After enjoying our very first Disney Cruise from Southampton to Spain, we knew we wanted to experience another one in a completely new location. This time, we sailed from Florida to the Bahamas on the Disney Magic, and it was every bit as magical as the name suggests. If you’d like to read about our first Disney Cruise, you can check out that post [here].
Getting There
We flew into Florida a couple of days before our sailing (I’ll share a separate post about that trip soon). Our cruise departed from Port Canaveral, which is not too far from Orlando International Airport (MCO). Technically, you could fly in on the same day and head straight to the port, but I would never recommend this. Flights can be delayed or even cancelled, and the last thing you want is to miss a Disney Cruise. Arriving a few days earlier gives you peace of mind and time to adjust before boarding. We flew with Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow and it was £708.52 per person. I even used a few of my Virgin Points to get the price down a little.
Boarding and Check-In
We booked the five-night Bahamian cruise from Port Canaveral. When we arrived, friendly Disney staff immediately took care of our luggage — they placed the tags on for us and whisked the bags away. All we had to do was check in and go through security. The process was quick and straightforward; just remember your passport and, if you are flying in from the UK or elsewhere, your ESTA visa (print it in advance).
One small difference compared to our Southampton to Spain sailing was that children were not given their MagicBand at check-in. Instead, they received it once registered at the kids’ club. These bands are used to safely track children while on board.
Our check-in time was around 1pm, and we were able to walk straight onto the ship with no waiting around. We even got access to our room early, which was a lovely surprise.
First Impressions
As soon as we stepped on board, we decided to explore the ship and grab some food. I treated myself to a Bahama Mama cocktail — it cost around $18 but came in a souvenir cup, and it was deliciously strong. My daughter was registered at the kids’ club right away, where she received her MagicBand, and before long it was time for the mandatory safety drill. Afterwards, the real fun began with the Sail Away Party, full of music, dancing, Disney characters, and a big countdown to set the cruise off in style.
Our Room
To keep costs down this time, we booked the Standard Inside Stateroom. It was the cheapest option and very basic, with a double bed and a pull-out sofa. The room was small, but perfectly fine for what we needed, as we hardly spent any time there. On our first Disney Cruise, we had a veranda, which was lovely, but honestly I would book an inside stateroom again in the future. It saves money, and with so much to do on the ship, you don’t spend much time in your cabin anyway.
Cost and Placeholder Discount
For five nights and three different Bahamian islands, the total cost came to $1,741.32, which is roughly £1,350 in British pounds. I think this is very reasonable for a Disney Cruise, especially considering the level of service and entertainment included.
This price also reflects my 10% placeholder discount. For anyone unfamiliar, a Disney Cruise placeholder is a deposit you can put down while on board a sailing. It allows you to book a future cruise within the next two years and gives you a discount on the fare — in this case, 10% off. I booked this particular cruise on 19th December 2024 using the placeholder from our first sailing.
Dining on the Disney Magic
The Disney Magic is a beautiful ship, and dining was one of the highlights of our Disney Cruise to the Bahamas. We enjoyed Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where the food was excellent and the atmosphere truly magical. A huge thank you goes to our waiter, who looked after us every evening. As many of you know, I have a severe allergy, and he made sure I felt safe by explaining what was suitable for me to eat. On our final night, we were treated to a lively interactive show with Rapunzel and Flynn Rider, which was so much fun and a memory we’ll never forget.
Other restaurants onboard included Lumière’s, inspired by Beauty and the Beast, with its elegant design, and Animator’s Palate, where sketches of Disney characters transform into vibrant colours right before your eyes. Both were stunning in their own way.
There were also plenty of casual dining spots included in the price of the cruise. Cabanas offered a buffet for breakfast and lunch, Duck-In Diner served burgers, hotdogs, and tacos, Pinocchio’s Pizzeria had fresh pizza, and one of the most popular spots for kids was the self-serve ice cream station. The only extras were alcoholic drinks, but everything else was covered in the cruise fare.
Entertainment at Sea
The entertainment on the Disney Magic was fantastic, with Broadway-style shows performed every night. We watched Tangled: The Musical, which was absolutely stunning and honestly felt worthy of the West End. Another highlight was Twice Charmed, a unique twist on the Cinderella story. The actors were brilliant – even when the ship swayed at sea, they stayed perfectly in character, which made the performances even more impressive.
Pools, Slides & Relaxation
Swimming was another big part of the trip. The Goofy Pool was perfect for families, while AquaLab provided splash zones and water fun for kids. For thrill-seekers, the AquaDunk was a must-try – a drop slide that plunges 212 feet. Personally, I was too nervous to ride it, but it’s definitely something adrenaline-lovers would enjoy.
