What to Pack for A Disney Cruise (with FREE Packing List)!
A Disney cruise isn’t just a vacation—it’s a floating escape from the busy, a chance to slow down, reconnect, and soak up those sun-drenched moments in the Caribbean or the Bahamas. And with the right essentials packed, it gets even easier to settle into vacation mode from the moment you step onboard.
I’ve pulled together my must-haves for warm-weather itineraries, along with a few extra items that make every cruise smoother, happier, and a whole lot more magical. You’ll also find those special Disney-only touches—like pirate night outfits and stateroom magnets—that turn a great trip into a core memory.
To make it even simpler, I created a free Disney Cruise Packing List you can download and keep on hand as you pack. Consider it your stress-free guide to getting ready for the sea. Enjoy!
ESSENTIALS
Passports/ Birth Certificates– Technically if you are doing a closed-loop cruise (leaving and returning to the United States), you’re allowed to board with a birth certificate. But I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you bring a passport. This makes it so much easier if any issues arise when you’re in port. Make sure you check expiration dates, and double-check Disney’s policies here!
Cruise Documentation– Make sure to print and sign your online check-in forms and bring them with you.
DCL Issues Luggage Tags- Disney will mail you special Disney Cruise Line luggage tags. Attach these to your luggage on embarkation day so the porters can easily deliver your luggage to your stateroom.
Medical Insurance Card- always good to have in case of emergency
Travel Insurance Info– I think you should always add insurance to a cruise. The cancellation policies are not as lenient as other types of travel, and weather is poised to affect the majority of your vacation as opposed to just arrival and departure. Bring your policy with you!
Cash/ Credit Cards for adventures in-port
Cell Phones + charger- You can use Disney’s Navigator App to see what is going on around the ship and plan your vacation. It sucks up a ton of battery, though, so bring chargers and a portable charger. We provide one with every booking!
iPads/ Tablets/ Kindles
Headphones (+headphone splitter) for entertainment
Camera + charger + extra batteries + extra memory card– you’ll be making memories on your vacation that will last longer with photographs. An iPhone is great in a pinch, but years down the line, you’ll be happy to have slightly higher-quality photos than what you can take with a cell phone.
Medications/ Prescriptions- It’s always good to have a few over-the-counter medications like tylenol, benadryl and a cold medicine to avoid paying cruise line prices. Plus, make sure you pack motion sickness remedies—better safe than sorry, and I tend to think that if you have it, you won’t need it!
CLOTHING
When I travel I typically aim to pack 1.5 outfits per person per day, but cruising is a little different. You are constantly changing after a long day of activities before a casual dinner, so when I pack for a cruise, I pack.
Shirts– roughly 1 shirt per day
Shorts- we usually pack 2-3 for a 7-night cruise. I would pack more for my boys, but they end up being in swim trunks most of the time.
Slacks/Jeans/Trousers- It’s always good to have one pair as it can be cold at dinner, in the theaters, and outside on the decks at night.
Sundresses- I usually pack a few casual dresses to wear with flip flops for daytime and a few that I can dress up with some sandals for dinner. Just be sure to have some sort of shawl or cardigan to throw on at night.
Swimsuits/ Cover Ups- I HATE putting on a wet bathing suit, so I always pack more than I need. I usually pack 3-4.
Underwear- enough for one clean pair of undies a day.
Pajamas- I usually pack enough pjs for half of the number of nights for the trip. Pack at least one cute pair if you plan to attend Goofy’s PJ party.
Light jacket or sweater- it gets cold in the dining rooms, theaters, and out on the decks in the evening, so make sure to pack a lightweight jacket, scarves, shawls, and/or sweaters to keep you warm. A denim jacket always makes its way into my suitcase.
Shoes- You’ll want flip flops for the pool, sneakers for adventures in port, and walking sandals, flats or dressy sandals for dinner. Always pack a few extra pairs for the kids in case they get wet. Water shoes are probably a good idea.
