2023 Disney Cruise Schedule – Sail Dates, Ports & More

LAST UPDATE: 9/11/23

Itineraries for 2023 Disney Cruises are listed below, along with the complete 2023 Disney Cruise Line schedule.

If you’re thinking about taking a Disney Cruise in 2023, you may also want to read our comprehensive Disney Cruise discount guide and Disney Cruise planning tips pages.

Jump to:

• 2023 Itineraries
• Get On the Early Booking List
• 2023 Holiday Cruises, Themed Cruise & Other Special Cruises
• 2023 Adventures by Disney Pre- and Post-Cruise Escape Packages
• 2023 Drydock Plans

Sailings for Winter/Spring 2023 (January through April/May) were announced on October 12, 2021, with the exception of Disney Wonder itineraries from January through March. They went on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on October 14, 2021, Gold members on October 15, Silver members and DVC members on October 18, and everyone else on October 21.

Sailings for Winter/Spring 2023 (January through early May) for the Disney Wonder were announced on February 15, 2022. They went on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on February 16, 2022, Gold members on February 17, Silver members on February 18 and everyone else on February 22.

Sailings for Summer 2023 (April/May through September) were announced on April 27, 2022. They went on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on May 2, 2022, Gold members on May 3, Silver members and DVC members on May 5, and everyone else on May 9.

Sailings for Fall/Winter 2023 (October through December) were announced on July 21, 2022. They went on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on July 25, 2022, Gold members on July 26, Silver members, DVC members & Adventure Insiders on July 27, and everyone else on July 28.

Disney Wonder Australia & New Zealand cruises for late 2023 & early 2024 were announced on September 22, 2022. They went on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on September 25, 2022, Gold members on September 26, Silver members, DVC members & Adventure Insiders on September 27, and everyone else on September 28. (Note that those are US dates, and sales begin each day at 6 pm Eastern; in Australia it’s one calendar day later at 8 am because of the international date line.)

Disney Wonder Transpacific cruises for late 2023 & early 2024 were announced on September 11, 2022. They go on sale for Platinum Castaway Club members on October 10, 2022, Gold members on October 11, Silver members, DVC members & Adventure Insiders on October 12, and everyone else on October 13.

Pixar Day at Sea 2023 cruise dates (January through March) were announced on January 25, 2022.

Marvel Day at Sea 2023 cruise dates (January through March) were announced on January 26, 2022.

Disney Cruise 2023 Itineraries

Jump to:

• Disney Wish
• Disney Fantasy
• Disney Dream
• Disney Wonder
• Disney Magic

Disney Wish

The Disney Wish sails 3-night and 4-night Bahamian cruises from Port Canaveral, visiting Nassau and Castaway Cay.

Complete 2023 Disney Wish Cruise Schedule

Disney Fantasy

The Disney Fantasy sails 7-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral, with two 8-night Bermuda cruises and a few scattered Bahamian cruises in 2023.

New for 2023, Pixar Day at Sea will be held on select 7-night Disney Fantasy cruises from January through March. 

Complete 2023 Disney Fantasy Cruise Schedule

Disney Dream

Schedule in a nutshell:

• January – early May: Miami — 4- to 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises, then across the Atlantic to Barcelona
• Mid-May – mid-July: Barcelona/Civitavecchia — 7- to 11-night Mediterranean cruises, then reposition to Southampton
• Late July – mid-September: Southampton/Copenhagen — 4- to 11-night Northern European cruises, then back across the Atlantic to New York
• Late September – early November: New York — 4- to 6-night Bermuda and Canadian cruises, then reposition to Fort Lauderdale via San Juan, Puerto Rico, with one Southern Caribbean cruise in between from San Juan
• Mid November – December: Fort Lauderdale — 4- and 5-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean cruises

Complete 2023 Disney Dream Cruise Schedule

Disney Wonder

Schedule in a nutshell:

