Things You May Not Know About Disney Cruises

How familiar are you with Disney cruises?

I ask because they’re the hottest segment of Disney Experiences right now, and that’s ostensibly the theme park division.

Lately, many tourists are skipping the parks and heading on exotic cruises instead.

You’ve probably heard a lot about this, and you may be feeling some intense FOMO about it.

So, for those of you wondering how Disney cruises work, I’ve put together a quick guide about some potentially confusing topics.

Here are a few things you may not know about Disney cruises.

International Travel Rules

I’ll confess that I’ve been in bureaucratic Hell lately.

During the pandemic, I accidentally allowed my passport to expire.

Since I’m going on a Disney cruise in April, that’s a problem. At least, I thought it was.

I should preface this by mentioning that my recent governmental experience has been exceptionally positive.

My wife scheduled an appointment for us to get an expedited passport.

While the price for the two of us was hefty at around $500, we were the only ones in line at the post office that day.

Since then, communication has proven outstanding, and if our tracking numbers are correct, we’ll have our passports on Sunday.

That will be roughly two and a half weeks from the date we visited the post office, a remarkable turnaround given the current *ahem* governmental uncertainty.

However, a MickeyTravels expert informed me that none of that was technically even necessary. And that brings me to you.

Are you like me and believe that a trip to a place like The Bahamas requires a passport?

Well, I’m happy to report that’s not the case. And if you already knew that, congratulations! You’re smarter about this than me!

According to Disney’s official site, all you need to travel is an “original state-issued birth certificate AND a physical government-issued photo ID.”

That’s a birth certificate with the seal on it, which you can order from the government online at VitalChek.

While the price varies by state, mine cost about $20, which is a LOT cheaper than the $250 I spent on the expedited passport.

So, if you’re looking to save money and don’t have an active passport, that’s a good way!

Internet Wi-Fi

Conversely, here’s something that will cost you a bit of money.

When you take a Disney cruise, you’ll use an app called Disney Cruise Line Navigator throughout your trip.

You’ll rely on it as much as C. Montgomery Burns relies on Smithers. It’s your everything during your cruise.

Well, you can use the ship’s Wi-Fi connection for the app. It’s complimentary when used that way.

For everything else, you’ll need a Wi-Fi package. Here’s the official description from Disney:

“Disney Cruise Line offers multiple internet packages for purchase based on your online needs.

Use the onboard Wi-Fi anywhere on the ship to chat, post pictures on social media or simply stay connected while at sea.

Once on board, open the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and select “Connect to Internet,” which will take you to a separate browser to view and purchase onboard internet plans.”

Currently, WiFi prices range from $16-$42 per day, depending on the package you select and whether you pay daily or for the entire trip.

You’ll receive a discount by paying for Wi-Fi for the entire trip at once.

Your package choices are basic WiFi for checking social media and light internet usage versus a more expensive one for streaming.

You can read specifics on the official site. The one caveat involves Netflix, Disney+, and the like.

That sort of long-form streaming proves problematic at sea. So, your package won’t include that.

You should download as many movies and television shows as possible on your phone/tablet/laptop before your trip. 

Nighttime Spectaculars

When you hear that Disney cruises offer live nighttime entertainment, you probably think it’s no big deal.

After all, many cruise ships offer musical shows, and they’re generally about as good as a high school play.

That’s not the case at Disney, where many of the current and former Cast Members work on Broadway.

There’s a direct pipeline between the two industries, as retired Broadway performers choose a life at sea.

Meanwhile, Broadway hopefuls often get their start on Disney cruises.

Thus, Disney’s cruise shows surpass anything else in the cruise industry, and it’s honestly not even close.

In addition to the professional performers, you’ll find high-quality sets, professional costuming, and even original Disney stories.

As an example, the Disney Treasure commissioned a Penn State professor to create Disney: The Tale of Moana.

On the Disney Wish, guests have their choice of Disney Seas the Adventure and The Little Mermaid.

Here’s the entire show of Frozen, A Musical Spectacular, which Disney thoughtfully posted online during the pandemic:

That set and those special effects during Let It Go tell the whole story.

Broadway plays cost hundreds of dollars. You can catch a couple of them during a Disney cruise, which highlights the value of these trips!

Photo Packages

Are you familiar with PhotoPass and/or Memory Maker at Disney theme parks?

Disney trains Cast Members as world-class photographers. These experts will take pictures of you during your vacation.

As is the case at the parks, a photo package on a Disney cruise isn’t free. In fact, it costs substantially more than Memory Maker.

You can read the specifics here, but the gist is that you’ll notice photographers throughout the cruise ship.

Disney positions them at character greetings, restaurants, and iconic ship locations.

You’ll also encounter unique backdrops, just like at Disney parks and resorts.

At Disney’s Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point, you’ll find unique photo spots as well.

A Cast Member will happily take high-quality photos of you for your scrapbook and social media posts.

You can pay by the picture for a cost of about $20 each, or you can buy 10-20 photos for a set price of $150-$250.

Disney also sells a comprehensive package for the entire trip. It costs about $350.

Note that prices vary by cruise ship and length of vacation, though. The above estimates are for a seven-day cruise.

Restaurant Pricing

Disney Cruise Line sells you an all-inclusive package with its trips.

Unlike many competitors in the cruise industry, Disney’s cabin price includes virtually all meals.

You’ll discover a restaurant or two that aren’t included in the package, but the overwhelming majority of food is “free.”

When you pay for the cruise, you get the food. Note that the same statement doesn’t apply to most alcohol, but still.

Overall, Disney cruise ship dining will delight you because you don’t pay for it, and it’s seemingly everywhere.

Rotational Dining

At night, Disney utilizes rotational dining, which means you’ll eat at a different restaurant each night.

Notably, your server during your first dinner will remain your server at the other restaurants, though.

So, you’ll gain familiarity with this individual, whom you DEFINITELY SHOULD TIP.

That’s the one part not covered by the price, and it’s important that you budget for that and are generous with the Cast Member.

Besides, they’ll deserve it because they’ll spend your trip learning all your food and drink favorites.

During the rotational dining, you’ll eat at three different restaurants, which will feature their own unique backdrops and menus.

As an example, on the Disney Wish, you’ll dine at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure one night.

That’s an in-the-round dinner show meal that tells a new Frozen story about Queen Anna and Kristoff’s engagement dinner.

The following night, you’ll eat at 1923, a stylish restaurant that celebrates the hundred-year history of The Walt Disney Company.

Easter eggs abound here, so Disney fans will be captivated by their surroundings.

Then, on night three, you’ll dine at Worlds of Marvel: Quantum Encounter. It’s dinner and a movie.

Actual stars of the MCU like Brie Larson, Anthony Mackie, and Paul Rudd appear in a 20-minute Marvel short while you eat.

So, you’ll never get bored at dinner, as you’ll discover something new at each meal.

Meanwhile, you’ll know you’re getting world-class customer service since the Cast Member has become your friend.

Rotational dining is but one of many ways that Disney cruises are so magical.

If I’m willing to fight governmental bureaucracy to take a cruise, you KNOW it’s good!

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Feature Photo: Disney