123: Preparing for Our First Disney Cruise as a Family on the Disney Dream | What I Bought, Booked & Planned
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Blogs to read about Disney cruise line:
How to make Disney Cruise Line Less Overwhelming
The Ultimate Guide to Every Disney Cruise Line Ship: What to Expect on Board
Disney Cruise Line for Beginners: First-Timer Cruising Tips
What We Bought, Booked, and Planned for Our Disney Dream Sailing
Planning a Disney Cruise for the first time is a little bit like planning a Disney park vacation. There are a lot of exciting things to book, traditions you may not know about yet, and small details that can make your trip feel seamless once you step on the ship.
In a recent podcast episode, I shared exactly how my family is preparing for our upcoming Disney Cruise on the Disney Dream. My husband and I have cruised before on the Disney Wish, but this will be our first time cruising with our entire family.
Our kids range in age from five to fourteen, which means we are planning for almost every stage of childhood travel. In this episode, I walk through the extras we booked, how we are budgeting for the cruise, and the items I’ve been purchasing to help our family stay organized once we’re onboard.
If you are planning your first Disney Cruise with kids, hopefully this gives you a realistic look at how a family prepares for embarkation day.
Experiences We Booked on Our Disney Cruise
One of the first things families do after booking a Disney cruise is decide which onboard extras and activities they want to reserve.
Disney Cruise Line offers a lot of optional experiences, and they can book quickly once your activity window opens.
Here are the experiences we decided to book for our sailing.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique at Sea
My daughters and I are incredibly excited about this one.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on Disney Cruise Line offers princess makeovers just like the parks, but many cruisers say the onboard experience feels even more magical.
Kids can choose a princess hairstyle, makeup, costume, and accessories before heading off to meet characters and enjoy dinner looking like royalty.
For my girls, this was a must.
Royal Court Royal Tea
We are also booked for the Royal Court Royal Tea, which is one of the most popular princess experiences on Disney Cruise Line.
This experience includes:
• tea and snacks
• princess storytelling
• special character appearances
• gifts for the children
It’s definitely one of the more premium experiences on the ship, but if your kids love princesses it is considered one of the most magical activities available.
Bourbon Tasting: World of Old Fashioneds
Disney cruises also offer a lot of adult beverage tastings, and my husband decided to start embarkation day with the World of Old Fashioneds bourbon tasting.
These small group tastings are hosted by the ship’s beverage team and usually include a guided tasting with different spirits or cocktails.
For adults who enjoy whiskey or bourbon, this is a fun way to kick off the cruise.
Palo Dinner on Lookout Cay Day
One of the adult-only experiences we’re most excited about is dinner at Palo.
Palo is Disney Cruise Line’s signature adult fine dining restaurant, known for its Italian cuisine and incredible ocean views.
We intentionally scheduled this dinner on the day we visit Lookout Cay so we can enjoy a relaxed evening after spending the day exploring the island.
Why We’re Skipping Nassau
One thing we decided for this cruise is that we won’t be getting off the ship in Nassau.
Instead, we’re planning to use that day to enjoy the ship while many other guests are off exploring the port.
This is actually a popular strategy among experienced cruisers because it means:
• shorter lines for activities
• easier access to pools and water slides
• more space to explore the ship
We will absolutely be getting off at Lookout Cay, but Nassau will be our chance to experience the ship at a slower pace.
Our Disney Cruise Budget Strategy: “Disney Bucks”
One thing I do for every Disney trip is create what I call Disney Bucks.
This is essentially a dedicated budget that we set aside specifically for the trip.
I do this for Walt Disney World and now I’m doing the same for our Disney cruise.
This helps cover things like:
• souvenirs
• onboard snacks and treats
• merchandise
• extra activities
Having a separate trip budget helps us enjoy the experience without worrying about unexpected spending while we’re onboard.
Using Easter to Prepare for Our Disney Cruise
Because our cruise is coming up soon, I’m also using Easter baskets as a way to gather some of the items the kids will need for the trip.
This is actually a great trick for parents because you can include things like:
• sunglasses
• lanyards
• small travel games
• cruise accessories
• Disney trading pins
It turns something we already celebrate into a fun way to prepare for the trip.
Items I’ve Bought to Prepare for Our Disney Cruise
One of the biggest questions families ask when planning a Disney cruise is:
What should I pack?
There are some items that cruise families recommend over and over again because they help keep cabins organized and make life easier on the ship.
Here are some of the items I’ve purchased so far.
Cruise Cabin Organization
• Magnetic hooks for the stateroom walls
• Packing cubes for each family member
• Night lights for the cabin
Fun Disney Cruise Traditions
• Door magnets for decorating our stateroom
• Fish extender gift items
• Disney trading pins for onboard trading
• Autograph books for characters
Practical Family Travel Items
• Kids lanyards for Key to the World cards
• Walkie talkies for kids around the ship
• Portable phone chargers
• Small crossbody bags for older kids
Pool and Port Day Essentials
• Towel clips for windy pool decks
• Waterproof dry bags for beach days
These small items might seem simple, but they make a huge difference when traveling with kids on a cruise ship.
Our Stateroom Setup
Because we are cruising with multiple kids, we decided to book two veranda staterooms.
Each room sleeps three to four guests, and having two rooms gives us:
• more storage space
• extra bathrooms
• more room for everyone to spread out
For larger families, this can make the cruise experience much more comfortable.
Who This Episode Is For
This episode is perfect for:
• Families planning their first Disney Cruise
• Parents cruising with multiple kids of different ages
• Disney fans curious about what to pack for a cruise
• Travelers deciding which onboard extras to book
• Anyone preparing for a sailing on the Disney Dream
What You Will Learn in This Episode
In this episode you’ll learn:
• How our family is preparing for our first Disney Cruise together
• Which onboard experiences we booked and why
• Why we chose to skip Nassau and stay on the ship
• How we budget for Disney trips using “Disney Bucks”
• What items families commonly buy before cruising
• How we’re organizing packing for a family of six
Questions This Episode Answers
This episode answers questions like:
• What should families buy before a Disney cruise?
• Is Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique on Disney Cruise Line worth it?
• What extras should you book on Disney Cruise Line?
• Should you get off the ship in Nassau?
• What do families pack for a Disney cruise with kids?
• How do you budget for a Disney cruise?
