disney cruise concierge embarkation

Disney Cruise Boarding Groups and Embarkation Day Guide

There are few things more exciting than waking up on the morning of embarkation day . The Disney Cruise countdown has finally reached the big day, and you’re feeling both thrilled and stressed at the same time!

But don’t worry, my family and I have navigated through many embarkation days throughout the years. My guide below will walk you through everything you need to know about embarking on your Disney cruise ship.

We’ll cover everything from port arrival to boarding group times to how the embarkation process works. Plus, I’ll provide a list of everything you need to know before boarding the ship, including what you need to pack in your day bag !

(This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy at the bottom of this page for more details.)

Cruise Terminal

If you are new to cruising, you may be hearing some unfamiliar terms during the planning process. One of those terms may even be the word embarkation .

Embarkation Day is the first day that you board the cruise ship to set sail on your much anticipated vacation. The Disney Cruise Line Navigator App even has a fun countdown to your specific cruise’s embarkation day, which makes it even more exciting!

This is one of my favorite features of the app before boarding the cruise ship. Even though embarkation day is an incredibly exciting time, it can also be quite stressful , especially if you aren’t sure what to expect.

Before discussing the time that you need to arrive at the terminal on embarkation day, I want to first talk about how you can get to the port . There are many different ways you could choose to arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal:

• motor coach
• DCL Transportation

My family finds Disney Cruise Line ground transportation to be the easiest method to get to the terminal, especially since we travel with our small kids. We prefer the DCL motor coaches because they handle our luggage, and they don’t require car seats for our toddler and six-year-old.

This allows for a much easier experience of getting through the airports with two little ones. We have used the Disney Cruise Line transfers in both Port Canaveral and Miami , and I highly recommend them for ease of use and peace of mind.

Port Arrival Time

The Disney Cruise Line terminals open their doors at different times depending on the port where you are embarking. The typical time the terminal opens is at 11:00 am. This means that, depending on your port, you will probably find that the earliest Port Arrival Time is at 11:00 .

Regardless of when your cruise terminal opens its doors, you should plan your arrival based on your Port Arrival Time and not on the time the doors open.

So, how do you get a Port Arrival Time?

During the Disney cruise online check-in process , you should have chosen a time that you would like to arrive at the port. The reason that you should arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal during your Port Arrival Time is that Disney will give you a boarding number BASED ON this selected time .

So, let’s say you chose a Port Arrival Time (PAT) of 1:00. If you show up at the terminal early at 11:00, Disney still has you down for a 1:00 arrival. This means that you will NOT receive a boarding number for a low group like Boarding Group #2. Instead, Disney Cruise Line will give you a boarding number based on your PAT of 1:00.

You may receive Boarding Group #15 even though you arrived at 11:00. This would mean a lot of waiting in the cruise terminal until your boarding group number gets called. So, the important thing to remember is to arrive at the terminal based on your Port Arrival Time and NOT at the time that the doors open.

Now, if you book Disney Cruise Line ground transfers through Disney, you will not need a Port Arrival Time . If this is the case, you will arrive at the port whenever your Disney motor coach drops you off. DCL will issue you a boarding group number based on your drop off time.

Embarkation Day Check-in Process

After you arrive at the Disney Cruise Line terminal and give your bags to a porter (don’t forget to tip), you will be guided to the main entrance of the building. At both Port Canaveral and Port of Miami, you will immediately go through security as you enter the building.

Health Questionaire

Disney Cruise Line guests used to fill out a health form at the terminal once they were past security. However, at the time of this writing, you can now answer the questions on your phone the morning of the cruise. We like to complete this task on our ride to the terminal .

The security process is very similar to the one at the airport. You will be asked to present your:

• Port Arrival Form
• Identification documents

Note that you don’t have to print the Port Arrival Form since it can be scanned on your phone. However, we find it helpful to carry a paper copy with us on embarkation day.

You then put your carry-on bags on a conveyor belt to go through an X-ray machine just like at the airport. On our most recent cruise out of Miami, we were permitted to leave on our shoes as we walked through the metal detector. However, we did put all metal and electronics in a bin to go through the X-ray machine with our bags.

Once you go through security with your family, you will be directed up to the main check-in area at the terminal. Make sure you notice the different lines available .

There is a line for first time cruisers, a line for Castaway Club members, and a line for Concierge guests. So, be sure to stand in the correct one. Even though the cruise terminal may seem to have long lines of people, the Disney crew members move you through the lines quickly.

They will have multiple check-in counters available. The whole process for security and check in usually only takes us about 15 minutes .

When you are at the check-in counter, you will show your Port Arrival Form and your identification documents again. They will make sure your documents match the information and the selfie style photo you submitted during online checkin.

Once you have completed check-in, you will wait in the terminal until your boarding group number is called.

Boarding Group Times

If you are wondering what time Disney cruise boarding usually starts, it can depend. However, it has been our experience that Disney usually starts calling boarding numbers at around 11:30 .

Disney Characters

While you’re waiting in the terminal for the boarding process to start, it’s a good time to look over the Disney Cruise Navigator App and activity options. Depending on where you are embarking, Disney Cruise Line may even have characters in the terminal for you to meet while waiting to board!

Boarding Group Numbers

Once boarding begins, you will hear group numbers called out in the terminal. They will start with Group 1, which is for Concierge and platinum guests. They will then continue in numerical order until everyone is on the ship.

Usually only 5-10 minutes goes by between each group number. Each boarding group contains (what seems like) hundreds of people, so there will be a line. Luckily, it moves quickly and you’ll be onboard in no time!

What to Do after Boarding

Once you have made your way onto the Disney ship, you may be wondering what to do after boarding. Depending on the time you step foot on the ship, you will probably want to grab lunch. Below, we will discuss our favorite embarkation day lunch spots along with other activities we complete soon after boarding.

Embarkation Day Lunch

Each of the Disney ships offers a sit-down meal for lunch in a main dining room . This is a good option for those who would like to be seated and served by a cast member.

Since my family and I tend to head straight to the pool deck after boarding, I usually grab a table for us all to sit near the pools. Then, we get food from one of the quick service windows near the pool.

These dining options are super kid friendly with entrees like hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken tenders, and pizza. There are usually healthier options like salads and wraps available too.

My husband loves the buffet restaurant , so he will typically get his food there and carry it to our table on the pool deck.

After eating lunch, I usually have a few house keeping items on my list to complete. One of the first places I visit is Guest Services for a stroller.

We like to borrow a stroller for our toddler to use during the cruise even though we don’t use it a ton on the ship because the hallways are so narrow. Additionally, the elevators can get really busy, so we often use the stairs, which obviously are not stroller friendly.

Still, the stroller comes in handy during nap times on the go and when you get off the ship in port. To borrow a stroller, you just visit Guest Services where they will put a temporary charge on your account. I think it’s around $250 .

Once you return the stroller at the end of your cruise, they will remove the charge from your account. I particularly like having the stroller when our toddler wakes early in the morning.

It’s nice to be able to stroll around Deck 4 while my older daughter and husband sleep in the room. We also take the stroller onto Castaway Cay with us. This makes it easy for my toddler to take her nap without the rest of us having to go back to the ship. The stroller that Disney Cruise Line has available on board is the City Mini Baby Jogger.

It has a storage area underneath that is super accessible. It also features a huge canopy with windows to keep your baby shaded. There is a handle on the seat of the City Mini that you simply lift to make the whole stroller fold up like a suitcase. You can store the stroller in your room under the bed or even in the closet .

Staterooms on the ship usually open at around 1:30 ; although, this time may be different on your sailing. If you have booked a concierge level room, your stateroom should be ready earlier than this as ours was open right after boarding.

I usually head to the room right at 1:30 to put our toddler down for a nap. As she’s napping, I organize our things in the room as much as I can. The stateroom host typically starts delivering luggage at this time .

I’ve also heard a lot of families like to order a cheese plate or snack from room service after getting into their rooms. I try to get as much as possible unpacked during this time if our bags have arrived.

Key to the World Cards

Key to the World Cards are now placed outside your stateroom door rather than handed to you at check in at the cruise terminal. For more information on these really important items, we highly suggest checking out our Ultimate Guide to Key to the World Cards .

DisneyBand+

I’m adding information about the DisneyBand+ here since we just talked about the Key to the World Cards. That being said, since you can use the DisneyBand+ during your port arrival and check-in process, we suggest purchasing your DisneyBand+ before your cruise .

You will still receive Key to the World Cards outside your stateroom as these must be used when leaving and re-entering the ship. However, the DisneyBand+ can take the place of the Key to the World Cards while on the ship since you can use the band to open your door and make charges to your account.

This is similar to Magic Bands at WDW. You can find more information on the ships and sailings where the DisneyBand+ is available here .

Muster Drill

At around 3:30, the captain will start making announcements about the upcoming Muster Drill. You can look on your Key to the World card or in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to see which station you need to report to for this mandatory procedure.

For the drill, you will be asked to line up with your travel party from shortest to tallest . You stand shoulder to shoulder with the cruisers on each side of you. The Disney Cruise Line staff will then give you information on their emergency procedures. Once it begins, the muster drill only lasts about 15 minutes or so .

Sail Away Party

After the Muster Drill, most cruisers head to the pool deck to attend the Sail Away Party. We like to stand by the balcony above the pool deck to look down on the party.

However, if you stand on the deck near the stage, you have a chance of greeting the characters as they walk out into the crowd. The Sail Away parties are a great way to get even more pumped up about the cruise! Cast members and characters spend about 30 minutes dancing to fun songs and telling you about some of the fun activities planned for your trip.

Carry On Bag

As mentioned above, before you enter the cruise terminal, the porters will take your luggage from you. Even though it has been my experience that luggage tends to arrive to the stateroom by 4:30, this is not guaranteed.

Sometimes your bags may not be delivered to your stateroom until later that evening AFTER dinner . Because of this, you will probably want to pack an embarkation bag to carry on to the cruise ship with you.

I prefer to use a backpack as our embarkation bag because it’s easy to carry while still allowing full use of my arms. This is the backpack I use as a diaper bag, airport carry-on, and embarkation bag all in one! (Amazon Affiliate Link)

Packing List

The official Disney Cruise Line website provides a small packing list for your embarkation day bag. You can find their suggested list here. I have expanded on the DCL list, and these are the items I typically pack in my embarkation bag:

• lanyards- to hold your Key to the World cards
• reef safe sunscreen – We like Blue Lizard . (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• gallon zip lock bag- to hold wet swimsuits
• change of clothes for dinner (more on this below)
• prescription medications
• seasickness remedies – We use seasickness bands . (Amazon Affiliate Link)
• chargers for electronic devices
• identification (passports/birth certificates)
• Port Arrival Form (that you printed after online check-in)
• dollar bills- to tip driver and porters

If you have a baby or a toddler like I do, you will want to make sure to carry on your child’s diaper bag with baby essentials. This includes enough diapers and wipes to get you through the day. Also, don’t forget to pack a couple swim diapers for the toddler splash area!

What to Wear on Embarkation Day

Deciding which outfits to pack for your family can be a tedious process, especially if you aren’t totally sure what to expect at your destination. When I am planning outfits for embarkation day, I first take into account the weather.

We typically cruise in warmer climates, so that is what I will mostly focus on here. Obviously if you are going on an Alaskan cruise, your Disney cruise embarkation day outfit would look a whole lot different than mine!

Disney Cruise Outfits for Kids

Once I have a good idea of what the weather will be like on embarkation day, I determine the activities that my family will most likely be doing once we board the ship.

My kids love to swim, and they are usually most excited to experience the cruise ship’s pools and water play areas. Because of this, I dress both of my kids in their swimsuits so that they don’t have to waste time changing on board.

My toddler is still in diapers, so I like to put her in a swimsuit that still allows for easy diaper changes. We tend to dress her in a swimsuit that has separate bottoms or that has a bottom that snaps. This way we have easy access to diaper changes in the terminal and onboard.

I usually have my girls wear comfortable dresses over their swimsuits with flip flops or water shoes on their feet. This makes it easy for them to get undressed.

I also find it much easier to keep up with one dress per child as opposed to shirts AND shorts. You could even let your kids wear their swimsuit coverup to board the ship. We always see lots of kids doing this on embarkation day.

↓↓ Visit My Etsy Shop ↓↓

I created a Disney Cruise Planner and Packing Guide (pictured above) that makes it super easy to plan your outfits for each day of your cruise. If you are interested, you can check it out in my Etsy shop above!

Disney Cruise Outfits for Adults

Since we usually spend our time on the pool deck after boarding the ship, my husband and I typically wear clothes appropriate for hot weather. My husband usually dresses in shorts, a T-shirt, and sandals. I tend to wear shorts with a T-shirt or a sundress with sandals.

I don’t wear my swimsuit under my clothes because I usually don’t swim on embarkation day. Instead, we let our older daughter swim while one of us sits on the side of the pool to watch her.

The other adult usually goes to the toddler water play area with our younger daughter. I like to wear flip flops or sandals for boarding so that I can easily slip them on and off on the pool deck.

Disney Cruise Dinner Outfit

Regardless of what you choose to wear on embarkation day, know that it’s a super casual day. Even dinner that first night of the cruise is a really casual experience .

As mentioned above, I make sure to pack our dinner outfits in our carry-on bag in case our main luggage does not arrive in time. However, we typically just wear our embarkation clothes to dinner.

After swimming, my girls will take off their swimsuits and put on the dresses they wore while boarding. (Don’t forget to pack underwear for the kids to put on too!)

I typically find the dining rooms cold on the ships, so I make sure to have light cardigans/jackets in our embarkation bag for each of us. My husband usually doesn’t change for dinner on embarkation day.

He just wears the same shirt and shorts from boarding. Since I tend to get cold in the evenings, I put a pair of jeans or leggings in the day bag as well. I change into these after the Sail Away party.

Disney Cruise Concierge Embarkation Lunch and Perks

On a recent Disney Cruise Line vacation, may family and I were able to upgrade at the port to the Concierge Level. If you are sailing in the Concierge Level with Disney Cruise Line, you will receive some special benefits on embarkation day. These are the Concierge perks that were available for us on embarkation day:

• Priority Boarding – Concierge guests are permitted to board the Disney cruise ship in Boarding Group 1 . This means that as soon as boarding becomes available, you will be escorted onto the ship.
• Private Embarkation Lunch – Concierge guests are able to attend a sit-down lunch on embarkation day in one of the ship’s main dining rooms. You will be served food and complimentary beverages (including alcoholic drinks) at this lunch. You will also meet your Concierge Team at this time.
• Stateroom – Concierge guests get early access to their staterooms on embarkation day. Instead of waiting for rooms to open at 1:30, we were able to go directly to our room after boarding and enjoying our lunch.
• Concierge Team – Your Concierge Team will make notes of your special requests at your embarkation day lunch. You can request a stroller, dinner reservations, or virtually anything you can think of without having to stand in line at Guest Services.

Now You’re Sailing!

Embarkation day is such an exciting time for your whole family! Hopefully this post has helped you feel prepared for your fun-filled day.

All the worries and stress that you feel pre-cruise magically seem to go away as soon as you climb onboard the Disney cruise ship. Just do your best to pack and plan for embarkation day, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself once onboard.

The embarkation day lunch, fun pool deck, and helpful cast members will have you feeling like you’re on a luxurious vacation in no time!

Shari is an experienced planner and organizer for Disney vacations, cruising, and U.S. travel. Her family vacation information, reviews, and tips provide insight for moms and dads everywhere. You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page.

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My husband and I have been on 20 cruises, but the Disney Dream in February 2023 will be a first for us. We usually carry our luggage ourselves on RCL and Carnival. Is that allowed on the Dream?

I’m so excited to hear that you will be sailing on the Disney Dream! You and your husband are going to love the ship so much! I believe you are curious about whether or not you can carry on your luggage on boarding day. Disney Cruise Line will allow you to carry your own luggage onboard as long as it fits through the security machines. The DCL security machines look very similar to those used by Royal Caribbean and the airport. (I would assume Carnival also uses the same type of machine, but I have not sailed with them.) So, as long as your bags are the typical carry-on size and NOT huge suitcases, you should be fine. Hope that helps! Have a wonderful trip!

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12 Benefits of Disney Cruise Concierge Level

In the booking process for your Disney cruise, you’ll have the option to choose a Concierge stateroom or suite. Understanding the benefits of the Disney Cruise Concierge Level will help you decide whether it’s worth the extra cost. Here are the 12 benefits of Concierge Level to help you decide.

What is Concierge Level on Disney Cruises?

Disney Cruise Line’s Concierge Level offers various services and amenities that may appeal to guests looking for a more luxurious and personalized cruise experience. For an additional cost, Concierge Level guests can enjoy perks such as priority boarding, access to a private lounge, concierge assistance, enhanced amenities, and other premium services. 

Want personalized assistance with Concierge Staterooms?

Concierge Level Disney Cruise Benefits

Let’s now look at Disney’s Concierge Level’s 12 benefits.

1. Pre-Arrival Services

Disney Concierge guests can take advantage of pre-arrival services that help smooth the vacation planning process. Additionally, you’ll get priority bookings on Disney Cruise Line.

Concierge Guests can go online and pre-reserve many onboard activities and services up to 130 days before the sail date. You can inform the Concierge Team (or your Disney travel agent ) of your preferences. As soon as the 130-day booking window opens, the Concierge Team will make the bookings on your behalf. This way, guests can relax and enjoy themselves, knowing that all details have been taken care of.

Pre-Arrival Services for Concierge guests:

• Port Adventures
• Specialty Dining and Character Dining reservations (Palo, Remy, Royal Tea, etc.) , spa treatments, and nursery stays
• Requests for dining room seating
• Celebrations and special occasions
• Special requests ranging from pre-arrival to post-cruise

Whether booking a table at Palo or securing a cabana on Castaway Cay , the Concierge Team is ready to assist guests in any way possible.

If you have questions about upgrading to Concierge or wondering how much it will cost , it’s time to contact The Vacationeer .

They can provide up to $1,000 in FREE Disney onboard credit , Disney’s best available pricing on some of the industry’s top cruise ships, and expert planning advice and assistance. They can also help you select the best stateroom for your needs.

And, their services are completely free to use — no itinerary planning fees!

2. Priority Boarding and Disembarkation

Concierge Level guests have access to an exclusive check-in area on embarkation day, bypassing the long lines for regular guests and being the first to board the ship when it’s ready. Concierge passengers can also disembark before regular passengers as soon as the ship docks.

This perk can save you time, avoid crowds, and let you fast-track your tired or impatient children onto the ship. The Concierge Level may be worth it if you’re looking for a more relaxing and hassle-free cruise experience.

3. Private Disney Concierge Lounge

A private lounge is available to Concierge Level guests on Disney cruises. The Concierge Lounge is the perfect place to relax with a drink in hand or to enjoy a light meal or snack. It’s rarely crowded and a great place to meet other Concierge Level guests. Plus, there’s always at least one Concierge Host in the lounge to answer your questions.

Concierge Lounge Hours

The Concierge Lounge is typically open as early as 7:00 am and remains available until around 10:00 pm.  Operating hours can vary based on port times, itinerary, etc.

Food at Concierge Lounge 

The Concierge Lounge serves food throughout the day.  Here’s a typical schedule:

• 7:00 am to 10:30 am : Continental breakfast items
• 11:00 am to 4:30 pm : Lunch offerings
• 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm : Dinner offerings
• 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm : Desserts

Concierge guests can choose from various light bites, hot a la carte menu items, and non-alcoholic beverages daily from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Bottled water, soft drinks, milk, juices, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are always available. Packaged popcorn is also often available to take to your stateroom, the movies, the shows, or to enjoy in the lounge.

Reminder: All Concierge Lounge food and drinks are complimentary, including alcohol.

Open Bar at Concierge Lounge

5:00 pm to 10:00 pm: Complimentary selection of beer, wine & spirits

An open bar in the Concierge Lounge runs continuously from 5–10 pm daily. Guests can take their drinks anywhere on the ship, including to dinner.

4. Private Sun Deck

Disney Cruise Line concierge guests have privileges to a secluded sun deck, accessed through a private entrance from the Lounge area. These quiet, hidden outdoor spaces make them the perfect place to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views.

Concierge sun decks feature comfortable lounge chairs, umbrellas for shade, complimentary suntan lotion, towels, and refreshing drinks. There are hot tubs on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sun decks, while you can find a hot tub and wading pool on the new Disney Wish.

5. Special Gifts

On a Disney cruise, concierge guests often receive special gifts throughout their cruise. These gifts vary but may include items like a fruit basket, a bottle of champagne, or fresh flowers in your stateroom. Plus, your nightly turndown service will include special cookies or chocolates.

Guests can expect a more substantial souvenir from your Concierge Host on the final night. These gifts are usually exclusive Don “Ducky” Williams prints, but sometimes there are other surprises. While they aren’t guaranteed, these special surprise gifts add a touch of magic to your Disney Cruise Line vacation.

6. Upgraded Stateroom Amenities for Disney Concierge Level

Depending on the ship, Concierge staterooms range from a regular Category 4 type that sleeps five to a giant Royal Suite that sleeps seven. They all have upgraded amenities, including upgraded linens and sofas/chairs that are more comfortable than you find in standard staterooms. Guests can also choose which type of pillow they want to use: feather, hypoallergenic, or therapeutic memory foam.

Upon check-in, you will discover soft, comfortable bathrobes and slippers in the Concierge Level staterooms to use during your cruise. All staterooms have upgraded toiletries and a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water and sodas of your choice (restocked every day). These amenities make cruising with Disney even more special and add an extra touch of luxury.

Have questions about stateroom categories?

7. Priority Cabana Reservations on Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay beach cabanas are a hot ticket. Concierge guests (and Pearl/Platinum Castaway Club members) can book a Cabana at Castaway Cay before anyone else. Other guests often have no chance to reserve a cabana before they are all booked.

If a Cabana at Castaway Cay is a top priority, you may consider upgrading to Concierge. The Concierge Level does not guarantee a cabana, but it gives you a much better chance of getting one.

8. Free Internet for Disney Cruise Line Concierge Guests

On most Disney ships, guests staying in a Concierge stateroom get at least one day — if not an entire cruise’s worth — of free onboard Wi-Fi service . This means you can stay connected to your friends and family at home without worrying about racking up a hefty bill.

Note : Guests staying in the super luxurious Royal Suites always get unlimited internet access.

9. Exclusive Character Meet-and-Greet

Concierge guests typically have the opportunity to enjoy a private Disney character meet-and-greet in the lounge. The characters will be more accessible, and you’ll be able to take some great shots without competing with non-Concierge passengers.

10. Priority Seating at Shows

Concierge-level guests now have the option of entering the Walt Disney Theater early to ensure the best seats.

It works this way: The Concierge guests will gather in the Concierge Lounge approximately 30 minutes before the show. Then they will be guided to the theater via a backstage pathway to avoid long lines outside.

As Concierge guests enter the theater, they can select their preferred seats before the doors open to the rest of the audience. Gourmet popcorn is also available as a complimentary treat for Concierge guests.

11. Special Dining Opportunities 

If you stay in a Concierge stateroom with a dining table, you have the option of having dinner delivered to your stateroom from the main dining room. Palo delivery is even available to the Royal Suite guests.

On the last morning, Concierge guests can order breakfast from room service. Room service closes at 1:30 am for all non-Concierge guests.

12. Concierge Host  

Concierge Hosts are available exclusively to Concierge guests during their stay aboard the ship. Your Concierge Host can assist you with any needs you may have rather than waiting at the guest services desk . It’s like having your own personal assistant on vacation!

Concierge Hosts can assist you with checking excursion availability, booking shore excursions , depositing funds into your account, handling your laundry/dry cleaning, changing a dining reservation at Palo or Remy, and booking placeholders for your next Disney cruise. If you have questions, they are also there to answer them.

These Concierge Hosts are exceptional and remarkably attentive to your needs. There is nothing too much trouble for them, and they always do it with a smile. Don’t forget to tip !

Ready to book? The Vacationeer can help!

What Disney Concierge Does NOT Offer (but We Wish It Did)

Disney Cruise Concierge is great but costs a lot of extra money. Here are a few things we wish were included with Disney Cruise Concierge to make it even more magical:

• Having a separate restaurant just for Concierge guests would be ideal.
• A dedicated area on Castaway Cay for Concierge guests might be an excellent addition.
• Concierge guests could benefit from priority escort through customs.
• While waiting for embarkation, Concierge guests should have access to a nice area at the port with food and activities. We are glad to hear that there will be a new Concierge Lounge at Port Canaveral soon!

Is Disney Cruise Concierge Level Worth It?

With so many perks, it’s easy to see why sailing Concierge Level is such a popular choice for cruisers. If you’re looking for a truly magical vacation experience, sailing Concierge Level is the way to go. But is it worth the significant extra expense?

As prices vary according to the season, route, ship, and occupancy, it is hard to determine whether the Disney cruise Concierge Level is worth it. There is no way to calculate the value based on numbers, but logically, a larger room will be more expensive .

As cruise ships charge per person (rather than per room), the value will depend on your family size and priorities. Some are attracted to the open bar, while others want priority reservations for the Cabanas at Castaway Cay or expedited boarding. It is well worth the money if you add priority access and all the additional amenities.

Disney Cruise Concierge level is worth it for families with small children. Extra space, special treatment, and amenities make the experience more pleasant. We recommend upgrading to the Concierge level if you’re looking to book a cruise and have young children (and don’t mind paying extra).

Disney Cruise Concierge Level may not be the best option if you are on a tight budget. However, suppose you don’t mind paying more for priority boarding, reservations, seating, additional space, upgraded amenities, and extra perks such as the lounge and sun deck. In that case, upgrading to Concierge is absolutely worth the money!

