25 Magical Activities to Do Aboard a Disney Cruise Line Vacation

This year, Disney Cruise Line is celebrating its Silver Anniversary at Sea! That’s 25 years of adventures, fun family memories and aquatic enchantment. In honor of the occasion, we’ve compiled a list of 25 of our favorite things to do during a Disney cruise, including ways you can take advantage of your Disney® Visa® Credit Card perks to make the most of your getaway.

1. Snap photos of Characters in cruise attire

Everybody needs a cute cruise outfit, and Disney Characters are no different. For a unique photo, get your picture taken together with some favorite pals in the special attire they wear at sea, whether it’s snowflake sweaters for the holidays, spooky costumes for Halloween or the sparkling uniforms that Captains Mickey and Minnie Mouse are donning for the Silver Anniversary at Sea.

2. Get a massage (and save 20%!)

Get pampered in Senses Spa & Salon and treat yourself to a wide range of blissful beauty treatments. On port days, use your Disney Visa Card to receive 20% off non-discounted facials and massages, like a detoxifying ELEMIS Aroma Spa Seaweed Massage or an energizing Thai Herbal Poultice Massage.¹

3. Join the Sailing Away Deck Party

It’s anchors away at the Sailing Away Deck Party! Count down to the blast of the ship’s horn signaling that it’s time to set sail, and then take part in interactive dance numbers as you get your cruise started on the right foot. Keep an eye out for Captain Mickey and other Characters.

4. Book a makeover for your little one

Reserve an appointment for your little one to get an enchanting makeover as a princess, knight, sea captain or pirate at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Their storybook fantasies will come to life when they see their transformation! Packages can include hairstyling, makeup, costumes and more.

5. Catch a live show

You won’t want to miss the live entertainment you can take in on Disney Cruise Line. Head to your ship’s theater for incredible live productions like The Little Mermaid, a modern twist on the iconic tale, and original musicals like Tangled: The Musical, based on the animated classic.

6. Sing along to the new signature song

Disney Cruise Line is debuting a brand-new signature song, “Shimmering Seas,” for its Silver Anniversary at Sea. Dance, clap and sing along to this joyous tune that will serve as the soundtrack for the summer celebration. And don’t forget to save it to your playlists, too!

7. Splash in the pool

What’s a vacation without a pool? Disney Cruise Line has some incredible onboard pools with fun features like geysers, whirlpool spas, fountains and more. There are splashtastic play areas for kids and serene quiet areas for anyone who wants their cares to float away.

8. Whoosh down a water ride

Get your heart pumping on one of Disney Cruise Line’s wild water rides. Plunge three stories down the Disney Magic’s AquaDunk waterslide, zip through the AquaDuck as it carries you all around the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, and experience Disney’s first attraction at sea, AquaMouse, on the Disney Wish.

9. Lounge on the deck

If you’re taking a cruise, there’s no sense being stuck inside, so head up to your ship’s deck to commune with the open ocean. Lay back in a lounge chair to enjoy the sun or breathe in the fresh salty air and gaze out at the watery world before you.

10. Dine in Disney style

The high seas meet high cuisine in Disney Cruise Line restaurants, where you can dine on French fare, Asian entrees, Cajun cooking and other foods from around the world. Savor an elegant meal in one of your ship’s upscale restaurants or pop into a casual eatery for a burger or ice cream when you just need a quick snack.

11. Sip and savor delicious drinks

In addition to their restaurants, Disney ships have some great venues where you can relax with a beer, cocktail or glass of wine. Whether you want a pint of lager and sports on the big screen, a flute of Champagne and bubbly conversation, or even to take part in a whiskey tasting, you’re sure to find something that will lift your spirits.

12. Do a professional photo shoot

For Disney vacation memories that will last a lifetime, why not hire one of the professional photographers onboard every Disney Cruise Line ship? From candid pics and studio portraits to shoots in the ship’s most iconic spots, they’ll capture special moments that you can reminisce about for years to come. And best of all, you can save 10% on non-discounted digital photo packages when you use your Disney Visa Card.²

13. Ooh and aah at a fireworks display

To celebrate its 25^th anniversary, Disney Cruise Line is adding a second night of fireworks to most cruises of four nights or more in the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mediterranean this summer. Marvel at the shimmering colors in the sky and don’t forget to look down to see them reflected in the water, too!

