How I Planned Our Disney Cruise: Tips for Staying Organized and Stress-Free

Hello, beautiful souls! 🌸

As a self-proclaimed planner, few things excite me more than organizing a trip—especially a Disney Cruise! After completing one incredible cruise and with another just weeks away, I feel more organized and confident than ever. Planning doesn’t just help the trip go smoothly—it makes the journey to embarkation day part of the fun! Here’s how I stayed organized and kept my sanity while planning our magical voyages.

Plan as Early as Possible

For our first cruise, we chose the sailing in March 2023, even though we didn’t embark until April 2024. This gave us over a year to prepare. By planning early, we could thoughtfully budget, research everything we’d need, and ensure we had time to anticipate and save for any surprises.

Set Alarms on Your Calendar

The Disney Cruise Line has specific dates for checking in, booking activities, and selecting port adventures. These dates are crucial if you want to secure popular activities, like meeting characters or snagging the perfect excursion. I added these dates to my calendar with alarms so I wouldn’t forget. Staying on top of these deadlines allowed us to book the things that mattered most.

Make a Travel Binder

Creating both a physical and digital travel binder has been a game-changer. This binder holds all our travel documents, confirmation numbers, and itineraries. It ensures we have everything we need in one place, so there’s no scrambling at the last minute. Keep an eye out for an upcoming post where I’ll break down exactly what goes into my travel binder!

Set a Budget and Timelines

Budgeting is key when planning a Disney Cruise. For our first cruise, I wanted everything paid off before Christmas. This gave us January through March to set money aside for excursions, shopping, and unexpected expenses.

We used a budget binder and followed the envelope method:

• Each envelope was labeled (e.g., shopping, hotels, excursions) with notes detailing the goal and remaining balance.

• If we received extra money or Disney Gift Cards (which we asked for as gifts for holidays and special occasions), we divided it among the envelopes or focused on completing one category at a time.

This method made budgeting tangible and kept us on track!

Prioritize What Matters Most

On our first cruise, I wanted to see every character—Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Chip and Dale, the princesses, Captain Jack Sparrow… the list went on. But I quickly realized trying to see everyone left me frazzled and missing out on other moments.

This time, I’m being more intentional. My focus is on the characters my son recognizes and loves the most—the main six (Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto). Anything beyond that is a bonus.

Similarly, I’ve learned to let go of rigid excursion plans. For example, on our first cruise, I was devastated when our glass-bottom boat tour was canceled. But that day turned into a blessing—we took our time getting to Castaway Cay, explored shops, played in the sand, and made memories we’ll cherish forever. For our upcoming cruise, I’ve decided not to book anything for our day at Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, leaving room for spontaneity.

Final Words of Advice

Here are my golden rules for Disney Cruise planning:

1. Take Notes – Keep track of important dates, deadlines, and activities.

2. Communicate – Talk with your group to make sure everyone’s on the same page.

3. Stay Flexible – Plans may change, but the magic of Disney is in the moments you don’t expect.

I hope these tips help you as much as they’ve helped me. Planning a Disney Cruise can feel overwhelming, but with a little organization, it becomes a joyful and rewarding process. Whether you’re on your first cruise or your tenth, staying organized ensures you can focus on what truly matters—making magical memories with your loved ones.

Wishing you smooth seas and unforgettable adventures,

Mana ✨🚢🌟