Not to mention, you’ll have access to some of the best Cast Members who are always happy to help make your cruise vacation perfect.

Thanks for reading our 12 Benefits of Disney Cruise Concierge Level. Have a wonderful trip!

How to Book Disney Cruise Concierge Level

Do you have questions about the Concierge level? Are you ready to book your Disney Cruise? The Vacationeer can assist you!

If you need help planning and booking your magical Disney Cruise Line vacation, please contact our friends at The Vacationeer. They are always willing to help you, and their services are free !

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21 Disney Cruise Concierge Perks and Benefits (2024)

Last updated on Jan 1, 2024 by Adam Bryan . This post may contain affiliate links.

Disney Cruise Line prides itself in being one of the best cruise lines in the world.

From its world-class service and unique dining experiences to Broadway-style shows and immersive kid clubs, Disney Cruise Line is on a level of its own. Unfortunately, that also comes at a price.

Even with a standard stateroom, you can expect to pay a significantly more than other cruise lines. But, did you know that there’s an even higher level of stateroom and service that provides you with exclusive access to private areas on the ship and an array of perk and benefits only available to certain guests.

What is the Disney Concierge Level?

Disney cruise concierge perks and benefits.

• What’s in the Concierge Lounge and Sundeck?

How much do Disney Cruise concierge staterooms cost?

When is the cheapest time to sail for a concierge room, is disney cruise concierge level worth it, disney cruise concierge faqs.

The Concierge Level is similar to a club-level room that you can get at Disney World or Disneyland.

By staying in a Concierge Level stateroom, you’ll pay more for your cruise in exchange for access to a lounge, a personal concierge team, and extra services that make your cruise even more relaxing, memorable, and engaging.

Here’s an in-depth breakdown of what you can expect by staying in a Concierge Level stateroom on any of the Disney Cruise Line ships.

Here are some perks and benefits you can expect to receive when staying in a Concierge Level stateroom.

(Just note that a few of these perks are only available on certain ships, such as the new Disney Wish)

Pre-Arrival Services

Disney’s signature Concierge services begin before you board the ship by providing you with some nice benefits before you even step foot on the ship.

• As a concierge guest, you can pre-reserve many of your onboard activities and services online up to 120 days prior to your sail date. 
• You can also email or call the Concierge team and inform them of your preferences  130 days in advance . That way you can almost guarantee an activity, popular exclusion, or adult dining reservation. The 130-day window is especially handy when trying to reserve a  Cabana at Castaway Cay since those are gone almost instantly when the booking window opens up for Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Club members.
• The Concierge team can help you plan every detail of your cruise such as Port Adventures, reservations for adult-exclusive restaurants like Palo, Remy, or Enchante, spa treatments, nursery stays, dining room seating requests, and even special occasions and celebrations.

Embarkation Services

Once you arrive at Disney’s cruise terminal, whether if it’s at Port Canaveral or any other international port, you have a few perks and benefits that most guests not staying in Concierge staterooms have access to.

• You can arrive at any time after  11 am
• Once you drop off your bags and park, you have access to a  dedicated Concierge check-in line  which normally has less than 4 people in it.
• As soon as you go through security, you are immediately greeted by a Cast Member that will take you toward the back of terminal and into a private waiting area. Then from there you will be brought onto the ship. (This waiting area is currently only available at Port Canaveral).

Shipboard Services

As soon as you step onto the ship, that’s when the Concierge magic truly shines.

• After the amazing Cast Members announce your arrival into the stunning atrium, you are directed towards a  private lunch  available only for Concierge Guests. This restaurant all depends on what ship you’re on.
• During your lunch, a member from the Concierge team will greet you and go over your pre-booked itinerary as well as take requests to help you book additional activities or excursions . (For example, on the Wish, as soon as we spoke to ours, we asked for a Hyperspace Lounge reservation and she got us a reservation the next day at a reasonable time).
• Each stateroom has upgraded amenities such as a pillow menu, upgraded lines, higher-end toiletries, and even a mini-fridge.
• You get exclusive access to dedicated areas around the ship such as the  Concierge Lounge  and a  private sundeck .
• Inside the Concierge Lounge, you’ll find complimentary food, snacks, appetizers, refreshments, and some of the best coffee aboard the entire Disney Cruise Ship.
• You’ll receive  complimentary  beer, wine, and spirits from 5 pm to 10 pm daily inside the lounge.
• On the private Concierge Sundeck on the Wish, you’ll have access to two hot tubs, lounge chairs, a full bar, two showers, and a wading pool, not to mention complimentary raspberry or  Dole Whip  smoothies.
• On the private Concierge Sundeck on the Fantasy and Dream, you’ll have access to a hot tub, lounge chairs, and a shower.
• You’ll have access to lounge chairs on the private Concierge Sundeck on the Magic and Wonder, .
• On the Wish, you’ll get early access to the Walt Disney Theater for shows. Thirty-five minutes before the doors open to everyone else, Concierge guests can head to a private entrance on deck 2 where a Concierge Team Member will escort you to the theater and allow you to choose your seats before everyone else.
• Complimentary fresh popcorn  before shows and movies at the refreshment stands when you show your Gold Key to the World Card on the Wish. On all other ships, you’ll get free bagged popcorn that you can pickup from the lounge.
• Private dining tables . As a Concierge guest, you won’t have to share your table with any other parties at the three rotational restaurants. This is by far one of my favorite concierge benefits.
• 24 hours of complimentary continuous basic surf internet packages for everyone 18+ or older
• Pre-paid gratuities are added to your shipboard account to give to your dinner wait staff, as well as housekeeper.
• On disembarkation day, there is also a continental breakfast, specialty coffees, and other beverages.

Disembarkation Services

When it comes to saving time, the biggest perk is using the Concierge disembarkation service. 

• From 7:15 am to 8:15 am, you can meet a Concierge team member in the lounge and they’ll escort you down the elevators towards midship which is where you can essentially cut the exit line and get off the ship quickly. This is a massive time saver especially since when you catch the elevator right outside the lounge, one of the Concierge team members will make the elevator express meaning you won’t have to stop on every floor down to the 3rd.

What’s in the Concierge Lounge and Sundeck?

The concierge lounge always has a rotating menu of food, appetizers, desserts, fresh fruits, snacks, and bottle beverages such as soda, water, and juice.

Also from 5 pm to 10 pm daily, there is an open bar where you can enjoy beer, wine, cocktails, and top shelf liquors.

Unlike the other 4 ships, the Disney Wish concierge lounge also has a real lunch menu where you can order food and they’ll serve you at your seat/table. It’s a really nice touch if you don’t want to go out to deck 11 and grab something to eat.

The prices for a concierge room vary dramatically depending on your ship, duration of cruise, time of the year, and where you’re sailing. But one thing that stays consistent is that the concierge level has some of the best stateroom and suites available on the entire ship.

On average, you can expect to pay around $3,713 for two adult guests in a standard Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Disney Wish. For a family of four adults, that same stateroom will cost around $5,332 . And finally, for a family of 2 adults and 2 children, that same concierge stateroom will cost $5,304 . This is just example pricing for a sailing in September of 2023.

To help give you a better idea of costs, I’ll break down the cost for a 3-night cruise on the Wish that goes to the Bahamas, a 7-night Alaskan Cruise on the Wonder, and a 7-night Mediterranean cruise on the Dream.

Every example will include 2 adults and 2 children.

Example A: 3-Night on the Wish

For a 3-night voyage on the Wish for 2 adults and 2 children, concierge staterooms start at $6,909.

Here’s a better breakdown of the costs for each room and suite type:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $6,909
• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom = $7,521
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $9,179
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Extended Verandah = $13,683
• Concierge 1-Story Royal Suite with Verandah = $20,069
• Concierge 2-Story Royal Suite with Verandah = $22,979
• Concierge Wish Tower Suite = $27,272

And if you wanted to see these concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

Example B: 7-Night Alaskan Cruise on the Wonder

For a 7-night Alaskan Cruise from Vancouver in a concierge stateroom for 2 adults and 2 children, you can expect to pay on average around $14,285 in late August and early September, $24,877 during June and July, and $15,427 in May. This is pricing for a standard concierge family oceanview stateroom with verandah.

Here’s a better breakdown of the costs for each room and suite type for the cheapest sail date in September 2023:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $14,285
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $20,959
• Concierge 2-Bedroom suite with Verandah = unavailable
• Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah = unavailable

And if you wanted to see the concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

Example C: 7-Night Mediterranean Cruise on the Dream

For a 7-night voyage leaving from Barcelona on the Dream for 2 adults and 2 children, concierge staterooms start at $13,933.

Here’s a quick breakdown of all the stateroom and suite costs:

• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah = $13,933
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah = $19,933

Lastly, if you want to see the concierge prices compared to standard staterooms, here it is:

One last thing is that these rooms are always the first to go. So, if this is something you want to try, be sure to book a Concierge stateroom well in advance, especially if you’re searching for sail dates during the summer, spring break, Christmas, or Thanksgiving.

Currently, if you’re sailing out of Miami or Port Canaveral, the cheapest sail dates are found in January and February , as well as in September and early-November .

Also, when searching for a stateroom on the Wish specifically, you’ll find cheaper staterooms when you book for the upcoming year. Prices will then get progressively more expensive as the sail date approaches.

As of this writing, Concierge staterooms are the cheapest in September 2023 .

What Does a Concierge Key to the World Card look like?

As a concierge guest, you’ll receive a gold Key to the World card as opposed to the standard light blue other guests will be wearing.

Personally, I don’t think you get better treatment if you’re wearing a lanyard with a gold card or blue card, especially since almost every Cast Member interaction is very positive.

The only true perk of showing this off is when you’re claiming your freshly popped popcorn before a movie or show lol.

If you value time and comfort over anything else, then yes, concierge level is absolutely worth it.

I think I spoiled myself by staying in Concierge level rooms and just the thought of slight inconveniences makes this worth the price.

But there are some things I recommend you consider if you’re still on the fence about it:

1. Concierge Level is 100% worth it on the Disney Wish.

No questions asked. Hands down the best concierge experience of any Disney Cruise ship.

Even on the Dream or Fantasy, concierge is really nice, especially since you have your own portion of the ship blocked off for concierge guests only.

2. It’s best trying it out on a 3 or 4-night cruise.

On the shorter cruises leaving from Port Canaveral or Miami, you’ll generally find the cheapest Concierge rooms.

Plus, I enjoy the 3 and 4 night cruises because you don’t necessarily have to get off the boat at Nassau, but instead you can use all the Concierge amenities as well as the main pools and slides with less crowds on the ship.

3. Skip Concierge on any of the Europe cruises.

From personal experience, we found ourselves leaving the boat at 7 am daily and not returning until 530-6 pm since we were out every day on our European excursions. It felt that we couldn’t take advantage or even relax in the lounge since we were never on the ship.

Plus, the prices for a standard Concierge on a Mediterranean cruise, and northern European or Norwegian cruise are quite obnoxious.

Unless you don’t mind spending the money, I wouldn’t break the bank to stay Concierge level on anything over 7 nights, at least in Europe.

4. The service is exceptional across the board.

No matter what ship you choose, you’ll receive incredibly personal attention from your Concierge team.

5. The Magic and Wonder have small lounges, but they’re better than the Fantasy and Dream.

The concierge lounges on both the Magic and Wonder are bright and comfortable and they look out onto the ship with its floor-to-ceiling windows. The lounges on the Dream and Fantasy are a little dark and windowless (minus a small skylight). But they make up for it with the nicely sized private sundeck and hot tub upstairs, which the Magic and Wonder lack.

6. If your first concierge experience is on the Wish, it will absolutely ruin the other ships for you.

At least from my experience, I don’t think I can go on the other ships after seeing the Wish’s lounge and sundeck. Plus, let’s not forget about those king-sized beds in every Concierge stateroom.

7. Concierge on an Alaskan Cruise is one of the best experiences.

Unfortunately, this incredible experience comes at a price. However, you can witness breathtaking views in the heated lounge as you navigate through the straits of Alaska.

Plus, most excursions only last a few hours so you still have time to return to the port and shop/eat, as well as hang out on the boat before the ship needs to leave. It definitely didn’t feel as rushed.

So with all that being said, I hope this helped simplify your decision on whether or not sail in a Concierge Level stateroom on your next Disney Cruise.

So will you cross this off your Disney Cruise bucket list ?

Alcohol is complimentary on a Disney Cruise but only during certain times of the day. During the embarkation lunch, there are alcoholic beverages available. Every evening between 5 pm and 10 pm inside the concierge lounge, you can enjoy a complimentary selection of domestic and imported beers, wines, and hard liquor.

Generally, your Concierge stateroom will be ready by the time you board starting at 11 am.

No, you will be printed out pre-paid gratuities from your onboard account that you can give to your wait staff and housekeeper.

Yes, all five Disney Cruise Ships have Concierge level staterooms and suites. However, the amount of rooms available are limited except for on the Wish.

Yes and no. You can book a similar-sized room to what you’ll find on the Dream, Fantasy, Wonder, and Magic for around the same price. However, the Wish has a few more suite options than the other ships that prices are significantly higher than what you’d pay on the other four ships.

No, your membership will not add any additional Concierge-only perks or benefits.

Yes, 24 hour room service is always free on a Disney Cruise, no matter what stateroom level you’re in.

Yes, all guests staying in a Concierge stateroom gets access to complimentary bottled sodas, water, juice, and coffee in the Concierge Lounge or sundeck.

Yes, by communicating with the Concierge team via the Navigator App or by stopping into the lounge, the Concierge team can assist you with most needs.

More Disney Cruise

About Adam Bryan

Hey what's up, I'm Adam, founder of Urban Tastebud Disney and I spend most of my days eating (and researching, but mostly eating) around Disney Parks to create useful travel planning content that will help you maximize your time and money at Disney.

Reader Interactions

June 22, 2023 at 11:13 am

Hi, I’m a mom interested in planning family Disney Cruise trip. Do you have a checklist you can recommend that I follow, in order to plan the most cost effective trip. I would like to cruise on Disney Magic ship. Thanks in advance!

June 22, 2023 at 10:04 pm

Hi, here’s a Disney Cruise trip planning checklist and timeline that I’ve written:

https://disney.urbantastebud.com/disney-cruise-planning-checklist-timeline/

hope this helps!

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Table of Contents

What is a Disney cruise concierge?

Disney cruise concierge rooms, disney cruise concierge benefits, is a disney cruise concierge worth it, if you’re interested in booking a disney cruise concierge room.

Ever thought about going on a Disney cruise? While pricey, Disney cruises offer high-end entertainment for the whole family, including spectacular events like shows and character meet and greets. But there’s more than one way to book a Disney cruise.

For those who are willing to splurge, Disney cruise concierge rooms provide a superior experience and a host of extra perks.

When you book a Disney cruise, you have the option to choose from a variety of different staterooms. The cheapest are located in the interior of the ship and have no windows. Those that cost a little more have an ocean view or verandah, and the most expensive rooms are Disney cruise concierge rooms.

Along with better rooms, those who book at the concierge level can expect additional benefits, such as exclusive access to an onboard lounge, a personal concierge and better access to onboard bookings.

» Learn more: Best credit cards for cruises

The type of room you’ll receive when booking at the concierge level will vary according to the ship you’re sailing on, but generally, you can expect a larger room than others you’ll find. This may include a one-bedroom suite, a two-bedroom suite or even a royal suite spanning 1,000 square feet.

Disney Dream: This ship offers a Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah that sleeps five and a Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah that sleeps five. Both have wheelchair-accessible options available. There is also the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah which sleeps five.

Disney Fantasy: This ship offers identical room types to the Disney Dream.

Disney Wish: The Disney Wish ship has several more concierge-level room options, including Concierge 1-Story Royal Suite with Verandah, Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah, Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom, Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah, Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Extended Verandah, Concierge 2-Story Royal Suite with Verandah and the ultra-luxurious Concierge Wish Tower Suite. The Concierge 1-Story Royal Suite with Verandah and the Concierge 2-Story Royal Suite with Verandah sleep six, while the Concierge Wish Tower Suite sleeps eight. All other rooms sleep five, and wheelchair-accessible versions are available.

Disney Magic: There are four concierge-level room options on the Disney Magic: Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (sleeps seven), Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (sleeps five), Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah (sleeps seven) and Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (sleeps five). Wheelchair-accessible options are available for the Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah.

» Learn more: Ways to save on your first — or next — Disney vacation

So what kind of perks will you receive if you book a concierge-level room? Have you ever booked a club-level room at a hotel? Many of these benefits are the same, though you’ll receive even more when booking a Disney concierge room.

Here's a full list of benefits of the Disney Cruise concierge level.

Early access to onboard bookings.

Personal concierge.

Priority boarding.

Separate check-in area.

Exclusive lounge.

Daily free alcoholic drinks.

Complimentary snacks.

Stocked in-room refrigerators.

Exclusive sun deck.

Special gifts.

Additional complimentary Wi-Fi package.

Access to in-room dining.

Private character meet and greet.

Early seating to shows.

Priority disembarkation.

As a Disney cruise already includes an exhaustive level of amenities, it’s difficult to add more value to your booking; even so, Disney concierge-level rooms do so by easing your trip at every opportunity. This means you can expect better service and priority access pretty much everywhere you go.

Those in a concierge room also have access to a dedicated lounge filled with snacks and drinks. Even better, in the evening you’ll be able to enjoy complimentary alcoholic beverages, which are notoriously expensive on cruises.

Disney allows you to bring up to two bottles of wine or six bottles of beer with you on your cruise. You can also restock during ports of call, allowing you to save money onboard.

The most important perk you’ll receive is priority access to onboard bookings. Guests have the ability to book additional activities during their cruise, but the timeframe varies based on your room type and your Disney cruise elite status in the Castaway Club.

Those at the lowest rung will be able to book activities 90 days before departure. Disney cruise concierge rooms, meanwhile, can begin booking 120 days in advance, giving them first dibs on every activity. The Concierge Team will make bookings on your behalf, giving you the ability to kick back and relax.

Examples of activities you can book early include:

Port adventures.

Adults-only dining reservations at Palo or Remy (on the Dream and Fantasy only).

Spa treatments.

You can also make requests for dining room seating and other special occasions.

» Learn more: Is cruise travel insurance worth the cost?

Is a Disney cruise concierge-level room worth booking? There's no right answer to this personal question. Before booking one of these rooms, there are a few questions to consider:

How much do you value your time? Early embarkation allows you to get onboard first and skip most lines during your cruise.

Are you traveling with children? A private meet and greet may mean the difference between waiting in line for a photo versus a little more time with a character.

What types of activities are you planning to do? At Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, cabanas are notoriously difficult to book. Purchasing a concierge-level room grants you first access to these coveted spots.

Disney cruise concierge price

But what about the cost involved? To take a look at the difference in pricing, we compared the cost of two different staterooms on a four-night Disney cruise departing from San Diego.

The cheapest room available when we checked rang in at $1,135 for two adults. With a square footage of about 170 feet, there isn’t much room to move around. There’s also no window as this is an interior room.

The least expensive concierge room, meanwhile, clocked in at $3,431 for two adults. At this rate, you’d be getting a stateroom, not a suite, though you’d have your own private verandah and almost twice as much space. This is in addition to all the perks you’ll receive as a concierge-level booking.

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Is it a smart money move to spend three times more to have a concierge room? There are some pretty significant perks, after all. However, at this rate, you could buy yourself two additional cruises and still have a little money left over in your pocket.

If you want to maximize your time on board a Disney cruise, a concierge booking may be worth considering. You may also want to look at this option if this is a once-in-a-lifetime event since you’ll want to have first access to all the goodies that Disney provides.

» Learn more: How to earn and redeem points on cruises

There’s no denying that Disney does cruises in style. However, the concierge rooms exist on a different level, and although they can be costly, these rooms also prove their worth with a variety of benefits.

Before you decide on your Disney cruise booking, consider if you’ll be able to take advantage of the amenities offered with a concierge-level room. If not, save the money and splurge on your own activities — or another couple of cruises — and enjoy your less expensive Disney experience.

Featured image courtesy of Disney Cruise Line.

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Disney Cruise Concierge Embarkation Lunch

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There are many perks to sailing concierge with Disney Cruise Lines, and the upgrades start as soon as you board the ship.

There is an option to go to the embarkation lunch which is exclusively offered to concierge guests.

If you are not sailing concierge you also have the option of a sit down restaurant lunch, but there is a slightly different menu and it will be served in a different dining location.

Here is the information that you get in your stateroom about the various perks that sailing Concierge on a Disney Cruise Offers.

Where is Concierge Lunch Served on Embarkation Day?

Each ship has a different location for where the concierge lunch is served. These were correct at the time of writing but they do sometimes change. It really doesn’t change the experience as all the restaurants have something different to offer, but this is primarily about the food, and getting to know your concierge team.

If you are in any doubt where it is then always ask a Cast Member on board and they will help you.

• Disney Magic – Rapunzel’s Royal Table
• Disney Wonder – Tritons
• Disney Dream – Royal Palace
• Disney Fantasy – Royal Court
• Disney Wish – 1923

Lunch is served until 2 pm on each of the Disney ships .

You do of course have the option to go to the buffet instead of to the sit down lunch, however, this really is a much nicer experience, just to sit down, relax and enjoy some great food.

You also have complimentary drinks, including wine, and alcohol, served at the Concierge Lunch.

You can have a very similar menu even if you are not sailing concierge, but this one has the Poached Lobster Salad, the Roasted Beef Tenderloin and the Warm Molten Pot as additions.

Disney Cruise Concierge Embarkation Lunch Menu

• SLICED SMOKED SALMON  with Lemon and a Honey-Mustard Dill Sauce
• BEEF EMPANADAS  with Red Chimichurri
• MIXED SALAD  with Iceberg, Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, and Carrots with a choice of Dressing: Raspberry, Balsamic, Ranch, or Italian Vinaigrette

FROM THE KETTLE

a hearty portion served in individual crocks

• SEAFOOD AND CHICKEN GUMBO WITH CORNBREAD
• LEEK AND POTATO SOUP WITH SODA BREAD

ENTRÉES

• PENNETTE PASTA  with Tomato- Basil Provencal Sauce, Goat Cheese, and a Spinach-Pesto
• GRILLED SALMON SALAD  Grilled Salmon Filet tossed Iceberg, Citrus-Marinated Couscous, Spinach, Artichokes, Tomatoes, and Cucumbers
• MUFFULETTA SANDWICH  Olive Salad, Genoa Salami, Mortadella, and Provolone Cheese on Muffuletta Bread served with a side o- Chins
• CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD  Marinated. Roasted Chicken Breast served with crisp Romaine Leaves, Vine Tomatoes creamy Caesar Dressing, Sea Salt Croutons, and shaved Parmesan
• POACHED LOBSTER SALAD  with Spinach, Escarole, Arugula Leaves, Avocado, Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus, Shallots, and a Lemon-Flat Leaf Parsley Dressing
• ROASTED BEEF TENDERLOIN  with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Parsnip Purée, Cabernet Wine Black Truffle Reduction, and crisp Celeriac Chips

I particularly enjoy the Poached Lobster Salad.

On our last cruise on Disney Wonder my sister loved the Roasted Beef Tenderloin. My son said that the pasta was fine but not particularly memorable.

• COOKIES ‘N CREAM CHEESECAKE  layered on a Chocolate-Graham Cracker Crust with Whipped Cream
• CARROT CAKE  layered with Lemon-Cream Cheese
• WELCOME ABOARD SUNDAE  Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Pecan-Caramel Cupcake Bites, Butterscotch Sauce, and Whipped Cream
• WARM MOLTEN POT  with Homemade Hazelnut Gelato

NO SUGAR ADDED DESSERT

• CHOCOLATE MARQUISE BOMBE  Rich Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry sauce

CHILDREN’S SELECTION

Entrées served with fresh Vegetables and Steak Fries

• MICKEY’S MAC & CHEESE
• GOLDEN CHICKEN STRIPS  WITH BARBECUE SAUCE
• MINNIE’S MINI BURGER
• MICKEY CHECK MEAL  Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Red Skin Potatoes, steamed Carrots, and fresh Watermelon served with a choice of Lowfat Milk or Water

The Experience

If you are sailing Concierge on a Disney Cruise I highly recommend that you go to the embarkation day lunch.

The experience is very relaxing. The service is excellent and there are relatively few people in the restaurant as of course it is limited to a small number of people sailing concierge.

It is a good chance to meet your concierge team and ask any initial questions that you may have about your cruise experience.

You could of course, go straight to the Concierge Lounge and there will be a member of the team there. Also, there are some snacks and drinks available – and the infamous Disney Concierge Lounge coffee maker. However, I highly recommend that you go to the Concierge Lunch to start off your cruise.

Alison Meacham is the founder of EverythingMouse Disney Blog. For over 15 years she has shared her love of Disney Parks, Disney Cruises and Universal Orlando.  In over 30 years of Disney Travel she has spent countless months in Disney Parks and has sailed on over 45 cruises. A British native and now a United States resident she splits her time between California, Florida and the UK. And spends a serious amount of time sailing the seven seas. She helps over 200,000 people per month follow their Disney travel dreams.

• Disney Cruise Line / News

What to Expect on Your Disney Cruise: Embarkation Day

by Allison Fricker · March 16, 2024

Your bags are packed, your passport is ready, and the day you’ve been waiting for has FINALLY arrived! Yes, it’s Embarkation Day, and today you set sail on your long-awaited, much-anticipated, magical Disney cruise! 

Photo: Disney

Disney Cruise Line offers a range of exciting itineraries on a fleet of enchanting ships, including Disney Dream , Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy , and Disney Wish . 

No matter which ship is your (floating) home away from home, Embarkation Day can feel a bit overwhelming, especially if you’ve never cruised before. Luckily, MickeyBlog is here to help you sort it all out ahead of time so you can tackle Embarkation Day feeling calm, confident, and totally in control. 

