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Plan Your Dream Trip To Disney!

14 Insanely Useful Disney Cruise Tips to Know Before You Go

October 25, 2019 //  by  Stephanie Kastan //   Leave a Comment

If you’re thinking about planning a Disney cruise, or have already booked one, these Disney cruise tips will help you get the most out of your vacation. Disney cruises are tons of fun, but, like with any vacation, you can miss out on some fun and relaxation if you don’t prepare! If you’re interested in what to pack, how to save money, or how to make the most of your time on your Disney cruise, I’ve got you covered!

Disney Cruise Line (DCL) currently has four ships: The Fantasy, the Dream, the Magic, and the Wonder. There are also more coming in the next few years! Each ship has slightly different offerings, so, whether you have kids or are a kid at heart, Disney definitely has something to offer every passenger.

Get a FREE printable 30/60/90 day Disney countdown by joining our private Disney Facebook Group and share your photos and ask for tips and tricks! 

Tips for Booking Your Disney Cruise

Best time to go.

Timing is obviously important for vacations, and this is especially true for Disney vacations! Time of year for cruising will also depend on your family’s needs and wants. For example, anytime school is in session is a good choice for a Disney cruise. Fewer people and often cheaper prices are a huge benefit to the off-season. However, if you absolutely cannot go during the school year, that’s clearly not going to work for you.

September is often hailed as the number one Disney cruise trip for best time to sail. It’s a good choice because the weather is still warm enough to enjoy the onboard pools and white sand beaches (unless you’re doing an Alaska or Europe itinerary- though warmer weather will still help these!). However, September is also during Florida’s Hurricane Season, and it can be a busy time of the season for storms (Note that in recent years both Hurricanes Irma and Dorian were in September).

If your family is looking for a specific itinerary- those have specific dates attached to them. For example, Alaska cruises only sail during the summer, for obvious reasons. Disney Cruise Line also has specialty sailings at certain times of the year- Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merrytime, Marvel Day at Sea, and Star Wars Day at Sea. If any of those strike your fancy, be sure to pay attention to which dates they’re offered.

Choosing your Stateroom

I highly recommend picking your own stateroom! This is one of my biggest Disney cruise tips. However, this can be overwhelming as there are so many options and things to consider. Fortunately, when you book through Disney, or if you go through a travel agent, you are able to view the deck plans to make an informed decision. For example, if anyone in your party experiences seasickness or motion sickness, it is absolutely crucial to pick a stateroom as close to mid-ship as you can and as low deck as you’re comfortable with.

If you are traveling with a bigger party you may be considering a suite that can sleep more people, but it is usually recommended to instead get adjoining cabins. It is actually cheaper to get two cabins than it is to get a larger suite most of the time, plus everyone will have more room (and bathrooms) to spread out.

You should also think about where you want to be in relation to everything else. There is dining on the lower desks if you want to be close to it, but usually most people think about being close to the pool deck up top. This is great if you want to be right there with the action and fun, but you should also consider volume. If you like peace and quiet when you go to bed and night, you may want to be a bit further away from the top decks. Personally, I like to cruise midship because I’d rather have the quiet at night and take an elevator to get to the pool.

Dining Times

Disney Cruise Line has a super fun dining rotation that allows guests to experience different restaurants during their sailing. There are also two dining times to pick from when you book your cruise: early and late. If you’re okay eating dinner at a later time, I highly recommend choosing this option as it will have fewer kids in the dining room (making it much quieter!) and it has the added bonus of Dine and Play. The Dine and Play program means that families at late dining can have dinner all together before the kids are taken to the kids’ clubs!

Your dining time will also impact your timing for the shows! Early dining is much more crowded, which means that most families go to the second show when they finish dinner. If you have late seating for dinner, you can see the show first and get better seats because you won’t have to rush from dinner to the theater!

Specialty Dining

Specialty dining is a total experience on Disney cruises, and one of my biggest Disney cruise tips. If you think you want to do it, book in advance! You can always cancel later but many times you’ll find that by the time of your sailing most reservations will be taken.

Palo and Remy, Italian and French themed respectively, are fine dining experiences. There is an enforced dress code, so pack accordingly! The Palo brunch is often the highest regarded meal, but I think it depends on your tastes. I am a huge sucker for brunch so the Palo brunch did win me over, but the chocolate souffle on Palo’s dinner menu is TO DIE FOR.

The specialty dining options are a flat fee, so while that does mean they’re a bit pricey, it also means you can eat as much as you want to. Just don’t fill up too much before dessert!

Character Meet and Greets

There are plenty of characters to meet onboard Disney Cruise Line (and on the private island, Castaway Cay), and just like in the parks, they’re happy to meet you and your little ones. These characters also have the great benefit of being in great, sea-worthy outfits! Eskimo Minnie on the Alaska sailings has totally stolen my heart, but Captain Mickey (and now Captain MINNIE!) are iconic.

Just like in the Disney Parks, there are designated times for meet and greats with the characters, and you’re able to reserve a spot for them before you sail! I highly recommend doing this if anyone in your party wants to meet the characters (especially the more unique characters like the Star Wars and Marvel crews on those specialty sailings), as the lines can get long and close very quickly.

But don’t worry! If you don’t reserve a time to meet the characters in advance, your cruise Navigator (delivered to your stateroom each day) will list times and locations for meet and greets. Just be sure to arrive early! 10 minutes is the recommended window to ensure you grab a spot in the line. And don’t forget your autograph books!

Tips for Making the Most of Your Disney Cruise

What to pack.

If you get motion sickness or seasickness, Dramamine is a MUST for your Disney cruise. You can find it at any drugstore or here on Amazon. Important note about Dramamine- start taking it several days BEFORE you cruise because it can take awhile to start helping you. Also, if you discover you need it after you’ve set sail, or have run out, you can find it onboard all of Disney’s ships!

For most itineraries, sunscreen is another must-pack item. I highly recommend (and encourage) going the reef-safe route, especially because these sunscreens are as effective as the non-reef safe ones are. My favorite ones are All Good and MyChelle , both of which are animal cruelty free and feel great on my skin.

I’d recommend bringing a light sweater on your Disney Cruise for dining and shows, as I find the interior of the ship can get a bit chilly with the air conditioning- especially if you’ve been in the sun all day! For those sailing on colder Disney cruises, I’d still recommend bringing a light sweater in addition to your warmer clothes.

Pins! This is one my favorite Disney cruise tips. I wish I had known to bring pins on my first Disney cruise- my husband and I are big pin traders. For those who don’t know, Disney Parks’ cast members often wear lanyards with Disney pins on them for guests to trade with. However, what I didn’t know was that during Disney Cruise sailings, there is an event held near the theater where the ship’s officers come out and trade pins with the guests! It was a great way to find some unique treasures and can be a great way to bring home a souvenir with a fun memory attached!

Another fun Disney cruise tip is to pack magnets! Why? Because Disney cruise guests often decorate their stateroom doors to show who they are, what they like, or what they’re celebrating! It’s a really fun way to get to know the people you cruise with and make a statement!

For more great ideas on what to pack, check out our post on Disney packing lists !

Bringing Booze on a Disney Cruise?

All right, adult Disney fans, this one’s for you: Disney Cruise Line allows you to pack booze in your carry-on to bring on your sailing! Honestly, I think this is a great idea for everyone. They do have limits and specifications, so be sure not to exceed them and risk losing the money you spent on the booze AND the money you’ll spend buying more onboard!

Disney Cruise Line allows you to bring two (2) bottles of wine and one (1) six-pack of beer PER PERSON in your carry-on luggage. You are also allowed to buy wine and beer while you’re in a port of call and bring it back to the ship with you! This is such a great money-saver for those who want to drink on their Disney cruise. Additionally, you can also bring wine to your dining room if you want to drink with dinner- the restaurant will charge your stateroom $25 for the uncorking fee.

Tips for Pirate Night

Pirate Night is such a fun and exciting part of Disney cruising. This event is only featured on Caribbean itineraries, so if your Disney cruise happens elsewhere then you can skip this section! Pirate Night happens up on the pool deck, and is a pirate-themed show, with dressed up characters and fireworks!

There is a buffet on the pool deck during Pirate Night, so you may opt to skip the dining room in favor of the buffet and staking out a spot for the festivities. The pool deck is PACKED during Pirate Night, so definitely get there early. Plus, it’s windy up there and you may end up getting a bit chilly (trust me) so bring your sweaters!

At dinner, you will get a Mickey banana to wear for the party, but most guests choose to dress up much more! The Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique onboard the ship does offer kids’ pirate makeovers for Pirate Night, but I highly suggest packing costumes/accessories with you.

Get Connected

Honestly one of the most convenient parts about Disney Cruise Line for me and my husband was the DCL mobile phone app. If you’re wondering what my favorite Disney cruise tip is, here you go: download the app! It allows you to communicate with your party without using data or paying for wifi. No more making plans for the whole day and trying to remember what time you need to meet up with your family. Now you can message them while onboard! The app has other handy features, including a fun countdown to your cruise before you go, but it is a MUST for Disney cruising.

Embarkation Tips

Best Disney cruise tips for embarkation? Check in online is number 1! You can do this in advance and it will save you so much time at the terminal. When you check in online you can also select your arrival time- be sure to write it down! This saves you so much time in the port AND can help you get on the ship early! If you do this, definitely keep your swim gear in your carry-on so you can grab lunch and hit the pool while others board. Just make sure to still arrive one hour before your scheduled time!

For cruisers with kiddos, it’s almost always easier to sign up for the kids’ club after you board the ship. You are able to in the terminal but the lines get very long, especially compared to the ones onboard the ship.

Shore Excursion Tips

I highly recommend shore excursions if they’re in your budget! These are a great and EASY way to explore your ports of call. However, if you’ve been to one your ports of call before, this is a great time to enjoy the ship with fewer people. I live in Florida and have been fortunate enough to cruise multiple times, but the itinerary is always the Bahamas, so I usually skip Nassau to stay on board. This is when I ride the Aquaduck without waiting in line!

However, if you’re going somewhere new then I highly recommend excursions. When I do go to Nassau, my favorite thing is the Atlantis waterpark. It’s awesome! Most ports have a lot of options for you, so definitely check them out and decide on your family’s must-dos. And, if you’re going to Alaska, you’ve got to do the sled dog racing for me! That’s my dream trip. If you’re not a dog person, my mom swears by the glacier helicopter rides.

Before and After Your Disney Cruise

Transfers to and from the port.

Disney offers their buses, which are super cute, for ground transfer for a per person fee. These are an awesome option because you can check your luggage into the bus and it will be delivered to your stateroom without you having to lug it around. Trust me, the cruise terminal before embarkation is PACKED. The last thing you want is to deal with your suitcases and carry-ons and children, if you have them! Plus, bus rides are better on the environment than everyone riding individually, which is a win in my book.

If the shuttle service doesn’t work for you, Uber, Lyft, and other shuttles are all great options to get to the port. Be sure to prepare for a wait in the drop-off lane, though, as that can take awhile! There is also parking at the terminal if you want to drive your own vehicle, just know that the parking is a bit pricey and must be paid upfront.

Best Hotels in Cape Canaveral and Miami

Cape canaveral.

If you aren’t local to your port and are flying to them, I cannot say enough how much I recommend arriving a day before your cruise. It means you need to get a hotel, but it also means you won’t miss your cruise if you have flight delays or cancellations. Plus, if luggage is lost the last thing you want is to board the ship without it! Even if the airline can’t get your luggage to you in time, at least you’ll have time to pick up some necessities before you set sail.

Many Disney cruises embark from Port Canaveral or Port of Miami, so you may struggle to determine where you should stay! Port Canaveral is in the very small town of Cape Canaveral (home to the Kennedy Space Center), so if you want to stay close to the port, or maybe check out the space center, then below are a couple of good picks.

Country Inn

Canaveral Towers

If y0u’re sailing out of Port Canaveral, you also have the wonderful option of staying at Walt Disney World, which is about an hour away. Disney World is also closer to the airport and still offers ground transfer with luggage checking from the resort to the port.

If you’re sailing out of Miami, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of options for hotels. Port of Miami is right by downtown Miami, it can be pretty hectic. If you’re wanting to see the sights while you’re there, hotels downtown on South Beach are your best bets (and are still close to the port). Here are my favorite choices for Miami.

For Downtown:

Guild Miami

Holiday Inn

For South Beach:

Casa Boutique

National Hotel

Gratuities are a hugely important part of budgeting for your cruise, because most cruise employees rely on tips for their income. Thankfully, gratuities for your cabin and waitstaff are automatically included in your fare so you don’t need to worry much about this on a Disney cruise! However, you have the option to go to Guest Services and adjust the amount of tips provided to your staff. You can also tip cash in most currencies at the end of your cruise if you want.

If you order room service, you will need to sign the receipt and write-in a tip amount to be charged to your cabin because this is not an automatically tipped service. If you enjoy services at the spa, specialty dining, or concierge, gratuities are also included in the price but you are able to tip on top of that if you so choose.

Now you’re ready to book and set sail on your Disney Cruise! You’re going to have a wonderful time. I hope these Disney cruise tips have helped you to feel more prepared for your vacation so that, when the time comes, all you need to do is have fun! Happy cruising!

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Disney Cruise Advice: Tips & Tricks Onboard the Ship

LAST UPDATE: 2/14/24

On this page we have collected some useful Disney Cruise advice, tips, and tricks that can help you save time and have more fun while you are on a Disney Cruise. Read the advice below and you’ll have a much better idea what to expect, even if you’ve never been on a cruise before!

Thanks to Marjorie Treger and to MouseSavers.com readers Jeff Evernham and Aileen B, who contributed some great tips.

Disney Cruise Advice & Important Things to Know

Embarkation, first-day bag packing list, staterooms and what’s in them, knowing what’s going on & planning your day, oceaneer club and oceaneer lab, edge and vibe, port days/shore excursions, useful things to pack, things you don’t need to (or should not) pack, disney cruise wear, phone and internet.

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Additional tips & tricks, trip reports.

Other useful Disney Cruise information pages:

• For discounts and tips on saving money on the cruise itself , visit our Disney Cruise Discount page.
• For tips and tricks that will help you plan your cruise , visit the Planning Tips & Tricks for Disney Cruises page.
• For advice that will help you with excursions, tours and activities  while in port, visit the Tips & Discounts for Port Excursions page.

“Embarkation” means getting on the ship for the first time during your cruise; “disembarkation” or “debarkation” means getting off the ship at the end of your cruise.

“Port” is the left side of the ship as you face forward; “starboard” is the right side as you face forward. “Forward” is obvious; “aft” is the rear of the ship.

Cruise lines are required to ensure that every passenger knows the safety procedures and has been physically shown where they need to muster in case of emergency. A mandatory muster drill is held in the afternoon of embarkation day, usually around 4:00 pm. Everyone must attend in order to learn the location of your lifeboat station and other safety information. The drill takes 20 minutes or less and you do not have to bring your life jacket with you.

Make sure you turn off the cellular service on your phone while you’re at sea, so you don’t end up paying through the nose for “cellular at sea” service . There is a Disney Cruise Navigator app that you can use on most iPhones and Android phones without needing to pay for internet access. The Navigator app includes activity schedules and menus, and has a kind of text message feature that seems to work much better these days. We found that notifications were showing up quickly when people messaged using the app (our experience was with iPhone, we don’t know how well Android works).

“Cay” is pronounced “key” by locals – so unless you want to sound like a novice, remember this for Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island).

Disney asks you to select a P ort Arrival Time (PAT) when you do online check-in prior to your cruise. This arrival time was not rigidly enforced in the past, but lately, Disney has been enforcing people’s PATs pretty closely, especially during the early part of the boarding process. If you get to the terminal before 12:30, you will probably not be let in to the terminal until your time arrives. After 12:30 or so, Disney seems to just let people into the terminal as long as the check-in line isn’t completely full.

Bottom line: if you want to get on the ship as early as possible, definitely be ready to check in online on the morning your check-in opens! See below for when you can check in online:

• If you are staying at an official Walt Disney World resort or at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport the night before your cruise, AND you booked that hotel as a package with the cruise, AND you are using Disney’s bus service to the port, your port arrival time is less important, and you may not even see an option to select one when you check in. From a Disney hotel, they’re going to assign you a bus, and generally you’ll just get there when you get there and the terminal staff will be ready to process and embark that whole busload of passengers. If you’re staying at the Hyatt, there will be multiple buses and you can take the first bus they’ll let you on. In either case, it’s rare to experience much wait no matter what your port arrival time is. But if you are offered the option to pick a port arrival time at checkin, pick the earliest reasonable time, just to be on the safe side. It can’t hurt, and it might save you some waiting.
• If you are staying in a concierge level stateroom or suite , you can check in and receive your port arrival time 40 days before embarkation day. That said, your shore-side concierge will likely offer to check you in on the first day you’re eligible, so effectively you can just let them handle it and they should get you the earliest arrival time (unless they know you won’t be arriving that early).
• If you are a Pearl member of the Castaway Club (25+ previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 40 days before embarkation day. 
• If you are a Platinum member of the Castaway Club (10-24 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 38 days before embarkation day.
• If you are a Gold member of the Castaway Club (5-9 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 35 days before embarkation day.
• If you are a Silver member of the Castaway Club (1-4 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 33 days before embarkation day.
• If you have never before taken a Disney cruise, you can check in and receive your port arrival time 30 days before embarkation day.

When you arrive at Port Canaveral, you’ll hand off your bags to the dock workers. Tipping is theoretically optional, but it’s customary to tip them at least $1-$2 per bag, and we tend to tip on the high side for very helpful or friendly porters. Keep your carry-on/day bag with you. Get in line to go through check-in (during which time you’ll show your port arrival document several times), then get in line to go through security (you go through a metal detector and your carry-ons go through an x-ray).

The first people who will get on the ship are Group 1, which will usually be concierge level guests. Shortly after noon, announcements will be made for general boarding by group number. You’ll present your port arrival document as you board, have a family photo taken (or bypass the photo and get on the ship that much faster), and then your family will be announced as you arrive in the atrium of the ship. After that, the ship is yours!

Most people will head straight to lunch, and if you’re hungry, that’s a great idea. If you’ve brought your swimsuits in your day bag, this is a perfect time to enjoy the pool (or AquaDuck on the Dream or Fantasy and AquaMouse on the Wish), because the ship is still relatively empty and a lot of people will not have thought ahead. If you still need to make spa appointments, change your dinner rotation, sign up for shore excursions, book Palo, Remy or Enchanté, or book any specialty character meals or tea parties, now is the time to do that. You can also get your kids’ wristbands for the kids club. If it’s your first time on the ship, this is a good time to get a map and wander around familiarizing yourself with everything.

If you are a concierge level guest, there is a special concierge embarkation lunch, or you can go to the concierge lounge, where you can relax and enjoy a snack. You’ll be personally assisted with any bookings or changes you’d like to make (dining rotations, spa appointments, etc.)

At about 1:30-2:00, your room should be ready. Your bags will be delivered at some point in the afternoon (up until about 6:00 pm).

On the embarkation day, you won’t get access to your room until 1:30-2:00 pm, and you may not get all of your luggage until 6:00 pm (or occasionally even later), so its recommended you carry a bag that contains everything you’ll need between boarding the ship and dinner. If you want to swim or ride the AquaDuck or AquaMouse, for example, you will need all your swim stuff.

Here’s our checklist for packing our day bag. Some people like to use a rolling carry-on, but we prefer a small duffel. It’s your call; whatever you feel comfortable lugging around for an hour or two. You can also pack a small backpack for everyone to spread out the load.

• Flip-flops or water shoes (the deck can get hot )
• Reading material, iPad, videogames or other entertainment
• Camera, if you aren’t using your phone
• Medications you might need between noon and dinnertime
• Change of clothes for dinner, if what you wear to board the ship isn’t reasonable (though it almost certainly is fine, as long as it’s not a swimsuit).

The TV in your stateroom offers limited live TV programming, but a pretty extensive selection of Disney-owned movie and TV content. There is the Disney Channel, ABC and ESPN, all owned by Disney, plus some 24-hour news channels (MSNBC & Fox) and a small selection of basic cable channels. You can watch a huge variety of Disney movies and a few other family-friendly titles “on demand” (no extra charge).

Disney no longer provides the cordless Wave Phones; if you need to contact other members of your party, you are expected to use the Disney Navigator app on your phone. If you don’t have a compatible phone or don’t want to carry your phone, you have to fall back on the tried and true “let’s meet in XXX at YYY” or put a magnetic white board on your room door to exchange messages. Note that the kids club staff will only be able to contact you via the Navigator app, so if you don’t carry it around, you can’t be informed of issues with your kids.

Fire codes prevent cruise ships from having irons in staterooms, but irons are available for your use in the laundry rooms. Speaking of laundry, you can charge the cost of self-service laundry to your room key by swiping it through the readers on the washers and dryers.

Inside staterooms have no window (except the “ secret porthole ” rooms on the Wonder and Magic that are classified as inside but have an obstructed porthole). Inside staterooms on the Dream and Fantasy ships do have the “virtual porthole” that provides some light. It can be turned off with a switch by the bed. Bear in mind that on the Wonder, Magic and Wish (or on the Dream and Fantasy with the virtual porthole turned off), inside staterooms have no external light coming in to wake you up in the morning or give you a sense of what time it is. So if you’re anxious to get up and go in the morning, make sure you set an alarm or request a wake-up call.

A portable hair dryer can be found in a bag in the bathroom or in a desk drawer (call Guest Services if you can’t find it). It must be plugged into a European (220V) outlet at the desk. If you happen to be in a stateroom that also has a built-in hair dryer in the bathroom attached to the wall, we recommend leaving it alone; they don’t work well. Use the one in the drawer.

There is no longer a paper Navigator schedule given out in your stateroom, or even available from the front desk. You can only get the activity schedule via your phone or via the TV.

You can download the Navigator app for Apple or Android devices before you arrive at the embarkation port and then, once onboard, connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network—complimentary for app use only. Downloading the app does not enable general-purpose internet access – you have to pay extra for that. In addition to giving you the ship’s daily schedule, the app has some information that isn’t in the paper Navigator, including menus for the various restaurants and some other useful tidbits. 

The Navigator app also has the all-aboard time and the local number of the ship’s agent, who is your contact if you have an emergency or are running late and might miss the ship (or have missed the ship). It’s not a bad idea to write those things down on a separate piece of paper to carry with you when you’re in port, just in case you lose your phone or the Navigator app gets flaky. If you have an emergency and don’t have your phone or the info on paper, you can call the port and ask them who the port agent is for your ship, and then call Disney’s port agent to let them know what’s happening.

The Navigator app now has a FREE text messaging feature. The messaging feature is available on all five ships. You do not need to buy a data plan to send messages to other people in your party, assuming they also have a device that can run the app. We didn’t really use it much in previous years because there could be 20-30 minutes between sending and message and the recipient getting a notification on their phone, but on our most recent cruise everything worked fine. Also, if you get the newer internet service that you can leave on all the time (currently available on the Wish, Magic, Dream and Fantasy) it will work with iMessage, WhatsApp and other messengers, and it will work with SMS text messaging if everyone’s phone has Wi-Fi cellular enabled.

Onboard Entertainment & Activities Tips

If you’re curious to know what movies will be shown on your sailing before you get on the ship, call  Disney Cruise customer service (800) 951-3532 about two weeks before your cruise and ask.

Want to ride the AquaDuck water coaster on the Dream or Fantasy or the AquaMouse on the Wish? MouseSavers.com reader Bill V has this tip: “If you enjoy the AquaDuck during the day, find an EVENING to ride it as well! Riding it at night, with the red-and-white lights strobing around the tube at each of the supports, is a completely different experience than the daytime, not to be missed! Also, the lines are truly non-existent if you go during dinner or show times, far shorter than even the times when most passengers are ashore when the ship is docked–my daughter rode it one evening over a dozen times in less than 90 minutes, usually walking on with no line whatsoever.” (This advice would apply to the AquaMouse on the Wish as well.)

Some special activities require advance sign-up at Guest Services. For instance, “Tea with Wendy,” (or “Tea with Alice” or some other character) is sometimes offered on some 7-night cruises, but has limited seating, and on cruises near Christmas, there is a build-your-own-gingerbread house activity, but they have a limited number of kits available. Check for those activities (they’ll generally be listed in the Navigator app) and sign up as soon as you can. Certain popular character meetings are also now requiring advance sign-up, usually on the first day.

Theater snacks : the theaters where the movies and shows are presented have concession stands selling expensive goodies such as canned sodas, bagged popcorn and candy, which can be charged to your room key. If you want to keep costs down, go up on the pool deck to the self-serve beverage station and get FREE sodas (or lemonade, tea, etc.) to bring into the show with you. You can also usually get FREE cookies from one of the counter-service locations on the pool deck and bring those along (or order cookies from room service, for only the cost of a tip). Concierge level guests on the Dream and Fantasy can get snacks, including cans of soda and sometimes popcorn, from the lounge. The snack bar at the theater has a refillable popcorn bucket that can be refilled for the rest of your cruise at a much cheaper price, so if you like popcorn, it’s a good idea to get one at the beginning of the cruise. Some people have brought popcorn buckets from previous cruises or from Walt Disney World and had them refilled, though that may or may not be official policy.

Embarkation Day

Once you’re onboard on embarkation day, you can eat lunch in one of three locations (or the concierge lunch if you’re in a concierge stateroom): the buffet, the pool deck food outlets (burgers, pizza, etc.) or a dining room (on the Magic, the primary lunch dining room is Lumiere’s; on the Wonder, it’s Triton’s; on the Dream and Fantasy, it’s Enchanted Garden; on the Wish, it’s been 1923 or Arendelle). The primary dining room lunch is a la carte with a normal lunch menu similar to the menu served on sea days. It has a tendency to fill up pretty quickly, so if you want to eat there, get on the ship as early as possible. There is also a lunch just for concierge guests in a different dining room.

Note that if you head for the inside dining room, you will encounter multiple crew members who will try to herd you to the buffet, which can handle more people. Just tell them you’d prefer the interior dining room. 

Breakfast and Lunch

During the cruise, there are usually two or three breakfast and lunch locations with different hours (check the Navigator app for hours). You can choose from one or more full-service restaurants with open seating (just show up when you want during opening hours, and they’ll seat you), or eat at the buffet.

Dinner Rotations

Your dinner arrangements — meaning your restaurant rotation schedule, and whether you have the early or late seating for dinner — are assigned before you embark on the cruise. You can find your restaurant rotation by checking the “My Plans” section of the Navigator app. It will also show your table number and seating time, as well as the recommended dress code and menu. If you have trouble using the app, Guest Services or any of the dining locations can help you get that information. 

If you want to change your seating or your restaurant rotation, do that as soon as you embark. The location on the ship where changes can be made will be listed in the Navigator app, or just go to Guest Services and they can point you in the right direction.

If you go to your assigned restaurant for dinner each night, your servers will be the same for every night of your cruise. On longer cruises they’ll get to know you, and may even have your “usual” beverage waiting for you at your table. If you are served something you don’t like, tell the servers and they’ll bring you something else. And if you want to indulge, they’ll be happy to bring you two desserts (or two appetizers, or even two entrees)! In true Disney style, if you have a special event you are celebrating, make sure your servers know. You will get appropriate special treatment (usually a special dessert, and perhaps some singing).

