Most cruise lines are pretty simple to plan, but Disney can be a bit more complicated. Let 3 experienced moms walk you through all the things you need to consider and plan so you can have a great trip.
In this guide:
- Is a Disney cruise the right choice for your family?
- Should you use a travel agent?
- Deciding when to go
- Which itinerary and how long of a trip to choose
- Which ship to choose
- How to book a cruise and check for discounts
- What type of stateroom to choose and what part of the ship
- Should you consider concierge level?
- How dining works, which dining time to choose, and how to get your top choice
- What documents you need to get in advance
- What on-board extras to book in advance (75-130 days out)
- Excursions and extras at Disney’s private islands (Bahamas only)
- What port excursions to choose
- Planning how you’ll get to the ship
- How and when to check in for your cruise and get a good boarding time (30-40 days out)
- What to buy and pack
- Pixie dusting and fish extenders
- Tips and Itinerary Recommendation for Embarkation Day
- Tips and tricks for making the most of your time on the ship
- What a typical at-sea day schedule looks like
- All about the kids’ clubs
- Tips for making the most of your Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay day (Bahamas only)
- All about disembarking (leaving the ship)
1. Is a Disney cruise the right choice for your family?
Disney is a great cruise line, but it is more expensive than others. There are other excellent cruise lines with equally beautiful ships and equally great service for less cost, but they won’t have the magic of Disney. The theming, the Broadway-caliber shows, the characters, the superb kids clubs, the themed dining rooms, the Disney-themed activities…all of it puts Disney Cruise Line above the others in terms of family fun if your family likes Disney.
A Disney Cruise is a great choice for your family if…
- You want to meet Disney characters
- You like Disney movies and would enjoy Disney-themed activities
- You want to see Broadway-quality Disney-themed shows
- You want a Disney experience, but want something more relaxing than the theme parks
- You want great kids’ clubs with a bonus of Disney-themed activities
- You want a nice cruise with great service, but don’t want a casino on board and don’t want an adult party atmosphere.
- You’re a family of 5 that wants to all be in the same stateroom without paying the high price for a suite (Disney Cruise Line has way more 5-person family rooms than others and are cheaper than 2 connecting staterooms on other cruise lines.)
- You want a ship built with kids in mind. The nursery and the kids clubs are amazing, but also the staterooms are designed better for kids. The bathrooms in the rooms are split into 2 spaces – one room with a toilet and a sink, another with a tub shower and a sink. (We have not been on any other cruise line with a bathtub, which is great for little kids!) Plus, there’s no way for kids to climb up the balcony railings if you get a balcony room.
A Disney Cruise is not the best choice for you if…
- You’re not a fan of Disney and having Disney theming all around will bother you.
- Your family just wants to relax at the pool while on a cruise. All the extra activities and shows don’t interest you. (Disney cruises do have good pool areas but you can get that on other cruise lines for less cost.)
- To you, a cruise is more about the destinations and the excursions you’ll do at the ports of call than about the experiences on the ship. You can have incredible shore excursions on a Disney Cruise, but you’re paying a premium if you don’t care much about the on-ship experiences.
- You don’t like children.
2. Should you use a travel agent?
Many people use a travel agent for trips to Disney World because they can be quite complicated to plan. Cruises may seem less complicated, but it can still be helpful to have a travel agent. Travel agents are free (at least most Disney ones are) and can help you pick the right cruise for you, remind you when it’s time to book excursions and extras and even book them for you, give you extra advice, and can watch for any deals that pop up that could apply to your cruise, even after you’ve already booked. Using a travel agent also supports a small business and you may already know a friend or family member who you could support by letting them book your cruise.
BUT…not all travel agents are created equal. Disney travel agents don’t charge you a fee and get their commission from Disney, but it’s not a huge commission. Disney does not pay them extra to help you with all the details and give you advice. They make more by booking more. This means some agents are only going to do the bare minimum, or they won’t get back to you to answer your questions in a timely manner and become an annoying middleman. So if you want to use a Disney travel agent, ask your friends and family who they have used that has been great.
It’s also perfectly fine to plan it all on your own! Most of us writing this article book on our own at this point. But you’ll need to do some research, like reading articles like this!
3. Deciding When to Go
Anytime that works for your family is a good time to go! But…
Prices are based on supply and demand and will be more affordable when most kids are in school.
Cruises are most expensive during typical breaks like Spring Break/Easter, Christmas/New Years, Thanksgiving, and summer. If price is a concern (as it is for most people), test out a few dates that will work for your family to compare prices. And maybe consider skipping a few days of school if possible.
Another factor to consider is the weather.
If you’re considering a cruise to the Bahamas or Caribbean, the peak of hurricane season is late August through early October (although they can happen early as July and as late as November). The prices are often cheapest in September, but you are running the risk of your itinerary being altered due to a storm and it being a choppier ride. December – April have milder temperatures and less chance of rain, while May – October have more heat, humidity, and rain potential. With that said, I have done a January cruise where the weather was so bad we couldn’t dock at our ports of call and the ship was rocking like crazy, so you never know.
You may also want to consider what activities you are most looking forward to doing.
If you are hoping to snorkel and enjoy the water slides at Disney’s private island (Castaway Cay in the Bahamas), it may be better to go when the water is warmer. I’ve seen many people surprised how cold the ocean is in January – March in the Bahamas. The Bahamas just aren’t very far south. On the other hand, if you’re hoping to stay out of the water and don’t want to be too hot, then January-February could be the perfect time to go. If you’re doing Alaska, go in the summer.
4. Which itinerary and how long a trip to choose
There are many options when you start looking at a Disney Cruise. For most, the main things to consider are budget, how long you can be away from work, and how easy it is to get to the port. A cruise leaving from a port you can drive to that only lasts 3 days in the middle of January, is going to be much more affordable than a week-long trip to Alaska during Spring Break time that you have to fly to.
Length:
In our experience, a 3-day cruise feels too short and rushed, but 7+ day cruises can feel a bit long. A 4-5 day cruise is a great place to start for your first Disney cruise. But if all you can do is a 3-day cruise – go for it!
Destination:
In our opinion, Disney cruises are more about the on-ship experience and a little less about the destination. On some cruise lines, it’s good to have a lot of interesting ports of call to keep you busy, but on a Disney cruise, you’ll want to have more at-sea days to experience and enjoy all the activities the ship has to offer. Cruises that have lots of ports of call will usually end up costing more because you’ll want to enjoy those areas and pay extra for activities. Bahamas cruises that go to Disney’s private islands are the most popular and often the most affordable because the Disney private islands are included in the cost.
A few favorite itineraries among our group (just focusing on North American options):
- Bahamas (from Florida): 4-night Bahamas cruises that stop at Nassau and either Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. These leave from either Port Canaveral or Fort Lauderdale. These itineraries get you a full day at sea to enjoy the ship, a Disney private island day, and a day you can do a fun excursion (like a day at Atlantis or Baha Mar water parks) or stay on the ship. Some prefer the cruises that don’t stop in Nassau and go to BOTH private Disney islands. Those cruises could help you save on excursion costs but could be repetitive if you do similar things on both island days. There are also 5 day options that get you both islands AND Nassau.
- Carribean (from Florida): There are several options but a favorite is the 7-night Eastern Carribean that stops in San Juan, Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, and Cataway Cay with several days at sea.
- From Galveston, TX: 5-night cruises that stop in Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. These include 2 at-sea days. Both stops have some great excursion options and areas to walk around and enjoy the culture.
- From San Diego: 5 or 6 night Mexican Riveriera cruises that stop in Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico.
- Alaska (from Vancouver): Alaskan cruises come in 5 or 7 day options. Do the 7. You don’t get far enough to see lots of beauty unless you have 7 days.
If doing the Bahamas and trying to decide between an itinerary with Castaway Cay or Lighthouse Point, here is a quick comparison:
Castaway Cay Pros:
- Shorter walk from the ship to the beach
- Calm lagoon area without big waves is easier for small kids to enjoy and for those that like to just float in the water
- Snorkeling where you see underwater Disney statues (must be able to swim a ways)
- More natural shade and vegetation
Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Pros:
- Open ocean beach with waves, if you have kids who like to play in the waves
- More of a Bahamian vibe, vs. just a Disney-vibe
5. Which ship to choose
Everyone is going to have a different opinion about their favorite ship. A few of them have unique features that others don’t. If any of these are important to you, it could be a reason to choose one ship over the other.
