Disney totally won me over.
Mickey’s charm did me in. Donald, Goofy, Pluto, Minnie — they all did too. This post weighs whether a Disney cruise is worth the steep price, so you can decide if you should book one or skip it to protect your FIRE goals.
A 7-night stateroom for four (queen bed plus bunks) runs roughly $6,000 to $10,000. Add about $1,500 for a veranda, more for a concierge suite, and prices vary by cabin location and season.
But that’s just the start.
You also need flights, a hotel night before sailing (unless you risk flying in the same day), and transfers to and from the port. Quick tally:
– Stateroom for four – typical: $7,500 (add $1,500 for a veranda; concierge suites cost much more)
– Airfare for four: $1,300
– Cabs and hotel: $250
That already puts you at $9,050 before the ship leaves the dock. Gulp.
Add shore excursions. Booking through the cruise line costs a bit more, but vendors are vetted and the ship won’t sail without you. For three stops, one excursion per stop for four people at about $100 each:
– Excursions: $1,200
Drinks add up fast, even if you’re moderate. Two adults having a drink at happy hour and another at dinner, plus a morning espresso and the occasional smoothie, averages about $60 a day for two adults.
– Alcohol and specialty drinks: $420
Gratuities are another chunk. On a big ship with about 1,500 crew serving 4,000 guests, the staff works hard. We tipped extra. For our four main crew members (three dinner servers and a room attendant) we did 4 x $95 plus an extra $20 each.
– Gratuities: $460
We didn’t splurge on souvenirs — maybe $20 for kids’ sunglasses and some small crafts in Jamaica. Disney also sells photography packages that are pricey (around $400) if you want professional photos throughout the trip. The photographers really go after the shots — you’ll spot them waist-deep in the water at Disney’s private island.
– Souvenirs: $53
Total for our Caribbean-style trip: $11,183. That’s a big bill, but it was an amazing 7-night, 8-day trip that felt nearly worth every penny.
We’re lucky to have generous parents. My folks helped fund an “Airbnb Experiment” that boosted our savings, and my in-laws paid for this cruise as a gift. Six of us went — our family of four in one stateroom and my in-laws down the hall. It was the perfect way to kick off summer.
Disney spares no effort. From arrival at the port to boarding, there are smiling crew members, character meet-and-greets, and small touches that make lines bearable. Before boarding, they even line up crew to welcome you and announce your family name like you’re royalty.
Compared to my experiences on Celebrity and Princess, Disney felt more like a classic ocean liner — elegant, straightforward, and full of Disney branding. I loved it.
Dining was solid. Not mind-blowing, but consistently good. There are plenty of vegetarian options and the buffet has lots of choices. Desserts are especially tempting. On the Fantasy, you rotate through three main dining rooms, each with playful themes and great service. Our two dinner servers were fantastic — patient, fun, and great with kids. They even performed tricks and cut French toast for the little ones. We tipped them well at the end.
The live shows were top-notch — talented performers, big production values, and plenty of surprises. The magician was the one weak link; magic acts on ships rarely impress. The ship also had a movie theater showing recent films like Avengers: Endgame and Captain Marvel, and the popcorn stands outside felt delightfully old-school.
The pool and deck areas are smartly laid out so you don’t feel crowded. There are shaded splash areas for kids and a huge screen playing Disney movies. Adults get a no-kids zone with pool, bar, and hot tub, which is a huge plus if you want quiet time.
If you worry a cruise equals chaos and nonstop kids, Disney surprises you: there are lots of adult-only spaces and an excellent kids’ program, the Oceaneer’s Club. It’s like a daycare with trained staff, activities, snacks, and even handwashing routines. You can drop kids off for hours — some programs run until midnight — and staff will escort kids back from dinner afterward. It makes solo adult time actually possible.
Not everything is perfect. The free coffee is weak; specialty espresso shops are available for a fee and I wish the basic coffee stations were better. We sailed in mid-June, so it was hot and muggy outside, though plenty of water features helped. Also, our shore stops were fun, but the ship’s entertainment and facilities are so good that staying onboard is tempting. One thought that lingered: cruising brings money to poor islands, but it also highlights local poverty up close. It’s a complicated feeling.
Is a Disney cruise worth the price? If you’re pursuing SemiFIRE and can afford a treat, I’d say yes — go for it. Just don’t let it derail your long-term financial goals. Disney’s mix of brand magic (Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, etc.) makes the experience feel special and immersive, and that’s what sets it apart.
We had a blast, relaxed, and even slept in thanks to grandparents taking the kids for “slumber parties.” Will we go again soon? Maybe in a few years. And down the road, I hope we can treat our kids and grandkids to this kind of trip.
Update (12/1/21): We used a 10% future-sailing discount from a 2019 cruise. Covid delayed our January 2021 plan, but we finally sailed in December. With the discount and no extras, a stateroom on the Fantasy came in just under $6,000. Mask rules were in place inside common areas, which was annoying but manageable; masks weren’t required on deck. Now we’re veterans of two Disney cruises and our kids are officially spoiled.