If you opened this guide it's because ONE, you are thinking of booking a Disney Cruise or TWO, you've secured a Disney Cruise Line sailing date but you're not sure where to start or what you even need to know!
I get it, it can be a bit overwhelming. With a third cruise under our belt we've learned many things the hard way, from experienced Disney cruisers or just from our own experience. In this travel blog I'll include tons of insider tips & recommendations to make the whole experience from booking to the moment you step foot on the ship absolutely magical. I'm sharing it ALL! Ok let's get to it!
When To Book
Cruise booking dates open about 1 year ahead of your desired sailing date and that's when they can be purchased at the best rate. This allows better chances of booking your desired room placement, preferred port adventures and in ship activities that require booking.
When dates are released online, be aware that you and tons of others are also trying to book. Be ready to go online10 minutes before dates are released. I'm not kidding when I say prices go up by the minute.
When To Pay
You only need to book with a deposit & the deposit is completely refundable up to 4 months before cruising. Specific date for final payment will be emailed to you once booked.
Start Meeting & Learning From Fellow Travelers Who Will Be Sailing Away With You.
This is a step you don't want to miss. We've learned so much and have been able to add so much more magic to our Disney Cruises by doing this.
If you have a Facebook account, step one is done. If you don't, join Facebook. Open an account even if it's strictly for this purpose. It's worth it, trust me.
Once logged into Facebook search the group Disney Cruise Line Junkies and request to be in the group.
Once in the group you can see all kinds of valuable information but this isn't even the best part. In this group you can now search for YOUR specific Facebook sailing page. This is where you will meet and learn from others who will be on the same ship as you. These group are made by volunteer passengers who love to share all their knowledge and like to start the Disney magic before even boarding. You can search for your group under the FEATURED tab by year, sailing date and ship.
Give & Receive some Extra Disney Magic
Now that you're in your specific sailing Facebook page what's next? You will eventually see sign up's for FE groups. You're like WTH is that?!? A Fish Extender is a mutual gift exchange you sign up for on your cruise.
The person in charge of organizing this will set up a sign up sheet where you'll share name, cabin number, # of adults and kiddos participating ( sign up questions may vary slightly). You will then be assigned into a group of about 8 families (number can range). You will make or purchase something for all individuals in the group and vice versa. It can be as easy, elaborate, affordable or as expensive as you'd like. This is intended to be fun and I've received anything from Disney themed magnets, to key chains, to stickers, photo frames, shirts and everything in between.
How do you exchange the gifts once on board? Most people who join purchase a fun Fish Extender like this one
I purchased mine from Etsy moons ago and have used it all 3 times. Once on board you will go around anytime during your trip to deliver your gift and drop it off into their fish extender pockets. It's so much fun to get back to your room to find a little surprise waiting! It's also tons of fun to sneak all around the ship delivering your little surprise. Trust me it's such a blast and a great thing to do after a delicious and heavy dinner.
Decorate Your Cabin Door
This is another activity you can start doing that can be a fun family activity before you even sail. The cabin doors are magnetic therefore you can decorate your door with fun Disney themed magnets, signs, messages etc etc. The possibilities are endless! Here's how we've decorated our door.
You can find your favorite Disney characters in this Disney Graphics Page. These are all made my fellow Disney cruisers and not intended for resale but for personal use. Simply print the image, cut it, laminate it and then glue a magnet to it and you've created your own personalized magnet! Not feeling crafty, purchase them on Etsy. There's tons of options. Once on the ship set them up on your door and share your creation with others while they share there's. I love seeing the doors decorated and my daughter is always so proud to display our creation.
Port & On Ship Activities & How To Sign Up
Port Activity Date Release
While you are having tons of fun in your Facebook sailing page, making your FE gifts and deciding on door decor here's a VERY IMPORTANT date to keep in mind and that's the PORT ACTIVITY date release and your PORT ACTIVITY BOOKING DATE!
Port activity date release is the date that you will find out what activities will be available for booking on your port stops. Do not go in planning to decide on activities on your booking date. Decide ahead of time. I always choose 2-3 options in case my first choice is no longer available when it's my time to book. Write the number that is found next to the activity and sail date. Have it handy for your upcoming BOOKING date.
There are not many but some in ship activities do require a reservation like Palo Brunch, wine tasting as such. Again, look though those and decide what, if any, you'd like to do and on what day during your sail. Have that handy for booking date as well.
PORT ACTIVITY BOOKING DATE!
It's game day and your are ready to book on your specific date that was emailed to you by Disney based on your sailing history . If you're a first time cruiser you are last to choose . Prior cruisers get priority access and get to book earlier. Don't worry, this is why you wrote down options to choose from.
Booking date give open up at 12am EST!!! I repeat EST and yes people count down to midnight to log in and book their desired activities before they completely fill up.
