Are Disney Cruises All Inclusive? What’s Included And What’s Not

Before our first Disney Cruise, I remember typing frantically into Google: are Disney Cruises all inclusive? The prices looked steep, and I wanted to know if they actually covered most of the vacation or if I’d be hit with surprise expenses once we got on board. Having now cruised with Disney multiple times, I can say the answer isn’t a simple yes or no. It’s more like: yes, somewhat.

Disney Cruises are designed to feel comprehensive and hassle-free, especially if you’re used to paying for every soda or kids' activity on other cruise lines. But not everything is included, and a few of the extras can add up quickly if you’re not prepared.

Let’s walk through what’s included, what’s not, and how to avoid unexpected costs. If you’re on the fence, I’ll also share a few strategies that have helped us get the most value out of each sailing.

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Key Points

Gratuities, Wi-Fi, and alcohol are not included, so factor those into your budget upfront.
Most food and entertainment are included—even room service and rotational dining.
Plan ahead for extras like shore excursions, specialty dining, and onboard activities that may carry an extra charge.

Are Disney Cruises All Inclusive? Here’s What’s Actually Included

While Disney Cruises are not truly all inclusive in the traditional resort sense, they include quite a bit more than many other cruise lines.

Included Food and Drinks

Disney includes all your meals in the main dining rooms, casual eateries, and even room service (aside from gratuities). The rotational dining system lets you enjoy three different themed restaurants, and your servers follow you each night, which is a nice touch.

Quick-service spots by the pool offer burgers, tacos, pizza, and soft-serve—all included. Even soda, coffee, tea, and juice are free at drink stations and during meals. This is a big perk compared to other cruise lines that often charge for soda packages.

Room service is available 24/7 and includes a surprisingly good selection: soups, sandwiches, salads, and even Mickey ice cream bars. Just remember to tip your server in cash or by adding a gratuity slip.

Included Entertainment and Activities

Disney packs in a lot of entertainment value. You can watch Broadway-style musicals like Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, or The Little Mermaid at sea. There are also movie theaters showing first-run films (sometimes on the same day they hit theaters) and character meet-and-greets throughout the ship.

Kids have access to the Oceaneer Club and Lab (ages 3-12), which are imaginative spaces themed around Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. These are fully included in your fare and staffed by energetic, friendly cast members.

For older kids and teens, Edge (ages 11-14) and Vibe (ages 14-17) offer hangout spots, video games, and group activities.

Adults aren’t left out either. There are lounges, trivia nights, mixology classes (for a fee), fitness centers, and even adult-only pool areas.

Stateroom and Room Service

Your stateroom includes daily housekeeping with evening turndown service, fresh towels, and helpful storage features like under-bed suitcase space and split bathrooms in most rooms. Room service is included, which is great for breakfast on the balcony or late-night snacks.

Access to Castaway Cay

If your itinerary includes Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, you’ll get free access to the beaches, lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a full BBQ lunch buffet. The tram transportation around the island is included too.

Castaway Cay is consistently one of the most-loved parts of the cruise and really does feel like an extension of the ship. If you're traveling with kids, the family beach is perfect. If you're traveling without kids, the adults-only Serenity Bay area is peaceful and relaxing.

What’s Not Included in a Disney Cruise

There are definitely a few things that will cost extra if you want them—and it’s easy to rack up charges if you’re not paying attention.

Alcohol and Specialty Drinks

Beer, wine, cocktails, specialty coffee, smoothies, and bottled water are not included. Expect to pay $8–$14 per cocktail, around $6 for beer, and $10–20 per glass of wine, depending on the venue.

You are allowed to bring up to two bottles of wine or six beers per adult when you board. Just make sure they’re in your carry-on and not your checked luggage.

Disney offers wine and beer packages that give you a slight discount, but they aren’t cheap. Learn more here: do Disney Cruises have alcohol packages.

Gratuities

Gratuities are not included in the base price but are automatically added to your stateroom account unless you prepay. As of now, the suggested amount is $14.50 per person, per night. That adds up quickly—for a family of four on a 5-night cruise, it’s $290.

You can adjust gratuities at Guest Services, but honestly, the service has always been so good that we’ve never wanted to.

Shore Excursions

Port adventures can cost anywhere from $50 to over $300 per person, depending on the activity. Snorkeling, ziplining, dolphin encounters, and guided city tours are common options. Disney’s excursions are well organized but usually priced at a premium.

You don’t have to book through Disney—we’ve had success organizing our own activities when docked. Just make sure to leave extra time to get back to the ship.

Wi-Fi and Internet

Wi-Fi is not free. You’ll need to purchase a package, and the prices vary based on usage:

Stay Connected Plan (text and basic social media): around $16/day
Basic Surf Plan (email, browsing): around $24/day
Premium Surf Plan (video, streaming): around $34/day

Packages can be purchased daily or for the full cruise. Learn more about Wi-Fi options: do Disney Cruises have Wi-Fi.

Specialty Dining and Spa Services

While the main restaurants are included, adult-exclusive restaurants like Palo (Northern Italian) and Enchanté (French fine dining) cost extra.

Palo brunch or dinner: $50 per person. Enchanté: around $125 per person, with optional wine pairings.

Spa services start around $150 for massages and go up from there. The Rainforest Room is a spa day-pass that can be worth it if you love saunas and steam rooms.

Onboard Shopping and Souvenirs

There are shops on the ship selling exclusive Disney Cruise Line merchandise, jewelry, clothing, and snacks. Prices are similar to what you’d find in the parks. Photo packages for professional pictures also cost extra and can range from $20 for a single photo to over $200 for a full package.

How to Strategically Save and Plan Ahead

There are a few smart ways to stay on budget while still enjoying everything Disney Cruises have to offer.

Use Disney’s official site to explore ships, destinations, and current offers.
Check out where Disney Cruises go and compare dates. Sailings during off-peak seasons are often cheaper.
Read our guide on when Disney Cruises are cheapest to help you book at the right time.
Pack smartly to avoid onboard purchases. Here’s our complete Disney Cruise essentials checklist.
Learn about Disney Cruises out of Florida or Disney Cruises out of California if you're trying to drive instead of fly.

Is a Disney Cruise Still Worth It?

For many families, yes. The up-front cost is higher than other cruise lines, but you get a lot included, especially for kids. Entertainment, food, service, and overall experience are hard to beat. You’re paying for peace of mind and quality—and for a lot of people, that’s worth it.

It helps to have a realistic sense of total cost. You can estimate your vacation using our breakdown of how much a Disney Cruise costs and balance it against what you value most.

Also check out our full Disney Cruises guide for more insight on ships, destinations, and planning tips.