The Mommy Mouse Clubhouse

25+ Disney Cruise Tips to Know Before You Go

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As a seasoned Disney cruiser, I’ve learned a lot of tricks and insider secrets that can make all the difference in your cruise vacation. If you’re planning your first Disney cruise , here are some tips to help you navigate the pre-booking process, pack your bags, and make the most of your time onboard!

The Disney Dream and Disney Magic cruise ships in Cozumel, Mexico.

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The Best Disney Cruise Tips

A Disney Cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many people that can create unforgettable memories for the whole family. However, planning and executing your Disney cruise vacation requires careful consideration and preparation to ensure the best possible experience.

From packing essentials to insider knowledge, the best Disney cruise tips can help you get the most out of your vacation. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a veteran of the seas, this article will provide a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your next Disney cruise like a pro.

Get ready to set sail and make some magical memories with some of the best Disney Cruise tips around!

Disney Cruise Line Get a Free Quote call Get Away Today & mention Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you.

Check out prices below or get a free quote by calling 877-510-2929 and let them know Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you!

Pre-Cruise Tips

Preparing thoroughly before embarking on a Disney Cruise is always key. This section is all about pre-cruise tips and tricks that’ll have you feeling like a seasoned Disney cruiser before you even climb aboard.

Disney cruises are incredibly popular, and some cabins can sell out months in advance. Decide on your travel dates and book your cruise as soon as possible to secure the best room and any promotions that may be offered during that time.

Funnel on the Disney Dream.

Get the Best Cruise Rates

Generally, the farther out from the cruise you get, the lower the price is. As the date approaches and demand goes up, so does the price. If possible, book your cruise as soon as dates are available (usually 12-18 months in advance).

You can also get a great deal if your desired cruise date offers a guaranteed rate. These rated can be found by searching for your cruise or by clicking on “Special Offers” on the Disney Cruise Line website.

If you are interested in these rates, they do come with stipulations. Many times Disney will choose your room for you, you must pay in full at the time of booking, and there are no changes or refunds available for any reason.

I booked a cruise for my family of five with a “guaranteed with restrictions” rate and had a great experience. I saved over $2000 dollars booking two of these rooms over booking one deluxe family verandah suite .

A family in front of the Disney Dream at Castaway Cay.

Available Hotels Near Cape Canaveral Florida

Use a travel agent.

I always recommend using a travel agent to book your Disney Cruise. They have easy access to Disney and can take care of any problems easily that may arise. And, using a travel agent is completely free!

If you’re thinking about going on a Disney Cruise for your family, I recommend booking with my travel partner, Get Away Today. They can help you find the best ship and itinerary for your cruise vacation. I have used them many times and they have the BEST customer service. Give them a call at 877-510-2929 and mention Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you to get the best deals!

Check Disney Cruise Prices Here.

Get Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is always a good idea if you’re planning an expensive cruise. Not only can it protect your investment, but it can also cover things like missed flights or medical emergencies that may occur during your trip.

Fly in a Day Early

I highly recommend booking a flight that will arrive the day before your cruise departure. This will give you time to rest up, get acclimated to the area, and avoid any travel delays due to bad weather or airline issues.

Three United States Passports.

Update Passports

You will be leaving the country when you sail on a Disney Cruise , so it is important to have the proper documentation like a passport.

Make sure that your passport is up-to-date and not about to expire. If it is, you’ll want to get one or get it renewed as soon as possible. It can take anywhere from 2-3 months for this process depending on whether or not you pay to expedite.

If you are in a time crunch, I have found that you can contact your local Congressman to help you get a new or renewed passport very quickly. I had to contact our’s before our Mediterranean cruise and they were very helpful and happy to do it!

If you are on a closed-loop cruise (where you start and end in the same destination within the United States) you can use a certified copy of your birth certificate and a driver’s license, but I highly recommend a passport.

If something happens in a port or you have a medical emergency that requires a helicopter, you will have many problems if you do not have a passport.

Countdown for a Disney Cruise on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.

Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Disney Cruise Line has their own app that is essential to download before your cruise. A benefit of downloading this app early is that it will give you a fun countdown until your cruise, complete with Disney characters !

Before your cruise, the app will show the countdown, your stateroom number, any balance owed (which can be paid through the app), check-in, maps, future plans, and available excursions.

During your cruise, the app will show the schedule of activities, restaurant menus, dining times, and more! So definitely download the app as soon as you book your sailing!

Join Your Cruise Facebook Group

As soon as you book your cruise, search Facebook for the date and ship you will be sailing. There is almost always a Facebook group that includes other passengers on your cruise.

This is a great resource for your particular sailing and is also the place where you can sign up to participate in Fish Extender groups (more on that later) or magnet exchanges.

Set Up a Character Call

This is a fun one! Before your cruise, you can set up a Character Call from the Disney Cruise Line for free! A Disney character will call your child at home and let them know about their upcoming trip! It’s such an amazing way to build excitement prior to departure.

Four kids standing in front of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

Sign Up for Fish Extenders (If you want to)

Fish Extender groups are a group of cruise guests that sign up to give each other surprise gifts throughout the cruise. They got their name from the fish-shaped hook outside each stateroom on the Fantasy, Dream, Wonder, and Magic.

Participation in these groups is totally voluntary and whether you sign up for them or not, depends on the type of vacation you want.

I have both participated and not participated in Fish Extender gift exchanges on various cruises and both have been fun! It depends on my mood whether or not I sign up or not.

A child at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on a Disney Cruise.

Book Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

For cruisers ages 3-12, the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a really fun experience . Kids can be transformed into their favorite princess, a Royal Knight, Captain Mickey or Minnie, or even a pirate!

One tip to save money at the Bibbidi Bobbidi BoutiqueYou can read all about our experience at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique here .

These appointments can fill up quickly, so if this is an activity you want to do, make an appointment as soon as you can:

  • First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
  • Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
  • Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
  • Concierge Guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date

Cruise Check-In Tips

There are dates to know and procedures that are unique to cruising with Disney, so you’ll want to know these tips below to help you with the check-in process. With these tips, you’ll be ready to tackle everything from boarding groups to make reservations for certain onboard experiences.

Online check-in screen for Disney Cruise Line.

Know When to Check-In for a Disney Cruise

Your check-in time will vary depending on how many Disney Cruises you have been on. The breakdown is as follows:

  • First Time Guests: 30 days before sailing
  • Silver Castaway Club: 33 days before sailing
  • Gold Castaway Club: 35 days before sailing
  • Platinum Castaway Club: 38 days before sailing
  • Pearl Castaway Club & Concierge Guests: 40 days before sailing

Make a Reservation for the Princess Royal Gathering

The Princess Royal Gathering is a popular event on a Disney Cruise where guests get a reserved time to meet and greet the Disney Princesses. Reservations for the Princess Royal Gathering always fill up quickly, so you’ll want to get online and make a reservation for this event right at the 30 day mark (which is Eastern Standard Time)

If you are unable to secure a reservation, you can check with guest services or the Disney Navigator App as soon as you board the ship, to find out if there are any openings.

Get an Early Port Arrival Time (PAT)

When you check in for your Disney Cruise , you will be able to select your PAT or Port Arrival Time. I like to choose the earliest time that I can, so I can maximize my time on the ship!

Disney Cruise Port in Port Canaveral, Florida.

Tips for Booking Cruise Port Adventures (Excursions)

Port Adventures (also known as excursions) will vary by cruise. The following tips & tricks will help you with making reservations for fun on the land!

Research Port Adventures Ahead of Time

You can find a list of all port adventures for your destinations at www.disneycruise.disney.go.com . I like to go through them and decide which excursions I want to do so that I’m ready when it’s time to book.

You are able to cancel Port Adventures up to 3 days before sailing and once completed, they will be charged to your onboard account.

Book Excursions As Soon As Possible

Some popular excursions sell out quickly, so it’s a good idea to decide what excursions you want to participate in and book them as soon as your booking window opens up. To book, your cruise must be paid in full. Here is the excursion booking schedule:

  • First-Time Cruisers: 75 days before sail date
  • Silver Castaway Club Members (2nd – 5th cruise): 90 days before sail date
  • Gold Castaway Club Members (6th – 10 cruise): 105 days before sail date
  • Platinum Castaway Club Members (11th – 25th cruise): 120 days before sail date
  • Concierge Guests & Pearl Castaway Club Members (26th+ cruise): 123 days before sail date

A man and a child on an orange water tricycle in Cozumel beach break excursion.

Check Excursion Prices with Other Companies

When planning your cruise, it is important to know that you are not limited to the excursions offered through Disney Cruise Line. There are many tour companies that offer similar excursions in most ports of call. Some even have a cheaper price tag!

Before booking, search the internet for your port and compare excursions with Disney Port Adventures to find the right one for you! During my Mediterranean cruise last summer, I did a combination of Disney Port Adventures and private tours and loved all of the experiences.

Explore On Your Own

Often times when you visit a port, you don’t even need an organized excursion. Do some research for your ports of call, but I have had luck grabbing a taxi and heading to the beach on my own.

Skip a Port and Stay on the Ship

Sometimes its worth it to skip a port and stay on the ship! This allows you to enjoy the ship with fewer people, meaning you can use the pools and water slides with no lines!

