When families plan a dream vacation at sea with Disney Cruise Line, one of the first questions that often comes up is, “Does Disney Cruise Line charge for children?” The answer is yes—Disney Cruise Line does charge for children, but how much you pay depends on several factors such as your child’s age, the stateroom category, and the sailing destination.
Disney’s cruises are known for being among the most family-friendly in the world, offering magical entertainment, themed dining, character experiences, and world-class service. However, that magic comes with a cost structure that can sometimes surprise first-time cruisers. In this detailed guide, we’ll break down how Disney Cruise Line pricing works for children of all ages, what’s included, and how families can save money while still enjoying a magical voyage.
Disney Cruise Line operates with a per-person fare structure. This means that every guest occupying a stateroom—whether an adult or a child—must pay a cruise fare. However, the rate for the third and fourth guests (often children) is usually lower than the first and second adult passengers.
The total cruise fare includes accommodations, meals at main dining restaurants, most onboard entertainment, kids’ clubs, character meet-and-greets, and access to the ship’s amenities. What it doesn’t include are optional extras such as shore excursions, specialty dining, bottled beverages, spa treatments, and gratuities.
In most cases, the first two guests in a cabin pay the full fare, while additional guests (including children) pay a reduced rate. This structure allows families to save money when cruising with kids, especially when multiple children share a stateroom with their parents.
Disney Cruise Line categorizes children based on age, and pricing can vary accordingly. Below is a general overview of how age impacts cruise fares.
For children under the age of 3, Disney Cruise Line does not offer free passage. However, infants and toddlers generally sail at a significantly reduced fare compared to older children or adults.
Even though these youngest passengers might not be participating in all the activities, they still count as a guest occupying space in the stateroom, and Disney’s strict safety and capacity rules require them to be ticketed.
Parents should also note that Disney Cruise Line requires infants to be at least six months old on the day of sailing (and one year old for certain longer or transoceanic cruises).
For kids between 3 and 12 years old, pricing is typically lower than adult fares, especially when they are the third or fourth guests in a cabin.
This is the most common age group for Disney cruisers, and Disney Cruise Line offers extensive entertainment options designed for them—from Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab to special character events, splash zones, and themed parties.
Even though the fare is reduced, the experience is fully inclusive for these children. They get access to nearly all the same dining, entertainment, and onboard facilities as adults.
Teenagers pay the same as other children when they are booked as the third or fourth guest in a stateroom. However, if a teen occupies a separate room (for example, sharing with another sibling or friend), they might be charged an adult fare, since Disney Cruise Line’s pricing model is based on room occupancy, not just age.
Teens can enjoy dedicated spaces like Vibe and Edge, where they can meet peers, play games, and attend social events designed exclusively for their age group.
For passengers aged 18 and older, standard adult rates apply, regardless of their position in the room. However, if they are listed as the third or fourth passenger in a cabin, the discounted rate for those additional berths usually applies.
Some parents might wonder why Disney charges for babies or young kids, especially since many attractions cater to families. The reason lies in Disney Cruise Line’s value-based pricing model and safety regulations.
Every person on board—regardless of age—occupies space in lifeboats, contributes to onboard safety counts, and uses amenities such as dining, housekeeping, and entertainment. Moreover, Disney’s ships are designed for families, meaning that their staterooms, crew staffing ratios, and entertainment schedules already account for children as part of the total guest capacity.
Even babies enjoy complimentary access to certain activities, splash zones, and nursery services (for a small additional hourly fee), so Disney includes them in the fare count to maintain its high-quality service standards.
When you pay for a child’s fare on Disney Cruise Line, it’s not just the cabin space you’re covering. The cost includes:
Main dining meals and buffet access
24-hour room service (some items may have an additional fee)
Character greetings and themed shows
Access to kids’ clubs (for ages 3–17)
Onboard entertainment, including Broadway-style musicals, fireworks, and deck parties
Pools, splash areas, and water slides
Private island access (Castaway Cay on Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries)
In short, once you’re onboard, your children can enjoy a full Disney experience that’s nearly all-inclusive.
While much is included, some optional extras do incur an additional charge. Parents should budget for the following:
For children aged 6 months to 3 years, Disney Cruise Line offers nursery care at an additional fee (usually around $9 per hour). Spaces are limited, so reservations are recommended in advance.
Off-ship adventures such as snorkeling, sightseeing tours, or beach days often have separate child pricing, but they are not free.
While main restaurants are included, specialty dining venues like Palo or Remy (for adults) have additional costs. However, most children won’t need or use these options.
Teens can visit Chill Spa, but these services are not included in the cruise fare.
As you might expect from Disney, shopping opportunities are everywhere—from plush toys to costumes and collectibles. These are separate from the cruise fare.
Disney Cruise Line automatically adds gratuities for each guest, including children. This typically covers your dining servers, assistant servers, head server, and stateroom host.
Disney Cruise Line is considered a premium cruise brand, but families can find smart ways to make it more affordable. Here are some practical strategies:
Disney cruises often sell out months in advance, and prices typically increase as sailings fill up. Booking early can lock in a lower rate.
