Disney Cruise Line CONFIRMS 3 New Policy Changes

Are you setting sail with Disney Cruise Line soon?

Getting sail the seas aboard Disney Cruise Line can be so much fun. You get to experience rotational dining, Broadway-style shows, unique character meet and greets, unlimited ice cream, and so much more! Plus, Disney Cruise Line is expanding its fleet. As of right now, there are five ships currently sailing, but by 2031, there will be 13 ships as part of the Disney Cruise Line Fleet. If you have a trip planned soon, you need to be aware of these three new policy changes.

Whether you have sailed Disney Cruise Line multiple times and are a Castaway Club Member, or this is your first time sailing with Disney, it is important you review the policies prior to your embarkation date to avoid any issues boarding the ship. 

Many people on our team have sailed with Disney, and we were reviewing their policies when we noticed three big changes; here is what you need to know!

Embarkation Process

It can be so exciting to complete your check-in and get your PAT (Port Arrival Time) along with your boarding group. Sometimes, people want to board the ship as soon as they can, and others are still traveling to the port on embarkation day. 

As of September 2nd, anyone traveling aboard the Disney Magic or Disney Wish must board on embarkation day no later than 3 PM. Before, you had until 4 PM, but this extra hour gives the ship more time to start sailing to its first destination. 

But it is not only the Disney Magic and the Disney Wish. Those booked on Disney Dream sailings beginning November 6th, 2024, OR Disney Fantasy sailings beginning December 14th, 2024, departing from Florida-based ports, will also have to adhere to the 3 PM all-aboard time on embarkation day. 

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Dress Code

The Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, and Fantasy are home to Palo, and the Disney Wish is home to Palo Steakhouse. These adult-only restaurants have a dress code, and they are upscale dining locations. 

Semi-formal or formal attire is recommended, but you can get away with dress-casual attire “with a polished look.”  While there is a dress code, you are still able to wear jeans in good condition, dress pants, collared shirts, dressy tops, and lifestyle shoes. However, t-shirts, swimwear, shorts, and sports attire are not allowed.

The dress code has been relaxed for one meal time: brunch ONLY. At brunch, you can now wear dress shorts. If you are unsure if your shorts count as dress shorts, stay on the safe side and wear pants. A skirt, dress, or pants are still required for dinner.

Boarding Documents

In order to board a Disney Cruise that departs and returns to the same U.S. port, you must provide identifying documents. While U.S. travelers can use a passport, they can also use other proof of citizenship documents like a government-issued ID and a birth certificate. Before the changes, you used to be able to use a copy of a birth certificate, but this is no longer. 

According to an email Disney sent to guests with upcoming reservations, “For round trip sailings departing from the U.S., guests using a birth certificate as citizenship documentation are reminded that only an original state-issued birth certificate is acceptable. Guests 16 years of age and older are also required to present a physical government-issued photo ID.”

This means you must have the original copy of the birth certificate with you if you plan to use it as an identifying document.

This is super important to know before you go. If you are unable to obtain the original document, you must make sure to have one of the other allowed identifying documents in order to embark and disembark the ship.

If you are sailing aboard Disney Cruise Line soon, make sure to review the policy to make sure you are all set to go for an easy and relaxing vacation.

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Have you ever been on a Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments!

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