The Best Disney Cruise Packing List With Guide & Tips
Disney cruises are like no other. They provide a top-notch experience for the whole family once you on onboard. And truly, even before. If only they could help you pack! Thankfully, this Disney cruise packing list should help when it comes to understanding what you will need on the ship.
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No matter if you are planning your first Disney Cruise and wondering what to pack, or planning your 15th and want to make sure you have everything. A well-prepared Disney Cruise Line packing list ensures you have everything needed for a stress-free and magical vacation.
Whether you’re setting sail on the Disney Cruise Ship for a short getaway or a weeklong adventure, this guide and printable have covered all essentials, from clothing to must-have accessories.
As Florida locals, Walt Disney World Annual Passholders, and frequent Disney cruisers, I’m excited to help you pack the perfect bag for your cruise! You will see a general warm-weather destination Disney cruise packing list, as well as helpful information for a Caribbean cruise, an Alaskan cruise, and a Mediterranean cruise, and what may change for each region.
Disney Cruise Lingo
Before diving into the packing list, I want to explain a few things that you will see within the list. This may not make sense at first glance, so here is a glossary of sorts for a Disney cruise.
What is a Fish Extender (FE)?
A Fish Extender is a fun, unofficial gift exchange among Disney Cruise passengers. The name comes from the fish-shaped metal hooks outside stateroom doors, originally designed for Disney Cruise Line to deliver notes and paperwork. Guests participating in the exchange hang a pocketed organizer (the “extender”) from this hook, and fellow participants in the exchange leave small gifts or surprises inside throughout the cruise.
- How it works: Before your cruise, you can sign up for a Fish Extender group (typically on Facebook groups for your sailing). Each group member is assigned a list of cabins to deliver gifts to.
- Gifts can be: Small Disney-themed trinkets, snacks, handmade crafts, or useful cruise items like magnets or travel-size essentials.
- Who can participate? Anyone! It’s especially popular for families with kids, but adults also enjoy exchanging themed goodies.
What is Pixie Dust?
“Pixie Dust” refers to random acts of kindness or unexpected gifts that guests give to others on board. Unlike the Fish Extender exchange, Pixie Dusting isn’t an organized event—you just surprise fellow cruisers with small treats!
- Examples of Pixie Dust gifts: Disney stickers, glow sticks, keychains, candy, or other small magical surprises.
- How to Pixie Dust: You can leave items on someone’s door, pass them out at events, or give them to cast members as a thank-you!
- No sign-up required! It’s just a way to spread Disney magic.
What are Cruising Ducks?
A cruise duck is a small rubber duck hidden somewhere on the ship for other passengers to find. The trend started with general cruising but has become popular on Disney Cruises as well!
- How it works: Guests bring ducks from home and hide them in fun places around the ship.
- Ducks usually have tags with a note like:
“You found a cruising duck! Keep it or re-hide it for someone else to enjoy. Share your find on social media with #CruisingDucks!” - Where to hide them: Public spaces, near decorations, in lounge areas (but not in shops, pools, or high-traffic areas where they might be removed by crew).
- Who can participate? Anyone! It’s a fun scavenger hunt for kids and adults alike.
All three of these traditions add extra magic and fun to a Disney Cruise, creating memorable moments for guests.
Cruise Tip: Search for the name of your ship and the exact sailing dates to join the Facebook group for your sailing! It’s a great way to connect with other guests and participate in the fish extender if you are interested!
Disney Cruise Packing List: Essentials for Every Sailor
Disney cruises are an experience of their own- and while other cruise lines also have their perks, when we are traveling with our family, Disney provides the best service onboard.
Travel Documents & Essentials
Before boarding your Disney Cruise Ship, ensure you have the following:
- Passports and Birth Certificates: Whether you need a passport depends on your cruise destination and whether it’s a closed-loop itinerary. Always check your cruise line’s specific requirements. That said, if you have a passport, I highly recommend bringing it! It streamlines the check-in process and ensures fewer headaches while traveling. Keep all important documents in your carry-on bag!
