Disney cruises are not fully all-inclusive — meals and entertainment are covered, but shore excursions, alcohol, specialty dining, and most onboard purchases cost extra
When you book a Disney cruise, your fare includes your cabin, all meals in the main dining rooms, most entertainment shows and activities, and access to pools and fitness areas. What it does not include is anything beyond the ship's basic offerings: drinks other than water and coffee, character dining experiences, spa services, photos taken by the ship's photographer, and nearly all activities on the islands where the ship stops.
The gap between what's included and what costs money can surprise first-time cruisers. A family of four might budget $4,000 for the cruise fare itself, then spend another $1,500 to $2,500 during the voyage on drinks, excursions, and specialty restaurants. Understanding which category each expense falls into before you board helps you plan your budget realistically.
Key Takeaways
- Your cruise fare covers your cabin, all meals in the main dining rooms, most shows and deck activities, and basic beverages like water and coffee.
- Alcoholic drinks, specialty restaurants, spa treatments, and character dining experiences all cost extra and are not included in your fare.
- Shore excursions — activities and tours at ports — are separate purchases, though you can explore ports on your own at no additional cost.
- Disney offers a beverage package you can purchase in advance that covers most drinks for the duration of your cruise, which may save money if you plan to drink regularly.
- Photos taken by Disney's onboard photographers and most merchandise sold on the ship require separate payment.
What Your Cruise Fare Covers
Your cabin, all meals in the main dining room and buffet, and access to the ship's pools, hot tubs, and fitness center are included in every Disney cruise fare. You also get entry to all stage shows, deck parties, movie screenings, and most activities — trivia contests, dance classes, kids' clubs, and character meet-and-greets in public areas all cost nothing extra.
Beverages in the main dining room are included: water, coffee, tea, and soft drinks at meals. Juice and milk are available at breakfast. If you want a drink outside of mealtimes — a soda by the pool, a cocktail at dinner, a specialty coffee — you pay for it separately, either per drink or through a beverage package purchased before or during your cruise.
Disney also includes basic room service (coffee and pastries in the morning) and access to the ship's library, internet lounges, and most recreational facilities. Your kids can attend the supervised kids' clubs at no extra charge, which frees parents to enjoy other activities.
Drinks and Beverage Packages
Alcoholic beverages and most specialty drinks are not included. A beer or cocktail at a bar typically costs $8 to $15. A specialty coffee drink runs $6 to $8. If you plan to drink regularly, Disney sells beverage packages that cover most drinks for the entire cruise — usually around $15 to $20 per person per day, depending on the length of the cruise and the package tier.
The beverage package covers beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, coffee, tea, and juice. It does not cover bottles of wine or champagne purchased from the shop, or drinks ordered from room service. You can purchase the package before your cruise or during the first day onboard, though buying in advance is usually slightly cheaper.
If you do not buy a package, you can still order drinks as you go. Many families find that skipping the package and ordering selectively costs less than paying per day, especially if only some family members drink alcohol.
Specialty Dining and Character Experiences
The main dining room serves dinner nightly at no extra cost, and you rotate through different dining rooms during your cruise. Breakfast and lunch in the main dining room are also included. However, Disney operates specialty restaurants on each ship — Remy (French cuisine), Palo (Italian), and others — that charge $45 to $75 per person for dinner, plus gratuity.
Character dining experiences, where you eat while meeting Disney characters, cost extra. Breakfast with Mickey or dinner with Cinderella runs $35 to $60 per person depending on the meal and character lineup. These experiences book up quickly, especially for popular characters, so many cruisers reserve them before boarding.
The ship's buffet and casual quick-service restaurants (pizza, burgers, Asian noodles) are all included. Specialty dining is optional — you can eat all your meals in included venues if you choose.
Shore Excursions and Port Activities
When the ship docks at a port, you can explore on your own at no cost beyond what you spend in shops or restaurants ashore. However, organized excursions — snorkeling tours, zip-lining, guided historical walks, beach club access — are sold separately and range from $50 to $300 per person depending on the activity and port.
Disney sells these excursions through its onboard booking system and website. You can book before your cruise or during the first days onboard, though popular activities sell out. If you do not book a Disney excursion, you can rent a car, hire a taxi, or walk to nearby attractions on your own — many ports have free beaches or public attractions within walking distance of the ship.
Some cruisers budget $100 to $200 per person for excursions across a week-long cruise; others skip them entirely and explore ports independently. The choice depends on your interests and comfort level navigating unfamiliar places.
Onboard Purchases and Services
Photos taken by Disney's professional photographers throughout your cruise are not included in your fare. You can view them onboard and purchase prints or digital copies — packages typically run $150 to $400 for a week-long cruise depending on how many photos you buy. You can also decline to purchase any photos at all.
Spa services (massages, facials, body treatments) cost extra, ranging from $100 to $300 per service. The ship's salon offers haircuts and styling for an additional fee. Merchandise sold in the ship's shops — t-shirts, pins, artwork, souvenirs — is not included and can be expensive; a Disney cruise t-shirt typically costs $30 to $40.
Internet access is not included in your fare. Disney sells internet packages ranging from $8 to $20 per day depending on whether you want basic web access or streaming capability. Many cruisers skip internet entirely and use it as a chance to disconnect.
How to Budget for Your Disney Cruise
Start with your cruise fare — the price you see when you book. Add 15 to 20 percent to that total for expenses that are not included. For a family of four on a $4,000 cruise, budget an additional $600 to $800 for drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and miscellaneous purchases.
If you plan to use specialty restaurants or character dining, add $200 to $400 per person for those meals. If you want organized shore excursions at most ports, add $100 to $200 per person. If you drink alcohol regularly, a beverage package may cost less than ordering drinks individually — do the math based on your habits.
Many families find it helpful to set a daily spending limit for onboard purchases and excursions, then stick to it. Disney makes it straightforward to charge everything to your cabin account, which can lead to overspending if you do not track expenses as you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my own alcohol or drinks onto the ship?
Disney prohibits passengers from bringing alcohol onboard. You can bring bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages in your carry-on luggage, but they will be confiscated if discovered. The ship's beverage package or per-drink purchases are your only options for alcohol.
Do kids eat free on Disney cruises?
Kids' meals in the main dining room are included in your cruise fare at no extra charge. Kids can order from the full menu or a simplified kids' menu. Specialty restaurants and character dining experiences charge the same per-person rate for children as for adults.
What happens if I do not want to eat in the main dining room?
You can eat at the buffet or quick-service restaurants instead, and those meals are included. You can also order room service (coffee and pastries are free; other items cost extra). You do not have to eat in the formal dining room if you prefer casual options.
Are gratuities included in my cruise fare?
Gratuities (tips for cabin staff, dining staff, and other crew) are not included in your cruise fare. Disney automatically adds gratuities to your onboard account — typically $15 to $16 per person per day depending on your cabin type. You can adjust this amount at guest services if you wish.
Can I purchase a package that covers everything?
Disney does not offer an all-inclusive package that covers drinks, excursions, specialty dining, and other extras. You purchase each category separately — a beverage package, excursions, specialty restaurant reservations, and so on. This approach lets you customize your spending rather than paying for things you will not use.