Packing your carryon day bag for your first Disney Cruise can be a bit challenging, but it should also be one of the most important items you pack as you prepare for your trip. Because the Magical Express takes your bags for you when you get off your plane in Orlando International Airport and delivers them to the cruise, there is often several hours between the time you board the ship and the time they deliver your bags.
Here are a few things to consider as you begin to pack that I would consider essentials:
1. Digital camera - If you leave this in your luggage, you won't be able to take your first pictures of your vacation until much later and you will not be able to take pictures of the send off celebration.
2. Sandals - I made the mistake of dressing comfortably for my flight considering we were up before the sun, I was tired, and I didn't want to be cold on the plane, but I forgot to pack sandals. This meant I either had to walk around the whole ship in my bathing suit and fuzzy moccasins or barefoot.
3. Sunglasses - If you plan to hang out on the upper decks soaking in the sun, playing mini golf, having a drink, or relaxing in the pool, you may wish you had these.
4. One shorts-based outfit - Once again, I only threw my bathing suit in my day bag, so I either had to wear my Disney wedding velour outfit that I traveled in or my bathing suit until my luggage arrived. This might be a great idea to change into before you actually board the ship as well because they take your picture as you board.
5. One nice dinner outfit - You may also want to pack one formal dinner outfit in a day bag just in case your luggage doesn't arrive by the time your dinner seating rolls around. This is highly unlikely, but it's possible, especially if you have the main dining rotation.
6. Medications
7. Passport and travel documentation
8. Autograph books - If you are traveling with children, when you board the ship is a great time to get character photos and autographs. As soon as you disembark from port you can buy one duty free, or you can pack your own and save your money for other exciting souvenirs.
Things you can leave in your checked luggage or not pack at all because you definitely won't need them:
Checked luggage:
2. Money - While on board the ship, you only pay with your key card that gets you into your stateroom. Cash won't be needed until you disembark somewhere other than Castaway Cay.
3. PJs - Your bags should arrive before you go to sleep for the evening, so go ahead and leave that in your luggage.
Don't pack at all:
1. Beach towels - These are readily available to all guests on the ship--in fact, just leave these home. Why waste precious space in your luggage that you can fill with souvenirs later?
2. Power Converters - You won't need these on board
3. Hair Dryer - One is provided for you
4. Iron - Not allowed on board as it is a fire hazard.
Here are a few things to consider as you begin to pack that I would consider essentials:
1. Digital camera - If you leave this in your luggage, you won't be able to take your first pictures of your vacation until much later and you will not be able to take pictures of the send off celebration.
2. Sandals - I made the mistake of dressing comfortably for my flight considering we were up before the sun, I was tired, and I didn't want to be cold on the plane, but I forgot to pack sandals. This meant I either had to walk around the whole ship in my bathing suit and fuzzy moccasins or barefoot.
3. Sunglasses - If you plan to hang out on the upper decks soaking in the sun, playing mini golf, having a drink, or relaxing in the pool, you may wish you had these.
4. One shorts-based outfit - Once again, I only threw my bathing suit in my day bag, so I either had to wear my Disney wedding velour outfit that I traveled in or my bathing suit until my luggage arrived. This might be a great idea to change into before you actually board the ship as well because they take your picture as you board.
5. One nice dinner outfit - You may also want to pack one formal dinner outfit in a day bag just in case your luggage doesn't arrive by the time your dinner seating rolls around. This is highly unlikely, but it's possible, especially if you have the main dining rotation.
6. Medications
7. Passport and travel documentation
8. Autograph books - If you are traveling with children, when you board the ship is a great time to get character photos and autographs. As soon as you disembark from port you can buy one duty free, or you can pack your own and save your money for other exciting souvenirs.
Things you can leave in your checked luggage or not pack at all because you definitely won't need them:
Checked luggage:
2. Money - While on board the ship, you only pay with your key card that gets you into your stateroom. Cash won't be needed until you disembark somewhere other than Castaway Cay.
3. PJs - Your bags should arrive before you go to sleep for the evening, so go ahead and leave that in your luggage.
Don't pack at all:
1. Beach towels - These are readily available to all guests on the ship--in fact, just leave these home. Why waste precious space in your luggage that you can fill with souvenirs later?
2. Power Converters - You won't need these on board
3. Hair Dryer - One is provided for you
4. Iron - Not allowed on board as it is a fire hazard.