14. Work up a sweat in the fitness center

Stay in shipshape on your cruise by working out in the onboard gym. Personal trainers, yoga classes, state-of-the-art equipment and nutritional guidance are just a few of the things that will help you feel your best. Stunning ocean views provide all the motivation you need.

15. Pick up some fun maritime merch

You’ll get 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more aboard Disney Cruise Line ships when you use your Disney Visa Card, meaning a cruise is a great opportunity to snag some souvenirs to take home.³ Pop into Mickey’s Main Sail or one of the other onboard shops for a Captain Mickey plush or signature Disney Cruise Line collectibles that are only available on Disney ships.

16. Spend some family time in D Lounge

If you’re on a family vacation, be sure to take advantage of all the fun on offer in your ship’s festive family club: D Lounge (or Luna if sailing on the Disney Wish). Show off your family’s smarts in a trivia game or bust a move in a dance contest as you make memories together.

17. Party like a pirate

Break out your inner buccaneer on Pirate Night, Disney Cruise Line’s most swashbuckling celebration. After a pirate-themed dinner, head to your ship’s pool deck for fireworks, games, a pirate show and dancing with some favorite Disney Characters.

18. Let loose in a nightclub

Disney ships have tons of options for adult-exclusive after-dinner fun. Head to your ship’s nightclub to dance the night away, take in some live music, sing karaoke or crack up at a comedy show.

19. Relax in your stateroom

There’s more to do on a Disney ship than you can fit in one vacation, but sometimes you need to chill for a bit. Fortunately, Disney Cruise Line staterooms are perfectly designed for downtime with families in mind. Take a nap on your bed’s comfy Euro-top mattress or watch a movie on your LCD flat-screen TV—all while enjoying the enchanting decor and Disney touches

20. Play in a youth club

Kids have places all their own on Disney Cruise Line. Guests between 3 and 12 years old can visit Disney’s Oceaneer Club for storytelling, dress-up activities and an incredible playground, and Characters come to stay and play inventive games at Disney’s Oceaneer Lab. Tweens will want to spend time in Edge, a cool hangout with TVs and computers, while older teens can chill out with music and video games in Vibe.

21. Have a date night

While Disney cruises are perfect for family vacations, they’re also great for couples and provide plenty of opportunities for parents to get some time to themselves. While the kids are at a youth club, you can sneak off to the spa for a couples massage, have a romantic dinner in one of the adults-only restaurants, kick back with a cocktail and live music in an onboard lounge, or head up to the deck for starlit stroll.

22. Go stargazing

You’ll never see the stars the same way you can see them at sea. On the open ocean, miles away from any other lights, the night sky glows in a jewel-like display. Lay on a deck chair, gaze up, search for constellations and if you see a shooting star, don’t forget to make a wish!

23. Make new friends

With so many fun activities and opportunities to meet new people, Disney cruises are the perfect place to befriend other Disney fans and form a lifelong connection. Who knows? You and your new bud might even want to plan your next cruise together.

24. Have an adventure on Disney Castaway Cay

Save 10% when you use your Disney Visa Card to purchase a Castaway Cay Getaway Package and enjoy Disney’s private island in the Bahamas.⁴ With your package, you can rent a float or inner-tube, bike across tropical terrain and snorkel in crystal clear water.

25. Explore the world

Disney cruises are not only relaxing, but they also give you a way to explore the globe, see incredible sights and learn about new places. Sail through the fjords of Norway, experience the rich culture of Italy and discover wonders in Alaska. Wherever you go, you’ll find a world of magic.

These 25 ideas should get you started, but don’t think the onboard activities stop there. There’s no end to the fun you can have on Disney Cruise Line! If you’re planning your own vacation, don’t forget that your Disney Visa Card can help make things easier by letting you take advantage of special vacation financing.⁵ We’ll see you at sea!