Disney Cruise Excursions Tips for Booking

Our love for Disney Cruises grow a little each time we set sail. And yet, every time we do, we learn something new. Disney Cruise Excursions come in all shapes and sizes, offering up the most fun each port has to offer. They also, however, come in a wide range of costs, and types of experiences. And if you’re on a budget, you may just explore the ports on your own. But for some places, like Europe or Alaska, Disney Cruise Excursions are a must. As such, we thought we’d share all our best tips, so that you can make the most of your cruise, without breaking the bank.

Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures

A Disney Cruise Excursion, otherwise known as Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures, are add-ons you can book. Everything from a guided tour of a nature trail in Skagway, to a pirate museum trip in the Bahamas can be added to your Disney Cruise Trip.

Since many times, we are choosing a Disney cruise based on its itinerary, it’s important for us to make the most of each port stop. Now that doesn’t always mean booking tons of excursions. It could also mean just looking up lists of things to do in each port so that we know where we’re headed when we step off the ship.

Luckily, many cruise ports are set up for tourists, so there are usually plenty of walkable things to do, but that’s not the case in all ports, and it’s best to do your research ahead of time.

While we love having the freedom of being on our own there is a lot of value to port excursions. Especially if they are places you never been before. This was absolutely the case when we planned our Disney Cruise to Alaska. We wanted to learn all about the Gold Rush, and the Wildlife, the Native Tribes, and the Rainforest. But we wouldn’t have been able to tackle all of that on our own.

So after spending a lot of time researching cruise excursions specific to our cruise, we decided to create a little list. You can use these Disney Cruise Excursion tips for ANY cruise. Hopefully this helps you decide when to book an excursion and when you can skip it. And how to get the cheapest and best options for your Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures while you’re at it.

Choose Your Disney Cruise Line Port Adventures

First things first is to get a handle on what ports your Disney Cruise will stop at. If you have booked your cruise, there will be a list of stops to research. But you can also head to the Disney Cruise Port Adventures Page and select your cruise location. Just scroll to the Cruise Destinations area and click the one for your cruise destination. From there, you’ll be able to see all the Port Adventures available for each port stop. Everything from snorkeling at Castaway Cay to Dog Sledding by Helicopter can be found in Disney Cruise Port Excursion Lists. Be sure to find the list of port adventures available on your cruise, and decide which may work you and your family.

Plan to Book Disney Cruise Excursions Early

Whether you’re going somewhere you’ve been before or somewhere completely new, start your research early. Decide what you’d like to do in each port, and whether or not you plan to get off the boat. Knowing this info BEFORE your Activity Booking window opens is crucial, as some port adventures will sell out. Be ready. You’ll be able to book your Disney Cruise Excursion as stated per your Castaway Club Status.

Disney Cruise Excursions Booking Window

• Silver Member: 90 Days prior to sailing
• Gold Member: 105 days prior to sailing
• Platinum Member: 120 days prior to sailing
• Pearl Member: 123 days prior to sailing

Each level has its own booking window, and it opens up at midnight on the day of allowed booking. Being one of the first people to sign on during your booking window can literally mean you can board earlier or snag that coveted cruise excursion. 

Set a Budget Limit

Make a budget and use it as a guide as excursion prices can be all over the place. From $25 a person to $1000 you’ll see Disney Excursions that range from bike rentals to private yacht parties. We recommend you be ready with a budget number in mind, so you have an idea of what will work. Rank your favorite Disney Cruise Excursions, and talk through options with your family ahead of time.

Consider the Length of the Excursion

Every port day includes a set number of hours in each port. While an Alaska port stop may be a nice 8 hour day, a Bahamas port stop may be closer to 6 hours. This will affect which Disney Cruise Excursions make the most sense. Decide how much time you’re ok with being in the port. Or how much time you’re willing to be on the boat in each port. While we think every port deserves to be explored, sometimes you’ll find certain places you’d rather stay on the boat.

Remember too that when the ship is docked at port, there are limited things to do on board. Of course you can always have pool time, food, and take part in a few activities. That said, an emptier ship may be just what you were hoping for.

