Disney Cruise Packing List (Printable)

Disney cruise packing is much like packing for any Caribbean cruise. But, there are some special things about sailing on Disney Cruise Line. So, we made this Disney cruise packing list, with a free printable, so you have everything you need for your vacation planning.

What’s unique on a Disney cruise ship?

On most popular cruise lines for families, there’s not a lot of storage, particularly in the bathroom. But, that’s not true on a Disney ship. I think Walt Disney himself would be proud of the stateroom design, which meets the standard of your favorite Disney vacation.

The cabins are a bit larger than other family cruise lines, offering more room to move around and better storage. And, while they’re popular on other ships, you cannot use an over the door organizer on a Disney Cruise ship. But, with all the thoughtful storage, you don’t need one!

What to include for Disney Cruise theme nights

Just like your Walt Disney World vacation memories, Disney cruises have incredible theme nights with characters, dance parties and so much more. The highlight of most Disney cruise themes is pirate night. Everyone gets a pirate themed bandana, and even the dining staff dress for the occasion. It’s one of the best nights on board.

Select cruises have special themes for Pixar parties, Frozen parties, and holidays onboard. So, pack those Mickey ears and princess dresses! It’s gonna be a fun party!

Disney Cruise Packing List

A Disney Cruise packing list is much like any Caribbean cruise packing list, and we have everything you need right here! You can download the FREE Disney Cruise Packing List printable at the end of this post.

Disney Cruise Packing list for your carry-on bag

Whenever you go on a cruise, you’ll want to keep some items with you as you board. Some items are needed to board the ship. Other essential items, like medications, you won’t want to lose.

Items needed at check-in:

• Passport or other accepted citizenship documentation (You CANNOT board the ship without these documents),
• Credit card (Will be tied to your ID keycard for onboard purchases)
• Disney gift cards (If you want them added to your account for onboard purchases)

PRO TIP: Target Circle members and Costco members can often find Disney gift cards at a discount to use onboard to pay for gratuities, shore excursions (booked through DCL) and onboard purchases.

Items to always keep with you until your cabin is ready:

• Medication (in their original containers)
• Camera (make sure battery is charged and you have an SD card ready to go, chargers and other accessories can be packed away)
• Valuable jewelry (if you bring it, though we recommend it stays home)
• Cell phone (fully charged and switched to airplane mode if you don’t have a wifi package)
• Diaper bag for young kids (packed for 4-6 hours of needs)
• Lanyards

Items you may need before your cabin is ready:

• Sunscreen (reef friendly sunscreen is preferred, and sometimes required, in Caribbean ports),
• Swimsuits and cover-ups,
• Sun hat,
• Sunglasses

Everything else should be sent ahead to your cabin in luggage with your luggage ID tags attached. We use these luggage tag holders when we cruise, an easy way to attach that luggage ID!

PRO TIP: Before you send the luggage off to cruise porters, take a photo of all your bags together. If one gets lost, you’ll have a photo to get it sorted more quickly with guest services.

The rest of your Disney cruise packing list

We recommend you pack these items for your Disney cruise. This list is based on a 7 day Disney cruise to the Caribbean, including a day at their private island, Castaway Cay.

Clothing and accessories for your cruise

For ideas on lightweight, easy care resort wear for Caribbean cruise travel, read our cruise wardrobe suggestions!

For men and boys:

• 2 pairs of jeans or khaki pants
• Sunglasses
• 5-7 T-shirts
• 5 pairs of shorts
• 2-3 pairs of swim trunks (without grommets)
• 1-2 rash guards (long sleeve swim shirts with SPF protection good for tubing and shore excursions)
• 1-2 windbreakers, jackets or hoodies
• 1 sweater or blazer (for formal night or private dining, men might prefer a jacket and dress pants)
• Rubber soled sandals with heel straps or sneakers for onboard activities and shore excursions
• Flip flops (though, water shoes are better) for pool days and Castaway Cay
• Any special clothes required for shore excursions

For women and girls:

• 2 pairs of jeans, capris or casual pants
• Sunglasses
• 5-7 T-shirts or blouses
• 5 pairs of shorts
• 2-3 swimsuits (a single piece swimsuit is preferred for slides)
• 1-2 rash guards (long sleeve shirts with SPF protection good for tubing and shore excursions)
• 1-2 windbreakers, jackets or hoodies
• Rubber soled sandals with heel straps or sneakers for onboard activities and shore excursions
• Flip flops (though, water shoes are better) for pool days and Castaway Cay
• Any special clothes required for shore excursions

For the cabin:

• Sunscreen (we recommend reef safe sunscreen)
• Soap and shampoo (if specialty items are needed)
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Brush, comb and hair products
• Other toiletries
• Kids’ comfort items (favorite blanket or sleep toy, pacifiers)
• Baby items (diapers, wipes, bottles, formula)
• Nightlight or mini flashlight
• Magnetic hooks (to hang items in the cabin for easy organization)
• Beach bag and towel clips

For more handy extras you might want in your cabin, read our post on handy cruise essentials for your cabin.

