8 Things You May Not Have Known About Your Disney Cruise

March 31, 2018

For those considering a Disney Cruise, there are so many little details that go into the cruising experience from port excursions to rotational dining and from on-board amenities to stateroom features, that it can be hard to keep up. There are tons of helpful tidbits that I wished I had known about before cruising with Disney, many of which are slightly under-the-radar. So we here at Disney Addicts have compiled a list of 8 Disney Cruise Line “did-you-knows” to better inform you in the lead-in to your time at sea!

1. Door decorating is part of the fun! – Most of the stateroom doors on the Disney ships are magnetic and part of the tradition with regular cruisers is to make your stateroom your home by adding some personal touches. Etsy has numerous super crafty retailers that make special cruise magnets just for the occasion or if you’re super crafty you can seek inspiration from sites like Pinterest and make your own. Guests in Concierge staterooms aboard the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy should note that these rooms have wooden doors. Though magnets are fine, tapes and adhesives of any kind are not. Over the door organizers are also prohibited as they can damage the doors and trim.

2. You can have special surprises delivered directly to your stateroom – There is a whole section of the Disney Cruise Line website where you can pre-order to have fun items delivered directly to your stateroom. Whether it’s a celebration cake, fun Halloween decorations, wine sampler, fruit trays or even a romantic package to surprise your special sweetheart, there are a ton of ways to add a little bit of pixie dust. You’ll also find the rates very reasonable with options starting at around $18.00. Check out the website here.

3. You can pre-pay for gratuities. If you want to dive into your all-inclusive Disney Cruise knowing that most costs have been covered then why not pre-pay for your tips before you head out to sea? Disney Cruise Line has a handy system in place where each stateroom guest pays a set amount for each night of the cruise in advance. The price is typically $12 a night for each night that you are cruising and payment can be arranged through Disney Cruise Line or by contacting your travel agent. Further details can be found here.

4. Spa treatments book up really quickly. Amazing childcare options aboard each of the ships in Disney’s fleet mean that lots of adults are looking for relaxing days to spend their time at sea and scheduling in a spa treatment frequently tops the “must-do” lists. This means that spots book up quickly so those deciding to opt for a last-minute pamper may not be able to get an appointment. That’s why it pays to get a jump start and book your appointments early. Pop by Senses Spa as soon as you board the ship, staff will be on hand to book appointments and you may even be able to haggle your way into a nice spa package or a few free extra treatments! They are open from 1:00pm onwards.

5. Bring free items into the movie theater rather than paying for concessions. One of the things I love most about cruising with Disney is the all-inclusive element. If you’re planning on checking out an evening movie with your family then why not stock up on free items from the quick service locations on-board you ship like sodas and pre-packaged snacks. This means you won’t be tempted to pay concession stand prices at the snack bars that are taunting you when you walk into the theaters.

6. It even rains at sea so bring those ponchos. Though most visitors to Walt Disney World would never think about heading to the park without some ponchos safely tucked away for that inevitable rain shower, this is an item that people often forget when cruising. However, rain is common especially for those travelling during the Hurricane Season. So keep a few on standby just in case. To save you the expense of having to pay Disney prices, you can always stop by your local dollar store before your cruise and pick up a few to bring with you.

7. BYOB. If you know you’ll want a drink or two while at sea but don’t want to pay ship prices, Disney does allow you to bring your own wine or beer. Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.

8. You can have breakfast in your room. Many people don’t realize this but complimentary room service, is included in the price of your cruise and is available 24 hours a day, for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. So go ahead. Order breakfast in bed. It’s the perfect way to pamper yourself.

These are just a few tips that have helped us here at Disney Addicts make the most of our time at sea. Be sure to share any that you may have in the comments below!

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Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to help you with everything from picking your perfect stateroom to sharing tips and trips to help you get the most out of your time at Sea. Best of all, my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025, via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook.

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8 Things You May Not Have Known About Your Disney Cruise 9

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