My family did this when the Disney Wonder was in port in Ensenada, Mexico as well as when the Disney Fantasy was in St. Thomas and we had a great time.

A Minnie Mouse suitcase.

Cruise Packing Tips

When it comes to packing, make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and swimwear. Disney cruise ships have multiple pools and water features, and it’s easy to spend the majority of your time outside. Read my complete Disney Cruise packing list here.

Don’t Overpack

Even though I have an extensive packing list for Disney cruises here, don’t feel like you need to bring everything, especially when it comes to clothing.

The laundry facilities are easy to use on a Disney Cruise , so I often pack half of what I think I need and plan to do laundry if necessary.

You really only need shorts and a T-shirt during the day, a couple of swimsuits and cover-ups, nice clothes for dinner, and pirate clothes!

Pack a Light Sweater

Even in tropical climates, it can get cold on the ship. I always pack a light sweater to wear in the theaters and dining rooms.

Disney Cruise lanyards.

Bring a Lanyard

If this is your first cruise, you might want to think about getting a lanyard to carry your Key to the World Card. This card will be your room key, will allow you to make purchases, and will be used each time you get on or off the ship.

A lanyard is nice to help you keep track of your key card, especially for kids. Check out these cute Disney Cruise Lanyards from Amazon . If you will be going on your second Disney cruise or any cruise thereafter, Disney will give you a lanyard.

Cash for Tips

Gratuities will be charged to your card at the end of your cruise for your room attendant and diing service team, but you will need to tip the porters who collect your luggage, room service attendants, and possibly tour guides on excursions. Bring some cash in small denominations so that you can easily provide tips during your stay.

Check the Prohibited Items List

Since you will be traveling on a cruise ship, you want to make sure that the items you bring with you are approved. Disney Cruise Line has a long list of prohibited items here that you should review before packing.

Bring Your Own Pharmacy Kits

Having over-the-counter medication for common ailments can save time and money on your Disney Cruise . I like to pack my own first aid kit with motion sickness medication, ibuprofen, antihistamines, and nasal spray for allergies. This can save you time if you need to grab something quick the ship store is closed. Read my full packing list here .

Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie on the Disney Dream.

Embarkation Day Tips

The day you board your Disney cruise ship is called Embarkation Day. There are many things you need to know to have a successful embarkation day, so check out the tips below.

Port Arrival Time (PAT)

Your Port Arrival Time will be assigned to you at check-in. Try to time your arrival to the port around this time to avoid a long wait in the terminal.

Disney Transportation

Disney provides paid transportation to the ports for some cruises. If you choose to use this Disney transportation option, you will not need a Port Arrival Time.

I like to print out my paperwork for Embarkation Day to have a hard copy. To board the ship, you will need the QR code with your reservation number and port arrival time that you get at the time of check-in. It is much easier for me to keep the code printed out on a piece of paper than trying to pull it up on my phone each time I need it.

Port Arrival Form for a Disney Cruise.

Carry-On Bag

When you arrive at port, you will give your luggage to the porters and it will arrive outside your room later in the day. I like to pack a carry-on bag to store items that I want to keep with me, including my cruise paperwork and passport.

Ask to Upgrade

You might be able to upgrade your room at a lower rate when you get to the port. I have heard of many people that asked at the port if any upgrades were available and were able to move from an inside room to a verandah room or even to a concierge room for a fraction of the price of booking that room ahead of time.

Wear a Swimsuit

On embarkation day, I suggest wearing your swimsuit under your clothes. That way, you can go straight to the pool area as soon as you board and get the most out of your first day on the ship. Often you can go on the AquaDuck, AquaDunk, and AquaMouse (depending on your ship) with very short wait times.

Carry On Your Own Wine

Disney Cruise Line allows you to bring a limited amount of beer or wine onboard with you. You will need to carry this on with you (do not pack it in your luggage). Check the DCL website for specific amounts allowed an restrictions.

Pluto on the Disney Magic cruise ship.

Bring a Case of Water

You can purchase a case of water from the “Onboard Gifts” section of the Navigator App, but it is very expensive. We usually bring a case of water with us onboard in our carry-on suitcase.

Bring Your Own Soda

Soda is included on a Disney Cruise , but it is only Coke products. If you prefer a different brand, you are welcome to bring your own soda with you onboard. Just like with alcohol, and a case of water, you will need to carry it on with you.

Swim First, Then Eat

I already mentioned wearing your swimsuit on Embarkation Day, so this tip works with that. Most people head to the buffet as soon as they board and then go swimming. You can enjoy even shorter lines if you head straight to the water slides and eat lunch when you’re done!

Disney Cruise sail away party.

Find a Sail Away Spot

After attending the Sail Away Party, it’s fun to find a good spot to watch as you sail away from port. You can wave at people in port or on a neighboring cruise ship as you set sail. If you want to see some marine life, try to find a spot as far forward on the ship as you can and watch for dolphins to lead the ship out to sea!

Tour the Kids Clubs & Teen Clubs

Embarkation Day is a great time to check out the kids and teen clubs on the ship. All clubs have “open house” time on this day where anyone can go visit and see what they are all about. I like to take my kids to visit during this time so they can know what to expect.

Onboard Disney Cruise Tips

The following tips will help you with experiences while on the ship. These things are good to know so that you can be prepared and understand what is going on while you are on your cruise vacation.

A decorated stateroom door on a Disney Cruise.

Stateroom Door Decorations

It is a tradition (not a requirement) to decorate your stateroom door with cute Disney-themed magnets. You can go all out and purchase magnets from Etsy, or you can make DIY magnets yourself, which is what I did and have continued to reuse cruise after cruise!

Pirate Night

Pirate Night is one of my favorite nights on a Disney Cruise . On this night, you can dress up like a pirate! Dinner has a pirate-themed menu , and there will be a pirate show up on the pool deck.

You can make the most of this night go all out with a pirate costume (get one on Amazon or check clearance sales after Halloween) or you can put minimal effort in and just wear a T-shirt (this is what I do).

Princess Royal Gathering

For all of the little princesses out there, Disney Cruise Line offers a fun event called the Princess Gathering. In order to participate in this activity, you will need to make a reservation through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, 30 days prior to sailing (which is actually 29 days, 59 minutes, 59 seconds).

This experience is included with the price of your cruise, but making reservations is necessary. Just be aware that reservations can go quickly! But, if you are not able to snag a reservation at 30 days, keep checking the app for cancellations or talk to guest services as soon as you board the ship.

Play area inside the kids club on a Disney Cruise.

Character Meet & Greets

Another fun tip is to participate in the onboard activities, including character meet-and-greets and trivia games. Be sure to download the Disney Cruise Line app before your trip , as it will show the schedule for each event, activity, or show.

Broadway-Style Shows

On a Disney Cruise , you will experience a different show every night from Magic shows to Broadway-caliber shows like Frozen and Beauty and the Beast. The great thing about Disney is that you do not need a reservation for these shows.

Just check the Navigator app for the show and showtime each night. If you have an early dining time, you will go to the late show. If you have a later dinner time, you will go to the early show.

Daily Activities

Once you board the ship, your Navigator app will change and you will be able to see a list of activities for each day. I like to go through the activities and tap on the heart next to the activities my family wants to do each day. That way we can easily see what activities we are interested in and the app will also send you reminders about activities that you choose. Find an example of the Disney Cruise activity schedule here .

Entrance to Edge teen club on Disney Cruise Line.

Disconnect and Enjoy your Vacation

Take time to disconnect and enjoy your vacation. This might mean turning off your phone for a few hours or even for a full day. I find that it is so important to unplug from technology sometimes and just enjoy the moments of being with family. You’re spending a lot of money to go on a Disney Cruise so put away the distractions and have some fun!

Use Booster Seat for Shows

If you’re traveling with little ones, there are booster seats available for them to use while watching the shows and movies!

Pop-Up Hamper

I always bring a pop-up hamper to keep in our stateroom closet. This helps keep our room clean and organized and makes it super easy to do a load of laundry during the cruise!

Beware of the Spa

The spas on Disney Cruises are amazing and I enjoy getting a massage from time to time. Just beware ahead of time, that the cast member will give you a heavy sales pitch at the end to try and get you to purchase their products. Feel free to buy them if you want, but don’t feel pressure or guilt to purchase them if you don’t.

Entrance to Senses Spa on the Disney Dream.

If you absolutely need to bring a stroller for your little one (I’ve been there) Disney recommends that you bring your own, but there are a few available for rent on the ship. If you bring one, try to bring a small umbrella stroller. The hallways and elevators are a tight fit!

Midship Detective Agency

If your kids are looking for something fun to do, I highly recommend the Midship Detective Agency game on the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. It is a scavenger hunt-style game and it’s so much fun!

Buy Souvenirs Early

If you see something you want to buy in the gift shops onboard or at Castaway Cay, buy it. Items tend to sell out quickly (sometimes on the Day 1) and what you want might not be available the next day.

Pixie Dusting

Pixie Dusting is along the same lines as the Fish Extender gift exchange, only a lot less pressure. With Pixie Dusting, you can bring your own small gifts and treats to share with random staterooms. I actually prefer this to Fish Extenders because I can give out these surprises as I please.

