Do Not Do

Overwhelmed: find a blog, podcast, and do research

Hire a travel agent if overwhelmed after research

Might receive 5% of cruise cost as on-board credit

Wave month aka January

Many people book in this month aka the wave affect

Research transportation all ways

Research time of year especially for weather

Start to make a budget or set aside money

Join Facebook group that matches your date and ship

Search port adventures before booking time open

Look on dcl website

Sign up for fish extender

Spend time on Etsy for ideas for shirts and cabin door

Know when you have to paid in full by in order to book

Hurricane season lasts from June 1st to November 30th on the East Coast

Can lead to weather issues causing complications and canceling flights, transportation and even cruises

We understand this might sound scary but all cruise lines are aware of them and have lots of staff always watching and researching the storms

Not only are hurricanes well tracked, but they’re also highly researched with plenty of warning in advance.

As a result, most cruise ships can easily avoid a hurricane by delaying a cruise or rerouting the ship around or away from the storm.

Cruises around the time period of August to November

You might find lower prices because

Kids returning to school

Hurricane season peaks

Cruising during hurricane season is generally safe, because your captains aren’t just going to sail you right into the eye of the storm and have the technology that allows them to take any actions they need to in order to avoid it

Rare for DCL to fully cancel a sailing due to a hurricane

Instead of canceling, most cruise lines would rather change the route, departure port, or the dates of the cruise.

Make sure you review all the cancelation and rescheduling policies for your trip, including your flight, hotel, rental car, and any transportation

If you book during hurricane season it is recommend reviewing your cruise line’s full cancelation policy. Disney Cruise Line generally grants passengers a full refund in the event of cancelation.

If you are truly worried I would look into travel insurance

Keep in mind that if you decide to cancel your cruise on your own, you need to review your cruise line’s typical refund policies.

You may experience cancelation fees, loss of credits, or any number of other penalties.

Don’t be too intimidated to cruise during hurricane season but be prepared for all kinds of complications

Have a fireworks display at sea, like only Disney can do, a stunning entertainment element for the “Pirates in the Caribbean” celebration.

Implement an innovative rotational dining concept, featuring three themed restaurants, where guests dine in a different venue each evening, accompanied by their same serving team

Have a dock at the line’s private island (Castaway Cay), allowing guests the ease of walking on and off the ship at their leisure, thus eliminating the need to use tender boats.

Have a shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck!

Give inside staterooms a “window” on the outside with a Magical Porthole, a wall-mounted monitor that displays real-time video views from high-definition cameras outside of the ship.

Allow guests to become animators and see their own drawings magically come to life and dance on screen.

Make the princess and pirate fantasies of young guests a reality, giving them full pixie-dusted and piratical makeovers at the first Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League at sea.

Offer movie premieres at sea on the same day a film debuts in theaters.

Feature nearly an entire deck dedicated to children’s activities.

Offer exclusive spaces just for tweens and teens. 11-13 year old can hang out at Edge, while 14-17 year old have their own club, Vibe.

Offer free soft drinks any time of day or night, with a free 24/7 beverage station offering sodas, coffee, tea and water.

Design staterooms with a family-friendly bath-and-a-half.

Apply a hull coating that is non-toxic and innovative in reducing surface resistance in the water, allowing the ship to be more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.

Have yellow-colored lifeboats, rather than the traditional regulation color of orange. Disney was granted special permission by the U.S. Coast Guard to paint the lifeboats yellow, in order to keep with the special color theming of the ship – the colors of Mickey Mouse himself.

Get to know your staff

Catch a sunrise or sunset

You cannot do it all on your first cruise

Pick a couple of things before you board that are priorities

Rest of the time see how you all are feeling

Attend at least 1 Broadway like show

The shows have amazing actors, singing and special effects

The shows will last less than 1 hour in length

Bring a refillable cup

Free soft drinks, water and coffee is served on pool deck

Book placeholder

10% off future non-concierge staterooms

You have 24 months to sail again using it

It is refundable if you change your mind

Old gift card or hotel room key

You insert them to keep the lights on in your room when you are in them

It is easier than using your current room key and you leave your room with it still in there

Get a passport

Any DCL ship is amazing

Yes they all have a little something different but there is no bad ship

Ice cream sandwiches

Order room service cookies (do not forget to tip the staff) and bring them up to ice cream on the pool deck and make a sandwich

Fly into the port location one day before you leave

Try new food and order seconds

The menu on the ships has a lot of variety so it is an excellent time to get the picky eater to try something new

If you love your meal and want more just ask for a second plate

Challenge the children to try something new each night

Servers asking/requesting to leave 5 stars for food even though they do not cook it

Coffee concentrate versus cove café real coffee beans

After hours drinks available only from room service

Previous cruises the soft drinks on the pool deck have been turned off

This could have been updated since Covid precautions have changed

Disney Navigator App not always working when on the ship Disney Cruise Line Navigator App Information

Internet is slow and very poor on ship even when paying for it

Common issue on all ships

Redistribution of bars, lounges, and a new entertainment venue to increase their visibility and accessibility

Relation of “it’s a small world” nursery and Oceaneer’s club to deck 2 below main hall

