DISNEY CRUISE TIPS & FAQs

Best time to go

When is the cheapest time to cruise?

Saving time and maximizing fun

Boarding times, short or long cruise, making the most of the trip

What you need to know

How to get free souvinirs, what to pack etc.

Where to stay

Where to stay depends on your port of departure

Shop Disney

Best time to go

Disney Cruises caters to family with kids, so be prepared to pay an arm and a leg if cruising during summer or winter break. We picked a weekend in March to go before spring break and a friend of ours booked the same itinerary for June and paid double what we paid! If you want the experience without breaking the bank, pick a 3-4 day cruise that perhaps your kids have a break that doesn’t coincide with other major holidays.

Maximizing Fun Time

We procrastinated “checking in” to our cruise thinking it didn’t matter. It did! The earlier you checked in the more available times you can select to board the ship. With Disney there’s so many activities you want to be the first group to board. Plus you don’t have to pay for lunch outside as they serve lunch before departure (as with other cruises). So have those swim suits ready for the kids to use the pool or waters slides as you can enjoy those activities before your room is ready. You also need to line up to get the limited tickets to have picture taken with the princesses.

Things to know

Did you know you can get free souvenirs? Bring pillow cases or a photo frame with a bag of sharpies, send to guest services and on the day of your disembarkment your room will have them signed by Disney characters, your choice of princesses or Mickey & Friends.

Bring an autograph book, they can be signed by characters on board. You can also give your camera to the staff, they will take pictures for you so you don’t have to buy, but it is dark inside and their lighting is probably better.

Bring pirate costumes for dress like a pirate night. Princess costumes for the girls makes for nice pictures.

Bring your own snorkel gear to save money on their private island

Where to Stay

If you are traveling to the cruise, plan on arriving the day before. You don’t want to drive in or fly in the morning of the departure because you’d be too tired to enjoy the trip, miss out on early embarking and there is a higher chance of missing your cruise for unforseen delays.

Stay at an affordable hotel in the area. The ones that give free parking for cruises actually mark up their hotel nights to account for the costs, so anywhere with a cheap rate is fine.

Definitely try to board early and enjoy their buffet, they have stone crab claws!

What to do

Our comments is geared towards Bahamas as that’s where we went. I’d recommend skipping the excursions as majority of them try to get you to spend money in Atlantis. We took a bus to the local zoo and the highlight was holding the parrots. You can also book a resort for a day which might be cheaper than the excursions and enjoy relaxing time on the beach.

For Disney, I recommend staying on the ship to use the water slide because there is no line when people are on excursions. The kids can join the kids club while parents relax.

Bring snorkel gear for Disney’s private island, they have beautiful underwater statue to explore

FAQ

CAN WE BRING DRINKS ON BOARD?

Disney used to be the only cruise that allows you to bring alcohol on board, and since there fountain drinks are complimentary, we made some amazing cocktails to enjoy. I believe they updated their policy since, so check with the cruiseline to make sure. They do offer unlimited soda and juices and they had the best orange passionfruit juice (cannot find it anywhere!)

HOW KID FRIENDLY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

Disney has a decked out kid’s program, and they have a free game kids can play and solve puzzles around the ship. Their kids program is across many rooms and caters to all ages. They even baby sit the kids during the excursions. Other cruiselines we’ve been on either close or ask for extra payment. They have wave phones to reach you if your child needs attention and by far the best children’s area.

WHAT DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE?

Disney rarely discounts. Cruise when there is less crowds and when kids are in school. If you are a family of 5 like us, you likely have to get 2 rooms because most rooms max at 4. Try to get another family of 5 to go with you to split the 3rd room for most affordable trip. They give military discounts which is very nice.

RECOMMENDED FOOD?

We enjoyed stone crabs every day at the lunch buffet and had chilean sea bass at the Cinderella’s Restaurant. Definitely classier food than other cruiselines. Get the orange passionfruit juice located where the buffets are, they are a treat.

WHAT ELSE IS THERE TO DO ON BOARD?

Aside from the kid’s scavenger hunt game which is free(I forgot what it’s called but they run around the ship trying to find something with beacons or interactive screens), there are free kids club and many other activities. Their shows should not be missed. Grab an early dinner and get to a show, it will be an evening well spent.

If you didn’t get a chance to buy some of your souvinirs or you want to be prepared ahead of time to avoid wasting time at the stores, check out some of our recommendations below. These have been evaluated for value, use, sentimental value and more. Best of all Disney Store often offers coupons for additional savings which you might not get at the park or cruise.

Product
Why We Recommend
Link

Disney Autograph Book and Pen

Serves as a souvenir, affordable and child can ask for signatures when taking pictures with Disney Characters

Pirate Accessories

For dress like a pirate night. They provide bandanas so purchase accessories, costumes to complete the look for some family fun photos!

Princess Tiaras

Where else can you princess dress like one and be completely normal. While less practical to where these at the parks, she will feel like royalty on board the cruise ship.

Princess Sleep Gowns

We love these nighgowns because these look nice enough as day wear and with a cruise it’s acceptable for the kids to walk around in these. It’s also cheaper than a regular princess gown.