Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List: What To Pack In 2024 (2024)

Last updated:February 3, 2024

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Nothing ruins a cruise vacation faster than realising you forgot something important and this Disney cruise packing list will help make sure you don’t forget any of those cruising essentials! After all, it’s not like you can pop to the shops so easily to pick up those missed items.

This is the ultimate guide for what to pack for a Disney cruise, from clothing and accessories to those very Disney cruise-specific items that you might not typically need for a cruise vacation.

The Ultimate Disney Cruise Packing List

If you’re heading off on a Disney cruise soon (lucky you) then you’re going to want to make sure you’ve got everything on this list. Whether it’s your first-ever Disney cruise or you’re a seasoned sailor, this ultimate packing list has got you covered.

A Disney cruise experience is something truly special, and to make the most of it you need to be prepared.

We have put together a huge list of first-time Disney cruise tips that you might tlike to read too!

So let’s dive into the essential items you should pack for your Disney cruise!

Clothing: What To Wear On A Disney Cruise

When it comes to packing for a Disney cruise, you want to strike a balance of cruise casual, with a mix of comfort and style. The key is to pack versatile pieces that can easily be mixed and matched.

The type of clothing you take on your Disney cruise vacation will also depend on the time of year you are setting sail and the types of onboard and port activities you will be experiencing.

After all, your shorts and sandals might not get much use if you’re sailing around Alaska… and Disney cruise lines do cover a lot of different itineraries, climates and destinations!

For this reason, some of these items may be more relevant than others depending on your specific cruise.

Here is a list of clothing to pack for a 4-day Disney cruise. If you are cruising for longer, consider packing extras for each item or making a plan to use the onboard laundry facilities:

For Adults

1. Swimwear:
   • 2 swimsuits each
   • Swimsuit cover-ups
   • Rash guard/swimming vest – Especially if you’re visiting Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay
2. Daytime Wear:
   • 3-4 pairs of shorts
   • 3-4 T-shirts or casual tops
   • 1-2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes (for onshore excursions)
   • 1 pair of flip-flops or water shoes
   • 1 sun hat for sun protection
   • 1 pair of sunglasses
   • 1 light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned areas or cooler evenings
3. Evening Wear:
   • 2-3 sets of smart casual or themed attire for dinner
   • 1-2 dressier outfits for optional formal night(s)
   • 1 pair of comfortable shoes for walking around the ship (eg. tennis shoes)
   • Accessories like jewellery dress up outfits
4. Extras:
   • Enough underwear and socks for each day
   • Pyjamas
   • Rain jackets or ponchos
   • Warmer jacket for evenings on the deck
   • 1-2 pairs of long pants (jeans, dress pants)

For Kids

1. Swimwear:
   • 2 swimsuits each
   • Cover-ups or swim shirts
   • Rash guard/swimming vest
2. Daytime Wear:
   • 4-5 pairs of shorts
   • 4-5 T-shirts or casual tops
   • 1-2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes (for onshore excursions)
   • 1 pair of flip-flops
   • 1 sun hat
   • 1 pair of sunglasses
   • 1 light jacket or sweater for air-conditioned areas or cooler evenings
3. Evening Wear:
   • 2-3 sets of casual or themed attire for dinner
   • 1-2 pairs of comfortable shoes for walking around the ship
4. Extras:
   • Enough underwear and socks for each day
   • Pyjamas
   • Warmer jacket for evenings on the deck
   • 1-2 pairs of long pants

For Winter Cruises & Cold Destinations

• Winter jacket
• Long pants
• Jeans
• Boots
• Beanie
• Scarves
• Gloves
• Warm under layers

Disney-Themed Accessories

There are few other places, aside from an actual Disney theme park, that you can enjoy wearing all your favourite Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars gear!

This is your reminder to pack all those fun items to wear and show off with fellow Disney fans.

• Mickey ears or character headbands
• Disney-themed clothing pieces (shirts, dresses, etc.)
• Disney pins to trade with crew members and other guests
• Character autograph book and Sharpie for meet and greets
• Disney-themed lanyards for your stateroom key card
• Costumes for Pirate Night or other theme nights
• Princess dresses for the kids

Non-Clothing Items For Your Cruise

It’s not just clothes you need for your adventure on the high seas. Here are the other items you need before you hop on board your Disney cruise ship:

Personal Care Items

Disney Cruise Lines does a great job of providing as many of the personal care items as they can so you can leave most of your toiletries at home. You will find shampoo, conditioner and body soap in your shower.

There is hand soap and lotion in the bathroom, a hair dryer and even a makeup removal cloth.

Electronics and Entertainment

If there is one thing that Disney cruises excel at (and there are many such things), entertainment is definitely at the top of that list!

There isn’t ever really a time when you don’t have something to do on board if you choose, so you can definitely leave a lot of the personal electronics at home if you would rather make full use of the onboard entertainment.

Between theatre shows, onboard cinema, kids clubs, trivia, learn to draw, deck parties, port adventures and drink tastings, you’re hardly going to want to spend much time in your stateroom, other than to sleep.

But we’ve listed the possible electronics you might like to bring anyway, in case you need a little downtime in your cabin… and of course, those essentials for communication and memory capturing.

