My Tips From Our 1st Disney Cruise!
Hello, friends!
I'm so excited to share the amazing experience we had recently – a Disney cruise to celebrate my little Noa’s 6th birthday! We planned this surprise for a year, and the long wait was definitely worth it. It was a much-needed family time filled with laughter, fun, and plenty of magical moments - literally!
Now, let me share with how it all went while also giving you some tips that might be helpful if you’re planning to book your Disney Cruise experience in the future! It was our first time being on a cruise and we are happy we chose the Disney Dream!
Tip #1: Plan ahead, stay flexible
We booked the trip a year ago, but we were very flexible with our plans. While it's great to have activities lined up, it’s also good to embrace the unexpected moments and go with the flow. Some of the best memories are made when you least expect them!
There are definitely some activities we booked prior to boarding the ship and I would recommend you do the same for some too. For example, if you are keen on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique then set that alarm and reserve your spot well in advance. We also booked a martini tasting, bourbon tasting and an adult brunch at Remy’s Restaurant. Definitely worth it! If you’re late to the game, there are some things you can book when you arrive and if there isn’t availability always be sure to ask to be placed on the cancellation list.
I would also suggest booking some activities when you are at the Ports. The catamaran excursion was a hit and worth it for sure! My sis-in-law booked floaties for when we were at Castaway Cay, which was a good idea because it’s one thing you can’t purchase when you arrive at the island.
One more thing, consider reserving photo opp times with the Princesses on board because you won’t always be lucky to be let in line to wait.
PS - special shout out to Renee from Click The Mouse Co. who helped us book this cruise and was always quick to reply to all my messages about anything and everything!
Tip #2: Pack Smart
Make sure you've got all the essentials packed – sunscreen, swimwear, and comfortable clothes for exploring and relaxing. And don't forget to bring along some Disney-themed attire! Whether it's costumes, shirts, or hats, dressing the part adds an extra layer of fun to the adventure.
Because we were on a Marvel themed cruise with Disney there were a lot of people who did not play around when it came to costumes. It was pretty fun to see so many guests dressed up! There was also a very memorable Pirate night where Disney also provided some accessories to dress the part.
Lastly, when it comes to packing smart you should in fact pack light. There are washer and dryers on most decks that are quite affordable (around $7 including detergent). We wish we knew this in advance because we probably wouldn’t have packed so much!
Tip #3: Kids' Clubs are a Lifesaver
Take advantage of the fantastic kids' clubs available on Disney cruises. They offer supervised activities for children of all ages, giving parents some much-needed downtime. It's a win-win for everyone – the kids have a blast, and you get a chance to unwind! 🍷 Note that there are various kids clubs - one for little kids like Noa, one for tweens like Harper and another for teenagers like my niece. All the clubs had a jam-packed itinerary that would keep any kid busy!
I do have to admit that we probably did not utilize the kids clubs as much as I thought we would. Noa was also so excited to be with her sister and older cousins that she preferred to not go. When she was there she only had great things to say. They are also VERY strict on pick ups - children can only be picked up by an approved adult and this person must know their secret word.
Tip #4: Laugh Now, WINE later.
I would highly suggest taking on the two bottles of wine that you are allowed to bring on when you board. You can also buy wine packages at dinner, which I found very helpful. The drinks add up when you’re purchasing cocktails throughout the day.
Tip #5: Bring Reusable Water Bottles
Buying the plastic water bottles while on the cruise is not a good idea for your wallet (or the planet). Bring your reusable bottle and fill up at the drinking stations. My sis-in-law also gifted us with personalized tumblers, so we just used those for all our other drinks when walking around the ship.
Tip #6: Motion in the Ocean is Real
Bring along some gravol or patches to help with motion sickness. We were generally pretty good because we opted for a stateroom midship with a verandah. This helped. When we had dinner on the lower decks we definitely felt the motion in the ocean. Don’t try and be a superhero, take the gravol!
Tip #7: Room Service, Tipping and Pixie Dusting
We were given the advice to order coffee and small small bites the night before to arrive first thing in the morning at our stateroom. This was a good idea because it gave us some time to chill and drink our coffee on the verandah. I mention tipping because all tips are included every time you sign. You are also given envelopes that you can provide additional tip at the end of your trip. This is one time we wish we brough cash! I should mention that that there was never a time we felt pressured to provide more tip. Every Disney worker was over-the-top nice and would go out of their way when we would ask for help. I would defintely say service on the Disney Cruise was a highlight and one that is unmatched.
Let’s talk Pixie Dusting. I did NOT know this was a thing, but apparently it’s a cute tradition that involves guests leaving little gifts anonymously at your stateroom door. We were lucky to get a few hidden treasures and the girls were thrilled. Definitely a cute idea and a nice way to get kids involved in a giving act!
Tip #8: Do Your Cruise Homework
I’ll be honest, we were really unsure how we would feel about going on a cruise. I would say we aren’t cruise people, but we are so glad we did it and that it was a Disney Cruise. The cleanliness and attention to detail when it came to activities and room upkeep were top notch. I would say that I probably didn’t do my homework when it came to choosing what cruise and when. I was lucky that my sis-in-law did all of that and she joined a fb group that inlcuded guests who just got off a Disney Dream and guests who were just about to board! This was so helpful and she passed a lot of info on to me as well. My suggestion is to really take the time to research what Disney ship you are going to sail with; there are so many now and I believe 1 or 2 launching soon. Take into consideration what the ports are, the time of the year (we’ve heard people get to Castaway Cay and it’s freezing). Also, we went during March Break so it was VERY busy, which can also change the tone of your whole vacation.
We also felt that the pools and hot tubs were quite small and given it was such a busy time, there really was no “good time” to be in there. It was just packed. I believe there are some other Disney Cruise ships that have more than a couple of family pools, so consider that if you think you will be by the pool all day while at sea.
A Disney Cruise is not cheap, but it was worth every penny because of the memories that are made. Take your time and book well in advance so you have time to budget.
Tip #9: Save Some Extra $ By …
We flew in the night before and spent a little extra money on a hotel that Disney had recommended on their site. I would suggest finding an air bnb or more affordable hotel to stay at before heading to the port the next day. Also be mindful of how far you are from the port because a long Uber ride also adds up.
Another way to save some extra cash is to bring your own princess dresses instead of buying them on the cruise. Your bank account will thank you later. Also, if you’re a go-getter, purchase a new Disney stuffy before you get there to give to your little one instead of spending a whoppin’ $50USD on one in the gift shop.
If you aren’t huge Disney goers, I would also say you can save a little by skipping the Disney+ Bands. Yes, they are great for the kids opening the room doors at their convenience, but also great when the kids want to purchase whatever they want at the shops on board *yikes! I know, you can also change this setting so they don’t have this access, but still! The bands are definitely worth it if you think you’ll be going to a Disneypark in the near future because they can also be used there.
Tip #10 Cherish Family Time
Above all, cherish the time spent together as a family. These moments are what make the cruise truly special 💗 Disconnect from the outside world, be present with your loved ones, and create memories that will last a lifetime.
My Takeaways
This birthday surprise for Noa was one that I hope she will remember forever. We felt it was a good age for both Harper and Noa to experience a Disney Cruise. We loved every single bit of the cruise, but I confess … my most favourite time of all was being off the ship and on land at Castaway Cay! If you're considering a Disney cruise experience for your next family adventure, this is your sign to book it now! ✨
Until next time, xo
Trisha