So you’re trying to decide between a Disney cruise and a Royal Caribbean cruise for your next family vacation. Planning a family cruise vacation can be exciting but also overwhelming with all the options out there.

Two of the most popular cruise lines for families are Disney and Royal Caribbean. While both offer great experiences for kids and parents, there are some key differences to keep in mind when deciding between a Disney cruise versus a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Entertainment and Activities

Both cruise lines offer excellent kids clubs and activities to keep children engaged throughout the trip. However, Disney really takes family entertainment to the next level. Disney cruises feature interactive Disney characters, Broadway-style shows, fireworks at sea (yes actually fireworks that actually turn into fish food while you’re on a cruise ship) and areas like the Oceaneer Club where kids can dress up and play. Royal Caribbean has great entertainment too, but the focus is more on the general family versus specifically young Disney fans.

Disney tends to focus on activities/entertainment for the family to enjoy together. Yes there are still adult only events and area and plenty of time to relax while your kids are in kids club but the focus is on shared experiences.

Now, if your kids are thrill-seekers looking to get their adventure on, Royal Caribbean has the advantage. Their ships have rock climbing walls, surf simulators, ice skating rinks – you name it. For families with tweens and teens, this can be a big perk.

Service and Style

Disney cruises emphasize magical service and deliver premium quality entertainment. The ships have an elegant, yet whimsical design that echoes the Disney parks. Royal Caribbean ships are more modern with a sleek, high-tech style. Their service is still great, but not quite as “over the top” as Disney’s.

In terms of dining, both cruise lines offer high quality meals and upscale restaurants for adults. However, Disney’s rotational dining system lets you experience three different themed restaurants per cruise. This creates more variety for multi-cruise Disney fans.

I’ve found the food to vary greatly on Royal Carribean depending on the ship- if you’re on the newer/larger boats the food tends to be better but we weren’t impressed by the food on some of the older boats.

Itineraries and Destinations

Another consideration is where do you want to sail to? Are you looking to experience as many destinations as possible? Royal Caribbean might be the best choice as they sail all over the world. While destinations are important, the real focus is the onboard Disney is experience. Disney is better for families who want to immerse themselves in Disney magic onboard and don’t mind repeating ports.

Royal Caribbean ships are also twice the size of Disney on average. Which depending on your preferences will depend on how you feel about that. You might love that with a larger ship there’s more to do and explore, more choices of restaurants and shows etc- or you might prefer a more intimate experience of a smaller ship.

The Best Family Cruise for You

In the end it comes down to knowing your family’s preferences. With its magical atmosphere and character experiences, Disney is the best choice for die-hard Disney fans. Royal Caribbean offers more destinations and thrilling activities

Take some time to consider what will make the perfect cruise vacation for your family before booking. Either way, you’re sure to make priceless memories at sea.

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