When my family booked their Disney cruise for Mom’s birthday and dragged me along (didn’t I already treat Mom to a lavish birthday trip to Paris/London?), I decided that they needed to do the Disney Cruise the right way.  They had previously sailed twice before and were not aware of the Disney fish extenders, fish exchanges or cabin door magnets so I had to fix that immediately (disclosure: I’m a big Disney fan/geek).  This leads me to the 5 Disney Cruise Tips for a new family sailing on Disney or the return cruise guest that was clueless the first time.

Do note that while most cruise groups meet on Cruise Critic, the Disney cruisers utilize Facebook Groups for the particular sailing so join the FB group in advance to join fish extender (FE) exchange groups and meet others sailing on the ship with you.

So for me, the key need to know Disney Cruise sailing tips to make that first Disney cruise memorable.   Here are two unique to Disney Cruise Lines videos from my cruise on the Disney Magic. The Disney Magic Cruise Ship cabin and the Disney Cruise Fireworks at Sea

Disney Cruise Tips – Decorated Door Magnets

If you want to see Disney creativity (and many Etsy creations), the doors are the way to go.  It also helps you find your cabin easily (we are past Stitch and before The Little Mermaid).  The Disney cruise doors can be decorated with a variety of magnets and themes.  We had fun one day walking all the deck hallways to look for the most creative doors – Star Wars, Stitch, Princesses and because we were on an Easter sailing, many Easter Bunny themes.   I ordered our door magnets on Etsy – one for Mom’s birthday, one for the main group and one for my friend country mouse’s first Disney cruise.  My order arrived in 3 days and I was excited to surprise the family (somehow I forgot to take the photos of our doors?!).  So here are a few fun doors we found on the ship.

Disney Cruise Tips –  Fish Extenders & Fish Exchange

Outside your cabin door there is a fish to collect your mail and daily notices.  I’m not sure when or how the practice started but cruise guests began to decorate the Fish with Fish Extenders, a variety of crafted Disney themed banners with pockets.  The intent is to join a Fish Exchange group within your Disney Cruise facebook group.  Each group commits to x number of families/children and each family buys small gifts (Disney related usually but can also be local to your hometown or the destination – something fun for the kids) to deliver to each member of the group so the children have a surprise for each day of the cruise.   It’s a fun idea for small souvenirs.  Do note the additional cost to your family as well as packing space needed for the small gifts you are giving (and receiving).

Order your fish extenders on Etsy a few months before your cruise as they are individually made and take time. Or if you are crafty, make your own.  (Warning: Pinterest and Etsy are rabbit holes of Fish Extender creativity).

 

Disney Cruise Tips –  Spa Appointments

If you even have an inkling that you want to relax in the spa with a spa treatment, book your appointment as far in advance as possible.  While I usually go onboard and book appointments based on my mood and needs at the time, Disney sells out spa appointments well in advance.  I took the Disney spa tour upon boarding but despite all the “specials” on offer, there were no appointments for the more popular massage and facials. Nail appointments and hair salon had a bit more flexibility but not much.

 

Disney Cruise Tips – Birthday Decorations in the Cabin

As the family was celebrating Mom’s birthday (again, for the third time! before in Paris/London, on her actual birthday and after on the cruise, she really did celebrate being 75!), I pre-ordered a cabin decoration – the prices and amenities do vary but they did a lovely job in surprising mom when she entered her cabin.  I’m thinking everyone should arrive to a decorated room with gifts!

Visit the Disney site to pre-order Disney Gifts and Amenities for birthday and special occasion events.

Disney Cruise Tip – Bonus

The in room toiletries are actually really nice.  They sell larger versions in the on-board shop but you can ask your cabin steward for more (I would encourage a tip with this ask) as they are pretty fabulous.

So hopefully, you are now ready to enjoy your first Disney cruise armed with your Fish Extender, Fish Exchange gifts and Door Magnets to surprise your family and friends.  And for you?  That Spa appointment sounds like a lovely reward to erase all the stress you’ve accumulated from travel planning, flights and overall logistics.  Don’t forget to tip the room steward for extra Disney Cruise Line Spa Toiletries so you can enjoy that relaxing feeling at home!

Happy Sailing!