There’s nothing quite like setting sail on a Disney Cruise! From Broadway-style entertainment and character experiences to incredible dining and beautiful destinations, a Disney cruise offers something for everyone in the family.
But if you’ve never sailed with Disney Cruise Line before, you might have a few questions about what to expect, what to pack, and how to make the most of your vacation.
Whether you’re planning a family getaway, a couples vacation, or your first sailing with little ones, a little preparation can go a long way.
Here are 15 things you should know before stepping aboard your first Disney Cruise!
1. A Lot More Is Included Than You Might Think
One of the biggest surprises for first-time cruisers is just how much is included in the cruise fare.
Your cruise includes your stateroom, most meals, complimentary beverages at designated locations, snacks, soft-serve ice cream, Broadway-style entertainment, deck parties, character experiences, pools, waterslides, and youth clubs.
There is plenty to enjoy without constantly reaching for your wallet!
However, certain experiences come at an additional cost, including alcoholic beverages, specialty dining, spa services, Port Adventures, onboard photography, and nursery childcare.
Understanding what’s included before sailing can help you plan your vacation budget.
2. Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
If there’s one app you need before your cruise, it’s the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app!
Before sailing, you can use the app to view your reservation, explore your ship, review important travel information, and keep track of your upcoming plans.
Once onboard, the app becomes your personal guide to everything happening around the ship.
You can view daily activities, showtimes, dining information, character appearances, and more. You can even use the onboard chat feature to stay connected with other members of your travel party.
Our tip? Download the app before you leave home and get familiar with it!
3. Your Dining Experience Is Different Than You Might Expect
Disney Cruise Line is known for its unique Rotational Dining experience.
Instead of eating at the same restaurant every evening, you’ll rotate between different themed dining restaurants throughout your sailing.
One of the best parts? Your dining team rotates with you!
Your serving team gets to know your preferences, dietary needs, and even your favorite drinks as the cruise goes on.
Depending on your ship, you’ll experience restaurants with unique themes, entertainment, and storytelling woven into the dining experience.
It’s one of the details that makes Disney Cruise Line so special.
4. There Are Two Main Dinner Seating Times
When booking your cruise, you’ll typically select a preferred dinner seating.
Disney Cruise Line generally offers two dinner seatings: an earlier seating and a later seating. The exact times can vary by ship and itinerary.
If you’re traveling with younger children, the earlier seating may be more convenient for bedtime routines.
The later seating may work better for families who prefer a slower afternoon or enjoy staying up a little later.
You can check your assigned dining time through your reservation and the Navigator app.
5. Your Stateroom May Be Ready Later Than You Expect
On embarkation day, you might be ready to head straight to your room, but staterooms aren’t always immediately available when you board.
Rather than waiting around, take advantage of the time to explore the ship, grab lunch, enjoy the pool decks, and start experiencing everything onboard.
Keep your essentials in a carry-on or day bag, including:
- Swimsuits and cover-ups
- Sunscreen
- Medications
- Important travel documents
- Anything you’ll need before your checked luggage arrives
Your checked luggage will be delivered to your stateroom later in the day.
6. Pack a Separate Embarkation Day Bag
This is especially important if you’re traveling with children!
Your checked luggage may not arrive at your stateroom until later in the afternoon or evening.
Having a separate bag with your necessities will make the first few hours much easier.
We recommend packing:
- Swimsuits for the family
- Sunscreen
- Diapers and wipes
- A change of clothes
- Snacks for little ones, if needed
- Medications
- Travel documents
Think of it as your first-day survival bag!
7. Character Experiences Are Included!
One of the biggest highlights of a Disney Cruise is getting to meet your favorite Disney characters.
Throughout your sailing, you’ll have opportunities to see characters in their cruise outfits, enjoy themed interactions, and take photos with some familiar faces.
Many character experiences are complimentary, although certain special experiences may require advance reservations.
Be sure to check the Navigator app for character appearance times and locations so you don’t miss your favorites!
8. The Broadway-Style Shows Are Worth Seeing
Even if you’re not usually someone who attends live theater, don’t skip the entertainment onboard!
Disney Cruise Line offers incredible theatrical productions featuring talented performers, elaborate costumes, original music, and impressive stage effects.
Show offerings vary by ship, but these productions are often a highlight of the entire vacation.
The best part? Most onboard theatrical entertainment is included in your cruise fare.
