/r/dcl

Photograph via //r/dcl

A subreddit for those who love sailing the seven seas with Mickey Mouse and friends. Share stories, pictures, personal navigators and tips for those new to the Disney Cruise Line.

Welcome to /r/dcl ! Home to Reddit fans of Disney Cruise Line!

If you have ever dreamed of what it would be like to sail aboard a Disney cruise ship, or wonder what new upgrades are available on each ship, then this is the subreddit for you! Share your stories from aboard the Disney Magic, Wonder, Dream, or Fantasy here.


Our wiki is always a work in progress, but is a good starting point for learning about Cruising with Mickey and Friends!


Disclaimer:

/r/dcl is not authorized or endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with, The Walt Disney Company, Disney Enterprises, Inc., or any of their affiliates. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are proprietary to Disney Enterprises, Inc., its subsidiary, affiliated and related companies, as the case may be. For official Disney information, visit http://www.disney.com


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r/DisneyHS

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/r/dcl

27,601 Subscribers

0

Cruising Rookie on a Wish Cruise

The family is going on a 4 night Wish cruise with my family of 4, and another couple cousins’ family of 4 and 2.

I’m positive the rest of the family will enjoy their time, but I’m a bit hesitant as I’m not one for sitting around and relaxing. I’m more of an adventure seeker and prefer visiting different cities and cultures. I’ve also basically stopped drinking alcohol and typically I’m an early riser.

Help me Obi-Wan, you’re my only hope.

2 Comments
2024/10/04
04:58 UTC

7

Available at DCL Magic shop?

This hat is part of an onboard gift set for preorder, but anyone know if it’s available by itself in the Magic shops?

3 Comments
2024/10/04
00:37 UTC

0

Port clearance longer after transatlantic

I’ll be on the Dream for the first cruise after it’s transatlantic back to FLL next month. The earliest PAT anyone got was 11:45. This is an hour+ later than the earliest PAT we’ve seen folks have on our other cruises out of FLL.

Are the customs/port clearances processes longer since the ship is coming from another country vs a round trip like it usually does.

I’m intrigued to know if that is what has caused the later PATs for this trip, or if there is something totally different at play.

18 Comments
2024/10/04
00:13 UTC

0

Door Decor- Used to Brag?

Has anyone noticed a serious up tick in Stateroom doors now being used to show off how many sailings people have been on? So many that have fake KTTW cards for each of their previous sailings or even wooden magnet that dangle from a ship showing off every Disney cruise taken. There used to be more themed doors or doors with simple name in Mickey head magnets but recently I have noticed a major shift... Anyone else noticing it?

35 Comments
2024/10/03
19:45 UTC

3

What do the bath products actually smell like?

I'm curious to know what the bath products formerly known as H2O smell like. Specifically, is there a mint scent in any of them? Asking because although I love mint, it doesn't love me! It can trigger a migraine for me and I've been surprised by mint in some hotel bath products before. Trying to figure out if I need to bring my own stuff! Thank you!

14 Comments
2024/10/03
18:06 UTC

7

5-Night Halloween and Full Rain Forecast

Hello folks, I hope you are doing well today!

We are on the Magic next Monday and the forecast is morning to night rain and thunderstorms.

  • Mon: Fort Lauderdale
  • Tues: Castaway Cay
  • Wed: Nassau
  • Thur: Lookout Cay
  • Fri: at Sea

If it truly is nonstop rain would the ship dock (if it can), and can you still swim? If the ship is unable to dock, will the captain move the ship to sunshine out to sea? Or can you expect to be on the ship and it's raining and no pools?

I know we have a few days and anything can change. I just want to set my expectations.

Thank you for your insights!

2 Comments
2024/10/03
13:27 UTC

1

Rooms under nightclub?

We were too close to sailing date so had to do a gty cruise and ended up under the nightclub. Any experiences with this? Will it be very loud?

22 Comments
2024/10/03
11:57 UTC

1

South Eleuthera Eco and Cultral tour

Has anyone done the South Eleuthera Eco and Cultral tour at lighthouse cay. This will be our first cruise. Will kids enjoy it, or should I just book snorkeling? My kids are 8!and 5. Thanks

5 Comments
2024/10/03
11:34 UTC

5

Will be going on my first cruise with my family ever in January. Will the allure of this new experience be enough to not do any paid activities on any of the islands?

We will be taking a 5 night cruise on the fantasy in early January. We stop in Nassau, Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay. My wife and twin girls (turning 8 on board) have never been on a cruise. My kids have never been on a real vacation to be honest ever. I have been on two cruise myself but the last time was 25 years ago when I was a teenager. It was also a cheap cruise without a lot to do on board.

Our budget isn't super huge but we have some extra $$$ after the cruise and airfare for extras. The year was kind enough to allow this without going into any debt. Right now we are trying to decide on a day at Atlantis and some kind of activity (ies) at Castaway Cay vs a day before the cruise at Magic Kingdom. If we did Magic Kingdom will we get bored just sitting on beaches and doing things on board?

Thanks for the advice

34 Comments
2024/10/03
02:29 UTC

0

3 yo Age Requirement for Pools (even when potty trained)?