1. Cameras and Accessories:
   • Camera or smartphone for photos
   • Charger and cables
   • Extra batteries and memory cards
   • Waterproof case or bag for electronics
   • Selfie stick (you can’t take these into Disney parks, but they are allowed on the cruises)
2. Entertainment:
   • Books or e-reader
   • Travel toys and activities for younger children
   • A favourite stuffed toy or comfort item
   • Headphones
   • Tablet
   • Glow sticks (for deck parties)
   • Sand toys for shore days

Baby Disney Cruise Packing List

• Nappies
• Wipes
• Nappy rash cream
• Onesies
• Bibs
• Bottles/sippy cups
• Formula if not breastfeeding
• Swaddles or sleep sacks
• Pacifiers
• Baby carrier
• Socks
• Beanie
• Sunhat
• Baby safe sunscreen
• Baby food and feeding items
• Infant pain reliever/fever
• Teethers

Cruise Documents and Must Haves For A Disney Cruise

1. Travel Documents:
   • Passports or other identification such as birth certificate or photo ID
   • Cruise tickets and reservation confirmations
   • Any required visas
   • Credit card
   • Travel insurance information
   • Health insurance cards
   • Lanyards or holders to keep your cruise cards handy
2. Backpack, Beach Bag or Tote Bag – For carrying essentials during onshore excursions
3. Reusable Water Bottles
4. Disney Magic Bands (if you have them)
5. Magnetic Hooks – For adding extra hanging storage to your cabin or for hanging decorations from your stateroom door
6. Wet bag – For your wet swimsuits at the end of your cruise.
7. Laundry bag or plastic bag – For dirty clothes
8. Disney Cruise Line Navigator App – Download and set up your online account before you board as this is where you can find your dining schedule, cruise activities and communicate with fellow passengers.

Fish Extenders And Door Decorations

If you’re not sure what the Disney cruise fish extender gift exchange is, make sure to read our thorough guide. If you’ve signed up for the onboard fish extender fun, you’re going to want to make sure you bring all your gifts and hangers.

Decorating your Disney cruise stateroom doors is another fun Disney cruise tradition. You can decorate your door with magnets or custom door hangers. Just make sure to use only magnetic decorations on your doors as anything else can damage the finish.

• Fish extender hanger
• Fish extender gifts
• Pixie dust gifts
• Door magnets

What To Pack In Your Disney Cruise Embarkment Day Bag

Just like when you catch a flight, it’s important to prepare a carry-on bag for your Disney cruise for embankment day.

On the day of boarding, your suitcase is checked in upon arrival at the cruise terminal and it won’t reach your cabin until around early to mid-afternoon. This means you need to have some essentials on you for those first couple of hours.

This backpack will double as a day bag for onshore adventures during your cruise too.

*Important Note: Disney cruises are one of the only cruise line companies that allow you to take your own alcoholic beverages onboard. Each passenger 18 years or older can have up to 6 beers or 2 unopened bottles of wine each. This needs to be carried on board in your day bag or a cooler and cannot be checked in your baggage. Any drinks in your checked in bags will be confiscated and you won’t get them back.

Things You Don’t Need To Pack For A Disney Cruise

One of the best parts of cruiseliner vacations is that a lot of the essentials are provided for you. This is no different on a Disney cruise! In fact, they might even go a little further than many other cruise companies to ensure your comfort:

General Disney Cruise Packing Tips

Here are some tips to help you prepare for your Disney cruise experience. A few things to keep in mind while packing:

1. Check the Cruise Itinerary:
   • Consider the activities planned for each day and pack accordingly. If there are themed nights, on port adventures, plan your clothing to suit the type of activities you plan to do.
2. Layering:
   • Bring layers, as cruise ship temperatures can vary. A light jacket or sweater is handy for cooler indoor areas. The theatres can be downright freezing at times, even on a hot day!
3. Laundry Facilities:
   • The cruise ships offer laundry facilities which means you can pack fewer clothes and wash if needed.
4. Footwear:
   • Ensure everyone has comfortable shoes for walking during onshore excursions, as well as casual shoes for strolling around the ship. The ship is huge and you will get a lot of steps each day! Especially if you’re skipping the elevator and taking the stairs at times.
5. Theme Nights:
   • Check if the cruise has any themed nights and pack costumes or outfits accordingly if you want to join in. You don’t have to go full private costumes to join the fun. Add a few subtle pirate accessories instead if that’s more your style.

Where Do I Store My Luggage On A Disney Cruise?

One thing that can be quite the challenge for cruise vacations is finding space to store your luggage when you’re on board the ship. We’ve done a few smaller cruises in the past and this was definitely a struggle, but Disney cruise staterooms are known for being larger than standard.

There is plenty of space to store your belongings and your luggage in your stateroom.

There is a cupboard with clothes hangers for you to hang clothing as well as loads of drawers around the room. The best option is to unpack your clothing into the drawers and closet.

That way you can slide your suitcases under the bed. There is loads of room and you can fit at least 4 large suitcases under the main bed. There is also room to store a suitcase in the closet as well, so there is no shortage of storage space!

Conclusion: Packing For A Disney Cruise

Packing for a Disney cruise can be overwhelming, so we hope this packing list for a Disney cruise helps you feel more prepared to set sail on your magical vacation. Remember to plan for both warm and cool weather, pack comfortable shoes and consider any themed nights that may be taking place on board. Utilise the laundry facilities on the ship to save space in your luggage and make sure to leave room for any souvenirs you may want to bring back home.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy the trip of a lifetime! Happy cruising!