Make time to see the shows during your sailing. You won’t regret it!
9. Kids Clubs Are Included in Your Cruise Fare
Traveling with children? Disney Cruise Line has some incredible youth spaces!
The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab offer themed activities, games, and experiences designed for younger cruisers. There are also dedicated spaces and programming for tweens and teens.
These spaces allow children to enjoy their own adventures while parents have an opportunity to relax, enjoy an adults-only dinner, or explore the ship.
For families traveling with infants and toddlers, Disney also offers the “it’s a small world” nursery! for children under age 3. Nursery services require an additional fee and reservations are recommended.
It’s a great option to consider if you’re hoping to enjoy some grown-up time during your vacation.
10. Not All Pool Areas Allow Swim Diapers
This is a particularly important tip for families traveling with babies and toddlers!
Disney Cruise Line has designated splash areas for younger children, but swim diapers are not permitted in the main swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, or waterslides.
Children who aren’t toilet trained can enjoy designated toddler water play areas while wearing swim diapers.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with the pool policies for your specific ship before sailing.
11. There Are Plenty of Extra Costs to Consider
Although so much is included in a Disney Cruise, you’ll want to budget for additional expenses.
Some extras you may want to plan for include:
- Gratuities for your dining team and stateroom host
- Alcoholic beverages
- Specialty coffee and select premium drinks
- Adult-exclusive dining experiences
- Port Adventures and excursions
- Spa treatments
- Onboard photography
- Souvenirs and merchandise
Disney currently recommends gratuities of $16 per night, per guest, including children and infants, for standard staterooms. This amount is subject to change, so check the latest guidance before sailing.
Knowing what to budget for ahead of time can help prevent surprises when your vacation ends.
12. Book Onboard Experiences Ahead of Time
Some of the most popular Disney Cruise experiences can fill up quickly!
Depending on your sailing and eligibility, you may be able to reserve experiences such as:
- Adult-exclusive dining
- Port Adventures
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Nursery reservations
- Spa treatments
- Special onboard experiences
Your advance booking window depends on your Castaway Club membership level.
If there’s something specific you really want to experience, check your booking window and make reservations as soon as you’re eligible.
13. Don’t Forget to Check Your Travel Documents
This might not be the most exciting part of planning your cruise, but it’s one of the most important!
Travel documentation requirements vary depending on your itinerary, departure port, nationality, and ports of call.
For eligible round-trip sailings from certain U.S. ports, some U.S. citizens may be able to sail using an original state-issued birth certificate and appropriate government-issued photo identification instead of a passport.
However, passport requirements differ for other itineraries and destinations.
We always recommend reviewing Disney Cruise Line’s official travel documentation requirements well before your departure date.
Don’t wait until the week of your cruise to figure this one out!
14. Arrive at Your Departure Port the Day Before
If you’re flying to your cruise departure port, consider arriving at least one day before embarkation.
Flight delays, cancellations, and unexpected travel hiccups can happen. Arriving early gives you some breathing room and helps prevent unnecessary stress on embarkation day.
This is especially helpful when traveling with children or coordinating flights for a larger family.
Consider booking a hotel near your departure port and arranging transportation to the cruise terminal ahead of time.
Your vacation should start with excitement, not a race against the clock!
15. You Don’t Have to Plan Every Single Minute
Perhaps the best advice for first-time Disney cruisers is to leave a little room for spontaneity.
It’s easy to get caught up trying to experience every show, character appearance, activity, restaurant, and attraction.
But some of the best memories happen when you slow down.
Enjoy a morning coffee overlooking the ocean, spend an afternoon by the pool, grab another ice cream, watch a movie, or simply enjoy time with your family.
There is so much to experience onboard, but you don’t have to do everything to have an incredible vacation.
Ready to Set Sail on Your First Disney Cruise?
A Disney Cruise is so much more than a vacation at sea. It’s an opportunity to experience incredible entertainment, unforgettable dining, beautiful destinations, and plenty of Disney magic along the way.
With a little preparation and the right planning, your first sailing can be an experience your family remembers for years to come.
Not sure which ship, itinerary, or stateroom is right for your family?
That’s where Academy Travel can help!
Our travel advisors can help you compare Disney Cruise Line ships, explore available itineraries, navigate the booking process, and plan all the details leading up to your sailing.
