If this is your VERY first cruise ever, I actually recommend not starting with the most magical, premium, or over‑the‑top cruise line right away. And yes — this is a little nit‑picky, but hear me out.

Our first cruise was on the Disney Dream, and it was incredible. The service, the entertainment, the atmosphere — everything was so good that it set our expectations sky‑high. So when we booked our next cruise with a different company, we walked onboard expecting the same level of magic… and reality hit us hard.

Not because the second cruise was bad — it wasn’t.
But because nothing felt as special as that first Disney experience, and we became the harshest critics without even realizing it.

Starting with a more “humble” cruise line gives you a baseline.
You get to learn what you like, what you don’t, and whether cruising is even your thing — without comparing everything to Disney’s fairy‑dust perfection.

Then, when you do sail Disney later, it’ll feel like the upgrade it truly is.

“Oh, they don’t announce your name as you board the ship?”

“Oh the ship’s horn is just a normal horn.” Even when you compare it to the older DCL cruises like the Wonder and the Magic, “Oh there’s only 1 song on the ship’s horn? The Dream has 6 horn songs, not just one”

Before you sail, make sure you download the cruise line’s mobile app. It’s essential for checking daily schedules, viewing menus, messaging your travel party (on some ships), and keeping track of everything happening onboard.

But here’s the part most first‑timers don’t realize:
You don’t need to buy the Wi‑Fi package to use the app.

Every cruise I’ve taken — including Disney — allows you to use the app for free while onboard. And unless you truly need internet access for work or emergencies, I always recommend skipping the Wi‑Fi package altogether.

Why?
Because you paid good money for this vacation. Disconnecting lets you actually enjoy it without notifications, emails, or the temptation to scroll. I’ve been on four cruises now, and I’ve turned down the Wi‑Fi package every single time. It’s one of the easiest ways to stay present and make the most of your trip.

If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
Your future self will thank you.

If you’re sailing with Disney Cruise Line, I recommend getting a MagicBand+ for the kids before your trip. It’s totally optional, but it makes the check‑in process for the DCL kids clubs much smoother.

Here’s why:

• Disney uses MagicBand+ to check kids in and out of the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.
• If you buy the bands ahead of time, your kids can be pre‑registered before you even board.
• Once onboard, all you’ll need to do is set up a quick verbal passcode — and you’re done.
• You’ll also avoid the $20 deposit for the rental bands they offer at the terminal.
• Plus, the MagicBand+ lights up during special moments like Pirate Night or big atrium events, which the kids absolutely love.

Just don’t forget to pack the charger. The bands don’t last forever, and you’ll want them powered up for the whole trip.

Again — not required at all, but definitely a convenience upgrade if you’re traveling with little ones.

Cruise photo packages can be confusing, and every cruise line handles them differently. Some offer discounts if you buy before your trip, while others have better deals once you’re already onboard. After four cruises, here’s what we’ve learned.

Disney Cruise Line (DCL): Buy in Advance — But Manage Expectations

For Disney cruises, purchasing the photo package before you sail is usually the smartest move. It’s almost always cheaper than waiting until you’re onboard, and if you have kids, those photos can be priceless.

On our very first DCL cruise, we waited to decide — and because we loved the photos so much, we ended up buying the package at a higher onboard price. Ever since then, we’ve purchased the DCL package in advance.

That said, the quality can vary. On our most recent Marvel Day at Sea cruise, a few photographers were fantastic, but many photos felt rushed and didn’t meet our expectations. So while buying early saves money, just know that the experience isn’t always consistent.

Bottom line:
If photos matter to you, buy the DCL package in advance. If you’re unsure, wait until you see the photographers onboard before committing.

Important Tip for DCL: Download Your Photos Immediately

If you purchase the Disney Cruise Line photo package, you will have access to your photos after the cruise — but be prepared for delays. Disney advertises a 48‑hour delivery window, yet on our most recent sailing it took a full week before the photos finally showed up in our email.

To avoid any stress or confusion, download your photos directly from the DCL app as soon as they appear during your cruise. On our last trip we had 416 photos, and downloading them early would have saved us a lot of worry about whether they were lost or delayed.

Other Cruise Lines: Sometimes the Best Deals Are Onboard

Outside of Disney, we’ve found that many cruise lines offer their best photo package deals during the first two days onboard. MSC in particular has impressed us — their photography team delivered excellent quality at a great price.

For around $199, we received all of our digital photos, including the one featured on the front page of this website. That photo was taken on the MSC Meraviglia before I ever became a travel advisor, and the value was incredible. We’re actually heading out on our third MSC cruise next month on the MSC Seascape out of Galveston.

This one is important to understand before you book. We sailed on a Disney Cruise Line itinerary that included Marvel Day at Sea, and based on the advertising, we assumed the entire cruise would feel Marvel‑themed. With two boys who love Spider‑Man, Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, and Star‑Lord, we were excited for a full week of Marvel energy.

But here’s the reality:
Marvel Day at Sea is one themed day — not a Marvel‑themed cruise.

On our sailing, the main Marvel events took place on Day 2. The ship was fully decorated, characters were everywhere, and the nighttime deck show with fireworks was incredible. It truly felt like a Marvel takeover.

But once the show ended around 11:30 PM, the Marvel decorations started coming down. A cast member confirmed:

“Marvel Day at Sea is over.”

