Have you been dreaming about a vacation on the high seas? Are you new to cruising or looking for a new cruise line? Well, we’re going to help you decide between sailing with Disney Cruise Line vs. Royal Caribbean.

We’re breaking down the similarities and difference between these cruise lines. And when we’re done, we hope you’ll be able to choose the cruise that is best for your family. Perhaps, you’re looking for the best cruise for a first-timer? Or looking for a ship that boasts the biggest rooms?

Realistically, cost is likely a huge factor. Are you really making the BEST choice if you go with the Disney Cruise Line (DCL) instead of a less expensive cruise line such as Royal Caribbean (RC)? We’ll help you answer these questions.

So, let’s dive right in…

The Disney Cruise Line is the smallest of the group and  is made up of a fleet of five – soon to be seven – ships. The ships include the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, and Disney Dream. The fleet will be joined by the Disney Treasure in 2024! Disney Cruise Line has also recently purchased the Global Dream cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean has 27 different ships to choose from – bumping up to 28 in 2024.

Cost

Royal Caribbean boasts moderate prices — but this cruise line is also rather generous when it comes to their extra promotions. And then there’s Disney — which has cruises that are notoriously expensive and rarely offer any major discounts.

Here are some examples for families of 4 (with 2 adults and 2 kids) during June (which is peak cruising season) sailing a 3 night Bahamian cruise or a 7 night Caribbean Cruise:

Disney Cruise Line:

• A 3-Night Bahamian Cruise can be booked for close to $5,000. If you want the fancier concierge room, the cost is approximately $10,000.
• A 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruise is between $7-10,000 depending on your stateroom. A Concierge stateroom on this type of cruise is nearing $20,000.

Royal Caribbean:

• You can book a 3 Night Bahamian Cruise for your family for around $3,000. For a Royal Suite, that price will bump up to $6000+.
• If you take a 7 Night cruise to the Western Caribbean, you’re looking at a price range around $6-8,000, with the Royal Class Suites costing over $11,000.

Also keep in mind that these price ranges reflect one of Royal Caribbean’s promotional deals — where you can get 30% off every cruise.

NEWS: DisneyBand+ Added to Another Disney Cruise Ship

Yes, those price differences are pretty staggering.

Why are Disney Ships Priced Higher?

Disney doesn’t necessarily have higher quality ships or better restaurants — it’s branding that allows Disney to price their cruises WAY higher. Families have known and trusted the Disney brand to be family friendly, high-quality, and worth the cost for generations.

And Disney makes sure that brand is comforting even at sea. Your ketchup is plated in a Mickey shape. The characters greet with you familiar hugs. And when that “When You Wish Upon a Star” horn blasts at the start of your trip? It’s Disney magic at its best!

Our friend Matt Hochberg from RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com said it’s all about the details. Of course, you have lovely, high-quality decor on Royal Caribbean ships, but Disney offers well-known themeing. You’ll feel at home with hidden Mickeys, the characters, the Cast Members; it’s the Disney difference that you hear about.

But is it worth an extra $2,000 when other ships are high-quality, have great service, and awesome experiences?

Only the Experts Know How To Get These Disney Cruise Discounts, And We’ve Got Their Number

How “All-Inclusive” Are These Ships REALLY?

Let’s take a look at what is included in your cruise fare.

With Disney, you’ll pay extra for:

• Port Adventures excursions
• spa and salon services
• babysitting services in the ship’s nurseries
• onboard photography service
• video games
• alcoholic beverages
• adults-only dining venues

Disney takes “all-inclusive” a little more seriously, so these perks are included:

• breakfast, lunch and dinner (except at the fancy restaurants like Remy or Palo)
• soft drinks served at meals and at each ship’s beverage station
• most Disney Character Meet & Greets — and specialty party days
• water slides, including the big deal ones
• entertainment (including current first-run films at the Buena Vista Theatre)
• room service and in room dining 24 hours a day

And several other offerings, which you can find on the Disney Cruise website.

For the price of your Royal Caribbean stateroom, your fare will include:

• ship accommodations
• ocean transportation
• most meals
• some beverages onboard
• and most entertainment options

But you’ll pay extra for:

• the Escape Room
• the VR Experiences
• The sky-diving simulators
• soft drinks and room service
• onboard photos
• shore excursions
• specialty restaurants
• spa and salon treatments

Yes, many Royal Caribbean activities are still included with the price of your vacation — like surfing and zip lining aboard the ship.

For extra experiences, like the sky diving simulator for instance, you’re looking at paying an extra $50 per person.

How Big Are The Staterooms?

