What to Pack for a Disney Cruise

Your Disney Cruise adventure is almost here—how exciting is that?! I’ll walk you through exactly what to pack (and what to skip!) so that you can enjoy the countdown without second-guessing a thing. From carry-on essentials to stateroom hacks and everything in between, this guide will help you feel organized, confident, and ready to soak up every magical moment onboard.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them—at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and love. Thank you for supporting my small business!

Luggage Limits and Disney Cruise Line Luggage Tags

Disney Cruise Line allows two pieces of checked luggage per person, along with a carry-on and a personal item like a backpack or tote. A few weeks before your cruise, you’ll receive your luggage tags in the mail. These tags should be attached to your checked bags before you arrive at the port. Once you hand off your luggage, Disney takes care of the rest—your bags will be delivered right to your stateroom, typically by late afternoon on embarkation day.

What to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag

Once you arrive at the port, your luggage will be taken to go through security and then delivered directly to your stateroom. However, your stateroom won’t be ready for a few hours. That means you’ll have plenty of time to grab lunch, explore the ship, maybe even hop in the pool—all before you’ll have access to your bags again. That’s why it’s important to pack your carry-on bag smartly. A little planning here goes a long way toward making your first few hours onboard comfortable and stress-free.

VERY IMPORTANT: Be sure to include your travel documents, passports, and any cruise check-in materials in your carry-on and NOT your luggage.

Pack medications, sunscreen, and a change of clothes just in case you want to hit the pool or explore the ship right away. It’s also smart to bring a swimsuit, flip flops, and a cover-up, especially if your kids are eager to swim. Keep phones, headphones, and chargers handy, and for little ones, include snacks, a favorite toy or two, and something to entertain them like a tablet or activity book. A backpack or roomy tote works great for families needing extra space.

What Clothes to Pack for a Disney Cruise

Your cruise wardrobe can be relaxed and vacation-ready, but a little planning goes a long way. During the day, think breathable and casual—shorts, tanks, sundresses, and t-shirts are perfect. For dinner, Disney Cruise Line leans toward “resort casual,” so you might want to pack a few slightly dressier outfits like sundresses or collared shirts. Bring at least two or three swimsuits per person so you’re not slipping into a wet suit from the day before. Don’t forget cover-ups or rash guards for added sun protection, and toss in a light jacket or sweater—ships can be surprisingly cool inside, especially in the evenings. If you’re planning on squeezing in a workout or yoga session, activewear is worth packing too.

What Shoes Should You Pack for a Disney Cruise?

You won’t need heels unless you love them. Most guests keep things simple with flip-flops or sandals for pool time and beach days, and comfortable sneakers or walking shoes for port excursions. If you like to dress up for dinner or shows, consider packing a pair of dressy-casual shoes that still feel good after a long day. Water shoes can also come in handy, especially for excursions that involve rocky beaches or water parks.

Don’t Forget Pirate Night!

Pirate Night is a Disney Cruise classic, and dressing up for it is a blast—whether you go all-in with a full costume or just a fun accessory or two. Consider packing pirate gear like a striped tee or flowy blouse, plus accessories like bandanas, eye patches, or temporary tattoos. Glow sticks or light-up toys are fun for the deck party, especially for kids. And don’t worry if you don’t have your own gear—Disney provides everyone with a complimentary pirate bandana in your stateroom.

Helpful Stateroom Essentials to Pack for Your Disney Cruise

Your Disney Cruise stateroom is surprisingly well-designed, but a few little extras can make it even more comfortable. I love packing a pop-up hamper to keep dirty clothes corralled (especially when traveling with kids) and a few wet bags for swimsuits that haven’t fully dried. Magnetic hooks are a game-changer too—your stateroom walls are metal, so you can hang hats, lanyards, backpacks, and more to keep things off the floor.

Here’s a little space-saving bonus: you don’t need to pack shampoo, conditioner, body wash, or a hairdryer. Disney Cruise Line provides all of those for you, and the quality is actually really nice! Unless you’re super particular about your own products, this is an easy way to free up some room in your suitcase for souvenirs (or just to pack lighter in general).