We recommend not rushing to dinner. If you show up five minutes or so after they begin seating you’ll walk right in. If you show up early you’ll just have to wait in line! Don’t wait too long, though: in order to get everyone served in a timely manner, each server really needs to get all the orders from all their tables at once. If you come too late, it throws off their timing, necessitating multiple extra trips to the kitchen and long delays for everyone. Also, if you won’t be at the regular rotation dinner one night, it’s helpful to tell your server or head server in advance, so they won’t wait for you to arrive to start service for the other tables.

We also recommend having the Navigator app open to your dinner reservation and table number the first time you arrive at each restaurant, so you can be seated more easily. But if you remember your table number, you can just tell the servers.  

Each restaurant has a “special” menu that is only offered at that restaurant, which will be used on one of the nights you visit each restaurant (the same night as the show, if there is one for that restaurant). On the other nights, you’ll get “standard” menus that are the same at all three restaurants (they change every night, but each of the three restaurants gets the same menu). 

Dinner Shows

The following restaurants have special shows and menus on one night of your cruise . These shows are one of the unique entertainment experiences on a Disney cruise, so try to see them if you can! Ask at Guest Services or ask your server which night it will be for your rotation. Move your Palo, Remy or Enchante reservations or change your dinner rotation if you have to. 

• Animator’s Palate (Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy) — On the Magic & Wonder, this show allows everyone in the family to design a character and see it animated. It’s pretty neat! On the Dream & Fantasy, the show involves interacting with an animated character (Crush the sea turtle from Finding Nemo). On longer (7+ night) cruises on the Dream & Fantasy, they may also do a version of the “draw your own animated character” show on the second night you visit Animator’s Palate.
• Tiana’s Place (Wonder) — A rollicking dinner show with the characters and songs from The Princess & The Frog.
• Rapunzel’s Royal Table (Magic) — A fun musical show with characters and songs from Tangled.
• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Wish) — An elaborate show where you’re a guest at an engagement party for Anna and Kristoff, hosted by Wandering Oaken. Enjoy songs and characters from the two Frozen movies.
• Worlds of Marvel (Wish) — A loud action spectacle involving Ant-Man and the Wasp (and some guest Marvel characters) takes place during dinner. Most of the action is ostensibly taking place elsewhere on the ship (you watch it on screens on the walls of the restaurant), but live-action Ant-Man and the Wasp appear near the end to wave at diners.

Premium Restaurants

If you enjoy fine dining, we definitely recommend making a reservation for Palo, Remy or Enchanté, particularly on a 4-night or longer cruise. There is a small extra cost (larger for Remy and Enchanté) but it is well worth it for the cuisine, the atmosphere, and the opportunity to enjoy a nice dinner without the kids. The Remy and Enchanté dinners are especially elaborate, and are similar to meals that cost much more at Michelin starred restaurants or Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. Palo can be found on all five Disney ships, though the menu is slightly different (and more steakhouse-oriented) on the Wish. Remy is only on the Dream and Fantasy, and Enchanté is only on the Wish.

Alternatively, consider booking the Palo, Enchanté or Remy brunch (offered usually only once or twice on most cruises). We find the premium brunches particularly fabulous and might even prefer them to dinner in Palo.

Palo, Remy and Enchanté are very popular, so book them as early as you can . If you’re not able to get a reservation in advance, check the Navigator app or ask a crew member to find the location where you can go and request a reservation onboard.

If you want to skip one of the regular rotation restaurants in order to dine in Palo, Remy or Enchanté, our suggestion is to call Disney to find out the dining rotations for your cruise and pick a night that is the second visit to a restaurant, since the first night is very likely to be that restaurant’s special menu (and will have a show, if there is a show at that restaurant). For example, if your rotation is “Enchanted Garden, Rapunzel’s Table, Rapunzel’s Table, Animator’s Palate”, pick the third night, since it is the most likely to be a “standard” menu.

Keep in mind that the dinner rotations and timing of Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s, Rapunzel’s, Marvel or Arendelle shows are subject to change, and in our experience the folks at the Disney call center don’t always have accurate information about when the show will happen. The people actually on the ship know, so if you want to be sure your premium dining doesn’t happen on a dinner show night, go to Guest Services or the dining reservation location listed in the Navigator app on the first day of your cruise and ask. If there’s a conflict, they can either reschedule your premium dinner or put you on a different main dining rotation.

Alternate Dining Options

There are always plenty of options for food: check the Navigator app to know which restaurants are open at what times.

In the past, Disney has opened up the buffet area (Cabanas or Marceline Market) for dinner on most nights of the cruise (usually all but the first night), but as a table-service venue, not a buffet. There’s no specific time, you just show up and choose from a limited menu that includes some of the same foods served in the main dining rooms (but without all the hoopla). Of late they haven’t been doing it, but all indications are that this is a temporary post-pandemic measure because of logistics issues, so it could restart any time. If you’d prefer a quieter dinner at your own dining time, ask if it’s an option on your cruise.

There are fast-food locations up on the pool deck, serving kid-friendly fast food. We think the burgers and other sandwiches on a bun are edible, and the mini-wraps are quite good. The pizza is not a highlight – the toppings are fine, but the crust is sub-par, except on the Wish, where it is pretty good. The Wish also has a barbeque window, and a Mexican food window with choose-your-own ingredient bowls, tacos and burritos (think Chipotle), and both of those options are quite good. The fruit is fruit; nothing wrong with it. The soft-serve ice cream is not very creamy, but it makes a nice snack on a hot day, and they usually rotate in some unusual flavors like mango or strawberry over the course of the cruise.

On most ships, there are some small snacks available most of the day. In the adult coffee bar, there have generally been free mini-desserts available during the day, and little antipasto nibbles during the evening, but we didn’t see them on the Wish. In the adult lounge area on the lower decks, there is usually a (small) hot snack buffet available for part of the evening, either in the pub or the hallway between the various lounges. Usually there’s something like a build-your-own nacho bar, plus some sort of hot savory like pigs in a blanket or egg rolls. Again, this little mini-buffet has not been present on the Wish. In the pub on each ship, there are about 4-6 extra-cost hot snacks & entrees you can order. Typically at least one of the pool deck food stations will be open until midnight, usually pizza. From midnight until breakfast time (6:30 or so) room service is the only food option.

On Alaska cruises, there have usually been some snacks on the front of the ship on the pool deck on the glacier-viewing day , including hot soup in small bread bowls, cookies and hot cocoa. They also usually do a special barbecue lunch that day on the deck behind the buffet, typically sausage, fish, and steak. Sometimes they have been known to serve elk or another Alaska specialty. Make sure you go out to the deck to check it out; we met many people who had no idea the cookout was happening and just ate regular buffet food instead of the fresh-grilled options just a few steps away.

Concierge guests have access to snacks and beverages (bottled water, soft drinks, coffee drinks) in the concierge lounge.

Kids’ Meals

There are kid’s menu options at all the table-service meals , but children are not limited to eating from those menus. Your servers will bring your kids whatever they want, including full adult appetizers, meals and desserts, and in fact if there’s something on the ship they can get or make, they’ll usually try to accommodate you even if it’s not on the menu. In other words, if all your kids want is french fries, that’s not a problem, assuming you’re OK with it.

It’s worth noting that asking your server to bring you something from another restaurant is not a trivial undertaking . They will almost certainly do it, because they really want guests to be happy, but don’t spring a request on them unless you really can’t find anything else for your kids to eat. And if possible, let the service staff know early if your child has specific food issues. If they know in advance that your child will only eat french fries and chicken fingers, they can have those ready each night.

If you have kids in the Oceaneer Club, they will be offered lunch and dinner if they are in the Club at the appropriate time. There are not usually a lot of choices, but what they’ll offer is going to be pretty simple and kid-friendly, like chicken nuggets and apple slices.

Two key things to be aware of: one, they usually don’t serve the kids dinner on the first night of the cruise (the day of embarkation). So if you have Palo or Remy reservations for that night, you’ll need to feed your kids yourself. Fortunately that’s easy: all you have to do is get food for the kids before or after your reservation from one of the fast-food restaurants on the pool deck. Two: be aware of when the kids are served. Meal times may be too early for your liking if you leave your kids in the Club.

Also, keep in mind that the Disney crew members will not make your kids sit down to eat. They will make sure every child is informed that food is being served, but they can’t and won’t make your children stop playing to eat, and there is one opportunity to eat for each mealtime. There are no snacks served in the club between meal times. It’s a good idea when you pick up your kids to check if they ate and if they are hungry.

Dine and Play Program

Please note : The Dine and Play program is temporarily suspended, but may return at any time. Ask about it onboard if you’re interested.

The Dine and Play program allows children to get their meals quicker and adults to check in a child for Youth Activities without leaving the dining room. The Dine and Play program is offered for families assigned to second dining, and is open to children ages 3-12. 

Here’s how it works: You arrive in the dining room and inform the server that your child would like to participate in Dine and Play. The dining room team brings the child’s meal first while serving the adults at a more leisurely pace.

About 45 minutes after seating begins, Youth Activities Counselors arrive in the dining room and sign in the child to Disney’s Oceaneer Club, eliminating the need for you to escort the child to Deck 5.

Adults are then able to enjoy the full dining experience with the knowledge that their children are having a great time in a safe, fun and comfortable environment.

Alternative approach: You can ask your server to feed the kids as fast as possible, and then have an adult walk them over to the kids club and check them in. It only takes a few minutes to get to the club and back. Some parents have told us their kids prefer this method over using Dine & Play, as you can get the kids to the club whenever they’re ready and there’s less waiting around.

Room Service

Room service is not a strong suit on Disney Cruise Line. The food, in our experience, is merely adequate. It is free (though a tip is welcomed) and convenient, though. Selection is mostly very basic and very middle-American: sandwiches, basic soups, chicken wings, a few salads, a cheese plate, burger, pizza or topped flatbreads. 

If the buffet or top deck restaurants are open, we suggest sending someone to the buffet or top deck instead of ordering room service . The selection in the buffet is much better and the food better prepared. The top deck restaurants have a more limited selection, but sending someone to the top deck for food has always resulted in hotter, fresher food when we’ve done it. That said, if you’re worn out, or come back really late from a port excursion, it’s nice to know they will bring you food any time.

Mickey bars (Mickey head shaped ice cream bars) and Smuckers Uncrustables (packaged peanut butter & jelly sandwiches) are not on the menu, but have usually been available on request.

Special orders are limited , but if you want something simple that is not on the menu, but is made with components used in items that are on the menu, such as a grilled cheese sandwich, plain salad without dressing, plain hamburger patty with no bun or just an order of french fries, they will usually make that for you on request.

Room service breakfast in the regular staterooms is a very basic Continental offering of various baked goods, cereal, milk, hot drinks and juice. There is nothing hot and no real protein, so if you like eggs and bacon in the morning, head for the buffet or whichever dining room is serving breakfast (it’s listed in the Disney Cruise Navigator app). We do sometimes use room service to get coffee delivered in the morning. Though lately we just have them deliver hot water, because we prefer the Starbucks Via packets to the ship’s reconstituted coffee product.

Guests in concierge staterooms and suites can order dinner from the rotation restaurants during regular dinner hours . Ask your concierge staff for a menu. All courses of your meal are brought at once, which doesn’t do good things for the quality of the meal, but it’s still better than the regular room service offerings. Concierge level guests can order hot breakfasts in their suites and staterooms during the cruise.

Many common beverages (including sodas) are available FREE most of the time , but there are situations where you could be charged for them. Here are the basic rules:

• The self-service drink station on the pool deck offers milk , juice , tea (hot or iced) , coffee, hot cocoa , lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  at no extra charge 24 hours a day.
• The dining rooms (including Palo, Remy and Enchanté) offer milk , juice , tea (hot or iced) , coffee , hot cocoa ,  lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  at no extra charge with meals. All other drinks can be ordered, but cost money.
• Castaway Cay offers milk , juice , tea (iced only) , lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  for free. All other cold drinks (except iced espresso drinks) can be ordered at a bar, but cost money. No hot drinks are available. 
• Room service offers milk , juice , tea (hot or iced), plain water and  coffee free. All other drinks cost money. 
• All bars (including espresso bars) charge for all beverages , except plain tap water.
• Bottled water, canned and bottled soda and soft drinks , alcoholic beverages , mocktails , smoothies, shakes  and espresso drinks (and related drinks like chai lattes) always cost money no matter where you order them.
• The fountain sodas are all Coca-Cola products (which could change any time, but Coca-Cola has had a strong partnership with Disney for many years). The bars have a wider selection of canned and bottled beverages available, at a charge.

Consider bringing your own bottled water if you think you’ll drink a lot of it on shore excursions, Castaway Cay, etc. Bottled water on the ship or Castaway Cay is expensive. Consider packing a small carry-on suitcase with just bottled water. Then on the way home you’ll have room for all those things you didn’t plan to buy. (If you are staying on concierge level on the Dream or Fantasy, bottled water is provided in the lounge without cost.)

Disney allows each adult to bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or six 12 oz beers onboard at embarkation and at each port visited. Bottles must be sealed and they must be in your carry-on luggage.  Spirits (rum, vodka, whiskey, etc.) are not allowed (they will be confiscated and given back to you at disembarkation).

Sealed bottles or cans of non-alcoholic beverages can be carried on in any amount that will fit through the x-ray machines (carry-on bag sized, in other words). As for coolers, Disney officially says that you can only take aboard small (12″ x 12″ x 12″ max) soft-sided coolers for keeping things like insulin and breast milk cold. In practice, soft coolers can be any size that’s small enough to fit through the x-ray machine (again, basically the size of a carry-on bag), but no hard-sided or wheeled coolers.

Disney, like all other cruise lines, does not allow any beverages in checked bags , because checked baggage is stacked up and handled roughly during the loading process, which could cause containers of liquids to break and/or leak onto other people’s luggage. They do screen for those items. If they find disallowed items, the items will be confiscated and given back at the end of the cruise.

Coffee and Tea

Regular American-style coffee on Disney ships is unfortunately not good. The “drip” coffee they serve throughout the ship is made in a machine that looks vaguely like a coffee urn, but actually produces instant coffee on demand by mixing liquid concentrate and hot water. When it’s made in a properly-calibrated machine it tastes like OK instant coffee (not as good as Starbucks Via, but better than Folger’s Crystals). If the machine is out of calibration, it can be really weak or very strong.

If you like your coffee with cream and sugar or just aren’t picky about coffee, you may be fine with the reconstituted coffee . If you like quality coffee, you may want to order espresso drinks (at extra cost), which are available at most bars and sit-down restaurants and at the bar in the Wish, Dream & Fantasy’s buffets. You might also consider bringing Starbucks Via packets if you like them. In our experience the Via is much better than the reconstituted stuff.

If you’re a tea drinker, the news is better: there are a wide variety of Twinings tea bags (regular and herbal) at the main deck drink stations and in the dining rooms. And in the dining rooms, they almost always serve tea properly, with acceptably hot water and a small pitcher of milk upon request.

The iced tea served everywhere is unsweetened reconstituted iced tea from a soda machine (Fuze brand from Coca-Cola), but you can make your own iced tea by brewing fresh hot tea and adding ice and water, and that is much better. Our recipe: put two regular black tea bags in a cup of hot water, steep three minutes, stir in sugar if desired, then pour over a full cup of ice. Add water to taste.

Most bars on the ship have espresso machines , including the adults-only Cove Cafe on the pool deck and the all-ages Promenade Lounge on deck 3 (Wonder & Magic), Vista Café on deck 4 (Dream & Fantasy), and all bars and lounges on the Wish. Espresso is also available in the main dining rooms, the premium restaurants, and the Dream, Fantasy and Wish buffets. All espresso drinks cost extra, generally about the same price as on land. If you are a regular consumer of espresso drinks, be sure to get a coffee card. Each time you buy a latte, cappucino, etc. they will mark the card. Your sixth beverage is FREE! If you don’t fill your card during the cruise, hold onto it — it can be used on a future cruise, even on a different Disney ship!

Wine Packages and Refillable Beer Mug

Disney doesn’t have any “all you can drink” packages available. You don’t really need one for sodas, since they’re included (except at bars). Alcohol and other specialty beverages are always a la carte. There are, however, two programs that could save you some money (albeit with a few caveats).

Wine Packages

This is an opportunity to pre-pay for a certain number of bottles of wine, which you can enjoy at any of the sit-down restaurants. If you don’t finish one, you can get it recorked for the next night (and they’ll take it to the next restaurant in the rotation, or you can get it brought to you at Palo, Remy or Enchanté), or you can take it with you to your room. If you don’t end up drinking them all, you can take the remainder home. Your server will usually suggest buying one bottle per cruise night, but you can buy more or less if you like. The wines are all from a set list, which changes from time to time, and usually includes about 10-12 white wines and 8-10 red wines. There are two tiers, with the more expensive one including fancier bottles of wine. The wines on the list change regularly, but we think the choices are all pretty good, with a few real winners on each list. Disney pushes these packages aggressively: a brochure will be on the table your first night, and one of your servers will offer a sales pitch the first night.

We went to the trouble a few years ago to price out all the wines on the list and compare to the average cost per bottle from the packages . The price per bottle in the packages was about $2-3 cheaper than the average price of the bottles included in the package. However, the packages typically have only 5-7 selections that sell for more than the average price, and 12-15 selections that sell for less than the average price. So if you pick random bottles from the list, you’re very likely to end up spending more (or at least not much less) by buying the package. To come out ahead, you have to consistently order from the few bottles that are higher priced.

Frankly, our opinion is that it’s not worth the trouble, at least as a money-saving strategy . If buying your dinner wine in advance will help you relax, then go ahead; you certainly won’t lose much money unless you happen to always pick the cheapest wine on the list. And if you really love a particular wine or wines that you know are higher-priced, and you plan to only drink those, the plan will save you a few bucks per bottle.

Refillable Beer Mug

This is a large 21 oz glass souvenir beer mug that you can buy at any bar for $17 (last we checked). When you get it filled (at any bar or restaurant), you get 21 ounces for the price of a 16 ounce draft beer. One nice thing is that you don’t have to cart the mug around; they’ll give you a little token you can trade for a mug at any time. So you give the token to your server and get a mug of beer, and when you’re done you can give them the mug and ask for the token back. At the end of the cruise, just stop by any bar to get a nice clean mug to take home. The selection of draft beers is pretty good, and in addition to the standard American beers, there are always a few craft beers like Widmer or Full Sail and even sometimes a cider like Strongbow. (Disney Cruise Line advertises this as a 21 oz glass, but we heard from a reader who measured it and found it actually held 20 oz when filled to the rim.)

Purely as a money-saving strategy, it’s hard to get your money’s worth out of the mug unless you really like beer. However, if you like the idea of having a Disney Cruise Line souvenir beer mug, and the price seems reasonable, then the extra beer is basically FREE. Make sure to tell your spouse that when you buy it.

Disembarkation Day

Breakfast is served on the day of disembarkation. In fact, you’ll have an assigned restaurant and time for breakfast for disembarkation, or you can choose to eat at the buffet instead. It will be a much smaller selection than during the cruise: welcome back to the real world!

Regular guests do not have access to room service on disembarkation morning. Concierge level guests can order a standard Continental breakfast from room service on disembarkation morning.

Most kids find the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, for ages 3-10, to be the best part of a Disney cruise. There is a lot to do, with great hands-on organized activities going on all the time.

Signing in and out is a relatively easy process considering what needs to be done to protect the children. However, you may have to wait in line either to drop them off or pick them up. Plan at least 5 minutes for the pick up or drop off process. If your children are 8 years old or older, they can be given the ability to sign themselves in and out on their own.

The Navigator app will tell you what’s happening and where your kids are at any given time. Check the app to see if your children will be out of the Club at the time you want to sign them out – for instance, they could be up on the deck playing basketball. Using the app to plan will save you a wasted trip. Also, when the kids are moving from one location to another, they will not allow you to sign them in or out, so there can be a 10-15 minute window where you have to wait.

You can keep your child signed in to the Oceaneer Club while at Castaway Cay. They will take the kids off the ship to special play areas for supervised games and activities throughout the day. If you do this, be sure to bring your phone with you. The Wi-Fi covers much of Castaway Cay and the app tends to work OK. But if you want your kids to join you for some time on the island, make sure you know their schedule of activities. They eat lunch fairly early, and are taken back to the ship before the beach closes.

Edge is the “tween” club for ages 11-14. Vibe is the teen club for ages 14-17. A 14-year-old can access both Edge and Vibe, but they will have to register for both. Disney will sometimes be slightly flexible about the age groups for these clubs, and will sometimes allow a child that is a little younger than the target age into the older teen club if they have space in the club your child wants to attend, especially if they have a friend or sibling in the older club. This is not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking.

The Disney Cruise offers many opportunities to meet characters . You will see most of the popular characters at some point or another on the Disney Cruise. Greeting times are available in the Navigator app. The lines for character greetings usually start forming about 15 minutes before the scheduled greeting time, so if you can get there 10 minutes beforehand, you won’t have a long wait once the characters arrive.

Some popular character meetings and meals may require advance booking . There’s no charge for the character meetings, but certain breakfasts or teas with characters may have an additional fee. You should book these as early as you can online; the bookings open on the same schedule as  booking excursions and Palo/Remy/Enchanté . You can also call or stop by guest services on the first day and ask about tickets; they may hold back some slots for onboard booking. Thanks to Sarah B and Rachel P for info.

Bring your kids’ Disney costumes, if they have any. The cruise is a great opportunity to get pictures of your daughter dressed as Belle with the “real” Belle herself, without her having to wear the costume all day.

If you’re on a 7-night cruise, you may have an assigned Character Breakfast on one of the days of the cruise. You’ll get a chance for photos with all the main Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie!

Most of the character greetings will include a Disney professional photographer , so if your own photo doesn’t turn out you can still buy a memento from Shutters, the onboard photo location.

Read our tips, tricks and discounts on Port Excursions !

The list below is mostly based on reader suggestions. We have to admit, we have taken Disney cruises at various times without these, and everything went just fine. So don’t go too crazy with overpacking! But some of these are good ideas for specific needs.

• Water shoes – Always a good idea if you’ll be snorkeling or wading where there are coral reefs and sharp rocks. Also handy to protect your feet on hot sand, concrete or the pool deck; the sun can make the deck very hot and you’ll want some of these or some simple flip-flops while hanging around the pool. You can wear water shoes that are secure and not likely to come off on the AquaDuck, AquaMouse and AquaDunk, but flip-flops or water shoes that slip off easily will need to be stowed before riding.
• Safe Sea lotion – This is a lotion that protects against jellyfish, sea nettle, and seabather’s eruption , caused by jellyfish larvae that are sometimes called “sea lice.” There is actual independent research that backs this up – we’ve read it and are satisfied that it works. We want to reassure people that large jellyfish are kept out of the lagoon at Castaway Cay by netting under the water, so we’ve never heard of anyone getting a serious sting there, but people do occasionally get seabather’s eruption. At other beaches in the Bahamas and Caribbean jellyfish stings are not common, but they do happen. The peak season for jellyfish is summer (June-August) and they’re rare in winter. We actually had a very minor issue with seabather’s eruption on one trip to Castaway Cay (on some skin that didn’t have lotion; we failed to note that you need to apply some underneath the swimsuit for full protection), and we can attest that while it’s not the end of the world, it’s quite unpleasant and worth avoiding. Certainly the lotion is a cheap form of insurance, and there are formulations that include sunscreen, which you’ll need anyway. Another option is to bring some jellyfish after-sting gel  just in case, or some sources recommend hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine cream .
• Body Powder – If you’ve ever tried to wipe beach sand off your body, you know it tends to stick in an annoying manner. It turns out it sticks to your skin because of residual moisture, and if you just rub your skin with water-absorbent powder (i.e. scented cornstarch), the sand drops right off. We used to recommend a very useful little mitt that contained cornstarch-based body powder for wiping off sand. Apparently that mitt isn’t made any more, but you can get the same effect by just sprinkling the powder on a towel and wiping with that. Do make sure you’re getting plain cornstarch powder, or at least talc-free powder. Talc is not good to breathe.
• Robe – if you like to wear one in your room, you’ll need to bring your own unless you’re in a concierge room. Some people have had luck asking their stateroom attendant, but it’s not guaranteed they can get you one.
• Pop-up Hamper – We like the rectangular kind with a circular opening on the top, as opposed to the ones that look like a big round cloth-covered spring. The squarer ones seem to hold their shape better. They only weigh 8 ounces, fold down to a small circle, and fit nicely into hotel and stateroom closets.
• Dry box/case – Basically, a small waterproof box or pouch on a lanyard. Used by scuba divers and snorkelers, these are handy for any beach visit, because you can keep your ID and some money around your neck, instead of sticking valuables in your shoe and leaving them on the beach (yeah, everyone knows about THAT hiding place!)
• Clothespins – These have a variety of uses, from weighing down a shower curtain that wants to stick to you, to anchoring your beach towel to a lounge chair. You can clip your curtains together if you want to minimize light leakage in the morning. Oh, and you can use them to hang laundry up to dry, too (there’s a retractable clothesline in the bathtub).
• Night light – Particularly if you are staying in one of the Inside cabins on the Magic, Wonder or Wish, this is nice to have. It’s pitch black in those rooms when the lights are off. If you don’t want to use up a wall plug, you can get a USB light that plugs into an empty USB charger port. (It’ll also work in a laptop USB port, but not all laptops keep power to the USB ports when they go to sleep, so you’d want to check that first.) An LED flashlight or headlamp can also be handy if you need to get up in the middle of the night and don’t want to turn on lights.
• Magnets – The stateroom doors are metal (except for the doors in the concierge section of the Dream and Fantasy). You can stick magnets on them to decorate your door, and it makes it easier for your children (and you) to identify your room. Don’t bring anything you can’t bear to lose: these do get taken sometimes. Please note that you are not allowed to use any type of adhesive on your door, including removable gel adhesives that supposedly come off clean. You will be charged for any damage to the door.
• Multi-USB charger – When we have a lot of things to charge while travelling, normally we bring a  travel power strip , but as mentioned below, power strips are generally not allowed on Disney ships. Now we bring a multi-charger, which can charge 4 or more devices from one outlet. We’ve used Anker brand as well as Amazon Basics, and they’ve both been perfectly fine. You’ll need to also bring the USB cable for each device. We’d recommend getting at least a 40W model if you have anything more than just a phone or two. A 60W model typically has six outlets and might be just the thing if you have a lot of tablets and phones to charge, or you want a spare port to plug a USB night light into. Note that on the Magic and Wonder, they’ve installed a few more USA-type power outlets near the desk, and there are a couple of USB charging ports at the desk and on the alarm clock next to the bed. The Wish staterooms have tons of USB charging outlets at the desk and next to the bed, including two USB-C ports, so you can probably get by without a USB charger on that ship.
• Irons are NOT ALLOWED as they are a fire hazard. Fire is a huge danger on cruise ships. If you take an iron it will be confiscated from your luggage. Irons are available for your use in the laundry rooms.
• Rolls of quarters – In the past, these were needed for the self-service laundry onboard, but now you just swipe your room key for use of the washer, dryer, soap and dryer sheets. The cost is charged to your account.
• Over-the-door shoe organizer – Some people have used these to store toiletries or other small items. Disney now asks that you do NOT use them as they “scratch and/or disfigure stateroom doors and trim.” You will be charged for any damage.
• Seasickness medication – Unless you KNOW you get seasick on cruise ships, don’t bother bringing this. If you do get queasy, the ship’s health center or the guest services desk will give you FREE over the counter medication (generic meclizine, the ingredient in Bonine or non-drowsy Dramamine). If you get super-queasy the health center can get you prescription medication (for a fee).
• Beach towels – They are provided when you get off the ship on beach days.
• Power/outlet strip – These are not allowed on the ship. MouseSavers.com reader Christina N reports: “… they confiscated these from my bag and from others. They do not allow them as it blows circuits in the room.” Technically, they only ban extension cords, and power strips with surge protectors, but in practice people have reported having just about any kind of multi-outlet strip or adapter confiscated, because the people doing the screening don’t want to figure out whether your power strip is one of the “bad” ones. One thing not many people know is that there’s an open outlet behind the TV in most cabins on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy. The TVs are on a pivoting arm, so it’s easy to pull them out and expose the spare plug. Many smartphones and smaller tablets can be charged through a USB cable connected to a laptop, so if you take a USB cable you’ll only need one outlet, to plug in the laptop. Or you might want to pack a multi-USB charger like the ones mentioned above. And over time Disney has been adding USB charging ports to the outlets near the desk, so you might not need a power strip depending on how many devices you have.
• Extension cords – the only extension cords allowed on the ship are ones you can borrow from Guest Services ($50 deposit required; refunded when you return the cord). There are a limited number and availability is first-come, first-served. If you need one for a CPAP or other medical device, one will be made available, but all of the ships now have a plug next to the bed, so you shouldn’t need an extension for a CPAP. On the Wish, there are US-style plugs next to one side of the bed, and a European plug on the other side. So if you have a CPAP or other device that goes next to the bed, and you really prefer to sleep on a specific side, make sure you have the correct plug adapter and your CPAP power supply handles both 110 and 220 volt current (almost all of them do, but you should check).
• Hairdryer (maybe) – Hairdryers are provided, but the ones provided might not be up to your standards. If you’re not picky, don’t bother packing one.
• High chair / booster seat – Both are provided on request in the dining room.
• Pack and play crib – These are provided onboard (request when booking your cruise).
• Stroller (maybe) – There are some strollers available to borrow onboard (deposit required) and on Castaway Cay. However, there are a limited number and it’s first-come, first-served. If you have a little one, it’s not a bad idea to bring a small umbrella stroller along.