Credit: Disney

Come along with us as we tackle Embarkation Day on the Disney Fantasy!

Make Embarkation Day Easier With Pre-Arrival Services

A seamless and stress-free Embarkation Day begins WAY before you set foot on your Disney Cruise Line ship. In fact, you can begin Disney’s online check-in process somewhere between 30 and 40 days before your sailing date. 

Disney Cruise Line Castaway Club Membership Levels

To determine when your online check-in process begins, refer to your Castaway Club membership level. Pearl Members (guests with 25 Disney Cruise Line sailings under their belts) can begin the online check-in process 40 days before sailing, while first-timers can check in 30 days out.

When your check-in window arrives, you’ll begin Disney’s online check-in process. 

Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In

This involves submitting all required documentation as required by the Disney Cruise Line website . Depending on your itinerary, this may include a valid driver’s license, passport, and/or birth certificate.

As part of the check-in process, you will also enter payment information (for use during your sailing) and your expected port arrival time.

Disney Cruise Line Port of Arrival Time

Disney’s online check-in process also allows you to select your seating time for dining. You’ll choose between an earlier seating time (like the 5:45 PM option pictured below) or a seating later in the evening. 

If an early seating time is important to you, be sure to complete your online check-in as early as possible, as the Main Seating sometimes hits capacity.

Disney Cruise Line Seating Selection

Finally, online check-in allows guests to input information about their traveling party, make arrangements for kids’ clubs, and complete other family-specific forms. 

Disney Cruise Line Guest Information

When the process is finalized, you will receive verification that your online check-in is complete.

Disney Cruise Line Check-In Process

You will also receive a cruise contract along with a Port Arrival Form. Be sure to bring the Port Arrival form with you on Embarkation Day! 

Disney Cruise Line Check-In Finalized

Pack the form, along with your driver’s license, birth certificate/passport, and MagicBand+/DisneyBand+ SEPARATELY from the rest of your luggage.

You will be separated from your luggage during the embarkation process and will need these items on your person as you board the ship.

Health Questionnaire

Another big part of preparing for a Disney Cruise is the health questionnaire! You MUST complete this before boarding — they will not let you board your ship without it completed.

You will typically receive an email prompting you to complete the health questionnaire on the morning of your Embarkation Day. 

The health questionnaire involves three routine questions about the health status of everyone in your party, and it can be completed online.

Cast Members will check at the terminal to see if you completed your health questionnaire. If you don’t, you will be directed to Guest Services.

We recommend keeping your eyes peeled on your email to keep the process moving smoothly!

Navigating Embarkation Day

On Embarkation Day, you’ll arrive at your departure port with your documentation, Port Arrival form, and your MagicBand+/DisneyBand+ in hand.

Disney Cruise Line Terminal

As you step into the terminal, you may be asking yourself…now what?

Hopefully, you’ve heeded Disney’s instructions and arrived no more than 30 minutes before your listed port arrival time. Upon arrival, follow the posted signage and prepare to enter the terminal.

Disney Cruise Line Port Arrival Signs

This is where Embarkation Day truly begins! 

Note that we boarded from the Port Canaveral terminal, so your terminal location may look a bit different, but the boarding process is generally the same for every sailing. 

Disney Cruise Line Embarkation

Once inside, you’ll join another line (sound familiar?).

Have your documentation ready, as you’ll need it at the first checkpoint. This is where Disney Cast Members will check your Port Arrival form, verify your required forms of identification, and link your MagicBand+/DisneyBand+ to your reservation.

Disney Cruise Line Embarkation Day

With your documents cleared, you’ll continue on to security and then head upstairs.

On the second floor, you’ll find Guest Services, where you can address any issues or concerns. This is also where you’ll find the Mickey-shaped entrance to the gangway!

Disney Cruise Line Gangway Entrance

Stop for an Embarkation Day photo op before proceeding through the Mickey entrance! Just inside the entrance, Cast Members will scan your Port Arrival form or your MagicBand+/DisneyBand+.  

Then, you will continue across the gangway.

Disney Cruise Line Gangway

On the other side of the gangway, you’ll join one last line before boarding the ship.

When your turn arrives, your family name will be announced in the ship’s beautiful atrium — and your magical Disney cruise will officially begin!

Disney Fantasy Atrium

Kick off your vacation by exploring the ship or grabbing a bite to eat while you wait for your stateroom to be ready. 

While staterooms are generally ready between 1:30PM – 2:00PM, the timeframe can vary by ship and by day. When your room is available, you’ll find your Key to the World card right outside your door.

Disney Cruise Line Key to the World Card

Be sure to note the letter that appears on your Key to the World card. This letter corresponds to your muster drill station and will be important during your (very mandatory!) muster drill.

Most Disney Cruise Line muster drills occur sometime around 4PM, but be sure to check your DCL Navigator app for an exact time. Once the muster drill is over, the party truly begins!

Disney Cruise Line Sail Away Party

Head to the pool deck to enjoy the festive Sail Away Party with Mickey, Minnie, and all their friends!

Disney characters (dressed up in their best nautical gear!) perform a song and dance, followed by a boisterous countdown to departure. Listen for the horn as your ship pulls away from port!

(Note that the Sail Away Party is a little different on every ship.)

Sail Away Party on Disney Fantasy

With Embarkation Day behind you, you’re free to enjoy all the food, entertainment, and Disney magic your cruise has to offer! 

Thanks for visiting http://MickeyBlog.com! Want to go to Disney? For a FREE quote on  your next Disney vacation , please fill out the form below, and one of the agents from MickeyTravels, a Diamond-Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, will be in touch soon!

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Magical Moments: A Guide to Disney Cruise Concierge Level

Experience the ultimate luxury and relaxation on a Disney Cruise with their concierge-level rooms, offering exclusive perks such as priority boarding, access to a private lounge with complimentary drinks, and personalized itineraries for a stress-free cruising experience.

Introduction

Booking a concierge-level room on a Disney Cruise Line provides guests with an array of Disney Cruise Concierge perks, setting the stage for a superior and indulgent experience at sea. These exclusive benefits are thoughtfully curated to deliver a luxurious, stress-free voyage for travelers who appreciate the finer things in life.

With Disney Cruise Concierge perks, guests are treated to priority boarding, ensuring a smooth and swift start to their adventure. Once on board, the privileges continue with preferred seating at entertainment shows, early access to onboard activities, and a dedicated concierge team to assist with any needs. An exclusive highlight is the access to a private lounge, where complimentary wine, beer, and spirits await to toast the beginning of a magical journey.

Concierge-level guests receive priority booking for shore excursions, allowing them to secure their top choices before others. On the final day, they benefit from priority debarkation, making their transition back to land as effortless as possible. Furthermore, in ports where tender boats are required, concierge guests enjoy priority tendering, adding another layer of convenience to their excursion experiences.

Choosing a Disney Cruise Concierge room means embracing an enhanced cruise experience filled with special touches, elevated service, and an extra dose of Disney magic, designed to create an unforgettable vacation that goes above and beyond ordinary cruising.

Benefits of Concierge or Club Level Rooms

Concierge-level rooms on a Disney cruise offer numerous benefits:

• Priority boarding, show seating, and onboard activity access.
• Access to a private lounge with complimentary drinks.
• Priority booking for excursions and activities.
• Expedited debarkation and tendering to ports.
• Personal concierge service for a hassle-free experience.

These perks provide a luxurious, convenient, and stress-free cruise vacation.

Cost and Considerations

Disney Cruise Line Concierge-level rooms are quite expensive, with prices starting around $3,000 for a short trip for two and increasing significantly for larger suites or longer cruises. These rooms offer luxury and personalized services such as private lounges, priority boarding, and special access to activities and dining.

When deciding if it’s worth the extra cost, consider the value the amenities add to your cruise experience, especially for shorter trips where time is limited, and the desire for a more exclusive and indulgent vacation is high.

Concierge Lounge and Amenities

The concierge lounge on a Disney cruise is a secluded and luxurious retreat exclusively available to concierge-level guests. This private lounge is designed to offer a serene and comfortable space for guests to unwind and indulge in light snacks, small plates, and complimentary beer, wine, and spirits, creating a truly elevated cruise experience. For example, guests can savor a glass of premium wine while enjoying a peaceful ocean view, adding an extra touch of indulgence to their vacation.

Moreover, concierge-level guests have the privilege of accessing private sun decks, which are adorned with comfortable lounge chairs, umbrellas, hot tubs. This exclusive outdoor space provides a tranquil haven for guests to bask in the sun, take in breathtaking sea views, and enjoy moments of relaxation away from the bustling areas of the ship. For instance, guests can immerse themselves in a good book while reclining on a plush sun lounger, simply unwind in the soothing waters of the hot tub, or getting themselves spa treatments creating unforgettable memories amidst the luxurious amenities. This access to private and refined spaces reflects the unparalleled level of comfort and exclusivity that comes with booking a concierge-level room on a Disney cruise.

Concierge Services and Hosts

You’re stepping into a realm of exclusive services that amplify the magic and comfort of your vacation. Before you even set sail, you benefit from pre-arrival services that grant you priority when booking the cruise line’s sought-after activities, dining options, and shore excursions. This early access is orchestrated by a dedicated Concierge Team, who cater to your needs, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable start to your adventure.

Once aboard, a Concierge Host is at your service, offering a personal touch to your stay. They’re there to recommend the best onboard experiences, respond to any specific needs, and guarantee you have all you desire for a delightful cruise. One of the special advantages of staying at this level is the chance to reserve cabanas on Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay, ahead of others, providing a serene spot to unwind during your island visit.

Concierge-level accommodations don’t just end with exceptional service; they also include special gifts and superior stateroom amenities that bring a sense of indulgence to your living space. These thoughtful details ensure your cruise is not just a trip but a luxurious retreat. Plus, with complimentary internet access provided to concierge guests, you’re always just a click away from sharing your experiences or staying in touch with the world ashore.

A Disney Cruise with concierge benefits will unlock a world of personalized attention, premium benefits, and exclusive privileges that enrich your holiday and make it an experience to cherish.

Personalized Itinerary and Special Dining

Prepare to be treated to a host of special amenities designed to enhance your vacation. One of the highlights is the exclusive dining room seating included in your personalized itinerary, which is accessible via the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. This app not only keeps you in the loop but also offers tailored recommendations to ensure you make the most of your time at sea.

Your concierge experience is marked by special dining arrangements that provide a unique atmosphere distinct from the main dining areas. Enjoy private meals in select spots on the ship, themed dinners, and the chance to experience a chef’s table where every dish is a work of art, courtesy of the ship’s culinary team. The personalized attention to your dining room seating and service is a testament to the luxurious and intimate dining encounters reserved for concierge guests.

But the indulgence doesn’t stop there. You’ll have access to intimate meet-and-greet sessions with beloved Disney characters—perfect for creating memorable moments with the little ones.

Worth of Concierge Level

Shorter wait times make holidays more enjoyable. The benefits depend on the time of year, travel path, size of the ship, and how big the family is, with more advantages during busy times and for bigger groups. Extra perks like special presents, better facilities, and first dibs on reservations and unique activities make the higher-priced concierge service worth it for those who want a lavish and relaxed trip.

Comparison with Standard Rooms

When deciding between concierge and standard rooms on a Disney cruise, consider the following differences:

Concierge Rooms:

• Luxury Features : Concierge rooms boast high-end furnishings and sophisticated décor, offering a more opulent experience. Think premium bedding, generous space, and tasteful design.
• Exclusive Access : Guests in these rooms can enjoy private lounges and sun decks, away from the crowds. These areas typically include plush lounge chairs, umbrellas, and hot tubs, perfect for relaxation with a view.
• Special Perks : Those staying in concierge rooms get special gifts and superior room amenities, elevating the cruise experience.
• Internet Access : Concierge guests often receive complimentary internet, allowing for easy online access throughout the journey.

Standard Rooms:

• Basic Comfort : Standard rooms provide the essentials for a comfortable stay without the frills of the concierge level.
• Affordable : These rooms are a more economical choice for travelers who prioritize budget over luxury.

Concierge Accommodation Examples:

• Concierge Wish Tower Suite
• Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah
• Concierge 2-Bedroom Suite with Verandah
• Concierge 1-Bedroom Suite with Verandah
• Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah

In short, concierge rooms are about upscale comfort and exclusive perks, while standard rooms offer a more basic cruise experience.

In summary, choosing a concierge-level room on a Disney cruise comes with many benefits, making your trip extra special and relaxing. It’s perfect for those who value luxury, convenience, and exclusive experiences.

Consider concierge level if you want a memorable, hassle-free cruise, especially if you’re traveling with children or looking for luxury on a shorter trip. It’s about matching the perks with what’s important to you for your ideal cruise experience.

• club level , concierge level , cruise , disney , exclusivity , family travel , ship within a ship , travel , travel kids
• Cruises , Disney

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Disney Cruise Concierge Level Upgrade: A Mixed Review

Debating whether to upgrade to the Disney Cruise Concierge Level for your next sailing? We give our honest review of whether this upgrade is worth the splurge .

Luxury comes in many shapes and sizes, especially on a cruise. When it comes to Disney Cruise Lines, guests will already experience a magical voyage, so is it worth upgrading to the premium Disney Concierge Level? Our honest answer is not really; however, it is worth considering if the price is right.

Hopping aboard the Disney Magic, we set sail in our Concierge-Level Stateroom to decide if this were an upgrade we would be willing to splurge on again. Top-notch service and exceptional experiences happen at every stateroom level on Disney Cruise lines. So why upgrade? Let’s break down each benefit of the Concierge Level to see how Disney elevates their service and amenities for this elite class level.

What’s Included In A Disney Cruise Concierge Level Stateroom?

Priority boarding.

Concierge:  Having a coveted group one boarding pass means that you are one of the first people to get to board the ship. Even better is that Concierge Passengers have their own priority check-in line, where they skip waiting with those in the main boarding line. Inform a Disney Cast Member of your Concierge status, and they will whisk you away to the Concierge Line.

These perks will allow you to have extra time on the ship to explore, enjoy a sit-down lunch and swim before the pools get busy.

Remember to pack your swimsuit in the bag you are bringing onboard because it could be a few hours before your stateroom is ready and you receive your luggage. Check out our  Disney Cruise Packing List,  so you come prepared.

Non-Concierge:  Guests will choose their preferred boarding arrival time according to their Castaway Club Status. Castaway Club status depends on the number of sailings you have had with Disney. Guests will arrive at their boarding time and can wait to clear security and check-in. Depending on your boarding time, this could go quickly, or you may have to wait 30 minutes to an hour.

Takeaway:  If you are a first-time cruiser nervous about embarkation day, having Concierge will relieve stress. Disney does not offer priority boarding outside of Concierge, so this elite.

As a frequent cruiser, I am okay with waiting to board the ship. However, being able to bypass the lines made me feel like a celebrity. Getting on board the vessel first does have its perks, with the pools and slide being practically empty! However, arriving at a later boarding time has its perks as well. There are fewer lines at the port terminal, once onboard the lunch rush is over and your stateroom will likely be ready or close to it.

Pre-Access To Experiences With Concierge

Concierge:  One of the top reasons guests enjoy booking a concierge room is that they have priority access to all experiences available to book on the ship. If you are a first-time Disney Cruiser, this is a significant perk, since your reservation window will open last. Here are just a few of the things concierge guests get to reserve before the rest of the guests:

• Activities at Castaway Cay, including private Cabanas (on select sailings)
•  Adult-exclusive dining reservations
•  Port Adventures
•  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
•  Royal Court Royal Tea & Olaf’s Royal Picnic (on select sailings)
•  Virtual Sports/Golf Simulator (on select sailings)
•  Beverage Tastings
•  Senses Spa Appointments
•  It’s A Small World Nursery
•  Dining rotation and seating requests
•  Character meet and greets such as Royal Gathering

Once onboard, guests can access a Concierge Team to assist with special requests, additional bookings, or any questions.

Non-Concierge:  Guests will have to wait for the booking window to open up to be able to reserve experiences. Often first-time cruisers will not be able to get experiences in high demand as they usually are booked up before their booking window opens.

Takeaway:   The value of this perk comes down to each family individually. On a personal note, there are so many great things to do on the ship that it isn’t a deal breaker if I don’t get a particular reservation or activity. At the same time, other families find specific experiences a must-do for their vacation, especially for kids, such as the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and the Royal Court Royal Tea.

One sure way to make sure you get all the experiences you want, book a Concierge Level Room.

SIDE NOTE:  If you still need to read my review about the  Royal Court Royal Tea , I recommend it before spending your money.

Welcome Lunch

Concierge:  Depending on the Disney Cruise Line Ship you are sailing a designated dining room has been reserved for Concierge Guests to enjoy a special Embarkation Lunch. The lunch menu mimics the regular Embarkation Day menu. However, guests are allowed to order complimentary alcoholic beverages. During the lunch, your concierge hosts will introduce themselves, confirm any onboard activities, and welcome you aboard.

Non-Concierge:  Guests can enjoy a sit-down lunch in one of the designated main dining rooms, enjoy one of the quick service restaurants poolside or hit the buffet at Cabanas.

Takeaway:  The lunch was nothing to write home about. You could find comparable lunch offerings elsewhere on the ship. While it is nice to have a table waiting for you, I was expecting a little more.

The Cocktail Trolley

Concierge:  One of the unique offerings was a daily visit from the Cocktail Trolley. The Fairy God Mother must have known this was the wish of many cruisers as nearly all Concierge Level Guests were in their staterooms at 5:00 pm waiting for the Cocktail Trolley to appear!

We were onboard the Disney Magic, and the trolley would make its rounds daily between 5:00 pm-6:00 pm. Guests were able to get craft cocktails made right outside their door. If there wasn’t a spirit on the trolley that you enjoyed, you could always request it. It would appear on the trolley the following evening. The cocktail trolley also offers plenty of mocktail options and canned drinks to restock your stateroom.

Non-Concierge:  Many bars throughout the ship will serve craft cocktails and alcoholic beverages; however, you will have to purchase them.

Takeaway:   Concierge Level does  NOT  include a drink package offering unlimited alcoholic drinks. Therefore, it is a nice perk to get complimentary drinks. Each drink costs between $9-$18, which can add up quickly.

Concierge Level Stateroom

Concierge-level staterooms come in different categories depending on which ship you are sailing. Concierge royal suites are the most luxurious featuring a master bedroom, living room, and dining table, along with a private verandah whirlpool (on select ships such as the Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish, and Disney Dream ). Other popular options are the Concierge 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom suites are available, along with Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah.

Stepping into the Concierge rooms, you will notice that they are slightly more elegant than the standard rooms, with a more plush sofa, lush carpeting, and warm wood finishes.

One noticeable difference besides the extra square footage was the premier bedding in Disney Cruise Line Concierge Level Staterooms. Concierge Suites may choose from pillow options, including hypoallergenic, feather, and therapeutic memory foam. I slept like a baby with the Custom Premium Plush Euro-top mattress, down duvets, and picking a pillow from their pillow menu.

Step into your cozy soft bathrobes and slippers that you can use during your cruise. All staterooms have upgraded toiletries and a refrigerator stocked with complimentary bottled water and sodas of your choice (restocked every day).

Dinner Delivery

If you stay in a Concierge stateroom with a dining table, you can have dinner delivered to your stateroom from the main dining room. Palo delivery is even available to the Royal Suite guests.

Special Gifts

We were surprised to receive a special gift from our Concierge Team. It was a lovely Limited Edition Commemorative Lithograph. While gifts are not guaranteed, it was a magical touch that was not overlooked. Upon further research, it is common for Concierge Guests to receive gifts throughout their stay, including a fruit basket, champagne, and other fun treats.

Castaway Cay members are often greeted with a welcome gift in their stateroom upon arrival, regardless of stateroom status.

Standard Staterooms:  While standard staterooms may not have the extra space or upgraded amenities, they make a perfect home away from home. Various stateroom categories are available to help meet the needs of each family sailing.

Takeaway:  If you are looking for a room that sleeps six or more, consider booking two staterooms or splurging on one of the concierge suites. While the plush bedding and premier amenities were excellent, it wouldn’t be the main reason I would sail Concierge again. Mainly because of how little time our family spent in the stateroom.

The Concierge Lounge

Concierge:  The Concierge Lounge is exclusively reserved for guests in the Concierge Suites. The Concierge Lounge offers a variety of gourmet offers, including continental breakfast, afternoon tea, dessert offerings, and In-Lounge Cocktail Hours.

Here is a brief breakdown of the Daily  Offerings At The Concierge Lounge: 

• Continental Breakfast 7:00am to 10:30am (Debarkation morning 6:30am-8:30am)
•  Lunch Snacks 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
•  Afternoon Tea 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm
•  Dinner Snacks 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
•  Dessert Offerings 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm
•  In-Lounge Cocktail Hours 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The Concierge Lounge offers a variety of soft drinks, bottled water, specialty coffees, teas & hot chocolates throughout the day. They have an excellent expresso machine to create custom lattes and cappuccinos.

The Concierge Sun Deck is off the lounge offering an exclusive area with lounge chairs, light snacks, sunscreen, and non-alcoholic beverages such as dole whips! Bigger ships like the Disney Dream have a larger sun deck with various seating options; some ships even have hot tubs.

Non-Concierge : Guests can access many of the ship’s lounges and dining options throughout the day. Loungers are on a first-come, first-served basis by the pools and sun decks.

Takeaway:  I often found myself in the Concierge Lounge in the morning for coffee because it was better than the dining room coffee. There was so much food on the ship, so we only came occasionally to snack. My daughter, on the other hand, loved checking out the treats.

The happy hour in the Concierge Lounge was one perk I enjoyed and would have me consider booking the Concierge.

A brief breakdown : If you get three drinks a day at $15 a piece, you would be paying $315 a person for a seven-day cruise.

Early Access To The Walt Disney Theatre

Concierge:  A great perk of Concierge is getting early access to the Walt Disney Theatre 45 minutes before the show. Guests will enter the theatre through an exclusive entrance with the Concierge Team. Complimentary popcorn and soft drinks are provided. If you are a concierge, guests can flash their gold Key To the World Card at the refreshment stand to get complimentary popcorn if they arrive after priority seating.

Non-Concierge:  Doors open 30 minutes before the show with open seating. The Broadway shows are spectacular and not to be missed. I recommend arriving at the theater a little before doors open to snag a great seat. Guests can opt to purchase popcorn for the show. The show is offered twice to accommodate both dinner times.

Takeaway : Having prime seating for the shows was ideal when you have kids. They will be able to see the characters and be close to all the action. Waiting for the show can prove problematic once they are bored with the popcorn, so plan on bringing a small activity or toy to keep them entertained till the show starts.

Priority Cabana Reservations on Castaway Cay

If lounging in a Castaway Cay beach cabana is your dream, then the Concierge is one of the best ways to make that reality. Reservations for these highly desired cabanas are open to Concierge guests and Platinum Castaway Club Members before anyone else. Often, other guests do not get an opportunity to reserve because they are all booked when their reservation window opens.

Character Meet-N-Greet

Concierge:  A small perk of Concierge is that they occasionally have a character meet-n-greet in the Concierge Lounge. While this did not happen during our 7-day cruise, it has on others.

Non-Concierge:  Character meet-n-greets happen throughout the ship during the cruise. Check the Navigator App to see who will be out and when.

Takeaway:  Character meet-n-greets happen throughout the day onboard the ship. I didn’t find this perk particularly appealing since I could see all the characters many times throughout our cruise. You would never have to wait long, either.

Priority Disembarkation

Concierge:  The best perk is that Concierge Guests are offered priority debark assistance. If you have cruised before, you know how to long it can take to disembark a ship. After enjoying one last breakfast in the lounge, Concierge Guests receive one final perk. From 7:15 until 8:00 am, a Concierge host provides priority debark assistance. It is one of the most appealing perks for anyone who has ever waited in line to disembark a ship. One elevator becomes key access only for those 45 minutes, and the host escorts Guests to the gangway.

Note:  Concierge guests can order breakfast from room service on the last morning.

Non-Concierge:  Guests must be out of their staterooms by 8:15 am and off the ship by 9:45. You will be given a luggage tag with a character the evening before disembarkation. In the morning, you will have to wait until your character group is called before disembarking the ship. 

While you wait, breakfast options are available. Many guests opt for Cabanas for convenience, while some may enjoy breakfast at the dining room during their disembark breakfast time. Room service is not available on disembarkation day.

Takeaway:  Not having to wait to disembark the ship was a significant perk, especially since we had an earlier flight. If you are driving or have a later flight, the priority disembark isn’t going to be a game changer. However, it is nice not to wait around the ship for your character to be called.

Is Disney Cruise Concierge Level Worth It?

The Concierge Level offers many excellent features and perks that enhance your cruise. I would recommend it for special occasions, families who need extra space or traveling with young children. Sailing Concierge-level will spoil you with priority embarkation and disembarkation, happy hours, and pre-access to experiences. However, the Concierge still left a lot to be desired for the price tag that comes with it.

If you spend $30,000 more than a verandah room for the concierge level, it should include a magic lamp to wish for your money back. The Concierge is not worth more than a $2000-$3000 upgrade unless you book one of the larger suites, in my personal opinion.

Larger families wishing to stay together will find the Concierge suites an excellent option for the extra space, special treatment, and amenities.

Many Concierge cruisers will swear by the concierge experience. However, as a budget-friendly traveler who enjoys splurging on luxury, I did not find this worth the spend. While many of the exclusive offerings were nice, I found the ship as a whole to be a luxury experience on its own.

Without Concierge, I had access to the same great service, excellent snacks, soft drinks, and entertainment. However, I did have to wait until my reservation window opened to make reservations for all the experiences. We missed out on the Royal Court Royal Tea once and the Royal Gathering past cruises. Mainly because we were first-time cruisers, and the experiences were fully booked when our reservation window opened. 

