What you need to know for your Disney Cruise!
A Disney Cruise is really something to look forward to! But there is so much to know before you go! Oh, and don’t get me started on the packing! Read till the end for a FREE packing list! Here we have compiled all the things you need to know to make your Disney cruise more enjoyable!
First and foremost, be sure you have downloaded the Disney Navigator App! This will be your guide to all the events character meet and greets as well as activities on the ship! Also, we sailed on the Disney Dream, however, most of what is covered should be transferable to most other ships!
BOARDING DAY
Arrival day is super fun! If you’re looking to ride the AquaDuck, the best advice is to wear your suit on the ship and go directly to the pool (not the buffet) after boarding, to avoid lines! There are food options on the pool deck! During the cruise the lines are typically shortest early or late in the day and port days always have lower crowds on the ship!
Everyone looks forward to the much-anticipated Sail Away Party. So, as you can imagine, it gets packed! Be sure to head to the Sail Away party right after the muster drill to get the best spot!
ONBOARD
Character lines will get long and fill up quick. To be sure you see the character your after you should get in line 30 min prior to the posted time on the Navigator App. The characters will change after approximately 30 min, so if your still in line, you will see someone…just may not be the character you were there for. Also, the special character meet and greets still have a line. Yep, I said it! We got a coveted time slot to meet spiderman, and guess what…We waited almost an hour to see him. This time slot is merely to get in line, so be ware. To ease the wait times in character lines we sent one adult, and another took the kids to do something, when we got close, we would send a text, and they’d come join the line.
Most cruisers decorate their door! So be sure to bring magnets for your door, it’s a thing!
Use your magic band+, yes, your MB from the parks will work. This was so handy, to not have to carry anything, especially for the kids getting in and out of both kids’ club and the stateroom! However, you still need your Key to The World Card to get on/off the ship, so keep these in a safe spot!
Book a room with a balcony! It is an added expense, and these ships are already expensive, but I promise you from one budget traveler to another, this is a must for cruising! You can’t beat the quiet morning coffee watching the sunrise, it’s the best and I will do it every time!
Get to the pool early if you want a deck spot! They fill up fast! At sea days are very relaxing and filled with food, swimming, movies by the pool and of course ice cream! If you are looking to relax at the pool, be sure you grab a spot right after breakfast! The earlier the better as the deck chairs near the pools fill up so fast!
The Cove Coffee Bar was one of our favorite spots to grab coffee or an after-dinner drink! It’s located right off the adult only pool deck. The caramel coconut latte and the espresso martini were to die for!
PIRATE NIGHT
Pirate night is a BIG DEAL on a Disney Cruise so be sure to pack your pirate gear! They will provide you with a FREE pirate Mickey bandana for each person in your stateroom. There is a great deck show, you’ll want to get there early to grab a good spot!
Everyone knows the Bippity Boppity Boutique is the place to be if you’re looking to become a princess, but did you know they do a pirate makeover on the ship? I was skeptical but we tried it, and I was blown away! My six-year-old loved every minute and the experience was totally worth the price!
CASTAWAY CAY
You can catch the ship pulling into Castaway Cay if you go to Goofy’s sports deck! This was such a great way to start the day! Pelican plunge, (water playground in the ocean) will fill up quickly, to avoid lines, go there first! There are height requirements and I’d recommend an adult accompany children who can’t swim (it gets deep fast) however, life jackets are available! There is also a wooden jungle gym type ropes course, and it will close at low tide so if this is on your list, check the tide schedule!
You don’t have to book a port adventure, there is plenty to do at each port! You can just hop in a cab/bus and go (there are plenty of them waiting)! AND if you are traveling with a group that has a variety of ages, finding something that everyone can and wants to do can be a challenge! We didn’t book any excursions for our cruise and had a great time! If your stopping at Grand Cayman be sure to check out the turtle farm this is a MUST and it’s great for all ages!
DEBARKATION
If you’d like your luggage taken off the ship, put it outside your stateroom by 10 pm the night before debarkation. If you are a light packer (like me) you may want to skip this as I see it as more of a hassle. However, start packing up the night before to make your early breakfast time! Unlike other cruise lines, breakfast is seated on debarkation day, be sure to go at the time they tell you. Ours was 7am! And afterward you’re getting off the ship so be prepared!