During the day and most evenings on the Disney Cruise Line, you can wear casual clothing. At dinner, you are asked to stick to “cruise casual.” Most men wear a collared shirt (aloha shirts and golf/polo shirts are fine) and long pants (chinos or dress slacks) or nice shorts. Most women wear a skirt, dress, nice pants or dressy capris. Disney requests no swimwear or tank tops at dinner, but in practice, dressier tank-style tops will usually be acceptable. People who show up to the main dining rooms in swimsuits are almost always asked to change.

There are times when dressing up to some extent is either required or encouraged:

• When having dinner at Palo, Remy or Enchanté, the dress code is basically “business casual plus.” Men are required to wear long pants suitable for professional work (which could include “nice” jeans), collared shirts and dressier shoes. Some men wear suits or even tuxedos. Women can wear pretty much anything “nice” that isn’t swimwear, casual t-shirts, shorts or sportswear. Semi-formal or even formal wear would not be out of place. At Brunch or Tea at either restaurant, the dress code is “cruise casual,” which basically means no shorts, swimsuits, tank tops or flip-flops.
• On 4-night or longer cruises, there will be one or two “optional dress up” nights that you can interpret how you will. Dressing up is not required, but some folks will make an effort to change for dinner. On our most recent Disney cruises we’ve seen a handful of tuxedos on dress-up nights and a few dozen men wearing jackets. A fair number of women were dressed in nicer outfits. Lots and lots of people were just in normal “cruise casual” outfits, so if you don’t like to dress up don’t feel like you’re under any obligation to do so. On the other hand, if you like to dress up, it’s a great opportunity. The crew and the Disney characters will be in nicer clothes, there will be photo stations where you can get a picture of the whole family in nice outfits, and you won’t feel overdressed in a gown or tux.
• Some people like to wear dressy or semi-formal clothing on the nights when they dine in Lumiere’s (Magic), Triton’s (Wonder) or Royal Palace/Royal Court (Dream or Fantasy), since those are the restaurants with the fanciest theming but this is not by any means required.
• Similarly, a few people like to dress in 1920’s inspired clothes when dining in 1923 on the Disney Wish. This is just a fun thing to do and not in any way required.

Where to Buy Disney Cruise Wear

If you’re looking for Disney-themed casual cruise wear (aloha shirts, etc.), a good place to look is DisneyStore.com . Unfortunately they only offer resort wear on a seasonal basis (usually spring and summer), but even in the winter it’s always worth looking to see if they have anything in the sale section.

DisneyStore.com  carries a significant amount of Disney Cruise Line clothing and other logo merchandise as well.

• See current discounts and offers for DisneyStore.com.

Your phone should still be able to reach a tower on land as long as the ship is in port, but once you are at sea, we strongly advise you to turn off international roaming and data roaming, to avoid having your phone accidentally use the “Cellular@Sea” service, which is very expensive. You can (and should) leave wi-fi turned on, so you can use Disney’s Navigator App to see the current schedules and menus and so forth.

You can also use the Disney Navigator App on your own phone to send messages to other people in your party. To get message notifications as quickly as possible, make sure that notifications are enabled for the Disney Navigator app, as well as background updates. Basically in our experience, the Navigator app needs to have all permissions set to “on,” including Location, Bluetooth, Notifications, and Background Update. You can (and perhaps should) turn those off again once your cruise has ended.

If you absolutely must use your phone to call or text while at sea, service may be available on Disney ships through the “Cellular@Sea” service. It is a very expensive form of international roaming and the ship must be 8 to 10 miles out to sea before you can access it. Most phones will just connect to Cellular@Sea without needing any special setup, but be aware that the service includes phone, text messaging, and data . If your phone is set to auto-update, you could end up on the hook for a large data charge because it decided to download a 100MB game update or something. Definitely turn off your cellular data, or set it to not use cellular data when roaming.

US phones will work in most international ports if you have turned on international roaming. You might need to arrange with your provider for that feature to be turned on in advance, but most providers have it set up by default. Depending on your provider, roaming may be very expensive (potentially over $2 per minute, and $10 or more per megabyte of data). Check with your provider for special international roaming packages, which may save you money if you plan to use your phone a lot.

Wireless internet service is available on all Disney ships . All internet is over satellite, and you shouldn’t expect speeds or responsiveness similar to what you get on land, though it’s usually good enough to send messages and emails and use Facebook and other social media.

Internet service on Disney ships is paid for by the day, and is theoretically “unlimited .” It’s pretty fast for cruise ship internet, but still slower than most land-based systems. You’re sharing bandwidth with all the other passengers and crew, so right after you leave a port, expect the internet to crawl as everyone starts posting pictures of their excursions to social media. If you have cellular internet service that works in that country (and is reasonably priced), you may want to post your pictures before you leave port via cellular rather than via wi-fi. If your cellular is flaky, get to the top deck and walk over to the side of the ship closest to land. Alternatively, wait until dinner time, when the wi-fi speeds will pick up considerably.

Prices are (so far) pretty reasonable for cruise ship internet, with a basic single-device plan that lets you use Facebook and similar apps (but not email or web) for $16/day (when purchased for the whole cruise), a fancier plan that includes email and web (but no streaming) for $24/day, and a premium plan that includes music streaming for $34/day. Video streaming is not supported on any plan , so no Netflix or Hulu. Plans cost a little more if you only buy a plan for individual days rather than the whole cruise, and there is a small discount for adding additional devices.

Spa: Treatments, Products and Fitness Center

Spa treatments are very popular and fill up early , so book them as early as you can . If you’re not able to get an appointment before you embark, go to the Spa when you get onboard and you’ll probably be able to arrange one in person.

We don’t recommend having any spa treatments done on the first (embarkation) day , because people are touring the Spa all afternoon and evening, making it busy and not very relaxing. It’s a good day to set up your future appointments, but not as good for actually having treatments done.

The changing rooms in the spa have fluffy robes for your use. Sadly, the robes are all “one size fits most” and aren’t big enough for many people. You then can choose a locker that contains a clean pair of spa sandals. The lockers allow you to set your own combination for secure storage of your personal items. We don’t find the sandals they provide very comfortable (again, they’re “one size fits most”), so we just wear a clean pair of sandals or flip-flops to our spa appointment.

You can change into your robe in the open locker room or in one of the toilet cubicles. Once you’re in your robe and sandals, an attendant will escort you to a quiet waiting room, where you can enjoy some water while you wait for your treatment. After your treatment you’ll be escorted back to the locker room, where you can use one of the spacious showers if you wish. Basic toiletries, disposable combs, etc. are provided. On the Dream and Fantasy, there is a dry sauna in the locker room that you can enjoy after your treatment for no additional charge.

If you are considering a Cabana Massage on Castaway Cay, here are a few things to consider first:

• The cabanas are rustic. There is no running water in them, so your massage therapist cannot wash her hands during your treatment. There is no air conditioning (there is a ceiling fan) or heat so it can be unpleasantly hot in the summer and uncomfortably cool in the winter.
• Your feet and lower legs will almost certainly be covered with sand by the time you get to the cabana, and there’s really no facility for removing it. (There is an outdoor shower near the waiting area, but you’ll then proceed across the sand to the cabana… you’ll get sandy again, trust us.) So the sand inevitably becomes part of the treatment. How you feel about having sandy oil rubbed into your skin is a matter of preference. And remember, the massage oil dissolves any sunscreen you’re wearing, so you’ll need to reapply it afterward, which enters the mix with the sand.
• When you envision this experience, you might think you would be relaxing to the sound of the ocean waves. Nope. The cabanas are located right above the lounge chairs along the beach (though visually separated by some plants), so you will hear the chatter of people sitting right below you.
• The Cabana Massage is billed as featuring “breathtaking views of Serenity Bay.” Well, that’s true for the massage therapist, but you’ll be lying on a table, and you won’t see the scenery from there.
• The Cabana Massage is more expensive than a regular massage in the ship’s spa, yet in many ways you are getting less for your money. If you have a massage on the ship, you’ll have access to showers, a locker room, robes and sandals, etc. With the Cabana Massages, you get none of that.

The Rainforest

The Rainforest is a lovely, relaxing co-ed spa area on each ship.

• On the Magic and Wonder , the Rainforest includes three tiled steam rooms (each a different temperature), some open showers with different scented “rain” programs and a few heated loungers.
• On the Dream and Fantasy , the Rainforest has a dry sauna, a hot steam room and a hammam (a large, tiled steam room that is less hot than the regular steam room), four scented showers with multiple “rain” programs, numerous heated loungers with views of the sea and two hot tubs on a private deck overlooking the water.
• On the Wish , the Rainforest has a dry sauna, hammam, a cryotherapy (cold) room, showers with rain programs, heated loungers, and a nice sun deck ( much larger than the one on the Dream & Fantasy) with two hot tubs and plenty of sun beds. The sun deck is tucked into the nose of the ship, one deck below the promenade, so there’s no ocean view, but you can see the sky and relax in the sun or the shade according to your preference.

You can purchase a day pass or a longer pass for the length of your cruise. A limited number of passes are sold on each sailing. Tip: the Rainforest Room is closed until around 5 on embarkation day, so you won’t typically get a lot of usage on the first day of the cruise. You may find it’s a better deal just to pay day-by-day, or ask if you can buy a shorter pass. The single-day passes for the sea day(s) will go first, followed by the full-cruise passes. A pass for the Castaway Cay day or other port day might be available same day, and could be a good alternative if you’re not interested in that port.

When you want to use the Rainforest, just tell the front desk staff at the spa and they’ll give you a wristband that opens the door to the Rainforest area. They will hold your room key while you are in the Rainforest. You then proceed to the locker room, where you can choose a locker and get a robe and sandals, if desired. A swimsuit must be worn since the Rainforest is mixed-gender.

Towels and drinking water are provided.

The spas on the Disney ships are operated by Steiner, a huge British spa company that runs spas for cruise lines and resorts. The staff do a great job performing the spa treatments, but Steiner trains them to offer product upsells at every reasonable opportunity. The result is that they almost always give cruise passengers a sales pitch on spa products. The products themselves are fine, but they are expensive and getting a sales pitch after your relaxing treatment can be annoying.

You’ll be given a “health form” before your treatment, asking about various health issues. Any issues you write on that form are used to help them sell you stuff (“Oh, I see you have very dry skin. You should try this cream.”). For that reason, unless you have an allergy or injury that directly affects your treatment , we recommend leaving the form as blank as possible .

Some people have tried writing “no sales pitch” on the form, but that is frequently ignored. Here are some other approaches we’ve used with success:

• A polite and friendly “no thank you” when they start showing the products or going through their list of recommendations is our first line of defense. That’s often the end of it! But if they start offering a second sales pitch, we make a concerned/confused face, pause for a moment, and say, again politely, “I’m really not interested, thanks.” The subtext you want to get across is that by not paying attention to your clear and polite “no,” they’re running the risk of affecting your overall satisfaction, with all that implies about things like tips and guest comment cards. You don’t need to make this explicit; the concerned face and second “no” usually does the trick.
• If they start the sales pitch while we are getting a relaxation treatment such as a massage or wrap, we usually just stay silent. We keep our  eyes closed and don’t respond to questions. Usually they quit talking, because it becomes quite awkward for them. But if they persist, we say politely, “Sorry, I’m trying to relax, and silence really helps me with that. Thanks!”
• If we are getting a haircut or pedicure, it’s harder to ignore the sales pitch. So instead we act very enthusiastic about every product they are pushing. Usually they’ll use one or more of the products on us during the service. If they offer samples we take them, with sincere thanks. When we go to check out, there is always a big stack of “suggested” products at the front desk. When they ask us what we’ll be buying, we say “oh, I want to see how the stuff I tried today works out, so I’m not buying anything right now.”
• Remember that no matter what happens, you can always change your mind about the add-on products when you check out. Until you sign the purchase slip, you haven’t purchased anything. Just say, “after thinking it over, I don’t need any products right now. Could you take these off the bill? Thanks.”

Fitness Center

A well-equipped Fitness Center can be accessed through the Spa on all of the ships. It’s usually open from early morning to fairly late – check the Navigator for specific hours. There is no charge to use the Fitness Center. The locker rooms, sauna and showers for the Fitness Center are shared with the Spa. Towels, robes and water are provided, and you can borrow an iPod shuffle if you don’t have your own iPod with you.

You never are expected to add any extra tip over and above the automatic gratuity amounts, which are listed below . You may , if you wish, add more, and you can even adjust certain tips down if you feel it’s warranted. Many people add extra gratuities purely because the service staff on a Disney cruise are extremely helpful and work very hard, but again, no one should ever make you feel like you are required to tip more.

Disney provides suggested tip amounts for the crew members who will assist you throughout the week: your server (takes your food orders for each dinner), assistant server (takes your drink orders at each dinner and delivers the food), head server (in charge of the overall dinner experience, special dietary requests and special occasions), and stateroom host/hostess (takes care of your room). As on all cruise lines, tips are the primary source of income for people working in these positions.

The suggested gratuities for your servers and stateroom host are automatically added to your stateroom bill. If you want to adjust the amount, you can go to Guest Services. Toward the end of the cruise you will be provided with slips indicating the tip amounts, which you can present to your servers during your last dinner on the cruise and leave in your room for your stateroom host. (They will get the money in their accounts whether you give them the slips or not, it’s purely a symbolic way of thanking them for their service. Don’t feel you need to do it if you don’t enjoy that kind of interaction.)

If you are staying in a concierge room, a separate form is provided to add tip for the concierge staff, with a suggested “average” tip amount. You can use your discretion to adjust it up or down based on how much help they provided your family. 

If you dine at Palo, Remy or Enchanté, many people add an additional tip to the per-person charge, though the basic charge is considered by Disney to cover the gratuity.

An automatic gratuity is added to all beverages ordered in bars and lounges; soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled water from room service; and alcoholic beverages/smoothies/bottled water ordered in the dining room. There will also be a line where you can add an additional tip at your discretion.

You can add room service tips to your room bill. Even if your order costs nothing, you’ll be asked to sign a slip, and there is a space for tips on that slip. A dollar or two per item ordered is pretty common, but entirely optional.

You are allowed to give tips to crew members in cash, if you like, and they’re happy to take it in any major currency. If you have a meaningful amount of foreign currency (more than a few dollars worth) after your cruise that you’re unlikely to use anytime in the near future, feel free to leave it for your room host in addition to the automatic gratuity; they’ll be happy to get it.

As the skippers say on the world-famous Jungle Cruise, “You all have been outstanding on this cruise, but now I need you out standing on the dock!” Sadly, your cruise will eventually have to end, and Disney needs to get a few thousand people and their bags off the ship in the space of about 3 hours, so “efficiency” is the word of the day.

A few days before the end of your cruise you should be reminded to check the disembarkation instructions in the Navigator app , and you might get a paper form listing your specific disembarkation instructions. Disembarkation can feel very complicated and rushed, but it’s not that bad once you know how it works.

The first important decision is whether you want Disney to take your big luggage off the ship for you. If you have a lot of bags, or they’re unwieldy, you probably are going to want to have the bags moved for you, but if you can handle your own bags in one trip, that makes things immensely less complicated. These days we always choose to handle our own bags, but there are times we wonder whether it’d be easier to have Disney do it, usually when we’re wrestling our big roller bags down the gangplank. It’s worth trying it both ways if you go on multiple cruises, because you never can tell which one will feel easiest for you.

Whether or not you handle your own bags, you’re supposed to be completely out of your room on the final morning by 8:00 am so they can start cleaning and resetting it for the next guests (sometimes this time can change depending on the disembarkation port – check the sheet they give you or the app to make sure). This can make things logistically complicated, since if you want to do a table-service breakfast, it will be on a fixed schedule based on whether you are on the early or late dinner seating. The first breakfast seating starts early enough to get done before 8:00 am, but the later one does not. So if you plan to do table-service breakfast and you’re on late seating, you will have to take your luggage with you. Most people on late seating line up their bags in the hallway leading to the dining room. Don’t worry, no one will take your bags; your fellow guests are all far too tired. You can take smaller bags into the dining room and park them next to the table as long as they aren’t in the servers’ way. If you are planning an early breakfast in the buffet or you’re having sit-down breakfast on the earlier seating, you can just leave your bags in your room and then come back and retrieve them by 8:00 am.

Option 1: Disney Handles Your Bags

If you decide to have Disney haul your big bags to the terminal, then you’ll need to put most of your bags out the night before (typically by 10:30 pm – check the app to make sure). You need to hang on to at least one or two small bags to hold the stuff you can’t pack early, like toiletries and your pajamas. Make sure not to pack the clothes you’ll need to wear the next morning! You’ll get a set of luggage tags to put on the bags you’re putting out, and there will be a guide showing roughly when each group of bags will be ready to pick up in the terminal. For example, if you have bag tag “Donald Duck”, the sheet might say that your bags will be ready between 8:30-8:45 am. If you need to leave early to catch an flight or something, make sure you’ve got the earliest time they can give you. You can go to Guest Services to change your bag group if needed. On disembarkation morning, they will make periodic announcements about every 15 minutes, as each set of bags gets delivered to the terminal. They ask that you not leave the ship until your bag group gets called.

If you’re out of the room, but they still haven’t called your bag group, you’ll need to find somewhere to wait . In our experience, the lounges in the adult area of the ship are the most likely to have empty seats available, especially the main adult show lounge on the Magic, Wonder, Dream & Fantasy (Fathoms/Azure/Evolution/The Tube). Those are on deck 3, so you can just walk to the atrium when your group is called. On the Wish, there are fewer options on deck 3, so you may end up needing to go to another deck or sit on the floor. On the other hand, if you’re still in the dining room when they call your bag group, there’s not really any harm in waiting until you finish breakfast to disembark, assuming you don’t have transportation waiting for you. Typically they want everyone off by 9:30 am or so, so that’s your hard deadline.

When you get into the terminal, if you’re in a hurry, it’s not a bad idea to ask for a porter’s help. They’re usually lined up in the luggage area with carts, and they know the terminal well and will know if there’s any shortcuts or faster ways to get you into a cab or shuttle. They work for tips, and a typical tip is $1-2 per bag; more if they go above and beyond.

If you booked Disney’s transfers to Walt Disney World or the airport, then the timing is much more fixed. They will assign you a time to get off, and you really need to get off at that time so they can get you on the right bus. Arrange your breakfast plans accordingly.

Option 2: You Handle Your Own Bags

If you’re handling your own bags, there’s not really much you have to do the night before to prepare . Get mostly packed up the night before. Finish packing on the morning of disembarkation, get breakfast if you like, and then just leave the ship. You can leave any time after the ship is cleared, which will be 15-30 minutes after the ship is docked. They won’t necessarily announce to the whole ship that disembarkation has begun, because it’ll happen as early as 6-6:30 in the morning and they don’t want to wake everyone up with an announcement. If you can see that the ship is docked, just head down to deck 3 and wait for them to start letting folks off.

Skip the talks, except for the nature talks on the Alaska cruises, which can be excellent. The shopping talk is just a “rah-rah” for certain shops that are paying a marketing fee, and you might get a few coupons for free (junky) souvenirs. Both the shopping and disembarkation talks are replayed on the television repeatedly. Don’t waste your vacation time attending these lectures in person.

Read additional tips specific to the Disney Dream (which will also apply to the Fantasy) .

So what’s it really like to take a Disney cruise? Here are a few different perspectives on the experience:

• A look at what’s new and different on the Disney Wish , from a preview sailing in July 2022.
• A comparison of taking three cruises on three different ships in a six-month span between March and August 2014. It was rough, but somebody had to do it.
• Taking a cruise on the Disney Fantasy with a baby and a 3 ½-year-old , May 2012.
• First-hand report on the  Disney Fantasy  from March 2012: what’s new and different? See photos and learn more!
•   First impressions of the Disney Dream , from a preview sailing in January 2011.
• In summer 2007, friends of MouseSavers.com Ann and Danilo V wrote a travel blog about taking their 5 children to Europe for the summer. At the end of their trip they took a Disney Mediterranean cruise (10 nights roundtrip from Barcelona) in a Category 3 and a Category 4 stateroom. Then they did the 14-night Transatlantic cruise on the Disney Magic in the Walt Disney Suite!

Save money, experience more.

How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost? 2024 Pricing Explained

The Disney Wish will sail its inaugural season of three- and four-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, from its new home port of Port Canaveral, Florida.

Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of Disney-themed ships with all-inclusive cruises traveling all over the world. Disney Cruises often Broadway-caliber dinner shows, Disney lounge-themed experiences, character meet and greets, and other themed experiences. Disney Cruises also offer amazing amenities and luxurious upgrade options for guests looking to sail in style. So this also begs the question, what does a Disney Cruise cost? 

If you're new to the experience of cruises, it also helps to understand how cruises are typically priced and what cruise lines mean by all-inclusive voyages. Keep reading for our full breakdown of Disney Cruise costs including amenities, inclusive options, and optional upgrades. We have experienced a variety of Disney Cruises plus we have the experience of helping guests budget for their Disney vacations whether it's for Disneyland, Walt Disney World or a Disney Cruise Line experience. 

Get exclusive access to prices on hotel & tickets just for Mickey Visit subscribers. Don't miss our travel hacks newsletter!

In this planning guide:

Disney Cruise Cost Pricing Explained 

Let's start by covering the details of how Disney Cruise costs are calculated between room pricing and cost per person. 

Disney Cruise Room Pricing

All Disney Cruise costs are priced based on two adults in the stateroom (room on the ship). This means that one adult traveling with a child (ages 3-12) is the same price as two adults (13 and up) in the room. Children ages 0-2 pay 50% of the child rate.

After the two adult prices, the third and fourth passengers in the stateroom are charged a lower rate. If you are traveling alone, Disney Cruise Line will charge you 100% of the second adult’s cruise fare (not including port fees and taxes) in addition to the full fare for the first adult.

Pricing Per Adult

It is simply impossible to determine exactly how much a person will pay without looking at several different factors. We are going to break these factors on Disney Cruise cost down for you.

Then, we will help you gauge pricing on a budget to pricing with no limits, and everything in between, so that you have an accurate idea of what you can expect to pay for your Disney Cruise itself. We will also show you a full Disney Cruise Scenario with estimates on what you may need to include for a Disney Cruise. Finally, we detail some ways to save money if you are interested in sailing on a Disney Cruise.

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Which Disney Cruise Should I Do?

The first couple of factors to consider when deciding to book a Disney Cruise and cost are where you want to go and what ship you want to sail on.

Disney Cruise Ships

Disney currently has 6 signature cruise ships with more on the way.

The newest cruise ship available right now is the Disney Wish, but the Disney Treasure begins sailing in December of 2024, and it is almost time to start booking!

Each Disney ship is decked out from bow to stern in immersive Disney experiences. The experiences are going to differ depending on the ship, where it is sailing to, and if it is a themed expedition or not.

Ships Sailings

• Disney Magic : Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexico, Panama Canal
• Disney Wonder : Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean, South Pacific, New Zealand & Australia
• Disney Dream : Caribbean, Bahamas, Europe, Bermuda, Transatlantic Cruises
• Disney Fantasy : Caribbean and Bahamas
• Disney Wish : Bahamas
• Disney Treasure : Caribbean

Disney Cruise Cost Factors

There are a few factors that will impact the cost of a Disney Cruise like time of year, location of the cruise, plus the Disney Cruise ship chosen.

Time of the year

Disney prices their cruises based on peak seasons. The more in-demand the cruise sailings are, the higher the pricing.

The first peak season is the most expensive. Think about when children are out of school, June – August. There is an increase in demand for ships and sailings, so the pricing also goes up. Alaska, and the Caribbean, are usually priced high during this time. Europe and the Panama Canal are usually only offered during these peak seasons.

Holidays are another popular peak season. The Bahamas and the Caribbean are going to be more expensive during these times because families will want shorter cruises, which are offered to these two locations.

Off-season bookings will be cheaper, but keep in mind, that the weather may not be as cooperative depending upon the location you are sailing to.

When choosing locations for your cruise, a cruise to the more remote destination Alaska is going to cost more than sailing to the Bahamas from Florida.

Europe and the Panama Canal are usually only offered in the summer, which can drive up the price of the cruise.

When deciding on what you want out of your cruise, guests can choose from different night lengths.

Disney currently offers cruises in 1-3, 4, 5-6, 7 8-13, or 14+ lengths. The longer you cruise, the more expensive the cruise is going to be because more amenities are included and paid for in the cruise cost.

Specialty Cruises

Disney offers specialty cruises throughout the year. Each of these specialty cruises is going to include extra events, entertainment, dining specialties, and more that are factored into the higher costs.

Guests can book a Pixar Day at Sea, Marvel Day at Sea, Halloween High Seas, and Holiday-themed cruises.

Stateroom type

There are four different types of staterooms guests can book on the cruise ships. A stateroom is the cruise equivalent of your hotel room.

