On the second night of a multigenerational Disney Wish sailing, my dad, my husband and I settled in for an epic, unforgettable meal.
While our three children played happily in Disney’s Oceaneer Club, we dined at Palo Steakhouse, one of two adult-exclusive specialty restaurants aboard the ship. We started with tender, lightly fried calamari and shrimp with signature dipping sauces, then moved on to seared sea scallops and piquant dover sole. Dessert was a freshly baked hot chocolate soufflé, drizzled tableside with vanilla bean and chocolate sauces.
Disney Cruise Line is known for the many experiences included its cruise fares (Disney cruises feel practically all-inclusive), but a few extras are worth the splurge, and this was one of them. Here are the best paid experiences on a Disney cruise and how to plan for them.
Related: We Took Disney’s Halloween Cruise—and Found the Perfect Spooky Season Getaway for Every Generation
Book an Adults-Only Brunch or Dinner
Found on Disney Cruise Line’s Wish-class ships, Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement offers an adult-exclusive, ultra-luxury fine dining experience.Photo credit: Disney
Every Disney ship has at least one adults-only restaurant, though the venues vary by vessel. Disney’s rotational dining is excellent, but these kid-free spots are the place to slip away for a truly special meal.
Choose from northern Italian fare at Palo (found aboard Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy), Palo Steakhouse (Wish, Treasure and Destiny) or Palo Trattoria (Disney Adventure). For French cuisine, head to Remy (Dream and Fantasy) or Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement (Wish, Treasure and Destiny). The upcoming Disney Believe, which debuts in December 2027, will also feature both Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté.
Brunch is particularly fun to savor on a sea day, when there’s no port to race off to.
Related: We Asked 3 Disney Travel Experts for the Best Multigenerational Family Vacation Upgrade—They All Said the Same Thing
Venture Beyond the Pier on a Port Adventure
Disney’s private island destination Castaway Cay features port adventures that include snorkeling with stingrays, kayaking and parasailing.Photo credit: Matt Stroshane, courtesy of Disney
Disney Cruise Line’s reputation for stellar service extends to its guided excursions. With itineraries spanning the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Alaska and Southeast Asia, you can ride a vintage steam train through an Alaskan mountain pass, explore historic sites in Mexico or sail a catamaran along the reefs of St. Thomas, Aruba or St. Lucia.
And Disney’s exclusive island destinations in the Bahamas have excursions of their own. At Castaway Cay, you can snorkel with stingrays or go parasailing over turquoise water, while at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point on Eleuthera, you can take a guided ATV adventure or a private historical and cultural SUV tour with a local guide.
Related: My Dad Hadn’t Been to Disney World Since the ’80s—So We Planned an ’80s-Style Nostalgic Trip Back
Reserve a Cabana at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay
Disney’s island destinations Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point both offer private cabanas for rent.Photo credit: Kent Phillips, courtesy of Disney
For a luxurious beach day on Disney’s private island destinations, rent a cabana. Each private, shaded beach hut comes with a dedicated attendant, a stocked mini-fridge, snacks, sunscreen, towels and comfortable lounge chairs. Cabanas also include complimentary sand toys, one-hour bicycle rentals and snorkel gear.
Both island destinations offer cabanas for families and in the adults-only Serenity Bay area, so you can choose how you want to spend your day. Just be sure to reserve early, since cabanas are popular and book up quickly.
Related: Disney Treasure Review: Is It the Perfect Family Cruise Line Ship?
Upgrade Your Stateroom
The inside of a Concierge-level stateroom aboard Disney Treasure features a spacious bathroom with artwork inspired by The Lion King.Photo credit: Kent Phillips, courtesy of Disney
Disney’s staterooms are designed with families in mind, with smart storage and whimsical touches throughout. But if you want to treat yourself, an upgraded stateroom can bring extra space, better views and, at the top tiers, concierge-level service.
A verandah stateroom adds a private balcony for sipping coffee at sunrise or gorgeous sunset views. A suite or Concierge-level stateroom adds benefits like priority boarding, access to exclusive onboard spaces, priority booking for island cabanas and in-room and dining perks.
When traveling as a multigenerational group, my favorite splurge is two connecting verandah staterooms, which together effectively create one big suite for the family.
Related: I’ve Been On 50+ Cruises—These Are The 5 Best Weeklong Sailings To Book Right Now
Melt Away at Senses Spa
Heated lounge chairs are seen inside the Rainforest Room at Senses Spa.Photo credit: Disney
Senses Spa is an adults-only sanctuary found on every Disney ship except the Disney Adventure (where spa options include Infinite Bliss Spa – Elemis at Sea and the concierge-exclusive Opulence Spa – Elemis at Sea).