Disney Wonder life preserver.

Return Kids Club Wrist Band

When your kids go to the kids clubs (Oceaneer Lab & Oceaneer Club) they will be given a wristband to wear for the entire cruise, similar to a Magic Band. You are welcome to keep this wristband as a souvenir, but you will be charged around $12-13. To avoid this charge, return the wristband to the kids club on the last night of your cruise.

Book a Placeholder While Onboard

To save money on a future cruise, you can purchase a placeholder while onboard through the Navigator app. You will pay $250 which can be applied toward the deposit for a future cruise in the next two years and you will also receive 10% off the price of your sailing.

If your future cruise is 7-nights or longer, you will also get 50% off the required deposit. Should you end up not using the placeholder, your $250 will be refunded.

If you use a travel agent to book your cruises , you will want to alert them of your placeholder and have them call Disney Cruise Line to have the placeholder transferred to them within 30 days.

In ice cream sundae from a Disney Cruise.

Disney Cruise Dining Tips

Rotational dining.

Disney Cruise Line is different than many other cruise lines when it comes to the Main Dining Room (MDR) experience. Most cruise lines have one main dining room where you will go every night for dinner unless you have a specialty dining experience booked.

With Disney, instead of heading to the same main restaurant each night, your will rotate to a different restaurant. Your dinner time will remain the same and your serving team will rotate with you as well.

Main Dining Room

When you go to the Main Dining Room for dinner, know that you can order as much or as little from each course on the dinner menu. If you want 3 appetizers and no entrée, you can go ahead and order that! Or order two desserts if that’s what you want! Your servers will be happy to get you whatever you’d like.

I also have one drink that I prefer each night (Cherry Coke Zero) so I let my serving team know that I want that each night of the cruise. This cuts down on ordering time when we arrive at the restaurant because my server has our drinks ready for us.

You can also order items from other restaurants (sometimes). On our San Diego Disney Cruise , my kids fell in love with the Strawberry Shortcake Sundae from Lumiere’s and our amazing serving team were able to get that for their dessert for the next to nights. It never hurts to ask! See everything we ate on the Disney Magic here .

Animator's Palate Dining Room on the Disney Wonder.

Late Seating

There are two different seating times on a Disney Cruise . The Main Dining time is around 5:00 and the Late dining time is around 8:00. I have done both, but I prefer the later dining because I feel like I have more time after returning from excursions, and the dining room is generally quieter because most small children utilize the main dining time.

If you prefer the main dining time but have been assigned the later dining time, you can be placed on the waitlist. If you are not moved before your cruise, make sure to ask once you board if you can switch. It isn’t always the case, but sometimes they can accommodate the change.

Themed Restaurants

One thing that sets Disney Cruises apart from other cruise lines is the themed dining experience. Each night, guests rotate to a different restaurant with a new theme and menu.

For example, on the Disney Wonder , you have the chance to dine at Tiana’s Place, themed after the Princess and the Frog movie and the menu includes things like “Mama Odie’s Creamy Tomato Soup” and “Tiana’s Buttermilk Beignets”!

Request a Private Table

Depending on the size of your party, you may or may not be seated with another family. Some people enjoy getting to know other cruisers, but for others, this is a deal breaker. If this is something you don’t want to do, you can request to be seated at a private table and Disney will do their best to accommodate your request.

A child eating a meal on a Disney Cruise.

Dining with Kids

If your kids have a hard time making it through a long dinner time, you can request that your serving team deliver their kid’s meals with the adult’s appetizers.

Once the kids have finished their meals, have an adult take them to the kids club, and then finish your meal without having them lose their patience. This works well with teenagers too, I know from experience!

Popcorn Buckets

Outside the shows and movie theaters, you are able to purchase popcorn. They have refillable popcorn buckets for sale and a refill will cost around $1.50+tip.

My boys LOVE Disney Cruise popcorn, so we bring our bucket with us each time we sail. You can also bring refillable buckets purchased at Disney World or Disneyland and get the refill price as well!

DIY Ice Cream Sundaes

A perk of sailing on a Disney cruise is the unlimited ice cream cones! One thing you can do to take this up a notch is to bring your own sprinkles, chocolate chips , nuts, and chocolate syrup. Grab a cup from the soda station and make your own ice cream sundaes!

Make a Float

Along with making hour own ice cream sundaes, you can also make your own ice cream floats combining soft serve and soda!

Ice cream station on a Disney Cruise.

Bring Your Own Soda Cups & Cup Holder

Disney cruises include unlimited soda, which you can get up on the pool deck. I like to bring our own reusable cups, with lids and straws, so that we can take our soda with us. There are small cups available at the soda stations, but there are no cups and straws.

I also like to bring along a cup holder (I get one from fast food restaurants) to make it easy to bring drinks with us to the movies and shows.

Drink of the Day

Each day or your cruise, Disney offers a “Drink of the Day”. You can purchase this for under $7 including tip!

Free Room Service

Room Service on a Disney Cruise is included with your cruise fare, but you will want to make sure to tip the cast member who delivers your order at least $1-$2 per item. We like to order war chocolate chip cookies and milk just before bedtime.

A Mickey Ice Cream Bar on a Disney Cruise.

Secret Room Service Menu

Don’t feel like you are restricted to the Room Service Menu on the Disney Navigator App. There is also a “secret room service menu” that includes things like Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bars and Uncrustables!

Order a Mickey Ice Cream Bar

Everyone loves a Mickey Ice Cream Bar at the parks, but on a Disney Cruise , you can order as many as you like! They are available for dessert in the dining rooms and also through room service.

Get Uncrustables for Excursions

For port days, I like to order some Uncrustables sandwiches (prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwiches) to take along with us on excursions. These are great as a snack for kids and adults alike. If you’re going to use this trick, make sure to order them the night before a store them in the refrigerator.

Disney Cruise Room Service Breakfast Menu.

Breakfast & Coffee from Room Service

In every stateroom , you will find a breakfast room service menu that you can fill out and place on your stateroom door at night. You will choose a time for delivery and your order will appear in the morning!

If you are a coffee drinker, many people like to order a carafe of coffee at night and it will stay warm until morning.

Cove Cafe Pastries

Cove Cafe is the specialty coffee shop on a Disney Cruise . The coffee from Cove Cafe is not free, but the pastries are! Get as many pastries and croissants as you want, and you don’t have to purchase anything. I happen to think that these pastries are better than the ones served in Cabanas (the buffet).

Cove Cafe Card

If you do like specialty coffee-make sure to get the Cove Cafe stamp card so you can get a free coffee after your 5th paid one. Also, save your card for the next cruise and use it then, previous stamps will be honored.

Disney's Castaway Cay island in the Bahamas.

Tips for Disney’s Castaway Cay

If you are going on a Caribbean Disney Cruise , you will most likely have a stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Below you will find tips and tricks to maximize your time at this amazing destination!

Adult-Only Beach

If you visit Castaway Cay, make sure to spend some time on the adults-only beach, Serenity Bay. We like to drop our kids off at the kids club on the island and take the tram to Serenity Bay. It’s quiet and a great way to start the day. You can also grab lunch, or an ice cream cone, at the BBQ restaurant.

Scuttle’s Cove Kids Club

Scuttle’s Cove is an extension of the kid’s club on the ship. The same counselors from the Oceneers Club and Oceaneers Lab will be there, which helps a lot of kids feel more comfortable. At Scuttle’s Cove, you will find sand castles, games, and a small splash pad.

Cookies BBQ restaurant on Castaway Cay.

Cookies BBQ

Cookies BBQ is the restaurant available to guests at Castaway Cay. The food is complimentary and you will find BBQ chicken, ribs, hamburgers, hot dogs, and more! Be aware that it closes at 2:00, so be sure to grab lunch before that time.

Complimentary Strollers

We always bring our stroller from home, but if you forget or don’t have one, Disney has complimentary strollers for guests to use on Castaway Cay. These are great for those who need a little assistance getting around the island.

Snorkeling Gear

Snorkeling is really fun on Castaway Cay because there are hidden Disney gems under the water. There is snorkel gear for rent on the island, or you can bring your own. We use our masks from Amazon. You will need to use a complimentary life vest available at the rental shack.

Sunscreen with Sea Lice Repellent

Some times of the year people have complained about sea lice in the waters of Castaway Cay. I combat this by bringing sunscreen that includes sea lice repellent. I use this brand from Amazon.

A red drink in a Mickey Mouse pirate cup.

Disney Cruise Debarkation Tips

The debarkation process is streamlined on a Disney Cruise. On the day you debark from the ship, you will go to breakfast around 7:00 AM if you have an early dining time, or around 8:30 if you have a late dining time. Below are some tips to help you navigate this procedure.

Express Walk-Off

For most guests, you will get a set of character-themed luggage tags on the last day of your cruise. You will fill out the tags and attach to your luggage, then set your luggage outside your room the night before debarkation.

Your stateroom host or hostess will pick up your luggage, and you will retrieve it when you get off the ship. You will be called to debark the ship by the character on your luggage tags.

If you have an early flight or don’t want to wait for your character to be called, you can do “Express Walk-Off”. To do this, you will keep your luggage with you and then debark the ship at your leisure (usually by 9:30 at the latest).

