If you’re getting ready for your very first Disney cruise—or you’re a big Disney parks fan dipping your toe into cruising for the first time—it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and “where do I even start?”. My Disney Cruise Line Tips contain everything you need to make the most of your time on board!
Even if you’re an experienced cruiser with other lines, there’s quite a bit to wrap your head around – from what to pack to how dining works and which activities to prioritise. The good news? A little preparation goes a long way. I’ve now sailed aboard 3 Disney Ships – the Magic, Dream and Fantasy – and we recently returned from an amazing 13 night Transatlantic Disney Cruise – so I’ve pulled together some useful tips to help you feel confident, organised, and ready to enjoy every magical moment onboard.
Get There the Day Before
One of the biggest mistakes first-time cruisers make is arriving on embarkation day. Obviously this depends on how far you’re travelling, but if its more than a couple of hours away I would always recommend staying over in the port area the night before. Delays happen—flights get pushed back, trains get cancelled, and traffic (especially if you’re departing from a UK port) can be wildly unpredictable. Missing the ship is not how you want your holiday to begin!!
Arriving the day before gives you breathing room. You’ll start your cruise feeling calm rather than frazzled, and you might even have time to explore the port city a little before boarding.
Do Embarkation Day Your Way
There are always lot of opinions on the right way to do Embarkation Day. Some people insist on heading straight to the pool while its quiet, others like to go check out the buffet – some say the Welcome Aboard lunch served in the table service restaurants is a much better option. The only correct way to do Embarkation Day is to do whatever feels right for you.
On our last trip I fell victim to the “You MUST do it this way” crowd – I took their advice about avoiding the crowded buffet and going for the sit-down lunch which people swore was so much better, but guess what? We still waited almost 40 minutes to be seated and after all that, It wasn’t my vibe. I prefer the buffet, busy or not! So I learnt my lesson for next time.
My perfect Embarkation Day is to have a quick buffet lunch, let the kids have a dip in the pool and watch the Sail Away Party with a Cocktail of the day – but yours might be different, and that’s ok!
Consider Joining a Fish Extender Swap
If you fancy adding a bit of extra fun to your cruise, fish extender swaps are worth a look. These are informal gift exchanges organised by fellow passengers ahead of sailing, usually through Facebook groups.
The idea is simple: you hang a pocket organiser outside your cabin door, and throughout the cruise, other participants leave small gifts inside. In return, you do the same for them. It’s a lovely way to connect with other guests, and if you’re travelling with kids, they’ll absolutely love checking for surprises each day.
It’s not an official Disney activity, but it’s a popular tradition among regular cruisers.
Make the Most of Rotational Dining
Dining on a Disney cruise is a bit different—in a good way. Instead of sticking to one restaurant, you rotate between three themed dining rooms each evening. The clever part? Your serving team moves with you.
That means by night two or three, they’ll already know your preferences, dietary needs, and even your favourite drinks. It makes the whole experience feel far more personal. Plus, it’s all included in your cruise fare, so you can enjoy each restaurant without worrying about extra costs. The variety of restaurants and fun Disney theming means every night is a new adventure, even on a longer cruise when you repeat the rotations the shows or experience will usually vary – rotational dining is our favourite aspect of a Disney cruise!
Don’t forget you don’t have to stick to just one starter, entree or dessert – if you’re spoiled for choice you can ask to try multiple options, your dining team will be more than happy to accommodate! You can also request items that are not on the menu but are served elsewhere on the ship – for example if nothing takes your fancy at Animators Palette but a look at the in-app menus shows that another restaurant has something you want, a polite request to your waiter will mean you can have that dish no problem. If you have fussy eaters, you can also ask for things like french fries or pizza regardless of whether it’s on the menu. Mickey Bars are also always available!
Included Items That You Might Not Expect
There are a few things included in a Disney Cruise that you might not be aware of. For example, soft drinks are always included with meals – in the buffet and poolside bars these are self service but in the main dining rooms your waiting staff will bring them to you. A lot of people don’t realise that things like Shirley Temples are also included for free.
Room Service is also included free of charge and although they’re not listed on the menu, you can order Mickey Bars from room service too!
I also recently learned that Disney Cruise Line offers edible flavoured straws for free with all drinks – all you need to do is ask! I wish I’d known about this sooner!