The most luxurious accommodations on the cruise and the most expensive. Each room has a large private verandah (balcony) and premium amenities and services included. Prices for this type of hotel room will be the most expensive out of all rooms on the ship costing upwards of $6,000 for a trip.

The most spacious non-concierge staterooms are in the Verandah category. Each room comes equipped with a private verandah (balcony), some with partial views of the ship and ocean. The space and balcony are worth the price increase if you are sailing on a longer cruise. This category is the second most expensive type of room to choose from and also tends to sell out the quickest. Pricing tends to start around the $3500 total mark for most cruise lengths and destinations. 

The oceanview room has more space than an inside room and also includes a porthole or two to be able to see the ocean. This is a great middle price on the cruise where you can still see the ocean passing by, but you don’t have the balcony to walk out on. This type of room falls in the middle pricing category. The cheapest cruises will come in around $2800 total but can go much higher depending on the length and destination.

The base accommodations feature no outside viewing as the rooms are on the inside of the ship. However, Disney provides a scenic porthole display of different images to make it not feel as claustrophobic. These will be the absolute cheapest rooms due to not having an actual window or balcony. If you want to go on a Disney cruise, but your family is on a strict budget, these rooms will be the cheapest, averaging around the $2,000 – $4,000 range. 

Transportation To Port

By far the biggest factor that will vary for each family going on a Disney cruise is the transportation to the Departing Port.

You will need to provide your own flight, take a train, or drive to the port that you are leaving from. This cost is going to vary widely depending on where you live versus where you need to leave from.

We also recommend arriving the day before the cruise is set to depart so there are no delays in boarding the ship at your arrival time. This is going to cost a night at a nearby hotel, which adds to the overall budget for your cruise.

Disney has ports in the following locations:

• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Port Canaveral, Florida
• Vancouver, Canada
• Auckland, New Zealand
• Barcelona, Spain
• Honolulu, Hawai’i
• San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Melbourne Australia
• Southampton, England
• Brisbane, Australia
• New Orleans, Louisiana
• Sydney, Australia
• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
• New York, New York
• San Diego, California
• Galveston, Texas

Certain cruises only depart from specific locations. You can filter this when you are searching to book your cruise.

When planning your destinations for your cruise, it is helpful to know where you are going to sail from. The majority of the Bahamas and Caribbean cruises are going to leave from the two ports in Florida, but they also depart from Texas. The Alaskan cruises sail from Vancouver, Canada.

The cheapest way to book transportation is to filter the cruises by which port is closest to you and see which destinations are available. Or, you can filter by destination and then see which ports are the closest to you to help keep costs down.

Keep in mind that if you drive to the port, this will be an additional cost to park your car at the port as well. The fee will be nightly similar to an airport.

What is Included in the Disney Cruise Cost Base Price?

A big question is what do I get for the price tag I see on the Disney Cruise Line website?

When booking your Disney Cruise, you are not just paying for a hotel room like many other vacations. You are paying for an all-inclusive Disney Experience . For every Disney Cruise booked, you can expect the following accommodations, activities, and amenities.

Room type chosen

Guests can choose from 4 different stateroom types:

• Concierge – Most expensive and most luxurious
• Verandah – Popular and mid-level pricing
• Ocean View – Mid-level pricing
• Inside – Cheapest book and smallest rooms

Three rotational table-service dining restaurants Buffet (for breakfast and lunch) Quick service bites

24-hour room service Unlimited soft serve ice cream Unlimited coffee, tea, and soda available on deck and at table service restaurants

On Ship Activities

Broadway-quality shows (original Disney products or live acts) Fireworks at Sea (available on most itineraries) Character meet and greets Movie screenings (first-run and popular Disney movies) Pools, waterslides, splash zones, and wading pools Gym and fitness center

Kids’ clubs

Disney’s Oceaneer Club (3 to 12 years old) Disneys’ Oceaneer Lab (2 to 12 years old) Edge (11 to 14 years old) Vibe (14 to 17 years old)

What is Not Included in a Disney Cruise?

While Disney Cruises is great at including a lot of amenities in the total trip cost, there are a few extras that you may want while sailing on your ship.

• Port Excursions
• Premium desserts
• Premium coffee (at the Cove cafe)
• Meals at the adult-only Palo and Remy
• Gratuities – can be prepaid
• Wireless Internet Access
• Baby Nursery (6 months -3 years)

All of these items should be considered when pricing out your Disney Cruise so that you do not have any unexpected costs.

Menus for restaurants are available on the Disney Cruise Line Website, so you can see if you want to eat somewhere not included in the base price.

Port Excursions are also booked ahead of time, so you can prepay these items and include them in the final cost of your cruise.

Gratuities Explained

On a cruise ship, it is customary to give gratuities in recognition of exceptional service. Disney recommends a gratuity amount of $14.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest, including infants and children or $15.50 USD per night, per stateroom Guest for concierge and suites.

Pre-Paid Gratuities are distributed to the Crew Members who take care of you in the following roles:

• Dining room server
• Dining room assistant server
• Dining room head server
• Stateroom host

Easily pre-pay gratuities online to create a carefree, all-inclusive experience by visiting My Reservations in your Disney account and following the prompts for Pre-Paid Gratuities. If you do not pre-pay before boarding the ship, Disney automatically charges your onboard account the suggested gratuity amount. Once on the ship, you can adjust the amount of your Pre-Paid Gratuities by visiting Guest Services prior to the end of your cruise.

Pre-Paid Gratuities do not include the following gratuities, which are either included in the charge or based on your discretion:

• Extras added to rotational dining meals such as alcoholic beverages
• Adult dining locations such as Remy, Palo, Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté by Chef Arnaud Lallement, which are not part of rotational dining
• Food or drink in shops and outdoor or poolside eateries
• Room service
• Port Adventures
• Senses Spa & Salon
• Concierge Lounge Team—Guests staying in Concierge accommodations are recommended a gratuity amount of $8.00 per night, per stateroom Guest
• Any other additional services
• An 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, deck service tabs and spa services. All gratuities can be charged to your onboard account.

Disney’s Private Islands

When sailing on a Disney Cruise, one of the locations you will visit on your travels during a Bahamian cruise is one of Disney’s Private Island’s Castaway Cay and coming soon Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Castaway Cay is the perfect beach getaway. Amenities on the island include

• A family beach
• Serenity Bay (18+ beach)
• Teen Hideout
• Game Pavilion
• Sports Beach
• Snorkeling Lagoons teeming with sea life
• Water play areas
• Walking trails
• Open-air BBQ dining locations serving complimentary meals
• Free transportation around the island
• Character appearances
• Boat rentals

Disney’s new island, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point will have similar amenities to Castaway Cay! We can’t wait to see what the island holds.

Breakdown of Pricing

This section of our article is going to take a look at the specific pricing of specific cruises to help estimate Disney Cruise cost. The three most popular Disney Destinations are the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Alaska, so that is what pricing we are going to focus on.

Disney Cruise On a Budget

If you really want to go on a Disney Cruise and stick to a budget, the 3-night and 4-night cruises are going to be the best option. Depending on how far from your destination you are traveling, the amount of time on the ship versus in a port will vary. The Bahamas destinations are going to offer more time in ports where Caribbean cruises will be more time on the boat.

The cheapest room option on a cruise is always the interior room. However, these rooms don’t have actual windows and can make a very tight space for a family of four, which we are basing all of our pricing on. If possible, spring for at least an Oceanview room where you are guaranteed at least one actual window.

Another way to stay on budget is to adjust the dates. In the tables below, you will see different dates and different ships will provide cheaper options. Cruises during February, August, and September tend to be cheaper, similarly to a Walt Disney World Vacation, whereas cruises during holiday seasons (Spring Break, Christmas, New Years, Halloween, etc.) are going to be more expensive.

3- Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

• 4 Guests – 2 adults, 2 children
• Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point & Nassau, Bahamas

4 – Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

• Disney Castaway Cay & Nassau, Bahamas

4-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston

• Sailing to Progreso, Mexico

4- Night Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans

• Sailing to Cozumel, Mexico

5- Night Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans

• Sailing to Cozumel, Mexico & Progreso, Mexico

The cheapest Alaskan cruise is about the price of the Concierge Level for other Disney Cruises.

7 – Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

• Sailing to Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska; Skagway, Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Ketchikan, Alaska

Mid-Range Disney Cruise Pricing

A 5 – 6 day cruise is a great mid-price range budget. Typically with these cruises you will have enough time to explore the ship while also getting at least two, if not three days in a port of call to explore your destination.

For the longer 5-6 day cruises, we recommend the oceanview or verandah rooms. To keep the budget down and get to experience more for your money, avoid booking the concierge rooms at these middle price points.

Another great way to spend your money is to book one of the themed cruises. Guests can book the Marvel Day at Sea, a Halloween Cruise, or a Merry Christmas Cruise. The prices are going to be higher for these themed cruises even if they are only 5-6 days long, but you get a lot more special activities.

5-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Galveston

5- Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

• 4 guests – 2 adults, 2 children
• Sails to George Town, Grand Cayman & Disney Castaway Cay

No Restrictive Budget Pricing

The longer cruise you book, the more ports you can stop at and the greater chance you have to stretch your days at sea to fully explore all that the ship has to offer.

The longer the cruise, guests can also experience more themed Disney nights and formal nights as well. This can make the cruise an extra special vacation due to all of the extra magic you are receiving.

Our recommendation for rooms on a cruise any longer than 5 days is to book at least a verandah room if not the concierge rooms. This is going to provide the most space for the times when you need to escape from the hustle and bustle of the ship.

In addition to the longer cruise, specialty cruises can also be booked during peak times if you don’t have an incredibly restrictive budget.

7 Night Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point Inaugural Cruise from Port Canaveral

• 4 Guests, 2 adults, 2 children
• Sailing to Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point; Nassau, Bahamas; Disney Castaway Cay; Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, 2 Days at Sea

7 – Night Western Caribbean Cruise from New Orleans

• Sails to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman & Falmouth, Jamaica

7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral (Pixar Day at Sea)

• Sailing to Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Falmouth, Jamaica; & Disney Castaway Cay

7 Night Eastern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral

• Sailing to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; & Disney Castaway Cay

10 Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral

• 4 Guests, 2 adults & 2 Children
• Sailing to St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Roseau, Dominica; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point; & Disney Castaway Cay

9- Night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver

• 4 guests, 2 adults & 2 children
• Sailing to Ketchikan, Alaska; Glacier Viewing (Stikine Icecap), Alaska; Juneau, Alaska; Icy Strait Point, Alaska; Sitka, Alaska; Victoria (British Columbia), Canada

Sample Disney Cruise Pricing

With so many options, numbers, and things included, it can be difficult to tell what a cruise actually costs.

This section is going to show a sample scenario to give you a better idea of what a cruise would actually cost your family.

Cruise Picked: 4-Night Bahamian Cruise from Fort Lauderdale

Destinations: Disney Castaway Cay & Nassau, Bahamas

Dates: May 13-17, 2024

Ship: Disney Magic

Guests: 2 Adults, 2 Children (ages 6 & 3)

Stateroom Type: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

Deck: Forward, Deck 5 Room: 5018

Total Stateroom Price: 4,011.72

Ship Highlights

Entertainment.

• Live Shows: Tangled: The Musical, Disney Dreams – An Enchanted Classic, Twice Charmed: An Original Twist on the Cinderella Story
• Fireworks at Sea
• First Run Movies
• Character Greetings
• Daily Activities – karaoke, game shows, bingo

Main Dining

• Animator’s Palate – Unique Dinner show starring Disney characters
• Lumiere’s – American and French Cuisine
• Rapunzel’s Royal Table

• Duck-In Diner
• Pinocchio’s Pizza
• 24 hour room service
• Palo (Adult Only Restaurant) – extra cost

Recreation Kids

• Marvel Super Hero Academy – Disney Oceaneer Club
• Edge – club for tweens
• Vobe – club for teens
• Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – extra cost
• Pools: AquaLab, Goofy’s Pool, Nephew’s Splashzone, AquaDunk

Recreation Adults

• Keys- nightclub with live music
• Fathoms – late night dancing
• Quiet Cove Pool
• Full-service Gym
• Senses Spa and Salon – extra cost

Extra Costs on Ship & Ports

• Alcohol Gratuities: $14.50/ per night/ per person
• WiFi: $16-$42/ day
• Castaway Cay Rentals : Snorkel Gear, Floats, Rafts, Bicycles, Kayak, Paddle Boat

Extra Costs Outside of Cruise

• Hotel Room in Fort Lauderdale: $180-$230
• Parking at Port : $20/ per day

For the oceanview cruise stateroom, gratuities, hotel, parking, and WiFi, you would pay $4,621.72.

Disney Cruise Line Discounts

Disney cruises can be expensive, but there are ways to save money.

The best way to save money is to book as soon as you know when you want to sail.

Cruises price rooms by tiers – the earlier you book, the lower the cost.

Special Pricing

Sometimes Disney will offer special pricing for Florida residents, military personnel, travel agents, and cast members.

They may also offer Kids Sail Free to families with children.

Travel Agencies can also offer promotions if you book through them in the form of Shipboard Credit. While on the ship, you can use this credit for spa treatments, merchandise, photos, and more. Be aware these credits expire at the end of your cruise.

Final Thoughts

A Disney Cruise is an exceptionally personal vacation that allows your family to customize the trip that fits what you want and need. With each ship featuring new shows, themed restaurants, amazing kid areas, and specialty adult-only sections, there is a multitude of opportunities that a Disney Cruise ship offers for a vacation – not to mention the amazing destinations. 

Unfortunately, because Disney provides so many different ships and opportunities, it is difficult to narrow down the exact price that a cruise will cost your family. One thing for sure is that you can't put a price on the magical memories that will be made on your Disney Cruise vacation. 

Plan Your Next Disney Vacation!

Are you ready to plan your Disney Parks or Disney Cruise Vacation? Make sure you are subscribed to our FREE newsletter for up-to-date planning information, exclusive offers and deals, and news about your upcoming trip! For now, also make sure to check out our other related articles!

• Disney Cruises 2025 DATES & Guide – Start Planning Your Sailing Now!
• 2023 Disney Cruise Packing List: Essentials to Pack & What Not to Bring
• Disney Cruise Line Christmas Entertainment and 2024 Itineraries
• Your First Disney Cruise: Top Ten Tips to Enjoy a High Sea Adventure with Disney Magic
• Disney Cruise Line Shares New Announcements Regarding Future Growth

The cost of a Disney Cruise varies depending on the time of year, the Disney Cruise ship, and location.

Yes, only alcohol and some adult only dining experiences are not included.

Yes, all your meals are included in the cost of your cruise!

Kids are charged a cheaper child rate on Disney cruises.

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Disclosure: We have used all the products recommended on Mickey Visit. We may receive compensation when you click on links to some products featured.

About Jessica Miller

Jessica is a full-time high school teacher and a part-time writer. She is also a full-time mom! When she isn't working, she loves to take vacations with her family to Disney.

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How much does a Disney cruise really cost?

Editor's Note

Disney Cruise Line is known for its family-friendly cruises complete with all of your favorite Disney characters, impeccable dining, exciting entertainment and thrilling ports of call. With everything that's included on the sailings, you might be wondering how much a Disney cruise costs — and if you can afford one.

Cruises with Mickey Mouse and his pals range in price depending on many factors such as the embarkation port and destination, departure date, length of the cruise and cabin type you book. No matter which cruise you book, it will be pricey, like any Disney vacation. You'll have to determine what value you put on experiencing the "magic" of Disney.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

To me, it's worth a lot. I've experienced all five ships in the Disney fleet and have sailed seven times to destinations around the Caribbean and the Mediterranean .

Here, I'm sharing how much a Disney cruise costs per ship and itinerary, any extras that are worth the additional fees and how to save money on a Disney cruise.

How much does it cost to go on a Disney cruise?

Let's be honest: A cruise on any Disney ship isn't cheap. Factors like cabin type and category, sail date, destination, length of cruise, traveling party size and if you're on a themed cruise can impact the overall cost. If you're trying to keep your costs lower, your best option is to pick a cruise on an older ship (Disney Wonder, Disney Magic, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy) or pick a shorter cruise length.

The cheapest Disney cruise we found cost $1,000 for an inside cabin for two people on a two-night sailing on Disney Wonder in Australia. That's $250 per person per night.

If you're looking for a cheap Caribbean or Bahamian sailing, consider a three-night Bahamas cruise on Disney Magic starting at $1,500 for an inside cabin for two people. This also equates to $250 per person per day. Add in drinks, specialty dining, souvenirs and other expenses, and you can expect to spend around $2,500 in total.

On a recent sailing on the Disney Dream , my family of three and I spent five nights at sea in a balcony room and paid a grand total of $4,514.06. This total included everything from the cruise fare and pre-night hotel stay to parking and spa services.

Some examples of starting prices for each ship and its major itineraries for an inside cabin or a balcony cabin are listed below so you can get a sense of pricing across the fleet. Prices are based on double occupancy.

Disney Magic

One- to three-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $1,500 to $2,500; balcony cabins, $1,900 to $3,300 Four-night Caribbean and Bahamas: inside cabins, $1,800 to $3,200; balcony cabins, $2,300 to $4,000 Five- to six-night Caribbean and Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,200 to $4,400; balcony cabins, $3,000 to $6,600 Seven-night Caribbean: inside cabins, $2,700 to $3,300; balcony cabins, $3,800 to $4,900

Disney Wonder

Two- to three-night Australia: inside cabins, $1,000 to $2,100; balcony cabins, $1,200 to $2,800 Four-night Australia: inside cabins, $1,700 to $3,000; balcony cabins, $2,200 to $4,000 Seven-night Alaska: inside cabins, $3,300 to $5,000; balcony cabins, $5,900 to $10,500

Disney Dream

Three-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $1,700 to $2,300; balcony cabins, $2,000 to $2,600 Four-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,100 to $3,500; balcony cabins, $2,500 to $4,000 Five-night Caribbean: inside cabins, $2,800 to $4,400; balcony cabins, $3,100 to $5,000 Five-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,700 to $4,000; balcony cabins, $3,200 to $4,600 Seven-night Europe and Mediterranean: inside cabins $4,400 to $6,800; balcony cabins, $5,200 to $9,500

Disney Fantasy

Four-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,100 to $3,000; balcony cabins, $2,400 to $3,400 Five- to six-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,700 to $4,400; balcony cabins, $3,200 to $4,900 Seven-night Caribbean: inside cabins, $3,300 to $5,700; balcony cabins, $3,900 to $7,000

Disney Wish

Three-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,000 to $3,000; balcony cabins, $2,500 to $3,500 Four-night Bahamas: inside cabins, $2,600 to $4,600; balcony cabins, $3,000 to $5,600

Disney Treasure

The maiden voyage is set for Dec. 21, 2024.

Seven-night Caribbean: inside cabins, $4,200 to $5,800; balcony cabins, $5,200 to $7,000

Related: The 3 types of Disney Cruise Line ships, explained

Where do Disney cruises sail from?

Disney Cruises depart from 15 different ports around the world, but the major ones to think about from the U.S. include:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Port Canaveral, Florida
• Galveston, Texas
• New Orleans

The major international ports Disney Cruise Line sets sail from include:

• Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
• Melbourne, Australia
• Southampton, England
• Brisbane, Australia
• Vancouver (British Columbia), Canada

Depending on the cruise you pick, getting to and from the home port can be easy or take a little longer — and that can impact the total cost of your Disney cruise.

For instance, many people drive to Fort Lauderdale or Port Canaveral if they already live in the southern U.S. Driving can save money versus flying, and you might not have to stay in a pre-cruise hotel if you can drive right to the port.

You will have to pay to park at the port or at a third-party parking lot. While the off-site parking lots are often cheaper, you will need to think about how to get to and from the ship, tipping the porter or driver, plus the added time to get from your car to the ship.

On the other hand, if you are taking a cruise from an international destination or flying to a domestic home port, your costs automatically go up because of flights for your family, a pre-cruise hotel, meals before the sailing, and transportation to the ship and back to the airport.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Disney Cruise Line ship

What's included in the price of a Disney cruise?

You might pay a lot for a Disney cruise, but you get a lot for your money. The cost of a Disney cruise covers your onboard dining and most nonalcoholic drinks, an abundance of entertainment for kids and adults, onboard activities and transportation between cruise ports. Even most entertainment and food on Disney's private island Castaway Cay (and upcoming private island destination Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point) is part of the fare.

Entertainment

Most of the entertainment on board is included in the overall cost of your sailing. On your cruise, you can experience Broadway-quality shows inside the Walt Disney Theater, watch first-run movies from Disney's production companies (like Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars), listen to live music and participate in game shows in the adults-only lounges. Most itineraries feature a deck party with a fireworks show.

Kids can meet and play with their favorite Disney characters and participate in activities like karaoke. Family-friendly sun decks with pools, waterslides, splash zones and wading pools are also included in the cost.

Disney Cruise Line is known for its rotational dining evening dinner service. Families rotate through three onboard restaurants throughout the sailing, and your service team moves with you. Each of the rotational dining options is included in your cruise fare. One of the restaurants will be open for drop-in, sit-down meals during breakfast and lunch as well. Complimentary room service is available 24 hours a day.

On the upper decks, quick-service food stations, soft-serve ice cream and a buffet are available. Every Disney cruise also includes unlimited coffee, tea and soda.

Accommodations

Almost every cabin across the Disney fleet features Disney's distinctive split bathroom concept. One of the bathrooms has a vanity, sink and tub-shower, plus another bathroom with a vanity, sink and toilet. Each room also has a small refrigerator, safe and hair dryer.

Every child ages 3 to 17 will have access to Disney's kids clubs on board. Youngsters ages 3-10 can enjoy Disney's Oceaneer Club and Disney's Oceaneer Lab . Tweens ages 11-14 have access to Edge, and teens ages 14-17 can chill out in Vibe.

Each kids club has dedicated counselors and a host of activities every day. The best way to see the list of activities is to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and scroll through the daily agenda. You can flag activities your kids want to attend, so you can get to the kids clubs before they start.

Adult-exclusive activities

Disney cruises are packed with family-friendly programming, but adults can find spaces and events geared just for them in the adult-only nightclubs and lounges on board. Live music, interactive games and shows are only some of the nightly activities.

Additionally, adults have a dedicated pool and hot tub area that includes a bar and coffee shop. (Drinks cost extra, but access is free). For those looking to stay fit while onboard, access to the fitness center is also included.

Castaway Cay

On most Bahamas and Caribbean sailings, you'll stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay . At the island, your family can enjoy the family beach or adult-exclusive beach (for those 18 and older).

Use of towels, beach chairs and shade umbrellas are complimentary, as are waterslides and splash zones. Live music and character appearances take place around the island. Kids and teen club activities are available on Castaway Cay — again, at no extra charge. Runners can participate in the Castaway Cay 5K and get a finisher medal.

When it's time to eat, three spots serve an included barbecue lunch, complete with soft-serve ice cream. Coffee, tea and fountain drinks are also included at Castaway Cay.

To get around the island, you can walk or use the complimentary trams.

Related: Are cruises all-inclusive? What's actually included in your cruise fare

Are there any extra Disney costs?

Even though many activities, dining options and entertainment are included in the cost of your cruise, you will find things to pay extra for on a Disney cruise. These may or may not be worth it for your family, depending on your budget and interests. Below is a list of things not included in your overall cruise fare.

Some of the cutest Disney activities are also ones that cost extra. Kids who want more time with the Disney characters might be interested in the Royal Court Royal Tea — a tea party with characters for kids ages 3 to 12. According to planDisney (Disney's online resource for vacation-planning tips) , the cost is $220 per child and $69 for anyone 13 and up. Each tea party includes a selection of tea and a two-course meal; every child gets an assortment of gifts.

Kids can also play dress-up and get a full regal or pirate (only available on Pirate Party Nights) makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, found on every Disney ship. Depending on the package you booked for your child, expect to pay $100 to $450 for each makeover.

Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy both have a virtual sports simulator that requires a reservation and a fee. You can play various sports, from football to golf, for either 30- or 60-minute time blocks. Cost varies based on time, sport and number of people playing.

Specialty dining and cocktails

Four specialty dining restaurants are offered across the Disney Cruise Line fleet. Exclusive to Disney Wish (and coming soon to Disney Treasure ) are Enchante and Palo Steakhouse. Expect to pay $60 to $205 plus an 18% auto-gratuity for a meal at Enchante; Palo Steakhouse is $50 for a prix-fixe meal, but an a la carte menu is also available.

On the four other Disney Cruise Line ships, Palo is also $50 for prix-fixe and offers an a la carte menu. An 18% auto-gratuity is also tacked onto your bill.

On Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, Remy is also available, with the dessert experience starting at $65 without the 18% auto-gratuity, while brunch and dinner are $80 and $135 respectively, plus an additional 18% auto-gratuity.

On all ships, themed bars and lounges sling drinks. Because there's no drink package available through Disney Cruise Line, you will have to pay for each drink individually. The planDisney panel says the average drink can range from $6 to $20.

If you're looking for specialty coffee, tea or hot chocolate drinks, look for the Cove Cafe on all ships; there are also specialty counters off of the atrium on Disney Dream, Fantasy and Wish. These drinks cost anywhere from $5 to $8, depending on your order. You can also order alcoholic drinks from the coffee bars, which run the typical cocktail prices.

Outside the Walt Disney Theater or near the movie theaters on board each ship, you'll also smell the buttery goodness of freshly popped popcorn. You can buy the popcorn for an added fee to take into the shows with you. Additionally, there are some specialty popcorn buckets available for purchase on each ship; you can refill them for a discounted price every time you want to munch on the salty snack. (Specialty buckets purchased off the ships at a Disney resort or theme park are not eligible for a discounted popcorn refill.)

Additionally, each ship offers beverage-tasting seminars where you can learn how to make and taste a variety of cocktails in a given category. Seminars can range from $40 to $70 and last about an hour.

While crew gratuities on Disney Cruise Line are not included in the overall cost, some can be prepaid before you step onboard. These include gratuities to your dining room server, assistant server and head server, plus your cabin host. Disney recommends a gratuity of $14.50 per night per person, including infants and children in regular cabins. It's recommended that those in concierge cabins and suites pay $15.50, with the extra going to your cabin assistant host.

Gratuities that are not included can be paid on board. Such gratuities include anything extra you would like to give to your service team, tips on alcoholic beverages in the dining room, adult dining locations, room service and the spa. The concierge lounge team is also not included in prepaid gratuities for concierge guests, and Disney recommends $8 per night per guest.

Keep in mind that an 18% gratuity is automatically added to bar tabs across the ship and for spa services. To make it easy while on the ship, you can charge all your gratuities to your onboard account.

If you want to bring something home from your trip — whether from a port of call or from the onboard shops — you'll want to budget for that extra cost. Souvenirs off the ship can range from a few dollars to a few hundred dollars, depending on what you buy. Be prepared that some shops will only take local currency; purchases at Castaway Cay shops will be charged to your onboard account.

On the ship, easy-to-transport souvenirs included trading pins, magnets and apparel. These can range anywhere from $20 to $75. Other more expensive onboard souvenirs include jewelry, luxury brand purses and wallets, and art.

Related: 26 Disney cruise tips, tricks, secrets and extra magic to unlock

How do I save money on a Disney cruise?

