My 20 Best Disney Cruise Tips

Are you thinking about going on a Disney Cruise? Wondering if you should go on a Disney Cruise – the answer is yes, by the way. Either way, you’re in the right place for Disney Cruise tips. I’ve got you covered. I’m sharing some of my best Disney Cruise tips and tricks that will get you ready for what will be your most magical cruise ever.  Cruise Tips

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My 20 Best Disney Cruise Tips

Here are 20 of my best Disney Cruise tips that will help you make the most of your magical time on the high seas.

1. Establish your account with Disney Cruise Line

Set up your Disney Cruise Line account as soon as you start thinking about booking. If you book through a travel agent, make sure you set up your account well in advance of your check-in date…your travel agent should remind you to do this or even assist you with it.

You want to be sure you can log into your account as soon as your check-in window opens so you can begin your online check in and book your extras, like spa treatments or shore excursions. 

2. Download the Disney Cruise App

Download the Disney Cruise app from the iTunes or Google Play Store as soon as you book your cruise…it’s free. Once you book your cruise you can link your reservation and view your itinerary and even book activities. I found the app particularly helpful when communicating with my husband about our cruise activities. He logged into the app and linked his profile to our cruise and was able to book activities (and see what activities I booked.)

Your Disney Cruise App also features a fun Disney Cruise countdown. It’s a fun way to keep that dream vacation in sight and share with your friends.

Note: Once you’re on board the ship, put your phone on airplane mode and log in to the app. You can get access the Navigator, which will give you the scoop on all of the on-board fun, and if you want to purchase wifi to stay connected at sea, you can do that, too.

3. Check in as far in advance as possible

If you’re a first-time Disney cruiser, you can check in 75 days prior to your cruise. If you’re a Castaway Club Silver member, you can check in 90 days prior to your cruise, and if you’re a Castaway Club Gold member, you can check in 105 days prior to your cruise.

Castaway Club Platinum and Concierge level cruisers can check in 120 days prior to sail date.

Platinum Castaway Club members have completed at least 10 cruises, Gold at least 5, and Silver at least 1.  Concierge means that you have reserved a concierge-level room on your cruise. So, if you’ve completed one Disney Cruise, you’re already at an advantage. I didn’t know this until I got my Castaway Club lanyard when we checked in for our most recent cruise. So cool!

Not knowing the timeline on check in was one of the Disney Cruise tips I really could have used on my first Disney Cruise. 

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4. Plan, Plan, Plan

There are probably plenty of people out there that will disagree with this, but plan what you’re going to do on board your Disney Cruise. If you adopt the “go with the flow” attitude, you’re probably going to miss out on some opportunities.

There is SO MUCH to do on board a Disney Cruise and you will never be able to do it all, especially on a shorter sailing. After your online check in point – 75 days for first timers, 90 days for Castaway Silver, 105 days for Castaway Gold and 120 days for Castaway Platinum and Concierge – you’ll be able to see what your options are for excursions and on board experiences. There are so many options. There’s no way to do it all – so make a list of what’s important to you and prioritize! 

There are Broadway quality shows, signature dining, first run movies that you might not have had the chance to see in theaters. Trivia. Adults-only areas. Amazing pools and water slides. Options to have fun with your family in the D Lounge. Kids clubs. Pools. Spa experience. There is SO MUCH stuff that you will NEVER be able to do it all…so make a short list of what you’ll be disappointed if you don’t do and work from there.

If I could get rid of all my other Disney Cruise tips and leave you with just one, it would be to plan. I know that sounds like it takes some of the spontaneity out of your vacation but trust me – you’ll be glad you planned. 

5. Book on-board special experiences early

There is a ton that’s included on a Disney Cruise, much more than any other cruise line. There are some experiences that need to be reserved and paid for separately and some experiences that are free but need to be reserved, such as certain character meets.

If you’re interested in taking your pirate or princess to the on-board Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, you will want to need to reserve while you’re still on land. Ditto for spa experiences, signature dining and some character experiences.

If you’re interested in booking port excursions, don’t wait until you’re on board because you’ll get the slim pickings. Don’t get me wrong, you will always find wonderful things to do but if you have your heart set on particular experiences, book them before you sail.

If your requested experience is unavailable, hot foot it to Guest Services once you get on board and see if you’re able to book. 