Disney Destiny
- Ship Size: a big ship but not as big as Adventure, 4000 passengers
- Dining room themes: Pride Lands: Feast of the Lion King, Worlds of Marvel, 1923
- Stage Shows: Hercules, Disney Seas the Adventure, Frozen – A Musical Spectacular
- Water fun: AquaMouse water coaster with effects (42″ height requirement), Slide-a-saurus Rex, Toy Story Toddler Slides
- Ship age: made in 2025
Disney Treasure
- Ship Size: a big ship but not as big as Adventure, 4000 passengers
- Dining room themes: Plaza de Coco, Worlds of Marvel, 1923
- Stage Shows: Disney’s Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Disney Seas the Adventure
- Water fun: AquaMouse water coaster with effects (42″ height requirement), Slide-a-saurus Rex, Toy Story Toddler Slides
- Ship age: made in 2024
Disney Wish
- Ship Size: a big ship, but not as big as Adventure, 4000 passengers
- Dining room themes: Worlds of Marvel, Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, 1923
- Stage Shows: Disney Seas the Adventure, Disney’s Aladdin, The Little Mermaid
- Water fun: AquaMouse water coaster with effects (42″ height requirement), Slide-a-saurus Rex, Toy Story Toddler Slides
- Ship age: Made in 2022
Disney Fantasy
- Ship Size: a medium-sized ship, 4000 passengers
- Dining room themes: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court
- Stage Shows: Frozen – A Musical Spectacular, Disney’s Aladdin, Disney’s Believe
- Water fun: AquaDuck water coaster (42″ height requirement), Mickey’s Slide, Mr. Ray Slide
- Ship age: made is 2012
Disney Dream
- Ship Size: a medium-sized ship, 4000 passengers
- Dining room themes: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace
- Stage Shows: Beauty and the Beast (so good!!), The Golden Mickeys, Disney’s Believe
- Water fun: AquaDuck water coaster (42″ height requirement), Mickey’s Slide, Mr. Ray Slide
- Ship age: made in 2011
Disney Wonder
- Ship Size: a smaller ship compared to the others, 2400 passengers
- Dining room themes: Tiana’s Place, Animator’s Palate, Triton’s
- Stage Shows: Frozen – A Musical Spectacular, The Golden Mickeys, Disney’s Believe
- Water fun: Twist ‘n’ Spout (open air waterslide with 38″ height requirement)
- Ship age: made in 1999
Disney Magic
- Ship Size: a smaller ship compared to the others, 2400 passengers
- Dining room themes: Rapunzel’s Royal Table, Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s (Beauty & the Beast theme)
- Stage Shows: Tangled: The Musical, Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic, Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
- Water fun: AquaDunk (clear tube slide with 48″ height requirement), Twist ‘n’ Spout (open air waterslide with 38″ height requirement)
- Ship age: made in 1997
6. How to Book a Cruise and Check for Discounts
If you’re going to book a cruise on your own, we highly recommend checking for deals on Undercover Tourist first. Undercover Tourist is a 100% legit Disney seller and often offers discounts or extra perks. You can purchase through them but still manage everything through the Disney Cruise website and app after you book.
(If you do check out Undercover Tourist, please use our affiliate link. We put a lot of time into gathering the information on this website and keeping it free, but we can only do so with the help of affiliate payouts. Affiliates programs DO NOT effect our recommendations though. We used Undercover Tourist long before this website was made.)
You can also book cruises directly through the Disney website or check other 3rd-party retailers like cruisedirect.com.
Steps to book a Disney cruise:
- On any site you use, filter cruises by date, departure city, length, and destinations that work for you.
- Compare the cruises that work best for you and your family. You may have to click on a “Book Now” or “Select” button to see all the details for each cruise, and you can open several in multiple tabs.
- Enter the number of people in your party and your kids’ ages, then it will take you to your stateroom options.
- You will have different stateroom options depending on what is still available and what fits your party. Please see the next sections in this article for overviews of room types and concierge.
- If booking on the Disney site, it will then take you to a page to choose your floor and stateroom. If booking on Undercover Tourist, it won’t offer the map but has a field to request a state room number. You can look up ship floor maps on the Disney site, then make a stateroom request. That exact room may not be available but they will try to find one close to it. People have various opinions on what location to choose. See the section below for more details on location.
- Once you choose your stateroom, it will show you your final price and the amount of deposit that is due today.
- You’ll enter the name and information for the people in your party. Passports are not needed during booking. The Disney site will ask you to login before you enter these details.
- You will have the option to request a preferred dining time. Please read the section below about which dining time we recommend.
- You will have the option to add vacation protection. This is usually a good idea for most families. People can get sick, bad weather can happen, and the vacation protection gives you the option to cancel for any reason and get your money back or rebook for another cruise.
- Your cruise is not confirmed until you enter your credit card information and pay the deposit.
7. What type of stateroom to choose and what part of the ship
Different ships will have slightly different options, but generally the options are:
- Inside – Fits 3 or 4 guests
These rooms are on the inside of the ship and have no window or balcony, but they are more affordable and they stay nice and dark in the mornings or during naps. They will sometimes feature a virtual porthole that projects an image to make it feel like a window. - Oceanview – fits 3 or 4 guests
These rooms are on the outside of the ship and have a porthole window so you can have views of the ocean. This is helpful for those who may feel claustrophobic or want to be able to see the horizon. - Oceanview with Verandah – fits 4 or 5 guests
These rooms have a balcony. We most recommend these rooms because it is nice to be able to sit on your own balcony to enjoy some fresh air and ocean views away from crowds. If you have small children, it can also be a place for parents to enjoy some time alone while littles sleep. These rooms also fit 5 guests which is a big plus for families of 5 and a big savings vs. doing 2 staterooms. There are a few variations of this type of state room that will vary by ship. You can compare the differences when you are picking your state room on the website. - Concierge Suites – fits 5 to 7 guests
These are the most expensive, the most spacious, and include extra perks. See the section below for what concierge includes.
Which floor to choose:
- Lower decks – Often cheaper, better for motion sickness, closer to restaurants, the theater, and the exits. But they can be louder due to engine noise (I actually like the white noise), and it’s a longer elevator ride up to the pools. There are fewer verandah rooms on lower floors.
- Upper decks – Closer to the pools and the buffet, more expansive views, and more balcony rooms. But are often a bit more expensive and are further from the restaurants and the theater.
Which section of the ship to choose:
Ships are divided into Aft (the back), Mid-Ship, and Forward (the front). If you are concerned about motion sickness, try to avoid the Forward part of the ship. You may want to look at your ship’s map to see what side of the ship would be closest to the areas you will be most. It can also be helpful to choose a room near an elevator if you want to shorten your walks, or to avoid the elevator if you’re worried about noise.
8. Should you consider the concierge level?
Is money no object to you? Then heck yeah you should do it!
For the rest of us…
It’s a nice perk but not necessary at all to have a great cruise. My family has personally not done it because we like to stretch our travel budget to as many trips as possible during a year and we don’t do “once in a lifetime so spend like there’s no tomorrow” type trips. Plus we’re regular middle-class people and not very bougie.
What concierge includes:
- Dedicated Concierge team to assist you and help you plan
- Expedited check-in and boarding when you arrive at the ship
- Early access to book onboard activities, shore excursions, and cabanas
- Reserved seating or early access to seating at shows and fireworks
- A private welcome reception
- Access to the concierge lounge with complimentary food and beverages
- Complimentary happy hour with adult drinks
- Private sundeck with lounge chairs and shade
- Upgraded rooms with nicer linens, robes, minibar, etc. and some of the rooms are much larger with dining rooms and living areas
- At ports of call where you don’t dock, you get expedited tendering without waiting in line
- Complimentary wifi
- Complimentary popcorn before stage shows
9. Which dining time to choose and how to get your top choice
How Dining Works:
Disney Cruise Lines does rotational dining, where you and your table AND your server team will rotate around the 3 different restaurants each night. It’s great that you get to experience all the great dining experiences and you get to know your server team as they stay with you.