In winter, you may also want to bring:

• Rain jacket or lightweight coat,
• Extra sweaters or other layering pieces
• 2 more pairs of long pants
• Closed-toe footwear and socks

Dining attire for your Disney Cruise packing list

Dining on a Disney cruise is considered “cruise casual” in the three main dining restaurants. You can wear shorts and tshirts, but no swimsuits, tank tops or coverups. Many people like to dress up for dinner, especially on theme nights, but it is not required.

Adult exclusive dining restaurants are considered elegant dining, meaning semi-formal attire is expected. Dress-casual attire (dress pants, nice jeans (no tears), collared shirts and blouses and lifestyle shoes are accepted). T-shirts, swimwear and sports attire is not allowed.

On formal nights or adults only dining, this is the recommended dress code:

• Men: Suit and tie with dress shoes, or dress pants, blazer, shirt, tie and dress shoes.
• Women: Formal dress, semi-formal dress, elegant pants and blouse, sweater or wrap.
• Children: Dress shirt and pants, tie (optional) and nice shoes (not flip flops or slides) for boys, and dress or nice outfit for girls. Princess dresses are always acceptable and worth adding to your packing list for a Disney cruise!

Pirate night and other theme nights:

• Wear your best pirate outfit! One of the best nights on the ship!

• At the holidays and on select sailings, there will be special theme nights. Add items for these nights to your packing list if they apply!
• On a Disney cruise, you’ll get to meet characters and enjoy themed activities! So, pack for that and enjoy the magic.
  • KIDS: Disney costumes are welcome, always.
  • ADULTS: Disney costumes are welcome, but we have found that Disneybounding is lots of fun! Disneybounding is when you take your regular clothes to resemble your favorite characters. For Minnie Mouse, a red or pink dress with white polka dots, ruffle socks and black Mary Jane shoes is an example. Or, for Winnie the Pooh, how about a red t-shirt and yellow shorts or mini skirt? Here’s a link to loads of ideas if you want them.

Other things to include on your Disney Cruise packing list

Fish extenders

Disney cruises are unique for a few reasons. One is Fish Extenders, a fun gift exchange that some passengers participate in. Fish extenders groups are arranged by cruise, and you need to plan ahead a bit. Once you join the group, you’ll buy small gifts for every other family participating on your ship. You’ll also need a bag to hang from the mail “fish” outside your cabin door. 

We participated in Fish Extenders (FE) on a New Year’s Disney cruise. We purchased North Carolina magnets for the adults in our exchange and candy for the kids on the list. Some of the gifts we received included embroidered washcloths, a deck of playing cards, Christmas ornaments personalized with our cruise dates, magnets from other places, stickers and a whole lot more. The kids (and I) loved coming back to the cabin to see what surprises we would find. We all felt this was worth adding to our packing list for our Disney cruise!

You’ll have to bring:

• A fish extender to hang outside your cabin, preferably personalized with names.
• The fish extender list of participants for your sailing
• The gifts you plan to give

Door decorations

Not exclusive to Disney cruise line, but definitely popular on Disney cruises are door decorations. Magnetic door signs are a fun way to personalize your door and add to the festive fun of your cruise. On our last cruise, we printed our own magnets, red Mickey heads with the Ohio State logo in the middle (our team was in the playoffs). You can purchase cruise magnets online, too.

Snacks and beverages

Most cruise lines do not allow you to bring water, soda or snacks onboard. On Disney, you bring what you want. Food and beverages must be sealed, and you have to carry it on (cruise crew will not deliver to your cabin), but those are the only restrictions. If you have a “picky” eater, this is a big help. 

While you can bring things on board, it’s not generally necessary. Bring water bottles to refill throughout the ship instead of bottled water. And, soft drinks are included in your meal plan in all dining rooms. The teen club also has free soda stations. The only place you’ll pay for soda on board is at the bar!

And there you go. That covers everything you need to include on your Disney cruise packing list. Download your FREE packing list for easy Disney cruise packing!

Disney cruise FAQ