On a recent DIS Unlimited DCL Show, the team discussed what it’s like to cruise with young children and what you can do to make the process of planning and getting on your Disney cruise a success! In particular, I was able to share my experience of bringing my three-year-old son, Owen, on a 5-night Disney Fantasy sailing to The Bahamas. Be sure to watch our full video on tips and thoughts on sailing on Disney Cruise Line with children!
Here are some of my top tips as a parent and frequently asked questions I get as a Dreams Unlimited Travel agent! As always, every family and child is unique, but here’s what I’ve found to be helpful in the process of booking all the way to getting onboard your Disney cruise!
Dining Time 5:45 PM vs 8:15 PM
Disney Cruise Line offers two seating times for its rotational dinner service – 5:45 and 8:15 PM. You might have a different restaurant or menu, but you will dine at the same time with the same dining team each night of the cruise.
It goes without saying that 5:45 PM is the most popular dining time with children and depending on how far in advance you book your cruise, the 5:45 seating might not be available. You do have two options in this scenario – waitlist for the earlier seating and you can also check once onboard if there is space available. The waitlist often comes through for families and you can ask your Dreams Unlimited Travel agent to make this request. Just keep in mind you will likely be seated with another family. But don’t be intimidated by this! Disney Cruise Line does a phenomenal job of matching families for dinner tables. I’ve always been surprised by how Disney seems to find a family almost identical to mine on every cruise. If your waitlist does not come through, ask about the “dining meeting” once onboard, where you can inquire about switching dining times. Disney Cruise Line often holds some space, so it is possible to get one once onboard!
The alternative is taking your child to the 8:15 PM dining time. My son is three years old and has dined at both 5:45 and 8:15. He may have fallen asleep during one of our 8:15 dinners, but I still think there are perks to the later seating. For example, it allows you extra time to get ready or even take a nap after a long port of call, your child will be awake for the earlier nightly Walt Disney Theater show, or you can start your bedtime routine before dinner and head to bed right after. And don’t worry about getting hungry before 8:15. You can order room service or grab chicken fingers, pizza, etc. by the pool before dinner.
Disney Cruise Line has also brought back the very popular “Dine and Play” program, which allows children ages 3 – 10 to enjoy dinner and then be taken to the Oceaneer Club with a Youth Activities Counselor. This is only offered at the 8:15 dinner seating and your child must already be registered at the Oceaneer Club. You’ll meet the Youth Activities Counselors at the front of the dining room around 9 PM and then the adults can continue enjoying their meal.
Ports of Call Tips
One of the best things about a Disney Cruise is being able to take your child around the world with the security of knowing you’re traveling with Disney. This means that your port adventures have been vetted by Disney and you get to call the ship home after a long day of adventures. The Bahamian cruises include a stop at Castaway Cay and/ or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. This means that the magic of a Disney Cruise extends to one of your ports of call. Highlights for kids at both island destinations include – splash pads, character meet and greets, stunning beaches, family-friendly food like hamburgers, hot dogs, and ice cream, plus their own Oceaneer Clubs.
Pictured below is Sebastian’s Cove, which is the Oceaneer Club/secured youth programming area at Lookout Cay. You are able to check your child (ages 3 – 10) to enjoy an interactive play area themed to The Little Mermaid, including water elements, outdoor games, and themed entertainment.
One concern I have heard from other parents is how to manage the walk from the ship to Lookout Cay with small children. I’m happy to report that there are dozens of wagons available to use as soon as you get off the ship, and then jogging strollers are available once you exit the tram at the beach. These are all first-come, first-served and free of charge.
Your other option is to bring your own stroller, but you will have to fold it up to get on the tram (both at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay). I still think this is my preferred option, so you have exactly what you need as soon as you get off the ship, and the stroller provides shade for your little one and storage for your beach supplies.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is available on each Disney Cruise Line ship and is available to book online with your other onboard activities and port adventures. Just like in the parks, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is a makeover experience that transforms children ages 3-12 into a prince or princess with hair, makeup, costumes, and accessories for an additional fee. Exclusive to Disney Cruise Line, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique transforms into The Pirates League on Pirate Night, where guests ages three and older can become pirates with the help of temporary beards, scars, and other makeup, plus costumes and accessories.
There are different packages available, and on our recent cruise, my three-year-old opted for the Pirate makeover and accessories package, which is $60 and includes your selected makeup, bandana, doubloon necklace, earring, eye patch, and treasure chest bag. This is the most affordable of the packages and we brought our own pirate costume to wear with it.
Seeing my child with a beard and black eyes was both hilarious and priceless! The team at The Pirates League does an incredible job of creating the makeover into a memorable experience, including a pirate naming ceremony, theming, and music. My son was pretty shocked when they turned around his chair to see his makeover, and it’s a look I’ll never forget!
Bedtime Routine While Cruising
Routines are key when you have young children, but it’s often hard to stick to them on a cruise. Thankfully, the staterooms have heavy blackout curtains to help keep the light out during nap and bedtime. You can also request from your stateroom host either Disney Princess or Marvel’s Avengers themed sheets for the sleeper sofa to make your child’s bed their own. I also recommend bringing comforts from home to make bedtime more familiar. These might include a favorite blanket or plush, sound machine, bedtime book, etc. It’s also important to build in the flexibility to take a nap, sleep in, or spend a little extra time in the room to make sure your child gets the rest they need. If the adults are still awake, there is a privacy curtain between the bed and the convertible sofa bed.
Debarkation with Children
Debarkation is not magical or fun. No one wants to get off a Disney Cruise, especially early in the morning. You can typically disembark the ship to head home between 7:30 and 9:30 AM, depending on your travel plans. There are a few tips to make it a smooth process with children.
First, be sure to have your citizenship documents for everyone, including your children. This is an important reminder for cruising with children – they still need at least a birth certificate or a passport, depending on the itinerary. Our team recommends getting passports for the whole family if you are able. Be sure to check the citizenship requirements for your cruise here.
While you can choose “Express Walk Off” and disembark as soon as possible with your luggage, this would likely be challenging with kids. Not only do you have to carry off all of your luggage with you, but it often means skipping breakfast. I also recommend putting as much of your luggage as possible out the night before. On the last night of your cruise, you can put your luggage outside your stateroom door for the crew to have it taken off the ship for you. This way, it’ll be waiting for you when you disembark the ship. Then you’re not juggling all of your luggage, strollers, etc., the next morning when the ship is busy. Speaking of busy, there can be lines getting off the ship and often for the elevators, so be prepared to have essentials with you and toys/other entertainment to keep your kids happy. Also, pack your patience and keep calm!
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