Beyond its extensive treatment menu, the standout of Senses Spa is the Rainforest Room, a thermal suite with tropical rainforest showers, heated ceramic or stone loungers, steam rooms and saunas. It’s the perfect spot to unwind and recharge between cruise activities.
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Get a Fresh Look at Sea
Untangled Salon is a serene spot for a new ‘do or manicure aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Wish-class ships.Photo credit: Preston Mack, courtesy of Disney
Stopping into the salon for a new hairstyle or the barbershop for a cut or shave has become one of our family’s favorite traditions at sea.
Every Disney ship offers full-service salon and grooming services, but the Wish-class ships (Wish, Treasure and Destiny, plus the upcoming Believe) have especially memorable spaces. The Tangled-themed Untangled Salon has touches like hand mirrors shaped like frying pans and a chandelier designed to look like the film’s Sundrop Flower, while Hook’s Barbery is a classic barbershop inspired by Captain Hook’s quarters aboard the Jolly Roger.
My kids love visiting both, and we’ve started “saving” their haircut appointments for Disney cruises. Children ages 3 to 12 can also be transformed into princesses, knights and sea captains at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Related: Disney Destiny & Star of the Seas Top the 2026 Hot List
Find the Secret Bar
Linnea Bailey stands in front of the hidden bar at Hook’s Barbery aboard Disney Destiny.Photo credit: Linnea Bailey
Of all the places to sip a cocktail on Disney’s Wish-class ships, the most intriguing may be the one you’d least expect: behind the doors of Hook’s Barbery.
Found aboard the Wish, Treasure, Destiny and the upcoming Believe, the barbery offers haircuts, hot shaves and beard trims. Later in the day, it doubles as a speakeasy: discreet decorative paneling opens to reveal a fully stocked bourbon bar, where a dedicated bartender crafts bespoke cocktails.
If you like a whisky-forward drink in a place that feels undiscovered, this is it. On my recent visit, I enjoyed a smoked Old Fashioned made with Woodford Reserve and layered with spiced brown sugar and cherry notes, while my husband savored an aged Japanese whisky from Suntory.
Shake Up Your Cocktail Skills
Bartender Jhon prepares drinks during a small group mixology class aboard Disney Wish.Photo credit: Linnea Bailey
On a cruise this past summer, I signed up on a whim for a mixology class aboard the Disney Wish, and I’m so glad I did.
Led by onboard bartenders, the interactive, adults-only class guides small groups through making and tasting several cocktails from the ship’s drink menus. Classes are held in the ship’s lounges and bars. Mine took place in Nightingale’s, the Cinderella-themed piano bar and one of the best spots onboard for a gin-forward cocktail. Our bartender, Jhon, taught us how to make a gin mojito made with fresh strawberries, jalapeño, agave, St-Germain and Hendrick’s Amazonia Gin, a limited-edition gin with a hint of bright, tropical notes. It was my favorite drink of the class.
I’ve always loved Disney’s signature cocktails, and learning to make them at home was a lot of fun. I’d definitely take another mixology class.
Pedal or Snorkel Your Way Around the Islands
Renting bikes is a fun way to get around Disney Cruise Line’s private island destinations like Castaway Cay.Photo credit: Kent Phillips, courtesy of Disney
I adore Disney’s exclusive island destinations, and two of the best ways to see them are by bicycle and snorkel.
The first couple of times I visited Castaway Cay, I headed straight for a free lounge chair on the beach or into the water. But then I discovered the joy of renting a bike, which is far more fun than I can describe. On a recent Halloween on the High Seas sailing, my family rode the island’s forest loop to the four-story observation tower, where we found 360-degree views of the island, the water and our docked ship. Bikes are also a fast, efficient way to get around the island.
Snorkeling is just as magical. The crystal-clear water is ideal for beginners, and the low-key atmosphere (with plenty of lifeguards watching) makes it an easy, safe place to rent gear and swim out to the submerged Prince Eric statue and other themed treasures marked by buoys.
Order a Disney-Themed Latte
Disney Cruise Line’s specialty coffees feature character art in the foam on top of each drink, such as this one of Prince Eric from Disney’s The Little Mermaid.Photo credit: Linnea Bailey
Disney cruise fares include a wide variety of drinks, including soda, Joffrey’s coffee, hot chocolate, tea, juice and filtered water.
