Making Memories at Sea: Tips for a Multigenerational Disney Cruise

Are you thinking about taking a multigenerational cruise? Traveling with family across generations is such a special way to make lasting memories, but it can also come with a few extra challenges. You might have the hang of cruising with your kids, but planning a trip that includes Grandma and Grandpa often brings a few new things to consider.

In 2022, my sister and I sailed with our mom on the Disney Fantasy. Since we had booked a guaranteed stateroom, we didn’t get to choose our exact location. Mom was used to smaller ships like Royal Caribbean’s Grandeur of the Seas, so the size of the Fantasy was a big adjustment. Our room was an aft-facing verandah stateroom, which meant quite a bit of walking to reach the dining rooms, pool, spa, and shows. Depending on your group’s needs, choosing a midship location on decks 7 or 8 can make things easier. When you work with me as your Travel Advisor, I take all of this into account to help you find the most convenient and comfortable stateroom for your family.

It’s also worth thinking about the layout and accessibility of your stateroom. The height of bathtubs, beds, and other furnishings can make a difference for older family members. Disney Cruise Line offers helpful items like transfer benches, shower stools, and raised toilet seats to make the room more comfortable and familiar for those who need them.

Your itinerary matters too. Some ports require guests to use a tender to get ashore, which can be difficult for anyone with mobility challenges. While crew members can assist, it’s not always possible to transfer safely with a wheelchair or mobility device. If someone in your family uses one, it’s best to look for itineraries that dock directly at the pier. When the ship docks alongside the port, the gangway has only a gentle incline, making it much easier to get on and off.

Excursions are another area where planning ahead pays off. Disney Cruise Line partners with Accessible Travel Solutions to offer Port Adventures that are designed with accessibility in mind. These excursions visit step-free routes, wheelchair-friendly beaches, and easy-to-navigate historic sites and towns. If those options aren’t available at your port, review the activity level and duration of each excursion to make sure it suits everyone in your group.

When we stopped in Jamaica during our 2022 sailing, we visited Dunn’s River Falls because every time Mom talked about Jamaica, she mentioned wanting to see them again. With a little research, we found a spot where she could relax and watch my sister and me climb. It turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip and a moment I’ll never forget.

Cruising with multiple generations takes a little more planning, but the shared experiences and lasting memories make it all worthwhile.

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