Let me be brutally honest.

✨ Disney adults give me the ick. ✨

I don’t know what it is. Maybe it’s the matching t-shirts  Maybe it’s the ear collections.  Maybe it’s the enthusiastic countdowns for a vacation to a place designed for children. Never in a million years did I think I would be considering – let alone booking – a Disney cruise.

Or that I’d be the mom Googling:
 “do you need themed outfits for a Disney cruise?”

But here we are.

---

I’m not new to cruising. I’ve done Royal Caribbean’s Oasis, Symphony, and Freedom of the Seas. I even have a trip booked on Icon of the Seas (aka the largest cruise ship on Earth) in Spring of 2026.  

I’m not new to Disney World either!  So while I love cruising and I like Disney… the combo?  That felt like a stretch.  Until I started hearing things like:

✅ “It’s magical in a different way than the parks.”
✅ “The kids club is unreal—you won’t see them for hours.”
✅ “Even the food is good.”
✅ “The shows are better than Broadway.”
✅ “It’s the only cruise where I actually relaxed as a parent.”
✅  “It made me cry.” (???)

And suddenly…. I’m in a spiral.

---

I’m watching room tours on YouTube.
Reading Reddit threads.  
Staying up in the wee hours of the morning watching Mickey Mouse storm the debarkation party on Tik Tok.

And wondering if I’m secretly about to become… one of them?

Am I doing it for me? For you?  For the Kids? 

For content?
For closure?
I don’t even know anymore.  

But, I do know, I’m doing it.

---

💡 What I’ve learned:  Why Choose the Combo?  Disney + Cruise

1. The magic without the meltdown

We loved Disney World – and by “loved,” I mean we made core memories while sweating through our clothes by 10 AM and carrying 47 snacks in a backpack. But let’s be honest: the real magic isn’t in the rides.
It’s in the experience, the music, the cast members, the way it all feels like one big story. And a Disney cruise offers that same feeling – without the rope drop, Genie+, crowds, or 6 AM alarms.
Just vibes.
Floating on water.
With unlimited chicken tenders and Mickey bars, if that’s your thing.

2. Actually all-inclusive (almost)

Meals, entertainment, soft drinks, splash zones, Broadway-level shows, and room service – all included. No surprise fees just to sit down. No soda package needed. No constant swiping. The only real extras? Alcohol, Wi-Fi, adult-only dining, and excursions. (But honestly? It’s refreshing to go a full day without dodging upcharges.)

3. Made for families – not just toddlers

• Free Kids’ clubs start at age 3, and most don’t want to leave
• Characters pop up without 90-minute lines
• Themed dining rotates nightly (with the same servers!)
• Fireworks at sea, movie nights, deck parties, and moments of “wait… is this really happening?”

---

🧠 Even Deeper Down the Research Hole and Coming to the Blog ✍️

Because I’m me – I took it even further. If I’m spending thousands of dollars, I want to know exactly what I’m getting.
Here’s what I looked into:

• 🚢 Compared every Disney ship (yes, I have thoughts)
• ⚓ Reviewed the best itineraries and ports (not all are worth the hype)
• 🎒 Built a cruise-essential packing list that doesn’t suck
• 🔥 Figured out what’s included – and what’s sneakily not
• 📅 Researched when to book and how to save – because I’m a mom and a travel agent. We don’t waste money here.
• 🆚 Compared Disney to Royal Caribbean (spoiler: both are good… but different)

---

🤔 So… Would I Book It?

I’m not fully sold yet – but I’m closer than I expected.
And after all this research… I kind of want to see what the hype is about for myself.
(And if I do book it – you better believe I’ll review every second.)

---

🚨 Up Next:

🚢 I’m Considering a Disney Cruise… Which Ship Should I Choose?

---

Want the updates?

📬 Subscribe here to get my full planning guide, packing list, and booking cheatsheets.

(Or just stick around for the sarcasm and emotional unraveling. I welcome both.)