A-Z of Travel Advice for Disney Cruise Line

Our holiday travel advice will help you enjoy a safe and happy trip onboard.


Accommodation

The accommodation on a Disney Cruise has been designed with families in mind. There are various stateroom options available for the needs of each guest; whether it's extra family space, an outdoor verandah or a suite.

Inside staterooms, deluxe ocean view stateroom with verandah or a concierge 2-bedroom suite are among the varieties.

Visit the Disney Cruise Line® website for details on the rooms specific to the ship you will be travelling on, as components of each room may vary.

The Disney Difference is clear with the use of split baths and separate sinks to allow effectively two bathroom environments, storage space and the superior attention to detail seen throughout the ship.

Wheelchair accessible rooms are also available.

Staterooms onboard Disney cruise ships


Accuracy of Information

All the information provided by us is made in good faith and is correct at the time of publication. We have taken care to ensure that all details and descriptions given are correct.

Each hotel description has been checked by the hotel. However, changes can occur after publication as the information is compiled many months before holidays start.

It is possible that amenities, facilities, park attractions, entertainment and schedules advertised may later be unavailable, restricted, changed or cancelled. We will make every effort to advise you of any such significant change at the time of booking. If you have already booked, we will try to tell you before your departure. The amended information will form part of your booking contract with ourselves. Whilst we will, if possible, notify you of any such changes, the Walt Disney Travel Company will not be liable for any such circumstances beyond its control.

Walt Disney Travel Company (UK & Ireland) is a Member of ABTA (membership numbers W1803/P6684) which means you have the benefit of ABTA's assistance and Code of Conduct.

All the package and Flight-Plus holidays we sell are covered by a scheme protecting your money if the supplier fails. Other services such as hotels or flights on their own may not be protected and you should ask us what protection is available.

For further information about ABTA, the Code of Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 68-71 Newman Street, London, W1T 3AH Tel: 020 7637 2444 or go online at www.abta.com.


Alcohol

The drinking age when onboard a Disney® ship is 21 years of age, except, when sailing from European countries or where the drinking age is under 21 years of age.

Disney Cruise Line® does not prohibit guests from bringing alcohol on board.

  • All fragile items, including alcohol must be taken onboard by a carry-on bag/hand luggage. The measurement of these bags must not exceed 22" wide, 14" high and 9" deep. Beverage coolers are also not permitted onboard (cannot be checked or hand carried).
  • Guests cannot check in cases of alcohol.
  • Disney Cruise Line® reserves the right to remove fragile items (including beverages) from the guest's luggage if they are placed here. The items will then be stored and returned to the guests when they leave the ship.

Childcare

Nurseries cater for children as young as 12 weeks, infants less than 12 weeks old are not permitted to sail.

There is a charge for the nurseries to cater for children aged 12 weeks - 3 years, this is a per hour rate, this rate is slightly reduced for the second child. The nursery is open until midnight.

If guests know ahead of their cruise when they would like to book babysitting they can do this online in the Planning Centre.

There are also a number of activities and youth clubs for children aged 3+ included in the cost of your cruise where many fun days and evenings can be spent.

My Disney Cruise


Dress Code

Dress code for dining onboard varies between venue and the night of your cruise, in general most meals are casual dress - no shorts, swimwear or tank tops.

Most cruises include a number of theme nights with additional attire requirements; see below for a breakdown of these.

  • 3-night cruises There will be one casual night; this will require casual dress - no swimwear, tank tops or shorts. You will need full length trousers. One themed pirate/tropical night where formal wear is not needed along with one optional formal/dress-up night - this will require a dinner jacket for men and a dress or trouser suit for women.
  • 4-night cruises These itineraries follow the same requirements as 3-night cruises, with the fourth night an additional causal night.
  • 7-night cruises On the first night there will be a casual night as explained above. There will then be three additional casual nights, one themed pirate/tropical night and one formal/dress-up night - this will require dinner jacket for men and a dress or trouser suit for women.

When dining at Palo or Remy (adult-exclusive dining) smart dress is required. Smart trousers, shirts and jackets for men - ties are optional. For women a dress or trouser suit is required. No jeans, shorts, flip-flops, or trainers allowed.

When at Meridian on Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy smart dress is required for the indoor area. The outdoor patio however, is casual wear.


Dining

Disney Cruise Line® uses an innovative and unique dining system to enable each guest to experience the various tastes on offer with Rotational Dining.

At the start of your cruise you are assigned personal waiting staff who will learn about you and your family and each evening will rotate with you to the three main restaurants onboard the ship. When you arrive onboard you will receive your schedule to explain where you'll be eating and when.

There is also an option for adult-exclusive dining (at an additional charge) where you can dine in style at Palo or Remy. These are available to book via the Planning Centre before you depart.

Disney Cruise Line® Planning Centre


Disabilities and Special Needs

If you or any of your guests have any special needs be sure to speak to our Disney Experts for the correct advice and information regarding your cruise.