Table Placement:
Everyone in your state room will be placed at the same table. You MAY be placed with another family at a large table. We are a family of 5 and always seem to get a private table, but if you are a smaller family they may group you together with another family. I actually love being placed with other travelers when we do cruises without our kids on other cruise lines because I think it’s fun to meet new people. But if you would prefer to have a private table, you can make that request (although they can’t guarantee it, but DCL has many more smaller private tables than other cruise lines). You can also request to be seated with another stateroom if you are traveling with a larger party split into multiple rooms.
Dining Times:
The seating times are typically 5:45 (early seating) and 8:15 (late seating). When you book your cruise you will be able to choose your preferred time. If your preferred time is full (which sometimes happens with early seating because so many people have younger kids), you can get on the wait list.
Which time to choose:
This will vary based on when you are used to eating, what time zone you are used to and which one you are in on the cruise, and your kids’ schedule. Many people with younger kids prefer the early dining so their kids can get to bed at a decent time. But you also want to keep the shows in mind. The shows on a Disney cruise are truly awesome and broadway-quality. The shows happen twice, at the same time as dinner. The idea is if you do early dinner you go to the show after dinner, or you see the early show and go to late dinner. Some ways people handle dinner and shows are:
- Early dinner, then see the show after with your kids (they will love them too!), then kids go to bed late and that’s ok because you’re on vacation!
- Early dinner, then one adult puts kids in bed while the other goes to the show and you alternate nights.
- If there are shows you don’t want to miss and they fall on a night where the dining room choice doesn’t excite you as much, you can eat a very early dinner at the quick service buffet on the pool deck, then go to the early show, then go to bed early.
- Early dinner, put your kids in child care if they are too young or energetic to sit through a show, and you go see the show, then pick them up and put them in bed late.
- Early show, then late dinner, then kids go to bed late and that’s ok because you’re on vacation!
- Early show, late dinner and if your kids start to get bored with the long dinner, you can leave and take them to the kids club. Some cruises offer Dine & Play at late dinner where counselor cast members come take kids from dinner to the Oceanears Club so adults can finish dinner in peace and even go out for some adult fun, then pick their kids up later.
- If getting good seats at the shows is important to you and you aren’t concierge level, you may want to show up early to get good seats for the early show, then do late dining. If you choose early dining and the dining experience runs long (which it can), you could miss your chance to get a good seat at the late show.
If you don’t get the time you want:
If you have your heart set on early dinner and you don’t get it when you first make your reservation – don’t worry! You can add your name to a wait list and Disney will notify you if a spot opens for the earlier time. If that doesn’t happen, then as soon as you board the ship go to Guest Services and make your request in person. There are always people that have to cancel last minute or don’t make it to the ship and many people are sucessful getting early dining and other reservations that were unavailable by going to Guest Services right when they board.
10. What documents you need to get in advance
U.S. Citizens traveling from a U.S. Port: You will need a passport (recommended), OR a copy of your birth certificate. If over 15, you will also need a government-issued ID or driver’s license.
If you need to get passports, you should start the process 4-6 months before your cruise. Learn more on travel.state.gov
If you live outside the US, consult Disney’s page about passports and visas to see what documents you need.
If you will be traveling with a child that is not your own, you will need their parent to fill out an “Authorization for a Minor to Travel Without a Parent” form and have it ready to upload when you check in for your cruise.
What you need for online check-in:
- Photos of the passports for all members of your party. Take the photo of the photo page of your passport only. Don’t just have the passports in front of you, have photos of them ready to go and already on your phone or computer (whichever one you use to check in – it can be done on the website or the app).
- If you don’t have a passport for everyone in your party, you either need to get them in advance, or you will need to have a copy of their birth certificate that you can upload. If the person is over 15 they will also need a photo of the front and back of their government-issued ID or driver’s license.
- A forward-facing headshot of each member of your party. You can take these on your phone and should not be the same photo as your passport. Just line up each of your party against a plain wall and take a photo of each of them from the shoulders up. Have these photos ready to upload from your computer or phone where you will be doing online check-in.
- Address, contact information, and emergency contact information
- A credit card for expenses occured onboard
- If you have kids between the ages of 3-10 you can register them for the Oceanear’s Club
- Travel plans for when and how you will be arriving at the port
- If you will be traveling with a child that is not your own, you will need their parent to fill out an “Authorization for a Minor to Travel Without a Parent” form and have it ready to upload
- If you live outside the US, consult Disney’s page about passports and visas to see if you will need other documents
What you need to bring to the port with you:
- Passports or birth certificates and IDs
- Once you complete your online check-in there will be an option to print the information or send it to your phone wallet. If you print, bring that paper with you.
11. What on-board extras to book in advance (75-130 days out)
You can have an amazing cruise without any extras at all! There are so many included activities, shows, character meet and greets, and dining experiences. But there are some extras you may want to consider –
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique/Pirates League
Kids age 3-12 can get a princess or pirate makeover! There are different options that can include choosing an outfit or just a makeover. The makeover includes choosing a hairstyle from a list, make-up, a sash, nail polish, a t-shirt, and a bag.
- Is it worth it?
I think this is absolutely worth doing at least once! My daughters absolutely loved it when they did it at ages 8 and 11. No, the 11-year-old was not too old for it! I’ve seen many 3-4 year-olds do this also, and some love it and some don’t. It’s expensive so if you’re only going to do it once, I would wait until your kids are older and can sit still for a while and appreciate the experience. I also think it’s most worth doing on a Disney Cruise vs. doing Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at the theme parks because on a cruise you can get your portrait made and go to a fancy dinner and show after your makeover vs. going on rides and getting hot and ruining your makeover. - Save by bringing your own dress
We purchased gorgeous dresses online (like this one) and brought them with us to wear to the appointment. - What time to book
If you are a first-time guest you may not have many times to choose from so you may have to take what you can get. BUT…if you have options, I personally like booking a late afternoon/early evening time before dinner on a night before a day at sea. That could mean booking on arrival day, which doesn’t sell out as quickly typically. I like this time because it means you can go to dinner all dressed up and the photographers are out before and after dinner for taking portraits. I like doing it before a day at sea because the hair styles can actually survive a night’s sleep and you can still have your fancy hair the next morning for taking photos with characters, doing the Royal Gathering, or doing a Princess Tea. The main thing to avoid is scheduling for a morning where you will want to enjoy the pools and waterslides or be visiting a beach afterward, because then your make-over is quickly ruined.
Character Tea or Picnic
Depending on the ship you choose, you can book Royal Court Royal Tea (Fantasy, Magic, Dream, Wonder), Adventure Tea with Royalty (Treasure, Destiny), or Olaf’s Royal Picnic. These experiences feature character meet and greets, storytime with singing and dancing, a light meal or snacks, plus take-home gifts. Read about each on the Disney site to decide if it’s worth it to you. In my opinion, I think the experiences are a bit overpriced and it’s better to splurge on other things, but many people love them! If you decide not to book it or it’s unavailable, your kids will not know what they’re missing. There are plenty of free character experiences and dance parties incuded on the cruise.
Adult-Only Dining
Depending on the ship, there are several adult-only restaurants that you can book for an extra fee. Keep in mind that booking one of these means your kids will have to be in the kids/teens clubs or the nursery, or be supervised by another adult. If you book a dinner, that also means missing out on one of the dining room rotations. You may want to book a breakfast or lunch if you don’t want to miss any dinners, or on longer cruises you could book a dinner on a night where you would normally repeat one of the dining rooms. Check out the menus for each restaurant and decide if the menu and the cost are worth it to you:
Beverage Tasting Seminars
If you want some adult-only fun, these beverage seminars can be fun to add. They will vary by ship, but offer tastings by category such as beer, bourbon, champagne, etc.
Goofy’s Sports Deck
You can book a 30-minute session in a virtual sports area where you play sports with a giant screen. You can play golf, hockey, baseball, soccer, carnival games, and more. You use real balls/bats/pucks so just be careful with younger kids so they don’t hit people.
Spa and Salon
Each ship has a spa and a salon that you can book in advance. The spa treatments and salon services are pricey. It’s definitely nice to do, but not necessarily “worth” the cost compared to services you may get at home. But, you’re on a cruise! You can also get a pass to just enjoy the Rainforest Room that includes a steam room, dry sauna, heated lounge chairs, showers, robes, and some ships have hot tubs. It can be a peaceful, adult-only escape from the not-so-quiet cruise life. The spa pass gets you access to the spa any time it is open, but that means crowds can vary and it can get busy at times. It is also co-ed, which is great for couples, but not great if you prefer female-only spas where you feel comfortable being undressed.
