3 Tips for Taking Your Kids On a Disney Cruise for the First Time

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Disney adventure parks are amazing, but the crowds and the long ride lines can put a negative spin on your experience. So why not step it up a notch and offer the kids the true Disney experience on a Disney cruise?

True, it is a bit pricey, but the kids will love it, and you (the parents) will end up feeling like royalty. Plus, there are no crowds, and you get the full attention of the staff. Also, as a side note, the staff on these cruises is trained to cater to guests’ needs and make sure everyone is having a good time. 

All that being said, the first time you take the kids on a Disney cruise can be a bit confusing. So, here are a few tips to help you get ready for a fun and unique adventure. 

1. Decide Which Cruise Ship Will Suit Your Family Best

The Disney Cruise Line (DCL) family includes five ships, and each offers a unique and exciting experience. So, depending on which ship you choose, your experience will be different. 

For instance, if you feel nostalgic and want to experience the early Disney period, you should book a trip on Disney Magic. This is the first ship ever launched by the DLC in 1998. The ship was refitted in 2018 and is one of the small ships in the Disney fleet (only 84,000 tons). 

On the other hand, if you want the newest and most contemporary Disney experience, you must try the Disney Wish. The ship was launched this year (2022) and is the biggest of them all (144,000 tons).

Aboard the Disney Wish, you can experience some of the most popular universes that both kids and their parents enjoy, such as Marvel, Star Wars, or Pixar (brought together by the Disney atmosphere, of course). To learn more about the experience, here you can find a complete guide to the Disney Wish ship and its offer.

2. Prepare the Kids in Advance

If being on a cruise is an entirely new experience for the kids, it helps to sit down with them and talk about the upcoming vacation. Talk about the shows, how they’ll get to meet their favorite characters in a new setting, and more.

Also, make sure to cover how it feels being on a ship, why they’ll only see water at some point, and how staying safe on a cruise ship is important. It helps to support your chats with video materials (there are lots of YouTube videos you can use as reference) and mention the stops you’ll make (the ship’s itinerary). 

This way, the kids will get excited about the fun they’re about to have and forget everything about the scary part of an unfamiliar environment.

3. Take Advantage of the Family-Friendly Atmosphere

The target audience for Disney cruises are families and young children, so parents have all the support and services they need. This makes a world of difference compared to going on a regular cruise with small kids. 

Each ship offers special childcare options for children of all ages, and there are lots of locations where kids can play, make friends, and burn some energy. 

Still, this doesn’t mean adults without kids or teenagers won’t have a good time on the cruise! It’s just that the staff will pay extra attention to families with kids. Also, if you want a more adult-suited Disney attraction to enjoy with friends and family, why not try the Walt Disney Estate Tour? It will be an unforgettable experience, and you’ll get to make amazing memories!

Overall, Disney cruises are fun, filled with excitement for kids and adults, and a great vacation environment for families with young children. It’s also an amazing way to bond as a family and make long-lasting memories.