Disney Cruise 5-Day Itinerary: Ultimate Family Fun on the High Seas

Embarkation day was a breeze. We arrived at the Disney Cruise Line Terminal in Fort Lauderdale at our assigned time, dropped off our luggage, and quickly made it through security and check-in.

The moment we stepped onboard, I knew this vacation was going to be very memorable! Our family was announced by name in the grand atrium, and the crew welcomed us with applause. It’s a signature Disney touch that immediately makes you feel special.

We headed straight to our Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which was perfect for our family of four. The split bathroom layout (one with a shower/tub and sink, another with a toilet and sink) is a game changer for families. Between the smart storage solutions and private balcony, we were more than comfortable.

That evening, we explored the ship, met characters, and enjoyed our first delicious meal at Animator's Palate, one of the three rotational dining restaurants onboard. It was a great start to a magical week ahead.

Sea days on Disney Cruise Line are packed with activities for all ages. We started our morning with Mickey waffles and ocean views at Cabanas buffet before heading to the pool deck.

The kids couldn’t get enough of the AquaDuck, Disney’s famous water coaster at sea. They also spent hours splashing in the pools and watching Disney movies on Funnel Vision, all while enjoying endless complimentary ice cream cones (I lost count of how many each of them had!).

Later in the day, my youngest headed to the Oceaneer Club and Lab (for ages 3–10) while my oldest joined Edge (ages 11–14). Normally, my kids aren’t huge fans of kids’ clubs on cruise vacations, but for the first time ever, I actually saw my youngest sad when it was time for dinner. The clubs were that good! Full of engaging activities, creative games, and new friends. I was genuinely astonished!

Dinner that evening at Enchanted Garden was another highlight. The restaurant’s elegant, garden-inspired décor is breathtaking, and the service was exceptional. By the second night, our waitstaff already knew us by name and had our drinks ready when we arrived. The food, ambiance, and magical touches made it an unforgettable dining experience. It was a great way to end our first full day at sea.

Our stop in Cozumel was an absolute blast! We booked a UTV tour to Jade Cavern, an excursion that takes you through lush jungle trails in a four-person UTV to reach a freshwater cenote perfect for swimming. The ride was bumpy, thrilling, and full of laughs! My kids were over the moon, and they loved splashing around in the refreshing cenote afterward.

After our adventure, we wandered through the shops near the pier and each picked out a special souvenir to remember our day in Mexico.

Back onboard, we freshened up and headed to our final rotational dining stop, Royal Palace. The restaurant is stunning, with elegant décor that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a Disney fairytale. Once again, the food, service, and ambiance were outstanding.

The night continued with a live production of Beauty and the Beast in the Walt Disney Theater. It was absolutely spectacular! The costumes, effects, and vocals were flawless, and as a longtime fan of the movie, it was a real treat to see it brought to life on stage. The Disney Dream is one of only two Disney ships offering this show, which makes it a must-see if you sail aboard this ship.

Another fun-filled day at sea! We spent part of the morning soaking up the sunshine on the pool deck, riding the AquaDuck again (the kids could never get enough!), and enjoying the ocean breeze.

In the afternoon, we spent time at Goofy’s Sports Deck, where we played a round of mini golf and took in the amazing sea views. We also joined in on a few Disney family trivia games, which were so much fun and a great way to spend time together between activities.

Throughout the day, we met and took photos with several Disney characters: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and more! Disney’s professional photographers are always nearby and capture fantastic moments that can be purchased later as part of their photo packages. But here’s something that pleasantly surprised both my husband and me: a friendly crew member will also happily take photos for you using your own phone!

That evening was one of the biggest highlights of the cruise: Pirate Night! Guests dressed up in pirate attire (Disney even provides themed bandanas in your stateroom), and the ship transformed into a swashbuckling celebration complete with music, dancing, Captain Jack Sparrow himself, and an incredible fireworks show at sea—something only Disney Cruise Line offers. It was such a fun and unique experience that truly captured the magic of Disney at sea!

Another highlight of our Disney Cruise was our stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay—truly a slice of paradise in the Bahamas!

This island is designed with families in mind, featuring soft white sand, sparkling turquoise waters, and all the Disney magic and convenience you could dream of. We started our day with one of Disney’s private island excursions, feeding and swimming with stingrays. It was such a fun experience. They even ate right from our hands off Mickey-shaped plates!

Afterward, we headed over to Pelican Plunge, a floating water play area where we raced down slides and splashed around as a family. While the kids kept enjoying the water, my husband and I found a couple of loungers on the beach to relax and soak in the moment—one of those perfect vacation memories.

Lunch was a delicious BBQ-style buffet, complete with burgers, ribs, fruit, and, of course, soft-serve ice cream. We even spotted a few Disney characters wandering by for photo ops!

Castaway Cay is truly stunning. It is the perfect mix of relaxation and fun, and definitely a highlight of any Disney Cruise Line itinerary.

All good things must come to an end, but just like every other part of our trip, Disney Cruise Line made disembarkation day smooth and stress-free. We enjoyed one last delicious breakfast and said heartfelt goodbyes to our wonderful servers who had truly made our week so special.

After breakfast, it was time for us to disembark. The entire process was incredibly organized, efficient, and family-friendly.

As we drove away, both kids looked out the window and said, “That was the best cruise ever!” We all had a wonderful vacation and we’re already dreaming about when we’ll sail again.