Breakfast at Cabanas or Marcelline Market

If you do not want to eat in your assigned Main Dining Room restaurant the morning of debarkation, the buffets (Cabanas and Marceline Market) are generally open until 8:30 am on debarkation day. There are fewer options on debarkation day, but it is an option for you if you prefer the buffet breakfast.

The Disney Dream docked at Castaway Cay.

Disney Cruise Frequently Asked Questions

A Disney cruise includes a variety of amenities and activities on board, such as dining, entertainment, recreation options, a fitness center, soda, free room service, and unique experiences like character meet & greets.

Alcoholic drinks, spa services, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, shore excursions, and some restaurants.

Yes! Disney Cruise Line offers the Oceaneers Club and Oceaneers Lab for children ages 3-12, as well as Scuttle’s Cove Kids Club on Castaway Cay.

Yes, each ship has several pool areas with waterslides, hot tubs, and other family-friendly water activities.

Yes, you can bring a certain amount of beer or wine. Check the Disney Cruise Line website for current restrictions.

The cost of a Disney cruise varies depending on the length, destination, and time of year. Generally speaking, 3-4 night cruises start at around $1000 per person.

Yes and no, depending on the cruise. If the cruise is closed-loop (begins and ends in the same port) you can use a birth certificate and valid driver’s license. But I still recommend a passport. For all other cruises, a valid passport is required for all guests on Disney Cruises. Be sure to check the Disney Cruise Line website for current passport requirements.

Yes! Disney cruise ships offer a unique experience for the entire family. The ships are full of activities and amenities that you won’t find on other cruises, such as character meet & greets, Broadway-style theatre shows, pool areas with waterslides and hot tubs, kids’ clubs, and more. There is something fun for everyone!

There are actually 5 Disney cruise ships now, and more on the way! Currently sailing are the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish.

A towel animal in a Disney cruise stateroom.

Final Thoughts

Getting ready to embark on a Disney cruise can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right planning and preparation, you can make sure that your last morning on board goes as smoothly as possible.

Whether you choose express walk-off or take advantage of breakfast at Cabanas or Marceline Market, following these tips will ensure that you have a stress-free and magical trip!

Good luck on your upcoming voyage, and happy sailing! If you have any questions, feel free to send me a DM on Instagram @mommymouseclubhouse!

Read My Disney Cruise Reviews:

  • 4-Nights on the Disney Dream

San Diego Disney Cruise

  • Mediterranean Disney Cruise

More Disney Cruise Information:

  • Disney Cruise Wi-Fi Packages
  • Disney Dream Menus
  • What to Eat on the Disney Magic

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13. Mickey Mom Blog

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Disney Fantasy Cruise Review with Ship Activities and Pictures

Disney Fantasy cruise ship

If you’re heading out on a Disney Cruise Line vacation, you may be looking for Disney Fantasy cruise reviews to prepare for your trip. Maybe you’re also wondering what activities are available onboard or what the restaurants are like on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

This Disney Fantasy trip review is from my family’s 3 day vacation with our toddler. On this Disney Cruise Line itinerary, we sailed to Castaway Cay in the Bahamas. Since this was considered a “double dip” cruise, we were able to spend TWO amazing days on Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.

In this review, we will take a look inside the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, including all the exciting activities and entertainment to enjoy onboard! 

Booking the Disney Fantasy

I booked this Disney cruise pretty last minute- about 35 days before sailing. This was nice because it meant we didn’t have long to wait before our much-anticipated trip. However, it also meant I had a lot of cruise planning to do in a short amount of time.  

During the booking process, I was able to choose a stateroom that was a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. Disney Cruise Line offers these family staterooms for cruisers who want a little extra space. I was worried about not having enough storage space and feeling cramped inside the cruise cabin.

pictures of Disney cruise ship and Disney character statues with text Disney Fantasy Cruise Review with Toddler

These family sized staterooms seemed to be the way to go to help ease my fears of claustrophobia. My husband also suggested booking a room with a verandah. We thought it would be a good place to sit and relax each day/night while our three-year-old slept.

In addition to choosing our stateroom, I also picked our dining time while booking the Disney Fantasy cruise. Disney Cruise Line offers two dining options for cruisers on the Fantasy: Main Dining at 5:45 and Late Dining at 8:15. Since we were cruising with our toddler, I felt really relieved that the Main Dining time was still available!

Cruise Itinerary

Because we were only 35 days away from our sail date, I was also able to check in for our Disney cruise right after booking it. I filled out all of our personal information and scheduled times for our daughter to attend the Princess Gathering and the Frozen Meet and Greet.

I feel like I should mention here that this sailing of the Fantasy was not the typical 7-day Caribbean itinerary. This is because the Disney Fantasy ship was just coming out of a dry dock where she received new upgrades. Once on board, I realized that a large number of the cruisers were travel agents who were cruising to see these new enhancements.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship at Castaway Cay

I am guessing that we probably would not have been as lucky with our last-minute Main Dining and character meet and greet times had more families with children been on board. After booking the cruise and events online, I called Disney Cruise Line to add on a pre-cruise hotel stay at the Hyatt Orlando Airport and Disney Cruise Line ground transportation to/from the port.

Since I arranged this through Disney, I did not have to choose a Port Arrival Time. This worked out perfectly for us because we really wanted to be on the ship early to enjoy the pools before our toddler would need a nap.

Port Canaveral

Our vacation on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship was scheduled to start in Port Canaveral, Florida. The Orlando International Airport is the most convenient option for us when wanting to sail from Port Canaveral. My family and I flew into Orlando the day before the Fantasy was scheduled to depart just to be on the safe side.

Once we got off the plane, we grabbed our bags and walked to the Hyatt, which is conveniently located inside the airport. The employee behind the desk gave us a sheet with information on our Disney Cruise Line luggage pickup for the next morning. The room and bathroom at the Hyatt were both really nice and clean.

↓↓ Visit My Etsy Shop ↓↓

Printable Cruise Planner

I was a little disappointed in the lack of any furniture on the balcony because my husband and I had planned to sit outside when our three-year-old went to bed. This turned out not to be a big deal because I ended up falling asleep early. Travelers have their choice of many restaurants inside the airport, but we chose to eat dinner at the Hyatt’s restaurant called Hemisphere.

Luckily, we didn’t have to wait for a table, and the food was really good. After dinner we walked around the nearly empty airport. The shops were still open and full of Disney, Universal, and Seaworld memorabilia. Our daughter loved seeing all the character statues that were outside the stores. 

Day 1 – Boarding the Disney Fantasy

Because we opted to have the Hyatt transfer our bags to Disney Cruise Line , we had to have them packed and sitting inside the hotel room door by 8:30 am the morning of our cruise on the Disney Fantasy. I kept an embarkation day backpack with us to carry items that we would need throughout the day.

My husband ordered breakfast from room service so that we could eat and get ready quickly in order to have our bags ready on time. We arrived at the Disney Cruise Line ground transportation area inside the airport at around 8:15 that morning. There were quite a few people already there waiting.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship at Port Canaveral

At the time of our cruise, DCL did not hand out tickets for the transfer. Instead, we sat and waited until close to 9:00 when everyone was asked to line up at once. My family happened to get lucky and make it onto the very first shuttle. Once the bus was fully loaded, it pulled out and we were on our way to Port Canaveral.

I remember wondering if we would be allowed to bring our backpack onto the motor coach with us or if we would have to store it under the bus with the luggage. No one mentioned our bag so I held it on my lap the whole time. At just after 10:15 we started pulling up to the Disney Cruise Line terminal at Port Canaveral.

Cruise Terminal

Since we didn’t have any carryon luggage stored under the bus, we hopped off and made our way into the Disney Cruise Line terminal and through security. We were among the very first people allowed in, and there was no line to check in. The process was really easy, and we were soon able to grab a table with a few seats right beside the mouse ears.

Disney Cruise Line Terminal Port Canaveral Florida

My husband walked over to the vending machines to grab a snack for our daughter. While she ate we looked over the Disney Cruise personal navigator to see what activities were offered that afternoon and evening. Shortly thereafter, Mickey Mouse came out to greet guests in the terminal. We stood in line to meet Mickey, but Goofy had taken his place by the time we got to the front of the line. I always love seeing Goofy!

Goofy at DCL Terminal Port Canaveral

We had been assigned to boarding group number 3, but the cast members didn’t begin calling numbers until around 11:30. I was surprised by how many people were assigned to each boarding group. Every time a number was called, it seemed like a hundred people went through. I guess that makes sense being that the Disney Fantasy cruise ship holds thousands! Luckily the line moved fairly quickly, and we were walking on board within fifteen minutes or so.

Boarding Day Activities

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is massive, and it provides lots of fun activities for all different age groups. Below, I will walk you through the activities we experienced after boarding.

I wanted to make sure our toddler had plenty of time to swim before her nap, so we grabbed food from the counter service restaurants on the pool deck. We were able to sit and eat at one of the many available tables. My husband realized later in the trip that he really liked the food options at Cabanas. In hindsight he was bummed that he didn’t grab his food from the buffet this first afternoon. There’s always the next cruise though!

child swimming with life vest in Disney Fantasy pool

Once we finished eating, we explored the toddler splash pad area called Nemo’s Reef and the Mickey Pool. My daughter wore one of the swim vests Disney Cruise Line had available, but the pool is really shallow. So, she probably didn’t necessarily need it.