- Cruise Tickets and Boarding Passes: Your cruise line will issue these before your departure after you check in. I talk more about this below, but your check-in window timing will depend on your Disney Cruise line status. While electronic copies are convenient, I always suggest printing a physical copy just in case. Be sure to review your cruise line’s policies ahead of time.
- Travel Insurance Details: We never cruise without travel insurance! The type of coverage you need varies depending on your trip. If we’re driving to the port, we typically purchase insurance directly through the cruise line. However, if we’re flying to our departure city, we opt for comprehensive travel insurance that covers the entire journey. Many travel credit cards include some level of coverage, but it’s not always sufficient, so be sure to review the details carefully. We’ve had to use our insurance a few times, and it has always been worth it!
- Required Visas: Visa requirements vary based on your itinerary, so be sure to check well in advance. For example, starting in 2025, both the UK and the EU will require prior travel authorization, which, while not a visa, is still a mandatory step before entry.
- Driver’s License or Additional ID: Even with a passport, I always bring my driver’s license or another form of identification. Once onboard, I usually store it in the stateroom safe for safekeeping.
- Credit/Debit Cards and Cash: Through our travels, we’ve learned that carrying cash is still essential in certain destinations and situations. However, having a good credit card is just as important, especially this card with no foreign transaction fees and useful travel perks.
- Medical and Prescription Documents: Depending on your destination, specific medical documents may be required. It’s also a good idea to keep any prescription medications in their original containers to avoid any issues during your trip.
Clothing and Accessories to Pack for Your Disney Cruise
Packing for a Disney Cruise means preparing for a mix of casual days, themed events, and evening dinners. Here’s everything you’ll need to ensure you’re comfortable and ready for every activity onboard and in port.
Daytime Outfits
For casual days onboard, pack comfortable clothing that suits warm weather and indoor air-conditioned spaces. Consider bringing:
- Casual outfits, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sundresses, or rompers: easy, breathable outfits for relaxing on the ship or exploring ports.
- Swimsuits and cover-ups: perfect for pool days, Castaway Cay (Disney’s private island) or Lookout Key, or even enjoying the hot tub on cooler cruises. I often wear a bathing suit and cover up for most of the day on sea days!
- Lightweight jackets or sweaters: cruise ships can be breezy in the evenings, even on tropical routes.
- Comfortable walking shoes: I love these sneakers and these sandals which are great for excursions and onboard activities. If you’re heading to a destination like Alaska, consider waterproof options.
Evening and Formal Attire
Disney Cruises have a mix of casual and dressy evenings, so check your specific itinerary for themed or casual nights. Plan for:
- Cruise casual: Simple but polished outfits like collared shirts, sundresses, skirts, or nice pants and blouses.
- Semi-formal and optional formal night: If you want to have a fancier night with your family, consider packing a cocktail dress, a dressy romper, or a dress pants with nicer shoes. Not required, but it’s a fun way to embrace the experience! Disney is really good about leaving the dress code up to guests to determine how they want to dress for dinner, unless you are going to one of the adults-only restaurants.
- Pirate Night outfit: A Disney Cruise favorite! Many guests go all out with pirate-themed costumes, but at the very least, bring a fun pirate accessory set like an eye patch or bandana. Or maybe even a pirate wig! You may also receive a little something in your cruise cabin in the afternoon.
- Other themed night outfits: Some sailings feature Star Wars Day at Sea (took place 2016-2022, but maybe it will come back!), Marvel Day at Sea (Jan – March each year), or Pixar Day at Sea (did not take place in 2024 or 2025) —check your itinerary and pack accordingly if you want to dress up! We did Marvel Day at Sea and had an AMAZING experience! Highly recommend if you have Marvel fans in your family.
