Get Ready for Your First Disney Cruise!

There’s always a first time for everything. Could this be the year that you set sail on your first Disney Cruise? You’ve heard from friends and family about how magical their Disney Cruise was and you’ve been dreaming about sailing to exotic and exciting destinations on your own Disney Cruise. It’s time to make your dream come true!

If you’re new to cruising, you may feel overwhelmed with choices, and your list of questions seems to keep growing. When is the best time of the year to cruise? Which stateroom category should I pick? Where does Disney sail? What’s included on a Disney Cruise? What should I pack? Do I need a passport?  What is there to do onboard?

Well, you’ve come to the right place! Small World Vacations’ agents have sailed on over 600 Disney Cruises to destinations around the world. Our travel advisers have unparalleled knowledge and experience to help you plan your first or fiftieth Disney Cruise. We can answer the questions you have as well as the ones you didn’t know you had!

Small World Vacations agents are full time professionals who guide you through the entire process. From selecting a stateroom, to preparing for disembarkment at the port, your agent has the firsthand experience you need. Your agent shares invaluable advice to help prepare you as you embark on your magical voyage.

There is no charge for our expertise and experience plus, Small World Vacations offers $50 – $1000 onboard credit based on the cost of your cruise fare.

Below, Small World Vacations agents share some tips for first time and seasoned cruisers:

From agent Carly: “Surprise your kids before you leave home with a free phone call from a Disney Character. After you’ve booked your cruise, visit My Reservations under My Disney Cruise and select “Request Call” beside the Free Character Call header. This link will take you to a site where you can choose a Disney character, enter your phone number, and schedule a call time.

From agent, Jo: “Whenever possible arrive at least one day before the cruise departs to avoid any last-minute flight delays or cancellations.The ship will leave on time and you don’t want to miss it.”

From agent Karen: “Understandably, guests might be concerned about their stateroom being close to the elevators. I prefer a stateroom 2-3 doors down from the elevators. From my personal experience, you barely, if ever, hear people as they gather near the elevators. Plus, it’s a much shorter walk to and from your stateroom.

From agent Michelle: “On embarkment day, the water areas are not so crowded. Pack a tote/beach bag with essentials and swimsuits and head straight to the pool/water activities. Also, bring along reusable bottles/cups for beverage refill stations.”

From agent Jill: “Bring a mesh pop up cube (12” by 12”) to keep dirty laundry in the closet; especially on a longer sailing when you might want to wash some clothes.”

From agents Mandy and Kathy: “Once onboard, set your phone to airplane mode and connect to the ship’s Wi-Fi. Open the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App and “favorite” the activities you want by touching the outline of the heart – when you do the heart fills in and turns red. You will then be reminded via push notification (be sure those are turned on) 30 minutes prior to the activity.”

From agent Deanna: “Disney Cruise Line can accommodate many common food allergies at table-service restaurants including gluten, wheat, eggs, fish, dairy, lactose, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, soy and corn. Cultural meal options, including Kosher, Indian and Halal, may be available upon advance request at no additional charge.”

From agent Minnie: “If you aren’t able to get reservations for the Royal Gathering Princess Meet and Greet, connect to the ships Wi-Fi as soon as soon as you get to the port. They hold back some of time slots for the day that you board. (Royal Gathering available on select sailings).”

Get a peek at the Royal Gathering on the Disney Wish on our Small World Vacations You Tube Channel!

From agent Angela: “I recommend that you dont over plan activities on your first cruise. Relax and enjoy and explore whats already included on the ship and Castaway Cay ,Disney’s Private Island paradise.

See even more of the Family Fun you can have on Disney’s Castaway Cay!

Small World Vacations is a Diamond Level Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. Our agents are your best resource when planning a magical voyage. Read what our happy guests have to say about us.

Small World Vacations offers $50-$1000 onboard credit based on your cruise fare.