If you're reeling from sticker shock, know you can find many ways to save money on a Disney cruise. Here are a few of my favorite money-saving tips.

Letting Disney choose your cabin can be a great way to get a deal on the cruise. These are known as guaranteed rates, and they are the cheapest fares in each category. All you have to do is pick your room type, such as inside, ocean view or balcony, and Disney picks which specific room number you get. This works best if you don't care where your room is on the ship.

If you're looking for a room upgrade , but that's not a make-it-or-break-it deal for your family, consider waiting to upgrade your room until you get to the port. If your cruise still has rooms available, you can ask at check-in about a room upgrade for a discount. The cost will be relative to the room type you originally booked and the room type you want to upgrade to. Sometimes, you can even upgrade to a concierge room or a suite, but you will need to get an early port arrival time to potentially score one of those upgrades.

Disney Cruise Line has one of the most generous alcohol policies of any big-ship cruise brand. At the start of your cruise, you can bring up to six cans of beer or two bottles of wine per person over 21 years old. Then, at each port, you can restock and bring the same alcohol allotment per person over 21 onto the ship to store in your room and enjoy. You might find that beer and wine are cheaper in port than on board — a smart way to save on your drinking expenses.

Related: Best Disney cruise ships for everyone — even Disney adults

Are Disney cruises cheaper or more expensive than other cruise lines?

Other family-friendly cruise brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC Cruises. While all of the family-friendly brands have pros and cons, picking the right one for your family can come down to a matter of cost. Disney is almost always the most expensive.

For example, we priced out a three-night weekend cruise departing on the same dates for Disney Wish and Royal Caribbean 's soon-to-debut Utopia of the Seas. We found that Disney was almost $500 more expensive for the same weekend, cabin type and length of sailing. Utopia of the Seas came out to $2,850.10 for two people staying in a balcony cabin, while the Disney Wish cruise, also in a balcony room, cost $3,337.20.

What Disney does best — and why many people choose to cruise with the brand — is it provides a high level of service to families, even those in the least expensive cabins. The crew on Disney ships goes above and beyond to make your vacation easy. I've seen everything from dining staff cutting kids' food and taking children to the bathroom to room hosts ensuring parents know about the parental locks on balcony doors (so kids can't just wander outside without an adult).

The extra amenities that Disney offers — such as Broadway-quality shows, character experiences and larger standard cabins — all bring the overall cruise cost up.

Disney also has a smaller fleet than all its family-friendly competitors, meaning there is less cabin inventory to sell. Plus, its ships generally carry fewer passengers. For example, Disney Wish, Disney's biggest ship, carries 4,000 people at full capacity; Royal Caribbean's Icon of the Seas can carry 7,600 guests at capacity. The low inventory combined with the high demand for Disney cruises means that Disney can charge higher fares and still fill ships.

Bottom line

Cruise fares with Disney can change based on factors like room type, travel party size and sailing date. The minimum price you can expect to pay for a cruise to the Caribbean or Bahamas starts at $1,500 for an inside cabin for two people on Disney Magic.

Disney Cruise Line includes a variety of dining experiences (including room service), soda, character meet-and-greets and Broadway-caliber entertainment in its fares; it also allows passengers to bring alcohol on board in every port of call. For these reasons, you don't necessarily have to spend much on board to have a fantastic vacation. The cruise can be a good value depending on the extras you choose to add.

The real question is whether you want to spend more on the base cruise fare to immerse yourself in the world of Disney versus paying less for another family-friendly cruise line.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• Top ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

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Global Munchkins

Travel + Global Inspired Lifestyle

April 26, 2023

How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost? + Money Saving Tips

After sailing on 15 Disney Cruises , I think the most common question we statement we hear is, “I’ve always wanted to go on one, but how much does a Disney Cruise cost? Disney Cruise Lines has some of the most premier ships at sea and with that does come with a premium price.

We are here to break down how much a Disney cruise costs, what’s included, a look at Disney Cruise Prices in 2023, and if the higher price is really worth it.

What’s Included in the Price of Your Disney Cruise

When you are looking at how much a Disney Cruise costs, I think one of the main factors you have to take in is how much stuff is included in a  Disney Cruise.

Passengers on Disney Cruises can expect the full Disney experience throughout their trip. Let’s take a look at everything that is included in your Disney Cruise sailing.

Broadway Musicals & First Run Movies

All ships have theaters with live Broadway musicals (and these are seriously amazing musicals) along with unlimited access to movie theaters that offer Disney’s & Marvel’s newest movies.

You’ll often find yourself on board seeing the latest Marvel thriller (we saw Black Panther onboard right when it was released) or a brand new Pixar film.

Incredible Meals with a splash of Disney Magic

Meals are included with your cruise fare. Each ship has rotational dining where you will visit one of three restaurants each night. Your waiter travels with you as you dine at each new location, and the waiters on the ship are truly a blast. Many have done magic tricks for our kids and all are the most caring people you will meet.

In addition, there is a buffet, and plenty of places to get food around the clock. There are several quick-service spots where my husband loves to grab a pizza, as well as 24-hour room service, where you can even get Mickey Ice Cream bars delivered to the room.

Unlike most cruises on Disney cruises, Guests can also enjoy endless soda for no additional fee. Tea and coffee are also included while aboard in addition to all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream with all the toppings. The only food which is extra charge is at the fine dining of Palo & Remy and Vanelope’s sweet shop.

The Best Kid’s Club of any cruise line

If you asked my kids what the one thing that they love about a Disney cruise is, it would be the Kid’s Club. In our rankings of top cruise ships, Disney Cruise Kid’s Club blows every other cruise out of the water (no pun intended).

My kids are not the type of kids who like to stray off and go to a kids club but Disney’s is out of this world. There is no comparison to any other cruise line out there. The themed rooms are amazing and the staff is incredible. 

Character Experiences

There is no other ship at sea that offers the character experiences Disney Cruise offers. You may find yourself casually strolling by Captain Hook or Peter Pan. Characters have several photo opportunities scheduled throughout the day, where you can get your picture taken with your favorite character. 

Plus, in the kids club characters will come and visit and play with the kids. So, if your family loves Disney characters, there are plenty on board to interact with. 

Castaway Cay

If you are sailing on a Disney Cruise to the Bahamas or the Caribbean, included in your fare, is a visit to Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay . This island is amazing with beautiful beaches, water slides, snorkeling and so much more.

The best part is all the food, just like on the cruise is included. It will definitely be one of your favorite stops on the cruise. For an extra cost you can get a Castaway Cay Cabana , these cost quite a bit but if you can afford it, they are simply amazing.

If you love running, Disney Castaway Cay has a 5K to start off the day. It’s a fun way to get started on one of the best days of the cruise.

How Much Will a Disney Cruise Cost in 2023 & 2024? 

So, what we did is break down what a Disney Cruise costs on average for a family of 4 with several different itineraries. These prices are total including all taxes for a family of 4. All of these cruises are priced based on inside, oceanview, and verandah cabins.

We did not include the concierge level , because that’s on a whole different level. While the inside to verandah cabins are all fairly close in price. After we go over some costs, we will break down how to find the best deal.

Now, normally how much a Disney Cruise costs goes up each year, but in 2023 we expect prices to remain the same, except for the new Disney Wish! Plus, be on the lookout for more special offers to get people to return to cruising.

My BEST TIPS to Save you Time & Money when Booking a Disney Cruise

Tip #1 – I actually learned this tip from our travel agent, but the #1 thing to do when booking a Disney Cruise is to book early. 99% of the time prices go up as the ship fills up. So the earlier you book, the better deal you are going to get.

We went on a cruise this past summer and paid a little over $4,100 for a verandah cabin on a 7-night cruise, our friends went to book last minute and had to pay $3,000 more for an inside cabin. So, put down the deposit early and then your final payment isn’t due until 120 days before the cruise.

Tip # 2 – This one might surprise you but it is my best tip. DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT, book directly through the Disney Cruise site, you are wasting time and Money!

I know, it seems like you would get a better deal, right? But the fact of the matter is you do all the work and you pay the exact same price (if not more) versus if you went through a travel agent.

Plus, a travel agent is trying to earn your business, so they will have all sorts of perks to have you use them. Here is what you will get:

• You will get the same price, if not better (they know all the specials going on)
• Some sort of bonus like Stateroom Credit = FREE MONEY – Stateroom Credit is money you can use for spending onboard like Spa Services, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Specialty Dining & More – I have received $800 on one cabin in the past
• Plus, they know where the best staterooms are, when you should check-in for your cruise, and what documents you need and they send you reminders.
• They will save you hours and hours of planning

Our favorite travel agency is Best Day Ever Vacations , they specialize in Disney travel and they even have a place on their site where you can find all the unadvertised Disney Cruise Deals are have some amazing deals, but please do yourself a favor and use a travel agent for your next Disney Cruise

3 Night Caribbean Cruise 

A 3-Night Disney Cruise can surprisingly range widely in price. You can look at paying from $2,600 – $6,300 on a 3-night Caribbean cruise.

So, you are looking at $216-$525 per person per day.

4 Night Caribbean Cruise 

A 4-Night Caribbean Cruise can range from $3,400 – $6,700. You will find that a 4-night cruise is often a better value because it sails during the weekdays, so if you have the ability to miss some weekdays, take a 4-night cruise.

A 4 night averages out to $212-$418 per person per day .

7-Night Caribbean & European Cruise

For a family of four, a 7 Night Cruise will range from $5,300 – $10,000. The 7 Night cruises in the Caribbean can be onboard the Magic, Fantasy & the Wonder.  Personally, I would choose the Magic or the Fantasy when in the Caribbean as they have better waterslides.

In Europe, the only option is the Disney Magic, which is the first ship we ever sailed on and one of my favorites.

A 7-night averages out to $189-$397 per person per day .

7 Night Alaska Cruise

The Alaska cruise prices vary much more dramatically by room class, as a Verandah is so sought after. If you are planning to sail to Alaska the prices can range from $6,500 – $17,000 for a 7-night cruise. That comes to $232 to $602 per person. 

The inside cabins are much cheaper when it comes to Alaska as they are from about $6500-8000 and the Verandah cabins really vary the most from $8900 all the way up to $17,000 for the same cruise.

How Much Does the New Disney Wish Cost?

The newest Disney ship to set sail is the Disney Wish!

The new Disney Wish began sailing in July 2022. The ship sets sail from Port Canaveral and sails to the Bahamas and Castaway Cay . Currently pricing for the Disney Wish is slightly higher than the other Disney Cruise ships and we anticipate that to last for about a year.

That being said, we absolutely love this ship!

For a Family of 4, a 3-Night sailing will be around $3,000 – $5,000 per sailing which comes to about $250-$450 per person. The 4-Night cruise is typically a better deal as it sails during the week. For 4 nights the pricing for 4 people is $3,400 – $6,600, which comes to $212 – $412 per person.

Need help booking your Disney Cruise? Contact our friends at  Best Day Ever Vacations ! They are truly Disney Experts, and not only are their services FREE , but they will save you both time and money. 

Extra Disney Cruise Costs to Keep in Mind

Gratuities run about $40 on a 3-Night Cruise per person,  $54.00 per person for a 4-night cruise, and $94 for a 7-night cruise. 15% Gratuity is also added to any alcoholic purchases.

Shore Excursions & On Cruise Experiences

You definitely do not need to do a shore excursion at every port, but they are quite fun. I would estimate $100 per shore excursion you would like to do. Most times you are able to book shore excursions off the boat

Spa Services & Bibbidy Boppidi Boutique

If you are in the mood for a little R&R then head to the Senses Spa for a wide variety of services. In addition, you can also make your little one a princess with a visit to the Bippidi Boppidi Boutique. Our girls have always loved this boutique! They love picking out their favorite princess dress and getting the full royal treatment. While these services are extra, they are so worth it because it is truly magical seeing their excitement.

Alcohol and Premium Dining

Alcohol is not included in your fare, so if you are planning on taking in some cocktails, budget appropriately for these expenses. On the Disney Cruises Ships, you can pay a little extra to dine at restaurants like Palo or Remy, which offer top-notch cuisine. Palo is available on 4 Disney Cruise ships, while Remy is only available on the Dream and Fantasy. The Disney Wish also has 2 adult-exclusive restaurants.

How do Disney Cruise Prices compare to other cruise lines

We all see the ads for a 3-night cruise for $299. While that can be great, comparing the $299 cruise to the Disney cruise cost is apples and oranges. If you want to make a fair comparison, take a look at the biggest competitors, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian & Carnival, and look at their newer fleet of ships (less than 7 years old).

There you can see the best that each has to offer. I compared the Disney Fantasy in July to Royal Caribbean’s Harmony of the Seas. The prices ended up being between $150-$200 more per person for the Disney Cruise.

How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise

Book with a Travel Agent! My #1 Tip!

I know, I mentioned this earlier but I want to reiterate it. I even feel foolish for saying this because this was so against our initial instincts. In fact, we booked our first 8 cruises without a travel agent because we always thought we could get the best deal.

A travel agent can get you the same pricing you will find anywhere else, plus they offer onboard credit to spend on the ship and will help you plan the whole thing. 

We use Disney Travel Agents for all our Disney trips because they know Disney Cruises, Disney World, and Disneyland better than I will ever know. I highly recommend their services. Not only do they help with the planning, you get the best deal available and onboard credit!

Disney Cruise Deals – Special Offers

You can find Disney Cruise deals on a page exclusively for Special Offers .

At the time of this article, there is a 7-day cruise for only $116 per person per day. They have special offers for different sailings, military rates, Florida resident rates, and Candian-Resident savings. 

*Pro Tip* When you see that special offer, still contact your travel agent because they can get you that offer plus the onboard credit.

Book in the Offseason

If you want to save some serious cash, book your cruise in the off-season, basically any time kids are normally in school. You will find the Disney Cruise cost to be lower in September, October, Early November, January, & February. So, if you can sail during those seasons, do it! You will save yourself a ton of money.

If you know the itinerary you want and it is during a peak season like the summer or holiday, book the room as early as you can. Disney Cruise prices rarely go down, especially on peak sailing so the earlier you book the better the price. 

Book while on a Cruise 

Lastly, if you are sailing on a Disney Cruise and love it, book another one while onboard. You save 10% off the rate, plus give them your travel agent’s info and you’ll still get the bonus 10% plus your travel agent will get you that onboard credit too.

Know what to Pack and Not to Pack!

One of the surprisingly best ways to save money not only on your Disney Cruise, is knowing what to pack. We have a full detailed Disney Cruise packing list , which will let you know everything you can and should bring on board plus things you can’t. (Hint, you can bring some alcohol).

The 5 Disney Cruise Ships

There are four ships in the Disney Cruise Line (5 when the Wish arrives in the Summer of 2022). Each ship has its own unique features and base of operations, but they all offer similar services and amenities.

The Disney Wish

The Disney Wish is the newest of the Disney cruise ships and began sailing in the summer of 2022. The wish has some incredible features like the Frozen and Marvel-themed restaurants, their first ever Disney ride at sea, “The Aqua Mouse” and so much more.

The Disney Wonder

The Disney Wonder sails to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The Wonder is the only ship in the fleet that sails on the West Coast, so you’ll see it docked in San Diego every now and again, which is the only port of call for Disney cruises on the West Coast. The Wonder is popular among superhero fans, as it is home to the Marvel Super Hero Academy and Frozen, A Musical Spectacular.

The Disney Magic

The Disney Magic has one of the most unique itineraries sailing to the Bahamas and Caribbean, and it’s the only ship that cruises to Europe & the Greek Islands. There you’ll find several enchanting cruises in Northern Europe and around the Mediterranean with exciting port adventures available to guests. Magic is known for Rapunzel’s Royal Table restaurant, Tangled: The Musical and my kid’s favorite water slide the AquaDunk. (Check out our full review here)

The Disney Dream

The Disney Dream can be seen cruising around the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. The Dream typically sails 3 and 4 night trips. The Dream is known among Star Wars fans as it has a play area that resembles the Millenium Falcon inside the kid’s club (it’s pretty awesome), and guests can enjoy Broadway’s hit musical Beauty and the Beast nightly in the ship’s grand theater.

The Disney Fantasy

The Disney Fantasy has 7 night sailings to Castaway Cay and the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Have you ever seen a water roller coaster? You’ll find the AquaDuck water coaster aboard the Fantasy along with the Royal Court restaurant filled with all of the Disney princesses and princes you can imagine, as well as the Star Wars: Command Post for the little ones. Since each cruise has specific destinations, if you want to book a specific ship then you will be limited by that ship’s range of destinations.

Map of Disney Cruise Destinations and Ports of Call

Pin-It For Later: How Much Does a Disney Cruise Cost?

Have any questions about Disney Cruises or Disney Cruise Costs? Ask us in the comments OR feel free to message us on Instagram !

If you enjoyed reading about Disney Cruise Costs, you might also enjoy:

Disney Cruise Tips & Tricks [Over 100 of our BEST CRUISE TIPS]

The BEST Disney Cruise Packing List (+ Pirate Night Details)

15 Unique Disney Fish Extender Options For Your Next Disney Cruise

Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Costs

How expensive is the disney cruise.

Here is how much a cruise would be for a family of 4 – 3 night Caribbean cruise. You can look at paying from $2,600 – $6,300 on – 4 Night Caribbean Cruise can range from $3,400 – $6,700. – 7 Night Cruise will range from $5,300 – $10,000. – 7 Night Alaska Cruise prices can range from $6,500 – $17,000

When is the cheapest time to sail on a Disney Cruise?

Typically January, February, Early March, September & October are the cheapest times to sail on a Disney Cruise.

Is the food free on Disney Cruise?

The food is included in your Disney Cruise cost with the exception of the two specialty restaurants – Palo & Remy as well as treats from Vanellope’s Sweet Shop. Alcohol and specialty drinks are not included in the cruise cost and are an extra charge

Is Disney Cruise worth the extra money?

It depends. If you love Disney, then yes. If you have kids ages 3-10, I would say it is worth it. Once you get into ages over 10, it really depends on how much you enjoy Disney.

Is their an adults only section on a Disney Cruise?

Disney Cruise Line offers an adults-only section on their ships, called “The District,” which is reserved for guests aged 18 and over. This section includes various bars and lounges, as well as a nightclub and a movie theater.

It provides a space for adults to relax, socialize, and enjoy entertainment tailored specifically to them, while still having access to the rest of the family-friendly activities and amenities on board.

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Reader Interactions

December 22, 2019 at 9:56 pm

Hi wanted to know details for a cruise, I have a family of 6.

January 9, 2020 at 12:41 pm

We are considering a cruise this coming year and have just started getting information. We would have 2 seniors (grandparents), 3 girls ages 9 and 8 with their parents. What would be the best, most economic accommodations for a group like this? Thank you.

January 9, 2020 at 2:26 pm

Hi Anne, I am going to ask our friends over at Tink’s Magical Vacations to reach out to you and give you assistance. They know the ships better than anyone and will be able to find the best offer for you.

February 9, 2020 at 9:26 pm

We are considering a Disney cruise in the last week of June, 2021. We have two senior grandparents, three adults and two teenagers. What would be the most economical package for us for a 7 day cruise.

February 10, 2020 at 5:59 am

Hi Yvonne, We are not travel agents, but we do no some great ones over at Tink’s Magical Vacations. I forwarded your email over to the owner of Tink’s and she will be able to help you find the most economical package for your cruise. Let us know if you have any other questions.

May 5, 2020 at 8:46 am

Hello, my husband and I would like to surprise my family of 35 people by taking them on a Disney Cruise. We would like some information on the best way to go about booking this, along with costs. There are 24 adults and 11 kids. We would need 13 rooms. Thank you

May 5, 2020 at 9:50 am

Hi Jessica,

We are not travel agents, but we know some spectacular ones. I will get you in touch with Kristin over at Tink’s Magical Vacations. They book all of our Disney cruises and they are amazing. She should reach out to you shortly.

July 14, 2020 at 2:37 pm

I an 71 yr old. Love Disney. Traveling solo. Can cruise anytime in late 2021. What you reccomend?

July 15, 2020 at 10:59 am

Hi Michael,

I am going to have someone from Tink’s Magical Vacations reach out to you. They are who we use when booking our Disney Cruise and will know the best options for 2021.

August 2, 2020 at 11:26 am

Want to plan in advance to take my daughter on a cruise for a high school graduation present. Which Disney cruise line is best for young adult children. We are a family of 5. And how far in advance can I start planning to make the trip more affordable?

July 5, 2022 at 7:09 am

How much is to for 2 people

September 26, 2022 at 6:55 am

How much is to for 6 people for DISNEY CRUISE

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The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Personal Navigators: 10-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral – July 13, 2023

Personal Navigators, and other details from the Silver Anniversary at Sea  10-Night Southern Caribbean Cruise from Port Canaveral . The  Disney Fantasy  set sail from  Port Canaveral, Florida on July 13, 2023. During this cruise, the ship was under the control of Captain Marco Nogara. The Cruise Director during the sailing was Ashley Long. 

Day 1 – July 13, 2023 –  Port Canaveral, Florida

Guests Onboard : 3:45 pm Personal Navigator – Day 1

Attire : Cruise Casual

Dinner Menus :

• Royal Court :  Royal Court
• Animator’s Palate :  Animator’s Palate
• Enchanted Garden :  Enchanted Garden

Evening Entertainment :

• Featured Act – Personal Navigator was not available. There was guest variety act in the Walt Disney Theater.

Day 2 – July 14, 2023 – At Sea

Personal Navigator – Day 2

Attire : Formal

Drink of the Day :  Cool Breeze  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Crazy Shake

• Walt Disney Theatre Production –  Disney’s Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular

Day 3 – July 15, 2023 – At Sea

Personal Navigator – Day 3

Drink of the Day :  Bahama Mama  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Coco Bali

• Featured Act –  MoonShot

Day 4 – July 16, 2023 –  Oranjestad, Aruba

Guests Ashore : 10:00 am  Guests Onboard : 9:30 pm Personal Navigator – Day 4

Drink of the Day :  Mai Tai  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Cranberry No-Jito

• Royal Court :  Land & Sea
• Animator’s Palate :  World of Flavour
• Enchanted Garden :  Vista
• Movie –  Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Day 5 – July 17, 2023 –  Kralendijk, Bonaire

Guests Ashore : 8:30 am  Guests Onboard : 2:30 pm Personal Navigator – Day 5

Drink of the Day :  Yellow Bird  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Lava Smoothie

• Featured Act –  The Magic & Comedy of Jon Armstrong

Day 6 – July 18, 2023 – At Sea

Personal Navigator – Day 6

Attire : Pirate or Cruise Casual

Drink of the Day :  Sunken Treasure  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Parrot Song

• Royal Court :  Pirates in the Caribbean
• Animator’s Palate :  Pirates in the Caribbean
• Enchanted Garden :  Pirates in the Caribbean
• Featured Act –  Buckets N Boards

Day 7 – July 19, 2023 –  St. John’s, Antigua

Guests Ashore : 8:30 am  Guests Onboard : 4:00 pm Personal Navigator – Day 7

Drink of the Day : Caribbean Dream •  Non-Alcoholic :  Bubble Gum Smoothie

• Featured Act –  All That! Percussion Dance Group

Day 8 – July 20, 2023 –  St. Thomas, USVI

Guests Ashore : 7:45 am  Guests Onboard : 3:45 pm Personal Navigator – Day 8

Drink of the Day : Deep Blue Sea •  Non-Alcoholic : Tropical Rhythm

• Royal Court :  Captain’s Gala Dinner
• Animator’s Palate :  Animator’s Palate – Animation Magic
• Enchanted Garden :  Prince & Princess
• Featured Act –  The Ventriloquism & Comedy of Lynn Trefzger

Day 9 – July 21, 2023 – At Sea

Personal Navigator – Day 9

Attire : Semi-Formal

Drink of the Day :  High Tide  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Bubble Gum Smoothie

• Walt Disney Theatre Production –  Frozen, A Musical Spectacular

Day 10 – July 22, 2023 –  Castaway Cay

Guests Ashore : 10:00 am  Guests Onboard : 5:15 pm Personal Navigator – Day 10

Drink of the Day :  Stingray  •  Non-Alcoholic :  Princess Delight

• Walt Disney Theatre Production –  Disney’s Believe

Buena Vista Theatre Movies

• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
• Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny
• Peter Pan & Wendy
• The Little Mermaid

If you have any navigators you would be willing to share, please send me an email. If you would rather upload the files you can use our  upload form .

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25+ Disney Cruise Tips to Know Before You Go

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As a seasoned Disney cruiser, I’ve learned a lot of tricks and insider secrets that can make all the difference in your cruise vacation. If you’re planning your first Disney cruise , here are some tips to help you navigate the pre-booking process, pack your bags, and make the most of your time onboard!

This post may contain affiliate links. When you click on these links, I get a small percentage back at no cost to you! For more information see my  disclosure policy .

The Best Disney Cruise Tips

A Disney Cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people that can create unforgettable memories for the whole family. However, planning and executing your Disney cruise vacation requires careful consideration and preparation to ensure the best possible experience.

From packing essentials to insider knowledge, the best Disney cruise tips can help you get the most out of your vacation. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a veteran of the seas, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your next Disney cruise like a pro.

Get ready to set sail and make some magical memories with some of the best Disney Cruise tips around!

Check out prices below or get a free quote by calling 877-510-2929 and let them know Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you!

Pre-Cruise Tips

Preparing thoroughly before embarking on a Disney Cruise is always key. This section is all about pre-cruise tips and tricks that’ll have you feeling like a seasoned Disney cruiser before you even climb aboard.

Disney cruises are incredibly popular, and some cabins can sell out months in advance. Decide on your travel dates and book your cruise as soon as possible to secure the best room and any promotions that may be offered during that time.

Get the Best Cruise Rates

Generally, the farther out from the cruise you get, the lower the price is. As the date approaches and demand goes up, so does the price. If possible, book your cruise as soon as dates are available (usually 12-18 months in advance).

You can also get a great deal if your desired cruise date offers a guaranteed rate. These rated can be found by searching for your cruise or by clicking on “Special Offers” on the Disney Cruise Line website.

If you are interested in these rates, they do come with stipulations. Many times Disney will choose your room for you, you must pay in full at the time of booking, and there are no changes or refunds available for any reason.

I booked a cruise for my family of five with a “guaranteed with restrictions” rate and had a great experience. I saved over $2000 dollars booking two of these rooms over booking one deluxe family verandah suite .

Available Hotels Near Cape Canaveral Florida

Use a travel agent.

I always recommend using a travel agent to book your Disney Cruise. They have easy access to Disney and can take care of any problems easily that may arise. And, using a travel agent is completely free!

If you’re thinking about going on a Disney Cruise for your family, I recommend booking with my travel partner, Get Away Today. They can help you find the best ship and itinerary for your cruise vacation. I have used them many times and they have the BEST customer service. Give them a call at 877-510-2929 and mention Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you to get the best deals!

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always a good idea if you’re planning an expensive cruise. Not only can it protect your investment, but it can also cover things like missed flights or medical emergencies that may occur during your trip.

Fly in a Day Early

I highly recommend booking a flight that will arrive the day before your cruise departure. This will give you time to rest up, get acclimated to the area, and avoid any travel delays due to bad weather or airline issues.