Parent opinion: Among our group, we don’t think the pass it worth it on shorter cruises when you’re traveling with kids, especially if it’s your first cruise. There’s just too much else to do, and you never know if your kids will like spending time in the kids clubs. If you’re a frequent cruiser who knows your kids/teens will want to spend a lot of time in the clubs, and you have more than one at-sea days or you won’t be doing many port activities so you can go to the spa on multiple days, then it could be worth it.
It’s a Small World Nursery
If you will be traveling with a baby or toddler age 3 or under, you will probably want to reserve some time at the nursery (space is limited). Good times to book the nursery are in the evenings (if you want to enjoy a baby-free show or dinner), during a time you have an adult-only restaurant or beverage tasting, or really any time you may want a break. Keep in mind, unlike the other kids’ clubs which are included, the nursery is an extra fee. Learn more about the nursery >
When you can book extras:
| First-Time Guests | 75 days prior to sail date |
| Silver Castaway Club Member | 90 days prior to sail date |
| Gold Castaway Club Member | 105 days prior to sail date |
| Platinum Castaway Club Member | 120 days prior to sail date |
| Pearl Castaway Club Member | 123 days prior to sail date |
| Concierge Guests | 130 days prior to sail date* |
The window opens at MIDNIGHT Eastern Standard Time (-5). Yes, you will want to stay up until midnight and book immediately if you are trying to book the most popular extras like Bibbity Bobbity Botique, especially if you are a first-time guest.
A FREE extra you can book 30 days prior to your sail date: The Royal Gathering
The only FREE extra on our list, but it requires a reservation and they fill up fast! The Royal Gathering is where you get to meet multiple princess without waiting in individual lines for each one. You show up at your reserved time, will wait in a short line, then get to meet a series of princesses. The exact princesses will vary but often include Belle, Cinderella, Tiana, and others.
- What time to book
Any time is fine! But ideally you want to book on a day at sea and make sure it doesn’t overlap with any other plans (you will book other extras further out in advance so you will know if you have other plans). My favorite time to book is the morning after you do Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique the afternoon/evening before (see info below), so that your little princess still has her fancy hair when meeting the princesses. - How to book
Unlike the other extras on this list, this one you can only book 30 days in advance. When you go to do your online check-in at midnight, you will also want to book this. If all the reservations are booked, or the ones left overlap with other plans, you can visit Guest Services on the day you board the ship and they can often accommodate you (although not guaranteed). If that doesn’t work, you will still be able to see princesses throughout your cruise, just not all at once and you’ll have to wait in individual lines.
12. Excursions and extras at Disney private islands (Bahama cruises only)
Disney has two private islands in the Bahamas – Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. One of the best things about these islands is you can have an amazing day without spending ANY extra money. The beach, the food, lounge chairs, the kids activities – all included. But there are a few extras you can book for an additional fee.
Cabanas
This is the most popular extra and if you want one, be prepared to stay up until midnight on the night your booking window opens to get it (see the chart below). If you’re a first-time cruiser who is not staying at the concierge level, you also need to be prepared that they may already be sold out when your window opens.
There are two sets of them at Castaway Cay – Sandcastle Cabanas and Mickey & Minnie’s Cove Cabanas. You may not have much of a choice, so grab anything if you have your heart set on getting one, but the Mickey & Minnie ones are newer and on the quieter side of the island, while the Sandcastle ones are closer to the lagoon with the waterslides.
Cabanas give you a covered cabana area with lounge chairs on a quieter part of the island and also include:
- Golf cart transportation to the cabanas (they are not close to the ship so this is helpful)
- Sunscreen
- Towels (without having to carry them from the ship)
- Snacks
- A mini fridge stocked with water and soda
- A freshwater shower
- A hammock
- Cool face towels
- Sand toys
- Snorkel gear
- Float and tube rentals
- 1-hour bike rental
- A pack and play for babies
- A cabana host at the push of a button to help you with any needs
Yep, that all sounds great! But the downsides of a cabana:
- It’s expensive. Like $600-900 for the day depending on the cruise.
- Most of the cabanas are further from the fun play areas that kids may want to enjoy. If your kids want to spend their time at Pelican’s Plunge (the waterslides in the lagoon), then you may not get your money’s worth out of it.
- They are also further from the buffet. They do not bring you your food so you will have to walk for that.
- If you like to be active and want to check out the whole island and do add-on activities like Stingray Lagoon, you may not want to feel tied to your cabana. Having snorkel and float rentals included is nice, but you can also rent those separately if you don’t have a cabana.
- You also never know how the weather will be, or if a kid or someone in your party wants to go back to the ship early, you may feel like you have wasted your money if you don’t spend the whole day there.
Cabanas are best for:
- People with extra money
- People with babies/toddlers who want a quiet piece of beach for their kid to play and have a space to nap
- People who want a quieter space away from other people (although you will never be fully private – there are a lot of cabanas)
- People who get hot easily and will benefit from guaranteed shade, fans, cold drinks and towels, and golf cart transportation so you don’t have to walk in the heat.
- Multi-family groups that want a dedicated meeting space and seating together (plus they can split the cabana cost)
Fun Adventures
You can add on some fun to your day to make it more memorable. Castaway Cay add-on adventures include:
- Bicycle Rental – $19. It’s a nice way to explore the island, but we’ve only done this on a cooler day or as part of a package. Usually, we want to be in the water or relaxing on the beach.
- Float and Tube Rentals – $19 – rent a tube or float and relax on the water. The bays have few waves so it’s easy to just float around.
- Snorkel Lagoon Equipment Rentals – $45. Receive a snorkel, mask, fins, and a life jacket (yes, you want a life jacket). The snorkel lagoon is really cool because they have sunken Disney statues to find, but they are far out and it takes a lot of swimming
- Castaway Cay Getaway Package – $54. This includes snorkel equipment, float rental, and a bike rental. It’s a decent deal if you really want to do all 3. We prefer doing the Extreme package that adds the stingray adventure for even more bang for your buck.
- Stingray Adventure – $64. This is a fun one to try at least once. You spend some time standing in a shallow area where you get to feed and pet rays, then you snorkel in the stingray lagoon with the rays.
- Extreme Getaway Package – $99. Stingray Adventure plus snorkel equipment (for snorkeling around the Disney statues – separate from snorkeling with the rays), float rental, and bike rental.
- Aqua Trike and Water Bike rentals – $34. In our experience, it’s not as fun as it looks and you get hot.
- Banana Boat Ride – $49. Sit on a giant inflatable banana while a speed boat pulls you around the water. Kids can sit with parents on the banana and it’s a lot of fun!
- Paddle Boats – $24-29. These seat 2 or 4 people. It’s another one of those things that looks more fun than it actually is. But it’s a good workout and gets you out on the water!
- Sea Kayak – $24-29. If you have never kayaked, kayaking is easier to steer and cut through the water, so you can more easily travel around and explore the waters around the island.
- Stand-up Paddle Board Rental – $24. Ages 14 and up only.
- Parasailing – $144 – Ages 8 and up can sail through the air as a speed boat pulls you around. Our kids really want to do this but none of us has tried it yet.
There are other adventures available at Castaway Cay that take you off the island for fishing, or snorkeling further out via boat. We personally prefer to do excursions like that at other ports instead of taking up time for these on a private island day.
Disney’s newer island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point also offers extras, but admittedly the group writing this guide has not done as many of these (yet). Some of them are the same as Castaway Cay, but others are unique and offer opportunities to learn more about the environment, history, and culture of the Bahamas.
