If you’re planning a family cruise with younger kiddos, two names probably come up pretty quickly: Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Both offer plenty for families, from kids’ clubs and pools to entertainment and destinations worth exploring. But the experience onboard can be surprisingly different.
Disney brings its signature storytelling, character experiences, and immersive entertainment to sea. Royal Caribbean takes a different approach, with a wide range of ships, activities, and attractions that can make the ship itself a major part of the vacation.
So which one should you choose?
Now listen, I book clients on both cruise lines, and I love them both for different reasons. The answer isn’t as simple as which cruise line is better. It comes down to your children’s ages, your family’s vacation style, your budget, and what you want to get out of your time at sea.
I always do my best to educate clients on what they can expect with each cruise line, and I realized I’ve done this enough that I should just write it down. So, here is my (not so short, but full of details and good information) breakdown comparing the two cruise lines.
PS. Want to ask a ton more questions after reading? Ready to book? Send me an email and let’s chat!
Overall experience: Magic vs. adventure
The biggest difference between these two cruise lines is the overall atmosphere.
Disney Cruise Line is built around storytelling and immersive experiences. Disney characters, familiar stories, themed restaurants, Broadway-style productions, and special entertainment moments are woven throughout the cruise. Even the staterooms incorporate Disney-inspired design details.
You don’t have to be a die-hard Disney fan to enjoy a Disney cruise, but families who love Disney characters, movies, and storytelling will find plenty to appreciate.
One thing I love that Disney does: a personal welcome aboard
When you board a Disney ship, there’s a special welcome waiting for you.
Here’s how it works:
- You complete online check-in and receive an assigned Port Arrival Time and boarding group.
- Once your boarding group is called, you make your way onto the ship.
- As you enter the main atrium, a Cast Member announces your family’s name over the microphone.
- Crew members and guests often applaud and cheer as your family makes its grand entrance!
You can tell the Cast Member how you’d like your family announced. Some families use their last name, while others choose something fun like “The Dashing Divas!”
PS. If you have a MagicBand+ from Disney World or Disney Land, you can use it on your Disney Cruise! That’s an awesome feature!
Royal Caribbean takes a more adventure-focused approach. Depending on the ship, you’ll find waterslides, surf simulators, rock climbing walls, ice skating, zip lines, bumper cars, sports courts, and plenty of other activities.
Some of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships are destinations in their own right (hello, Icon class!), with entire neighborhoods, expansive pool decks, and attractions designed to keep families busy throughout the sailing.
*One important distinction*: Royal Caribbean’s ships vary considerably. A smaller, older ship will offer a very different experience from a newer Oasis- or Icon-class ship. It’s important to compare the actual ships, not just the cruise lines.
My take: If your kids are excited about meeting characters and being immersed in their favorite stories, Disney has a clear advantage. If they’re more interested in waterslides, sports, and trying something new every day, Royal Caribbean may be the better fit.
Kids’ clubs and activities by age
Both cruise lines offer supervised youth programs, but their age groups and programming are a little different.
Disney’s youth spaces are divided into age-specific experiences:
- It’s a Small World Nursery: Ages 6 months to 3 years, with an additional fee.
- Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab: Ages 3–10 (children must be fully potty-trained).
- Edge: Ages 11–14
- Vibe: Ages 14–17
The Oceaneer spaces are particularly appealing because they’re designed around imaginative play and familiar Disney, Pixar, and Marvel stories. Depending on the ship, children might find themed play spaces, interactive activities, crafts, games, and character experiences.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure Ocean program offers age-based activities:
- Royal Babies & Tots: Ages 6 months to 3 years, with an additional fee
- Aquanauts: Ages 3–5.
- Explorers: Ages 6–8.
- Voyagers: Ages 9–11.
- Teen programs: Ages 13–17.
The activities include games, themed events, crafts, and other age-appropriate programming. Teen spaces provide opportunities to socialize, participate in activities, and meet other teenagers.
I wrote a previous blog post on Royal’s Adventure Ocean. Check that out here.
Two things to note on Royal Caribbean –
- There are some ships that do not have a Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, so ALWAYS double check the ship you’re booking if that’s important to you!
- There are times when Royal combines age groups, especially the Explorers and Voyagers, if there aren’t a lot of kids onboard. While that’s not a huge deal for most, some parents don’t love that. So just a flag.
Which is better? You decide.
