The Best Tips & Secrets for Going On Disney Cruises
Have you been on any Disney Cruises with your Family?
Disney Cruises are one of the most magical vacations you can take. The attention to detail on a Disney cruise can’t be beaten, and there are a lot of perks that other cruise lines don’t offer. You’ll find out about this and other Disney Cruise tips below.
Today I’ve partnered with the travel experts at Get Away Today to share my top Disney Cruise tips with you. There is a lot to discover and enjoy on a Disney Cruise and I don’t want you to miss anything! There are four different ships in the Disney Cruise line and many of the activities do apply to all of them. Keep reading for more details.
Disney Cruise Tips - Savings
Get Away Today already has cruise itineraries for 2020, which means you can book now and make payments toward that vacation with their interest-free payment plan options. Additionally, if you book now for select 2020 itineraries, you can save up to $300 in the form of on-board credit. You’re never penalized for booking early, and Get Away Today will price match any new specials that may become available after you book.
Other Disney Cruise tips for saving money include booking two adjoining rooms for a large travel party. The cost can often be significantly more budget-friendly than booking a single, larger room for your whole group. Also, did you know the inside staterooms on the Disney Fantasy and the Disney Dream have magical portholes? While they don’t have an actual porthole with sea views, the magical portholes offer views of Disney characters and scenes! Since these are inside staterooms, they are less expensive than outside staterooms… but I think having a magical porthole with visits from Disney characters would be worth an additional cost if there was one! When you book with Get Away Today, be sure to ask about staterooms with magical portholes to see if they’re available with your itinerary.
One last money saving Disney Cruise tip is to turn off your phone’s Wi-Fi to avoid charges while at sea. Can you imagine the costs for cell phone coverage while sailing? Yikes! Instead, use the Disney Navigator app to keep track of the ship’s schedule and make plans for each day.
Disney Cruise Tips - Packing
Something I didn’t know about before was that you should pack a separate “day bag” so you have essentials with you after boarding the ship. Otherwise, all your luggage is gathered up and is inaccessible until you’re given entry to your room later. Sometimes luggage can still be en route to your room at 6 pm day of check-in. In your day bag, include toiletries, a change of clothes, swimsuits and anything else you will need until you can get to the rest of your luggage.
As with any theme park vacation, my friends at Get Away Today recommend purchasing souvenirs before you set sail on a Disney Cruise. Purchase and pack any special plushes, pins, costumes or the like before you even set off on your trip. This will save you a lot of money while still helping your family experience the magic of a Disney Cruise. You can also start a tradition of enjoying room service at the end of the day, which is a complimentary service on a Disney Cruise.
Disney Cruise Tips - Dining
Disney Cruise line is a family favorite for its unlimited drink options. Soda, juice, lemonade and even teas can be enjoyed at no additional charge during your cruise. Instead of purchasing concessions at the on-board movie theater, you can utilize the unlimited drink perk from a self-serve beverage station beforehand. Sometimes you can even get a complimentary cookie from the pool deck snack bar, too. Not paying extra for beverages is such a great bonus!
Dinner on Disney Cruise ships is enjoyed on a rotating schedule, meaning you will experience all the options in the order that is prearranged before your departure. Each night you’ll head to a different restaurant on the ship (according to your schedule), and your servers will rotate with you. It helps you build rapport with the Cast Members while also getting a chance to taste all the ship has to offer.
Families can enjoy meals altogether, or younger kids can eat first and be checked into one of the onboard kid's clubs right from your table. This way the kids get fed and have a chance to play while the adults can stay behind and enjoy some time together over the meal.
Disney Cruise Tips - Kids Clubs
Speaking of kids clubs, Disney Cruises have a few options depending on age. They include Oceaneer Club, Oceaneer Lab, Edge, and Vibe. For no additional cost, kids ranging from toddler to teen can have an interactive place to go that’s just for them. No adults other than Cast Members are allowed in and, depending on your cruise itinerary, the kid's clubs can offer snacks or meals.
Oceaneer Club: This kids club is for ages 3 - 12. Kids will have the opportunity to enjoy Character Encounters, storytelling, dress ups and more in the Oceaneer Club. They can do arts and crafts, watch movies and will occasionally be able to eat meals right in the kids club.
Oceaneer Lab: This kids club is also for ages 3 - 12. In the lab, kids will have the opportunity to participate in guided experiences, providing hands-on learning while at sea. Connected to the Oceaneer Club, these two offerings onboard allow children to go between the two with a Youth Activities Counselor to lead the way. On select dates, kids will be able to eat meals in the Lab as well.
With the Oceaneer Lab and Club, kids will not be separated based on age, so siblings can definitely stay together if that’s their preference.
Edge: This kids club is for ages 11 - 14. It’s the perfect space for kids in that “in-between” stage. On each of the four Disney ships, the Edge will vary, but overall the experiences will be similar. In the Edge club, tweens can play video games, watch movies or participate in guided experiences with Cast Members. Kids can enjoy learning the basics of improv comedy, playing trivia games or engaging in athletic based competitions.
Vibe: This kids club is for ages 14 - 17. It’s designed to give older teens a place to hang out and connect under Cast Member supervision. In Vibe, the kids can learn about movie making, play team building games or relax with a snack.
Disney Cruise Tips - Character Encounters
For Character meet and greets on your Disney cruise, be sure to check the Navigator app. It will let you know where and when you can find the Characters who are onboard your ship. In addition to these encounters, you can schedule Character Dining for a fee. Also, you can choose itineraries with Marvel Days at Sea, allowing superhero fans to meet with their favorite Character onboard. There are also Halloween-themed and Holiday-themed itineraries with different opportunities to experience your favorite Disney Characters in unique ways.
Disney Cruise Tips - Excursions
Depending on the Disney Cruise itinerary you select, you could enjoy sightseeing in Alaska, sun and sand at Disney’s private island or even cooking lessons. There really is something for everyone with destinations such as the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Mexico, the Mediterranean and so much more. Taking advantage of some of the port excursions is a wonderful way to experience different cultures and adventures all in one vacation!
Book a Disney Cruise with Get Away Today
Hopefully, this quick rundown of Disney Cruise tips has helped you feel more prepared to book a cruise for your next family vacation. It’s such a great way to experience a number of different adventures, from Character encounters to private islands. If you have specific questions, you can contact a Get Away Today cruise specialist directly at 877-510-2929. They can even get you a free quote for the dates you have in mind. You can also check out all of Get Away Today’s cruise packages online at www.getawaytoday.com. When you book with Get Away Today, let them know The Quiet Grove sent you!
If you liked this article then make sure to check these out: (click on the photo to go to the link)
