Let’s get ready to set sail!
The Disney Cruise Line is expanding at a massive rate. Disney’s current fleet stands at six ships, with a seventh — the Destiny — launching this November, and another (the Adventure) launching in March 2026, and an additional four as-yet-unnamed ships scheduled to launch approximately between 2027 and 2031. All of that growth has led to an explosion in the number of first-time passengers and, in turn, many rules (both written and unwritten) for them to learn.
You Don’t Technically *NEED* a Passport to Sail from the U.S. to the Bahamas
While a valid U.S. passport or U.S. passport card is arguably the best option for U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. to the Bahamas on a Disney Cruise, they are not the only option. You can also use an “original state-issued birth certificate AND a physical government-issued photo ID (digital/mobile state-issued IDs are not acceptable to sail),” according to Disney. However, one important note: Disney RECENTLY CHANGED their policy regarding birth certificates. Previously, a copy would be acceptable. However, they now require an “original state-issued birth certificate.”
Several “Cruise Packing Essentials” Aren’t Allowed
If you’re packing for your first cruise, it can be tempting to look for lists of cruise essentials as a baseline for what to bring. However, be sure to research if the cruise line you’re sailing on allows everything you plan to pack. For example, the Disney Cruise Line features a long list of banned items, including items like streaming devices (including Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, and Roku) and extension cords, power strips, multi-plugs, and surge protectors that may be allowed on other cruise lines.
You Can Book a FREE Character Experience Before Sailing
While Disney Cruise ships are obviously much smaller than the company’s theme parks, that doesn’t mean that lines for character meet & greets (especially for those in exclusive or seasonal costumes) are short. In fact, they can sometimes be just as long — if not longer — than some in-demand theme park equivalents. However, you can book a Royal Gathering Princess experience, which provides a meet & greet and photos with several Disney Princesses. Complimentary tickets for this experience can be booked beginning 30 days prior to sailing; however, be warned that they go QUICKLY.
Scheduling Dining can be Tricky
Each sailing on a Disney Cruise includes Rotational Dining. Essentially, this concept means each passenger eats in one of the ship’s three themed rotational dining restaurants at least once. For example, if you’re sailing on The Wish, you’ll have at least one night at The Worlds of Marvel, Arrendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure, and 1923. Depending on how many nights your cruise lasts, you will experience at least one of the restaurants a second time, usually as part of a themed night with a different menu.
However, each ship also offers up-charge dining experiences, such as the adult-exclusive Palo restaurants present on several of the ships. If you’re interested in eating at one of these restaurants but still want to experience each of the rotational dining experiences in full, it’s best to try and book a Palo-style restaurant reservation on one of the nights where you’re scheduled to have a repeat rotational dining experience. We’d recommend calling a Disney Cruise Line Representative to try to slot everything into place correctly.
Dress Code
Speaking of dining options on Disney Cruises, it should be noted that adult-exclusive experiences like Palo require a dress code. According to Disney, “Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s sophistication. Formal or semi-formal attire is recommended. Also permitted is dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops, and lifestyle shoes. For brunch at Palo and Palo Steakhouse, dress shorts are acceptable. Clothing such as T-shirts, swimwear, and sports attire is not permitted.”
You can get Room Service Breakfast… But You Have to Order by 3 AM
24/7 room service is included with Disney Cruise Line sailings, including breakfast. However, to order breakfast, you need to take an extra step that meals during the rest of the day don’t require. To order breakfast to be delivered at a specified time between 7 AM and 10 AM, you have to fill out a request card menu (located in your stateroom) and leave it outside your door prior to 3 AM the night before.
Study The Ship Map
With all of these new ships on the horizon, it can be a lot to keep up with. The Disney Adventure, in particular, is unlike anything we’ve ever seen! It’s massive and will feature several first-of-their-kind, never-before-seen attractions. The first day of your trip is sure to be overwhelming, so having an idea of where your priorities are before getting on any ship can be a major help. So much so, we’re making it a personal rule in our lives to stuff the ship’s layout.
Don’t Hang Your Clothes On The Balcony
Hanging clothes, towels, swimsuits, or anything over your verandah railing is a major no-no. It’s against Disney Cruise Line safety policy — and they’re very serious about it. The wind on open water can be intense, and even if your swimsuit seems secure, it can get blown overboard in an instant, creating a safety issue or even littering the ocean. Each stateroom has a clothesline in the bathroom for a reason — that’s where you’re supposed to dry your laundry. It’s small, but it’s safe and meets all the guidelines. So, skip the balcony clothesline, unless you want a knock on your door from a crew member kindly telling you to knock it off.
The Disney Cruise Line is one of our favorite aspects of the Disney company, so we are constantly on the sea. There are a lot of rules for first-time cruisers to learn before they set sail, so be sure to stay prepared and have fun! Stay tuned to AllEars for further advice on the Disney Cruise.
Disney Cruise Line – What You Need to Know
Have you ever sailed on a Disney Cruise? Did you know these rules beforehand? Let us know in the comments below.
I’m sorry the other 2 people that have responded to this article feel so negatively about DCL. We’ve sailed with them 6 times and the cruises were amazing.
The only time we had to jump through hoops was during the UK Staycation cruises. The first one was booked for me, my husband & 20 year old son to go on. By the time the cruise came round my son hadn’t had his 2nd covid injection as in the UK they were offering them in descending age order, so obviously he was near the bottom of the list. He actually told us to go without him as he’d been on a DCL cruise before and knew he would do one again in the future. We just cancelled his ticket and when we came back we booked another one for the following month in which he could go as he was fully vaccinated by then.
As for senior citizens, we’ve travelled 3 times with grandparents and they loved it. But would they be happy without their grandchildren being there? Our last cruise was the DVC member cruise and there were only 120 children on the ship. There were lots of couple only parties, like us, and I would say that most of these couples were aged 50+. We all had the best time ever.
I would not want to go on a Disney cruise. Too many hoops to jump through. Ridiculous.
As a senior citizen, I have found on a Disney Cruise you are invisible unless you have grandchildren. We don’t have grandchildren so we decided not to cruise with Disney again.