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We’re so toadally excited for your upcoming Disney Cruise! Setting sail on the high seas is one of our frog family's favorite ways to vacation or spend a holiday. When you combine the magic of Disney with family-friendly staterooms, unique locations, ultimate relaxation and world-class entertainment, you have a recipe for the best trip ever. So sit back and relax as we hop through our top 10 tips for sailing with kids on Disney Cruise Line!
Top Tips for Sailing with Kids on Disney Cruise Line
Select the Right Itinerary
The Disney Cruise Line fleet currently has five ships sailing, with the Disney Treasure set to make her inaugural sailing later this year. In addition, the Disney Destiny will make her debut in late 2025. Plus, four additional ships are in the works between 2027 and 2031! Disney Cruise Line offers a variety of stateroom options, cruise lengths, departure ports, itineraries and themes to choose from. Rest assured, you’ll find a sailing that is perfect for your froggy family.
Disney Cruise Line offers itineraries from 3 nights to 14 nights — and even extended repositioning sailings. If it’s your family’s first sailing, consider a 3- to 4-night cruise. This length lets you get your flippers wet without overwhelming young travelers and allows you to get your sea legs beneath you for the next time. A shorter sailing can also easily be paired with a post or pre-cruise visit to Walt Disney World Resort!
Holiday and summer sailings are popular for families, so consider this when planning. If your tadpoles aren’t yet school-age, an off-season sailing can have lower crowds and prices!
Disney Cruise Line also offers themed cruises at select times during the year. There are annual Halloween on the High Seas and Very Merrytime Cruises. The popular Marvel Day at Sea sailings will also return in early 2025. Hop over to view DCL itineraries for 2025 and 2026 in this post!
Research to Find the Right Stateroom
I must confess when our froggy family planned our first cruise, I worried we wouldn't have enough space in our room! Luckily, with a little research, I found just the right stateroom for our family's needs and all our gear. Disney Cruise Line has built its brand around families and many of the staterooms feature split bathroom designs, pull-down upper berths and other family-centric touches that maximize the space and functionality.
There are also a variety of stateroom styles ranging from standard inside staterooms to concierge-level multi-room suites. Our full stateroom guide can help you select the perfect stateroom. Our favorite stateroom is the Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah. The tadpoles love the Disney-themed touches and Daddy Frog and I love the extra space, split bath and large verandah.
In addition to family-friendly staterooms, Disney also offers additional amenities for young travelers that can be requested for your room. Need a bed rail or Pack ‘n Play? You can request one in advance through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Bottle warmers and diaper pails can be requested through your stateroom attendant once you are onboard.
Book Magical Extras Early
When it comes to sailing with Disney, the magic is limitless. While many onboard experiences and character greetings do not need to be booked in advance, several require advanced booking such as Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, Royal Court Royal Tea and Olaf’s Royal Picnic. It also applies to the complimentary ticketed Royal Gathering and Heroic Encounter during Marvel Days at Sea. If these experiences are on your tadpole's “Must-Sea” list, book as soon as your Castaway Club membership booking window opens! (The Royal Gathering can be booked 30 days before your sail date.)
Lily always requests a Princess makeover at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique for the day of the Royal Gathering to meet her favorite princess, Tiana, in her own princess finery. Tad prefers a Pirate’s League makeover for the same day as Pirate Night at Sea!
There are also plenty of adult-only experiences you may want to book for times when the tadpoles are in the kids' clubs. Disney Cruise Line has you covered with everything from spa treatments to mixology classes — you’ll have plenty to do while your tadpoles are off having fun!
We also recommend booking your Port Adventures as soon as your booking window opens.
Select Port Adventures by Age and Interest
Disney Cruise Line is a favorite choice for our froggy family because we can visit multiple locations during our sailing. We love exploring new ports of call with Disney’s curated Port Adventures.
Before your booking window opens, explore the options available for each port with the whole family. This is a great way to get the tadpoles involved in the planning process! The Disney Cruise Line website has a filter option to limit your search to the types of activities your family prefers. All Port Adventures will list the applicable age limits and activity levels so you can make sure the options you are looking at are right for your specific needs.
If traveling with younger tadpoles, we caution you not to overplan your Port Adventures. A beach day can be an excellent opportunity to connect as a family. Playing in the sunshine at Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point are also ideal ways to enjoy family time. Both locations feature play spaces for little ones, as well as family beaches with calm waters for splashing and relaxing.
Prepare for Embarkation Day
Embarkation day can be a bit stressful, especially for the little ones. There can be a lot of waiting around and security before boarding the ship. Not to mention, multiple ship announcements and protocols once aboard. To minimize the time waiting at the cruise port, arrive at the time assigned to you when you complete your online check-in. If you arrive too early, you’ll be stuck waiting at the cruise port, and there isn’t a lot to do.
