27 HELPFUL TIPS for Planning, Preparing, Packing & Check In for Your FIRST DISNEY CRUISE!!

[@catt_inthekingdom]

Trying to get on my first cruise ever by 2025 and this was super helpful. You’re right you can watch and read a lot of things but sometimes it’s the important details that just go right over your head!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Oh I am excited at the thought of Catt cruising!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

You looking at going on a Disney cruise or a different cruise line?

[@lrcatiller]

I would love a video on what to pack! As a first time cruiser I want to be prepared as possible!!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Ok great! We are working on that one next so stay tuned! 😊

[@lemechachamblin840]

I would love one too

[@whatifdisneyworld]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3fImpSej7yfjtksi=LLSamx9NZZ6rr5e5 here is the packing video :)

[@rienailo]

Thanks for mentioning about reaching out the cruise line about the allergy stuff. My child has a peanut allergy. We've always found that Disneyland trips are great because they have the allergy friendly menus.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Disney really does a good job to create a safe vacation for those with allergies!

[@marianitalabella2394]

Thank you ! Please more about packing. Luggage sizes ?.. 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@whatifdisneyworld]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/q3fImpSej7yfjtksi=4tzGwQr0cgo5rbZf Thanks for asking! Here’s the link to our cruise packing video. As a family of 5 we packed in 1 large suitcase and a carry on size for our 4 night cruise. Packing cubes were key!

[@ciclallisilva4441]

Yes

[@returntosophie]

im dying to go on a disney cruise, so thanks so much for this! its so helpful. ps I love your intro! :)

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thanks for watching! Stevie wrote and recorded that little bass beat for the intro. One of his many talents! :)

[@62202ify]

That Navigational app was a lifesaver. We were 14 including myself, we too had the rotational dining thing, 1923, my favorite World of Marvel, I was NOT expecting THAT show, and Arendelle. Our group often would scatter throughout the ship during the day and it was hard to find everyone. My Wife and I are already planning to go again. Some in our group had those little magic band contraptions. That lit up like the 4th of July with lights at shows, my Sister-In-Law said it can pay for expenses, open doors and show you your expenses, I asked her "Does it have a laser that can cut through steel"? That 007 reference went right over her head. My Wife needed a Handicap room, that room was gigantic, I used the key and went to open the door but it already did. "Did that door open automatically"? I asked. Even had a doorbell. I didn't know that until the Room Steward rang the bell. Bing-Bing. Me - "What the fuck"? My Wife told me to get the door. I loved Pirate Night, bought a costume. It was awesome.

[@pokeeleo]

Thank you for all this info.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thanks for watching!!

[@luvyourteacher]

Thanks so much; this info is so helpful! We leave for our 1st Disney Cruise in OCT 2024 and I feel better prepared after watching your video. 😊🚢

[@whatifdisneyworld]

So good to hear you found it helpful! I hope you have an amazing time on your first cruise!

[@MouseArt4Kids]

All great tips. I enjoyed watching but will probably never go on a cruise due to sea sickness. The room location tip was great. Nice share.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thanks for watching, friend! :)

[@JH-qr5ir]

So informative! I have to check in this week for my Aug cruise. Now I feel more prepared . Thank you

[@bringingthemagicfamily]

Great video! We did our first Disney cruise back in April and loved it! But, we are still learning and these are great tips!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

It’s a STEEP learning curve! I hope our next cruise will go more smoothly with all I learned but I know I still have a lot of learning to do as well! Thanks for watching! :)

[@BoardroomtoBounceHouse]

They really should add goldfish lol the Disney branded ones they sell in grocery stores!

[@jendevonshire4437]

This is amazing! First time Disney cruiser in August this year and feel a million times more prepared now! Thank you😊

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Aww good! Thanks for the feedback! I hope you have the best time!!