Check out the list of extras at Lighthouse Point on Disney’s site >
When you can book island extras:
| First-Time Guests | 75 days prior to sail date |
| Silver Castaway Club Member | 90 days prior to sail date |
| Gold Castaway Club Member | 105 days prior to sail date |
| Platinum Castaway Club Member | 120 days prior to sail date |
| Pearl Castaway Club Member | 123 days prior to sail date |
| Concierge Guests | 130 days prior to sail date* |
The booking window opens at midnight EST. You do not HAVE to stay up until midnight to book extras, and you also don’t have to book extras at all. But if you are trying to book several, here is a good priority list to book in this order:
- Cabana
- Bibbity Bobbity Botique
- Character Tea or Picnic
- Adult-only dining (Palo brunch fills first. If you have your heart set on this, move this up in priority)
- Adult beverage seminars
- Stingray Adventure if visiting Castaway Cay
- Other private island and on-board adventures
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
13. What excursions to choose at ports of call
Excursions are OFF-SHIP activities you can sign up for on the days you’re in a port. The excursions available will vary widely based on the port location. When choosing an excursion, consider…
- The minimum age requirement
- The length of time it lasts (do you want to maximize your time off the ship or do a shorter excursion to enjoy more time on the ship)
- The cost (consider what fits in your budget and seems the most “worth it” to you)
- Can everyone in your group participate in some capacity?
- Reviews to see if others have enjoyed it. If there aren’t many reviews on Disney’s site, you can find reviews on multiple sites (other cruise lines, TripAdvisor, etc.) because many excursions are not cruise-line specific.
Since Bahamas and Caribbean cruises are the most popular, we’ll highlight a few popular excursions for families traveling with kids and teens:
Nassau – Atlantis Aquaventure
If you have never been to the water park at Atlantis, we highly recommend trying it. They have unique waterslides, a slide through a shark tunnel, a not-so-lazy but really fun lazy river, gorgeous pools and grounds, and an aquarium. Check waterslides height requirements to make sure there’s enough for your kids to do. It’s overpriced if they’re just going to swim in the pools, and overall I recommend this one more for older kids and teens. You can save a bit by taking your own taxi to Atlantis and buying waterpark tickets at the gate and sometimes that give you more time in the park, but it is more convenient to book the excursion through Disney that includes transportation. We DON’T recommend doing the excursions that include Aquaventure + dolphins or other experiences because you’ll run out of time to do everything. Just focus on the waterpark. There are better places to do dolphin swims.
Nassau – Baha Bay
The other great resort/waterpark in Nassau! This one is newer, more compact, has a wave pool, and has more options for smaller kids. I still prefer Atlantis for the rapid river and because it’s less of a drive from the port, but Baha Mar is beautiful and will feel cleaner and newer.
Nassau – Blue Lagoon
There are several variations of excursions to Blue Lagoon and the reviews are always mixed. The beach itself is beautiful! If you just want to hang out at a beach with crystal clear water where kids can wade in the ocean, this is great! There is also an option to do a dolphin and sea lion encounter. But the beach can be crowded and you do have to ride a crowded boat to get there.
Costa Maya – Adventure Park (Mayá, Lost Mayan Kingdom)
This is a fantastic water park with a variety of water slides and zip lines. It is beautifully maintained, rarely crowded, has an elevator to a lot of the main slides, and they give you wristands that automatically take your photo on zip lines and slides, and then you can purchase all your adventure photos for one price. There are options that include the water park PLUS beach time or exploring Mayan ruins. You can also do this one on your own and save. It’s not a far walk or a very short cab ride from the port.
Cozumel – All-Terrain Buggy and Snorkel
Explore the island in an all-terrain vehicle that seats 4, spend time on a beach, snorkel at a shallow reef, and get a delicious Mexican lunch. The staff is great and overall is a fun experience! For ages 8 and up, but maybe even a bit older is best (old enough to snorkel will enjoy it most).
George Town, Grand Cayman – Stingray City
This is a popular excursion where you take a boat to a shallow sandbar area where friendly southern sting rays are very used to people. You can pet them as they swim around you and the guides will even help you feed them and hold one for a great picture opportunity. It can be a bit crowded but the guides make sure everyone has a chance to interact with the rays. Some people and kids can be scared of them, but they are very friendly and will not harm you. This excursion is best for kids tall enough to touch the bottom in 2-4 foot water because that makes interacting with rays much easier, but you will see some parents holding younger kids. You will have lifejackets.
You DO NOT have to book an excursion during a port day.
You always have the option to stay on the ship. You can also get off the ship and do your own thing without an official excursion booked through Disney. There are tours you can book on your own (just google the port name and the word excursions), or depending on the port you can just walk around the area or take a cab to a nearby destination.
The most important thing to keep in mind if venturing off on your own is when you need to be back on the ship. If an official Disney excursion is delayed, they will wait. If you’re on your own and you’re late, they will leave you. The other thing to keep in mind is safety, but honestly, I’ve never felt unsafe in a port town. Most of those towns rely on tourism and crime is a quick way to kill tourism, so they are usually quite safe. You may have some people trying to sell you items or get you to do a tour, but you can politely decline and keep walking.
14. Planning how you’ll get to the ship
If you can drive to your port of call, that is the most affordable option. You can drive to your port, arrive at your port arrival time, pay to park in the deck or lot, get your luggage from your car, and cast members will be there to assist and lead you to the terminal.
If you can’t or don’t want to drive, you’ll need to start looking at flights to the closest airport. Set a Google flight alert for your dates to look for good deals.
If leaving out of Port Canaveral, your best bet is to fly into Orlando (MCO) and use Disney Ground Transportation to take you from the airport to the cruise terminal. The cost is $45/person. Disney offers ground transportation for other ports as well. Find the details here >
It’s usually best to book your flight into town for the day before your ship departs. You don’t want to worry about missing the ship due to flight delays. Your return trip can be on the same day as disembarkation, but it’s best to schedule the flight for late afternoon or early evening. Some people also choose to add an extra day before or after their trip to explore the area, or in the case or Orlando – add a day or two at Disney World.
You will need to know your travel plans before you check in (30-40 days before your cruise starts).
15. How and when to check in for your cruise and get a good boarding time (30-40 days out)
First-time cruisers can start checking in 30 days before the departure date. Check-in begins at midnight Eastern Standard Time. You do not have to stay up until midnight, but if you are a first-time cruiser and you’d like to get on the ship as early as possible (helpful if you want to enjoy the lunch buffet or enjoy the pool and waterslides with lower crowds), then you need to be ready to go at midnight and move quickly. Another reason to stay up until midnight is if you have kids who want to meet princesses, because the time slots for the Royal Gathering fill up quickly.
Day you can check in:
- First time Disney cruiser: 30 days
- Silver member: 33 days
- Gold member: 35 days
- Platinum member: 38 days
- Pearl member: 40 days
Time:
Gather everything you need and get logged in before midnight EST. Then start the process right at midnight.
Where:
Be logged into your Disney account on the Disney Cruise Line website. We recommend doing this on a desktop/laptop instead of in the mobile app so you can navigate more easily, but either works.
Have ready in advance:
- Photos of the passports for all members of your party. Take a photo of the photo page of your passport only. Don’t just have the passports in front of you, have photos of them ready to go and already on your phone or computer (whichever one you use to check in – it can be done on the website or the app).
- If you don’t have a passport for everyone in your party, have a scanned copy of their birth certificate ready. If the person is over 15, also have a photo of the front and back of their government-issued ID or driver’s license ready.
- Have forward-facing recent headshots of each member of your party. You can take these on your phone and should NOT be the same photo as your passport. Just line up each of your party against a plain wall and take a photo of each of them from the shoulders up. Have these photos ready to upload from your computer or phone where you will be doing online check-in.
- Know your address, contact information, and emergency contact information
- A credit card for expenses occurred onboard
- Travel plans for when and how you will be arriving at the port
- If you will be traveling with a child that is not your own, you will need their parent to fill out an “Authorization for a Minor to Travel Without a Parent” form and have it ready to upload
- If you live outside the US, consult Disney’s page about passports and visas to see if you will need other documents
- Lastly – make sure your cruise is paid in full! You can’t check in if you haven’t paid the full amount.
Process:
- Be in front of your computer with all the items above in a folder ready to upload. You may also want to have passport number and credit card numbers typed out in a document on your computer so you can easily copy and paste them in.
- Go to the Disney Cruise Line website and login BEFORE midnight
- If you want to do the Royal Gathering, the free event where you get to meet 4-5 princesses back to back without having to wait in line for each one (trust us – it’s much better thean finding them each individually on the ship), then RIGHT AT MIDNIGHT you should book a time for Royal Gathering. Don’t be fussy about which time. If you see an open time – grab it! They fill FAST!
