Mickey Meets the Med: Disney Cruising Through Italy & Greece

A Mediterranean cruise is a fantastic way to explore multiple destinations in Europe without the hassle of packing up and moving every few days. For this trip, we were already traveling through Europe, so we chose to fly into Rome the morning of our cruise departure. If you’re arriving from the States, I strongly recommend flying in a day early to allow for any travel delays and to adjust to the time change. Since we flew in the day of, we used Disney’s transportation service (available for an extra cost). Keep in mind your check-in time—arriving too early may mean waiting outside the terminal. (Tip: Complete your online check-in as early as possible, as the best embarkation times fill up fast.)

Once onboard, your room likely won’t be ready immediately, so I suggest checking all of your bags in and carrying a bathing suit to take full advantage of the ship’s pools, splash pads, and waterslides. The Disney Cruise Line app is extremely helpful and will become your go-to tool for navigating onboard activities. Even after cruising twice on the Fantasy, I still haven’t managed to experience everything! There’s truly something for everyone, and the schedule is packed with fun. It’s best to familiarize yourself with the app early so you don’t miss out.

Researching the ports ahead of time is key to making the most of your cruise. Our itinerary included Rome, Palermo, Mykonos, Piraeus (Athens), and Naples. Of all the ports, Mykonos is the easiest to explore independently. I highly recommend Mama Lucca for delicious local food and Elia Beach for a family-friendly spot. For the other ports, booking excursions (especially through Disney) offers added convenience and peace of mind. In Palermo, we visited Taormina, which was charming and full of great finds, like La Focaccia for sandwiches and a shop next door that sold local sweets and limoncello. In Athens, the port is about 45 minutes from the city. I stayed on the ship with our younger kids while my husband and older daughters explored the ancient ruins.

Pizzeria D'Angeli in Naples

Naples is a perfect starting point for visiting Capri, the Amalfi Coast, or Pompeii. On our disembarkation day in Rome, we had about 10 hours before our flight, so we took a transfer into the city for some last-minute sightseeing and shopping, including a visit to the Colosseum. To avoid dragging our luggage around all day, we used a bag locker service near Roma Termini station, which was clean, secure, and well worth the $20. Overall, this cruise gave us a relaxing yet adventure-filled way to experience Europe with a touch of Disney magic.

The Colosseum

Some onboard activities, such as Royal Tea, need to be booked in advance and book up very quickly. If there is an onboard activity that you are interested in, make sure you know the booking window and log on as soon as it opens in order to reserve your spot.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.