A cruise can be a difficult vacation to pack for but a Disney cruise adds a whole new list of essentials that you need to pack. In this guide we put together the ultimate Disney cruise packing list that will work no matter whether you are cruising the Caribbean, Med, Norway or beyond!
Essential Cruise Must Haves
Before we get onto Disney specific cruise items, we will first look at the essentials you should take on any cruise and which for the most part should be kept in your crusie carry as you will need them on embarkation day.
Passport and identification
If you are going on a international cruise (i.e. if you are American and your cruise visits places other than just US ports and the US Virgin Islands) you are going to need to a passport with you to embark and disembark your cruise.
Cruise Documents
Cruises also have some documentation that oyu need to have on you for embarking the ship. For instance you will need your luggage labels (These are normally emailed to you before your cruise), your boarding pass and health declarations. Be sure to print these and keep them in your hand luggage for use at the port.
Travel Insurance
We recommend printing out and keeping a copy of your insurance details in your hand luggage in case of emergency.
Cash and Credit Cards
Although on a Disney cruise you will pay for things with your cabin card you will still need credit cards and cash with you for use on shore.
Medication and Anti-Sea Sickness Meds
You will also need to pack any medicationss you need in your carry on and be sure to have prescriptions with you.
As well as prescription medication some other medications you may like to travel with include:
- pain medications such as Advil, paracetamol, Tylenol and Ibuprofen
- Reflux Meds such as Gaviscon, Tums etc.
- Birth Control
- Inhalers
I personally have never gotten sea sick on a cruise ship. And I have never met anyone who has either and we have sailed through some really rough seas however if you are worried about this and have someone who does suffer from motion sickness you will want some medication and other sea sickness prevention aids.
A travel first aid kit is also always a good idea when tarveling with cruise.
Toiletries
Although most ships provide toiletries I will always pack some on my own as I think they are better quality than those you get on board
For more information on the best toiletries to bring on a cruise check out this post.
On top of the regular travel toiletry essentials we also recommend packing bug spray, after sun / aloe vera, sun screen
What to wear on a Disney Cruise
Although some cruises have strict dress codes Disney is not one of them. The clothes that you will want to pack for your cruise should fit into the following categories:
Day to night transition outfit for embarkation day
Embarkation day is certainly a fun day on your Disney cruise. There are meet and greets with characters, kids clubs to sign up to and the ship to explore. But it is important to remember that you are unlikely to get your luggage in your stateroom until after your first dinner.
Therefore we recommend packing a day to night transition outfit or embarkation day fthat is comfortable for day times out on deck in the sun but also is suitable for the main dining room.
Note: the main dining room usually operates a casual dress code on the first night but I still like to have an outfit that is a bit smarter than jeans and a t shirt.
Daytime Outfits
Obviously the type of clothes you need will depend on the destination of your cruise (we have destination specific cruise packing lists for the Caribbean, Alaska, Norwegian FJords, Med and Greek Islands here but aren’t line specific). However usually these should incliude:
- Casual outfits for relaxing onboard
- Excursion specific clothes
- Swimwear – even if your cruise isn’t heading to beachy destinations you can still use the pool and hot tubs on the pool decks. So you will want to ahve swimwear with you – we recommend at least two pieces so you always have one to wear and one to dry. You will also want some rash vests and swimming aids for small children.
- Activewear – for if you plan to use the gym or need for any shore excursions you are doing.
Evening Outfits
Some of the evening outfits you will need include:
Smart Casual wear
for casual nights in the dining nroom
Formal wear
Although formal nights are not obligatory if you want to join in on formal night you wil want to pack something like a cocktail dress for women, suits or a blazer and tie for men or something cute for kids. For little ones you may want to pack some costumes.
You will also want to add some costumes for the whole family for Pirate Night. Pirate Night is a Disney cruise tradition and it is event that people of all ages get involved in so don’t forget costumes for the whole family.
Footwear
Trainers / Sneakers
These are the most practical shoes for both on the ship and on shore excursions.
Flip Flops
For use on the pool deck or on a beach days.
Formal Shoes
For use in the main dining room.
Specific Disney cruise Items
Costumes
Just like if you are visiting the parks, there are lots of meet and greets onboard and many children will dress up as there favorite characters for these and other themed events. So be sure to pack costumes for your little ones.
Mouse Ears
Again, mouse ears are a staple in parks and they are also popular for Disney cruise guests. We recommend buying these in advance to save money.
Shoulder Pal
These are a new but growing trend in the parks. These are essentially small plush toys that attach to your clothes via a magnet. Again, you can buy these on board but are cheaper to buy in advance.
Autograph Book
If you plan on doing the meet and greets on board be sure to remember to pack an autograph book to capture the memories.
Disney Lanyard
You can get any lanyard for holding your cabin card but it is nice to immerse yourself fully in the Disney bubble by having a Disney themed one!
Pirate Night Props
Many people will also bring some props for pirate night and other theme nights such as glow sticks and glow jewelry.
Magnetic hooks
The walls of Disney cruise ships are made of metal so taking some magnetic hooks is a great way to increase storage space.
Gifts for Fish Extender Exchange
In the parks there is something called pixie dusting where people hide small presents for people to hide. On Disney cruises the fish extender exchange is the equivalet. A popular present is a little rubber duck which poeple also hide on ships for others to find.
Other Cruise Essentials
Sun Safe Items
If you are going on a hot weather cruise be sure to pack sun safe items like sunglasses, sun hat and sunscreen.
Water bottle
Back Pack / Beach Bag
Snorkel gear and water sports items
Waterproof phone case
Tech
i.e. phone and chargers, tablet etc.
Power Strip and Chargers
Laundry Detergent
If you are planning to do laundry on the ship be sure to take some pods and stain remover with you.
Things for Families to bring on a cruise
Changing gear
Diapers, wipes, swim diapers.
Toys and Stuffies
Stroller
We recommend bringing a compact travel one so it doesn’t take up too much room in your stateroom and is easier to manoevre in the corridors.
Bottles and Pacifiers
And there you have it our ultimate Disney cruise packing list. Is there something else that you like to add to your disney cruise packng list? Let us know in the comments below.