free disney cruise planner

Disney Vacation Planning Resource Library for 2024 (and beyond)

Welcome to our Disney Vacation Planning Resource Library! This is the place where you’ll find checklists, worksheets, planning guides, and other printable PDF downloads to help you plan your next Disney vacation. Below you’ll find a variety of resources to plan your vacation to the Disneyland Resort in California, Walt Disney World in Florida, or around the world via Disney Cruise Line.

Happy Planning!

*This page may contain affiliate links. Click here to read my full disclosure policy .

Walt Disney World

Printable worksheets.

These daily planning worksheets are perfect for keeping track of your Genie+ Choices, Dining Reservations, Quick Service and Snack Dining Options, Favorite Photo Spots, and more! As Disney is currently requiring a park reservation for each day of your visit, be sure to also print out our Park Reservations worksheet!

Attraction Checklists

Here you will find attraction checklists for each of the four parks at Walt Disney World. Use them to keep track of your experiences or simply check off the attractions you don’t want to miss during your visit!

Printable Guides

These PDF printables are perfect for helping you plan your next Disney vacation!

Crowd Calendars

Here you will find crowd calendars for Walt Disney World for 2024!

Planning Guides

Magic in the Planning offers free guides to help you begin your planning! Here are some of our basic guides to planning your first Walt Disney World vacation:

WDW Step-by-Step Vacation Planning Guide

2023 Walt Disney World Planning Guide

2024 Walt Disney World Planning Guide

Walt Disney World Resorts:

• Disney Value Resort Hotels
• Disney Moderate Resort Hotels
• Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels
• Disney Deluxe Villas

Walt Disney World Dining:

• Dining in Magic Kingdom
• Dining in Epcot
• Dining in Hollywood Studios
• Dining in Animal Kingdom

Walt Disney World Attraction Guides:

• Attraction Guide for Magic Kingdom
• Attraction Guide for Epcot
• Attraction Guide for Hollywood Studios
• Attraction Guide for Animal Kingdom

Printable Worksheets & Guides

These daily planning worksheets are perfect for keeping track of your Genie+ Choices, Dining Reservations, Quick Service and Snack Dining Options, Favorite Photo Spots, and more!

Here you will find attraction checklists for both parks at the Disneyland Resort. Use them to keep track of your experiences or simply check off the attractions you don’t want to miss during your visit!

Here are some of our basic guides to planning your first Disneyland vacation:

Disneyland Step-by-Step Planning Guide

2023 Disneyland Planning Guide

2024 Disneyland Planning Guide

Disneyland Resort Dining:

• Dining in Disneyland
• Dining in California Adventure

Disneyland Resort Attraction Guides:

• Attraction Guide for Disneyland
• Attraction Guide for California Adventure

Disney Cruise Line

Here are some of our basic seasonal guides to planning your Disney Cruise Line vacation:

DCL in the Summer 2023 & 2024

DCL in the Fall 2023 & 2024

DCL in the Winter 2023

DCL in the Spring 2024

Our most popular Disney Cruise Line articles:

• The Ultimate Guide To Planning A Disney Cruise (In 7 Easy Steps!)
• The Ultimate Disney Cruise Line Dining Guide
• Disney Wish Cruise Ship: Our Guide to Disney’s Newest Ship
• All You Need To Know About Checking In For Your Disney Cruise
• 5 Frequently Asked Questions About Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures

Magic in the Planning is a Disney vacation planning blog created for those who want to take the stress out of planning their dream Disney vacation.

If that is you, then you’ve come to the right place! With new resources added monthly, you can be sure to find all you need to plan your perfect vacation without all of the stress that comes with planning out all of the details. Not only that, if you decide to become a Magic in the Planning subscriber, you will receive our free monthly newsletter featuring current Disney events and promotions, relevant tips and tricks, and all that’s new in the world that is Disney!

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Not yet a subscriber become one by entering your information below.

Happy planning!

I hope you enjoyed our free Disney planning resource library! Be sure to check back weekly for more printable resources!

For more information on your favorite Disney destinations, be sure to check out their official websites below:

The Disneyland Resort | Walt Disney World | Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Mom Blog

I am a mom who loves all things Disney, but especially Disney Cruises! I enjoy sharing everything I have learned and hope that it will help others plan their own vacations.

Disney Cruise Planner

January 14, 2019 by Disney Cruise Mom Leave a Comment

About a year ago I decided to try and make my own cruise planner.  I am an ultra-planner and usually super organized, so I wanted a way to keep track of all of my travel details in one neat place.  I have used it for my last 2 cruises, and tweaked it here and there over the past year to get it just right.  Now that it’s done, I want to share it with you guys!

There are 18 pages total, and I can print out all of them, or just the ones that apply to a particular trip.  Sometimes I also print out several of the same sheet – it all depends on what I need at the time.  I also left space on the side so that I can punch holes in the sheets and put them into a binder or folder, except for the first 2 pages you see below – those are intended to be used as cover pages and I slide them into the clear sleeve on the front of a binder.

If anyone would like a copy of the pdf file for your own use, I am asking $12 (since I spent a ton of time making this) via PayPal and I will email you the file.  You can print it and use it as many times as you like!

Printing tips:  I like to print onto card stock paper because it holds up better over time, and choose “scale to fit” in your printing preferences for best results.

If you are interested, email me at [email protected] and I’ll get you all set up!  I homeschool my kids and am not always near my computer, so please understand that it could be up to 24 hours before I respond, though likely less.  Thank you!

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©Disney Cruise Mom Blog 2020. All Rights Reserved. Disneycruisemomblog does not claim to represent, is not affiliated with, endorsed by or officially connected with Magical Cruise Company, Limited, dba Disney Cruise Line, or their parent company, The Walt Disney Company.

Disney Cruise Line Planning Tips and Timeline

Are you thinking about taking a Disney cruise vacation? If so, this planning guide is for you!

If you have ever planned a family vacation to Walt Disney World, you may feel overwhelmed with organizing a trip with Disney Cruise Line. Rest assured, planning a Disney cruise is much less tedious than preparing for a visit to WDW. Once you create a timeline of exactly what needs to be done and when, you’ll see that Disney cruise planning is actually a breeze!

And to make it even easier, we are sharing the timeline that we use for planning our family’s Disney cruise vacations. So, you can see specifically what we focus on during each step of the planning process. Whether this is your first time cruising with Disney or you’re an experienced traveler, read on for all the info you need to make your Disney cruise planning process super simple!

Things to Do Before Your Disney Cruise

Before you can prepare for a Disney cruise, you first need to complete the booking process for your Disney cruise vacation. You can find general information about Disney Cruise Line’s ships, itineraries, and activities by visiting the official DCL website. But you won’t be able to completely start planning for a Disney cruise until you have booked one.

This is because all of your cruise plans will be affected by which of the Disney ships and itineraries you ultimately choose. Once you complete your Disney Cruise Line reservation, I recommend doing three things:

• Make sure your passport will be up to date for your trip. Although you don’t always need a passport to sail with Disney Cruise Line, it’s a good idea to have one. So, you’ll want to make sure your passport isn’t expired, especially if it’s required for your sailing.
• Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App. Once you download the Disney Cruise Navigator App, you will see a countdown to your cruise AND the date when you can complete online check-in . This countdown will help you remember to complete online check-in on time, which is SUPER important! We will discuss more about online check-in below.

• Call DCL to make any special dining requests you may have. If you weren’t able to secure your desired dining time in the main dining rooms, you can request to be added to the waiting list. You can also ask the cast member on the phone to make a note of any dietary restrictions or special needs.

Disney Cruise Planner and Timeline

Once you have secured your reservation with Disney Cruise Line , you can get started organizing details for your vacation. I created a printable planning guide you can download on Etsy to organize all of your travel details. You do not have to purchase the guide in order to find the information below useful.

However, each section below fully explains the pages of the printable cruise planner. I find it helpful to print the planner before going through each section of this article. This way, you know what tips to follow for every step along the way. I like to make a binder to keep all of the important information for our family trip.

↓↓ Check out My Etsy Shop Here ↓↓

To do this, I print the packet from my Etsy shop because it has everything I need when planning my family’s cruise vacations. The printable Disney cruise planner includes the following pages:

• Timeline Checklist
• Cruise Comparison Sheets
• Hotel, Flight, and Ground Transportation Comparison Sheets
• Outfits Planner
• Fish Extenders Organizer
• Daily Itinerary with Sample Itinerary
• Packing List
• Budget Planner

I use a three-hole puncher to make holes in the packet so that I can store it in a binder. That way all of our family vacation information is in one place, and I don’t have to worry about forgetting something. Inside the Disney Cruise Planner above, you’ll find worksheets that follow the planning timeline below:

3-4 Months Before Your Cruise

These are some of the important tasks you should complete 3-4 months before your Disney cruise:

Make Final Payment

In addition to your online check-in date, be sure to note the date your final payment is due. Depending on the cruise itinerary you booked, full payment must be made either 90 days (for cruises 1-5 nights in length) or 120 days ( for cruises 6 or more nights) before sailing.

Most first-time cruisers have a decent time frame between final payment and online check-in, which is when you book your cruise activities. Now, if you booked your cruise last minute and your online check-in has already opened, you will just have less time to research and probably fewer options from which to choose. But that’s ok! You will still have the best time!

Research Activities to Book

This next step requires you to do a bit of research on Disney Cruise Line activities. If this is your first cruise with Disney Cruise Line, you will typically book activities 75 days before sailing. Doing research on cruise activities well in advance gives you an idea of what you want to book BEFORE your online check-in date arrives.

There are two types of activities you can book once your online check-in window opens up: Port Adventures and Onboard Activities. You will want to spend some time to determine which excursions and activities are important to your family. We will discuss how to do this in detail below.

Port Adventures (aka Excursions)

Port Adventures (aka excursions) are those activities that take place off the ship and at a port of call. You can look at the excursions that Disney Cruise Line offers on their official website. Pay close attention to the age requirements. I have a toddler, and her age really narrows down the options for port adventures.

You don’t have to book a shore excursion through Disney. You can also research the ports of call you are visiting to get some ideas on activities that are offered. For example, when my family and I visited Port Grand Cayman, we chose to grab a taxi to the beach rather than to book a port adventure through DCL.

When deciding which excursions to book, I like to use the TripAdvisor website. It usually has tons of reviews on pretty much any place I want to research, and you can search for keywords in their reviews. For example, when you scroll down to where the reviews begin on your TripAdvisor excursion, you will see a search box.

You can type a keyword into this box, and it will pull up ONLY the reviews that mention your keyword. I find this really helpful, especially when looking for reviews from parents with little kids. If I type the keyword toddler into the search box, a lot of my questions are usually answered by another family who traveled with their toddler and left a review.

Things to Do Onboard

Once you come up with a list of excursions for your family in each port, you can research the onboard activities that Disney offers. Most of the cruise activities do not require reservations. However, there are some special experiences that Disney does require you to book ahead of time (like meeting certain Disney characters).

You can use the official Disney Cruise Line website to see a list of these activities for your ship. Make a note of which ones are important to you. This way when your booking window opens up, you will be prepared to reserve those activities.

Compare Flights, Hotels, and Transportation

During your online check-in, you will be asked to provide details on your flights, hotels, and transportation to and from the port. You do not have to include this information at check-in, and you are able to change these details at a later time if you need to. However, it is a good idea to start researching pre-cruise hotels, ground transportation, and flights if needed.

Depending on your cruise departure port, these reviews from my family’s experiences can help you when making decisions about your cruise transportation and pre-cruise hotel stay:

• Pre-cruise Hotel for Port Canaveral
• Hotel Stay before a Miami Cruise

2-3 Months Before Cruise

As I mentioned above, first time cruisers with Disney Cruise Line may check-in and book activities typically 75 days before sailing. Your account should open up at midnight (eastern standard time) for you to begin the check-in process.

Online Check-in Process

Online check-in is where you put in your contact information, sign up for youth clubs, choose a port arrival time etc. This process can be very tedious, and I sometimes don’t have all of the information (like flight times) this far in advance. You are welcome to go back and edit/update the information up until a few days before sailing.

So, if I don’t know the answer to a question, I just make something up. This way I can continue on to the next step. For example, if I haven’t booked my flights for the trip, I just fill in the blanks with a possible flight I may book. You could also choose the option to arrive by car and then change it later. This way I can continue moving through the check-in steps so that I get a chance to choose a port arrival time and book activities before all the good times are taken.

Book Pre and Post Cruise Travel

I highly recommend flying in at least the day before your cruise. This way you don’t have to worry about missing the ship due to a flight being delayed for weather or mechanical errors. Once you make the decision to fly in the day before the cruise, you can then choose a hotel near the airport, port, or anywhere else in the city.

We like to book our hotels and ground transportation through Disney Cruise Line because we have little kids who require car seats. The Disney Cruise Line transfers either provide car seats or don’t allow them, so this saves us from having to travel with them. The Disney ground transportation often comes with a slightly higher cost than renting a car or using a taxi, but it allows us to start our vacation with a lot less stress.

1-2 Months Before Cruise

Once you hit the 1-2 months mark, you are undoubtedly becoming really excited for your trip. There are several important things you need to do during this time, though.

Personal Navigators

I use the DCL daily newsletters, aka Personal Navigators, from previous Disney cruises to create daily itineraries. These personal navigators are one of the most helpful resources when planning a Disney cruise. This newsletter breaks down the schedule of activities for the day. I like to visit the Disney Cruise Line Blog to find old personal navigators .

Just search for the Disney ship you are sailing on, and then try to find the itinerary that matches yours. While not exact, these personal navigators will show you what activities tend to be available each day of your cruise. You can then decide which ones are important for you and your family.

I like to start my packing list by breaking down each day of the cruise and listing every item I need for that particular day. I start with breakfast and continue on until bedtime trying to determine what each member of the family will need during parts of the day. If you are using my Disney Cruise Planner to create a packing list, you will see a box on each daily itinerary where you can easily add a packing list.

This way you will know that on Day 3 of your trip you need to pack the specific items and outfits listed. For example, if I have “swimming” on my itinerary, I will add swimsuits, coverups, sunscreen etc. to the itinerary for that day. This way when I go to actually pack for the trip, I have each day covered.

I also like to create my packing list and carry-on bag list well in advance in case I need to order or shop for anything before our trip. For more information on the items that we include on our Disney Cruise Line packing list , you can check out this post. We cover all the organization and space-saving hacks for your stateroom.

The article also includes essential items to pack for the entire family as well as what to pack in your embarkation day bag. (Your embarkation day bag is the carry-on bag you take when boarding the Disney cruise ship. Since you may not receive your luggage until later in the evening, you will want to pack some important items in your carryon.)

Don’t Forget

When preparing for a Disney cruise vacation, make sure you take care of any housekeeping items prior to departure. Some of the extra things you may want to consider before leaving for your trip include the following:

• Documents – Make sure you have all of your identification and cruise documents handy. Also, double check the expiration dates to be certain they are still valid.
• House Sitter – Organize a house/pet sitter while you are gone if needed. Make sure you include notes and emergency contact information for the sitter.
• Notify Teachers – If your child will be missing school to go on your trip, make sure you notify the teachers ahead of time.
• Surprise Your Kids – You could always surprise your family with the character phone call Disney Cruise Line offers for FREE. It’s a super cute feature where the characters talk about how excited they are to see you on the cruise.

Final Thoughts on Planning a Disney Cruise

I hope you found this complete guide on Disney cruise planning super helpful. It’s really such an exciting process, and Disney Cruise Line makes it so easy to organize and plan for your trip.

Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or you have sailed with other cruise lines, it’s always helpful to get the inside scoop on what to expect. The information in this post and on our printable planning guide will have you well on your way to feeling prepared for your upcoming Disney vacation.

We hope you have a magical vacation no matter which of the Disney Cruise Line sailings you choose. Disney’s ships feature the best staterooms, Broadway-caliber shows, and kid-friendly activities. Not to mention Disney’s private island paradise in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay !

Do you have more tips to add to our Disney Cruise Planner? Comment below to share!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

Similar Posts

Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List with Printable PDF

Disney Cruise vs Royal Caribbean (Who’s the Winner?)

Easiest Hotel Stay before a Disney Cruise (Port Canaveral)

Scheduling a Disney Cruise Character Call Before Your Trip

Disney Cruise Upgrade at Port: Getting an Even Better Room

Disney Cruise Trip Report from Port of Miami

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Free Disney Cruise Line Planning Videos!

What’s almost as good as going on a Disney Cruise ? Getting your Disney Cruise fix for FREEEE!

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I know right? It sounds too good to be true — the words Disney and Free appearing in the same sentence. But that’s what we’re sharing with you today.

Click HERE to learn more about getting access to a FREE hour-long Disney Cruise Line video!

If you aren’t familiar with them yet, Disney produces fantastic videos that are absolutely chock full of beautiful scenes as well as SUUUUPER helpful information. And they’re yours for free! Just click here to visit the Disney Cruise Line FREE Planning Tools page .

The Disney Dream

It’s 100% Free, No Strings Attached — and You Can View It Immediately!

In the old days — you know, the 90s 😉 — you had to wait for a DVD to be delivered to your home before you could watch. But this is the age of immediate gratification! So, share just a little info about what your interests are, and you’ll have access to the videos immediately, for free.

