Disney Cruise Embarkation Day Tips: What to Bring With You
It’s embarkation day!! *Princess Anna voice*
It’s officially the start of your Disney Cruise vacation – ahhh!!
How do you even begin to contain the excitement?! Whether you’re a seasoned Disney cruiser who has this down to a science, or it’s your very first time stepping onboard, embarkation day is a big deal.
If you’re a first-timer (like I recently was!), it can feel a little overwhelming:
What time do we board? Do we have all the right documents? What can we keep with us before the rooms open? Can we bring drinks on board?
There’s a lot happening in just a few short hours – and to make embarkation day feel smooth (instead of stressful), it really helps to know what to pack in your carry-on bag for a Disney Cruise.
Pro tip: you won’t be able to access your stateroom right away (ours opened around 1:30 PM), so whatever you’ll need before then should stay with you.
After experiencing this myself, I totally get why Disney cruisers are so passionate about their embarkation day hacks.
So here are all the essentials I now swear by – straight from my first cruise – so you’ll feel calm, prepared, and ready to start your vacation the second you step on board.
Let’s get you packed and ready to sail!
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Disney Cruise Embarkation Day Bag Essentials
Here’s what you should keep with you in your carry-on embarkation bag:
- Boarding Papers + Port Arrival Form: You’ll need these handy to check in.
- IDs & Passports: Everyone needs a valid ID and a passport, or a birth certificate if you do not have a passport. Keep them safe and accessible.
- Empty Water Bottle: Fill it once you’re on board to stay hydrated. (No outside drinks/fruit/open food allowed.)
- Properly Tagged Luggage: Check these in at the port. Disney will deliver them to your stateroom later.
- Quality Bag: Think small roller + personal bag. Easy to carry until rooms open.
Clothing & Comfort
- Swimsuits & Sandals: Pack them in your bag if you want to hit the pool before your stateroom is ready.
- Light Jacket or Wrap: Sometimes it’s breezy on deck.
- Sunscreen (SPF): You’ll want this early if you’re planning to lounge in the sun.
Related Post: How to Keep Your Disney Cruise Room Organized
Organization & Access
- Lanyard or Badge Holder: Perfect for your Key to the World card. (You’ll need this for your stateroom, charging purchases, and re-boarding after port stops.)
- Portable Charger: You’ll be snapping photos the second you step onboard – don’t let your phone die.
- Hand Sanitizer/Wipes: For peace of mind after the busy check-in process and while walking around the ship.
My Personal Packing Approach
We pack one small rollie bag and one personal bag. That’s it. Enough room for swimsuits, sunblock, documents, and the must-haves, without weighing us down. It’s all about keeping it easy to carry until staterooms open up.
Boarding a Disney Cruise
Embarkation day – here we go! On boarding day, you’ll either park at the structure near the ship, get dropped off by Uber or Lyft, or take the Disney transportation shuttle from a Disney World Resort.
We rented a car, and the car return was just down the street from the port. We were shuttled to the Disney Cruise port area and were dropped off right at the loading area in front of the terminal, which made things super easy.
Step 1: Hand Off Your Luggage
The moment you arrive, a Cast Member is there to greet you and collect your luggage. They’ll tag your bags for you, and then ask which ones you’re keeping with you as your carry-ons.
*If you’re taking a Disney Shuttle from Disney World, then they should already have your bags.
Pro tip: You’ll board at your designated time, which Disney will email you ahead of your trip along with your boarding papers. They’ll also mail your luggage tags about a week before your cruise. Don’t panic if they don’t show up – Disney can provide them at the port too.
Step 2: Keep Your Carry-Ons With You
After we handed off our checked luggage, we kept our carry-ons with us to head into the terminal. Before entering, a Cast Member asked us to empty our reusable water bottles and toss out any open food or fruit. Since it’s an international sailing, fruit isn’t allowed on board.
Step 3: Check-In With a Cast Member
Once that was done, we headed inside and were greeted by another Cast Member with an iPad. They checked our boarding papers, scanned our passports, confirmed our stateroom number, and let us know what time rooms would be available.
Step 4: Security Screening
From there, it felt just like the airport. We went through a security screening – luggage through the scanner, metal detector for us – and then up the escalators to the waiting area.
Step 5: The Waiting Area
And oh my gosh. This was the room. The one I had seen in so many Disney Cruise blogs and YouTube videos. I was so excited I actually cried. There’s a miniature ship on display, photo ops at the entrance, and just this buzz of anticipation in the air.
