I’m about to say something controversial to the Disney World fans out there…sometimes a Disney cruise can be BETTER than a theme park vacation!

It’s a completely different vibe from Disney World, yes, and sometimes that vibe works SO much better for your family. Today, we’re breaking down the perks that could make a Disney Cruise Line vacation better than a trip to Disney World.

The Food Situation

We’ve got to start off this list by discussing one of our favorite things…Disney food! And let’s be honest here, the food situation on Disney Cruise Line is WAY less stressful than it is in Disney World. On a Disney Cruise, you’ll be automatically assigned a rotational dining time, and at that time, you just show up at the evening’s scheduled restaurant, and there will be a table ready for you.

The restaurants vary in theme and experience (and sometimes in quality), but you’ll usually get a lovely sit-down meal in a fun atmosphere. Each of the Disney Cruise Line ships also has at least one rotational dining restaurant that offers a dinner show or interactive experience. You’ll be seated with the same people each night (you may have to sit with another party if you’re in a smaller group) and served by the same wait staff. By the end of the cruise, your servers will likely know your name AND your beverage order, which never ceases to amaze us.

There are also buffet restaurants on each ship that are open for all three meals, as well as quick order-at-the-counter spots on the pool decks. Each ship is also home to at least one fancy dining experience available to reserve in advance. If you want to eat during your cruise, you can pretty much do so at any hour of the day!

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Not Having to Be on Your Phone Constantly

One thing that has gotten annoying if you’ve been to Disney World in the past 5-10 years is that you have to be on your phone seemingly ALL THE TIME. From navigating the increasingly complex Lightning Lane system to checking wait times to Mobile Ordering food, there are a multitude of reasons to use the My Disney Experience app throughout the day.

But on a Disney cruise? You can put your phone away for a little bit! When cruising for vacation, our team typically only uses our phones to check the schedules in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or to message other members of our party. Outside of that, it’s a lovely phone-free vacation, folks!

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Room Service

We could’ve included this in the dining point above, but we figured it needed its own separate mention. On a Disney cruise, there is 24/7 room service available, you guys! And the best news? Most of the items on the menu are included in your cruise cost.

One of the best room service features is continental breakfast, which is available daily from 7AM to 10AM. You can order either by placing the room service order card outside your room before 3AM or by calling the room service line from your stateroom phone during the hours of service. For room service, the other 21 hours of the day, simply order from the phone in your stateroom.

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Legitimately Traveling the World

As much as we love exploring the World Showcase at EPCOT and experiencing the cultures of other countries in a modified version, actually traveling the world is better. The greatest joy of a Disney cruise is that you can get all that Disney magic while actually sailing to other countries and setting foot in new places during your port days.

In each of these locations, you’re not required to get off the ship, but if you do, you can explore on your own or book a port adventure. Port adventures can be adventure-based, cultural, food-related, or historical in nature…whatever fits your desires most!

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More Flexibility with Kids

In recent years, it seems that more and more parents of small children are choosing Disney Cruise Line vacations. Why? There’s SO much flexibility for your littles! Instead of feeling like you have to rope drop the parks and stay until fireworks, you can plan your entire day — and even your entire trip — to fit around your kids’ schedules.

Need to take a midday nap? Great! Your stateroom is right there, and if you book a Verandah room, the grownups can sit on the balcony and read, relax, or enjoy the waves. Want to meet characters? Awesome! You can book offerings like the Royal Gathering through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and schedule those things in advance to fit your plans.

And perhaps the best part of a Disney cruise for kids is the kids’ clubs! They have the Oceaneer Club for little kids, as well as Edge and Vibe for tweens and teens. Drop your children off at these spaces dedicated just for them, and you’ll get the chance to have some adults-only time throughout your trip.

For your tiny tots, Disney Cruise Line ships also have the “it’s a small world” Nursery, which is a paid offering that can be reserved in advance for those under age 3.

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The Ability to Relax Guilt-Free

Finally, we’ve got to mention one of our favorite parts about a Disney cruise — getting to relax guilt-free! When you’re in Disney World, there’s this unspoken pressure to “do it all,” running from ride to ride, trying to make the most of your Lightning Lanes and your park tickets purchased for each day of your trip. A big benefit of a cruise is that there’s less to do (limited by the size of the ship), and that gives you real time to relax.

It’s a lot easier to accomplish everything you’d like to do on a cruise, especially if you book a longer one. But with pools aplenty, a spa, lounges, snacks abounding, and a cozy stateroom at sea, you can quell the need to relax just as easily.

Did that convince you to book a Disney cruise? It sure convinced me! If you’re in need of some relaxation, this kind of vacation is just the ticket.

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Which vacation type do you prefer? Let us know in the comments!