
Are you sailing with Disney Cruise Line soon and wondering about booking Disney Cruise Line activities?As a fellow passenger and a travel agent specializing in Disney vacations, I understand the excitement of booking a Disney Cruise vacation!
Port adventures and onboard activities can add to your overall cruise experience, though they aren’t essential to having fun. If you do opt to prebook some extra activities and port excursions for your Disney cruise, a few tips can be helpful before you say bon voyage. Whether it’s your first Disney cruise or you just need a refresher, here is a simple guide of what to expect when your booking window opens!

When Can You Book Onboard Activities and Port Adventures?
Your booking window opens depending upon your Castaway Club membership level, once you make your final payment. Final payment dates vary depending on the duration of your cruise. Cruises of 5 nights or less are due in full at 90 days ahead of your cruise. Cruises of 6 nights or more are due 120 days in advance of your sail date. Your booking date opens at midnight EST.
Be sure to log into your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or the Disney Cruise Line website to see when your final payment is due. Or, if you booked through a travel agent, reach out to her for your due date and any other info you need about your cruise reservation.
(Your online check-in date is also found in your account. This is the date you begin to load your travel documents, make Disney aware of your travel info, and receive a port arrival time. This is a separate time period, 30 to 40 days before your sail date, depending upon your Castaway Club membership level. If you are looking for the Royal Gathering meeting, this opens at your online check-in time.)
What is a Castaway Club number?
Once you sail once on a Disney cruise, you are assigned a Castaway Club number. As you embark on more cruises, your status increases, similar to many other cruise lines. The advanced booking window for cruise activities opens as follows (as of the date of this answer):
- First-time guest: 75 days before sail date
- Silver guests: 90 days before sail date
- Gold guests: 105 days before sail date
- Platinum guests: 120 days before sail date
- Pearl guests: 123 days before sail date
- Concierge guests: 130 days before sail date
Where do I book activities and excursions?
You can book on the Disney Cruise Line website or on the app. Your reservation has to be connected to your account on the website.
On the DCL website, click on “Already Booked” area to find your cruise. Then, click on Book/Manage Cruise Activities. Scroll down to the box titled “Cruise Activities” on the right. Once you are paid in full, the blue box will shift from “My Plans” to “Book Now.”

From here, you will see each day of your cruise listed, along with the port stops. Click on “Add Activities” to see the choices of onboard activities, spa experiences, special dining options, port adventures, and more for that day. You can filter the various choices for Port Adventures based on experience type, activity level, accessibility, and price range.

If you have children sailing that qualify for the nursery, you will also see an option to pre book reserved times for them. Begin to book activities that you like! If you need to see an explanation for the port adventures, you may begin to find them on the Disney Cruise Line website.

Booking on the DCL App
The process for booking on the DCL app is similar to the website. Log in to your reservation and hit “At Home.” Select your reservation and then you can see a tab for “My Plans.” Add activities for each day and choose the guests that qualify for that experience. You also choose the time you prefer if there is an option. Save to book it!

What type of activities and excursions can you pre-book?
Both onboard activities and port adventures/shore excursions can be pre-booked on the Disney Cruise Line website or app. If you are choosing some of the more popular activities onboard like mixology classes or adults-only restaurants, it is well worth booking ahead of your cruise.
Photo Packages
If you enjoy having professional photos from your vacations, you may book the unlimited photo package before cruising. This will be a slightly discounted price from the onboard price. These photos are available for download up to 45 days after your cruise. Photo opportunities abound onboard Disney ships.
The photo package is found under Day 1 “Activities.” Even though it says Day 1, you receive photos from each day of your cruise. Select one person which will cover your whole sailing party.
Tastings/Mixology Classes

The tastings and mixology classes (for adults only) are pretty popular! Guests 21+ can pay $45+ to experience a 60 minute class from DCL sommeliers and bartenders. They offer unique beverage tastings and small bites. Experiences range but may include:
- Champagne tasting
- Tequila and margarita tasting
- Whiskey tasting
- Beer tasting
- Chocolate and liquor tasting
- Mixology class
- Amari tasting
Shutters Portrait Studio
Passengers may book a free 30 minutes session at Shutters Portrait Studio during your cruise. This experience may be reserved under the Onboard Fun tab and photos can be purchased after your session.
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
This onboard fun experience is quite popular on DCL! You can book a princess or knight session for your kids to be transformed. Packages vary depending on how extensive the experience may be. Choices include the Deluxe Carriage package, Captain Mickey package, the Royal Knight costume package, and the Castle package. There is also a special option for pirate transformations on Pirate Night!
Character Meetings

Another fun onboard fun option are some special character meet ups! Check to see which ones are available during your sailing. Options may include the Royal Court Royal Tea, Olaf’s Royal Picnic and the Royal Gathering (this one doesn’t open until 30 days prior to sailing). These spots go fast, but don’t worry if you don’t snag one. There are SO many options for character meetings during your cruise.
Nursery

