Up-To-Date Disney Cruise Tips & Information

Disney Cruises are worth every penny AND ounce of stress you will spend in preparation to hit the open seas. Here are some tips and valuable pieces of information that I wish I fully understood prior to my first Disney sailing. Once I experience something for myself, I enter a new level of “I’ve got this”. That is why the Disney Travel Agents with tons of sailing experience under their belts are worth their weight in pixie dust! I am not affiliated with Disney and I am not trying to sell you anything. I would still recommend taking advantage of a very well established Disney Travel Agent (TA) that knows every nook and cranny of the ships, because your trip fees include their services whether you use them or not.

1. You can’t do it all!

It is important to accept the fact that you can’t possibly do everything on your first, second, or maybe even third cruise. Expectation management is vital. Talk to your family to make a list of a FEW things you want to do as priority, and go from there. Give yourself time to relax and enjoy the ship because it has so much to offer that you have already paid for! My kid would be content just riding the AquaDuck all day and eating a burger and fries from Flo’s Café.

2. Arrive the day before you sail – PLEASE.

I can’t be the first person you have heard this tip from if you have done any research at all. If anything goes wrong, the ship DOES NOT WAIT FOR YOU. PERIOD. Disney Cruises are expensive, and flights are notoriously unreliable lately, so don’t gamble that much money if you can help it. I like to stay at a hotel nearby with a shuttle service to the port.

3. Save a little with discounted Disney Gift Cards.

Save 5% on Disney Gift Cards by purchasing with a Target RedCard or with a Sam’s Club membership. Then, use the gift cards to pay off your balance. That really adds up when you are looking at a few thousand dollars for the price of a cruise. Gift cards can also be added to your onboard account at Guest Services to save money during your cruise. Cards can be combined into one (up to $1,000/card) via Disney Gift Card website. If you have a credit card that gives you points or cash back on Disney Gift Card purchases, that is potential for double savings! Seth is going to ask why I didn’t make this effort to save on our cruises… sorry babe! Next time!

4. Staterooms are not created equal.

“Inside” staterooms are the most affordable, smallest rooms sleeping 3-4 guests. For your first cruise, you would be fine with this option if you really need to budget. There is no natural light since there is no real porthole, but the Fantasy & Dream ships have virtual portholes with a live cam. “Oceanview” rooms have 1-2 portholes sleeping 3-5 guests. “Verandah” rooms have a private balcony with floor to ceiling windows sleeping 3-5 guests. Once you go with a Verandah room, it is so hard to ever go back. It is so worth it to sit outside for those stunning views, ocean breezes, and photo ops! “Concierge” suites are the largest in size with 1 or 2 bedrooms, sleeping 5-7 guests, and are the most expensive. Keep in mind, you can request connecting staterooms without having to book a suite if you are traveling in a large group.

5. Dining rotations and seating times.

Find your rotation schedule on the DCL Navigator App. Dining rotation means you will physically rotate between 3 main beautifully themed dining rooms each night, and the same server team will follow you for the entire trip! Prior to your sail date, you will need to choose between the Main (early) or Second (late) seating times, at 5:45 pm or 8:00 pm, respectively. Most parties with young children opt for the early seating time. We prefer the late seating time so we can have more of an appetite for dinner, and also enjoy more of the day before rushing to get ready. In previous years, a Dine and Play Program could be requested for the kids at the late seating time (no word on if/when this will start back). The Dine and Play Program is when the kids are served dinner first so they can be escorted by a youth club staff member to the Kids Club after their meal.

6. Download DCL Navigator App prior to your trip.

This app is a game CHANGER to make your trip more effortless and efficient! I am not very organized by nature, so this little pocket itinerary is priceless to me. You can book your cruise, check-in online, manage activities, and make payments prior to your cruise in the app. On the ship, you will not have cell phone signal (unless you purchase a Wi-Fi package) so this is how you communicate with your party via chat feature. Every single activity going on each day is listed on the app with time & location too. If you save an activity of interest, the app will send you a reminder before it starts. It is a good idea to set your cell on airplane mode to avoid an outrageous bill, because you will be in international waters. We felt better giving our daughter more freedom on the last cruise since we could communicate with her via chat.

7. Complete Online Check-In for PAT ASAP!!

30 days prior to your sail date, your online check-in can begin at midnight (EST). This is when you will be able to select your port arrival time (PAT) which is important. You will fill out a ton of information, upload documents including your passport and a selfie of each guest in your party, give your travel details, and fill out additional forms such as debarkation authorization for minors (important if you have teenagers with more freedom!!).

There are 2 popular strategies for selecting the optimal PAT – maximizing time onboard vs. minimizing time in line at the port. Earlier timeslots will be the most crowded in the port with longer lines, but these will fill up the quickest. Most people like to spend more time on the ship, understandably!