EDIT:I AM NOT ASKING IF THEY ENFORCE THE POTTY TRAINING RULE. I fully understand and support the reasons for requiring that children be potty trained. But kids train at different ages, many before they turn 3. I just want to know if they're strict about only allowing age 3 and up in pools.

I am sailing end of March with my daughter who will be one month shy of 3 and my 5 yo son. I am hoping to have her potty trained by then, but someone in another thread mentioned that the pools ALSO have an age minimum of 3 years, so even if a child is potty trained, they're not allowed in the pools if they're under 3. Has anyone had experience with the lifeguards enforcing this? The other person said that the crew members can even look up your room number to verify the age of your child. This will be pretty disappointing for my daughter if she's restricted to the splash pad and can't swim with her brother, even if she's fully potty trained.

36 Comments
2024/10/03
00:02 UTC

3

Disney Fantasy - Location To Request Dining Changes

Hello! This upcoming trip I'm taking will be the first time I request a private table (which I've done so on the app already). However, I was wondering where on the Disney Fantasy can I go to make any dining adjustments? I've heard outside of the Enchanted Garden or Guest Services. But I wanted to hear from those who've recently been. I'm aware there's no guarantees with requests but would love to just stop by and ask/confirm.

8 Comments
2024/10/02
20:11 UTC

2

Has the Merrytime cruise stateroom decorations been revealed yet?

I'm not currently set to go on one, but I just got back from a Halloween on the High Seas cruise. I got the Boo on the High Seas room decorations and I love them for my home, so I was thinking about trying to find someone selling theirs after the cruises start. I really wanted to see what they looked like first and I can't find any images. I remember the halloween decorations were posted in like August? What time do the Christmas ones usually appear?

5 Comments
2024/10/02
19:33 UTC

0

Locals at Lighthouse Point?

Any truth to the rumor that local Bahamians are now allowed to come into Lookout Cay for $10, and eat for another $10? The rumor I heard was that the first day last week was around 20 people, the next day it was over 500 people.

10 Comments
2024/10/02
16:57 UTC

4

IDs needed to re-board at Castaway

For initial embarkation from the home port we will be using birth certificates for our kids identification. None of them have any other form of ID. When getting off at Castaway do we need to bring those original copies with us off the ship to then be able to get back on? They are 12, 10, and 5. If we do have to bring a birth certificate is there anyway to use a scanned copy or does it have to be the original from the state?

10 Comments
2024/10/02
16:50 UTC

3

When does DCL post holiday room decor?

Is it all at once? Or do they do it a specific number of days before your sailing? im going on NOV 14 very merry Christmas and want to make sure I get the deco for my son! Any insight would be appreciated!

1 Comment
2024/10/02
15:52 UTC

12

How close to the sailing date were you moved off the dining waitlist?

Sailing on the Wish on 10/18. Still waitlisted for Main Dining. In previous cruises, we were moved around the 30 day mark. Just curious how close to sailing any of you were moved. Would rather not wait in line at Triton on embarkation day to try and get early dining!

16 Comments
2024/10/02
15:36 UTC

1

Kids club on Fantasy vs Wish

We're scheduled to sail on the Treasure early next year and we're really excited. Since no one had been onboard yet, I'm hoping the Wish Oceaneer's club will be similar enough to answer my question.

My son is obsessed with what he calls the AT-AT Walker game in the Fantasy Oceaneer's club. I think it's basically a video game where you're in the airspeeders and have to shoot the Imperial Walkers and defend the Rebel base on Hoth. Is there a similar game on the Wish? It's all he's talking about and I want to temper his expectations now if I need to.

1 Comment
2024/10/02
14:23 UTC

5

1st Timers on Disney Cruise Line in Jan - Looking for Tips and Some Answers!

Hey All - my wife went on a Disney cruise when she was young, around 10 or 11, and her and I have been on 5-6 Carnival/Royal Caribbean cruises before we had kids. We have twin 6 year old girls and a 9 year old boy. We are sailing in Jan on the Disney Fantasy to the Bahamas (Nassau, both Disney ports). I've been watching youtube videos etc. for tips and tricks and thats all been very helpful. Some unanswered questions I have though.

  • We want it to be 100% family vacation time, so not looking to have kids go to the kids club (Oceanears I think?) so that my wife and I can have alone time. However, we also don't want them to "miss-out" on that experience and time to socialize (ours are very social) if others would recommend the club as a fun activity and less a daycare. What's the consensus on this?
  • We are staying at a hotel nearby the airport (Staybridge Suites Orlando Airport South) for a night the day before and will get a morning shuttle back to the airport to get DCL transportation from Orlando International to Port Canaveral and back after. Anyone see issues with this? We get in at 12:30pm the day before. What can we do for the day without a car etc?
  • My wife wants to do Bibbidie Boppity Boutique. We did this in WDW last year when we went for a week and my girls absolutely loved it. Highlight of their trip. I think doing it on the boat might not be the best idea since I'm assuming we'll be wanting to go swimming etc. Anyone have any insight on this?
  • For the Nassau port, are excursions recommended? Is there a beach anyone can go to that's associated with the cruise or what do people do in Nassau without leaving the port area if not excursions?