A few other helpful items to consider: a small cruise-safe power strip or USB hub (since outlets are limited), a travel-size air freshener like Poo-Pourri (trust me, you’ll thank me later), and if you’re feeling festive, some cute magnetic door decorations for your cabin door. It’s a fun tradition among Disney cruisers and makes finding your room a breeze!

Do I Need a Lanyard for My Disney Cruise

Everyone on board receives a Key to the World Card, which acts as your room key, onboard charge card, and ID. Wearing it on a lanyard makes it super convenient—especially for kids who want a bit of independence. Disney provides lanyards for returning guests, but if it’s your first cruise, you’ll want to bring your own. Bonus points if they’re Disney-themed!

Best Motion Sickness Remedies for Your Disney Cruise

Even though Disney Cruise Line ships are incredibly stable, it’s always smart to be prepared—especially if you or your kids are prone to motion sickness. One product we personally love is the ReliefBand. It’s a bit of an investment, but we’ve found it works incredibly well without the drowsiness that often comes with traditional medications. (Worth every penny, in our opinion!)

If you’d rather not invest in a ReliefBand, there are plenty of other options that can help, like Sea-Bands, Dramamine, Bonine, or motion sickness patches. Just be sure to pack whatever works best for you so you can enjoy your cruise from the moment you step onboard.

Don’t Forget a Portable Phone Charger for Your Disney Cruise

Phones get a workout on a Disney Cruise—from taking family photos and checking the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App to keeping little ones entertained. A portable charger is a must, and don’t forget to bring all your necessary cables. You may even want to pack an extra charger or two to avoid the nightly rotation of “whose turn is it to plug in?”

Beach Day Must-Haves for Your Disney Cruise

If your itinerary includes a stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay or Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, it pays to come prepared. A large beach bag will carry everything you need, and while Disney provides towels, many families like bringing lightweight or quick-dry options of their own. Sandcloud towels are perfect for this and they have a Disney collab! Sand toys keep younger cruisers entertained, and waterproof phone pouches help protect your devices while still snapping photos. Don’t forget goggles, water shoes, and extra sunscreen to keep everyone comfortable in the sun and sand.

Sun Protection

Packing Cubes

If you haven’t discovered the magic of packing cubes yet, your cruise may be the perfect time. They keep your suitcase organized and make it easy to unpack into drawers or shelves once you board. Many families sort them by person or by type of item—whatever helps you stay sane in a shared space.

Airplane Travel Tips: Keeping the Kids Entertained

If you’re flying to your departure port, a little planning makes that travel day much smoother. For kids, bring tablets preloaded with shows or games, kid-sized headphones, and some mess-free entertainment like coloring books or stickers. Snacks are a must (and a good idea for adults too), and a change of clothes can be helpful in case of spills or delays. A cozy travel pillow or small blanket makes it easier for little ones to nap on long flights.

Can you do laundry on a Disney Cruise?

As you’re choosing what outfits to take for your Disney cruise, you might wonder if you can do laundry onboard? The answer is yes! And its super convenient.

While they do have a full-service laundry service (they take your laundry and do it for you), there are also laundry rooms where you can do it yourself. They’re open 24 hours a day and cost about $3-5. You’ll pay with your room key card and you don’t even need to stay in the laundry room. You’ll get an alert on your Disney Cruise app when your laundry is done!

What NOT to Pack for a Disney Cruise

There are a few items that Disney Cruise Line asks guests not to bring aboard—including household appliances like irons and coffee makers, weapons of any kind, drones, and power strips with surge protection. Be sure to check the official list of prohibited items before finalizing your packing list.

You’re Ready to Set Sail!

Now that you know exactly what to pack (and what you can leave behind!), you’re well on your way to a smooth, stress-free Disney Cruise vacation. To make things even easier, I’ve put together a free Ultimate Disney Cruise Tips List—packed with even more insider advice to help you feel fully prepared and confident before you set sail.

👉 [Grab your copy here!]