When Is The Best Time To Take A Disney Cruise?

Are you wondering when the best time to take a Disney Cruise is? I’ve got you covered with this detailed guide about every Disney Cruise!

Going on a Disney cruise is a popular vacation choice for families and offers so many opportunities to make lifelong memories together.

One of the most important aspects of planning is choosing a time to go. So, what is the best time to take a Disney cruise to fully experience the magic of the trip?

There are quite a few things to consider, and in this post, we’ll cover everything that you need to know.

The Best Time to Take A Disney Cruise to the Caribbean

The best time for a Caribbean cruise is in the winter and spring months, from December until April. The weather is warm year-round and it is a great escape from the cold winters.

Even in the winter months, the temperatures in the Caribbean hover around the mid-70s, with an average of around 80°F.

But even though the sun is often out and it’s warm, you’ll want to consider a few things.

During the summer months, which is peak season, the average temperatures can reach the upper 90s, which can be very uncomfortable. It will also be incredibly humid.

Hurricane season runs from June until November each year, which is important to consider.

Although it’s generally safe to cruise during hurricane season, you may want to reconsider, depending on your comfort level.

Be sure to have travel insurance, especially if you plan to sail during hurricane season, and be prepared for last-minute itinerary changes to avoid storms.

Also, consider when spring break is (usually in March or April), which can have an impact on how busy the ship is as well as the cost of the cruise. The cost will go up significantly during spring break (as will your pre-cruise accommodations and flights.)

Ports of Departure on a Disney Caribbean Cruise

Depending on which cruise you book, your ship may take off from several departure ports. Here are the departure ports for a Disney Caribbean cruise.

• Port Canaveral, Florida ( this is perfect for visiting the Disney Parks pre or post-cruise)
• Miami, Florida
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Galveston, Texas
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• San Juan, Puerto Rico

Ports of Call You Can Visit on a Disney Caribbean Cruise

Below are some of the places that you may visit on your journey, although there are many more!

• Castaway Cay, Bahamas: Disney’s private island Castaway Cay is one of the most popular ports of call. Enjoy the white sand beaches and the Pelican Plunge waterslides and visit Disney characters dressed in their beachwear. You can also visit Serenity Bay, the adults-only section of the island.
• George Town, Cayman Islands: Grand Cayman is home to clear water, sandy beaches, and multiple shore excursions from your Disney cruise, including Stingray City.
• Cozumel, Mexico: Cozumel is located just off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Whether you’re looking to snorkel, scuba dive, or enjoy time on the beach, it can all be done on the island of Cozumel.
• Costa Maya, Mexico: Located in the Quintana Roo area of Mexico, this cruise port offers the opportunity to visit the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins or spend time at the Maya, Lost Mayan Kingdom water park.
• St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands: Wander through the oceanside shops, relax on the white-sand beaches, or snorkel through the beautiful coral reefs during a stop at St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands.
• Tortola, BVI: Not only is Tortola beautiful and full of pirate history, it’s also a great port to catch a water taxi to the Baths in Virgin Gorda. This was one of my all-time favorite excursions!

Castaway Cay Average Temperatures by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
72	72	72	75	77	81	82	83	80	77	77	74

The Best Time to take a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Disney cruises to Alaska are only available during certain times of the year, so you’ll need to plan your trip accordingly. Because there aren’t many sailings available, they fill up quickly, so book ahead if you want to go to Alaska!

Alaskan cruises only set sail during the summer months, from May through September, as the winter is too cold.

The average temperatures in Alaska during these months range from the mid-30s to the mid-60s. 

May and September are colder than June, July, and August, with July typically being the warmest month of them all.

If you’re looking forward to seeing the Northern Lights on your Alaska cruise, remember that it’s pretty rare, but the best time to see them is in August and September.

In May and Early June, you may find that some of the businesses and attractions are not fully open, but the towns will be less busy, too, which can be nice.

When considering the available time slots as well as the weather, the best time to take an Alaskan Disney cruise is in the months of June, July, and August.

Ports of Departure on a Disney Cruise to Alaska

Unlike the Caribbean cruises, there is only one port of departure when embarking on an Alaskan cruise, and that location is Vancouver, British Columbia.