Appreciate any help with the above and any other tips or tricks!

43 Comments
2024/10/02
13:32 UTC

3

The Royal Tea Party and Bibbidi bobbidi boutique

When bookings open for these activitys on the app do you pay when you book or on the cruise how does that work?

7 Comments
2024/10/02
10:01 UTC

1

I want to take my niece on a 2 night cruise starting and ending in Sydney but i have some questions

Hello! my partner and i want to take my niece on a 2 night disney cruise shes 4 is there anything her mum needs to fill out letting them know i have permission to have her with me and if there is do you think it would be okay that her and her mum dont share a last name? her mum still uses her maiden name and my niece has her fathers last name unfortunately getting him to sign the forms isn't an option as he has been MIA since she was born. should i ring disney cruise lines contact number and clarify this before hand?

5 Comments
2024/10/02
09:54 UTC

6

Shows on a Four Night Cruise

I have only been on three night length Disney Cruises before. Each night there was a different show in the theatre. I'm going on a four night cruise on the Fantasy soon. I see there are three shows for the Fantasy right now. So what happens on the fourth night? Do they repeat a show? Is there just no show one night?

12 Comments
2024/10/02
00:09 UTC

0

5K Magnet and Medal Questions

I last went on a Disney Cruise in January 2023 and ran the 5K.

  1. Is the current 5K medal different from the one rewarded then?

  2. I looked, but don’t recall seeing one (because I would have bought it), but was there a 5K Mickey-shaped Magnet back then? If so, what was the design? Is there a different design now?

6 Comments
2024/10/01
23:27 UTC

0

Muscadine Wine

Is there any particular reason why ships don’t carry muscadine wines? Do they not keep well?

5 Comments
2024/10/01
14:27 UTC

3

Driving from ATL

Hi all. We are sailing on the Fantasy this weekend for our first cruise ever, and are planning to drive from Atlanta early Saturday morning. Does anybody have insight about the road conditions in the wake of Helene? We are thinking about i95, but don’t know about road closures or flooding and such. Google and GPS are not really helpful.

Any help is appreciated!

18 Comments
2024/10/01
13:32 UTC

3

Is Disney Cruise Pirate Makeover for a 3 Year Old Worth It?

We’re taking our grandson on his first Disney Cruise a week after his 3rd birthday. Just curious if anyone has done the Pirate Makeover for a 3 year old and how it went. Was it worth it? Thanks!

38 Comments
2024/10/01
13:04 UTC

6

Castaway Swimming

We have about 24 days until we head out on our HOTHS cruise! We are only getting off a Castaway Cay and are wondering what the water temp has been while swimming and what to expect potentially around Oct 25-28 weekend? Also, are the pools and splashpads on the boat and island a good temp? Our oldest ones will be fine jumping in and enjoying but our youngest is nonverbal and not able to communicate really when he is too cold or too hot. He can be sensitive to different temperatures sometimes. We plan on packing him some long sleeve swim shirts but want to know any suggestions or experiences others have had during this time of year :)

6 Comments
2024/10/01
11:35 UTC

1

Looking for a custom ornament/magnet creator

I am looking to make a few gifts for some friends we recently cruised with. I wanted to gift them an ornament or magnet that commemorates the sailing and the ports we went on.

Thought this would be a good place to solicit info since I saw so many great examples on doors and in the fish extender gift exchange.

Can anyone share where who they normally go to in order create custom keepsakes?

TIA!

3 Comments
2024/10/01
06:51 UTC

0

Magic Marriage Proposal

I’m cruising on the Magic soon, and I’m looking for some ideas on private and intimate locations on the ship/Castaway/Lookout to pop the question. Thanks in advance!

7 Comments
2024/10/01
04:27 UTC

1

Excursion Suggestions for Nassau for First Timers with 3 Teens

We are cruising in March on the Fantasy. I am wondering what would be the best experience for my family during the port day. I was thinking the water park at Atlantis would be fun but I’m not sure it’s the best option.

Also if anyone has any other suggestions for the cruise they would be greatly appreciated as I’m feeling overwhelmed as a first timer.

2 Comments
2024/10/01
02:32 UTC

5

Port Plans on Western Caribbean Cruise

Hey everyone! I'm seeking advice on making plans for each port on our trip. We will be on an upcoming DCL Western Caribbean Cruise that will stop at Cozumel, George Town, Falmouth, and Castaway Cay. Does everyone typically go with excursions/plans through Disney or are there some places where it's reasonable and a good use of the opportunity to explore other options? I am completely lost in this part of the planning process.

If it would be best to purchase excursions through Disney for each day we can do that, but if it is unnecessary to have a great experience then I'm all for saving the money. My primary concern is that I do not want us to not have a plan or itinerary for each day onshore and end up wasting the time we have just trying to figure out what to do. I also don't want to unintentionally do anything questionable or unsafe, especially since our 13-year-old daughter and her friend will be with us. Thank you in advance for any advice!

9 Comments
2024/10/01
02:14 UTC

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