Are you getting ready to go on a Disney Cruise and looking for a Disney Cruise packing list with the essentials? As a family who has been on numerous Disney Cruises, we have a tried and true packing list full of must-have essentials to ensure our cruise vacation is smooth sailing.
We love taking the kids on a Disney Cruise because it is perfect for the whole family and an easy, all-inclusive vacation that’s unique in it’s own right. But the first time we went, we overpacked and still didn’t have some of the things we needed.
This past year, when we went on our 7th Disney cruise, I refined my packing list of must-have items and it made our trip a whole lot easier. It includes all of my recommended essentials and some tips for maximizing your cabin space.
Whether you’re going on a 7-night cruise, a 5-day vacation, or a weekend Disney vacation on the sea, you can use this Disney Cruise packing list to bring everything you need.
Get ready for a massively fun family vacation when you sail on Disney Cruises. To help you pack for a Disney cruise, sign up to get my free printable packing list to have it right at your finger tips!
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You’ll find there’s a lot of paperwork you need to bring for your upcoming Disney Cruise, like cruise and excursion documents. You’re also on a boat in the ocean, so while there are some on board shops, they have limited items and limited hours. But there are no traditional stores to run to if you forget something.
Also, when you’re on the cruise ship, your accommodations have limited space, so you need to pack light. But there are also important items that you must have for your Disney-themed cruise vacation and a few you’ll be glad you have.
So, knowing exactly what you need to bring and what you should leave at home is important. That’s where a Disney Cruise packing list can help you prepare for your voyage and set up your cruise itinerary.
There are several things to know before you board your cruise ship. First, check Disney Cruise Line’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. As of February 2022, the cruise line requires all vaccine-eligible people to be fully vaccinated. This rule is for all guests 3 years and older.
The main Disney Cruise Line terminal is at Port Canaveral Florida. However, not all of the cruises leave from this terminal. There are several others in Florida, in other parts of the United States, and around the world. Just make sure you know from which port you are departing.
When you plan on sailing on one of the Disney Cruise ships, online check-in starts 30 days before you set sail (or depending on your Castaway Club status, you may have an earlier check in option.) It must be completed at least one day before you sail on embarkation day. In fact, if you don’t check in beforehand, you will have to wait until everyone else has boarded and you will be last to board no matter when you arrive at the cruise terminal.
Downloading the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is a must for your Disney Cruise Line vacation. It’s the best resource for all your cruise details, and you can add premium services through the app. Not only that, but the Disney Navigator app will help you both before you get on the ship and while you are there.
You can also use the virtual queue system for the port of call visits which is very handy for anyone sailing on Disney cruises. Once you are on the ship, it will be your go to for everything happening all day long like bingo games, trivia, shows, your dining rotation schedule, debarkation and embarkation times at ports of call, etc.
Learn more information about all the general requirements on the Disney Cruise website.
There are some critical things to make sure you pack for your cruise. So, I want to go over a few of the most important things you need before we get into the packing list.
Dressing up in a Disney costume is part of the fun of a Walt Disney vacation for kids. The pictures of our kids in their favorite princess or pirate outfits meeting their favorite Disney pals has made perfect memories and photo ops.
So, make sure you add a costume of their favorite Disney character or pirate gear to your Disney Cruise packing list. Many cruises have a pirate night or themed dinners that are really fun for the kids. They’ll love getting dressed up in their Disney or Pirate night apparel for the event.
Don’t forget to make an appointment for the kids at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique so they can get the ultimate Disney makeover that makes them feel special.
Everyone in the family needs a photo ID. You should bring your passport too as you’ll be leaving the United States on some cruises and you will need it for getting on and off the ship.
Prior to your boarding, you will need to complete your online check in that will include you entering passport information and taking a secruity photo. This needs to happen BEFORE you arrive to the port. Once this information is cleared, you can select a port arrival time. They will also send you an embarkation sheet that you need to bring with you as well.
Some countries require an entry visa, so be sure to check what you need for the places you’ll travel on your cruise and add those to your Disney Cruise packing list.
The Disney Cruise Line also states that you can go under my reservations to find all the critical travel regulations and guidelines for your specific itinerary.
