Tricks & Tips for your Disney Cruise
Preparing for a Disney cruise can be a little overwhelming, especially if this is your first one. Here are some tips and tricks to make things a little easier. Please Note: Some changes to the online check-in process, kids clubs, activities and more may occur due to COVID-19. Please review the Know Before You Sail information for the most up-to-date information and policies.
Words to know
Pro Tip 1: Feeling lost on the ship? Look at the stateroom numbers. If the numbers are going down you are going forward- to the front of the ship. If the cabin numbers are going up you are going aft- to the back of the ship. All stateroom numbers start with the deck you are on, eg stateroom 7554 will be on deck 7, and stateroom 12514 is on deck 12.
Pro Tip 2- A lanyard with a plastic sleeve is the easiest way to keep track of your KTTW card. First-time cruisers will receive lanyards from me for their trip. For guests who have sailed at least once with Disney, you will receive lanyards in your stateroom on embarkation day. You can always ask me for more also!
Prior to your Cruise
- Download the Disney Navigator App. Use it at home for a fun countdown clock, to book activities, and more. Once you are onboard you'll use it to see the daily schedule, chat, and more.
- Check-in online through the DCL website or Navigator App. Be sure to sign up for the kid's clubs in advance too. This will make the check-in at the port go much faster.
- If you have a Disney Visa link it to your onboard account when checking in to save on select merchandise and excursions at Castaway Cay. Click the link for current offers.
- Notify Guest Services of any special services/medical needs you may have. This includes allergies, medical equipment, service animals, etc. The form should be submitted no later than 60 days before your cruise.
- Book your cruise activities and make dining reservations.
- Learn the layout of your ship.
- Review what you can't take on board.
- Purchase Onboard Gifts at least 3 days prior to sailing. Cake orders must be done at least 7 days prior to sailing. Water, beer, and wine can also be purchased through Onboard Gifts.
- Notify your bank/credit card companies that you'll be traveling and where you'll be going so they don't suspend your cards for suspicious behavior.
Pro Tip 1: Bring your refillable water bottles. You will be able to fill them up at the drink stations on board.
Pro Tip 2: Have a beer drinker in your party? Check out the Beer Mug Savings Program available in the Onboard Gifts. You'll save on your beer purchases throughout the cruise and get a souvenir mug to take home.
Pro Tip 3- Palo offers brunch on sea days. This is a great way to try one of the specialty restaurants without missing a main dining room night. These fill up very quickly so book as soon as your window opens!
Packing
- While there is plenty of storage room in your cabin I recommend packing as lightly as possible, especially if you will be flying.
- Prior to your cruise, you should receive an envelope from Disney with your luggage tags. You should get 2 per guest. If you don't receive them prior to leaving there will be tags available at the port.
- Plan on bringing a carry-on bag with you on embarkation day with any items you may need prior to getting access to your stateroom and/or your luggage arriving. Staterooms are typically available to access after 2 pm, and luggage will typically arrive before 6 pm.
- Towels, including beach/[pool towels, bar soap, body wash, shampoo, condition and lotion are all provided by DCL. I do recommended bringing a small pump hand soap for the bathroom though.
- Bring a small battery-operated night light or 2. The rooms are very dark when the lights are off.
- Waterproof phone covers are great for the pool, beaches, and excursions.
- Make photocopies or take pictures of your passports and IDs. Bring your vaccine records and any required COVID test results also.
- Multi-USB chargers are great for all your electronics that need a USB charger. Please Note: You can not bring a power strip with you. For any equipment that may need an extension cord, like a CPAP machine, you can check one out from Guest Services once you are on board.
- Water shoes- great for excursions and for the pool and water slides. Look for ones with a non-slip sole.
- A few clothespins- there is a retractable clothesline in the bathroom. You can also use them to keep curtains closed if the light is sneaking in.
- Sea Safe or another marine/coral-safe sun tan lotion.
- Cash. While you won't need cash onboard the ship you may want it for tipping and souvenirs during your excursions. Small bills are great for easy tipping. Click here for more information.
- Dress code- the dress code on board is casual with the exception of specialty restaurants. There may also be a semi-formal night, formal night, pirate night, or other special-themed night while you are on board. On these nights you can dress up but you don't have to, and trust me you won't be the only one who does or doesn't, so feel free to do what makes you happy!
- Collapsible laundry hampers, laundry soap sheets, and dryer sheets- I keep these in our suitcases for every trip. Laundry soap sheets are easy to pack and you don't have to worry about them spilling or melting together. You can also purchase laundry soap and dryer sheets in the laundry room with your KTTW card. Washers and dryers also use your card.