6. Order Room Service

You will enjoy complimentary room service as part of your cruise package price. In most hotels and resorts, room service is pretty pricey, so take advantage of the freebie while on board.

We love ordering breakfast from room service. This allows us to enjoy our coffee and some light bites from the privacy of our own room. You can also order cookies and milk before bed, which is really fun.

Read the fine print – while there are a large variety of free items available from room service, there are a few menu items that are not free.

7. Pack your day bag

When you embark, you won’t be able to access your stateroom for a couple of hours. If you check your luggage at the port – Disney Cruise Line will send you luggage tags in advance of your cruise and you’ll give your bags to a porter (don’t forget to tip!) before you begin the boarding process. You might not see that luggage again until early evening. FYI, your luggage will be placed outside your stateroom door and you’ll be responsible for hauling it inside.

Note: If you travel really, really light, you can bypass the porters and carry your bags on the ship with you. The upside is you’ll have your clothes and things when you need them and the downside is you’ll have to schlep your bag all over the ship until your room is ready.

Related: One of my favorite day bags

You might board as early as 1:00 p.m. so that leaves you lots of time to enjoy the ship before you can get in your room. Pack what you need in your day bag. At a minimum, you’ll want your swimsuits and sunscreen. Any essential medications or important papers should always be carried on.

If you have an early dinner seating, you might be wearing the clothes you wore at embarkation to dinner so if you want to wear something else, throw it in your day bag.

We like to carry a toiletry kit and all our medications – things we’d be uncomfortable without if our bags were delayed.

8. One of the Disney Cruise tips you need to be in the know about – The alcohol policy

Each guest 21 years of age or older can bring two bottles of wine or six beers on board. These must be carried on, not packed in your checked baggage.

If you consume the wine you bring on board in one of the dining rooms you will be charged a $25 uncorking fee. For more on Disney Cruise Line’s alcohol policy, read here before you sail. Specific fluid ounce limits and other things apply.

9. Have an embarkation plan

Have some idea of what you want to do when you board the ship. It can be a little overwhelming, especially for a first-timer. Most people head towards the food to get a jump on that awesome Disney Cruise Line dining. The Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy have the Aqua Duck, a really cool water slide that goes around the ship. You’ll find the more thrilling Aqua Dunk on the Disney Magic. The Disney Wonder has a regular (but still really fun) water slide.

The Aqua Duck is super fun. The lines are shortest early on embark day and on port days.

I’ve never been on the Aqua Dunk (but you better believe I’m scoping out cruises on the Disney Magic) but the Aqua Duck is a blast. You slide around the ship in a clear tube and you can get a look at the pool deck and the ocean as you zip along.

As you can imagine, the Aqua Duck is popular, with lines at peak times being up to an hour. Many cruisers wear their swimsuits at embarkation and head straight for the Aqua Duck…this tends to work best if you have an earlier boarding time but you still might experience a shorter wait if your fellow passengers are looking around or enjoying the buffet.

No matter what you choose to do, have some idea of where you’ll head once you get on the ship. If you didn’t get into that Mixology Class or Princess Meet and Greet, you’ll want to make sure you hit guest services as soon as you get on board to see if they can secure you a spot. No guarantees but if you didn’t get to register for something you were interested in, ask as soon as you board.. 

10. Film your embarkation

Make sure you’ve got your video on when you embark. When you get to the end of the gangway, a Disney Cast Member will ask you your name and you’re going to want to capture the magic that happens after that.

11. Eat lunch at a table-service restaurant on embarkation day

You’ll get a copy of the Navigator when you check in for your cruise. You can also access the Navigator on your Disney Cruise Line app. The Navigator will tell you what restaurants offer lunchtime table service on embarkation day.

The grilled Tuna Steak from Animator’s Palette. The chef recommends the tuna cooked rare. Note: This picture was taken in early 2018 on the Disney Dream at lunch.

Eating at Cabanas is always an option. Cabanas is an extensive buffet on the Lido Deck that offers absolutely everything you could want, from sandwiches to pasta to steak to crab legs to amazing salads to delectable desserts.

Everything.

