Packing for a Disney cruise is a little different from packing for a regular vacation. Here’s my tried-and-true list, split up so you can check things off as you go.
Carry-on day bag
Checked bags can take until late afternoon to reach your stateroom, so this bag needs to get you through day one.
- Passports / travel documents & ID
- Medications (never pack these in checked luggage)
- Swimsuits & cover-ups for the whole family
- Reef-safe sunscreen & sunglasses
- Phone chargers & a non-surge-protector power bank
- A change of clothes for dinner
Surge-protector power strips are generally prohibited on cruise ships. Look for “cruise-approved” chargers instead, and check the current prohibited items list before you pack.
Stateroom hacks
- Magnetic hooks (the walls are metal!)
- Over-the-door shoe organizer for small items
- Nightlight for the bathroom
- Lanyards for key cards
- Door decorations — magnets only, no tape
Themed nights & fun extras
- Pirate Night outfit (bandanas, eye patches, pirate tees)
- Something a little dressier for formal or semi-formal night
- Disney ears or a themed shirt for character meets
- A fish extender if you’re joining a gift exchange group
- Autograph book & a fat pen for kids
Wait — what’s a fish extender?
It’s a fan tradition: a hanging organizer you clip near your stateroom door’s fish-shaped decoration. Families in a group swap small gifts all cruise long. Totally optional, totally adorable.
Island & port days
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Small dry bag or beach tote
- Snorkel mask (if you prefer your own)
- Refillable water bottle
- A little cash for tips & port shopping
Easy-to-forget items
- Motion sickness remedies
- Light jacket — theaters and dining rooms get chilly
- Ziploc bags for wet swimsuits
- Small first-aid kit
- Laundry detergent pods (many ships have guest laundry rooms)
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