Like any cruise, there are certain things you need to know before taking a cruise with Disney and certain things you will not want to miss. These tips will help you maximize your fun on board.
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11 Things You Must Do During a Disney Cruise
There’s nothing quite like a Disney Cruise. Taking a Disney Cruise is an exciting experience for everyone in the family, even that grouchy grandparent.
Order the Drink of the Day
Each day on a Disney cruise there is a drink of the day. There is one alcoholic drink of the day and one non-alcoholic drink of the day. The Disney Cruise “Drink of the Day” costs $5.46 or less.
Make Time for the Spa
The spas aboard Disney Cruise ships are always quite nice with an assortment of treatments available including sensory showers. With any treatment, you are given use of the private hot tub and heated tile loungers that overlook the ocean.
Ride the AquaDuck
Although it may seem silly, you simply have to ride the AquaDuck when you are on a Disney Cruise. When booking a Disney Cruise, you should definitely try for one of the ships that have the AquaDuck.
The AquaDuck is available on two of the Disney Cruise ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. This fun water slide makes for a fun, memorable experience at sea.
Watch a Live Show
The live shows offered on a Disney Cruise are broadway quality, and your family is sure to be impressed. In fact, depending on which ship you are on, there are even broadway actors from New York City in the shows. Eden and I always make sure to watch a show each night.
Run a 5K
You can be the first one off the boat on Castaway Cay by signing up to run the Castaway Cay 5K. This is a great way to enjoy the island before everyone else arrives and grab the seating area you want. We aim for shade and hammocks.
There is no extra fee to participate and everyone receives a keepsake plastic medal. Not to mention, you’ll get a bit of exercise along the way.
Next time I will not wear workout pants. It is extremely hot and you will want to wear shorts.
Dress Like a Pirate
Most Disney cruises have a pirate night. Although you may feel goofy dressing up, you should definitely do it! Lots of people dress up, and it’s an easy and fun way to add to the magic. On pirate night, everyone receives a pirate bandana in their room to wear. There are two fun shows on the deck to enjoy on pirate night too, one with Mickey and one with Jack Sparrow.
If they are not having a pirate night there will be some sort of different themes such as Marvel day at sea or Star Wars Day at Sea.
Marvel Day at Sea is one epic day with meet and greets, special activities, Dr. strange show. This is only available on five-night sailings. Characters include Iron man, Black Widow, and Groot.
Join a Fish Extender Exchange
Up the fun by participating in a little gift exchange with other families. Everyone participating brings something for each family. This is the perfect way to teach kids about giving and gain souvenirs at the same time. Plus, it takes some preparation and builds excitement in the weeks leading up to the cruise.
Learn everything you need to know to participate in a Disney Cruise Fish Extender group
Let the Kids Participate
Disney Dream Kid’s Club
Often times going into a kid’s or teen’s club can be a bit intimidating, but once they’ve gone in, they will never want to leave. Disney does a phenomenal job of getting the kids acclimated and making sure that everyone gets to know each other. My kids stayed out later than me every night.
Attend the Sailing Away Party
Disney throws a better party than pretty much anyone else, which means that every time they throw a party, you are going to want to be there. During the sailing away deck party, Mickey Mouse and his friends take to the stage and everyone dances along with crew members that lead the dancing.
Stay Up for the Fireworks
Disney does fireworks better than most, and the fireworks show onboard certainly lives up to the reputation. It can be a little difficult to stay up late after a fun-filled day, but if you do, you are rewarded with a great display of fireworks.
Visit the Bathrooms
All across the ship is opulence, and oddly enough the bathrooms are no exception. Some of the most impressive spaces I’ve seen are hidden away in the bathroom. No two bathrooms are exactly the same. Just check out the mirror I found in a tiny little bathroom in a remote part of the Disney Dream cruise ship!
Best Disney Cruises For Children
Disney cruises are floating versions of Walt Disney World and Disneyland. Many of the fun and facilities of the theme parks can be enjoyed aboard the big Disney ships, plus the extra thrills of visiting port cities around the world.
Disney Dream
Choosing the best Disney cruise depends on many factors, such as whether it ís the family’s first cruise, time available, destination options, budget, ages of the kids and other considerations. For example, if it will be your first Disney cruise, perhaps the best one could be a family trial run with the Disney Dream. If you enjoy it, then you can later plan a longer, more ambitious Disney cruise.
The schedule is a three-night, round-trip Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral in Florida to Nassau, The Bahamas. There is one excursion, stop at Castaway Cay, located near Great Abaco Island in The Bahamas. The one-day shore visit includes snorkel demonstrations, ocean swimming, boating, surfing or just lazing around on the white sandy beaches.
The cost for the three-day, all-inclusive cruise for a couple and one child ranges from $700 for basic cabin accommodations to $1,500 and more for larger families, as well as higher costs for upper-deck balcony cabins and suites.
All-Inclusive Perks
Excursions and other extras may cost more but included in the all-exclusive price are delicious meals, days full of fun and supervised Disney-themed activities aboard for kids of all age groups, from toddlers to teens. There are swimming pools, games, climbing, contests and all kinds of activities. For adults and teens, once the kids are safely tucked away in their cabins, there are many after-dark on-board clubs, entertainment, and features designed just for them.
Disney Wonder
Somewhat more adventurous is the seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Disney Wonder. Itís a round-trip from Los Angeles along Mexico ís tropical Baja Peninsula to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, and Cabo San Lucas. Cabo is the most fun port, and attractions feature sunny beaches, shopping, local dining, fishing and swimming with the dolphin and stingray enclosures.
Prices for the seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise vary from $750 per adult for inside cabins to $3,000 per adult for large balcony suites. Per person charges are lower for small children and infants occupying cabins with parents.
Disney Fantasy
The Disney Fantasy is currently the newest ship, launched back in 2012. You can read our full review of the Disney Fantasy.
All Disney cruises offer features not found on other ships, such as the familiar Disney decor, theme products and live characters on their entertainment stages. For the families with more time and larger budgets, there are many two-week and longer Disney cruises, including those to Europe, Hawaii and other world destinations.
Best of luck on your own Disney cruise and I hope you enjoy your experience.
Disney Cruise Packing List
Looking for a Disney Cruise Packing List? Here’s a free printable packing list for your Disney Cruise!
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