8. Book your activities at midnight (EST)!!

When the clock strikes midnight, your little fingers better be ready to work fast! Once you are paid in full, your advance booking window for being able to book port adventures/excursions and onboard activities will depend on your membership level (essentially based on how many times you have cruised with DCL). The higher your membership level, the further out your window opens for first pick. If you are a first time cruiser, your booking window opens 75 days out from your sail date. Keep in mind that Silver, Gold, Concierge, and Platinum guests will have all already booked before you. The one time I used a Disney TA, she was waiting at 11:50 pm to go and book as much as she thought I would like to do. Even some of the free events like certain meet-and-greets have limited capacity! Later, I went in and tweaked the itinerary on my own when I had more time to process and figure out what we wanted to do the most. Most activities are cancellable at no cost up to 3 days before your sail date. My advice is to go in and book ALL the things you may want to do, and then you can narrow it down as your vacation gets closer. Keep track of whether you will be on the ship or not when you book. I like to do fine dining and most special activities on a Day at Sea. Do not be discouraged if something is not available at first. Keep refreshing your screen as people are frantically booking and then letting go of bookings in real time with you. You can also keep checking back prior to your cruise as people will inevitably make changes to their plans within the refundable window. Another option is emailing DCL to request being put on a waiting list for port adventures, reservations, or other activities that are full. If that doesn’t work, go to Guest Services as soon as you get on the ship to see if they have any extra openings for the things you want to do!

Here are some popular options that fill up fast in my experience – Castaway Cay private cabanas, alcohol tastings, mixology, Palo Brunch, Remy (OUR FAVORITE), character dinners, Royal Court Tea, and sports simulators.

9. You can prepay tips in advance.

Tips can be paid in advance within 3 days of your sail date by calling DCL (or your TA can take care of this for you). If you prepay, I still recommend bringing cash for additional gratuity at the end of your cruise when you see how much they deserve it. The entire Disney Crew goes ABOVE AND BEYOND to make your cruise special. I know it is a big expense, but they work incredibly hard while maintaining the most endearing attitudes. They really are the reason your Disney Cruise is so magical! We will never forget the servers we had at our dinners. Expect to tip, at minimum, $14.50 per stateroom guest, per night. This will go to your room host and 3 dinner servers.

10. Room service, it’s glorious.

One of the best nuggets of information I can share with you is that room service is available 24/7, AND IT IS INCLUDED IN YOUR STAY! Bring cash for tips, because the person delivering Mickey bars before they melt and warm cookies (with milk) before they cool off is the real hero of the week. $1-$2 per ordered item is an acceptable amount.

At some ports, you can take food off of the ship. I have ordered room service and packed it to eat during a private fishing charter excursion.

11. Bring a bathroom night light.

Most of the bathrooms are split style, which is nice for crowded staterooms because the toilet and shower have their own separate room. We bring a motion sensor night light to avoid stubbing toes or waking up the entire cabin during late night potty trips.

12. Midship, lower cabin is best for seasick prone.

Choosing a stateroom location can be overwhelming. If you are susceptible to motion sickness like me, that can help narrow down your selection! As a pharmacist, I could really shine in this moment of motion sickness prevention and treatment discussion, but I will save that for a blog in the future. Unless there is bad weather, you likely won’t have many issues once you cross into calmer waters because the ships are so large. Midship and lower cabin locations will be the most stable options in terms of ship movement. The last thing you want is to feel sick on the cruise you have long anticipated, so don’t forget to pack your desired meds. I prefer Meclizine (no prescription required) for motion sickness/vertigo symptom prevention and Ondansetron (Zofran, requires prescription) for nausea treatment. I have only used Sea-Bands with medication, so I personally can’t speak to their efficacy as a solo non-pharmacological agent. See email form at the bottom of this page if you have any mediation related questions!

13. Packing less is more.

This little tip is not coming from a place of judgement, friends. I used to pack an entire suitcase just for shoes. I am now healed. I now pack efficiently with only a carry-on for flights, so you can do this! The staterooms are pretty lacking in storage space for an entire family, so try to pack intentionally. You do not need to pack beach towels. I like to bring a pop-up hamper to store in the closet for dirty clothes, then fold it down to bring all my dirty laundry home separately from everything else. We also found it useful to hang an over-the-door shoe organizer on the cabin wall (or door) with magnetic hangers to store all of our small items such as sunglasses, sunscreen, lanyards, etc. Suitcases can be stored under your bed!

