Family enjoying activities on board; popcorn
  • On Jul 24, 2025
    Ashley from PA Asked Please note that experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    This is my first time planning a cruise and was just wondering if someone can guide me through. I am planning for me my husband and 2 children that will be 6 and 10 at the time of the cruise. I was hoping to plan for this upcoming year 2026.

    Ahoy there, Ashley! Welcome to planDisney.

    With so many options available, it can be overwhelming planning your first cruise. You’ve come to the right place, and I’m more than happy to walk you through the process of planning your first sailing with Disney Cruise Line, Ashley! I’ll break it down by categories to keep it organized for you:

    Travel dates and duration: First, let’s talk about when and how long you’d like to sail on your first cruise. What month or season do you wish to travel? Off-peak travel times (such as when most schools are in session) tend to be less crowded, and the prices tend to be lower. Special cruises, like Halloween on the High Seas and Pixar Day at Sea, are limited and offered on select sailings. Since this is your first cruise, you may want to do a short 3-night cruise to test out your sea legs. Or you may feel that a 3-night cruise is too quick and would rather relax on a 7-night cruise!

    Destinations: Are there specific ports of call that interest you? A great stop for a first Disney cruise is at one of the private islands, Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point; a cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean may be right up your alley! Also, these cruises sail from Florida and you can even add a visit to the Walt Disney World Resort for a Land and Sea vacation. Of course, there are other fun destinations the Disney Cruise Line sails to as well, including Hawaii, New Zealand, and Europe, just to name a few. 

    Staterooms: Another choice you’ll get to make when planning a Disney cruise is your stateroom category and location. You can choose from Inside, Oceanview, Verandah and Concierge, each ranging in types and deck locations. Our family enjoys having extra space in a verandah room to hang out. Staterooms on Disney ships are designed with families in mind, with plenty of storage and privacy curtains that separate sitting and sleeping areas. Most staterooms also have split bathrooms, where you have a toilet and sink in one room, and a shower/ bathtub combo and a sink in the other. This is so helpful when getting ready in the morning for a shore excursion!

    Your children will have a whale of a time at the Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab. They may have so much fun meeting new friends that you’ll hardly see them during the cruise! Which leaves time for you and your husband to check out the adult-exclusive offerings, such as a trying a beverage tasting class, getting a couples massage at Senses Spa & Salon, or savoring a brunch at Palo Steakhouse

    After you’ve booked your cruise, please feel free to sail by planDisney again if you have more questions. We’re happy to help!

    Hope to SEA ya real soon,
    Kiki

thumbnail image for Kiki

Meet the Panelist: Kiki, California

Greetings! I have been fascinated by the magic of Disney since I was a little girl; now that I am a mother of two, I love watching my children experience Disney Parks through their own eyes. I am also surrounded by fellow Disney-loving nurse friends whom I enjoy quick adults-only Disneyland Resort escapes or Disney Cruise Line voyages with. Whether you are planning your once-in-a-lifetime family trip or a short adults-only getaway to the Happiest Place on Earth, I am here to help!

Learn More About Kiki

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