Ahoy, Lynn!
Welcome aboard planDisney! I love that you’re charting your course early—planning ahead is the best way to make sure your time on the Dream is, well, a dream come true! Taking care of the details now means once you’re onboard, you can let it go and focus on the fun.
The great news is that you can absolutely
pre-pay your gratuities up to three days prior to sailing. To do so, hop into the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app and select “View All” under the Next Steps section. If you booked through a travel agent, they’ll need to handle this step for you, but it’s a simple process. My crew and I always like to pre-pay gratuities so we can budget ahead of time—then once we’re onboard, every “thank you” to the incredible Cast Members feels already wrapped with a bow, just like a present from Minnie herself.
Now, let’s talk about mobility needs. Disney Cruise Line
does not currently provide wheelchairs for the length of the voyage. They do have a limited supply available for embarkation, debarkation, and emergencies, but for your entire sailing, the best option is to bring your own or rent one through a third-party service like Special Needs at Sea or Cloud of Goods. Some companies may be able to deliver directly to the port or ship, making the process smooth sailing from the start.
If you’re planning on using an electric wheelchair or scooter, be sure to check whether your
stateroom is accessible. Space can be tight in standard staterooms, and electric devices may not fit comfortably inside. If that’s the case, you’ll find designated parking spaces around the ship where you can leave it when it’s not in use. I also recommend contacting
Disney Cruise Line’s Special Services team ahead of time. They’re kind of like Fairy Godmothers with clipboards—they’ll wave their wands to help note your needs and ensure your cruise experience is as seamless as possible.
I hope this helps you feel more at ease about planning for both gratuities and accessibility so you can focus on the magic waiting just over the horizon. Before you know it, you’ll be dining with royalty, dancing with pirates, and singing along with a mermaid or two under the sea.
Sea ya real soon as summer waves goodbye and autumn magic begins to shine,
Dustin