Pricing For Concierge-Level Staterooms

Concierge Level pricing will differ based on cruise date, cruise ship, the length of the cruise, and destination. I recommend looking at different Disney Cruise Line sailings to get an idea of how vastly different the pricing can be. There are sailings where the Concierge Rooms go as high as $60,000 for two people. It is mind-boggling that a concierge-level room can cost as more as a new car.

If you want to experience a Concierge Level Room, look at shorter cruises and check all of the sailing dates for the most affordable option. Longer cruises have higher price tags, such as a 7-day Alaskan Cruise, or themed cruises, such as Halloween On The High Seas .

Our Disney cruise was exceptional; we left with remarkable memories and a placeholder for another cruise. The Concierge team became our family onboard the ship and knew each of us by name from day one. It was a once-in-a-life experience that I can only dream will happen again.

If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check out our related posts below:

I Took My Two Year Old On A Disney Cruise, And It Was Awesome

3 Reasons To Go To Disney World AFTER Your Disney Cruise

The Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List

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I am a mom who loves all things Disney, but especially Disney Cruises! I enjoy sharing everything I have learned and hope that it will help others plan their own vacations.

The Concierge Benefits on Disney Cruise Line

April 6, 2018 by Disney Cruise Mom 17 Comments

One question I know a lot of people have is whether or not it is worth it to pay for for a concierge-level stateroom.  Having done both (4 times concierge, 9 times not), my standard answer is that for some people it is, and for some people it isn’t – it just depends on what is important to you.  Is concierge amazing?  Yes.  Did I still have fantastic cruises when I wasn’t concierge?  Yes.  Today I have Gunes, our guest blogger who recently shared a trip report of her family’s cruise on the Magic (trip report here ), to share about all of the concierge perks from her cruise.  Hopefully this will help you decide if concierge is worth the hefty price tag for your family.

The following was written by Gunes, who has sailed Concierge level on the Disney Magic, Dream, and Fantasy. You can see photos and videos from her cruise and other adventures by visiting her travel blog ( fotogenictravel.com ) or by following @ fotogenictravel  on Instagram or Facebook. Gunes provides concierge-style planning services as an independent travel advisor affiliated with My Path Unwinding Travel and can be followed on both Instagram and Facebook (@vacayconciergegunes).

I have been on three Disney cruises so far and have been very fortunate to have sailed in a Concierge level one-bedroom suite each time. In fact, after sailing Concierge the first time on the Disney Dream, I realized that there was no way I would want to be in a standard stateroom, especially with a rambunctious six-year-old in tow. It’s like flying first class: if you do it once, you never want to go back to coach!

So, why should anyone fork over such an exorbitant amount of money to sail Concierge on Disney Cruise Line?

Pre-Arrival Services

Concierge perks begin even before you embark the ship. You can reserve your onboard activities (e.g., spa appointments, specialty restaurant reservations) and port adventures 120 days prior to your sail date. This booking window is the same as Platinum Castaway Club members; however, unlike Platinum members, you are able to leverage a dedicated shoreside Concierge team by informing them of your preferences 125 days prior to sailing. The shoreside Concierge team then makes the bookings on your behalf when the 120-day booking window opens. They are literally the first ones in the system allowed to book anything – at 12:00am, when the booking window opens, all the Concierge requests are automatically fulfilled (they have priority over all other requests).

If reserving a port adventure through DCL , and your reservation is linked with with another party who is not in a concierge stateroom, the shoreside concierge team may be able to reserve the same port adventure for them as well. I was told by the concierge team that as long as the non-concierge folks have fully paid for their cruise at the time that you make your reservations (ie., 125 days out), then they will reserve the same shore excursion for them.  However, this seems to be a fairly new perk and I have heard of others not being able to do this in the past, so be sure and call shoreside concierge as soon as possible to verify if they will allow you to do this.

I have found the shoreside Concierge team to be extremely helpful in answering my questions about port adventures and also taking the burden off of me to book the excursions. Also, probably the absolute best thing about using this team is that, if you want to book a cabana at Castaway Cay , you’re pretty much guaranteed to get it. Since you have first pickings, you even can request your cabana number. Both times that I have requested a specific cabana, my requests have been honored.

Embarkation

Concierge guests can embark the ship at any time, once the ship is ready. Depending upon which port you embark your ship, you literally will have no wait to get on the ship. When we sailed the Disney Dream out of Port Canaveral, we walked right up to the dedicated Concierge/Platinum guest check-in desk (no line), were checked in within two minutes, and then were personally escorted onto the ship (bypassing many lines in the process). Once on the ship, we were immediately met by one of the Concierge hosts, who took us directly to the Concierge Lounge to give us drinks (champagne!), food, and a folder containing a personalized itinerary listing our activities for the duration of the cruise.

When we embarked in Miami for the Disney Magic , we also had a very quick check-in and did not have to wait in any lines to get on the ship. However, there was no personal escort, and we were on our own once onboard the ship (and had to ask a few people where the Concierge Lounge was located). Later in the cruise, I asked one of the Concierge hosts on the Magic why we were not escorted in Miami. She said it was because the terminal in Port Canaveral is solely dedicated to Disney. The terminal in Miami is not, so for security reasons, they cannot send folks off of the ship to assist.

Another concierge perk is that they have a private lunch available for only concierge guests in one of the main dining rooms.  It is table service, and alcohol is complimentary.

If you book a suite, then you automatically will be at the Concierge level. The one-bedroom suites on all 4 ships sleep 5 people and average around 614 square feet, which is the size of a normal hotel room (and MUCH larger than standard cruise ship cabins). Take a peek at all the space of the one-bedroom suite with verandah (Category T) that we stayed in when we sailed the Disney Magic in December 2017 .  The Magic and Wonder also have 2 two-bedroom suites which each sleep 7, and 2 royal suites which each sleep 7.  The Dream and Fantasy have 2 royal suites that each sleep 5.

Note that you still can sail Concierge level if for some reason you do not need all that space. Non-suite Concierge level family verandah staterooms (that sleep 5) are available on all 4 ships.  They are the same size as standard family verandah staterooms, but have more upscale furnishings and provide access to the concierge benefits.

You can see more concierge stateroom reviews here .

Location of Staterooms

On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, the Concierge staterooms are grouped together on the forward portions of decks 11 and 12 and are located very close to the Concierge Lounge. The Concierge staterooms on the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder are interspersed between non-concierge staterooms, all on deck 8. Depending upon your location on deck 8, you could be somewhat far away from the Concierge Lounge on deck 10 (which is on the forward portion of the ship).

Stateroom Dining and Extra Amenities

Once you arrive in your Concierge stateroom, you will notice a fresh fruit basket as well as a fully stocked refrigerator, which includes soft drinks and Evian bottled water. For non-concierge guests, bottled water is never free, and sodas are only complimentary in the restaurants or at the self-serve drink station by the pool.

Also, in addition to the standard room service menu, you can order any of the food being offered in the main dining rooms (whether for breakfast, lunch, or dinner) directly to your stateroom. Just coordinate your order with your Concierge host the day before (they have menus on-hand in the Concierge Lounge so that you can preview what is being offered).

On disembarkation day , only Concierge guests are allowed to order room service for breakfast. All other guests must dine in Cabanas or in one of the main dining rooms. Again, just provide your order to a Concierge host the night before.

Another fantastic amenity offered to Concierge guests is free 100MB to use on Disney Cruise Line’s Connect@Sea WiFi network . This 100MB is in addition to the free 50MB that any guest can get by logging in to Connect@Sea on the first day of the cruise. Side note: 150MB was plenty for my husband and I to share during our five-night cruise on the Disney Magic. We made sure to have our phones in airplane mode throughout the day and to only check emails and log into social media accounts once in the evening. We did not send or upload any large attachments (e.g., photos or videos) because that quickly would have used up our free allotment.

All Concierge guests are provided with plush robes and slippers in their staterooms.

I’ve never been in a port on a Disney cruise ship where tendering is required, but, per Disney Cruise Line’s website, Concierge guests are provided with priority tendering in ports of call. I’m sure that could save you a lot of time waiting in line!

Private Character Meet and Greet

All Concierge guests are invited to an exclusive meet and greet with one character. The meet and greet is set up as a reception for Concierge guests and is usually on a day at sea, typically during the morning. They have a nice spread of yummy food, as well as champagne and mimosas.

The identity of the character is a surprise – you won’t know until you go. But, it’s a great opportunity to get up close and personal with a character without having to stand in line. The meet and greet is very casual and relaxed. You can sit and eat while you wait for the character to come to you.

On the Disney Magic, my son was able to have a private meeting with Goofy, while on the Disney Dream, we met with Minnie Mouse. Based on what I’ve heard from cast members and fellow passengers, the character is usually one of the Big Five (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, or Pluto).

Concierge Lounge and Private Sundeck

One of the best perks for Concierge guests is the exclusive and private sundeck and lounge, only accessible via your Key to the World card. Here are some photos of the lounge and sundeck on the Disney Magic:

The lounge has ample seating and really only gets crowded on embarkation and disembarkation days. I’ve never otherwise seen the lounge more than one-quarter occupied. It is open from 7:00am to 10:00pm daily, with snacks and drinks available throughout the day. During both of our cruises, I stopped by several times a day to refresh our Evian stock in the stateroom fridge. The “snack” quality is pretty good, and I’ve seen the same foods offered on both the Disney Dream and the Disney Magic.

In addition to the free Evian, the two best drink offerings in the lounge are the coffee and the free booze! For the coffee, they have an amazing machine that can make any type of espresso-based coffee drink that you want, using real milk (not that powdered stuff). Every morning, I made my own latte, which was far superior to anything else offered on the ship (better than Starbucks quality). Then, they have a happy hour every evening starting at 5:00pm – always my first stop on the way to dinner! The happy hour is a true open bar: any kind of wine, beer, or cocktail you could imagine. The bartender concocts whatever you want!

Comparing the lounges of the Magic to the Dream, I prefer the Magic, mainly because it has windows looking out over the Quiet Cove Adult Pool. The Dream’s lounge has no windows but rather has a giant domed skylight. As between the two ships’ private sundecks, I still prefer the Magic. Again, it overlooks the Quiet Cove Adult Pool. The sundecks on the Dream and Fantasy actually have a hot tub (which I never care to use), but are more enclosed by privacy barriers with no direct views over the water or any pool. It just seems like the Concierge Lounge and sundeck of the Magic are both more open, bright, and airy.

While in the quiet comfort of the lounge, be sure to take advantage of some exclusive amenities: a DVD collection, Nintendo DS and iPads, assorted board games, a variety of magazines, and popcorn! The popcorn comes in a big bag that you can bring with you to the movie theater – no need to buy it at the theater.

On-Board Concierge Hosts

Disney Cruise Line is renowned for their “cast members” and their ability to create “magical” moments. That goes double (if not triple) for the on-board Concierge hosts. Superior service is their hallmark. I fondly remember one member of the Concierge hosts on the Disney Dream always saying “my pleasure” in response to all of our requests. I’ve seen a similar level of service at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, so it does not surprise me that Disney Cruise Line strives to offer this kind of five-star service to all of its Concierge guests.

I’ve had many questions and requests of the Concierge hosts on both the Disney Dream and the Disney Magic. Every question was easily answered, and every request was fulfilled timely and with no issue whatsoever (as they say, “my pleasure”!). The on-board Concierge hosts offer the same services as the shoreside Concierge staff. For example, they can make new or change existing reservations you may have – no need to ever stand in line at the Guest Services or Port Adventures desks. They take care of everything for you. They’re basically your own personal assistants for the duration of the cruise!

Should you book a cabana on Castaway Cay, the Concierge hosts will join you ashore and then serve you throughout the day. You literally just press a call button in your cabana, and (usually) within minutes, one of them arrives to assist you. The hosts also walk around just to see how you’re doing and make sure everything is OK. Both times we were on Castaway Cay at the cabanas, it was reassuring to see these familiar and friendly faces. (You can see reviews of Castaway Cay cabanas here )

The Concierge hosts love to surprise their guests with special gifts. When we cruised on the Disney Magic, we were elated to find this cute two-sided Mickey emoji stuffed toy waiting for us on our bed:

At the end of every cruise, all Concierge guests receive a beautiful parting gift: a limited-edition lithograph by Disney artist “Ducky” Williams. Here is the very frameable print that we received at the end our Disney Magic cruise:

Speaking of the end of your Disney cruise, the Concierge hosts really strive to help ease your transition off of the ship . If you bought a photo package through Shutters , let both the Shutters staff and a Concierge host know the last night of your cruise that you would like the Concierge staff to pick up your package. Rather than waiting in line at Shutters during the crazy disembarkation morning, just go to the Concierge lounge and your photo package will be waiting for you – magic!

Also, for the best magic of all, on that aforementioned disembarkation day , Concierge guests are allowed to disembark at any time they prefer. If you go to the Concierge lounge, a Concierge host will personally escort you off the ship. They will block off the elevator (using a special key), which will send you straight to the correct deck for disembarkation, and they will help you bypass the line to literally just walk off the ship.

All of these perks have made me a Disney Cruise Line Concierge ADDICT! I cannot wait to sail Concierge level again on my next Disney cruise!!!

 Thank you Gunes for sharing all of this valuable information with us!  If you are interested in reading another concierge trip report, I have written a trip report for one of our concierge sailings on the Disney Wonder which you can read here .

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April 6, 2018 at 10:15 pm

We surprised our 85 year old mom with a one bedroom suite on the Wonder. She was escorted on to the ship and didn’t know what to think of that. We gave her the bed room side and my sis and I took the pull out. Each side had their own temp control so she could keep her bedroom as warm as she wanted. Mom really liked the large mirrored vanity, walk in closet and large deep tub not to mention the large balcony. She also had a shower and double sink area but really liked that we had our own bath and didn’t have to share with her. She also had her diet Coke with lots of ice every night waiting for her. Although we don’t usually do concierge for mom the trip was a wonderois and special surprise for mom.

April 7, 2018 at 10:38 am

That’s awesome! What great memories!

April 17, 2018 at 10:44 pm

I would like to add when we sailed concierge, on the days we had a port of call there were bottles of sunscreen for adults and baby as well as the Evian spray water! They also gave us priority seating on a port of call where we needed to tender out. We had a particular rough day at sea and also got to spend the day inside watching movies all day, with ginger ale and popcorn, the rough seas didn’t damper our spirt and the staff was always excellent! The bartender knew my husband and my drink of choice after day one! I loved everyday and I am hooked from now on, and my family was also allowed to join in on the fun for activities that were also attended by someone in our room. So when we had 18 people and 5 different rooms they were allowed to attend gingerbread making, tendering to a port, and so much more with my family with the concierge staff!

April 27, 2018 at 8:57 am

This article was EXTREMELY well written! Thanks for sharing such a great description! I was just able to share this with a client who I booked on the Magic out of Miami in concierge! Thank you!!!!

April 27, 2018 at 10:57 am

Thank you Stephanie!

July 26, 2018 at 1:47 pm

Fantastic review! Thanks for taking the time to share. I was frustrated by how little accurate info I could find online prior to our first Disney Cruise. We made the (fabulous) mistake of sailing concierge for our first ever, and for us, there was no looking back. We have enjoyed it on all ships but Wonder, which we have booked for next year!

One note… in-room dining from the MDRs and in-room debarkation day breakfast are only available in the suites, not for Category V (this is because there is no dining table and chairs).

And now I am craving a latte from the lounge!!

July 30, 2018 at 12:15 pm

Does anyone know if there is priority or roped off seating for the shows onboard?

July 30, 2018 at 12:28 pm

Hi Cari! No, there is not priority seating for concierge guests at the shows.

September 24, 2018 at 2:11 pm

I’m glad someone took the time to explain the benefits of concierge cruising. I wanted to add another point about the cost. Think about the amount of alcohol you consume during the cruise, ..now consider how much you would have consumed if you had an open bar every day from 5pm to 10pm. No need for a drink package. Also, if there is a specific brand that you favor, they will make every effort to obtain it for you. Also, other items like bottled water or suntan lotion have no extra charge. This alone really offset some of the cost. After our first cruise on the Wonder, I upgraded to the concierge level and now the WIFE, just like that Seinfeld episode won’t let me go back to coach. We just finished a cruise on the Fantasy and are about to cruise on the Magic for the first time. I can’t wait to see the 3 new ships starting in 2021.

March 28, 2019 at 3:36 pm

New to sailing with Disney and thinking of booking concierge level for my immediate family. My mother will be traveling with us as well to help with my children. She WILL NOT be staying on the concierge level. We of course want to do everything all together….will I have problems boarding the ship, making reservations, spending time in the sundeck if my “non concierge” level mother is with us? Will she have to board the ship separately from us? HELP!

March 28, 2019 at 10:06 pm

Hi Andrea! If your mother is not sailing concierge, she will not be able to board with concierge guests. But, if you wait and board with her group, you will be able to board together. She will also not be able to go to the concierge lounge. For online booking of activities and port adventures, your booking window will open before hers so she would not be able to book things at the same time as you – she would have to wait for her booking window to open. This might be an issue or not, depending on how full the sailing is and if you are trying to get one of the more popular port adventures.

October 26, 2019 at 4:41 pm

Thanks. We’ve sailed Disney before but now with teenagers we need more maroon and have become spoiled by upgraded service over the years. Your article is really very helpful. Best I’ve found. One question and 1 comment. Question: what Elimis bath amenities are offered in the rooms? And FYI, the 1-bebrood concierge rooms have really huge verandas but only sleep 4 (no pull down) and I think they don’t have tubs bc they are wheelchair accessible showers. Thanks again!

October 26, 2019 at 4:44 pm

One more benefit—email the concierge team before you travel and they will stock your room with your preferred sodas and waters, extra blankets and specific types of pillows!

November 16, 2019 at 11:39 am

What a great blog firstly.

Am still somewhat confused as we have never done a cruise before. we are looking at staying at concierge level in a family room with veranda which I think they class it a V level, the price is around £4.5k difference from a normal family room and I’m trying to work out whether it will benefit us… is the room a lot bigger than the standard room ? are all these extra activities everyone is talking about that the team book you chargeable ? we are not really big drinkers but I do like a brandy so I am I right to assume that drinks are free at concierge level in there lounge which kids can also go in ? we have 3 kids 13,5 and an 18 month old which I think will enjoy the cruise…sorry for the long reply im just confused at what extra we have to pay for on the cruise at that level or any level…

November 17, 2019 at 3:03 pm

Hi! We just returned from A Concierge level Disney Cruise. Concierge is everything you expect and more. 2 notes I think would be helpful to your readers: requesting soda, water, blankets, pillows etc from Concierge prior to boarding and during the cruise is delivered by the concierge staff. Important to know when you’re determining Rios. also, they have discontinued providing Eliminis products in the rooms (!). I asked for them, and they delivered plenty to me, but it was basically Left overs, I was told AJ’s they aren’t supplying them to concierge rooms anymore.

December 1, 2019 at 5:58 am

Question – I was told that Concierge cabin doors are not magnetic. How does everyone decorate them? What do they use?

December 1, 2019 at 9:20 am

Hi Beth! On the Wonder and Magic, the concierge doors are no different from the rest so they are magnetic. On the Dream and Fantasy, they have a wood covering which I have heard prevents magnets from sticking well. From what I understand, people just don’t decorate them.

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Disney Cruise Advice: Tips & Tricks Onboard the Ship

LAST UPDATE: 2/14/24

On this page we have collected some useful Disney Cruise advice, tips, and tricks that can help you save time and have more fun while you are on a Disney Cruise. Read the advice below and you’ll have a much better idea what to expect, even if you’ve never been on a cruise before!

Thanks to Marjorie Treger and to MouseSavers.com readers Jeff Evernham and Aileen B, who contributed some great tips.

Disney Cruise Advice & Important Things to Know

Embarkation, first-day bag packing list, staterooms and what’s in them, knowing what’s going on & planning your day, oceaneer club and oceaneer lab, edge and vibe, port days/shore excursions, useful things to pack, things you don’t need to (or should not) pack, disney cruise wear, phone and internet.

• Spa: Treatments, Products & Fitness Center

Disembarkation

Additional tips & tricks, trip reports.

Other useful Disney Cruise information pages:

• For discounts and tips on saving money on the cruise itself , visit our Disney Cruise Discount page.
• For tips and tricks that will help you plan your cruise , visit the Planning Tips & Tricks for Disney Cruises page.
• For advice that will help you with excursions, tours and activities  while in port, visit the Tips & Discounts for Port Excursions page.

“Embarkation” means getting on the ship for the first time during your cruise; “disembarkation” or “debarkation” means getting off the ship at the end of your cruise.

“Port” is the left side of the ship as you face forward; “starboard” is the right side as you face forward. “Forward” is obvious; “aft” is the rear of the ship.

Cruise lines are required to ensure that every passenger knows the safety procedures and has been physically shown where they need to muster in case of emergency. A mandatory muster drill is held in the afternoon of embarkation day, usually around 4:00 pm. Everyone must attend in order to learn the location of your lifeboat station and other safety information. The drill takes 20 minutes or less and you do not have to bring your life jacket with you.

Make sure you turn off the cellular service on your phone while you’re at sea, so you don’t end up paying through the nose for “cellular at sea” service . There is a Disney Cruise Navigator app that you can use on most iPhones and Android phones without needing to pay for internet access. The Navigator app includes activity schedules and menus, and has a kind of text message feature that seems to work much better these days. We found that notifications were showing up quickly when people messaged using the app (our experience was with iPhone, we don’t know how well Android works).

“Cay” is pronounced “key” by locals – so unless you want to sound like a novice, remember this for Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island).

Disney asks you to select a P ort Arrival Time (PAT) when you do online check-in prior to your cruise. This arrival time was not rigidly enforced in the past, but lately, Disney has been enforcing people’s PATs pretty closely, especially during the early part of the boarding process. If you get to the terminal before 12:30, you will probably not be let in to the terminal until your time arrives. After 12:30 or so, Disney seems to just let people into the terminal as long as the check-in line isn’t completely full.

Bottom line: if you want to get on the ship as early as possible, definitely be ready to check in online on the morning your check-in opens! See below for when you can check in online:

• If you are staying at an official Walt Disney World resort or at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport the night before your cruise, AND you booked that hotel as a package with the cruise, AND you are using Disney’s bus service to the port, your port arrival time is less important, and you may not even see an option to select one when you check in. From a Disney hotel, they’re going to assign you a bus, and generally you’ll just get there when you get there and the terminal staff will be ready to process and embark that whole busload of passengers. If you’re staying at the Hyatt, there will be multiple buses and you can take the first bus they’ll let you on. In either case, it’s rare to experience much wait no matter what your port arrival time is. But if you are offered the option to pick a port arrival time at checkin, pick the earliest reasonable time, just to be on the safe side. It can’t hurt, and it might save you some waiting.
• If you are staying in a concierge level stateroom or suite , you can check in and receive your port arrival time 40 days before embarkation day. That said, your shore-side concierge will likely offer to check you in on the first day you’re eligible, so effectively you can just let them handle it and they should get you the earliest arrival time (unless they know you won’t be arriving that early).
• If you are a Pearl member of the Castaway Club (25+ previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 40 days before embarkation day. 
• If you are a Platinum member of the Castaway Club (10-24 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 38 days before embarkation day.
• If you are a Gold member of the Castaway Club (5-9 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 35 days before embarkation day.
• If you are a Silver member of the Castaway Club (1-4 previous Disney cruises), you can check in and receive your port arrival time 33 days before embarkation day.
• If you have never before taken a Disney cruise, you can check in and receive your port arrival time 30 days before embarkation day.

When you arrive at Port Canaveral, you’ll hand off your bags to the dock workers. Tipping is theoretically optional, but it’s customary to tip them at least $1-$2 per bag, and we tend to tip on the high side for very helpful or friendly porters. Keep your carry-on/day bag with you. Get in line to go through check-in (during which time you’ll show your port arrival document several times), then get in line to go through security (you go through a metal detector and your carry-ons go through an x-ray).

The first people who will get on the ship are Group 1, which will usually be concierge level guests. Shortly after noon, announcements will be made for general boarding by group number. You’ll present your port arrival document as you board, have a family photo taken (or bypass the photo and get on the ship that much faster), and then your family will be announced as you arrive in the atrium of the ship. After that, the ship is yours!

Most people will head straight to lunch, and if you’re hungry, that’s a great idea. If you’ve brought your swimsuits in your day bag, this is a perfect time to enjoy the pool (or AquaDuck on the Dream or Fantasy and AquaMouse on the Wish), because the ship is still relatively empty and a lot of people will not have thought ahead. If you still need to make spa appointments, change your dinner rotation, sign up for shore excursions, book Palo, Remy or Enchanté, or book any specialty character meals or tea parties, now is the time to do that. You can also get your kids’ wristbands for the kids club. If it’s your first time on the ship, this is a good time to get a map and wander around familiarizing yourself with everything.

If you are a concierge level guest, there is a special concierge embarkation lunch, or you can go to the concierge lounge, where you can relax and enjoy a snack. You’ll be personally assisted with any bookings or changes you’d like to make (dining rotations, spa appointments, etc.)

At about 1:30-2:00, your room should be ready. Your bags will be delivered at some point in the afternoon (up until about 6:00 pm).

On the embarkation day, you won’t get access to your room until 1:30-2:00 pm, and you may not get all of your luggage until 6:00 pm (or occasionally even later), so its recommended you carry a bag that contains everything you’ll need between boarding the ship and dinner. If you want to swim or ride the AquaDuck or AquaMouse, for example, you will need all your swim stuff.

