Everything to Know for Your First Disney Cruise

On Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the teen club has its own set of small pools at the front of the ship. Edge is a much smaller space, but tweens have tons of fun playing video games, having dance parties, doing crafts, playing trivia games and more with their newfound cruise friends. Know that once your child turns 8, you have the option of giving them self-checkout privileges.

Everything to Know for Your First Disney Cruise

During these sailings, you’ll spot characters in special outfits and can enjoy themed food and beverage options, specialty entertainment, and much more. Disney Cruise Line guests love to bring themed attire to celebrate the occasion, so plan ahead if you want to partake in the fun. There's plenty that sets Disney Cruise Line apart from its competitors — and not just the endless soft-serve ice cream, family-friendly staterooms, or being able to hug Mickey Mouse on your way to a Disney princess-themed restaurant. All five Disney cruise ships are elegantly designed and provide high-end services.

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Disney Wish especially invested in its adult offerings with an infinity pool, along with more bars spread around the ship instead of being clustered into one main area. Though most everything is included in Disney Cruise Line sailings, there are a few additional but worthy expenses. For the little ones, there’s also a “It’s a small world” childcare nursery for children six months to three years old, for an hourly cost.

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You can bring packs of bottled water, but you'll have to carry it through embarkation — it cannot be packed with luggage — so consider bringing refillable bottles or tumblers. Cruise vacations are a great way to unwind and relax in some of the most beautiful locales in the world, and a Disney cruise takes the traditional experience up a notch with unique, familiar touches and a little bit of magic. With so much to know before you set sail with Disney Cruise Line, it's easy to miss out on the most interesting facts and features. Disney is notable in that it also allows you to bring your own alcohol on board. Each guest older than 21 can bring up to two bottles of wine or six cans of beer when they first board and at every port of call.

Disney Cruise Line does offer dining upgrades by way of its upscale on board restaurants, which are exclusively for adults and absolutely worth the splurge. Palo, an Italian restaurant located on all four Disney Cruise Line ships, serves a three-course selection of dishes including pasta, steaks and souffles, well as a brunch on select sailings. Disney Dream and Fantasy additionally offer Remy, a multi-course fine dining French restaurant with a dress code to match.

Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality. The specific documents you will need will vary by cruise destination. Having a passport is always a good idea, but it's not technically required on all Disney cruises. For example, round-trip cruises originating in Port Canaveral, Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, San Diego, New Orleans, New York and San Juan, Puerto Rico, often do not require a passport.

He is the third worker at the family-oriented cruise line to be arrested on federal child sexual abuse material charges in South Florida this year; fellow Phillippine nationals Alvin Gonzales, 49, and Amiel Trazo, 28, have also been indicted in U.S. “Once on scene, the Coast Guard Jayhawk aircrew deployed their rescue swimmer aboard the cruise ship, who prepared a rescue basket and litter to safely hoist the patient and cruise ship doctor aboard the aircraft,” the Coast Guard said. Neri, who is a citizen of the Philippines, is charged with transportation of child pornography and possession of child pornography. Neri, 44, told investigators that he downloaded and bought links for files containing adult pornography via group chats on Telegram and Facebook Messenger. When asked about folders on one of his phones, including one that depicted sexually explicit images of a 17-year-old girl, he said he must have saved it to his phone without looking at it after receiving it in one of the group chats. Law enforcement found sexually explicit pictures and videos of minors on two phones belonging to Tirso Neri, who was working on the Disney Dream.

Otherwise, you won't find so many people in the pools on port days, early in the morning and right before dinner. There are thousands of people on the ship and only a few small pools, so plan accordingly. On a Disney cruise, the snacks and pastries you'll see in the coffee shop or kiosk are all included, but the specialty coffee will cost extra.

WATCH: Pregnant woman airlifted from Disney cruise ship nearly 200 miles offshore - WPEC

WATCH: Pregnant woman airlifted from Disney cruise ship nearly 200 miles offshore.

Posted: Wed, 17 Apr 2024 21:46:07 GMT [source]

On Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy and Disney Wish, you'll find an ice cream shop stuffed with candies, gelato and ice cream — all for an extra charge. At these restaurants, you can order whatever you want on the menu at no extra charge, with a few exceptions (for example, alcohol and specialty drinks cost extra). Passengers on their first Disney cruise don't get to make those reservations until 75 days out if they aren't in the concierge level. The reality is the hottest items are often booked up by then, especially on shorter cruises when there's less time to do everything. You also have your own check-in area at the port and are among the first to board the ship, which can mean extra time to enjoy having the waterslides to yourself.

On Alaska sailings, expect to meet Mickey in fisherman's overalls and Minnie in a fur-lined coat; on trips through the Mediterranean Sea, Goofy dons an Italy-inspired suit. Specialty characters are also known to show up from time to time, like Minnie, Daisy, and Clarabelle appearing as the Sanderson Sisters from Hocus Pocus during the spooky season. Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card points when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases and maybe even offers some built-in travel protections. When you are on the ship, you will not need cash or a credit card — all incidentals, purchases and services will be charged to your cabin folio.

The material featured both teenagers and young children, according to an affidavit signed by Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent Eric Stowers. “Watchstanders in Sector San Juan received a communication from the Disney Fantasy Monday morning requesting medevac assistance as the cruise ship was transiting 260 nautical miles northwest of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico,” according to the release. You don’t want to sour a wonderful vacation with a never-ending line simply to exit the ship.

Uncover a hidden world of fun with Midship Detective Agency, an all-ages interactive game utilizing screens and props hidden throughout the ship. Watch current releases in the on-board Buena Vista Theatre or play basketball or experience VR sports simulators at sea on Goofy’s Sports Deck. Guests on the Disney Magic cruise ship will rotate between three restaurants nightly. Rapunzel’s Royal Table provides a themed night of lively music, revelry from some Snuggly Duckling denizens, and an appearance by Rapunzel and Flynn Rider within a lantern-lined ballroom.

There’s plenty of aquatic fun to be had on this Disney cruise liner as well, with Nemo’s Reef for littles, an array of pools, and the AquaDuck, an onboard “water coaster” with views of the surrounding ocean, which is a Disney Cruise family favorite. Disney's Castaway Cay, or simply Castaway Cay, is a private island in the Bahamas which serves as an exclusive port for the Disney Cruise Line ships. It is located near Great Abaco Island and was formerly known as Gorda Cay. In 1997, The Walt Disney Company purchased a 99-year land lease (through 2096) for the cay from the Bahamian government, giving the company substantial control over the island. He has been charged with possession of pornography and transportation of child pornography, per a federal criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE. Tirso Neri, 44, was charged with possession of pornography and transportation of child pornography.

Few can resist a Mickey-shaped treat while visiting any Disney property, but the best mouse-themed treat on the ships can be found at Cove Cafe. Order a cappuccino, ask for Mickey's face on it, and prepare to enjoy your jolt of caffeine with some extra magic. It'll cost a few bucks, but the joy of sipping a “Mickeyccino” will always outshine the complimentary coffee served on board. Soda is included during sit-down meals, but if you’re craving a thirst quencher outside of those times, go to the free-flowing beverage stations near the pools on each Disney ship. This is especially important if character meet-and-greets are a priority for you.

But for those with kids in that Disney age range, or for adults who know and trust the Disney brand, it's hard to go wrong in choosing Disney Cruise Line for your next vacation. Those sorts of prices will only be available during the offseason, such as in mid-to-late January and early February or for repositioning cruises as the ship moves from, say, Puerto Rico to Florida. That same cruise during spring break can cost double or more, so the more date flexibility you have, the better.