Make Your Cruise Truly Magical
It's no secret that Disney operates one of the best cruise lines in the world—but there are still ways to make your cruise even better. Whether you’re a newbie or a pro when it comes to traveling on the high seas, these tips will help you enhance the magic of your next cruise with Mickey and the gang.
Book Two Rooms Instead Of A Suite
If you'd like to enjoy the spaciousness of a suite but find that the cost takes a bit too much out of your wallet, you might have better luck booking two staterooms. It might sound a bit counterintuitive, but this can actually be a budget-friendly alternative: A family of four usually pays almost half the price for two cabins compared to a single suite.
Book Early
Booking your Disney cruise early guarantees great savings through their dynamic pricing system. It's also a great way of getting your preferred cabin. But the best part? Your booking is fully refundable.
Let Disney Choose Your Room
If you don't really care about the location of your cabin, you can enjoy significant savings by letting Disney assign your room. You just choose which type of room you want—like an inside cabin—and Disney will choose your specific room number closer to when you set sail.
Go On A Themed Sailing
Disney Cruise Line offers exciting themed sailings like Pixar Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea, featuring special shows and appearances by beloved characters like Captain America and Buzz Lightyear.
Don't miss out on the holiday cruises during Halloween and Christmas, where you'll see characters in festive clothes and enjoy themed food.
Upgrade At The Port
Before you board the ship, see if you can try upgrading your room—this could help you save on a better cabin. An upgrade isn't guaranteed, but it never hurts to ask about it during check-in.
Workman, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Use The Carpet As A Map
It's easy to get lost on a cruise ship, but Disney's got you covered--if you ever get lost just look at the carpet design. An upside-down pattern means you're heading toward the back of the ship, while a right-side-up pattern means you're heading to the front.
Decorate Your Door
Make yourself at home decorations and magnets on your cabin door. As well as adding a nice personal touch to your room, it'll also help you identify your cabin from all the others.
Buy Merch Quick
If you see a cool souvenir or piece of clothing that you've just gotta have, don't wait to buy it. The onboard gift shops are only open while the ship is at sea, and popular items tend to sell out quickly without restocking.
Not Just For Families
While families do make up the bulk of Disney's customer base, Disney cruises have got some special perks that are just for adults. Each ship has adults-only areas, including lounges, nightclubs, and sun decks.
Take Advantage Of Free Room Service
Unlike other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line offers complimentary 24/7 room service. Treat yourself to iconic Disney snacks like the Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar, delivered directly to your room at no extra charge.
Book Early For The Nursery
If you're a parent who wants some relaxation or adult time onboard, you've got to book early for the It’s a Small World nursery. The nursery is the perfect place for kids six months to three years old, providing peace of mind while you enjoy some downtime.
The Coolest Place For Teens
Each Disney ship has a Vibe, an exclusive youth club catering to teens aged 14 to 17. With supervision and a bunch of fun activities, it's like having their own private resort onboard—perfect for teens to relax and have fun away from parents.
Get Free Motion Sickness Pills
If the motion of the ocean has you feeling queasy, just head over to guest services for some motion sickness pills. You can get as many as you need to ensure a smoother sailing experience.
Download Disney’s Navigator App
Disney Cruise Line’s Navigator app is a must-have for maximizing your time at sea. From keeping track of payments to online check-ins to pre-registering for activities, this app has it all. It even acts as a messaging system between you, your family, and fellow passengers.
Pay With Points Or Gift Cards
To save some money, consider using discounted Disney gift cards for payment. You can find these at retailers like Sam's Club or Target, often with around 5% off. You can also use certain credit card points and miles to help pay for your cruise.
Wilfredo Rafael Rodriguez Hernandez, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Exchange Currency Onboard
Take advantage of Disney Cruise Line's free currency exchange service onboard. They'll even honor the original exchange rate for any leftover money at the end of your cruise, so you get the most value. One thing to keep in mind, though: This service only applies to bills, so keep your receipt and present it before disembarking.
Bring Your Own Water Bottle
Water stations are available onboard, but they're not always in the most convenient location. Besides, buying disposable water adds up quick. Consider bringing refillable bottles or tumblers to stay hydrated without the hassle.
Nozzleman75, Wikimedia Commons
Don’t Miss The Royal Gathering
Check out the Royal Gathering, where you can meet Disney royalty like Tiana and Cinderella all in one place. Tickets are free but you'll need to book them at least 30 days before your cruise sets sail to secure your spot.
Go To The Pools Early Or Late
Want to avoid the crowds at the pool? Go for your swim in the morning or late in the afternoon, outside of peak times. If you want to check out the waterslides, it's best to go right after you board, when they're least crowded.
See Characters In Their Cruise Clothes
Be on the lookout for your favorite Disney characters dressed in exclusive clothes for special occasions onboard. From Pirate Night ensembles to location-specific outfits, like Mickey's fisherman overalls on Alaska cruises, these unique wardrobe choices add an extra touch of magic to your cruise experience.
