There’s nothing else quite like a Disney Cruise. Taking a Disney Cruise is a fun experience for everyone in the family. There are so many things to do that you could easily miss some of them. We’ve partnered with Disney expert Meagan Wristen from Mommy Travels to share some of the lesser known things to do on a Disney Cruise that you won’t want to miss.
Go to the Spa
Sensory showers on the Disney Fantasy | Photo by Meagan Wristen
The spas aboard Disney Cruise ships are always quite nice with an assortment of treatments available including sensory showers. With any treatment, you are given use of the private hot tub and heated tile loungers that overlook the ocean.
Ride the AquaDuck
Although it may seem silly, you simply have to ride the AquaDuck when you are on a Disney Cruise. The AquaDuck is only built onto two of the Disney Cruise ships, the Disney Dream and the Disney Fantasy. When booking a Disney Cruise, you should definitely try for one of the ships that has the AquaDuck. This fun water slide makes for a fun, memorable experience at sea.
Watch a Live Show
A new show every night during a Disney Cruise | Photo by Meagan Wristen
The live shows offered on a Disney Cruise are broadway quality, and your family is sure to be impressed by the entertaining song and dance. In fact, depending on which ship you are on, there are even broadway actors from New York City in the shows.
Run a 5K
Running the Castaway Cay 5k | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Be the first one off the boat on Castaway Cay by signing up to run the Castaway Cay 5K. This is a great way to enjoy the island before everyone else arrives. There is no extra fee to participate and everyone receives a keepsake plastic medal. Not to mention, you’ll get a bit of exercise along the way.
Dress Like a Pirate
Pirate Night | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Most Disney cruises have a pirate night. Although you may feel goofy dressing up, you should definitely do it! Lots of people dress up, and it’s an easy and fun way to add to the magic. On pirate night, everyone receives a pirate bandana in their room to wear. There are two fun shows on the deck to enjoy on pirate night too, one with Mickey and one with Jack Sparrow.
Join a Fish Extender Exchange
Fish Extender | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Up the fun by participating in a little gift exchange with other families. Everyone participating brings something for each family. This is the perfect way to teach kids about giving and gain souvenirs at the same time. Plus, it takes some preparation and builds excitement in the weeks leading up to the cruise.
Let the Kids Participate
Kid’s Club | Photo by Meagan Wristen
Often times going into a kid’s or teen’s club can be a bit intimidating, but once they’ve gone in, they will never want to leave. Disney does a phenomenal job at getting the kids acclimated and making sure that everyone gets to know each other.
Attend the Sailing Away Party
Disney throws a better party than pretty much anyone else, which means that every time they throw a party, you are going to want to be there. During the sailing away deck party, Mickey Mouse and his friends take to the stage, and everyone dances along with crew members that lead the dancing.
Stay Up for the Fireworks
Disney does fireworks better than most, and the fireworks show onboard certainly lives up to the reputation. It can be a little difficult to stay up late after a fun-filled day, but if you do, you are rewarded with a great display of fireworks.
Visit the Bathrooms
When the bathroom mirror is so amazing you have to take a selfie. | Photo by Meagan Wristen
All across the ship is opulence, and the bathrooms are no exception. Some of the most impressive spaces are hidden away in the bathroom. No two bathrooms are exactly the same. Just check out the mirror I found in a tiny little bathroom in a remote part of the Disney Dream cruise ship!
Best of luck on your own Disney cruise and I hope you enjoy experiencing some of these for yourself!
Meagan Wristen
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Wow, what a nice little surprise. We are currently planning a cruise.
Fantastic time, with many wonderful memories for the whole family!!
They really are the best. I just got home from our 84th Disney cruise. Started in ‘98 on the maiden on the Magic and loved it. Did all the maiden voyages too. Can’t get enough of DCL.
Were you on the Fantasy 11/24-12/1? I recognize your name and decorations on your stateroom door. LOL. Disney is hands down the best cruise vacation!
84th!! That’s amazing!
Hi Barbara, I’m looking to book a Disney cruise for my first time. Do you have any suggestions? Like what is the easiest way to plan the trip? Any help would be great. Thank you
Why The Bathroom
My brother and I went on a Disney cruise for part of our birthday gifts/ family vacation. I was turning 16 and he was turning 12 I believe. I still remember how much fun it was and I 36 years old now. We even got to watch a Disney movie in a theater on the day it came out for free. It was the movie Atlantis. I made so many friends and some of us still keep in contact. We were on Disney Magic.
My brother and I went on a Disney cruise for part of our birthday gifts/ family vacation. I was turning 16 and he was turning 12 I believe. I still remember how much fun it was and I 36 years old now. We even got to watch a Disney movie in a theater on the day it came out for free. It was the movie Atlantis. I made so many friends and some of us still keep in contact. We were on Disney Magic. Go swimming when your on Disney’s island we found on on another vacation that some fish will eat bananas out of your hand if there pealed and don’t forget the water shoes.
I went on a few when I was a bit younger. Some of the best times I had down in Florida were there (I’ve been like 40-59 times my family is Disney crazy and it was amazing growing up to have all those experiences!) I enjoyed all the unlimited snacks and just the whole scenery on board was decadent. I remember going to the kids club and kinda thought it’d be boring but we made flubber and the people were super cool it was actually a pretty sick surprise. The islands were beautiful and taken care of so well that was super enjoyable also! Now, I can’t wait to go again, hopefully I can convince my girl to one day, she’s pretty prone to motion sickness but sometimes can be tempted to use som dramamine and has better times depending on certain times of the year. I want to run the 5k with her because Ik she’d really get a kick out of that and it’s always nice to do some healthy living while relaxing on vacation! Nice article there’s quite a bit of stuff I forgot about going through it. 😊
I was reading the comments on the Disney cruise hi Sarah my name is GracieI live in Swansea Massachusetts I went on a Disney cruise back in 2013 with my two sons we had a good time love to go back and take a vacation with my family but I’m afraid that they might be restrictions did you have to use a mask do you have to be vaccinated
When is the best time to when is the best time to take the cruise? the cruise?
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