Reposition and expansion of the spa and fitness facilities to deck 5

Reimagined sports court that is indoors

More pools, more water amusement, and better views on and from the upper decks

Reducing number of elevator banks and stair halls from three to two

But there are more elevator bays and provide better flow throughout the ship

Only certain elevators go to the top floor FYI

First DCL ship building cabins in an assembly line with 21 steps (everything pre-tested, pre-cut and pre-bent)

Atrium/Grand Hall first one with a balcony

Once upon a wish show when we walk onto ship

Greater than 4000 pieces of art

Themed rooms

Concierge Tangled

Staterooms

Fairytale castle = Cinderella, Frozen

Forrest & animals = Princess & the Frog, Sleeping Beauty

Spirit of the sea = Little Mermaid, Moana

Stateroom lamp shade has a hidden mickey

The backing of the lampshade has a cutout that has filigree from the sheets with mickey mouse’s head

When the lamp is off, it’s just a lamp

Turn the light on and see it

Meet Santa

Mrs. Clause reading at bedtime

Wear family matching pajamas for extra special pictures

Christmas tree lighting ceremony

Hearing Christmas songs all throughout the ship/hallways

Christmas tree on the Wish from pictures seems to be a classier tree with the colors of gold and white and very shiny instead of red and green

Christmas tree on other ships is more of the red and green traditional colors

DCL typically has lots of “magic” on the ship but with it being a VMT cruise it is taken up to the next level

Castaway Cay being decorated for the holidays

Gingerbread house competition between the ships

Before embarkation

Manage reservation, make payments, book activities

Download before leaving port

Onboard chat

Dining à learn about your table and where you are eating, the time and menu

Menus at bars, room service, quick service restaurants

Entertainment and activities

Purchase future cruise holder

What are cruising ducks exactly?

Started in 2018 by a 10-year-old girl named Abby Davis

She gathered 50 toy ducks and hid them on her 7-day Carnival Breeze cruise

It has spread to many different cruise lines

Purchase rubber ducks, make tags for them, and hide them in any public place on a cruise ship

People will sometimes take pictures when hiding them to remember where they are and to give people clues

People will search for them or randomly find them

Once they are found they can be kept or re-hidden

People can post pictures of ones they have found to say thank you

The goal is to see how far the ducks travel and where their journey takes them

How to participate

Purchase some ducks

Dollar store or Etsy are great options

Write your information on the bottom or on the tags

Your name, the date, home, etc.

Add a unique hashtag and ask people to use it when posting.

It makes it easier to track your ducks

Feel free to go crazy and make a custom tag

Go have fun and hide the ducks

Must be hidden in public spots

What to do if you find a duck and want to play

When you find one, take a picture of the duck, and post it to the Cruising Ducks Facebook page use the hashtag if one is on the tag

Cruising ducks original group on Facebook

Keep the duck you found or hide it again

If you hide it again, consider adding your name to the tag or bottom of the duck

Avoid areas to hide ducks

Pools or hot tubs

Onboard ships

Not able to retrieve the duck standing (you need a chair or table to stand on)

Risk losing the duck overboard

It’s a small nursery 6 month – 3-year-old charged per hour

Each club has a quota for max number of kids and once that number of kids is booked on the ship it will not show any rooms available for booking

Kids get a dcl specific magic band to check in and out

You can keep them for a charge at the end of the cruise

Open house/tour for anyone on embarkation day and during the cruise

Cast members/counselors have lots of experience and training to be counselors

Edge 11 – 14-year-olds

They can check themselves in and out

Vibe 14 – 17-year-olds

Communication through the app if need to pick up or anything

Meals offered in the club

Not sure if still offered but was in the past

Need the kids checked in 15 minutes before service

Dine & play

Cast member will bring child from the club to main dining and return them to club after meal

Kids will be feed very quickly roughly within 15 minutes of sitting

Organized classes and activities in all clubs and plenty of free time

My Disney Cruise is a 30-page document on DCL website that parents can work on with kids to learn what will happen on the ship

My Disney Cruise Adventure Booklet

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/traveling-with-little-ones/

Kids club attend open house 1st day

***Have kids go in first day when open house is over which is very important because most friendships and groups form the first day VERY IMPORTANT TIP***

Receive bonus credit after using card for 3 first months

Ability to receive vacation financing

Earn 2% in Disney rewards dollars on everyday purchases

Earn 5% in Disney rewards for a Disney + subscription

Redeem Disney rewards for airline or cruise travel

Save 10% on dining, shopping & recreation at Disney Parks

Exclusive Disney Visa Card member photo Op locations

Access to limited time offers

Pay for the cruise with it and use rewards towards on-board activities

Many different designs for all the cards

5k medal might be at guest services if not at the finish line or on the island

Snorkeling and sting ray encounters

Have heard really great things about these both

Cookies 1 and 2 BBQ 11 – 2:30 pm

Exclusive items only on the island in gift shops

Tower on the run has great views of entire island

Serenity bay is adult only area but water is shallow and lots of shells/rocks so bring water shoes

Scuttles cove excellent kids club

Cabanas are amazing and pricy if you can score one

Send one person off early to reserve beach chairs and shade especially on family beach otherwise will have to walk long ways

Disney Cruise Line allows each Guest to bring two pieces of checked luggage, a carry-on bag, and a personal item. The only size limitations pertain to the carry-on bag, which must meet typical airline carry-on luggage dimensions (no larger than 22" x 14" x 9') and be able to go through the cruise terminal scanners.

