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If you've landed here, chances are the countdown to your Disney cruise is on! But you've got questions about what to wear on your trip. We weren't sure where to start when we were preparing for our first Disney cruise. There is so much to think about, especially when packing for a family. What should we wear during the day? Do we need to dress up for dinner? How many outfits are too many? Is there a Formal Night? What about Pirate Night? These are all common questions, and we're coming in clutch with a simple guide to help you prepare. Plus, we have some expert advice and tips from a very special froggy friend. Let's jump in!
Overview of What to Wear on a Disney Cruise — Meet Meg!
Before we dive into all the deets on what to wear on a Disney cruise, I'd like to introduce you to our froggy friend, Meg! You can find her over at @MagicWithMeg on Instagram. Like our frog family, she loves sailing on the high seas with Disney Cruise Line. She's been on multiple Disney cruises, with the new Disney Treasure as her latest sailing. She loves spending time in the Haunted Mansion Parlor, but dressing up for Pirate Night is also a top-tier cruise activity for her! (We don't disagree!) You'll find Meg's outfit inspo and hop tips sprinkled throughout this post.
How Many Bags Can I Bring on a Disney Cruise?
Now, let's start with the basics. You are allowed to bring two suitcases, a carry-on bag, plus a personal item such as a purse, per person. That being said, the Disney Cruise Line staterooms are generously sized but are still smaller than the average hotel room. You'll need to be smart about how and what you pack. If you know your ship and stateroom number, do a Google search and look at the storage situation for your specific room. It can be helpful to see where you'll store everything once you're onboard.
On embarkation day, you'll definitely want to pack a carry-on bag for you and your travel crew. As soon as you arrive at the port, your luggage will be sent off to security and won't be delivered to your stateroom until later in the afternoon. You'll want to pack your travel documents such as your passport and government-issued ID, swimsuit, flip-flops, sunscreen, sunglasses, cellphone and charging cables, necessary medication and baby care items (if applicable) with you.
Pack Smart
We like to take advantage of the closet hanging space and then use packing cubes to keep other clothing items contained such as undergarments, socks, shoes, swimsuits or cold weather items for those Alaskan sailings. We also carve out some time on embarkation day to unpack and settle in. That way, we can store our clunky suitcases under the bed or throw them in the closet so they are out of the way for the remainder of the trip.
Generally speaking, you can't go wrong with casual wear. Packing light clothes that are easy to layer is a great starting point. Always check the weather forecast for your itinerary before you pack so you'll be prepared for any conditions. And since this is a Disney cruise, think about adding some Disney-themed outfits to your cruise wardrobe (think mouse ears, Disney T-shirts, Spirit Jerseys and fun accessories), or similarly, DisneyBounding. You can go all out or take a more subtle approach depending on your style. There are no official rules here, so just have fun with it! We LOVE Meg's Jungle Cruise bound shown above — perfect for visiting the new Skipper Society on the Disney Treasure.
Research ahead to see what you’re excited about and pack a few outfits on theme with those places. I was SO excited for the Haunted Mansion Parlor, so I packed a Hatbox Ghost Disney bound. There are also three unique dining experiences onboard and dressing up for those occasions is part of the fun! - @MagicWithMeg
What You Don't Need to Pack
To save space, leave these items at home when packing for your Disney cruise. They will be provided for you:
- Towels and linens
- Hand soap
- Shampoo, conditioner and body wash
- Hairdryer
- Life jackets
- Robes
- Safety deposit box
- Select baby supplies (your stateroom attendant can provide a crib, diaper disposal unit, bottle warmer and a sterilizer)
Before packing, review the full Prohibited and Restricted Items list. Certain items are not allowed on board, and having them in your luggage could result in additional screening or even denied boarding, depending on the item.
Daytime Cruise Outfits
Pack lots of bathing suits and cover-ups! Lounging by the pool, reading on the deck and sitting by the ocean is something you’ll have LOTS of time for, so be prepared! - @MagicWithMeg
For embarkation, debarkation and days at sea, you'll want to pack casual clothes such as shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and light pants. These are perfect for lounging or exploring the ship. We like to pack one casual outfit per day. Make sure to pack swimwear for pool time and include a cover-up for walking around the ship or when grabbing a quick snack or drink up on deck. Additionally, don't froget to bring along sun protection — sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses will keep you comfortable while splashing about under the sun.
Oh, and comfortable shoes are a must. We pack a pair of sandals or flip-flops, sneakers and one pair of dressier shoes for the Formal Night or if we'll be dining at any of the adult-exclusive restaurants onboard such as Palo, Remy or Enchanté.
