If you stay at a Disney resort prior to a Disney cruise, shuttle service is offered from your hotel to Port Canaveral which is about an hour from Orlando. Plus, if you're starting out your vacation at Disney World, a Disney cruise is the logical way to extend the magic for a few extra days. A short cruise is a great introduction to cruising.
If you've never cruised before at all -- or never cruised with Disney -- you might be worried you won't like it. What if you get seasick? Won't you gain weight? What if you feel "stuck" onboard while you're sailing? And won't a Disney cruise be overrun with kids and characters?
Short cruises offer less-expensive opportunities to "test out" the cruise experience. If you love it, you can always book a longer sailing next time; if you don't, you'll be back on dry land in just a few days. You're a huge Disney fan. If you're planning to spend money on a cruise and you're a huge Disney fan, this is a no-brainer. Disney is expensive, but you get what you pay for, and part of what you're paying for is the Disney-themed experience, available on no other cruise line.
There's not enough time to do everything. On Disney short cruises, the scheduled activities are enough for a weeklong sailing -- plus you'll forfeit some on-ship time to time spent in port. Short cruises are great for weekend getaways, but if you're someone who tries to squeeze everything in just because it's on the schedule, you'll probably drive yourself nuts.
If you're traveling as a family -- or even as a group of friends -- it can be especially difficult to fit in all of the key activities when everyone has different interests. Acknowledge and accept that you'll either have to compromise or go your separate ways for part of the sailing. You might not have time to try the AquaDuck and play miniature golf, and you might have to decide whether it's more important for you to meet the princesses or play bingo. You don't want to shell out a lot of money, and feel like you missed out.
You'll spend a lot on the whole trip -- and it's only a few days. As with any voyage, you'll have to plan for the total cost of the trip, which can include flights if necessary , hotel accommodations if you're arriving early , cruise fares plus taxes and fees , transportation to the port , onboard purchases alcohol, spa visits, for-fee dining, etc. That amount included cruise fares for a three-berth family stateroom with a sizeable balcony , round trip airfare from Newark to Orlando, one night at a four-star hotel, shuttle transportation to Port Canaveral, one shore excursion moderately priced , day passes to the onboard spa's aromatherapy and lounge area, one meal at adults-only extra-fee Palo and onboard Internet access.
Your kids might be the wrong age. This applies to any length of sailing, but if you're paying a lot of money for what might be a bucket list trip, your kids should be old enough to appreciate it.
Although children as young as 6 months are allowed to sail, you'll want little Billy and Sally to remember getting Goofy's autograph, and you'll likely have a better time onboard if you're not changing diapers and washing bottles. On the other hand, if your kids are older and "too cool" for Disney, they might turn up their noses at things like character meet 'n' greets and animated dinner shows.
Learn more about Disney Vacations by Land and Sea. Call for details on port accommodations or to add a hotel stay to your Disney Cruise Line vacation. Extend your vacation before or after your cruise with an onshore escape, allowing for extra time to unwind and take in the city sights. Make your wedding day dreams come true—on deck and ashore—with Disney Fairy Tale Weddings.
Or commemorate your new life together with a Disney cruise honeymoon. Treat yourself to outstanding accommodations and carefully planned excursions while your Adventure Guides handle all the travel details to make your vacation captivating and carefree. Learn more about Adventures by Disney Escapes. Embark on your lifelong voyage together with family and friends aboard one of our luxury liners or drop anchor at our island paradise, Disney Castaway Cay.
Sure, if you opt for main dining, a few courses at a shared table with other cruisers might take two hours. But if you choose early dining, whether traditional or through Carnival's flexible Your Time Dining program, chances are you'll be eating with other sympathetic families who will be hurrying to finish. On the flip side, if you're not looking to mingle at all, the line's easygoing approach means plenty of included options at the buffet or complimentary sandwiches through room service to cater to your hunger pangs.
