Disney Cruise Tips & Tricks
Disney Cruise Line is not the same as any other cruise…it is better!
All cruises are different with Disney, simply because there are so many ships. What is not different is the level of service you receive and the feeling of luxury you get every time you board a ship in the Disney fleet. There are ways to maximize the trip and make sure you see and do everything right, so I will pass some of them along here! Disney Cruises are my favorite, and I have picked up a lot of good information and tips along the way!
A cruise is an all-inclusive vacation, and it is a great way to see the world at a great price. Your hotel floats with you, so no moving bags from place to place! From porting country to country to all you can eat food offerings to endless entertainment… no one does it better than Disney!
Before You Board
All Disney Cruise Line sailings have a Facebook group to meet other cruisers and get inside information on your sailing. You can find it by typing in the ship and dates of your sailing in the Facebook search bar.
If you keep it in your carry on, you can bring a pack of water onboard. The ship also has several water stations onboard if you want to bring a refillable bottle.
Do not try to get to port early because they will not let you on the ship until your exact boarding time.
Embarkation Day
If you do not get reservations at the adult only restaurants, you can go to the desk right outside Enchanted Dining, or sometimes, they will put you on a waitlist right outside Palo.
When you get on the ship, take the complimentary tour of the Kids Clubs and Senses Spa, even if you do not intend to use them. Both are a sight to see!
On embarkation day, your room may not be available until late afternoon, and you may not get all of your luggage until 6:00 pm, so its recommended to carry a day bag that contains everything you’ll need before dinner. Example: Swimsuits, sunscreen, change of clothes, and all of your important documents.
Ship Layout
The Wish does not have a continuous walking track. It is broken up with a few staircases, so the treadmill at Senses Fitness will be better for a continuous run or walk.
Not all elevators on the Wish go to Deck 13, so make sure the buttons say 13 (the ones furthest from the wall) before you head up.
Some ships have motion activated buttons, so if the elevator lobby is packed, prepare to stop on every floor.
Entertainment
There is an animation tour that tells about all of the artwork on the ship. There is also an animators class where you can learn to draw fun characters! Check the Navigator app for times.
There is sometimes a Welcome reception to meet the captain and crew. Check the Navigator app for your cruise.
The parties on the pool deck are ship exclusive, so do not skip them thinking you may have seen them already on another ship!
The AquaMouse (Wish), AquaDuck (Fantasy and Dream), and AquaDunk (Magic) are amazing and must do attractions, but it breaks down sometimes and has long lines, so it is a good idea to experience it early in the day! Catch it without a huge line on embarkation day! Another good time to ride it is while others are on the islands and the ship is less crowded.
The best place to see fireworks on The Wish is from the middle of the ship. They shoot from the front and the back on the starboard side, so I prefer to stand on the port side to see.
Kids Clubs
There is a slide on the Grand Hall, Deck 3, that your kids can use to slide down into the Oceaneer Club! Adults can go down it, too, even if you are not with a kid!
Dining
There is always a fabulous seafood buffet at Cabanas or Marceline Market (Wish) the first day, so check it out when you board.
On embarkation day, the ice cream is usually chocolate and vanilla, but the rest of the cruise, they will have different flavors as well, like strawberry and banana.
Room service is usually right on time. If it says 9:00-9:30, it will almost always be right at 9:00. They are very punctual.
The ships offer churros on select nights.
For rotational dining, not every character will visit every table and hug each child, so make sure you tell your server if your child desperately wants to see a specific character, and they will try to help.
Themed Nights
Some cruises have themed nights. On cruises 4 days or longer, you will have a pirate night. There is often a formal night and sometimes a Marvel, Pixar, or Frozen night. Check the app for this on your cruise!
There is also a lobster night!
Navigator App
If you purchase WiFi on the ship, you will also have WiFi on Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay.
There is a complimentary chat feature that you can use to communicate with other members of your travel party and to get help from Guest Services. You do not have to buy the WiFi package to use.
Gratuities
18% Gratuity is being added to almost EVERYTHING, so make sure you don’t tip additionally if you don’t need to. Check your receipts.
If you did not prepay gratuities, you will see it on your stateroom bill on the last day of the cruise, and if you booked with me, your onboard credit can be applied to this as well!
Staterooms
Hair dryers are provided.
There are no outlets in the bathrooms (except for shavers because of wattage), so dry your hair by the desk area in that mirror.
There are USB and USB-C ports, and European outlets and American outlets. Power strips are NOT ALLOWED, so bring a multi-outlet to plug in multiple items.
The bathroom has a night light so you do not have to disturb the whole cabin to use it.
There is good A/C, but it helps to close your curtains when you are not in the room to keep the sun from warming up your room too much.
The fridge is a drawer, so do not miss it! It keeps things pretty cold.
Shopping Onboard
If you find something you really want in the gift shops onboard, it is best to go ahead and purchase. Some items/sizes are in limited supply and if you wait, it might not be available when you come back.
Gift shops are closed when in port.
Placeholder Onboard
Before you disembark, you can purchase a placeholder for $250. This $250 goes towards your next cruise, and if you book the next one to sail within 2 years, you get 10% off! This is refundable if you cancel the placeholder or do not book one.
Dress Code
Typically, the dress code, even for meals, is cruise casual. This simply means no bathing suits or tank tops, and you have to wear shoes. Some people, prefer to dress up at meals, but it is not required.
Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended for Adult only dining in the specialty restaurants. Dress casual attire with a polished look is permitted (such as dress pants, nice jeans, collared shirts, blouses and nicer shoes). T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire is not allowed.
Spas and Salons
Senses Spa reservations may be made online before the cruise.
Salon services can be booked any time after 1:00 PM on the first day of your cruise. These fill up quickly. You can also join the waitlist.
Salon services can only be booked onboard, any time after 1:00 PM on the first day of your cruise.
You must cancel before 24 hours of your service to avoid a 50% fee.
Spa and Salon Services are not included in the cruise price.
An 18% gratuity will be added automatically to all spa services, so you do not need to tip extra.
Pregnant guests in their first trimester cannot receive a massage, and cancer diagnosed guests must have a note from an oncologist to receive a massage.
Rainforest Room: There is a pass for purchase for $166 +18% gratuity that grants you access for the entire cruise.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique has an option for kids to transform into Mickey and Minnie if your kid wants a nautical look over a pirate or princess.
Additional Charges
All specialty coffee shops: Cove Cafe, The Wishing Star, The Enchanted Sword Cafe
Spa and Salon Services: Senses Spa, Untangled Salon, Hook’s Barbery, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Alcoholic Beverages
Castaway Cay: Wheezy’s Freezes, Merchandise shops
All merchandise and souvenir shops onboard
Preludes: Popcorn, Snacks, Beverages
Specialty Dining not included in rotational dining
“it’s a small world” nursey
Oceaneer Club wristbands require a small fee around $13