Shoes & Accessories
The right footwear can make all the difference when navigating the ship and ports:
- Comfortable sneakers: essential for excursions or just walking around the massive ship.
- Sandals or flip-flops: perfect for the pool deck and warm-weather destinations.
- Dress shoes: for more formal dinners or adults-only dining experiences (if you want!).
- Hats and sunglasses: a must for sun protection, no matter the destination!
Additional Essentials
A few extras that are easy to forget but always come in handy:
- Undergarments and socks: sounds obvious, but they’re easy to overlook!
- Sleepwear: I pack both a lightweight PJ set and something warmer, plus a comfy sweatshirt for lounging in the cabin.
- Workout clothes: if you plan to hit the gym or take part in active excursions. If you’re the type to pack them but never use them, maybe leave them behind 😉
- Rain jacket or poncho: if your itinerary includes destinations prone to rain, or it’s rainy season, a lightweight rain layer is a smart addition.
With this list, you’ll be well-prepared for everything from lazy sea days to lively theme nights.
Pro Tip: It’s completely free to use a Disney Travel Agent! Even though we are local, we always use an agent. She helps us get all the reservations we want, will let us know if prices are reduced to get us some money back and will always make recommendations based on what she thinks our family will enjoy! I am happy to share her information if you want to use her services!
Toiletries & Medications
While your cruise cabin will be stocked with basic toiletries, I prefer to bring my own to ensure I have the products I love and trust. However, the H20 line smells amazing! Cruise-provided toiletries can be hit or miss, so packing your own essentials means you won’t have to rely on whatever the ship offers.
- Shampoo & conditioner: Travel-size bottles or solid bars are great space-savers. If everyone in your family uses different products, I usually just pack mine, and we all share for the week—it helps cut down on clutter!
- Body wash or bar soap: Whatever you prefer for a refreshing shower after a day in the sun.
- Toothbrush & toothpaste: An easy one to forget but a must-have!
- Deodorant: Stay fresh, especially in warm destinations.
- Sunscreen: Opt for reef-safe sunscreen if you’re heading to tropical destinations.
- Aloe vera gel: A lifesaver for soothing sunburned skin.
- Razor & shaving cream
- Moisturizer & lip balm: The air on cruise ships can be very drying. An overnight lip mask is a game-changer!
- Makeup & makeup remover wipes or a reusable cloth
- Hairbrush, hair ties, and clips: To keep your hair under control in breezy ocean air.
- Medications & a small first aid kit: Essentials like pain relievers, motion sickness treatments, band-aids, antiseptic wipes, allergy medicine, and any necessary prescriptions.
- Bug spray: Crucial for excursions in tropical or humid destinations.
Bringing your own toiletries makes a big difference in comfort and convenience while cruising. With these essentials, you’ll be well-prepared for a smooth sailing experience!
Technology & Entertainment
While cruises offer a great opportunity to disconnect, there are a few tech essentials that can make your trip even more enjoyable!
- Smartphone & charger: A must-have for capturing memories, checking the ship’s app, and staying in touch.
- Portable power bank: I like to carry a compact portable charger one for daily use and a larger charger for all-day excursions to keep everything charged.
- Travel adapter: Essential for international cruises where outlet types may differ.
- E-reader or tablet: I’m a huge fan of my Kindle! It’s perfect for travel and saves so much space compared to packing multiple books.
- Headphones or earbuds: Whether you’re listening to audiobooks, music, or a podcast, having both wireless Airpods and wired options is a good idea.
- Nightlight: Cruise cabins, especially interior ones, can get very dark. A small plug-in light is great for nighttime bathroom trips.
- Walkie-talkies: A great solution for families or groups who want to stay connected onboard when Wi-Fi or the messaging in the app isn’t available.
- Snorkeling equipment: If you’d rather not rely on rentals, bringing your own mask and snorkel is a great idea. We started doing this a few cruises ago, and I love the convenience!
