The Murphys Take to the Sea
- elisabethmbestdaye
- Apr 27
- 4 min read
Earlier this month, my husband Dallas, our daughter Caroline, and I embarked on our very first cruise. As a certified Disney family, it only felt right that our first sailing would be with Disney Cruise Line—aboard the Disney Wish.
As first-time cruisers, we had plenty of questions going into the trip. As a Disney Travel Agent, I pride myself on staying up to date on all things Disney and travel. I researched extensively, but there were still things that didn’t fully click until we experienced them firsthand.
So, I’m breaking it all down—from start to finish—for anyone curious about cruising but unsure where to begin. And as always, my services are 100% free, so if you’re considering a cruise, I’d love to help!
Disney Cruise Line Overview
Disney Cruise Line launched in 1998 with its first ship, the Disney Magic. Today, the fleet includes eight ships: Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, Wish, Treasure, Destiny, and Adventure. A ninth ship, the Disney Believe, is expected to set sail in 2027, with even more ships planned through 2031.
Our 2026 Cruise
Since this was our first cruise, we opted for a shorter itinerary—just in case seasickness became an issue. We chose a 3-night Bahamian sailing on the Disney Wish, and it turned out to be the perfect introduction.
Before Embarkation
We booked this trip about 450 days in advance, which gave us plenty of time to save, prepare, and research.
Our itinerary included stops in Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. While a passport isn’t required for this itinerary (a birth certificate and valid ID will suffice), we chose to renew our passports for peace of mind in case of emergencies.
Key planning milestones:
90 days prior: Final payment due
~60 days prior: Book onboard activities and excursions (like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, spa services, and port adventures)
~30 days prior: Complete online check-in and select your arrival time
After your first cruise, you’ll become a Castaway Club member, unlocking perks and earlier booking windows for future sailings.
Embarkation Day
I’ve traveled quite a bit, and I can confidently say Disney’s embarkation process was incredibly smooth—honestly, it made airport security look chaotic.
Our port arrival time was 1:15 PM, but we arrived early at Port Canaveral around 12:45 PM. By 1:48 PM, we were walking onto the ship.
From the moment we arrived:
Clear signage guided us every step of the way
Porters handled our luggage and delivered it directly to our stateroom
Cast Members were everywhere, ready to help
Tip: Keep your boarding documents, ID/passports, and MagicBand+ (if using one) easily accessible to speed up check-in.
After check-in, we even had the option to take a PhotoPass photo before boarding—and then came the best part: being announced as we officially stepped onto the ship!
Day One: Setting Sail
We located our stateroom, where our Key to the World cards were waiting. (If you use MagicBand+, you can skip the card—but we kept ours as souvenirs.)
After settling in, we explored Deck 11:
The main pool area
Funnel Vision (Disney movies on the big screen)
Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods (hello, chicken tenders and BBQ!)
At 3:30 PM, we joined the Sail Away Party—complete with Mickey, Minnie, and friends. And yes, hearing the ship’s horn play “When You Wish Upon a Star” absolutely made me cry.
That evening, we experienced our first rotational dining at Worlds of Marvel, featuring Ant-Man, the Wasp, and Spider-Man.
If you choose the early dining time (5:45 PM), I highly recommend heading to the Walt Disney Theatre afterward for the Broadway-style shows. They’re exclusive to Disney Cruise Line—and completely worth it.
Day Two: Nassau (Ship Day for Us)
While many guests explored Nassau, we stayed onboard to enjoy everything the ship had to offer.
Highlights included:
Breakfast and lunch at Marceline Market (our favorite!)
Pool time with unlimited soft serve (yes, it’s as amazing as it sounds)
Watching Cinderella on Funnel Vision
Character meet-and-greets with Minnie, Daisy, Pluto, Goofy, and more
That evening was Pirate Night:
Dinner in Arendelle
A pirate-themed deck party
Fireworks at sea (a Disney-exclusive!)
Day Three: Castaway Cay
We started our day with the Castaway Cay 5K and explored the island before heading to the beach.
However… Caroline quickly decided she did not enjoy sand or ocean water 😂 So we headed back to the ship and enjoyed nearly empty pools (honestly, not a bad trade-off!).
That evening, we dined at 1923, inspired by Walt and Roy Disney. It was definitely a bittersweet night knowing the trip was coming to an end.
We wrapped up with:
One last theater show
Final character sightings in the Grand Hall
Packing up for departure
Disembarkation
Just like embarkation, the process was seamless.
You can either:
Leave your luggage outside your room the night before for Disney to handle
Or carry it off yourself
Since we were heading straight to Walt Disney World afterward, we carried our own luggage—and were off the ship and in our car in about 15 minutes.
What Makes a Disney Cruise So Special?
The standout for us was the service.
Every Cast Member—from our stateroom host to dining staff—was incredibly kind and attentive. One crew member, Bianca, formed such a sweet bond with Caroline and truly made our trip unforgettable.
Let’s Talk Price
Disney Cruises are known for being more expensive—and that’s true. Our 3-night cruise for two adults and one toddler cost just over $3,200.
However, it’s important to consider what’s included:
All meals and snacks
Soft drinks, milk, coffee, and more
Entertainment and shows
Kids’ clubs
We spent very little extra onboard since we don’t drink alcohol and didn’t book adult-only dining.
Final Thoughts
This was easily one of our favorite vacations—and that’s saying a lot for a family that visits Disney parks often!
We already have our next cruise booked… and we’re officially hooked.
If you’ve been thinking about taking a Disney Cruise, I hope this guide helped answer some of your questions. I’d love to help you plan your own magical vacation—feel free to reach out anytime!
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