Ahoy there Natasha and welcome aboard - I'm happy to wish you a warm welcome to planDisney!
As a seasoned sailor who has
traversed the Panama Canal a number of times, I'm so glad that you've chosen to bring your little first-time seafarer along for this journey between continents and oceans! As you embark on your
14-Night Very Merrytime Eastbound Panama Canal Cruise from San Diego ending in Galveston, you can expect a string of Sea Days along the way which can seem daunting to some but to those in the know this is an opportunity for some very unique experiences on board!
In fact, I absolutely treasure longer itineraries because it allows for a greater range of activities beyond the usual and expected rotation that Disney Cruise Line has perfected for those shorter runs; you might find special scheduled activities and even adult-exclusive events in
the themed youth spaces late at night! But speaking of
Disney's Oceaneer Club and
Disney's Oceaneer Lab on the Disney Magic, I highly recommend from personal experience that you should introduce your child to these spaces earlier on this voyage and take advantage of the additional Open House time that tends to open up more frequently so that you can enjoy them together as a family! I've observed kids making some incredibly lasting memories with so many special character experiences during secured programming along with the extra time and dedication they receive just by the nature of a lengthier cruise. (I find that spending a lot of time at sea tends to create strong bonds between seafarers and best friendships form quickly in these spaces when the kids spend more than a week playing together every day!)
Another thing I can suggest is being flexible with your sleep schedules during your voyage, as these crossings tend to occur between several time zones and necessitate a constant change to the ship's onboard clocks. Take the rare opportunity to enjoy nighttime escapades together as a family or showtimes that you wouldn't otherwise take advantage of on land. On the subject of snoozing, pack some fun sleepwear for your child in the event that there will be an overnight slumber party in the youth spaces typically exclusive to these longer voyages! There's an extra-unique bit of Disney magic having Characters and Princesses come around to read bedtime stories and wish you goodnight that can only be experienced here.
It's important to note that the
official Prohibited and Restricted Items list does indicate that guests bringing either sleep machines or white noise machines may require approval from the Chief Electrician just to ensure that they are safe for use on board; fire and electrical safety is of high importance on any sailing vessel so it would make sense that they'd want to be sure of anything that remains plugged in while its user is unconscious.
I hope that this helps, Natasha! I wish you well on your upcoming voyage and don't hesitate to
sail back over to planDisney for any more tips or advice ahead of your family adventure.
Bon voyage!
Prince