I am planning a Disney Cruise with my best friend to celebrate our 40th birthdays. We both love all things Disney! She’s been on more Disney cruises than I can count, and I’ve only been on one, but I have the benefit of her insider tips! (I’m fixing that this year by going on TWO Disney cruises!)
Sure, there are the obvious things to pack. Clothes, bathing suits, toiletries, and more. However, after my last cruise, I found there are a few things that aren’t as obvious that are easy to forget! I wanted to make a list of things you shouldn’t forget on your cruise! These little tips and hacks will make your Disney cruise even easier and make it even more magical!
Packing for a Disney Cruise
Waterproof Bags
You can always use a Ziploc bag for this, of course. I personally have a waterproof bag that I got in a Barbella Box (a CrossFit subscription box). It’s an awesome bag that holds plenty, and you can get a similar one here. These can hold your wet bathing suits if needed or hold your items you are trying to protect from the water! (I also like these various sized waterproof utility bags.)
Large Portable Cup with a Lid
One of my favorite things about the Disney Cruise lines is that they offer free water and soft drinks at all times. However, the available cups are tiny and can be far away from your stateroom. I highly recommend taking a cup with a lid! A Tervis cup is a great cup with a very tight-fitting lid. This Disney themed Tervis cup is really fun!
Lanyard with a Pouch
On a Disney cruise, you have to use your stateroom key for literally everything. You need it to get in your room and to get on and off the boat. You even need it to turn on your stateroom lights. A lanyard will help you keep track of it at all times and keep you from losing it!
Sunscreen
I know this seems obvious, but it’s easy to forget. And I’m the queen of pale and this isn’t something I want to forget!! I have also learned to pack way more than I think I need! I have no desire to waste my fun money I take on the cruise for sunscreen.
Magnetic Decorations
The cruise ship doesn’t allow adhesives on the doors, but they are metal. Magnets do the trick! I didn’t do this on my first cruise, but my friend has bought us some for this one. They declare our 40thbirthday celebration, but it will also be helpful in finding our room easily.
Light Jacket
I am always cold. It doesn’t matter if it’s 100 degrees outside, I’ll find a way to be cold. Air conditioning gets to me! I always have a light jacket on hand to keep myself from freezing at dinner or on a plane.
Sea Sickness Bracelet
I am very lucky that I have never suffered from motion sickness. I’m one of those people who can read in the back of the car. However, my husband gets motion sickness very easily. You can buy medication on board if you need it, but a sea sickness bracelet can help prevent it before you need the medicine! These Sea Band bracelets have good reviews.
Downy Wrinkle Releaser
Truly, this is something I use for ALL trips from cruises to road trips. Sometimes, room for hanging clothes on a cruise ship is cramped. This way you can ensure your outfit is wrinkle-free and looks presentable even if it was stuffed in your suitcase for a few days.
Bug Spray
Bug spray is not what I really think of immediately when I think of the beach, but the little sand fleas can really hurt if they bite you!
Underwater Camera
An underwater camera is really fun for under the water photos! My son loved taking his when he went snorkeling! You can even get disposable underwater cameras if it’s not something you want to make a huge investment in.
Movie snacks
You will never be hungry on a Disney cruise, but the snacks outside the movie theater are not included in your cost. You can save money and pack a few boxes of your favorite movie snacks to have with you. (It also happened that the snack bar was closed when we decided to watch a movie on our last cruise.)
What You Don’t Need to Pack on a Disney Cruise
We covered a few things you need to pack on the cruise boat that might come in handy, but there are things you don’t need to waste your time with on a Disney cruise as well! Don’t use up valuable luggage space! You might want to use that extra space to bring back your Disney souvenirs!
The Disney Cruise provides beach towels! You don’t need to pack those! They will have towels available at every pool. When you get off the boat at a destination like Castaway Cay, you will also be able to get towels as you disembark.
You also don’t need to bring anything to hang up wet clothes. The cruise ship will have a clothesline that extends out over the shower for those wet bathing suits. I found that this was plenty for us, and we didn’t need anything extra.
A hairdryer will be provided in your stateroom, so I wouldn’t bother using luggage space for a hairdryer!
Speaking of hair, don’t bring shampoo, conditioner, or soap. The Disney Cruise Line will provide its own line of amenities, H2O, and it is very nice!
Other Disney Cruise Posts You May Enjoy:
Eight Awesome Things to Do on an Adult Only Trip on a Disney Cruise
I hope knowing what things to buy before you take a Disney cruise helps make your packing easier. Knowing what to pack (or what not to pack) can make that Disney Cruise even more magical! I’d love to hear about your Disney cruise experiences!
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