On port days, we recommend wearing lightweight, breathable clothing suited to your planned Port Adventure or excursions. Comfortable walking shoes or sandals will come in handy for exploring. And depending on your destination, you'll want to pack specific items such as a jacket, warm pants, hat, gloves, scarf and boots for Alaskan and northern European cruises.
Hop to our ultimate Disney cruise packing list for a comprehensive guide!
What to Wear on a Disney Cruise — Evening Wear
Even during the evening, casual attire still reigns supreme aboard the Disney ships. For dinner each night, you'll eat at one of the themed Rotational Dining rooms. Casual chic outfits such as nicer T-shirts, polo shirts, sundresses, pants or shorts work well — swimwear is not permitted. You can wear casual shoes such as sandals or sneakers.
If you'll be dining at one of the adult-exclusive restaurants or would like to dress up for Formal Night, pack something a bit dressier.
Embrace the theming onboard whenever you can! It truly enhances the experience! - @MagicWithMeg
For women, dresses and blouses with a skirt or slacks are great options. Polos or button-down shirts with slacks are perfect for the guys. Some men like to bring a sports coat, but it's not mandatory. Keep in mind that there is a dress code for dinners at the adult-exclusive restaurants. For men, shorts and open-toed shoes are not permitted for dinner. (Jeans and shorts in good condition are OK for brunch.)
What to Wear to Pirate Night or Other Themed Nights
Evenings on a Disney cruise often include themed nights such as a Formal Night, Pirate Night or Frozen Night, depending on your specific itinerary.
Pirate Night is held on most Bahamian and Caribbean itineraries, while Frozen Night is held on select 7-night sailings on the Disney Wonder. Formal Night is also held on most itineraries.
Participation is completely optional. You don't have to dress up at all, but we think it's pretty fun to join in the festivities with a themed outfit, even if it's subtle. For Pirate Night, your stateroom attendant will leave a pirate bandana in your stateroom, so you could even pack an outfit and plan to wear that as an accessory!
On themed nights, there are even special photo-ops located around the ship. You'll find the schedule of these events listed in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app once you're onboard.
Tad and Lily love to dress up for the themed nights! You can keep it simple and toadally bring your own outfits — consider packing Disney costumes or princess dresses. Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique is also available on all the Disney cruise ships for those tadpoles who would love a pixie-dusted makeover. Pirates League makeovers are available on Pirate Night as well.
What to Wear to Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay
A beach day at Disney Castaway Cay or Disney Lookout Cay is one of the highlights of a Bahamian or Caribbean Disney cruise. Here’s what to wear and pack for a stress-free day:
Take along a beach bag with essentials (beach towels are provided on the island):
- Key to the World card for every member getting off the ship
- Cellphone and an external charger
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A hat for sun protection
- Swimsuit and cover-up
- Dry clothes to change into, if needed
For families with babies or toddlers:
- Baby carrier or sling
- Baby sunscreen
- Diapers and swim diapers
- Hat and dry clothes
If you're planning to participate in the Disney Castaway Cay 5K, wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothes and comfortable running shoes. Don’t forget to bring a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated. If biking or exploring the island is on your list, stick with breathable fabrics and comfortable walking shoes or sneakers to stay cool and supported.
Don’t worry if you froget something — both islands have merchandise locations where you can pick up essentials such as sunscreen, souvenirs or beachwear. While you can always return to the ship, it’s easier to have everything with you to maximize your beach time and avoid unnecessary trips back and forth.
More Tips on What to Wear on a Disney Cruise
Here are a few more tips to consider as you're packing your bags!
- If you plan to use the fitness center, pack workout clothes and sneakers.
- Prepare for cooler temps by packing a lightweight jacket or sweater for evenings or air-conditioned areas.
- A compact umbrella or rain poncho is helpful for those sudden weather changes.
- Don't over pack. Laundry facilities are available on all the Disney cruise ships should you need to recycle your outfits.
- Pack wrinkle-resistant fabrics. They travel well and look fresh, even when just pulling them out of your suitcase.
- Bring socks, especially if you're sailing on the Disney Wish or Disney Treasure. Socks are required to participate in the Incredi-Games course in the Hero Zone.
- Don't forget comfy pajamas and loungewear.
- Toss an expandable laundry basket into your suitcase. You can use it to corral dirty clothes so they don't pile up on the floor or mix in with your clean clothes.
- Headed to Walt Disney World either before or after your cruise? We like to pack a separate suitcase just for our theme park days to keep things simple.
Now break out your suitcase and get to packin'! You got this! Where are you headed on your Disney cruise? Let us know in the comments below.
Related: Our Top 50+ Tips for Your Next Disney Cruise
Hoppy planning!