But there’s another benefit to signing up for Disney’s mailing lists. When you do, you just may receive special discount offers that aren’t available to the general public . There’s no guarantee, but it’s certainly a possibility. After all, if Disney is looking to provide incentives to book cruises, it makes sense that they’d offer those discounts to the people who’ve actually shown interest first. ;-D

New to Disney? Or a Veteran Planner?

New to Disney? For those who are new to the Disney Cruise Line, the video does a GREAT job of introducing you to DCL and showing you what sets it apart from other cruise lines (Hint: it’s a big ole dose of Disney Magic.) This is the info that’s crucial to get your trip planning started. Besides that, it will ratchet up your excitement about your trip by about a million percent. And like I said, there’s the potential to learn about discounts . Everyone wants to save money…and you don’t have to spend a cent to throw your hat into the ring with this offer.

Mickey and Minnie on the Disney Wish!

Veteran Planner? I know, meeee toooo! Seriously — have you met me? I’m at Disney pretty much every other month. But even so, I admit it — I’m still after that Disney Fix. And you KNOW you are too. 😀 And even if you’ve vacationed in the Parks, there’s still so much to discover and LOVE about Disney Cruise Line. The video gives you a solid foundation before you take the plunge and book a voyage.

Daisy and Donald on Castaway Cay — Disney Cruise Line’s Private Island

Even now, I remember years ago how I’d order my Disney videos every year and watch them time and again. And now that I’ve had the good fortune to take several Disney Cruises, I feel exactly the same way. There’s so much to discover about both the ships and the ports that I still get excited just thinking about it! But with that excitement comes the knowledge that the best vacation is a well-planned vacation — especially if you’re traveling with littles or multiple generations. Planning ahead can ensure that you avoid common missteps that might impact your trip.

MORE Free Disney Cruise Line Videos

Guess what? These days, with help from the DFB team, I’m making Disney Cruise Line videos, too ! On our award-winning YouTube channel, DFBGuide , we have an ENTIRE PLAYLIST devoted to Disney Cruise Line videos , like this one:

Ready to Start Planning?

Whether you’re planning a Disney Cruise, an Adventures by Disney Trip, or you’re heading to Walt Disney World or Disneyland, we want to help you!  Join the DFB newsletter (it’s free, and we send you info about discounts there, too ;-D) or check out our full family of DFB Guides to WDW Dining over at DFBStore.com ! Use code 30SALE for a discount on any item or bundle in the store today!

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Disney Cruise Line Planning Tips & Tricks

LAST UPDATE: 7/17/23

On this page we have collected some useful advice, tips and tricks that can help you save time and money when you are planning a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Jump to:

• Cruise Information & Guidebooks

How to Save Money

• Resort Add-on vs. Booking Disney World Separately
• Tips And Tricks for Picking A Stateroom

Secret Porthole Staterooms

Secret verandah staterooms, secret connecting staterooms, category 8a “mini-suites” and oversized/open plan staterooms, hump suites & concierge staterooms, accommodating larger families, two rooms are (sometimes) better than one, trip insurance, passports and visas.

• Booking Palo/Remy, Excursions, Onboard Activities, Spa Appointments and Kids’ Club Online

Disney Cruise Line Weddings and Vow Renewals

Cruising with a disability.

Other useful Disney Cruise Line information pages:

• For discounts and tips on saving money on the cruise itself , visit our Disney Cruise Discount page.
• For advice that will help you save time and get the most out of your cruise once you are onboard , visit the DCL Onboard Advice page.
• For advice that will help you with excursions, tours and activities  while in port, visit the Tips & Discounts for Port Excursions page.

Planning a Disney Cruise: Information & Guidebooks

When you’re starting to plan a Disney cruise, the very first thing you should do is watch the FREE Disney Cruise Line Vacation Planning Videos ! They’re available to anyone online and have lots of useful info in them.

In addition to viewing the videos, which will give you a good general idea of what the Disney Cruise Line has to offer, you may want to look at a guidebook or two to get more detailed information about it. See our list of suggested guidebooks for cruises and port excursions .

There’s a lot of FREE information about the ships and getting the most from your cruise on this page and the Onboard Advice, Tips and Tricks page here on this site! We also recommend visiting the independent Disney Cruise Line Blog , which has lots of useful information, including scans of menus and daily schedules from recent cruises.

Unlike most of the other cruise lines, Disney is generally very consistent in only moving its prices one direction over time: up! Disney very rarely runs sales, and as the ship fills they will raise the price of the remaining rooms. Some very popular cruises (usually unique and new itineraries in popular destinations like Europe) can go up in price on the first day of booking! The bottom line is that booking as early as possible is the surest way to save money on a Disney cruise. Occasionally Disney will run a sale at the last minute, but you can’t be sure any particular sailing will have a sale.

Booking way ahead allows you to grab the best staterooms and have a better chance of getting the first seating at dinner (important to many families with young children). Especially for the most popular times of year (spring break, summer and Christmas, and to a lesser extent other holidays like Thanksgiving), you would be well advised to book as early as you can, because those cruises often sell out and rates for those dates will just go up and up. In the rare case the fare drops after you book, Disney is very good about adjusting it. You or your travel agent just need to call and ask for the lower rate.

Keep in mind that your  Disney cruise deposit is fully refundable up to the payment-in-full date (75 days before sailing for most 3-4 day cruises, 90 days for most 7 day cruises, longer for holiday cruises, cruises from non-US ports and for concierge-class bookings). If you think you might want to take a cruise next year (or the year after), you’d do well to get it booked right away if you can. Then you can take some time to research and plan. If later you decide it’s not going to work, cancel and get your money back. Or if you need to change the date, you can easily ask Disney or your travel agent to change it. But if you do end up taking the cruise, you’ll be happy you got it booked before the prices went up.

Other tips that can save you money:

• Sail in the off-season. The less busy parts of the year (January, early February, May, late August, September, October, and the portions of November and December that are not holiday weeks) have significantly lower fares, and the fares often don’t go up as quickly over time. Sometimes they stay pretty much the same right up until a few months before sailing.
• Keep an eye out for last-minute restricted fares . These fares (sometimes called *GT fares) are generally a very good deal, but they only happen on sailings that aren’t filling at the regular prices. They usually release them after the payment-in-full date for the cruise has passed, so you start to see them at about 1-2 months away from sailing. They often are for a very limited number of rooms, and sometimes they come and go very quickly, so if you see one for a cruise you can take, definitely pounce while you can. You can read more about these restrictions and see the current list of discounted cruises on our Disney Cruise Line Discounts & Deals page .
• Be sure to take advantage of any onboard credits that may be available. There are plenty of other specialized deals and offers for the Disney Cruise Line, too. Be sure to check and see if you qualify for any of the deals listed below.
• Save up to $1000 right off the top by using the right travel agent (in addition to any other savings). We highly recommend booking all Disney cruises through a Disney Specialist travel agent . It costs you nothing and they do all the work for you!
• Don’t buy more cabin than you need . Read our guide to picking a stateroom  for our picks for the best values in each category.
• If you can only afford an inside cabin, be sure to learn more about secret porthole rooms !
• If you will be traveling with a family of 5 or more , be sure to read about a useful tip that could save you a bundle.
• If you’re willing to take your chances, learn how you might be able to buy a cheaper cabin and score an upgrade (either free or discounted).
• get a good deal on a hotel for the night before your cruise
• find the best prices for transportation from the airport or your hotel to the cruise terminal
• save on trip insurance

Resort Add-On vs. Booking Disney World Separately

If you are considering a Resort Add-on to your cruise, which adds a stay at Walt Disney World onto your Disney cruise, keep in mind that it is almost always a better option to book the two separately.

Basically the only advantage of the Resort Add-on is convenience. With the Resort Add-on, you only check in once. When you arrive at the hotel, you are given your “Key to the World” card for the cruise, but you use your MagicBand (or Disney World RFID ticket) for everything else. That’s nice, but may not be worth hundreds of dollars to you. That’s right, sometimes you can save that much by booking a discounted room separately, and/or buying discounted tickets with the features you want, instead of what Disney dictates.

With the Resort Add-on, you can only add a full-price resort stay in a standard room before or after your cruise. You cannot :

• book anything other than a standard room (no themed or view rooms, or suites);
• get a discount on your hotel room;
• add tickets other than full-price 1-day to 5-day tickets with the Park Hopper option (no Base Tickets  or  Park Hopper Plus options are available); or
• add a Dining Plan at all (you’d have to book a separate vacation package to get a Dining Plan).

Given the total lack of flexibility and the fact that you can’t get any sort of discount, we really don’t recommend booking a Resort Add-on.

By the way, if you’re debating whether to visit Walt Disney World before or after your cruise: go before the cruise. Disney World is fun, but exhausting. If you do the cruise after your Disney World visit, you’ll have a chance to relax and you can return home rested.

Tips And Tricks For Picking A Stateroom

Disney Cruise Line has several different categories of staterooms with somewhat confusing names and descriptions. Here’s an overview of the various types and the key differences between them, with some notes on our picks for the best value.

How Important is Stateroom Location?

There are two “classic” rules of thumb about stateroom location: higher on the ship is better and closer to the center of the ship is better. In our experience, those rules of thumb are not actually very helpful.

The center of the ship does have a bit less motion when the ship is tipping forward and back in higher seas, since you’re closer to the center of the see-saw, so to speak. But big cruise ships do not as a general rule have a huge amount of motion, at least compared to smaller boats you might be used to. And even if you experience somewhat less motion in a stateroom closer to the center, during your cruise you will be roaming all over the ship to eat, watch shows and participate in activities, so one way or another you will spend a fair amount of time on the far ends of the ship. For much of the time you’re in your room, you’ll be sleeping, and research suggests that people are least bothered by motion when they are lying down. Bottom line: in our experience, most of the time the motion is going to be very minor no matter where you are on the ship. If there are rougher waters you will notice at least a little motion, but your cabin location is not going to be the most important factor in how much the motion bothers you.

Similarly, being higher on the ship doesn’t hugely improve your views or experience. You get a slightly better view from a verandah on deck 8 than on deck 5, but only slightly. In the few cases where you’d like a view from as high as possible (in port, usually), you’ll want to go up to the top deck for the best view anyway. Everything on the ship is a quick elevator ride away no matter which deck you are on.

One thing that can bother some people is vibration from the engines or electric motors. The ship has huge diesel generators on the lowest decks, and the main electric propulsion motors are in the rear, so in general, you will feel more vibration lower on the ship and closer to the rear. But you might feel at least some vibration almost anywhere on the ship. We’ve been on the lowest passenger deck, and certainly noticed mild vibration, but it hasn’t really bothered us. If you’re on a low deck in the front or rear of the ship, you might notice the sound and vibration of the lateral thrusters during early-morning docking, but that doesn’t last long under normal circumstances.

Noise from the area above, below and around your stateroom can be an issue , especially if you are a light sleeper or sensitive to sound. You should definitely take a look at what is located on the deck just above or just below your stateroom. If you are just underneath the pool deck, you may find yourself awakened very early in the morning by crew sliding deck chairs around as they prepare the pool area for the day. If you are on a lower deck just above or below a nightclub, you may find the thumping bass makes it hard to nod off in the evening. If your room is near the elevators you may hear a bit more noise from people coming and going. We have had rooms that had noise leakage, and it’s not the end of the world, but it can affect some people more than others, so consider what will bother you and what you can ignore.

As a very broad generalization, we prefer to get staterooms in the middle decks, sandwiched between two other decks with staterooms, or above or below an area that isn’t in use early in the morning or late at night. We don’t really worry about being central; if the ends are cheaper and have the room types we like, we book a room on the ends. We often try to get rooms towards the front or back that are just under or over the spa or the main dining rooms, as they don’t typically have a lot of noise in the morning and evening. But if it’s the only good room available, we’re fine with being smack-dab under the pool deck; we pack a set of earplugs just in case.

Category Numbers And Letters

All rooms are designated with a category number and letter, like “4A” or “10C.” The category number tells you the basic type of room, 1 being the fanciest concierge room and 11 being the smallest and least expensive regular room. Lower numbers typically have more amenities and features, like windows or verandahs, or may be bigger than higher-numbered categories.

• Categories 1, 2 & 3 are concierge staterooms, which come with extra perks like access to a special lounge and priority access to excursions and events.
• Categories 4, 5, 6 and 7 are verandah staterooms, which have a small private deck on the outside of the ship where you can get some fresh air and watch the ocean go by.
• Categories 8 and 9 are oceanview staterooms which have one or two portholes, which don’t open.
• Categories 10 and 11 are inside staterooms, which have no windows at all.

Within a category number, most staterooms are pretty much identical (with some exceptions mentioned below), with the letters indicating primarily how attractive the location is (according to Disney), with ‘A’ being the best. We generally recommend getting the C, D or E staterooms to save yourself some money, because the higher-lettered staterooms really aren’t significantly better. But there are a few exceptions; read on for more.

It seems like there are lots of rooms with lots of different layouts, but in reality the vast majority of regular non-concierge rooms fall into three basic interior sizes (not counting the verandah, if any). Disney doesn’t break out the size of the interior area of verandah rooms, so the verandah sizes are estimates based on measurements of room layouts and physical comparison of rooms.

Small : category 11, which are approximately 184 sq. ft. on Magic/Wonder and 169 sq. ft. on Dream/Fantasy/Wish. All sleep at least 3; some sleep 4. The space reduction relative to the next bigger size comes from not having a split bathroom and losing some of the open space in the middle of the room.

Regular : category 10, 9, 7, 6, 5 and Dream/Fantasy/Wish 4E, which have an interior area of approximately 215 sq. ft. on the Magic/Wonder, 205 sq. ft. on Dream/Fantasy, and 218 sq. ft. on Wish. All sleep at least 3; some sleep 4. Category 9 rooms have portholes with a view of the water. Category 7, 6, 5 and Dream/Fantasy 4E rooms have verandahs which vary in size, but are typically about 30-40 additional sq. ft.

Large : category 8 and 4 (except for Dream/Fantasy/Wish 4E), which have an interior area of approximately 245 sq. ft. on Magic/Wonder and 235-240 sq. ft. on Dream/Fantasy/Wish. All sleep at least 4; some sleep 5. These rooms are the same width as the regular-sized rooms, but are deeper, which makes room for an extra pull-down single bed in the ones that sleep 5. Category 8 rooms have one or two portholes with a view of the water. Category 8A rooms are extra-large, but Disney doesn’t give a specific size; we guess that they’re about 320 sq. ft. Category 4 rooms have a verandah, which varies in size, but is typically about 30-40 additional sq. ft.

Certain handicapped-accessible staterooms are also larger, but that’s mostly in the form of empty space to allow a wheelchair to move around. The accessible rooms also typically have a non-split bath (again to allow for a wheelchair) with a variety of different shower/bath combinations to deal with different kinds of physical issues.

Beyond that are the concierge rooms, some of which are larger and are covered more below. But realistically, there isn’t a lot of difference in the actual living space and amenities between a category 10 inside and a category 5 verandah, for example. The rest of the differentiation in category is all about the porthole or verandah, the location on the ship, and small differences in verandah or porthole views, which we’ll go over below.

Inside Staterooms

Inside staterooms have no windows or verandahs, and thus no natural light. They turn pitch black when the lights are off (night or day), which can be a plus or a minus, depending on whether you like sleeping in absolute darkness. The darkness can be a problem if you’re trying to maneuver around at night without waking up the rest of the family; we recommend bringing a small flashlight or nightlight if you book one of these rooms. These rooms are a good value for folks that don’t need a view and don’t plan to spend much time in their room. You get the same food, activities and entertainment as everyone else for much less money, and a view of the ocean is just a short elevator ride away at all times.

On the Dream & Fantasy (but not the Wish), all inside staterooms have Disney’s “virtual porthole” which is a screen with a porthole-shaped frame over it that shows you roughly the view you’d see if there wasn’t a whole bunch of ship in the way. There are four cameras mounted on the ship pointing in the four main directions (fore, aft, port and starboard) and each virtual porthole shows a view in the “correct” direction, given the wall it’s mounted on. The virtual portholes also show some “surprise” Disney characters floating or flying by about every 30 minutes, which is a nice touch. The portholes can be turned on and off. If you leave them on at night, they provide some glow (even though the view is typically black, there’s some residual light from the screen). For some people, it’s still too much light to sleep with, so if you’ve never experienced one it might be good to bring a flashlight or headlamp just in case.

11A, 11B, 11C – These are typically the cheapest rooms available. They are smaller than other staterooms, and they don’t have a split bathroom. All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. The A, B, C designation is purely Disney’s assessment of how attractive the location is, with A’s being located on upper decks or closer to midship and C’s being located on lower decks. The actual amenities are identical. 

10A, 10B, 10C – These are larger than the category 11’s, though mostly that’s just open space; they have the same basic furniture. They have a split bathroom, with one half containing a sink and shower and the other half containing a sink and toilet, each with its own door to the room. All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. The A, B, C designation is purely Disney’s assessment of how attractive the location is, with A’s being located on upper decks or closer to midship and C’s being located on lower decks. The actual amenities are identical. Frankly we don’t see enough value in these over the 11’s, though the split bath is definitely a convenience and speeds up getting ready in the morning. These rooms are not available on the Disney Wish.