But Disney Cruise Line’s specialty coffees are in a league of their own. They’re barista-made, topped with custom character art printed in foam and served in themed lounges that are part of the fun. Take the “Royal Voyage,” a specialty latte coming to the upcoming Disney Believe. It’s made with white chocolate, toasted coconut, espresso and your choice of milk, and topped with edible foam art of The Little Mermaid’s Prince Eric. It’s one of the reasons coffee lovers line up at the ship’s lounges to upgrade, and the results are worth it.
Splurge on Something Sweet
Inside Out: Joyful Sweets is a colorful sweet shop themed to the Disney and Pixar animated film Inside Out.Photo credit: Disney
One thing that fans love about Disney cruises is the complimentary soft serve, with its delicious rotating daily flavors like coconut and pineapple. But for something truly special, head to one of Disney’s specialty sweet shops.
Found on most ships, these colorful shops serve hand-crafted treats like gelato, sundaes served in souvenir dishes, cookies, cupcakes and candy, and each is themed to a beloved Disney or Pixar film. On the Wish, Inside Out: Joyful Sweets is themed to Riley’s mind control center, while the Destiny’s Edna À La Mode Sweets is themed to Edna Mode’s fashion and super-suit lab from The Incredibles. The upcoming Believe will have a new shop inspired by Inside Out 2, with larger-than-life character sculptures and hand-scooped gelato and ice cream.
These shops are visually stunning, and the perfect spot for a memorable dessert or a special occasion.
Shout “Bingo!” on a Sea Day
Bingo is a family-friendly chance to win big on Disney Cruise Line ships.Photo credit: Linnea Bailey
You won’t find casinos on Disney cruise ships. But you will find Disney Cruise Line’s version of Bingo: a high-energy, game-show-style gathering where people cheer and celebrate together. There’s also a chance to win big, especially in the guaranteed payout in the very last bingo game of the cruise.
It’s family-friendly, though an adult must buy the cards and claim any cash prizes, and sessions are run by entertainment cast members. We bought a family pack, which included two electronic handsets and two paper card packs, and had a blast singing along to the songs played during the session. The cash prize was significant, and while we didn’t win, it was still fun to see another passenger take it home.
Start the Morning With a Fitness Class
The fitness center aboard Disney Treasure.Photo credit: Amy Smith, courtesy of Disney
Every Disney ship has a complimentary fitness center and select instructor-led classes, but you can step up your routine with specialized group classes. If you’ve ever wanted to try spin, yoga, Pilates or a body-sculpt boot camp led by a trained instructor at sea, Disney has some terrific options. Private sessions with a certified personal trainer are also available.
It’s a great way to stay on track on vacation, or just to burn off the desserts from the night before.
Buy the Unlimited Photo Package
Linnea Bailey with her children aboard Disney Wish cruise ship.Photo credit: Disney
The unlimited photo package is the one paid extra I buy on every Disney cruise, no matter what. It’s 100 percent worth it. Like the excellent photo packages at Walt Disney World, it lets you enjoy the trip without worrying about missing a shot.
Professional photographers are stationed throughout the ship, including at character meet-and-greets, in the Grand Hall, at themed backdrops and in dining rooms, as well as on Disney’s island destinations. It’s an easy way to get everyone in the frame, and for one price, you keep every high-quality digital photo.
It’s the perfect souvenir — and thanks to a new partnership with Shutterfly, Disney Cruise Line guests will soon be able to opt-in to automatically connect their Disney cruise photos directly to their Shutterfly account, where they can turn their favorite vacation photos into keepsakes.
Lock in Your Next Sailing
Minnie and Mickey Mouse pose in front of a docked Disney Cruise Line ship at Disney’s Castaway Cay.Photo credit: Disney
The best part of a Disney cruise? Looking forward to the next one. Booking a placeholder onboard lets you save money and lock in future perks without choosing a specific date or itinerary right away. Put down a $250 deposit per stateroom toward your next cruise, and you’ll receive 10 percent off the prevailing rate for most stateroom categories, with up to 24 months from the purchase date to sail. It’s also risk-free: if you don’t use the placeholder within 24 months, Disney automatically cancels it and refunds your deposit. It turns the end of one vacation into the beginning of another, giving you a future Disney Cruise Line sailing to look forward to.
Related: The Best New 2027 Cruises Built for Everyone From Kids to Grandparents
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