The good news is although your luggage tags didn't arrive at your home before embarkation day, porters will greet you and have luggage tags ready to fill out as you arrive at the port! Simply ask one of the porters at the cruise port for tags and they will be happy to tag all your bags with your stateroom number. They will ensure your bags are loaded onto the ship and delivered to your stateroom that evening!

Land and sea trip combo

Start at Disney World and finish with the cruise

Concerns how you will feel/handle the ship or being at sea

Great way to dip your feet into cruising

Stay on ship during port days to get to know the ship

On 7-day cruises, very interested to get off boat

Nice long weekend

Can minimize the number of days off or vacation days used from work because of the weekend

If you like to be on the go all the time

You will not get to do everything during the short cruise but it is easier to be going full steam a head for a few short days

Budget friendly because the cruise is shorter

Down payment will be cheaper also

Local ports typically

Nassau, private island, and Mexico

Enjoy a mini vacation

Pick up bags from hotel room (might not be at all hotels)

Disney movie played in route to port

Only stop at Disney Cruise Line port

Nice large coach buses with Bathroom

Travel with Disney minded people

Port Check-in time assigned very early (Group 3 11 am) or typically port check-in time does not matter when you use them (you basically get right through the port and wait minimal time to board ship)

Seamless and honestly priceless

I used this one time and have never looked back

Buses ready once you are off the ship

Very easy to find the bus when need them

If going on your first cruise do not think you will get to experience and see everything

Prioritize each day and see how you feel

Only read information from DCL website

There are tons of websites, blog, videos, and podcasts that can provide so much more information

Documentation

Proper documentation to ship takes time especially passports, therefore plan accordingly because you will need documentation of them at least 30 days out from the cruise besides on the cruise

On Board Activities

If this is your first cruise you get to sign up last therefore the selection might be minimal

Therefore, once on the ship join the waitlist for activities at Guest Services

Do not wait until you are on the ship to book everything

DCL Excursions or non-DCL Excursions

By booking your Port Excursions through the DCL, you’ll have the relief of knowing you are guaranteed to make it back to the ship before departure, even if something such as a transportation issue goes wrong while you’re at port. If you’re with a Disney Port Adventure, you will be taken care of.

We can’t say this for the other excursions.

Disney has its name attached to the excursions, making guests confident they know they are paying for the best of the best.

Character meet and greets

Most on the ship do not require you to pre-book them

They are all free

One you need to book 30 days out is called the Royal Gathering (5 princesses)

Again, if you do not get the reservation join the waitlist

Pre-book/pay for Shutters Photo Package

Saves money roughly 15% if book before cruise

Can download photos during and after the cruise

If purchase make sure you take as many photos as you can (meals, character meet and greets, Castaway Cay. etc.)

Not planning for Castaway Cay

Disney private island

First off, the ship will allow you to pick a great spot on the beach, tackle the slides, and snorkeling without the crowds

This is not a day you really want to be on the ship because most of the crew comes off to run the island

Navigator App

Free app to help with all activities on the ship

Recommend downloading it before embarkation day

Can chat with other guests through the app

Not booking a placeholder

$250 placeholder can be purchased during your cruise which must be used within 24 months of the start of your sailing

Gives you 10% off a future non-concierge stateroom

Is refundable if not used within 24 months

Sail away party

Broadway style live shows

Rotational dinning

Interactive games/scavenger hunts

Use navigator app

Character meet and greets

Experience castaway cay

Port excursions to experience new places

Pirate night

Fireworks at sea

Auto 18% on the bill gets pooled by all servers

Additional gratitude line only goes to that server

Even if you do not put tip card in envelope, they still get it

Pay in cash as often as you can or feel comfortable

Can be pre-paid before you board ship otherwise charged during cruise

Can go to guest services to adjust or change to cash only payments

I typically use the credit card to pay Disney standards of around $14.50 per guest per day and then add cash to the envelopes based on experience

Expensive compared to other transportation ways

Must stay at Disney hotel or hotels they have deals with

Still need to check in at hotel to see what time bus you get assigned

Port Canaveral 9:20 am to 11:20 am possibility

Not an option based on airport (port Miami to FLL airport)

Not going to Disney hotel or etc.

Do not like traveling with large groups

Want to travel privately

Do not want to wait for a bus or need transportation to be quicker leaving the port

Disney Visa card save 10% on items when on ship

Must be on file to use and get stickers at guest services

Must ask for the discount when paying

Disney Visa card pay for cruise with credit card and use the points to pay for on board items

Costco or travel agents that can provide onboard credits

Place holder purchased on future cruise

$250 get 10% off on non-concierge rooms and must sail within 24 months

Target credit card gets 5% off Disney gift cards

Discounts/sales/offers listed on DCL web site

DCL is a ship destination for some and not where the ship is going

Evaluate the cost of the trip on a per person per day

You can cruise for base fare only (no extra activities)

Book as early as you can

Late February and early March and May release times

If you missed out on a cruise wait until final payment date and see if people cancel or more opens up

Special offers Can be cheaper if you are flexible and book VGT/IGT/OGT but

Valid for new bookings only

Full payment is required at the time of booking for all Guests and is non-refundable

Full legal names of all Guests are required at time of booking and no name changes are allowed

Specific stateroom will be assigned at a later time, based on availability.