• January – early May: San Diego — 3- to 7-night Baja cruises
• Mid-May – early September: Vancouver — 5- to 9-night Alaskan cruises, then across the Pacific to Sydney via Hawaii
• October – December: Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne & Auckland — Australia and New Zealand cruises

Complete 2023 Disney Wonder Cruise Schedule

Disney Magic

Schedule in a nutshell:

• January – Mid February: Galveston — 4- to 7-night Western Caribbean Cruises
• Late February – Mid April: New Orleans — 4- to 7-night Western Caribbean Cruises
• Early May: San Juan — 7- and 8-night Southern Caribbean Cruises
• Late May – September: Miami — 3- to 7-night Caribbean and Bahamian Cruises, with three Double Dips, then through the Panama Canal to San Diego
• Late September – Early December: San Diego — 2- to 7-night Mexico cruises, then back through the Panama Canal to Galveston 

Complete 2023 Disney Magic Cruise Schedule

Get On the Early Booking List

Interested in booking a cruise for a date or itinerary that hasn’t been announced yet? You can submit a booking request for a Disney cruise, even before Disney Cruise Line releases the schedule. Save yourself some stress and fill out the Small World Vacations Wait List form in advance and they’ll book your preferred cruise the first day you are eligible, at no cost to you! Plus, you can get up to $1000 in FREE onboard credit courtesy of Small World Vacations! (All staterooms and cruises are subject to availability at the time of booking.)

Disney Cruise Line announces their cruise dates and itineraries for only a few months at a time: January through April, then May through September and finally, September through December. Once the new itineraries come out, booking begins just a day or two later, first to Castaway Club members (people who’ve been on a previous Disney cruise) and then to the general public.

The people who book earliest almost always get the lowest possible price. Sometimes there will be last-minute deals via the restricted guarantee fares or Florida Resident fares, but only a small percentage of cruises ever have those fares, and those fares aren’t always cheaper than opening day fares. In addition, early bookers get first dibs on staterooms, making it the best way to land one of the hardest-to-get staterooms like the Secret Porthole and Secret Verandah rooms. Lots of people know about these advantages, so on the days the new itineraries become available for booking, both the phone lines and website get slammed.

There’s an easy way to avoid the scramble to book on the first day the bookings open: submit a request to Small World Vacations now. You just need basic information like where you want to go (Caribbean, Alaska, Norway, Europe, etc.), the date range you want, the kind of stateroom you want (inside, outside, verandah) and the names and ages of the people going. Let them know if you are a Castaway Club Member by including your Member Number and Level (Platinum, Gold or Silver). You can add other preferences or priorities as needed – early dining, lower deck, upper deck, not over a nightclub – whatever is important to you. Their agents will review your request, contact you to confirm they understand your priorities, and then you can relax and let your personal agent book your cruise when the time comes. Your agent will provide their email and direct phone number, so you can discuss your options and preferences.

On the day the itineraries become available for your Castaway Club level, your agent will be up bright and early while you sleep in (or go about your usual day). If Disney releases a cruise that fits your criteria, your agent will typically go ahead and put a hold in place, thus reserving your stateroom(s), then email you with your cruise details and deposit information. You’ll be able to have your choice of room type and location and will lock in the opening day price. If later on you decide to change rooms on the same sailing, Disney will give you the opening day price on the new room, even if the price has gone up in the intervening days or months. 

Even if you aren’t 100% sure whether you’re going to be able to go, there’s no real risk in getting a cruise booked early. Disney Cruise Line deposits for any stateroom types other than Concierge are fully refundable up to the Payment In Full date, which is 120-75 days before sailing, depending on the specific cruise and time of year. You have lots of time to figure out whether that cruise will work for you. If it doesn’t, you can get the deposit back or just transfer it to a different sailing date that works better.

