Welcome Leslie!
Thanks for reaching out – I'm so excited to hear that you’re planning your very first
Disney Cruise Line vacation! I think a cruise is a fabulous choice for a first Disney trip for your family. I’m happy to help you dip your toe into the
planning process.
First, let’s think through logistics. Do you have a set time you’d like to go, perhaps constrained by school calendars or other family obligations? Do you have a particular departure port that is most convenient to travel to? From those high-level basics, you can then start to search on the website for the best options for you. Typically, itineraries are available to reserve up to 18 months in advance so there are many options!
Disney has four gorgeous ships, but I’d advise you to not think too much about that when deciding on your first cruise. They are all fantastic in their own way, and the ships are planned for certain itineraries so if you’d like to visit a certain destination from a specific
departure port during a particular season, you may not have a choice in ships. Once you select your cruise, you can dig into the
details of your vessel through the Disney Cruise Line website or our
planDisney Pocket Guides to the ships.If you haven’t cruised before, I suggest an itinerary shorter than one week departing from
Port Canaveral. This will give you several options for dates, as these cruises sail frequently. If you have the opportunity to visit
Disney Castaway Cay on a first cruise, that’s ideal! This special beach destination is Disney’s private island and will offer you a practically perfect day in the sun together, with your lunch included.
There’s
so much included in your cruise, Leslie. Once you select an itinerary and date, the rest is icing on the cake! You can browse
Port Adventures to reserve closer to sailing for an exciting day in any port. Adding specialty beverage tastings, spa treatments, or adult-exclusive dining also helps personalize your vacation.
Please check out our two planDisney Podcast episodes dedicated to cruising for a taste of what’s to come! My pals have talked about the
Disney Wish, the newest cruise ship, and
tips for first-time cruisers.
Once you have an idea of where you’d like to sail and when, please come back and see us! We love to dig into these details with you and help you make the most of this incredible vacation. You can
send a question directly to me if you wish to continue this conversation, or
submit a question as you did this one for another panelist's view. Whatever you decide, I know you’ll make magical memories with your family in beautiful places.
Happy planning!
Amy