Update Passports

You will be leaving the country when you sail on a Disney Cruise , so it is important to have the proper documentation like a passport.

Make sure that your passport is up-to-date and not about to expire. If it is, you’ll want to get one or get it renewed as soon as possible. It can take anywhere from 2-3 months for this process depending on whether or not you pay to expedite.

If you are in a time crunch, I have found that you can contact your local Congressman to help you get a new or renewed passport very quickly. I had to contact our’s before our Mediterranean cruise and they were very helpful and happy to do it!

If you are on a closed-loop cruise (where you start and end in the same destination within the United States) you can use a certified copy of your birth certificate and a driver’s license, but I highly recommend a passport.

If something happens in a port or you have a medical emergency that requires a helicopter, you will have many problems if you do not have a passport.

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Disney Cruise Line has their own app that is essential to download before your cruise. A benefit of downloading this app early is that it will give you a fun countdown until your cruise, complete with Disney characters !

Before your cruise, the app will show the countdown, your stateroom number, any balance owed (which can be paid through the app), check-in, maps, future plans, and available excursions.

During your cruise, the app will show the schedule of activities, restaurant menus, dining times, and more! So definitely download the app as soon as you book your sailing!

Join Your Cruise Facebook Group

As soon as you book your cruise, search Facebook for the date and ship you will be sailing. There is almost always a Facebook group that includes other passengers on your cruise.

This is a great resource for your particular sailing and is also the place where you can sign up to participate in Fish Extender groups (more on that later) or magnet exchanges.

Set Up a Character Call

This is a fun one! Before your cruise, you can set up a Character Call from the Disney Cruise Line for free! A Disney character will call your child at home and let them know about their upcoming trip! It’s such an amazing way to build excitement prior to departure.

Sign Up for Fish Extenders (If you want to)

Fish Extender groups are a group of cruise guests that sign up to give each other surprise gifts throughout the cruise. They got their name from the fish-shaped hook outside each stateroom on the Fantasy, Dream, Wonder, and Magic.

Participation in these groups is totally voluntary and whether you sign up for them or not, depends on the type of vacation you want.

I have both participated and not participated in Fish Extender gift exchanges on various cruises and both have been fun! It depends on my mood whether or not I sign up or not.

Book Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

For cruisers ages 3-12, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a really fun experience . Kids can be transformed into their favorite princess, a Royal Knight, Captain Mickey or Minnie, or even a pirate!

One tip to save money at the Bibbidi Bobbidi BoutiqueYou can read all about our experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique here .

These appointments can fill up quickly, so if this is an activity you want to do, make an appointment as soon as you can:

• First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
• Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date

Cruise Check-In Tips

There are dates to know and procedures that are unique to cruising with Disney, so you’ll want to know these tips below to help you with the check-in process. With these tips, you’ll be ready to tackle everything from boarding groups to make reservations for certain onboard experiences.

Know When to Check-In for a Disney Cruise

Your check-in time will vary depending on how many Disney Cruises you have been on. The breakdown is as follows:

• First Time Guests: 30 days before sailing
• Silver Castaway Club: 33 days before sailing
• Gold Castaway Club: 35 days before sailing
• Platinum Castaway Club: 38 days before sailing
• Pearl Castaway Club & Concierge Guests: 40 days before sailing

Make a Reservation for the Princess Royal Gathering

The Princess Royal Gathering is a popular event on a Disney Cruise where guests get a reserved time to meet and greet the Disney Princesses. Reservations for the Princess Royal Gathering always fill up quickly, so you’ll want to get online and make a reservation for this event right at the 30 day mark (which is Eastern Standard Time)

If you are unable to secure a reservation, you can check with guest services or the Disney Navigator App as soon as you board the ship, to find out if there are any openings.

Get an Early Port Arrival Time (PAT)

When you check in for your Disney Cruise , you will be able to select your PAT or Port Arrival Time. I like to choose the earliest time that I can, so I can maximize my time on the ship!

Tips for Booking Cruise Port Adventures (Excursions)

Port Adventures (also known as excursions) will vary by cruise. The following tips & tricks will help you with making reservations for fun on the land!

Research Port Adventures Ahead of Time

You can find a list of all port adventures for your destinations at www.disneycruise.disney.go.com . I like to go through them and decide which excursions I want to do so that I’m ready when it’s time to book.

You are able to cancel Port Adventures up to 3 days before sailing and once completed, they will be charged to your onboard account.

Book Excursions As Soon As Possible

Some popular excursions sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to decide what excursions you want to participate in and book them as soon as your booking window opens up. To book, your cruise must be paid in full. Here is the excursion booking schedule:

• First-Time Cruisers: 75 days before sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members (2nd – 5th cruise): 90 days before sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members (6th – 10 cruise): 105 days before sail date
• Platinum Castaway Club Members (11th – 25th cruise): 120 days before sail date
• Concierge Guests & Pearl Castaway Club Members (26th+ cruise): 123 days before sail date

Check Excursion Prices with Other Companies

When planning your cruise, it is important to know that you are not limited to the excursions offered through Disney Cruise Line. There are many tour companies that offer similar excursions in most ports of call. Some even have a cheaper price tag!

Before booking, search the internet for your port and compare excursions with Disney Port Adventures to find the right one for you! During my Mediterranean cruise last summer, I did a combination of Disney Port Adventures and private tours and loved all of the experiences.

Explore On Your Own

Often times when you visit a port, you don’t even need an organized excursion. Do some research for your ports of call, but I have had luck grabbing a taxi and heading to the beach on my own.

Skip a Port and Stay on the Ship

Sometimes its worth it to skip a port and stay on the ship! This allows you to enjoy the ship with fewer people, meaning you can use the pools and water slides with no lines!

My family did this when the Disney Wonder was in port in Ensenada, Mexico as well as when the Disney Fantasy was in St. Thomas and we had a great time.

Cruise Packing Tips

When it comes to packing, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and swimwear. Disney cruise ships have multiple pools and water features, and it’s easy to spend the majority of your time outside. Read my complete Disney Cruise packing list here.

Don’t Overpack

Even though I have an extensive packing list for Disney cruises here, don’t feel like you need to bring everything, especially when it comes to clothing.

The laundry facilities are easy to use on a Disney Cruise , so I often pack half of what I think I need and plan to do laundry if necessary.

You really only need shorts and a T-shirt during the day, a couple of swimsuits and cover-ups, nice clothes for dinner, and pirate clothes!

Pack a Light Sweater

Even in tropical climates, it can get cold on the ship. I always pack a light sweater to wear in the theaters and dining rooms.

Bring a Lanyard

If this is your first cruise, you might want to think about getting a lanyard to carry your Key to the World Card. This card will be your room key, will allow you to make purchases, and will be used each time you get on or off the ship.

A lanyard is nice to help you keep track of your key card, especially for kids. Check out these cute Disney Cruise Lanyards from Amazon . If you will be going on your second Disney cruise or any cruise thereafter, Disney will give you a lanyard.

Cash for Tips

Gratuities will be charged to your card at the end of your cruise for your room attendant and diing service team, but you will need to tip the porters who collect your luggage, room service attendants, and possibly tour guides on excursions. Bring some cash in small denominations so that you can easily provide tips during your stay.

Check the Prohibited Items List

Since you will be traveling on a cruise ship, you want to make sure that the items you bring with you are approved. Disney Cruise Line has a long list of prohibited items here that you should review before packing.

Bring Your Own Pharmacy Kits

Having over-the-counter medication for common ailments can save time and money on your Disney Cruise . I like to pack my own first aid kit with motion sickness medication, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and nasal spray for allergies. This can save you time if you need to grab something quick the ship store is closed. Read my full packing list here .

Embarkation Day Tips

The day you board your Disney cruise ship is called Embarkation Day. There are many things you need to know to have a successful embarkation day, so check out the tips below.

Port Arrival Time (PAT)

Your Port Arrival Time will be assigned to you at check-in. Try to time your arrival to the port around this time to avoid a long wait in the terminal.

Disney Transportation

Disney provides paid transportation to the ports for some cruises. If you choose to use this Disney transportation option, you will not need a Port Arrival Time.

I like to print out my paperwork for Embarkation Day to have a hard copy. To board the ship, you will need the QR code with your reservation number and port arrival time that you get at the time of check-in. It is much easier for me to keep the code printed out on a piece of paper than trying to pull it up on my phone each time I need it.

Carry-On Bag

When you arrive at port, you will give your luggage to the porters and it will arrive outside your room later in the day. I like to pack a carry-on bag to store items that I want to keep with me, including my cruise paperwork and passport.

Ask to Upgrade

You might be able to upgrade your room at a lower rate when you get to the port. I have heard of many people that asked at the port if any upgrades were available and were able to move from an inside room to a verandah room or even to a concierge room for a fraction of the price of booking that room ahead of time.

Wear a Swimsuit

On embarkation day, I suggest wearing your swimsuit under your clothes. That way, you can go straight to the pool area as soon as you board and get the most out of your first day on the ship. Often you can go on the AquaDuck, AquaDunk, and AquaMouse (depending on your ship) with very short wait times.

Carry On Your Own Wine

Disney Cruise Line allows you to bring a limited amount of beer or wine onboard with you. You will need to carry this on with you (do not pack it in your luggage). Check the DCL website for specific amounts allowed an restrictions.

Bring a Case of Water

You can purchase a case of water from the “Onboard Gifts” section of the Navigator App, but it is very expensive. We usually bring a case of water with us onboard in our carry-on suitcase.

Bring Your Own Soda

Soda is included on a Disney Cruise , but it is only Coke products. If you prefer a different brand, you are welcome to bring your own soda with you onboard. Just like with alcohol, and a case of water, you will need to carry it on with you.

Swim First, Then Eat

I already mentioned wearing your swimsuit on Embarkation Day, so this tip works with that. Most people head to the buffet as soon as they board and then go swimming. You can enjoy even shorter lines if you head straight to the water slides and eat lunch when you’re done!

Find a Sail Away Spot

After attending the Sail Away Party, it’s fun to find a good spot to watch as you sail away from port. You can wave at people in port or on a neighboring cruise ship as you set sail. If you want to see some marine life, try to find a spot as far forward on the ship as you can and watch for dolphins to lead the ship out to sea!

Tour the Kids Clubs & Teen Clubs

Embarkation Day is a great time to check out the kids and teen clubs on the ship. All clubs have “open house” time on this day where anyone can go visit and see what they are all about. I like to take my kids to visit during this time so they can know what to expect.

Onboard Disney Cruise Tips

The following tips will help you with experiences while on the ship. These things are good to know so that you can be prepared and understand what is going on while you are on your cruise vacation.

Stateroom Door Decorations

It is a tradition (not a requirement) to decorate your stateroom door with cute Disney-themed magnets. You can go all out and purchase magnets from Etsy, or you can make DIY magnets yourself, which is what I did and have continued to reuse cruise after cruise!

Pirate Night

Pirate Night is one of my favorite nights on a Disney Cruise . On this night, you can dress up like a pirate! Dinner has a pirate-themed menu , and there will be a pirate show up on the pool deck.

You can make the most of this night go all out with a pirate costume (get one on Amazon or check clearance sales after Halloween) or you can put minimal effort in and just wear a T-shirt (this is what I do).

Princess Royal Gathering

For all of the little princesses out there, Disney Cruise Line offers a fun event called the Princess Gathering. In order to participate in this activity, you will need to make a reservation through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, 30 days prior to sailing (which is actually 29 days, 59 minutes, 59 seconds).

This experience is included with the price of your cruise, but making reservations is necessary. Just be aware that reservations can go quickly! But, if you are not able to snag a reservation at 30 days, keep checking the app for cancellations or talk to guest services as soon as you board the ship.

Character Meet & Greets

Another fun tip is to participate in the onboard activities, including character meet-and-greets and trivia games. Be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line app before your trip , as it will show the schedule for each event, activity, or show.

Broadway-Style Shows

On a Disney Cruise , you will experience a different show every night from Magic shows to Broadway-caliber shows like Frozen and Beauty and the Beast. The great thing about Disney is that you do not need a reservation for these shows.

Just check the Navigator app for the show and showtime each night. If you have an early dining time, you will go to the late show. If you have a later dinner time, you will go to the early show.

Daily Activities

Once you board the ship, your Navigator app will change and you will be able to see a list of activities for each day. I like to go through the activities and tap on the heart next to the activities my family wants to do each day. That way we can easily see what activities we are interested in and the app will also send you reminders about activities that you choose. Find an example of the Disney Cruise activity schedule here .

Disconnect and Enjoy your Vacation

Take time to disconnect and enjoy your vacation. This might mean turning off your phone for a few hours or even for a full day. I find that it is so important to unplug from technology sometimes and just enjoy the moments of being with family. You’re spending a lot of money to go on a Disney Cruise so put away the distractions and have some fun!

Use Booster Seat for Shows

If you’re traveling with little ones, there are booster seats available for them to use while watching the shows and movies!

Pop-Up Hamper

I always bring a pop-up hamper to keep in our stateroom closet. This helps keep our room clean and organized and makes it super easy to do a load of laundry during the cruise!

Beware of the Spa

The spas on Disney Cruises are amazing and I enjoy getting a massage from time to time. Just beware ahead of time, that the cast member will give you a heavy sales pitch at the end to try and get you to purchase their products. Feel free to buy them if you want, but don’t feel pressure or guilt to purchase them if you don’t.

If you absolutely need to bring a stroller for your little one (I’ve been there) Disney recommends that you bring your own, but there are a few available for rent on the ship. If you bring one, try to bring a small umbrella stroller. The hallways and elevators are a tight fit!

Midship Detective Agency

If your kids are looking for something fun to do, I highly recommend the Midship Detective Agency game on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. It is a scavenger hunt-style game and it’s so much fun!

Buy Souvenirs Early

If you see something you want to buy in the gift shops onboard or at Castaway Cay, buy it. Items tend to sell out quickly (sometimes on the Day 1) and what you want might not be available the next day.

Pixie Dusting

Pixie Dusting is along the same lines as the Fish Extender gift exchange, only a lot less pressure. With Pixie Dusting, you can bring your own small gifts and treats to share with random staterooms. I actually prefer this to Fish Extenders because I can give out these surprises as I please.

Return Kids Club Wrist Band

When your kids go to the kids clubs (Oceaneer Lab & Oceaneer Club) they will be given a wristband to wear for the entire cruise, similar to a Magic Band. You are welcome to keep this wristband as a souvenir, but you will be charged around $12-13. To avoid this charge, return the wristband to the kids club on the last night of your cruise.

Book a Placeholder While Onboard

To save money on a future cruise, you can purchase a placeholder while onboard through the Navigator app. You will pay $250 which can be applied toward the deposit for a future cruise in the next two years and you will also receive 10% off the price of your sailing.

If your future cruise is 7-nights or longer, you will also get 50% off the required deposit. Should you end up not using the placeholder, your $250 will be refunded.

If you use a travel agent to book your cruises , you will want to alert them of your placeholder and have them call Disney Cruise Line to have the placeholder transferred to them within 30 days.

Disney Cruise Dining Tips

Rotational dining.

Disney Cruise Line is different than many other cruise lines when it comes to the Main Dining Room (MDR) experience. Most cruise lines have one main dining room where you will go every night for dinner unless you have a specialty dining experience booked.

With Disney, instead of heading to the same main restaurant each night, your will rotate to a different restaurant. Your dinner time will remain the same and your serving team will rotate with you as well.

Main Dining Room

When you go to the Main Dining Room for dinner, know that you can order as much or as little from each course on the dinner menu. If you want 3 appetizers and no entrée, you can go ahead and order that! Or order two desserts if that’s what you want! Your servers will be happy to get you whatever you’d like.

I also have one drink that I prefer each night (Cherry Coke Zero) so I let my serving team know that I want that each night of the cruise. This cuts down on ordering time when we arrive at the restaurant because my server has our drinks ready for us.

You can also order items from other restaurants (sometimes). On our San Diego Disney Cruise , my kids fell in love with the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae from Lumiere’s and our amazing serving team were able to get that for their dessert for the next to nights. It never hurts to ask! See everything we ate on the Disney Magic here .

Late Seating

There are two different seating times on a Disney Cruise . The Main Dining time is around 5:00 and the Late dining time is around 8:00. I have done both, but I prefer the later dining because I feel like I have more time after returning from excursions, and the dining room is generally quieter because most small children utilize the main dining time.

If you prefer the main dining time but have been assigned the later dining time, you can be placed on the waitlist. If you are not moved before your cruise, make sure to ask once you board if you can switch. It isn’t always the case, but sometimes they can accommodate the change.

Themed Restaurants

One thing that sets Disney Cruises apart from other cruise lines is the themed dining experience. Each night, guests rotate to a different restaurant with a new theme and menu.

For example, on the Disney Wonder , you have the chance to dine at Tiana’s Place, themed after the Princess and the Frog movie and the menu includes things like “Mama Odie’s Creamy Tomato Soup” and “Tiana’s Buttermilk Beignets”!

Request a Private Table

Depending on the size of your party, you may or may not be seated with another family. Some people enjoy getting to know other cruisers, but for others, this is a deal breaker. If this is something you don’t want to do, you can request to be seated at a private table and Disney will do their best to accommodate your request.

Dining with Kids

If your kids have a hard time making it through a long dinner time, you can request that your serving team deliver their kid’s meals with the adult’s appetizers.

Once the kids have finished their meals, have an adult take them to the kids club, and then finish your meal without having them lose their patience. This works well with teenagers too, I know from experience!

Popcorn Buckets

Outside the shows and movie theaters, you are able to purchase popcorn. They have refillable popcorn buckets for sale and a refill will cost around $1.50+tip.

My boys LOVE Disney Cruise popcorn, so we bring our bucket with us each time we sail. You can also bring refillable buckets purchased at Disney World or Disneyland and get the refill price as well!

DIY Ice Cream Sundaes

A perk of sailing on a Disney cruise is the unlimited ice cream cones! One thing you can do to take this up a notch is to bring your own sprinkles, chocolate chips , nuts, and chocolate syrup. Grab a cup from the soda station and make your own ice cream sundaes!

Make a Float

Along with making hour own ice cream sundaes, you can also make your own ice cream floats combining soft serve and soda!

Bring Your Own Soda Cups & Cup Holder

Disney cruises include unlimited soda, which you can get up on the pool deck. I like to bring our own reusable cups, with lids and straws, so that we can take our soda with us. There are small cups available at the soda stations, but there are no cups and straws.

I also like to bring along a cup holder (I get one from fast food restaurants) to make it easy to bring drinks with us to the movies and shows.

Drink of the Day

Each day or your cruise, Disney offers a “Drink of the Day”. You can purchase this for under $7 including tip!

Free Room Service

Room Service on a Disney Cruise is included with your cruise fare, but you will want to make sure to tip the cast member who delivers your order at least $1-$2 per item. We like to order war chocolate chip cookies and milk just before bedtime.

Secret Room Service Menu

Don’t feel like you are restricted to the Room Service Menu on the Disney Navigator App. There is also a “secret room service menu” that includes things like Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars and Uncrustables!

Order a Mickey Ice Cream Bar

Everyone loves a Mickey Ice Cream Bar at the parks, but on a Disney Cruise , you can order as many as you like! They are available for dessert in the dining rooms and also through room service.

Get Uncrustables for Excursions

For port days, I like to order some Uncrustables sandwiches (prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) to take along with us on excursions. These are great as a snack for kids and adults alike. If you’re going to use this trick, make sure to order them the night before a store them in the refrigerator.

Breakfast & Coffee from Room Service

In every stateroom , you will find a breakfast room service menu that you can fill out and place on your stateroom door at night. You will choose a time for delivery and your order will appear in the morning!

If you are a coffee drinker, many people like to order a carafe of coffee at night and it will stay warm until morning.

Cove Cafe Pastries

Cove Cafe is the specialty coffee shop on a Disney Cruise . The coffee from Cove Cafe is not free, but the pastries are! Get as many pastries and croissants as you want, and you don’t have to purchase anything. I happen to think that these pastries are better than the ones served in Cabanas (the buffet).

Cove Cafe Card

If you do like specialty coffee-make sure to get the Cove Cafe stamp card so you can get a free coffee after your 5th paid one. Also, save your card for the next cruise and use it then, previous stamps will be honored.

Tips for Disney’s Castaway Cay

If you are going on a Caribbean Disney Cruise , you will most likely have a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Below you will find tips and tricks to maximize your time at this amazing destination!

Adult-Only Beach

If you visit Castaway Cay, make sure to spend some time on the adults-only beach, Serenity Bay. We like to drop our kids off at the kids club on the island and take the tram to Serenity Bay. It’s quiet and a great way to start the day. You can also grab lunch, or an ice cream cone, at the BBQ restaurant.

Scuttle’s Cove Kids Club

Scuttle’s Cove is an extension of the kid’s club on the ship. The same counselors from the Oceneers Club and Oceaneers Lab will be there, which helps a lot of kids feel more comfortable. At Scuttle’s Cove, you will find sand castles, games, and a small splash pad.

Cookies BBQ

Cookies BBQ is the restaurant available to guests at Castaway Cay. The food is complimentary and you will find BBQ chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more! Be aware that it closes at 2:00, so be sure to grab lunch before that time.

Complimentary Strollers

We always bring our stroller from home, but if you forget or don’t have one, Disney has complimentary strollers for guests to use on Castaway Cay. These are great for those who need a little assistance getting around the island.

Snorkeling Gear

Snorkeling is really fun on Castaway Cay because there are hidden Disney gems under the water. There is snorkel gear for rent on the island, or you can bring your own. We use our masks from Amazon. You will need to use a complimentary life vest available at the rental shack.

Sunscreen with Sea Lice Repellent

Some times of the year people have complained about sea lice in the waters of Castaway Cay. I combat this by bringing sunscreen that includes sea lice repellent. I use this brand from Amazon.

Disney Cruise Debarkation Tips

The debarkation process is streamlined on a Disney Cruise. On the day you debark from the ship, you will go to breakfast around 7:00 AM if you have an early dining time, or around 8:30 if you have a late dining time. Below are some tips to help you navigate this procedure.

Express Walk-Off

For most guests, you will get a set of character-themed luggage tags on the last day of your cruise. You will fill out the tags and attach to your luggage, then set your luggage outside your room the night before debarkation.

Your stateroom host or hostess will pick up your luggage, and you will retrieve it when you get off the ship. You will be called to debark the ship by the character on your luggage tags.

If you have an early flight or don’t want to wait for your character to be called, you can do “Express Walk-Off”. To do this, you will keep your luggage with you and then debark the ship at your leisure (usually by 9:30 at the latest).

Breakfast at Cabanas or Marcelline Market

If you do not want to eat in your assigned Main Dining Room restaurant the morning of debarkation, the buffets (Cabanas and Marceline Market) are generally open until 8:30 am on debarkation day. There are fewer options on debarkation day, but it is an option for you if you prefer the buffet breakfast.

Disney Cruise Frequently Asked Questions

A Disney cruise includes a variety of amenities and activities on board, such as dining, entertainment, recreation options, a fitness center, soda, free room service, and unique experiences like character meet & greets.

Alcoholic drinks, spa services, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, shore excursions, and some restaurants.

Yes! Disney Cruise Line offers the Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab for children ages 3-12, as well as Scuttle’s Cove Kids Club on Castaway Cay.

Yes, each ship has several pool areas with waterslides, hot tubs, and other family-friendly water activities.

Yes, you can bring a certain amount of beer or wine. Check the Disney Cruise Line website for current restrictions.

The cost of a Disney cruise varies depending on the length, destination, and time of year. Generally speaking, 3-4 night cruises start at around $1000 per person.

Yes and no, depending on the cruise. If the cruise is closed-loop (begins and ends in the same port) you can use a birth certificate and valid driver’s license. But I still recommend a passport. For all other cruises, a valid passport is required for all guests on Disney Cruises. Be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line website for current passport requirements.

Yes! Disney cruise ships offer a unique experience for the entire family. The ships are full of activities and amenities that you won’t find on other cruises, such as character meet & greets, Broadway-style theatre shows, pool areas with waterslides and hot tubs, kids’ clubs, and more. There is something fun for everyone!

There are actually 5 Disney cruise ships now, and more on the way! Currently sailing are the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish.

Final Thoughts

Getting ready to embark on a Disney cruise can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right planning and preparation, you can make sure that your last morning on board goes as smoothly as possible.

Whether you choose express walk-off or take advantage of breakfast at Cabanas or Marceline Market, following these tips will ensure that you have a stress-free and magical trip!

Good luck on your upcoming voyage, and happy sailing! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram @mommymouseclubhouse!

Read My Disney Cruise Reviews:

• 4-Nights on the Disney Dream

San Diego Disney Cruise

• Mediterranean Disney Cruise

More Disney Cruise Information:

• Disney Cruise Wi-Fi Packages
• Disney Dream Menus
• What to Eat on the Disney Magic

Disney Cruise Tips

Disney Cruise: What to Expect

Are you ready for your next Disney Cruise? We have all the information you need! From itinerary and cost, to what else is included in your vacation package! 

Disney Cruise Internet (Updated New Plans)

If you’re planning a Disney Cruise, you may be wondering about the best way to stay connected while you’re at sea. Disney Cruise Line offers several different internet plans, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.

Disney Cruise Deluxe Family Verandah Suite (Disney Dream 8614)

I’m so excited to be giving you a tour of our Deluxe Family Verandah Suite on the Disney Dream cruise ship. Our suite was absolutely beautiful and perfect for families. It has plenty of space for all of us to relax and enjoy our vacation.

What is it like to take a San Diego Disney Cruise on the Disney Wonder? You’re about to find out! This article will take you through a quick tour of some of the ship’s highlights, and go through what each day is like on a 5 Night Itinerary to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. Follow along with us as we learn how this magical cruise works!

Day One on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship

Want to know what it is like to board a Disney Cruise? You are in the right place! I will show you what is required in order to board, how the boarding process works, and all about Day 1 of a Halloween on the High Seas Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream.

Disney Cruise Formal Night

Wondering what to wear on a Disney Cruise Formal Night? I’ve got you covered! See the most EPIC Disney themed suits for men and boys plus where to buy cute dresses for women and girls!

Disney Cruise Activity Schedule

Want to know what activities are scheduled on a Disney Cruise? Here is the schedule from our 4-Night cruise on the Disney Dream including screenshots from the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App!

What to Eat on the Disney Dream

Check out the menus for most Disney Cruise Line Restaurants!

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Hello! I’ll be on a 10 day cruise starting July 25th on the Fantasy. I know there are first run movie releases onboard when a new Disney and Disney-Pixar movie is released. Will “Deadpool & Wolverine” be shown with its R-rating? ”

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107 Disney Cruise Tips and Hacks You Have to Know Before You Sail 2024

Sharing is caring!

Who wants all the Disney cruise tips and secrets 2024 that you need to know?

After sailing on over 40 cruises I wanted to give this free list of Disney cruise tips to our readers.

So if you want the biggest and best collection of Disney Cruise Tips, Secrets and Hacks ever read on! 

Everything was updated in January 2024.

We started out thinking we would aim for 101 Disney cruise tips and secrets.

However, that just wasn’t quite enough.

So here is our collection of 107 Disney cruise tips to save you time and money so that you can have the very best experience at sea!

