10 Things Most Guests Forget to Pack When Taking a Disney Cruise

Are you counting down to your next Disney Cruise? While you’re planning a Port Adventure, checking out everything to enjoy on a Disney ship, and organizing your documents, the time will fly by. Before you know it, you’ll be packing for your Disney Cruise Line vacation. With this in mind, there are ten items that most Guests forget to pack when taking a Disney Cruise. We don’t want you to be like most Guests, so add the following items to your Disney Cruise packing list!

Refillable Water Bottle

Disney Cruise Line Guests have access to complimentary soda and hot drinks throughout their entire cruise. The refill stations are on the pool deck, usually outside Cabanas. While disposable cups are provided to Guests, it’s worth using your own refillable water bottle or cup. Doing so reduces the number of times you need to stop by the beverage station, while helping the environment. If your Disney Cruise follows a stay in the Walt Disney World Resort, your refillable Resort mug works well onboard the ship. If you have any old refillable Resort mugs at home, add them to your Cruise luggage, and reuse them onboard.

Embarkation & Debarkation Bag

When cruising with Disney Cruise Line, it’s easy to pack everything into one bag. However, when you arrive at the Port your bags are ‘checked’ and returned to you later on. With this in mind, make sure you keep a separate bag that is filled with all that you need as you embark on the ship. Items such as bathing suits and sun lotion are best to keep in your embarkation bag, as they will allow you to use the pool area during the afternoon.

Your embarkation day bag will also be helpful the morning you disembark the ship. If you want to take advantage of your luggage being moved off the ship rather than having to struggle with multiple bags, then luggage must be placed outside your stateroom by 10 p.m. on your last evening on board. Your extra bag will provide ample storage for pajamas, clothes from your final night on board the Disney Cruise, toiletries, and any other items you need after the rest of your luggage has been collected.

Door Magnets

While these aren’t necessary, door magnets are a great way to personalize your stateroom door. Door magnets are also a great way to show other Guests that you are celebrating a special occasion. Pack your door magnets in your embarkation bag to add them to your door once your stateroom is ready.

Pirate Night Costume

Many Disney Cruise Line itineraries include Pirate Night. You can expect a special menu, Disney characters dressed as pirates, a deck party, and fireworks at sea as part of this celebration. Naturally, this offers a perfect opportunity for you and your party to dress in nautical attire. Will you dress as sailors or pirates? Make sure to plan and pack your outfit ready for a swashbuckling evening!

Medicine

While this may seem obvious if you take medicine daily, Guests often forget to pack over-the-counter medication. You never know when Advil will prove helpful. While some medicine is available in the gift stores on board, it’s best to pack your own, so you can easily access what you need when you need it without additional cost.

Laundry Detergent

This is particularly useful to pack if you plan on using the washers and dryers onboard a Disney Cruise. Detergent and dryer sheets are available. However, Guests will need to pay for them. Packing your own can keep the cost down and reduce the chance of sensitive skin or an allergic reaction to a detergent different from your usual washing. 

Speaking of laundry, if anyone in your party has a habit of spilling things on their clothes, you may wish to pack a stain stick. Additionally, a laundry bag will be helpful for transporting your laundry to and from the laundry room.

Towel Clips

The top deck of a cruise ship can sometimes be a bit windy. You don’t want your pool towels and clothes to be blowing away. With this in mind, towel clips can be useful to pack when cruising with Disney Cruise Line. Please keep them in your embarkation bag, so they are easily accessible on the first day of your cruise. Towel clips will also be helpful at Castaway Cay and any other Port Adventures that involve a beach area with loungers.

Lanyard

Returning Guests will receive their Castaway Club lanyard in their stateroom upon arrival. However, if you are a first-time cruiser and wish to use a lanyard, you can purchase one in the gift stores unless you’ve packed your own. Most Guests find that they don’t need to carry a lot with them when taking a Disney Cruise. Typically you only need your phone to access the Navigator App and your Key to the World Card. As such, a lanyard can keep hold of your Key to the World Card, a credit card if you wish to carry one, and a little cash.

Guests can also pin trade when cruising with Disney Cruise Line. If you plan on trading, you’ll also find a lanyard useful to hold your pins.

Water Shoes

You will likely spend more time at the pool area than you think during a Disney Cruise. With this in mind, you’ll want to pack water shoes. The pool deck can get pretty hot in the sunshine, but you won’t even notice this when wearing deck shoes. They can also be worn on the AquaDuck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the AquaDunk on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, and the Aqua Mouse on the Disney Wish.

Candy & Popcorn

Are you and your party planning on watching a movie in the Buena Vista Theatre on board a Disney ship? You’re also probably excited about the Broadway-style shows that are shown in the Walt Disney Theatre. It’s a good idea to pack your own candy and popcorn to enjoy while on board. These items are available to buy at an additional cost, so taking your own can reduce the need to purchase these items.

All that’s left to do is prepare for your Disney Cruise vacation. Get ready for the most magical Disney experience!