All Things Travel Podcast · Ryan Hedstrom and Julie Shaffer

Disney Cruise Lines vs Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines: Which is Better for Families?

·32 min·2 clips

Why Royal Caribbean's family activities often clash with early dining, leaving parents frustrated.

This episode compares Disney Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean for family vacations, hosted by travel advisors Julie and Ryan. Julie is a family travel specialist and Disney enthusiast, while Ryan brings broader cruise experience across multiple lines with older children. They aim to help listeners decide which cruise line better fits their family's specific needs and preferences. The hosts analyze entertainment, noting Royal Caribbean offers more adult-only options and varied shows like ice and water performances. Disney provides Broadway-style productions based on films like *Aladdin* and continuous movie screenings in dedicated theaters. For daily activities, Disney schedules frequent, varied family events like trivia, while Royal’s timing sometimes conflicts with early dining. Royal excels with immersive teen amenities like FlowRider and laser tag, especially on newer ships. Disney’s kids clubs feature highly themed Marvel and Star Wars areas with character interactions. Dining comparisons highlight Disney’s rotational themed restaurants and attentive service for children, whereas Royal’s main dining rooms are larger with static kids’ menus. Stateroom differences include Disney’s split bathrooms and bathtubs, which benefit families with young kids, while Royal’s room configurations and connecting options are more restrictive. Pool decks differ significantly, with Royal’s newer ships featuring expansive water parks and a lively party atmosphere, and Disney offering smaller, themed pools and continuous family-friendly movies. A surprising insight is that newer Royal ships like Icon and Utopia represent a major upgrade for families compared to older vessels in the fleet. Julie notes the mental load for parents is lighter on Disney, where all entertainment and environments are designed to be child-appropriate. The presence of a casino on Royal ships, sometimes in thoroughfares, contrasts with Disney’s character encounters and completely family-focused ambiance. Ryan emphasizes that Royal can cater to both adults and children simultaneously, making it strong for multigenerational trips. Julie observes that Disney’s smaller fleet means repeat passengers may see the same production shows multiple times. The hosts agree that for very young children, Disney often wins on entertainment and stateroom practicality, while Royal appeals more to older kids and teens with active attractions. The tone is conversational and advisory, blending personal anecdotes with practical comparisons from the hosts’ professional and family experiences. The style is educational, structured around specific categories like dining and accommodations to guide listener decision-making. Families with young children, especially those seeking a consistently child-friendly environment and Disney theming, would love this episode. Listeners planning adult-focused trips, multigenerational groups with varied interests, or those prioritizing vibrant nightlife and casinos might prefer to skip it.

As heard by us

The choice narrows fast once cabin layout and family needs take over.

This comparison treats Royal Caribbean and Disney Cruise Line as a family-fit question, not a simple winner-and-loser contest. It stays on the parts that actually change a trip: how each line works with kids, what dining feels like, and how cabin layout affects sleep, showers,…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Disney or Royal for your next family cruise?

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from All Things Travel Podcast