- A small dry-erase magnet sheet/board. These are great for leaving messages for your cabin mates, Hang them on your stateroom door or on the wall in the cabin for more privacy.
Pro Tip: On the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish your KTTW card runs the lights, AC, and TV in your stateroom. Look for the metal box near the door and slide in your card to activate it. Bring an old plastic gift card/store reward card to use in place of your KTTW to activate the switch.
Embarkation Day
- You will pick a port arrival time (PAT)when you do your online check-in. Guests are not allowed to enter the port prior to this time. You can arrive later but you should make an effort to arrive on time. And don't be late! Departure times are firm and they will leave without you. Please Note: Guests using Disney transportation will be allowed to enter the port when their bus arrives regardless of their PAT.
- Your boarding group is separate from your PAT. When you arrive at the port you'll check in and go through security to access the terminal. Once in the terminal listen for your boarding group to be called. Boarding groups will also be displayed on a screen. If the number being called/displayed is after your number, eg. they are announcing boarding group 7 and you have boarding group 5, you can board the ship at your leisure.
- Have a little cash for the porters. While tips are not required porters do not receive tips through the pre-paid gratuities and they work very hard to ensure all our luggage arrives on board.
- You will not have access to your stateroom until after 2:00 pm and luggage can arrive as late as 6 pm so be sure to carry on anything you may need before that. If you plan on visiting the pools/waterslides bring or wear your swimsuit!
- Stop by Guest Services to ask about those must-have reservations you weren't able to get, check for available dining time changes, etc. The lines for Guest Services will be long so you may have a wait.
- If you have kids that will be using the kid's clubs check the navigator for the open house times. Planned activities will usually start after the sail away party.
- Eat lunch when you get on board. There will be options for a sit-down lunch at one of the main dining rooms in addition to the quick service options.
- There will be a mandatory muster station check-in for all staterooms. All guests will be required to complete this prior to sail away. I recommend doing this as soon as you board. Check your app for your muster location, it will also be on your KTTW card. When you arrive at the location you will use the app to scan the QR on the sign to check in. Only one guest per cabin needs to do this but you should all go to make sure everyone knows where the station is. There will be plenty of crew members to help you find the right location if you have trouble finding it.
- Don't miss the Sail Away party on the pool deck! Check the app for the start time.
Pro Tip 1- Stop and get your picture taken in the terminal before you get on board.
Pro Tip 2- Have your phone ready to video the special welcome from Disney as you step on-board. For guests sailing on the Disney Wish look for the cast members in the Grand Hall handing out star wands for the kids.
Pro Tip 3- The DCL Navigator App does not need wifi to work so you do not need to purchase a plan for that. If your kids will have a phone on-board download the app prior to getting on board. Once you are on board you will be able to give them access to use the chat function without having to have an account.
During your Cruise
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Explore the ship! There will be things to do just about every hour of the day on your Disney cruise but you'll want to take some time to just explore the ship. Adults can check the Navigator for behind-the-scenes tours available on some of the ships.
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For guests on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy, the Midship Detective Agency is a great way to explore the ship while solving a whodunit puzzle. With multiple mysteries and outcomes, even experienced cruisers will have fun with this one. For guests on the Disney Wish check out the Disney Uncharted Adventure using your mobile device as a spyglass that interacts with the ship.
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Check your daily navigator for character meet-and-greet times and locations. You may also find your favorite character wandering around the ship so keep your eyes open!
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Eat breakfast on port days. With the exception of pre-packaged, unopened snacks and drinks you can not take food off of the ship with you so you'll want to start the day off with a good meal.
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Disney does rotational dining. This means you'll get to try every main dining room without having to worry about making a reservation. Your rotation will be noted in the navigator app letting you know which dining room you'll be in that day. Bonus- your serving team will move with you so you'll have the same servers every night.
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Room service is free for most items and available 24 hours a day during your cruise. Tips are appreciated but not required. Room service ends at 1:30 am on the final day of your cruise.
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The concession stands at the movie theater are not free so grab a drink and some snacks at the buffet or one of the quick service restaurants, for free movie snacks. For the popcorn lovers in your party be sure to ask about the refillable bucket to save throughout the cruise.
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Review your photos taken by the ship photographers before the last evening/final morning. They get very busy at the end of the cruise so you'll save time by going a little early. Pre-purchase a package to save time and money. Please note: Sometimes the unlimited photo package will show as "sold out" for the first day. You can add it for any day of your cruise and it will work for the entire cruise.
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Book a placeholder! Placeholders are used for future cruises and give you benefits for booking. Check with the Onboard Sales Desk or in the navigator app for the current offerings. Placeholders must be purchased before the end of the cruise so don't wait to get yours!