If you’ve purchased and booked Disney Cruise Line transfers, you will automatically be given a boarding group. This is also our favorite way to arrive at port because the magic starts as soon as you step on the bus! Disney even handles your luggage for you! This is so convenient, especially with children.
Now it’s time for the real fun! Once your boarding group is called, your froggy family can head aboard the ship. The crew announces each family as they enter the ship’s atrium, and tadpoles love it! Characters may be out to wave you in and the entertainment crew is on hand. You'll feel like absolute royalty as you step inside. Be ready — you’ll want to film your tadpole's reactions to hearing your family’s name announced!
Once onboard, you can explore the ship, grab a bite to eat or even head straight to the pool depending on the time. Grabbing a quick lunch near the pool or at the buffet is a great way to kick off your trip. After lunch, we like to hop straight to our stateroom when they open up at around 1:30 p.m., pointing out different landmarks to the kids as we go so they can orient themselves on the ship.
Once in your stateroom, go over any pond rules such as never going anywhere alone, what to do if you get lost and how to contact each other. Also, take a peek at the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and check out what’s happening that evening. We also make sure the tadpoles memorize our stateroom number and create a code word. You will be asked to provide the code word the first time you drop your kids off at either Disney’s Oceaneer Club or Oceaneer Lab and each time you pick them up.
And, speaking of the kids' clubs, you’ll want to head there next to take a tour and explore the space together. You can also register if you didn’t do so during your online check-in, or at the cruise terminal.
Lily and Tad’s least favorite part of embarkation day is the mandatory muster drill. This experience can be overwhelming and crowded and the younger ones don’t always understand the process. I highly recommend talking through it in advance so they know what to expect. If your tadpoles have a noise sensitivity, noise-canceling headphones can be helpful, as the alarm sound is very loud.
After the muster drill, take some time to explore together while you wait for the sailaway party to begin on the pool deck!
Utilize the Disney Cruise Line Kids Clubs
One thing that makes Disney Cruise Line unique is its variety of kids-only spaces designed for every age. Disney understands that children of different ages enjoy different activities, so each ship has areas tailored just for them. From the "it’s a small world" nursery! for infants to Vibe for teens ages 14-17, Disney Cruise Line ensures all ages have their own spaces for age-appropriate fun and entertainment.
On embarkation day, the kids clubs will be open for touring during select hours. This is a great time to visit them with your tadpoles so they see what they are like and have the opportunity to explore them with you first. Many little ones can be apprehensive at being in an unfamiliar place and this introduction can set their minds at ease. There will also be a few open houses held throughout the cruise at the different locations.
When we sail, there are days when we hardly see Tad and Lily — they can’t get enough of Disney’s Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab! In the Oceaneer Club, themed play spaces allow the imagination to soar to new heights. Characters are even known to stop by at select times for special encounters you won’t find elsewhere on the ship. The Oceaneer Lab is similar to the Club, but with even more hands-on activities where the kids learn just as much as they play (even though they don’t realize it at the time).
Tad can’t get enough of the Star Wars and Marvel areas, while Lily will craft and dance to her heart’s content. They both love to participate in scheduled activities such as Anyone Can Cook and Pluto’s Pajama Party. Keep in mind that each ship offers different activities and experiences. Both locations welcome potty-trained children aged 3-10. Disney’s Oceaneer Lab is not available on the Disney Wish, but instead, you’ll find The Walt Disney Imagineering Lab.
Disney Cruise Line knows that tweens and teens have different interests than younger children. Edge, for kids 11-14, features multiple computers and video game stations, ship-board scavenger hunts and televisions, plus the option to participate in guided games and activities. Vibe, for teens 14-17, is a high-tech hang-out where teens can connect with others their age, grab a coffee or snack and participate in group activities or chill with friends.
For babies and toddlers, the “it’s a small world” nursery! is the place to be. This nursery facility is for children 6 months to 3 years of age and is a limited service. It is the only kid’s space onboard Disney Cruise Line that charges a fee and rates can vary. You’ll also want to book your time slots for “it’s a small world” nursery! in advance of your sailing (based on your Castaway Club membership level).
As parents, one of our favorite benefits of the kids clubs is being able to escape and enjoy a spa treatment or specialty dining experience knowing that the kids are well-cared for in a safe, engaging environment. All the counselors onboard Disney Cruise Line are highly trained, so you can relax and enjoy some adult time guilt-free.
Enjoy Hippity-Hoppin’ Onboard Activities and Entertainment
In addition to the kids clubs, there are plenty of things for the whole froggy family to enjoy together. Our family loves to participate in activities including mini golf, Midship Detective Agency, games, arts and crafts and Disney Trivia. In fact, one of our favorite memories is creating "Dusty the Carrot Duster" out of a carrot, potato, toothpicks and wheels for a "Cars"-inspired racing event in D Lounge! Dusty may not have been the fastest, but he had style!