- Waterproof phone pouch: A game-changer for protecting your phone at the pool or beach. I bought mine in 2021, and it’s still holding up!
Bringing along the right electronics and accessories can make your cruise even smoother—just don’t forget to pack everything in your carry-on so it’s easily accessible!
Essential Extras You’ll Be Glad You Packed
- Day bag or backpack: A versatile bag is great for both shore excursions and days spent relaxing by the pool.
- Reusable water bottle: An absolute must for staying hydrated on and off the ship!
- Laundry bag: Perfect for keeping dirty clothes separate or carrying laundry to the onboard facilities if available.
- Magnetic hooks: Fun fact: most cruise cabin walls are metal! Using strong magnetic hooks is a game-changer for creating extra storage and keeping things organized.
- Ziplock bags or snack pouches: Handy for storing wet swimsuits, snacks, or keeping small essentials organized.
- Lightweight beach towel: Some cruise lines supply towels, but bringing your own can be useful for port days.
- Deck of cards or compact travel games: While ships often have game rooms or libraries, we always bring a few small travel-friendly options for entertainment on sea days.
- Over-the-door organizer: A simple way to create extra storage for shoes, accessories, or other essentials in your cabin.
- Collapsible Sand Toys: If the Disney beaches are on your itinerary, or really anywhere with a beach, I highly recommend bringing these!
- Sea Bands: if you are prone to motion sickness, this will be a must! You could also look into medicine or patches. I love how cute these bands are!
- Your Own Cups: some people don’t love the cups provided on the ship, you are always welcome to bring your own on Disney Cruise line ships. I have skipped this previously and also brought my own on other occasions. Usually for 5 or less days, I skip it, any longer, I will bring my own.
Packing a few of these extras can make your cruise experience even more comfortable and organized!
Check out this list to see the complete list of everything I pack for a cruise, and this list to see my favorite outfits for vacations!
Disney Cruise Extras
For an extra magical experience, there are fun extras specific to a Disney experience on the high seas! I suggest thinking through the following:
- Stateroom Door Decorations: many cruisers go all out decorating their stateroom doors! You can find fun magnets on Etsy, or you could make your own! We design our decorations for the door, have it printed on thick cardstock, laminate it and then attach magnets to the back. We always have so much fun thinking about our door decorations!
- Fish Extender: as mentioned above, Disney cruisers are all about the fish extenders! You can get a Fish Extender on Etsy if you want a specific or custom design, though we have a cute Donald Duck fish extender from Amazon.
- Princess Dresses or Costumes: You will meet characters all throughout the trip, it’s helpful to bring your own so you don’t feel tempted to pay Disney onboard shops prices on the ship. Look through the characters who might be on your ship and plan to match them if you would like! This is especially fun for the Royal Gathering.
- Autograph Book: also for the characters you will see and meet all over the ship!
- Mickey/Minnie ears: Just like in the parks, many of the guests onboard the ship will have Minnie or Mickey ears. There are super cute cruise themed ears, too!
- Glow Sticks: these are fun for evening deck parties!
- Lanyard: this is helpful for your Key to the World card, which is your room key and onboard payment card.
- MagicBand+: if you already have a MagicBand+ (it must be the + version), you can bring it onboard and use it in place of your Key to the World card on some ships! Be sure to confirm with your ship in advance. These are called “Disneyband+” when on the ship.
- Pins! pin trading at Disney is such a fun thing to do, and it’s no different on a Disney ship!
- Snacks: I am always a fan of having snacks on hand. It’s especially nice for cruise ships because you don’t have the option of running to the store if your children aren’t about the burritos currently being served, or maybe the line for ice cream is too long (see room service point below!). I try to bring snacks for the movies when I am sailing so we aren’t always tempted to buy candy or snacks….but we do usually get popcorn 🙂
Other Cruise Destinations
Packing the right attire for your cruise depends heavily on where you’re headed! Here’s a breakdown of what to bring based on different destinations:
Cool-Weather Cruises (Alaska, Norwegian Fjords, New England in Fall)
Layering is essential for destinations with fluctuating temperatures. Be sure to pack:
- Base layers such as thermal tops and leggings for warmth.