[@juliegrosser]

My hubby and I were scheduled on Carnival Vista. They cancelled, 1 week before we were to leave. But we had made hotel reservations (6 days) that were non-refundable, so we looked real quick for anything available. Hubby booked on Disney. I couldn't believe a ship that catered to kids. (We are in our late 60's) But we needed to get away, and we had the best time. Nine times we have cruised, (different cruise lines) and nothing was as great as Disney was. The staff, events, and the shows were amazing. This first time Disney Cruiser will be back many more times.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

What a great story! Disney’s service is top notch! Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@4000MilesToMagic]

So many great tips! This is super helpful for us, our first cruise is in April and we're still trying to get our heads around everuthing we need to think about!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

It’s SO much to learn and think about! I’m so excited for you to experience it though! It’s a fun and different vacation! :)

[@MsMaree]

Thanks so much going on my first Disney cruise to celebrate my grandson’s 5th birthday in August.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Oh how exciting! I hope y’all have the best trip ever!!

[@Themainemouse]

Our first cruise is coming up in November! I'm counting down the dayysss! 🤪 We've never cruised before, so all of this is super helpful! Thank you, as always, for another great video! 😊

[@whatifdisneyworld]

How exciting!! I can’t wait to hear about your experience! Hope these tips help you have the best trip ever! Part 2 coming soon!

[@ciclallisilva4441]

So helpful

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thanks for watching!

[@BabbsZ]

Thank you! Awesome tips❤️

[@tamaraward1617]

Great information. We are not cruising until 2025 but this is our 1st Disney cruise so I need all the information I can get.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

I love the early planning! Helps you be more prepared and have a better trip!

[@PretendFashionista]

Would love to see a packing video!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Ok! Thanks for commenting! I will start working on that!

[@LucíaRodríguez-v5t]

Thank you very much!

[@JeannetteMickey]

What type of electrical plug adapter is ok to use on cruise, one with multiple usb connections?

[@lucineidegode1880]

Very helpful

[@justme-qd4uv]

So helpful!!! Thank you! 💕😊

[@whatifdisneyworld]

I’m so happy to hear you found the video helpful!

[@ingelaeiberg4580]

Thank you so much for this informative video. I have vertigo issues so your tip about room placement was very helpful. I am just confused about you having a balcony very low down in the ship. Aren’t they higher up. We are hoping to go on a Disney cruise on the Wonderful here in New Zealand in December 2024. The really lowdown cabins are on the inside there.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

You’re right that the lowest down (like deck 2 do not have verandahs. Choosing the next lowest, which on the Wish was deck 6, helped to minimize movement. We still felt the rocking but it wasn’t too bad.

[@janeogle650]

i just want to know as first timer, how easy isit to get a place on champagne tasting and palo brunch as soon as you board if you go by dcl transportation to port?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Going on the Disney transportation if you are taking it from a Disney resort, will give you better odds since you’ll not have to worry about a port arrival time and you can just go right in once you arrive. We got our Palo brunch a week before the cruise so make sure you check frequently leading up to the cruise too! Good luck!

[@janeogle650]

@@whatifdisneyworld thanks. fingers crossed for both champagne tasting and palo brunch for us!

[@cheeriomartinez]

I’m so curious as to how a travel agent makes it cheaper. Great video btw!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thanks! :) A travel agent can potentially save you money by monitoring for deals/specials and notifying you of those if they are released. Also, some of them give you onboard credits which is money in your account to use to buy the extra things you want on board the ship!

[@yorrindamuuren2673]

Hii! Thank so much for the helpfull video's. Do I understand correctly, I can book the royal gathering before I check in? So on the same day, but I can book that first and then go to check in?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

You’re welcome! Thank you for watching! :) Yes exactly! We did that first before check in! If we had waited until after check in, the royal gathering would have been gone.

[@yorrindamuuren2673]

Thank so much! ❤ I will put it on my list. Loved the video's incredibly helpfull.

[@deniseorlinski8056]

I don't know how to do the thing at the end will you have to hopefully the travel agent can help me hope they'll probably be able to help me

[@JoeSenger]

Really helpful videos! We used them as we navigated our pre trip planning. We cruise in April. I have a weird question. Is the Disney cruise terminal parking covered and secure? We will be leaving some items in our rental van (out of sight) but don’t want them ruined from the heat. Thanks!

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Thank you for watching and for the feedback! I hope y’all have a wonderful cruise next month! At port Canaveral it is a parking garage with covered parking! Our van was safe and sound when we returned!

[@JoeSenger]

@@whatifdisneyworldThank you for the speedy reply and thorough and caring content!