You can also catch a movie as a family in several different places. Watch first-run movies in state-of-the-art theaters on all Disney Cruise Line ships, or enjoy a family favorite on Funnel Vision by the pool! You can also opt to order room service and enjoy a special night in your stateroom, snacking and snuggling together.
All Disney Cruise Line ships feature Broadway-style live entertainment in The Walt Disney Theatre, with rotating shows taking place on select nights. These productions are family-friendly and full of your favorite Disney characters. We love The Golden Mickeys (on the Disney Wonder and Disney Dream) and Disney’s Believe (on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy). The shows are the perfect length for children and run twice nightly. There's an early show for those with late dinner seating and a later show for those with early dinner seating.
Guests absolutely love the Deck Parties! Your kids won’t want to miss the sail away parties and theme nights. Pirate Night is a particular favorite. The whole ship gets into the swashbuckling fun with themed dinners, complimentary pirate bandanas, special photo-ops and more. For Alaskan cruises, you get to celebrate Frozen Night, which also includes a "Frozen"-themed deck party and dinner.
You’ll want to check the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app often for character appearances, games, arts and crafts, trivia and so much more. Ask your tadpoles what they're excited to experience, and make it a point to fit in each person’s top couple of choices.
Meet Disney Characters
It wouldn’t be Disney without the Disney characters! The characters can be found all over the ships and on Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app lists when and where your favorite characters will appear, on and off the ship.
You might also find them walking around the ship! Common locations for characters are at the ship atrium and the pool deck. But keep your eyes peeled. You never know who you might see. I’ll never forget finding Goofy out sleepwalking on the jogging track of the Disney Dream, or Stitch recruiting Tad to help hide everyone’s sandals on the pool deck of the Disney Wonder. He was out walking around causing mischief (as Stitch is fond of doing)!
You will also find unique characters at special events and deck parties. For example, on Pirate Night, you’ll find Jack Sparrow, as well as Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy decked out in their pirate outfits. During Halloween on the High Seas, characters will be dressed in Halloween costumes for the Halloween deck party and in their holiday finest for Very Merrytime Cruises. Character appearances are also common in Disney's Oceaneer Club.
With so many characters, it’s almost impossible to find them all. Talk to your tadpoles, make a list of their favorite characters and prioritize them in your schedule. Use the Navigator app to filter and set reminders for these experiences. Keep in mind that the more unique the character the longer the line may be. Meeting Pirate Mickey will typically have a much longer line than meeting Mickey in his Captain’s attire because it only happens during Pirate Night.
Some tadpoles may be afraid of characters. Show your tadpoles videos of characters to help them get used to their large, interactive presence. Once onboard, if they feel scared, that’s OK! Disney characters are ready for this and will do their best to help little ones feel at ease. Above all, don’t pressure them into a meeting if they aren’t comfortable. Instead, try again the next day!
Explore the Ponds, er, Pools
Disney Cruise Line has great pool spaces for the tadpoles to cool off and splash about. With different areas for different ages and demographics, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Infants and toddlers not yet potty-trained can enjoy themed splash play areas on all Disney Cruise Line ships. These themed areas feature soft ground cover, shade and a variety of water play features. (Babies must use swim diapers.)
Older kids can enjoy the AquaLab on select ships, or take a ride on the AquaDunk (Disney Magic), AquaDuck (Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream) or AquaMouse (Disney Wish and Disney Treasure). All ships also feature a family pool and select ships feature an additional smaller pool designed for younger swimmers and/or slides.
When Tad and Lily were younger, we practically lived in the Mickey Pool on the Dream and Fantasy. A toddler-friendly pool shaped like Mickey Mouse? Who wouldn’t want to hop into that? Lily is particularly fond of the Mickey Slide on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy! And don’t worry moms and dads, Quiet Cove features an adults-only pool and jacuzzis for some quieter relaxation.
Find the Magic in the Little Moments
My top Mommy Frog tip for sailing with kids is to find magic in the little moments. Cruises are the best way to truly disengage from the outside world and connect as a family. In our media-driven world, we often get caught up in posting on social media and staying connected with friends and family. Do your best to be present with your entire family during your cruise. It is an experience that none of you will froget!
Here's a list of our favorite things to do as a family:
- Order Mickey Bars or milk and cookies from room service at midnight and have a pajama party.
- Dance your heart out at a character dance party.
- Play trivia or craft together at one of the many events held during the cruise.
- Race down the AquaDuck or AquaMouse and splash in the pool.
- Eat all the ice cream on the pool deck.
- Hang out at D-Lounge and participate in family games.
No matter what, just be sure to treasure the time together making magical memories!
Do you have more tips for sailing with kids on Disney Cruise Line? Leave them in the comments below. From our froggy family to yours, have a toadally terrific Disney Cruise!
Related: The Best Time to Take a Disney Cruise
Related: 50+ Tips for Your Next Disney Cruise
Hoppy planning!
