Disney Cruise Line vs Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian: what each includes, costs and scores

How much more does a Disney cruise cost?

A lot. Cruise Critic priced a three-night Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral on Disney at $1,993 for two, against $770 for a comparable three-night sailing from Miami on Royal Caribbean, read on 9 September 2026. A seven-night Disney Treasure inside stateroom started at $4,645 for two, about $660 a night.

Carnival sits lower again. The Points Guy's 2023 comparison found a week on Carnival's Mardi Gras from $909 for two in an inside cabin, against $5,171 for the same itinerary on the Disney Fantasy, for July 2024 sailings. Those are old fares, but the size of the gap is the point.

Disney's own current fares by ship are on our cost guide.

What does each line include in the fare?

Each line's own terms, or the most recent guide where the line does not publish them plainly:

Disney's column is its own FAQ. Royal Caribbean's comes from its own guide to what the fare includes, plus Royal Caribbean Blog's July 2026 note of its gratuity. Carnival's and Norwegian's are Eat Sleep Cruise's 2025 and 2026 guides, with Norwegian's Free at Sea terms from its own site.

Norwegian's Free at Sea is the big exception. On fares that include it, Norwegian's site lists an unlimited open bar for guests 21 and over, specialty dining meals by cruise length, 150 minutes of Wi-Fi and a $50 excursion credit, with gratuities prepaid. Guests aged 3 to 20 in the first two berths get soda and juice instead.

Does the drinks difference change the maths?

For people who drink, yes. Disney sells no unlimited package, and cocktails run mostly $12 to $15 plus an 18% gratuity, according to Eat Sleep Cruise's reading of the Disney Destiny menus. Norwegian's open bar, bought on board rather than in Free at Sea, is $45 a person a day plus 20%, according to Norwegian.

For families who do not, it runs the other way. Disney's free soft drinks save the soda packages the other three sell, and children's drinks add up over a week.

Which line has the cleanest ships?

Disney, on the CDC's own inspections. We averaged every ship's latest score on the CDC's Green Sheet on 15 September 2026:

The CDC treats 85 or lower as not satisfactory, so one Norwegian ship was below the line. The full table and the outbreak record are on our CDC scores page.

Which cruise line should you choose?

• Disney for families with young children, Disney fans, and anyone who wants no casino and the gentlest ships. You pay for it.
• Royal Caribbean for teenagers and thrill-seekers, with kids' and teen programmes included and more to do on board than on a Disney ship.
• Carnival for the lowest fare, on livelier ships with a casino.
• Norwegian for adults who drink, on a fare that includes Free at Sea.

The Points Guy's comparison puts it plainly: both Disney and Carnival are family lines, but Disney has the resort feel without the casino and with more dedicated space for children. For what people dislike about Disney specifically, see Disney cruise downsides.