If you are heading out on your first Disney Cruise Line cruise, you’ll want to be prepared. Preparing for a cruise can often be stressful for families, especially if you aren’t sure what to expect. Since we want you to have the best experience, here is a collection of Disney Cruise Line tips for first-timers.
Booking Your Disney Cruise
First, you’ll want to book your cruise. If you aren’t sure what to do, it’s a good idea to go with a Disney travel agent who can help you remember critical dates (for final payments, etc). You’ll need to research sailing dates, ships, itineraries, and stateroom categories before you book.
Choosing a Dining Time
When you book, you’ll also choose a seating time for dinner. I prefer the earlier time when traveling with my kids. Be sure to select a time when booking your cruise, and if your preferred time isn’t available, you can get on the waitlist.
Researching Your Disney Cruise– Ports and Excursions
After you’ve paid your deposit, it’s a good idea to research the ship and the ports of call. You’ll find that many excursions are offered, and you’ll want to book them ahead of time because they fill up. Remember that you don’t have to go on an excursion to every port if you don’t want to. There’s always the option to explore on your own or to stay on the ship.
Book Hotel, Airfare, and Transportation
If you are flying into your port of call, I always recommend arriving the night before sailing. That will help avoid potential flight delays. When we sail out of Port Canaveral, I prefer to take the Disney shuttles, which makes it nice and easy. Port Miami and Port Everglades (in Fort Lauderdale) are very close to the respective airports, which makes it easy to get there.
Book Excursions and Check-In For Your Disney Cruise
As a first-timer, you can book experiences 75 days before sailing. Disney Castaway Club members can check in earlier, which means that you may find some excursions already booked by the time you check-in. Check-in for first-timers begins 30 days in advance of your sailing.
Prep Fish Extenders
If you aren’t aware, many Disney Cruise Line guests participate in a fun, unofficial program called Fish Extenders. You get together with other families and swap little gifts throughout your cruise. It’s completely optional but can be a fun thing to do. My fish extender post contains all of the information that you need to know.
Prep Door Decorations
In addition, many families decorate their stateroom doors, so if you are interested, you’ll want to check out my post on decorating your Disney Cruise Line stateroom door. Most families do some form of decorating, so you’ll probably want to do at least something. It’s a good way to identify your door among the sea of doors that look the same.
Shop Before Your Trip and Pack Appropriately
There are shops on the ship, but they aren’t open when the ship is in port and have a limited selection of merchandise. So, you’ll want to have everything you need in your suitcase. Be sure to pack any medications and anything you may need on your trip. You may want to bring a few cruise-specific items. The room’s doors are magnetic, so I like bringing magnetic hooks and door decorations.
Consider Activities on the Ship
Even if your kids don’t generally love kids’ clubs, they’ll probably love the clubs on the Disney Cruise Line. As a result, you may find yourself with some free time. When you book the activities on the app, you’ll probably see some availability for beverage seminars. These are adult-only, including martini, wine, and mixology. I’ve done most of them, and we always enjoy them. There are also some family activities, including the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique.
Download the Disney Cruise Line App
You’ll often use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app during your cruise. You’ll want to download it while you still have access to cellular data. The app includes a daily schedule, menus, and information about the various ports of call on the trip. You can also communicate with other passengers on the ship using the app.