Here’s our checklist for packing our day bag. Some people like to use a rolling carry-on, but we prefer a small duffel. It’s your call; whatever you feel comfortable lugging around for an hour or two. You can also pack a small backpack for everyone to spread out the load.

• Flip-flops or water shoes (the deck can get hot )
• Reading material, iPad, videogames or other entertainment
• Camera, if you aren’t using your phone
• Medications you might need between noon and dinnertime
• Change of clothes for dinner, if what you wear to board the ship isn’t reasonable (though it almost certainly is fine, as long as it’s not a swimsuit).

The TV in your stateroom offers limited live TV programming, but a pretty extensive selection of Disney-owned movie and TV content. There is the Disney Channel, ABC and ESPN, all owned by Disney, plus some 24-hour news channels (MSNBC & Fox) and a small selection of basic cable channels. You can watch a huge variety of Disney movies and a few other family-friendly titles “on demand” (no extra charge).

Disney no longer provides the cordless Wave Phones; if you need to contact other members of your party, you are expected to use the Disney Navigator app on your phone. If you don’t have a compatible phone or don’t want to carry your phone, you have to fall back on the tried and true “let’s meet in XXX at YYY” or put a magnetic white board on your room door to exchange messages. Note that the kids club staff will only be able to contact you via the Navigator app, so if you don’t carry it around, you can’t be informed of issues with your kids.

Fire codes prevent cruise ships from having irons in staterooms, but irons are available for your use in the laundry rooms. Speaking of laundry, you can charge the cost of self-service laundry to your room key by swiping it through the readers on the washers and dryers.

Inside staterooms have no window (except the “ secret porthole ” rooms on the Wonder and Magic that are classified as inside but have an obstructed porthole). Inside staterooms on the Dream and Fantasy ships do have the “virtual porthole” that provides some light. It can be turned off with a switch by the bed. Bear in mind that on the Wonder, Magic and Wish (or on the Dream and Fantasy with the virtual porthole turned off), inside staterooms have no external light coming in to wake you up in the morning or give you a sense of what time it is. So if you’re anxious to get up and go in the morning, make sure you set an alarm or request a wake-up call.

A portable hair dryer can be found in a bag in the bathroom or in a desk drawer (call Guest Services if you can’t find it). It must be plugged into a European (220V) outlet at the desk. If you happen to be in a stateroom that also has a built-in hair dryer in the bathroom attached to the wall, we recommend leaving it alone; they don’t work well. Use the one in the drawer.

There is no longer a paper Navigator schedule given out in your stateroom, or even available from the front desk. You can only get the activity schedule via your phone or via the TV.

You can download the Navigator app for Apple or Android devices before you arrive at the embarkation port and then, once onboard, connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi network—complimentary for app use only. Downloading the app does not enable general-purpose internet access – you have to pay extra for that. In addition to giving you the ship’s daily schedule, the app has some information that isn’t in the paper Navigator, including menus for the various restaurants and some other useful tidbits. 

The Navigator app also has the all-aboard time and the local number of the ship’s agent, who is your contact if you have an emergency or are running late and might miss the ship (or have missed the ship). It’s not a bad idea to write those things down on a separate piece of paper to carry with you when you’re in port, just in case you lose your phone or the Navigator app gets flaky. If you have an emergency and don’t have your phone or the info on paper, you can call the port and ask them who the port agent is for your ship, and then call Disney’s port agent to let them know what’s happening.

The Navigator app now has a FREE text messaging feature. The messaging feature is available on all five ships. You do not need to buy a data plan to send messages to other people in your party, assuming they also have a device that can run the app. We didn’t really use it much in previous years because there could be 20-30 minutes between sending and message and the recipient getting a notification on their phone, but on our most recent cruise everything worked fine. Also, if you get the newer internet service that you can leave on all the time (currently available on the Wish, Magic, Dream and Fantasy) it will work with iMessage, WhatsApp and other messengers, and it will work with SMS text messaging if everyone’s phone has Wi-Fi cellular enabled.

Onboard Entertainment & Activities Tips

If you’re curious to know what movies will be shown on your sailing before you get on the ship, call  Disney Cruise customer service (800) 951-3532 about two weeks before your cruise and ask.

Want to ride the AquaDuck water coaster on the Dream or Fantasy or the AquaMouse on the Wish? MouseSavers.com reader Bill V has this tip: “If you enjoy the AquaDuck during the day, find an EVENING to ride it as well! Riding it at night, with the red-and-white lights strobing around the tube at each of the supports, is a completely different experience than the daytime, not to be missed! Also, the lines are truly non-existent if you go during dinner or show times, far shorter than even the times when most passengers are ashore when the ship is docked–my daughter rode it one evening over a dozen times in less than 90 minutes, usually walking on with no line whatsoever.” (This advice would apply to the AquaMouse on the Wish as well.)

Some special activities require advance sign-up at Guest Services. For instance, “Tea with Wendy,” (or “Tea with Alice” or some other character) is sometimes offered on some 7-night cruises, but has limited seating, and on cruises near Christmas, there is a build-your-own-gingerbread house activity, but they have a limited number of kits available. Check for those activities (they’ll generally be listed in the Navigator app) and sign up as soon as you can. Certain popular character meetings are also now requiring advance sign-up, usually on the first day.

Theater snacks : the theaters where the movies and shows are presented have concession stands selling expensive goodies such as canned sodas, bagged popcorn and candy, which can be charged to your room key. If you want to keep costs down, go up on the pool deck to the self-serve beverage station and get FREE sodas (or lemonade, tea, etc.) to bring into the show with you. You can also usually get FREE cookies from one of the counter-service locations on the pool deck and bring those along (or order cookies from room service, for only the cost of a tip). Concierge level guests on the Dream and Fantasy can get snacks, including cans of soda and sometimes popcorn, from the lounge. The snack bar at the theater has a refillable popcorn bucket that can be refilled for the rest of your cruise at a much cheaper price, so if you like popcorn, it’s a good idea to get one at the beginning of the cruise. Some people have brought popcorn buckets from previous cruises or from Walt Disney World and had them refilled, though that may or may not be official policy.

Embarkation Day

Once you’re onboard on embarkation day, you can eat lunch in one of three locations (or the concierge lunch if you’re in a concierge stateroom): the buffet, the pool deck food outlets (burgers, pizza, etc.) or a dining room (on the Magic, the primary lunch dining room is Lumiere’s; on the Wonder, it’s Triton’s; on the Dream and Fantasy, it’s Enchanted Garden; on the Wish, it’s been 1923 or Arendelle). The primary dining room lunch is a la carte with a normal lunch menu similar to the menu served on sea days. It has a tendency to fill up pretty quickly, so if you want to eat there, get on the ship as early as possible. There is also a lunch just for concierge guests in a different dining room.

Note that if you head for the inside dining room, you will encounter multiple crew members who will try to herd you to the buffet, which can handle more people. Just tell them you’d prefer the interior dining room. 

Breakfast and Lunch

During the cruise, there are usually two or three breakfast and lunch locations with different hours (check the Navigator app for hours). You can choose from one or more full-service restaurants with open seating (just show up when you want during opening hours, and they’ll seat you), or eat at the buffet.

Dinner Rotations

Your dinner arrangements — meaning your restaurant rotation schedule, and whether you have the early or late seating for dinner — are assigned before you embark on the cruise. You can find your restaurant rotation by checking the “My Plans” section of the Navigator app. It will also show your table number and seating time, as well as the recommended dress code and menu. If you have trouble using the app, Guest Services or any of the dining locations can help you get that information. 

If you want to change your seating or your restaurant rotation, do that as soon as you embark. The location on the ship where changes can be made will be listed in the Navigator app, or just go to Guest Services and they can point you in the right direction.

If you go to your assigned restaurant for dinner each night, your servers will be the same for every night of your cruise. On longer cruises they’ll get to know you, and may even have your “usual” beverage waiting for you at your table. If you are served something you don’t like, tell the servers and they’ll bring you something else. And if you want to indulge, they’ll be happy to bring you two desserts (or two appetizers, or even two entrees)! In true Disney style, if you have a special event you are celebrating, make sure your servers know. You will get appropriate special treatment (usually a special dessert, and perhaps some singing).

We recommend not rushing to dinner. If you show up five minutes or so after they begin seating you’ll walk right in. If you show up early you’ll just have to wait in line! Don’t wait too long, though: in order to get everyone served in a timely manner, each server really needs to get all the orders from all their tables at once. If you come too late, it throws off their timing, necessitating multiple extra trips to the kitchen and long delays for everyone. Also, if you won’t be at the regular rotation dinner one night, it’s helpful to tell your server or head server in advance, so they won’t wait for you to arrive to start service for the other tables.

We also recommend having the Navigator app open to your dinner reservation and table number the first time you arrive at each restaurant, so you can be seated more easily. But if you remember your table number, you can just tell the servers.  

Each restaurant has a “special” menu that is only offered at that restaurant, which will be used on one of the nights you visit each restaurant (the same night as the show, if there is one for that restaurant). On the other nights, you’ll get “standard” menus that are the same at all three restaurants (they change every night, but each of the three restaurants gets the same menu). 

Dinner Shows

The following restaurants have special shows and menus on one night of your cruise . These shows are one of the unique entertainment experiences on a Disney cruise, so try to see them if you can! Ask at Guest Services or ask your server which night it will be for your rotation. Move your Palo, Remy or Enchante reservations or change your dinner rotation if you have to. 

• Animator’s Palate (Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy) — On the Magic & Wonder, this show allows everyone in the family to design a character and see it animated. It’s pretty neat! On the Dream & Fantasy, the show involves interacting with an animated character (Crush the sea turtle from Finding Nemo). On longer (7+ night) cruises on the Dream & Fantasy, they may also do a version of the “draw your own animated character” show on the second night you visit Animator’s Palate.
• Tiana’s Place (Wonder) — A rollicking dinner show with the characters and songs from The Princess & The Frog.
• Rapunzel’s Royal Table (Magic) — A fun musical show with characters and songs from Tangled.
• Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure (Wish) — An elaborate show where you’re a guest at an engagement party for Anna and Kristoff, hosted by Wandering Oaken. Enjoy songs and characters from the two Frozen movies.
• Worlds of Marvel (Wish) — A loud action spectacle involving Ant-Man and the Wasp (and some guest Marvel characters) takes place during dinner. Most of the action is ostensibly taking place elsewhere on the ship (you watch it on screens on the walls of the restaurant), but live-action Ant-Man and the Wasp appear near the end to wave at diners.

Premium Restaurants

If you enjoy fine dining, we definitely recommend making a reservation for Palo, Remy or Enchanté, particularly on a 4-night or longer cruise. There is a small extra cost (larger for Remy and Enchanté) but it is well worth it for the cuisine, the atmosphere, and the opportunity to enjoy a nice dinner without the kids. The Remy and Enchanté dinners are especially elaborate, and are similar to meals that cost much more at Michelin starred restaurants or Victoria & Albert’s at Walt Disney World. Palo can be found on all five Disney ships, though the menu is slightly different (and more steakhouse-oriented) on the Wish. Remy is only on the Dream and Fantasy, and Enchanté is only on the Wish.

Alternatively, consider booking the Palo, Enchanté or Remy brunch (offered usually only once or twice on most cruises). We find the premium brunches particularly fabulous and might even prefer them to dinner in Palo.

Palo, Remy and Enchanté are very popular, so book them as early as you can . If you’re not able to get a reservation in advance, check the Navigator app or ask a crew member to find the location where you can go and request a reservation onboard.

If you want to skip one of the regular rotation restaurants in order to dine in Palo, Remy or Enchanté, our suggestion is to call Disney to find out the dining rotations for your cruise and pick a night that is the second visit to a restaurant, since the first night is very likely to be that restaurant’s special menu (and will have a show, if there is a show at that restaurant). For example, if your rotation is “Enchanted Garden, Rapunzel’s Table, Rapunzel’s Table, Animator’s Palate”, pick the third night, since it is the most likely to be a “standard” menu.

Keep in mind that the dinner rotations and timing of Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s, Rapunzel’s, Marvel or Arendelle shows are subject to change, and in our experience the folks at the Disney call center don’t always have accurate information about when the show will happen. The people actually on the ship know, so if you want to be sure your premium dining doesn’t happen on a dinner show night, go to Guest Services or the dining reservation location listed in the Navigator app on the first day of your cruise and ask. If there’s a conflict, they can either reschedule your premium dinner or put you on a different main dining rotation.

Alternate Dining Options

There are always plenty of options for food: check the Navigator app to know which restaurants are open at what times.

In the past, Disney has opened up the buffet area (Cabanas or Marceline Market) for dinner on most nights of the cruise (usually all but the first night), but as a table-service venue, not a buffet. There’s no specific time, you just show up and choose from a limited menu that includes some of the same foods served in the main dining rooms (but without all the hoopla). Of late they haven’t been doing it, but all indications are that this is a temporary post-pandemic measure because of logistics issues, so it could restart any time. If you’d prefer a quieter dinner at your own dining time, ask if it’s an option on your cruise.

There are fast-food locations up on the pool deck, serving kid-friendly fast food. We think the burgers and other sandwiches on a bun are edible, and the mini-wraps are quite good. The pizza is not a highlight – the toppings are fine, but the crust is sub-par, except on the Wish, where it is pretty good. The Wish also has a barbeque window, and a Mexican food window with choose-your-own ingredient bowls, tacos and burritos (think Chipotle), and both of those options are quite good. The fruit is fruit; nothing wrong with it. The soft-serve ice cream is not very creamy, but it makes a nice snack on a hot day, and they usually rotate in some unusual flavors like mango or strawberry over the course of the cruise.

On most ships, there are some small snacks available most of the day. In the adult coffee bar, there have generally been free mini-desserts available during the day, and little antipasto nibbles during the evening, but we didn’t see them on the Wish. In the adult lounge area on the lower decks, there is usually a (small) hot snack buffet available for part of the evening, either in the pub or the hallway between the various lounges. Usually there’s something like a build-your-own nacho bar, plus some sort of hot savory like pigs in a blanket or egg rolls. Again, this little mini-buffet has not been present on the Wish. In the pub on each ship, there are about 4-6 extra-cost hot snacks & entrees you can order. Typically at least one of the pool deck food stations will be open until midnight, usually pizza. From midnight until breakfast time (6:30 or so) room service is the only food option.

On Alaska cruises, there have usually been some snacks on the front of the ship on the pool deck on the glacier-viewing day , including hot soup in small bread bowls, cookies and hot cocoa. They also usually do a special barbecue lunch that day on the deck behind the buffet, typically sausage, fish, and steak. Sometimes they have been known to serve elk or another Alaska specialty. Make sure you go out to the deck to check it out; we met many people who had no idea the cookout was happening and just ate regular buffet food instead of the fresh-grilled options just a few steps away.

Concierge guests have access to snacks and beverages (bottled water, soft drinks, coffee drinks) in the concierge lounge.

Kids’ Meals

There are kid’s menu options at all the table-service meals , but children are not limited to eating from those menus. Your servers will bring your kids whatever they want, including full adult appetizers, meals and desserts, and in fact if there’s something on the ship they can get or make, they’ll usually try to accommodate you even if it’s not on the menu. In other words, if all your kids want is french fries, that’s not a problem, assuming you’re OK with it.

It’s worth noting that asking your server to bring you something from another restaurant is not a trivial undertaking . They will almost certainly do it, because they really want guests to be happy, but don’t spring a request on them unless you really can’t find anything else for your kids to eat. And if possible, let the service staff know early if your child has specific food issues. If they know in advance that your child will only eat french fries and chicken fingers, they can have those ready each night.

If you have kids in the Oceaneer Club, they will be offered lunch and dinner if they are in the Club at the appropriate time. There are not usually a lot of choices, but what they’ll offer is going to be pretty simple and kid-friendly, like chicken nuggets and apple slices.

Two key things to be aware of: one, they usually don’t serve the kids dinner on the first night of the cruise (the day of embarkation). So if you have Palo or Remy reservations for that night, you’ll need to feed your kids yourself. Fortunately that’s easy: all you have to do is get food for the kids before or after your reservation from one of the fast-food restaurants on the pool deck. Two: be aware of when the kids are served. Meal times may be too early for your liking if you leave your kids in the Club.

Also, keep in mind that the Disney crew members will not make your kids sit down to eat. They will make sure every child is informed that food is being served, but they can’t and won’t make your children stop playing to eat, and there is one opportunity to eat for each mealtime. There are no snacks served in the club between meal times. It’s a good idea when you pick up your kids to check if they ate and if they are hungry.

Dine and Play Program

Please note : The Dine and Play program is temporarily suspended, but may return at any time. Ask about it onboard if you’re interested.

The Dine and Play program allows children to get their meals quicker and adults to check in a child for Youth Activities without leaving the dining room. The Dine and Play program is offered for families assigned to second dining, and is open to children ages 3-12. 

Here’s how it works: You arrive in the dining room and inform the server that your child would like to participate in Dine and Play. The dining room team brings the child’s meal first while serving the adults at a more leisurely pace.

About 45 minutes after seating begins, Youth Activities Counselors arrive in the dining room and sign in the child to Disney’s Oceaneer Club, eliminating the need for you to escort the child to Deck 5.

Adults are then able to enjoy the full dining experience with the knowledge that their children are having a great time in a safe, fun and comfortable environment.

Alternative approach: You can ask your server to feed the kids as fast as possible, and then have an adult walk them over to the kids club and check them in. It only takes a few minutes to get to the club and back. Some parents have told us their kids prefer this method over using Dine & Play, as you can get the kids to the club whenever they’re ready and there’s less waiting around.

Room Service

Room service is not a strong suit on Disney Cruise Line. The food, in our experience, is merely adequate. It is free (though a tip is welcomed) and convenient, though. Selection is mostly very basic and very middle-American: sandwiches, basic soups, chicken wings, a few salads, a cheese plate, burger, pizza or topped flatbreads. 

If the buffet or top deck restaurants are open, we suggest sending someone to the buffet or top deck instead of ordering room service . The selection in the buffet is much better and the food better prepared. The top deck restaurants have a more limited selection, but sending someone to the top deck for food has always resulted in hotter, fresher food when we’ve done it. That said, if you’re worn out, or come back really late from a port excursion, it’s nice to know they will bring you food any time.

Mickey bars (Mickey head shaped ice cream bars) and Smuckers Uncrustables (packaged peanut butter & jelly sandwiches) are not on the menu, but have usually been available on request.

Special orders are limited , but if you want something simple that is not on the menu, but is made with components used in items that are on the menu, such as a grilled cheese sandwich, plain salad without dressing, plain hamburger patty with no bun or just an order of french fries, they will usually make that for you on request.

Room service breakfast in the regular staterooms is a very basic Continental offering of various baked goods, cereal, milk, hot drinks and juice. There is nothing hot and no real protein, so if you like eggs and bacon in the morning, head for the buffet or whichever dining room is serving breakfast (it’s listed in the Disney Cruise Navigator app). We do sometimes use room service to get coffee delivered in the morning. Though lately we just have them deliver hot water, because we prefer the Starbucks Via packets to the ship’s reconstituted coffee product.

Guests in concierge staterooms and suites can order dinner from the rotation restaurants during regular dinner hours . Ask your concierge staff for a menu. All courses of your meal are brought at once, which doesn’t do good things for the quality of the meal, but it’s still better than the regular room service offerings. Concierge level guests can order hot breakfasts in their suites and staterooms during the cruise.

Many common beverages (including sodas) are available FREE most of the time , but there are situations where you could be charged for them. Here are the basic rules:

• The self-service drink station on the pool deck offers milk , juice , tea (hot or iced) , coffee, hot cocoa , lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  at no extra charge 24 hours a day.
• The dining rooms (including Palo, Remy and Enchanté) offer milk , juice , tea (hot or iced) , coffee , hot cocoa ,  lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  at no extra charge with meals. All other drinks can be ordered, but cost money.
• Castaway Cay offers milk , juice , tea (iced only) , lemonade, plain water and fountain sodas  for free. All other cold drinks (except iced espresso drinks) can be ordered at a bar, but cost money. No hot drinks are available. 
• Room service offers milk , juice , tea (hot or iced), plain water and  coffee free. All other drinks cost money. 
• All bars (including espresso bars) charge for all beverages , except plain tap water.
• Bottled water, canned and bottled soda and soft drinks , alcoholic beverages , mocktails , smoothies, shakes  and espresso drinks (and related drinks like chai lattes) always cost money no matter where you order them.
• The fountain sodas are all Coca-Cola products (which could change any time, but Coca-Cola has had a strong partnership with Disney for many years). The bars have a wider selection of canned and bottled beverages available, at a charge.

Consider bringing your own bottled water if you think you’ll drink a lot of it on shore excursions, Castaway Cay, etc. Bottled water on the ship or Castaway Cay is expensive. Consider packing a small carry-on suitcase with just bottled water. Then on the way home you’ll have room for all those things you didn’t plan to buy. (If you are staying on concierge level on the Dream or Fantasy, bottled water is provided in the lounge without cost.)

Disney allows each adult to bring up to two 750 ml bottles of wine or six 12 oz beers onboard at embarkation and at each port visited. Bottles must be sealed and they must be in your carry-on luggage.  Spirits (rum, vodka, whiskey, etc.) are not allowed (they will be confiscated and given back to you at disembarkation).

Sealed bottles or cans of non-alcoholic beverages can be carried on in any amount that will fit through the x-ray machines (carry-on bag sized, in other words). As for coolers, Disney officially says that you can only take aboard small (12″ x 12″ x 12″ max) soft-sided coolers for keeping things like insulin and breast milk cold. In practice, soft coolers can be any size that’s small enough to fit through the x-ray machine (again, basically the size of a carry-on bag), but no hard-sided or wheeled coolers.

Disney, like all other cruise lines, does not allow any beverages in checked bags , because checked baggage is stacked up and handled roughly during the loading process, which could cause containers of liquids to break and/or leak onto other people’s luggage. They do screen for those items. If they find disallowed items, the items will be confiscated and given back at the end of the cruise.

Coffee and Tea

Regular American-style coffee on Disney ships is unfortunately not good. The “drip” coffee they serve throughout the ship is made in a machine that looks vaguely like a coffee urn, but actually produces instant coffee on demand by mixing liquid concentrate and hot water. When it’s made in a properly-calibrated machine it tastes like OK instant coffee (not as good as Starbucks Via, but better than Folger’s Crystals). If the machine is out of calibration, it can be really weak or very strong.

If you like your coffee with cream and sugar or just aren’t picky about coffee, you may be fine with the reconstituted coffee . If you like quality coffee, you may want to order espresso drinks (at extra cost), which are available at most bars and sit-down restaurants and at the bar in the Wish, Dream & Fantasy’s buffets. You might also consider bringing Starbucks Via packets if you like them. In our experience the Via is much better than the reconstituted stuff.

If you’re a tea drinker, the news is better: there are a wide variety of Twinings tea bags (regular and herbal) at the main deck drink stations and in the dining rooms. And in the dining rooms, they almost always serve tea properly, with acceptably hot water and a small pitcher of milk upon request.

The iced tea served everywhere is unsweetened reconstituted iced tea from a soda machine (Fuze brand from Coca-Cola), but you can make your own iced tea by brewing fresh hot tea and adding ice and water, and that is much better. Our recipe: put two regular black tea bags in a cup of hot water, steep three minutes, stir in sugar if desired, then pour over a full cup of ice. Add water to taste.

Most bars on the ship have espresso machines , including the adults-only Cove Cafe on the pool deck and the all-ages Promenade Lounge on deck 3 (Wonder & Magic), Vista Café on deck 4 (Dream & Fantasy), and all bars and lounges on the Wish. Espresso is also available in the main dining rooms, the premium restaurants, and the Dream, Fantasy and Wish buffets. All espresso drinks cost extra, generally about the same price as on land. If you are a regular consumer of espresso drinks, be sure to get a coffee card. Each time you buy a latte, cappucino, etc. they will mark the card. Your sixth beverage is FREE! If you don’t fill your card during the cruise, hold onto it — it can be used on a future cruise, even on a different Disney ship!

Wine Packages and Refillable Beer Mug

Disney doesn’t have any “all you can drink” packages available. You don’t really need one for sodas, since they’re included (except at bars). Alcohol and other specialty beverages are always a la carte. There are, however, two programs that could save you some money (albeit with a few caveats).

Wine Packages

This is an opportunity to pre-pay for a certain number of bottles of wine, which you can enjoy at any of the sit-down restaurants. If you don’t finish one, you can get it recorked for the next night (and they’ll take it to the next restaurant in the rotation, or you can get it brought to you at Palo, Remy or Enchanté), or you can take it with you to your room. If you don’t end up drinking them all, you can take the remainder home. Your server will usually suggest buying one bottle per cruise night, but you can buy more or less if you like. The wines are all from a set list, which changes from time to time, and usually includes about 10-12 white wines and 8-10 red wines. There are two tiers, with the more expensive one including fancier bottles of wine. The wines on the list change regularly, but we think the choices are all pretty good, with a few real winners on each list. Disney pushes these packages aggressively: a brochure will be on the table your first night, and one of your servers will offer a sales pitch the first night.

We went to the trouble a few years ago to price out all the wines on the list and compare to the average cost per bottle from the packages . The price per bottle in the packages was about $2-3 cheaper than the average price of the bottles included in the package. However, the packages typically have only 5-7 selections that sell for more than the average price, and 12-15 selections that sell for less than the average price. So if you pick random bottles from the list, you’re very likely to end up spending more (or at least not much less) by buying the package. To come out ahead, you have to consistently order from the few bottles that are higher priced.

Frankly, our opinion is that it’s not worth the trouble, at least as a money-saving strategy . If buying your dinner wine in advance will help you relax, then go ahead; you certainly won’t lose much money unless you happen to always pick the cheapest wine on the list. And if you really love a particular wine or wines that you know are higher-priced, and you plan to only drink those, the plan will save you a few bucks per bottle.

