Ahoy, Heather!
What a magical idea to bring your grandson along on your Disney cruise! Watching the little ones experience the wonder of a Disney ship for the first time is pure pixie dust. My youngest was around the same age on one of our first cruises, and those wide-eyed looks at every surprise onboard are memories we’ll always treasure.
Let’s dive into your question! The answer is likely yes—but there are a few important factors to keep in mind:
1. Stateroom and Capacity
Each stateroom has a maximum Guest capacity, and Disney Cruise Line carefully follows those limits for safety and lifeboat requirements. Most Disney staterooms accommodate at least three Guests, but occasionally, specific rooms may be restricted to fewer due to their location or setup. If your reservation includes a restricted fare like a Guaranteed Stateroom where Disney assigns your room, you may need to call Disney Cruise Line (or your travel agent) to check availability and add your grandson.
2. Pricing and Fees
When adding a Guest to an existing reservation, you’ll pay the current cruise fare for your grandson as of the day you make the change—not the rate you booked initially. While changes typically don’t incur service fees, if they are made close to the sailing date, there might be additional charges, so it’s best to make the adjustment sooner rather than later.
You can check online to see if you can modify your reservation by visiting the Disney Cruise Line website. Go to the “My Reservations” section under “Already Booked” and look for the “Modify Reservation” link. If the option isn’t available online, a quick call to Disney Cruise Line should set everything in motion.
3. Minor Authorization Form
Since your grandson is traveling with you and not his parent(s) or legal guardian, Disney Cruise Line requires a completed Minor Authorization Form for him to sail. This document provides permission for you to supervise him onboard, debark with him at ports, and even authorize medical treatment in case of an emergency. Be sure to have this signed and ready to go before embarkation day.
Bonus Tip for Sailing with a 3-Year-Old
If your grandson isn’t fully potty-trained yet, keep in mind that only toilet-trained kids can use the pools, Oceaneer Club, and Oceaneer Lab. If he’s not quite there yet, Disney offers the “it’s a small world” nursery! for younger cruisers, which is a wonderful place to play and explore.
Bringing your grandson aboard will make your cruise even more magical. Just imagine the smile on his face when he meets Captain Mickey or his favorite Disney pals! Wishing you fair winds, smooth seas, and a whole lot of Disney magic with your little first mate!
Sea ya real soon with pixie dust and ocean breezes,
Dustin