If you’ve done Disney World or Disneyland a few times, you probably have your park bag down to a science: ponchos, portable charger, Mickey ears, and blister bandages.
Get ready to set sail!
But a Disney Cruise is a totally different kind of vacation, and your tried-and-true park packing list won’t cover everything you’ll want on board. Between relaxing sea days, stateroom living, port adventures, and cruise-only traditions, there are a handful of items that make a big difference at sea. Here’s what we’d add to the suitcase before sailing away.
1. Luggage Tag Holders with Retractable Lanyards
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Before your Disney Cruise, you’ll print out luggage tags to attach to the bags you’re checking at the port, and paper tags don’t always survive the trip from the car to your stateroom door. These Cruise On Disney Cruise Luggage Tag Holders come in a 4-pack and fit all ship and baggage tags, so your printed tags stay protected and easy for the crew to read.
2. Magnetic Hooks
Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks
Here’s a cruise hack that surprises a lot of first-timers: Disney Cruise Line stateroom walls are metal, which means magnets stick! These Neosmuk Magnetic Hooks come in a 6-pack and hold up to 30 pounds each, so you can create extra hanging space in a cabin where every inch counts. We like using them for hats, lanyards, day bags, and damp swimsuits after a trip to the pool. You’d have no reason to pack these for a Disney World resort room, but on a ship they instantly make your stateroom feel more organized.
3. Disney Cruise Insulated Tumbler for Soda
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One of the best perks of sailing with Disney Cruise Line is that soda is included at the beverage stations on board. That makes this Disney Cruise Mickey & Minnie Mouse Bon Voyage Tumbler a must-pack. Fill it with your favorite soda (or ice water) and take it to the pool deck, a show, or back to your stateroom without worrying about a flimsy cup. The stainless steel keeps drinks cold in the hot sun, and the Bon Voyage ship design is just too cute to pass up.
4. A smaller bag to carry around
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At the parks, most of us haul around a backpack full of supplies. On a cruise, you really don’t need much — especially on port days and beach days. This BAGGU Fanny Pack, with an embroidered Mickey Mouse Club design, is the right size for your Key to the World card, ID, phone, sunscreen, and lip balm. It keeps your hands free for exploring a port or heading off to your excursion, and the embroidered design adds a fun Disney touch without looking over the top.
5. Disney Sudoku Puzzle Book
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Sea days are a totally new experience if you’re used to rope-drop-to-fireworks park days. There’s no rush, and nowhere you have to be, so it’s the perfect time to slow down with something relaxing. This Disney Sudoku Puzzle Book is a great poolside or balcony companion, and it doesn’t need Wi-Fi or a charger. It’s also handy for downtime while you wait for your dinner rotation or for the next show to start.
6. Kindle
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If you’re a reader, a cruise is the vacation where you’ll finally have time to dig into your to-be-read pile. This PopSockets Mickey Dots Kindle Paperwhite Case fits the 12th generation Kindle Paperwhite and works with a PopSocket grip, so it’s easy to hold while you’re lounging on a deck chair. The white case with Mickey polka dots keeps things fun and Disney-themed, and a Kindle is much easier to pack than a stack of paperbacks. You likely wouldn’t have much time to read at the parks, but on a cruise, it’s one of our favorite ways to unwind.
7. Motion Sickness Bands
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The Disney ships are big and smooth, but some guests still feel the motion of the ocean, especially on rougher sea days. These HIONXMGA Motion Sickness Bands are acupressure wristbands designed to help with nausea, and they come in a 6-pair pack with sizes for both adults and kids. Many cruisers swear by them as a drug-free option, and they’re easy to keep in your bag just in case. Since the pack includes six pairs, the whole family can be covered for the full sailing. Even if you don’t find yourself getting sick from rides at the parks, the ocean is a different story.
8. Disney Cross-Stitch Kit
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If you’d rather keep your hands busy on a sea day, this Classic Disney Cross-Stitch Kit is a fun option. It’s officially licensed, designed for adults, and makes for a cozy activity to work on from your balcony or a quiet corner of the ship. By the time you’re back home, you might even have a finished Disney piece to display as a souvenir from your trip. It’s definitely not something you’d want to bring along on a park day, but it’s perfect for a slower cruise pace.
9. Mickey Mouse Reversible Bucket Hat
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There’s a lot of sun on a cruise — on the pool deck, at the port, and especially on a beach day. This Disney Mickey Mouse Reversible Bucket Hat gives you shade from every angle, and the soft construction means you can squish it into your bag without ruining it. At the parks, you might be tempted to wear your Mickey ears all day, but a bucket hat is much more practical when you’re lounging by the water. Plus, it’s reversible, so you basically get two looks for the price of one.
10. Fiber
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Let’s be honest: cruise food is one of the best parts of the trip, but between rotational dining, room service, and late-night snacks, your diet will probably look a little different than usual. These Metamucil Fiber Supplement Stick Packs come in a 21-count box of single-serve, mixed berry packets that mix clear into water. They’re easy to toss in your carry-on so you can stick to your normal routine while you enjoy all that cruise food. It’s not the most glamorous item on the list, but it’s one you’ll be glad you packed.
11. Fish Extender
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Fish extenders are one of the most fun Disney Cruise traditions, and they’re completely unique to cruising. Guests hang an organizer outside their stateroom door, and families in a group exchange small gifts by dropping them into each other’s pockets during the sailing. This RUNROLE 4-Pocket Fish Extender is a 10-inch-wide canvas organizer that you can customize with your family’s names. Even if you don’t join a fish extender group, it’s a cute way to decorate your door and help your kids easily spot your stateroom in the long hallways.
12. Fish Extender Gifts
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If you’re joining a fish extender exchange, you’ll need small gifts to hand out, and these Mouse Party Favors Bubble Wands are an easy win. They come in a 24-pack with multicolored glitter and a mouse ear pattern, so you’ll have plenty to go around. They’re a fun little surprise for kids to find in their fish extender, and they’re inexpensive enough to share with your whole group.
13. Snorkelling Gear
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If your Disney Cruise is heading to Castaway Cay, there is an awesome snorkel experience, and you can bring your own gear. Bringing your own gear means you don’t have to rent equipment, and you know exactly where it’s been. This Zyltine Snorkeling Gear for Adults includes a panoramic, anti-fog mask with tempered glass and an anti-leak design. It’s also foldable, so it packs down easily in your suitcase. You’ll never need snorkel gear at Disney World, but on a Disney Cruise, it can make your beach days even better.
A Disney Cruise has all the magic you love from the parks, but life at sea calls for a slightly different packing list. We’re always on the hunt for the latest and greatest Disney souvenirs and essentials, so don’t forget to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for more!
What’s one item you always pack for a Disney Cruise that you’d never bring to the parks? Let us know in the comments!
