For many families, a Disney cruise is a dream vacation. But if you’re not a Disney fanatic, you may think the idea of a ship full of Disney characters and shows sounds more like a headache than a relaxing vacation.
Kidfluence is driving family vacation choices more than ever these days though, according to the 2025 U.S. Family Travel Survey. The survey found that kids ages seven to 18 are becoming true co-captains in family vacation planning. And as Disney Cruise Line expands with new ships full of exciting Disney, Pixar, and Marvel experiences, it’s catching the attention of more kids and families who are discovering vacation ideas on social media.
If a Disney cruise is unexpectedly under consideration for your next vacation, you shouldn’t worry if you’re not a Disney fanatic. I never thought a Disney cruise was for me, but after experiencing it for myself, it’s become the family cruise vacation I recommend over and over again.
Here are three reasons why the Disney cruise experience wins over even those who don’t consider themselves Disney families.
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Disney cruises that sail to The Bahamas and Caribbean feature a themed pirate night with a special dinner menu. Image source: Alisha dos Santos / TravelHost
1. Disney cruise kids’ clubs are top notch
Even kids who aren’t big on Disney characters love Disney cruise ship kids’ clubs. My eight-year-old daughter had no interest in character meet-and-greets, but she couldn’t get enough of time in Disney Cruise Line’s Oceaneer Club for kids. Disney knows how to keep kids entertained with immersive, themed spaces and a variety of engaging games and activities.
Character experiences are easy to avoid if they aren’t your family’s thing. But if your kids want to meet Disney characters, they’ll be able to meet plenty of their favorites, and with shorter lines than they’d face inside Disney Parks.
Related: What it’s like to sail Disney Cruise Line as an adult man
2. Disney cruise stage shows are Broadway level
The shows on Disney cruise ships are just as good as the ones you’ll see in Disney Parks, or on Broadway. There was even a Broadway guest artist who starred in shows on my sailing.
Disney cruises also feature some unique Disney productions that you can’t see anywhere else like “Believe,” a heartfelt musical featured on two Disney cruise ships, and “Disney Seas the Adventure” a musical voyage of discovery performed on the cruise line’s newer Wish Class ships. Disney cruises also offer the chance to see exclusive stage adaptations of popular Disney films like “Moana,” “Frozen,” and “Hercules.”
In addition to the shows, Disney’s fireworks at sea are a spectacular sight to see that pair well with the cruise line’s fun Pirate Night tradition on Caribbean cruises that includes a themed Pirates in the Caribbean dinner menu.
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3. Disney cruise food is first class
The buffet, casual dining venues, and main dining restaurants on Disney cruise ships are all high quality. Spending more to upgrade to specialty dining experiences feels less necessary on Disney cruises than other cruise lines. But for parents seeking some adult time, the cruise line’s adult-exclusive specialty restaurants and bars offer the opportunity to enjoy a high-end date night while kids enjoy the kids’ clubs.
With Disney’s unique rotational dining, you get to experience something different for dinner each night as you rotate through each of the ship’s main dining rooms during your cruise. Each one is uniquely themed and Disney’s Wish Class ships even feature full dinner shows.
But no matter whether you get a full-on show with your dinner, the service will wow you. Once the servers learn your preferences, they’ll often have your drink order ready for you when you sit down. And they’ll go out of their way to add their own personal touch of magic to your dinner.
Related: 3 Disney Cruise Line tips and tricks you probably don’t know
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Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Me’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Come Cruise With Me section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.