100 Things to Do On a Disney Cruise
*Updated October 2019
I’ve had several people ask me which I like more: a Disney Cruise Vacation or a Walt Disney World Vacation. I’ve already broken down my family’s favorites and why. We adore both. Your first thought about a cruise may be that there isn’t as much to do. But trust me, it’s not like you’re just sitting on a boat all day with nothing to do but lay out and eat. There’s actually a lot going on and so many things to do on a Disney Cruise.
We’ve been lucky enough to do two Disney Cruises. A little over a year ago we did a 7-night cruise on the Disney Wonder from Galveston to save on airfare. Then this month, as a part of the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration we went on a 3-night cruise from Port Canaveral on the now reimagined Disney Wonder. I wish I could say we did everything but I’d probably need a few more under my belt before I can say that.
First off, in order to make the most out of your Disney Cruise you’ll want to download the Disney Cruise Line app. Even without wi-fi the app alerts you to events happening during the day, character meet and greet times, and more. You can also use it to check out your room service menu (did I mention FREE room service?) and mark your favorites and “to-do” items. You’ll also get a Personal Navigator delivered to your room daily with an easy-to-read chart showing what’s going on each day and when.
While I know there is more, like Star Wars Day at Sea and Marvel Day at Sea on certain sailings–this is a list of our favorites and some things I can’t wait to try… Here are 100 things to do on a Disney Cruise. Check back in a bit for a printable checklist to see how many you can complete in one cruise!
100 Things to Do on a Disney Cruise
- Attend the Oceaneer Club and Lab open house
- Sail away deck party
- Eat soft serve ice cream
- Enter your kid in a baby race (Diaper Dash)
- All you can eat soft pretzels
- Test your knowledge at Disney Tune Trivia
- Belt some tunes at Disney Karaoke
- Soak in the hot tub
- Enjoy all you can eat at a lunch buffet
- Play at the arcade
- Watch a Disney movie at the theater
- Watch a Broadway-Caliber live show in the evening before or after dinner
- Watch a comedy show
- Splash down a waterslide
- 15. Play the Magic Quest scavenger hunt game
- Watch a magic show
- Grab a burger (or chicken fingers) and fries by the pool
- Play Disney Trivia
- Catch a movie still in theaters
- See what’s on TV in your room – Disney classics play around the clock
- Party at the Pirate Night deck party
- Visit the adult-only pool
- Sit back and enjoy the dinner-time entertainment
- Run (or walk) in a 5K (on Castaway Cay)
- Get a facial at the spa
- Hit the gym
- Enjoy a fireworks show
- Meet your favorite Disney princess
- Check out a Disney vacation club preview
- Get character autographs
- Play Family Feud
- Dance at a poolside jam
- Enjoy a dessert buffet
- Take a walking ship guided tour
- Discover your towel animal of the day (they sometimes have classes on this too!)
- Enjoy a live band
- Test your Disney knowledge and play Mickey Mania
- Get your groove on at a Club D dance party
- Try your luck at BINGO
- Meet Captain Mickey
- Listen to a live piano serenade
- Dine at a Character breakfast or see Mickey at Animator’s Palate
- Kids can enjoy super sloppy science
- Take a late-night stroll around an empty deck
- Play shuffleboard
- Order a late-night room service treat
- Play basketball
- Get a massage
- Take a picture with Minnie Mouse
- Kids play capture the flag
- Ask your waiter if the know any magic tricks
- Pin trade with cast members
- Pizza Pizza Pizza
- Watch a game in the sports bar
- Participate in a Disney Fish gift exchange
- Boogie down at a character dance party in the atrium
- Play mini golf
- Run/walk around the track on the deck
- Ride up and down the elevator
- Check out the art gallery
- Family pool and movie-watching
- Order room service for breakfast
- Order 2 desserts
- Eat lamb/steak/lobster and other fine delicacies
- Enjoy a variety show
- Take your kids in for fun kids club activities
- Go clubbing while the kids play
- Play Match Your Mate
- Try a snorkeling excursion
- Talk to your room host or wait staff about where they’re from
- Shop for souvenirs
- Try a yoga or fitness class
- Get a fruity drink
- Attend a mixology seminar (21+)
- Bring your toddler to the splash pad
- Attend a craft session
- Watch the sunrise/sunset from the top deck (or from your verandah).