Best bets for inside staterooms:

• If you want to experience a Disney cruise at the lowest possible price, 11C staterooms are hard to beat. They feel a little cramped, but honestly so do the category 10’s.  
• If you want the slightly larger space and split bath of a category 10, the 10C’s are generally the best deal, but check what’s above them to make sure it’s not going to be a noise problem.
• If you can’t get the category letter we recommend, try for the next letter in the same category  (i.e. if you can’t get a 11C, try for a 11B. If those are sold out, get a 11A, etc.). If the whole category number is sold out, check our recommendations before booking the next higher number.

Oceanview Staterooms

Oceanview staterooms have a porthole window that has a view of the ocean, as the name implies. This means you get natural light coming in, which can make the room feel brighter and cheerier, but can also make it harder to sleep past sunrise. The curtains do shut out most of the light, but some can find its way in. If you like a very dark room, we suggest bringing some clothespins to keep the curtains shut or pack a sleep mask.

9A, 9B, 9C, 9D – These are the same size as the category 10’s, and have roughly the same layout and features, but have a porthole in one wall. All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. The A, B, C, D designation is partially about Disney’s assessment of how attractive the location is, but is also about the view.

• On the Magic and Wonder, the 9D rooms on deck 1 have two small portholes instead of one large porthole , which reduces the view somewhat, but lets in a fair amount of light.
• On the Dream, Fantasy and Wish, the 9C and 9D staterooms are on the front of the ship and mostly have obstructed views . Because the wall with the porthole is slanted, you can’t necessarily see out very well. They still let in plenty of light.
• The 9D’s on all ships and 9C’s on the Dream/Fantasy/Wish are a great value if you mostly care about light rather than views.

8A, 8B, 8C, 8D – These stateroom categories are only available on the Dream, Fantasy and Wish (the Wish only has 8B & 8C). They are larger than a category 9 or 10, and all of them sleep at least 4, with some sleeping 5. The ones on the Dream & Fantasy all have at least one ultra-large porthole with a built-in seat, large enough for a child or small adult to relax in and watch the scenery go by. We don’t know yet whether the Wish version will have the porthole seat, but it’s not looking likely. These porthole seats are very appealing to kids, in our experience. The 8A rooms are oversized and have unusual layouts ( we have more details and a video below ). The B, C and D rooms are essentially identical with B’s located highest on the ship and D’s located lowest.

Best bets for oceanview staterooms:

• On the Dream, Fantasy and Wish we like the 9B’s on deck 2. They are not underneath anything loud and are the best value in a traditional oceanview room.
• On the Magic and Wonder the aft 9C’s are a similarly good deal . If you are noise-averse, avoid the forward 9C’s on the Magic/Wonder, as they are underneath the nightclub area and might have excess noise until midnight or so.
• If you don’t actually have 5 people in your party, there’s not a lot of reason to book a category 8 over a category 9 , though the porthole seats on the Dream & Fantasy are pretty nifty.
• For folks who need or want the extra room on the Dream/Fantasy/Wish, the 8C’s on deck 6 are the best deal in category 8.  
• If you can’t get the category letter we recommend, try for the next letter in the same category (i.e. if you can’t get a 9C, try for a 9B. If those are sold out, get a 9A, etc.). If the whole category number is sold out, check our recommendations before booking the next higher number.

Verandah Staterooms

Verandah staterooms have a small private outer deck, usually with two chairs and a small low table. Most have a clear plexiglas railing, allowing you to see a mostly unobstructed view of the ocean while seated. Some (mentioned below) have a solid white railing, a half-height white railing, a solid wall with a large hole, or a partial obstruction from something else on the ship. The one thing they have in common is that you can go outside and enjoy the fresh air and some kind of view. Like oceanview rooms, they can have light leakage if you don’t get the curtains closed completely. If you like a very dark room, we suggest bringing some clothespins to keep the curtains shut or pack a sleep mask.

7A – This category has gone through many names over the years, but is now just lumped in with all the other verandah room types, with a note about how 7A’s have limited views. The rooms on the Magic & Wonder with the most severe view limitations have a “navigator’s verandah,” which is an almost fully enclosed deck. A navigator’s verandah has a full floor-to-ceiling solid steel exterior wall with a large round hole in the upper half, through which you can see the ocean if you’re standing up. Not every room actually has that kind of verandah; many of them are just regular verandahs with a partially-obstructed view. All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. In either case they are identical in interior room size and amenities to a category 5 or 6.

• On the Magic and Wonder, almost all 7A’s have navigator’s verandahs  ( with a few exceptions that have a regular verandah ). You can’t really see the ocean or the horizon while sitting down in a navigator’s verandah, but you can get fresh air and sunlight, and if you are standing up your view is just as good as any other verandah room. The four “ secret verandah ” rooms are a great value, but we think the other Magic/Wonder navigator’s verandahs don’t provide much value over an oceanview, unless you need fresh air to avoid feeling claustrophobic.
• On the Dream, Fantasy and Wish, almost all 7A’s have regular verandahs with a partially obstructed view , typically from an exterior steel wall intruding on the view somewhat (the exceptions are a two rooms on the Dream & Fantasy with a tiny, but unobstructed, verandah and two rooms on the Wish with a slightly smaller verandah and no obstruction). Read more about this category on the Dream, Fantasy & Wish and our rankings of the amount of view obstructed . These are without a doubt the very best value in the verandah category on the Dream, Fantasy and Wish. Even the Dream, Fantasy or Wish 7A with the most obstructed view has a much better view than any oceanview room, and most are better than a category 6, in our opinion.

6A, 6B – These rooms are essentially identical to category 5 and 7 rooms in terms of interior room size and amenities, but have somewhat obstructed verandahs. All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. They are located toward the back of the ship on the upper decks.

• On the Magic and Wonder, category 6 cabins have a full “white wall” railing. The entire railing is a steel wall. This isn’t as obstructive as a navigator’s verandah, but it does block your view of the ocean when sitting down, so practically speaking it’s very similar. One thing to consider is that many of these have a verandah that sticks out a bit further than the decks above, giving people standing above you on the back of the ship a view of part of your verandah. All of them have portions of the verandah that are not visible from above.
• On the Dream, Fantasy & Wish, the white wall only comes about halfway up the railing , with the rest of the railing the usual plexiglas. You may be able to see the ocean while seated, depending on how tall you are and how close you sit to the railing. Some people love these as a slightly cheaper alternative to a category 5, but we feel like the loss of view makes them about equal to a category 7, so we prefer the less-expensive category 7 if they are both available.

5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 4E* (*Dream, Fantasy, & Wish version only) – These rooms are essentially identical in terms of interior room size and amenities to category 6 and 7 rooms, but have an unobstructed verandah (except the Dream/Fantasy/Wish 4E, which is a special case). All sleep at least 3 and some sleep 4. These are the most numerous of the regular-sized verandah cabins and the most commonly-booked verandahs for families of 4 or fewer. Category 5A-D are just on different decks, with 5A’s highest and 5D’s lowest.

• The Dream, Fantasy & Wish 4E’s on decks 6-10 are aft staterooms with a view of the wake , which have basically the same interior space and layout as a 5, but a larger verandah. Some people love these aft 4E cabins, as the wake is very pretty in the moonlight, and you don’t tend to get much wind. They have the same half-wall railing as the category 6’s, making them (to us) inferior to the category 7, unless the rear view makes you happy.
• The Dream & Fantasy 4E’s on deck 5 port & starboard have the same interior space as a category 5 , sleep 3 or 4 people (instead of the usual 4 or 5 you get with a category 4) and were originally categorized as 5E’s. They were upgraded to category 4 because of their large extended balconies. This is nice if you want to spread out, or get more sun. It also means people above you have a view of the extended part of your deck that pokes out further from the side of the ship. As with the aft decks, you can certainly stay in the covered section if you prefer more privacy. 

4A, 4B, 4C, 4E* (*Magic/Wonder version only) – These rooms are the largest non-concierge verandah rooms on the ship. All sleep at least 4 and some sleep 5. These cabins are the only single-room option for a family of 5 on the Magic and Wonder, and the most commonly booked option for families of 5 on the Dream and Fantasy. The category 4’s have a bit more open floor space than a category 5, but unless you need a room for 5 people, there’s no real reason to book one of these over a category 5; the amenities are identical and the difference in space is pretty trivial. The letter A-E is primarily about the location, with central and higher rooms in a pricier category.

• Category 4E’s on the Magic and Wonder have a full white-wall railing , just like the category 6A’s, but are otherwise identical to other category 4’s.

Best bets for verandah staterooms:

• There’s no good reason to pay extra for a category 4; the extra space is minimal and the amenities are identical.
• The 7A’s are a great deal, especially on the Dream, Fantasy & Wish , where they are normal verandah cabins with slightly obstructed views. The handful of partially obstructed 7A cabins on the Magic & Wonder are also a great deal if you can get them, and the “navigator verandah” 7A’s on Magic & Wonder are fine if you just want fresh air and light.
• We would only book a category 6 if the 7A’s are all sold out. That said, if the 7A’s are sold out, or you can only get the “navigator’s verandah” style and you don’t like them, category 6 rooms are a fine alternative.
• If you can’t get or don’t like category 6 or 7 , the 5C’s are, in our view, the best value on all 5 ships.
• The Wish 5Cs on deck 6 have ship equipment, lifeboats or a bumped-out deck just below their verandah which intrudes on the view of the ocean slightly; we would recommend trying to get deck 7 5C’s if possible.
• For a family of 5 on the Magic & Wonder, the 4E’s are the best single-room deal . Though if you want an unobstructed view of the ocean, move up to a 4B or higher.
• For a family of 5 on the Dream, Fantasy & Wish, the 4C’s are the best single-room deal.
• The Wish 4C’s on deck 6 that are not bumped out have lifeboats, ship equipment or a bumped-out deck just below their verandah , which intrudes on the view of the ocean slightly. We would recommend trying to get the bumped out 4C’s or deck 7 4C’s if possible. The bumped out ones are obvious on the deck plan – for example, 6074 is bumped out, but 6100 is not.
• Be sure to compare the cost of a single 5-person stateroom to a pair of staterooms , one with 2 guests and one with 3 guests. It’s usually not much more money, and occasionally it’s actually cheaper! 
• If you can’t get the category letter we recommend, try for the next letter in the same category (i.e. if you can’t get a 5C, try for a 5B. If those are sold out, get a 5A, etc.). If the whole category number is sold out, check our recommendations before booking the next higher number.

Concierge Staterooms

Concierge categories get you access to dedicated concierge staff, both before the cruise and during . As a concierge passenger, you get priority for booking any shore excursion or specialty restaurant, even prior to people who have Platinum status in the Castaway Club. Concierge passengers get priority for embarking and disembarking, as well as priority tendering in ports that require it (though keep in mind Disney visits very few ports that require tendering – Grand Cayman is the only one Disney goes to regularly). Concierge guests can use a private concierge lounge with some free food and drink available at all times, as well as a private sun deck. The rooms themselves are in some cases larger than non-concierge, but not always. All concierge guests get robes in their room, plus some extra products in their bathroom. The concierge staff will also leave special gifts in your room every day, ranging from a nice fruit plate to a limited-edition lithograph.

Whether concierge is worth the extra money is an entirely personal decision . The lounges are very nice and have a good selection of snacks and drinks available all the time, plus concierge staff ready to help you with anything you need. The rooms themselves are quite plush, especially the 1-bedroom and larger ones. The price for concierge used to be a relatively moderate upcharge, but lately a concierge room costs at least double what a similar non-concierge room costs, and often more. If you want to splurge, it’s certainly the way to go, but it’s not in our opinion twice as good an overall experience as staying in a normal verandah room. Mostly it’s about saving time and being less stressed out, because the concierge staff are there to sort out pretty much any request or problem you might have. Want a table for 2? No problem. Want to book a meeting with Anna and Elsa? No problem. Need a Remy reservation? It’s done. Most of these things are available to anyone, concierge or not, but non-concierge guests may have to wait in line or on hold for Guest Services, and concierge staff get priority for certain special events like popular meet-and-greets. You and your kids will still have to wait in line for Mickey or Cinderella; you don’t get priority for everything .

3B (Wish) – These are oceanview concierge staterooms, found only on the Wish. They have no verandah, but they do have floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views, and they’re very large (357 sq. ft.). They’re all on the front of the ship on deck 11, facing forward. All of them sleep 4, and some sleep 5. They have all the same amenities and privileges as any other concierge stateroom.

3A & 3B (Dream, Fantasy, Magic & Wonder) – These are basically just large verandah rooms, essentially identical in size to a category 4, and all of them sleep 5. The decor is slightly different from the category 4’s, with fancier woods and so forth, but otherwise they’re basically the same. 

2A & 2B  – These are 1-bedroom staterooms. They all sleep 5. They are very plush and about the size of two category 4 staterooms. They have an extra half-bath off the living room area, a much larger TV in the living room, and a very nice sitting area with a nice-sized table suitable for having dinner in your room. The bedroom can be closed off from the living room area with sliding doors, giving the adult guests some extra privacy. The 2A vs. 2B designation is mostly about location. The 2A’s on the Magic & Wonder are laid out slightly differently and have a longer verandah. The single 2A on the Dream & Fantasy is on the front center of the ship and is sandwiched between the two connecting Royal suites. On the Disney Wish, the 2A’s are on deck 12 and have somewhat deeper verandahs compared to the 2B suites on deck 13.

1C  – These are 2-bedroom Royal suites, found only on the Disney Wish, called “1-Story Royal Suites with Verandah.” One of the two suites is accessible. Sleeps up to 6. They have a large living area and dining room, three full bathrooms, and a pantry and wet bar. There is a large private verandah with a whirlpool tub.

1B (Dream, Fantasy, Magic & Wonder)  – These are 2-bedroom staterooms, only found on the Magic and Wonder (though on the Dream/Fantasy you can get a connected 3A and 2A that forms a basically equivalent space). They sleep up to 7. They have two full bedrooms, each with its own bath. There is a nice sitting area and a full dining area with large table for 6.

1B (Wish) – These are 2-bedroom, 2-story Royal Suites. They stretch across two decks (12 and 13), with a spiral staircase to take you between the two levels. They sleep 6, and have two large bedrooms, three full bathrooms, a large dining and living area and two large verandahs with a private hot tub.

1A (Dream, Fantasy, Magic & Wonder) – These are the fanciest Royal suites and are priced accordingly. They sleep 7 on the Magic/Wonder and 5 on the Dream/Fantasy. The decor in these suites is luxurious and tasteful. The living area is huge with a formal dining table and sitting area, and they have a massive verandah (with a private hot tub on the Dream/Fantasy). 

1A (Wish) – This is the very exclusive, very pricey Wish Tower Suite on deck 14 & 15 in the forward stack on the ship. This is by far the most deluxe cruise stateroom Disney has ever created. There is a large living and dining area, two main bedrooms, a child’s room with two bunk beds, and a library that can be turned into a bedroom for two more. There are four full bathrooms and a half-bath off the living room. Total capacity is 8 guests. There is no verandah, but there are floor-to-ceiling windows on both decks, providing what is clearly the best stateroom view on the ship.

Best bets for concierge staterooms:

• None of these staterooms are really justifiable from a value standpoint. The current price premiums required to book them are eye-poppingly high.
• If you want extra space and a feeling of luxury, the category 2 and above have lots of extra room and amenities and feel super posh. The standard category 3 concierge verandah rooms really don’t feel much different from a category 4. The 3B Concierge Oceanviews on the Wish, though, are unique and might be a great option for someone who wants more space and doesn’t care about a verandah.
• If you primarily want access to the concierge lounge and the priority for booking cabanas and so forth, get any concierge room available; they all have equal access to all concierge services.

Want an oceanview stateroom at an inside cabin price? Book a “secret porthole” stateroom!

There are six staterooms on Deck 5 and two staterooms on Deck 6 of the Magic and the Wonder (but not on the Dream, Fantasy or Wish) that are sold as Category 10 inside staterooms, but actually are oceanview cabins with obstructed view portholes. By selecting one of these cabins, you will get some natural light and a bit of a view, while paying the lower price for an inside stateroom!

The obstruction is caused by equipment (mostly canisters that hold inflatable life rafts) in front of the portholes, and the amount by which these portholes is obstructed varies. You can typically see some ocean and some sky, but not a lot of either. Also, be aware that there may be a light on all night outside the porthole, so you’ll have to close your curtains tightly to keep it dark in the cabin.

The Secret Porthole staterooms on deck 5 are conveniently located near the kids’ activity centers, Flounder’s Reef Nursery and the Buena Vista Theater. There are relatively few passenger staterooms on this deck, so there is less potential for foot traffic and noise. (The majority of Category 10 staterooms without secret portholes can be found on lower decks and may be located under the adult nightclubs with dance floors and live bands.)

Of the eight Secret Porthole rooms, there are two pairs of connecting staterooms. For families of 5, this is an affordable alternative to booking a more pricey Category 4. We have more suggestions below about accommodating larger families on a Disney cruise .

Word has gotten out about these staterooms, so you’ll have to book well in advance to snag one.

• The cabins to request are 6006, 6506, 5020, 5520, 5022 and 5024 (connecting), 5522 and 5524 (connecting).
• 6006, 6506 have the least obstructed view; you can see the ocean clearly but the sky is mostly blocked. 5020 and 5520 have slightly more obstructions that block a fair amount of sea and sky. 5022 and 5522 are even more obstructed. 5024 and 5524 have the most obstructed view.

The “secret” here is getting a standard verandah for the price of a “navigator’s verandah.” In the best case you’re getting a rooms pretty much equivalent to a category 5, but are paying for a category 7. That can be a significant savings.