There are specially designed features and stateroom adjustments made to suit your needs. This includes both onboard the Disney Cruise and off board, for example, transfer tiers at a feature pool, active listening systems in the theatre onboard and sand wheelchairs for Disney's private island, Disney Castaway Cay.


Entertainment

Disney Cruise Line® offers entertainment for everybody in your family. Each evening there will be a live show available for all Disney Cruise Line® guests to see.

To accommodate for all guests there will be an early showing and a later show, depending on which rotational dining you are assigned will depend on which show you see. If you are assigned the first dining time you will see the later show, and if you are assigned the later dining you will see the first show.

There are also a number of character experiences and movies to be seen in the Disney theatres.

With family areas, adult-exclusive spaces and youth activities throughout the ship, there will be something for everyone.


Foreign Travel Advice

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office including security and local laws, plus passport and visa information, check www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.


Gratuities

As recognition of good service it is not obligatory but is customary to give gratuities when onboard a Disney Cruise. In order to help with this, Disney Cruise Line® suggests the following:

Per Guest Per Cruise - Gratuities by Duration
Dining Room Server
3-Night
$12.00
4-Night
$16.00
7-Night
$28.00
Dining Room Asst. Server
3-Night
$9.00
4-Night
$12.00
7-Night
$21.00
Dining Room Head Server
3-Night
$3.00
4-Night
$4.00
7-Night
$7.00
Stateroom Host/Hostess
3-Night
$12.00
4-Night
$16.00
7-Night
$28.00

Per Guest Per Cruise - General Guide
Dining Manager At your discretion
Room Service At your discretion
Palo Included
Spa & Salon At your discretion
Babysitting Not expected
Port Adventures Optional

15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs.

You may wish to prepay your gratuities up to three days before embarking on your Disney Cruise. For your convenience, if you do not prepay, the suggested gratuities will be added to your onboard account based on the amounts above.

While on your cruise you can amend these amounts or if you would like to pay in cash just speak to a member of the guest services team.


Meals

The Disney Cruise you will be embarking on includes almost everything onboard. Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day of your cruise, along with access to the 24 hour beverage station plus snacks and ice cream from across the ship.

If you would like to dine at one of our adult-exclusive restaurants, there will be an extra charge for this. Bookings can be made via the online planning centre before you travel.


Money

It may be confusing as to what money is needed onboard. While you are onboard the ship you will not need any cash as Disney operate a cash free system, for your convenience.

When you arrive at the port or onboard your signature is required to activate your onboard account, you may also give your credit card details at the same time (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover Credit Card, Diners Club International, Japanese Credit Bureau or Disney's Visa Credit Card) for any additional charges. From this point you will have the charging privileges for anything you purchase onboard, for example, spa treatments, photography, laundry services etc. This also includes purchases from the retail stores and gratuities; all of which is charged to your room.

Before departing the cruise you will need to settle all charges by cash, travellers cheque, Disney Dollars or a credit card.

When you get to a port you may need cash or some money with you. In the Bahamas and Caribbean, US dollars and major credit cards are generally accepted everywhere.

For Mediterranean and European cruises you will need travellers cheques to exchange at the ports for local currency.


Smoking Policy

Disney does not allow smoking in guest staterooms and is also prohibited in all interior spaces throughout the ship.

There are designated areas provided throughout the ship permitting the smoking of cigarettes (including electric cigarettes).

The permitted smoking areas onboard vary across the four ships, and guest services will be happy to highlight the locations for you.


Passport and Visas

When travelling to or within the US there are a number of requirements - see our Frequently Asked Questions for more details.

Frequently Asked Questions


Travel Insurance

Walt Disney Travel Company are unable to offer travel insurance at this time, however, we strongly recommend that you and your party are covered by a comprehensive travel insurance policy for the duration of your holiday, to cover you for any injury or sickness including medical treatment.

Proof of insurance may need to be seen before medical treatment is given.


What Not to Bring

There are a number of items that are prohibited when travelling on a Disney Cruise. These include; firearms and ammunition, any kind of knifes, swords, daggers, bullwhips or any other types of weapons are prohibited. Homemade, pre-cooked or perishable items are also prohibited.

Along with irons, bottle warmers, sporting equipment, balloons, candles, medical instruments, illegal drugs inclusive of medically prescribed and synthetic marijuana and coolers (except for those carrying medications, baby food or items related to dietary requirements).


Youth Clubs

Disney Cruise Line® has created dedicated space on all of their ships for teens and children of all ages. These include activities specially created by Disney Experts to ensure everyone has a magical experience.

Imaginative play areas and Disney themed entertainment are among some of the onboard offerings.

Youth clubs are designed for children and teens, for example, Disney's Oceaneer Club® is the perfect place for children to enjoy the planned activities by Disney Experts, dressing up as their favourite character and playing games.

While Edge® provides pre-teens with their own environment to listen to music, watch television and take part in activities with their age group and Vibe® is a teen-exclusive space with an outdoor space to allow letting them choose whether they want to catch some rays, play video games, or take part in the activities, for example, karaoke.