Travel agents can give onboard credit typically around 5%

Rebook on board with place card holder and receive 10%

Does not include concierge and must sail within 24 months

Disney Visa (double points when purchasing cruise and then use those points for on board items

10% off on cruise ship on certain items

Target debit/credit card purchase gift cards & save 5%

What time of year you book Sept/Oct hurricane season cheapest

Anyone can cook (From Ratatouille)

Chef teaches a dish live

You typically get to taste the dish

Done on a sea day

Get a recipe card to bring home

20-minute directions roughly

Mid-ship detective

Fantasy and Dream

Interactive game to solve mysteries

3 different ones to complete

Uncharted adventure

Wish

Trivia

Key chain, luggage tag or medal winners

Varity options

Adult, Pixar, Marvel, name the toon, etc.

Bingo

Very popular

Closest to gambling on DCL

Must yell out Bingo

All electronic but a lot of fun

Learn how to draw

Classes to teach each pen stroke to draw character

Scrap booking pages

Make pages to keep for your book

Have everything they need in the class

Free class

Game shows

Family ones during day

Newlywed at nighttime

Karaoke

Family or adult only

Jack’s diaper dash

Lanes set up for crawlers

They sometimes perform this in the Grand Hall or Atrium

Napkin folding

Towel folding

Friends of Bill W

AA meeting daily

18 – 20 society

To old for Vibe and too young for adult bar

More expensive but more is included also

Staterooms are typically larger than other cruise lines

Kids clubs are amazing and staff top notch

Split bathroom design with tub and sink and other one is toilet and sink

Dream and Fantasy have magic porthole in the inside room

A screen that shows what is seen outside the boat but with w Disney flair to it

Food offerings restaurant quality food in the main dining

Soft drinks included and coffee on deck

Not included in bar and theatre

Exceed cleanliness CDC passes with ease and high scores

Service unparalleled to other cruise lines or even Disney land/world

Entertainment shows are top notch and considered Broadway like style quality

Lifeguards at all pools when they are open

More room on pool decks to watch shows/fireworks because of the extra staircases and pool deck areas not being 1 level

Arendelle dining experience show

Music and singing are outstanding

Mickey & friends festival of foods (deck 11)

The food selections is vast and all delicious

Two different pirate shows

Fireworks shot from both sides of the boat

Bathroom improvements

Shower seems bigger

Shower has a glass door

Marceline Market

Organized in pods therefore no long lines to wait in

Storage space and drawers have been decreased

Tv does not rotate

Bathroom tub/shower is glass instead of plastic curtain

Quick service food on pool decks (Mickey’s Friends)

Huge improvement compared to other ships

Palo is a steakhouse and not just an Italian restaurant

I believe the plan is for the entire fleet to become steakhouse also

Uncharted adventure is a different onboard game compared to Midship Detective

Sea days are great to learn and explore more about the ship

Cove Café all the way in the back of the ship and in the adult only area

Currently no free snacks like other ships

Adult area pools and hot tubes are smaller and seem an after thought

No adult district but the lounges are all over the ship/decks

Hook’s Barbery

Top notch drinks and amazing services

Lack drawer space in staterooms

Hard to watch tv when siting on the couch

To get to adult dining, need to be in the back 4 elevators to get to the top, otherwise you need to get out and hit the up button

Takes time to warm up to the ship and learn the differences

Take the time to find new hidden gems

Pros

Everything is done for you (easiest route)

If the excursion runs late or transportation issues DCL will hold the boat for you

Because the excursion company typically wants to keep their DCL contract the staff is very knowledgeable, can speak multiple languages, and will go above and beyond like DCL

Everyone's experience might be a little different just FYI

Transportation to and from the excursion is included

Bring cash for tips

Towels are provided

Cons

Expensive compared to booking the same excursion not with Disney

Must cancel 3 days before the ship sails

Will get charged if you go or not (can not modify)

If you wanted to return to the boat earlier than the transportation on the excursions many times they will not allow that

Limited selection and once sold out you would have to choose something else

If have very young children limited options

Some can be very long over 6 hours and that is the whole port day

If you have early dinner sometimes feel rushed to get ready or run the risk of being late or missing it

Examples of Non-DCL excursions

Shore excursions. com

You are able to search by cruise ship dates and ports

You will have to figure out transportation also

Book early up to 18 months in advance

Not just for kids (adults only area)

Spa treatment top notch compared to ones on land

Fly or drive in the day before and stay local

Port check –in time arrive with 15 minutes of time

Download app before being on the ship

Make reservations/shore excursions early

If they ARE BOOKED STOP AT GUEST SERVICES ONCE ON SHIP TO JOIN WAITLIST

Ask for view of Castaway Cay when docked when booking your room

Gift card to turn on or keep lights on in room

Room service (door hook menu in desk)

Order night before for the next morning

Order the kids cereal, fruit bowl, etc. and yourself coffee so parents can sleep in, and eat a little something before family goes to breakfast