Adults could also relax in their own dedicated pool area, which I loved taking advantage of when my daughter was at the kids club. It was a peaceful escape and the perfect way to recharge.
Kids Clubs & Activities
Speaking of the kids club, this was one of my daughter’s highlights. She absolutely loved spending time at the Oceaneer Club, which is designed for children under 10. It’s beautifully decorated and feels like stepping straight into a Disney movie. She made lots of friends, and honestly, it was sometimes a struggle to get her to leave!
There are also clubs for tweens and teens, as well as childcare for little ones aged 6 months to 3 years, meaning there’s something for every age group. Extra activities such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and the Royal Court Royal Tea are available at an additional cost. We did Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on a previous cruise, but skipped it this time as it can be quite pricey.
Nassau, Bahamas
Our first port stop was Nassau, and I instantly fell in love with the Bahamas. The weather, the sea, and the sandy beaches were stunning, and the locals were incredibly warm and welcoming. We decided to stay close to the port to avoid the risk of being left behind, so we enjoyed a few hours on the beach with food and drinks. It was simple but perfect, and I’d love to return to Nassau one day to explore further.
Castaway Cay – Disney’s Private Island
Our second stop was Castaway Cay, Disney’s famous private island. My photos don’t do it justice, as the weather was slightly overcast, but it was still beautiful. There’s a kids club on the island, family beaches, and even an adults-only area, although I personally prefer the lively family section.
The island is easy to explore thanks to a tram service that takes you around. Food is served on the island so you don’t need to return to the ship, which makes the day even more relaxing. Castaway Cay is a true Disney Cruise Line highlight and definitely one of the reasons families book again and again.
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Our final stop was Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – Disney’s brand-new private island experience, which opened in June 2024. This was by far my favourite stop. The water was the clearest and bluest I’ve ever seen, and the sand was so soft that even with my usual sensitivity to textures, I felt comfortable walking on it.
The island has a fantastic waterpark, a kids club, adults-only spaces, and even a lively mini carnival. It perfectly combined Bahamian culture with Disney magic. I completely fell in love with Lookout Cay and would happily book another Disney Cruise just to return there – it was truly the highlight of the trip.
Our final day
On our final day we decided to skip breakfast and disembark straight away. It felt like too much hassle dragging our luggage to the restaurant, and honestly we weren’t that hungry. Overall though, this Disney Cruise was absolutely fantastic, and I’ve completely fallen in love with the Bahamas. As you might have guessed, I booked another placeholder before we left, so another Disney Cruise is definitely on the cards. My goal is to experience every Disney ship, so stay tuned — hopefully we’ll be sailing again next year.
See more on our TikTok.
@kiddoadventures ✨ Thinking of a Disney Cruise from London to Orlando to the Bahamas? Here’s our full price breakdown so you know exactly what to budget! ✈️ We flew Virgin Atlantic from Heathrow at £708.52 per person (I even used some Virgin Points to reduce the cost a little). 🛂 You’ll need an ESTA visa to enter the U.S. (since you depart from Florida). The fee is currently $21 pp (≈ £16) — but note: this will increase to $40 from 30 September 2025. 🚗 From our hotel (Wyndham Grand) to Port Canaveral we booked a Lyft — just over an hour’s drive, costing $64.99 (≈ £48). 🚢 For five nights and three Bahamian islands, the cruise itself came to $1,741.32 pp (≈ £1,350 pp). This includes my 10% placeholder discount, which makes it even better value considering the world-class service and entertainment on board. Honestly, for a Disney Cruise this felt very reasonable, and the experience was unforgettable 🌴✨ I was actually really nervous because this was our first time flying and cruising. I worried about potentially missing the cruise due to flight delays, and I even stressed about getting into the U.S. with the ESTA visa process (I’m not a criminal😜 but I’ve heard some crazy stories!). I let myself worry quite a lot, but in the end we had a fantastic time. 💙 👉 This is your reminder not to let anxiety or nerves stop you from doing something amazing — it could turn out to be one of the best experiences of your life. #DisneyUK #DisneyCruiseLine #DisneyParksUK #DisneyCruise #disney Disney Cruise London to Bahamas | Disney Cruise cost UK | Disney Cruise Florida to Bahamas price | Disney Cruise cost breakdown | How much is a Disney Cruise from Florida | Disney Cruise Bahamas 2025 | Disney Cruise with Virgin Atlantic flights | Disney Cruise Port Canaveral cost | Disney Cruise price per person UK | ESTA for Disney Cruise | Disney Cruise budget tips | Disney Cruise review Bahamas @VirginAtlantic
♬ Rema – Thays B.M
2 Comments