Magic & Wonder

While not as big an upgrade as the secret porthole staterooms , the secret verandah staterooms on Disney’s Magic and Wonder cruise ships give you a little more for your money. Basically these are Category 7A staterooms that have a regular verandah (a private, open-air deck accessed from your cabin), instead of the usual Category 7A “navigator’s verandah,” which is a fully enclosed deck with a large porthole.

The secret verandah staterooms were originally sold as Category 6, but were recategorized to Category 7A after Disney received complaints because they have a slight obstruction of view. The obstruction is due to their location at the very ends of the ship: an overhang curves around on one side of the verandah, obscuring the view a bit in that direction. Overall, the obsctructed view on these rooms is worlds better than on a regular Navigator’s Verandah. They also have a normal railing rather than the white-wall railing of a Category 6.

Here’s our estimate of the amount of obstruction for each of the “secret verandah” 7A rooms on the Magic & Wonder , with our assessment of most desirable on top to least desirable on the bottom (keeping in mind that a true Navigator’s Verandah obstructs about 80% of the view, so all of them are an upgrade from a regular 7A):

• Minor obstruction (20%-40%): 7120, 7620
• Significant obstruction (40%-60%): 6134, 6634

Dream, Fantasy & Wish

The Dream and Fantasy & Wish don’t actually have any Navigator’s Verandahs. The 7A rooms are the ends of rows of category 5’s and 6’s, and in fact were originally categorized as 5’s and 6’s on the Dream & Fantasy. However, the outer white panels of the ship impinge on the view from the verandahs of these rooms, in some cases to an almost trivial degree. Mostly they have a view that most people would find nearly identical to the higher-category room next door, and almost always far less obstructed than the navigator’s verandahs or white-wall verandahs on the Magic and Wonder, in the sense that they all have Plexiglas railings and you can see the ocean clearly while seated (with the exception of 5024 and 5524, where the obstruction is mostly on the lower half).

In a few cases, a category 7 has a connecting door to the category 5 or 6 stateroom next door , and if you want two connecting verandah staterooms getting this combo can save you some money, by getting (for example) a 5A and 7A instead of two 5A’s. Even if all the officially connecting rooms are booked, you can still book almost any 7A and the adjacent category 5 or 6, have the stateroom attendant open the verandah barrier between the rooms (see the next section for more) and essentially have the equivalent of two category 5 or 6 staterooms for less. Often these will book up fast, but ask a travel agent to see if a suitable pair is available.

On the Dream & Fantasy, there are two unusual “mini-verandah” rooms: 5188 and 5688. These are mirror-image aft-facing rooms on deck 5 with no view obstructions, but very small triangular verandahs. Their verandahs are too small to fit a chair, but do have a built-in bench that two thin people could fit on. They each can connect inside to a handicapped-accessible 9A stateroom next door (5186/5686), but their verandahs do not connect to the verandahs on either side of them.

On the Wish, there are also two slightly different “mini-verandah” 7A rooms: 7194 and 7690 . They’re on the aft port and starboard corners of deck 7. Because of the way the ship curves around, they have a slightly smaller, curved verandah, though not nearly as small as the mini-verandah 7A’s on the Dream & Fantasy. They face port and starboard, rather than aft, though because of the angle they have a pretty decent view aft as well. They have the normal complement of two chairs and a small table.

Here’s our estimate of the amount of obstruction or other issues for each of the 7A rooms on the Dream,   Fantasy & Wish , with our assessment of most desirable on top to least desirable on the bottom:

• Very minor obstruction (20% or less): 8022*, 8164, 8520*, 8662
• Minor obstruction (20%-40%): 7022, 7170*, 7520, 7668*, 9012, 9152*, 9164, 9512, 9652*, 9664
• Significant obstruction (40%-60%): 5024**, 5524**, 6178*, 6678*, 7182, 7680, 8176*, 8674*
• Very small verandah (but no obstruction of view): 5188*, 5688*
• Very minor obstruction (20% or less): 6174, 6674, 9172*, 9672*
• Smaller verandah (but no obstruction of view): 7194, 7690
• Minor obstruction (20%-40%): 8022, 8170*, 8520, 8668*, 9014*, 9160, 9514*, 9660
• Significant obstruction (40%-60%): 7022*, 7174, 7518*, 7670

* – Connects (inside) to adjacent category 5 or 6 stateroom

** – Obstruction across lower half; extended verandah next door both blocks view and provides neighbors clear view into your stateroom from their verandah

A semi-secret stateroom connection exists on all five ships: nearly any two (or more) adjacent verandahs along the straight sides of the ship (and many along the stern) can be connected by folding back the dividing panel. The primary exception is deck 10 on the Dream, Fantasy & Wish, which has some solid steel dividers (roughly every other one) because of structural requirements for the deck above. So about half of the verandah dividers on deck 10 open and half don’t. If it’s important to you to get two rooms with connecting verandahs, either avoid deck 10 or call Disney (or have your travel agent call) and they can tell you if any two specific rooms can connect their verandahs.

There are also a handful of non-connecting verandahs on other decks, on the “corners” of the ship where the space is just too narrow to put an divider that can open. But other than those exceptions, they all open. To connect the verandahs, ask your stateroom attendant; they have a special key that unlocks the divider. Once it’s open, the two rooms share one long verandah, and they become effectively connecting staterooms. If you have a whole bank of adjacent rooms, you can fold back all the dividers and make one really long verandah.

On Disney’s Dream and Fantasy ships, all twelve of the Category 8A Deluxe Family Oceanview Staterooms are oversized, with two large portholes and no split bath. Four of the 8A staterooms could be called “mini-suites” or “junior suites” because they are large and somewhat divided. There are also eight 8A staterooms that offer unique open floor plans.

“Mini-Suites”

Four of the 8A staterooms are extra-spacious and have a wall divider between two “rooms.” The “rooms” are not completely separate, because there is a large opening between them that is not closed off with a privacy curtain or door. These “mini-suite” staterooms sleep 3 people and do not have the split bathroom. The bathroom is small, with sink, toilet and standard bathtub/shower. There are two televisions: one facing the bed and one facing the single pull-out sofa. In addition, these are connecting cabins, so if you needed to accommodate up to 6 people, getting the two connecting rooms would provide you with a super-spacious layout.

If you’re having a hard time envisioning these cabins, watch this YouTube video of a Disney Fantasy mini-suite .

• The “mini-suite” cabins are 5020 and 5022 (connecting) and 5520 and 5522 (connecting).

Oversized/Open Plan Staterooms

There are eight oversized 8A cabins with open floor plans. They are laid out as one big L-shaped living/sleeping room with no privacy curtain. (The bathroom fills the “L” shape, so the overall shape is square.) All sleep 4. In some cases there is a support pole running from floor to ceiling in the center of the room. They all seem to be handicapped-accessible, although only 6014 is marked HA on the deck plans. None have the split bath: there is no tub and instead there is a large square bathroom with a curtained shower area offering no barrier at floor level, so someone in a wheelchair can roll in.

• The oversized, open-plan cabins are 5018, 5518, 6012, 6014 and 6016 (connecting, both have a pole), 6510, 6512 and 6514 (connecting, both have a pole).

Thanks to Jo and Cheryl at Small World Vacations for details.

On Disney’s Dream and Fantasy ships, a few of the 1-Bedroom Suites and Concierge Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah have larger verandahs than the others, due to a “hump” in the shape of the ship on Decks 11 and 12.

• The 1-Bedroom Suites with the larger balconies are 11002, 11006, 12000, 12006, 12012, 12506 and 12512.
• The Concierge Family Oceanview Staterooms with Verandah with the larger balconies are 11004, 12008, 12010, 12508 and 12510.

Note also that 1-Bedroom Suite 12000 is unique. It is situated between the two Royal Suites. A hallway entrance leads to a hallway/mini-foyer with connecting doors to the two Royal Suites. Then you enter through the actual door of the suite. This suite has the largest verandah of any of the 1-Bedrooms and faces straight forward on the ship. Note that the outer part of the verandah is not private, since guests standing in public areas of Deck 13 can look straight down at it.

Accommodating a family of 5 or more on a Disney Cruise without breaking the bank is no easy trick.

If you are cruising with a family of 5 on the Magic or the Wonder, Disney will recommend the 304-square-foot Category 4 Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, which is the smallest cabin that will sleep 5. That is not the lowest-priced option, in almost all cases.

You could book TWO connecting Category 9 Deluxe Oceanview or Category 10 Deluxe Inside staterooms instead. The combined price of two connecting lower-category staterooms is often about two-thirds to three-quarters the price of a single Family Stateroom, and you end up with more space (typically about 40% more overall), two full bathrooms, and more privacy. However, you won’t have a verandah.

If the verandah on the Category 4 is important to you, consider booking one Category 6 Deluxe Oceanview with Verandah or Category 7 Deluxe Oceanview with Navigator’s Verandah, plus one Category 9, 10 or 11 cabin. It may be cheaper, and you’ll have a lot more space, more privacy and two bathrooms. However, the staterooms will not connect.

You should also price out two connecting Category 5 cabins. It will be more expensive than the single Category 4, but not by as much as you’d think, and you’ll get a huge upgrade in space and bathroom capacity.

Any of the connecting room options are great if you have older kids. Even if your kids are small and you’re worried about them being in the next room, keep in mind that the stateroom attendant can give you a prop for the connecting doors, making the two rooms effectively one large suite. You’ll be able to hear the kids if they wake up in the night, but can close the door if you need some privacy.

For a family of 6 or more, you have a few choices. A 2-Bedroom Suite or Royal Suite will sleep up to 7. However, it will be cheaper (usually much cheaper) to book two staterooms than to book a suite.

If you are cruising with a family of 5 on the Dream, Fantasy or Wish, Disney will recommend the approximately 241-square-foot Category 8 Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom, which is the smallest cabin that will sleep 5. Generally this is in fact the cheapest option for 5 people.

However, especially in peak seasons (e.g., summer, spring break), it may be hundreds of dollars cheaper to book TWO connecting Category 11 Standard Inside staterooms instead. Alternatively, the price difference between a Category 8 Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom and TWO connecting Category 9D or 9C Deluxe Oceanview or Category 10A Deluxe Inside cabins (only on the Dream & Fantasy) may be negligible.

So always check prices both ways, and if the price difference is minimal, consider that two Category 9 Deluxe Oceanview cabins or two Category 10 Deluxe Inside cabins would give you a total of 408 square feet and two bathrooms. Two Category 11 Standard Inside cabins would give you about 338 square feet and two (non-split) bathrooms.

For a family of 6 or more, your only choice is two staterooms on the Dream or Fantasy. On the Wish, you can get concierge rooms that sleep 6, though two regular staterooms will be much cheaper.

Thanks to Mike R, Tara H and Cheryl from Small World Vacations for info!

As mentioned earlier, for a family of 5 it’s often cheaper to get two rooms rather than one, but the same logic applies (though less often) to families of 4. It can happen that the only rooms left that can handle 4 people are high-category, expensive ones. If less expensive rooms with fewer beds are available, you may be able to save money by booking two lower category rooms.

Even if you can get a single lower-category room that sleeps 4, it’s almost always worthwhile pricing out the cruise as two staterooms for comparison. Even if you don’t find a cheaper two-room option, you might be surprised to find one that’s only slightly more expensive. Unlike hotel pricing, where a second room always costs the same as the first room, cruise pricing has large supplementary fares for the 3rd and 4th occupant of a room, which makes splitting much more attractive. For example, you might find that a single room costs $3000, broken down into $1000 each for the first two guests and $500 each for the 3rd and 4th. Split into two identical staterooms of the same category you originally picked and your total fare is now $4000, or $1000 each for all 4 guests. That’s only a 33% increase in price for a 100% increase in space (and bathrooms)! Depending on the category and sailing, you’ll generally find that splitting 4 people into two staterooms of the exact same category is only 15%-40% more. And if you’re willing to make the second room a lower category, like an interior room on the same hallway, that reduces the cost even more.

If your children are small, you may want to limit yourself to connecting rooms. That makes this strategy somewhat harder on the Magic and Wonder, which have fewer overall connecting rooms. In addition, finding a set of available connecting rooms is not easy with Disney’s interface. We highly recommend using a travel agent if you want connecting rooms, as good travel agents are adept at finding connecting rooms and it’s exactly the kind of laborious task that you’d rather have someone else do for you.

If you’re willing to take your chances, consider booking a low-priced stateroom and hoping for an upgrade. For example, you could book a Category 11 “guarantee” stateroom, which means you’ll get at least a Category 11 Standard Inside cabin, but you are not immediately assigned a specific cabin. Instead, Disney Cruise Line guarantees you a room at this rate and waits to see how the ship fills up. If you are booking early and/or traveling during the off-season, this may work to your advantage. Since many people want to book the least expensive fare, the lowest fare often sells out. When that happens, Disney Cruise Line will sometimes upgrade some of the people who booked the lower fare first, in order to make cheaper rooms available for new guests.

Another trick is to request an upgrade at the port upon check-in. Depending on how full your cruise is, Disney is sometimes willing to upgrade you for a fee. Usually this fee is much less expensive than if you booked that category originally. If you are interested in trying this, get to the port early and as soon as you are in the terminal, make a beeline for the check-in desk and mention that you’re interested in paying for an upgrade. These upgrades had gotten very rare when the economy has picked back up, but when cruising restarts post-pandemic, there’s a decent chance that upgrades will become available again for at least some cruises in the offseason.

The key thing to keep in mind: upgrades are not in any way guaranteed, so don’t book a room you wouldn’t be happy staying in.

It is especially important to buy trip insurance for a cruise , because you have to pay the entire cost in advance and you won’t get a refund if you have to cancel right before your scheduled departure. With thousands of dollars at stake, it’s worth it to protect the investment.

It is absolutely critical to buy insurance if you will be taking a Caribbean cruise during hurricane season (between June 1 and November 30). While cruise ships can easily outrun and sail around hurricanes, ports and airports often close, which can affect your travel plans in a big way. If you don’t have insurance, you will be out of pocket for related expenses, such as renting a car to get to a new port or to get home from a port where you hadn’t expected to disembark. And if you can’t make it to the ship, the cruise line has the right to say “tough luck” and keep your money!

In 2016, hurricane Matthew caused significant damage in the Canaveral area and forced the closure of Port Canaveral. In 2017, Irma passed near Port Canaveral and Disney cut short several cruises and canceled several others. In 2018, hurricane Florence caused cruise ships to divert to alternate ports (not Disney, but primarily because of lucky timing). In 2019, Dorian caused Port Canaveral to be closed again and several cruises to be rescheduled and others to arrive late.

Because of these storms, people had trouble getting to their cruises or getting home afterwards because the airports were closed temporarily. Plenty of other people had to rearrange their flight dates and/or destinations, which often incurred a penalty. Some people ended up having to pay for hotel rooms when their cruises were delayed; others had to rent cars in order to get to the port. The luckiest ones never left for Florida, but still had to pay cancellation or change fees for the airfares they never used. These are exactly the kinds of expenses that trip insurance is designed to cover.

Perhaps the most important coverage included in a trip insurance policy is trip cancellation and interruption insurance , which can protect your investment if you have to cancel your cruise at the last minute (or come home early) due to illness or injury. Depending on the policy, you may also be covered if you cancel for other reasons, such as jury duty, terrorism at your destination, or even unemployment.

Emergency medical coverage and medical evacuation insurance are very important if you become ill or injured during the cruise. A lot of medical insurance policies do not cover you outside of your home country. Plus, evacuation insurance will help to pay for an emergency flight, which would be hugely expensive if you had to pay for it yourself. This can be very worthwhile, especially if you will be visiting developing countries, which is common on cruises. Personally we would not be comfortable with the care provided in most Caribbean hospitals, for instance, and would much prefer to be flown to the US for treatment.

Delayed baggage insurance will help you pay for replacement clothing if the airline sends your suitcase to Timbuktu and you need something to wear in the meantime. Supplemental baggage insurance will pay a predetermined amount if an airline or cruise line loses your luggage completely. When you consider the high cost of the formal wear you may be taking on a cruise, and how little airlines and cruise lines tend to pay for lost luggage, supplemental baggage insurance becomes a wise move. (Some higher-end credit cards provide extra baggage insurance, so check with your card issuer before paying extra for this coverage.)

Disney Cruise Line sells trip insurance, but it’s expensive and it has major exclusions: it doesn’t cover pre-existing medical conditions or air travel you arrange yourself. (Air travel arranged through Disney is covered.) You can almost always get better insurance than Disney offers, and at better rates, by buying it elsewhere.

Be aware that in most cases, trip insurance will provide slightly less coverage (usually by adding exclusions on pre-existing medical conditions) unless you buy it within about 14-21 days of paying your deposit on the cruise. So be sure to purchase it right away, once you’ve committed to the cruise.

Where to Buy Trip Insurance

• A great place to comparison-shop for trip insurance is SquareMouth , where you can see side-by-side policy information and rates for major, reputable insurance companies. We have used SquareMouth ourselves to buy trip insurance and were especially impressed with their straightforward comparison system and robust filters to help you find the specific insurance features you need. We were also impressed with their “Zero Complaint Guarantee,” where they will go to bat with the insurance company on your behalf if you have a problem. Compare policies on SquareMouth .

