Disney Cruise Line is not fully all-inclusive, but most meals and entertainment are covered in your ticket price
When you buy a Disney Cruise Line ticket, your fare covers your cabin, most meals, entertainment shows, activities, and access to pools and deck areas. What it does not cover are alcoholic drinks, specialty dining restaurants, spa services, shore excursions at ports, photos taken by the ship's photographer, and some premium experiences like character dining or private cabanas. The line calls this a "cruise fare" model rather than all-inclusive, because you are paying for a base package and then choosing what extras to add on top.
The confusion comes from comparing Disney to true all-inclusive resorts, where nearly everything is bundled. Disney's model is closer to a traditional cruise line—your ticket gets you the ship and the main attractions, but specialty services cost more. However, Disney includes far more in the base fare than most cruise lines do, which is why many families find it feels close to all-inclusive once they are onboard.
Key Takeaways
- Your Disney Cruise Line ticket includes your cabin, all main dining rooms, most entertainment, activities, and pool access, but not alcohol, specialty restaurants, or shore excursions.
- Alcoholic beverages, coffee drinks, and bottled water cost extra and are not covered by any beverage package included in your fare.
- You can purchase a beverage package before your cruise that covers most drinks, or pay per drink onboard at higher per-item prices.
- Shore excursions at ports are booked and paid separately, either through Disney or independent operators, and are not included in your cruise fare.
- Specialty dining restaurants like Remy or Palo charge an additional fee per person, typically $15 to $75 depending on the restaurant.
What is included in your Disney Cruise Line ticket
Your cruise fare covers your cabin for the duration of the voyage, all meals in the main dining rooms (which rotate nightly), breakfast and lunch at the buffet, room service (limited menu), and 24-hour pizza and ice cream stations. It also includes all entertainment—Broadway-style shows, deck parties, movie screenings, character meet-and-greets, and most activities like trivia contests, fitness classes, and kids' club programs. Access to pools, hot tubs, and the ocean view areas of the ship is included, as is Wi-Fi on some newer ships (though older ships charge for internet).
Disney also includes port charges and taxes in your quoted fare, so the price you see is what you pay for the cruise itself. This is different from many cruise lines, where port fees are added at checkout. You do not pay extra to board the ship, visit ports, or use the main public areas.
Beverages and the cost of drinks onboard
Non-alcoholic drinks at meals are free—water, coffee, tea, and juice come with dinner in the main dining room. However, specialty coffee drinks (lattes, cappuccinos), bottled water, soda outside of meals, and all alcoholic beverages are not included and must be paid for separately. A bottle of water costs around $3 to $4, a specialty coffee drink runs $5 to $7, and a cocktail or beer is typically $8 to $15 depending on what you order.
Most families purchase a beverage package before the cruise, which costs roughly $15 to $20 per person per day and covers unlimited soda, coffee drinks, beer, wine, and cocktails. This package usually pays for itself after a few drinks, so it is worth calculating if you plan to drink regularly. You can also purchase individual drinks onboard, but the per-drink price is higher than the package rate.
Specialty dining restaurants and character experiences
The main dining rooms are free, but Disney operates one or two specialty restaurants on each ship—Remy (French fine dining) and Palo (Italian)—that charge an additional fee. Remy typically costs $75 per person, and Palo runs $15 to $30 per person depending on whether you choose brunch or dinner. These restaurants require advance reservations and are popular, so book early if you want to dine there.
Character dining experiences, where you eat while meeting Disney characters, also carry an extra charge—usually $15 to $30 per person on top of your meal cost. Some character meet-and-greets on the ship are free, but the sit-down dining experiences with photos and autographs are paid add-ons.
Shore excursions and port activities
When your ship docks at a port, getting off the ship and doing activities there is not included in your cruise fare. Disney offers official shore excursions—guided tours, beach trips, snorkeling, zip-lining, and cultural experiences—that you book and pay for separately. These range from $50 to $400 per person depending on the activity and port. You can also leave the ship on your own and explore independently without booking through Disney, which often costs less.
Some ports have free or low-cost activities (walking around town, beaches you can access without a tour), while others require paid entry or transportation. Budget for shore activities separately from your cruise fare, as they are not bundled in.
Spa, photos, and premium experiences
The ship has a spa offering massages, facials, and body treatments, all of which cost extra—a massage typically runs $150 to $200 for 50 minutes. The fitness center and basic fitness classes are free, but some premium fitness experiences (like special yoga or Pilates sessions) charge a fee.
Professional photos taken by the ship's photographer during shows, character meet-and-greets, and formal nights are not included. You can view them onboard and purchase prints or digital copies. A single digital photo costs around $15 to $20, or you can buy a package of multiple photos for $50 to $100.
Private cabanas by the pool, premium seating for shows, and some exclusive experiences like private character dining are also paid add-ons that can range from $50 to several hundred dollars.
How to budget for a Disney Cruise Line vacation
Start with your cruise fare (the ticket price), then add a beverage package if you drink alcohol or specialty coffee regularly—this is usually the biggest extra expense for most families. Budget for shore excursions based on which ports you are visiting and what activities interest you. Set aside money for meals at specialty restaurants if you want to try them, and decide whether you want professional photos or spa services.
A realistic budget for a family of four on a seven-day cruise might be the cruise fare plus $400 to $800 for a beverage package, $300 to $1,000 for shore excursions, and $200 to $500 for specialty dining and extras. This varies widely depending on your choices, but planning these costs before you book helps avoid surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay for meals on a Disney Cruise?
No. All meals in the main dining rooms, the buffet, and at the pizza and ice cream stations are included in your cruise fare. You only pay extra if you choose to eat at specialty restaurants like Remy or Palo.
Is Wi-Fi included on Disney Cruise Line ships?
Wi-Fi is included on Disney's newer ships (Dream, Fantasy, Wish), but on older ships (Magic, Wonder) you must purchase an internet package. Check which ship you are sailing on when you book, as this affects your total cost.
Can I bring my own alcohol onboard?
Disney allows passengers to bring one bottle of wine or champagne per cabin, but no beer or spirits. Any alcohol you bring must be opened in your cabin, not brought to public areas. All other drinks must be purchased onboard or through a beverage package.
What happens if I do not want to pay for a beverage package?
You can skip the package and pay per drink onboard. However, the per-drink price is higher than the package rate, so it only makes sense if you drink very little or prefer to limit your spending.
Are kids' activities and kids' club included?
Yes. The kids' clubs (Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab for younger children, and teen clubs for older kids) are free and included in your cruise fare. Childcare during adult-only activities is also included.