For younger children, both lines have a lot to offer. Disney’s themed spaces are a major draw, especially for kids who love imaginative play and familiar characters. Royal Caribbean offers structured age-based programming with a different mix of games and activities.
For teenagers, I’d pay particular attention to the ship itself. Royal Caribbean’s newer and larger ships can offer an impressive selection of activities outside the teen club, while Disney provides dedicated teen spaces and a strong lineup of entertainment.
Pools, waterslides, and onboard attractions
Disney Cruise Line offers family pools, splash areas for younger children, waterslides, and unique attractions. One standout is AquaMouse, an attraction featured on select ships that combines a waterslide experience with animated storytelling. If you’ve been to Hollywood Studios, think: waterslide + Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway!
Disney also has dedicated splash areas for little ones still in diapers, making it a nice option for families traveling with toddlers and preschoolers.
Royal Caribbean has some seriously impressive water attractions though, especially on their newer ships.
Depending on the ship (this is important!), families can enjoy:
- Waterslides
- Splashaway Bay water play areas
- Diapered splash areas (the size and “fun-ness” of these definitely vary ship to ship!)
- FlowRider surf simulators.
- Multiple pools and hot tubs.
- Rock climbing walls.
- Mini golf and sports courts.
- Ice skating and other specialty attractions.
Some of the newer ships take the “waterslides at sea” even further. Icon-class ships, for example, feature Category 6, a large waterpark with multiple waterslides.
Keep in mind that not every Royal Caribbean ship has every attraction. Some activities also have height, age, or other safety requirements, and a few specialty experiences cost extra. Do you feel like I’m repeating “check the ship! check the ship!” enough?! Ha!
Which is better? It depends.
If your family wants a cruise with lots of water-based activities and adventurous attractions, I’d give Royal Caribbean the advantage, especially on its newer ships.
Disney still offers plenty of poolside fun, but its onboard experience is more balanced around entertainment, storytelling, and family activities rather than trying to pack in as many thrill attractions as possible.
And remember. NO swim diapers in any splash pad or pool outside of those dedicated diapered areas. Regardless of cruise line, that is a CDC requirement. AKA a law. So there is no getting around it!
Onboard Entertainment
Entertainment is a big part of both cruise experiences, but the offerings are quite different.
Disney Cruise Line is known for its theatrical productions, many of which feature familiar Disney stories and characters. Depending on the ship, guests can enjoy Broadway-style productions, deck parties, character meet-and-greets, movie screenings, and themed celebrations.
Disney’s entertainment is a big part of what makes the cruise feel special. Even families who don’t spend much time in the kids’ clubs will find plenty of things to enjoy together.
Royal Caribbean offers a wider variety of entertainment styles, depending on the ship. Options can include full-scale theater productions, ice skating shows, aqua theater performances, live music, comedy, game shows, and other family-friendly events.
Some of the newer ships have particularly impressive entertainment venues, including theaters designed for large-scale productions and specialized water shows.
However, the older ships do not have as much family-friendly entertainment offered. Personally, my family doesn’t mind since we bring games and other activities to entertain our crew, but if you want the constant entertainment, make sure you check the ship!
One note for adults: Disney Cruise Line does not have casinos. Royal Caribbean has a casino aboard every ship. So if the grown ups want to gamble onboard, make sure you put that into your consideration of cruise lines!
Which is better? You decide.
This one really comes down to your family’s interests.
If your children love Disney movies, princesses, characters, and familiar stories, Disney is hard to beat.
If your family enjoys a variety of live performances, ice skating, comedy, and spectacular shipboard shows, Royal Caribbean offers some fantastic options across the fleet.
Food and dining
Both cruise lines offer complimentary dining options, but the dining experience is structured differently. Food quality is too subjective, so you won’t get an opinion on that from me. However, the dining experiences are worth talking about!
Disney Cruise Line: Rotational Dining
One of Disney’s signature features is rotational dining.
Instead of eating in the same main dining room every evening, guests rotate between three themed restaurants throughout their cruise. Your serving team travels with you, so you get to know the same servers even as your dining location changes.
Restaurants vary by ship, but examples include:
- Animator’s Palate.
- Worlds of Marvel.
- Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure.
Children’s menus are available, and the themed dining rooms make dinner part of the entertainment.
Disney also offers casual dining, quick-service options, snacks, and beverage stations. Soft drinks, coffee, and tea are included at meals and beverage stations.
Disney’s complimentary dining includes rotational dining, but its premium and adults-only restaurants cost extra.
