10 Tips for First Time Disney Cruisers

We had an awesome Disney cruise to Alaska aboard the Wonder.  We learned several things that helped us have a fabulous time and contributed to one of our best vacations ever!  Below are some tips to help you have a wonderful cruise too!

1. Items to Pack

Multi-usb charger – There are a limited number of electrical outlets in the staterooms, so in order to charge multiple devices at one time a multi-usb charger is the perfect solution (Disney does not allow power strips to be used).  There is also an electrical outlet behind the TV (just pivot the TV out) that will help you with an additional outlet.  

Air freshener – There is no fan in the bathroom!

Hangers – If you like to hang a lot of your clothing this may be important to you (there were about 20 hangers in the closet).  Bring the hangers that you get at retail stores and then throw them away before coming home.

 

2. Come back to ship for lunch while in port 

You are already paying for the food on the ship, so take advantage and return to the ship for lunch.  It will save you money!  We found the boarding and disembarking process to be very easy and went back to the ship 3 out of 4 days.

 3. Book excursions as soon as your window opens

To get the best choice of excursions, book as soon as Disney allows you to.  Several popular excursions do sell out prior to sailing, so book early!  

However, do not feel like you have to do a Disney excursion.  On our cruise to Alaska, we booked two excursions through outside tour companies.  If this is the route you want to take, do lots of research to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable company that is going to follow through with what they promised.  If you will be traveling to Alaska, I cannot say enough good things about Harv and Marv (whale watching in Juneau) and Chilkoot Charters (train/bus tour in Skagway).

 

4. Dining Options

Disney offers rotational dining, where you rotate between the three restaurants on the ship for dinner, however your servers remain the same (they rotate with you).  Your servers will get to know you and may even have your usual drink waiting for you when you arrive to dinner.

Remember that all the restaurants and buffets are all you can eat.  You can order whatever you want from the menus, I have ordered two appetizers or two desserts and even off the kids menu.  In addition, we ordered an extra entree to split to try something that we were not sure of.  If you do not like your food, let your server know they will bring you something else to eat.  Also if you do not see a Mickey Ice Cream bar on the kids menu, you can still order it (they have plenty)!

Try all the restaurants that are open for breakfast and lunch, don’t just stick to the buffets.  We found Tritons to be one of our favorites for lunch!

 

5. Extra Special Souvenir

For an inexpensive but priceless souvenir, have the characters sign a pillowcase or photo mat.  Purchase a new pillowcase or photo mat and a Sharpie marker and then place all the items in a ziplock bag.  On the first night of your cruise, drop them off at Guest Services.  Guest Services will have a form to fill out that allows you to choose who you would like to sign.  On the last night of your cruise, your stateroom host/hostess will leave your completely signed item in your room.  (This service will discontinue starting on August 7, 2015).

 

6. Character Breakfast

If you’re on a 7 night cruise or longer on the Disney Wonder, you MAY have a Character Breakfast.  You will need to obtain tickets to the breakfast.  On embarkment day, review the navigator you receive upon check in.  If there will be a character breakfast on your cruise, the navigator will tell you where to pick up tickets.  On our first cruise (May 2014), we got photos and autographs with the fab 5 characters, including Mickey and Minnie!  However on our latest cruise (November 2015), we had Disney Junior characters.  Make a note of your Character Breakfast day and don’t miss out! (updated January 2016).

 7. Disney Friends Tea Party

If attending the Disney Friends Tea Party is something your family would like to do you must obtain a (free) ticket.  To obtain tickets, ask at guest services preferably the first day aboard because the seating is limited.  The tea party that we attended had both Rapunzel and Tiana, whom walked us through the proper way to have a tea party and the proper way to waltz.  After we drank our apple juice (tea) and chocolate chip cookies, the guests were able to meet and take photos with each princess.  We really enjoyed the tea party!  It was a great activity to spend time as a family.

 8. Free and Cheap Alcoholic Drinks

Surprisingly there are a couple ways to get free alcoholic drinks on the Disney Cruise ships.  The Art of Entertaining programs (at least on our cruise), which is where one of the Chefs shows you how to make a dish and then you are able to sample the food, offered a wine pairings.  At the Captains Receptions, each guest is offered a free drink (a non-alcoholic drink is also available).  Also, my parents were selected to be on the “Match Your Mate” one night and while one of them was being asked questions, the other got a free drink at the bar and vice versa. 

For a nominal fee, various alcohol tastings (including Beer, Mixology, Wine, Champaign, Martini, Tequila and Margarita, Cognac and Whisky) are offered on the cruise ship, which are a fun way to try out different drinks.  Another way to try out drinks is to order the drink of the day at a lower price, you can order the drink of the day in the sit-down restaurants or at the lounges/bars.  You are also allowed to bring alcohol aboard the ship in your carry-on, click here to see the all the guidelines.

 (*S only consumed kiddie cocktails!!!)

9.  Free Coffee at Cove Cafe

If you purchase a coffee at the Cove Cafe, be sure to get a coffee card.  Every time you purchase a drink they will mark your card and once you buy five drinks, your sixth beverage is FREE!  If you do not fill up your card during the cruise, hold onto it as it can be used on a future cruise, even on a different Disney ship! 

10.  Attend the Disney Evening Entertainment

Each night there is evening entertainment in the theater.  Some nights include Broadway style shows that are not to be missed!  Other nights include variety act shows like a comedian, ventriloquist, etc.  While we did not miss the Broadway type shows, we did skip some of the variety acts due to my daughters interests.

 And a bonus tip: 

11. Use your Personal Navigator

Each night you will receive a personal navigator that tells you everything you need to know about the ship for the next day.  From hours of operations for restaurants/buffets and pools, to the nighttime entertainment and times for all the activities/character meet and greets happening on the ship.  You can also use the Disney Cruise Line app to access the same information while on board.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  If you are planning a Disney cruise, I know that you will have a wonderful trip!  Bon voyage!

You can check out my other posts about about our Disney Cruise and excursions in Alaska here.  

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