Disney Cruise Line offers incredible vacations to destinations around the world. The theme parks always make for a fun trip but all of that excitement, and walking, can leave you ready for another vacation. If you love Disney trips but would like to add some more relaxation or simplicity to your getaway, you’ll be delightfully surprised with a Disney cruise. Just imagine the magic you love but at sea. Let’s talk about the ships, itineraries, entertainment and more in this Disney cruise 2023 overview.
Disney Cruise 2023 Overview
Why do people love Disney Cruise Line?
Disney cruises are whatever you want them to be. You can have a relaxing time. You can have a lively experience. Your cruise can even include as much or as little Disney as you want. There are adult areas reserved for guests 18 and over and a lovely Senses Spa & Salon on each ship. I’ve found these areas to feel a little less Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. The ships’ spaces are designed to be elegant with tasteful Disney touches unless deliberately colorful, fun and over the top. It’s nice to have variety and admire how Disney brings world class design and entertainment to ocean adventures.
When it comes to family, Disney Cruise Line has you covered. There are kids only spaces on board where the little ones can enjoy themed environments with others their age like Andy’s room or a Finding Nemo themed water play area.
Cruise Line Food and Entertainment Enchants Guests
The food is praised and the rotational restaurant interiors are all different and enjoyable like Royal Palace with it’s glitzy, chic and subtle princess inspired decor. For those seeking more detailed dining experiences there are memorable fine dining opportunities for an up charge like Remy’s with fine French fare and a view of the horizon.
The shows on Disney Cruise Line have always been joyful and nostalgic with lots of characters. Things really reached a new level when the Beauty and the Beast show, inspired by the 2017 live action film, debuted on the Disney Dream. And who could forget fireworks at sea? It’s certainly a unique Disney touch.
Private Islands Make the Perfect Vacation Setting
Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, is surely a highlight of every Disney cruise vacation it’s on the itinerary for. Refreshingly clear ocean water dances upon the beaches’ white sandy shores. There’s a lagoon for snorkeling, waterslides for all ages, hammocks under palm trees and an adult only area called Serenity Bay. The beautiful and picturesque Caribbean blue waters that surround the island bring it all together. Castaway Cay is an ultimate beach destination.
A second island destination for the most magical cruise line is under construction in 2023. Lighthouse Point is located on the island of Eleuthera in The Bahamas. The project launched under renowned Imagineer Joe Rohde who worked to meld Bahamian culture and sustainability with a day of fun in the sea and sun. The cruise line will include stops to Lighthouse Point starting in the summer of 2024.
As you can see there’s a lot to love. Add Disney’s world renowned service and cleanliness, which feels at its peak on Disney Cruise Line, and it’s easy to see why these vacations are so treasured.
Disney Cruise Line Ships
As of 2023, Disney Cruise Line will have five ships in its fleet. In the early years there was just the Magic class featuring the Magic and Wonder. These ships have a capacity of about 2,700. The Dream and Fantasy launched more than a decade later. Those next two ships are part of the Dream class and are bigger with a capacity of around 4,000 people per ship. Introduced in 2022 was the first of the Triton class. The Disney Wish will departs from Port Canaveral while the two other ships announced in this class have been delayed. The Triton class ships are slightly bigger but nearly the same size as the Dream class. We do know the name of the next ship. The Disney Treasure will set sail in 2024 with an adventure theme and a dark atrium inspired by Aladdin.
Disney Magic (1998)
Disney Wonder (1999)
Disney Dream (2011)
Disney Fantasy (2012)
Disney Wish (2022)
Disney Treasure (2024)
Seventh Disney Ship (2025)
Disney Cruise 2023 Itineraries
In 2023, Disney Cruise Line is offering itineraries that include Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii, Mexico, New Zealand and Australia, Pacific Coast, South Pacific and Transatlantic region cruises. Each of these regions has different ports of call. While beachy Caribbean itineraries remain the most popular, cruises elsewhere also have a lot to offer. Adding a fifth ship expands the horizon of possibilities. Of course, Disney’s private island Castaway Cay is in the Bahamas so if you want that to be part of the fun, the Caribbean is the way to go. The New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific regions are Disney Cruise 2023 additions. The South Pacific itinerary includes Fiji and American Samoa among other dreamy settings.