These Disney Cruise Tips are Updated for March 2023 Booking Your Disney Cruise

1. D ISNEY CRUISE TIPS TO SAVE MONEY

There are ways to save on your Disney cruise.

Whether you are sailing to Alaska, cruising the Caribbean and the Bahamas, or choosing an exotic European vacation, there are always ways to save.

Booking well in advance also gives you the best choice of staterooms.

If you want to know more about this here is our complete guide at How To Save Money on A Disney Cruise

2. Pick Your Disney Cruise Sailing Carefully

Some Disney Cruise itinerary sailings are more expensive than others. The usual rules of economics work here.

The more demand the higher the price. Usually, the repositioning cruises offer the best per night price for a Disney cruise.

The Disney Cruise Transatlantic sailings on that for 2024 are on the Disney Dream are usually one of the best values.

The most expensive Disney cruises? You probably guessed it. Holiday cruises, particularly the Christmas Disney cruises are usually the most expensive.

The Disney Mediterranean Cruises and Alaska Cruises are also higher priced – but worth it!

3. Disney Visa Has Perks

If you check in with your Disney Visa card you will be entitled to certain discounts.

Currently, this will give you:

• 10% off select Disney Cruise Merchandise when you spend $50
• 10% off a digital photo package
• 20% on certain spa treatments on port days
• 10% off a Castaway Cay Getaway Package.

We have written a guide for you with all the Disney cruise tips you need so that you get the very best deal.

How to Save Money on a Disney Cruise

4. Two Disney Cruise Staterooms May Be A Better Deal Than One

If you have a party of 5 you really need to consider if one stateroom or two will be the better deal.

Disney cruises are one of the very few cruise lines which have staterooms that accommodate up to 5 guests.

However, these Disney cruise staterooms are very popular and tend to be pricey.

You should consider if 2 staterooms would be the better deal.

If you have young children you might want to think about choosing connecting staterooms on your Disney Cruise.

There are plenty of options available, particularly on the newer Disney Dream and Fantasy ships and of course the Disney Wish .

5. Book A Disney Cruise Onboard

This is one of the best Disney cruise tips to save money.

It will work once you are sailing on your first and any future Disney cruises.

The best deal is to book when you are onboard.

You will receive a 10% discount on the current brochure prices.

Unfortunately, a placeholder no longer offers any onboard credit.

Don’t know which Disney cruise you want to sail on next?

You can book what is called a Disney Cruise Place Holder and decide at a later date which one you want to sail on.

You have two years to sail on a Disney cruise from the date you booked your placeholder.

Join My Disney Cruise Group for Exclusive Tips and Disney Cruise Giveaways

6. Look Out For Special Disney Cruise Sailings

Love Pixar movies? You will want to check out the Pixar Days at Sea.

Other themed cruises include Marvel Days at Sea and of course the Halloween on the High Seas , Christmas, and New Year Cruises.

7. It’s All Included on a Disney Cruise

Once you are onboard almost everything is included.

Your accommodation, food, and entertainment are all included in the price that you have paid to sail.

Yes, you can pay extra for things on board, but you don’t have to.

Here is our guide to What is Included on a Disney Cruise and What You Pay Extra For

8. Disney Cruise Gratuities Explained

Gratuities for your dining servers and stateroom host will be automatically added to your onboard account.

However, you can adjust them however, you want.

Service onboard a Disney cruise is excellent.

Guests do get confused about Disney Cruise tips and how to pay, but it’s really very easy.

Here is a Guide to Tipping on a Disney Cruise to help you know what to expect.

Check-In For Your Disney Cruise Online

Remember to check in online for your cruise as soon as you can.

9. Use Your Disney Cruise Personalizer

Once you have completed your Disney Cruise online check-in you will have access to booking onboard events and cruise excursions on the Disney Cruise Personalizer.

The  time that you can check in depends upon whether you have cruised with Disney before, and if so, what level of Castaway Club member you are.

This can be anything between 75 and 123 days before your cruise.

Platinum members and Concierge guests get priority so you may find that some things are booked before you get the chance.

A classic illustration of this is the Cabanas on Castaway Cay .

There are limited numbers and are usually snagged by Concierge and Pearl guests at one minute past midnight on the day online check-in opens for them.

Castaway Cay Cabanas are the hottest ticket on a Disney cruise and are very difficult to get unless you are a Concierge or Pearl Castaway Cay guest.

10. You Must Prepare for Embarkation Before You Sail

Things have changed quite a bit since Covid – but Disney makes things as easy and as safe as possible for all Guests.

Disney Cruise Line DOES NOT Guests to be vaccinated or tested for COVID-19.

DCL does continue to strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated and that they test before embarking on a cruise ship.

Requirements can change so the best place to go for this information is always:

Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go

11. Book Tickets Online for Character Greetings

Most character greetings are just announced every day in your Personal Navigator and you get in line to see your favorites.

The Disney Princess Gathering is a separately ticketed event and you must have this to attend the meet and greet.

If you want to see your favorites your best chance is to get tickets online in the Cruise Personalizer.

If you don’t get them online go straight to Guest Services when you board to see if there are any still available.

Note that right now the Anna and Elsa Frozen Meet and Greet is not scheduled on any of the Disney Ships.

12. Book Special Dining Online

If you want to book one of the adult dining experiences you can book one experience in each restaurant online.

If you book for the first night at Remy or Palo you can now also book a second night online. Remy, in particular, gets booked up so always try and book in advance.

If there is nothing available, you can still try and book as soon as you get on your cruise.

The Navigator will tell you where the restaurant Cast Members are on the ship to help you make a reservation.

Wine tastings and other special events are now offered online as well. Make sure that you log into your Disney Cruise Personalizer as soon as you can so that you can book the events that you want.

Remember though that there are usually spaces still available on the ship.

So visit Guest Services as soon as you get on board.

13. Sign Up The Young Ones for The Kid’s Clubs

See that long line at the cruise port over in the corner? That is for the grown-ups who did not sign up their children online for the kid’s clubs.

You can save a lot of time waiting in line if you just fill out the simple form online.

Then you can skip the lines and go straight to the place where they will be given their wristbands.

Disney Cruise Ship Kids Clubs – What to Expect

14. Book Port Adventures in Advance

You will be visiting some amazing ports so you will want to think about which Disney Port Adventures you want to book.

Your online Cruise Personalizer has details of them all. You can book before you sail.

We always suggest that you book excursions via Disney. You can book independently and you will probably save money.

However, if you book with Disney you can be sure that they have the Disney seal of approval. Most importantly if you are late back from a Disney Port Adventure the ship will wait for you.

If you go independently you could be waving goodbye to your floating home from the dock.

We have seen it happen.

Don’t let it be you.

D ISNEY CRUISE PACKING TIPS

15. disney cruise packing 101.

One of the great things about a cruise is that you are not restricted to how much luggage you can take on board.

If you are driving to the cruise port this makes things easy.

Take as much as you want!

However, if you are arriving by plane you will still have to navigate their increasingly ungenerous baggage allowances.

Things to Take on a Cruise: 50 Must-Have Items to Pack

16. Pack a Carry On

Your luggage will arrive in your Disney cruise stateroom sometime in the afternoon and early evening.

If there is anything that you need as soon as you board, make sure that you have packed it in a carry-on bag.

This should definitely include your cruise and identification documents, and any medication that you need.

I also tend to pack swimsuits.

It is also a great time to experience the Aqua Duck if you are on the Disney Fantasy or Dream. Or the AquaMouse on the Wish.

17. Prepare For the Unexpected

No one wants to talk about this subject, but here we go.

Seasickness.

It happens.

The Disney cruise ships are very stable, but sometimes you may not find it possible to get your sea legs.

We have sailed in very challenging seas but never encountered a problem.

However, just in case you will find our guide How Not To Get Sick on a Disney Cruise useful.

18. Tell Your Credit Card Company Your Plans

Unfortunately, credit card fraud is very common these days. So your credit card company will pick up on any unusual activity.

They can and often will stop your card if they detect anything strange.

My card was canceled when I tried to charge $10 in Grand Cayman!

Fortunately, I had a backup card.

For more details check out Things Not To Forget on Your Disney Cruise

19. Arriving at the Port

If you are sailing from Port Canaveral here is a guide to getting to the Port from Orlando International Airport. 

20. Arrive the Day Before Your Cruise

Sometimes flights are delayed. We strongly recommend that if you possibly can, make sure you arrive at least within easy driving distance to the port the day before.

There are plenty of hotels at each Disney cruise port including Port Canaveral.

If you ignore most of the rest of this article just listen to this Disney Cruise Tip as it is one that can make a huge difference.

Don’t leave things to chance and be stressed about making it on time to your cruise.

Nothing could be worse than not making it on time and watching the ship sail away into the sunset without you.

21. Get a Call from Mickey or Minnie

This is another great feature of your Cruise Personalizer. You can schedule a call with Mickey or Minnie! You can schedule the date, and time and choose if you want Minnie or Mickey.

It’s another way Disney cruise lines make things that bit extra special.

22. Download the Disney Cruise Navigator App

You can do this any time you want, but make sure you do it before you get on board.

On the cruise ship, it shows you what is happening every day.

Before you cruise it gives you a countdown of how many more days, hours and minutes there are before you board!

The Navigator App also lets you send texts free of charge to members of your stateroom and anyone else who authorizes you to do this.

This is so much better than the Wave Phones you get in each stateroom. Make sure that all family members get the App before they board.

If you have an iPhone then iMessage works on the ship.

23. There May Be a Disney Cruise Stateroom Upgrade

Want to upgrade your Disney cruise stateroom? You can always ask at check-in if there are any upgrades available.

Sometimes, but not always, you can get an upgrade at a reduced cost. It always pays to ask just in case! You can then decide if the upgrade you are offered is worth the extra cost.

Never rely on a Disney Cruise upgrade though.

They are increasingly unlikely as Disney cruise ships are so popular and are often fully booked.

24. It’s A Key To The World

When you check in you will be given your stateroom key which is your Key To The World Card.

This allows you to charge all expenses to your room key.

You can limit the charging privileges of others in your stateroom.

You don’t have to give your 8-year-old the power to buy what he wants in the store!

B OARDING THE DISNEY SHIP

Finally, the time has come to get on the Disney ship.

All that anticipation and preparation.

Now the day has arrived!

27 Do’s and Don’ts For Your First Day On A Disney Cruise Ship

25. Wait For Your Boarding Number

When you check in at the terminal you will be given a card with a boarding number for your party.

Don’t ever think that you can board earlier than your group. You will be stopped!

26. Stop for A Photo

There are always photographers stationed along the gangway to take your embarkation photo.

Stop if you want or pass it by if you really can’t wait the extra few minutes to board!

We recommend you are not camera shy.

There are many photo opportunities on the ship, but the embarkation photo is one of our favorites.

Here is a Complete Guide to Disney Cruise Photo Packages.

27. Give The Disney Cast Members Your Name

When you board the Disney Ship you will be asked for your family name.

Make sure that you give it to them as you have a special surprise welcome!

28. Go To Disney Cruise Guest Services

If you need to book any specially ticketed events, such as Beverage Tastings.

You may still be able to pick up tickets.

29. Start Eating!

The food offerings start as soon as you board. You can head up to the pool deck to experience the buffet.

If you want a slightly less crowded space one of the restaurants will also offer a buffet selection or waiter service option.

It won’t be as huge a choice as the pool deck, but fewer people head here so you may get a more relaxing start to the cruise.

Guide to Disney Cruise Food

30. Make Sure You Do the Drill

Muster drills have changed a lot in recent times.

But you still have to comply with the instructions and attend your muster station. This is about safety and it is important.

Don’t be late for your drill. It inconveniences a lot of other guests and Cast Members.

31. Put Your Phone in Airplane Mode

One of the most expensive mistakes that you can make on any cruise is not checking your cell phone coverage.

You can end up with a very hefty bill if you use your cell phone onboard. This applies to calls, text, and data.

You could just put your phone in your room safe and not connect.

However, if you want to use the Navigator App we suggest that you simply put your phone into airplane mode.

32. Take Advantage of Free Wi-Fi

If you use your own cell phone provider data provision you will be paying a fortune.

All the Disney ships, except the Wonder, have new internet packages. The Disney Wonder will get the upgrade in October 2023.

Here is a Guide to Disney Cruise Internet Packages.

33. Enjoy the Sail Away Party

Disney knows how to put on a show and the Sail Away Party is no exception. Head on out to the pool deck for a very high-energy party.

You can also watch the port disappear into the distance by going up onto the deck above the pool deck.

Or if you have a balcony stateroom why not enjoy the Drink of the Day in your own private haven?

34. Take a Tour of the Spa

This is a great opportunity to see the Disney Rainforest and the Spa treatment rooms to plan what you would like to do in the spa.

There is always a free-to-enter spa raffle on the first day.

You may as well enter as you may win a free spa treatment or a discount.

D ISNEY CRUISE STATEROOMS

35. Not All Disney Cruise Staterooms are Created Equal

Disney cruise lines have some of the largest and the best staterooms in the industry. Your choices range from an inside stateroom right up to the magnificent Walt Disney Suite.

Your choice mostly depends upon your budget, but even within the same category, there are some staterooms that are a better choice than others.

Here is our video which shows the smallest of the Disney cruise staterooms which is a Standard Inside Stateroom.

This is the only stateroom category that does not have a split bath.

Read our Disney Cruise Staterooms to Avoid to help you decide.

36. Disney Cruise Staterooms Have Split Bathrooms

Another unique thing about Disney cruises is the “split bathroom” concept. This is ideal for families.

What does it mean? There are 2 bathroom spaces in most of the Disney cruise staterooms.

One has a toilet and a sink. The other has a bath, shower, and sink. Each has plenty of storage space.

The split bathroom idea cuts down waiting time in the morning when everyone is trying to get ready for breakfast!

37. Disney Stateroom Door Decoration is Encouraged

Walk along the corridors of your Disney cruise ship and you will see some spectacular door decorations. Your imagination is the only limit to just how creative you can get.

The doors and walls in your Disney cruise stateroom are magnetic.

Decorations are available to buy, or get creative and make your own!

Just make sure that you do not cause any damage to the stateroom – use magnets, not tape.

You don’t want a nasty shock on your final account if you are fined for damaging the wall!

You might want to check out What Not To Do in Your Disney Stateroom

38.  There is Plenty of Storage

Disney cruise staterooms are very well-designed.

There is plenty of storage space for all your clothes and travel gear.

We always unpack as soon as we arrive so that we have everything to hand.

An invaluable packing item is these Packing Cubes make everything really easy.

You can keep items together. No more searching for socks or swimming stuff. Keep them all organized and you can then just transfer them to a draw in your stateroom.

All the Disney ships now have beds that provide enough space to store your suitcases underneath. You can unpack and forget about them for the rest of the cruise.

39. Yes You Can Do Laundry on a Disney Cruise

No one really wants to do laundry on vacation, but sometimes it just becomes a necessity.

There are several self-service laundries on all of the Disney ships. We always take our own laundry pods of detergent, but it is available onboard.

40. Interactive Television Choices

Of course, all Disney cruise staterooms have a television.

However, if you are sailing on the Disney Fantasy or the Dream you will have a much bigger choice of what to watch in your stateroom than if you sail on the Wonder or the Magic.

The newer ships of the Fantasy, Dream and Wish have on-demand television.

You have a huge choice of Disney movies and television to watch on demand. So if you really want to watch “Peter Pan”, “Toy Story” and “Mary Poppins” in your stateroom you can.

The stage shows from the Walt Disney Theatre are also shown on the television and repeated, so if you miss a show you can watch it in your stateroom.

41. Save a Hotel Key

It is a good idea to hang on to that old hotel room key. The reason? To make the lights work in the stateroom you have to put a credit card-sized card in the slow by the door.

You are supposed to use your Key To The World for this. However, we prefer not to as you are more likely to forget to take it with you and get locked out of your room.

42. Disney Invented Rotational Dining

Disney cruise lines are known for their innovative ideas. One of the very best is the concept of Rotational Dining.

What is this?

On each Disney cruise ship, there are 3 main dining restaurants.

All have their own very unique theme. Each night you will visit a different restaurant.

When you rotate between restaurants your servers will come with you!

This has a wonderful advantage in that your servers get to know you.

The Disney cruise servers are amazing and go out of their way to make sure that you enjoy the dining experience.

Your servers will get to know your likes and dislikes. They will even cut up your child’s food for them! Nothing is too much trouble for them.

For more information on how this works, you can see our Disney Cruise Rotational Dining Guide

43. Can’t Decide What To Choose on the Menu?

Overwhelmed by the great choices on the Disney cruise restaurant menus? No problem. You can order a couple of options and no one will mind.

If you want the salmon and the steak go ahead.

Two desserts?

Just be aware that your waistline may not forgive you for it!

44. Want Something Not on the Disney Cruise Menu?

Your Disney servers want you to have the best experience possible and will do everything they can to accommodate you.

If you enjoyed a particular dish one evening make sure that they know. If you give them at least 24 hours’ notice they may be able to get it for you again.

Just be considerate.

They will make it happen if they can.

So if you want that same entree or dessert every night just let them know.

45. Don’t Skip Animator’s Palate

Each ship has three rotational dining restaurants. They are all a little different from each other, apart from Animator’s Palate which is on all of the Disney ships.

Your first night in Animator’s Palate has a very special show for you. Be sure not to miss it.

46. The Disney Cruise Drinks are Free – Sort Of

Well, not all of the drinks are free, but you could sail on the whole Disney cruise without spending anything extra on beverages.

You just have to know which are free.

There is free soda from the dispensers on the pool deck which is available 24/7.

Soda, regular coffee, tea, iced tea, and milk are available for free in the dining rooms.

Your waiters will learn your preferences and bring them to your table to have them waiting for you for dinner.

Of course, there are many tempting drinks that are not free.

All alcoholic beverages and cocktails are charged for.

You may be tempted by the drink of the day. There is always an alcoholic and a non-alcoholic drink of the day available at a reduced price.

For the complete guide check out:

Disney Cruise Line – Are The Drinks Really Free?

47. Sometimes There Are Free Cocktails

Yes, you read it right.

On the formal evening of the Captain’s Dinner, there is a welcome reception with wait staff offering cocktails and wine.

The Ship’s Officers including the Captain will be there to greet you.

If you attend a Disney Vacation Club sales presentation it is used to be they gave out free cocktails. However, it is now many years since I have seen this.

In the last few presentations, I have been to they have only given out free bottled water.

You used to get a very nice gift when you attended but recently we have not seen this.

The presentation is fun and there is no sales pressure. You may be tempted though, so do your calculations carefully before you sign up!

There is usually a free draw to enter to win an onboard credit.

Also, you will probably be offered an onboard credit to attend a one-on-one sales consultation.

48. Have a Celebration?

Always tell your servers if you have a celebration such as a birthday or an anniversary. They will arrange something special for you.

49. Endless Disney Cruise Ice Cream

Self-service ice cream is available for free on the pool decks of every Disney ship.

Why not make your own float with the free soda and ice cream?

50. Didn’t Finish That Bottle of Wine?

If you want to enjoy wine at dinner, but don’t think you can finish the bottle, Disney has a solution.

Your server will save your wine for you and the next day it will be waiting at your table for you.

Is The Disney Cruise Wine Package Worth The Cost?

51. Breakfast and Lunch are Not Just A Buffet

Every Disney ship has an amazing breakfast and lunch buffet served up on the pool deck.

However, what some people don’t realize is that there is a sit-down breakfast and lunch served in one of the restaurants every day.

52. Disney Cruise Special Dietary Needs? No Problem

Disney cruise lines are incredible at catering to any special dietary need you may have. We have sailed with family members who need vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets.

Just tell your waiters or mention your dietary needs at the buffet or specialty restaurants.

You can also register this in your Cruise Personalizer before you board. Disney cruise lines will do everything they can to help you.

Disney Cruise chefs are more than willing to create special meals for you.

53. Breakfast is with Character

If you are sailing on a Disney cruise which is 7 nights or longer, you will have the opportunity to have a character breakfast. This is included in the cost of your cruise.

As anyone who has been to Disney World or Disneyland will know, this is a huge benefit!

Character breakfasts usually cost $40 and up per person on land. On your Disney cruise, it is included in the cost of your fare.

You do have to plan ahead for the Disney cruise character breakfast . You need a ticket and places are limited. You need to log in to your Cruise Personalizer as soon as you can, to book tickets.

There may be some available from Guest Services. Go as soon as you board the ship. They are limited and you do not want to be disappointed.

Note that this service is currently suspended

D ISNEY CRUISE ROOM SERVICE

54. disney cruise room service is free.

Room service on a Disney cruise is free.

There are some items that are charged for such as alcohol and soda, but most of it is free of charge.

Just remember to tip the crew member who delivers your food.

Make sure that you have some $1 bills handy.

However, if you forget, no problem.

You can add a tip to the receipt that you will have to sign.

55. Not Everything is on the Room Service Menu

There are some items that are not on the menu but are available from room service.

One of the most popular items which are not shown on the menu is the Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bar.

Cake of the Day is on the menu, but the secret items are Dessert of the Day and Pie of the Day.

Obviously, these change every day, so we have a tradition of making sure we order these on sea days.

Disney Cruise Room Service Menu

56. Breakfast in Bed is On The House

Breakfast in bed can seem like an extravagant indulgence. However, on a Disney cruise, you can indulge as many times as you like.

It is all part of the service. Just fill out your breakfast selections on the card in your stateroom and put it on your door prior to 3 am the night before.

Then wake up to your breakfast choices delivered to your room.

The best way to enjoy breakfast is on your verandah. One of the best times we ever had on a Disney cruise was sitting on our verandah eating breakfast whilst going through the Panama Canal locks.

57. Milk and Cookies in the Evening

Yes, we know that you will probably have consumed more food than you want to admit by the evening.

However, there really is nothing quite like ordering milk and cookies before bedtime.

58. Order Coffee at Night

No, we are not suggesting that you get your caffeine fix just before bedtime.

However, if you order a carafe of coffee just before you go to bed at night it will still be warm enough in the morning for you to enjoy.

This means you won’t have to be disturbed by room service early in the morning, but you will be able to stumble out of bed and have your first cup of coffee when you wake up.

59. D ISNEY CRUISE FOR KIDS

A Disney cruise is for all ages. You just know that the kids are going to have a blast with all of the features on board for them.

60. It’s A Small World Nursery

Disney cruise lines are one of only a few cruise lines that offer a babysitting service for the under 3s.

Starting aged 6 months and going all the way up to the age of 3 the It’s a Small World Nursery will care for the youngest cruisers on the ship.

There is an additional charge and you do have to book in advance. You can do this online in the Cruise Personalizer.

The charge is $9 per hour for your first child and $8 per hour for the second and any additional children. in your family.

61. The Oceaneer’s Club and Lab is Paradise for Kids

Your kids probably won’t want to leave the kid’s clubs. The Oceaneer’s Club and Lab are for children aged 3 to 12.

Who wouldn’t want to meet Spiderman or pilot the Millennium Falcon? There are lots of organized activities or they can just play with their new friends.

62. The Edge is the Place to be for Tweens

The 11 to 14-year-old set can often be the most difficult to please. Fortunately, on a Disney cruise, they have The Edge.

If you have an 11-year-old they have the choice of either being in The Edge or the Oceaneer’s Club.

63. The Vibe is the Place Teens Want to Be

Wondering what your teens are going to do on the Disney cruise ships?

The answer is to spend a whole lot of time in Vibe. Particularly if you are sailing on the Disney Dream or the Disney Fantasy.

The newer shops have a fabulous outdoor area for the teens which includes hot tubs and a sun deck.

64. Chill Spa is Open for Teens

Most spas are for the over-18s only. However, Disney has recognized that sometimes teens want to be pampered in the spa.

Check out the Chill Spa which is exclusively for the 13 to 18-year-old set.

D ISNEY CRUISE POOL DECK

65. ride the aquaduck.

One of the best features of Disney Fantasy and the Dream is the AquaDuck. A water coaster at sea!

The Wish has the AquaMouse.

This is a lot of fun for all the family, but of course, the wait times can be long.

To get your best chance of riding with almost no lines on embarkation day or wait until night time.

Most people are either watching the show or eating dinner in the evening so the lines are short.

66. The Disney Cruise Pools are Fun

All of the Disney ships have two pools on the family pool deck.

The first is a toddler pool and the second is the family pool. Don’t expect to get any real swimming done in these pools!

The family pool is small and on sea days tends to be crowded.

67. Relax on a Pool Lounger

There are plenty of pool loungers around the pool and up on the deck.

Be considerate of others and do not reserve a lounger by putting a towel or your belongings on it.

Just not cool.

68. Towels are Provided

There is no need to bring your own pool towels on board or take towels from your stateroom.

There are plenty of pool towels up on the deck.

69. Catch a Movie on Disney Funnel Vision

One of the best features of the Disney cruise pool deck is Funnel Vision.

Disney movies are played all day and evening.

It’s fun to splash around in the pool and watch a Disney movie.

At night relax on a pool lounger and snag one of the blankets and watch a Disney movie.

D ISNEY CRUISE TIPS FOR ADULTS

Many people think that a Disney cruise is centered around the kids, but really this is just not true.

Sure there is plenty going on for the younger members of the group, but there are so many things for the adults to enjoy too.

70. Disney Dining for Adults

Disney has some of the best dining at sea.

All of the ships have dining which caters to the over-18s only.

Every Disney ship has Palo, which is an Italian-themed restaurant. Disney’s Palo offers dinner every night of the cruise and brunch on select days.

I think that the very best value is Palo brunch .

With a charge of just $45, you can eat your way through a huge selection of hot entree items.

Note that the buffet is currently not available at Palo Brunch but you can order all you like from the menu.

Remy is available on Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

Widely recognized as one of the best culinary experiences at sea, Remy is named after the lead character in the Pixar movie Ratatouille.

Dinner is available every night. The Champagne Brunch and the Dessert Experience are offered on select days.

Yes, it is pricey at $95 per person for dinner, and $200 if you want the wine pairing.

Enchante is the fine dining restaurant on Disney Wish.

71. Indulge at the Disney Cruise Spa

If you want to experience the ultimate in relaxation you can book a Disney spa treatment. There are lots of options offered including treatments for couples.

You can book ahead of your sailing to get the best reservation times.

Appointments do book up, so if you have something specific in mind, book online before you sail.

Remember though that all spa treatments will have an 18% gratuity automatically added.

72. The Disney Cruise Rainforest Room is Pure Luxury

Every Disney Ship has a Rainforest Room in the spa.

This is truly the place to be if you want to indulge in some luxurious downtime and relaxation.

The Wish has the largest Rainforest Room. It is also the only one which is open to the outdoors from above.

The Disney Dream and the Fantasy still have probably the very best Rainforest rooms on the Disney ships.

Each has two steam rooms, a dry sauna, and scented showers with multiple different programs.

A fabulous feature is the heated hot stone loungers with views of the ocean.

You can even relax in one of the two hot tubs which overlook the ocean.

The Disney Wonder and the Magic also have the Rainforest Room, but it is not quite so luxurious.

They have saunas, steam rooms, heated loungers, and showers. It’s a nice space but not as great as on the larger ships.

Why The Disney Cruise Rainforest Room is Worth It

73. Adult-Only Pools on Disney Cruises

There is plenty of space reserved for the over-18s only on the Disney ships.

