04/18/2026
Booking a Disney Cruise is exciting—but there are a lot of moving pieces behind the scenes. Here are just 20 of the many things that typically go into planning and booking one:
1. Choose the right sailing date and itinerary
2. Compare ships (Wish, Fantasy, Destiny, etc.)
3. Decide on cruise length and itinerary
4. Select departure port (Port Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, etc.)
5. Review current pricing and promotions
6. Choose the best stateroom category (inside, oceanview, veranda, concierge)
7. Hand-pick an ideal stateroom location (midship, low motion, near elevators, etc.)
8. Understand the deposit and cancellation policy
9. Secure the reservation before it sells out or price increases
10. Link the reservation in your Disney account
11. Plan transportation to the cruise (flights, transfers, driving)
12. Decide on a pre-cruise hotel stay (highly recommended if not nearby)
13. Figuring out travel insurance for protection
14. Remembering important booking windows (activities, check-in)
15. Putting in requests for dining, celebrations, amenities, etc.
16. Understanding required travel documents
17. Understanding Port Arrival Time for boarding day
18. Booking onboard activities (Port Adventures, spa, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, etc.) at midnight
19. Reserving adult dining, nursery time, or special experiences at midnight
20. Planning onboard extras (celebrations, onboard credit, gifts, packing, etc.)
Overwhelmed? This is exactly why many families choose to work with an experienced travel consultant like me…there’s a lot to keep track of, and having someone handle it all makes the process so much smoother and less stressful!
