Ahoy, Sheila!
I am so glad you have found the Disney Parks Moms Panel to ask your question! Packing for a cruise can be a tricky thing. Since you are sailing on a 4-Night cruise on the Disney Dream, there will be one optional dress-up night. On this night, you will see everything from ball gowns and tuxedos (my attire of choice) to sundresses and polos with khakis. It is completely up to you whether or not you would like to dress up.
You can also expect a
Pirate Night, where you will see many of your fellow cruisers dressed to the nines in their pirate garb. Eye patches, hats with feathers, and boots abound on most Pirate Nights. Many cruisers opt to wear pirate t-shirts with their Disney Cruise Line Pirates IN the Caribbean bandana, which will be in your stateroom in time for dinner on Pirate Night.
For any night on your voyage,
cruise casual attire is appropriate. This simply means no swimwear or tank tops allowed in the dining rooms. It is your vacation, so you should wear what you are comfortable in. I will recommend bringing a light jacket or sweater, as I am usually chilly in the main dining rooms.
Please note: if you choose to dine at one of the adult-exclusive restaurants, Palo or Remy, different attire is required.
I have found that laundry onboard is very reasonably priced, at around $4 to do a complete load. I recommend bringing some laundry soap "pods" from home, to save the expense of buying it.
I hope this helps with your cruise packing and planning! Please let us know if you have further questions as your trip gets closer.
Happy Cruising, Tracy V.