Since we boarded later in the day, the room was already pretty empty. We snapped a bunch of photos, soaked it all in, and then before we knew it, it was time to board.
Step 6: The Magical Welcome
And this is where the magic really hit. A Cast Member welcomed us, asked for our family name, and then announced us as we walked on. I burst into tears – like full-on ugly crying – but of course it was all because of happiness. My inner child had never been so happy. Disney knows how to make a moment feel magical.
Disney Cruise: Rooms Opening & First Day Tips
Step 7: Accessing Your Room
The hallways to staterooms usually open around 1:30 PM. Be prepared for crowds in the elevators and hallways as everyone rushes to check out their room. Some staterooms won’t be ready right at 1:30, but we lucked out and ours was! We were able to drop our bags, freshen up, and head straight to our Mixology Class.
Step 8: Carry-On Reality Check
If your room isn’t ready yet, you’ll need to keep your carry-on items with you until it is. That’s why I recommend not overpacking your embarkation bag. We had just one small rolly suitcase and a bag, and even that felt like plenty.
If you board early in the day, you’ll definitely have more time to carry things around before the rooms open, so pack light. We boarded at 1 PM, so it wasn’t too long to wait. But trust me, you’ll be grateful for keeping it simple.
Tips for Boarding a Disney Cruise
- Arrive at your assigned port arrival time. Disney will email you your boarding window – stick to it to avoid long waits.
- Keep essentials in your carry-on. You won’t see your checked bags until later, and rooms usually open around 1:30 PM.
- Have documents ready. Passports, IDs, and boarding papers should be easy to grab.
- Don’t bring fruit or open food. Cast Members will ask you to toss it before entering the terminal.
- Empty your water bottles. You can refill once onboard.
- Pack light for the first few hours. If your room isn’t ready yet, you’ll be carrying whatever you bring.
- Use a lanyard or badge holder. Your Key to the World card is your room key, ID, and payment card all in one – you’ll use it constantly.
- Take photos in the terminal. The waiting area has a miniature ship and fun backdrops before you board.
- Be ready for the welcome moment. Disney announces your family name as you walk on the ship!
Things to Do When You Board a Disney Cruise
So you’ve made it on board – yay!! Now what? Here are some of the best things to do right after boarding to kick off your Disney Cruise vacation:
Head to the pool
If you packed swimsuits in your carry-on, change and head straight for the pool deck. Lines are short early on, so it’s the perfect time to ride the AquaMouse – Disney’s one-of-a-kind water coaster that zips around the side of the ship. It’s amazing and so worth it!
Take a free ship tour
At select times on embarkation day, Disney offers guided tours of the ship. It’s a great way to get your bearings, learn some tips from Cast Members, and discover little details you might otherwise miss.
Hit the buffet
Start your vacation right at Cabanas with endless chicken tenders and soft serve ice cream. Just remember that dining hours on embarkation day are a little different from the rest of the cruise. For example, Cabanas usually closes during the Sail Away Party, so grab snacks before the party starts.
Book a class or seminar
Disney offers fun adults-only options like beverage tastings, seminars, and mixology classes. We booked the Mixology Class at 2 PM on our first day, and it was such a great way to kick off the trip! Just keep timing in mind – you’ll need to participate in the Muster Drill (safety drill), which is mandatory for everyone before sailing.
Related Post: Disney Fantasy Cruise – Mixology Class Review
Don’t miss the Sail Away Party
Head to the main deck for this high-energy event – it’s the official kickoff to your Disney Cruise. Expect music, dancing, and an appearance by Mickey and friends. It’s the moment where the vacation really feels real.
Check out the activity schedule
As soon as you’re onboard, the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will update with the daily activities list. This is where you’ll find everything happening that day: mixology classes, trivia, character meet-and-greets, arts and crafts, live music, and more.
Pro tip: you can “favorite” events in the app and get reminders so you don’t miss anything!
Boarding Your First Disney Cruise!
Embarkation day sets the tone for your entire Disney Cruise – so why not make it stress-free? With the right items in your day bag, you’ll breeze through check-in, have what you need at your fingertips, and actually enjoy those first magical hours onboard.
Whether you’re poolside with a drink, exploring the ship, or snapping that all-important funnel photo – being prepared makes it so much easier to relax and soak it all in.
So pack smart, keep it light, and let the magic begin the second you walk onto that ship!
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About the author: Hey there! I’m Julia, a passionate theme park and travel writer. My love for theme parks has fueled my obsession with sharing tips and adventures for years. Join me as I uncover the magic of Disney Cruises and beyond!
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