How to Plan the Perfect Disney Cruise: Tips, Strategies & Common Mistakes to Avoid
Onboard the Disney Treasure!
Planning a Disney Cruise can feel overwhelming—there are ships to choose from, itineraries to explore, staterooms to compare, and lots of deadlines to keep in mind. But don’t worry! In this guide, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to plan the perfect Disney Cruise, including common mistakes families make (and how to avoid them).
Start Here: Choosing the Right Ship
Disney Cruise Line currently has six magical ships: the Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, Wish, and the newest, the Disney Treasure—with the Disney Destiny and Disney Adventure coming soon!
Larger Ships (Dream & Fantasy): More activities, pools, and entertainment options for families.
Smaller Ships (Magic & Wonder): A cozier feel with fewer crowds and easier navigation.
New Ships (Wish & Treasure): Modern design, new dining concepts, and reimagined kids clubs.
Pro Tip: Choose the ship that best fits your budget, preferred travel dates, and vacation style.
Picking the Perfect Itinerary
Disney offers cruises to a wide range of destinations including:
Bahamas & Caribbean
Alaska
Europe
Special sailings like Marvel and Pixar Days at Sea
When comparing itineraries, consider:
How many sea days vs. port days there are
Departure port, is there one that is more convenient for you, more flight options, or somewhere you’d like to explore before or after the cruise.
The destinations and excursion options
Your family’s priorities—relaxing onboard or exploring new places?
Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Disney Treasure
Understanding Stateroom Options
Not all rooms are created equal. Consider location and features:
Midship: Best for minimizing motion sickness
Aft: Convenient for accessing decks from the aft elevators, but can feel more vibrations at times.
Forward: Quieter but more motion if seas are rough.
Room types include:
Inside staterooms some with magical virtual portholes (budget-friendly!)
Oceanview rooms with real views, but offer some budget-friendly options.
Oceanview verandah rooms with a balcony and fresh air.
Concierge level for added luxury and perks.
Pricing Tips & Booking Strategy
Disney cruises are rarely discounted. To save money:
Book early—prices only go up as rooms fill
Avoid peak seasons like holidays and summer breaks
Watch for itinerary release dates and be ready to jump!
Book your Disney Cruise with me for free! I will monitor for any new promotions that may be applicable to your trip, plus give you all the tips and tricks needed for a magical vacation.
Travel Timing & Arrival Strategy
Never fly in on embarkation day. Always plan to arrive at the port city at least one day early. Delays happen—and the ship won’t wait.
Travel Documents You’ll Need
For international cruises, a passport is required.
For closed-loop U.S. cruises (starting and ending at the same U.S. port), a birth certificate and government-issued ID is accepted—but a passport is still strongly recommended.
What’s Included (And What’s Not)
Included:
Your stateroom
All meals in rotational dining
Soft drinks at meals and pool deck
Broadway-style shows
Kids clubs
Character meet-and-greets
Not included:
Gratuities
Alcoholic drinks
Shore excursions
Spa services and adult dining (like Palo or Remy)
Travel insurance
Photo packages
Know Your Booking Deadlines
Your Castaway Club status (Disney Cruise Line’s loyalty program) affects how early you can book:
First-time cruisers: Access opens later
Returning guests: Get priority booking
Important dates to watch:
Final Payment Date
Excursion & activity booking windows
Online check-in (when you select your Port Arrival Time)
Other Costs to Budget For
In addition to your cruise fare, plan for:
Gratuities: $16.00 per person/day or $27.25 per person/day for concierge or suite guests.
Excursions
Specialty dining
Travel insurance
Hotel stays before or after your cruise
Merchandise
Snacks that aren’t included in your cruise fare (popcorn or candy at the shows)
Alcoholic or specialty beverages
Be Realistic About Expectations
Yes, Disney cruises are magical—but they’re also busy, family-focused, and full of activities. If you’re expecting a totally relaxing escape, be prepared for a bit of chaos, especially on the newer ships. There are adult-only areas, but they can get crowded.
BONUS: Top 3 Disney Cruise Mistakes to Avoid
Royal Gathering on the Disney Treasure
Missing the Royal Gathering
This special character meet-and-greet requires advanced reservations and fills up quickly. Set a reminder to book it as soon as the booking window opens! Fortunately, this activity opens for all guests 30 days prior to sailing, right at midnight EST. For new cruisers who can complete online check in at the same time, book the Royal Gathering first! Or, book your Disney Cruise with us, and we will take care of the Royal Gathering for you so you can focus on your check in!Disappointed About Your Dining Time
Choose the best dinner seating for your family:Early seating is ideal for kids, but you have to book early to guarantee this! If it is unavailable when you book, you can join a waitlist. If you are moved off the waitlist, you will get notified before sailing. This can sometimes happen weeks to only days in advance of the cruise. If you don’t get off the waitlist, head straight to Guest Services or where they are arranging dining onboard and see if you can get moved.
Late seating is quieter, but too late for some. We actually prefer this as some days we were having fun at the pools or wanted to clean up after a port day and felt rushed to get to the early dining time.
On nights when the main shows are available, you will typically go to the show opposite your dining time!
Port Arrival Time Confusion
Your Port Arrival Time (PAT) dictates when you can board the ship. Be ready to check in on your assigned date (based on your Castaway Club status) and have all of your documents ready to go (I send a guide to my clients before their check in date!) Select the earliest available during online check-in to maximize your day onboard!Pro Tip: Book the Disney Cruise transportation for an easy embarkation day and most likely you will receive an early port arrival time!
Let Us Help You Plan!
Planning the perfect Disney Cruise takes some strategy—but it’s absolutely worth it. As Disney-certified travel agents, we help families plan magical Disney Cruise Line vacations at no extra cost to you when you book through us.
Need help?
Email us at hello@reyesfamilyadventures.com
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Ready to set sail? Let’s make your dream Disney Cruise a reality!