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If you are preparing for a Disney Cruise, you probably are making a list off the things you will need to bring. While there are certain things you will be able to buy on board, there are certain items you are better off packing in your luggage.
Clothing to Pack for a Disney Cruise
If you are trying to figure out what type of clothes to pack for your Disney Cruise, you are going to want to make sure that you pack according to your destination.
What you will need for a cruise to the Bahamas is going to be different than a cruise to Alaska.
One thing that we always share with our readers is to make sure you bring layering items no matter what type of cruise destination you might have.
While the outdoor temperature might vary, the inside of the cruise won’t.
It can get chilly during dinner and shows so be sure you have a light weight sweater or sweatshirt in case your body can’t adjust to the temperature.
Besides that, you are also going to want to make sure you have the right clothes packed for formal night.
Formal Night on a Disney Cruise
The main things to consider are how many nights you are cruising along with making sure you pack appropriately for the formal night on your Disney Cruise.
Shorter cruises may not have a Formal Night, but those travelling on longer cruises definitely will.
Formal night does not mean what it used to.
You don’t need sequins or a tuxedo.
For women (and girls), it is perfectly fine to wear a sun dress or blouse & pants and for men (and boys) a pair of khakis and a button down (or polo) shirt.
Make sure that you don’t forget to pack appropriate shoes for the formal night too!
This is something that is so easily forgotten.
What to Wear to Palo & Remy (Specialty Restaurants)
Both Palo & Remy are adult only restaurants and do have a dress code.
If you know you will be dining at either of these restaurants, you will want to make sure you have the correct clothing, otherwise you will not be able to dine there.
Palo
Women should plan to wear a sundress or blouse & pants or skirt. Sandals are fine, but no flip flops or sneakers.
Men should plan to wear dress pants and button down shirt. No tennis shoes for the guys either.
Remy
During brunch and dessert, the following dress code is enforced:
Women should wear a dress or pantsuit is required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
Men should wear dress pants, a collared shirt or polo shirt, and shoes are required. A jacket is optional. No jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
At dinnertime, the following dress code is enforced:
Women should wear a cocktail dress, evening dress, pantsuit or skirt/blouse. No jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
Men should wear a sports coat or tuxedo jacket, dress shirt, dress pants/slacks and shoes are required. Ties are optional. No jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
There is more to Pack than just Clothes
The importance of packing well is that you won’t have to buy things you forgot on the ship. While Disney Cruise line has a few shops, the price you pay for the things you forget can really add up!
Do yourself a favor and use this packing list for a Disney Cruise as a guide.
Disney Cruise Packing List
Wondering what to bring for your Disney Cruise vacation?
We have compiled a great Disney Cruise packing list that you will want to read before you leave!
These are items that you may not be thinking of, but could definitely use for your cruise.
The most important items on your Disney Cruise packing list are your cruise documents!
I suggest putting all documents in a document bag so you don’t end up losing anything during your check in process!
Whether you go to the beach at Castaway Cay or take an excursion, you will want to have a great bag with plenty of pockets to carry off board with you.
While you can purchase sunscreen on board the cruise ship, you will pay more than you would had you brought it.
You will be spending a lot of time outdoors and you need to protect your eyes. Make sure that you have sunglasses with polarized lenses packed!
One of the benefits of going on a Disney Cruise is going to their private island, Castaway Cay!
You can purchase sand toys there, but if you have your own, you might as well bring them to avoid the extra charges of buying them when your kids decide they want to build a sand castle.
If you are travelling with little ones who aren't as comfortable in the water, you might want to bring your own set of water wings for Castaway Cay.
Castaway Cay and the Cruise Ship both provide the use of flotation vests for free, but they aren't that comfortable for little ones.
All Disney Cruises have a Pirate Night when all Cast Members, Crew, and Guests are dressed in their finest Pirate attire.
They will give you bandannas to wear, but why not go the extra step and pack a pirate outfit, sword or eye patch to take with you!