- Next complete your online check-in (the link is from your cruise details screen), following the steps and uploading the needed items. Try to move quickly and complete all steps.
- If you have kids you will have extra steps for the kids club, including listing who can pick up your child, and a family “secred code word” you’ll use for checking your kids in.
- Once you complete all the steps you’ll be able to choose a Port Arrival Time. We recommend choosing the earliest time available.
- Once complete your Online Check-in status will say “Pending Review”. That’s normal! Disney will be revewing your documents and will contact you if there are any issues. But your port arrival time is still locked in if you completed all the steps.
- You will now have access to the Port Arrival Form, which you should print and bring with you to the ship.
16. What to buy and pack
If you’re enjoying this guide, please say thank you by purchasing one of the items we recommend using the links below. The moms who spent a lot of time putting this together will get a few cents and be very thankful!
Essentials:
- Passports (or birth certificates and IDs)
- Port Arrival Form
- Bathing suits
- Sunscreen. One of the moms writing this swears by this sunscreen that is reef safe and extremely water resistant – even if your kids are swimming all day and you forget to reapply.
- Cover ups and casual clothes
- Nicer clothes for dinners
- Shoes – sandals, sneakers, nicer shoes for dinners
- All toiletries
- Phones and chargers
- Multi-port USB charger. You cannot bring power strips or extension cords, but something like this is helpful because there are not many outlets in the state rooms and these are under the wattage limit.
- Bag for excursion days. This can also be your carry-on bag. I like a Bogg bag or similar for the durability and they are waterproof/sandproof, but often do a tote bag with a zipper because they are easier to carry and the zipper helps keep items secure. This tote is great and holds a lot of stuff.
- Luggage tags (Disney will send you these)
- Medicine (bring your own anti-nausea, pain relievers, etc.)
Nice extras:
- Princess dresses or other fun outfits for character and professional photos. If you have girls who want a fancy dress but not necessarily a Disney princess costume, we have found lovely affordable dresses on Temu and Shein.
- Pirate outfits and accessories for pirate night (check the app to see if your cruise includes pirate night but most likely it does). Some cute but affordable options:
- This pirate dress is really cute for girls and comfortable
- Easy pirate costume t-shirt for guys
- Matching pirate accessories in bulk for large families and groups
- Cute pirate accessories for women or teens to pair with your own clothes or
- This cute, simple pirate dress for women and teens
- 2 bottles of wine or champagne per adult. Unopened and packed in your carry-on bag. (These can be brought to dinner for a $25 corking fee or ask your stateroom attendant for a wine opener and enjoy on your own.
- Your own water bottles and tumblers to keep drinks cold. There is free water available but only in tiny cups.
- Magic Bands (Only if you already have them. They are nice to have but not worth buying just for a cruise.)
- Disney pins for anyone into pin trading
- Mickey ears
- If you plan on snorkeling and have your own snorkel gear, you can bring that. Some of our kids struggle with the classic kind and do much better with these full-face snorkel masks.
- Underwater camera or a waterproof bag for your phone so you can take pictures while snorkeling and swimming.
- White noise machine to help drown out any ship noise
- Magnet hooks to hang towels and other items because there aren’t enough places to hang things
- Magnets to decorate your door like this, or look for custom ones on Etsy. Not required, but it helps kids recognize which door is yours and is a popular thing to do on Disney Cruise Line.
17. Pixie Dusting and Fish Extenders
These are two things that some guests choose to participate in that are unique to Disney Cruise Line. If planning to do either of these stresses you out, don’t do them. You will have a perfectly good time without them! But if you’re interested…
Pixie Dusting
Pixie Dusting used to soley refer to kind things or little extras that cast members would do for guests. Now it has grown to be little gifts that guests give out to other guests or cast members. These can be little items like stickers, key chains, rubber ducks, etc. You can hand them out to others or some people hang a bag or fish extender on their stateroom door and you can drop gifts inside. If you bring things to give away, don’t expect to get anything back in return. The amount of pixie dusting can vary a lot from cruise to cruise and we’ve seen some disappointed people who put a lot of time and effort into their gifts who are disappointed when they get nothing or very little back. Also sometimes people don’t want to be handed little trinkets or don’t want to pack them. But some people love giving out these little gifts and it helps kids learn about the joy of giving instead of receiving.
Fish Extenders
Fish Extenders is basiclly a more organized method of pixie dusting and the gifts are usually nicer/more elaborate. The word “fish extenders” itself refers to these hanging storage pocket things that people buy and hang outside their stateroom. But on a Disney Cruise, it can also mean joining a fish extender group. You join a group by searching on Facebook for a group specific to the dates of your cruise and people usually organize groups for fish extender gift exchanges. You may have a group of 10-20 families that share their stateroom with the group and everyone in the group bring a gift for everyone else in the group. If you want to make sure you both give AND receive, this is the way to do it. But you still need to be happy with whatever you get because some people go all out with elaborate and custom-made gifts, and others might just give you a sheet of stickers. We have seen lots of people complain about the time and money they put into gifts but receive so little in return. Some people really enjoy participating and it can be a way to connect with others on your cruise, even before the cruise begins. But for others, it is an unnecessary thing to have to plan for and worry about. If you are a first time cruiser, we recommend not doing it. You will not be missing out. Just enjoy your cruise and focus on your own family.
A note about rubber ducks – hiding and finding rubber ducks throughout the ship is a thing done on other cruise lines and used to be done on Disney Cruises as well, but no longer. Cast members are instructed to pick up ducks that are left around the ship. You can give out rubber ducks as a pixie dust gift, but you either need to hand them to someone or leave them in a fish extender.
18. Tips and Itinerary Recommendation for Embarkation Day
- Prep Luggage: That morning, make sure you have the luggage tags that Disney sent you in the mail on all the bags that you will be checking. When you arrive at the terminal, you will check these bags in, then they will magically arrive at your stateroom later in the day.
- Prep Carry-On Bag: Make sure you have a carry-on bag packed. Your carry-on should contain anything you will need for the next several hours. It should also contain your Port Arrival Form, IDs and Passports. If you want to bring your own wine or champagne, you can pack up to 2 bottles per adult in your carry-on bag (but keep in mind you’ll have to carry this bag for a while, so you may not want it to be too heavy). You also may want to pack a swimsuit or wear your swimsuit under your clothes and have a change or clothes ready in your carry-on bag. See the packing section above for what type of bags we recommend as your carry-on.
- Complete Medical Questionnaire: Disney will send you a link to a medical questionnaire that morning to ask if anyone is feeling sick or has a fever. Complete this form before heading to the port.
- Arrive at the Port: If you’re driving in, aim to arrive at the parking deck 30 minutes before your Port Arrival Time (PAT) so you have time to park and get your luggage to the terminal. If you’re using an Uber/Lyft you may only need to arrive 15-20 minutes before.
- Check-In: Follow signs and cast member instructions to enter the Terminal building and get in line for check-in. The line can get a bit long but moves quickly. You will present your Port Arrival Form and IDs/Passports/Birth Certificates. If you have kids between the ages of 3-10 who will hopefully be enjoying the Oceaneers Club while on board, you will also need to tell them who has authorization to pick them up from the clubs, and they will receive wristbands. If you brought your own MagicBands with you, you will also have a chance to activate them during check-in.
Tip: If you have time while waiting, go ahead and connect to the ship’s WiFi. The Disney Cruise Navigator app will change to on-ship mode and you’ll be able to start looking at the cruise schedule.
- Security: You will go through security, similar to at an airport, where your bags will go on a conveyor belt and you will walk through a metal detector. Once you’re done with security, you will wait until your boarding group is called. If it has already been called, you will proceed to where they take a group photo.
- Photo and Walk to the Ship: When your boarding group is called, you can join the embarkation line. There will be a photographer there to take your photo. Then you will walk through the Mickey-shaped portal to walk toward the ship.
- Enter the Ship: They will announce your family name as you walk onto the ship, which is just so magical! You may want to have your phone ready to video it and capture your kid’s faces as they see the inside of the ship for the first time! You will be able to awe over the Great Hall and take it all in, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Typically, Mickey or other characters are around the Great Hall if you want to start by meeting a character! If the lines look a bit long, you can skip and meet them later.
