Decide what type of room you want to stay in during your Disney cruise. Keep in mind how much time you plan to spend in your room. If you know you will be spending a lot of time out and about, then an inside cabin will work; if you think you will be uncomfortable without a window, then get a room with a porthole or veranda. If you are traveling on a budget but would still like a porthole room, request a room that is classified as a regular stateroom but has an obstructed view. Some of these rooms have views of lifeboats, walls or the deck of the ship and therefore are placed in a lower category. Secret porthole rooms are found on the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic on Deck 5 -- including rooms 5020, 5520, 5022, 5024, 5522 and 5524.
Plan to stay at one of the Disney resorts after you have returned from your Disney Cruise Line. For a more relaxing resort stay, select one of the Disney Vacation Club off-property resorts in Vero Beach or Hilton Head. If you would rather enjoy the theme parks for a day or two, stay in Orlando. A land a sea package prepared by the Disney Travel Company will give you transportation from Port Canaveral to Orlando, hotel accommodations and theme park tickets. The dining plan at Walt Disney World is not available with land and sea packages, and you need to book your hotel separately if you want the dining plan. The dining plan will save you money if you plan to eat at restaurants offering character meals, buffets or are signature restaurants.
Make a list of your dining options before going on your Disney cruise, and speak to the concierge desk if you are unhappy with your dining assignments. Dining assignments guarantee you a place in one of the formal sit-down restaurants, but you can also dine at the buffet or at one of the quick-service restaurants instead. Bring snacks, bottled water, beer and wine with you on your cruise to help you avoid paying higher prices for these items.
When planning your Disney Cruise vacation, make a list of everything you want to see and do, both on the ship and at ports of call. This list will make it easy to prebook your excursions online through the cruise line. Prebookings for excursions, children's activities, Palo Dining reservations and spa services are available on a schedule based on the category of your stateroom. For example if you book a stateroom in categories 1 through 3 you can book your activities as early as 120 days before boarding. If you are staying in a stateroom in categories 4 through 12 and are a first-time cruiser, you can book your excursions as early as 75 days before the ships sets sail.
Disney has a private island that is exclusive for guests of all the Disney Cruise ships that travel in the Bahamas and Caribbean. The island is filled with four beaches and a 12-acre snorkeling area complete with a man-made coral reef. Adults can spend some quiet time at Serenity Bay, where they can take a nap, enjoy lunch or experience an open-aired massage. Families can spend time playing in the sand, snorkeling, kayaking or enjoying a glass-bottom boat tour. A daycare is available for the kids at Scuttle's Cove. Other activities on Castaway Cay include character greetings, a sports beach with volleyball and tether ball, boat rentals, aqua trikes, restaurants and gift shop.
