Brief Summary
This video provides 50 tips and tricks to make your Disney Cruise easier and more enjoyable. It covers various aspects from pre-cruise planning to onboard activities, dining, and even packing essentials. Key takeaways include utilizing the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, understanding onboard services, preparing for potential weather changes, and making the most of all-inclusive offerings.
- Pack smart and utilize personal items effectively.
- Take advantage of freebies like character calls and drink of the day deals.
- Familiarize yourself with the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app.
- Plan for pirate night and other themed events.
- Book early to secure desired staterooms and activities.
Intro
The video aims to provide viewers with tips and tricks to ensure a smooth and enjoyable Disney Cruise experience. The host shares insights gained from personal experiences and offers advice to avoid common pitfalls. A free downloadable Disney Cruise ultimate guide is available for more detailed information.
Packing & Pre-Cruise Fun
When packing for a cruise, remember you're allowed a personal item, a carry-on, and two checked luggage pieces. Pack essential items like medications, electronics, and swimwear in your personal item or carry-on, as checked luggage may take a while to be delivered to your stateroom. Request a complimentary character call to build excitement before the cruise. You can schedule this through the Disney Cruise Line website, with a limit of two calls per reservation.
Stateroom Tips & Drink Deals
Instead of using your Disney Cruise Line key card to keep the lights on in your stateroom, use any other card to avoid accidentally locking yourself out. Take advantage of the drink of the day deal, which offers discounted cocktails. Purchase a souvenir refillable cup for a larger serving of the drink of the day, and remember to bring it on Castaway Key day for continued discounts. There's also a souvenir kid smoothie cup available.
Navigator App & Wi-Fi
Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app months before your trip. It provides a trip countdown, payment summary, and online check-in options. Once onboard, the app becomes your go-to guide for schedules and activities. The free Wi-Fi only allows access to the Navigator app. For internet access, consider an international plan or Disney's Connect@Sea package, which offers internet packages where you pay by the data you use.
Pirate Night & Towel Clips
Pirate Night includes deck parties, fireworks, and themed dinners. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. A late-night pirate buffet opens after the deck party, offering limited options like pizza and tacos. Invest in towel clips to secure your beach towel, hat and cover up on windy upper decks.
Reservations & Princess Gathering
Book popular activities and seminars in advance, but check for last-minute availability on the Navigator app upon boarding. The princess Gathering is a free meet-and-greet that requires reservations, which open 30 days prior to the sail date. Other character meet-and-greets are typically walk-ups.
Breakfast Options & Darkness
Skip the crowded breakfast buffet by opting for a sit-down meal in select dining rooms or ordering free room service. Room service breakfast includes continental options and is available from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Prepare for darkness in inside staterooms by setting an alarm, as there are no windows.
Dinner Lines & Flight Plans
Don't stress over long dinner lines, as everyone has a predetermined table. Arriving 10 minutes late can help avoid the line. If flying in for your cruise, arrive at least a day before departure to avoid potential delays. If arriving on the same day, take the earliest flight available.
Oceanear Club & Castaway Key Trams
The Oceanear Club is a free kids' club for ages 3-12. Register your kids and pick up Oceanear bands, which require a $12.95 deposit that is refunded upon return. Be aware of the confusing tram system at Castaway Key's Pelican Point stop. Ask crew members for directions to avoid getting on the wrong tram.
Travel Insurance & Weather
Consider Disney Cruise Line's travel insurance, but check if your health insurance already covers medical emergencies abroad. Prepare for varying weather conditions by packing layers, especially for cruises to Alaska or Europe. Check the AccuWeather app for temperature forecasts.
Hurricane Season & Time Zones
Hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th. Disney will often change the itinerary or delay the trip instead of canceling it outright. Keep an eye on the Navigator app for time zone changes, as the ship's time may not always match the local time.
Entertainment & Castaway Key Dining
Watch pre-recorded versions of Broadway-style shows on your stateroom television if you can't attend live performances. Enjoy all-inclusive meals on Castaway Key at quick-service locations like Cookies BBQ, which are typically open from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Premium Ice Cream & Water Coasters
Order premium sundaes at specialty ice cream shops and have them delivered to your rotational dinner table. Ride water coasters like the AquaMouse and AquaDuck early in the day or during dinner/show times to avoid long lines.
Popcorn Buckets & Travel Agents
Invest in a refillable popcorn bucket for discounted popcorn refills during shows. Booking through a travel agent like Small World Vacations is free and can earn you onboard credit.
Packing Essentials & Scavenger Hunts
Pack cloth pins for the bathroom clothesline to hang more swimsuits. Bring travel-sized detergents for the self-service laundry machines. Participate in virtual scavenger hunts like the Midship Detective Agency on the Fantasy and Dream or Disney Uncharted Adventure on the Wish.
Movie Previews & Alcohol Policy
Call Disney Cruise Line customer service to find out what movies will be playing on board. You can bring two bottles of wine or champagne or a six-pack of beer on board, but other spirits will be confiscated until disembarkation.
Booking Early & Seasickness
Book your Disney Cruise as early as possible to secure your desired stateroom, get lower rates, and have more time to pay off the balance. Visit the health center on deck one for free sample-sized over-the-counter medications and bandages.
Arrival & Nursery
Prepare for a crew member to announce your group's name upon boarding. Drop off children ages 6 months to 3 years at the It's a Small World nursery for a per-hour charge. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Water Bottles & Atrium Night
Bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. Attend the final Atrium event on the last night of your cruise to see Disney characters one more time.
Cashless & Tipping
Prepare for a mostly cashless experience, using your room key for purchases. Prepaid gratuities are automatically added to your final bill, but you may want to tip extra for certain crew members.
Guest Services & Luggage
Head to Guest Services for any assistance, including currency exchanges. Set luggage outside your stateroom the night before debarkation, or use the express walk-off option to carry your own luggage and debark early.
Fish Extenders & Rubber Ducks
Participate in fish extenders, hanging gift bags outside your cabin door to exchange goodies with other passengers. Hiding rubber ducks around the ship is no longer allowed, but you can still include them in fish extender gifts.
Dining Freedom & Strollers
Order whatever you want during rotational dinners, including multiple appetizers, entrees, or desserts. Kids can order off the adult menu and vice versa. Pack a lightweight, foldable stroller, as stroller rentals are limited.
Tea & Spa Tips
Enjoy a variety of Twinings hot tea flavors, but be aware that iced tea is typically unsweetened. Avoid booking a spa treatment on embarcation day, don't stress over the sales pitch, and be aware of co-ed spaces in the Senses Spa.
Forbidden Items & Magnetized Hooks
Do not bring clothes steamers, surge protectors, over-the-door hooks, or full-size scissors on board, as they will be confiscated. Use magnetized hooks for storage, as the cabin walls are made of magnetized metal.
Wheelchairs & Open Houses
Bring your own wheelchair, as Disney Cruises do not have wheelchair rental services. Attend open houses to see the Oceanear Club in person.
Character Coffee & Outro
Ask your barista to add a Disney character to your specialty coffee. The video concludes with a thank you and a reminder to check out the ultimate Disney Cruise free guide.
