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This is also your go-to for pre-registering for Disney Cruise Line’s wide range of activities and keeping tabs on the daily schedule, which includes showtimes and deck parties. You can also communicate with your family and other cruise-goers for free using the app. Disney Cruise Line divides kids into four age groups — the nursery (up to age 3), the primary kids club (3–12), a tween club (11–14) and a teen club (14–17).
Book early if you plan to use the ship’s nursery.
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. Your Key to the World card (or your DisneyBand+ on Disney Wish) serves as your onboard payment method.
Adults Only
In addition to the included soft-serve ice cream and Mickey bars available via room service, your ship may have some shops with extra-fee ice cream. 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. In addition to the buffet, a few grab-and-go quick-service restaurants on the pool deck serve salads, chili, pizza, barbecue and more, depending on which ship you're sailing. While many guests dress up a bit for dinner (compared to their afternoon pool deck attire), most stay relatively casual for the rotational dining restaurants.
Exclusively For Kids
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]
Disney cruise ships offer many other dining options beyond the three included themed restaurants — most included, some not. Having sailed four of Disney Cruise Line's five ships, I can say the experience is indeed special — especially if you have kids. But Disney's not a one-trick cruise line that's only good for one age group.
'It's a small world' nursery for children 6 months to 3 years old
Bookings open early for guests looking to take advantage of the onboard nursery. And don’t forget — the other youth clubs for kids, tweens, and teens are absolutely free. There are plenty of themed watering holes in the adults-only areas of the ships, but on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, Meridian is the place to be. The upscale bar and lounge is located next door to Palo and Remy, but it is open to all adults adhering to its business casual dress code. Though known for its martinis, Meridian also offers a cigar bar, custom craft cocktails, and a gin and tonic cart, as well as a private deck hosting a picture-perfect view of nightly sunsets. On top of the cocktails and drinks you may expect, Disney ships offer some very high-end liquors on board.
Nothing is guaranteed, but requests for a certain table can always be added to your Disney Cruise Line reservation, and they are worth the extra phone call. Concierge guests can make seating requests to their Concierge Service Specialist before boarding as well. You never know when Disney will sprinkle a little extra magic onto your vacation. If you’re looking to book extras, like shore excursions and elevated dining experiences, your booking window depends on your loyalty to Disney Cruise Line.
Be sure to check the Navigator app for daily happy hours at different bars and lounges. The exact offers vary, but they can include deals like half-off draft beer and discounts on specialty cocktails. And if you’re looking to take your cocktail knowledge to the next level, cruises also offer add-on mixology classes and tasting experiences. Make a reservation for Palo, an adults-only restaurant serving dinner each night and brunch on most sea days, or break for a pint at Crown & Fin Pub or a cocktail at Cadillac Lounge, housed within the Disney cruise ship’s After Hours section.
Room service, the buffet and the on-deck food counter dining options don't cost extra and are available to you in addition to or instead of your rotational dining. 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). You must choose between an early and a late dinner time, with your showtime opposite your dining time.
When I book, I always make sure Disney's private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, is on the port of call. If your itinerary takes you to Disney’s Castaway Cay, then you can partake in one of Disney Cruise Line’s most beloved activities, the Castaway Cay 5k — and it’s completely free to all guests. Suitable for runners and walkers alike, this on-your-own race invites you to discover Disney’s private island from a different vantage point as you travel through its stunning tropical paths. Enjoy the latest Disney releases at the on-board theater without having to buy tickets in advance. Many new Disney, Marvel, Pixar, and Star Wars films have 3-D showings, allowing guests to experience eye-popping effects on the high seas. And during the holidays, classics are featured, like “Hocus Pocus” during Halloween sailings.
Again, these beverages need to be carried on and not stashed in checked bags. If you want to have bottled water at the ready, bring a case of it onboard. It will need to be sealed in its original packaging and you have to carry it on (instead of having it in checked luggage), but it can be worth it if you want to save money for the truly yummy drinks. If you order a can of Coke in the dining room or from room service, it's going to cost you a few dollars, but you can get as much free soda as you want from the fountain. Bring a refillable bottle so you can easily take your soda with you around the ship. The cabin doors on a Disney cruise are almost all metal, so decorative magnets will stick to the doors nicely.
The AquaDunk on the Disney Magic shoots riders down from three stories up, while the AquaDuck on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy offers a water coaster ride high above the pool deck. Disney Cruise Line’s essence is extremely family-friendly, offering the charm of Disney characters, films and music through every step of the journey. In addition to the plentiful activities for young ones, the ships and activities offer quiet areas and escapes that are exclusive to adults. Wondering what you need to know before sailing the high seas with Mickey, Minnie and the gang? From familiar entertainment and exciting Marvel experiences to upper deck water slides for kids and plenty of quiet pools for adults to relax, there's so much to do — and also to know.
The tap water in each room is drinkable, but sinks are often too small to accommodate big bottles. 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. If you’re not picky about where your cabin is located on the ship, you can save a substantial amount of money by letting Disney pick your cabin.
The clubs, other than the nursery, are complimentary, so the magic age for a Disney cruise begins once your child is at least 3 years old and potty-trained, so they can enjoy time in the kids clubs while you enjoy … whatever you want. For example, Disney Dream will sail a three-night cruise to move it from San Juan to Ft. You can book a cabin with a balcony for $1,580 for two people, which is a solid price on Disney Dream. The $3,326 price tag for a concierge-level cabin is very good; those cabins usually start at close to $800 to $1,000 higher on many other three-night sailings. 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.
Each ship is equipped with on-site medical help, and if you experience seasickness, complimentary medicine is available. Hook’s Barbery may look like any old upscale barbershop when walking by — but it’s hiding one of the best-kept secrets aboard any Disney ship. Tucked away within the salon is a hidden speakeasy-style bar serving expertly crafted cocktails, including a smoked old fashioned. Its liquor selection is extensive and surprising with rare and vintage pours. While there are water fountains and bottle refill stations on board, they can be far away from your room — and disposable bottles (not included in the fare) can add up.
Alcohol isn't free on board, but you can find discounted drinks at happy hour. On my most recent Disney cruise, select drinks were 50% off from 9 p.m. Check your Navigator app during your sailing to look for happy hours on your Disney cruise.
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