Ahoy there, Louis! Thanks for sailing by planDisney with your question. You sound a lot like me...I love to shop too! It’s such a fun way to bring a little of the magic from your cruise home.
One of my favorite things about
shopping onboard is that the merchandise is exclusive to Disney Cruise Line guests. You won’t find it in the parks or even online! Certain items, like inaugural voyage souvenirs or seasonal pieces, can sell out quickly, and I personally love collecting the ship-specific merchandise.
However, there’s no need to rush onboard early for shopping. The onboard stores are actually closed while the ship is in port, including during embarkation day. They don’t open until the ship sets sail and reaches international waters, which is usually around 6 PM on the first night. Also, the shops are closed on disembarkation morning, so I always recommend doing your shopping before the final night. It gets super busy after that night's show in The Walt Disney Theater when everyone heads straight to
Mickey’s Mainsail for some last-minute souvenirs!
And one last tip from experience, if you see something you love, get it when you can! Sometimes the crew brings out new items throughout the sailing, especially themed to your itinerary or Pirate Night, but popular pieces may disappear off the shelves in the first few days.
Hope that helps you plan your perfect shopping adventure, Louis!
Sea ya real soon,
Eean