Ahoy there, Kandys!
Welcome aboard planDisney! What a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious way to celebrate your daughter’s birthday. Double digits are a big deal, and planning a cruise for such a milestone is a wish upon a star that’s bound to come true. You’re absolutely right to start early—when it comes to cruising, a little preparation can make everything smooth sailing!
I remember planning our very first Disney cruise, and I completely understand how it can feel like you’re standing at the edge of the map like Moana, staring into the unknown. Luckily, you’ve got plenty of ways to navigate. You can
call Disney Cruise Line directly, where a helpful Cast Member can walk you through the booking process. You can also work with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner (travel agent) who can handle the details at no extra cost to you. Or, if you enjoy steering the ship yourself, you can book directly on the
Disney Cruise Line website. And, of course, your crew here at planDisney is always ready to help answer your questions as you set sail on this adventure.
Before booking, you’ll want to decide which itinerary makes your family’s hearts sing like Sebastian under the sea. Since your daughter’s birthday falls right before Christmas, you’ll also find yourself sailing during
Disney’s Very Merrytime sailings—a holiday overlay that adds extra pixie dust with festive décor, seasonal activities, and even a visit from Santa himself! With that in mind, here are some of the current itineraries sailing on or over December 20, 2026:
• Disney Dream (December 18–21, 2026): Fort Lauderdale, Lookout Cay, & Nassau
• Disney Wonder (December 18–22, 2026): San Diego, Catalina Island, & Ensenada
• Disney Wish (December 18–21, 2026): Port Canaveral, Nassau, & Castaway Cay
• Disney Destiny (December 19–23, 2026): Fort Lauderdale, Lookout Cay, & Castaway Cay
• Disney Magic (December 17–22, 2026): Galveston, Cozumel, & Progreso
• Disney Fantasy (December 18–23, 2026): Port Canaveral, Castaway Cay, & Cozumel
• Disney Treasure (December 19–26, 2026): Port Canaveral, St. Thomas, Tortola, & Castaway Cay
For a family of five, you’ll be happy to know there are staterooms designed with your crew in mind. The best option really comes down to budget, but in general, the longer the sailing, the more doubloons you’ll want to plan for. When you’re ready to book, you’ll need to pay a deposit (usually about 10%), and then you can
make payments along the way up until the final payment deadline. Don’t forget to also
budget for recommended gratuities, which go to your hardworking Stateroom Host and your dining team that will stay with you each night as you rotate through the ship’s restaurants—a detail that makes Disney dining truly unique.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture as you chart your course. Planning a cruise is a bit like building a snowman with Elsa—you’ll start with just an idea, add pieces step by step, and before you know it, you’ve created something magical. With the excitement of a birthday, the wonder of Disney, and the joy of the holidays all rolled into one, your daughter’s celebration is sure to be unforgettable.
Sea ya real soon with boo-tiful nights and frightfully fun days,
Dustin