In the future, I will do a separate blog for packing. For now, here is a quick and dirty list of essentials:

• Required documents (prepare in advance!!), basic leisure clothes/undergarments/shoes, swimwear, sweater for chilly nights, sunglasses, special dining attire (Formal Night or adults-only restaurants), Pirate Night gear (if applicable), kid’s costumes, night light, refillable cup for each person, lanyard, magnetic cabin door decorations (helps kids recognize your door and it’s fun), magnetic wall hanger for wet swimsuits, an old gift card or hotel card for cabin light slot activation (see tip #26), nausea/diarrhea/headache medications, snorkel gear (if you don’t want to rent), USB hub splitter, multi-port wall charger, CASH for tips/ports, an extra bag for shopping goods, waterproof phone case, autograph book, alcohol, detergent pods if you wish to do laundry onboard.

• If you booked Remy or Palo in the past, the past dress code was NOT a suggestion. You would be turned away in the most polite way possible if you tried to bend the rules. The dress code has since been relaxed and revised, so please review before cruising to ensure you’re up to date with requirements.

14. You can BYOB!

Even if you don’t drink much, this tip can really save you money. Alcoholic beverages onboard add up quickly! Each guest over 21 years old is permitted to bring 2 bottles of wine (up to 750 mL each) or 6 beers (up to 12 oz each) at embarkation or at each port of call. Containers must be unopened and in a carry-on bag.

The Disney Wonder (Cadillac Lounge) and Disney Wish (Rose and Bayou Lounge) have a Sommelier Bin which is a cost-effective way to try expensive wines (red, white, or sparkling) at $10-$11/glass.

Alcohol tastings are worth the money and SO MUCH FUN!! You will be given hard to find, expensive alcohol servings for a steal of a price. We have done several of these and always make friends. My favorite is probably the Liquor and Chocolate tasting!

15. Pack an Embarkation day bag.

Your luggage will be tagged and sent to your stateroom upon arrival to the port. Based on your Port Arrival Time, you could be separated from your luggage for a few hours since rooms aren’t ready until around 1:30 pm. Pack a bag to carry on the ship with you. I usually wear my bathing suit under my clothes that day, and pack sunscreen, sunglasses, phone charger, cash, and important documents in a carry-on bag. You can eat lunch at the Cabanas buffet or main dining room, ride the AquaDuck (if applicable) with the shortest lines of the entire trip, and enjoy the Sail Away Celebration onboard. Don’t forget to go to Guest Services first thing if you weren’t able to score special dinner reservations or a spot on an excursion.

16. Get familiar with the ship layout.

Each ship is different and equally overwhelming during your first stay. Any amount of research or studying the layout beforehand will help you so much. Once you are oriented, you waste less time wandering around the ship hunting for the adult’s only Quiet Cove before your kids want to leave the Oceaneer Club. Been there!! The Navigator App is great for detailed maps and directions too.

17. Castaway Cay regrets.

As I mentioned above, the private cabana rentals will fill up quickly! I really regret planning a long fishing excursion at Castaway Cay during my first cruise. Unless your cruise itinerary is making 2 stops at this beloved private island, it is hard to enjoy it all in just 1 full day. Here you will find snorkeling, a waterpark, characters, volleyball, parasailing, jet skis, bikes, games, Kids Club, shops, bars, 3 beaches, and much more. Order a beverage in a Disney souvenir cup, they’re so fun to bring back home! Serenity Bay is the adults only beach which has a “secret” lunch that is different than the other island lunches. I have never had the ribeye there, but the legend of it will haunt me until I do. The lunches we have had on other parts of Castaway Cay are really great though, and they’re included with your cruise.

18. Kids Club deets.

The coveted Oceaneer Club and Lab is included in the price of your Disney Cruise, and most kids can’t be pried away once they check-in. Kids ages 3-12 can enjoy a break from their parents to make friends from all over the world! I never thought in a million years that I would be comfortable leaving Brooklyn here, but it is so impressively safe and fun! The temporary reservation requirement for the Kids Club has been lifted as of 2022, praise be! Many people aren’t aware that the Kids Club is available on Castaway Cay, which means you can sneak over to Serenity Bay and eat that ribeye for me. Also, don’t skip the “Icebreakers” events offered on the first night of the cruise if your kid is a little shy.

The Small World Nursery for kids 6 months to 3 years old has reopened. It does require reservations and costs an additional hourly rate.

Tweens and Teens also have lounges tailored for their age group: Edge for ages 11-14 has fun, interactive activities for tweens. Vibe for ages 14-17 is a more hip lounge for teens with a large TV, video games, dancing, karaoke, and even talent shows.

19. Romance packages – Yes, please!

If you like to collect memorabilia from your cruise, the robes included in the Luxury at Sea for Two package are a hot commodity for DCL collectors! For $135, you get 2 plush robes embroidered with the DCL logo (one size fits most), a rose, a bottle of prosecco, and a box of chocolates! See Onboard Gifts for similar packages and other gifts you can treat yourself to by selecting “Browse by Departure Port” after clicking the link.

