If you’re planning a Disney Cruise, congratulations! Sailing with Mickey Mouse and friends is a truly magical experience. You’re probably considering what to wear for excursions and special events, which is part of the fun. But what must you know when you arrive on your first day? From parking to dining to luggage, here are five important things to know when you board a Disney Cruise.
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1. Disney Cruise Parking at Port Canaveral
Depending on where you are sailing from, Disney Cruise parking will vary:
Port Canaveral — There’s a large dedicated parking area for cruising, but follow the signs for the Disney Cruise Line ship and Terminal #8. There’s a charge of $17.00 per day plus tax including the days you arrive and leave. You won’t be able to prepay for parking, either.
Having written that, there is less-expensive offsite cruise parking starting at around $10 per day and includes free shuttle service to the ship.
Additionally, if you are staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, you can leave your vehicle there and a motorcoach shuttle will drive you straight to the cruise ship. The cost is significant, though: it’s $90 per person aged two and over roundtrip.
2. Board a Disney Cruise —What to Do with Your Luggage When You Arrive
It’s easy peasy when it comes to luggage for a Disney Cruise. First, each guest is permitted two suitcases for cruising, so if you have a party of three, you can pack and bring six suitcases with no issue. Next, before your cruise, you’ll receive scannable luggage tags to put on each suitcase’s handle. These will ensure your bags will arrive at your stateroom seamlessly. Should you forget, you’ll receive the help you need when you arrive.
Another fun perk: there is no weight limit for each suitcase, so feel free to pack them to the hilt.
Next, when you arrive at the cruising port, look for the Disney Cruise luggage drop-off area. It’s at that spot where you can leave your luggage with guest services and then park your vehicle in the dedicated parking area. If you’re taking a shuttle to the port, all you have to do is drop off your suitcases.
You’re also allowed a carry-on that will not need to be checked. Keep your important items in this bag including medicines, forms, passports and IDs, and drinks. Yes, you’re allowed to bring liquor onto a Disney Cruise:
Disney Cruise Line Liquor Policy: Each guest over 21 years of age may bring two 750ml bottles of wine or champagne or a six-pack of beer.
3. When to Arrive for a Disney Cruise
When you check in online for your Disney Cruise, you’ll need to check in ahead of the arrival day. At that time, you’ll be given a port arrival time (PAT). You may arrive and drop off your luggage at the specified zone ahead of time if you like, but you’ll only be allowed to board the ship in the time frame allotted.
In general, Disney Cruise Line port arrival times are 11 am-2 pm, but they may vary. Always check your specific time when you check in online. If, for some reason, you don’t check-in online, plan to arrive after 2 pm.
4. Board a Disney Cruise — Disney Cruise Line Health Questionnaire
On the morning of your cruise, you’ll receive an email or Disney Cruise Line app notification to fill out a health questionnaire. To keep cruisers as healthy as possible, it’s a quick few questions. Additionally, you’ll only need to fill out one questionnaire per stateroom.
5. Embarkation Day Dining on a Disney Cruise
Cool fact about Disney Cruise Lines: you can dine before the ship even leaves the port! If you have an early arrival time, take advantage of that and grab some lunch and snacks. The restaurant menus will differ from full cruising days, but you’ll still get a variety of dining choices.
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