You see more important documents to bring below. Keep your cruise documentation with you and not in your checked luggage. This can include a birth certificate depending on the destination of your cruise. But if you are heading outside of the continental United States, you will need a passport.
You don’t need to take half your wardrobe and 10 pairs of shoes. Bring two or three pairs that you can mix and match with your clothing and limit yourself on the number of shorts and t-shirts you bring.
Remember there are laundry services onboard your cruise ship, and you can do your own laundry too as the ships have laundry rooms. You can purchase detergent or bring your own.
Definitely bring any clothing you need for shore excursions. Beach and pool towels are provided onboard, so you can leave those at home.
One of the things you need to add to your Disney Cruise packing list is multiple bathing suits and swimsuit cover-ups. Since they take a while to dry, bring at least one extra swimsuit so you can rotate between them.
You’ll spend a lot of time in your bathing suit as there are pools aboard the ship. Between the ship water slides, pools, splash areas, and beach days at Castaway Cay, our kids spend almost the entire vacation in a swimsuit.
Depending on if you are going on a warm weather itinerary or something cooler like Alaska sailings, or stopping at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, you may spend a lot of time in your swimsuit. If you are headed to the Caribbean, average summer temperatures or in the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit, so you will want to pack accordingly.
You’ll also want to bring a cover-up to wear over your swimsuit at port destinations, including Castaway Cay, and when you’re walking around on the ship.
It’s also a good idea to pack a beach bag for beach or pool days. I also recommend having a secure purse and a lanyard as I like to keep my Key To The World card with me.
More than one person in your family will likely get sick if this is your family’s first time on a cruise. There’s Dramamine and other over-the-counter motion sickness meds you can take.
Your doctor can call a prescription for scopolamine patches into your family pharmacy so be sure to add some type of motion sickness medicine to your Disney Cruise packing list.
There is a medical center on board should you need it. They may have over-the-counter medications like motion sickness medication. But it’s always good to bring some too.
It’s customary, especially on the Disney Cruise Line cruises to decorate your stateroom door. From magnets to signs to even whiteboards, many people bring decorations to add some Disney flair. But it also helps you find your door as it is easy to get turned around as the ship staterooms look alike.
Door decorations are also a great way to celebrate a birthday or special occasion. They are totally worth bringing on board and will add a little extra magic to your vacation.
We also hung a little mail box outside our door. It’s a tradition that many guests like to leave a little “pixie dust” in others’ mailboxes. Things like a pencil, a stamp, a note wishing someone a magical day. So you can hang your mailbox and receive pixie dust and spread some pixie dust by leaving some for others in their mail box.
The Staterooms are tight, though on Disney cruise ships, there is actually a suprising amount of drawer and closet space. You can store your suitcases under your stateroom bed.
But, to maximize closet and drawer space, we bring packing cubes to keep essentials organized in the drawers. And, a hanging shoe organizer is a great way to keep things like toiletries, swimsuits, underwear and socks, goggles, and other small items neat and tidy and easy to access. You can also use it for storing shoes.
Here are a few essentials you want to be sure you have on your Disney Cruise packign list.
The Disney Cruise Line recommends checking in all your luggage. But you need to keep a day bag or carry-on luggage with you since your main luggage may not get to your stateroom for several hours. Make sure to add the following items to your Disney Cruise packing list that go in your day bag.
* Note – Be sure to put the luggage tags the Disney Cruise Line sends you on your suitcases.
Here are the items to keep in your day bag:
Here is our suggested list of clothing and accessories to add to your Disney Cruise packing list:
In winter, you may also want to bring:
The Disney Cruise Line has a wide variety of dining experiences that our family loves. It ranges from cruise casual to upscale. They ask that you follow the dress code to preserve the ambiance of each restaurant.
We alway bring at least one nice outfit for a dinner to Palo or Remy. But usually a nice Resort outfit is fine for the rotational dining at dinner time.
There may be a formal night so you may want to bring an evening dress or suit and tie depending on who will be dining with you. The more upscale dining areas don’t have a formal night, they have outfit requirements for every night.
There is also typically a pirate night, so be sure and pack your best pirate gear!