While my husband and daughter played at the pool, I headed down to one of the main dining rooms where dining requests were being handled. I had called to request a private table for our dinners, and I was curious to see if our request had been granted.

Nemo's Reef on Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship

After waiting in line for about 5 minutes, the nice gentleman behind the desk assured me that we had been given a table for just our family. After this, I walked down to Guest Services to borrow one of the ship’s strollers. I believe they charged my credit card for the rental, but once I returned the stroller the charge was removed.

Rooms 

It was now close to 1:30, which meant our room was ready. I headed to our stateroom to meet up with my husband and toddler. Our room looked just like the pictures I had seen. We had plenty of space for the three of us, and the storage space was more than adequate.

I have to admit that I laughed when I saw the two bathroom areas though. I was prepared for them to be small, but they were tiny! They ended up being completely fine because I didn’t realize the outlets for hair dryers etc. were at the desk inside the stateroom and not in the bathrooms.

picture of water slide at Castaway Cay with text Disney Fantasy Trip Report with a Toddler

Our verandah was a nice addition to our room; although, we actually didn’t use it very much. Throughout the cruise I used my toddler’s nap times to get ready for dinner instead of sitting and relaxing on the verandah. At night, we didn’t get back to the room until almost 10:00, so we all just went to bed.

Shortly after we put our three-year-old down for her nap, our luggage arrived at our stateroom door. I used this time to unpack and organize all of our things. I had never heard of packing cubes prior to my cruise research, but I bought some for each of us to use on this trip.  

They are amazing and I don’t know how I ever traveled without them! My husband even told me they are the best things I’ve ever ordered from Amazon! You can see the ones I ordered in our printable Disney Cruise packing list .

Life Boat Drill 

It was around this time that I started to feel the movement of the ship. I’m not sure if they were getting ready to pull away from the dock or what, but I put on my seasickness bracelets just in case. Eventually, the announcements started for the safety drill.  We woke up our toddler and made our way to our assigned spot on Deck 4.

The Muster Drill was organized really well and didn’t take too long. Our three-year-old was still sleepy and upset that we woke her up, but they let me hold her throughout the drill. We had decided that we didn’t want to fight the crowds for the Sailing Away party and that we would rather explore the Oceaneer Club during this time. The problem was that we weren’t exactly sure how to get to the kids club.

Pluto on Disney Fantasy cruise ship

All of the cruisers seemed to be headed up to the pool deck, so we had to walk against the crowds on Deck 5 where the clubs were located. We were completely confused and trying to walk through swarms of people. Next time, I will make sure I know the exact path to take from the safety drill to get to our intended destination.

Oceaneer Club

The three of us finally made our way to the Oceaneer Club for their open house. We never dropped off our daughter in the clubs, but we did use them during their open house times. Several of the child caregivers were around to meet, and they were all really sweet and personable.

Disney Fantasy Oceaneer Club Toys

Andy’s Room and the race car were both big hits with our little one. She actually ended up liking the video games and drawing activities in the Oceaneer Lab even more than the Oceaneer Club activities.

After playing for a bit in the clubs, we headed to the atrium to meet some of the Disney Fantasy cruise ship’s characters. Guests had already started lining up, and I heard someone say that the first day of the cruise always has the longest lines for character meet and greets. The lines moved fairly quickly, though, and all the characters were great as always.

Disney Fantasy Restaurants

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship offers three main restaurants (aka dining rooms) for guests: Enchanted Garden, Animator’s Palate, and Royal Court. We were assigned to Enchanted Garden as our dining room for the first night of our cruise. Our two servers had wonderful personalities, and they even did magic tricks and made balloon animals to entertain kids at dinner.

We had a table to ourselves as requested; but all of the tables were really close together in every dining room onboard. We ended up talking to the family beside us quite a bit since they were seated so closely to us.

Disney Fantasy Entertainment

One of our favorite things about cruising is the ship offers so many fun things to do with kids in the evenings. Even though we sailed with our toddler on the Disney Fantasy, we were still able to enjoy nightly entertainment on the ship.

Basketball Court

After dinner we walked up to the sports deck and attempted to play miniature golf. It was really windy, and our toddler didn’t have the attention span for it so we stopped after a few holes. Then we walked over to the empty basketball court and let her run around for a bit. The view of the ocean looked really pretty from up there.

The Broadway style show for the first night was Disney’s Wishes . I was worried that we wouldn’t make it through the whole production with a three-year-old since s he is normally in bed at that time at home. We bought her some popcorn to snack on during the show, and our toddler really enjoyed herself! After the show, we headed back to our stateroom to get some sleep before our big day at Castaway Cay.

Day 2 – Castaway Cay

On the morning of our second day aboard the Disney Fantasy, my husband, 3 year old, and I woke up to a really pretty view of Castaway Cay . I had signed up my husband for the 5k at Guest Services on our first afternoon on board. **Update- You can now reserve your spot in the Castaway Cay 5k right on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App!

Castaway Cay 5k

While my husband headed to meet up with the runners in the Disney Theater at 8:00, my three year old and I went up to Cabanas for breakfast. We had tickets for the Frozen Meet and Greet and the Princess Gathering this morning. **Note that you no longer receive tickets for these events in your stateroom. Instead, a cast member at the meet and greet will check your name off a list when you arrive at your scheduled time.

Disney cruise ship and Disney character statues with text Disney Fantasy Cruise Review

Once we finished our scheduled character meet and greets, I let my toddler play in the Oceaneer Club since it was having an open house. We killed time in there until my husband was back from the Castaway Cay 5k. After he returned and we had all changed for the beach, we put our daughter in the stroller and headed onto the island.

Once we strolled off the ship, the three of us walked to the first family beach area and grabbed a couple chairs. There is a tram that comes around to pick you up if you don’t want to walk. We enjoyed our stroll, though, so we didn’t use the provided transportation.

Castaway Cay Tram

It was probably close to 10:30 at this time, and the beach was nearly empty. Our server told us at dinner that night that the adult only beach had been packed that day. This was another example of how our cruise experience onboard the Disney Fantasy was a little different since we seemed to have less kids on board.

Castaway Cay from the Disney Fantasy

The beach was perfect for us and our toddler loved playing in the sand and calm water. My husband and I pulled chairs up to the water while she played with the beach toys we had brought. The water was warm and crystal clear. **Packing Tip- The sand had some shells and rocks in it, so you may want to pack water shoes.

Lunch Buffet

After a couple hours on the beach, we strolled over to the lunch buffet where we enjoyed the BBQ style food. After lunch we strolled around the island to look around. At one point we walked passed Olaf on his way to a meet and greet. He gave our toddler a high five as he passed by, and she still talks about that to this day!

Pelican Plunge on Castaway Cay

We have traveled regularly with our 3 year old; but, this Disney Cruise was definitely the most relaxing trip we have had with our toddler. She ended up falling asleep in her stroller on Castaway Cay, so we decided to head back to the ship. Deck 4 has the most comfortable lounge chairs with such pretty views of the island. It’s also really quiet on that deck, so I parked the stroller beside a couple of chairs.

Deck 4 Lounge Chairs on Disney Magic

My husband went in to one of the open cafes and brought back dessert and drinks for us. We relaxed and enjoyed the pleasant atmosphere while our three year old slept away in the stroller.

The ship is stroller friendly, but we preferred to take the stairs instead of the elevators. It was easier for us to leave the stroller in the room while at breakfast. You can borrow a stroller from Guest Services like we did after we boarded the cruise. The ship provided a City Mini stroller, which worked perfectly because it was easy to push through the hallways. I had debated bringing a compact umbrella stroller from home, but ours didn’t recline.

Strollers, wagons, and wheelchairs available on Castaway Cay

The Disney Fantasy ship’s stroller laid back enough for our toddler to nap, which was a huge plus. This is the same stroller that I rent at Disney World because it is super easy to collapse and can be carried with one hand. I eventually ended up just buying it because we loved it so much. 

Evening Activities

After nap time, we headed back to the stateroom to shower and get ready for dinner. Our main dining room on the second night was Royal Court. We really enjoyed all the dining spaces and liked the food and atmosphere in each one.

Pirate Night

Since it was Pirate Night, we headed up to the pool deck after dinner to watch the pirate show. We watched it from Deck 12 where we could look down at the stage. Our daughter danced and sang through the whole production. When the pirate show finished up, we headed down to grab popcorn before entering the theater to watch Aladdin.

Pirate Night Show Disney Cruise Line

Disney’s Aladdin

The Broadway style shows on the Disney Cruise were really entertaining for all of us. Our toddler did get scared of the cave and villain early on during Aladdin , so we ended up leaving without watching the whole production. It seemed like it was going to be a really cute show though! I had read that you can watch the shows on the TV in your stateroom, but we never did end up catching it.