Disney Cruise Line Ports
This is important. It’s common to pair a Disney Cruise Line vacation with time at Orlando’s parks. The home port for Disney Cruise Line seems to be Port Canaveral with half of the fleet regularly stationed there. This port is just an hour away from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. Port Canaveral is on the east coast of Florida on the Atlantic Ocean and is perfectly situated for Caribbean itineraries. The second closest port to Disney World is in Miami. For many years, there have been multiple Disney ships based at this location. At Port Canaveral there’s usually one Disney cruise ship that does week long cruises, that’s been the Fantasy, and another ship in the fleet that does three night and four night cruises, which has been the Dream.
As the fleet is growing, ships home ports have been changed up a bit for 2023. As the Disney Wish debuts in the summer of 2022, it takes the place of the Disney Dream at Port Canaveral. The Wish will take over three and four night Bahamian cruises in the Caribbean from Port Canaveral through 2023. The Dream will make the move from Port Canaveral to Miami and also depart from European ports. The Wonder will be on the Pacific side of America, cruising from San Diego and Vancouver. At the D23 Expo Disney fan event, we got some exciting Disney Cruise Line news. As of late 2023, Disney Cruise Line will offer New Zealand, Australian and South Pacific cruises on the Wonder. The Magic departs from Galveston, Miami, San Juan and New Orleans during this time. .
Port Disney Cruise Line will depart from in 2023:
Auckland, New Zealand
Barcelona, Spain
Brisbane, Australia
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
Copenhagen, Denmark
Galveston, Texas
Melbourne, Australia
Miami, Florida
New Orleans, Louisiana
Port Canaveral, Florida
San Diego, California
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Southampton, England
Sydney, Australia
Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada
Ship Differences in the Disney Cruise Line Fleet
There are some big differences in the ships that may make a difference to you. Within each of the classes, the ships feel very similar. With the addition of the Triton class, the layout is quite different from the first four. Some say the layout of the Disney Wish feels like a step back when it comes to getting around easily. However, there are some unique offerings on the Wish that might be particularly appealing to your travel party. The dining experiences on the Disney Wish are in a class of their own.
First, it’s good to note there isn’t a single adult nightlife district like the other ships. The Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge is a bar and lounge space for adults and located right off of the atrium. The whole family will enjoy the Frozen dinner show Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. Marvel fans will delight in dining at Worlds of Marvel with Ant-Man and the Wasp. Finally, the 1923 restaurant is inspired by classic Hollywood glamour and Disney’s animation origins. Aside from food, the spa on the Wish is quite different with much of the space outdoors. There is also an all new The Little Mermaid show on the ship. The atrium on the Disney Wish has a sort of light show that happens with the chandelier and surrounding columns. That’s something you’ll want to see if you set sail on the Wish!
DVC Resale Experts
DVC Resale Experts is a licensed real estate broker with a team that specializes in selling resale Disney Vacation Club contracts. Staying at Deluxe Disney Resort hotels every year becomes more affordable with a Disney Vacation Club Membership. Resale, or purchasing a contract from a Member that’s selling theirs instead of Disney, presents an even greater value. Compare June 2022 prices of $165 per point on average for resale to $265 per point when buying direct at Disney’s Beach Club Villas. Resale DVC fluctuates regularly and you can stay up to date with current pricing by following along with our DVC average resale price series. There are always new contracts coming on the market. See our current DVC resale listings for pricing and availability today. If the contract of your dreams isn’t listed, join the DVC Resale Buyer Wish List to be contacted when it magically appears.
