If you’re planning a trip with Disney Cruise Line, you won’t want to miss the Royal Gathering Disney cruise princess meet! This event allows you to meet some of your favorite Disney Princesses with little to no wait. We share our tips for getting a coveted Royal Gathering reservation as well as everything you need to know about this exclusive Disney Cruise Line character meet!
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What is the Royal Gathering Disney Cruise Princess Meet?
The Royal Gathering is a special event held on all Disney Cruise Line ships, where you'll have the opportunity to meet some of Disney's most beloved princesses. It's a froggerific experience that caters to guests of all ages. Tadpoles, like me, LOVE this event because you'll meet several different Disney Princesses in the same place and at the same time!
And don’t worry, the Royal Gathering is included as part of your Disney Cruise package, meaning there's no additional cost to attend this event, but reservations are required (more on that below).
Headed to Walt Disney World? Check out our royally good guide to finding princesses at Disney World!
Where does the Royal Gathering take place?
The Royal Gathering on Disney Cruise Line takes place in the ship’s Lobby Atrium or Grand Hall (on the Triton class ships). This area is large enough for the princesses to spread out, and the ship's stage or staircase makes for a beautiful backdrop for your photos.
When does the Royal Gathering happen on a Disney Cruise?
The Royal Gathering is a high-demand event that typically occurs on at least two separate days during your cruise. For those sailing on longer itineraries, the Royal Gathering can be held even more frequently. For example, on a 3-night Bahamian cruise, the Royal Gathering is offered during the day that the ship is at Nassau and on the day that the ship is at Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. For longer cruises, such as a 7-night cruise through Alaska, Disney Cruise Line may offer even more opportunities to book the Royal Gathering.
The event is timed between cruise activities, so you don't have to worry about missing out on other fun activities going on around the ship. The specific time will vary based on the ship and itinerary, but we've noticed that the Royal Gathering time slots usually begin around 9 a.m. The reservation window is 15 minutes, so if you book the 9:30 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. time slot, you may check in for the Royal Gathering any time within your 15-minute window.
Where do you check in for the Royal Gathering?
If you have a reservation for the Royal Gathering, you will see it listed in your Disney Cruise Line schedule, which is displayed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Only guests with a confirmed reservation can attend. When it's time for your check-in window, you will show your reservation to a crew member near the Royal Gathering. They will confirm the number of attendants and then you can hop in line. Because there are different reservation times, there's a limited number of guests arriving, which helps keep the wait times short. There is just one line, and you'll walk through and meet all of the princesses, one right after the other.
What Disney Princesses will be at the Royal Gathering?
The main attraction of the Royal Gathering is, of course, the Disney Princesses like Cinderella, Tiana, Belle and more. Each princess is ready to greet guests, pose for photos and share a few magical moments. You'll get to spend time with each princess individually. The princesses are also happy to sign autograph books and interact with the guests. There is no feeling of being rushed and the Royal Gathering is one of our favorite Disney cruise character experiences!
One of the most common questions we get is: Which Disney Princesses will be at the Royal Gathering? While there are a couple of princesses that have been at every Royal Gathering we have attended, such as Cinderella, it really is a surprise! The number of princesses in attendance and who will be in attendance varies by ship.
On the Disney Fantasy, we got to meet Jasmine, Cinderella, Tiana and Belle. While on the Disney Magic, we also met four princesses, but this time it was Ariel, Cinderella, Tiana and Belle. The Disney Wish frequently has five princesses in attendance, including Rapunzel, Tiana, Belle, Cinderella and Moana. No matter which Disney characters are there, it's always a frogtastic experience.
Can we get professional photographs taken at the Royal Gathering?
At the Royal Gathering, professional photographers are on hand to capture the magical moments as you interact with your favorite Disney Princesses. The photos can be purchased individually or as part of a photo package from Shutters Photography Shop. In addition to the professional photographers, crew members will take photos for you with your phone or personal camera.
When to Book the Royal Gathering Disney Cruise Princess Meet
All guests aboard Disney Cruise Line have the opportunity to book the Royal Gathering, regardless of their Castaway Club status, but it's important to note that reservations open at midnight EST 30 days in advance of your cruise start date. Each guest is only allowed to attend one Royal Gathering per cruise to give as many guests as possible the chance to experience it.
How do I book the Royal Gathering in advance?