I learned the hard way that times released by Disney Cruise line are always EST. So if you're PST like myself, you need to be online at 9PM ready to book to have a better chance of booking what you want. Might the site be a bit slow because everyone is on at the same time? yes! But don't worry. You will eventually be able to book something.
Here's another tip! Worst case scenario you don't get something you really had your heart set on? As soon as you board the ship head over to guest services. On certain occasions they may have some available spots for in person reservations or last minute cancellations. Choose the activity your heart desires the most (port or in ship activity) and head there first.
Dinner Reservation
Every night you will rotate for dinner between different restaurants. There are TWO timed options.
5pm Or 8pm. Here are my thoughts and what I've observed and heard from other experienced Disney cruisers.
5pm pros= if you're traveling with younger children or if you personally like to be in bed early, 5 is probably a great option for you.
5pm con= if you want to spend as much daylight at the pool then a 5pm dinner might be too early since you do have to account for time to get ready for dinner after a long and warm day at the pool.
8pm pros: you get to spend more time at the pool PLUS crowds start to die down since the 5pm dinner guest usually start leaving by 4pm!
8pm con: again if traveling with younger children who tire early or you yourself get cranky when sleep deprived, then 8pm dinner might me too late.
My personal choice, we are night owls so love the 8pm and staying out by the pool later.
My recommendation is to discuss these options with your traveling group/partner and decide what works best for you.
During your dinners you will be assigned to sit with other cruisers. It's a great way to meet other families. However, if you are already traveling with a group and want to be seated with them, call the Disney cruise line number to link dinner times and seating. Have their full name, reservation and room number available before you call.
Online check In Date
This is another important day to keep in mind. This is when you'll give all your personal info needed for the cruise. Passport info and pic, emergency contact, and scheduling your port arrival.
When can you do your online check in? Depends on your cast away cay status. Again be aware of the times. Check in starts as early as 12am (EST) or 9pm PST the day prior of the date you were given by Disney. Do your check in as soon as possible. Earlier times means you'll be allowed earlier on the ship to begin exploring.
First cruiser check in: 30 days prior to sail date
Silver: 33 days
Gold: 35 days
Platinum: 38
Pearl concierge: 40
Here's Why You Should You Use Disney Transportation
On arrival to Miami airport you still need to get transportation to the port to board the ship. If you purchase Disney transportation, you'll be picked up in a big air conditioned bus, Disney cartoon playing, & you'll get tons of valuable information about your upcoming cruise. They will also safely take care of your luggage.
If you use Disney transportation regardless of how early you arrive to the port, it assures you can get inside the terminal and sit comfortably to wait for your check in time. An addition $22 per person /$44 round trip is a small price to pay for the convenience of being picked up right at the airport in comfort and style. It allows you to start the magic early with all fellow Disney cruisers. The bus runs every 15 min until 2:30pm from Miami airport to the port.
Other Things To Know
Every adults is allowed 2 wine bottles or 2 six packs of beer. No hard alcohol allowed. Also bring a wine opener to avoid a cork fee. Important note! You MUST hand carry in the alcohol and not inside your luggage or it will be discarded by port customs.
Towels are provided for pool and port activities by Disney. You do not need to bring your own towels.
Internet is available for a fee. $12, $24 or $36 package. I got the $24/24 hours package. Emails and browsing social media has been available with this plan.
No Phone Service On Board, No Problem
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App allows you to communicate with fellow cruiser through texts. There is no need to purchase any wireless package. Makes it communicating with your travel party very easily.
On board shopping with gift cards
All in ship spending is cashless and fees will be applied to your room. If you have gift cards go to guest service, they can add the gift cards to your room. Happy shopping!
When To Fly Into Port City/State
I always recommend flying or even driving in the day prior to boarding. You never know when delays may happen and you don't want to miss boarding the ship.
Tiping Disney Staff
They will charge you approximately $14 per person per day. That gets broken up in parts on the backend to go to the different people (room steward, head server, etc..). You can always add cash or go to the main desk and add more. It will automatically be added to your account at this default amount. If you don't want to make changes to the amount you don’t have to do anything.
Arrival Day/Boarding The Ship
Pack your bag with required documents, swimsuits, medicine and valuables—anything you may need before your luggage arrives in your stateroom which could be a few hours after boarding. We boarded at 12pm and didn't get our luggage until 5pm.
Conclusion
Hope you found this useful and have the most magical experience during your travels. If you found this helpful please let me know in the comments. You can also give this post a heart, share it with a friend or pin it to your Pinterest travel board. Any engagement will help get this information out to those who need it. Another Blog with detailed Cruise restaurants, cabin, events and port adventures we did will be shared soon. Stay tuned!
Happy Travels!
Talk to you later!
