Disney Cruise Line was recognized as No. 1 in the Large-Ship Cruise Lines for Families category in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2012, making it the fourth consecutive year to be ranked in the top spot. In addition to taking top honors for its family cruise experience, this is the eighth consecutive year Disney Cruise Line has been ranked among the top five Large-Ship Cruise Lines overall in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards readers’ survey.

The annual “World’s Best” list recognizes the best in travel for hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, airlines, car-rental agencies, spas, and tour operators and safari outfitters. Winners were selected by readers who participated in a survey and rated cruise lines on criteria including cabins, food, service, itineraries and destinations, activities and value.

“We are honored that the readers of Travel + Leisure have recognized Disney Cruise Line as the ‘World’s Best’ for families and as one of the top cruise lines overall,” said Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line. “Our cast and crew members are passionate about surprising our guests with a magical experience at sea and exceeding their expectations, and that is why families return to Disney Cruise Line again and again.”

Disney Cruise Line pioneered the family market in the cruise industry, providing a unique vacation experience where families can reconnect, adults can recharge and children can immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create. The fleet has grown to four ships, enabling guests to sail to more destinations with Disney than ever before and making it easier than ever for guests to sail from a port close to their own backyard.

The newest ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy, which debuted in 2011 and 2012, are designed by renowned Disney Imagineers with ingenuity and cutting-edge technologies that make guest experiences even more magical, including:

  • Aqua Duck, the cruise industry’s first-ever onboard water coaster
  • Enchanted Art that magically comes to life as guests pass by, including an opportunity for guests to help The Muppets solve “The Case of the Stolen Show”
  • Magical Portholes that offer inside staterooms a real-time view outside the ship via high-definition cameras, with animated characters that pop up as a surprise
  • Animation Magic in Animator’s Palate restaurant allows guests of all ages to become animators for the night.


Disney Cruise Line has received more than 100 distinguished awards and recognitions from the travel industry since first setting sail in 1998. These awards have included all aspects of the operation from dining and entertainment, to youth activities and spa facilities.