20. Facebook groups or online forums are GOLD.

There are Facebook groups and online forums out there for your specific cruise, so you can meet people before your trip! It is also nice to search for past discussions of a topic you may not be too sure about. Use your judgement in terms of online safety, but I have found most users to be Disney-loving, fun people wanting to make connections.

21. Onboard photo ops.

Take advantage of photo stations before dinner and on the beach, especially on formal night! The cast members will even use your cell phone to take a picture of your family, which costs you nothing. I know it can be a pain to wait in line, but it is also a pain to realize you have no photos of your loved ones at the end of your cruise. If it weren’t for my photos, I would have no idea what we all wore each night for dinner or which characters we got to meet each day.

22. Save 10% on a future cruise!

DCL discounts are very hard to come by, and I fully regret not knowing more about this “Placeholder” reservation with a fully refundable, reduced deposit of $250 before our cruises. Normal bookings require 20% of the total fare be paid up front. This really is a risk-free way to save 10% off prevailing cruise rates and plan details later, because you know good and well you will be back on that ship one day!

Find this deal on the Navigator App (under Cruise Information you will see “10% Off a Future Cruise”) or go to Future Travel Desk onboard. This deal is ONLY available while you are on the ship! You will be given a reservation number in order to apply this Placeholder to your chosen cruise later by calling Disney, and it must be used within 24 months of the purchase date. It can also be transferred to a TA within 30 days if you did not name one during your initial booking. There are some blackout dates where the Placeholder discount is not applicable, such as a few holiday themed cruising dates. This can’t be used for Guaranteed Stateroom or Concierge Stateroom bookings either. The person who booked the Placeholder must be on the final booking.

23. Fly home stress-free.

Don’t book return flights too early to avoid rushing or missing your flight. Everyone is usually off the ship by 9 am, but this can be delayed. Bad weather can delay the ship or clog up the airports with flight delays. It is also nice to have one last sit-down Disney breakfast on the morning of disembarkation. I would recommend not scheduling flights any sooner than 12:00 pm. I personally book our flights after 1:00 pm for extra time cushion. You can always eat lunch at the airport if you make good time that day!

24. Port Adventures can be booked outside of Disney.

For those who did not know, you can book excursions/port adventures outside of Disney. Just search your Disney Facebook group or Google for ideas at each port destination. I have booked Hunter Charters for a private deep sea fishing charter in Nassau and they were AMAZING! I have also booked the Disney Pearl Island excursion in Nassau which was great too! Before your window opens up to book via Disney, do some research to see what other options are available so you are prepared to compare later. The biggest benefit to booking with Disney is knowing you will never be left behind at the port if the excursion is delayed, and you won’t be stuck with the bill should the port itinerary change last minute. The biggest benefit to booking though a non-Disney company could be cost savings for the very same excursions, with more options. A good rule of thumb is to schedule arrival back to the port 2 hours before the ship is scheduled to depart if you do book a non-Disney excursion. Once you are safely back at the port, you have time to shop around for souvenirs.

25. “Remy is the best deal on the ship!” – Seth Kendler

This subject deserves its own blog in my opinion. The first time we ate at Remy, I was super nervous because 1) it isn’t cheap and 2) I have a naive, childlike palate. The French-inspired fancy food was absolutely mind blowing. Even if something looks weird, just eat it. It will rock your taste buds! Remy is only on the Dream and Fantasy ships. Our friends dined with us for our second time at Remy, and it was an unforgettable experience. Expect an exquisite atmosphere, gourmet food, rare wines and cheeses, a life-changing luxurious water menu, decadent desserts, unmatched service, and to feel like royalty! It would be difficult to find similar Michelin-star chef created menus at this price. I have since found and ordered myself the Welsh Tau water that we fawned over at dinner. We were not impressed with the Palo dinner if you have experienced it and are looking to compare. It was good, but not worth the price since the included dinners were equally (or more) delicious in our opinion.

26. I’ll leave the light on for you.

My final tip was briefly mentioned earlier in the packing section, but I would like to elaborate. The stateroom lights and TV require a card to be in a slot by the door to operate. DCL wants you to use your Key To The World Card (KTTW) to help conserve energy. The issue is that many of us run out of the room forgetting this very important card in the slot, or we like to keep it tightly tucked in our lanyard for safekeeping. Bringing another card the size of a credit card just makes life easier, but please be mindful and turn off the lights when you go out. If you forget, the room host will usually do this for you.

I hope my tips have been helpful! I know it seems like an overload of information, but after experiencing your first cruise, it will all come together to make more sense. Don’t feel like you have to be an expert to go have a great time. Remembering some of these tips can make your trip much more enjoyable! Please leave a comment below or use the email form if you have any other questions or tips to share! – Amanda