Before setting sail on the Disney Treasure, we spent a few nights in Orlando to make the most of the trip. If you are planning something similar, you can read our full hotel review of Caribe Royale Orlando, our stay at CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort, and our detailed Walt Disney World guide packed with tips to help you plan your days at the parks.
This cruise marked our third Disney Cruise, but our first time sailing on the Disney Treasure for a 7 night Western Caribbean itinerary. Travelling as one adult and one child, this was easily our most expensive cruise to date, but also one of the most exciting thanks to the ship itself and the destinations included.
Flying to Orlando and Cruise Planning Tips
Our return flights from Gatwick to Orlando came to £2,194.76 in total, which was a lot more than we originally planned to spend.
We had originally planned to do this cruise in August 2026, which was actually around £1,000 cheaper, but due to scheduling we had to travel in April. I had Skyscanner and Google alerts set up, but every time I got a notification the price had gone up, so eventually I just had to book.
I did manage to bring the cost down slightly using Avios points, which definitely helped.
If you are planning a Disney Cruise from Florida, I would strongly recommend flying in at least two to three days before your cruise. Flights can be delayed or cancelled and if you miss your cruise departure, you will not be able to board later.
Arriving early also gives you time to enjoy Orlando, whether that is Walt Disney World, Universal Studios or just relaxing before your cruise.
If you want to avoid expensive flights altogether, UK travellers can also look at Disney Cruises departing from Southampton. These are much easier to get to, but you will be sailing around Europe rather than visiting Caribbean destinations.
Make sure you also have travel insurance that includes cruise cover, as this is not always included as standard.
Do You Need an ESTA for a Disney Cruise from the US
If you are travelling from the UK to the US for your Disney Cruise, you will need an ESTA visa. This is something to factor into your budget as the price has recently increased.
As of 30 September 2025, the ESTA application fee is now $40, which is almost double what it used to be. Make sure you apply in advance so you are not dealing with any last minute stress before your trip.
Getting from Orlando to Port Canaveral
Getting from Orlando to Port Canaveral was far easier than expected. We travelled from CoCo Key Hotel and Water Resort using Lyft, which cost around £44 for the journey. The drive took approximately one hour and was smooth and stress free, making it a great option for families who want a simple transfer without the hassle of public transport.
Embarkation Day on Disney Treasure
Arrival at the port was incredibly well organised. From the moment we arrived, the process felt efficient and easy to navigate. After dropping off our larger luggage at the entrance, which is then delivered directly to your room later in the day, we proceeded through check in and security using our MagicBands.
Boarding the ship was seamless, and although our stateroom was not ready until around 1.30pm, this gave us the perfect opportunity to start exploring the ship. This is something I would highly recommend, especially if it is your first Disney Cruise, as it helps you get familiar with the layout before everything gets busy.
First Stop: Oceaneer Club
One of the first things we did was register my daughter for the Oceaneer Club, and as expected, it quickly became her favourite part of the ship. If you are travelling with children, this is easily one of the biggest highlights of the entire Disney Cruise experience.
We visited during open house hours, which meant adults could also explore the space. It was genuinely impressive. The attention to detail, themed rooms, and interactive elements make it feel more like an immersive experience than a standard kids club. It is easy to see why children never want to leave.
Safety Drill and Sail Away Party
Before the cruise officially began, we completed the mandatory safety drill, which was quick and straightforward. Shortly after, it was time for the sail away deck party, one of those signature Disney moments that instantly sets the tone for the rest of the trip.
How Much Did the Disney Treasure Cruise Cost
The total cost of this 7 night Western Caribbean Disney Treasure cruise came to $5,613.62, which is approximately £4,172.14 for one adult and one child.
It’s not cheap but, it is important to consider what is included. The price covers accommodation, all meals, entertainment, and access to the ship’s facilities, along with stops in Mexico, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Castaway Cay in the Bahamas.
When you factor in that this is essentially a week long Disney experience at sea, combined with multiple international destinations, it becomes much easier to see the value. For me, it felt worth it.
In fact, I booked another placeholder onboard almost immediately. If you know you will cruise again, this is one of the best ways to save money, as it gives you a discount on a future Disney Cruise with a refundable deposit.