Disney advises that the dress code for the three main dining rooms is cruise casual. Dressing cruise casual means you can’t wear tank tops or swimwear.
Many guests like to dress up, but you don’t have to. But you may want to pack a nicer outfit for formal nights to be sure you adhere to the dress codes. I like to bring a pantsuit or a nice dress to be sure I have something just in case.
If you are interested in adults-only restaurants, there are some available depending on the cruise on which you are sailing for an additional fee. All diners are asked to adhere to the dress code at Remy and Palo.
Disney asks that you don’t wear shorts, hats, cut-offs, swimsuits, cover-ups, tank tops, t-shirts with offensive graphics or language, torn clothing, tennis shoes, and flip flops.
You can’t wear jeans at Remy, but you can wear them at Palo as long as they are in good condition.
The Disney Cruise Line recommends that men wear slacks or dress pants and a collared shirt. They advise women to wear pants or a skirt and a blouse or a dress.
Remy’s dress code is formal, so men should wear a tuxedo or a sports or suit jacket with a collared dress shirt, dress pants or slacks, and dress shoes. Ties are optional for men.
Women can wear an evening gown or cocktail dress, a pantsuit, or dress pants or skirt and a blouse.
They ask that people don’t wear jeans, capri pants, shorts, leggings, tennis shoes, or flip-flops.
On 7-night cruises or longer ones, ships have themed nights. These themed nights also include a formal night. Disney encourages people to dress up and participate in each night’s festivities.
The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App is a great resource to learn what to wear for each night’s dinner.
You’ll also want to pack some other things to make your cruise extra special and have everything you need.
Here are the items you want to add to your Disney Cruise packing list for your cabin:
* Note – Do not bring an extension cord. If you need one, you can get one from Guest Services. It’s free, but you do need to put a deposit down.
When creating a packing list for a Disney Cruise, you may want to bring some of your own toiletries. Disney provides some toiletries like H2O shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, but you may prefer others.
All guests onboard a Disney Cruise Line ship or visiting Castaway Cay must comply with U.S. Customs and Port Security laws and guidelines. Here are some things NOT to bring on your cruise:
Usually you can purchase your own wine or beer on the ship, as well as bottles of water, to have in your room. There are typically packages sold so you don’t have to bring these items on with you. But if you do, there is a limit and they have to be carried on (not in your packed luggage.)
Since the Disney Cruise Line has cruises all over the world, refer to the packing lists for specific locations at the top of the Disney Cruise Line packing list website page.
As with other vacation destinations you visit for the first time, there are some things we wish we knew before going on our first Disney Cruise.
If you’re driving to Port Canaveral, you will likely run into some tolls on the way. Not all toll booths have an actual person working them, so you may need to pay with exact change. You can use this toll calculator to figure out how much cash and change to bring.
If getting a Disney Cruise Line pressed penny is high on your to-do list, the only machine is located in the port before you get on the ship if you are boarding at Port Canaveral. Make sure you get your pressed penny before you enter the Mickey Mouse gate.
There’s no need to bring your own hair dryer and diffuser as each stateroom on Disney Cruise Line ships has one.
You get 50 MBs of free Wi-Fi for your trip, but you need to claim it on the first day onboard. If you think you’ll need more than 50 MBs, you can purchase additional internet packages for your cruise.
The free plan is fine if you don’t need much internet but if you need any wi-fi for work or accessing social media, you will need to purchase additional. It is VERY expensive and you can pay for how many devices you need. I recommend taking turns with family members to keep the cost down.
Using Disney gift cards is a great way to save money on your cruise of you are planning your family travel on a budget. They are available in set amounts of $500.
While the uniquely themed restaurants is part of the fun and experience of any Disney cruise, you don’t have to dine in the restaurants. There are quick service/take away restaurants on the cruise if you want to enjoy more pool time. You can also get room service!
Depending on the itinerary, some ports of call don’t show you much beyond the port unless you booked an excursion. In some locations, I prefer to stay on the cruise ship because the pools are less crowded and it’s a great day to stay on the ship.
But the big exception is Castaway Cay. It is one of my favorite stops every time we go on a Disney Cruise.