- Optional – Stop by Guest Services: If you were unable to get a reservation you really wanted (like the Royal Gathering or brunch at Palo), you can go by Guest Services as soon as you’re on board to see if they have openings. There are often a few extra available.
Lunch: Head up to the Lido deck where the pool and buffet are and get some food! There will be a lot of people doing the same. If you have younger kids, you may want to find a table and have them sit there with one adult and bring them food, then swap. Some kids struggle to hold the plates and trays and it can be a bit overwhelming.
Alternative: If you don’t care about beating the crowds to the waterslides, go to the dining room for lunch instead. It will be much calmer, but will take longer since it is table service.- Ride the waterslides: If you are interested and it’s warm enough, this is a great time to do the waterslides before the lines get too long! You can also enjoy the pools, but the waterslides should be the priority if you want to ride them.
Alternative: Check out the Oceaneer’s Club during open house so your kids get excited to go there on their own later. - Check out your room: You will get an alert on your phone when your stateroom is ready. It’s usually around 2pm, but you don’t have to rush there immediately. Many people will go to their staterooms right when they’re ready, but that will make the crowds less at the waterslides/pools. But do head to your room around 3-3:30 at least so you have time to check it out before Muster time (usually around 4pm). You can take some time to settle in, change clothes if needed, and decorate your door if you brough magnets.
- Muster: THIS IS REQUIRED. Everyone must go to their designated Muster station to hear a safety briefing about what to do in case of an emergency. Your muster station can be found in many places, including in the app. There will be many cast members around to help point you in the right direction. You will line up on the deck and listen to the safety briefing and then you can leave.
- Sail Away Party: Check the app for what time the party will start and plan to arrive early. The party is a mini show with lot of characters and dancing and singing and is a lot of fun! Depending on how long muster takes, you may want to start heading to the top deck soon after muster ends to get a good spot to see the show. The best spots if you have short kids are right in front of the stage on the main deck, or around the edge of the 2nd level deck.
- Dinner, Show, and Evening Fun: In the evening you will have your first meal in one of the dining rooms (the app will tell you which dining room you are in) and you will meet your wait staff. This group will follow you around to the different dining rooms each night. If you have early dining you will eat, then see the show. Late dining is show first, then dinner. Check the app to see what the show is the first night. The shows are great and we recommend showing up 15-20 minutes early to get seats. There will also be characters and photo opporutnities around the Great Hall. The shops will also be open if you want to shop for sourvenirs before some things start to run out.
19. Tips and tricks for making the most of your time on the ship
Navigator App and Activities
This is the Disney Cruise Line app that will give you all the information you need, including schedules and ship maps. You can download the app before you cruise, but not everything will show up until you’re on board. Once you have boarded, you can use the app to view the schedule and mark your favorites.
There are SO many free activities on the ship (see the next section for an example day). Our advice – don’t try to overdo it and do every activity, but also don’t spend all your time in your room. Get out there (and maybe out of your comfort zone a bit) and try some of the ship activities, but don’t let FOMO (fear of missing out) keep you running around to everything and forget to relax and savor the moments.
Water slides/water coasters
The lines can get really long, especially on at-sea days. The shortest lines are usually right when you get on board the ship. We recommend wearing bathing suits under your clothes when you board so you can go straight to the slides. Your stateroom will not be ready right away so it’s a good way to pass the time and the pools are close to the buffet. The other good time to ride the slides are when most people are doing other things – like days at ports or during shows. (But we personally do not recommend skipping a show to ride a waterslide – the shows are one of the best things about Disney cruises!)
Stage Shows
The shows on Disney Cruise Line are Broadway-quality and not to be missed! The only problem is they are very popular, and you have to get there early to get a seat. There are 2 performances of each show – one during early seating dinner and one during late seating dinner. The idea is you go to the show when you don’t have dinner, then everyone swaps.
The problem is that sometimes dinners can run long, so if you have early dinner and want to get a good seat for the show, let your server know and you can leave dinner a few minutes early if needed. It’s also a benefit of late dinner – you can get to the early show early to get a good seat, then do dinner afterward. You also have the option to skip dinner in the dining room and just get food at the buffet and prioritize getting to the show.
The shows vary per ship, and there’s usually always one or two shows that are the most popular. It’s usually the big ones based on classic movies like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Frozen, etc. You will want to show up 30-45 minutes early to the most popular shows to get a good seat. For the other shows, 15-20 minutes is usually fine (and the other shows are also great!)
Deck Shows/Parties
The shows will vary by ship, but typically there is a Sail Away party which starts around the time the ship is leaving on embarkation day, and a Pirate Night show and party that ends in fireworks (weather-permitting). Themed cruises may have other deck shows.
These parties can get really crowded and can be hard for kids to see the action on the stage. We recommend getting to the area about 20 minutes before the show starts and let kids sit toward the front near the stage, OR get a spot on the rail on the upper deck so you are looking down at the show and can get a good view.
Characters
Check the app when you get on the ship to see when different characters will be out. Most characters make multiple appearances during the cruise, but some of the more rare characters only come out 1-2 times. Info and Tips:
- Look at the Navigator App and mark your favorite characters and make a plan for when you want to see them.
- Early morning, later in the evening, and on port days are when lines will be shortest.
- For many characters, a queue will start to form before the character comes out. Show up about 10-15 minutes before the character is set to arrive to be toward the front of the line.
- If the queue for a character gets long, they may only keep it open for about 15 minutes once the character arrives. Don’t be upset if you see a character with a line but the cast member says the line is closed.
- Some characters get especially long lines – mainly Stitch, and sometimes Captain Jack Sparrow, so plan accordingly. Most character lines are 20 minutes or less, but Stitch can be 60-90 minutes.
- If the line is long, you can leave an adult in line and let your kids do other things, but make sure they are close by and get back in line before your it’s your turn.
- Some characters just roam around the ship and you can catch impromptu moments with them. They are usually around decks 3-5 but sometimes other random places.
- You’ll also see characters during character dance parties and they will show up in the kids’ clubs.
Onboard Fun to Enjoy Anytime
- Interactive Scavenger Hunt – there’s a fun interactive scavenger hunt on each ship where you gather clues to solve a caper. The interactive stops take you around the ship to eliminate suspects and figure out who did it! It’s a fun activity to do with the whole family. The type and name varies by ship. Look in the app for Midship Detective Agency, Disney Uncharted Adventure, or Haunted Mansion Happy Haunt.
- Mini Golf, Basketball, Shuffleboard – on the top deck (Goofy’s Sports Deck) you can play a free round of mini golf, shoot some hoops, or play shuffleboard surrounded by ocean views!
- Pools – all the ships feature multiple pools. There are typically two family pools, one of which is shallower than the other. There is also usually a splash area for little kids, and an adult-only pool. They often show Disney movies on a big screen in the main pool area.
- Movie Theater – Check the app to see what movies are playing, but they are typically family classics during the day and recently released movies in the evening.
20. What a typical at-sea day schedule looks like
Some people worry that they will be bored if they don’t have extras booked. You will not be bored! There are constantly multiple activities happening all the time. Some of the activities repeat at multiple days/times, but others are one-time only. You’ll be able to see the activity schedule in the Disney Cruise app once you board the ship. You can look through the app and mark your favorites and the app will send you push notifications before your favorites begin.
Below are screenshots of a typical at-sea day schedule. Click them to view larger. (There are 65 screenshots of just ONE day!)
21. All About the Kids and Teen Clubs
The kid and teen clubs on Disney Cruise Line are all staffed by incredible cast members trained to work with kids. Kids and teens can go to these areas for supervised fun while adults enjoy some adult-only time (check your ship, but there will be an adult-only pool area and adult-only restaurants and bars).
The Kids’ and Teens Club by Age Range:
Babies and toddlers under 3: It’s a Small World Nursery
The Nursery is not free and does require a reservation. Ideally, you booked a time or two when your booking window opened (75 days in advance for first-time cruisers), but you can also check for openings during your cruise, as some people will cancel. If you ever need to cancel, make sure you cancel 4 hours in advance. Learn more about the nursery and the rules >
Ages 3 (must be potty-trained) to 10 Years: Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Lab
The themes of the Oceaneer Club varies by ship, but each one is Disney-themed and filled with activities and interactive fun! They have organized activities (you can find the schedule in the app), great cast members who help all kids feel welcome and involved, and sometimes characters stop by to play with the kids! Many say it’s the coolest part of the ship! You do not need a reservation, just drop off your kid(s) when you want if they are registered.