Our Stateroom on Disney Treasure
Out of the three Disney Cruises we have done, this was by far our favourite room. I specifically chose a stateroom on the same floor as the Oceaneer Club, and it made a noticeable difference in terms of convenience.
This was also the “cheapest” room category. On our first Disney Cruise, I opted for a veranda room as a one off experience, thinking it would be our only cruise. Since then, priorities have changed. Now that we cruise more regularly, I would much rather save money on the room and spend it on experiences.
Our room had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. It included a double bed and a sofa bed, three wardrobe spaces, a TV, mini fridge, hairdryer, and a bathroom with a bath and shower. For us, a smaller inside stateroom works perfectly. As long as it is clean and comfortable, that is all we need.
MagicBand+ on Disney Cruise
If you have read my Walt Disney World tips blog, you will already know how useful MagicBands are. What many people do not realise is that you can also use MagicBand+ on Disney Cruise ships.
On board, they are known as DisneyBand+, but they work in a very similar way. They are not essential, but they do make life much easier. You can use them to open your cabin door, make purchases on board, and get on and off the ship without constantly searching through your bag for your Key to the World card.
What to Pack for a Disney Cruise
Packing smartly for a Disney Cruise can make a big difference to your experience.
When you arrive at the port, your main luggage will be taken away and delivered to your room later in the day, so it is really important to bring a small carry on bag with essentials. This should include things like medication, swimwear, sunscreen and anything else you might need straight away.
Other useful items to bring include a refillable water bottle, which I found really helpful, as well as a travel adapter for charging your devices. The rooms do have USB ports, but it is always good to have options.
You do not need to bring towels as these are provided both on the ship and when you get off at ports.
If you plan on doing laundry, bringing a small amount of detergent and even a lightweight laundry bag can be really useful for keeping your clean and dirty clothes separate.
It is also a good idea to bring some US dollars for things like taxis and tipping, as not everywhere accepts card payments.
Before you travel, make sure you check the Disney Cruise website for prohibited items so nothing important gets taken away at security.
Our Cruise Itinerary and Port Experiences
One of the biggest reasons this cruise felt worth the price was the itinerary itself. Visiting four different destinations in one trip added so much value and variety.
Cozumel, Mexico
This was our first time visiting Mexico and we decided to book a beach day pass through GetYourGuide at San Francisco Beach Club, which cost around £15 per person.
This included access to water inflatables, kayaks, paddle boards, float mats, snorkelling equipment, a swimming pool, and a beautiful white sandy beach with no rocks. There were also lounge chairs, umbrellas, WiFi, bathrooms, showers and changing rooms included. I had seen some mixed reviews online, but we genuinely had a great experience and I would absolutely recommend it. Taxis to and from the beach cost around $20 each way.
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman was slightly different as the ship cannot dock directly, so you take a smaller boat to reach the island. This was very well organised and actually added to the experience.
From there, we took a bus to Seven Mile Beach which cost $6 per person each way. The beach itself was absolutely stunning and we spent the entire day there. This is definitely one of the best beaches we have visited.
Jamaica
Jamaica was my favourite stop. While the port area itself is nice, it is quite limited, so I would strongly recommend heading outside of the port if you want to properly experience the island.
You can book excursions through Disney, but you can also use platforms like GetYourGuide if you prefer to plan independently.
Castaway Cay, Bahamas
Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island and it is honestly one of the highlights of the entire cruise.
It is absolutely beautiful and one of the best things is that food is included on the island, so there is no need to go back onto the ship during the day. It is such a relaxing and well organised experience.
Onboard Experiences and Entertainment on Disney Treasure
The onboard experience is easily one of the biggest highlights of a Disney Cruise, and there is genuinely so much to do that it is almost impossible to fit everything in.
We watched three shows during our cruise, including Moana, which was easily the standout. The way they brought a story centred around water to life on stage was incredibly impressive and it honestly felt like something you would expect to see in the West End. We also watched Beauty and the Beast, which was equally well done. The quality of these productions is one of the things that really sets Disney Cruise apart.