Refillable Beer Mug

This is a large 21 oz glass souvenir beer mug that you can buy at any bar for $17 (last we checked). When you get it filled (at any bar or restaurant), you get 21 ounces for the price of a 16 ounce draft beer. One nice thing is that you don’t have to cart the mug around; they’ll give you a little token you can trade for a mug at any time. So you give the token to your server and get a mug of beer, and when you’re done you can give them the mug and ask for the token back. At the end of the cruise, just stop by any bar to get a nice clean mug to take home. The selection of draft beers is pretty good, and in addition to the standard American beers, there are always a few craft beers like Widmer or Full Sail and even sometimes a cider like Strongbow. (Disney Cruise Line advertises this as a 21 oz glass, but we heard from a reader who measured it and found it actually held 20 oz when filled to the rim.)

Purely as a money-saving strategy, it’s hard to get your money’s worth out of the mug unless you really like beer. However, if you like the idea of having a Disney Cruise Line souvenir beer mug, and the price seems reasonable, then the extra beer is basically FREE. Make sure to tell your spouse that when you buy it.

Disembarkation Day

Breakfast is served on the day of disembarkation. In fact, you’ll have an assigned restaurant and time for breakfast for disembarkation, or you can choose to eat at the buffet instead. It will be a much smaller selection than during the cruise: welcome back to the real world!

Regular guests do not have access to room service on disembarkation morning. Concierge level guests can order a standard Continental breakfast from room service on disembarkation morning.

Most kids find the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab, for ages 3-10, to be the best part of a Disney cruise. There is a lot to do, with great hands-on organized activities going on all the time.

Signing in and out is a relatively easy process considering what needs to be done to protect the children. However, you may have to wait in line either to drop them off or pick them up. Plan at least 5 minutes for the pick up or drop off process. If your children are 8 years old or older, they can be given the ability to sign themselves in and out on their own.

The Navigator app will tell you what’s happening and where your kids are at any given time. Check the app to see if your children will be out of the Club at the time you want to sign them out – for instance, they could be up on the deck playing basketball. Using the app to plan will save you a wasted trip. Also, when the kids are moving from one location to another, they will not allow you to sign them in or out, so there can be a 10-15 minute window where you have to wait.

You can keep your child signed in to the Oceaneer Club while at Castaway Cay. They will take the kids off the ship to special play areas for supervised games and activities throughout the day. If you do this, be sure to bring your phone with you. The Wi-Fi covers much of Castaway Cay and the app tends to work OK. But if you want your kids to join you for some time on the island, make sure you know their schedule of activities. They eat lunch fairly early, and are taken back to the ship before the beach closes.

Edge is the “tween” club for ages 11-14. Vibe is the teen club for ages 14-17. A 14-year-old can access both Edge and Vibe, but they will have to register for both. Disney will sometimes be slightly flexible about the age groups for these clubs, and will sometimes allow a child that is a little younger than the target age into the older teen club if they have space in the club your child wants to attend, especially if they have a friend or sibling in the older club. This is not guaranteed, but it’s worth asking.

The Disney Cruise offers many opportunities to meet characters . You will see most of the popular characters at some point or another on the Disney Cruise. Greeting times are available in the Navigator app. The lines for character greetings usually start forming about 15 minutes before the scheduled greeting time, so if you can get there 10 minutes beforehand, you won’t have a long wait once the characters arrive.

Some popular character meetings and meals may require advance booking . There’s no charge for the character meetings, but certain breakfasts or teas with characters may have an additional fee. You should book these as early as you can online; the bookings open on the same schedule as  booking excursions and Palo/Remy/Enchanté . You can also call or stop by guest services on the first day and ask about tickets; they may hold back some slots for onboard booking. Thanks to Sarah B and Rachel P for info.

Bring your kids’ Disney costumes, if they have any. The cruise is a great opportunity to get pictures of your daughter dressed as Belle with the “real” Belle herself, without her having to wear the costume all day.

If you’re on a 7-night cruise, you may have an assigned Character Breakfast on one of the days of the cruise. You’ll get a chance for photos with all the main Disney characters, including Mickey and Minnie!

Most of the character greetings will include a Disney professional photographer , so if your own photo doesn’t turn out you can still buy a memento from Shutters, the onboard photo location.

Read our tips, tricks and discounts on Port Excursions !

The list below is mostly based on reader suggestions. We have to admit, we have taken Disney cruises at various times without these, and everything went just fine. So don’t go too crazy with overpacking! But some of these are good ideas for specific needs.

• Water shoes – Always a good idea if you’ll be snorkeling or wading where there are coral reefs and sharp rocks. Also handy to protect your feet on hot sand, concrete or the pool deck; the sun can make the deck very hot and you’ll want some of these or some simple flip-flops while hanging around the pool. You can wear water shoes that are secure and not likely to come off on the AquaDuck, AquaMouse and AquaDunk, but flip-flops or water shoes that slip off easily will need to be stowed before riding.
• Safe Sea lotion – This is a lotion that protects against jellyfish, sea nettle, and seabather’s eruption , caused by jellyfish larvae that are sometimes called “sea lice.” There is actual independent research that backs this up – we’ve read it and are satisfied that it works. We want to reassure people that large jellyfish are kept out of the lagoon at Castaway Cay by netting under the water, so we’ve never heard of anyone getting a serious sting there, but people do occasionally get seabather’s eruption. At other beaches in the Bahamas and Caribbean jellyfish stings are not common, but they do happen. The peak season for jellyfish is summer (June-August) and they’re rare in winter. We actually had a very minor issue with seabather’s eruption on one trip to Castaway Cay (on some skin that didn’t have lotion; we failed to note that you need to apply some underneath the swimsuit for full protection), and we can attest that while it’s not the end of the world, it’s quite unpleasant and worth avoiding. Certainly the lotion is a cheap form of insurance, and there are formulations that include sunscreen, which you’ll need anyway. Another option is to bring some jellyfish after-sting gel  just in case, or some sources recommend hydrocortisone cream or antihistamine cream .
• Body Powder – If you’ve ever tried to wipe beach sand off your body, you know it tends to stick in an annoying manner. It turns out it sticks to your skin because of residual moisture, and if you just rub your skin with water-absorbent powder (i.e. scented cornstarch), the sand drops right off. We used to recommend a very useful little mitt that contained cornstarch-based body powder for wiping off sand. Apparently that mitt isn’t made any more, but you can get the same effect by just sprinkling the powder on a towel and wiping with that. Do make sure you’re getting plain cornstarch powder, or at least talc-free powder. Talc is not good to breathe.
• Robe – if you like to wear one in your room, you’ll need to bring your own unless you’re in a concierge room. Some people have had luck asking their stateroom attendant, but it’s not guaranteed they can get you one.
• Pop-up Hamper – We like the rectangular kind with a circular opening on the top, as opposed to the ones that look like a big round cloth-covered spring. The squarer ones seem to hold their shape better. They only weigh 8 ounces, fold down to a small circle, and fit nicely into hotel and stateroom closets.
• Dry box/case – Basically, a small waterproof box or pouch on a lanyard. Used by scuba divers and snorkelers, these are handy for any beach visit, because you can keep your ID and some money around your neck, instead of sticking valuables in your shoe and leaving them on the beach (yeah, everyone knows about THAT hiding place!)
• Clothespins – These have a variety of uses, from weighing down a shower curtain that wants to stick to you, to anchoring your beach towel to a lounge chair. You can clip your curtains together if you want to minimize light leakage in the morning. Oh, and you can use them to hang laundry up to dry, too (there’s a retractable clothesline in the bathtub).
• Night light – Particularly if you are staying in one of the Inside cabins on the Magic, Wonder or Wish, this is nice to have. It’s pitch black in those rooms when the lights are off. If you don’t want to use up a wall plug, you can get a USB light that plugs into an empty USB charger port. (It’ll also work in a laptop USB port, but not all laptops keep power to the USB ports when they go to sleep, so you’d want to check that first.) An LED flashlight or headlamp can also be handy if you need to get up in the middle of the night and don’t want to turn on lights.
• Magnets – The stateroom doors are metal (except for the doors in the concierge section of the Dream and Fantasy). You can stick magnets on them to decorate your door, and it makes it easier for your children (and you) to identify your room. Don’t bring anything you can’t bear to lose: these do get taken sometimes. Please note that you are not allowed to use any type of adhesive on your door, including removable gel adhesives that supposedly come off clean. You will be charged for any damage to the door.
• Multi-USB charger – When we have a lot of things to charge while travelling, normally we bring a  travel power strip , but as mentioned below, power strips are generally not allowed on Disney ships. Now we bring a multi-charger, which can charge 4 or more devices from one outlet. We’ve used Anker brand as well as Amazon Basics, and they’ve both been perfectly fine. You’ll need to also bring the USB cable for each device. We’d recommend getting at least a 40W model if you have anything more than just a phone or two. A 60W model typically has six outlets and might be just the thing if you have a lot of tablets and phones to charge, or you want a spare port to plug a USB night light into. Note that on the Magic and Wonder, they’ve installed a few more USA-type power outlets near the desk, and there are a couple of USB charging ports at the desk and on the alarm clock next to the bed. The Wish staterooms have tons of USB charging outlets at the desk and next to the bed, including two USB-C ports, so you can probably get by without a USB charger on that ship.
• Irons are NOT ALLOWED as they are a fire hazard. Fire is a huge danger on cruise ships. If you take an iron it will be confiscated from your luggage. Irons are available for your use in the laundry rooms.
• Rolls of quarters – In the past, these were needed for the self-service laundry onboard, but now you just swipe your room key for use of the washer, dryer, soap and dryer sheets. The cost is charged to your account.
• Over-the-door shoe organizer – Some people have used these to store toiletries or other small items. Disney now asks that you do NOT use them as they “scratch and/or disfigure stateroom doors and trim.” You will be charged for any damage.
• Seasickness medication – Unless you KNOW you get seasick on cruise ships, don’t bother bringing this. If you do get queasy, the ship’s health center or the guest services desk will give you FREE over the counter medication (generic meclizine, the ingredient in Bonine or non-drowsy Dramamine). If you get super-queasy the health center can get you prescription medication (for a fee).
• Beach towels – They are provided when you get off the ship on beach days.
• Power/outlet strip – These are not allowed on the ship. MouseSavers.com reader Christina N reports: “… they confiscated these from my bag and from others. They do not allow them as it blows circuits in the room.” Technically, they only ban extension cords, and power strips with surge protectors, but in practice people have reported having just about any kind of multi-outlet strip or adapter confiscated, because the people doing the screening don’t want to figure out whether your power strip is one of the “bad” ones. One thing not many people know is that there’s an open outlet behind the TV in most cabins on the Magic, Wonder, Dream and Fantasy. The TVs are on a pivoting arm, so it’s easy to pull them out and expose the spare plug. Many smartphones and smaller tablets can be charged through a USB cable connected to a laptop, so if you take a USB cable you’ll only need one outlet, to plug in the laptop. Or you might want to pack a multi-USB charger like the ones mentioned above. And over time Disney has been adding USB charging ports to the outlets near the desk, so you might not need a power strip depending on how many devices you have.
• Extension cords – the only extension cords allowed on the ship are ones you can borrow from Guest Services ($50 deposit required; refunded when you return the cord). There are a limited number and availability is first-come, first-served. If you need one for a CPAP or other medical device, one will be made available, but all of the ships now have a plug next to the bed, so you shouldn’t need an extension for a CPAP. On the Wish, there are US-style plugs next to one side of the bed, and a European plug on the other side. So if you have a CPAP or other device that goes next to the bed, and you really prefer to sleep on a specific side, make sure you have the correct plug adapter and your CPAP power supply handles both 110 and 220 volt current (almost all of them do, but you should check).
• Hairdryer (maybe) – Hairdryers are provided, but the ones provided might not be up to your standards. If you’re not picky, don’t bother packing one.
• High chair / booster seat – Both are provided on request in the dining room.
• Pack and play crib – These are provided onboard (request when booking your cruise).
• Stroller (maybe) – There are some strollers available to borrow onboard (deposit required) and on Castaway Cay. However, there are a limited number and it’s first-come, first-served. If you have a little one, it’s not a bad idea to bring a small umbrella stroller along.

During the day and most evenings on the Disney Cruise Line, you can wear casual clothing. At dinner, you are asked to stick to “cruise casual.” Most men wear a collared shirt (aloha shirts and golf/polo shirts are fine) and long pants (chinos or dress slacks) or nice shorts. Most women wear a skirt, dress, nice pants or dressy capris. Disney requests no swimwear or tank tops at dinner, but in practice, dressier tank-style tops will usually be acceptable. People who show up to the main dining rooms in swimsuits are almost always asked to change.

There are times when dressing up to some extent is either required or encouraged:

• When having dinner at Palo, Remy or Enchanté, the dress code is basically “business casual plus.” Men are required to wear long pants suitable for professional work (which could include “nice” jeans), collared shirts and dressier shoes. Some men wear suits or even tuxedos. Women can wear pretty much anything “nice” that isn’t swimwear, casual t-shirts, shorts or sportswear. Semi-formal or even formal wear would not be out of place. At Brunch or Tea at either restaurant, the dress code is “cruise casual,” which basically means no shorts, swimsuits, tank tops or flip-flops.
• On 4-night or longer cruises, there will be one or two “optional dress up” nights that you can interpret how you will. Dressing up is not required, but some folks will make an effort to change for dinner. On our most recent Disney cruises we’ve seen a handful of tuxedos on dress-up nights and a few dozen men wearing jackets. A fair number of women were dressed in nicer outfits. Lots and lots of people were just in normal “cruise casual” outfits, so if you don’t like to dress up don’t feel like you’re under any obligation to do so. On the other hand, if you like to dress up, it’s a great opportunity. The crew and the Disney characters will be in nicer clothes, there will be photo stations where you can get a picture of the whole family in nice outfits, and you won’t feel overdressed in a gown or tux.
• Some people like to wear dressy or semi-formal clothing on the nights when they dine in Lumiere’s (Magic), Triton’s (Wonder) or Royal Palace/Royal Court (Dream or Fantasy), since those are the restaurants with the fanciest theming but this is not by any means required.
• Similarly, a few people like to dress in 1920’s inspired clothes when dining in 1923 on the Disney Wish. This is just a fun thing to do and not in any way required.

Where to Buy Disney Cruise Wear

If you’re looking for Disney-themed casual cruise wear (aloha shirts, etc.), a good place to look is DisneyStore.com . Unfortunately they only offer resort wear on a seasonal basis (usually spring and summer), but even in the winter it’s always worth looking to see if they have anything in the sale section.

DisneyStore.com  carries a significant amount of Disney Cruise Line clothing and other logo merchandise as well.

• See current discounts and offers for DisneyStore.com.

Your phone should still be able to reach a tower on land as long as the ship is in port, but once you are at sea, we strongly advise you to turn off international roaming and data roaming, to avoid having your phone accidentally use the “Cellular@Sea” service, which is very expensive. You can (and should) leave wi-fi turned on, so you can use Disney’s Navigator App to see the current schedules and menus and so forth.

You can also use the Disney Navigator App on your own phone to send messages to other people in your party. To get message notifications as quickly as possible, make sure that notifications are enabled for the Disney Navigator app, as well as background updates. Basically in our experience, the Navigator app needs to have all permissions set to “on,” including Location, Bluetooth, Notifications, and Background Update. You can (and perhaps should) turn those off again once your cruise has ended.

If you absolutely must use your phone to call or text while at sea, service may be available on Disney ships through the “Cellular@Sea” service. It is a very expensive form of international roaming and the ship must be 8 to 10 miles out to sea before you can access it. Most phones will just connect to Cellular@Sea without needing any special setup, but be aware that the service includes phone, text messaging, and data . If your phone is set to auto-update, you could end up on the hook for a large data charge because it decided to download a 100MB game update or something. Definitely turn off your cellular data, or set it to not use cellular data when roaming.

US phones will work in most international ports if you have turned on international roaming. You might need to arrange with your provider for that feature to be turned on in advance, but most providers have it set up by default. Depending on your provider, roaming may be very expensive (potentially over $2 per minute, and $10 or more per megabyte of data). Check with your provider for special international roaming packages, which may save you money if you plan to use your phone a lot.

Wireless internet service is available on all Disney ships . All internet is over satellite, and you shouldn’t expect speeds or responsiveness similar to what you get on land, though it’s usually good enough to send messages and emails and use Facebook and other social media.

Internet service on Disney ships is paid for by the day, and is theoretically “unlimited .” It’s pretty fast for cruise ship internet, but still slower than most land-based systems. You’re sharing bandwidth with all the other passengers and crew, so right after you leave a port, expect the internet to crawl as everyone starts posting pictures of their excursions to social media. If you have cellular internet service that works in that country (and is reasonably priced), you may want to post your pictures before you leave port via cellular rather than via wi-fi. If your cellular is flaky, get to the top deck and walk over to the side of the ship closest to land. Alternatively, wait until dinner time, when the wi-fi speeds will pick up considerably.

Prices are (so far) pretty reasonable for cruise ship internet, with a basic single-device plan that lets you use Facebook and similar apps (but not email or web) for $16/day (when purchased for the whole cruise), a fancier plan that includes email and web (but no streaming) for $24/day, and a premium plan that includes music streaming for $34/day. Video streaming is not supported on any plan , so no Netflix or Hulu. Plans cost a little more if you only buy a plan for individual days rather than the whole cruise, and there is a small discount for adding additional devices.

Spa: Treatments, Products and Fitness Center

Spa treatments are very popular and fill up early , so book them as early as you can . If you’re not able to get an appointment before you embark, go to the Spa when you get onboard and you’ll probably be able to arrange one in person.

We don’t recommend having any spa treatments done on the first (embarkation) day , because people are touring the Spa all afternoon and evening, making it busy and not very relaxing. It’s a good day to set up your future appointments, but not as good for actually having treatments done.

The changing rooms in the spa have fluffy robes for your use. Sadly, the robes are all “one size fits most” and aren’t big enough for many people. You then can choose a locker that contains a clean pair of spa sandals. The lockers allow you to set your own combination for secure storage of your personal items. We don’t find the sandals they provide very comfortable (again, they’re “one size fits most”), so we just wear a clean pair of sandals or flip-flops to our spa appointment.

You can change into your robe in the open locker room or in one of the toilet cubicles. Once you’re in your robe and sandals, an attendant will escort you to a quiet waiting room, where you can enjoy some water while you wait for your treatment. After your treatment you’ll be escorted back to the locker room, where you can use one of the spacious showers if you wish. Basic toiletries, disposable combs, etc. are provided. On the Dream and Fantasy, there is a dry sauna in the locker room that you can enjoy after your treatment for no additional charge.

If you are considering a Cabana Massage on Castaway Cay, here are a few things to consider first:

• The cabanas are rustic. There is no running water in them, so your massage therapist cannot wash her hands during your treatment. There is no air conditioning (there is a ceiling fan) or heat so it can be unpleasantly hot in the summer and uncomfortably cool in the winter.
• Your feet and lower legs will almost certainly be covered with sand by the time you get to the cabana, and there’s really no facility for removing it. (There is an outdoor shower near the waiting area, but you’ll then proceed across the sand to the cabana… you’ll get sandy again, trust us.) So the sand inevitably becomes part of the treatment. How you feel about having sandy oil rubbed into your skin is a matter of preference. And remember, the massage oil dissolves any sunscreen you’re wearing, so you’ll need to reapply it afterward, which enters the mix with the sand.
• When you envision this experience, you might think you would be relaxing to the sound of the ocean waves. Nope. The cabanas are located right above the lounge chairs along the beach (though visually separated by some plants), so you will hear the chatter of people sitting right below you.
• The Cabana Massage is billed as featuring “breathtaking views of Serenity Bay.” Well, that’s true for the massage therapist, but you’ll be lying on a table, and you won’t see the scenery from there.
• The Cabana Massage is more expensive than a regular massage in the ship’s spa, yet in many ways you are getting less for your money. If you have a massage on the ship, you’ll have access to showers, a locker room, robes and sandals, etc. With the Cabana Massages, you get none of that.

The Rainforest

The Rainforest is a lovely, relaxing co-ed spa area on each ship.

• On the Magic and Wonder , the Rainforest includes three tiled steam rooms (each a different temperature), some open showers with different scented “rain” programs and a few heated loungers.
• On the Dream and Fantasy , the Rainforest has a dry sauna, a hot steam room and a hammam (a large, tiled steam room that is less hot than the regular steam room), four scented showers with multiple “rain” programs, numerous heated loungers with views of the sea and two hot tubs on a private deck overlooking the water.
• On the Wish , the Rainforest has a dry sauna, hammam, a cryotherapy (cold) room, showers with rain programs, heated loungers, and a nice sun deck ( much larger than the one on the Dream & Fantasy) with two hot tubs and plenty of sun beds. The sun deck is tucked into the nose of the ship, one deck below the promenade, so there’s no ocean view, but you can see the sky and relax in the sun or the shade according to your preference.

You can purchase a day pass or a longer pass for the length of your cruise. A limited number of passes are sold on each sailing. Tip: the Rainforest Room is closed until around 5 on embarkation day, so you won’t typically get a lot of usage on the first day of the cruise. You may find it’s a better deal just to pay day-by-day, or ask if you can buy a shorter pass. The single-day passes for the sea day(s) will go first, followed by the full-cruise passes. A pass for the Castaway Cay day or other port day might be available same day, and could be a good alternative if you’re not interested in that port.

When you want to use the Rainforest, just tell the front desk staff at the spa and they’ll give you a wristband that opens the door to the Rainforest area. They will hold your room key while you are in the Rainforest. You then proceed to the locker room, where you can choose a locker and get a robe and sandals, if desired. A swimsuit must be worn since the Rainforest is mixed-gender.

Towels and drinking water are provided.

The spas on the Disney ships are operated by Steiner, a huge British spa company that runs spas for cruise lines and resorts. The staff do a great job performing the spa treatments, but Steiner trains them to offer product upsells at every reasonable opportunity. The result is that they almost always give cruise passengers a sales pitch on spa products. The products themselves are fine, but they are expensive and getting a sales pitch after your relaxing treatment can be annoying.

You’ll be given a “health form” before your treatment, asking about various health issues. Any issues you write on that form are used to help them sell you stuff (“Oh, I see you have very dry skin. You should try this cream.”). For that reason, unless you have an allergy or injury that directly affects your treatment , we recommend leaving the form as blank as possible .

Some people have tried writing “no sales pitch” on the form, but that is frequently ignored. Here are some other approaches we’ve used with success:

• A polite and friendly “no thank you” when they start showing the products or going through their list of recommendations is our first line of defense. That’s often the end of it! But if they start offering a second sales pitch, we make a concerned/confused face, pause for a moment, and say, again politely, “I’m really not interested, thanks.” The subtext you want to get across is that by not paying attention to your clear and polite “no,” they’re running the risk of affecting your overall satisfaction, with all that implies about things like tips and guest comment cards. You don’t need to make this explicit; the concerned face and second “no” usually does the trick.
• If they start the sales pitch while we are getting a relaxation treatment such as a massage or wrap, we usually just stay silent. We keep our  eyes closed and don’t respond to questions. Usually they quit talking, because it becomes quite awkward for them. But if they persist, we say politely, “Sorry, I’m trying to relax, and silence really helps me with that. Thanks!”
• If we are getting a haircut or pedicure, it’s harder to ignore the sales pitch. So instead we act very enthusiastic about every product they are pushing. Usually they’ll use one or more of the products on us during the service. If they offer samples we take them, with sincere thanks. When we go to check out, there is always a big stack of “suggested” products at the front desk. When they ask us what we’ll be buying, we say “oh, I want to see how the stuff I tried today works out, so I’m not buying anything right now.”
• Remember that no matter what happens, you can always change your mind about the add-on products when you check out. Until you sign the purchase slip, you haven’t purchased anything. Just say, “after thinking it over, I don’t need any products right now. Could you take these off the bill? Thanks.”

Fitness Center

A well-equipped Fitness Center can be accessed through the Spa on all of the ships. It’s usually open from early morning to fairly late – check the Navigator for specific hours. There is no charge to use the Fitness Center. The locker rooms, sauna and showers for the Fitness Center are shared with the Spa. Towels, robes and water are provided, and you can borrow an iPod shuffle if you don’t have your own iPod with you.

You never are expected to add any extra tip over and above the automatic gratuity amounts, which are listed below . You may , if you wish, add more, and you can even adjust certain tips down if you feel it’s warranted. Many people add extra gratuities purely because the service staff on a Disney cruise are extremely helpful and work very hard, but again, no one should ever make you feel like you are required to tip more.

Disney provides suggested tip amounts for the crew members who will assist you throughout the week: your server (takes your food orders for each dinner), assistant server (takes your drink orders at each dinner and delivers the food), head server (in charge of the overall dinner experience, special dietary requests and special occasions), and stateroom host/hostess (takes care of your room). As on all cruise lines, tips are the primary source of income for people working in these positions.

The suggested gratuities for your servers and stateroom host are automatically added to your stateroom bill. If you want to adjust the amount, you can go to Guest Services. Toward the end of the cruise you will be provided with slips indicating the tip amounts, which you can present to your servers during your last dinner on the cruise and leave in your room for your stateroom host. (They will get the money in their accounts whether you give them the slips or not, it’s purely a symbolic way of thanking them for their service. Don’t feel you need to do it if you don’t enjoy that kind of interaction.)

If you are staying in a concierge room, a separate form is provided to add tip for the concierge staff, with a suggested “average” tip amount. You can use your discretion to adjust it up or down based on how much help they provided your family. 

If you dine at Palo, Remy or Enchanté, many people add an additional tip to the per-person charge, though the basic charge is considered by Disney to cover the gratuity.

