Going on first ever Disney Cruise!

[TripleB909]

Hello everyone. This post is about my first Disney Cruise in January of 2025. My dream boat since I was a little kid and now I finally get to go on it and I cannot contain my excitement! I just want to know some tips because I've been researching for a while now. My main thing is the characters! Especially Goofy! I heard it's easier to meet the characters on the cruise then it is at the parks. I heard they can be spotted in random areas with little to no lines. Though you can go by the app but still just thought of them running into them randomly is awesome. How long do they stay out for? I know most things on some cruise ships end by 11pm and nothing after that which I don't mind. What about the private island? How is it? Do they roam the island too? I'm sorry I just have so many questions but these are the few I have for now. Will I be out of place seeing the characters? I just heard it's completely different from the parks. Thanks in advance!

 

[Calantha]

Hello everyone. This post is about my first Disney Cruise in January of 2025. My dream boat since I was a little kid and now I finally get to go on it and I cannot contain my excitement! I just want to know some tips because I've been researching for a while now. My main thing is the characters! Especially Goofy! I heard it's easier to meet the characters on the cruise then it is at the parks. I heard they can be spotted in random areas with little to no lines. Though you can go by the app but still just thought of them running into them randomly is awesome. How long do they stay out for? I know most things on some cruise ships end by 11pm and nothing after that which I don't mind. What about the private island? How is it? Do they roam the island too? I'm sorry I just have so many questions but these are the few I have for now. Will I be out of place seeing the characters? I just heard it's completely different from the parks. Thanks in advance!

Sometimes characters are random. I wouldn't count on that though - especially if they are moving to or from an event, it is hard for them to stop. They are usually out between 15-30 minutes in one spot depending on lines and everything else going on.

They also usually aren't out very late - again it depends on the sailing. We had late Marvel characters one night on the Magic in 2023 (like 10:30).

There are no characters roaming the island, but they do photos near the ship at certain times of the day (it will be in the Navigator App).

I go see the characters by myself sometimes and it is totally fine. (Especially if my son doesn't want to see the princesses).

 

[auntlynne]

You are mainly going to see the characters in the atrium (think ship’s lobby), one deck above/ overlooking the lobby, or in the way to the Walt Disney Theater. That’s where the meet & greet sessions are often held. I’ve seen them standing and waving from one of the decks above the lobby, probably in their way somewhere. And I have been surprised when they are coming out of or returning to their ready-room. No signature seeking there - just give them a wave, as they are off to work.

Here are examples of times and places. These are on the Wish.

Boarding Day:



Nassau, Bahamas



Castaway Cay



Sea Day (a different cruise, but it should be similar)



There would have been an opportunity to see Goofy any day on the above cruise(s).

 

[2010dvcfan]

Your navigator app will tell you when and where be sure to go thru that on your embarkation day and set reminders.

 

[auntlynne]

If you are interested in seeing what a daily schedule (Personal Navigator) looks like in the paper form, you can find many examples from the various ships and lengths of sailings on Disney Cruise Line Blog.

They also have menus for the Main Dining Rooms (MDR).

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

 

[auntlynne]

I sat and watched characters do Meet & Greets one day. There was a line for Character X. At a certain point, a Cast Member would come and say “this is the end of the line for X.” Anyone in line behind that point was for the next scheduled character.

There was a constant line. But never unreasonable. It looks like Covid distancing restrictions are gone now.

Any age guest is welcome. Disney fans come in all ages, shapes, and sizes. Singles, couples, families.

I think the kids in their club areas may get visits and photo opportunities.

 

[auntlynne]

duplicate.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

Chewy was on the Wish? Guess we're gonna have to get back on her sometime.

 

[auntlynne]

Chewy was on the Wish? Guess we're gonna have to get back on her sometime.

I’m curious if that is just a kids’ club experience. I don’t know where Star Wars: Cargo Bay is located. A little digging into that may be needed. Same thing with Spider Man.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

I’m curious if that is just a kids’ club experience. I don’t know where Star Wars: Cargo Bay is located. A little digging into that may be needed. Same thing with Spider Man.

Some quick googling shows it is part of Oceaneer's Club. Maybe he appears during Open House hours at some point for adults

 

[serrem2]

I don't think we've ever been on a Disney cruise (20 so far) that we haven't had random encounters with characters (Goofy included), often several a day. We've encountered them most often on the deck 4 promenade (haven't sailed the Wish yet, which doesn't have one). Just sitting, relaxing, watching the sea, talking with friends, and suddenly there's Donald, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, etc. It's always a fun surprise.