Order after port adventures

Many people hungry at same time causes long lines so order food and get changed and enjoy skipping the lines and avoid all those people on the pool deck

Navigator verandah

Only a few rooms per ship

Not all ships have these rooms

Verandah with an obstructed view not full

Honestly typically outside area has a solid wall at end

In exchange a discounted price than one with a full view

Bring strong magnets and shoe organizer to hang on back of the door

An amazing way to store and organize things for the room

You might be able to see the Pirate’s Night fireworks from your verandah

Inside room with magical porthole

Not only see what is around the ship at the moment but get to see some Disney characters appear also

These rooms sell out fast also

Elevators need to add or fix which ones go to the top

Hard to get to adult dining area

Want longer itineraries

Land and sea combo seems to be selling point

Picture taken at Port Canaveral in the back area

Do not forget this while you wait

Marceline market hidden space

Walk in and right past the hand washing station

Coffee on the verandah each morning

Nothing beats this and make sure to order the night before

No red bandanas for pirate night

1923 rich wood and a nice quite dinning

Beautiful ship

Food excellent

Hot tube out of place on the flow of the deck

Lounges are amazing

Mickey’s mainsail shop huge miss

Not enough DCL items for sale

Hyperspace lounge is loud when screen changes

If adjoining doors need to ask to open door and open verandah partition

Fly in the day before

Wine deliver insta-cart to MCO hotel

MCO hotel will get luggage off baggage claim

45-minute drive from airport to port

Resortpass.com for MCO Hyatt day pass

1. You’ll Find Family-Friendly Fun Galore

Spending quality time as a family can feel seemingly impossible while trying to keep up with the daily grind. A cruise vacation offers an impressive mix of activities everyone can do together, making it an ideal way to squeeze in that bonding time you’ve been craving. During a high-seas escape, you can catch live shows, live it up at a deck party, watch first-run movies, play group games, share memorable meals, enjoy plenty of pool time and soak up the sights in exotic locations. Disney Cruise Line even offers specially themed sailings like Marvel Day at Sea and Very Merrytime Cruises that feature celebrations, crafts and other interactive family events.

Thinking about a Bahamian escape? You won’t believe the sheer amount of things to do on a tropical oasis. Take Disney Castaway Cay, our private island reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line Guests. Once there, you can roam the sprawling beaches, snorkel in the blue lagoon, feast on barbecue fare, rent a boat and much more.

2. Voyages Are Chockfull of Included Amenities

The average land vacation may be filled with great à la carte options, but they can definitely add up! What’s so refreshing about a cruise is that there are so many offerings that are built-in to the cost of your fare. You can typically expect full meals, live performances, shipboard facilities and recreational activities to be a part of a fixed rate.

With Disney Cruise Line, you get all that and more. All ships feature at least 3 pool areas with waterslides, a full-service fitness center with ocean views, access to youth clubs and adult-only spaces, and top-notch entertainment―think Broadway-quality shows, themed deck parties and photo ops with popular Characters like Mickey and Stitch. If this piques your interest, read more about what’s included on a Disney Cruise.

3. Hassle-Free Planning Gives You Peace of Mind

Let’s face it: attempting to put together an itinerary of vacation experiences that pleases everyone in your family can be daunting, even for the most creative research mavens among us. That’s exactly why uncovering a getaway that meets everyone’s expectations is worth its weight in gold. Or perhaps we should say pixie dust? Cruises offer an amazing variety of things to do at sea and on land. And the best thing about them is that all the heavy lifting has been done for you. You’ll discover everything you need for a fun, relaxing trip all in one place―delicious dining options, cozy staterooms, epic pool areas, diverse recreational activities, exciting entertainment

and tried-and-true excursion ideas. It’s also the easiest way to travel to multiple destinations without long car drives or plane rides (a huge plus when you have little ones in tow).

Want to customize your onboard adventures? There’s an app for that! For example, everyone in your family who has a smartphone can download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app for free and use it to manage their own schedules. Seriously, adding can’t-miss events is as simple as tapping a button.

4. Destination Hopping Is a Breeze

When it comes to cruise itineraries, the choices are endless. You can get a taste of paradise with a short, 3-to 4-night sailing to The Bahamas, Mexico or the Caribbean. Or go all-in with a week-long escapade throughout Europe or Alaska. Either way, cruises provide an easy and convenient way for you to experience several iconic locales without the stress of figuring out the nitty-gritty logistics of getting to and from each destination. Plus, there’s something really thrilling about arriving to a city by ship. Looking for some ideas? Check out some of the unique hot spots Disney Cruise Line travels to throughout the year.

5. Kids, Teens and Adults Have Plenty of Ways to Unplug and Unwind… On Their Own

What’s more rewarding than satisfying every whim? When you set sail on a cruise vacation, members of your family can shape their own day at sea―making it all about recreation, relaxation or a perfect combo of the two. With Disney Cruise Line, Mom and Dad can get massages at the Senses Spa & Salon or chill by the Quiet Cove Pool reserved for grown-ups, while the kids make friends at supervised hangout spots designed especially for them. If you need a few more examples, here’s a handy breakdown of activities we offer for Adults, Teens & Tweens and Kids.

