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With Disney Cruise Line offering so many great deals on their sailings, there is no better time to take a Disney Cruise. We have seen Kids Sail Free, on board credit offers and deposit discounts just in the last few months. Thinking of cruising? Forget the traditional packing list of swimsuits and sunscreen! Here is what you should bring to make the most of a magical cruising experience with Disney:

  1. Pirate costumes or gear. On every Disney Cruise, there is a Pirates In the Caribbean deck party. There are games, music, dancing, Mickey Mouse swooping in to save the day. At the end, there are spectacular fireworks. Disney is the only cruise line to do fireworks at sea.
  2. Singles. Back an envelope of dollar bills to tip your room service waiter. While the room service food, including the fabulous Mickey Ice Cream Bars, is free, you want to tip the server.
  3. A plain pillowcase & Sharpies. Have your kids pick out their favorite color markers, put them in a freezer baggie with a plain pillowcase & drop off at Guest Services on the ship. By the end of your cruise, the pillowcase will be returned to your stateroom autographed by the characters. It is a fun & inexpensive souvenir.
  4. A power strip. Is your family gadget-crazy? The staterooms on the Disney ships are larger than other lines but there are few places to plug things in. Throw a small power strip in your bag for all the things that need to be plugged in.
  5. Reusable cups or mugs. Soda, water, tea & coffee are available on the top deck free of charge but the cups provided are small. Bring along one of your Disney resort mugs or a double walled tumbler so you can have an ice cold drink by the pool or while watching a movie in the onboard theater. Disney shows first run films & some of their classics. We recently saw Wreck It Ralph at a midnight premiere & Frankenweenie while on board.
  6. Highlighters in different colors. Each night, you will find a Personal Navigator in your stateroom detailing the next days’ activities. Have each member of your family highlight their must-do in a different color.  That way you won’t miss a thing!
  7. Formalwear for longer cruises. While Disney doesn’t require people to dress up, it sure is fun! Take advantage of the free photographers who can take awesome family photos. You can purchase pictures but you are not obligated.
  8. A picture of your kids. Once your kids see the amazing kids clubs, you aren’t likely to see them much on your cruise. There are clubs for kids, tweens & teens & even a nursery for the under 3 crowd. With so many activities for the kids, you can enjoy some quiet time by the adult pool or in the entertainment district. Book a meal at the adults only Palo on all four ships or at Remy on the Dream & Fantasy. Read a book without interruption. Take a nap. Hit the amazing spa or fitness center onboard.Monster's Academy
  9. Your sense of adventure.  The Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries to the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska & Europe. Take in the local culture or try something new like Salsa dancing in Cozumel or whale watching in Alaska.
  10. A calendar. You can save a lot of money by booking your next cruise while onboard. Once you experience the Disney magic at sea, you won’t be able to wait to do it again!

Disney has announced itineraries through the first part of 2014. For the best rates and availability, book as early as you can. This is an experience you don’t want to miss!

bottled water

A question we are asked frequently is whether or not you can bring bottled water and alcohol aboard the ships. The answer is YES but with some limitations.

  • All beverages must be in your carry on luggage, alcohol or bottled water. You can not pack them in your checked luggage. If they are found there, they will be confiscated and not returned until after the cruise is completed. Carry on luggage must be not exceed 22 x14x9.
  • Coolers are not permitted.
  • What you bring on must be consumed or discarded. So if you bring on two bottles of wine and only drink one bottle you can not leave with the unopened extra bottle.  Same holds true for the liquor.
  • You can not consume alcohol that is brought on the ship in public areas. So if you are planning cocktails by the pool, that is a no-no. But you are welcome to have a pre-dinner drink in your room.
  • If you are bringing a special bottle of wine or champagne for a celebration, there is a corkage fee of $20.

Overall I think it is more trouble than it is worth to bring alcohol and a case of bottled water on the ship. If I had a child who needed formula made, I would go to that trouble for the bottled water. If I was celebrating a big anniversary and wanted to bring out the special wine we had at our wedding, I would bring a bottle of wine and pay the corkage fee. But if the point of bringing it on board is to save a lot of money, I think I would just pass and enjoy the beverages provided at the bars, lounges, and restaurants and pay for those out of pocket. Yes, they can be pricy, alcohol always is on vacation.  But it *IS* vacation and I would be more worried about not consuming it all and having to discard of it than the money I would save by bringing my own. That being said I have clients who bring their own liquor on frequently and they prefer that approach.  There’s no right or wrong way here, just as long as Mickey’s rules are followed.

Happy Sailing!

Disney Cruise’s Marinated Lamb Chops

by Captain Mickey

One of the best meals I had on the Disney Fantasy when I sailed last year were the lamb chops I found in Cabanas one day. I am pretty sure they had to head into the back and make more for me. The dish is officially called Marinated Lamb Chops with Couscous Tabbouleh and Mint Mojo. [...]

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Condé Nast Traveler Readers Top Cruise Ships

by Captain Mickey

All four ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet were recognized among the top large cruise ships in the world in the Condé Nast Traveler 2013 Readers’ Poll.  The Disney Magic ranked No. 1 among Condé Nast Traveler readers, with a score of 89.9, with the Disney Wonder and Disney Dream close behind at 89.6 and 89.5 respectively.  The [...]

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Midship Detective Agency

by Captain Mickey

Want a fun way to explore the Disney Dream or Fantasy? Located on Deck 5 of each ship is a fun, interactive game that’s great for the whole family. The Midship Detective Agency sends you on a search of the ship to solve two mysteries, “The Case of the Stolen Puppies” or “The Case of [...]

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Disney Fantasy Christmas Decorations

by Captain Mickey

It’s the Disney Fantasy’s first holiday season, and guests and crew alike are excited about all of the holiday festivities taking place this month and next. When guests arrived to the ship this week, they were welcomed with a very special surprise – the ship decked to the “raft-ers” with holiday cheer! Check out this [...]

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Disney Cruise Christmas

by Captain Mickey

A Disney Cruise is a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas and the Holidays, whether actually on board over the Holidays, or really, any time close. Disney Cruise does a fantastic job or making you feel at home, and that it is Christmas. Even though it is 80+ outside, and the bands are playing Caribbean style [...]

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Disney Cruise – Best Family Cruise

by Captain Mickey

Disney Cruise Line was recognized as No. 1 in the Large-Ship Cruise Lines for Families category in the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Awards 2012, making it the fourth consecutive year to be ranked in the top spot. In addition to taking top honors for its family cruise experience, this is the eighth consecutive year Disney Cruise [...]

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Remy Champagne Brunch

by Captain Mickey

An elegant Champagne Brunch is now being served at Remy onboard two Disney Cruise Line® ships – Disney Dream andDisney Fantasy. The brunch, featuring French-inspired cuisine, is available during at-sea days on sailings of 4-nights or longer. Remy Champagne Brunch costs $50 per person for Guests ages 18 and older. A wine pairing is also available during brunch [...]

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2013 Galveston Disney Cruise Changes

by Captain Mickey

In early 2013, Disney Cruise Line will offer a variety of new itineraries departing from Galveston, Texas,  providing even more cruise options for guests. In addition to six-night Western Caribbean sailings, new choices include four-night Caribbean getaway cruises and eight-night itineraries that take guests to Walt Disney World Resort and Disney’s private island in the [...]

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