Beyond the theatre shows, there is constant entertainment happening all around the ship. From fun games and deck activities to themed parties, there is always something going on. One of the standout moments for younger guests was the pyjama party, along with activities like Stitch themed goo, which was a huge hit.
The kids clubs are another major highlight and are beautifully designed with incredible attention to detail. There are themed spaces throughout, and at one point there was even a large Incredibles themed inflatable obstacle course, which gives you an idea of the level of effort that goes into creating these experiences.
Food is another big part of the experience, with a huge variety of options available throughout the day. The immersive dining experiences were particularly memorable, especially at the Coco themed restaurant and the Worlds of Marvel restaurant. These are not just meals, they are interactive experiences that really add something special to the cruise.
There are also multiple pools to choose from, along with water slides and designated adults only areas for those looking for a quieter space. Across the top decks, there are plenty of loungers available and towels are provided, so there is no need to bring your own.
Character meet and greets take place throughout the day and are very easy to plan using the Disney Cruise app. The app quickly becomes your best friend on board, showing you exactly where to go for events, activities, and character appearances.
In terms of what is included, there is a huge amount covered within the price. Food, entertainment, kids clubs and most activities are all included. There are some additional costs such as the spa, alcoholic drinks and certain specialty dining options, but these are entirely optional.
Overall, there is always something happening on board, whether that is eating, relaxing, watching a show or taking part in activities, which makes it very easy to stay busy for the entire cruise.
Important Things to Know Before You Go
There are a few things that can make your Disney Cruise experience much smoother.
It is a really good idea to bring some US dollars with you, especially for taxis, as not everywhere accepts card payments and you may be told cash only.
When getting off the ship, you are usually asked to bring a form of photo ID. I personally recommend bringing your driving licence rather than your passport. I kept my passport locked safely in the cabin and used my driving licence instead.
WiFi is available on board but it is quite expensive. If you do not need full access, you can use the free messaging service to stay in touch with family through apps like WhatsApp.
Joining a Facebook group for your specific sailing can be helpful for meeting people or sharing tips, although we personally did not do this as my daughter had no problem making friends on board.
Disney Cruise Gratuities Explained
Gratuities are something to factor into your budget when planning a Disney Cruise, as they are not always included in the initial price.
For our 7 night sailing, gratuities were automatically allocated across key crew members including our server, assistant server, head server and stateroom host. These are split across your stay and added to your onboard account unless you have prepaid them in advance.
For our cruise, the gratuities were broken down as follows:
Server: $73.50
Assistant Server: $59.50
Head Server: $17.50
Stateroom Host: $73.50
This brought the total gratuities to $224 for the duration of the cruise.
It is important to note that these are suggested amounts set by Disney Cruise Line. You are able to adjust this amount if you wish, depending on your preference.
Disney Cruise Placeholder Discount Explained
One of the best ways to save money on a future Disney Cruise is by booking a placeholder while you are still on board. This is something we have done multiple times now and it is such a simple way to get a discount.
A Disney Cruise Line placeholder is essentially an open ended booking where you pay a $250 deposit per stateroom through the Disney Cruise Navigator app while you are on the ship. This deposit is fully refundable if you decide not to use it.
The main benefit is that it gives you 10 percent off a future cruise that departs within 24 months. You do not need to choose your dates straight away, which makes it really flexible.
There are a few conditions to be aware of. One member of your original party must be on the future booking for the discount to apply. The offer can only be used once per household per sailing and it applies to standard stateroom categories, not concierge or suites.
We actually booked another placeholder on this cruise because we already know we want to go again.
Final Thoughts: Is a Disney Cruise Worth It
We have now done four nights on the Disney Dream, five nights on the Disney Magic, and seven nights on the Disney Treasure, and I can confidently say that seven nights felt perfect.
It gave us enough time to fully explore the ship, enjoy all of the entertainment, and experience multiple destinations without feeling rushed.
Yes, it is expensive, especially when you factor in flights, but when you look at everything included and the overall experience, it genuinely feels worth it.
For us, it felt like multiple holidays in one.
We have already booked another placeholder and are hoping to do the Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Destiny next year.
