These two lines sit at opposite ends of the cruise spectrum, and that makes the choice easy. Virgin Voyages is exclusively for adults 18+; Disney Cruise Line is built around families and character experiences. If you're travelling with kids, Disney is the obvious (if expensive) choice. If you're a couple or adult group — even Disney-loving adults — Virgin Voyages delivers far more included value at a significantly lower fare, with no children on board.
| Feature | Virgin Voyages | Disney Cruise Line |
|---|---|---|
| Adults Only | Yes — 18+ only, no exceptions | No — family-focused; adults-only areas exist but children are everywhere on board |
| Typical Fare Level | Premium but competitive — often comparable to mainstream lines once inclusions are counted | Among the highest in mainstream cruising — often roughly double comparable lines |
| Dining Included | All 20+ restaurants, no cover charges | Rotational main dining included; adult specialty restaurants (Palo, Remy) cost extra |
| Alcohol | A la carte via shareable Bar Tab with bonus value; no 18% per-drink gratuity | Not included — per drink plus automatic gratuity; no unlimited drink package |
| Wi-Fi | Basic Starlink Wi-Fi included | Not included — paid plans by usage or day |
| Gratuities | $20 USD/day prepaid ($22 on board) | Approximately $16+ USD/day suggested per guest, plus gratuities on drinks and spa |
| Casino | Yes — full casino on board | No casinos on any Disney ship |
| Entertainment | Immersive adult performances, DJs, Scarlet Night | Character meet-and-greets, Broadway-style family musicals, fireworks at sea |
| Dress Code | No formal nights | Cruise casual; optional dress-up nights (pirate night, semi-formal on longer sailings) |
| Ship Size | ~2,770 guests (4 identical sister ships) | Approximately 2,500-4,000 guests depending on class |
This is the easiest comparison on this site because the two lines barely overlap. Disney Cruise Line is engineered for families: rotational dining where your servers follow you between themed restaurants, character breakfasts, kids clubs that genuinely rival theme parks, and fireworks at sea. It does all of this brilliantly — and charges accordingly.
Virgin Voyages is engineered for adults: nobody under 18, no character parades, no kids splashing in the pool. Instead you get 20+ included restaurants, a casino, late-night DJs, a tattoo parlour, and an atmosphere closer to a boutique hotel than a theme park.
The one genuine overlap: adults who love Disney but want a grown-up holiday. Disney's adults-only districts, pools, and restaurants are lovely, but you're still sharing elevators, pool decks, and theatres with thousands of children. If a fully kid-free ship is the goal, only one of these lines delivers it.
Disney is typically one of the most expensive mainstream cruise lines afloat, and the weak Canadian dollar amplifies that. A 7-night Caribbean sailing for two adults in a balcony cabin on Disney can easily run approximately CAD $7,000-$10,000+, while a comparable Virgin Voyages Sea Terrace often comes in around CAD $4,500-$6,000 — with more included.
Both lines sail Caribbean itineraries from Florida, an easy direct flight from Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver. For Alaska, Virgin sails from Vancouver on Brilliant Lady — no U.S. flight required — while Disney's Alaska sailings also depart Vancouver seasonally, one of the few things the lines share. Compare current fares on the voyages page or estimate your total with the cost calculator.
Not sure which line is right for you?
Sean sells both Virgin Voyages and Disney Cruise Line. He'll give you an honest recommendation based on your group.