Packing for any vacation can be overwhelming! Whether this is your first Disney cruise or your 5th, knowing what to pack will ensure smooth sailing. Here is a list of my top 5 things to pack on your Disney Cruise. These are things outside of the normal clothing and toiletries (don’t forget those too)!
1. Embarkation Day Bag
This is the bag you will carry in the port and on the ship. You will not check this bag with the porters when you arrive at the port. This bag is usually our family backpack. It’s the same backpack that we take when we go to Disneyland. I usually let my husband carry it!
What should you have inside?
- Cruise Documentation (see below)
- Passports and/or drivers license/birth certificate (Please check out the following link to see the required documentation for your itinerary) https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/passport-travel-documentation/
- Medical Insurance cards
- Prescription medications (in original containers)
- Seasickness remedies
- Cash
- Cell Phone and/or camera
- Swimsuit/cover-up and sandals
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Reading materials
- Towel Clips
- Refillable water bottles
- Alcohol (if wanted, must be in carry-on)
- Stateroom Door magnets
- Autograph book & pens
- Lanyards (see below)
2. Cruise Documentation
We like to start a vacation file (file folder) when we start planning any vacation. We keep all paperwork associated with the vacation in here. One of the most important documents you need to bring is your “My Online Check-in Port Arrival Form”. When you complete your online check-in, you need to print it out. The other items we keep in here is our cruise confirmation with the number, a copy of our itinerary with port excursions and onboard activities we booked, as well as copies of our transportation documentation. We also like to have a copy of our passports or other government IDs that we store separately in our stateroom, just in case our originals go missing.
3. Pirate Gear
On most* itineraries there will be a pirate-themed night. This is your opportunity to get as dressed up as you want. Some sailors go all out with full pirate costumes! Your little ones can also get a pirate makeover on board (for an additional cost), as well as the gift stores, carry pirate-themed clothing and accessories. But if you plan ahead you will pay a lot less by bringing your gear from home. My family didn’t want to go all out with costumes, but we did want to participate in the festivities, so we preordered matching pirate shirts from Etsy. You will also get a pirate bandana in your stateroom on pirate day. For some guests, this is a pirate as they get 🙂
*Alaska cruise itineraries have Pixar Pals Party with Toy Story, Monsters Inc. and Up theming
4. Autograph Book & Pen
You will get the opportunity to meet and greet so many fun Disney Characters on your Disney cruise. Your first interactions begin in the port with photos with Mickey. You will want those autograph books and pens ready! On your daily cruise navigator (the itinerary you get each day) there will be the character meet and greets with locations and times. You can grab your autograph books and head over.
5. Peace of mind
You’re going on a vacation in which you are meant to relax! I know how stressful vacation planning can be and I know how much work has gone into making this the most magical vacation your family has ever had, but don’t forget to relax! Disney has everything covered! If you forgot seasickness medication, it’s ok! You can get it for free at guest services. You’re cold in the theater? Run over to the gift shop and get a sweatshirt. This is how I wound up with my favorite keepsake from our cruise. It is a Disney blanket and it’s on my couch every day! So please enjoy yourself and if you need anything, just ask! The crew on the Disney Cruise Line will go above and beyond to make sure your vacation is the best it can be!
Lanyard – honorable mention
Each person in your family will get a Key to the World Card. This card acts as your room key and has information on there about your dining. We liked having a lanyard to carry our cards around especially if I was wearing something that didn’t have pockets. Plus, ours are Disney themed, so it was another way to add some Disney fun to our cruise.
Happy Travels!
Let’s book your magical vacation today! As an agent with Key to the World Travel, I can help you with everything from Disney Destinations, a cruise, a beach getaway or even a trip to Europe. Contact me today for your free, no-obligation quote at l.brown@keytotheworldtravel.com and follow me on Facebook to hear about the latest Disney updates and travel tips! Or, you can fill out and submit the form below. I look forward to helping you plan the most magical vacation for you and your family.
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