 

[scoobysgirl]

Hello everyone. This post is about my first Disney Cruise in January of 2025. My dream boat since I was a little kid and now I finally get to go on it and I cannot contain my excitement! I just want to know some tips because I've been researching for a while now. My main thing is the characters! Especially Goofy! I heard it's easier to meet the characters on the cruise then it is at the parks. I heard they can be spotted in random areas with little to no lines. Though you can go by the app but still just thought of them running into them randomly is awesome. How long do they stay out for? I know most things on some cruise ships end by 11pm and nothing after that which I don't mind. What about the private island? How is it? Do they roam the island too? I'm sorry I just have so many questions but these are the few I have for now. Will I be out of place seeing the characters? I just heard it's completely different from the parks. Thanks in advance!

It just depends if you're lucky enough to see them randomly. We had just come out of one of the shows on the Wish and I was waiting for my daughter in the hall outside of the theater, when who comes up behind me? One of the Marvel characters...he tapped me on the shoulder and scared the heck out of me...then he just waved and laughed. It's a great memory. I find they were all very gracious, and if they could stop and snap a pic with you, they would.

 

[o&smom]

Some times Goofy roams around the ship early in the morning in his pajamas!

 

[Kit Jackson]

@TripleB909

The best way to see the characters to get an autograph and/or a picture is to check the navigator app and see when/where the character/characters will be appearing. Also, on longer cruises the characters appear in different outfits. I really enjoyed getting my picture taken with the characters in all their different outfits.

In terms of lines and meeting characters, the way it worked on the cruise I went on is that you had about 15 minutes to line up. Almost anyone who was in line at the cut-off time would get to meet the character.

If you are really into characters, here's a pro-tip. There are certain locations where the characters meet. You can have an interaction with a character, and then you can go to the end of the line to meet the next character who will be appearing in that location. For example, I get in line in to meet Mickey and after Mickey leaves, Minnie will be there very soon. I meet Mickey, and then go the end of the line. I would tell people I'm in line for the next character so people who wanted to meet Mickey would "cut" in front of me, and I would be first in line for Minnie.

On Castaway Cay, like the cruise ship, the characters will be at certain locations at specific times. Also, like the cruise ship, they rotate. Donald will be at the post office, and then Daisy will be at the post office.

I went with a friend who was not interested in meeting the characters. I didn't feel strange or out of place meeting the characters alone without a kid.

 

[WaltsMartini]

For Castaway Cay - would highly recommend getting your pic with characters as soon as you get off the ship. We skipped these pics in the morning because I was going to do the 5K and I said “we’ll just do it in the afternoon on the way back to the boat” - sadly, no characters were out. Top of my list for next cruise is pics with the characters and the boat in the background!

Also don’t miss the Royal Gathering. This is a FREE event that you book as a cruise activity (sign up right at midnight when you are able!). You’ll get an assigned time and access to four princesses for a little chat and pictures.

If there is Pirate night on your cruise, make sure to get pics in the late afternoon/evening with the characters in their pirate outfits - so fun!

Finally, I have mixed thoughts on the photo package. You can give a CM your phone and get pretty good pics. However, the photo package does include lots of different angles/poses, and will have the ship name on the photo. If pics with characters are your favorite souvenirs, the photo package is probably worth the money. Purchase in advance to save some money.

 

[Skippyboo]

We were waiting for Chip and Dale at the top of Atrium on Fantasy at Pirate night. Stitch joined a card game with people sitting in couches on the side of deck 5.

 

[Girl of the South]

I have had good luck on Deck 4!

 

[Budzooka]

On out first cruise, my 5 year old DD was with a group of kids playing Duck Duck Goose with Peter Pan in the atrium. It was the best experience ever.

We don’t wait in line for the characters much anymore but it’s fun to still spot them roaming around. My wife and I were sitting out on deck 4 when Goofy came and sat down and took the book out of my hands. Can’t count on interactions like that, but pretty magical when it does happen.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

They are roaming- selfie and a few moments of shuffleboard with Chip and Dale! I have had characters surprise me by tapping me on the back while watching another event etc. Goofy would be the culprit there!

 

[Kit Jackson]

@ladyofthetramp What are Chip and Dale wearing? What was the theme of the day (if there was one)? Was there a special event happening?