There is a buffet on Disney, but the line's central focus is still main rotational-style dining. Carnival does complimentary cuisine well, and among cruiser favorites are the burgers and seasoned fries of Guy's Burgers, and the BlueIguana Cantina, serving up tacos and burritos all morning and afternoon.
These make handy alternatives or supplements to the dining room or buffet during the day. A Disney hallmark is its rotational dining program that moves passengers from venue to venue throughout their cruise, ensuring an exciting variety of evening atmospheres and menus, but with the same wait staff. Not only is it remarkable to have three or four different restaurant experiences included in one cruise, but it's handy when your server knows your name, dietary preferences and favorite drink no matter where you're dining.
It's also comforting to children who might be picky eaters or shy at the table. Servers are trained to develop a rapport with kids, helping to cut their food, performing magic tricks and tracing Mickey Mouse's outline onto plates with ketchup. The same child-friendly staples can be found from place to place, but menus are mostly based on their venue -- Cajun at Tiana's Place or Brazilian at Carioca's, for example -- so it's a new culinary offering just about every night.
Is your family the first one to dress up or join in on pre-dessert Conga lines or pirate parades? Then you'll love dining extravaganza. Even if you brush aside the formal nights and restaurant motifs, Disney is nothing but enthusiastic about themes and costumes. Once per cruise expect a Pirate Night -- cruisers go well beyond slapping on an eye patch and calling it a day. Halloween is also huge onboard and Christmas is equally as crazy.
Booked on a Marvel or Star Wars sailing? Say no more just remember to bring your superhero cape with you. Even though most themed events feature performances or activities that occur before or after meal times, the general vibe kicks off at dinner with mid-meal song-and-dance routines and plenty of hype that extends well beyond a plate of chicken nuggets.
It's worth noting that self-serve soda is free of charge on Disney ships. If you crave a soft drink, all you need to do is go to a beverage station in the buffet or on the lido deck and pour your own. When you order a soda from a bar or in the restaurant, there will be an additional expense. On Carnival, the only way to get your soda fix at any kind of discount is by paying for a soda package.
The kids clubs of the 21st century far exceed a game of hopscotch, a pile of coloring books and an occasional sing-along. Carnival's clubs use a delightful marine theme with activities like Lego reef building and late-night pajama parties.
Disney Cruise Line makes the most of its world-famous reputation, with playspaces plucked right from the latest Disney blockbusters and use of technology like motion-capture Marvel video games or tabletop holograms straight out of the Star Wars universe.
Both clubs do an impressive job of catering to all age ranges and providing engaging child care for the modern kid. Disney's Oceaneer Lab and Club puts children ages 3 to 12 in the same spaces, but with programming that varies by age groups. The age groupings are suggestions, not requirements, so children are able to participate in any of the activities offered. That means if you have kids onboard that are close in age and actually want to spend time together! Children with special needs are also welcome in the nursery.
Though Carnival ships do have Dr. Seuss characters onboard, nothing beats seeing Mickey Mouse dancing in a Hawaiian T-shirt, having Princess Elsa invite you to a coronation ceremony or Captain America giving you tips on how to be heroic. If your child isn't sold on the whole idea of a kids club, chances are they will be impressed by the presence of familiar characters from their favorite TV shows and films, many of whom are available for meet-and-greets or photo ops.
Dedicated spaces -- Marvel's S. A slight difference between Disney and Carnival's kids clubs is that children on Disney don't join the general club activities until they are 3.
On Carnival, kids as young as 2 can play in Camp Ocean , with a group that just includes children 2 through 5. Beyond the kids clubs or hanging around the main pool, what do Carnival and Disney offer families looking to bond while on vacation? From top-deck attractions like water slides to special programming like board game-inspired game shows, each cruise line makes a point to appeal to groups traveling with the young, the old and the in-between.
Carnival has family-friendly comedy and their revue shows are just fine for young eyes if you don't mind the occasional scantily clad dancer.
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