Ports of Call you can Visit on a Disney Alaskan Cruise

• Skagway: This very small town gives you a glimpse into the gold rush era. Book a shore excursion on the White Pass Scenic Railway, wander the small town, and learn the history of the gold rush town during your visit.
• Juneau: A stop in Alaska’s capital city will leave you wishing you could stay longer. Visit the nearby coastal temperature rainforests, go whale watching, or see the Mendenhall Glacier.
• Ketchikan: Visit the Totem Heritage Center, see the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show, wander around downtown Ketchikan, and visit the Southeast Alaska Discovery Center.

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The Best Time to take a Disney Cruise to Europe

There are Disney cruise routes that bring you through the Mediterranean region, ones that tour the British Isles, a few that go over Northern Europe, and more. So, the best time to take a Disney cruise to Europe varies.

You’ll want to consider the weather as well as when spring break is.

Typically, the weather is the warmest during the months of June, July, and August. You’re also less likely to see rain during this time.

The average temperatures in Europe vary depending on which country you’re in, so it can be tough to really pinpoint the weather until you’ve decided exactly which route you’re going to take.

For example, the average high temperature in Copenhagen during July is about 70° F, while the average in Barcelona during the same month is about 85° F.

Spring break is also important to consider, as it typically falls between March and April.

Overall, the best time to take a Disney ship to Europe is during the summer when it’s usually warm. However, the peak time seasonally also brings the busiest time in the cities.

Ports of Departure on a Disney European Cruise

There are four different ports of departure for embarking on a trip to Europe aboard one of the Disney ships.

• Barcelona, Spain
• Rome, Italy
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Southhampton, England

European Ports of Call you can Experience on a Disney Cruise to Europe

Here are a few of the more popular ports of call, but there are many more!

• Pompeii, Italy: Located in Naples, here you can see the ruins of the town of Pompeii, where Mount Vesuvius erupted thousands of years ago. You’ll also be able to enjoy views of Mount Vesuvius itself.
• Rome, Italy: While in Rome, you may consider seeing famous historical landmarks such as the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, or St. Peters Basilica.
• Amsterdam, Netherlands: In the Netherlands capital city, visit the Van Gogh Museum, and the Anne Frank House, and be sure to stop at Rijksmuseum.
• Copenhagen, Denmark: Denmark is a beautiful city with colorful buildings and a great history. Be sure to see the Little Mermaid in the Hønsebroløbet canal, explore the Nyhaven area, and spend time at Tivoli Gardens.
• Lisbon, Portugal: Be sure to see the Belém Tower, visit St. George’s Castle, and take a ride on the funiculars.
• Santorini, Greece: A trip to Santorini wouldn’t be complete without seeing the beautiful architecture in Oia Village and catching a beautiful Greek sunset!

When is the Best Time to Take a Disney Cruise to Mexico?

Similarly to the cruises in the Caribbean, the overall best time of year to take a Disney cruise to Mexico is during the spring.

The cruise sets sail during the spring and fall months, which can be very nice times to visit, as they’re the off-season for other tourists.

As for the weather, these times are both great, since it won’t be as unbearably hot as it is in the summer. The year-round average in Mexico is about 70°F. 

Spring break should also be a large consideration, as many people choose Mexico as their break destination.

Ports of Departure on a Disney Cruise to Mexico

There is only one departure port to embark on a Disney cruise to Mexico, and that is San Diego, California.

Ports of Call to Visit on a Disney Cruise to Mexico

• Cabo San Lucas: Enjoy the dramatic coastline found along the port in Cabo San Lucas. Try out snorkeling or scuba diving, relax at the beach, and see the Arch of Cabo San Lucas.
• Catalina Island, California: You may visit one of California’s Channel Islands before heading down into Mexico. You’ll have the opportunity to snorkel, see the gorgeous, untouched mountains, or take a boat tour from the port.
• Ensenada: Stroll along Avenida Lopez Mateos, the main shopping street, go whale watching, and eat some mouthwatering food in this Baja California port city.
• Puerto Vallarta: During your time in Mexico, walk the mile-long El Malecon boardwalk along the ocean, visit the fantastic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, or enjoy time at Los Muertos Beach.

Disney Cruise Line Ships

There are 5 different Disney cruise ships, one of which just recently set sail in the summer of 2022.

Each is similar but is also unique in its own way. Each ship is immaculate and full of Disney magic everywhere you turn. You’ll have delectable dining options, be pampered with incredible customer service, and enjoy both family and adult-only activities.

Here’s a little bit of information about each of the different ships:

Disney Magic

The Magic was Disney’s first ship in their fleet, first setting sail in 1998. It can hold up to 2,700 passengers and features fun for the entire family.

