Disney Cruise Line

What to Expect & Cruise Tips

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Arrival

No matter what port you are departing from, you can expect the following procedure:

  • Make sure your luggage tags are on every piece of luggage you want delivered to your stateroom. Porters will collect them outside before you go into the terminal. Luggage tags didn’t arrive? Or maybe you need more? Porters can give you tags at arrival. Anything you do not want to carry for the next 2 hours or so should be delivered to your stateroom. If you are bringing alcohol onboard you must keep it with you - alcohol cannot be put into luggage and delivered to your room! It is customary to tip the Porters $1 per bag. Remember, they do not work for Disney Cruise Line so they are not included in pre-paid gratuities!

  • When you enter the building you will be asked to show your QR code (the from online check-in) to verify you are showing up for the correct sailing.

  • Next is security, which is a similar process to airport TSA.  If you are carrying anything that is not allowed on the ship it will be confiscated until you disembark. I have seen all kinds of things taken including rice cookers, bottle warmers, surf boards, irons, video game equipment, tv streaming devices. If you are unsure about an item please reach out and ask me! Weapons of any kind, illegal drugs, CBD (even in oil form), all are prohibited. 

  • After security you will go to the check-in desk. Here you will be given your Castaway Card and a boarding number. 

  • Lastly, you will be directed where to wait until your boarding number has been called.

  • After your boarding number has been called, but before you get on the ship, there are photo opportunities in front of Disney Cruise Line backdrops.

Some tips to help arrival go smoother:

  • Keep your QR codes readily available. I like to take a screenshot of each person in my family and save them in my Photos, so I can easily find them and don't have to rely on the internet. Port Arrival QR codes will be scanned multiple times at arrival.

  • Have your Passports and documents ready.

  • While you are waiting to board go ahead and open your Disney Navigator app. There you will see cruise details have been loaded, including all activities, showtimes, and more! This is a great time to go through the app as a group and "heart" the activities or plans you would like to participate in. After you "heart" an activity they will show up under your itinerary when you open the app. 

Post-Arrival, Pre-Sailing Away

After you board here are the following items I recommend you check off your arrival list:

  • Go to Senses Spa and ask about a Rainforest Room day pass. You can purchase for the day or for your entire cruise. This is a great activity for those who want to spend more time relaxing vs. taking advantage of all the Disney Cruise Line scheduled activities. Tip: The "At Sea" day(s) tends to sell out the quickest!

  • Go to the Kids Oceaneer Clubs to complete registration, pick up the kids Magic Bands, and take a look around the clubs. Adults will only be allowed to access the Oceaneer Clubs during this time and Open House, so if you want to see the clubs yourself and walk the kids around to help them become comfortable, this is the time to go.

  • Get lunch! You have three options for lunch:

    • 1) Cabanas (or Marcaline Market on the Wish). This is great for people who want to enjoy the buffet, but be aware it does get really busy between 12:00-1:30.

    • 2) There is one sit-down restaurant available at lunch. Your app will tell you which one. This is great for people who aren't in a rush and want to enjoy a 2 course meal.

    • 3) Quick service by the pool. Want to enjoy the sunshine, pool, or get a jump on the crowds and ride the AquaDuck/Mouse? Check out the restaurants up on the pool deck!

  • Walk around and become familiar with the ship. Here are some nautical terms you should know: Forward = Front of ship. Aft = Back of ship. Starboard = Right Side. Port = Left Side.

  • Check the app and see where your muster station is located and what time your drill will be.

  • You should have been told at the check-in desk a time when your stateroom would be ready. Typically it is about 2 hours after boarding. After you have eaten and walked around, visit your stateroom and get settled in. 

  • Check the app to see what time the Sail Away party is. If it is raining they will move it inside into the atrium. Be sure to get there in plenty of time so everyone in your party can see!

Arrival & Embarkation

General Tips for Your Cruise

Have a question? Need help? Visit Guest Services. They can assist you with anything.

  • If you begin to feel unwell you can visit the Health Center, located on Deck 1, Fwd

  • Stateroom tv's have recordings of the shows if you cannot attend in person. 

  • Pirate Night will have two shows. The early one is for children and is SO CUTE! The later one includes Jack Sparrow and fireworks. Fireworks will be on the Starboard side.

  • Laundry rooms are available for a small fee. Irons and ironing boards can also be found in there!

  • Eating a Palo/Remy one night and want to change your dining rotation so you do not miss a certain restaurant? Want to eat somewhere twice? Not a problem! Just tell Guest Services and they will help you. 

  • If you did not purchase the photo package in advance you still can! But, you CANNOT PURCHASE PHOTOS after disembarking the ship! If you want to buy photos do not leave the ship without them!

  • Shops are closed while at port. Due to tax reasons, you can only shop while the ship is at sea.

