Booking Disney Cruise Port Adventures (Excursions)

When can you book Port adventures (Excursions) with Disney?

Depending on how many Disney Cruises you have sailed on, there are different dates you can book Port Adventures on a Disney Cruise.  Preference is given to higher Castaway Club levels over first time guests.

What are Castaway Club levels?

• Silver – after completing just 1 cruise.
• Gold – after completing 5 cruises.
• Platinum – after completing 10 cruises.
• Pearl – after completing 25 cruises.

How far in advance can I book?

First time guests can reserve 75 days prior to sail date

Silver is 90 days prior to sail date

Gold is 105 days prior to sail date

Platinum is 120 day prior to sail date

Pearl is 123 prior to sail date

Port adventures are available at midnight of that date (so if you are lucky like us and live in the west, you can book at 10 pm!). Do your research of choices for the ports you are visiting ahead of time so you can quickly click and reserve! Make sure to research by port since these change all the time.

What is the difference between Port adventures and Onboard activities?

Port adventures take place off the ship, and are independently run by local tour companies not by disney itself.  Disney contracts out with them and coordinates with guests.  Onboard activities are paid activities that take place on the ship.  Examples include special dining like Palo, bibbidi bobbidi boutique, spa reservations,  and princess tea at an extra charge. Onboard activities  like Royal Gathering need a reservation but are no cost to you.

How do you book?

You will book all your port adventures and onboard activities online (you can through the app, but we found it easier on a laptop).

Tip: On board free activities fill up quickly!  Since you book these the same time as checking in for your cruise, Book your Princess Gathering character meet before checking in.

What if nothing is available that I want?

If you are a first time Disney Cruise guest, you have a definite disadvantage in that so many guests can book excursions before your window.  It can be frustrating to research at all the choices only to find out  that most are booked.  But don’t despair!  We’ve found that because there is no financial deposit needed to reserve excursions, most guests tend to book as many port adventures as possible, and then a few weeks before the cruise, cancel those that they don’t want.  We looked two weeks before and a lot of fully booked excursions started to have availability!  Check often and snag any you are considering.  Just make sure to cancel at least 3 days prior to your cruise departure date, or you will be charged.

We also had pretty good luck while on board!  You can look on the Disney cruise app or visit the port adventure service desk (usually open at night) to see if you can be on a waitlist or if there are any openings. Happy Sailing!