It brings guests to the Caribbean, Europe, and the Bahamas.

Disney Fantasy

The Disney Fantasy took its maiden voyage in March of 2012 and has been with the Disney Cruise Line ever since. 

Up to 4,000 guests can be on board, and there are just over 1,200 staterooms.

The Fantasy sails from the southern USA to the western Caribbean, eastern Caribbean, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

Disney Wish

Disney’s newest and largest ship first set sail in the summer of 2022, making it still under a year old! This large vessel can hold up to 4,000 passengers, including cast members and guests.

The Wish travels to Nassau, Bahamas, and Castaway Cay.

Special Sailings and Holidays on a Disney Cruise

Disney offers special sailings and holiday events on board at certain times of the year. These unique sailings can make your vacation extra special.

• Halloween on the High Seas– this Halloween-themed cruise is available on select sailings in September and October.
• Very Merrytime– What can be more magical than Christmas? Christmas+Disney+a tropical island! Sail on select itineraries in November and December.
• Pixar Day at Sea– Meet your favorite Pixar characters and enjoy special Pixar-themed food, music, decorations, and activities. These sailings are on different itineraries at different times.
• Marvel Day at Sea – Superheroes unite! One day of your cruise will be dedicated to Marvel characters including meet and greets, special menu items, and shows.

What can you expect on a Disney Cruise?

If you’ve never been on a cruise before, you may be wondering what you can expect to experience during this unique vacation.

While certain things vary, depending on which location you’re cruising to and how long you’ll be on the ship, there are many things that remain the same on a Disney Cruise Line vacation.

Here are a few of the main things that you can look forward to enjoying during your time aboard the ship.

• Disney Character Interactions: One of the best parts of Disney is getting to meet your favorite characters, hug them, and snap a photo.
• Broadway-Style Shows: There are several Broadway-caliper-themed shows that take place on each ship at different times.
• Excellent Customer Service: You can expect nothing but the best customer service from the cast members that are aboard the ship.
• Entertainment for Kids and Adults: Whether you have younger children, older kids, or it’s just you, there is plenty of entertainment for everyone, including swimming, retail shops, shows, and more.
• Themed Pools: Each of the Disney ships has at least 3 pools on board for guests to enjoy, with one being just for adults.
• Themed Experiences: Special events happening on the ships, including holiday celebrations, Marvel Day at Sea, and Star Wars Day at Sea.
• Opportunities for Shore Excursions: At each of the ports of call, you’ll have a certain amount of time to book excursions or explore on your own.
• Fireworks at Sea: DCL is the only cruise line that has permission to set off fireworks at sea. The special fireworks are nontoxic to marine life. It is thrilling to stand on deck and watch epic fireworks, complete with music!

How Far in Advance should you book a Disney Cruise?

While you can certainly book your cruise closer to the date you plan to travel, it’s recommended to book out about a year in advance.

This will help ensure that you get the best and lowest price, can hop aboard special cruises, can see the best stateroom availability, and can make it on the ship that you’d like to.

Special events, such as during the holidays, sell out fairly quickly, and many people set their alarms to ensure they book right when the cruise dates are released!

The earlier you can book, the better off you’ll be.

What is the Best Way to Book a Disney Cruise?

So you’ve figured out the best time to take a Disney cruise, and now it’s time to start booking and getting ready to vacation.

The best way to book your Disney cruise and ensure that you make the most out of it is to use a knowledgeable and trustworthy travel advisor.

Travel advisors help to make the complex and overwhelming process much more simple. 

There are many steps that go into planning a cruise, from choosing rooms to setting up dinner reservations and booking shore excursions. 

Disney Travel Planners will take care of any problems that may arise, take your interests into account, and give suggestions for what to do on your trip.

Having a travel agent will help ensure that your vacation runs smoothly, is easier, and is more enjoyable.

In fact, I am a Certified Disney Cruise Specialist, and I can book your cruise at no additional cost to you! 

Best Time to Go on a Disney Cruise Faqs

Final Thoughts on The Best Time to Book A Disney Cruise

Booking a cruise is one of the best ways to spend time with family, explore different parts of the world, and relax on your vacation.

If you’ve decided to book one, you may be wondering what the best time to take a Disney Cruise is, one of the most popular types of cruises.

This answer really depends on where you decide to go on your cruise and can vary from the middle of summer to the middle of winter!

But in the end, a Disney Cruise is never a bad vacation choice, no matter the time of year.