An automatic gratuity is added to all beverages ordered in bars and lounges; soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled water from room service; and alcoholic beverages/smoothies/bottled water ordered in the dining room. There will also be a line where you can add an additional tip at your discretion.

You can add room service tips to your room bill. Even if your order costs nothing, you’ll be asked to sign a slip, and there is a space for tips on that slip. A dollar or two per item ordered is pretty common, but entirely optional.

You are allowed to give tips to crew members in cash, if you like, and they’re happy to take it in any major currency. If you have a meaningful amount of foreign currency (more than a few dollars worth) after your cruise that you’re unlikely to use anytime in the near future, feel free to leave it for your room host in addition to the automatic gratuity; they’ll be happy to get it.

As the skippers say on the world-famous Jungle Cruise, “You all have been outstanding on this cruise, but now I need you out standing on the dock!” Sadly, your cruise will eventually have to end, and Disney needs to get a few thousand people and their bags off the ship in the space of about 3 hours, so “efficiency” is the word of the day.

A few days before the end of your cruise you should be reminded to check the disembarkation instructions in the Navigator app , and you might get a paper form listing your specific disembarkation instructions. Disembarkation can feel very complicated and rushed, but it’s not that bad once you know how it works.

The first important decision is whether you want Disney to take your big luggage off the ship for you. If you have a lot of bags, or they’re unwieldy, you probably are going to want to have the bags moved for you, but if you can handle your own bags in one trip, that makes things immensely less complicated. These days we always choose to handle our own bags, but there are times we wonder whether it’d be easier to have Disney do it, usually when we’re wrestling our big roller bags down the gangplank. It’s worth trying it both ways if you go on multiple cruises, because you never can tell which one will feel easiest for you.

Whether or not you handle your own bags, you’re supposed to be completely out of your room on the final morning by 8:00 am so they can start cleaning and resetting it for the next guests (sometimes this time can change depending on the disembarkation port – check the sheet they give you or the app to make sure). This can make things logistically complicated, since if you want to do a table-service breakfast, it will be on a fixed schedule based on whether you are on the early or late dinner seating. The first breakfast seating starts early enough to get done before 8:00 am, but the later one does not. So if you plan to do table-service breakfast and you’re on late seating, you will have to take your luggage with you. Most people on late seating line up their bags in the hallway leading to the dining room. Don’t worry, no one will take your bags; your fellow guests are all far too tired. You can take smaller bags into the dining room and park them next to the table as long as they aren’t in the servers’ way. If you are planning an early breakfast in the buffet or you’re having sit-down breakfast on the earlier seating, you can just leave your bags in your room and then come back and retrieve them by 8:00 am.

Option 1: Disney Handles Your Bags

If you decide to have Disney haul your big bags to the terminal, then you’ll need to put most of your bags out the night before (typically by 10:30 pm – check the app to make sure). You need to hang on to at least one or two small bags to hold the stuff you can’t pack early, like toiletries and your pajamas. Make sure not to pack the clothes you’ll need to wear the next morning! You’ll get a set of luggage tags to put on the bags you’re putting out, and there will be a guide showing roughly when each group of bags will be ready to pick up in the terminal. For example, if you have bag tag “Donald Duck”, the sheet might say that your bags will be ready between 8:30-8:45 am. If you need to leave early to catch an flight or something, make sure you’ve got the earliest time they can give you. You can go to Guest Services to change your bag group if needed. On disembarkation morning, they will make periodic announcements about every 15 minutes, as each set of bags gets delivered to the terminal. They ask that you not leave the ship until your bag group gets called.

If you’re out of the room, but they still haven’t called your bag group, you’ll need to find somewhere to wait . In our experience, the lounges in the adult area of the ship are the most likely to have empty seats available, especially the main adult show lounge on the Magic, Wonder, Dream & Fantasy (Fathoms/Azure/Evolution/The Tube). Those are on deck 3, so you can just walk to the atrium when your group is called. On the Wish, there are fewer options on deck 3, so you may end up needing to go to another deck or sit on the floor. On the other hand, if you’re still in the dining room when they call your bag group, there’s not really any harm in waiting until you finish breakfast to disembark, assuming you don’t have transportation waiting for you. Typically they want everyone off by 9:30 am or so, so that’s your hard deadline.

When you get into the terminal, if you’re in a hurry, it’s not a bad idea to ask for a porter’s help. They’re usually lined up in the luggage area with carts, and they know the terminal well and will know if there’s any shortcuts or faster ways to get you into a cab or shuttle. They work for tips, and a typical tip is $1-2 per bag; more if they go above and beyond.

If you booked Disney’s transfers to Walt Disney World or the airport, then the timing is much more fixed. They will assign you a time to get off, and you really need to get off at that time so they can get you on the right bus. Arrange your breakfast plans accordingly.

Option 2: You Handle Your Own Bags

If you’re handling your own bags, there’s not really much you have to do the night before to prepare . Get mostly packed up the night before. Finish packing on the morning of disembarkation, get breakfast if you like, and then just leave the ship. You can leave any time after the ship is cleared, which will be 15-30 minutes after the ship is docked. They won’t necessarily announce to the whole ship that disembarkation has begun, because it’ll happen as early as 6-6:30 in the morning and they don’t want to wake everyone up with an announcement. If you can see that the ship is docked, just head down to deck 3 and wait for them to start letting folks off.

Skip the talks, except for the nature talks on the Alaska cruises, which can be excellent. The shopping talk is just a “rah-rah” for certain shops that are paying a marketing fee, and you might get a few coupons for free (junky) souvenirs. Both the shopping and disembarkation talks are replayed on the television repeatedly. Don’t waste your vacation time attending these lectures in person.

Read additional tips specific to the Disney Dream (which will also apply to the Fantasy) .

So what’s it really like to take a Disney cruise? Here are a few different perspectives on the experience:

• A look at what’s new and different on the Disney Wish , from a preview sailing in July 2022.
• A comparison of taking three cruises on three different ships in a six-month span between March and August 2014. It was rough, but somebody had to do it.
• Taking a cruise on the Disney Fantasy with a baby and a 3 ½-year-old , May 2012.
• First-hand report on the  Disney Fantasy  from March 2012: what’s new and different? See photos and learn more!
•   First impressions of the Disney Dream , from a preview sailing in January 2011.
• In summer 2007, friends of MouseSavers.com Ann and Danilo V wrote a travel blog about taking their 5 children to Europe for the summer. At the end of their trip they took a Disney Mediterranean cruise (10 nights roundtrip from Barcelona) in a Category 3 and a Category 4 stateroom. Then they did the 14-night Transatlantic cruise on the Disney Magic in the Walt Disney Suite!

The Disney Cruise Line Blog

An unofficial disney cruise line news, information, weather, and photo blog..

Concierge Embarkation Lunch Menus

Concierge guests are invited to an embarkation day sit down lunch. The lunch mirrors the normal embarkation lunch menu, but is offered in Tiana’s Place on the Wonder, Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Magic, and Enchanted Garden on the Dream & Fantasy which have been set aside exclusively for concierge guests.

October 2021 |  Last verified May 2022

• SLICED SMOKED SALMON with Lemon and a Honey-Mustard Dill Sauce
• BEEF EMPANADAS with Red Chimichurri
• MIXED SALAD with Iceberg, Spinach, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onions, and Carrots with a choice of Dressing: Raspberry, Balsamic, Ranch, or Italian Vinaigrette

FROM THE KETTLE

a hearty portion served in individual crocks

• SEAFOOD AND CHICKEN GUMBO WITH CORNBREAD
• LEEK AND POTATO SOUP WITH SODA BREAD
• PENNETTE PASTA with Tomato- Basil Provencal Sauce, Goat Cheese, and a Spinach-Pesto
• GRILLED SALMON SALAD Grilled Salmon Filet tossed Iceberg, Citrus-Marinated Couscous, Spinach, Artichokes, Tomatoes, and Cucumbers
• MUFFULETTA SANDWICH Olive Salad, Genoa Salami, Mortadella, and Provolone Cheese on Muffuletta Bread served with a side o- Chins
• CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD Marinated. Roasted Chicken Breast served with crisp Romaine Leaves, Vine Tomatoes creamy Caesar Dressing, Sea Salt Croutons, and shaved Parmesan
• POACHED LOBSTER SALAD with Spinach, Escarole, Arugula Leaves, Avocado, Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus, Shallots, and a Lemon-Flat Leaf Parsley Dressing
• ROASTED BEEF TENDERLOIN with Sautéed Wild Mushrooms, Parsnip Purée, Cabernet Wine Black Truffle Reduction, and crisp Celeriac Chips
• COOKIES ‘N CREAM CHEESECAKE layered on a Chocolate-Graham Cracker Crust with Whipped Cream
• CARROT CAKE layered with Lemon-Cream Cheese
• WELCOME ABOARD SUNDAE Vanilla Bean Ice Cream with Pecan-Caramel Cupcake Bites, Butterscotch Sauce, and Whipped Cream
• WARM MOLTEN POT with Homemade Hazelnut Gelato

NO SUGAR ADDED DESSERT

• CHOCOLATE MARQUISE BOMBE Rich Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry sauce

CHILDREN’S SELECTION

Entrées served with fresh Vegetables and Steak Fries

• MICKEY’S MAC & CHEESE
• GOLDEN CHICKEN STRIPS WITH BARBECUE SAUCE
• MINNIE’S MINI BURGER
• MICKEY CHECK MEAL Grilled Chicken Breast with Roasted Red Skin Potatoes, steamed Carrots, and fresh Watermelon served with a choice of Lowfat Milk or Water

September 2018

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We tried a $10,000 concierge suite on Disney Wish to find out if it was worth the extra cost

Disney Wish is Disney Cruise Line's newest, largest and undeniably fanciest ship. In the summer of 2022, Wish joined the fleet as Disney's fifth ship, and since then, I've become an unabashed fan. The beautiful, modern floating resort is so impressive that it can even win over non-cruisers .

I've been lucky enough to sail on Wish twice. During my first sailing, I was an invited guest of Disney on a media preview cruise and stayed in a stateroom with a veranda. More recently, I sailed as a paying passenger on a regularly scheduled sailing in a one-bedroom suite.

A suite is obviously more luxurious and spacious than a standard room, but arguably the best things about Disney Cruise Line 's version are the numerous concierge perks that come with it.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

On Wish, there is a concierge lounge, complete with a private sun deck and hot tubs. Plus, you'll enjoy complimentary evening cocktails, hot room service breakfast, access to earlier onboard and port activity reservation times, and a dedicated team that handles any needs or logistics that arise on your voyage, among other perks.

If you're considering a cruise on Disney Wish in a concierge-level cabin, here's a look at what you can expect — and when paying extra is and isn't worth the cost.

Disney Wish concierge basics

Concierge lounge access and services on Disney Wish are available to passengers with bookings in the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom category and above.

Measuring 300 to 350 square feet, these entry-level concierge rooms include a private balcony (in some cases) and can sleep up to five people. While they are essentially standard cabins in terms of size, they have the added benefit of touches like a down duvet, a plush robe and slippers, a pillow menu and included Wi-Fi access, according to Disney.

The suites on the ship, ranging from the one-bedroom suite we booked to the over-the-top Tower Suite located in the ship's forward (fake) funnel, also come with concierge access and perks.

Concierge rooms are admittedly pretty pricey when compared to most standard cabins, and they typically sell out before the other room types.

For the least expensive three-night sailings on Disney Wish, expect to pay at least $3,700 for double occupancy or around $5,300 for two adults and two children in the same cabin.

However, it can easily cost more than double that price to sail in a concierge room during peak holiday dates, when the price of the suites quickly crosses the $10,000 mark for a family.

Disney Wish has roughly double the number of concierge cabins of the other Disney ships, with a total of 76 located across decks 11, 12 and 13. This increase in total number of concierge passengers comes with it its own list of pros and cons that I'll address shortly.

Related: 11 ways to save money on Disney Cruise Line

FOR NO COST ASSISTANCE WITH PLANNING AND BOOKING YOUR NEXT DISNEY CRUISE OR VACATION, CHECK OUT TPG'S DISNEY BOOKING PARTNER, MOUSE COUNSELORS .

Disney Wish concierge perks

The magic of the Disney concierge benefits starts well before you board. Most of these perks are the same regardless of which Disney ship you've booked, though how they play out varies a bit based on the ship and port(s).

Early booking for dining and activities

Starting 130 days before you sail, you can inform the concierge team of your booking preferences for things like onboard dining, spa treatments, port adventures and bookings at Castaway Cay. Then, 120 days before you set sail, that team does its best to secure the reservations you want.

That's an earlier booking window than other cruisers get. Typically, passengers can start booking activities 75 days out for first-time cruisers, 90 days for those with Silver Castaway Club status and 105 days for those with Gold Castaway Club status.

The early access period for concierge cruisers is the same window as those with Platinum Castaway Club status — the highest elite tier in Disney Cruise Line's loyalty program — receive. You don't earn this top-tier status until you've completed at least 10 sailings with Disney, so this head start on booking is a huge benefit for concierge room guests.

This early booking benefit can be the difference between getting that coveted brunch or dinner reservation at the adults-only restaurants, premium spa treatment time or a highly sought-after cabana on Castaway Cay, Disney's private island .

Early ship boarding — and a private lounge at Port Canaveral

Some concierge perks come when it's time to sail.

You get the earliest port arrival time, which often means you'll rub elbows with fewer people in the terminal and end up spending more time on the ship. We were able to arrive at the port starting a little before 10:30 a.m., which is an hour or two earlier than most passengers.

There were no crowds at all in the Port Canaveral terminal, which is Wish's home port, and we didn't have to wait in any measurable lines to have our documents or carry-on bags checked.

A sticker was put on our shirts to denote that we were concierge passengers to the staff, which literally opened doors for us.

By 10:40 a.m. we were in the private lounge reserved for those in concierge cabins and back-to-back cruisers who were enjoying a second consecutive sailing.

The lounge wasn't over-the-top nice but did have spots to sit, charge your phone and sip on a cold drink from the minifridge.

Shortly before 11:30 a.m., we found ourselves walking on board the still mostly empty ship.

Onboard welcome lunch

The pools and AquaMouse waterslide weren't yet open when we got onto the ship because it was so early in our sailing. However, I highly recommend using this extra time to head to those the minute they are available. Since we had just cruised on Wish a few weeks earlier, we decided instead to check out the Grand Hall and attend a leisurely concierge welcome lunch in the 1923 restaurant.

This was a good time to get to know the concierge team and ask them about essential tips, like making your booking for the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge before the times are all snapped up. Minutes seriously matter on that one, so make the booking the moment you get on the ship's Wi-Fi and can access the Disney Cruise Line app.

We were also told that our suite should be ready by the time we were done with our meal of smoked salmon, empanadas, and the epic welcome aboard sundae with vanilla bean ice cream, pecan-caramel cupcake bites and butterscotch topping — and that proved correct.

Related: What it's like to eat in the 'Frozen' restaurant on Disney Wish

The concierge lounge

Now we're getting to the good stuff. Located on Deck 12 forward (Deck 13 for the sun deck), the concierge lounge is a showpiece of why you sail in this class of Disney Wish cabin in the first place.

This is where you will find the kind, knowledgeable, personal and gracious team of four concierge hosts. It's also where you can enjoy small plates of snacks throughout the day; access a fridge full of complimentary juice, water and soda; and visit the included bar in the evenings from 5 to 10 p.m.

This particular concierge lounge is massive when you factor in all the indoor space, the outdoor terrace and the entire sun deck.

We enjoyed the sailaway out of Port Canaveral from this deck and would visit each day for small plates of food that you don't usually find on other parts of the ship, such as sushi. We'd also come here to load up on bottled water and some sodas for the room and shore excursions.

Whatever you do, make sure you don't miss the evening happy hours in the lounge. You can get wine, beer, mixed drinks, cocktails and basically anything you can dream up at no extra charge to enjoy there or elsewhere on the ship. Our kids loved the mocktail strawberry daiquiris.

On the sun deck, there are two hot tubs and a small pool available exclusively for concierge guests. There's more than enough seating up here and even an unlimited Dole Whip smoothie machine, if you find yourself craving Disney's iconic treat. It sounds better than it tastes, but the odds are high that your kids will have fun with it.

Hot in-room meals for breakfast and from the restaurants

Everyone on Disney Cruise Line can order room service to their stateroom at virtually any time of day for free. However, in most staterooms, room service breakfast choices are limited to continental options such as cereals, doughnuts, pastries and fruit. In concierge suites, you can order hot room service options, too.

To place an order, fill out the order card the night before. The next day, you'll find yourself starting your day with pretty delicious menu items such as Mickey waffles, avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches, all in the comfort of your room.

At night, most stateroom guests can choose from room service basics such as chicken fingers, hamburgers and chicken wings. But in concierge accommodations, you can also have a meal from the sit-down restaurants brought to your room.

I'd love to say we tried that and show you some pictures of fancy food, but after several rich and involved meals, the chicken fingers and fries were all we wanted on the one night we dined in.

Related: 7 things that surprised me on Disney Wish

Early seating for evening shows

There are no assigned seats for the Broadway-caliber shows (think: "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin") on Disney Wish, but those who are staying in concierge rooms do have their first choice of seats, as you can meet one of the concierge hosts at a special entrance about five minutes before the other guests are let into the theater. This translates to getting your first pick of seats.

These first-come, first-served seats are not in a reserved section, so you do still need to get to the theater pretty early. You'll need to ask the hosts exactly what time they are meeting before the show, but if you want that front-and-center spot, it's a nice perk.

Free popcorn

While watching the evening shows or a movie — or really whenever you get a craving for a snack — you can get free popcorn with your concierge stateroom keycard. It's a small way that the concierge label makes everything feel a little bit easier.

Get walked off the ship at the end of the cruise

On our first Disney cruise , getting off the ship on the final morning was a total nightmare. There were epic queues for the over-stuffed elevators and a seemingly never-ending line to walk off the ship.

If you stay in a concierge accommodation, you don't have to deal with any of those headaches. At certain times in the morning — the final available time to do this on our recent cruise was around 8:15 a.m. — one of the hosts will let you get into a special elevator that quickly brings you down to the deck to disembark without a wait. It's a magical way to end the trip.

You're on your own for the regular line for clearing customs, but getting off the ship itself is a dream that you don't want to end.

Related: What it's like to eat at the Marvel restaurant on Disney Wish

Inside our 1-bedroom suite on Disney Wish

Like the rest of the ship, our one-bedroom suite was lovely, albeit a little plain in certain areas.

First, the highlights, of which there were many: The king-size bed was absolutely heavenly. Given how tight sleeping quarters can be on ships, it was a massive luxury to have such a large bed while on Wish.

The "Tangled"-themed mural on the wall in the bathroom was also breathtaking.

Frankly, the entire bathroom was divine and felt far more like what you'd find in a hotel than in a cruise cabin, thanks to its spacious layout.

Off the living room was another full bathroom that lacked a tub like the primary bathroom, but it still had a shower that was extremely generous in size, especially given it was the suite's secondary shower.

In the living room, there was a small Murphy bed that came out of an awkward divider between the dining and sitting areas. The couch also converted into a bed courtesy of the stateroom host each evening.

That made for a total of three sleeping spaces in this suite.

Disney Wish's layout was a bit different from what I'd found when staying in a one-bedroom suite on Disney Wonder , where suites have smaller single beds in the bedroom instead of the living room. That worked better for me at the time with younger kids, but I can see how Wish's arrangement may be ideal for those with older kids.

Either way, the primary bedroom area was mostly occupied by the bed, so there wasn't much room for anything other than a side table and a dresser.

Another key difference that I'm not sure was an improvement was the use of space between the primary bedroom and bathroom. On Disney Wonder, there was a desk there that was perfect for working, putting on makeup, or organizing and charging all your devices.

On Wish, that hall was instead used for storage, which was OK but a little awkward, especially because the doors were so tough to open that my 7-year-old couldn't always do it without help. Younger kids certainly wouldn't be able to access it on their own. If someone happens to pull out the keycard that allows the lights to come on inside — which happened to us during our cruise — heaven help you, as it is pitch black and almost creepy in there.

Other than the eye-catching light fixture, the dining area also felt a little uninspiring, given how grand the bathroom was. Some art on the walls, perhaps from "Tangled" to continue the theme, would have been nice.

That said, our private balcony was perfect for morning coffee and evening sunsets.

All-in-all, the one-bedroom suite was a lovely space that certainly benefited from the modern decor and bedding, but I'm not 100% convinced it is an overall better use of physical space than what you'll find on the older Disney ships. Still, my two kids, grandma and I were comfortable throughout our cruise.

Related: Disney Cruise Line's ships explained

Related: These are the best credit cards for booking a cruise

Is concierge level worth it on the new Disney Wish?

Now that you have a sense of the suite and what type of magic a concierge-level booking unlocks on Disney Wish, let's talk about when it is — and maybe isn't — worth the splurge.

When concierge level on Disney Wish is worth it

If you simply want to be in one of the ship's suites (and have the funds for it), then you're going to default to having concierge access and perks. You'll not only have more space in your cabin but also all the perks that come along with it.

For what it's worth, my favorite onboard suite is not the most expensive one in the funnel but rather the two-story "Sleeping Beauty"-inspired Royal Suite. Sure, it'll set you back at least $15,000 per sailing, but it's beautiful — to say the least.

Concierge level is also worth it if you want the best service that Disney Cruise Line has to offer.

For example, if you are only ever going to sail once, paying up for all the bells and whistles may be the way to go. That way, you can have someone on hand to magically handle all the logistics and requests and be available for any onboard questions and assistance.

On shorter cruises, like the three- and four-night options on Wish, the concierge can also help you maximize your time by letting you on as early as possible. Additionally, it's a fantastic category to book if you really enjoy lounges when you travel and plan to make the most of the ones on and off the ship.

On Wish specifically, you have the added benefit of the private sun deck with hot tubs. If you think you'll use those, then it's a real value-add.

And of course, when the price differential between the more standard cabins and concierge rooms is smaller — let's say $1,500 or so, it's obviously more worth it than when the price differential is thousands and thousands of dollars.

Finally, if you have hard-to-get reservation requests (like the perfect Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique time slot) and don't otherwise have Platinum Castaway Club status, which allows you to book it at the first available moment, then being in a concierge room increases your odds of snagging those valuable timeslots.

When concierge level on Disney Wish isn't worth it

As mentioned, if funds are not an issue and you want the best of the best, then great, book a concierge cabin on Disney Wish. We eagerly await the postcard you send us from your fabulous vacation.

However, for most of us with finite vacation budgets, there are trade-offs requiring us to maximize each decision. As a result, having concierge access on your first Wish sailing may not be the best use of money.

Having sailed both in and out of these accommodations on Wish, I found myself enjoying more of the ship itself when sailing without concierge access.

On your first Wish sailing, you already have three new-to-you restaurants to enjoy, which makes dining at the adults-only specialty restaurants less of a priority since doing so means you'll need to skip one of the included restaurants. If you don't eat in the adults-only spots, you don't need help getting those coveted bookings, meaning you'll get less out of the pricey concierge experience.

The on-deck food, like Marceline Market, is also worth visiting on your first Disney Wish cruise, but you may find it harder to work it in when you have access to the concierge lounge.

The same applies for drinks. Since drinks were included in the concierge lounge each evening, I felt silly going to the ship's fantastic bars, such as the Star Wars: Hyperspace Lounge and The Rose, because of the out-of-pocket costs attached to those cocktails.

Even with concierge perks, you may also find yourself out of luck in getting some highly sought-after benefits. This happened to me with one perk I was really looking forward to: the hard-to-book cabanas on Castaway Cay.

Because there are more concierge cabins on Disney Wish than there are cabanas on Castaway Cay, you are not guaranteed the ability to rent one. Athough we requested one as soon as possible, we were not one of the lucky ones to snag a cabana.

If you decide to skip the extra expense of concierge level, that means you'll have more money to put toward the new offerings on board, such as cocktails with popsicles in tasty flavors in the adult-only pool area.

Bottom line

There's no question that sailing with concierge access on Disney Wish is a fantastic experience, but you probably could have guessed that. It improves an already low-stress vacation so it becomes an essentially stress-free getaway with magical moments at every turn. The concierge team can grant virtually every wish you could dream up.

Sipping evening cocktails on the private deck while sailing away into the sunset was simply phenomenal, and having a lounge to pop into for treats, drinks or reservation assistance was a convenience I could get used to.

However, magic comes at a cost.

Disney Cruise Line is already more expensive than most family-oriented cruise lines, and Disney Wish is the most expensive of the Disney ships. Add concierge access on top of that and, well, it's certainly not cheap. If you are going to have to take fewer trips over the course of a year or two to afford a concierge-level room on Disney Wish, then you're probably better off skipping it on your first sailing. After all, part of the fun of being on Disney Wish is checking out all the one-of-a-kind facilities you'll only find on this ship.

Related: Comparing Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Disney for a family cruise

Once you've tried all the restaurants, found your favorite bars and explored every corner of the ship, a concierge accommodation is absolutely worth considering — if you have the means to make it happen. The upgraded stateroom, concierge lounge and other perks provided with these rooms are a treat to experience while cruising.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

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Disney Wish Staterooms

Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know

W e recently went through the Disney Cruise Line Check-in process and wish we knew everything we're sharing below ahead of time. It would have avoided confusion and cut down on the time it took to complete it all. Alas, we're smarter and wiser now!

Luckily, we're sharing our valuable knowledge with you , including screenshots of the check-in process (which we did on a mobile phone) and what to expect.