Royal Caribbean: More Dining Variety and Flexibility
Complimentary options include the Main Dining Room and Windjammer buffet, along with additional casual dining venues depending on the ship.
Families can also choose specialty restaurants for an additional charge. Depending on the ship, these might include steakhouses, Italian restaurants, sushi, hibachi, and other specialty experiences.
Royal Caribbean also offers different dining arrangements, including traditional assigned dining times and flexible dining options (My Time Dining) on eligible sailings.
Which is better? You decide.
I think Disney has a particularly appealing dining experience for families who enjoy having dinner be part of the entertainment. Rotational dining also provides consistency with your serving team. And the themes are STUNNING. Like, wowsa, stunning!
Royal Caribbean is a good choice for families who prefer more flexibility and variety, especially on ships with extensive restaurant selections.
And if you have picky eaters? Both offer familiar favorites and children’s menu options. My kiddos pick and choose between the adult and children’s menus, and they can always find something!
Staterooms
This is an area where Disney has some thoughtful family-friendly features available in any type of stateroom.
Disney Cruise Line staterooms are designed with families in mind. Many standard staterooms feature:
- Split bathrooms, with a separate toilet and shower/bathroom area.
- Privacy curtains separating sleeping and living spaces.
- Additional sleeping arrangements, including pull-down beds.
- Storage space for luggage and family belongings.
- Larger overall square footage per room than other cruise lines
The split bathroom is particularly helpful when multiple people are getting ready at the same time. Most Disney Cruise Line rooms have a bathtub, not just a shower.
Disney also offers connecting staterooms for families who need additional space, although availability varies.
Typical stateroom categories include interior, ocean view (window), veranda (balcony), and suites.
Royal Caribbean offers a wider range of stateroom configurations across its fleet.
Depending on the ship, families can choose from:
- Interior staterooms.
- Oceanview staterooms.
- Balcony staterooms.
- Family staterooms.
- Connecting staterooms (some with connecting balconies)
- Suites with additional space and amenities.
Some newer ships have particularly creative family accommodations, including multi-room suites and specialty family cabins. The newer ships are where Royal’s increased stateroom types really shine.
However, room layouts and occupancy limits vary significantly between ships. And some of the older Royal ships have much smaller staterooms on average, so it’s important to look at the ship!
Families of five or more may need to look at specific family-category rooms, suites, or connecting staterooms. But that’s why you work with a travel agent like me, because I can see availability for 5 people per cabin when the public cannot! 🙂
Which is better? You decide.
Disney gets points for its consistently family-oriented room design, especially the split bathrooms and thoughtful sleeping arrangements.
Royal Caribbean wins on variety, with more options for families looking for different room configurations and suite experiences.
My advice? Don’t automatically assume you need a balcony or suite. I love them, especially for nap times so we can still be outside while a kiddo sleeps, but they do increase the price tag! For many families, a well-designed standard stateroom is perfectly comfortable, and the money saved can go toward excursions or other parts of the vacation. Or, if you want to see the sea while you sail, consider a oceanview window with Disney, or an oceanview window , panoramic window, or infinity balcony on Royal.
Destinations and itineraries
This is an important consideration that can sometimes get overlooked when comparing cruise lines.
You can love everything about a particular ship, but if it doesn’t sail to the destination you want, it isn’t going to work!
Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries to destinations including the Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, and other regions, depending on the sailing season and deployment.
Disney also has its own private island destinations in the Bahamas, including Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Royal Caribbean has a much larger selection of ships, departure ports, and itineraries. Families can find sailings to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Europe, Mexico, and many other destinations.
Royal Caribbean also operates Perfect Day at CocoCay in the Bahamas, its private island destination featuring beaches, pools, and optional attractions.
Which is better? It really depends.
If you’re flexible about where you sail, both cruise lines offer some fantastic options.
However, Royal Caribbean generally provides more choices when it comes to departure ports, ship sizes, and itineraries. This can make it easier to find a sailing that fits your family’s schedule or preferred destination.
Disney may have fewer options in a particular region or season, so it’s worth checking the itinerary before falling in love with a particular ship!
Alcoholic beverages and drink packages
If the adults in your family enjoy a cocktail by the pool, a glass of wine with dinner, or a beer while watching the sunset, the beverage policies are another important difference between these cruise lines.
Disney Cruise Line: No unlimited alcohol package.
Disney does not offer an unlimited alcoholic beverage package. Instead, alcoholic beverages are purchased individually at bars, lounges, and restaurants.