You can register during online check-in, or once you board the ship. Even if you register in advance, you will still need to stop by the Oceaneer’s Club in person on embarkation day to fill out final paperwork and get a wristband that gives kids access to the Club.
Dine and Play – We mentioned this above in the section about dining, but if you have the late dining time and you worry your kids will not want to sit through a long meal, tell you server and they will bring out your kid’s meals quickly, then bring your kids to the front of the restaurant between 9-9:15 and cast members will escort them to the club. Then adults can finish their meal and even enjoy some time at a bar after dinner, then pick up their kids anytime before midnight (but check the app as the closing time can vary on some nights).
Ages 11-14: Edge
A cool hangout space for tweens and younger teens. They have video games, board games, crafts, movies, etc. They also have some fun scheduled activities like scavenger hunts, dance parties, and other things around the ship. Tweens/teens can check themselves in and out of the club on their own if you sign off on that. You do have to stop by Edge with your tween/teen the first time to fill out forms. Among our group of moms, some tweens have loved it and some have not. It seems the key is if they make friends, or if they are screen-obsessed and want to be in the club to play video games.
Ages 14-17: Vibe
A cool place for teens to hang out without parents! Admittedly, only one in our group has a kid old enough to have tried it. Their teen loved it because she met friends and liked going to meet up with them.
A note about age limits
The clubs are divided by age and the age ranges are NOT flexible. If your 8-year-old doesn’t want to go to the kids’ club without their 11-year-old sibling, they will not be able to. This has been a problem for several of us. The best thing to do is to prepare your kids in advance. Make them try it at least once and let the cast members know and they can help make sure your kid gets involved with something quickly and hopefully they will have a great time! But also be prepared if your kids don’t like going to the clubs. Total opinion here – but it’s their vacation too, and you don’t want it to be a miserable experience. But it’s also ok to make them try it and push them out of their comfort zone a bit. It’s a balance and every kid is different.
Open Houses
There are times on several days when ALL ages can visit the Clubs during Open House hours! This is good news for families with kids in different age groups or adults who want to see the awesome fun their kids are having in the clubs. The most popular one to visit is the Oceaneer’s Club. All ages can check out the great theming and interactive activities during this time, but parents must be with the group if other ages are joining.
22. Tips for making the most of your Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay day (Bahamas Cruises only)
What to wear:
A bathing suit with a cover-up on top, or lightweight clothing. Comfortable sandals are usually the best footwear choice unless you want to run the 5K (more info on that below).
What to Bring With You:
In your carry-on/beach bag pack your own sunscreen, sunglasses, beach toys, and anything else you’d like or need for a day at the beach. You also need your Key to the World card and your passport or ID. You will not need cash or cards, and you do not need to pack towels.
You can also bring a small cooler with you (Disney has some for sale and will come with bottles of water). Pack it with water bottles or other items and as you get off the ship, there is a station to fill it with fresh ice. There IS free water on the island though, so you do not have to pack your own.
Don’t sleep in too much:
Get off the ship early so you can find a good spot on the beach or make the most of your cabana if you purchased one. The family beach will start to fill up by mid-morning.
Getting off the Ship:
Take the elevator or stairs to the bottom level and follow the signs and the crowd to the exit. You will scan your cruise card as you exit. Then as you walk on the dock, you can pick up towels and get ice.
Getting to the beach:
The walk from the ship to the main family beach area is pretty long, but walkable at both islands (about a 10-15 minute walk). The walk can get hot, so it’s another good reason to get off the ship early before the heat of the day. If someone in your party has mobility concerns, talk to a cast member about getting a shuttle/golf cart. There are often characters out around the entrance, such as Jack Sparrow or masked characters in beach outfits. This is a great time to meet them!
Where to go:
If you did not purchase a cabana, you will most likely want to grab a spot on the beach to be your home base for the day. At both private islands, there is a family beach and an adult-only beach. Both have lounge chairs and umbrellas. At Castaway, there are two sections of the family beach and you may want to choose one based on what you will be doing most. The first section of family beach you’ll come to is the largest and has an obstacle course out in the water. The second section has the waterslides and is closer to the snorkeling area.
Food and Drinks:
Only lunch is served on the island, so be sure to stop by the buffet or order room service breakfast before you get off the ship. Lunch is a buffet and is served in several locations so check the map to find your closest option. You can get free water and soda at the buffet. There are also several bars on the islands for adult and specialty beverages for an extra fee.
Things to Do:
- Relax on the beach!
- Float in the water (floats available to rent)
- Check out the kids/teen club areas (check the app for scheduled activities)
- Snorkel (snorkel gear available for rent). At Castaway you can find sunken Disney statues.
- At Castaway, enjoy a waterslide into the ocean or the obstacle course in the ocean (you have to swim out to them and climb up a ladder so these are best for older kids and they should wear a lifejacket). There is a 38″ height requirement for the slides.
- Take a bike ride around the island (bikes available for rent)
- Meet characters (check the app for locations and times, especially the Beach Bash where you can dance and do activities with characters!)
- Rent a water vehicle and get out on the water (kayaks, paddle boats, ect.)
- Splash area for little kids and toddlers
- Shopping
- Activities you booked in advance like the Stingray Adventure (see section above about activities to book in advance)
- Go for a run! There is a 5K mapped out on Castaway Cay (follow the signs) that will take you along the airport runway and past the observation tower (you can climb it for a nice view). Everyone who finishes gets a free medal!
23. All About Disembarkation (leaving the ship)
Things to do on your last day:
- Review Final Bill: You will be given a final statement and Disney will automatically charge the folio amount to the credit card attached to your account. Check it over and if there are any issues or you want to change the credit card, you’ll need to stop by Guest Services.
- Add Tips: You will be given envelopes and can leave additional gratuities for your dining and stateroom staff. Tips are included on Disney Cruise Line, so this isn’t required but very appreciated.
- Purchase photos: If you hadn’t already purchased a photo package, you can still do it before you leave! Stop by a Shutters location to buy a full package or just the photos you would like.
- Return Oceaneer Bands: If you had a child between ages 3-10 that had a kids club wrist band, you can return them to the club, or you will be charged $13 if you want to keep them as a souvenir.
Choose a Disembarkation Option:
- Using Luggage Service (recommended):
- The night before, luggage tags will be dropped off at your stateroom. Place these on your luggage, pack up, and leave your luggage outside your state room by the designated time (usually around 10pm). Make sure you remember or take a pictureo of your color/character luggage tag. The crew will pick up your bags and you will pick them up in the terminal after you exit the ship.
- Doing this means you will need a smaller bag with what you need for the night and next morning that you will carry off the ship with you. This bag should include toiletries, Key to the World card, ID, phone and chargers, clothing for the next day, etc.
- You will be assigned a time for disembarkation and will be able to have breakfast and enjoy the ship until your assigned time to leave. When your group is called, you will follow the signs and cast member instructions to exit the ship. There can be lines, so be patient.
- Once off this ship your luggage will be waiting for you in groups based on your luggage tag color/character.
Express Walk-Off:
If you choose this option, you will carry/roll all your luggage out of your room and off the ship as you leave the next morning. You will be allowed to leave as soon as the all clear is given in the morning, usually around 7:30am. This is a good option if you have an early flight to catch.
Breakfast Options on the Last Morning:
- Dining Room: The best option in our opinion is to enjoy one last meal in the dining room with your wait staff. You will typically dine in the same dining room you were in for dinner the night before. Early seating is around 6:45am and late seating around 8am. Check your app for the exact location and time.
- Buffet: If you are in a hurry or if you choose Express Walk-Off, the buffet is also open but with a lighter selection of food. Room service is available to concierge guests only.
Customs and Border Protection
About the Authors:
This guide is a collaborative effort by 3 moms, 2 of whom have done MANY Disney cruises, and one (the one who runs this site and mostly does other types of trips) who recently planned her first Disney cruise and relied on the expertise of others to plan a great trip. She then kindly asked those ladies to help write up all their wisdom into this guide and she is so thankful they said yes! We truly hope this helps others plan a great trip!