[@tsr3779]

I disagree about the Verandah. On cruises that you have lots of ports that you are planning to get off and spend the day away it’s just not worth it.

[@mattstorace9985]

Any advice on where to park? We will be driving a rental car coming from a universal hotel ?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

We used the onsite Port Canaveral parking garage. It's $17 per day (including the day you park and the day you leave). It was super convenient as it is directly next to the Disney terminal. You pull up, the porters grab your checked bags, you go park and then you just walk over to check in after parking. There are cheaper parking options off site but then you have to shuttle over so we just chose the onsite parking garage! Here's a link to Port Canaveral's website with info: www.portcanaveral.com/Cruise/Directions-Parking . I hope this helps and I hope you have a wonderful cruise!!

[@mattstorace9985]

@@whatifdisneyworld great thanks! They don’t do reservations right ?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

@@mattstorace9985 No reservations. We just pulled in day-of check in around 12pm and there were plenty of spots.

[@KristenGiles15]

I didn’t see “close to stage for entertainment “ on app like you mentioned for dining preferences. If I want to be close to stage would you recommended “center of room “or “close to screen “option?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Oh interesting. It might vary with the ship you are sailing on and the dining options there. We sailed on the Wish. Are you on a different ship? “Close to screens” would make me think it’s on a ship with the Animator’s Palate? Or maybe they’ve changed it since last year. On the Wish the entertainment stage is in the center of the room in Arendelle so I would recommend that preference if you are going on the Wish.

[@KristenGiles15]

Oh we are doing the wish! Okay, sounds like I need to select center!

[@azanizah128]

Room service is 24/7 and is included in the cruise fare but i still don’t get it. Does it mean i can order any food without paying? Where did u get the menu for the room service?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

You can order most things on the menu without paying for them. They are included in the price of the cruise. Those things that are extra charge like bottled water or soda will indicate it’s an extra charge. Even for all the things that were “free”, we always paid a tip to the person bringing the food though. The menu was in the cruise navigator app and in the room.

[@TGomez90]

Hello first time viewer and comment. How far in advance would you say to book a cruise for family of five? We’ve never been on a cruise. Please and thank you.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

I would say it depends but the earlier the better. As a family of 5, you have more limited room options. The Oceanview rooms without verandah go quickly since they are cheaper. I’ve seen some popular cruises book up soon after they are released but then others still have availability a few months out and be discounted. If you have specific dates or itinerary in mind, I would book when they are released (about 1-1.5 years before sale date). I will say also when we booked ours, it was a year in advance and the website said no rooms available for 5 but I called and there were indeed rooms. They told me for a family of 5, always call if you don’t see availability online

[@brittanykerkhoven8531]

If the price goes up as it gets closer than why did my last 2 cruises go down a month before we went

[@whatifdisneyworld]

They do sometimes discount cruises last minute if they aren't full but in general, prices go up after the initial release

[@jaciel9943]

Is it true that you can do nursery reservations on open house during embarkment?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

You can. We stopped by the register and get the wristbands for the kids and people were making reservations. They may not have the time slot you need but could try or put you on a waitlist I believe.

[@jaciel9943]

@@whatifdisneyworld thank you so much. Planning a trip in December and it'll be great thanks to you guys.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

I’m glad our videos have been helpful! I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

[@midgesilk6160]

What is the email to request a special dining rotation?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

disneycruise.disney.go.com/index.php/help/phone/ I clicked on the “email” link on their contact website and sent it that way!

[@npischel]

What email address did you message to request your repeat restaurant?

[@whatifdisneyworld]

[e-mail] - they were very helpful to answer other questions as well. Dining requests aren’t guaranteed but it never hurts to try!

[@ayumis2337]

What is the Facebook group name? I really need early dinner time for 1 year old.

[@whatifdisneyworld]

Typically someone who is on your cruise will start a Facebook group specifically for that cruise ship and week so you can search for that. You can call Disney Cruise line and get on the waitlist for early dining time if you can’t get it while booking.

[@MelissaG31]

My name Melissa golby 11,2992 sorry I have

[@tbracerx]

Best tip i can give you is DONT go on the Wish, its terrible. Go on the Dream or the Fantasy they are way better ships!