The Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List
Everything You Need For Your Next Educational Adventure
Planning a Disney Cruise is an exciting adventure, especially when it’s paired with an enriching educational seminar experience! Whether you’re setting sail with your family, attending a continuing education seminar, or just looking for a magical vacation, packing for your Disney Cruise requires a bit of thoughtful preparation. There’s nothing worse than getting to your final destination, only to realize you forgot a crucial item and now have to pay triple for it on board, or worse, have to spend the whole cruise without it. That’s why we’ve compiled the ultimate Disney Cruise packing list so you can sail away with the peace of mind that you’ve remembered all the essential items you need for a Disney Cruise with family.
To ensure you’re fully prepared for a fun, educational, and comfortable trip, we’ve put together the ultimate packing list that will cover everything from practical essentials to Disney-themed extras, plus a few tips to make your cruise experience even more special! You’ll never be left wondering what to pack for a Disney Cruise with kids again!
Travel Documents and Essentials
First and foremost, don’t forget the basics! These are essential items for a Disney Cruise trip (and really any trip in general), so having them organized in one place will save you time and stress.
Passport or Original Birth Certificate + Photo ID: Check your cruise requirements and make sure you have all the necessary identification for travel by air and sea, as rules may have changed since you last traveled. Passports are strongly recommended, especially when it comes to changes to plans and emergency situations. Adults (16+) will need a photo I.D. if using a birth certificate, but children under 16 can cruise with just a birth certificate.
Cruise Documents: Documents such as your Port Arrival Form and cruise tickets may be digital these days, but printing out a back up copy isn’t a bad idea just in case. Disney Cruise Line luggage tags are mailed before the cruise or may be provided at port check-in.
Health and Medical Information: No one likes to think about life and death right before a vacation, but it’s smart to plan for the worst case scenario. Bring any necessary health and medical information with you in case of emergencies.
Lanyard: A convenient lanyard is a MUST for first-time cruisers. Slide your Key to the World Card in and keep your hands free to explore the ship and experience all your Disney Cruise has to offer.
Comfortable Cruise Wear
While you’ll want to look fabulous for photos, comfort is key on a Disney Cruise. With so many activities—from educational seminars to lounging by the pool—here’s how to pack for a Disney Cruise:
Casual Daywear: Naturally, you’ll want to bring t-shirts, shorts, and swimsuits for on board or at port.
Dressy Outfits: Include some fancier attire for formal dining nights or special events.
Cover-up: Some light sun protection will be necessary for time spent at the pool or beach.
Comfortable Shoes: Bring a variety: flip-flops for relaxing, sneakers for active excursions, and dressier shoes like sandals or loafers for formal nights.
Light Jacket or Sweater: The air conditioner on cruises is top notch during the day, but it may get chilly at night, especially if you’ve got a sunburn! Bring a light sweater for cooler evenings or indoor activities.
Disney Magic
You can’t take a Disney Cruise without embracing the magic! Be sure to pack these Disney-themed items to help bring the magic to life during your vacation.
Mickey Ears: Any Disney fan knows that ears are a must-have for photos and fun!
Disney Apparel: Show your Disney spirit while attending seminars or on excursions with themed outfits- or buy apparel while you’re on the boat, as there will be ample opportunity.
Autograph Book: If you’re traveling with kids and plan to meet Disney characters, consider bringing a book for autographs! Your kids can look back on the signatures with fond memories of their cruise.
Disney Pins: Not everyone’s cup of tea, but pins are perfect for trading and making memories. Consider buying a few and starting a small collection. It’s a great way to bond with other Disney fans and cruisers!
Health and Wellness Items
Make sure you stay comfortable and healthy during your cruise! Disney Cruises offer plenty of amenities, but it’s always a good idea to pack your personal health items.
Sunscreen: Sun protection is absolutely crucial for the sun-drenched days at sea. Don’t end up spending a day in the medical bay- keep sunscreen on hand and reapply often!
Medications: Make sure to bring any necessary prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and perhaps a few seasickness remedies like Dramamine and Seabands (or even prescription Scopolamine patches) if you’re prone to motion sickness.
Hand Sanitizer and Masks: Optional now, but definitely a good idea to consider bringing them to stay healthy while traveling. Picking up a cold in the airport on the way to your embarkation port could ruin years of planning!
