Ahoy there, Justin! Welcome to planDisney! Thanks for sailing my way with your question!
Wow, looks like I'll have to step up my game for the "Father of the Year Award!" Maybe I can win the Midwest division for my plans to take my son on a cruise around his birthday, but you're definitely the front-runner for the Northwest Division! Haha! I know your daughters are going to be absolutely over the moon for this adventure!
I love seeing my fellow castaways' door decorations as I walk through the halls - everyone is always so creative! Whatever magic you've got up your sleeve is sure to be a wonderful addition to your time aboard the ships - plus it helps you find your way home to your stateroom! I may or may not have sworn up-and-down that 7008 was my stateroom one time - turns out it was 8007...
Back to your question! When you first embark the ship, you'll be introduced by the crew members and make your way into the atrium - from that point on, your incredible Disney Cruise Line vacation will have begun! My family and I like to head straight up to
Cabanas for lunch right after we board and then spend a bit of time exploring since staterooms usually aren't accessible until at least 1:30 p.m. at the absolute earliest - and more recently have not been ready until closer to 3:00 p.m.
So what's a clandestine door-decorator to do?
I'd suggest checking the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator App once you board to see if
Disney's Oceaneer Lab and
Disney's Oceaneer Club are having an open house sometime late in the afternoon! During open house times on embarkation day, the entire family can check out where your daughters might be spending a lot of time! This could be a great time to sneak away to your stateroom door and make some magic for your princesses to make their grand entrance into your home at sea for their birthday cruise! If they ask where you've been, you can say you got your "Port" and "Starboard" mixed up...it happens!
OH, and if you weren't aware, there are birthday-themed
Onboard Gifts available! From Celebration Cakes, snacks, and room decorations, it can extend the surprise of your door decorations into your stateroom!
Gosh, I am so excited for your family's cruise, Justin! I can't wait for you to see the look on your daughters' faces as they see the decorations you put on the door AND while you
experience everything on the cruise together! If there's a better place to make magical memories, I have yet to see it.
Thank you again for your question, Justin, and if there's absolutely anything else we can do to help as your sailing gets closer, you know where to find us here at planDisney! Here's to the open sea, open hearts, and a truly magical birthday vacation for your family - especially your daughters!
I wish you fair winds and following seas!
Andrew