The agents who handle cruise bookings for Small World Vacations have collectively sailed on more than 400 Disney cruises, and know a truly astonishing amount about all four ships, the various Disney ports of call, shore excursions and all the common itineraries (and many uncommon ones). Many of them are Platinum members of Disney’s Castaway Club, meaning that they have personally been on 10 or more Disney cruises! They’re happy to share their firsthand experience with the kids’ clubs, dining, character meets, entertainment, transportation, etc. In our experience, the travel agents at Small World Vacations are great at finding the best fares. They know all the tricks that will save you money, and they know the Disney Cruise Line inside and out. We’re confident that once you work with a really great travel agent, you’ll never want to book a cruise any other way. Read more about why we recommend using Small World Vacations to book your cruise!

2023 Holiday Cruises, Themed Cruises & Other Special Cruises

Jump to:

• Holiday Cruises
• Themed Cruises
• Double Dip Cruises
• Repositioning Cruises
• Unique Cruises
• Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages
• Disney Vacation Club Cruises

Holiday Cruises

Jump to: 

• Independence Day
• Halloween on the High Seas
• Thanksgiving
• Very Merrytime Cruises (Christmas)
• New Year’s Eve

Independence Day

On sailings that include July 4th, there is usually a special celebration with characters dressed in red, white and blue outfits. There has not been a special fireworks show in the past, but sometimes on sailings in the Caribbean or Bahamas they move pirate night to July 4th so they will have fireworks on Independence Day. (There is no pirate night or fireworks on sailings outside the Caribbean and Bahamas.)

Halloween on the High Seas

During this period there will be special Halloween events onboard, including Halloween-themed parties, storytellings, movies and elaborate décor, including The Pumpkin Tree, which magically transforms throughout the cruise. You will also find characters dressed in Halloween costumes, as well as a costume party for families and, just for adults, a costume contest and a Villainous Takeover on the dance floor in the nighttime entertainment district.

In the past there has not been any special menu for Halloween night itself, over and above what they do on all the Halloween themed cruises during the whole period, but there will be some special Halloween-themed treats.

Halloween on the High Seas takes place on the following sail dates:

• Disney Dream: October 3 – October 31
• Disney Fantasy: September 17 – October 28
• Disney Magic: September 11 – October 29
• Disney Wish: September 15 – October 30
• Disney Wonder: (Not yet announced)

Thanksgiving

In the past there has been a special menu on Thanksgiving Day, and pictures with Pilgrim Mickey and Minnie. The Christmas decorations will be fully up by Thanksgiving, and there will be a full set of holiday activities and events.

The following sailings include Thanksgiving Day (November 23, 2023).

• Disney Dream: 5-Night Western Caribbean on November 20
• Disney Fantasy: 7-Night Western Caribbean on November 18
• Disney Magic: 7-Night Mexican Riviera on November 18
• Disney Wish: 4-Night Bahamian on November 20
• Disney Wonder: 4-Night New Zealand on November 21 (note: since New Zealand & Australia don’t celebrate Thanksgiving, we don’t know if there will be a Thanksgiving Menu.)

Very Merrytime Cruises (Christmas)

Typically, Christmas decorations will be up from early November through the final New Year’s sailing, and there will be special holiday events during that whole period, including meet and greets with characters in special Christmas outfits. Some of the more elaborate Christmas decorations, including a huge, real gingerbread house, will not be up until later in November.

Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, will be transformed with “snow” flurries, a Christmas tree and more. Be on the lookout for Mr. and Mrs. Snowman, dressed in their island attire. Plus, the island’s tram is decorated to resemble a reindeer, complete with antlers and a tail.

Very Merrytime Christmas-themed cruises will be offered on sailings departing between the following dates:

• Disney Dream: November 20 – December 23
• Disney Fantasy: November 11 – December 23
• Disney Magic: November 13 – December 21
• Disney Wish: November 6 – December 22
• Disney Wonder: (Not yet announced)

There are unique special events and a special menu on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The following sailings include Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (December 24-25, 2023).

