney Wonder

Recharge your spirit in this experience akin to a sweat lodge. A ceremonial leader will guide guests on a rejuvenating 90-minute purification ritual.

Insider Tip: Culinary and cocktail excursions are a great way to get a taste of the destinations you’re visiting. They’re also usually among the more affordable options.

More About The Disney Wish Cruise Ship

Largest Disney Cruise Ship

All four previous ships began their departures from Port Canaveral, with destinations in the Bahamas, including Disneys privately owned island, Castaway Cay.

The Disney Wish will be in the Triton Class. It will include 1,250 staterooms and 4,000 guests, just like the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, but at 144,000 gross tons, it will be about 15,000 gross tons more than both ships.

One of the most important improvements is that the Disney Wish will be the first Disney vessel powered by liquefied natural gas. This clean-burning fuel significantly reduces emissions over more traditional marine bunker oil, thereby lessening the ship’s environmental footprint.

The Disney Wish is the first of three new ships that will join Disneys fleet by 2025.

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Formal Dinner Rotation On The Disney Dream

If I’m being honest about the cruise, the food wasn’t that great. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t bad. I just had higher expectations. The rotations were great. Since there are three main dining rooms, and our cruise was a three night cruise, we were able to experience all of the dining rooms. The wait staff follows you around to every restaurant and provides you recommendations. You could order as much food as you wanted to!

Royal Palace – We experienced this the first night and got a table right by the port hole. We were able to see the sunset during our 5:30 dinner.

Animator’s Palate – The kids had mac ‘n cheese every night while Ryan and I ventured with our menu options. I loved this restaurant because of the interaction in the Crush, the turtle. Even Ryan got into it!

Enchanted Garden – We had a Palo reservation, so we didn’t visit this for dinner. We did have breakfast there on our last morning, and it was delicious!

Room Service – We didn’t use it because we didn’t realize it was included in the price of the cruise . I wish we would have for breakfast, that would have made things a little easier for us!

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