You can book the Royal Gathering on the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or DCL website. It is a straightforward process — simply log into your Disney Cruise Line account or download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. We recommend being logged into your account and navigating to the "My Plans" section prior to midnight when the booking window opens, so you'll be ready!
Once you're logged in, click on your cruise reservation number. You can then navigate to the “My Plans” section, which is located at the bottom of the Disney Cruise Line app. Here, you’ll find the itinerary of your cruise by day. Click the “+ Add Activities” button for the day that you want to do the Royal Gathering. From here, select “Onboard Fun.” This section will list any activities available that day that require a reservation/pre-booking. Look for the Royal Gathering. If you do not see it listed, click “Change Day” at the top right of the app. The Royal Gathering will only be offered on certain days of your cruise, so you'll need to search through the different days to figure out when it is scheduled.
After locating the Royal Gathering, select it to see available times. You can then proceed to reserve your spot. Once booked, this activity will now show up in your “My Plans” portion of your Disney Cruise Line app.
It’s best to reserve your time slot for the Royal Gathering right at midnight when the booking window opens, as spots can fill up quickly.
What if I didn’t book the Royal Gathering in advance?
If you find that you weren’t able to book the Royal Gathering in advance, don’t lose hope! There are still opportunities to join the fun.
On the last couple of Disney cruises, we've snagged Royal Gathering reservations on the day we boarded the ship. To book a reservation this way, connect to the ship’s WI-FI as soon as you arrive at the port. Even before you’re on the ship, you should be able to join the WI-FI, so we often will grab our reservation while waiting for our boarding group to be called. Once connected to the ship’s WI-FI, you will need to add your stateroom information so that you have access to all the activities onboard.
Once fully connected to the Disney Cruise ship’s WI-FI and in the Disney Cruise Line app, navigate to the Royal Gathering as described above. Click on “Add Plans” which is located at the bottom of the app, then select “Onboard Fun” and then select “All Days” so you can see all the available options. From there, select “Royal Gathering” and then click the “Book Now” button. From there, you can choose from the days that the Royal Gathering is available (if there are multiple days). Then select the time you want and confirm your purchase. While the app refers to it as a purchase, there is no cost associated with this reservation. You won't actually be charged anything here. Now, you’re all set! The reservations will be listed in your “My Plans” section of your Disney Cruise Line app.
Availability at the port is limited and is first-come, first-served. If you have any issues booking or if it looks like it's booked up, it’s a good idea to check in with Guest Services or the onboard activities desk. They can provide updated information on any available slots for the Royal Gathering. Occasionally, additional reservations may open up closer to the event.
Can I meet Disney Princesses without going to the Royal Gathering?
Yes! Throughout your Disney cruise, there will be plenty of Disney characters to meet, including Disney Princesses. These character meet-and-greets do not require a reservation and you can simply line up and meet the characters. The Royal Gathering is typically the one character meet that requires a reservation (for standard itineraries — this can be different for specialty cruises such as Marvel Day at Sea).
Tips for the Royal Gathering Disney Cruise Princess Meet
Here are a few more tips you'll want to know before heading to the Royal Gathering:
- Book at midnight. The Royal Gathering is a popular event, so be sure to book your spot as soon as the booking window opens. Prior to your window opening, be familiar with the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and check to see which days the Royal Gathering is available so that you can quickly pick your time slot once the booking window opens.
- Check for availability as soon as you get to the port. If you weren’t able to book in advance, follow our recommendations above and book this activity as soon as you get to the port.
- Dress the part or book a magical Bibbidi Bobbidi makeover. The princesses love it when guests come in costume! It adds to the fun and makes for fantastic photos.
- Bring an autograph book. It’s a nice keepsake and a great way to interact during the meet-and-greet.
- Think about what you or your child might want to say ahead of time. The princesses are amazing hosts and will help lead the conversation. They often ask sweet questions about outfits or your day. But having a little plan can help calm nerves and make the moment even more special.
The Royal Gathering is one of the many experiences that make a Disney Cruise Line vacation truly special. Whether you’re a lifelong Disney fan or introducing a new generation to the magic, this event is sure to leave a lasting impression. So, pack your royal attire and get ready to set sail on an adventure filled with amazing Disney Princesses!
Related: Rapunzel's Royal Table on the Disney Magic
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