  • It's tempting to overbook yourself on the ship. Take time relax. Sit on your private verandah, or in a deck chair and simply enjoy watching the ocean waves as you pass by. Remember: this is vacation!!

  • You've essentially paid for all-you-can-enjoy meals. So, if you want to order more than one entree or dessert at dinner - do it! If the kids don't like a meal you can order a different one.

  • If you have purchased an excursion you will receive information in your stateroom the night before with exact time and location details. It will be something similar to “Meet outside of Walt Disney Theater at 8:30am.”

    Internet 

    A lot of people think they can use their International Plan while cruising - this is not true! Phone carriers charge HUGE fees to those who use their data while at sea. If you have questions about this I recommend reaching out to your phone carrier.

    To avoid a large cruise roaming fee, you will want to turn your phone to airplane mode while you are sailing. The first few hours on the ship before you sail away you can use your phone like you do every day with no issues. But, the second you begin to sail away, turn your airplane mode on! Keep your wi-fi on - you will need to be on the ship's wi-fi to access the Navigator app. 

    There are internet packages available for purchase if you need phone access while onboard. I do think the internet is pretty good.

    International roaming is available while stopped in most ports. While docked you can turn the wi-fi off if you choose to take advantage of that feature. I know AT&T charges $10 per day. Check with your carrier if you are unsure. If you need to make a call I recommend using FaceTime Audio, which only works on wi-fi. 

    Navigator App

    You will use the Navigator app to do so many things, including:

    • Chat with people in your and other staterooms

    • Daily calendar

    • Each night's dining location

    • Find character meet and greet locations

    • Review onboard purchases

    • View and book excursions and activities

    • Book a future Disney Cruise voucher under discounted deposit 

    Room Service on Your Cruise

    One of my favorite parts of cruising is waking up to breakfast being delivered! To order room continental breakfast, simply fill out the room service card (found inside of the top desk drawer) and place on your stateroom door handle by 3am the night before. 

    Room service is also available during the day and late evening as well! Cheeseburgers, pizza, Mickey Bars, and chocolate chip cookies are among some of my favorite options.

    This service is included with your cruise cost, but it is kind to tip when delivered.

Disney’s Castaway Cay

Welcome to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay (pronounced "Key")

  • You are free to come and go from ship to island as much as you want. 

  • Check the app to see character photo opportunities today!

  • I like the walk from the ship to the beaches. That being said, I only recommend walking it once. Take the tram back to the ship. The walk has almost no shade, so a sun hat or umbrella is recommended for anyone sensitive to the sun.

  • There are three beaches to choose from: The Family Quiet Beach (the first beach you will come to), the more active Family Beach (includes water slides and more), and the adult-only Serenity Bay.

  • Scuttle's Cove is a child-only play area. If you would like your children to take advantage of this experience I recommend bringing their Oceaneer bands with you.

  • There is a post office you can mail postcards from! Be aware - they take FOREVER to arrive. Like, 3-4 months. Still fun, though!

  • You can purchase beach toys from every shop. Floats and snorkels are available for rent.

  • Bike rental is only $10! Some people like to ride to the Observation Tower and look out over the entire island!

  • Beach towels are provided - no need to bring towels off the ship.

  • There are two dining locations: Cookies (behind the Family Beach) and Cookies 2 (at Serenity Bay). The food is the same at both locations with all you care to enjoy bbq style lunch. Tip: I love the strawberry banana ice cream!!

  • The shops are worth looking at. There is Castaway Cay merchandise you can only get on the island.

Preparing for Disembarkation

Here are some important things to know to help you disembark your Disney Cruise vacation.

  • If you would like your luggage to be removed from the ship for you, which is a GREAT service, your bags must be outside your stateroom by 10pm the night before you depart. You will not see your luggage again until you are off this ship. Therefore, you need to keep anything with you that you will need that night and in the morning. Luggage tags will be waiting for you inside of your stateroom to label. Each luggage tag has a specific character on it. Remember your character's name! That name and animation will be the location where your bags will be tomorrow. Remember, Porters are not Disney Cruise crew, so tipping $1 per bag is kind.

  • If you have a bill you need to settle with a Disney Gift Card or cash instead of the credit card you have on file I recommend doing that the night before you depart.

  • You will be given envelopes in your stateroom for gratuities to housekeeping and wait staff. If you have already paid these, additional gratuity is appreciate but not expected.

  • You will eat breakfast at the restaurant you ate the previous night. Cabanas (or Marceline Market on the Wish) is also available. This is a great option for people who are not in a hurry to get off the ship. Everyone must be off the ship by 10am.

  • Room service is not available on disembarkation day.

  • You MUST scan your Key to the World card to get off the ship. Do not pack Key to World cards in your luggage!

  • You will go through United States Customs after getting off the ship. So, do not pack your Passport in your luggage!

  • You can also choose to participate in Express walk-off and leave as early as 7am. If you choose to do this you must carry your own luggage off!