Disney Characters

There were always musicians playing popular songs in the atrium at night. We ended up spending some time there instead of watching Aladdin. Then Chip and Dale came out and were exceptionally energetic and funny. We were one of the only families around at the time.

disney Cruise towel animal

The two chipmunks spent a lot of time dancing and being silly with the kids in the atrium. Once our toddler tired herself out from dancing, we went back to the stateroom to get ready for bed.It’s always fun to see what kind of towel animal your stateroom host leaves you!

Day 3 – Double Dip 

On Day 3, our daughter slept in until close to 8:30 which was a really nice surprise! We took our time getting beach ready and then walked up to Cabanas for breakfast. After eating we had to go back down to the room to get the stroller before heading to the island.

Spring-a-Leak Splash Zone on Castaway Cay

We walked back to the same area of beach where we had been the day before. There were a lot more people around on this day though. We played in the sand and the water for a couple hours. Then, we loaded up our things to head back to the ship for lunch. Since it was our last time to enjoy the pools, we decided to eat at the buffet onboard and swim before nap time.

Things to Do Onboard

Because so many people were still on the island, the pool deck was nearly empty! I wanted to ride the Aquaduck so I stood in line for about twenty minutes or so for that. Since the minimum height requirement is 42 inches, my toddler stayed at Mickey’s Pool with my husband. There is a smaller water slide too, but I think the age requirement was 4 on that.

Daisy Duck on the Disney Fantasy Cruise ship

Later that afternoon, we went back to the room to put our three year old down for a nap. While she slept, I started packing so that we would be able to set out our luggage that night for a crew member to collect. Once nap time was over, we all cleaned up for dinner. Then, we headed out to meet a few characters.

Restaurants and Shows

Dinner this last night was at Animator’s Palate, and it was definitely our favorite dining experience. The show with Crush from Finding Nemo was really cute and kept all of our attention. After dinner we strolled around the jogging track on Deck 4. Then we headed to watch the last show of our trip, Disney’s Believe , in the theater.

Disney Fantasy Deck 4 Jogging Track

We made it all the way through the show tonight, and we all really enjoyed it! After the show we wandered around the ship one last time. These interactive pictures hanging on the walls were really entertaining.

Mid ship detective agency

Our three year old would touch them over and over to make them come to life. I think these may be part of the Mid-ship Detective Agency game on the Disney Fantasy. We didn’t get a chance to do the game on our cruise, but it is definitely on our list for next time! Once we got back to our room, we finished packing. Then, we put our bags outside our room for Disney to collect later that night.

Debarkation Day in Port Canaveral

Our final morning on the ship was not a standard final cruise day morning. We had learned the night before that the ship was having engine problems. Because of this, we were going to be returning to Port Canaveral later than expected. We ended up having to change our 12:30 flights because we were not going to make them on time with our postponed arrival.

The positive side to this unplanned morning was that we were able to sleep in and take our time eating breakfast that last morning of our vacation. Disney was also great about keeping everyone entertained. Characters hosted meet and greets all over the ship.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship at Castaway Cay

Once we were able to disembark, we walked off the ship to find our luggage. The previous night, our room host had left Donald Duck luggage tags for us to attach to our bags. Once we were back inside the Port Canaveral cruise terminal, we easily found our luggage in the Donald Duck section. We rolled our bags out to the Disney Cruise Line ground transportation area, boarded the waiting shuttle bus, and were on our way to the Orlando airport.

In Conclusion

The entire Disney Cruise Line fleet features amazing ships with great activities and entertainment. Whether you’re traveling with young kids or older kids, your whole family is sure to have so much fun onboard the Disney Cruise Line ships.

The Disney Fantasy cruise ship is one of my family’s favorites because it offers so many exciting things to do for guests of all ages. You’re sure to have a great time enjoying the beautiful ship and scenic ports of call!

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Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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40 Disney Cruise Tips and Secrets You Should Know Before You Go

These expert tips will make your Disney cruise vacation even more magical.

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Disney cruises take the traditional cruising experience and add a little bit of magic. Even if you think you know all about the ships and activities on board, you can still return to port without having discovered the secret sundecks, unannounced character greetings, and unexpected Mickey-shaped foods. It's easy to miss out on the most interesting facts and features, so we sought out two trusted experts and now these Disney cruise tips and secrets are no longer under wraps.

Meet the Expert

Adrianna Hwang is a planDisney panelist specializing in Disney Cruise Line.

Heather Peggs is a Disney travel expert with Castle Bound Travel Company.

Read on to discover essential tips for planning your Disney Cruise vacation.

Book your cruise early to get the best deal.

Disney uses a dynamic pricing system, meaning the earlier you book, the more you’ll save. Early bookings also ensure that you get your desired cabin. You can even book your next cruise while on board to save even more. The best part? This placeholder is fully refundable if plans change.

Consider booking a themed sailing. 

Disney Cruise Line offers a limited number of themed sailings, including Marvel Day at Sea itineraries. You’ll also want to check out the special holiday cruises surrounding Halloween and Christmas. During these sailings, you’ll spot characters in special outfits and can enjoy themed food and beverage options, specialty entertainment, and much more. Disney Cruise Line guests love to bring themed attire to celebrate the occasion, so pack creatively if you want to partake in the fun.

Save big and let the mouse pick your room.

If you’re not picky about where your cabin is located on the ship, you can save a substantial amount of money by letting Disney pick your cabin. Just select your room type, like an inside cabin, and your specific cabin number will be assigned closer to your sail date.

See if cabin upgrades are available when you arrive at the port.

When available, cruisers may be able to snag an affordable last-minute room upgrade at the port, saving hundreds on a higher-tier room. 

Download the app before you go. 

Disney Cruise Line’s exclusive Navigator app is an absolute must-have to make the most of your time at sea. It adds convenience while taking care of practical vacation elements, like payment, online check-in, and trip modifications. This is also your go-to for pre-registering for Disney Cruise Line’s wide range of activities and keeping tabs on the daily schedule, which includes showtimes and deck parties. You can also communicate with your family and other cruise-goers for free using the app.

And don’t miss out on this convenient notification feature: “Scroll through the daily activity schedule to look for entertainment options that interest you, and be sure to click the heart icon next to any listings you don't want to miss,” planDisney panelist Adrianna Hwang tells Travel + Leisure . “If you've enabled notifications for the app, you'll receive a reminder about 15 minutes before the activity will begin. It's a really helpful feature when you lose track of time relaxing by the pool!” 

This is especially important if character meet-and-greets are a priority for you. “The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will list character appearance times and locations so that you can be sure to catch your favorite Disney characters on board,” Hwang adds. “If you select the specific character listed in the Daily Activity Schedule within the app, you'll even see the full schedule of times to meet them throughout the cruise so that you can plan accordingly.” Hwang suggests arriving at the greet locations at least five to 10 minutes early.

Use your Castaway Club perks to book extras early. 

If you’re looking to book extras, like shore excursions and elevated dining experiences, your booking window depends on your loyalty to Disney Cruise Line. The Castaway Club is Disney’s version of a frequent cruiser program, and sailors earn status based on the number of sailings they’ve been on. Higher status translates to earlier booking windows, so Disney Cruise Line loyalists can score their desired bookings first. 

Plan to exchange your currency onboard.

Not only does Disney Cruise Line take no commission for exchanging bills , but they'll actually honor the transaction's rate of exchange for any leftover money. Simply present your receipt prior to the end of the cruise, and they'll convert your foreign currency back to your preferred denomination at the same rate, even if the exchange rate has since changed. (Note: This only applies to bills, not coins, and there is no ATM on board.)

Bring a reusable water bottle. 

While there are water fountains and bottle refill stations on board, they can be far away from your room — and disposable bottles (not included in the fare) can add up. The tap water in each room is drinkable, but sinks are often too small to accommodate big bottles. You can bring packs of bottled water, but you'll have to carry it through embarkation — it cannot be packed with luggage — so consider bringing refillable bottles or tumblers.

See characters in their special cruise wardrobe.

Thought you knew everything there was to know about the Fab Five? Wait until you see them in their exclusive Disney Cruise Line wardrobe. Goofy, Donald, Daisy, Mickey, and Minnie wear special outfits for Pirate Night, and they also tailor their outfits to where the ship is headed that day. On Alaska sailings, expect to meet Mickey in fisherman's overalls and Minnie in a fur-lined coat; on trips through the Mediterranean Sea, Goofy dons an Italy-inspired suit. Specialty characters are also known to show up from time to time, like Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle appearing as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus during the spooky season.

Aspiring princesses won’t want to miss the Royal Gathering.

The Royal Gathering is your chance to meet and greet with Disney royalty, like Tiana and Cinderella, all at one time and place. It’s offered on most cruise itineraries but there is a catch: while tickets are free, they are required to attend. “Complimentary tickets to the Royal Gathering are available to be booked online or through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or Disneycruise.com 30 days before your sail date,” Hwang adds. “Take this experience to the next level for your little one by reserving a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique makeover an hour or two before the Royal Gathering begins.” 

The most memorable character experiences won’t be at meet-and-greets.

The lines to meet Mickey and Minnie are (amazingly!) short on Disney Cruise Line, but favorites like Daisy Duck are known to freely wander the pool and jogging track decks, playfully surprising guests and often sharing elevator rides for a once-in-a-lifetime interaction. Don't miss the character dance parties either, which allow kids and adults to line dance with Goofy and shake it off with Donald Duck for an experience that goes beyond a hug and photograph.

