Hello!
I am a big fan of all things Disney and over the years have garnered a lot of knowledge on the Walt Disney World theme parks in Orlando and Disney Cruise Line. Friends would say I'm an expert. I will not call myself that, but am I super knowledgeable? Yes. Will I help any of my friends with questions they have? Absolutely! My husband and I are currently planning to go on our fifth Disney cruise in August. I've had a few other friends reach out for tips and info before they cruise in a few months. I thought I would put some of my knowledge to use and write up some things I think would be helpful. I am also thinking of a pros and cons blog soon since this might get long and what I feel are the biggest differences between the ships.
Start off with download the DCL Navigator app prior to the cruise!
Before your cruise, it will have a handy and fun countdown, plus you can check into your cruise from the app at your designated check in time. Check-in Dates are 30 days before sailing for first time cruisers, 33 days prior to sail for Silver Castaway Club members, 35 days before sailing for Gold Castaway Club members, Platinum Castaway Club members check in at 38 days before and finally, all Pearl Castaway Club members and anyone sailing Concierge check in 40 days prior. Castaway Club is Disney Cruise Line's free loyalty program. You will become a Silver member automatically after your first cruise. You get free in room gifts and some perks when you become a Castaway Club member which get better as you progress in the rankings. You become a Gold member after sailing five times, Platinum after 10 sailings, and Pearl after 25.Not only does the app give you the countdown and the check in option, you can book excursions, adult dining reservations, and onboard activities when it opens and stateroom gifts. There's information about your ship, check your balance, and can even order Magic Bands+. I have also added onboard credit though the gifts portal so I already had funds in my account. Super helpful before and a must during your cruise.
There is a lot that goes into picking out port excursions. Always do your research. Main thing I want to touch on here is Disney vs non-Disney booked ones. Third party excursions can save you money, but like I mentioned above, do your research before you book. Check your schedule on arriving and departure times. If you book through Disney and your activity is running late for whatever reason, the ship will not leave without you. Third party... you do run the risk of getting left behind. And you will have to figure out a way to either get back on the ship or travel home. So, there is that.
"Get to the food already!" haha I hear you. And there is a ton to talk about. Dining options will vary depending on your ship. On the Wish and Treasure (and soon the Destiny), your buffet is Marceline Market and you have a food court called Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods. This is going to be one of the best places on the ship, in my option. Festival of Foods is a grab and go with several different stations: Donald's Cantina (which is basically Chipotle at sea), Mickey's Smokestack Barbecue, Daisy's Pizza Pies, Goofy's Grill, and Minnie's Ice Cream. The food here is top notch and where my husband and I usually grab lunch unless we go to a sit down (I'll touch on that in a moment). I usually only go to Marceline Market for breakfast. On the Magic, Dream, Wonder, and Fantasy, the buffet is Cabanas. I usually enjoy Cabanas a little more. The grab and go is called Flo's Café that's also pretty good. Flo's will have salads, pizza, sandwiches, and a cantina similar to Donald's with a few less options.
Each ship has three main dining rooms included on the cost of your cruise that you will rotate, and depending on your itinerary, can go to more than once. There's two different dining times to select from. The first one I believe is 5:45 or 6pm, and the second is either 8:30 or 8:45 pm. Most families prefer to go to the first dining. My husband and I enjoy the second one. One of the things I love is your wait staff rotate with you and they will get to know your drink preferences (and often will have your drink ready when you sit down) and any food allergies.
You might be paired with another group, depending on the size of your party. Disney does a really good job of pairing you with similar groups. On our very first cruise, we celebrated my birthday. We were seated with two other couples close to our age who were also celebrating a birthday. We really enjoyed getting to know them and it helped break the ice I bet for our first sailing, I think. You can request to have a private table and Disney will try to accommodate if they can.
On sailings in the Bahamas, there usually is a pirate night as well. If you are on 4 night sailings or longer, you will get a special pirate night menu too. I've found people either really look forward to the pirate night menu, or they don't. I believe the menu is the same across the fleet. I enjoy it, but if we were to do a specialty dining during our sailing, I would try to pick it on pirate night.
There are two specialty dining restaurants for an additional as well. Wish and Treasure have Palo Steakhouse and Enchante. The other four have Palo and Remy. Both also will do brunch usually on sea days. These are adults only and sell out fast. We've done Palo Brunch once on the Dream and I really enjoyed it. My husband thought it was fine, but maybe not worth the $50. To each their own.
Soda, non-specialty coffee, and tea is included! There are cafes around the ship where you can get coffee at a small additional cost. You can get a punch card and your fifth coffee will be free. I really enjoyed the drip coffee in the buffet, but there's also nothing like a nice cold brew looking out from your verandah... sorry, got lost in thought there. You get the picture. I highly recommend bringing a water bottle with you on the ship. Sodas are nice, but make sure you stay hydrated! I actually carried two bottles with me, one for water and one for ginger ale. Ah, the best.
The adult section has Cove Café on all the ships which in my opinion is the best spot. You can also get smoothies too. What I have found I was pleasantly surprised on my first sailing were the things like a smoothie or even alcohol everything was very reasonably priced. You can get soft service ice cream on deck for free, and there's also a special ice cream parlor with additional cupcakes and other treats. And these weren't 'Disney prices' I was very happy with it. And check your Navigator app to see when Happy Hour is.
Entertainment
Disney has Broadway caliber shows on every ship! My favorite (so far) is Beauty and the Beast on the Dream. Each ship has a special one. There's Tangled, Frozen, Aladdin, The Little Mermaid, and Moana. There usually are a few other shows. We loved the Golden Mickey's and Believe (an original show) on the Dream as well. Disney also plans ahead with these shows too. There are two shows a night planned around dinner which is extremely helpful. If you have first dinner, you can go to the second show. I love going to the show then dinner, but I also don't have young children traveling with me. Depending on the length of your cruise, you may also have different variety acts. We've seen Broadway singers and magicians. There was a boy band on our last sailing too.
There's also trivia (so much trivia!), art classes, bingo, karaoke, and much more! Again, this is why your Navigator app is so helpful!
Let's see...what else can I help you with? If you see something in the shops that you like, don't wait. There's a good chance it'll sell out. And if you go to Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, that merchandise is specific to that island as well.
There is a photo package offer that is cheaper before you embark. Disney photographers will also take the picture with your phone, or you can buy theirs. I bought the package on our....second cruise? Maybe first. But at the time I bought it, they had different levels for cheaper. Now it's only unlimited, which can be very expensive depending on your number of nights. For our upcoming seven night, it's over $300. You can buy on the ship too. Just make sure you do before you leave.
Um... I feel like I am missing things. If you are reading this and have questions, please let me know!