The Disney Wonder docked in the harbor at Basseterre

Tips for Maximum Fun

Aboard the Disney Cruise Line

Year after year, Disney cruises rank at top for family cruises.  There is so much to do!  It can be easy to feel overwhelmed and miss out on things.  Follow our Disney Cruise Line Tips for maximum fun aboard your dream cruise.

Meet and greet with Pinocchio

1. Be a kid.  Follow Walt Disney’s advice.  “Too many people grow up.  That’s the real trouble with the world, too many people grow up.  They forget.  They don’t remember what it’s like to be 12 years old.”
2. Wash your hands!  Continuously!  Germs are everywhere in a closed space with thousands of people.  Being ill is the quickest way to ruin your dream Disney cruise.
3. Do not touch anything.  Every knob and every hand rail has been touched by little hands that just wiped a nose or a bum.  (refer to #2).  Sick on a cruise ship.
4. Review the Daily Planner.  Each day you will be provided a Disney Daily Planner with details of when and where everything on board is going to happen.  I keep it with me at all times.
5. Dine at the Table Service option for lunch (Triton’s, Lumiere’s, and Royal Court).  Cabanas buffet is not in the same league!  Lunch is peaceful, relaxing, lighter, and delicious here.  Three of my top five dishes are only served at here at lunch.
   

   Mural in the Royal Court of the Disney Fantasy

6. Go to the evening shows.  The evening productions like Wishes, Believe, and The Golden Mickey’s are fabulous and are not to be missed.
7. Get to know the staff.  Your hosts and servers are some the hardest working and friendliest people that you will meet.  Hailing from all over the world, they have wonderful stories to share of their cultures.
8. Play games and trivia.  Too many people miss this.  They are a blast.
9. Try new foods.  If you do not like it, they will bring you something else.
10. Explore the ship.  You will be amazed at the details.
    

    Spanish inspired rest room in the Europa entertainment area. Wow!

11. Play “Midship Detective” (on the Fantasy and Dream), a fun interactive game.
12. Take a ship tour.
13. Play a game show like “Family Fusion” and “Match Your Mate,”  live, onboard Disney versions of Family Feud and The Newly Wed Game.
14. Watch a sunrise.
15. Watch the sunset as you sail out to sea.  Brilliant!
    

    Beautiful sunset over the Caribbean

16. Stroll (or jog) the promenade deck.
17. Play shuffle board.
18. Watch a movie in the Buena Vista Theater.  First run Disney (rated G to PG13) movies play all day here.
19. Play putt-putt golf.  Located on the top deck in Goofy’s sports zone.
20. Sing karaoke.  You can sing in the adult or family versions.  My son and I only sing karaoke on Disney ships.  Our duets are pathetic, but inspired.
    

    The D-Lounge, home of many family activities like karaoke, animation, dances..

21. Take a Disney Animation class.  These classes are no longer offered at Walt Disney World.  The classes are fun and you get a free souvenir (your drawing).
22. Meet you favorite Disney character.  Refer to #1.  You know that you have a favorite character.
23. Play ping pong in Goofy’s Sports Zone.
24. Play foosball in Goofy’s Sports Zone.
25. Play basketball to the sway of the sea, again in Goofy’s Sports Zone.
    

    The race to the finish becomes closer.

26. Watch Jack Jack’s Diaper Dash, the Kentucky Derby of crawling toddlers in the lobby atrium.  Always entertaining.
27. Soak in a hot tub.  It’s vacation.  Relax.
28. Watch the fireworks at sea on Pirate Night.
29. Enjoy a movie in your room.  The Disney movie library is just a click away.
30. Run/jog/walk the Castaway Cay 5K (if your ship stops here).
    

    Castaway Cay 5K

31. Ice cream!  Self serve, soft ice cream is at your disposal from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.  The banana/chocolate swirl is addictive.
32. Explore the fabulous ports of call.
33. Take a nap.
34. Dance!  Whether during family dance time, at one of the clubs, or in the lobby atrium to the jazz tunes of Fine Whines, it is a Disney cruise.  It is acceptable.
35. Sing!  You will have plenty of opportunities to join others in crooning your favorite Disney tune.  “Let it go.  Let it go!”
    

    A comfy porthole to relax and people watch

36. Search for Hidden Mickey’s.
37. Catch some sun and people watch in a comfy porthole window on the 3rd or 4th decks.
38. Lounge on in a deck chair on the promenade deck.  Read a book, nap, or people watch.
39. Meet your cruise mates.  You will encounter the same people over and over.  Get to know a few.
40. Watch the port fade into the distance from deck 4 or the top deck as you disembark.
    

    Sailboats in the harbor at Villafranche, France

41. UNPLUG.  Turn off you phones and computers.
42. Have a spa treatment or massage at Senses.

Follow this list of Disney Cruise Line Tips and make the most of your dream vacation.