Book Activities as Soon as You Can
There’s no shortage of things to do onboard, but some experiences are in high demand. Things like spa treatments, character makeovers, and adults-only dining tend to fill up quickly.
Booking windows open in advance (based on your Castaway Club status), so it’s worth setting a reminder and securing anything you really don’t want to miss. It saves disappointment later and helps you plan your days more easily.
For activities such as:
- Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Palo / Remy (adult dining)
- Spa treatments
- Port excursions
- Drink tastings
The booking windows open as follows:
- First-time cruisers: 75 days before sailing
- Silver: 90 days before sailing
- Gold: 105 days before sailing
- Platinum: 120 days before sailing
- Pearl: 123 days before sailing
These usually open at midnight (US Eastern Time)—so in the UK, that’s typically 5am (or 4am depending on time of year).
And yes… the popular stuff does go quickly. This is also when you can book your PAT (Port Arrival Time) which basically means the time you’re allowed to board the ship – so the earlier the better to maximise aboard time and beat the crowds.
👑 When can you book the Princess Gathering (Royal Gathering)?
This one trips a lot of people up because it’s NOT in the same booking window as the above activities.
The Royal Gathering is a free opportunity to meet and take photos with 4 different Princesses at once, with minimal wait time. The slots open:
- 30 days before your cruise
- (Concierge guests get slightly earlier access)
Again, it opens at midnight US Eastern Time (so early morning UK time).
The Princess Gathering has limited slots available, and is very in demand so you do need to be quick for this.
Pack a Bag for Your First Day
When you board the ship, your checked luggage won’t arrive at your cabin immediately. It can take a few hours, so it’s smart to keep essentials with you.
A small day bag with swimwear, sun cream, flip-flops, and a change of clothes will let you jump straight into holiday mode. If you’ve got kids, having everything to hand avoids unnecessary waiting around while they’re desperate to hit the pool. And don’t forget to pack your medication and your first evenings outfits in your carry on just incase!
Don’t Skip the Theatre Shows
Disney really delivers when it comes to onboard entertainment. The live shows are genuinely impressive—think West End-level performances, with brilliant costumes, music, and staging.
Each ship has its own line up of shows so no experience is the same, but productions inspired by films like Beauty and the Beast or Frozen are often highlights. They’re included in your cruise, so it would be a shame to miss them. Get there a bit early for a good seat and settle in for a great evening. Don’t forget that if you buy a Popcorn bucket on board, refills are just a couple of dollars – so buy one on your first evening and bring it with you for all shows!
Use the Navigator App Constantly
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app quickly becomes your best friend onboard. It has everything—daily schedules, showtimes, dining details, and activity listings.
It’s also useful for messaging your travel group without needing Wi-Fi. With so much happening across the ship, checking the app regularly helps you stay on top of things and avoid missing anything you’d really enjoy.
Bring Reusable Drinks Bottles
There are drink stations onboard offering soft drinks, tea, coffee, and water, but the cups provided are quite small and flimsy. Bringing your own refillable bottle makes life much easier, especially if you’re spending long stretches by the pool.
It’s also a more environmentally friendly option, which is always a plus.
Look Out for Unexpected Character Moments
Not all character appearances are clearly listed as meet-and-greets, which makes stumbling across them even more special. Some events or shows end with surprise appearances that aren’t heavily advertised.
For example, certain family activities such as game shows often wrap up with a character coming out to greet guests. These moments tend to be less crowded and feel a bit more personal—definitely worth keeping an eye out for.
One of my favourite moments on board our last cruise was stumbling across an unscheduled character dance party – there were hardly any other passengers around and I even got to dance with Mickey Mouse!
Don’t Try to Do Everything
It’s tempting to pack your schedule full because there’s so much on offer—but you don’t have to do it all. One of the best things about a Disney cruise is the flexibility to enjoy it your way.
Whether that means seeing every show, joining in with activities, or simply lounging on deck with a drink, it’s entirely up to you. Slowing down and enjoying the experience often ends up being the most memorable part.
In the end, a Disney cruise is all about those little moments—unexpected surprises, great food, and time spent together. With a bit of planning and a relaxed mindset, you’ll be set for an unforgettable trip. Happy Cruising!