Skip The Meet-And-Greets
Formal meet-and-greets are nice—the lines for those meet-and-greets are not. Keep an eye out for characters like Daffy Duck and Goofy walking around the decks, making for fun and unexpected encounters. You might even get a chance to join in on a dance party with your favorite Disney characters.
Order As Much Food As You Want
On a Disney cruise, eat as much as you want—it's all included in your dining experience. If you're torn between options, why not try both? You can even create your own dessert sampler to try all of the ship's tasty treats.
Change Your Dining Plan
If you don't like your assigned dining rotation or table arrangements, just get in touch with guest services for a switch. They'll happily help you find a solution that suits your preferences.
Indulge In Specialty Dining
While standard dining is great, consider indulging in adults-only restaurants like Remy or Palo for an extra special culinary experience. Make reservations early to secure your spot, or check for waitlist availability for last-minute openings.
The Ship Is Cash-Free
Your "Key to the World" room key is your payment method and identification onboard, so you won't need much cash during your cruise. However, it's good to have some cash on hand to tip your service team or concierge-level staff. It's a thoughtful gesture appreciated by the crew.
Join A Facebook Group
Joining a Facebook group for your cruise can enhance your experience with opportunities for gift exchanges, pre-cruise networking, and valuable tips from seasoned cruisers. Simply search for your sailing name (e.g., Disney Wonder Alaska June 12 - 19) on Facebook and join the private group.
Get A Magical Coffee
Visit Cove Cafe for a truly enchanting coffee experience. Order a "Mickeyccino" with Mickey's face artfully crafted on your cappuccino. It's the perfect way to add an extra touch of Disney magic to your coffee.
Get Free Unlimited Soda
Save on beverage costs and get your soda from the fountain, conveniently located on the pool deck and in the buffet area. If you bring a refillable bottle, you can save on buying individual cans.
Check For Happy Hours
Alcohol isn't complimentary onboard, but you can get discounted drinks during happy hour. Just check the Navigator App and you can get all your favorite drinks without breaking the bank.
Ask About The Sommelier Bin
Take advantage of discounted wine options from the sommelier bin, where opened bottles are served by the glass at reduced rates. This gives you a great opportunity to enjoy high-quality wines at a fraction of the usual cost, adding a touch of luxury to your dining experience without overspending.
BYOB
While Disney ships offer lots of specialty cocktails, you can also bring some drinks onboard. Each adult is permitted two bottles of wine or two six-packs of beer. Just remember: There's a corkage fee if you plan to enjoy your wine with dinner, and sealed bottles of water are also allowed.
Enjoy The Concierge Lounge
Upgrade to a concierge-level cabin for access to a private lounge offering evening drinks, a private sun deck, and the option to order meals from onboard restaurants to your room. Plus, you'll also get to enjoy a special evening with a Disney character in the lounge.
Indulge In A Cheap Spa Visit
Going to the onboard spa doesn't have to break your travel budget. Depending on availability, you can get a one-day pass for the Rainforest Room at the Senses Spa. You can also get a pass for the duration of your cruise—either way, a pass gives you a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of the ship.at a fraction of the cost of a spa treatment.
Visit The Star Wars Bar
Visit the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge on the Disney Wish for an out-of-this-world experience. You don't need a reservation but we recommend visiting during off-peak hours to avoid crowds, like when the ship is in port. During the day, guests of all ages are welcome to explore this unique bar, but nighttime is for the adults only.
Don’t Skip The Musicals
Don't miss out on your spectacular musical performances, like Broadway-quality productions of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. These shows are a highlight of any Disney cruise experience and shouldn't be missed.
Use Adventures By Disney
Take the thrills of your Disney cruise up a notch with Adventures by Disney. This is your chance to explore iconic cities like Barcelona, Paris, and Rome with itineraries that will immerse you in the local culture.
See A New Movie At Sea
Experience the latest Disney releases at the onboard theater, no advance tickets required. Many films are offered in 3-D, and the theater includes titles from Disney, Marvel, Pixar.
Check Out The Kids Clubs During Open House
While places like the Marvel Super Hero Academy and Star Wars: Millennium Falcon play zones are usually kids-only, that all changes during open houses. Take advantage of the open house to explore areas like Vibe's arcade games and Andy's Room from Toy Story.
See All The Characters On The Last Night
Don't miss your chance to take photos with Disney characters on the last night of your cruise. Around 10 or 10:30 pm, characters gather in the atrium for a short period, allowing guests to bid farewell and snap memorable pictures.
Carry Your Bags To Skip The Line
Disembarkation can easily get hectic but one way to make things easier is to handle your own luggage. If you skip the luggage drop-off the night before, you can disembark earlier, sometimes before the regular disembarkation process even begins. This makes for a smoother exit from the ship and a stress-free end to your cruise.