You're allowed to order more than one dish.

Disney Cruise Line’s dinnertime meal service operates on a rotating restaurant schedule, so you'll get to enjoy each non-premium restaurant the ship offers — and some more than once on longer sailings. These highly themed restaurants, like Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure on the Disney Wish , offer pre-fixe dinner menus. Torn between two entrees? Order them both. Each of your ship’s included rotational dining restaurants comes with a fixed three-course menu, but there's nothing stopping you from ordering two different appetizers or entrees to try.

Splurge on specialty dining. 

Standard dining is fantastic, but Disney ships also have adults-only restaurants available at an extra charge. Depending on your ship, this could include the French-focused Remy or fan-favorite Palo. While Remy and Enchante can be pricey, you can enjoy Palo for around $50. 

And on the Disney Wish , you won’t want to miss its newest iteration, Palo Steakhouse. “If you've sailed with Disney before, you may be familiar with Palo, but on the Wish , Palo Steakhouse is even better,” Heather Peggs, a Disney travel expert with Castle Bound Travel Company, shares with T+L. “I highly recommend trying the A5 wagyu steak, which is about a fifth of the price it would be off the ship, and it's absolutely phenomenal!”

These upgraded dining experiences are known to book up well in advance, but there is occasionally a waitlist available for canceled and missed reservations. “If you can't snag a reservation before the cruise, inquire in person on the day you embark,” Hwang adds. “Look for the activity listed as ‘Dining Reservation Changes’ to speak with a crew member about reservation availability.” 

Request the best seat in the house at dinner. 

Always dreamed of sitting by the stage at Tiana's Place on the Disney Wonder or enjoying dinner in those gorgeous Enchanted Garden booths on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy ? Well, it's not entirely luck of the draw. Nothing is guaranteed, but requests for a certain table can always be added to your Disney Cruise Line reservation, and they are worth the extra phone call. Concierge guests can make seating requests to their Concierge Service Specialist before boarding as well. You never know when Disney will sprinkle a little extra magic onto your vacation.

And don’t miss the best dinner entertainment.

The dinner show at Animator's Palate is a highlight if you’re sailing on the Magic, Wonder, Dream, or Fantasy, but it's the second visit to that dining room that can't be skipped. It's called Animation Magic, and guests get to draw their own characters and see them come to life on the screens mid-meal. The incredible display is only offered on longer sailings on the Disney Magic and Disney Fantasy, so make sure you don’t skip it. Even better? Request that your rotation allows two visits to Animator's Palate that don't overlap with Pirate Night to ensure you enjoy the show.

Grab a free soda at beverage stations.

Soda is included during sit-down meals, but if you’re craving a thirst quencher outside of those times, go to the free-flowing beverage stations near the pools on each Disney ship. Stations also have coffee with milk and sweeteners available.

Sip cocktails at this favorite bar. 

There are plenty of themed watering holes in the adults-only areas of the ships, but on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy , Meridian is the place to be. The upscale bar and lounge is located next door to Palo and Remy on both ships, but it is open to all adults adhering to its business casual dress code. Though known for its martinis, Meridian also offers a cigar bar, custom craft cocktails, and a gin and tonic cart, as well as a private deck hosting a picture-perfect view of nightly sunsets.

Check out the Star Wars -themed bar on the Disney Wish .

The Star Wars : Hyperspace Lounge is a bar exclusively found on the Disney Wish . “Whether you’re an avid Star Wars fan or just want to explore the galaxy, you will be able to enjoy delicious alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages that are simply out of this world,” adds Peggs. Reservations are no longer required, but there might be a wait, especially during peak hours; visit when the ship is in port to avoid the crowds. During the day, guests of all ages are allowed in.

It’s a multi-sensory experience in this immersive, interactive venue, and you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled in case anyone orders the $5,000 Kaiburr Crystal cocktail.  

Save on drinks during happy hour at sea. 

Be sure to check the Navigator app for daily happy hours at different bars and lounges. The exact offers vary, but they can include deals like half-off draft beer and discounts on specialty cocktails. And if you’re looking to take your cocktail knowledge to the next level, cruises also offer add-on mixology classes and tasting experiences.

Ask about the Sommelier Bin for discounted wine. 

Once a bottle of wine is opened, Disney must serve it (in its entirety) that day. Because of this, Disney ships have a sommelier bin, with opened bottles of wine served by the glass at highly discounted rates. This is your chance to sip on otherwise pricey pours at a bargain price. Now that’s Disney magic.

Or B.Y.O.B. to save money.

Looking to save a few bucks? While Disney ships offer a bevy of specialty cocktails, you can bring your own drinks — with some limitations. Hard liquor is a no-go, but each cruiser 21 years of age and up can bring two bottles of wine (or one six-pack of beer) on board with them in their carry-on. If you’re thinking of bringing that bottle of wine with you to dinner, be aware that Disney does charge a corkage fee. You can also bring sealed bottles of water on board with you.

Take a second look at that barbershop on the Disney Wish .

Hook’s Barbery may look like any old upscale barbershop when walking by — but it’s hiding one of the best-kept secrets aboard any Disney ship. Tucked away within the salon is a hidden speakeasy-style bar serving expertly crafted cocktails, including a smoked old fashioned. Its liquor selection is extensive and surprising with rare and vintage pours.

Snack on soft serve on and off the ship.

If you’re a frequent Disney cruiser, you’re probably familiar with the line’s free-flowing soft-serve ice cream. And if the craving strikes when visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, you’ll be glad to know it’s also available on the island for the ultimate sugar rush in the sun.

Get an extra-magical coffee. 

Few can resist a Mickey-shaped treat while visiting any Disney property, but the best mouse-themed treat on the ships can be found at Cove Cafe . Order a cappuccino, ask for Mickey's face on it, and prepare to enjoy your jolt of caffeine with some extra magic. It'll cost a few bucks, but the joy of sipping a “Mickeyccino” will always outshine the complimentary coffee served on board. 

Order a Mickey bar — and more — with free room service. 

You’ll be glad to know that, unlike other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line’s room service is completely free and offered 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The best part? You can have an iconic Disney treat, the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, delivered directly to your room.

Book early if you plan to use the ship’s nursery.

Bookings open early for guests looking to take advantage of the onboard nursery. Available for an extra charge, the It’s a Small World Nursery is available to supervise your child ages six months to three years old, ideal if you’d like a quiet dinner or time to explore one of the ship’s many themed lounges without the little one in tow. And don’t forget — the other youth clubs for kids, tweens, and teens are absolutely free.

Teens can hang out in the coolest part of the ship.

Every Disney ship has a Vibe , an onboard youth club that is exclusively available for teens ages 14 to 17. There is supervision, of course, and Disney Cruise Line's famously fun activities, but it's practically a private resort for high schoolers to chill in all day and night — no parents allowed.

Explore the kids clubs during the open house. 

Activities at the Marvel Super Hero Academy and Star Wars : Millennium Falcon play areas are reserved for young ones, but all kids club spaces empty out for the open house, when anyone can wander in and check out Vibe's arcade games or Oceaneer Lab's high-tech designs. Don't skip out on Andy's Room, which brings Toy Story to life while making for incredible Instagram snaps. And you won’t want to miss a multi-level slide on the Disney Wish which takes you from floor to floor in the ship’s soaring lobby. “Little ones can get comfortable with and excited about areas where they will play without their grownups,” shares Hwang.

Join a secret community of friends — hiding in plain sight.

Ever seen those homemade decorations hanging beside neighbors' doors? They're called fish extenders, and they're used by a network of families who have packed small gifts, treats, and trinkets to exchange with each other throughout their trip. To get in on the fun for your next sailing, visit the DisBoards Cruise Meets forum or CruiseCritic's Roll Calls . Many times, there are Facebook groups for your exact sailing as well. This can be particularly helpful with shy kids as they can get acquainted with other cruise-goers their age ahead of their journey.

Add an Adventures by Disney trip to your vacation.

You can enhance your Disney Cruise Line experience with Adventures by Disney Escapes before or after your sailing. Experience global cities through expertly curated itineraries in Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and beyond. 

Spring for a concierge-level room and relax on a private sun deck.

There are plenty of perks that come with booking a concierge-level room — namely early access to onboard bookings, personalized service, and in-room amenities. And perhaps the best part, concierge guests have access to their own private sun and lounge deck outfitted with upscale lounge chairs, complimentary sunscreen, and chilled face towels, as well as a pool deck host who can fulfill any requests for full relaxation.

See the latest Disney movies. 

Enjoy the latest Disney releases at the on-board theater without having to buy tickets in advance. Even better? Many new Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars films have 3-D showings, allowing guests to experience eye-popping effects on the high seas. Movie times are available on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. And during the holidays, classics are featured, like “Hocus Pocus” during Halloween sailings.

Skip the ports to enjoy fewer crowds at the pool.

It may be tempting to disembark and explore Jamaica or relax on Castaway Cay, but if you stay behind, you can enjoy fewer crowds at the pools. This could be your prime chance to experience the AquaMouse water coaster, the cruise line’s first attraction at sea on the Disney Wish , with little to no line.

