Looking to experience Star Wars without a boarding group, at least not a challenging Rise of the Resistance one? Disney Cruise Line has you covered. In 2021 in a galaxy not so far away, the Disney Fantasy will again host Star Wars Day at Sea. Next year will also see the ocean fleet depart from New Orleans, Louisiana as well as California, Texas and Florida. And Adventures by Disney will continue its partnership with AmaWaterways to offer magical river cruises in Europe including a chance to see the Disney Wish being built in Germany.

Disney Cruise Line Star Wars Day at Sea 2021

For the sixth year in a row, Disney will bring Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, Stormtroopers, Bounty Hunters, Jawas and more to the Caribbean aboard its seven-night sailings on the Disney Fantasy embarking from Port Canaveral, Florida.

C-3PO at Star Wars Day at Sea, Copyright Jason Leppert
C-3PO at Star Wars Day at Sea, Copyright Jason Leppert

As before, one special day on each of nine themed sailings will feature character meet-and-greets, family-friendly activities like facing Darth Vader and Kylo Ren in “Jedi Training: Trials of the Temple” and dramatic live shows such as the sensational “Summon the Force” deck party and fireworks display.

What’s more, events extend to special dining and merchandise, costume celebrations, film screenings, trivia sessions and the Star Wars Drawing Academy, as well as a playful Porg-themed adventure.

, Star Wars Leads Disney Cruise Lines Ocean and River Cruises for 2021
Copyright Disney Cruise Line (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

From January through March, itineraries will head to the Star Wars universe and the Eastern and Western Caribbean including stops at Disney’s signature private island of Castaway Cay.

Western Caribbean cruises will depart on January 2, 16 and 30; and February 13 and 27 to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica and Castaway Cay. Eastern Caribbean sailings will leave on January 9 and 23; and February 20 including Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. And another Eastern itinerary on February 6 will encompass St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay.

Disney Cruise Line New Orleans 2021

Continuing the narrative of New Orleans from the Big Easy itself will again be the Disney Wonder with its fan-favorite Tiana’s Place restaurant and newly added French Quarter Lounge, both inspired by the animated film The Princess and the Frog.

, Star Wars Leads Disney Cruise Lines Ocean and River Cruises for 2021
Copyright Disney Cruise Line (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

During late January through February, there will be a four-night and a five-night Western Caribbean voyage, with the longer calling on Progreso, Mexico for the line’s first time. Another three seven-night cruises will head to the Bahamas showcasing Castaway Cay. As a bonus, a 14-night Panama Canal cruise will also take to the high seas.

Disney Cruise Line Texas and California 2021

The Disney Wonder will also depart from the popular ports of Galveston, Texas and San Diego, California in early 2021. Those from the Lone Star State will set sail towards Grand Cayman and Cozumel on four- and six-night Western Caribbean cruises. A singular seven-night route will highlight Key West, Nassau and Castaway Cay.

, Star Wars Leads Disney Cruise Lines Ocean and River Cruises for 2021
Copyright Disney Cruise Line (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

From America’s Finest City, the Disney Wonder will additionally set a course for Baja and the Mexican Riviera, specifically Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada on three- to seven-night outings.

Disney Cruise Line Florida 2021

With Walt Disney World in Port Canaveral’s backyard, departures will naturally continue to depart from Florida,  with sailing stopping at Castaway Cay. Sister ship to the Disney Wonder, Disney Magic will embark on three-, four- and five-night Bahamian and Western Caribbean voyages from Miami. Meanwhile, the Disney Fantasy will head out on seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Port Canaveral, and its sister Disney Dream will journey on three- and four-night Bahamian sailings from Port Canaveral as well.

, Star Wars Leads Disney Cruise Lines Ocean and River Cruises for 2021
Copyright Disney Cruise Line (David Roark, photographer)

Disney Cruise Line Adventures by Disney 2021

Not only is Adventures by Disney returning to offer more exciting river cruises, but it is also creatively doing so at the crossroads of oceanic Disney Cruise Line in 2021. Those guests sailing along the Rhine River will have the opportunity to visit the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany to witness the construction of the upcoming new Disney Wish. For an added fee, this very rare chance will be made even more magical thanks to a Disney Imagineer leading the exclusive tour.

Disney Fantasy under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Copyright Jason Leppert
Disney Fantasy under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, Copyright Jason Leppert

Select shipyard sailings are part of 30 total cruises that Disney will offer on the rivers next year along the Rhine as well as Danube, Rhone and Seine — all escorted by expert Adventure Guides. Family-friendly varieties will visit the likes of Austria, Switzerland, France, Germany, Slovakia, Hungary and the Netherlands; and experiences will entail everything from a toboggan ride a la the Matterhorn Bobsleds and seeing the land of The Sound of Music to truffle hunting, Roman aqueduct kayaking and checking out Monet’s House and Gardens.

Alternatively, adult-only itineraries will feature Oktoberfest, special food and wine experiences and Christmas Markets.

Plus, pre- and post-cruise extensions add extras such as a Paris Escape (dinner in the Eiffel Tower, culinary tour, Louvre Museum), Amsterdam Escape (canal cruise, Jordaan neighborhood, Van Gogh Museum) and Budapest Escape (Hungarian food, tuk-tuk ride, Budapest Opera House performance). Extensions can also be reserved as standalone getaways.

What do you think about these new ocean and river cruise options from Disney? Do you plan to hop aboard? Tell us in the comments section below…


Disneyland’s Best Ticket Deal is Back for a Limited Time!

, Star Wars Leads Disney Cruise Lines Ocean and River Cruises for 2021

3-Day Disneyland Resort tickets for travel now through May 21, 2020 are available at a $106 savings on each adult ticket and $86 savings on any child (ages 3-9) ticket! It is only valid for residents who live in ZIP codes 90000-93599. Residency will be verified at time of booking and government photo ID is required to use the tickets at the parks.

Here’s the best part . . . we have them cheaper and can be combined with hotel discounts and an additional $10 off using the “micechat” discount code (on 3 night stays) – Shop the SoCal Resident Special HERE

Not a SoCal resident? Our partners at Get Away Today help you save money on Disney theme park tickets and travel packages. For Discounted theme park tickets, hotel, airfare, and travel packages to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal, Knott’s Berry Farm and other family vacation destinations, always start HERE: Get Away Today (When calling, mention MiceChat so you get your special rates and deals!). 


What do YOU think? 

See any 2021 Disney Cruise Line sailings that interest you? Have you done one of the Star Wars cruises? Ready to get away? 

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Jason Leppert
Jason Leppert is a dedicated Disney fanboy and cruise travel journalist with over 175 sailings under his belt and a fresh, youthful perspective on the cruise industry. He has been cruising – and more importantly, visiting Disneyland – since before he was even two years old thanks to his parents’ shared passion for traveling and their desire to experience all journeys together as a family. He now explores the world with his beautiful wife and fellow Disney aficionado Heidi by his side. Jason is the founding editor of PopularCruising.com and regular producer of videos for the Popular Cruising YouTube channel, as well as cruise editor at TravelAge West. He also contributes to Cruise Critic and Porthole magazine. You can follow him at the following social media networks: YouTube, TwitterFacebook, Instagram