On average, the Disney ships’ standard staterooms have about 25% more space than the average standard ship rooms on other cruise lines. If you’re sailing on newer, bigger ships with Royal – rooms will be more comparable to Disney’s rooms.

Note that the room size isn’t a significant difference unless you’re talking suites (which are much less expensive and offer more perks on Royal).

Disney Cruise Line

The average standard cabin for Disney measures around 205 square feet — not including the rooms with an additional balcony.

Most of the staterooms offered on the Disney Cruise Line have split bathrooms.

This means that one half of the bathroom has a tub (with a shower) and a sink, while the second half has a toilet and a second sink.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean tends to have some of the smallest regular staterooms — especially on their older ship models.

Typically, cabins will measure around 180 square feet, but we have seen 2-person rooms that only get up to 114 square feet, as well.

Lower-Priced Suites

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Concierge Suites have more amenities and space than regular staterooms. You’ll also receive exclusive amenities, available for suite guests only. One of these features includes complimentary internet access.

Royal Caribbean

These suites give you pretty much everything the Disney Cruise Line suites promise to provide — plus more — for half the price.

And, yes, that includes complimentary internet access, too.

Which Cruise Is Best For Kids?

Disney has added more adult options – especially on their newest ship, the Wish, while Royal Caribbean has turned up the kid-centric marketing for their ships.

Kids Clubs

Disney and Royal Caribbean have dedicated club spaces where kids get to hang out with other kids — no grown-ups allowed. The kids clubs all feature games, crafts, and activities to keep younger folks entertained.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney’s Oceaneer Clubs take full advantage of their character properties. Depending on your ship, you might be able to become a Disney Imagineer for a day, or train to become a Jedi, or play dress up with Tinkerbell, or meet your favorite Marvel heroes, or shrink down to the size of a toy in Andy’s Playroom.

Tweens and teens are still gonna love the pools and water slides and onstage entertainment, as well as all the different offerings available at Castaway Cay. There are also two hangout destinations on the ships for tweens and teens only.

Edge is a hangout for tweens ages 11-14, and has high-energy tunes, video games, karaoke, scavenger hunts, and special themed nights. Meanwhile, Vibe is for the older crowd — between the ages of 14-17.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean has separate clubs for kids, too. Aquanauts (3-5) get to conduct experiments. Explorers (6-8) enjoy themed parties. Voyagers (9-11) take part in group activities. Teens have their own “living room” to hang out in and a club with a dance floor.

Royal Caribbean has many EXTRA outdoor activities to choose from. Depending on what cruise you set sail on, you might have the option to:

Try an escape room, attend a virtual concert, take a dance class, zip line, catch some waves, experience a skydiving simulator, learn fencing, try your hand at the trapeze, play laser tag, practice archery, complete a rock wall climb, ice skate, and more!

Click HERE for the Ultimate Guide To Disney Cruise Line!

Which Cruise is Best For Adults?

Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line has expanded the adults-only pool options, the adults-only beach at Castaway Cay is a delight, there are adults-only spas, restaurants, and the bars and lounges switch to adults-only at night.

Since Disney does label itself as a more family-friendly environment, you’re not gonna be able to play a round of craps with Donald Duck, or anything. But, depending on what you’re looking for, the lack of a casino could be a major draw or deterrent for you.

If you’re not big into the whole casino and late-night party aspect, but you’re still a big fan of all-things-Disney, then splurging for a Disney cruise may still be your best option.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s extra outdoorsy experiences and classes are PLENTIFUL. And they’re not just great for the kids and teens — they’re great for adults, as well.

Royal Caribbean has casinos, with slot machines and gaming tables aplenty.

Granted, you can go your entire cruise and not run into these casinos if you don’t want to.

If you’re looking for a cruise with a lot more outdoor activities — great for kids, teens, and adults alike — Royal Caribbean may be more up your alley.

Dining at Sea

Each cruise has dining that benefits different types of passengers.

Disney Cruise Line

If you want your meals to be more of an experience rather than just a place to dine, go with Disney.

All Disney Cruises have a rotational dinner system where guests are assigned a pre-set dining time and location each night. You’ll also have the same server for each of your meals; that way, they can learn about your specific likes and dislikes and help you choose the foods and drinks that’ll best suit your specific tastes.

Once again – the theming and brand is highlighted at Disney’s restaurants. Depending on which cruise you choose, you could…

• Sing along with the cast of Frozen
• Have a personal interview with Crush the Turtle
• Be surrounded by glowing lanterns to celebrate Rapunzel’s birthday
• Help Ant Man and the Wasp test out new shrinking/growing technologies via quantum cores on your table
• And SO MUCH MORE.