First Aid Kit: Accidents happen (especially with kids around) so it isn’t a bad idea to keep a small supply of band-aids, pain relievers, allergy medications, especially when on excursions.
Excursion Essentials
It wouldn’t be the ultimate packing guide for Disney Cruises without including what to bring on the shore excursions! Depending on where you’re headed, you’ll want to be prepared for beach days, island tours, and other adventures.
Snorkel Gear: Not necessary if you’ve booked a snorkeling excursion, as equipment will be provided, but perfect if you have indecisive kids! Save yourself some money by bringing beach gear ahead of time.
Waterproof Bag: Definitely bring a few of these, if not a whole pack of Ziplock bags, to protect your valuables from water and sand. Waterproof phone cases are also fantastic, especially for snapping beach day pics!
Hat and Sunglasses: Sun protection is key when you’re cruising. Limited time at ports means a bad sunburn could keep you from your excursions! Prevent this by bringing hats, sunglasses, and other forms of external sun protection.
Comfortable Backpack: You’ll need something to carry essentials during excursions. Just make sure not to overpack!
Technology and Entertainment
While the educational seminars will keep your mind active, having entertainment options for downtime is essential. As modern-day meltdown medicine, devices are must-have items for a Disney Cruise with kids.
E-Reader or Books: Perfect for relaxing on deck or by the pool; if you forget, check out the on-board libraries!
Headphones: Necessary for finding quiet time on a loud ship or enjoying music & podcasts on the beach.
Streaming and Offline Entertainment: All Disney Cruises provide free streaming of Disney+ content in staterooms, which means you can enjoy all your family-friendly favorites from the comfort of your cabin!
Seminar Materials and Supplies
At Southern Anesthesia Seminars, we aim to provide you with the highest quality, hands-on continuing education seminars. That means we make sure you have everything you need for success when participating in one of our courses. That being said, if you’re feeling particularly motivated, or just have a passion for note-taking, check out these tips for what to pack for a continuing education seminar cruise.
Notebook or Journal: If you’re not bringing a computer or tablet, this is a must when it comes to taking notes during seminars.
Pens, Highlighters, and Markers: Not completely necessary, but it is fun to keep your notes organized and colorful.
Laptop or Tablet: Not required, but some people prefer taking notes digitally these days.
Insider Exclusive Tips:
To ensure you’re absolutely prepared for your Disney Cruise CRNA continuing education seminar, we’ve taken the liberty of including some of the things we’ve learned from our cruising experiences over the years. Disney Cruise beginners- this is for you!
Bring a Refillable Cup
You'll want to stay hydrated, especially if you're cruising in a hot climate. The cups provided by the cruise line might not cut it if you're a big water drinker. Bringing your own water bottle, Stanley or Yeti can make a huge difference between spending more time on the beach and having to head back early!
Multi-Port USB Chargers
You can't bring extension cords or surge protectors on board for safety reasons, but you're allowed to bring multi-USB plugs that allow you to charge multiple devices at once. Outlet space might be limited, and if your family is device-friendly, you'll want to make sure everything is charged and ready to go just in case.
Battery Packs
A backup charging bank is sure to come in handy for keeping devices charged, whether you're snapping pictures all day or keeping in touch with family. Planning ahead of time for dead batteries can help prevent potential tantrums in the future.
Alcohol
You might not think you would be allowed to pack your own alcohol to bring on your cruise, but you are! Age restrictions vary by country of origin, but 21+ guests traveling from the United States are allowed to bring 2 bottles of wine or champagne or up to 6 beers on board in their carry-on Check out the official policy here.
Pirate Night
Pirate Night on Disney Cruises is a fun-filled themed event where guests of all ages embrace their inner pirate with a festive dinner with pirate-inspired menu items, a lively deck party with music, dancing, and a spectacular fireworks show at sea. Pack your finest seafaring livery (that’s pirate-themed attire for you landlubbers).
Ready to Book Your Educational Adventure?
Now that you have the complete Disney Cruise packing guide for learning and leisure and our means-tested insider tips, it’s time to start planning your educational Disney Cruise experience! Our exclusive seminar packages are designed to give you a mix of learning, relaxation, and fun aboard one of the most magical ships at sea.
Ready to book your educational adventure? Explore our seminar packages today or reach out via the contact form with any questions. We’re here to help you get started on an unforgettable journey filled with learning, fun, and Disney magic! Pack your bags, set sail, and let the adventure begin! 🚢✨