There are also lots of activities to take advantage of on board. “I must say I'm a huge fan of staying on board even on port days to explore the array of classes, Broadway-caliber shows, and, of course, the games,” adds Peggs. “If you're looking for family-friendly options, a couple of my favorites are Bingo, which they have every day during your sailing, napkin and towel folding, bar trivia, and so much more!”

Don’t miss the musicals.

While it may be tempting to take advantage of quieter swim times in the evening, you won’t want to miss your ship’s musical offerings. Broadway-quality productions including “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” (exact offerings depend on the ship) are a must-see. “These are beautifully done and are wonderful for the entire family,” Peggs adds. “Plus, if you purchase a popcorn bucket at the beginning of the cruise, you will be able to enjoy $1.50 refills for the remainder of your cruise!”

There’s an under-the-radar design tour.

Adults 18 and up can enjoy one of the cruise line’s best walking tours. “The Art of The Theme Show Tour gives adults an insightful look into the detailed and thoughtful design of several spaces throughout the ship,” adds Hwang. “It's usually offered in the mornings and provides some fun trivia to share with anyone in your party.” 

Unwind at the spa.

You’re on vacation — it’s time to pamper yourself in the state-of-the-art spa. “If you are interested in booking a spa treatment, attend the open house before the ship sets sail,” Peggs shares. “You might get lucky and win a voucher for 10% off or possibly a facial or massage during the raffle. Speaking of savings, the more spa services you get while on board, the better the price will be. If you want to secure a spa day/week pass, be sure to book them sooner rather than later as they sell out pretty quickly!”

There’s a totally free fan-favorite activity.

If your itinerary takes you to Disney’s Castaway Cay, then you can partake in one of Disney Cruise Line’s most beloved activities, the Castaway Cay 5k — and it’s completely free to all guests. Suitable for runners and walkers alike, this on-your-own race invites you to discover Disney’s private island from a different vantage point as you travel through its stunning tropical paths. All participants receive an exclusive medal when they finish.

Not feeling well during your sailing? Disney can help.

There’s nothing worse than feeling sick on vacation. But have no fear, the mouse is here to help. Each ship is equipped with on-site medical help, and if you experience seasickness, complimentary medicine is available.

Grab every photo before the clock runs out.

Even if you skipped every character meet-and-greet, you'll still be able to cram in a week's worth of photos at "Til' We Meet Again," the goodbye show on the final night of each sailing. After a short heartwarming performance, loads of Disney characters, princesses, and theater performers will disperse throughout the crowd, posing for photos on a first-come, first-served basis. The onboard photographers will have already shut down, so you can snap as many iPhone pictures as you'd like, making for a full album in one fell swoop. This experience only lasts for around 20 minutes; you can find the exact time in the Navigator app.

Want to disembark first? Carry your own bag.

You don’t want to sour a wonderful vacation with a never-ending line simply to exit the ship. Instead of leaving your luggage out the night before, carry it off the ship yourself and arrive at your final destination without having to wait in lengthy port queues.

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    A travel blog for parents who love to plan Disney cruises with tips, products, videos, and pictures. Learn from a Disney Cruise Line Platinum member and a former cast member who has cruised with kids of all ages.

  3. TRIP REPORTS • Disney Cruise Mom Blog

    14 Night Westbound Panama Canal on the Disney Wonder (April/May 2017) Getting to Port Canaveral. Day 1: Boarding the Ship. Day 2: At Sea. Day 3: Cozumel. Day 4: At Sea. Day 5: At Sea. Day 6 Part 1: Cartagena, Colombia. Day 6 Part 2: Cartagena, Colombia.

  4. ABOUT ME • Disney Cruise Mom Blog

    My name is Diana and I am a wife and mom of 3 daughters. I love traveling with my family and while we do take other vacations as well, we have a soft spot in our hearts for Disney cruises. Disney cruises will always be special to me because of how memories of our past cruises and dreams of future cruises helped me get through my battle with ...

  5. Welcome!

    A mom shares her experience and knowledge about Disney Cruise Line in brief and direct articles. Find answers to common questions, tips, ideas, and links for a magical and easy vacation.

  6. Disney Pictures

    Stop by my site to share magical vacations and view fun ship pictures of our Disney Cruise family adventures!

  7. Disney Wish Trip Report Part 1

    Disney Wish Trip Report Part 1 - Embarkation. September 1, 2022 by Disney Cruise Mom. A little over a week ago, my family returned from back to back sailings on the brand new Disney Wish. We sailed on the August 15 (4 night) and August 19 (3 night) sailings. I am excited to share my thoughts with you all!

  8. Disney Cruise Mom Blog

    Disney Cruise Mom Blog. 13,017 likes · 6 talking about this. I love all things Disney, but especially Disney Cruises! If you have a question about Disney cruises, chances are you can find the answer...

  9. Disney Cruise Mom

    🛳⚓️ Disney Cruise Platinum 🏝🏠 DVC OKW & POLY 🏰 Magic Kingdom Cast Member DCP 🍭 Main Street Confectionery 🎟 Annual Passholder.

  10. 25+ Disney Cruise Tips to Know Before You Go

    Get ready to set sail and make some magical memories with some of the best Disney Cruise tips around! Check out prices below or get a free quote by calling 877-510-2929 and let them know Mommy Mouse Clubhouse sent you! Check Cruise Prices Here.

  11. Packing List

    2. Disney Specific: - Group or family vacation t-shirts - Mickey ears, hats, or other vacation headwear - Stateroom door magnets - Fish extenders (and gifts) - Disney-themed cruise wear, for example, pirate night or Star Wars Days at Sea - Disney costumes for youth - Cruise restaurant themed outfits, for example 20's theme for 1923

  12. Disney Cruise Line Planning Tips and Timeline

    Depending on the cruise itinerary you booked, full payment must be made either 90 days (for cruises 1-5 nights in length) or 120 days ( for cruises 6 or more nights) before sailing. Most first-time cruisers have a decent time frame between final payment and online check-in, which is when you book your cruise activities.

  13. The Disney Cruise Line Blog • an unofficial Disney Cruise Line news

    Disney Cruise Line, Blog, News, Information, Photos, Photography, Dream, Fantasy, Magic, Wonder, Wish, Treasure, Castaway Cay, Lighthouse Point, Port Canaveral, DCL ...

  14. Page 3 of 59

    This is the final post of Cynthia's back-to-back Dream guest trip report. You can start from the beginning here. Guest Trip Report: December 27, 2021 4 Night Sailing on the Disney Dream, Part 2 The final two days of our four-day cruise on the Dream saw us visiting Castaway Cay and enjoying a leisure day […]

  15. 20 Best Disney Mom Blogs and Websites in 2024

    Here are 20 Best Disney Mom Blogs you should follow in 2024. 1. The Disney Cruise Family Travel Blog. I'm Tracy. I am a mom to one daughter. My husband and I live on the East Coast of Canada. When I am not working I love travelling, crafting, photography, playing board games, and planning vacations. This blog is about all things Disney Cruise ...

  16. Disney Fantasy Cruise Review with Ship Activities and Pictures

    In this review, we will take a look inside the Disney Fantasy cruise ship, including all the exciting activities and entertainment to enjoy onboard! Table of Contents. Booking the Disney Fantasy. Day 1 - Boarding the Disney Fantasy. Day 2 - Castaway Cay. Day 3 - Double Dip. Debarkation Day in Port Canaveral.

  17. Welcome Archives

    Disney Cruise Mom. How To Everything Disney Cruise. Disney Cruise Line, DCL, How To Disney Cruise, Disney Wish, Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Travel (I am an amazon associate)

  18. The Disney Cruise Family Travel Blog

    First Look at the Disney Destiny Day One. July 30, 2024 Tracy. Today was the first of three days of announcements about the Disney Destiny sailing from Fort Lauderdale. Legendary cruise vacations await guests aboard the Disney. Read More. 1 2 … 51 Next. Travel and Fun Things To Do.

  19. Disney Wish Room 2598

    This is Disney Wish stateroom 2598. This is a Category 9B Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom and is on Deck 2 midship on the starboard side. It sleeps three people and has a connecting door to room 2600 (a category 9B Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom that sleeps 4 people, full review here).

  20. Cruise Budget

    Here is a budget template to get you started with Disney Cruise Vacation planning! Creating a budget sheet for a Disney cruise can help you keep track of your expenses and ensure you stay within your planned spending limits. Here's a template to get you started: 1. Cruise Expenses: - Cruise fare: $. - Taxes and fees: $.

  21. 40 Disney Cruise Tips and Secrets You Should Know

    The tap water in each room is drinkable, but sinks are often too small to accommodate big bottles. You can bring packs of bottled water, but you'll have to carry it through embarkation — it ...

  22. Page 4 of 59

    This is part 4 of Cynthia's back-to-back Dream guest trip report. You can start from the beginning here. Guest Trip Report: December 27, 2021 4 Night Sailing on the Disney Dream, Part 1 Part 2 of our back-to-back Christmas cruises was a four night cruise from Port Canaveral with stops in Nassau and Castaway Cay […]