It is wonderful, and well worth spending as much of the day on the island as possible. You can even run the Castaway Cay 5K in the morning if you like, ride bikes, walk, play games, but do maximize your time on Disney’s private island as it is one of my favorite stops on the Caribbean itineraries.
Kids can also participate in the kids’ club and the teen club while on Castaway Cay and there is an adult-only section of the island.
Disney Cruise Line has transportation to and from Port Canaveral. However, as they depart from several ports around the world, you may need to provide your own transportation to and from the terminal.
We departed from Ft. Lauderdale on our recent cruise, and there is no transportation provided through Disney Cruise Line. So we needed to taxi from the airport to the terminal. We were, however, able to book bus transportation on debarkation day to the Ft. Lauderdale airport through Disney Cruise Line for an additional fee.
We have traveled on Disney Cruises with infants, toddlers, school aged kids and teens. Our son was 12 months on his first Disney Cruise and we also went on one when our twins were one year old as well.
If you are traveling with a baby, you can request Diaper Genies and Pack ‘n’ Plays for your stateroom. There are not baths, but the shower is small and in a circle and you can fill it up enough for bathtime for infants.
I also recommend bringing a single umbrella stroller onto the ship, rather than a double wide stroller. The hallways are narrow and getting a single stroller down the hall and on the elevator is much easier. You will also do a lot of walking so bringing an Ergo for baby carrying is also helpful.
Disney Cruise ships have laundry rooms. You can use your Disney Band to pay for them and purchase laundry detergent (but pack a couple of laundry pods or powdered detergent to save money.)
This is very helpful for packing light, and in case you need to wash swimsuits, kids have an accident, etc.
If you have a MagicBand or MagicBand+, bring it with you on the ship. It is called a Disney Band on the ship but they are one and the same and it works to open your room, make onboard charges, etc.
However, when you check in at the Port, you will be given a Key To The World Card too, and you need to keep this with you at all times. This is why you want to have a secure purse (which is what I bring) or a lanyard.
It is required for you getting off and back on the ship as it is tied to your photo and security information. Kids will also need this for checking in and out of the kids’ club. It is essentially how the Cast Members know where you are at any given time for your safety and the safety of everyone on the ship.
Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Club is entirely based on your loyalty (or the number of sailings you have done.) Disney keeps track of it if your log in has remained the same to your Disney accounts (note that your Disney Cruise Line, Walt Disney World and Disneyland website log ins are all the same and are connected.)
If you are traveling on your very first Disney Cruise, you won’t have a status yet. But after one sailing you are a Silver Member, after five sailings you are a Gold Member, after 10 sailings you are a Platinum Member, and after 25 sailings you are a Pearl Member.
Your Castaway Club status matters as it determines the window for when you can begin booking excursions and on board activities that are for an additional fee (like dinners at Remy and Palo, sports experiences, cabanas on Castaway Cay, etc.) And, it also determines your online check-in window which can help you get a priority embarkation time.
If you have sailed with Disney Cruise Line even once before, be sure to make note of these dates so you don’t miss out.
Generally speaking, you can’t bring electrical appliances, homemade/precooked/perishable foods or open food containers, more than the specified permitted limit of alcohol or large ice chests or coolers. Also, weapons of all kinds are prohibited. Check the list above or visit the cruise website for a complete list of prohibited items.
Guests are limited to two suitcases per person at a maximum of 50 ibs per bag. Honestly, given the sizes of the staterooms, you don’t want to bring more than one suitcase per person if you can. There is limited storage and your room will be very crowded if you have more than one suitcase per person.
Typically, you will find Disney’s branded shampoo, conditioner, and body wash or soap. You can request more from your room attendant if you need additional.
See my recommendations on this blog post for what to wear on your Disney cruise.
Going on a Disney Cruise may be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for your family, so you want to make the most of it. It’s important to know what you can or can’t bring aboard so you don’t forget the things you need or get in trouble for bringing something you shouldn’t.
You can use this list of items to bring as a Disney Cruise packing checklist. I know you’ll love going on a Disney Cruise as much as my family does, so start planning for your next Disney adventure.