If you are an adult US citizen and plan to take a Disney cruise, we strongly recommend getting a passport. While according to the US State Department a passport card or an enhanced drivers license is acceptable for closed-loop (beginning and ending in same port) sea travel between the US and the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada, a regular “book” passport is required to fly into or out of the US. If an emergency arises, you won’t be able to fly back to the US from an international port without a passport. Similarly, if you are delayed and miss the ship sailing, you won’t be able to fly to the next port and catch up with the ship.

Kids who are US citizens will also need passports if traveling outside the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada. Kids under 16 can present a certified birth certificate as their ID when going to the Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean, Mexico and Canada, but we still highly recommend getting your kids a regular passport (NOT a passport card) for those destinations, due to the same restrictions on air travel mentioned above.

Finally, while most destinations in North America and the Caribbean will let you off the ship without a passport, you do need a full passport to get off the ship in Martinique.

About Passports

Each person in your party will need a passport. Some people have asked us about “family passports.” They have not been available for a long time. Children (even infants) must each have their own passport.

In order to get a passport, you will need:

• a certified copy of each person’s birth certificate. If you need certified copies of birth certificates and aren’t sure how to get them, a good site is VitalChek.com . Anyone not born in the US will need to provide proof of citizenship, such as a naturalization certificate.
• current, valid government-issued photo ID (such as drivers license or military ID) for each adult.
• two official passport photos. You can get these taken at many locations. Two of the cheapest places are AAA offices and Costco stores.

There are additional requirements for children. For more information on passports, including how and where to apply, visit the Department of State website.

Applying for your passports at least 3 months in advance is highly advisable. The processing time can currently take 8 weeks or more. If you need your passport sooner, you can get an expedited passport by mail directly from the Department of State by paying an extra fee of $60 plus the cost of express shipping both ways. An expedited passport takes about 2 weeks.

Most countries visited by Disney Cruise Line do not require US citizens to have a tourist visa.

Guests who purchase an organized tour in St. Petersburg, Russia will not require a Russian Tourist Visa as long as the booking is via a tour company with the appropriate licenses. All Disney shore excursions qualify, and most other excursions marketed to cruise passengers by third parties will as well. If booking a tour on your own, though, check with the tour company to make sure you won’t need a visa. Assuming you have booked with Disney or another licensed company, you will need to present the following items to the Russian Immigration officer when departing the ship:

• A valid passport for each guest
• A tour ticket from Disney or your third-party tour company for each guest
• Photocopy of the passport pages showing each guest’s picture and personal information

However, note that without a Russian Tourist Visa, visitation is limited to the period of the excursion and guests will not be permitted to leave the ship outside of the tour hours. Guests who wish to sightsee independently must obtain an individual Russian Tourist Visa before leaving home. Companies such as PassportVisasExpress.com can expedite the visa for you.

Booking Palo/Remy/Enchanté, Excursions, Onboard Activities, Spa Appointments and Kids’ Club Online

Disney Cruise Line has an online system that allows guests to make advance reservations for Palo, Remy or Enchanté (the adults-only restaurants onboard) as well as shore excursions, spa treatments, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, popular character breakfasts and meetings, and babysitting. In addition, you can do advance registration online for the kids’ clubs.

In order to use this service, your cruise must be paid in full.

• Platinum Castaway Club members (repeat Disney Cruise Line passengers who have been on 10 or more previous Disney cruises) and those who are staying in Concierge cabins can make their online reservations up to 120 days prior to embarkation. (And in fact, people staying in Concierge can tell the shoreside concierges in advance what they want, and the concierges will book them at the earliest possible point, effectively ahead of even the Platinum members.)
• Gold Castaway Club members (repeat Disney Cruise Line passengers who have been on 5-9 previous Disney cruises) can make their online reservations up to 105 days prior to embarkation.
• Silver Castaway Club members (repeat Disney Cruise Line passengers who have been 1-4 previous Disney cruises) can begin making reservations 90 days before embarking.
• All others can go online and make reservations 75 days in advance of departure.

To start making reservations online, register at DisneyCruise.com . You’ll need your cruise reservation number. Reservations open just after midnight EST, the exact number of days in advance listed above.

If you are not able to book the restaurant, shore excursion, spa treatment, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment and/or babysitting time you want, try to get on the ship as early as possible on embarkation day. There will be locations on the ship where you can go in person and try to get your reservations. Some time slots are held back for onboard booking, so you have a decent chance.

Disney Cruise Line wedding packages are usually available on all cruises, but only a few weddings are allowed for each sailing: one or two on the ship, one on the island. You can hold a Disney Cruise Line wedding, commitment ceremony or vow renewal that is as small as just the two of you, or as large as 100 guests. A Disney Cruise Line wedding package is an “add-on” on top of your regular cruise fare.  Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings  offers full details on locations, guest limits and pricing.

The same information applies to a commitment ceremony or vow renewal. As far as Disney is concerned, the planning and costs for these ceremonies are all interchangeable.

• If you will have guests sharing your special day, it is easiest to have a single travel agent handle everyone’s arrangements, so that all of the names and reservation numbers can be cross-referenced as part of your wedding party. This will also help you to get group seating arrangements for dinner aboard the ship. Every attempt will be made to seat you and your guests near each other, if not at the same table.
• If you and your guests will be booking at least 8 cabins, you may qualify for group status, which brings some extra benefits. Ask your travel agent for details.

For more information, read  Disney Cruise Line’s official information on traveling with a disability .

Need a mobility aide, oxygen, baby crib or other special equipment while cruising? Special Needs at Sea is the preferred accessibility supplier for Cruise Lines International Association. Visit their website for a complete list of equipment and to reserve the items you need.

Cruise Planners: Free 42-Page Printable + Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Last updated: March 6, 2024

Ahoy, future cruisers! 🚢✨

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from countless oceanic adventures, it’s this: A spectacular cruise isn’t just about the destination or the ship—it’s also about meticulous planning.

But wait, before you start envisioning tedious spreadsheets and overwhelming to-do lists, let us introduce you to the magic of cruise planners.

Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or embarking on your maiden cruise journey, this comprehensive guide (alongside our free 42-page planner ) will ensure you navigate the vast seas of cruise planning with ease and expertise.

Why Cruise Planning is Essential

Breathtaking sunsets, the gentle rock of the ship, exotic ports with adventures awaiting—cruising is an experience unlike any other.

However, as idyllic as it sounds, hopping aboard without a clear plan can quickly turn those dreamy sunsets into stormy clouds of stress.

Let’s dive into why plotting your course in advance is the real key to unlocking a memorable cruise.

1. Navigating Your Budget Like a Pro

The allure of the open seas can quickly become a daunting affair if costs spiral out of control. While most fun cruises are all-inclusive, there are many additional expenses—excursions, premium dining, spa treatments, and those irresistible souvenirs—that can take you by surprise.

Planning ensures you’re not only prepared for these expenses but can strategically indulge without breaking the bank.

2. Maximize Every Moment

Every cruise ship is a floating city, brimming with activities, shows, workshops, and more. Without a plan, you might find yourself overwhelmed by choices, leading to either a rushed experience or missing out on fantastic opportunities.

Knowing what’s on offer and pre-scheduling can help you strike the perfect balance between relaxation and adventure.

3. Port-of-Call Perfection

Those few precious hours at a port can fly by. Having a clear itinerary ensures you experience the best of each destination without the last-minute scrambles.

Whether it’s exploring a hidden beach, tasting local delicacies, or embarking on a cultural tour, pre-planning helps you anchor your experiences to cherished memories.

4. Bypassing Common Cruise Pitfalls

Ever found yourself in the wrong dress code for a themed dinner night? Or realized too late that your dream excursion was fully booked?

Such hiccups can put a damper on the cruising spirit. A cruise planner helps anticipate and sidestep these common oversights.

5. Tailored to Your Taste

Cruise ships cater to a diverse clientele, from families with kids to honeymooners to solo explorers.

Planning ensures your cruise is tailored to your preferences, ensuring each day feels like it was crafted just for you.

In essence, a well-charted cruise plan is the wind in your sails, driving your ship towards sunny horizons and starry nights. So, as you look out to the vast ocean of possibilities, remember: The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes (and a solid plan!). 🌟🗺️🚢

Unveiling the Concept of ‘Cruise Planners’

Cast away the visions of old-school travel agencies, clunky brochures, and hour-long phone holds.

Enter the digital age of cruise planning, where the term ‘cruise planners’ doesn’t just refer to professionals, but also to modern tools and resources that make planning a breeze. Let’s set sail into this brave new world.

A Blast from the Past:

Remember when planning a trip meant visiting a travel agency, pouring over hefty brochures, and relying on the knowledge of someone who might have visited your desired destination once or twice?

Those were simpler times but not necessarily easier. The evolution of travel planning, especially for cruises, has brought empowerment to travelers.

The Rise of Cruise Planner Professionals:

Today’s cruise planners are a blend of travel agents, consultants, and experience curators. They’re armed with vast databases of information, partnerships with cruise lines, and personal experiences.

They don’t just book your tickets; they craft your journey. From ensuring you get the best cabin to curating on-shore excursions tailored to your interests, they’re your personal cruise concierge.

Digital Tools and Apps:

The internet era has birthed a multitude of platforms, apps, and tools specifically designed for cruise enthusiasts. From virtual ship tours to detailed reviews of every activity onboard, these digital tools provide invaluable insights.

Many come with user-friendly interfaces, allowing travelers to drag and drop activities into their itinerary, creating a visual blueprint of their cruise.

Community and Crowdsourced Knowledge:

The term cruise planners isn’t confined to professionals and tools; it’s also about the community. Online forums, social media groups, and cruise-focused blogs are treasure troves of first-hand experiences and advice.

Fellow travelers share hidden gems, tips to save money, and even recommendations on what to avoid. In many ways, today’s cruise planning is a collaborative effort.

Why It’s Trending:

The increased search and interest around cruise planners reflect a larger trend: travelers desire enriched experiences, not just trips. They seek a blend of relaxation and exploration, craving curated journeys that resonate with their personal tastes and interests.

As we steer through this section, one thing becomes clear: cruise planning has evolved from a task to an art form. Whether you’re leaning towards professional assistance or reveling in DIY, understanding the vast realm of cruise planners equips you for an unforgettable voyage. 🌐🛳️📲

DIY vs. Professional Cruise Planners: Pros & Cons

In the vast ocean of cruise planning, two predominant approaches emerge: the independent, DIY route, and the guided path of professional cruise planners.

Both have their merits, and each carries a unique allure. But which one is your siren song? Let’s delve deep and weigh the anchors of each side.

DIY Cruise Planning:

• Personalization & Flexibility: The cruise world is your oyster! Design each detail according to your desires, making on-the-fly changes whenever inspiration strikes.
• Potential Cost Savings: No middleman means you might snag a few deals, especially if you’re a savvy researcher and bargain hunter.
• Deep Dive Research: There’s a unique joy in scouring forums, reading reviews, and diving into blogs. You’ll feel a sense of achievement and anticipation building as you craft your dream cruise.
• Time-Intensive: With great freedom comes great responsibility—and a ton of research. It can become overwhelming, especially for complex routes or long-duration cruises.
• Possible Oversights: Without expert guidance, you might miss out on exclusive deals, hidden gems, or important logistical aspects.
• Potential for Stress: Facing uncertainties or second-guessing choices without professional validation can lead to pre-cruise jitters.

Professional Cruise Planners:

• Expertise & Experience: These professionals know the cruise world like the back of their hands. They can guide you to choices you might never have considered, enhancing your experience.
• Time-Saving: Just share your preferences, sit back, and let the magic unfold. Your planner will handle the nitty-gritty, from bookings to special requests.
• Exclusive Access: Many cruise planners have tie-ups with cruise lines, granting you exclusive deals, early-bird offers, or special amenities.
• Potential for Higher Costs: Their expertise comes at a price. While you might get exclusive deals, the overall cost may be higher than a DIY approach.
• Less Personal Touch: While professionals curate based on your preferences, you might miss out on the detailed personal touches that come from hours of personal research.
• Dependency: Any changes or issues? You’ll need to go through your planner, which could cause delays or miscommunications.

Both paths, DIY and professional assistance, offer unique experiences in the world of cruise planning. It boils down to your personal style. If you’re a meticulous planner who loves diving into details and has the time for it, DIY might be up your alley. However, if you seek a hassle-free, expert-curated experience and are okay with a slightly higher budget, professional cruise planners are your best bet.

Whichever path you choose, remember: the journey of planning can be just as exciting as the cruise itself. So, hoist your sails, and may the winds of adventure guide you forward! 🌍🚢📖

Sail Ahead with Our Exclusive Free Printable Cruise Planner!

Charting your next cruise adventure has never been this exhilarating—or easy! We’re elated to introduce our meticulously crafted, user-friendly, and absolutely FREE Printable Cruise Planner . Created with love and a passion for the seas, this planner is designed to be your trusty co-captain on your cruise planning journey. Let’s dive in and explore how this nautical gem can enhance your voyage from start to finish.

1. Crafted with Experience: Every page of our planner is imbued with insights from seasoned cruisers and travel aficionados. This isn’t just a planner; it’s a distillation of years of cruising knowledge, refined into a sleek, actionable tool.

2. User-Centric Design: Tired of scribbles, scattered notes, and losing track of your plans? Our planner’s intuitive layout ensures a smooth sailing experience. Segmented sections cater to all cruise planning facets, ensuring you never miss a detail.

3. All-in-One Organizer: From pre-cruise checklists, daily activity trackers, and excursion planners to budget worksheets and meal reservation logs, we’ve got you covered. It’s your one-stop companion for a stress-free cruise journey.

4. Personal & Flexible: While our planner comes with a recommended flow, its design embraces flexibility. Add, remove, or rearrange pages as you see fit. Plus, there’s ample space for personal notes, doodles, and those spontaneous ideas that pop up.

5. Sustainable & Eco-friendly: Designed to be printed at home or at your local print shop, our planner champions sustainability. We recommend printing on recycled paper, and its compact design ensures minimal waste.

6. A Continual Companion: Whether you’re cruising for a month through the Mediterranean or venturing into the Alaskan wilds , this planner is adaptable to any cruise type, duration, or destination. It’s a timeless tool you’ll find yourself reaching for, cruise after cruise.

How to Get Your Free Printable Cruise Planner: Excited to set sail with our planner by your side? Simply print it, bind it, and begin the delightful journey of crafting your dream cruise.

A Comprehensive Guide to Using Our Cruise Planner

Embarking on a cruise journey entails much more than just boarding a ship. From the minute details of your cabin choice to the broader scope of your travel itinerary, every decision impacts the kind of memories you’ll craft.

And while spontaneity has its charm, a well-structured plan often guarantees a smoother, richer experience. That’s where our cruise planner shines. In this in-depth guide, we’ll navigate through its various sections, ensuring you harness its full potential. So, let’s set sail!

Budgeting for Your Voyage: Making Every Penny Count

Every memorable cruise starts with a realistic and well-thought-out budget. It’s the foundation upon which your voyage stands. With our cruise planner’s dedicated budgeting sections, you’re not just jotting down numbers—you’re crafting a financial blueprint for a stress-free journey.

Start with the Basics: Begin by filling out the primary expenses: cruise fare, flights (if applicable), pre and post-cruise accommodations, and travel insurance. These are the pillars of your trip’s financial structure.

The All-Inclusive Trap: Many cruises market themselves as all-inclusive, but there are always additional expenses. Use the planner to list potential on-board expenses: specialty dining, spa treatments, premium beverages, and onboard activities that might come with a fee.

Excursions & Exploration: While the ship offers a universe of experiences, the real adventures often lie ashore. Research potential excursions or guided tours. Also, account for impromptu local experiences, shopping, or meals at port cities. Allocate funds accordingly.

Buffer Budget: The seas are full of surprises! Always keep a buffer budget for unforeseen expenses. Whether it’s a sudden urge to try an upscale restaurant onboard or a local craft that catches your eye at a port, this safety net ensures peace of mind.

Track as You Go: A budget is not a set-in-stone document. As your cruise progresses, keep updating your planner with actual expenses. This helps keep a check, ensuring you stay within limits and can make adjustments if necessary.

Saving Opportunities: Dedicate a section for potential discounts, deals, or loyalty rewards. Cruises often have loyalty programs, early-bird specials, or last-minute deals. Tracking these can significantly reduce costs.

Budgeting with our cruise planner ensures you’re not just spending, but investing in experiences that truly matter. It’s about optimizing your resources for maximum joy. Remember, a well-planned budget is the wind behind the sails of your dream cruise, propelling you towards memorable horizons without financial hiccups.

Itinerary Planning: Charting Your Course with Precision and Passion

Crafting the perfect cruise itinerary is an art, blending structure with spontaneity, must-dos with delightful detours. Your cruise will glide through beautiful regions, docking at exotic ports, each offering its unique array of experiences. Our cruise planner’s itinerary-focused sections are the canvas upon which you’ll paint your dream journey. Here’s your step-by-step guide to using it to its fullest.

Familiarize with the Ship’s Itinerary: Start by filling in the fixed elements of your trip: dates, destinations, docking times, and durations. This gives you a clear scaffold upon which to layer your personal plans.

Research Each Destination: For every port of call, delve into research. Look up the top attractions, experiences, local cuisines, cultural events, and hidden gems. Jot down what piques your interest.

Prioritize: With so much to see and do, prioritization is key. What are your non-negotiables? Maybe it’s the ancient ruins in one city or the famous beach in another. Highlight these in your planner.