CRUISE ESSENTIALS
Lanyard– I saw this on all of the packing lists I read before my first cruise. I dismissed it because I hate lanyards and I regretted it every moment of my vacation. Hopefully DCL will switch over to magic bands soon, but until then—bring a lanyard.
Reusable Water Bottle – The cups at the beverage stations are tiny. Minimize your trips to the station by bringing a large reusable bottle.
Sunscreen – unless you’re independently wealthy, bring more sunscreen than you need. Cruise ship sunscreen costs an arm, a leg, and maybe an extra femur or two.
Sun hat/Protection
Alcoholic Beverages – save some money by bringing your own adult beverages. Disney cruise line allows you to bring 2 unopened bottles of wine or 6 bottles of beer on board per cruise. If you get off the ship and load up on your Mom’s favorite Mexican cream tequila, then they’ll hold it for you until disembarkation (not that I know that from experience)
Goggles/Sand Toys- Not a necessity, but could entertain your children and save you some money if they see them on board and decide they need them right now! Remember: cruise lines seem to have taken advice from airports when it comes to pricing, so try to buy as few necessities as you can onboard.
- Magnetic Hooks – the stateroom walls are magnetic, so bring some hooks to put by the door to hold your lanyards, magnetic clips for jewelry, and anything else you can think of—the possibilities are endless!
TOILETRIES
I don’t think anything in this category really needs an explanation, but if you aren’t sure why you should pack deodorant—let’s chat!
Toothbrush/Toothpaste – for some reason I ALWAYS forget toothpaste
Deodorant
Moisturizer
Haircare
Skincare/Makeup
Contacts/ Solution/ Backup Glasses
DISNEY FUN
Princess Dresses (or other character costumes) – If your child is looking forward to meeting a character, it is so fun to bring an outfit so they can dress like them! If your little girl is going to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique, you can save some money by bringing your own costume for her to wear to the princess brunch. Visiting during Star Wars or Marvel Day at Sea? Throw the jedi and superhero costumes in there, too.
Pirate Attire – Another surprise I had onboard my first Disney cruise was just how in to Pirate Night people got. I obviously had heard about it, packed a t-shirt with Red from Pirates of the Caribbean on it and called it good. Even with my shirt I felt SO underdressed. So when it comes to Pirate Night… Go Big!!
Magnetic Door Decor – One of the things I love about a Disney cruise is that so many people get excited about decking out their stateroom door. You can get magnets of your favorite characters or your names to set your room apart. It’s a fun activity that’ll keep the kids busy, and it makes your room easy to find!
Dry Erase Board- A Dry-Erase board is a great way to communicate at sea. Put it outside the room to meet new friends or to let your family know you went to the spa for the afternoon.
Autograph Book – Just like the Disney parks, your favorite characters are out and about willing to sign an autograph for you. Make sure you have a book, notebook or another way to capture it.
Pins for Trading – if you like pin trading in the parks, you’ll love trading on the ship—bring pins!
Movie Snacks – The only snacks that aren’t included in the price of your cruise are the individually-packaged movie snacks outside the theater. Save some money and bring your own Twizzlers and Goobers!
What not to pack is almost as important as what to pack. Before you go, make sure you check out Disney’s restrictions.
NOT SURE WHERE TO LOOK TO START YOUR PACKING?
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here are a few of my favorites.
Toys and Crafts to keep the kids entertained
*I may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
At the end of the day, packing for a Disney cruise isn’t about creating a picture-perfect suitcase—it’s about setting yourself up for a vacation that actually feels like a vacation. When you have the right pieces in place, you’re free to settle into the sun, the sea breeze, and those sweet in-between moments with your kids that you’ll remember long after you’re back home doing laundry again.
So take what serves you, leave what doesn’t, and give yourself permission to keep it simple. You don’t need every gadget or extra—just the things that make your family feel comfortable, prepared, and ready for a little bit of magic.
And if you want to make this part even easier, don’t forget to download your FREE Disney cruise packing list! Here’s to smooth sailing, stress-free mornings, and a vacation that lets you truly take a break from the busy. Bon voyage!
Who is Christina?
Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists. After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!
She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old daughter, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.
