Disney Destiny with a Baby: My Honest Review
Written By: Payton Rudolph, Senior Travel Advisor
Cruising on the Disney Destiny with our 8-month-old daughter, Georgia, was such a special experience. It was truly one of the easiest ways to travel as a young family. From start to finish, Disney made so many details feel seamless, allowing us to focus on soaking up time together.
Smooth Sailing from the Start
We added a pre-cruise stay at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina, which was quick and convenient after a late flight. But where Disney really shines is transportation to the port the next morning. Once we boarded to Disney’s motorcoach (prearranged and prepaid), everything felt effortless. Luggage handling, port arrival, and embarkation were incredibly smooth… we practically walked right onto the ship before 11:30 AM.
A Stateroom Made for Families
Our verandah stateroom was spotless, thoughtfully set up, and surprisingly functional for traveling with a baby. A pack ‘n play and diaper genie were ready upon arrival (as requested), and the split bathroom made getting ready so much easier. Even with baby gear like our SlumberPod, we were still able to enjoy the balcony but we did have to climb on the couch to get to the balcony. Next time, we may consider the larger stateroom.
Dining & Service Highlights
Dining on Disney Cruise Line is always an experience, and while the food didn’t blow us away, the service absolutely did. Our servers went above and beyond for Georgia. By night two, they had fresh berries and purees waiting for her.
Our favorite meal was at Worlds of Marvel (hello, chicken schnitzel), and we loved the variety of quick-service options by the pool (especially the tacos from Donald’s Cantina). Meals with a baby can be unpredictable, but the staff made it feel easy and welcoming.
Entertainment (Baby Edition)
Because it was just us three on this trip, and no grandparents to help, we adjusted our expectations knowing Georgia would set the pace. The good news is that Disney made that doable. The It’s a Small World Nursery was a great option for short stretches, and we loved catching parts of shows like Hercules and Frozen (even if we didn’t always make it to the end!).
Character interactions were a highlight. Meeting Moana, Loki, Tiana, and Jack Sparrow felt incredibly personal. They LOVED Georgia and always took their time to chat with us.
Beach Days Done Right
Both of Disney’s private island stops were beautiful and easy to navigate with a little one. We especially loved Castaway Cay for its relaxing vibe and stunning views. These stops were perfect for low-key beach time, splash pad time, and sneaking in a nap back on the ship.
The Overall Experience
What stood out most was how family-friendly every part of this cruise felt. The ship was spotless, the Cast Members were warm and attentive, and there was an ease to everything that’s hard to replicate on other vacations.
Is it the right fit for everyone? If you’re a major foodie or looking for adult entertainment and casinos, it may not check every box. But for families (especially those with little ones) this is such a magical, low-stress way to travel.
And while we absolutely loved this trip as a family of three… next time, we might just bring the grandparents along so we can sneak in a little more adult time, too.
