What to Pack for a Disney Cruise with Kids
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1. Disney Costumes for Kids
No matter your child’s favorite characters, you’re likely to find suitable costumes from the Disney Store. Choose from Woody, Cinderella, Moana, and so much more.
2. Pirate Wear for the Whole Family
Most Disney cruises feature an over-the-top Pirate Night Deck Party with dancing and fireworks. Complimentary pirate-themed bandannas will magically appear in your stateroom that morning for each member of your group, but bringing your own pirate wear is more festive.
Many families will dress up in their most sea-worthy pirate garb for the evening. Whether you decide to buy matching Jolly Roger t-shirts or full-on pirate costumes, get into the spirit, matey!
3. Motion Sickness Remedies
My theory is that if you pack motion sickness remedies, you won’t need them! Learn more about how to prevent motion sickness and what to do if you get sick on a cruise.
4. Waterproof Camera or GoPro
Purchase a waterproof camera (like this one by Kodak!) or a GoPro video recorder to capture some fabulous shots of swimming with stingrays or zooming down the Aquaduck water slide.
5. A Disney Cruise Line Guidebook
6. Disney Autograph Book
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Decorated stateroom door on a Disney Cruise (Photo credit: Lyla Gleason) 7. Stateroom Door Decorations
Many Disney cruisers up the fun factor at sea by decorating their stateroom doors. This also makes it easier for kids (and adults!) to be sure they’re at the correct door.Bring along personalized magnets to make your door festive and unique. You can buy fun stateroom door decorations from Amazon before you set sail.8. Lots of Sun Protection
You will feel unlucky indeed if you get sunburnt during your cruise. The sun is even stronger at sea. Therefore, you need to pack plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing like rash guards, cover-ups, and hats for those at sea pool days and tropical destinations.
Pack sun hats, sunglasses, and sunblock for all family members (Photo credit: Lyla Gleason) 9. Beach Drink Holders
If your Disney Cruise includes a stop at Castaway Cay or another beach destination, you will want to sip a tropical beverage or at least a cold water, while you dip your toes in the ocean.Keep your drinkies upright with beach drink holders that stay sturdy on the sand. You don’t want to waste any precious piña colada with a spill!
Stay hydrated during your visit to Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Disney – Matt Stroshane, photographer) 10. Formal Night Clothing
There will typically be one or two formal nights during your Disney Cruise. You could skip these…but why be a party pooper?Professional photographers are available on the ships so take advantage. Get your family all dolled up for a professional portrait one night.The dress code is fairly lenient for Disney Cruise formal nights. Men and boys can wear dress pants or khakis with a nice collared shirt and dress shoes. Take it up a notch by wearing a sportscoat and necktie. You’ll probably even see some cruisers donning tuxedos, but this isn’t necessary if you don’t want to go all out.Female passengers will wear anything from a sundress to a ball gown on Disney formal nights. Wear what feels fancy and fun for the women and girls in your family. Think cocktail dress, pantsuit, or skirt and blouse. Cruising with your daughter or granddaughter?
Embrace formal night on your Disney Cruise (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) 11. Portable Chargers
Surely, you’ll snap pics with your smartphone during your Disney Cruise. And, if visiting domestic ports (or you upgrade to an international phone plan for foreign ports), you’ll want to use smartphones to keep in contact with your travel mates.Be sure to pack a portable charger (or two or three) to stay charged during your vacation. If you’ll be visiting a Disney Park before or after your cruise, be sure to read our tips on how to keep your smartphone charged.
Stay in touch with a fully charged smartphone at ports of call like San Juan,
Puerto Rico (Photo credit: Disney – Matt Stroshane, photographer)12. Disney Gift Cards
Kids often beg to buy every souvenir in sight. Lucky for parents, you can keep pleas to a minimum by buying Disney gift cards before you board your ship.Load gift cards with whatever dollar amount you feel is appropriate for spending during the cruise. Once the card runs out of money, they’re done buying souvenirs.Not only will this get kids excited to set sail, but also they will learn a lesson about budgeting their money.
