Packing for a Disney Cruise is a little different than packing for a typical vacation. A cruise is different than a land vacation, and a Disney Cruise is unlike any other. You are stepping onto a floating resort filled with themed restaurants, Broadway‑style shows, character experiences, and excursions. Forget one small item and suddenly you are paying cruise‑ship prices for sunscreen or motion‑sickness medicine.
This Disney Cruise packing list walks you through everything worth bringing so you can board relaxed and ready for fun instead of digging through your suitcase wondering what you forgot. Inside you will find essential items for every traveler, smart extras that make life on the ship easier, and a printable Disney Cruise packing list you can download and use while packing.
If there’s one thing we hate, it’s saying “I wish I had thought to bring that!”
We’ll separate these into categories. We’ve also created a printable version so you can mark it off as you pack it. Download it for free here. Be sure to read through this post, though, because we provide insight that the printable doesn’t cover.
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The important things that get you on the ship with ease.
When you arrive at port, you’ll want these things ready and available in a carry on bag or purse. Make sure this is all ready BEFORE you leave your hotel. The phone signal and/or wifi at ports are notoriously bad. There are too many people there jamming it up.
Your phone with the Disney Cruise Line app already installed. (The morning of, make sure it is up to date.) Everyone in your party will need to do this prior to arriving at port. If they have a phone they’ll need the app.
Your Port Arrival Form (printed in hand or downloaded on your phone.) This is sent to you when you complete your online check in, so you might have to dig for it.
Cash to tip the porters who help with your bags.
Travel insurance information. (Not required by Disney, but good to have handy if you need it.)
Any medication.
Handheld fan. Sometimes these terminals get really stuffy. You’ll be thankful throughout the cruise for it too.
We’ve also detailed a really great first day on board routine that we’ve perfected after 15+ cruises (12 being Disney.) You can read that here.
Cabin Must Haves
Once you’re on board we recommend setting up your cabin as soon as you can. When you get it out of the way, you’re “moved in” for the whole cruise!
Rule of thumb is to have everything out and put away and the suitcases under the bed before dinner/showtime. That way you’re not living out of your suitcase.
Staying Clean and Healthy
Disney Cruise Line is the cleanest cruise line on the seas, and has been for years, routinely getting 100% ratings. The stateroom hosts are amazing, but they can’t sanitize everything, and cruise ships are notorious for spreading germs. One of us (Magen) has a habit of getting sick when traveling, so we have honed in our habits because who really has time to get sick on vacation? (You can see our sanitizing routine here. It’s simple and takes less than 5 minutes.)
Shower shoes that double as in-room slippers (These are low profile so they fit in suitcases nicely. They also run small.)
Hand wipes for your purse throughout the cruise. We sanitize our phones daily, and our hands as well before eating. They will hand these out all over the ship as well, but we like to have some on us just in case.
We up our vitamins when traveling, and also drink an Emergen-c Immune + every night.
If you are prone to motion sickness, bring some motion sickness medication with you. Guest services will give you one dose and then require you to either purchase the Dramamine from the shop, or go to the doctor on board. Both are expensive. Either get a prescription from your doctor or use OTC options.
Stain remover pens are always helpful. (They have laundry on board if it’s a bad one!)
Other Cabin Set Up Items
Cruise ship walls are metal, so magnets stick to it. This means you can add some extra storage to the walls! We love these magnetic hooks.
We are really hot sleepers, so we always bring fans! Here’s a magnetic one that we stick on the ceiling, and then a foldable standing one that doesn’t take up much room in your suitcase.
Chargers for cameras and phones. Bring at least one extra- you’ll probably need it.
We also like portable chargers for port days and around the ship. These have worked the best for us. You’ll be using the app a lot and need a healthy dose of charging.
A lot of people recommend over the door organizers and extra foldable hangers. In our experience, Disney Cruise Line has more than enough storage and you can ask for as many extra hangers as you like. Save some room in your suitcase!
Personal Items and Clothing
Your own hair care items. (Unfortunately, Disney has lowered the quality of the shampoo and conditioner.) A frizz control option wouldn’t hurt. This actually really helped me, too.
The hairdryer in your cabin is fine, but you’ll need your hot tools if you use them.
I usually travel with this lighted makeup mirror, but the Disney Cruise Line mirror on the newer ships are really well lit. (Older ships, you may need the lighted mirror.)
Bring your normal skincare and makeup routine, but I always like to use a lip stain when traveling so I don’t have to worry about reapplying and I can just use my SPF lip balm throughout the day.
Plan your clothing per your planned daily activities. We’ve included some spots on the downloadable checklist for clothing. You’ll probably need a light sweater or wraps for dinners. (We are in the middle of creating a list of outfit suggestions for ALL of the Disney ships. Coming soon!)
At least 2 swimsuits per person so you can rotate them out. How many you bring is totally up to you!
Reading material. I always bring my Kindle for time spent by the pool or ocean. It’s lightweight and I can have as many books as i want loaded on it. If you don’t have a Kindle, bring a paperback. The hardbacks are so heavy!
Sunglasses
SPF
SPF gets its own category because it’s that important! Magen has had sun poisoning in the past, so she’s very adamant and has perfected a routine. These islands often have very little shade and once you realize that you might be burning, it’s too late! The sun is different in the tropical locations.
We use 4 products. Seems excessive, but it works. It’s fairly simple: high SPF lotion before you leave your room, and bring a spray SPF for reapplication (it’s so much easier.) We have sensitive skin on our faces, so we need specific face products.
We also really like rash guards for shoulders/arms.
Hats really help also.
SPF lip balm, because I’ve burned my lips more times than I can count!
Miscellaneous
Reusable cups with lids are our favorite bonus item. It can be a water bottle or tumbler, whichever you prefer. We like the wide mouth cups with lids and straws for the sodas and teas, and the steel water bottles for water. Disney Cruise Line has drinks available 24/7 on the pool deck and we fill them up for the shows, for our room, or to go with the 11:00 PM pizza run.
Door decorations! Totally optional, but it’s quite fun and it really helps you recognize your room. You’ll be surprised how many times you pass it up.
Most travelers don’t realize how much their hotel location shapes their entire Rome trip. Stay in the wrong area and you’ll spend your time navigating buses and taxis. Stay in the right one and the city unfolds right outside your door.
Someone stole our car! Let’s not talk about that part, it’s so sad. 😭 But now we get to stock a new one. We take tons of road trips, so we keep a stock of essentials in our car at all times because we’re nothing if not overprepared. Plus, Ashley always says, “A car rides…
Embarkation day can be chaos. After 12 Disney cruises, we’ve figured out the exact embarkation day routine that helps you skip crowds, grab hidden perks early, and start relaxing the moment you step onboard.