Schedule Excursions: If you’re booking guided tours or ship-sponsored excursions, slot them in. Ensure you have a buffer time before and after, accounting for any unforeseen delays.

DIY Adventures: Perhaps you’re keen on exploring a destination at your own pace. Use the planner to sketch a rough route, noting down places of interest, local eateries, and spots to relax.

Onboard Activities: Your ship is a floating paradise, bursting with activities, shows, workshops, and events. Interweave these with your port days. Maybe you’d like a spa day after an intensive excursion or a special dinner on a night when the ship stays docked longer.

Stay Flexible: While it’s great to have a plan, remember the magic often lies in unexpected adventures. Leave gaps in your itinerary for serendipitous discoveries.

Gather Local Insights: Interact with locals or fellow travelers to get recommendations. Perhaps there’s a local festival, a lesser-known museum, or a just-opened eatery worth checking out. Update your planner accordingly.

With our cruise planner, every day of your cruise transforms from a mere date on the calendar to a tapestry of vivid experiences, memories in the making. Itinerary planning isn’t just about filling slots; it’s about curating moments, both monumental and minuscule, that together create the symphony of your cruise adventure.

Onboard Experience: Savoring Every Moment Aboard Your Floating Paradise

The sea’s gentle sway, the horizon stretching infinitely, the allure of a new dawn each day – life aboard your cruise ship promises experiences as vast as the ocean itself. Your vessel isn’t merely a means to get from one port to another; it’s a universe of entertainment, relaxation, and enchantment. Our cruise planner ensures you don’t miss a beat. Let’s set sail on this immersive journey!

Know Your Ship: Begin by exploring your cruise ship’s layout, offerings, and daily events. Familiarize yourself with entertainment zones, dining venues, recreational areas, and relaxation spots.

Day-to-Day Events: Most ships offer a daily bulletin or newsletter detailing the day’s activities. Extract the ones that intrigue you and slot them into your planner. Whether it’s a dance class, a wine tasting session, or a themed night, ensure you’re prepped and punctual.

Dine in Style: With a plethora of dining options, from casual buffets to elegant specialty restaurants, plan your culinary journey. Make reservations for must-visit venues, and allocate days for spontaneous choices.

Recreation & Wellness: Cruise ships are wellness havens. Schedule spa appointments, fitness classes, or simply pencil in pool days. Remember, relaxation is as vital as exploration.

Nightlife & Shows: From Broadway-esque productions to jazz nights, your evenings onboard promise a whirlwind of entertainment. Mark out shows you can’t miss, and perhaps days you’d just like to stargaze from the deck.

Engage & Socialize: Many ships offer workshops, lectures, or group activities. Engage in ones that pique your interest. It’s also a fantastic way to meet fellow travelers and make lasting connections.

Capture Memories: Dedicate some time to journal your onboard experiences. Whether it’s the thrill of a casino win, the serenity of a sunrise, or the novelty of a cooking class, your planner will become a trove of treasured memories.

The ship is more than just steel and sophistication; it’s the heart of your cruise experience. With our cruise planner’s dedicated section, each day onboard metamorphoses into a vibrant mosaic of moments, memories, and sheer magic. As you traverse the waters, let the ship not just be a vessel, but a vivacious companion on your epic odyssey.

Packing and Prep: Ensuring Smooth Sailing with Every Suitcase

The thrill of an impending cruise can often be juxtaposed with the dread of packing. But what if we told you packing could be as enjoyable as the voyage itself? With our cruise planner’s preparation and cruise packing segments, you’re not just stuffing suitcases but curating collections for every chapter of your adventure. Dive in!

Climate & Itinerary Checks: Examine the regions you’ll be traversing and their expected climates. Also, sync with your itinerary: a gala night, a beach excursion, or a hiking adventure will each demand different attire.

Essentials First: Start with the basics – passports, cruise documentation, medications, and other vital items. Use our dedicated cruise essentials checklist to ensure nothing is overlooked.

Day-Wise Wardrobe: Instead of random outfits, consider packing day-wise or event-wise ensembles. It saves the daily decision-making hassle and ensures you’re always aptly dressed.

Tech & Entertainment: Remember chargers, converters, headphones, and any other tech essentials. If you’re planning relaxed days, perhaps some reading material or downloaded shows could be handy.

Toiletries & Personal Care: While most ships offer basic amenities, if you’re particular about brands or have specific requirements, pack cruise accessories accordingly. Consider the environment and opt for biodegradable products.

Snacks & Munchies: While food is abundant on a cruise, if you have specific dietary needs or just want some familiar comfort snacks, leave some space in your luggage.

Review & Reduce: It’s easy to overpack. Once done, review and ask yourself if you genuinely need every item. Shedding even a few unnecessary things can lighten your luggage and your stress.

Equipped with our cruise planner, packing is no longer a tedious task but a tantalizing teaser for the adventures ahead. It’s the prelude to your symphony, setting the rhythm for a voyage that’s as seamless as it is splendid.

Documentation and Legalities: Navigating the Nitty-Gritty with Ease

Cruises, with their promise of unhindered serenity and adventure, do come with an underbelly of necessary documentation and legalities . It might sound tedious, but with the right preparation and our cruise planner by your side, it’s just another step toward ensuring a smooth voyage. Let’s set your sails straight with this crucial aspect of cruise planning!

Passport and Visas:

• Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your return date.
• Check visa requirements for every port of call. Some countries might offer visa-on-arrival, while others demand prior arrangements.

Cruise Tickets and Boarding Passes:

• Always have a printed and digital copy.
• Familiarize yourself with the boarding procedure, time windows, and the location of your embarkation point.

Medical Documentation:

• If you have specific medical conditions, carry relevant documents or prescriptions.
• Research on onboard medical facilities and what kind of health insurances they accept.

Special Requests & Accommodations:

• If you’ve made special requests like dietary accommodations or accessibility provisions, have these documented and easily accessible.

Local Laws & Etiquette:

• Brief research on local customs, laws, and etiquettes for each port can save potential hassles. It’s not just about compliance but also about showing respect to the cultures you’ll be immersing in.

Emergency Contacts:

• A list of emergency contacts, including those of the cruise line, local embassies or consulates, and close family or friends, is crucial.

Backup & Digital Security:

• Ensure all vital documents have a digital backup, perhaps in a secure cloud storage.
• Protect your devices with strong passwords, and be cautious about using public Wi-Fi networks.

Post-Cruise Reflection: Reliving and Reveling in the Resonance of Your Journey

The end of your cruise isn’t the final chapter but the beginning of a beautiful reminiscence, a great way to end your mindful travel adventure . It’s a time to reflect, to capture the essence of your journey, to dream about future voyages, and to be grateful for the just-concluded odyssey.

Journaling:

• Pen down standout moments, unexpected delights, and even fleeting observations. Over time, these become priceless recollections.

Feedback & Reviews:

• Your experiences can guide future travelers. Take a moment to leave reviews or feedback, both for the cruise line and for specific excursions or services you availed.

Photos & Souvenirs:

• Organize and backup your photographs. Maybe create a digital or physical album dedicated to this cruise.
• Place your souvenirs in spots where they can serve as daily reminders of your voyage.

Connections & Friendships:

• Did you meet like-minded travelers or forge new friendships? Note down their contacts and make an effort to stay connected.

Learnings & Takeaways:

• Every journey teaches us something. Reflect on what this cruise added to your life’s tapestry – be it a new perspective, a rejuvenated spirit, or just a broader smile.

Future Cruise Wishlist:

• Inspired for another trip? Start creating a wishlist for your next cruise, be it destinations, activities, or even a different cruise line.

Using our free cruise planner, the end of your voyage transforms into a heartwarming epilogue, a promise of many more tales on the tides, and a testament to the timelessness of travel memories.

Tips and Tricks from Veteran Cruisers

Every cruise ship is a world in itself, with its own rhythm, rules, and revelations. And who better to guide you through these intricate cruise travel tips than the seasoned travelers who’ve charted these waters before?

The wisdom of veteran cruisers is akin to a treasure map, leading you to hidden gems and helping you steer clear of potential pitfalls. Dive into this treasure trove of advice with our curated collection of tips and tricks.

1. Embarkation and Disembarkation Mastery:

• Arrive Early, But Not Too Early: Arriving a tad earlier than the suggested time can help you beat the crowds, but too early might leave you waiting.
• Luggage Tags: Always secure and double-check your luggage tags. It ensures your bags find their way to your cabin efficiently.

2. Make Reservations Ahead: Whether it’s specialty dining, exclusive shows, or spa treatments, booking in advance ensures you get the best slots and don’t miss out.

3. Navigating Onboard Sales: Veterans often advise to be wary of the first-day sales pitches for spas, photo packages, and more. Wait for mid-cruise offers, which can often be more lucrative.

4. Stay Connected, Economically: Internet packages onboard can be expensive. Seasoned cruisers suggest investing in a package only if necessary and logging off when not in use to conserve minutes. Alternatively, many ports offer cafes with free Wi-Fi.

5. Room Location Matters: Picking a cabin mid-ship and away from high-traffic areas can reduce noise and motion, ensuring a more peaceful stay. Make sure to review the top cabins to avoid before you book your stateroom.

6. Pack a Day Bag: Since checked luggage might take a while to get to your room, always have a day bag with essentials – medication, swimwear, sunscreen, and any immediate necessities.

7. Go Off the Beaten Path: While popular excursions have their charm, often the best memories are crafted when you venture off on your own or pick less crowded activities.

8. Mind the Dress Codes: Cruise lines often have specific dress codes, especially for dinner or special nights. A quick check ensures you’re always dressed to impress.

9. Interact with the Crew: The ship’s crew are invaluable sources of information and stories. Engaging with them not only enhances your onboard experience but also offers insights you wouldn’t find in any brochure.

10. Stay Informed: Make it a habit to check the daily newsletter or bulletin. It’s your guide to the ship’s happenings, offers, and important announcements.

11. BYOB, with Caution: Some cruise lines allow you to bring a bottle of wine or champagne. However, always check the cruise line’s alcohol policy to avoid any unexpected corkage fees or confiscations.

12. Embrace Flexibility: While planning is pivotal, sometimes the best experiences come from spontaneous decisions. Whether it’s a sudden deck party or an unplanned shore excursion, embrace the unpredictability of the journey.

Drawing from the vast ocean of experiences of veteran cruisers, these tips and tricks are your compass, ensuring smooth sailing and memorable moments at every turn. Remember, every cruiser starts as a novice, but with the right guidance, each journey can be navigated like a pro.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

As we anchor down on this comprehensive cruise-planning journey, it’s important to remember that each voyage is as much about the destinations as it is about the journey itself. Cruises offer a unique blend of relaxation, adventure, and cultural immersion, all set against the majestic backdrop of the vast ocean.

Every Cruiser’s Evolution: It’s a given – your first cruise will be markedly different from your tenth. With every voyage, you’ll learn more about your preferences, the quirks of different ships, and the nuances of navigating the high seas. Embrace this evolution, knowing that every experience, whether smooth or turbulent, contributes to your cruiser’s repertoire.

Trust in Preparation: While the allure of spontaneity is undeniable, there’s a unique comfort in knowing you’re well-prepared. Our cruise planner, coupled with the wisdom of countless cruisers before you, ensures that you’re equipped for every eventuality, allowing you to relish every moment to the fullest.

The World Awaits: Beyond the confines of your ship lies a world rich in culture, history, and natural splendor. Whether you’re wandering through bustling markets, lounging on sun-kissed beaches, or exploring ancient ruins, cherish these moments of discovery and connection.

Your Cruise Community: From fellow passengers to the dedicated crew, the connections you forge onboard often endure well beyond the journey. These shared experiences, stories, and laughter become the hidden gems of your cruising adventures.

FAQs on Free Cruise Planners

What exactly is a Cruise Planner? A cruise planner is a comprehensive tool designed to help travelers plan and organize every aspect of their cruise vacation. It covers everything from budgeting to itinerary planning, ensuring you have a seamless and enjoyable journey.

Why should I use a Cruise Planner? Using a cruise planner allows you to consolidate all the crucial information in one place. This ensures you’re well-prepared, reduces stress, and allows you to make the most of your cruise experience. Plus, with everything organized, you’re less likely to overlook important details.

Can I use a Cruise Planner for any cruise line or ship? Absolutely! Our cruise planner is designed to be versatile, accommodating the specifics of any cruise line or ship. Simply adjust and fill in the relevant details according to your chosen cruise.

I’ve cruised before without a planner. What’s the added advantage? While many seasoned cruisers have their own systems in place, a cruise planner provides structure, consolidates information, and ensures you don’t miss out on new experiences or opportunities. It’s also a great tool for reflection and keepsakes.

How do I incorporate budgeting into the Cruise Planner? Our cruise planner has a dedicated section for budgeting, which covers everything from cruise fares to excursions and onboard expenses. By noting down and tracking your expenses, you can ensure you stay within your budget and make informed financial choices.

Is the Cruise Planner digital, printable, or both? Our cruise planner is primarily designed as a printable tool for hands-on planning. However, with evolving digital tools, you can easily use apps or software to fill it in digitally if that’s your preference.

How can I make the most of the onboard experience using the Cruise Planner? The cruise planner provides sections for you to note down daily activities, events, and shows you’re interested in. By planning ahead, you can optimize your time onboard, ensuring you participate in all the activities that pique your interest.

What if my plans change mid-cruise? Flexibility is the essence of any vacation! The cruise planner is designed to accommodate changes. It’s a tool for guidance, not rigidity. Always feel free to adapt and evolve your plans as your journey unfolds.

How does the post-cruise reflection section help? Reflecting on your journey allows you to savor and process your experiences. The post-cruise section is a space to note down memories, learnings, and even things you’d like to do differently next time. It becomes a cherished keepsake of your voyage.

Can I share the Cruise Planner with fellow travelers? A: Absolutely! Sharing the cruise planner is encouraged. Whether they’re first-time cruisers or seasoned voyagers, everyone can benefit from a bit of structured planning.

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MickeyTravels has earned DIAMOND level Earmarked status with Disney! That’s just one reason you should allow us to plan your magical vacation! We are proud to be one of a select few agencies to receive this DIAMOND designation! All of the Disney Travel agents at MickeyTravels are Disney College of Knowledge Graduates! We are proud to provide you with friendly, dedicated, & industry-leading customer service which will make your vacation one you will remember forever. All of our personalized Disney vacation planning services are absolutely, positively 100% FREE! Making Magic ™  is our specialty.   One Vacation at a Time   ™ is our focus. Our authorized Disney agents will help you plan your Disney vacation. We also offer Disney cruise planning services / Disney cruise planning.

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• Continuous Discount Monitoring for your Disney vacation. We will apply a discount even if the promotion comes out AFTER you book your Disney vacation. We WILL get you the lowest price on your Disney vacation.
• Custom itineraries for your Disney vacations including park hours, extra magic hours, and parades & fireworks times, plus so much more!
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Extra Guests Sail Free on Disney Cruise Line

There’s a new Disney Cruise Line discount in celebration of Disney+ Day: third and fourth guests set sail for FREE with two full-fare passengers in the same stateroom. In this post, we’ll share details of the unprecedented discount, why it’s likely being offered, and more.

Lots of synergistic stuff is happening for Disney+ Day at Disney Parks. Disneyland Resort in California, Disneyland Paris, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World are all getting decked out with festive décor, special character sightings, and photo opportunities. They’re also offering (or were, as it’ll be past tense by the time you read this) extra Early Entry.

There are also deals on Walt Disney World resorts for Disney+ Day. Earlier this morning, we shared those details in: Up to 20% Off Disney World Resorts at Christmas 2022 for Disney+ Subscribers . It’s a similar story with Disney Cruise Line, with one big difference:  this discount is impressive instead of underwhelming! 

If you’re not a Disney+ subscriber, you still should check out this discount. You don’t really need to “crunch the numbers” to determine if you would save more by one member of your party purchasing a Disney+ subscription if you don’t already have one. I can answer that for you right now: you would.  That’ll cost you under $2 per month now, whereas this could save you hundreds of dollars or more on a cruise.

In order to access the page on Disneycruise.com with official discount details, you’ll need an active Disney+ account. We had some issues accessing the Walt Disney World deal earlier this morning, and offer some troubleshooting tips in that post. The TL;DR version of that is, failing all else, launch a private browsing window and login to Disneycruise.com with your Disney+ credentials.

Don’t worry if you can’t do that, or if you want a look at the special offer details before subscribing to the Disney+ streaming service, as we have those:

Set sail and save—third and fourth Guests of Disney+ subscribers sail free with 2 full-fare guests in each stateroom, for up to 2 staterooms, during select cruises in 2023.

This offer is available on select sailings on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy from January 2023 through April 2023, in stateroom categories 4A–11C.

Taxes, fees and port expenses for all Guests are not included and are due at time of final payment. Taxes, fees and port expenses are approximately $89–$202 per person depending on the itinerary selected (all amounts subject to change). Offer excludes suites and categories with restrictions (VGT, OGT and IGT). Offer only available to Disney+ subscribers who are residents of the US and Canada.

Disney+ subscriber can book up to 2 staterooms with this offer; 2 full-fare Guests must stay in each stateroom. The Disney+ subscriber must be the primary Guest on the reservation and must sail in one of the staterooms booked with the offer. Proof of Disney+ subscription required.

