This isn’t your typical Disney Cruise packing list!
I mean, really, you don’t need me to tell you to pack underwear and socks, do you?
After going on 20+ Disney Cruises on all 4 ships, we’ve developed a good sense of what we tend to forget, what really makes a difference to bring, and what you can leave at home. This list includes those 20 things you may not think about for a typical vacation, but will want to pack for a Disney Cruise vacation.
The items in our Disney Cruise packing list represent the boiled down, must have, don’t leave home without them items that we bring on every Disney Cruise. Be sure you still bring your clothes. I did forget that once on a cruise!
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Disney Cruise Packing List
#20 Downy Wrinkle Releaser: There are only a few irons and ironing boards on board the Disney ships, so we bring this handy little item on every cruise. Helps you look fresh pressed for every event.
#19 Shoe Rack: This comes in handy on longer cruises. You can hang the shoe rack on the back of the bathroom door for shoes, socks, bathroom items. This item will double the storage available to you without taking up space.
#18 An Extra Suitcase: Fill this one with snacks for the cruise (saves you a TON of money in the theater and poolside) and then you have space for souvenirs on the way home!
#17 Backpack/Daypack: Our favorite is the Osprey Talon 22. This is perfect for your day bag at ports of call and for your last day bag, when you get off the ship.
#16 Travel Strip Plug: Standard surge protector strip plugs are not allowed, but these smaller outlet multipliers are allowed (at least we’ve never had an issue with ours). These are becoming less necessary, however. Your stateroom will have at least 4 outlets available and you could jump to 6 outlets, if you unplug the TV and the Wave phones. So, it’s really based on your charging needs. As vloggers, we have a LOT of charging needs.
#15 Chargers: Speaking of charging needs, everyone always forgets at least one! Bring them all and get backup batteries, if you need them.
#14 Personal Travel Cups: Whether you’re a Yeti/RTIC fan or a Tervis junkie or maybe even a Kleen Kanteen, bring along a cup to refill at the drink station. The drink station includes unlimited beverages during your entire cruise. These beverages include tea, coffee, juices, milk, and Coca Cola products. Disney provides little cups, so it is best to bring your own.
#13 A Big Hat: We like the straw surfer hats and Columbia hats. You’ll want some shade and protection from the sun at Castaway Cay, as well as other ports-of-call.
#12 Underwear: (Ha! You thought I wasn’t going to include this one!) In all seriousness, some travel underwear and/or compression under shorts can be a very nice luxury item for any day you will be going to a beach (like Castaway Cay). By the end of the day, the chafing situation can be BRUTAL, especially for the kids. Have a change of underwear with you to change into after a day of sun and sand. Compression shorts under board shorts work really well to prevent the chafing, too and then you don’t have to change before getting back on the ship.
#11 Sweatshirt or Light Jacket: Even in the summer months, the wind while at sea can be brisk and chilly.
#10 GoPro or Garmin Virb: Or any other waterproof and shockproof camera. There will be lots of opportunities to take underwater pictures and videos or even action shots. These are the perfect cameras for these activities!
#9 Waterproof Bags: These are wonderful for protecting your electronics from the sea and “liquid sunshine” (rain) when off the ship. You can use ziploc bags for this purpose, but I get a pack of three in different sizes from the Walmart camping section and take them with me, every where.
#8 Waterproof Bluetooth Speaker
#7 Buff: A Buff just comes in handy for a bunch of stuff. Cover your face for a nice nap at Castaway Cay. Use it to prevent a sunburn on your neck while snorkeling. Keep yourself warm in the cool winter Bahama breezes. The uses never end for this inexpensive, easy-to-carry items.
Disney Cruise Packing List: Bonus Items
#6 Aeropress: If you’re a coffee lover, this is a great item to take on board with you. Bring your own coffee (but be aware, you won’t be able to take any off the ship due to Customs laws) and use this handy, easy to clean coffee press to get great coffee while cruising.
#5 Pirate Costume: If you want to dress up for pirate night on your Disney cruise, be sure to bring your costume along!
#4 Formal Wear: Disney Cruise does not have an “official” formal night, but there is a “dress-up” night and many cruisers like to get gussied up in their fanciest duds.
#3 A Beach Blanket: We like our SnugPak Jungle Bag that unzips to a great beach blanket, but there are a ton of lightweight, compact options for a beach blanket. This is especially nice when Castaway Cay is wet and/or cold on the day you’re in port.
#2 Autographs: If you have younger kids that like the Disney Characters, be sure you bring something to autograph. This could be an autograph book, pillow case, picture mat, t-shirt, or hat. You will also want to pack a permanent Sharpie pen for the characters to use to autograph your goodies.
#1 Magnets for the Stateroom Door: The doors on board the Disney Cruise ships are metal. Many guests like to decorate their stateroom doors. This is a fun activity for the whole family! You can buy magnets from Etsy or create your own at home. When you arrive, you can then personalize your stateroom for the cruise.
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We hope this helps you plan your Disney Cruise vacation. If you want to see more Disney Cruise, we have over 80 videos in our Disney Cruise playlist!
What is a “must bring” that you think we should add to our list?
