21 Things to Pack for Your Disney Cruise

When packing for a Disney Cruise, you will want to include some specific accessories in your luggage. Even though Disney Cruises promise a great vacation, packing can be overwhelming, especially as a first-timer.

Disney Cruise destinations include the warm Caribbean seas, the icy Alaskan coast, and culturally rich Europe. Each Disney Cruise is different, but there are a few items unique to a Disney cruise that you may want to pack. Here’s a Disney cruise packing list covering beach and glacier destinations.

Pro Planning Tip: We recommend using Jessica Lieb with ET Family Travel to book your Disney Cruise!

Disney Cruise Packing List

Cruise Ship Suitcase Essentials

1. Essential Documents 

A passport on your cruise is always a good idea, even if it’s not required. You never know when an unexpected situation or emergency may arise, requiring you to leave the ship early and fly home from a foreign country. Packing birth certificates and driver’s licenses for your cruise may also be a good idea.

It’s important to avoid packing passports in your checked bags. You’ll need to show them in the cruise terminal when you check in for your sailing, so it’s best to keep them in your embarkation day backpack. You can use a travel document organizer to keep all of your essential documents stored together.

2. Clothing

First, let’s lighten your load. A few versatile pieces, such as shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sundresses, a light jacket or sweatshirt, and essentials like sunglasses and a hat, will cover most of your needs. Remember to pack pajamas, socks, and undergarments, but keep it simple.

You must pack dressy clothes if you plan on dining at the ship’s adult-only restaurants, like Palo. Business casual is typical attire for specialty dining. For men, this means dress pants, nice jeans, and a collared shirt; for women, a dress, skirt, or nice pants and a blouse. The regular dining rooms have a more relaxed dress code, so you can feel comfortable wearing casual clothes.

Bring multiple bathing suits and a cover-up for walking around the ship. This will ensure you’re always ready for a quick dip or a leisurely stroll. You may also want to pack rash guards to protect against sun exposure.

Don’t forget about shoes; pack flip-flops, sneakers, and dressy shoes for specialty dining.

3. Pop-up Hamper

A pop-up hamper is a travel essential that I always pack for every trip, whether on a cruise or not. It’s a great way to keep dirty clothes organized. The pop-up hamper is lightweight and fits easily into most suitcases. A dedicated place for dirty clothes keeps the stateroom or hotel room more organized. It also makes packing up or doing laundry easier.

4. Waterproof Phone Case

Always keep your phone with you, and consider getting a waterproof case. Having your phone on hand will allow you to take pictures and use the Disney Cruise Navigator App. Using a waterproof case for your phone on the pool deck or at the beach will give you peace of mind.

5. Water Bottle

You can purchase bottled water on the ship, but it can be expensive. Consider bringing your own bottled water or a refillable water bottle in your carry-on luggage. This way, you can fill it with cold water from the beverage stations whenever you need a drink without worrying about buy bottled water.

6. Laundry Supplies

Each ship has laundry facilities, so you can wash your clothes easily on board for a minimal fee. It is convenient to pack travel-size detergent to make the process easier and bring fewer clothes.

7. Medications

Remember to pack all your prescription medications in your carry-on luggage since you may not have access to your checked luggage immediately. Also, remember to pack basic medications such as motion sickness remedies like Sea Bands or Dramamine.

8. Toiletries

Disney offers shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, and aloe vera so there is no need to pack those as they will just take up space in your luggage. However, do remember to pack other toiletries like toothpaste, sunscreen, and personal grooming items. They also provide a hair dryer, so you don’t need to bring one and take up extra space.

9. A Day Bag

You should pack a carry-on bag for your embarkation day and port adventures. A backpack is perfect for carrying all your essentials, such as travel documents, toiletries, and a change of clothes.

10. Chargers

Note that there are a limited number of outlets in your stateroom. If you need to charge multiple devices each night, consider getting a charger with multiple ports. Disney doesn’t allow power strips, so a multiple-port charger is a good alternative. Also, bring a portable charger for charging your phone during the day.

11. Lanyard

Your Key to the World Card is your room key, a charge card and contains important details about your cruise. Using a lanyard can help you keep track of the card.

12. Autograph Book

Consider bringing an autograph book for characters to sign during character meet-n-greets. You kids will love getting autographs from their favorite characters on the ship.

13. Door Magnets

Many people decorate their stateroom doors with magnets or other small items to make it easier to find your room on a ship where all doors look the same. Consider purchasing Disney-themed door magnets or magnetic hooks to help your door stand out.

14. Sand Toys

If your kids love to play in the sand at the beach, bring along sand toys, which can be pricey to purchase on Castaway Cay. You can get collapsible sand buckets and small shovels that easily fit your luggage.

15. Pirate Costumes

Almost every Disney cruise has a Pirate Night. People often dress as pirates or wear pirate-themed outfits on Pirate Night. You can bring pirate gear if you want to dress up, but it is not required.

16. Candy

While plenty of food is available aboard the ship, candy and popcorn are charged in the movie theaters. Bring your own candy to enjoy during the shows or at the movies to save money.

17. Princess Dresses

Are you planning to take your little one to Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique? You can save money by purchasing a princess dress before your trip instead of buying one on the cruise, which has higher prices.

18. Book or Kindle

If you plan to relax on the beach or by the pool, consider bringing a Kindle. Not only does it save space in your luggage, but you can also download various books onto your Kindle before your vacation, allowing you to have options that suit your vacation mood.

19. Alcohol

Guests 21 years and older on the Disney Cruise Line may bring a maximum of 2 unopened bottles of wine or champagne (750 ml or smaller) or six beers (12 ounces or smaller) when they board the ship and at each port of call. These beverages should be packed in carry-on bags or luggage, not checked bags.

20. Snorkeling Gear

Remember to bring your snorkeling gear to Castaway Cay, as there is a rental cost. If you have them, bring your goggles and snorkel. You can also bring extras to swap with family members. Some people like to bring full-face snorkel masks for their children as they can be easier to use.

21. Fish Extender & Gifts

Fish extenders are fabric pouches that guests hang outside their stateroom doors on a Disney Cruise Line. These pouches can be in various shapes and serve as a mailbox for each person. Guests bring fish extenders in different styles, from custom-made embroidered extenders to simple shopping bags.

Learn more about Fish Extenders.

What You Don’t Need to Pack

To maximize your stateroom space, here’s a list of things you don’t need to pack on your Disney cruise vacation. These items are provided to you:

• Towels and linens
• Hand soap
• Hairdryer
• Life jackets
• Robes
• Safety deposit box
• Certain baby supplies like cribs, bottle warmers, and bottle sterilizers.

Review the Prohibited and Restricted Items list before packing for your Disney Cruise. If guests have prohibited or restricted items in their bags or luggage, they must undergo additional screening and may even be denied boarding, depending on the item.
Some of these items include:

Prohibited Items:

• Weapons, firearms and ammunition
• Marijuana and illicit drugs

Restricted Items:

• Surge protectors
• Irons and steamers
• Sporting equipment
• Drones
• Coolers (except those carrying medications and baby food items)
• Homemade, pre-cooked or perishable items