Compare Cruise Lines Side by Side
Pick any two cruise lines below — see their ratings, fleet size, pricing tier, target audience, strengths, and a final verdict for which is the better fit for your trip.
Cruise Line A
Disney Cruise Line
VS
Cruise Line B
Royal Caribbean
🚢
Disney Cruise Line
★★★★⭑ 4.70
vs
🏆 Royal Caribbean wins
4
:
7
🚢
Royal Caribbean
★★★★☆ 4.40
| Feature | Disney Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1998 | 1968 |
| Headquarters | Celebration, Florida, USA | Miami, Florida, USA |
| Fleet Size | 6 ships | 28 ships Winner |
| Passengers Per Year | 650,000+ | 6,500,000+ |
| Starting Price | $999 | $449 Winner |
| Our Rating | ★★★★⭑ 4.70 Winner | ★★★★☆ 4.40 |
| Feature | Disney Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Dining Style | Rotational dining — different themed restaurant each night | Open seating + traditional dining |
| Specialty Restaurants | 2 adults-only (Palo, Remy on some ships) | Up to 20 per ship (Chops Grille, Giovanni's, Izumi, 150 Central Park) |
| Drinks Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Dress Code | Smart casual; one optional formal night on longer cruises | Smart casual; 1-2 formal nights |
| Entertainment | Broadway-quality musicals (Beauty & the Beast, Frozen), character meet-and-greets, deck parties, fireworks at sea | Broadway musicals, ice skating, AquaTheater, FlowRider surf simulator |
| Kids Club | ❌ | ❌ |
| Adult-Only Areas | ❌ | ❌ |
| Casino | ❌ | ✅ Winner |
| Spa & Wellness | ❌ | ❌ |
| Fitness Center | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| WiFi (included) | ❌ | ❌ |
| WiFi Cost | From $19/day | From $19.99/day |
| Feature | Disney Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Regions Served | Caribbean, Bahamas, Alaska, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Australia/NZ | Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, Bahamas, Asia, Australia/NZ, Northern Europe, Transatlantic, Panama Canal |
| Countries Visited | 30+ | 80+ |
| Home Ports | Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, New York, Galveston, Vancouver, Civitavecchia, Barcelona, Southampton, Auckland | Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, Galveston, Cape Liberty, Tampa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Southampton, Singapore, Sydney |
| Shortest Cruise | 3 nights | 3 nights |
| Longest Cruise | 15 nights (Transatlantic) | 12 nights (up to 19 on select sailings) |
| World Cruise | ❌ | ❌ |
| Feature | Disney Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Cabin From | $999 | $449 Winner |
| Balcony Cabin From | $1,799 | $899 Winner |
| Suite From | $4,999 | $2,499 Winner |
| All-Inclusive? | ❌ | ❌ |
| Gratuities Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Flights Included | ❌ | ❌ |
| Cancellation Policy | Full refund 75+ days for standard cruises | Full refund 90+ days; sliding scale after |
| Loyalty Program | Castaway Club | Crown & Anchor Society |
| Feature | Disney Cruise Line | Royal Caribbean |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Families with young children, Disney fans | Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers |
| Solo Traveler Cabins | ❌ | ❌ |
| Family Friendly | ||
| Luxury Level | Winner | |
| Adventure Level | Winner | |
| Average Age | 35-50 (with kids) | 35-55 |
| Accessible Cabins | ✅ Winner | ❌ |
| Pet Policy | Service animals only | Service animals only |
| Smoking Policy | Designated outdoor areas only | Designated outdoor areas |
🏆 Our Verdict
4 – 7Royal Caribbean takes the win, scoring 7 against 4 across 41 compared features. Especially strong for: Adventure-seekers, families, first-time cruisers.
What we compare across
- Price ranges — Lead-in fares and what they actually include
- Ships — Size, age, capacity, recent refurbishments
- Target audience — Who each line is genuinely built for
- Destinations — Where each line sails strongest
- Dining — Main dining, specialty venues, buffet quality, included vs. paid
- Entertainment — Production shows, lounges, onboard activities
- Inclusions — What’s in the fare, what’s extra
- Suites & cabins — Premium category quality and value
- Family-friendliness — Kids’ clubs, family programming, multi-gen options
- Solo travelers — Solo cabins, single supplement policy, social events
- Loyalty program — Worth chasing or not
- Verdict — Which line wins, for which type of cruiser
How the comparison works
We score each line across the same 12 categories using the same yardstick. Built from passenger sentiment data, ship-by-ship reviews, our own sailings, and verifiable industry information. Updated quarterly. Spot something out of date? Email editorial@allcruisestravel.com.
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