There are fewer anytime options available for you to choose from for breakfast and dinner than you’ll find on Royal Caribbean, but that sacrifice could be worth it for those over-the-top Disney dinner experiences.

Royal Caribbean

If you prefer diverse dining and adventurous cuisines, go with Royal Caribbean. Royal Caribbean caters more to those diverse specialty restaurants, with a wide variety of dining venues and celebrity concepts.

But don’t worry picky-eaters — there’s STILL something for everyone on these ships!

Royal Caribbean also has more traditional cuisines too — but, for the most part, these restaurants prove to be more culturally diverse than Disney Cruise Line.

Cruise Destinations

For a more specific idea of where you can sail, you’ll need to do some research.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney frequently sails to the Bahamas and the Caribbean, but the Disney Wonder also has seasonal sailings to Alaska. Other destinations vary year by year but have included Mexico, the Mediterranean, the Baltic, and Canada with New England. And with more ships there are more ports of call. Disney is moving a second ship to Europe this summer, and have just announced Australia and New Zealand sailings.

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s itineraries include popular destinations like the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Alaska. Beyond that, Royal Caribbean also sails across the globe to destinations in Asia, Australia, and South America.

Private Islands

Each cruise line has at least one private island destination and if these are important to you, you’ll want to choose an itinerary that includes these Ports of Call.

Disney Cruise Line

Disney’s Castaway Cay offers a more traditional experience — with beaches, water play areas, walking trails, dining locations, and a snorkeling lagoon. Plus, the Disney character appearances on a tropical island are pretty awesome.

Disney is currently working on a second private island, called Lighthouse Point. Lighthouse Point will be located in Eleuthera (also in the Bahamas).

Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day at CocoCay has white sandy beaches, water slides, and a helium balloon ride above the island.

At the water park (which costs extra), you’ll not only be able to ride the tallest water slide in North America, but you’ll also be able to splash around in the biggest wave pool of the Caribbean. Later this year, CocoCay will also be opening an adults-only area called Hideaway Beach.

Royal Caribbean is also working on another private island — called Perfect Day at Lelepa in partnership with the community of Vanuatu. Though this private island will be smaller than CocoCay, it’ll offer snorkeling, paddleboarding, and cultural cuisines.

So, when it comes to picking a ship based on its specialty destination, it all depends on what you’re looking for.

Will The Older Ships Be A Worse Experience Than The Newer Ones?

This could be a concern for you – especially when you consider just how many ships there are in Royal’s fleet compared to Disney.

With older ships, you run the risk of  less onboard, high-tech offerings…like slightly worse internet connectivity (though this gets better every year).

There will be fewer specialty restaurants and no Broadway style shows on some of the older ships.

And older ships tend to truly show their age through the old-fashioned room styles. On older ships, you’ll find fewer outlets and more dated color schemes. Not to mention even smaller cabins.

HOWEVER— older ships tend to be smaller, and this gives them the chance to cruise to less-frequently visited ports.

Also keep in mind that BIGGER ships aren’t always BETTER ships. A bigger ship sacrifices that more intimate feel that you’ll still experience on classic ships.

Look INSIDE Disney Cruise Line’s Newest Ship — The Treasure

So Which Cruise Line Is The VERY BEST?

Should you choose a Royal Caribbean or Disney cruise?

Disney cruises are gonna be your BEST option for younger kids, but there really is something for everyone. Disney fans will love all the details and entertainment. These ships are more classic with luxurious amenities.

HOWEVER, if you want a suite, you’ll get more perks with Royal Caribbean for HALF the cost. Plus there are a lot more potential discounts to help keep your vacation budget in check.

Royal Caribbean does have MORE in the way of onboard recreational activities. You can opt to sit and watch the sea go by with a tropical drink in hand or seek out a fun activity from the packed schedule. In a single evening, you could play trivia, roulette, or dodge ball. If you have more energy, attend a comedy show or go dancing. Feeling tired? Head to an outdoor hot tub to stargaze!

And if what you’re looking for is a family-friendly vacation on a beautiful ship, good customer service, and good dining at an affordable price – and you don’t need all the extra Disney characters, then Royal Caribbean could be a perfect choice to dip your toe into the cruising world.

If you grew up with Disney and love the theme parks, you’ll be equally happy aboard a Disney ship.

There’s SO MUCH TO CONSIDER when it comes to choosing the RIGHT cruise for you and your family!

Time to chime in! Which cruise line will you sail on next?