6. You’re Essentially Getting the Ultimate Vacation

A cruise checks all of the right boxes when it comes to creating an unforgettable family vacation. Picture VIP-style hospitality, exposure to different cultures, endless entertainment, gourmet cuisine, access to some of the coolest pools imaginable and the chance to make your friends envious when they see photos of all of the fun you’ve had in postcard-worthy settings. You can even take it up a notch by mixing in a little Disney magic. Our ships offer an array of unique possibilities you won’t encounter anywhere else, like a Pirate Night deck party with fireworks, a Disney’s Oceaneer Club for kids ages 3 to 12, Disney-themed dining and memorable Character Experiences.

Top 6 provided by DCL information

Planning to set sail with Disney Cruise Line? I’m excited to introduce an all-new collection of animated Instagram stickers, which serve as the perfect way to bring a dash of pixie dust to your vacation photos!

Accessible through the story feature within the Instagram app, you can locate these adorable Disney Cruise Line-themed sticker packs by searching “MyDisneyCruise.” And if you’re sailing on Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, the Disney Wish, you can type “MyDisneyWishCruise” to unlock a dedicated line of Wish-specific stickers.

By enhancing your vacation memories with your favorite Disney Cruise Line stickers, you’ll be able to share a touch of Disney magic with your family and friends back home. Get inspired by new ways to tell your vacation story below!

1. Add a Little Character to Your Photos

Literally! Discover playful portraits of Captain Mickey Mouse, Captain Minnie Mouse and their friends Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Chip ‘n Dale, all in their sailor attire.

2. Set Your Out of Office

You’re going on vacay — leave everything else behind with a sticker that sets your status to “Cruise Mode” or “Do Not Disturb.”

3. Celebrate Your Ship

Every Disney Cruise Line ship pays tribute to Disney characters through a unique sculpture on the stern and a golden statue in the atrium. You can celebrate your voyage by choosing special stickers that are inspired by the many stern scultures and atrium statues of the Disney Cruise Line fleet.

4. Delight in Dining

Phone eats first with our new culinary-themed animated stickers. Food photographers can choose from whimsical designs featuring Princess Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” or Pascal from “Tangled.”

5. Share Where Magic Meets the Sea

Find a selection of magical stickers that represent iconic Disney Cruise Line offerings from the classic red funnel to fireworks at sea. Each sticker is designed to complement the many adventures and experiences you will share onboard with loved ones.

6. Seize Your Day at Sea

Sailing during a themed Day at Sea? There’s a sticker for that too! Make sure to check out Marvel and Pixar-inspired animated artwork.

Whether you are planning to share photos from an upcoming sailing or revisit treasured Disney Cruise Line memories, there are so many ways to share you Disney cruise vacation stories! Keep following the Disney Parks Blog for more Disney Cruise Line fun and learn how to book your next cruise via our website.

If you have a favorite server from a previous sailing and would like to request that they serve you again, I recommend contacting Disney Cruise Line. You may call or use the online chat feature on the Disney Cruise Line website. The chat option pops up when it is available.

If you don't see the option for a live chat, you may have success using a different web browser.

The agent you speak with can make a note of your request on your reservation.

There are no guarantees that this request can be fulfilled, but the Crew Members onboard will do all that they can to make sure your time at sea is magical!

The first thing that I invite you to do is to log in to your Disney Cruise Line Account and see if your Guest information is "pending approval" or if it is listed as "complete". You can view this information from the Cruise Details page after logging in and selecting your reservation.

If it is listed as "complete", you may try to modify your travel documentation and submit a photo of your new passport.

As it is very close to your sailing, I encourage you to contact Disney Cruise Line and notify them that you have a new passport.

If your old passport is in your possession, it may be best that you bring both your old passport and new passport to the port for check-in. With your current valid passport with you at the cruise terminal, you will be meeting the necessary citizenship requirements to board.

The mattresses used onboard all of the Disney ships are a Euro Top style of mattresses by Biscayne Bedding International. The company is located in Florida, and they have a website where you can reach out about getting one in your own home.

Harbor Linen is the company that supplies the super comfy pillows for most of the staterooms on the ship. The style is New Generation, and you can find them in a variety of places. If you were in a concierge room, you may have had a different pillow, selected from a pillow menu.

First off, so much depends on how you made your original booking: whether with Disney Cruise Line directly, through a travel agent, or other means (i.e. Disney Vacation Club). That will make a difference on who you would have to contact with your request. And the bigger question is whether your reservation is one with restrictions or not. If the reservation has restrictions, then a whole different set of rules applies to that booking.

Presuming your cruise reservation does NOT have any restrictions and you did it through Disney Cruise Line, then changing the named party on the reservation would have to be done by calling Disney Cruise Line at (800) 951-3532. Currently, if the name change is 45 days or more prior to your sailing, then there will be no charge associated with this update. If less than 45 days, a $50.00 per person charge would apply. Of course, Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to restrict any changes to a reservation, and all changes are subject to availability.

Adding a Guest is also specific to your reservation, so I really can’t say for sure whether you will be able to or not. So much depends on what stateroom category you have and its maximum capacity as well as if your booking has restrictions or not. But I know who can help...yep, you guessed it, the awesome peeps at Disney Cruise Line!

