To help you stay organized and on top of things when planning a Disney Cruise, here’s a simple timeline and checklist that highlights key points, dates, tasks, and important deadlines.
Jump to:
- Disney Cruise Timeline and Checklist
- 16 Months Before Cruise
- 12 Months Before Cruise
- 6 Months Before Cruise
- 4 to 3 Months Before Cruise
- Concierge Staterooms Only
- Pearl Castaway Club Members Only
- Platinum Castaway Club Members Only
- Gold Castaway Club Members Only
- Silver Castaway Club Members Only
- First Time Cruises Only
- 40 to 30 Days Before Cruise
- 1 Week Before Cruise
- Day of Cruise
Disney Cruise Timeline and Checklist
Here is my ideal timeline for planning a Disney Cruise:
16 Months Before Cruise
This is when you should start booking or at least researching upcoming cruise itineraries, especially for the summer.
Book and/or Research Summer Cruises
- This is the best time to start booking your cruise and secure the best stateroom possible
- This is when the cheapest staterooms are still available
- The more popular sailings like Greece, Fiji, and Hawaii can sell out pretty far in advance especially if you’re looking at a Concierge Stateroom
12 Months Before Cruise
Technically, this is when Disney recommends that you start researching and booking your next cruise.
Decide Where You Wanna Go
- Research destinations you want to sail to. You’ll also want to consider the following:
- Ship
- Ports of Call
- What excursions are offered
- Departure port
- Type of stateroom
Book Your Cruise
- It’s time to pull the trigger and book your Disney Cruise
6 Months Before Cruise
This is the best time to start booking flights, if needed.
Book the Flights
- If you have to fly to your departure port, this is the time to start booking flights
- If your cruise starts in Europe or Australia, this is a great time to snag those plane tickets
4 to 3 Months Before Cruise
It’s time to book your activities.
- Excursions (Port Adventures)
- Adult exclusive dining like Palo
- Spa
- Onboard activities
- Beach cabanas
That said, the exact number of days in advance that you can book these activities depends on your Castaway Club Membership level or if you’re a first time Disney cruiser.
Concierge Staterooms Only
This is only if you’re staying in a Concierge Stateroom.
130 Days Before Cruise
- Concierge team will email you to introduce themselves and to let you know when you can start requesting activities that you want booked
125 Days Before Cruise
- At 12:00 am EST on the dot, email the concierge team and request all of the activities and excursions you need booked
- cabanas
- spa treatments
- adult-exclusive restaurants
- onboard activities
- excursions
- Concierge guests get early access to activity planning before everyone else, regardless of Castaway Club status
Pearl Castaway Club Members Only
This is only if you’re a Peal Castaway Club member.
123 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to book online all of your onboard activities and excursions
40 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to online check-in which is where you can select your port arrival time, register your kids for the youth clubs, and more.
Platinum Castaway Club Members Only
This is only if you’re a Platinum Castaway Club member.
120 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to book online all of your onboard activities and excursions
38 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to online check-in which is where you can select your port arrival time, register your kids for the youth clubs, and more.
Gold Castaway Club Members Only
This is only if you’re a Gold Castaway Club Member.
105 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to book online all of your onboard activities and excursions
35 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to online check-in which is where you can select your port arrival time, register your kids for the youth clubs, and more.
Silver Castaway Club Members Only
This is only if you’re a Silver Castaway Club member.
90 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to book online all of your onboard activities and excursions
33 Days Before Cruise
- Early access to online check-in which is where you can select your port arrival time, register your kids for the youth clubs, and more.
First Time Cruises Only
This is only if it’s your first time on a Disney Cruise.
75 Days Before Cruise
- Start booking online all of your onboard activities and excursions
40 Days Before Cruise
- This is when online check-in is available for you to select your port arrival time, register your kids for the youth clubs, and more.
40 to 30 Days Before Cruise
This is when you can start checking in for your cruise online.
Online Check-In
- At the 30 day mark you can start the check-in process for your cruise
1 Week Before Cruise
This is when the fun starts!
Pack
- It’s time to pack for your upcoming cruise finally!
Day of Cruise
The big day is here!
Make Sure You Have Everything You need
- Don’t forget the passports, IDs, sunglasses, sunscreen, swimsuits, flip flops, phone chargers, cash, diapers, etc.
Arrive at the Port On Time
- Make sure you arrive at the port during your selected port arrival time (you choose this time when you start the online check-in process)
…
Well that’s it, hope this helps with your Disney Cruise planning!