Have a little one onboard? If you have a child between the ages of 6 months to 3 years, be sure to snag some spots for her to experience the It’s a Small World Nursery. You can modify these once on board but worth making ahead of time. You can cancel the reservations up to four hours in advance without being charged.
The nursery is a separate fee, currently $9/hour at this time. This will be added to your folio. Be sure to explore all of the kids’ clubs and spaces during open house times throughout your cruise.
Fitness Center
The fitness center is open throughout your sailing, free to passengers on Disney Cruise Line ships wanting to get in a workout while on vacation. Guests can also book personal training sessions, exercise classes, diet consultations and more through the app or online. These sessions vary in price, so see if one might be of interest during your sail date and book it in advance!
If sessions are full, be sure to check in with the fitness center once onboard to see if more have been added. Once onboard, also check the daily activity schedule to see what’s going in the gym!
Senses Spa

The Senses Spa is a great place for ultimate relaxation once on your Disney Cruise Line adventure. All of the Disney Cruise Line ships (Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Dream, Disney Fantasy, Disney Wish and Disney Treasure) have a Senses Spa and Salon. The Disney Wish has also has Hook’s Barbery and Untangled Salon on board.
We love to book a massage or facial during our at sea days or during a port day when we are choosing to stay onboard the ship. Guests must be 18 years of age to visit the spa.
Spa services include:
Massages:
- Swedish Massage (75 min.)
- Swedish Massage for Couples (50 min.)
- Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage (75-100 min.)
- Aroma Spa Therapy (50-75 min.)
- Deep Tissue Muscle Massage (50-75 min.)
- Cabana Swedish Massage at Castaway Serenity Bay (50 min.)
- Couples Cabana Swedish Massage at Castaway Serenity Bay (50 min.)
- Thai Herbal Poultice Massage (75 min.)
- Bamboo Massage (50-75 min.)
Facials:
- Pro-Collagen Age Defy Facial (50 min.)
- High Performance Skin Energizer for Men (50 min.)
- Dynamic Resurfacing Precision Peel (50 min.)
- Grown Alchemist Skin Renew Facial (50 min.)
- BIOTEC Skin Resurfacer Facial (50 min.)
- BIOTEC Firm a Lift Facial (50 min.)
- BIOTEC Super Charger for Men (50 min.)
- BIOTEC Line Eraser Facial (50 min.)
Others
- Couture Touch (Swedish Massage with TOUCH facial)
- Ionithermic Cellulite Reduction
- Acupuncture
- Blow Dry
- Shampoo, Cut and Style
- Manicures/Pedicures
- Up Do Styles
- Cosmetic treatments (after a consultation with the onboard physician)
Guests can also book Villa treatments which include treatment rooms with verandahs, whirlpools, showers, and lounges. These are quite the treat!
Special Adult Dining

Adult dining is one of our favorite “extras” onboard a Disney ship. These dining experiences take the place on your typical rotational dining, include an extra fee, and have a dress code.
The adult dining locations onboard include:
- Palo, Northern Italian menu: Disney Magic, Wonder, Fantasy and Dream
- Palo Steakhouse, Italian and Steakhouse: Disney Wish
- Remy, French: Disney Dream and Fantasy
- Enchante, French: Disney Wish

Read through the menus of each special dining experience before booking. You can also find pricing online. Reservations are required and can be canceled up to 24 hours in advance. if you don’t snag a reservation during your booking dates, be sure to check in with Guest Services once onboard the ship to see they have any openings.
Port Adventures

Port Adventures vary depending upon your port stops. Tours, water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving, and cabana rentals are popular. Private cabanas on Disney private islands (Castaway Cay and Lighthouse Point) go quickly, usually with concierge and platinum level guests. Again, check once on board to see if any availability opens up during your cruise.
All Booked!
Once you secure your bookings, you will find them under “My Plans” within your Disney Cruise Line account. You can cancel up to the deadline (usually 3 days prior to sailing), as well as book more options if available.
Most reservations are held without advance payment. Most charges can be found in your cruise folio.

Can I cancel bookings?
You can cancel most bookings within the app. If you are onboard, simply visit Guest Services or message them within the DCL app if your plans change. You can also drop by the Senses Spa or dining table on your embarkation day with specific questions about those experiences.
Have a great voyage!
I hope this post helps you learn all you need to know about booking Disney Cruise Line activities. If you have more questions, reach out to your travel advisor or contact Disney Cruise Line directly at 1-800-951-3532. I hope you and your family make many magical memories together!
Be sure to sign up for my free packing newsletter below and keep reading for more great mom life and travel content!
Transportation Options from Disney to Port Canaveral
Disney’s Pop Century Food Court: What to Know
How to Beat the Heat at Disney World
Leave a Reply