If Disney+ subscription cannot be verified, reservation will be cancelled with applicable fees. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotions. Valid on new and existing reservations. Offer is subject to Disney Cruise Line Terms and Conditions.

The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited. Stateroom accommodations for four or more Guests are limited and based on availability at the time of booking.

View all eligible sailings and booking online by click here . You can also call Disney Cruise Line at (800) 951-3532 or contact your travel advisor. Online bookings are limited to 4 Guests per stateroom.

Our  recommended Authorized Disney Vacation Planner provides an on-board credit based upon the size of the booking, and also offers itinerary advice, suggestions for the cruise, and assistance with booking port excursions and more.

The following sailings are blocked out, and are not eligible for this offer:

Disney Magic

• January 2, 2023
• March 13, 2023
• March 27, 2023

Disney Dream

• April 10, 2023

Disney Fantasy

• March 11, 2023
• March 25, 2023

In terms of commentary, it’s pretty obvious that Disney Cruise Line is still struggling to fully recover based on the degree of discounting we’ve seen firsthand.

In addition to the general public special offers , there are a number of deeper discounts for Florida residents, US military personnel, Canadian residents, Cast Members, travel agents, and other affiliations of which I’m probably unaware.

Disney Cruise Line’s recent special offers prior to this Disney+ Day deal have included Halloween on the High Seas, Very Merry Time Christmas Cruises, Marvel Day at Sea, and other themed sailings. These discounts are still available, running between now and May 2023, with over 100 sailings discounted out of several departure cities including Port Canaveral and beyond.

Between around 2018 and early 2020, this degree of discounting simply was not occurring. Even during the ‘glory days’ of DCL deals, I don’t recall anything on par with what has been available in the last year. It’s a relatively unprecedented time for Disney Cruise Line deals, and it looks like it’ll last at least a few more months.

It’s curious how the tables have turned when it comes to Walt Disney World v. DCL discounts. Between 2018 and 2020, deals at WDW were abundant and aggressive. Now, they’re relatively meager. Pent-up demand is still running strong for the parks, to the point that resort reservations are difficult even at full price for October through December 2022.

If you’re wondering what’s up with the DCL discounts, it’s due to health safety protocol. There are undoubtedly other contributing factors, but that’s the big one. This has discouraged some people from cruising while preventing others from doing so. With the end of testing for vaccinated guests , some members of the former group will have one big barrier removed later this month (or November 2022, in the case of the Disney Magic).

I’m one member of this group. Not to belabor the point or rehash commentary covered elsewhere, but I’ve been in “wait and see” mode when it comes to cruising for a while. There have been too many hoops to jump through, compromises to the on-board experience, and the potential risk of being denied boarding erroneously.

Recently, some of that has been dropped and I’ve cruised aboard the new Disney Wish. I found the pre-departure testing to be nerve-racking. I essentially didn’t engage in any indoor activities for nearly two weeks beforehand and even then was worried about testing positive. To be blunt, that’s not something I would do again–we would’ve cancelled upcoming sailings had the policy remained in place.

This may sound excessive, but I really didn’t want to deal with the hassle and uncertainty of being denied boarding. I enjoy cruising, but not enough to go through that repeatedly. Given the degree of discounting for cruises even as every other segment of the travel industry has been red hot, I cannot be alone in that sentiment.

In addition to people like me who didn’t want to deal with the hassles and headaches, there’s another huge pool of potential guests who flat-out cannot set sail aboard Disney Cruise Line at this time. There are undoubtedly others at the opposite end of the spectrum, who could cruise but would not out of concern about insufficient health safety measures aboard ships. I suspect the Diamond Princess and other incidents back in early 2020 have left lasting scars for some.

Whatever the causes, the end result is that the pool of potential customers for Disney Cruise Line is smaller than normal–even as DCL has expanded its fleet by adding another ship. More supply but less demand is a recipe for savings, and we’re seeing exactly that play out with this Disney+ Day deal and other recent special offers.

Ultimately, it’ll be interesting to see how long these Disney Cruise Line discounts persist. My guess is as long as any health safety measures or restrictions remain in place, plus another 6 months or so. (Since very few people travel immediately upon booking.) In short, it’s a great time to set sail and take advantage of these unprecedented DCL discounts. It’s likely they’ll stick around until policies change (and also likely that policies will change very soon given their economic impact on DCL), so you probably have until at least May 2023 before rates start rising again.

Planning to set sail aboard one of the DCL ships? Read our comprehensive  Disney Cruise Line Guide to prepare for your voyage, plus plan entertainment, activities & excursions, and learn what to expect from your Disney cruise! For personalized planning & recommendations,  click here to get a cruise quote from a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner . They can find you all of the current discounts, and help you plan the details of your cruise.

YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you think of these Disney Cruise Line discounts for Disney+ Day? Will you be taking advantage of this special offer? Have you already booked one of the FL or CA resident or other deeply-discounted rates? If you booked this, do you think you ended up with a good price or do you feel like you’re overpaying? What was available or unavailable for your dates? Is this deal enough to convince you to book a cruise, or can you not justify DCL’s premium price points? Do you agree or disagree with our assessments? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback–even when you disagree with us–is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

Nope. All the “cheap” (haha) cruises are going to the Caribbean (or the Bahamas). BORING! Now if they put their Norwegian Fjord cruise on sale, I’d be tempted.

Also – had no idea so many trolls read your column.

Thanks, Tom. We booked a 5 night cruise shortly after reading your original post. I actually happened to have a tab for the same sailing open from the day before, and it was more than $2500 cheaper than that tab! Still not sure it’s a great value, but probably got the per day cost for a verandah class room below what it would cost us to day a day at WDW between park tickets and room, and that’s before you even count F&B and Genie+ and ILL.

Your readership seems to skew aggressively anti-vaccination (especially for a disease that has killed over a million Americans and is still killing hundreds each day), but when I look at pricing for next years’ Alaska cruises and Europe sailings (with standard verandahs starting around $10k for a week on many sailings), I don’t think Disney is having any trouble filling its ships with parents who aren’t afraid of vaccinations. I’m looking forward to picking up dropped births at the holiday sailings cancellation deadlines if they policy stays in place! I think it should be in the next couple weeks? FWIW, I do agree that the recent vax upload and testing system was annoying, but the process on Celebrity and Princess was very smooth, so it didn’t have to be *as bad* as it was on Disney.

@JenL, respectfully I think most people seem to be anti MANDATE as opposed to anti VACCINATE. Especially when things are mandated to make people “feel safe” instead actually keeping people safe. There is a difference. Not trying to start any fights just clarifying. Tom if I went too far I’m sure you’ll kick my comment off 😀 And seems pretty clear to me anyway that if Disney wasn’t hurting for bookings they’d never have extended this offer in an attempt to entice people to sail. It does save quite a bit of money. I’m guessing after they drop their vaccination and testing mandates we won’t see deals like this again but time will tell. Thanks for all the great posts Tom!!

I felt a little silly booking a cruise on the Dream this morning when we’re already doing a cruise on the Magic in October (NYC to Canada!) but this kind of deal doesn’t strike twice. We’ve been on the Dream more than any other ship and it’s not one we were itching to return to but it’s the one that worked best with my work schedule. So, I’ll finally be able to find out the question that’s we’ve all been waiting for answer on: Was that awkward Bob Iger segment in Golden Mickeys replaced with an awkward Bob Chapek segment or has that bit been cut altogether?

Disney needs to get with program and end vaccinations for 12+ passengers like 9 other cruise lines have. RCL Norwegian Holland America, etc. they’re all hurting for passengers. Bahamas doesn’t require vaccinations to visit so what’s the hold up? Not requiring testing on vaccinated passengers isn’t following any scientific data, they’re the ones who keep getting it!

Tom and Sarah, thanks for all the info you provide. We were looking at DCL options the past few weeks for what will be our first Disney cruise. The Disney+ special offer was perfectly timed for us and definitely tipped the scales for our decision. We booked two cabins for 4 adults and 3 kids early Thursday morning. With the Disney+ offer, we saved $2190 as compared with the day-before rate. Our five night cruise on the Dream during MLK week with a Marvel day at sea in verandah cabins comes to an average of $945 pp after the discount. We think that will be a solid value.

I will go on a Disney cruise as long as they do have mandates. Because they don’t have them at the parks, I won’t go there. There are those of us with compromised immune systems that people just don’t seem to care about.

You are spot on. We are DVC members and would love to do a cruise. But I will never step foot on one of their ships until ALL mandates are dropped! My family will never get the vaccine so unless it is dropped we will never cruise.

I hate to tell you this but you are in the minority. People have moved on. There are definitely people out there who align with your thinking but the number of people who have moved on far surpasses it. A vaccinated person can spread it exactly the same as an unvaccinated person and can also get it just the same as an unvaccinated person. So there is no point in differentiating between vaccinated and unvaccinated.

Same. I’ve got two DCL cruises booked: a seven day in March and a ten day in July. Unless they drop all mandates I am cancelling both. I booked in the hopes that they will come to their senses but right now I’m just waiting.

100% agree. We’ve sailed 3 times and won’t ever again unless the mandates are dropped. It’s a joke at this point.

All of what you shared makes a ton of sense. The news coming off of cruise ships I think is what has a lot of folks apprehensive and holding back. While I think this is probably true of any travel, the online chatter in cruise forums shows a high level of people coming home from their trip with COVID. Whether its at higher rates than a Disney World vacation, I have no idea … but it seems like it is or may be.

You’re spot on. We’d love to go on a Disney cruise but won’t until all restrictions are dropped. Disney knows that’s the issue as well based on the very blunt surveys they push out if you get on the DCL website. It point blank asks if their mandates are the reason you’re sailing or the reason you won’t sail. Hope they drop all mandates sooner rather than later. We’re checking out other cruise lines. My husband always refused to cruise other lines as he felt he’d be disappointed after the amazing Disney cruises we’ve taken but is now willing to try other cheaper options. I can’t imagine paying the crazy high Disney cruise prices then spending the time before freaking out wondering if we’ll be let on or not. That’s not a vacation…

We were so excited to take advantage of this deal, but then only to find out they’re still requiring proof of vaccination. Oh well their loss, we won’t go until this nonsense is stopped.

You are correct in your assessments. We’re so anxious to cruise again on DCL and are in the pool of potential guests that can’t. Every week we check for news on protocols dropping off and it’s happening on other cruise lines. Starting to think about booking with another company but wishing Disney will drop all protocols so we can sail with them again!

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Resort Spotlight: All-Star Music

4/16/2024 • Blog , Walt Disney World • If you are a family dreaming of the benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World resort but have a limited budget, Disney’s All-Star Music resort is a value level resort you should consider for your next magical vacation. With a red carpet and backdrop to pose for pictures, your check-in experience at the All-Star Music resort turns into your debut as the newest music sensation. Walk outside and the fun starts for all. Pose for pictures in the Calypso section with the giant xylophone or bongos. Stop by the Jazz section to see the biggest drum set of your life. Are you more into country music? The banjo or harmonica might be calling your name. There isn’t anywhere you can turn outside without being reminded of the powerful influence music has on all our lives. All-Star Music features 2 different styles of rooms. The standard style room features a […]

“Hey Disney” Let’s Have Fun!

4/9/2024 • Walt Disney World • The fun doesn’t stop when you get to your Disney resort room. Adding a little Disney magic to your resort hotel stay just got a little more fun. In each resort room, you can now find the “Hey Disney” device which allows you to ask questions, play games and even get a character greeting. It’s easy and fun. You simply activate the microphone on the “Hey Disney” device and you are set to go. And when you are done playing, you simply turn off the microphone and the interaction stops. “Hey Disney, read me a story”, which is a great way to get your littles a bedtime story before dreaming of the fun day they had in the park. “Hey Disney, play a soundscape”, is a soothing way to drift off to sleep listening to their favorite Disney tunes. Other entertaining options are the ability to play trivia or even […]

Comparing Princess Meals at Walt Disney World

4/2/2024 • Blog , Walt Disney World • For families with little girls, booking a princess meal at Walt Disney World is high on the must-do list but with multiple princess meal options – which one is best suited for your family? Cinderella’s Royal Table is located in Cinderella’s Castle. Hosted by Cinderella, you will have your family picture taken with her as you wait to be seated. After heading upstairs, other Disney princesses stop by your table to visit, allowing for pictures and autographs. For those with a dining package, this meal will cost two table service credits per person. Without a dining package the cost per person will be one of the more expensive meals on property. As this restaurant is small in seating capacity, you may need to be flexible with your preferred dining time. Located in Epcot, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is wonderful choice. This meal features multiple princesses that visit your table. At […]

Top 5 Activities for Adults-Only Trips to Walt Disney World

3/26/2024 • Blog , Walt Disney World • Going to Walt Disney World on an adults-only trip is an experience that must be enjoyed by all Disney fans. While you may miss the children for a few moments, there are some great experiences that you must try with your significant other or best friends. Here are some of my favorite activities on an adults-only trip. Jellyrolls – A dueling piano bar located on the Boardwalk, Jellyrolls is the place to hang out with your friends and enjoy top entertainment. With 2 piano virtuosos taking requests from the audience, grab a drink, make a request, and sing along for an evening filled with fun. Be sure to get there early for a seat as the bar fills to standing by 9pm each night and bring along small bills to give the players for those musical requests. Disney’s Tours - Touring Disney’s parks behind the scenes allows guests to see […]

Discover Paradise at Sandals’ Newest Resort: Dunn’s River

3/22/2024 • Blog , Sandals & Beaches • Welcome to Sandals' newest gem, Dunn's River Resort, where indulgence meets natural beauty in perfect harmony! I got lucky enough to experience this resort firsthand and I’m in love! In fact, I’ve loved it so much, I moved this blog to the top of my list to write and share with you. This resort has dethroned all the others as my favorite and we aren’t even halfway through our stay here as I sit writing this in its adorable coffee shop, Blum. And I can confidently say this as I have now been to every resort in the Sandals’ portfolio, and many other non-Sandals properties. This resort is nestled along the pristine shores of Ocho Rios, Jamaica. A haven of luxury and tranquility awaits discerning travelers here. Whether you're seeking a romantic getaway, an adventurous escape, or simply a rejuvenating retreat, this resort promises an unforgettable experience that exceeds all […]

Designing a Walt Disney World Trip Tailored to Your Family

3/13/2024 • Blog , Walt Disney World • Have you dreamed of your first trip to Walt Disney World but have put it off because the planning process is overwhelming? We won’t fool you – there is a lot that goes into proper planning of your trip unlike any other Disney destination. These basics will help you understand the big steps and the timeframe in which they should be completed in order to take advantage of all that Disney has to offer. Unlike most traditional travel agents, this is what the Travel Specialists at Me and the Mouse do! We know the ins and outs of the Walt Disney World Resort, and we are here to help you through the planning process! Me and The Mouse has received the distinction of being an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner and is known for our impeccable service. Our goal is to exceed your expectations with our customized planning to compliment the […]

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Part of the fun of The Mouse For Less community is sharing the great resources that we’ve found or created to help plan our Disney trips like these free Disney downloads. There are free Disney downloads for kids and adults.  Downloads for trip planning for super planners or the laid back planner.  Some of these downloads are just for fun and can be used even when you don’t have a trip planned, you can add a little Disney magic to your day or any road trip.  Some can be saved as memoirs from your trips, or to help with the journaling for those scrapbookers out there.  Some of these downloads are just for fun and can be used even when you don’t have a trip planned, you can add a little Disney magic to your day or any road trip.   If you do create anything, please consider sharing it with our community on our Mouse for Less Facebook Page.

Free Disney Downloads For Your Trip

Cast Member Appreciation Certificates Character List – Walt Disney World Disney Luggage Tags DIY Vacation Countdown Chain Gratuity Envelopes Mickey Vacation Countdown – From our friends at The Magic for Less Travel Mousekeeping Envelopes Planning Kit – Walt Disney World Pressed Penny & Pressed Coin Checklists Stroller Tags Trivia Questions – Walt Disney World Trivia Questions – Disneyland Ultimate Packing List Ultimate Packing List for Cruises

Free Disney Downloads Educational

There are so many opportunities for educational vacations, but Disney Educational options are above and beyond the usual! Many of the families who take multiple trips to Disney World , Disneyland and Disney Cruise Lines will tell you how easy it is to make learning fun while visiting these Disney Destinations.     We have some free Disney downloads for you below, hopefully, they will spark your imagination and you can go from there.

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Privacy Overview

Disney Cruise WiFi: Packages and Prices

Internet access and cruising don’t always mix, but if you set sail on a Disney cruise , you have several options to post the occasional picture on Instagram or check your email. Disney Cruise Line offers several internet packages aboard its fleet. All Disney cruise ships have WiFi .

Until recently, all internet packages aboard Disney cruises were priced with a “pay for what you use” model, with data plans based on megabyte usage. With the arrival of the Disney Wish in 2022, Disney announced changes to the Disney Cruise Line internet packages, which are now priced based on the type of internet access you want in a 24-hour period. These changes have now been rolled out on all ships, with the Disney Wonder being the final ship to upgrade to the new system during a September 2023 Dry Dock.

Below, we discuss everything you need to know about how Disney Cruise WiFi works in 2023.

Prices shown below are accurate as of August 2023.

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Disney Cruise Line Internet Packages

WiFi is available in three packages, each with a different level of internet access:  Stay Connected , Basic Surf , and Premium Surf :

These packages are based on usage for a 24-hour period, not a calendar day. If the time of day you use the internet matters to you, you’ll want to purchase a plan at a time that will renew when it’s convenient — and not in the middle of a work meeting.

