Disney Cruise for First-Time Cruisers: Everything You Need to Know Before You Sail

As a family that spent years vacationing at Walt Disney World, we were excited—and honestly a little nervous—before taking our first Disney Cruise. We had plenty of Disney experience, but cruising was completely new to us. Would the kids get seasick? Would there be enough to do? Would it really be worth the cost?

After our first sailing in January 2024, we quickly realized why so many families become Disney Cruise fans for life. Our family has two Disney Cruises on the books for our upcoming family adventures: our third Bahamian Cruise and an Alaska Cruise next summer!

If you're considering your first Disney Cruise, here are some things you should know before setting sail.

Why Disney Cruise Line Is Great for First-Time Cruisers

One of the reasons Disney Cruise Line is perfect for first-time cruisers is how easy they make the entire experience.

From the moment you arrive at the port, Disney Cast Members guide you through the check-in and boarding process. Once onboard, everything feels familiar to Disney fans—friendly service, incredible attention to detail, immersive storytelling, and magical surprises around every corner.

If you're considering your first Disney Cruise, I'd love to help you plan. As a travel advisor specializing in Disney destinations, I can help you choose the right ship, itinerary, and stateroom for your family's needs.

And when you book your Disney Cruise through me with Fantastical Vacations, you'll receive an onboard credit of up to $1,000 per stateroom as a thank-you for booking with us.

Want an onboard credit for your next disney cruise? contact pam here

Most of Your Vacation Is Included

Many first-time cruisers are surprised by how much is included in the cruise fare.

Your Disney Cruise includes:

Accommodations
Rotational dining
Quick-service meals
Snacks and soft drinks
Broadway-style entertainment
Youth clubs
Character meet-and-greets
Pools and water play areas
First-run Disney movies
Room service

While there are some optional extras such as spa treatments, specialty dining, alcohol, and port excursions, much of your vacation is already included. This makes budgeting much easier compared to many land-based vacations.

There Is Plenty to Do

One concern many first-time cruisers have is whether they'll get bored. Trust me—you won't!

Between character experiences, deck parties, live shows, trivia, movie screenings, youth clubs, pools, and onboard activities, there is always something happening.

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app makes it easy to plan your day or simply go with the flow. You can “heart” any activities in the app that you are interested in and it will send you a reminder prior to the activity. I always “heart” lots of activities during our embarkation day but I don’t attend them all. It’s nice to have reminders in the app for the activities but once our family is on “cruise” mode, we tend to go with the flow a little more.

Some families stay busy from morning until night, while others spend hours relaxing by the pool. The beauty of a Disney Cruise is that you can vacation at your own pace.

Don't Skip the Adults-Only Areas

Even though Disney Cruise Line is known for family vacations, adults have plenty of opportunities to relax.

Adults-only pools, lounges, coffee bars, spas, fitness centers, and specialty dining venues offer a peaceful escape while the kids enjoy the youth clubs.

Many parents are surprised by how much they enjoy the adult spaces onboard. On our second Disney Cruise, my husband and I enjoyed brunch at Palo and we will definitely make that our tradition on all future Disney Cruises!

Our Best Advice for First-Time Disney Cruisers

If you're taking your first Disney Cruise, don't feel like you need to do everything.

Take time to explore the ship. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast. Watch a sunset from the deck. Attend a Broadway-style show. Meet your favorite characters. Relax and enjoy the experience.

The magic of a Disney Cruise isn't just in the destinations—it's in the moments you experience together as a family.

Our family went into our first Disney Cruise thinking it would be a one-time experience. Instead, it quickly became one of our favorite ways to vacation, and we've been hooked ever since.

Your first Disney Cruise may just become your favorite Disney vacation ever.