You can purchase cocktails, beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages throughout your sailing, but they aren’t included in your standard cruise fare.
This can be a nice option for adults who prefer to enjoy a glass of wine in their stateroom without purchasing every drink onboard.
Royal Caribbean: Beverage packages available
Royal Caribbean offers several beverage packages, including its Deluxe Beverage Package, which covers alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.
Depending on the package terms, the Deluxe Beverage Package includes:
- Cocktails and frozen drinks.
- Beer.
- Wine by the glass.
- Spirits and liqueurs.
- Nonalcoholic cocktails (mocktails).
- Premium coffees and teas.
- Bottled still and sparkling water.
- Fresh-squeezed juices.
- Smoothies and milkshakes where available.
The package has a per-drink price limit, so certain premium beverages may require an additional payment.
A few important things to know for Royal’s drink packages:
- Beverage package pricing varies by ship and sailing.
- Packages can often be purchased in advance at a discounted price compared with onboard pricing, although discounts aren’t guaranteed.
- The Deluxe Beverage Package must be purchased by all guests of legal drinking age in the same stateroom.
- Packages are for individual use and cannot be shared.
- The package generally covers drinks at participating bars, lounges, restaurants, and Royal Caribbean private destinations.
Royal Caribbean also offers nonalcoholic packages for guests who want specialty coffees, bottled water, mocktails, and other beverages without paying for alcohol.
Disney & Royal both have similar policies that can make bringing your own beverages appealing:
- Guests 21 and older can bring one unopened bottle of wine or sparkling wine (up to 750 ml) OR six beers (up to 12 ounces each) at the beginning of the voyage.
- These beverages must be carried onboard in your carry-on luggage.
- Bringing wine into the dining room incurs a $20 corkage fee per bottle.
- Alcohol purchased in ports is held by the cruise line until the end of the voyage.
Which is better?
If you enjoy several alcoholic drinks (or non-alcoholic drinks like smoothies) throughout the day, Royal Caribbean’s beverage package can be convenient. You pay one upfront price and don’t have to think about the individual cost of each covered drink.
However, it’s important to do the math before purchasing. Depending on how much you drink, paying individually may be less expensive.
Disney’s approach may be preferable for families who don’t want to purchase a package or who only plan to enjoy an occasional drink, or those families who just wish to drink soda since it’s included in your cruise fare.
Cruise Cost Comparison
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
Disney Cruise Line generally commands a higher starting price than Royal Caribbean, but comparing cruise fares isn’t quite as simple as looking at the initial price.
Both cruise lines include your stateroom, meals at complimentary dining venues, onboard entertainment, and access to many activities in the base fare.
There are, however, differences in what’s included and what costs extra.
Disney Cruise Line includes:
- Rotational dining and casual dining.
- Select nonalcoholic beverages, including soft drinks at beverage stations.
- Youth clubs.
- Live entertainment and deck parties.
- Character experiences.
- Pools and waterslides.
Royal Caribbean includes:
- Main Dining Room and complimentary casual dining options.
- Select nonalcoholic beverages, but no soft drinks.
- Adventure Ocean youth programming.
- Many onboard activities and entertainment options.
- Access to pools and many waterslides and attractions.
Both lines have additional costs for things like alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, shore excursions, and certain onboard experiences.
Gratuities are another expense to factor into your overall budget. Both cruise lines have recommended or automatically applied service gratuities, with rates and policies subject to change. These gratuities also depend on the type of room you’re staying in, as suites have a higher per-day gratuity than other rooms.
Disney’s base fare generally includes a few more beverage and dining conveniences, while Royal Caribbean offers plenty of opportunities to customize your vacation with optional packages and add-ons.
My recommendation: Compare the total vacation cost, not just the base cruise fare.
When I price a cruise for a family, I look at the stateroom, taxes and fees, gratuities, insurance, transportation to the port, pre-cruise hotel if needed, and any extras the family actually wants. If they’re flying, I also look at airfare and airport parking. Then present the full amount, so a family can reasonably know what to expect, and doesn’t commit to a price that then keeps increasing with each add on.
A lower starting fare doesn’t automatically mean a less expensive vacation, and a higher starting fare doesn’t necessarily mean better value for your family.
What’s included in your cruise fare?
This is one of the most important things to understand when comparing Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean.
Both cruise lines advertise a starting price, but what exactly are you getting for that price? And what will you have to pay extra for once you’re onboard?