- A waterproof, wind-resistant jacket to stay dry during misty or rainy excursions.
- Accessories like gloves, a beanie, and a scarf—it can get chilly, especially on deck!
- Versatile hats—a baseball cap or sun hat for daytime and a warm beanie for brisk mornings and evenings.
- Comfortable, waterproof walking shoes or boots for exploring rugged terrain.
Europe & Mediterranean in Spring or Fall
Mild weather means versatile layers are key for comfort throughout the day. Consider packing:
- A mix of lightweight and warm clothing like long-sleeve tops, cardigans, or a light jacket.
- A stylish but comfortable outfit for sightseeing, such as tailored joggers or flowy dresses paired with a denim jacket.
- Supportive walking shoes—cobblestone streets and lots of walking mean sneakers or flats are a must!
- A packable rain jacket or small travel umbrella for unexpected showers.
By tailoring your wardrobe to your destination, you’ll stay comfortable and ready for any adventure your cruise throws your way!
What NOT to Pack on a Disney Cruise
Disney Cruise Line has a list of prohibited items, including:
- Power strips and surge protectors
- Irons or steamers. There are amazing onboard laundry room facilities available!
- Drones or large electronic devices
- Personal hair dryer, high-voltage curling iron or straightener
- Homemade food and excessive alcohol. There are specific limited amounts of wine/beer are allowed- see above.
- Soft drinks. They are free on the ship!
Download Your Free Disney Cruise Packing List
To make packing even easier, grab our free Disney Cruise packing list in a printable format. It’s the perfect checklist to ensure you don’t forget any essentials before embarking on your magical voyage.
Disney Cruise Tips for Packing
- Pack a small carry-on bag with swimsuits, sunscreen, and essentials for embarkation day.
- Check the weather forecast for your destinations.
- Utilize packing cubes to stay organized.
Tips For Your Disney Cruise
- I highly recommend learning and understanding the pre-sailing check-in process. Knowing when you can check in, and checking in on time, is important to ensuring your port arrival time, making reservations and more. We always check-in at midnight!
- Make appointments in advance for Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Pirates League. It’s perfect for young princes and princesses to get a magical makeover!
- Make reservations for the onboard hair salon and barber services. Which is ideal for adults who want a little pampering while at sea!
- If you are sailing on the Wish, head to the atrium for the magical midnight details on the chandelier.
- Consider reserving “Onboard Fun” in advance during your check-in, as well as reserved dining. Depending on your ship, there will be multiple adults-only restaurants to reserve, fun experiences like Royal Tea and Mixology classes, and more.
- Sail again offers while onboard, which will get you 10% off a future cruise and a reduced deposit.
- Understand how to navigate the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and download it in advance!
- Many families opt for a “land and sea” Disney vacation where they start or end in Walt Disney World theme parks and pair it with a cruise. That’s my kind of vacation! This four-day Disney World itinerary is a great pairing for a Disney cruise from either cruise terminal nearby: Port Canaveral (closest port) or Port Everglades.
- Watch videos about the ship before your sailing! This will help you get to know where everything is, learn about the kids club and determine how to spend your time.
- Upon boarding the ship on your first day, there will be cast members to guide you along the way and welcome you onboard. I recommend visiting the buffet first and then walking around the ship. You could also check out the spa if you want to buy a Rainforest Room pass.
- Get room service! It’s free and available 24/7. From Mickey bars to chicken noodle soup, I highly recommend it. The menu can be found in the app.
With this complete Disney Cruise packing list, you’re set for an unforgettable experience aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Have a magical journey!
Have You Sailed with Disney Before?
Let me know your must-have Disney Cruise packing list items in the comments below!
