Hello Sarah and welcome to planDisney!
Oh, an epic vacation surprise!? Say no more! I'm a HUGE fan of surprising my kids with a Disney Cruise, and I've even surprised them as little as one hour before we had to head out to the port. I live for surprises.
The first thing you'll need to do is to choose the itinerary that you'd like to sail and your date.
Cruises to Alaska are popular and for good reason! The scenic sailing is incredible and there are some really fun
Port Adventures to take part in. The Alaskan cruises are typically offered from mid-May to mid-September and sail on the Disney Wonder from Vancouver. The itineraries for summer 2023 will likely be announced within the next few weeks. For the best stateroom availability that is often accompanied by the best price, book your cruise reservation as soon as it is open for booking. The dates you can book will be announced when the itineraries are announced. Keep an eye out on the Disney Cruise Line Website and the
Disney Parks Blog for any upcoming announcements.
Once you know your itinerary and sailing date, it's time to choose a stateroom! There are
several stateroom categories from which to choose to best suit your sailing crew. You can decide between an Inside stateroom (no windows, the least expensive option), an Oceanview stateroom (with portholes and an ocean view, and a Verandah Stateroom (with your own balcony), or for the ultimate luxury, Concierge Staterooms.
Once you pay your deposit for your selected stateroom, the planning and fun can begin! As a first-time cruiser, once your cruise fare is paid in full, you will be able to
book onboard activities 75 days prior to your sailing. These activities include Port Adventures, Spa treatments, adult-exclusive dining reservations, and more.
Don't forget to download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app after you've booked your reservation. From home, you can use the app to count down to your cruise! Once you are onboard, the app will be your handy guide to what is happening and where on the ship. You'll be able to view your daily schedule for activities for every day of your sailing and see all of the fun that will lie ahead.
There is so much fun to be had onboard and so much included in your Disney Cruise! From broadway-style entertainment, immersive spaces just for kids, relaxing adult-exclusive areas, and activities geared for all ages, there will be
something for everyone to love.
Now, all you have to worry about is how you'll be delivering the surprise. How about a few gifts filled with cruise essentials or items you might like to bring to Alaska? The final gift could be an envelope with the exciting news inside. Alternatively, you can schedule a character call for a Disney Character to announce your upcoming vacation plans!
If you are looking for more planning help, you can check out the
cruise planning tools on the Disney Cruise Line website, search through answers from Guests on the planDisney website, or sail back and ask us any more questions that you may have. We are here to help you have the BEST CRUISE EVER!
Happy Planning and Happy Surprising,
Adrianna