Intro
Are you going on (or dreaming of going on) a Disney Cruise soon and overwhelmed with all the information, changes, and planning? Don’t worry! There is a lot to do and see on a Disney Cruise and all of the hard work and planning is definitely worth it. I recently sailed with Disney Cruise Line on the Disney Dream and I am here to share tips, tricks, and insight on some of the recent changes!
There is just so much to share about cruising with Disney, that I had to break this into two separate posts! So today, we will be talking about everything leading up to your cruise and Embarkation day. Then, check back next week to learn all about everything happening while on your cruise!
*Please note: this information is accurate as of February 2022. Be sure to check with Disney Cruise Line for the most up to date information.
Overview
Booking your Cruise
So, you want to go on a cruise? Don’t we all! I don’t know about you, but after my most recent cruise, I am totally hooked. There is just something about a Disney Cruise that makes me want to book a million more!
Health and Safety
In terms of health precautions, I went a few months back and felt extremely safe on our cruise. Everyone has to be vaccinated and those that cannot yet be vaccinated (5 and younger) have to get a COVID test before Embarkation Day. Everyone (even those who are vaccinated) get a COVID test before checking in on the ship. I’ll go over the process a bit more, but if you are curious about their safety precautions in more depth, check out the Disney Cruise Line Know Before You Go page.
Options
Disney Cruise Line has itineraries to fit whatever you are looking for! You can choose from four (soon to be five) different ships, ports and destinations located around the world, and room options to work for any travel group. There are shorter cruises (two or three nights), all the way up to 12 and 13 night vacations.
A popular choice is to book a Disney Cruise immediately following a Disney World vacation! With this, you can add on transportation from your Disney Resort to Port Canaveral (the port in Orlando). They also handle your luggage, which makes it all really seamless!
Make sure you look through all of the options for your cruise and decide what fits best for your travel party!
Before you Cruise
Booking Excursions and Activities
Congratulations on booking your Disney Cruise! Once you are book, there is so much to do before you actually sail that it can be hard to keep up. One of the first things you can do after booking is schedule your port adventures and onboard activities.
This booking window is different depending on how many Disney Cruises you have been on before. Platinum Castaway Club Members (those who have been on 10 or more cruises) can book 120 days out, while new cruisers can book 75 days out. Check your Castaway Club status to see when your booking window opens.
At this booking window, you can book Adult Dining (such as Palo or Remy), activities such as beverage tastings, spa treatments and port adventures. Some of these go quickly, so don’t be disheartened if what you want isn’t available. You can always see if anything opens up later or even check once you are on board.
Online Check In
Your next step before you can cruise is to complete Online Check-In starting 30 days prior to your sailing. This will be done by one person in the party, but you will need information and documents from each person to complete this step. You will need to submit pictures of everyone’s travel documents, which you will also need to bring physical copies of when you get on the ship.
You will also select your Port Arrival Time at this step, if you are not using Disney Transportation. If you are coming from a Disney Resort, you will not need to worry about a Port Arrival Time.
After completing Online Check-In you can also book Youth Activities, such as the Oceaneer’s Club. At this time, there is limited availability, so you need to book those times in advance for your kids.
Safe Passage
Vaccinations are required for all passengers over the age of 5 years old. Every person in your travel party over the age of 18 will need to create their own account on the Safe Passage website. This will be where you submit your proof of vaccination and where parents will need to upload test results for children under 5 years old.
Packing
Your packing list will depend on the length of your cruise, where you are sailing, and what kinds of activities you will be doing on and off the ship. If you’re dining at Palo, you will definitely need fancier clothes that if you are planning on doing main dining each night! There is no dress code for main dining or for the shows, so you are welcome to come as you are (just no swimsuits). However if you are like me, you will probably want a sweater, because the interior of the ship can get a little chilly.
With that, there are a few things that almost everyone should remember to pack. There are also some things that you cannot bring on the ship, that you should be aware of!
What to bring:
- Necessary documents (Port Arrival Form, passports, vaccine cards, etc.)
- Face Coverings
- Swimsuits & Cover Ups
- Flip Flops & Sandals
- Outfits for dinners/shows
- Cell Phone & Chargers
- Medication
- Toiletries
- Water Bottles
- Sunglasses & Sunscreen
- USB port plug (these are allowed, while surge protectors are not)
- Camera
- Bag/Purse to use on Port Days
- Cash for gratuities (if needed/desired)
- 2 bottles of unopened wine or 6 unopened beers (if over 21 and packed in carry on luggage)
What not to bring:
- Weapons of any kind
- Irons
- Sporting Equipment
- Coolers
- Streaming Devices
- Extension Cords/Power Strips
- Kitchen Appliances
*These are not extensive lists, so please check with Disney Cruise Line if you have questions about a specific item!
Navigator App
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App is something you will definitely want to download prior to your vacation. Before you vacation, it can be useful for making payments and booking activities. While onboard, this is where you will see the schedule for each day and get in the virtual queue to debark on Port Days. It also has a messaging feature, so you can communicate with people in your travel party.
Embarkation Day
Health Questionnaire
You will need to complete a Health Questionnaire on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App for each guest prior to checking in. Be sure to have this done before starting your Check-In process at the terminal.
COVID Testing
At the port, every person will need to take a COVID Test prior to boarding. If you are arriving using Disney transportation, you will be escorted to the tents once you get to the port.
If you are traveling on your own, you will need to arrive right at your Port Arrival Time and head to the testing tents. You can check your luggage with a porter before beginning the COVID testing process.
The testing process itself is extremely well-done and took no time at all. It is a nasal self-test, so you don’t have to worry about it being uncomfortable or painful. Parents can help their children with the test, so it is very easy for everyone!
Depending on how you arrived, you will either stay in the waiting area or in your car until your results are sent to your Safe Passage account. We did not have to wait more than 30 minutes for our results and were quickly able to get to the terminal after we were cleared.
Checking In
Once you are cleared to sail, you will head into the Cruise Terminal and complete your Check-In. You will wait in the terminal until your boarding group is called and then you will be able to board the ship!
Emergency Drill
Everyone will be instructed to complete a Mandatory Emergency Drill. This includes going to your assigned Assembly Station (found on your paperwork and in the app) and checking in on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App.
Dining Options
From your Emergency Drill, you are able to go wherever you would like! On our recent cruise, the dining rooms were open for lunch, however we decided to eat at Cabanas. Cabanas is the buffet option onboard and it was perfect for a quick, small lunch before exploring the almost empty ship!
Luggage and Key to the World Cards
Rooms and luggage are typically not ready right away, since they are often still cleaning and preparing after the previous cruise. Rooms should be ready by 3pm and luggage should be delivered soon after (if not outside your room already). On our cruise, the room was ready at 2pm and the luggage got delivered fairly soon after.
To get into your room, your Key to the World Cards will be outside your room door. Your Key to the World Cards serve as your room keys, a way to pay, and more.
That is it for this week, but stay tuned for Part 2 of this Disney Cruise Line series next week! We’ll *sea* ya real soon!
