We asked two of our travel advisors, Catherine Perez and Viviana Bertinetto-Garrett, to share what makes Disney Cruise Line so special for their families. From the magic on board to the personal moments they treasure most, read their insights below!

Catherine Perez:

This is your 4th Disney cruise. What keeps you going back when you could book any ship in the world?

I think what keeps me coming back to Disney Cruise Line is that it’s one of the rare vacations that truly feels like a vacation for everyone in our family.

My kids are at ages where they still feel the magic, but they’re also old enough to have some independence onboard. They love the kids clubs, the shows, the characters and having the freedom to explore a little on their own. And while they’re happily doing their thing, my husband and I can have an amazing dinner, sit at an adults-only bar, go to the spa or just enjoy some quiet time.

I also love that Disney makes it incredibly easy. The service is consistently excellent, the ships are beautiful, and there’s enough familiarity that we know what we love, while every itinerary still gives us somewhere new to explore.

Could I book any ship in the world? Absolutely. But right now, Disney Cruise Line hits that sweet spot for our family where the kids think the trip is for them, and the adults get a real vacation too – there’s no decision fatigue, no unpacking/repacking, totally unplugging (unreliable cell and internet service is a welcome thing for a week) and that is pretty hard to beat.

What do most people get wrong about Disney Cruise? What’s the biggest misconception among luxury travelers?

I think people fear it will feel like an amusement park at sea. Yes, the characters and Disney magic are there if you want them, but you can also spend an entire afternoon at the adults-only pool, have a beautiful dinner, enjoy a cocktail in a sophisticated lounge, book the spa, and barely encounter anything overtly “Disney.”

I also think people underestimate the level of service. You have the same servers every night and they get to know your family well. Disney does hospitality incredibly well, and there’s an ease and consistency to the experience that luxury travelers tend to appreciate once they’re onboard.

Describe the onboard vibe — family resort, luxury cruise, or something in between?

 Something in between for sure

What surprised you on this Mediterranean sailing that you didn’t expect — even after three previous cruises?

What surprised me most was how much a Mediterranean itinerary changed the entire feel of the Disney Cruise experience. After three previous Caribbean Disney cruises, I knew the ships, the service and the rhythm onboard, but Europe made it feel like a completely different kind of trip.

We were waking up somewhere new almost every day, spending the day exploring places like the Greek islands and Sicily, and then coming back to this incredibly easy, familiar home base at night. There was something really luxurious about seeing so many highlights in Europe without constantly packing, unpacking and moving hotels.

I expected to love the ports. What surprised me was realizing just how well Disney works as a way to do Europe with kids. You can have these big, culturally rich days together, then come back onboard and everyone gets to decompress in their own way.

It made me see Disney Cruise Line less as a “Disney vacation” and more as a really smart way to travel internationally as a family.

The moment on this trip that reminded you exactly why you keep booking it.

I would say, the day in Athens. We had a great kid friendly private guide – it was incredibly interesting but also HOT so it was just nice to know that after a few hours of touring with her at the Acropolis we would have the beautiful ship, water slides, and all you can eat soft serve for the kids as a carrot dangling at the end of the day.

What it was like to travel with your parents? What was their favorite part of Disney cruise?

It was a great way to travel with parents. They could choose to explore port as much as they wanted or go back and relax on the ship. It was a great balance of time spent exploring independently then everyone coming back together for the dinner on board and talking about our day. They loved seeing all of the magic and the excitement through the kids’ eyes.

Viviana Bertinetto-Garrett:

At what age do kids get the most out of it? Is there an age where you’d say ‘you missed the window’?

 I would say it depends on the kids and the family’s general excitement about all things Disney. I think the sweet spot is 6-10 years old, but the teen programs on board are incredible – I’ve seen plenty of older kids having a blast! And don’t forget that there are plenty of opportunities for more “grownup activities” during the port excursions!

What surprised you on the CARIBBEAN sailing that you didn’t expect — even after previous cruises?

 Honestly? The food! Everything was so fresh, and the staff made a lot of effort to accommodate dietary restrictions. We traveled with friends who are vegan, and the chef made them special dishes every night even when the menu already had some vegan options!

Compare it honestly to luxury lines you know ( Silversea, Regent, Seabourn, Explora). What does Disney do better? What’s missing?

What it does well: the customer service is impeccable, and of course the entertainment for the kids is unmatched

What is missing: the adult-only section of our boat (Disney Treasure) was a bit small. I also missed some quiet lounging areas – a library, a comfy game room, somewhere to read a book or relax.

 What’s your honest answer when a luxury client asks if Disney Cruise is ‘worth it’ — and does your answer change based on their family?

I would say yes, it is worth it, but I would also look at the different ships and itineraries, as not all Disney cruises are created equal. I think some of the newer ships and longer itineraries may cater more to the luxury traveler who has experienced other high-end cruise lines like Silversea or Explora.