Hi, Samantha!
Welcome back to planDisney! It looks like some of my pals have provided tips regarding Walt Disney World Resort in the past, and I'm happy to answer your question about the Disney Cruise Line!
Most
staterooms on the Disney Cruise Line fit 3-4 Guests, but some magically stretch to sleep up to 5. A few Concierge-level suites can welcome up to 7 Guests, which wouldn't be large enough to fit your family. For a crew of eight, I recommend looking for connecting staterooms that each sleep 5 Guests, plus it keeps an adult in each room.
Fortunately, finding the right staterooms on the
Disney Cruise Line website is fairly straightforward.
At the top of the homepage, next to “Explore Destinations,” plug in when and where you want to sail. Add one adult and four kids (with their ages) to the first stateroom, then click “Add Another Stateroom" to add the rest of your family. That will take you to the search results so you can browse the available cruises. As you continue, you will eventually reach the "Confirm Travel Party" page. Make sure the "Connecting Rooms" toggle is on so that you will be shown only those types of staterooms. If you run into any difficulties, don't hesitate to call the
Disney Cruise Line directly to get your questions answered!
My favorite ship is probably the
Disney Wish (although I love them all!). I sailed on it with my spouse, kids, and their grandparents, and we had such a wonderful time together. My kids couldn't get enough of the
AquaMouse, a super fun waterslide that they rode over and over again. Just be prepared to get soaked!
We also loved the evening shows, and my kids basically adopted our dining room server as their new best friend. One of the things that makes the Disney Cruise Line so special is
rotational dining, where Guests (and their serving team) move together to dining locations most nights. It makes every dinner feel unique while still keeping the same friendly faces at your table. By the end of the cruise, we were sad to say goodbye to both the ship and the amazing crew we had gotten to know so well. Whatever ship you choose, you and your family are sure to have an amazing time!
Samantha, I hope this information has pointed you in the right direction. Feel free to contact planDisney again if you have more questions!
Happy sailing!
Jen