I'm happy to inform you that the special military offers are typically limited to one stateroom per military member, however, if your immediate family members cannot fit into one stateroom, Disney Cruise Line allows you to book a second stateroom for your sailing party. These two staterooms are allowed with a maximum of two adults total on the reservation. This way a family of eight, with two adults and six children, can spread out between the two staterooms and still take advantage of the excellent rates offered to our retired and active U.S. Military personnel.

Please remember to have the U.S. Military member in your sailing party pack their valid identification to be shown at check-in.

Currently, Guests are invited to start the 5k at their leisure and disembark the ship at the same time as other guests. So, just listen for the “all-ashore” and you can head off the ship with the rest of your traveling party. I find this a great way to have a more leisurely start to your day in paradise and allows more time to enjoy your breakfast onboard the ship, secure your place on your preferred beach, or participate in one of the early morning Port Adventures.

The Castaway Cay 5k begins at the Bike Rental hut near the Pelican Point tram stop, by Castaway Cay Family Beach, all of which are easily found on the map as you disembark the ship or ask a friendly Crew Member. You will see the “5k start line” and then just follow the signs and you will be running on the Castaway Runway in no time! The course finishes back at the Bike Rental hut. Once you finish, a Crew Member will award you a tropical-inspired, Mickey Mouse-approved medal!

We have some magical tips for you:

During the 5k, you will see an Observation Tower about halfway through the run, we recommend that you take a quick stop there for a selfie from the top. It is an amazing spot for sweeping views of the island!

Water stations are located along the route, but there is little shade so remember to wear your sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat or visor.

Once you are finished, stop by Olaf's Summertime Freeze for a nice and cooling smoothie at an additional charge, so as with any port of call, don’t forget your Key to the World card and identification.

Be sure to check out the Castaway Cay 5k merchandise available (subject to availability) at the Buy the Seashore merchandise location.

One final tip, is that you can shower off and change into your swimsuit at each of the restroom locations throughout the island.

Disney Cruise Line recommends three hotels: Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Fairmont Waterfront, and Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel. You can call Disney Cruise Line, and a reservation specialist will be happy to help you add hotel accommodations before or after your cruise. I also recommend Pan Pacific Vancouver. It’s located right at Canada Place Pier, where the Disney Wonder docks.  They even offer luggage transfers to the cruise ship. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, there are many great options just a few blocks away. Don’t worry if your hotel doesn’t offer breakfast. When visiting Canada, you must stop at Tim Hortons for a warm drink and a freshly baked donut – the Canadian equivalent of Starbucks.

Vancouver is very walker friendly. I would probably skip the car rental. From the airport to our hotel, we used the Canada Line, Vancouver’s rapid transit rail connecting the airport to the city. It was straightforward to use, even with all our luggage and a hungry and tired 6-year-old. You can also take a taxi or reserve private transportation to carry you to your destination.

I hope you have some time to explore Vancouver because it is an amazing city. My family really enjoyed the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park. There is even a free shuttle. My son can’t wait to eat at the Old Spaghetti Factory on our arrival day.  I plan to make reservations so that when we arrive, we can drop off our luggage and begin exploring the city.

As for Port Adventures, there are lots to choose from. My top ones include whale watching, glacier viewing, and exploring nature. I recommend looking at the Port Adventures offered and filtering them by Ports of Call and Experience Type. This will give you a good idea of the unique experiences at each port. When planning our excursions, I also like to look at how long the tour lasts. I know that my travel crew will only last 4 to 5 hours before they want to head back to the ship.

The short answer is yes, Disney Cruise Line does carry milk alternatives during rotational dining, including rice, almond, oat, and soy milk!  If you are mainly concerned with the availability during other mealtimes, I do suggest letting a crew member or your head server know whether you decide to dine at Cabanas or one of the table service locations available! Speaking of table service, your dining team will be sure to ask each member of your crew if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions during your first dinner to ensure the best possible service they can provide!

It's important to note that not all of these options may or may not be available at every quick service and in-room dining option, so if this member of your crew has a preferred brand or time they like to enjoy a glass of almond milk, I suggest that you bring a few containers with you in a carry-on bag during embarkation!

Disney Cruise Line Vacation Planning Checklist

Browse Itineraries

Discover itineraries that sail to places around the world! Browse sailing dates, departure ports, cruise length, and ports of call to decide which sailing is right for your travel party.

Book Your Cruise

Once you've selected your itinerary, you'll begin the booking process where you will choose your stateroom. You can then pay in full, make a partial payment or put down a deposit to hold your reservation.

Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

You can use the Navigator app to explore your ship, read articles and learn helpful tips before your cruise. You can also make modifications to your reservation, add special requests and services, and pre-pay gratuities. While on board, the app allows you to see all the activities on your cruise, view menus, communicate with your travel party and more.

Book On Board Activities and Port Adventures

Once your cruise is paid in full, and you’ve reached your booking activities window, you can reserve Port Adventures, spa treatments, adult-exclusive dining and more. If you're a first-time Disney cruiser, you can begin booking 75 days before your sailing date. Castaway Club members can book further in advance! Be sure to book your desired activities as soon as possible as activities may fill up fast.