Pro Tip 1: Love a dessert or meal you had in one dining room and wish you could have it again? Talk to your server and they may just be able to work some magic.
Pro Tip 2: For ships with Animator's Palate don't skip your dinner there as there's a fun surprise waiting for you.
Pro Tip 3- Order Mickey Bars or hot cookies and milk from room service for a special treat and Uncrustables for a quick snack in your stateroom or to take with you on port days. And if you like cheese be sure to try the All Hands on Deck. It's a That Vacation Lady favorite.
castaway Cay
- Check out the interactive map before you go.
- Bring your Key to the World card. You should carry this with you at all times when you are out of your stateroom.
- You won't need any cash or credit cards. Just like on the ship you'll use your Key to the World card for purchases.
- Don't wait to buy that souvenir! Castaway Cay items can only be purchased on the island and are in limited supply. So if you see something you like grab it. There are 3 shops around the island to choose from.
- Use the tram. It's a long walk to the beaches so take advantage of the tram on the pier. Get off at the first stop for a less crowded family beach option.
- Strollers are available to use for free on the island.
- Serenity Bay is for adults 18+ only.
- The kid's clubs are available on Castaway Cay.
- Your favorite Disney characters will be on the island too so look for them and check the navigator for meet-and-greet times.
- Take advantage of the photographers available around the island. You may even see them walking along the beaches while you are swimming. Wave them over for fun shots of you in the water.
- There is plenty of free food! But they don't serve breakfast on the island and restaurants start closing down around 2 pm so watch the time if you want to grab lunch.
- Private cabanas are available but are very hard to get. If you are interested in a cabana check for one as soon as your booking window opens. If none are available keep checking back as you may find one open up. Once onboard stop at guest services and ask about any availability.
- Mail a postcard from the Bahamian Post Office on the island. The post office isn't always open so grab your Bahamian stamps from Guest Services beforehand and then use the drop box at the post office. It's a fun souvenir.
Pro Tip 1- Have a runner in your group? Check out the Castaway Cay 5K for a fun addition to your Castaway Cay day. Walkers are welcome to participate too and when available you will be able to get a medal for participating. This event is free and open to guests 10 and older. Currently, there is no registration required. Simply head to the start line near the bike rental station. Check the app for where you can pick up your finisher medal if they are available.
Pro Tip 2- Don't let a little rain scare you off the island. As long as the Crew Members aren't asking you to return to the ship find an umbrella to sit under, or head to the picnic table area at Cookies, and wait it out. When the rain passes you'll get to enjoy the low crowds at the beach while everyone else fights for a spot at the pools.
Disembarkation Day
- Before your last day, you'll get a sheet in your stateroom with information about the disembarkation process. Be sure to read this thoroughly.
- You'll have 2 options for luggage- let Disney take it, or take it off yourself. If Disney will be taking off your luggage follow the instructions provided. Make sure you keep anything you will need the next day- like clothes and medicine, as you will not have access to your luggage again until you pick it up in the port. WARNING- Keep your passports, IDs, and any other important paperwork with you and easy to access.
- Tipping & Comment Cards- In addition to the disembarkation information you will find envelopes for tips and comment cards. If you have pre-paid your gratuities you don't need to tip again unless you would like to leave something extra. Make sure to fill out the comment cards and let Disney know about all the great service you received.
- Breakfast will be available on your final morning. For a sit-down breakfast, you'll be assigned a time based on your dinner seating time and you will typically eat in the same dining room that you were assigned for dinner the previous evening. Your regular serving team will be there too. You can also head to the buffet one last time.
- You'll be able to leave the ship any time after the ship has been cleared by the port. Since this usually happens early a ship-wide announcement may not be made.
- Once you leave the ship you will go through Customs & Immigration. If you had Disney take your luggage off be sure to grab it from the designated location before you get in line for customs. There will be porters available to help if needed.
- Once you have cleared customs you can head to your transportation pickup location or the parking garage.
Pro Tip 1- If you have Disney take your luggage off the ship make sure you remember the character that was on your luggage tags. Luggage will be sorted by the character on the tags in the terminal.
Pro Tip 2- If you think you will need to use the porters in the terminal be sure to keep a little cash handy for their tip.
Pro Tip 3- Room service is not available on the final morning. Order the night before, or grab some items from the buffet/quick service, that will keep in the fridge overnight if you want to avoid the rush in the morning.
Final Tip
Book your next cruise! Put that placeholder to work and let's get your next Disney cruise booked. Trust me you'll want to go back.
Have a question we didn't cover above? Check the Disney Cruise Line FAQs or feel free to contact us. We are here to help make your trip amazing!