The Magical Mermaid Mama

Perhaps one of the most daunting tasks of any Disney vacation is planning your wardrobe, and a Disney Cruise is no exception. Well, my friend, take a deep breath, stop stressing, and allow me to break down the basics for you.

1. Cruise Casual

When you board your Disney cruise, all of the information about your trip can be found on the Cruise Navigator (this used to be on paper but is now found on the Disney Cruise Line app, so be sure to download it ahead of time!) Unless you are going on a cruise that is 7 nights or longer (we’ll talk more about this in a minute), pretty much every night will be considered “cruise casual”. So what does that mean? Think comfortable, beachy, relaxed. Now, it is worth mentioning that most people dress up for dinner. I’m not talking ballgowns and suits, but rather a simple dress or nice pants, and men typically wear something like a polo with pants or nice shorts. Is this a mandated dress code? No, but it does feel good to clean up after a long day of playing in the sun. Also, photographers come through taking photos at the tables, so it is nice to look put together and photo ready. Ok, so what do you need to pack for “cruise causal”? In short, whatever you will be most comfortable in during the day. I personally prefer casual, cotton dresses, skirts, shorts, t-shirts, etc. I also suggest bringing at least one cover-up for daytime pool activities when you will be taking breakfast and lunch breaks. Flip flops for the pool, and at least one pair of versatile, comfortable shoes are a must.

2. Pirate Night

If you have been researching Disney Cruise Line for any length of time, you have probably stumbled upon “Pirate Night”. Pirate Night is a much beloved tradition on Disney Cruise Line. Pirate music playing on board, character greeting opportunities with Captain Jack Sparrow, Mr. Smee and Captain Hook, and of course the fab five decked out in pirate gear are just a few of the things that make it so exciting, but I’ll talk more about the specifics in a future post. For now, let’s focus on attire. Some cruisers go all out with elaborate pirate costumes while others don’t dress up at all. It really is up to you! We typically don’t dress up as pirates but accessorize with the provided pirate bandanas. If dressing up is something you’d like to do, I suggest waiting until right after Halloween to snag a pirate costume for a fabulous price. Pirate costumes for children are available on board, but they do cost a pretty penny. Whatever you decide to do, just have fun with it!

3. Formal Night

As I mentioned earlier, if you are cruising 7 nights or longer, you will likely have a designated formal night. Don’t let the word “formal” scare you. Formal night can be as simple as “Sunday Best” (think a nice dress with sandals, heels or wedges and a nice pair of pants with a nice shirt, etc) or as extravagant as evening wear. I have seen and done both! Formal night is also a great opportunity for nice family photos.

4. Specialty Dining

If you anticipate dining at Disney Cruise Line’s specialty restaurants (Palo, Remy, and Enchante), you will be required to abide by the designated dress code, which can be found on the Disney Cruise Line website. I always recommend checking the dress code on the website because they do update it, making changes you will want to be aware of. My husband and I love dining at Palo, and we always dress in Sunday’s best, nothing crazy. If you choose to disregard the dress code for specialty dining, know you will likely be denied entry. And of course, remember specialty dining is exclusively for guests ages 18 years and up.

5. Accessories

Now that we have talked about the main categories, let’s talk about the more obscure items. I do not recommend traveling with lots of jewelry. There is always the possibility things can get lost, so I recommend leaving anything you would be devastated over losing at home. Choose a couple pairs of versatile earrings and necklaces that can be worn with multiple outfits. I also bring 1 or 2 pairs neutral, versatile shoes since shoes take up a lot of space in luggage. I always bring a few pairs of Minnie ears because, you know, Disney Adult! Be sure to bring your pool time essentials. A good pair of sunglasses is an absolute must. Sun hats for littles are also a great idea.

So there you have it! Don’t overthink your wardrobe. Choose comfortable clothes that make you feel confident and photo ready!