This includes adult pools and hot tubs.

74. Bars and Lounges on the Disney Ships

There are plenty of options of places to enjoy a drink or two on all of the Disney ships.

One of our favorites is the Ooh La La bar on the Disney Fantasy. Guests can choose from an extensive champagne menu.

The French boudoir decor is completely over the top, but it’s a lot of fun.

Guide to Bars on the Disney Wonder

75. Disney Cruise Lines Alcohol Policy

Disney cruise lines have a very generous policy about how much of your own beer and wine you can bring on board. Many cruise lines do not let you bring anything at all.

However, on a Disney cruise, you can bring up to 2 bottles of wine or 6 bottles of beer per adult.

You can drink the wine in your stateroom and there is no charge.

However, if you want to enjoy the wine you brought to the restaurant there will be a $25 corkage charge.

76. Disney Cruise Wine Packages Can Save You Money

If you enjoy drinking wine on a Disney cruise the Wine Package may be the thing for you.

The Wine Package allows you to pre-purchase either a Classic or a Premium Package.

You choose the number of days from 3 to 7 nights. Each night you can pick a bottle from the Classic or Premium Wine list.

Prices start at $95 for a 3-night package.

The more nights you have, the cheaper the per-bottle price works out to be.

If you don’t finish the bottle that evening it will be stored for you and you can drink it later.

You can see more details at Disney Cruise Wine Package

77. Pick Up A Coffee Card

You can get free drip coffee on the pool deck or in the restaurants.

However, it isn’t the best coffee you have ever tasted.

If you enjoy a decent cup of specialty coffee you can pay extra for your drink of choice.

Ask for a coffee card. Each time you buy a drink you will get a stamp. When you have 5 stamps your 6th drink will be free.

It used to be that you could save these and use on your next cruise. However, now the card states that they are not to be used on a future cruise.

Time will tell whether or not the servers still allow it, but don’t bet on this trick still working.

Use your free coffee entitlement before your current cruise ends.

78. The Cove Cafe is a Must

One of our favorite areas on the Disney cruise is the Cove Cafe. It is a great place to sit and read a book and enjoy a coffee or something a little stronger.

There is a small selection of books and magazines, but bring your own as the selection really is small.

Cove Cafe is a very tempting place to pick up some snacks.

Check out the croissants in the morning. We challenge you to resist the selection of cakes and desserts in the display cabinet.

It is all included so you can indulge!

E NTERTAINMENT ON A DISNEY CRUISE

79. check your disney cruise navigator often.

The Navigator is where you will find out what’s happening on board the ship every day. The paper Navigator is now only delivered to your stateroom every night if you request this from your Room Steward.

If you want a paper Navigator you can pick one up at Guest Services. Or you can use the Disney Navigator App on your phone. Remember to download it before you get on board.

80. The Disney Cruise Shows are Amazing

This really can’t be overstated.

You will be amazed at just how good the shows are on the Disney cruise.

They are Broadway quality and you should definitely make time to see as many shows as you can.

There are two performances every evening. You can see the early one if you have late seating and the late one if you are dining at 5.45 pm.

81. Take Your Seats Early

All shows are performed in the Walt Disney Theatre. There really isn’t a bad seat in the house, but there are some which are better than others.

We like to be about five or six rows back in the middle.

However, if you do not arrive early the front level of seats is likely to be gone.

We prefer anything in the middle over the ones on the sides, even if it is quite far back.

Saving seats for others is really bad form.

Don’t do it.

82. Each Disney Ship Has Different Shows

Each ship has a different selection of shows, although there is some overlap with certain shows being staged on more than one of the Disney cruise ships.

On the nights when the big stage productions are not scheduled, there will usually be another entertainer such as a magician or a juggler.

Many of these entertainers have been performing with Disney cruise lines for many years and they are generally very good.

83. There May Be A Show For The Adults

Not everything is family-friendly! Often there is a late-night version of one of the entertainer’s acts such as a comedian or a magician.

Treat yourself and let the kids go to the kid’s clubs while you enjoy a night out.

84. Go to the Movies!

The Disney cruise movie theatres show new releases and classic movies.

Each of the Disney ships has at least one. Disney Wish has two!

85. Skip The Popcorn

Outside the Walt Disney Theatre and the Buena Vista Theatre, you will be tempted by the smell of popcorn and the lure of specialty drinks.

These items are not included.

If you want to take a drink into the show with you stop on the pool deck to get your drinks for free. You can even bring some snacks in with you if you want – that is if you aren’t already full from the buffet!

86. There is Something for Everyone

Every day there are lots of events scheduled.

Want to learn how to draw Mickey Mouse, make that dessert you just enjoyed in the restaurants or enjoy a wine-tasting event?

Most things on board are included, but you will have to pay extra for wine-tasting events.

87. The Art of the Theme Tour is Not to be Missed

This adults-only tour of the ship is well worth joining.

It is free and will take you on a tour whilst showing you some of the design secrets of the Disney ships.

There is so much attention to detail on the Disney ships and it is nice to hear some of the behind-the-scenes stories.

D ISNEY CASTAWAY CAY

One of the highlights of a Disney Caribbean or Bahamian cruise is a port stop at Castaway Cay.

Disney cruise line has its own fabulous private island in the Bahamas. Here are some Disney cruise tips to make the most of your visit to Castaway Cay.

Disney Castaway Cay – The Ultimate Guide

88. Send a Special Post Card

Castaway Cay has its own post office. If you want to send a card with a very special stamp just stop at the post office. It is on your left just after you get off the ship.

89. There are Trams to Get You Around Castaway Cay

You can easily walk to the beaches, but there are plenty of trams to get you there if you want to save energy. We usually walk to the beach if it isn’t too hot, but we always take the tram back.

90. Pick Your Perfect Beach

The most popular beach is the Family Beach on Castaway Cay .

However, there is a beach reserved solely for the over-18s. Make your way to Serenity Bay if you want some peace and quiet.

Disney Castaway Cay Excursions and Activities

91. No Need to Get Back on the Ship to Eat

There is plenty of food on Castaway Cay. While it isn’t the finest food you will eat on your Disney cruise, the barbecue is perfectly fine. There is something about eating good barbecue food on the beach that makes it so much fun.

However, make sure that you have eaten breakfast. The barbecues are only open for lunch.

92. Special Dietary Needs on Castaway Cay

If you have special dietary requirements make sure that you let your waiters know on the ship. They will make sure that it is waiting for you at the barbecue.

93. Join in the Castaway Cay 5K Run

A very popular event on Castaway Cay is the 5K run. It is free of charge and ages 10 and up can take part.

You don’t have to sign up anymore.

Make sure that you get an early start though – it can get very hot on the island!

94. Try Something New

You can spend the day on one of the beaches, or you can try one of the Castaway Cay Port Adventures.

These range from snorkeling to parasailing, and kayaking to getting up close and personal with a stingray. You can book these ahead of time on your Cruise Personalizer, or when you get on the ship.

95. The Quest for a Castaway Cay Cabana

One of the most difficult reservations to get on a Disney cruise is a Castaway Cay Cabana.

Even though prices start at $399 this is one of the most sought-after things on a Disney cruise.

You can book them in your Cruise Personalizer, but as there are only 21 cabanas available, they sell out in minutes.

You really need to either be a Concierge guest or a Pearl Castaway Cay member to be in with a chance.

You can try your luck when you board the ship by putting your name on the waitlist.

You could get very lucky and someone may cancel. It happens, but just don’t bet on it!

96. Take Your Time

People tend to get back on the ship in the early afternoon.

Whilst we always recommend getting back on board in good time, you can wait until shortly before all aboard time on Castaway Cay.

This gives you maximum time on the island.

97. Be Safe

It is important always to wear sunscreen. Sunburn is never a good thing and it can ruin your vacation.

The combination of the sun sea and the perfect island can sometimes make you forget to keep reapplying sunscreen.

Just be careful.

We have written a Complete Guide to Castaway Cay where you will find lots more tips and ideas.

M EET THE DISNEY CHARACTERS

A Disney cruise is a great place to get to meet a huge variety of Disney characters.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

98. Check Your Navigator

There are lots of character appearances every day. The schedule will be posted in your Navigator every day. You can plan who you want to meet.

99. The Character Attendant is Your Friend

All Disney characters have an attendant to keep them organized and safe. If you have any questions always ask the attendant.

They can help with questions like when the next appearance will be and what costume the character will be wearing. They will also take pictures of you with your own camera.

100. Arrive Early

We think that it is much easier to meet characters on a Disney cruise than it is at the parks. However, you should still be prepared for a wait.

The characters often spend more time with guests than they would in the parks.

Usually, if you arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled appearance you will be towards the front half of the line.

101. Bring An Autograph Book

Make sure that you bring something for the characters to sign.

We have heard recently that Marvel characters will not sign anything which has been signed by a Disney or Pixar character, so you may need to bring separate books if you are swapping universes!

102. Look Around You

Often the best character sightings are ones that you don’t expect. We remember seeing Chip and Dale up on deck during the Panama Canal cruise.

Or sometimes you see characters in the hallways walking to the meet and greet.

103. Meeting the Princesses

You can never guarantee which Princesses will be on board, but they will definitely be available for a meet and greet.

Usually, you will see Tiana, Cinderella, and Belle. However, don’t guarantee to your 4-year-old they will see a specific Princess as they may not be on board.

There is always a Disney Princess ticketed event. You can sign up in your Cruise Personalizer or at Guest Services. Tickets are limited and go quickly. This is not an essential event as you will see them at other times.

104. Anna and Elsa are Different

Anna and Elsa are rather more difficult to find. The only way to see them is to get tickets for the meet and greet. You will not see them out and about on the ship.

Note this is temporarily suspended

105. Tea With A Disney Princess

The best way to have time with the Princesses is by booking the Disney Cruise Royal Court Royal Tea .

This amazing opportunity to meet the Disney Princesses includes plenty of time to meet your favorites whilst enjoying a traditional High Tea.

You will have to book ahead and be prepared to blow the budget. This experience is designed for those aged 3 to 12 and costs $210 per child and $69 per adult.

The children will walk away with some nice gifts and some great memories – but obviously, the cost takes some thinking about.

106. This Doesn’t Work Anymore

You might read online that if you take a shirt or picture frame and some markers to Guest Services it will magically be returned to your stateroom having been signed by the character.

Unfortunately, it seems as though too many people got to know about this Disney cruise tip, so they had to stop doing it.

107. Characters on Castaway Cay

Some of the characters make it out onto Castaway Cay (although you will never see a Princess on the island).

One of the coolest characters is Captain Jack Sparrow who will often make an appearance out on Serenity Bay.

Do you have any Disney cruise tips that you want to share? We are cruising again soon and will be adding to this list of Disney cruise tips!

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Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

Thursday 18th of April 2024

You tip on the Edge Club is no longer accurate. An 11 or 12 year old does not have the choice any longer, they are forced to go to Edge. :(

Disney Cruise Line Suspends All Sailings for March 2020 - EverythingMouse Guide To Disney

Friday 13th of March 2020

[…] Best Disney Cruise Tips […]

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Great tips! I will definitely be making lots of note from this post to go towards my Disney cruise. Thanks for so many gems ?

Friday 30th of November 2018

Wow! What a list of tips and tricks! Thanks for sharing!

Such a comprehensive list!!

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10 Best Cruises to Hawaii — From Luxury Sailings to Expedition Ships

A cruise around the 50th state is an excellent way to see as much of the islands as possible in a limited amount of time.

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

The islands of Hawaii are popular with families, couples, retirees, groups of friends, and anyone who enjoys warm weather, tropical scenery, and the 50th state's "Aloha" spirit. Each island offers a different climate, landscape, and style, and even on the same island, there are significant variations depending on location. On Oahu, for example, there's bustling Honolulu on the south shore and the more secluded surfing paradise of the North Shore . On the Big Island, the Hilo and Puna regions on the east coast are wet and heavily forested, whereas the Kailua-Kona region on the west coast tends to be much drier.

Visitors to Hawaii, especially first-timers, want to experience as much of the islands as possible, and a cruise is a great way to accomplish that, according to Pam Jacobs , travel advisor at Travel Store in Palos Verdes Estates, California. “People love the inter-island cruises because all meals are included, so it’s an economical as well as convenient way to see the islands. You unpack once and avoid getting in and out of airports and checking in and out of hotels. It’s the best way to island hop.”

Families and travelers with limited time enjoy the seven-day Norwegian Cruise Lines Honolulu to Honolulu round trip cruises, while retirees may opt for a longer cruise from the West Coast with more days at sea. You can embark from several ports on the West Coast, including San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Seattle. “Many Hawaiʻi cruises are part of longer voyages to the South Pacific, Australia, or around the world,” says Jacobs, a cruise and train travel specialist.

“The shore excursions on the cruises are the same things a tourist would do on land — go to a luau, play golf, visit an attraction like the Arizona Memorial, or just relax on the beach — and it’s all arranged for you,” according to Jacobs. One more bit of advice from our cruise expert: “Always arrive a day before your cruise to be sure you’re there and ready. You’ll have time to explore and relax before boarding.”

Below are some of the best cruises to see Hawaiʻi . Dates, prices, amenities, and itineraries vary, so choosing a cruise requires some planning and research. That's always part of the fun, so hopefully this list will inspire you to get started.

Holland America: 17-day Circle Hawaii - Round Trip from San Diego

Courtesy of Holland America

This cruise on the 1,432-passenger Zaandam departs from San Diego and spends five days at sea before arriving in Honolulu at 8 a.m. Optional activities include a trip to Pearl Harbor, a hike on Diamond Head, a road trip around Oahu, an evening at the Polynesian Cultural Center, and a day on Waikiki Beach. After an overnight sail to Kauai, the ship docks at Nawiliwili Harbor. Guests can take a Wailua River cruise to the Fern Grotto , a tour of a coffee plantation, or a trip to Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Maui is the next island on the itinerary, and guests can choose a drive to Haleakala Crater , a snorkel adventure aboard the new Reef Explorer, or a drive to Maui’s Upcountry or rainforest. The final two stops, Hilo and Kona, are on the Big Island. In Kona, there’s an optional Atlantis submarine trip to explore coral gardens or a catamaran cruise. Options include visits to Volcanoes National Park and in Hilo, guests can tour Rainbow Falls or go for a zipline adventure. After four days at sea, you'll stop in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to San Diego.

Royal Caribbean: 9-night Hawaii Cruise - Vancouver to Oahu

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruises

This trip aboard the 4,180-passenger Ovation of the Seas offers guests much to do during days at sea, with a rock climbing wall, FlowRider surf simulator, and Northstar, a 360-degree observation capsule 300 feet above sea level. “For travelers who have the time for these days at sea, the activities on the ship are a big part of the fun,” according to Jacobs. After departing Vancouver , British Columbia, the ship spends four days at sea before it arrives in Honolulu for a day of exploring Oʻahu with a visit to the Polynesian Cultural Center or Waikiki Beach. The ship crosses the International Date Line with a day at sea and then passes the beautiful Napali Coast of Kauai, famous for its dramatic cliffs rising from the ocean. The final stop is Oahu, and passengers spend as much time as they want exploring Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, or the rest of the island before heading home.

Norwegian Cruise Line: 7-Day Hawaii Inter-Island Cruise from Honolulu

Courtesy of Norwegian Cruises

Spend a week exploring four of Hawaii's islands on this cruise aboard the 2,186-passenger Pride of America , the only ship sailing to four Hawaiian islands in seven days year-round. “These Norwegian Cruise Line trips are a dependable way to see the islands with their convenient weekly departures,” Jacobs says. “You can see the other islands and spend some time in Oahu before or after your cruise.” Onboard activities include basketball, volleyball, video games, theater, hot tubs, spa, and shopping. Departing Honolulu on Saturday evening, the ship heads to Kahului, Maui for two days with options like a drive on the Road to Hana, a catamaran cruise to Molokini for snorkeling with sea turtles, a tour to Haleakala Crater, and more. Next is a day in Hilo on the Big Island, where guests can see a volcano, rain forest, waterfalls, or a lush botanical garden. On the other side of the island in Kona, snorkeling, fishing, cruising in a catamaran, and a reef tour are among optional activities. On Kauai , passengers can enjoy a traditional luau, hike through a rainforest, go kayaking, or take in Waimea Canyon . The cruise ends the following Saturday back in Honolulu, where passengers can explore the city, nearby Pearl Harbor , or Oahu's North Shore.

UnCruise Adventures: Hawaiian Seascapes

Courtesy of UnCruise

“The UnCruise expedition-style cruises focus on the destinations rather than the ship,” according to Pam Jacobs. “The experience is immersive, eco-friendly, and there’s always great camaraderie with the small groups.” This seven-night cruise aboard the 36-guest Safari Explorer begins in Kona, on the Big Island, with a champagne welcome from the captain. The following two days feature a hike up the slopes of Hualalai with a naturalist guide, night snorkeling among Giant Pacific Manta rays, and plenty of opportunities for swimming or kayaking. On day four in Maui, guests can stroll through historic Lahaina, snorkel among coral and sea turtles, or kayak in a marine sanctuary. Lanai is the next island, where guests can paddleboard or kayak past 1,000-foot-high sea cliffs, go snorkeling, take a bike excursion, or visit the quaint Lanai Culture and Heritage Center. On Molokai, guests can learn how taro is cultivated and turned into poi , or they can hike to a spectacular waterfall in Halawa Valley . At the Molokai Museum, a lesson on the island's history is followed by a pa'ina (feast), complete with traditional music. Passengers disembark the following day at Kaunakakai , where they can either transfer to Molokai Airport or extend their stay.

Princess Cruises: 16-day Hawaiian Islands - Round Trip from San Francisco

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

This cruise aboard the 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess departs San Francisco in the late afternoon. Swimming pools, hot tubs, miniature golf, Discovery at Sea programs, movies, dancing, and shows ensure plenty to do during the four days at sea on the way to Hawaii. Shipboard programs for youths, teens, and families provide something for everyone. On the Big Island, guests can zipline through the rainforest or visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park . Next is Oahu, where activities include a tour of Pearl Harbor, snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, and a tour of the only royal palace in the United States . On Kauai, there are hiking , snorkeling, and kayaking adventures. On Maui, guests can sail on a catamaran, Zodiac, or submarine. After four days at sea, passengers have a day to explore Ensenada, Mexico , on the Baja California peninsula, before the Ruby Princess sails back to San Francisco.

Celebrity Cruises: 13-night Hawaii Cruise - Vancouver to Oahu

Steve Dunlop/Celebrity Cruises

This cruise on the luxurious, 2,918-passenger Celebrity Edge departs Vancouver and stops for the day in historic Astoria, Oregon, before continuing onto Hawaii. During the six days at sea, passengers can play blackjack in the casino, take a yoga class in the fitness center, or enjoy cocktails while hovering over the ocean on the Magic Carpet . In Hilo, on day eight, guests can explore waterfalls, volcanoes, wineries, and gardens on the lush coast of the Big Island. The ship cruises to Kona on the other side of the island for another two days of snorkeling or other onshore activities and then spends a day passing the Napali Coast of Kauai, where steep cliffs rise from the ocean and sea caves and waterfalls can be seen from the ship. After another day of cruising, the final stop is Honolulu, where guests are free to enjoy Oahu at their leisure before heading back to the mainland.

Disney Cruise Line: 10-night Hawaiian Cruise from Vancouver Ending in Honolulu

David Murphey/Disney Cruises

With an itinerary that includes both Maui and Mickey, this cruise aboard the 875-stateroom Disney Wonder is perfect for families and Disney lovers alike. Departing from Vancouver, you’ll spend the next six nights at sea, with entertainment ranging from Broadway-style musicals with Disney characters to a Marvel-themed superhero academy in the Oceaneer Club for kids. The first stop is Nawiliwili on the island of Kauaʻi, where guests can visit Waimea Canyon State Park, called “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” or explore a restored sugar plantation in Old Koloa Town. The next stop is Kahului, Maui, where you can spend a day at the beach, the Maui Arts & Cultural Center, or Botanical Gardens. In Hilo on the “Big Island” of Hawaiʻi,” guests can tour Mauna Kea Observatory or see active volcanoes at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park . The ship arrives in Honolulu for disembarkation, and passengers can transfer to the airport or extend their stay.

Viking Cruises: Hawaiian Islands Sojourn - Round Trip from Los Angeles

This 17-day voyage from Los Angeles takes place aboard the Viking Neptune , an all-veranda small ship that carries a maximum of 928 guests. After five days at sea, the first stop is the Big Island, where guests can view Kilauea by helicopter, visit waterfalls, or explore Hilo Bay by kayak. The next port is Oahu, where guests can tour by helicopter, hike Diamond Head, attend a luau, or more. On Kauai, excursions range from an ATV tour of the island to snorkeling along the South Shore. On day 10 in Maui, highlights include Haleakala National Park, snorkeling, and a visit to Maui Ocean Center. The ship then sails to Ensenada, Mexico, where passengers can indulge in wine tastings, e-bike tours, and ATV adventures in the Guadalupe Valley. The Viking Neptune returns to Los Angeles the next day.

Carnival Journeys: 15-day Hawaii Journey from Seattle

This cruise aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit spends five days at sea after departing from Seattle. Pickleball, casino games, parties, comedy club, and the WaterWorks, the ship’s onboard waterpark, provide plenty to do. In Honolulu, on day seven, guests can spend the day on Waikiki Beach, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and the USS Arizona Memorial, or attend a traditional luau. The next day in Maui offers a chance to snorkel or head to the top of Mt. Haleakala. In Kauai, an optional helicopter tour takes guests over Waimea Canyon or the Napali Coast, and the next port is Hilo, on the slopes of volcanic Mauna Loa. After two days at sea, the ship visits Victoria, British Columbia, before returning to Seattle.

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Specialty Cruises

Fireworks cruise.

Fun for all ages, nighttime cruises provide the perfect opportunity to watch Luminous The Symphony of Us or Happily Ever After  right from the water. These brilliant fireworks spectaculars add an amazing "wow" factor to your cruise!

From the comfort of a chartered boat, your party can set sail for International Gateway near World Showcase Lagoon to watch the skies light up over EPCOT . Or, embark on the waters of Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake near  Magic Kingdom park —with synchronized audio onboard to fully immerse you in the moment. It’s an incredible finale to the festivities!

Departure Locations Depart from Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts to experience Luminous The Symphony of Us or sail from the following marinas to view Happily Ever After:

• Contemporary Marina
• Polynesian Marina
• Grand Floridian Marina
• Fort Wilderness Marina
• Wilderness Lodge Marina

What’s Included Each cruise is accompanied by a captain and includes assorted snacks and soft drinks. Festive banners and balloons are also included in the cost and can be requested at the time of booking.

Pricing Prices start at $449—plus tax. Prices vary by date. Boats seat up to 10 Guests.

Reservations To reserve a cruise, please call (407) WDW-PLAY or (407) 939-7529. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. Learn when advance reservations can be made .

Please note—in rare instances, fireworks shows may be rescheduled or canceled. Please refer to the entertainment schedule to confirm showtimes 2 weeks prior to your reservation and check again the day of your reservation.

Important Details Before you book, please be aware of the following information:

• Please arrive 1 hour and 15 minutes prior to fireworks start time.
• Boats are not equipped with full-size dining tables. A cocktail table is provided.
• For Guests with limited mobility, wheelchair/ECV transfer is necessary.
• There is a 24-hour cancellation policy. Full price will be charged/forfeited if the Guest cancels within one day or fails to show up for the reservation.

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Disney Cruise Line Announces Itineraries for 2025 and 2026

Disney Cruise Line has officially announced its 2025 and 2026 itineraries for sailings. Learn more about everything that will be offered from fall 2025 to spring 2026.

The next few years will be exciting ones for Disney Cruise Line. Earlier this month, Disney opened its newest private island destination, Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point . And later this year, the new Disney Treasure will have its maiden voyage in December 2024. And if you’re looking ahead already to 2025 and 2026, Disney Cruise Line has revealed its full list of itineraries from fall 2025 through spring 2026.

Disney Cruise Line 2025 and 2026 Itineraries

Disney has shared that four ships, the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Treasure , and Disney Dream, will regularly sail to one or both of Disney Cruise Line’s signature island destinations, Disney Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. Halloween on the High Seas will be available on select sailings in September and October, with Very Merrytime Cruises on select sailings in November and December. Bookings open to the general public June 28, 2024. Here’s a full list of the destinations available:

Bahamas and Caribbean Sailings

October 2025 to may 2025.

• Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, Disney Magic: 3- to 5-night sailings to The Bahamas with stops at Disney Castaway Cay and/or Disney Lookout Cay
• Disney Treasure: 7-night sailings to Castaway Cay and Eastern and Western Caribbean
• Disney Dream: 3- to 5-night sailings to The Bahamas with stops at Disney Castaway Cay and/or Disney Lookout Cay
• Disney Magic: 7-night sailings to The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean

Mexico Sailings

November 2025 to april 2025.

• Disney Magic: 4- to 7-night Gulf of Mexico sailings with stops at Cozumel, Mexico and Progreso, Mexico

March 2026 to May 2026

• Disney Wonder: 3- to 4-night Pacific Coast and Baja Peninsula Sailing with stops at Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico

Australia and New Zealand Sailings

October 2025 to february 2026.

• Disney Wonder: 3- to 10-night sailings in Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific, with stops such as Wellington, NZ and Hobart, Australia

Book Your Disney Cruise Line Sailing

Ready to book? Our travel agent partner can help you book the best Disney vacation possible. Simply fill out the quick form below, and the Vacationeer will reach back out right away to help get you planning your vacation!

Disney casts Catherine Laga'aia in title role of live-action 'Moana'

Catherine Laga'aia will join Dwayne Johnson in the live-action feature film.

LOS ANGELES -- Disney has officially announced the casting for Moana in the live-action "Moana" movie.

Catherine Laga'aia will join the production as Moana, the headstrong, sea-loving teenager, alongside Dwayne Johnson, who is reprising his role as Maui, a Polynesian demigod.

Laga'aia spoke about how much the role means to her. "I'm really excited to embrace this character because Moana is one of my favorites."

"My grandfather comes from Fa'aala, Palauli, in Savai'i. And my grandmother is from Leulumoega Tuai on the main island of 'Upolu in Samoa. I'm honored to have an opportunity to celebrate Samoa and all Pacific Island peoples, and to represent young girls who look like me," she elaborated.

Fellow cast members will include Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana's no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams as Moana's playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, as the revered Gramma Tala.

The film will reimagine the beloved story in a new medium, "celebrating the islands, communities and traditions of Pacific Islanders in a spectacular adventure," according to the studio.

Production will kick off this summer, and director Thomas Kail is excited to start working with the duo... or should we say, trio. "I cannot wait to all be on set together. And there's no better pair to be in a canoe with than Catherine and Dwayne-actually, trio: Heihei is ready, too."

Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the songs for the 2016 feature, serves as producer. Auli'i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the animated film, is an executive producer.

Also on the horizon is "Moana 2," the sequel to the original animated movie. This film, starring the original cast, comes to theaters this Thanksgiving. Watch the first teaser here .

Disney's live-action "Moana" premieres in theaters July 10, 2026.

The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Walt Disney Studios and this ABC station.

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