As you think about preparing for your first vacation with Disney Cruise Line (DCL) it can be hard to sift through all the info coming at you. Here are my top tips for first time cruisers with Disney!
1. Laundry is easy to do on Disney Cruise Line, but you may or may not want to devote the time to it. If you do want to do your own laundry, bring detergent sheets or pods in your suitcase and a small baggie of dryer sheets to save a few bucks. Also, a collapsible mesh laundry basket does double-duty as a hamper in the stateroom closet and makes the walk to the laundry room a lot easier.
2. Magnets, both decorative for your door, and magnet hooks to hang your lanyards and other items in the stateroom, are both fun and useful. Door decorations are a Disney Cruise Line tradition but there are several rules about what can and can’t be hung from the door or walls. If you make your own door decorations, use strong Neodymium magnets (available from Amazon and other stores) affixed to the back with packing tape so that they will stay up. And yes, you can take these magnets on the plane in either checked luggage or in your carry-on.
3. DCL now offers the use of DisneyBand+ on the ships. These bands work like MagicBand+ in the U.S. parks (not compatible with MagicBand2 technology) and thus if you have a MagicBand+ it will also work on the ships. Exclusive DCL designs are available to purchase.
3. Pirate Night, offered on most cruises (not offered in Alaska or Northern Europe), is a unique opportunity for guests to dress like pirates, or not — it’s totally up to you! We like to wear festive t-shirts with a pirate theme, but it’s fun to see the guests who wear very elaborate costumes. The best fireworks viewing is typically starboard!
4. Check the DCL app as soon as you board to see what’s happening that afternoon and evening and to look for new openings for activities that may have filled up prior to the cruise. The app switches from pre-cruise mode to an entirely different on-board mode when you are in proximity of the ship.
5. Visit the kids clubs during Open House (they are impressive to see!). Help younger children (ages 3-11) acclimate to the club and lab spaces by visiting with them during Open House hours (check the app for times) on that first day. Also, encourage tweens (11-13) in Edge and older teens (14-17) in Vibe to attend the “Ice Breakers” activity at their respective clubs on that first evening — for a lot of them, making those connections on the first day is key to feeling part of the group as the cruise unfolds.
6. The 1820 Society offers young adults ages 18-20 an opportunity to meet others in their age group at various planned events throughout the cruise. Many guests don’t know about this prior to cruising, but it’s a great opportunity for those who are too old for the kids clubs and too young for the bars and lounges.
7. Celebrating a birthday, anniversary, or other special event? There are lots of ways to recognize the occasion. Prior to the cruise your travel advisor (or you) can pre-book a stateroom decoration package, order special food or beverages to be delivered, or make reservations at a specialty restaurant (adults only). I don’t recommend having a cake delivered to the main dining room as they will provide a dessert treat free of charge if you let the server know. Ask your travel advisor to note the special occasion on your cruise booking, as you never know what magical things could happen!
8. PremEARs at Sea are fun opportunities to see Disney movies one day early during the cruise when they are premiering on land the following day. As several movies are released in any given year there’s a decent chance your cruise will have one of them. Keep an eye on the app for information!
9. Production shows on Disney Cruise Line are impressive, and popular. Unless you are booking a concierge stateroom you should arrive to the Walt Disney Theater 20-25 minutes prior to a production show to grab a seat. It’s against DCL policy to save seats for your travel party, so make sure everyone’s ready to go on time. Popcorn, candy, and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are available to purchase outside the theater, or you are welcome to bring in food from the included quick service locations on the pool deck.
10. Character meet and greets are plentiful, and lines tend to be shorter than in the parks. However, you can still save your group a lot of time by arriving to character meets 10-15 min early. Check the app each morning to see what characters have been added for the day and where/when they are meeting. Many have special costumes that you will only see on the cruise line!
11. Shutters photography packages are available to purchase pre-cruise at a discount. You can also opt to purchase photos a la carte while on board.
12. If you are interested in limited edition merchandise visit the gift shops onboard right when they open on the first evening. Specialty items tend to sell out in a matter of a few minutes.
13. Disney Gift Cards are accepted as payment against your onboard folio and can be applied by visiting Guest Services. Make sure to pay off your folio the night before debarkation if you do not want your credit card on file to be charged for the remaining balance.
14. Bring dollar bills for tipping the porters who help with your luggage, and for room service delivery on board. Unlike many other cruise lines, most items on the room service menu are free (make sure to order yourself a Mickey Bar!).
15. Rainforest Room passes vary in price by ship and length of cruise, but sometimes are available by the day. This space, located in the Spa, is a truly relaxing oasis for adults only. Visit the Spa on embarkation day if you’re interested in a pass to learn more. Often discounts are available on port days.
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