The good news is that both cruise lines include quite a bit in their standard fares. You can have a wonderful vacation without purchasing every available upgrade.
However, there are some meaningful differences.
What’s included with Disney Cruise Line?
Disney includes quite a bit in its standard cruise fare:
- Your stateroom accommodations.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at complimentary dining locations.
- Snacks, pizza, burgers, and soft-serve ice cream.
- Fountain soft drinks, coffee, and tea at beverage stations and during meals.
- Broadway-style shows, deck parties, and Disney entertainment.
- Character meet-and-greets.
- Kids’ clubs for children, tweens, and teens.
- Pools, waterslides, and sports activities.
- Twice-daily stateroom service.
- 24-hour room service, although some items and deliveries may incur additional fees.
- Access to Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on applicable itineraries, including complimentary beach activities and lunch.
Disney’s complimentary beverage stations are a particularly nice perk for families. You can grab a fountain drink throughout the day without purchasing a separate beverage package.
What’s included with Royal Caribbean?
Royal Caribbean also includes plenty in its standard fare:
- Your stateroom accommodations.
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at complimentary dining venues.
- Buffet and casual dining options.
- Select complimentary beverages, including water, coffee, tea, lemonade, and select juices.
- Main theater entertainment and many onboard shows.
- Adventure Ocean kids’ programming and teen activities.
- Pools and hot tubs.
- Many onboard attractions and activities, depending on the ship.
- Fitness center access.
- Continental breakfast through room service.
One important distinction: Royal Caribbean’s included attractions vary significantly by ship. Many activities, such as waterslides, mini golf, rock climbing, and sports facilities, are included, while certain premium experiences and attractions may carry additional fees.
Unlike Disney, Royal Caribbean charges extra for fountain soda unless you purchase a beverage package or individual drinks.
Extra costs across both cruise lines:
Regardless of which cruise line you choose, there are a few expenses you should account for when budgeting:
Gratuities: Neither cruise line generally includes standard daily service gratuities in the basic cruise fare. You can typically prepay these or have them added to your onboard account.
Wi-Fi: Internet access is an additional purchase on both cruise lines, with different plans and pricing options.
Specialty dining: Both offer restaurants beyond their complimentary dining options that require an additional charge.
Shore excursions: Port adventures and organized excursions are generally extra, although you can explore ports independently without purchasing a cruise-line excursion.
Alcohol and specialty beverages: Neither includes alcoholic beverages in its standard fare. Royal Caribbean offers beverage packages, while Disney charges for alcoholic drinks individually.
Nursery care: Both offer additional-fee childcare options for younger children, although availability and age requirements vary.
Which cruise line is better for your family?
Neither cruise line is automatically the winner. I book both cruise lines, and love them each for different reasons. Both can deliver a fantastic family vacation, but they appeal to families in different ways.
My final thoughts: Don’t choose the cruise line before choosing the right ship!
This is probably the biggest piece of advice I can give families comparing these two cruise lines.
Royal Caribbean has ships that are relatively small and traditional, as well as some of the largest and most activity-packed cruise ships in the world. The experience on a smaller Royal Caribbean ship can be completely different from sailing on an Icon-class vessel.
Disney ships have their own personalities and differences, too, but the consistent emphasis on storytelling, family entertainment, and character experiences is part of what makes the cruise line distinctive.
I wouldn’t automatically rule out either cruise line based on price, ship size, or brand name alone.
Instead, think about:
- What ages are your children?
- What do they actually enjoy doing on vacation?
- Do they love Disney, or are they more interested in adventure?
- Would your family spend more time at the pool, in the kids’ club, watching shows, or exploring ports?
- What’s your overall vacation budget?
- Are you flexible about departure ports and travel dates?
The right cruise is the one that fits your family, not necessarily the one with the biggest waterslides or the most recognizable characters.
Need help choosing the right family cruise?
This is where working with a travel advisor like me can make a big difference!
I work with both Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, and I love helping families figure out which ships, itineraries, and staterooms make the most sense for their vacation.
Sometimes the best option isn’t the cruise line you initially had in mind. And sometimes a slightly different ship or sailing date can make a big difference in the overall cost.
Whether you’re planning your first family cruise or looking for something new, I’d love to help you find the right fit!
Ready to start planning? Reach out to me to get started:
- Email me directly at Casey@MemoryLaneTravelCo.com
- Full out a cruise inquiry form on my website here
- Find me on Facebook, scroll through deals there, and send me a message