Disclosure: There are affiliate links in this post, which means we may earn a small commission if you click the link and proceed with a purchase  at no cost to you . We truly only recommend cruises, experiences, products, and services we personally use. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Creating a Smoother Check-in Process for You

In order to create the smoothest check-in process possible, we are also sharing what you need to have ready ahead of time . Additionally, we'll tell you the info we wish we knew in advance that will help you for your own Disney Cruise Line (DCL) check-in.

Get excited because you'll know what time you can arrive at the port to start boarding your Disney cruise after you complete the check-in process! Woohoo! (We'll also explain why that Port Arrival time is important.)

Towards the end of the post, we'll share what you can do after you check-in in the days leading up to your cruise.

Preparing for your Disney Cruise Line Check-in

Check-in opens to passengers a minimum of 30 days before embarkation. It must be completed by one day before your sail date. Only guests in good standing who have paid the balance of their cruise booking can proceed with checking in.

Castaway Club Perk: Earlier Check in

If you are a member of Castaway Club, which you are automatically enrolled in for free, after your first Disney cruise, you can check in according to the following:

• Silver: 33 days before the cruise
• Gold: 35 days before the cruise
• Platinum: 38 days before the cruise
• Pearl: 40 days before the cruise

Disney Cruise Line Concierge Guests Check In

It does not matter when concierge guests check in as long as they do so before the cut off date for online check in. This is because they get Group One boarding anyway.

➜ Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

First, you want to ensure you have the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app downloaded on your phone for your online check-in. You will want the app for your cruise anyway since it allows you to text with fellow passengers while on board, free of charge or free of an internet plan.

You will find links to download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app here via the Apple App Store or Google Play for Android users.

If you have never downloaded the app, you'll also need the following to log in :

• Disney Cruise reservation number
• Your Disney Cruise account login info (username and password)

You can do other things in the DCL app, including:

• Manage your reservation.
• Explore & book activities.
• View additional cruise options, like adding air or ground transportation and adding dining or special requests.
• Onboard chat (the free text messaging we mentioned above), which allows you to chat with fellow passengers or a crew member – the most fun part of this is the cool Disney emojis in the chat feature.
• Access your cruise calendar and things like menus for each restaurant during your cruise.
• View your cruise statement balance.
• See DCL's latest cruise specials and offerings for your next vacation.
• Explore the ship with the app's deck-to-deck plan, bow to stern .
• View the ports of call and daily itinerary, like what time you dock and what time you need to be back onboard before the cruise departs for the next destination.

︎ Download our free check-in printable!

Download our free Disney Cruise Line Check-in Cheat Sheet

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➜ What You Need to have on Hand, Ready to Upload for Check-In

• Photo of every traveler's passport .
• A clear photo of each passenger , solo.
• A credit card that you'll use for purchases while you're on the cruise.
• Flight information (if you're flying to the port) .
• Hotel information for before/after your Disney cruise (if applicable).

☆ It's important to have all of the info above handy when you arrive at your Port of Embarkation too. Do not put them in any luggage you'll pass off to the crew curbside.

Keep these things in your carry-on bag that you're going to have on you at all times.

➜ Checking in Large Groups of Travelers

If you're checking in a lot of travelers for your cruise – for example, eight, ten, or more – one person can check everyone in.

Link all the reservations into one account so you can change between them easily. Then make sure the one person checking everyone in has EVERYTHING needed to do it, which is referenced in this post. (Security photos, passports or birth certificate info, etc.)

Our check-in printable has a checklist to ensure you’re prepared for check-in! Be sure to download that through this post.

Be sure to download our free printable Disney Cruise Line Check-in Cheat Sheet, in the box above or here , so you're fully prepared, including a checklist of what you need for a smooth online check-in!

Below, we'll go into depth about each item you need to check-in, in the bulleted list above.

➜ Photo of Your Passport

You'll need a photo of every traveler's passport, taken one at a time (not a group photo of the passports). It has to be a clear, unobstructed, glare-free photo. Alternatively, a Passport Card may be acceptable if you travel between the United States, Mexico, Canada, Bermuda, and the Caribbean.

This is harder to get than you would think! We recommend taking the photo during daylight, near a window with natural light. Turn off any artificial light in your home. Then take your photo.

If you can't get the light coming in from your window to stop reflecting on your passport, try closing the blinds a little or closing a shade that still allows light to come through.

You'll upload citizenship documents for check-in if you don't have a passport.

Check-In Tip:

Passport Card

You can use a Passport Card to check in if you are traveling between the U.S. and Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean, and Bermuda, in lieu of a passport. They may be easier to photograph.

You cannot use this option if you're cruising elsewhere, including Europe.

If you're cruising between the United States and the Caribbean, including Castaway Cay, you can use your Passport or Passport Card.

➜ Solo Photo of Each Passenger

Disney wants a photo of each passenger for their onboard account. It should be taken from the shoulders up, looking straight at the camera.

It cannot be the same exact photo as your official ID. (In other words, you cannot simply take a photo of the image in a passport.) However, use that photo as guidance for what they want.

Think of your passport or driver's license photo. This is the type of photo DCL is looking for of each passenger to identify him/her upon check-in/out of the ship at ports.

We simply looked for a photo of us from vacation without a crazy background, where we were looking at the camera straight-on. This doesn't have to be a glamour shot – it simply has to show what you look like, without a face mask or sunglasses , looking directly at the camera.

There is a size limit to how large the photo can be (minimum and maximum size). Be sure that it meets these requirements before you upload it. The process will move along quicker if it's not huge (especially because cameras take huge-sized photos these days in terms of storage space).

The check-in website may crash if the photo is beyond the photo size limits it states. (Trust us – it crashed a few times for us because the image was too big. It stopped crashing when we reduced the file size.)

➜ Proof of Vaccination (No Longer Required)

Before November 2022, you needed to have a photo of vaccination cards for any vaccinated passenger. While this is no longer required, regulations/requirements can change anytime.

➜ Credit Card

You'll input the info of a credit card you want to use for purchases while onboard during online check-in. Have one handy.

Alternatively, you can choose to pay for cruise expenses in cash. If you do so, you'll have a credit limit depending on the length of your cruise. If you reach the limit, you'll have to go to guest services to pay off the bill (in cash) before you can charge more to your account.

➜ Flight Information

Have your flight info ready to input so you don't have to search for it. If you are driving to the port, then you do not have to enter this info. (You simply check “No” when they ask, “Are you flying in for your cruise vacation?”)

➜ Hotel Information

This includes any Orlando hotel (for example), Port Canaveral area hotel, Air BnB, VRBO, etc. that you may be staying at before or after your cruise.

If this does not apply to you, then you do not have to input this information.

Check in to Your Disney Cruise Line Sailing 30 Days Prior to Embarkation: Timezone Info

Online check-in is available for your sailing 30 days prior to the day you board the ship. We thought this was according to the time in the same time zone as your port of embarkation.

However, it's not. It is at midnight EST, regardless of where you are or what timezone you're sailing from.

Why does this matter? Because if you live in England but your cruise leaves from Port Canaveral , Florida, you can check in at midnight EST . You cannot check in at midnight BST time (England's local time).

We tried to check into our cruise while we were enjoying a barge cruise in France. Dan and I specifically stayed up late just in case the countdown showing in the app was correct.

Forcing myself to stay up until midnight in France, I realized that somehow the Disney counter switched to local time in France during the trip. The countdown was incorrect .

Imagine our disappointment (and exhaustion) when we realized that we could n ot check in at midnight. Instead, I set an alarm for 6:00am (six hours later) to check into our cruise at midnight EST . And voila, we could check-in.

➜ So, if you're wondering, “Is the 30 days local time for Disney Cruise Line, or is it my local time where I live?” The answer is that it's Disney Cruise Line's headquarters local time, midnight EST. Disney Cruise Line officially confirmed this for us via email correspondence with their PR team.

Check-in, and any modifications to your check-in, must be completed by the day before you sail.

Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In Process

➜ begin check-in.

When you open the DCL Navigator app at any time before your cruise, you'll see an awesome countdown to your sailing. We love that they use emojis in the counter. They sub out a lot of the zeros for fun Disney characters. (A lot of the characters are also available in the app chat feature while you are on your cruise.)

When you can check in, you'll see that a little button that says “Begin Check-In” appears in the app (screenshot below, right). This button will not appear until 30 days before your cruise, at midnight EST.

You can see that our Online Check-In screenshot says “6:00” on the upper lefthand corner because we were in France at the time of check-in; it was 12:00 midnight EST.

Complete Check-In Items on the Overview List

When you hit the “Begin Check-In” button, it will take you out of the app. It opens an internet browser window to begin checking in.

You will see a checklist for what you need to do to complete check-in. The icons, which are silhouettes of the faces of classic Disney characters (like Goofy, Donald, and Minnie) are not filled in if you haven't completed the task.

But as you fill in the information, you'll see the faces start to fill in with more graphic and colorful drawings. So cute, right?

In the screenshots below, you'll see the top two don't have the faces filled in yet. In the bottom two screenshots, the faces are filled in, which indicates we completed those tasks for check-in.

➜ Moving Through the Steps of DCL Check-In

You'll be glad you will have already gathered what we recommended to have on hand, ready to go, as you move through the Disney Cruise Line check-in steps. Things will move as efficiently as possible this way.

Each step is sequential. You cannot jump ahead to the Port Arrival Time, for example, then go back to filling in your contact information. You must fill in your contact information first before it lets you move to the next step.

As you can see from the screenshots below, we filled in the information for our Travel Plans, picked our Port Arrival Time (the BEST part of check-in), accepted the terms of the Cruise Contract, and we were done.

All DCL guests, including Platinum Castaway Club members , need to select a Port Arrival Time.

➜ Port Arrival Time

The Port Arrival Time is a timeslot you are given or select during the check in process. This is the time you are able to arrive at the cruise terminal to board the ship on embarkation day.

It's an important timeslot! If you're able to, given how you're arriving at the port (especially if you're driving yourself) you'll want to select the earliest available arrival time.

This is the time you can arrive at the port and drop your luggage off, curbside. (The luggage is delivered to your cabin later in the day.) Then you go inside the terminal to continue your check-in, in person, and you get your boarding group. The earlier the boarding group, the earlier you get on the ship. This means the longer your cruise is, even if that's just hours longer.

Disney has a lot of shorter cruise itineraries that are three or four days that head to Castaway Cay and Nassau, then head back to Florida. This Port Arrival Time particularly matters for shorter cruises. Why not maximize your time onboard a Disney ship if you can?

If you want one of the earliest arrival times, it's imperative you check in for your cruise at midnight. Being one of the first to check in means you will increase your chances of being able to select an early arrival time.

For Guests taking Disney Cruise Line Transportation

The caveat to the Port Arrival Time you get during check in is if you are taking DCL transportation from your Orlando-area hotel. This is especially true for resorts that are on-property at Walt Disney World. If this is the case, your Port Arrival Time doesn't really matter because you will arrive at the port when the bus drops you off.

➜ Disney Cruise Line Website Delays During Check-In

We're not going to sugarcoat this: Disney websites are notoriously slow and buggy.

It's not uncommon to get an error message that the website is experiencing complications during check-in. This is very frustrating when you feel like you're racing against the clock to get your earliest Port Arrival Time and have to do the steps sequentially as the app presents them.

Trust us, we know, and we can relate. We were on vacation overseas the last time we had to check-in for a Disney cruise…at 6:00am local time! It wasn't what we wanted to deal with. Alas, we are all at the mercy of Disney.

The good news is that Disney periodically saves your work. If you need to reload check-in, simply re-open the app. Log in again. Then click “Complete Check-In,” and it will take you back to the check-in website.

You may lose some check-in work (we did), but not all of it. It usually doesn't take much time to re-enter the info.

Confirmation You're Checked-In for Your Cruise

When you have successfully completed the online check-in process, you'll see the message in the screenshot below, that says, “You're All Set to Sail!”

An important note is that while it says you're set to sail, your online check-in may still show as “ Pending Review “. This is because a Disney Cruise Line cast member has to check the photos you submitted (a real human, from what we understand), and it's a long process.

It could potentially say “Pending Review” until you sail. If it does, don't worry. We have heard that this is common. In our case, our account said “Pending Review” up until the day we embarked on our cruise.

As long as you bring all the documents with you that you uploaded to the app, you should be golden when you arrive at the port to embark on your Disney Cruise. (Remember you must keep all of these documents in a carry-on bag with you at all times during embarkation.)

➜ Disney Cruise Line Port Arrival Cards for your Digital Apple Wallet

If you have an iPhone, one of the coolest things you can add to your Apple Wallet after check-in is your Port Arrival Form QR codes. This makes it extra easy to find those important QR codes you need when you get to the cruise terminal to embark on your Disney Cruise.

We're not 100% sure if the same cool feature is available to Android phone users with Google Pay. But if you know (because you use an Android and you've gone through the check-in process with Disney Cruise Line, firsthand) please let us know in the comments!

➜ Your Check-In Should be Good to Go!

Though there used to be another step to clear “Safe Passage by Inspire Diagnostics” (aka: “Safe Passage”) through the end of September 2022 for some of the Disney Cruise Line ships (Disney Dream, Wish, Wonder, and Fantasy) and through November 7 for Disney Magic, you no longer need to do this.

The official statement from Disney Cruise Line to its guests was the following:

Beginning November 14, 2022, for sailings departing from the United States, Disney Cruise Line will no longer require Guests (regardless of vaccination status) to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test prior to sailing.

The Safe Passage portal is no longer available as of January 1, 2023.

Visit DCL's “ Know Before You Go ” page for the latest updates.

➜ How long did the Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In Process Take Us?

It took us 50 minutes to complete the DCL online check-in process. In an ideal world, it should have only taken 20 minutes. But it is what it is.

To reiterate a sentiment we mentioned earlier: we're all at the mercy of Disney Cruise Line's website speed and how well it works – or doesn't work – when you check in.

Our fingers and toes are crossed, and we're knocking on all the wood for you that the website is working and it's quick and painless when you go to check in! If it's not working, simply keep logging back in and refreshing things.

Important Information Regarding your DCL Port Arrival Time and Sail-Day Embarkation

There is nothing quite like the morning you board a Disney Cruise ship. The excitement is almost unbearable!

I always look forward to driving to Port Canaveral from Orlando and seeing that first glimpse of the iconic DCL cruise ship stack in the distance. It comes into view as you cross over the second bridge on A1A to get to the port.

The most important thing to know about arriving at the terminal is that you can only arrive within your Port Arrival Time window . This is the 15-minute time block that you chose when you checked in.

Don't arrive an hour earlier, hoping they let you embark early. Though we have heard if they are running ahead of schedule they might let you arrive early, it would be a bummer if they say no and then you have to find something to do to kill thirty minutes or an hour of time. Especially because it's not quite enough time to explore Cape Canaveral .

If you forget your Port Arrival Time, you can easily view it on your Port Arrival Form. It's also in your iPhone Wallet if you added the cards to the iPhone Wallet app.

If you arrive early, they will tell you to come back later during your scheduled time. They might tell you to come back later after several other time blocks clear if you arrive late.

Disney Cruise Line Check In FAQs

✦ if one reservation in our traveling party has concierge but the rest of us don't, can we get in with the concierge guests.

No, there is no formal way to do that. But we have heard that once you're at the port, you can simply ask someone who works there if they'll allow you to board as a group at the earlier boarding time. Sometimes they say yes.

✦ I accidentally only registered half of our party for check in, then realized later and now my group has two different Port Arrival Times. Can I change the later ones to be earlier?

The answer is no, you cannot change the later time to be earlier. But you can arrive later than your Port Arrival Time and board as a whole group with later group.

✦ We're doing a closed-loop cruise and don't have a passport. What do we need to upload for documentation proof?

You must have a photo or scan of a birth certificate and photo ID ready to upload upon check in if you don't have a passport. Note that this is only true of a cruise that starts and ends in a US port and goes to certain areas.

If you have a passport, then — without a doubt — upload that as your photo documentation.

✦ We will be checking in ten people for our Disney Cruise. Would it be best for three people to do 3 or 4 check ins so that we can get the same boarding time?

One person can do all the check-ins for your cruise. You can link all the reservations into one account and change between them easily. Just make sure the one person who is checking everyone in has everything we mention that you need to do it. (Security photos, passports or birth certificate info, etc.)

Our check-in printable has a checklist on it to ensure you’re prepared for check-in! Be sure to download that.

✦ When in the process of doing the check-in steps. Do you need to go through them in order or can you jump ahead to selecting the Port Arrival Time first and then go back and fill the rest?

The system will not allow you to select a Port Arrival Time until you’ve completed the previous steps.

✦ Can you take photos of your passports and upload those photos when checking in? Or do you actually need to create a file (pdf)?

You can take photos of the passports on your phone to upload. Just make sure that the photos you create are glare-free and all the information is legible.

✦ We’re staying at Walt Disney World before and after our cruise. Should I mark “no” when it asks if we’re flying in?

Our Disney Travel Agent, Becca Plans Vacations , helped us with the official answer to this question. If you won’t have a car at the port, say you’re flying in even if it’s at the start of your WDW trip.

✦ Is it best to check in on the app through your phone or on a computer?

It's best to do it in the app on your phone. However, we know some people check in through their computers, especially if they need bigger fonts for eyesight reasons or they have trouble pressing small links and buttons on their phone.

Some people even have their phone and computer in front of them to see what's faster. Do what's best for you, but we personally stick to the app.

✦ What happens if you arrive 30 or 40 minutes prior to port arrival time?

If you arrive before your Port Arrival Time, ask the staff if they'll let you arrive early. If they're running early that day they might, but they may also tell you that you have to come back later.

✦ How long does the security check usually take at Port Canaveral?

We have embarked at Port Canaveral many times. It usually takes about an hour or less from parking our car to getting inside the terminal. Twenty to thirty minutes is a good approximation for the security line itself. However, that's just getting through security.

The time you board the ship is dependent upon the boarding time you receive once you arrive at the port and go through security.

What to Do After You Check-in for Your Disney Cruise

➜ mark your calendar with important dates.

You'll want to mark your calendars with the date below. (Don't forget to get our Free Check-in Cheat Sheet Printable if you haven't already, which makes counting the days super easy.)

• After check-in, before you sail: Enjoy booking things like special dinner reservations at Enchanté , Palo, or Remy's, depending on the Disney Cruise Line ship you'll be on. You can also book spa treatments in the app and schedule gifts, like flowers or chocolate-covered strawberries, for delivery to your stateroom. (Read our “Start to Pack for Your Disney Cruise” info below for great things to purchase and bring onboard to decorate your room.)
• 3 days before your cruise is when online bookings for cruise activities close, like spa treatments and dining reservations.
• The day before you sail : mark your calendar to buy wine or beer if you want to bring some onboard. But seriously…mark your calendar to go to a local wine/beer store if you want to bring some on board. This way, you won't have to worry about it the day you embark! Disney's policy is as follows:

Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port of call. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage. Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00 per bottle. Disney's Policy stated on their website

• Date for the day you sail . (Just in case you haven't already marked it in your calendar!) You'll also want to set a reminder to complete the Pre-Trip Embarkation Health Questionnaire , which is available in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app on your embarkation day.

If you need to figure out any dates above, simply Google, “What day is __ days before [enter your sailing date]” and Google will show you the date in its results. It's a beautiful thing.

➜Start to Pack for Your Disney Cruise

When we come back from one trip, we're always excited for the next. Whether you're cruising as adults only on Disney Cruise Line or looking forward to a DCL sailing with the entire family, we know it's never too soon to think about packing.

If you're going to the theme parks before or after your trip, be sure to check out our Ultimate Year-Round Walt Disney World and Universal Packing List , which includes a helpful printable.

➜ Order Cruise Essential Items in Advance

This is because you may need to order some cruise items ahead of time, which might take time to ship. Such things as Blissets (which are awesome and fashionable anti-nausea bands ), or perhaps custom Disney Cruise Line attire on Etsy , take time to arrive at your doorstep.

Other things may be available on Amazon, where you can use Prime to ship within days. If you don't already have a Prime account, now is the perfect time to sign up for a free 30-day trial so you'll get free shipping.

We also have a list of Cruise Essentials for you to browse in our Amazon shop , from handheld fans to beat the heat to Apple AirTags if you're checking luggage, to reef-safe sunscreen, and more.

➜ Get Trip Insurance

If you didn't opt for Disney's trip insurance but still want to explore covering your trip, it may not be too late! We never get trip insurance through the cruise line because it's more cost affective to get it elsewhere and we like what third-parties include.

Disney Cruise Activities: Make any Desired Reservations from Dining to the Spa and Port Excursions

As your cruise countdown continues, you can do some additional things in the app. For example, you can make reservations or appointments for dining and the spa ahead of time. You can access this online app feature up to three days before your cruise.

If dining (like Enchante on the Disney Wish , for example) is showing as unavailable, that usually means there are no more advance reservations available. (In that case, you'll want to ask about how to make a reservation while on board the day you embark.)

Port excursions and spa reservations can also be made in advance from within the app.

If a spa treatment, or appointment for Hook's Barbery on Disney Wish , is showing as “Sold Out,” you may want to check about availability once you board the ship on embarkation day.

Cruise Essential FOR YOUR TROPICAL VACATION:

The only thing we have tried that gets rid of bug bites from your skin is The Bug Bite Thing . This item is a MUST pack when we travel. We always pack one in our backpack/day bag and another in our luggage. Don't travel without it!

Things to Do Nearby in Port Canaveral

If you are sailing from Disney Cruise Line's Port Canaveral Terminal and are looking for things to do nearby, we've got you covered!

There are many great activities, whether you have a few hours, half a day, a full day, or multiple days.

Check out our recommendations for things to do near Port Canaveral and make the most of your trip to the Florida coast! (Or “Space Coast,” as it's called!)

Going on a Disney Cruise? Read this next:

• Best Disney Cruise Ship, According to DCL Experts
• Experiencing a Disney Cruise without Kids
• Anti-Nausea Medication and Other Cruise Sea Sickness Solutions 

The post Disney Cruise Line Check-in Process Online: Everything to Know appeared first on Sometimes Sailing .

The Disney Cruise Family Travel Blog

Travel and Fun Things To Do

Updated Disney Wish Concierge Lounge and Room service Menu

If you sail on the Disney Wish in Concierge you will get to enjoy the concierge only lounge. In the lounge you can get an assortment of light bites from the concierge kitchen. Concierge also an expanded room service menu served from 11:00am to 8:00pm. The regular room service is available as well.

Daily Offerings at the Lounge

A selection of light bites and hot ‘a la carte’ menu items will be available:

• Breakfast Offerings from 7:00am to 10:30am
• Lunch Offerings from 11:00am to 4:30pm
• Dinner Offerings from 5:00pm to 8:00pm
• Dessert Treats from 9:00pm to 10:00pm
• Complimentary bottled water, soft drinks, milk & juices 
• 5:00pm to 10:00pm daily – Complimentary selection of beer, wine & spirits
• Specialty coffees, teas & hot chocolate

MORNING MENU

• Raspberry Chocolate Croissant Baked with Cream Cheese
• Breakfast Sandwich Bourbon Caramelized Bacon, Heirloom Tomatoes, Fried Egg and Smoked Gouda Cheese on Toasted 21 Whole Grains and Seeds Bread
• Avocado Toast Avocado, Strawberry and Goat Cheese on Gluten Free Rye Bread
• Steel-cut Irish Oatmeal Banana, Candied Walnuts, Muscovado Sugar

FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES

• Mickey Waffle with Whipped Cream, Strawberry Compote and Cinnamon Sugar
• French Toast Roll Ups with Raspberry Jam and Buttercream

AFTERNOON MENU 

• Miso Soup Diced Tofu, Wakame and Scallions
• Gambas Pil Pil  Shrimp Sautéed with Garlic, Piquin Chili and Pimenton
• Wild Mushrooms & Avocado Tuile  Compressed Wild Mushrooms & Avocado with Red Pepper Coulis
• Tuna and Avocado Panini with Guacamole, Pesto, Arugula on a Whole-Grain Ciabatta Bun
• All American Slider Seared Angus Beef Sliders, Crisp Escarole Greens, Sliced Tomato, Red Onion and Pickles with Smoked Wisconsin Cheese
• Flatbread Italian Sausage, Salami, Ham and Provencal sauce on a crispy base

EVENING MENU

• Potato Gnocchi Crimini, Hazelnuts, Cavolo Nero & Pecorino
• Bread-Crusted Grouper Purple Carrot, Spinach, Pea, Sour Butter Sauce
• Polenta and Feta Cheese Bake Japanese Ratatouille, Parsley-Scented Foam, Extra Virgin Oil
• Monte Cristo with Sliced Ham, Turkey and Swiss Slices dipped in an Egg and Milk wash and fried Golden Brow
• Barbecue Baked Chicken Tenders with Ranch Dipping

CONCIERGE ROOM SERVICE

All-day menu.

Served from 11:00am to 8:00pm

• Seared Ahi Tuna Niçoise Salad  Green Beans, Fingerling Potatoes, Olives, Quail Eggs, Oak Leaf, Romaine, Endive Lettuce, Dijon Mustard Vinalgrette
• Heirloom Tomato Soup with Toasted Brioche
• All-American Cheeseburger Seared Angus Beef Burger, Crisp Escarole Greens, Sliced Tomato, Red Onion & Pickles, Smoked Wisconsin Cheese and French Fries Toasted
• Portobello Mushroom and Halloumi on Toasted Ciabatta with Basil Leaf, Peppadew and Tupelo Honey

FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES –

• Crudités Carrots, Celery, Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes with Ranch Dressing 
• Crisp Chicken Tenders with French Fries and Barbecue Sauce
• Assorted Mickey Shape Sandwich Cookies Dulce De Leche, Apple Pie, Chocolate Peanut Butter and Cream Pie 
• Banoffee Tart Banana Crémeux Baked Caramel, Chocolate Ganache, Chantilly Cream

You can find the rest of the Disney Wish menus here .

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