You can share the plan on multiple devices (as long as you log out of one device before using the other) or pay to connect multiple devices simultaneously. And you can save a little money by purchasing for the entire length of your cruise.

Packages previously varied by ship, but these are now the standard packages across the entire fleet: the Disney Dream , Disney Fantasy , Disney Magic , Disney Wish , and Disney Wonder .

Here’s more information about each package, including their prices:

Stay Connected

The most basic internet package on a Disney cruise allows you to access, post, and engage on social media platforms, specifically Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Twitter/X, Instagram, Snapchat, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Tumblr.

• $18 for 24 hours of access
• $16 per day if purchased for the entire cruise

This mid-tier internet package allows access to the social media platforms listed above, plus basic browser surfing and email capabilities. Audio WiFi calls are also available with this package.

• $28 for 24 hours of access
• $24 per day if purchased for the entire cruise

Premium Surf

The highest internet Disney cruise WiFi plan gives you all the access included in the Stay Connected and Basic Surf plans (with faster connection speeds). Plus, you can stream music and short-form video on apps like Pandora, Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube. Video calling through FaceTime and Zoom is also available with this package.

• $42 for 24 hours of access
• $34 per day if purchased for the entire cruise

It’s important to know that none of the packages (not even Premium Surf) supports long-form video streaming such as using Disney+, Hulu, or Netflix.

Free Help Planning Your Disney Cruise

From the small questions such as details on WiFi onboard to the bigger questions about the best time to go on a Disney Cruise or how much it costs , you can get free help planning your cruise by contacting the Disney Cruise Experts at The Vacationeer .

Here are just a few reasons to use this Earmarked Diamond level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner to book your cruise.

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• The Best Prices: Your cruise won’t cost any more than if you’d booked it yourself
• The Best Discounts: They know all the ways to save and will even watch for new discounts after you’ve booked
• No Pressure: Vacationeers provide free, no-obligation quotes so there’s no risk in contacting them

Does Disney Cruise Line Offer Free WiFi?

There are several ways you can get free WiFi on a Disney cruise:

Use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

Disney Cruise Line allows guests to access the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for free.

The app is powered by a free WiFi network (DCL-GUEST) that’s only available onboard the ship.

The app is similar to the My Disney Experience app and includes a host of information about your cruise. You can view your planned activities, excursions, rotational dining assignments, deck plans, entertainment schedules, dinner menus, and much more.

One of the app’s most handy features is the ability to message friends and family who are also on board.

If you want to truly unplug during your cruise vacation, the WiFi access you get through the Navigator app may be all the internet you need during your Disney cruise.

Stay in a Concierge-Level Stateroom

One benefit of staying in a concierge-level stateroom is free WiFi. How much internet you’ll get depends on the type of stateroom you booked. Those staying in Royal Suites get Premium Surf internet for the entire cruise. Concierge Suites get Basic Surf for the whole cruise, too. Other Concierge-Level staterooms get one day of Basic Surf for free.

Use Your Onboard Credit

Many Disney travel agencies offer a free onboard credit that can be used toward purchases you make while you’re onboard the ship. You can spend this on specialty dining, gratuities/tips , spa treatments, souvenirs… and virtually anything else that’s charged back to your shipboard account.

Luckily for you, onboard internet packages are charged to the folio, so onboard credit can be used to pay towards your onboard WiFi package.

The size of your onboard credit depends on the travel agency you pick and the cost of your cruise, but it could easily be enough to cover the cost of your shipboard internet.

Book With The Vacationeer To Earn Credit Toward Onboard Internet and Other Purchases

How to Use the Internet on Disney Cruise Line

Internet packages can be purchased through the Disney Cruise Navigator app once onboard and connected to the ship’s WiFi. To buy a plan, click the “more” tab in the app and scroll down to “connect to the Internet.” From there, you can select a package, the number of devices you want to use, and the number of days you wish to purchase. You’ll then be prompted to review the plan and check out. The package will be charged to your stateroom folio. If you have trouble connecting to the internet, the onboard internet help desk can troubleshoot internet and cell phone access onboard.

Can You Share Internet on a Disney Cruise?

You can share one internet plan on multiple devices if you only use one at a time and log out of each device when you’re done using it.

Multiple-device plans are also offered; choosing one of these will save you a bit of money versus the cost of purchasing two separate plans.

How Much is WiFi on a Disney Cruise?

WiFi plans have starting rates between $16 to $42 a day. The price can vary drastically based on the number of days you purchase and the amount of connected devices. You’ll get a slight discount if you purchase a plan for your entire cruise. You also save for each device you add.

Does Disney Cruise Line Have Cell Service?

Whether your cell phone will work on a Disney cruise depends on your carrier and plan. Cell carriers like AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile provide Cellular at Sea aboard Disney cruises, which allows you to use your plan like you normally would in your stateroom. However, you may need to pay roaming charges (which can get very expensive, very quickly) or purchase a special cruise add-on from your carrier. Your data allotment (cellular internet) also may be much more limited than on land. It’s best to check with your individual cell phone carrier before your cruise to determine how cell phone data usage will work while onboard.

How Good is the WiFi on Disney Cruise Ships?

While the internet speed on cruise ships has improved drastically over the years, it’s slower than the web surfing you’re used to at home.

Disney warns cruise guests that onboard internet may sometimes be slow, interrupted, or completely unavailable. This is especially true on at-sea days; the final sea day of a Disney Alaska cruise is notoriously bad for internet due to the ship’s position and direction of travel.

However, most cruisers will typically find onboard internet sufficient to occasionally check email, post on social media , or make a video call.

Get Free Help Planning Your Disney Cruise

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Your Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency!

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What We Offer our Guests

• Our Services are 100% FREE ! • Our Goal is to make your Dream Vacation a Reality • We’ll help you avoid the long lines • Decades of In-depth Disney Knowledge • Dining Reservations done for you! • The Best Discounts Available • Just book with us and get all this and So Much More!

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A proud Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency!

The Vacationeer is honored to have been selected to join the elite club of Diamond Level Earmarked Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. The top level in the Disney Earmarked Program. Disney bestows this recognition on a small handful of agencies that meet an exacting standard of service and sales volume, which ranks them among the best in the industry. We proudly accept this honor and look forward to helping thousands more people enjoy Disney Destinations for years to come!

Our Most Popular Vacations

Walt disney world.

By far our most popular vacation destination, Walt Disney World consists of 4 Major Theme Parks (Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios) as well as 2 Water Parks (Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach). Add to that dozens of the best Themed Resorts and Restaurants around and you have the perfect combination of Magic and Relaxation. Contact us today and we’ll get started on planning your next vacation to The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Universal Orlando

The most popular add-on for our guests traveling to Orlando is 2-3 days at Universal Orlando Resort. There’s so much to enjoy here, like The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Men In Black, Minions, Transformers, The Simpson, E.T., Dr. Seuss, and so much more. Universal also features some of the best new Resorts in Orlando, some of which allow you to walk to the parks. Booking with us also gets you Early Park Admission!

Disney Cruise Line

No Cruise Line has distinguished itself for quality and immersive experience quite as well as Disney Cruise Line. We book more Disney Cruises than all of the other Cruise Lines combined, and that’s for very good reason. Our guests are consistently pleased with the experience and value for money they get with their Disney Cruises. Experience the Disney Magic at Sea! We also offer a significant onboard credit for anyone who books a Disney Cruise with us. Click here for more information!

Adventures by Disney

Disney is world-renowned for their Theme Parks, but did you know you can experience Disney led Adventures all over the World? Adventures by Disney offers all the service and attention to detail you’ve come to expect from Disney with carefully curated guided tours all around the World. From Rhine River Cruises to African Safaris, Adventures by Disney does it all with thoughtfulness and care. We also offer an Industry leading up to $1,500 off all Adventures by Disney vacations. Visit our Adventures by Disney Discount Page for more information. Let Disney sprinkle a little pixie dust on your next world tour!

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As featured on…, w hat our customers are saying about us.

“We had a wonderful vacation and much of that had to do with the help we received from JoMarie! Disney can be a little overwhelming when you’re new to it, but she made it a very enjoyable and low stress during the planning phases! Thanks JoMarie!”

“Carla worked side by side with me to plan the perfect banquets, shows, fast pass rides, fireworks and places to stay with our group and I could not be happier! If you are planning a disney trip the best advice I could give you is use Carla, a Disney agent. We saved the most money possible and she directed us to the perfect experiences just for us. We will never forget the magic we experienced at Disney World, thank you Carla from the bottom of my heart! You were awesome!”

“I am already a client but wanted to mention what a wonderful job my agent has done. Her name is Ashtin and she has done a great job for us. We’ve changed our dates twice now, due to some unforeseen issues, some medical, and she’s handled it so well. It makes us very comfortable and confident that she will take care of all aspects of our trip. It is greatly appreciated and hopefully there won’t be any more changes. Thank you”

“I could not thank Emily enough for the AMAZING job she did planning my disneymoon. The resorts she put us in we amazing. I never would have stayed on site without her! From our food recommendations to fast past set ups. The attention to detail is absolutely spot on! I can’t wait for her to plan our next vacation!”

“I am rarely at a loss for words, but I can’t express how amazed I am by the service Tiffany has and continues to provide. I was thrilled with her service even before anything went sideways (none of which had anything to do with her). But she has been there for us through the need to reschedule our trip from May of last year to this March due to Covid. To then having to reshuffle all of our reservation dates when the family we were planning to go with canceled due to a medical condition. ”

“With a vacation that takes a TON of planning, Chuck made it extremely easy to navigate. He has excellent recommendations from personal experience with restaurants and advice on what parks to go into when. He also did all of our fast pass and dinner reservations that turned out wonderfully. We are so excited for this vacation and couldn’t have done it without Chuck. He made the notorious stressful Disney planning an absolute breeze. Plan your Disney trip through him!”

“Whitney was simply amazing! She organized all our activities, meals and accommodations for 9 adults and 5 kids at Disney World. We had a wonderful vacation that was well thought out, and we got to experience each park. She really spent time considering what my kids loved most and made sure we were able to get into those dinners and rides, it made it so easy for us! I would highly recommend using Whitney, she sent an entire binder with travel tips, itinerary, little gift for the kids and much more, there’s no question we will use her again!”

The Vacationeer is more than just a group of Disney-focused Travel Agents . We are dedicated to helping you through every phase of planning and booking your magical vacation. Our team of Disney travel experts has a passion and level of knowledge that is unsurpassed in the industry, and our enthusiastic returning customer base is a testament to our expertise and customer satisfaction.

Planning a vacation can be stressful and time-consuming, so why not let one of the best Authorized Disney Vacation Planners do the heavy lifting for you? Our Vacationeers will learn about your vacation goals, help formulate the right vacation package for you, and ensure that your expectations are met at every step. We take the headache out of booking your trip because we help you work out the details and, ultimately, book the trip for you. The only thing left to do is pack your bags and go!

When you book with The Vacationeer, not only do we provide the answers you are looking for, but we also scout out the best possible vacation deals for you. And, best of all, our services are completely FREE of charge! There is no catch. Call or email us today and we will help you create memories that will last a lifetime.

The Vacationeer Difference.

The Vacationeer isn’t like those “big box” travel agencies where you are just another number. We take pride in the way we conduct our business and the special attention we provide to you, our client. At The Vacationeer, the client’s needs will always come first, so rest assured we will accommodate you at every step and never talk you into something that isn’t right for you.

Disney Experts

Whether it’s your first Disney vacation or your 100th, The Vacationeer travel experts can save you money, time, and aggravation. Take comfort in knowing that we are a trusted and knowledgeable Authorized Disney Vacation Planners. Each of our travel advisers is a proud graduate of the College of Disney Knowledge . But what really separates us from the rest of the pack is our passion for all things Disney. We live and breathe Disney, and would never have started this business without the compelling urge to help others discover the magic of Disney vacations. The Vacationeer travel planners have spent countless days exploring Disney parks, and we know our way around them like we do our hometown neighborhoods. It is our intimate knowledge of Disney – and our dedication to our clients – that separates us from the crowd.

Other Vacations

Disney isn’t our only specialty. The Vacationeer travel experts are fully authorized to book vacations to Universal Studios (FL and CA), Sandals & Beaches Resorts, All Inclusive Caribbean Vacation packages, as well as on Royal Caribbean and a variety of other cruise lines. Whatever your vacation goals are, our knowledgeable and passionate travel experts will help you plan the perfect getaway. Sit back, relax, and let us book your trip!

Ready to talk with our travel experts? Call us at 1-833-4MY-TRIP (1-833-469-8747) or send an email to [email protected] and we will respond to your inquiries as soon as possible.

H ow it works…

• Contact one of our Vacationeers today either by clicking on the Free Quote Page , calling us at 833-469-8747, or choosing an agent from the Our Team Page and messaging them directly.  
• Your Vacationeer agent will tailor a quote to your vacation specifications and advise you all along the way.
• Once you’re ready to book, your Vacationeer Agent will get your written authorization to make a deposit payment to secure your booking.
• Advice on securing Park Pass Reservations
• Securing Dining Reservations at your favorite Restaurants
• Educating you on how to navigate the Disney Transportation System
• Help with learning the ins and outs of the Genie+ App
• Answering all your questions so you arrive ready to enjoy your magical vacation

W hat we can’t help with…

While we are an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner Agency, there are some limits to how we can help:

• Don’t be discouraged if you already booked direct through Disney, if you booked in the last 30 days and haven’t paid in full we might still be able to help.  Reach out and we’ll let you know if we can.
• We cannot book your flights
• The exception here is Universal bookings

When in doubt please reach out and we’ll be happy to let you know if your unique case is something we can assist with.

Vacationeer – [vā-ˈkā-shə-ˈneer]

NOUN 1. A Professional Planner of the most Magical Vacations available, at the best Theme Parks and All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. 2. An adult Travel Agent that is still a kid at heart and never outgrew their love for the Magic of Disney World and Theme Parks in general. VERB 1. To plan and execute a Vacation that you’ll never forget.

Destination Magic

Call 855-45MAGIC

(855-456-2442)

We are Disney travel planning experts specializing in creating stress-free vacations to magical destinations including Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Adventures By Disney. Plus, Universal Studios, Cruises, Caribbean, Hawaii, and more!

Get FREE Disney Cruise Onboard Credit Offer

Get free money to spend with disney cruise onboard credit offer.

Our FREE Disney Cruise onboard credit offer is one of the best Disney cruise deals available. Onboard Credit (also called or “shipboard credit”) is a perk offered as an incentive to book a trip. Just like free money, these Disney cruise onboard credits can be used to pay for a variety of goods and services while you are on the ship.

After you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation, you will receive incredible onboard credits to spend on things like luxurious spa treatments, relaxing cocktails by the pool, exciting shore excursions, onboard activities, souvenirs, and much more. 

We offer our clients a generous onboard credit Disney cruise deal as a bonus for booking with us. There is no catch. This is essentially free money to spend as you wish on the cruise ship. Plus, DESTINATION MAGIC will also be sure you are getting the best Disney cruise deal availalbe, and help you plan and book most aspects of the trip for you. What’s not to like?

The amount of Disney Cruise free onboard credit offer is based on the based on the total cost of your voyage (before taxes, fees and port expenses). You must request the promotion prior to making your deposit to be eligible for this offer.

FREE Disney Cruise Onboard Credit Offer*

Onboard credit can be redeemed for most valid charges incurred on a Disney Cruise including Disney-organized shore excursions, shipboard and Castaway Cay spa treatments, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, photographs, and a host of activities on the Disney Cruise and in Castaway Cay.

Note: you will receive full onboard credit if you book a new reservation. If transfer your reservation to us, or you book your next vacation while you are on a ship, the onboard creed amount is less . See chart below. Free Onboard credit it limited to one per reservation. If multiple staterooms booked as part of the same reservation, the credit will be based on the primary stateroom booked. (See terms below).

2023 Disney Cruise Onboard credit

2024 disney cruise onboard credit, terms and conditions:.

• The overall cost of a Disney cruise is based on voyage fare only and does not include taxes, gratuities, port expenses, government fees, insurance, airfare, hotel stays, transfers, shore excursions, or Adventure by Disney Add-ons.
• Onboard credit rewards are listed in US Dollars.
• Offer is valid on qualifying new Disney Cruises booked now through 12/31/24. Sail date must occur by 06/30/25.
• To be eligible for the promotion, guests must request this offer prior to making a deposit on a Disney cruise.
• Destination Magic grants one onboard credit per reservation and it cannot be combined for multiple reservations. If a reservation is modified before or after the final payment and the price of a cruise is adjusted, the onboard credit amount will be adjusted accordingly. If a cruise is canceled, the onboard credit is deemed null and void.
• Unused onboard credit is not redeemable for a refund, credit, or cash.
• Onboard credit can typically be redeemed for most valid charges incurred on a Disney Cruise including Disney-organized shore excursions, shipboard and Castaway Cay spa treatments, gratuities, alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, photographs, and a host of activities on the Disney Cruise and in Castaway Cay. Onboard credit is subject to all Disney Cruise rules and regulations, which can change at any time without notice. Onboard credit cannot be used for non-Disney arranged shore excursions or purchases made while in port.
• All terms and conditions of the Destination Magic onboard credit promotion are subject to change without notice.

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