Yes, you are most likely planning a cruise during warm weather, but in the evenings the wind may pick up or you may find that the restaurants are a little cool.
Having a cardigan sweater or lightweight jacket to throw on (especially for little ones) is great to have just in case.
You can walk around barefoot on the Disney Cruise line pool deck, but it can get quite slippery.
Be sure to pack flip flops or water shoes to wear poolside and while on the beach in Castaway Cay.
There are laundry facilities on the cruise ships for you to use.
Not that anyone wants to do laundry, but it is nice if you have a few Tide pods or individual load Tide packs packed just in case you need them.
We also know that sometimes you just want to wash the chlorine or salt water out of your swimsuit.
These sink packs are perfect for freshening up a suit.
You can bring bottled water & snacks on board the Disney cruise ship to keep in your cabin.
This way you will have something to take with you on your excursions, to the movies on board the Disney Cruise, or just to have in your state room.
A waterproof case to hold phone, key cards, money, ID is great to have at the pool and when you go on excursions.
Even if you don’t normally get sick, you should be prepared for motion sickness anytime you cruise.
These towel clips are multi-functional.
They keep your towels attached to your chair when it’s windy & is great for putting things to dry on balcony chairs.
You can also use them to secure curtains!
You don’t have to buy fancy ones, small inexpensive binoculars will do.
These are great for sitting on your balcony or checking out Castaway Cay and other destinations you might go to.
These are great to give you a place to put all those dirty clothes.
I love this collapsible hamper because you can just throw it into your suitcase at the end of your trip!
While there are irons in the laundry room, when it comes time for dinner, it is hard to get your hands on it! Bring a small bottle of Downy Wrinkle release to spray your clothes.
It will release those creases in no time!
Disney Cruise ships never have enough places to charge your devices.
If you bring one of these hubs, you one plug will turn into several USB ports so you can charge your phones.
Packing for a Disney Cruise can be overwhelming so we hope that our list helps you remember to bring things you might not have thought about.
Am I missing anything? If you have something to add to our Disney Cruise packing list, please comment below!
Becky
Friday 22nd of November 2019
We understand that we can carryon 2 bottles of wine or 6 beers. Will I be able to take a corkscrew in carryon or checked luggage?
Stacy
Sunday 1st of July 2018
Why birth certificates? Also, do they definitely have puddle jumpers to use or buy? I don't want to fly with those. Thanks!
Kristi
Monday 2nd of July 2018
If you have a passport, you won't need your birth certificate. Complimentary flotation vests are available on the pool decks aboard all Disney ships. You can't take them off the ship, but they are available at Castaway Cay and on most Disney Excursions involving water/ beach activities.
Michele
Wednesday 28th of March 2018
There is no pirate night for Alaska cruises. Keep the pirate costumes home and bring rain gear. Don't over pack; you may have tea with a princess but you won't have dinner with the queen of England . We, my husband and I, did the two week cruise on the Wonder through the Panama canal with only a roll on each. Yes, the Mouse is very strict on over the door anything. Use magnetic hooks and clips.
Kristi
Tuesday 25th of April 2017
You would need to pack it in luggage that would be checked in, not carry on.
Jody
Friday 15th of March 2019
Please do not pack drinks in carry on luggage at the port. They should be carried on. The porters are not very gentle with the luggage and if your bottles of water break, they can make a mess of your things and other people's things, too.
Missy D
Sunday 23rd of April 2017
How do you get bottled water onto the ship if you are flying? It was you can take that and alcoholic beverages (only a certain amount) in your carry on, but you can't carry that onto a plane! We are flying non-stop to Orlando and taking the Disney shuttle bus to the port. Any suggestions?
TA
Thursday 19th of October 2017
If you are flying in the day/eve before, take a rideshare service from MCO to the nearby Walgreens (Semoran Rd.) and back. There's a Starbucks and several restaurants in the same area as the Walgreens, too.