Sailing during the off-season (like late January, early May, or September) can lead to significantly lower fares. School holidays and summer months are generally more expensive.
If you’re traveling with younger kids, a 3- or 4-night cruise can offer a magical experience without the full price of longer voyages.
Authorized Disney travel planners can sometimes access exclusive offers or onboard credits, helping offset costs.
If you’re a family of four sharing one room, your kids’ fares (as the third and fourth guests) will automatically be lower than adult rates.
Disney’s inside staterooms are often hundreds of dollars cheaper per person, yet still feature unique touches like the “magical porthole” virtual window.
Disney Cruise Line is often compared with family-friendly brands like Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian. While all charge for children, Disney’s fares are typically higher—but so is the quality and level of service.
Other lines may offer “kids sail free” promotions more frequently, but Disney rarely does. Instead, Disney focuses on maintaining an all-inclusive, family-oriented atmosphere with exceptional entertainment value.
Parents often find that while Disney cruises cost more upfront, the experience justifies the price through premium food, shows, and the iconic Disney touch that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
To help visualize how pricing might look, let’s consider a hypothetical 4-night Bahamian cruise for a family of four (two adults and two children).
Adults (first and second guests): $1,500 each
Children (third and fourth guests): $850 each
Taxes and port fees: $150 per person
Total approximate fare: $5,000
This cost includes meals, entertainment, and lodging for the entire family. While it may seem high compared to other cruise lines, remember that Disney’s entertainment, character experiences, and private island amenities are part of what makes the fare worthwhile.
Unlike some cruise brands, Disney rarely runs “kids sail free” promotions. However, there have been limited-time offers in the past—mainly for select sailings or during off-peak seasons.
Such offers are typically region-specific (like certain Mediterranean or Caribbean itineraries) and apply to the third and fourth guests in a stateroom. These promotions are rare and tend to sell out quickly once released.
Disney Cruise Line provides a level of immersion and detail that no other cruise company replicates. From the moment families board, the experience feels like stepping into a living Disney movie.
For children, it’s not just a vacation—it’s an adventure filled with character interactions, storytelling, themed dining rooms, and immersive shows like Frozen: The Musical or Beauty and the Beast.
The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are industry-leading, offering interactive zones where kids can meet superheroes, build crafts, and participate in space-themed missions. These areas are supervised by Disney-trained counselors, ensuring both safety and fun.
Even for toddlers, the It’s a Small World Nursery provides a nurturing space designed for the youngest sailors, so parents can enjoy a bit of relaxation knowing their children are well cared for.
Disney’s staterooms are specifically designed with families in mind. Features like split bathrooms, extra storage, and curtain dividers between adult and child sleeping areas make a big difference during multi-day voyages.
Larger families can choose Family Oceanview or Concierge Suites, which offer additional space and amenities. For those on a budget, Deluxe Inside Staterooms still provide the Disney flair at a lower cost.
Regardless of cabin type, the quality of service remains consistent across all categories, ensuring that children have a magical experience no matter the room price.
One of Disney Cruise Line’s biggest strengths is how well it accommodates families with children of different ages.
Infants and Toddlers: Safe play areas, nursery care, and splash zones.
School-aged Kids: Immersive kids’ clubs, character meet-and-greets, pirate night, and movies under the stars.
Teens: Dedicated lounges, social mixers, and age-appropriate activities that give them independence without boredom.
Parents: Relaxation zones, adult-only dining, and onboard spa experiences.
This balance makes Disney a top choice for multi-generational family vacations, even though each traveler—child or adult—pays their own fare.
Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to access daily schedules, kids’ club information, and onboard activities.
Reserve nursery time and character experiences early, as slots fill up quickly.
Pack essentials for kids, including swimsuits, sunscreen, motion sickness medication, and favorite bedtime items.
Plan downtime between events to prevent overstimulation.
Budget for souvenirs and photos, as these extras can add up quickly.
While Disney Cruise Line does charge for children, most families agree that the experience delivers unmatched value. The quality of entertainment, service, and overall family engagement makes it more than just a cruise—it’s a floating Disney resort.
Children have the time of their lives meeting their favorite characters, watching Broadway-style shows, and exploring imaginative kids’ clubs. Parents get to relax, knowing their kids are safely entertained.
In short, the fare you pay for your children isn’t just a ticket—it’s a gateway to a world of magic, adventure, and memories that last a lifetime.
So, does Disney Cruise Line charge for children? Yes, it does—but at a discounted rate compared to adults when kids are listed as the third or fourth guests in a stateroom. Infants, toddlers, and teens all have their own pricing rules, but no one sails free by default.
However, every dollar spent translates into world-class entertainment, family bonding, and that unmistakable Disney touch. From themed dinners to fireworks at sea, every moment onboard is carefully crafted to make families feel special.
If you’re planning a vacation that blends adventure, relaxation, and enchantment, Disney Cruise Line remains one of the best choices available—especially for families with children. While the cost might be higher than some competitors, the joy on your child’s face as they hug Mickey Mouse or dance under the stars makes it absolutely worth it.
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