Some Ports Have Enough to Do without Excursions

If you’re traveling to towns, or cities right near the cruise dock, you may find that a Port Adventure isn’t necessary. For example in Juneau, Alaska, there were shops, restaurants, museums, parks, and even entertainment within walking distance of the pier. But if you’re traveling to Nassau, and want to go to Atlantis…then you’ll need to book an excursion for that.

Similarly, in Alaska and Europe, some things like Museums, National Parks, Glaciers, and Historical Landmarks were no where near the port, and warranted us booking an excursion, or a tour company to get to those places. Plus, part of the joy of taking a cruise is the destination. So getting off the boat to explore is a must do in most cases, whether it’s on your own or with a guide.

Join a Disney Cruise Facebook Group

Did you know that EVERY Disney Cruise Sailing has a Facebook Group? We can definitely say there is so much value to being in a Cruise Specific Facebook group ( even if you’re not a FB person). Not only can you ask questions about different Ports of Call, or different Disney Cruise Excursions, but you can also see what else other people are asking. Things you may not have even thought of! You can sign up to be part of a Fish Extender Group, get the best tips of what to order at the restaurants, or see who else may be taking advantage of the kid’s clubs. This is such an invaluable tool, as soon as you book, be sure to add it to your list of things to do.

Use a Disney Travel Agent for Your Disney Cruise

Don’t want to stay up until midnight to book your port excursions? Make someone else do it! Disney Travel Agents are 100% free to use, and can offer EVERYTHING you need to know before you go. They can book your excursions for you, and if by chance something you want sells out, your Disney Travel agent can keep an eye out for any new openings. 

Know When Payment is Due for Disney Cruise Excursions

For most excursions booked through Disney Cruise Line, your payment for excursions will be due when you settle your onboard account on the cruise. So if you’re still seeing some sticker shock from making your final payment, never fear, you still have some time to save up the extra money for your excursions if you need to. Also, remember, that most cruise excursions can be cancelled within 3 days of your sailing without penalty. But again, keep an eye on your cancellation dates to avoid any unwanted fees. 

Consider Booking Excursions and Tours Directly

If you missed out on your top Disney Cruise Excursions pick or are just looking to save a few extra bucks, be sure to check out reputable third party options at your port! Because while it is easy to just book the trolley tour, or rainforest walk through Disney, those places also have websites all their own, which allow you to book directly.

While this may not seem like the best idea when you’re traveling somewhere new, finding a reputable third party tourist company can be a lot easier than it sounds. Remember that Facebook Group I mentioned earlier? Many of the members in those groups have invaluable information. And can offer first hand recommendations of the best tour companies at each port, transportation options, and more.

Third parties can also offer excursions and experiences that maybe aren’t offered through Disney Cruise Line. And they are worth checking out for that reason alone! Disney Cruise Line often just partners with local companies to offer the excursions anyway. And when you book directly, you can often just get them cheaper. If booking with a third party always keep an eye on the time (so you don’t miss the boat) and read the fine print!

Keep Trying for the Popular Excursions

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Remember that phrase? Yep it works here too. Sometimes people book Disney Cruise Excursions and then have to cancel later. Or sometimes people cancel their entire cruise, making any excursions associated with their reservation become available. Just like Disney Dining reservations, cancellations happen all the time. And it could mean a Disney Cruise Line excursion you’ve been hoping for might just open up for you at the right time. So, of you’re holding out for that special train ride, or dog sledding excursion, keep trying.

And believe it or not, there are also usually spots that open up while once you’re on the ship. We recommend checking in the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app when you first arrive onboard for any excursions you’ve been eyeing. There may be available openings.  You can also check with Guest Services, and the Port Adventures desk when you arrive. They are always busiest the first day, so check the app first.

Adult Classes and Activities Fill Up Fast

Here’s a tip. Any of the onboard fun activities that include alcohol will generally go quite fast. So if you want to get in on a Bourbon or Wine tasting, try to secure that early. Champagne and Chocolate pairing classes sell out fastest. Again, you can double check excursions and activities in the Disney Cruise App as soon as you get onboard to snag what you can.

Tips for Booking Excursions on a Disney Cruise

There you have it! We hope these tips make planning a Disney Cruise a little less stressful! And always remember, you’re going on a Disney Cruise, so its going to be fabulous no matter what you do! Happy Sailing!