It’s also popular and super crowded. We like the quieter pace of table service and it’s just a more luxurious experience that sets the tone for our cruise in a way that elbowing your way through a buffet doesn’t. Don’t get me wrong – Cabanas is great but the more relaxed (and less crowded) atmosphere in the table service restaurants is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

12. One of the Disney Cruise tips you really need: BYOC (bring your own candy)

Most of the food on a Disney Cruise is free but there area a few things that incur an additional charge. One of those is the concessions outside the Walt Disney Theater and the Buena Vista Theater on board the Disney Cruise ships.

Disney Cruises offer Broadway caliber stage shows as well as first-run Disney movies. Yes, first-run and all of these entertainment options are included in the price of your cruise!

Check out this candy bundle – it’s got all of your favorites. 

But, if you want popcorn and candy with your show, there’s an upcharge. To avoid spending the extra money grab  your Junior Mints, Good and Plenty, Milk Duds before you sail. Yes, it’s one more thing to pack but the savings is worth it. 

The way I see it, cruises aren’t cheap and any little way I can find to save money is a good thing.

14. Register for Kid’s Programs Early…

…and plan to attend the open house. Registering the kids ahead of time will make your embarkation much easier. And, if you’re asking yourself “Well, do my kids really want to use the kid’s clubs on board the Disney Cruise?” the answer is yes, they do.

The kid’s clubs on the Disney Cruise Line are amazing. My kids love the Oceaneer Lab and the Oceaneer Club, which is designed for kids ages 3-12. When our kids weren’t in kids club, they were begging to go to kids club. When we picked them up, the first question out of their mouth was “when can we come back?”

Oh, and if you’re not used to looks of utter disappointment when your child sees your face, get used to it now. Our kids were not happy to see us when we came to pick them up from kid’s club because it meant they were leaving. 

Who wouldn’t want to hang out in Andy’s Room?

If your kids are younger, the It’s a Small World Nursery is for kiddos ages six months through three years. Since our kids are older, I don’t have firsthand experience with this service but you can check out the specifics here.

For ages three to 12, there’s the Oceaneer Lab and the Oceaneer Club. The Oceaneer Lab offers fun through imaginative themed activities and games. Kids can take part in self-guided or group activities. The Oceaneer Club was simply amazing.

If you’re the type that suffers mom guilt for “dumping” your kids while you go have fun, you will feel good about letting your littles enjoy the kid’s activities on a Disney cruise.

One of the COOLEST things about the Oceaneer Club is that it moves to Castaway Cay when the ship stops at that port. They have an awesome sand play area, playground and splash pad.

If you have tweens (11-14) check out Edge and for the 14 and up, there’s Vibe. We were seriously impressed the Oceaneer Club. I completely understand why my kids loved it so much. If you want an up-to-date run down of the youth activities on all four of the DCL ships, go here.

15.Unpack

Staterooms are small but the staterooms on the Disney Cruise Line are designed to be efficient. There’s ample storage space under the bed for your luggage and the storage units are designed for your ease.

Packing smartly is important when you’re going on a Disney Cruise. We love our fun luggage from American Tourister

I recommend taking your clothes out of your suitcases and hanging them up/putting them in drawers. When you’re in a small space, dragging your suitcases out from under the bed every time you need to change clothes or find something is kind of a pain. Take a few minutes and get situated and you’ll find it easier to find things during your cruise.

Check out these luggage recommendations – we are big fans of carry-on sized American Tourister hard sided luggage:

16. Get the biggest stateroom you can afford

A stateroom on board a cruise ship is much (much, much, much) smaller than your average hotel room. We stayed in a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (balcony) which is approximately 246 square feet, including the verandah space. This is not a lot of room. You can get an inside stateroom or an ocean view without a verandah for less money but we loved having the verandah and our little private space to look at the water.

The couch in front of the window has a pull down bunk (you can see the handle) and there’s a queen bed. As you can see, there’s not a lot of room to move around. You won’t be spending a lot of time in your stateroom anyway.

The next step up is Concierge Level and that is a whopping step up. In my opinion, probably not worth it for one average-sized family but if you’ve got a larger group and are looking to book more than one cabin to accommodate your travel party, this might be worth a look. Concierge Level comes with a ton of perks, too.

Bottom line, you are going to be compressed. You’re probably not going to be spending a ton of time in your cabin but for families with younger kids, your level of comfort inside your stateroom matters more.

17. Check out the Spa

The Senses Spa on board the Disney Cruise Line offer an awesome array of treatments. To get the exact treatment you want, it’s always best to book while you’re still on land but you’ll find opportunities and specials when you get on board, too.