• Disney Dream: 5-Night Western Caribbean on December 23
• Disney Fantasy: 7-Night Eastern Caribbean on December 23
• Disney Magic: 6-Night Western Caribbean on December 21
• Disney Wish: 4-Night Bahamian on December 22
• Disney Wonder: 4-Night Australian on December 24

New Year’s Eve

There is a special party with countdown and balloon drop on New Year’s Eve.

The following sailings include New Year’s Eve (December 31, 2023).

• Disney Dream: 5-Night Bahamian Double-Dip on December 28
• Disney Fantasy: 7-Night Western Caribbean on December 30
• Disney Magic: 6-Night Western Caribbean on December 27
• Disney Wish: 4-Night Bahamian on December 29
• Disney Wonder: 6-Night Australian on December 28

Themed Cruises

Jump to:

• Pixar Day at Sea
• Marvel Day at Sea
• Silver Anniversary at Sea
• Star Wars Day at Sea

Pixar Day at Sea

New for 2023, Pixar Day at Sea will include a Pixar film festival; photo opportunities with Pixar characters; a character breakfast with Woody, Jesse and Bullseye (advance reservations are required); a theatrical performance based on Coco; a Pixar-themed dinner; a dance party with Pixar characters; and a new nighttime spectacular featuring the Incredibles.

Pixar Day at Sea will take place on select Disney Fantasy 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral in early 2023. The Eastern Caribbean cruises are January 7, 21; February 4, 18 and March 4. The Western Caribbean cruises are January 14, 28; February 11 and 25.  

Marvel Day at Sea

Marvel Day at Sea is a special all-day celebration of the Marvel Universe. Special features include multiple Marvel character meet-and-greets, Marvel-themed activities for families, Marvel movie screenings, a costume party, special merchandise and food, and an exclusive Marvel deck party. There is also an adults-only dance party with Star-Lord and Gamora.

New for 2023, there will be interactive training experiences with Captain America Steve Rogers, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Kate Bishop on the upper deck and in the kids’ clubs. Okoye, General of the Dora Milaje, will have recruits train with the Dora Milaje in “Warriors of Wakanda”,  an interactive experience for the whole family held in the atrium. Strange Academy: A Spellbinding Spectacular, a special show in the Walt Disney Theatre, will feature Doctor Strange, Agatha Harkness and Sorcerer Supreme Wong.

Marvel Day at Sea will take place on select Disney Dream 5-night Western Caribbean cruises from Miami on January 7, 16, 21, 30; February 4, 13, 18, 27 and March 4. 

Silver Anniversary at Sea

In 2023, to celebrate Disney Cruise Line’s 25th anniversary, select sailings from May through September will have specially-themed entertainment and activities. Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie will make appearances in new looks with multi-toned fabric in the signature color of the celebration: Shimmering Seas.

On one evening each cruise, guests can join their ship’s captain, cruise director, Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie in the atrium for an anniversary toast. 

There will be a special 25th anniversary fireworks show on most Bahamian, Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises featuring a new song. Silver Anniversary cruises will also have themed food and beverages, including special desserts and cocktails. All Castaway Club members who sail will receive a limited-edition framed art print in their stateroom

Silver Anniversary at Sea takes place on the following sail dates:

• Disney Dream: May 7 to September 17
• Disney Fantasy: May 6 to September 2
• Disney Magic: May 24 to September 4
• Disney Wish: May 1 to September 8 
• Disney Wonder: May 15 to September 11 

Star Wars Day at Sea

Star Wars Day at Sea cruises generally feature a full day of Star Wars celebrations, including a deck party, meet-and-greets with favorite characters, Star Wars-themed youth activities, at-sea screenings of Star Wars films, unique food and beverage offerings, and special merchandise. The night before Star Wars Day at Sea, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers march into the ship’s atrium for an Imperial takeover.