Pre-Book Photo Packages

Consider booking a photo package to capture all magic that goes along with a Disney cruise. Pre-book select photo products at least 3 days before the start of your cruise for a discount off the on-board price!

Final Preparations

Make sure you have your travel documents with you as you board the ship, not in your checked luggage. You’ll need everyone’s passport or citizenship documents for check-in at the port. To ensure smooth sailing, review the prohibited items list before you arrive at the port.

Sea Ya Real Soon!

It's important to know which items to pack, and which items to leave behind as you prepare for your adventure at sea. Disney Cruise Line does not allow Illegal narcotics and drugs, including synthetic, designer drugs and medically prescribed marijuana, onboard its ships. It's also important to note that Items derived from or enriched by marijuana and products that contain THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) and or CBD (Cannabidiol) are also prohibited. I recommend that you take a look at Disney Cruise Line's list of prohibited items so that your sailing crew and your suitcases can be shipshape and ready to sail.

Small chargers for things like phones, tablets, and e-readers that would be like a multiple port USB wall charger (or similar) are permitted onboard. However, extension cords, power strips, surge protectors, and multi-plugs may not be brought onto the ship. If you would need a type of extension cord or power strip for a medical reason, please visit guest services.

Please also make sure to visit THIS PAGE that shows a comprehensive list of prohibited items. I'll also direct you to THIS PAGE which gives you a comprehensive packing list to make sure you don't forget any essentials.

I'm happy to share that drinking water is free and available in many locations around the ship. You'll find a beverage station with water, tea, coffee, and complimentary soft drinks that are available 24 hours a day on Deck 9 of the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder or Deck 11 of the Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. Drinking water and complimentary soft drinks are also available in Cabanas (or Marceline Market on the Disney Wish) and will be served at dinner in the rotational dining restaurants. If you bring a water bottle, there are water bottle refilling stations for your use on the promenade deck of each vessel.

On your 7-night sailing aboard the Disney Fantasy, you will visit one of three restaurants each night: Enchanted Garden, Royal Court, and Animator’s Palate. Best of all, each night’s menu is unique and full of new and delicious choices. Your servers and tablemates will “rotate” with you to each restaurant. Before you know it, these strangers start to feel like friends. Your servers quickly learn your favorite drink preferences and are always delighted to share entrée suggestions. Disney Cruise Line does a wonderful job matching tablemates with similar demographics. You will probably be seated with fellow solo passengers, couples, or friends traveling together. Some of my favorite cruise memories include our dining companions. It’s nice to share the day’s events over a delightful meal.

You could book your Walt Disney World Resort portion of your vacation separately, but I recommend that you give the Cast Members at Disney Cruise Line reservations a call at (800) 951-3532 to add a Walt Disney World Resort visit to your cruise vacation. By booking directly through Disney Cruise Line, you will be able to add Disney Resort hotel reservations and theme park admission. Plus, you can add ground transportation transfers that will pick you up from your Disney Resort hotel and take you directly to the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral and then back to Walt Disney World Resort at the end of your cruise. That will make your vacation a smooth sailing journey!

Since it's your family's first cruise, I would recommend booking a mid-ship or aft stateroom (in that order). Forward staterooms tend to feel the most motion of the sea and just in case you have anyone prone to seasickness, a strategic location might help lessen those symptoms. Along these same lines, cabins on the lower levels tend to feel less motion than those on the uppermost decks, so I would recommend booking deck 7 or lower for your first sailing.

Another factor I consider when booking our room location is all of our priorities on the ship. For example, if you want to have quick access to pools and dining, I would book something close to a main elevator. If visiting Disney's Oceaneer Club is a must-do for your kids, I would select a room on the same deck so that you can quickly check in and out!

(On the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the kids' clubs are located on deck 5. On the Disney Wish, the kids' club is located on deck 2.)

You will be happy to know that Super Bowl LVII is scheduled to be broadcast aboard all Disney Cruise Line ships. Now, since the ship will be located in International waters, there could be challenges receiving the signal. Just check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once onboard for specific times. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for calm seas and clear skies and that you get to watch without any fumbles.

I have two options for watching the big game that I’ll pass along to you.

First, my planDisney pal has enjoyed watching not one, but two Super Bowls while aboard a Disney cruise ship. She recommends ordering some wings from complimentary Room Service and taking them up to deck 12 to watch the game on FunnelVision. That sounds like a great play call to me!

If the weather isn’t cooperating or you would rather watch indoors, the adults in your party can call an audible and watch in Keg & Compass on Deck 5. On my recent Disney Wish cruise, we enjoyed some libations in this Old World adventure-inspired pub and were able to cheer our favorite college team to victory. One pro tip: don’t forget to look up and be in awe of the grand maritime map that spans the entire ceiling of Keg & Compass. You just might intercept some Disney icons!

There’s nothing I love more than having a Disney Cruise Line vacation to look forward to. Your family is going to have such a marvelous time on the Disney Wish. With immersive dining experiences, beautiful Bahamian ports of call, and family-friendly entertainment, there’s magic for Guests of all ages on board.

Although smoking is prohibited inside all Guest staterooms and on stateroom verandahs, you’ll find three convenient smoking locations onboard – Deck 14, forward and aft, port side, and Deck 4, port side, between 6:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.