The Senses Spa usually offers a give-a-way the first day of your cruise, so go and say hi and see what’s available. Check out the Rainforest Package, which allows you access to spa showers, steam rooms and heated loungers by the day or for the duration of your cruise. You can book a one day Rainforest Pass by contacting Disney Cruise Line directly. If you want a longer duration, you’ll have to book on board. 

Full disclosure, we haven’t tried the Rainforest Package (totally doing that next time) but their massages are the real deal. The spa treatments are pricey but you might find them worth the splurge. We did. 

18. Plan your day at Castaway Cay

If your Disney Cruise includes a stop at Castway Cay, take some time to figure out what you want to do during this magical stop. And yes, making a plan to do absolutely nothing is still a plan!

Castaway Cay is Disney’s private island in the Bahamas. You can read more about it here.

There are a lot of fun port excursions available at Castaway Cay…if you’re interested in one of those, book as early as you can to ensure you get what you want. Be aware that some Castaway Cay excursions might be cancelled due to weather.

There are so many options: fun water slides, bike riding, snorkeling, eating, shopping, or doing not much of anything on the adult’s only beach, Serenity Bay (which lives up to it’s name.) You can also get awesome beach front massages on Castaway Cay. These are glorious and I know this from firsthand experience. Make sure you book Castaway Cay spa treatment in advance.

Look, no kids! On our way back to reality from Serenity Bay, Castaway Cay’s Adult’s Only Beach

I highly recommend snorkeling on Castaway Cay. You can bring your own equipment with you but it’s inexpensive to rent on the island and it takes up room in your luggage. If you plan to snorkel, do it early in the day. If you snorkel late in the day, the water gets stirred up and cloudy and you won’t be able to see as much stuff.

Swim out to the end of the buoys to see colorful fish and sea turtles. Ask Cast Members on Castaway Cay where the underwater hidden Mickey’s are. If you have a GoPro or an underwater camera, make sure to bring that and take lots of pictures.

Related post: The best travel gifts for kids

19. Do the Castaway Cay 5K…

…even if you’re not a runner.

You get off the ship before everyone else and you get a fun, early morning look at the island. You can take your beach bag with you on the way to the race and drop it on a beach chair to reserve your spot.

Tink and Peter Pan…obviously.

Lots of people walk the Castaway Cay 5K so even if you’re not up to an intense workout first thing in the morning, it’s still a fun experience. Lots of people run in costumes and every finisher gets a fun medal, so there are lots of photo opps.

20. One of the Disney Cruise tips you won’t regret paying attention to: Take the pictures

A Disney Cruise is the vacation of a lifetime. You are making awesome family memories and you want to capture them. Whether you do this with your phone or a fancier setup like a GoPro or DSLR or whether you take advantage of the professional photography packages on board, make sure you capture this awesomeness on film. Yes, the on-board photography is pricey but it’s a chance to get some wonderful photos of your family that are great quality and can be enjoyed for years to come.

And moms, I’m talking to you. Get out from behind that camera. Even if you don’t purchase the photo package, hand your camera to a Disney Cast Member or another mom and get in there with your family.

Coordinating outfits makes for memorable photos

If you’re interested, here’s the camera equipment I use when I travel. I consider myself an amateur photographer and it’s something I enjoy. Carting all of this plus my GoPro around gets a little heavy and cumbersome sometimes, so if photographer isn’t your thing, this might not be for you.

I used a Canon Rebel T6 which is not the newest thing out there (and not my newest camera but what I took to San Angelo with me.) Here’s a bundle on Amazon that has a good compliment of lenses and other stuff:

You can tell from the price that it’s not the fanciest, latest and greatest that’s out there but I just started using the Canon EOS M50 Mirrorless like this one:

and I have to say…I like my trusty Rebel a lot better.

I hope you’ve found my Disney Cruise tips helpful. If you’ve found one or more of these tips to be particularly helpful, please leave a comment and let me know.

Do you have some favorite Disney Cruise tips that aren’t on this list? Please share and let me know what’s worked for you.

If you’re planning your own Disney Cruise, I’m so excited for you…it’s truly a magical vacation that you won’t soon forget.

You might also like:

14 things that are awesome about a Disney Cruise

10 tips to help you get the most out of Castaway Cay

Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List for Families