However — there is a small bonus the next morning.

The following day, there were two scheduled Marvel character photo sessions:

• Spider‑Man & Friends
• Guardians of the Galaxy

These ran from 8:15 AM to 9:15 AM, and after that, the Marvel experience officially ended. A few Disney characters stayed in their Marvel outfits briefly during that day, but it was very limited.

By late morning, the ship had fully returned to classic Disney theming — princesses, Mickey, and the usual DCL atmosphere.

Bottom line:

Marvel Day at Sea is one full themed day, plus two-character group photo sessions the next morning. It is not a multi‑day Marvel cruise. If you go in with the right expectations, you’ll enjoy the event so much more.

If you’re traveling with kids, this is one of the most magical little surprises you can request on a Disney Cruise Line ship — Disney‑themed bedding. It’s not advertised, and it’s not guaranteed, but it can make your stateroom feel extra special for the little ones.

Here’s the key:
This bedding is first‑come, first‑served, and availability is limited. We didn’t even know it existed until another DCL traveler mentioned it online. We finally got to experience it on our third Disney cruise, and it was such a fun touch for the kids.

All you have to do is ask your stateroom host once you board. If they have any themed bedding left, they’ll set it up for you — and your kids will absolutely light up when they see it.

Bottom line:
It’s not guaranteed, but it’s definitely worth asking for. It’s a small detail that adds a big dose of Disney magic to your room.

Here’s a little secret we didn’t learn until our third Disney Cruise Line sailing: the breakfast buffet is open on debarkation morning.

The night before you disembark, your dining team will usually announce that breakfast will be served around 6:45 AM in your assigned restaurant. What they don’t tell you is that you don’t have to go there. It’s not mandatory, and it’s definitely not the only option.

We only found out because we saw another guest carrying food back to their room. They told us the buffet was open — and that it was way less rushed since you can just walk in, grab what you want, and enjoy a more relaxed final morning.

Meanwhile, we were already packed and preparing to leave the ship.
Cue the “womp womp.”

Bottom line:

If you prefer a calmer, more flexible breakfast on debarkation day, skip the assigned dining room and head to the buffet instead. It’s open, it’s easy, and it’s a much nicer way to end your cruise.

Disney Cruise Line automatically adds a pre‑calculated gratuity amount to your onboard account a few days before debarkation. Most guests leave this as‑is, and honestly, we usually do too — the service onboard is exceptional, and the recommended amount is fair.

But here’s something many guests don’t know:
You can adjust or remove these automatic gratuities if you prefer to tip in cash instead.

We’ve had cruises where certain servers went above and beyond — the kind of service that truly stands out. And we’ve also had cruises where some team members did the bare minimum. Because of that, we sometimes prefer to give a more personalized cash tip directly to the crew members who made our trip special.

If you want to do this, here’s how it works:

• Visit Guest Services at least three days before debarkation
• Ask them to remove or adjust the pre‑calculated gratuities
• Double‑check your onboard account afterward to ensure the change went through
• Then tip your preferred amount in cash directly to the crew members you want to recognize

This prevents you from accidentally being charged twice — once automatically and once in cash.

Bottom line:

You’re not required to change anything, and the automatic gratuities are perfectly fine for most guests. But if you want to personally reward the crew members who made your cruise extra special, you do have the option to adjust the pre‑calculated amount and tip them directly.

This one should be simple, but it surprises a lot of first‑time cruisers: you cannot bring anything that generates heat onto a cruise ship. That includes:

• Clothing irons
• Hair irons (flat irons, curling irons)
• Steamers
• High‑powered personal hair dryers

All cruise lines — including Disney — will confiscate these items for safety reasons. Every stateroom already comes with a cruise‑approved hair dryer, and that’s the only one you’re allowed to use.

If you’re worried about wrinkled clothes, here are a few easy alternatives:

✔ Bring a wrinkle‑release spray

Pack it in your checked luggage and give your clothes a quick spritz once onboard.

✔ Use the “shower steam” trick

Lightly dampen your clothes, hang them in the bathroom, and let the steam do the work.
Most polyester and wrinkle‑resistant fabrics respond really well to this method.

✔ Use the ship’s laundry service (optional)

If you prefer a pressed look, you can send items out for ironing — just note there’s a fee.

Bottom line:

Leave the irons at home. They won’t make it past security, and there are plenty of safe, cruise‑friendly ways to keep your clothes looking fresh.

This is one of the easiest mistakes to make on your first cruise. When you board the ship, your checked luggage doesn’t go straight to your stateroom — it’s delivered later in the afternoon, sometimes as late as 3–5 PM. That means anything you need early in the day should be in your carry‑on, not your suitcase.

Here’s what we always pack in ours now:

• Swimsuits (the pools are open right away)
• Sunscreen
• Medications
• Chargers
• Kids’ essentials (snacks, wipes, comfort items)
• A change of clothes
• Important documents
• MagicBand+ chargers (for DCL)

We learned this the hard way on our first cruise — we boarded excited and ready to explore, only to realize everything we needed was locked inside our checked bags.

Bottom line:

Keep your must‑haves with you. Your carry‑on is your lifeline for the first few hours onboard, and packing it intentionally makes embarkation day so much smoother.