A few months ago we were invited by Disney to join a Disney Cruise as part of Disney Creator Days. We had an absolute blast on the three-night Bahamian itinerary aboard the Disney Dream, and I wanted to share everything we learned so you can make the most of your trip.
Our cruise called at Nassau and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Many of the tips below will apply to most Disney sailings, though specific shows, restaurants and on-board features vary by ship.
Keep reading for practical tips and highlights from our family trip.
Booking a Cruise
There are many itineraries, ships and stateroom categories to choose from, so pricing and options vary widely. Take time to compare routes, ship amenities and cabin types to match your priorities—whether that’s family-friendly facilities, adult-only spaces, or a particular port of call. The Disney Cruise Line website lists current departures and ship details to help you plan.
On-Board Childcare and Kids Clubs
Disney’s Oceaneer Club, for ages 3–12, is included with your cruise and receives consistently positive feedback from parents. On embarkation day there’s typically an open house so families can tour the kids clubs and see the activities available—definitely take advantage of that.
For children under three, many ships offer the Small World Nursery at an additional hourly charge. We used the nursery multiple times for our toddler and had a great experience: staff were warm and professional, the facilities were clean, and they provided meals and snacks during meal times. Drop-off and pick-up are secure, and nursery staff can communicate with you via the in-room wave phone or the ship app to reassure you if it’s your child’s first time away from you.
Having access to childcare made it possible for us to enjoy a couple of kid-free meals and an adults-only brunch, which felt like a real treat.
Entertainment and Activities for Toddlers and Families
Most of the ship’s spaces and activities are designed with families in mind. There’s a full daily schedule of events for all ages—check the app or daily newsletter to plan your days. Highlights we enjoyed:
- Deck parties: Lively, family-friendly events with music, characters and sometimes fireworks—great for little ones.
- Live shows: Broadway-quality productions run nightly. They can be late for toddlers, but if your child is up for it, the shows are memorable.
- Movies: An on-board theater screens Disney favorites and newer releases.
- Nemo’s Reef: A splash area perfect for younger children.
- Character greetings: Characters appear throughout the day; some meet-and-greets require reservations (for example, Elsa and Anna).
- Ship exploration: Little ones often love simply wandering the decks and watching the ocean—sometimes unstructured time is the most fun.
Helpful Tips for the Stateroom
We stayed in a verandah stateroom and appreciated several family-friendly conveniences:
- Diaper pail: Requesting a diaper pail for your room is very convenient if your child is still in diapers.
- Divider curtain: Many staterooms include a curtain or partition that lets you set up a travel crib in the seating area while keeping the sleeping area separate—great for naps and bedtime routines.
- Disney movies: The in-room TV offers a library of Disney films, which is handy for mornings or winding down at night.
- Shower clothesline: A retractable line in the shower is useful for drying bathing suits and small items.
Communicating While On Board
Ship WiFi can be purchased but is expensive. Fortunately, Disney provides other practical ways to stay in touch with your party:
- Disney Cruise Line Navigator App: The app includes a chat feature that works like text messaging. It assigns you a number so family and friends can be added as contacts. Download the app before boarding and connect to the ship’s complimentary WiFi once on board to use the chat.
- Wave phones: Each stateroom typically comes with two Wave Phones for calling or texting other members of your party around the ship.
These same methods let nursery staff contact you while your child is in care.
Meals and Treats On Board
Most meals are included in your cruise fare. On our ship we rotated among three main dining rooms for dinner, and you are assigned a dining time and restaurant each night, which simplifies planning. Animator’s Palate is especially engaging for kids, while other evenings you may prefer to use the nursery for a kid-free dinner.
Breakfast and lunch are available in the main restaurants, plus there’s casual buffets, poolside options and snacks throughout the day. Complimentary room service is available 24/7.
Extras that cost extra include adults-only specialty restaurants, alcoholic beverages, specialty coffees and treats from places like the on-board confectionery. We enjoyed an adults-only brunch at Palo while our child was in the nursery and made nightly stops at the treat shop for dessert to bring back to the room.
What to Do at the Nassau Port
Nassau is bright and colorful, with shops and local culture to explore. Short shore excursions include visits to attractions like the Atlantis resort or guided island tours, but if you prefer a relaxed day with a toddler it’s perfectly fine to step off for a short walk and then return to the ship.
When many guests disembark for shore excursions, the ship can feel quieter—so staying on board to enjoy pools and on-board activities during a port call can be a great option if you want lower crowds and more space to relax.
What to Do at Castaway Cay
Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, is worth exploring. The beaches are calm and family-friendly; our toddler loved playing in the gentle water and enjoying the beach all day. The island also offers a barbecue lunch and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to unwind.
If you want more activity, the island has bike rentals, snorkeling, tubing, water slides and a kids club for children over three, so there are options for a variety of energy levels and interests.
We hope these tips help as you consider or prepare for a Disney Cruise. Our family had an unforgettable trip and appreciated how family-focused every detail felt. Many thanks to Disney for hosting us—this was truly a special experience.
More Disney Tips
- A Guide to Walt Disney World (with Toddlers!)
- How To Do Disneyland with a One Year Old
Our accommodations, excursions and travel for this trip were provided by Disney. All opinions are my own.