Buy Disney gift cards before your Disney Cruise to avoid over-spending on souvenirs (Photo from TheDisneyStore.com) Buy your Disney gift cards from the Disney Store. You can choose from an array of designs like Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars, princesses, classic Disney characters, and more. There are even cards for specific celebrations, from birthdays and graduations to weddings and holidays.
Disney gift cards can be used to buy souvenirs on Castaway Cay (Photo credit: Colleen Lanin) 13. Key to the World Lanyards
You’ll receive a Key to the World card when cruising with Disney. It is used to open your stateroom door, make purchases throughout the ships and on Castaway Cay, and turn the lights on in your cabin. In other words, it’s a pretty important thing to keep close at all times during your cruise.
Purchase a Disney-themed lanyard to keep your key around your neck and easily accessible. Kids can keep their Disney gift cards securely tucked away in their lanyards, too.
The Disney Store offers a few lanyard designs. There are even more Disney lanyard options available from Amazon.
Mickey and Minnie know just what to pack for a Disney Cruise…and now so do you! (Photo credit: Disney – Matt Stroshane, photographer) Before setting sail, read these additional tips for packing for a cruise and our tips for cruising with kids.
Save on Your Disney Cruise Vacation
Do you want to save money on your next cruise? Of course you do! You can call Get Away Today or visit them online to book your Disney Cruise vacation. On top of the best information, you can get bonuses like extra onboard credits and Mickey and Minnie plushes when you mention Travel Mamas sent you! Book your Disney Cruise now!
Do you have any additional ideas or questions about what to pack for a Disney Cruise? Let us know in the comments below!
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I’m assuming a lot of the Disney souvenirs are expensive. What would you suggest would be a good limiting amount to put on a card for our 5 year old to buy Cruise souvenirs?
Hi Jaime –
You are so right that Disney souvenirs can tend to be spendy. I tend to give my kids $50 gift cards for Disney trips. That’s a lot for a 5-year-old, though, so you might be able to get away with $30 or $40.
Have a wonderful time on your Disney Cruise!
Disney Cruises is the BEST way to cruise! We had the opportunity last February and it was unforgettable.
I have heard soooo many great things about Disney Cruises, thinking it will be our next family vacation.
They really are a great family vacation. Hope you get to take a Disney Cruise soon!
Great list! I would love to take a Disney cruise with the family. It sounds like it would be such a great time. I would love to have the whole fam dress up like pirates! What a fun idea!
Pirate Night is so much fun. I hope you get to take a Disney Cruise soon!
These are definitely a must to have when you’re boarding the Disney cruise ship! There’s so much fun to look forward to as well. It’s so nice to join in all the activities they’ve prepared.
Thanks for reading Carol. Disney Cruises have so many fun activities for the whole family.
I would have never thought to pack some of these items. Giving gift cards to let kids pick out their own souvenir is a good idea.
So glad you liked these ideas. I love the gift card idea too.
I’ve heard really great things about the Disney Cruise! I would love to take our kids on a cruise someday.
Such a fabulous experience. I hope you get to set sail with Disney soon.
This sounds like so much fun. We hope to do a Disney cruise in the next few years.
Thanks Meagan. I hope you get to take a Disney Cruise soon.
Disney Cruises sound like such fun, I bet it is amazing spending time with the characters and getting to travel around. Love these ideas for what to pack.
A Disney Cruise really is an amazing experience with many wonderful opportunities to see characters in person and in the shows.
I have been to the parks several times, but I have never done a Disney Cruise. It’s definitely on my travel bucket list. Thanks for the list. It will really help us go prepared!
A Disney Cruise is as magical as a trip to the parks but so much more relaxing. I hope you get to set sail soon.
That is so much fun! We love Disney cruises, and we’re actually planning another one for next year. I’m bookmarking this!
Lucky you! Enjoy your upcoming Disney cruise.
We’ve had success with Anker chargers, but will have to try some of the alternatives you recommended. Buying costumes and bringing them with you is a great tip! Thanks!
Glad you like the tips. Enjoy your Disney Cruise!
I have never went to Disney cruise. It looks a great place for kids. I will consider your suggestion when I plan to be there.
I hope you get to try a Disney Cruise someday.