Ahoy, Maria Dolores! Welcome to planDisney, where we aim to answer all of your questions about sailing where magic meets the sea.
There are so many different activities found onboard Disney Cruise Line, but only certain types of activities require any type of reservation. Advanced reservations are only available for port adventures, adult-exclusive dining options, spa and fitness offerings, nursery time, and certain “onboard fun” activities, such as beverage tasting seminars, Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointments, and some special character events. The exact onboard activities will vary by ship, itinerary, and sailing date.
You can start making reservations for these types of activities once your cruise balance is paid in full and your
advance booking window opens, which is determined by your
Castaway Club membership level or status as a concierge guest. If you are a first-time guest, then the advance booking window opens 75 days prior to sail date, but the earliest advance booking window opens 130 days prior to sail date for concierge guests. Activities can be booked online or through the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App when your advance booking window opens, but may also be available onboard your ship subject to availability. Please note that sailings aboard the Disney Adventure from Singapore have
different reservation policies than those used for the rest of the fleet.
The good news is that you do not need to make any sort of advanced reservations for the vast majority of activities offered by Disney Cruise Line, including the Broadway-style shows, deck parties, game shows, and other entertainment offerings. Once you arrive at your departure port on embarkation day, you will be able to connect to the ship’s wi-fi and access the full schedule of events for your entire sailing in the Navigator App. Although Disney Cruise Line offers internet packages for sale, access to the Navigator App via wi-fi is complimentary for all guests. During your sailing, you can keep track of your desired activities under “My Plans” by using the “Add Activities” button to your personal schedule. Adding an activity does not create any type of reservation, but it does help you manage your plans each day.
I hope that clarifies what types of reservations can be made in advance and eases some of your concerns about having to book everything. I’m sure that you will have many more questions before you set sail next year, so feel free to reach back out to me and my pals at planDisney. Happy sailing!
Catherine