Guests are encouraged to bring their costumes and participate in the costume celebration held in the ship’s atrium. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique offers special makeovers on Star Wars Day at Sea. Kids ages 3-12 can transform into Rey, Kylo Ren, Leia and Poe. Adults and teens, can get a Rey makeover that includes a stylish dress, makeup and hair style or choose from one of four Star Wars-themed T-shirt options. All come with a personalized name tag, lanyard with medallion and magnet set.

No Star Wars Day at Sea dates have been announced for 2023. 

Double Dip Cruises

A “Double Dip” sailing is one that visits Castaway Cay twice on the same cruise. Many people (including us) feel the Castaway Cay day is the highlight of a Bahamian or Caribbean cruise, and this gives you a double dose! The Castaway Cay days are usually not consecutive. Most commonly you go first to Castaway Cay, then Nassau, then back to Castaway Cay. Both days follow the typical Castaway Cay schedule: off the ship at 8:30 am (depending on sea conditions), and all aboard at 4:45 pm. The same excursions and activities will be available both days, though if you want to do the same activity or book a cabana for both days, you’ll need to book each day separately. If you want, you can run the Castaway Cay 5K twice!

In the rare event that the ship visits Castaway Cay two days in a row, the ship will not stay docked overnight. It will leave the island at the usual time on the first day and come back the next morning.

Double Dip cruises scheduled so far for 2023:

• Disney Dream: April 10, December 28
• Disney Fantasy: July 8
• Disney Magic: June 19, August 19, September 25

Repositioning Cruises

Repositioning is when a cruise starts in one port and finishes in another. These cruises can be a good deal, as they usually are cheaper per night than conventional round-trip cruises. They also tend to go to more unusual locations. The longest repositioning cruises are the Panama Canal and Transatlantic cruises, which are almost always the cheapest cruises (per night) of the whole year.

Unique Cruises

Unique cruises have an itinerary that is different from other cruise itineraries that particular ship is sailing around that time. They either visit an unusual location or locations or visit a unique combination of common locations. Repositioning cruises are all unique as well.

Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages

2023 Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages have not yet been announced.

The Adventures by Disney Cruise Packages include 2 Adventures by Disney guides available onboard and in port; special VIP privileges; private onboard receptions; unique onshore activities; early debarkation at each port; all meals, snacks and water while in port; a photo CD with all ship photographer pictures, all Adventures by Disney guide photos and an Adventures by Disney slideshow.

Disney Vacation Club Cruises

Disney Cruise Line has announced one Disney Vacation Club (DVC) member cruise for 2023: a 4-night Bahamian cruise on September 4 on the Disney Wish.

DVC member cruises are only open to Disney Vacation Club members who have purchased at least some of their vacation points directly from Disney (rather than from another member via resale). Members can use their vacation points to book the cruise or can pay cash rates. Typically DVC cruises are significantly more expensive than similar cruises for the general public, but guests will be given a wide variety of DVC special gifts and will get to experience some exclusive member events including talks by special guests including artists, imagineers and/or actors from classic Disney movies.

Whether the DVC member cruise is worth booking is a personal judgment call. The extra events are difficult or impossible to experience any other way. The various DVC gifts are usually a mix of the usual kinds of tote bags, pens, and so forth you can get by attending a DVC meeting or buying a new DVC contract, plus at least a few special and unique items. Some people love the DVC member cruises and try to go on each one. Others go once and feel it’s not worth the extra money.

2023 Adventures by Disney Pre- and Post-Cruise Escape Packages

Adventure by Disney Pre- and Post-Cruise Escape Packages take place before and after select Disney Cruise Line sailings. These 2- to 3-night Escapes include 2 Adventure by Disney guides; hotel accommodations; multiple, daily excursions; special VIP privileges; all transportation during the trip and a photo CD with all the Adventure by Disney guide photos.

2023 Drydock Plans

No drydock plans have been officially announced for 2023 yet.