- Check out the VIBE lounge for teens
- Tour the EDGE club for 11-14 year olds at their open house
- Play in a Pictionary Challenge
- Play Pixar Trivia
- Have your photos taken by a professional photographer
- Basketball free throw tournament
- Do a photoshoot
- Play “So You Think You Know Your Family”
- Watch (or play in) a ping pong tournament
- Take a stab at some ice carving
- Anyone Can Cook (attending a cooking seminar)
- Learn new skills in an animation class
- Attend an ice cream social
- Watch your prince or princess get a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
- Stay out late while your kids are at the kids club
- Play Sports Trivia
- Play Movie Challenge Poolside
- Watch another amazing live-show
- Make a sand castle and explore Castaway Cay (select itineraries)
- Play Family Fusion
- Buy your favorite photo you had taken during the cruise
- Fly through the AquaDuck water slide (on the Disney Dream and Fantasy)
- Book another Disney Cruise while onboard (and save!)
Have you been on a Disney Cruise? What were some of your favorite things to do on a Disney Cruise?
Tags: disney, Disney Cruise, family travel
This is an awesome list! Sharing!!!
This is a really great list. I would have to say my favorite would be the shows. I was only able to see the Golden Mickey’s however, since I was sick for almost the entire trip. My daughter did love being able to eat all the Mickey ice-cream bars you can eat.
I think you have it covered! And yes, I think I did about 67 of those things! LOL I need to go back to do the rest. I love your pictures to. You really captured great moments!
Girl, this post and these photos are everything!!! Thank you SO much for sharing this. DSMMC was our first Disney Cruise and we can’t wait to plan a 5-7 night one. Clearly, there are quite a few things we need to catch up on/try on our next one 😉
LOVE LOVE LOVE the adorable photos. The list is ON POINT! This was our second Disney Cruise and we learned so much this go round….and this list is still very helpful for next time.
http://www.motivatedmom.org/magic-happens-when-you-believe-in-yourself/
LOVE LOVE LOVE the adorable photos. The list is ON POINT! This was our second Disney Cruise and we learned so much this go round….and this list is still very helpful for next time.
Who knew there was so much to do on a Disney Cruise?! I have to admit the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique looks like so much fun. Do they have one for adults or offer Mommy & Me makeovers?
This is a great list. So much to do and see!
This is a truly huge list. I have to say my preferred would be the show. I was only capable of seeing the Golden Mickey’s however since I was sick for nearly the entire trip. My little daughter love being able to eat all the Mickey ice-cream bars.
Thanks, Jennifer Borget
Enjoyed reading the blog.
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Did you get the photo package? Is the price worth it for a 3 night cruise? Your photos and family are beautiful! Thanks for this post!
Your site and pictures are awesome! Thank you for sharing this list of Disney Cruise tips. We have been on one cruise so far and our favorite part was Castaway Cay. We have plans to go back in December and can’t wait! Do you have any tips for surprising your kids with the news? My six year old knows we are going to the beach, but we haven’t told her about the cruise yet. Thanks again and you have a beautiful family!
Hi Shari! Oh my goodness how exciting you already have plans to go back. You know, a post on tips to surprise your kids would be a GREAT idea! I’m totally going to work on whipping that up! We try something a little different each time. This time for our cruise we used the character call feature so Mickey and Minnie called them and told them about the cruise. I saved the number in my phone beforehand with a photo of Mickey and Minnie so they saw them calling and got all excited.