Recently I wrote about my favorite free things to do while you’re on a Disney Cruise. Most of the activities during the day on the ships are included (free), but there are some really great premium activities that are available for an extra cost. I’m not just talking about the Senses Spa or a Cabana on Castaway Cay, which are two of my favorite things, but some of the not-so-expensive options.
To find out a schedule of events you can check out the Personal Navigator (there’s an app for that!) daily. You can look on the app and/or on the paper delivered to your stateroom each night. Note: If you don’t get a Navigator delivered but prefer that to the app you can pick one up at Guest Services as well as request delivery. You can also pre-book some of these activities such as the specialty dining before you embark on your cruise on DisneyCruise.com
Rainforest Room
The Rainforest Room is one of the best things about a Disney Cruise! Located inside the Senses Spa on each ship this is a perfect premium add-on to any cruise. The Rainforest Room does vary a little on the Dream Class and the Magic Class ships, but each of them feature heated tile lounge chairs, scented showers with different types of shower heads and jets, and various steam rooms and saunas. Disney Cruise Line does limit how many Rainforest Room passes they will sell per day, so book ahead of time or go by the spa on Embarkation Day to get your passes. You can get a pass for one day or a length-of-cruise pass.
Specialty Dining
Unlike some other cruise lines, Disney Cruise Line only has one or two specialty dining restaurants. Every ship has Palo, an Italian restaurant. The Dream Class ships (The Dream and The Fantasy) also feature Remy, an upscale French restaurant. Both of these specialty restaurants are adults only, so they are perfect for a date night while you’re on the cruise! The food is delicious, the service is incredible, and the fee is well worth the money for this very special experience.
Beverage Seminars and Mixology Classes
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about cognac, wine, beer, rum, or how to pair chocolate and liquor properly, then these classes are for you! For a small premium (fee) you can learn about the history of the drinks and the different types, tasting your way though the seminar. If you want to know how to make the perfect mojito, margarita, martini, or frozen drink, a mixology class is your best bet. Both of these options are offered throughout the cruise and can be pre-reserved or can be booked while onboard, but pre-reserving is recommended.
Bingo!
Playing Bingo is some of the most fun you’ll have on a cruise! They even take the pressure of punching a card off by letting you have a fancy bingo machine if you prefer! On the electronic cards you don’t even push any buttons and they give you your odds of winning each round. You can purchase one card or a bundle of cards at a time. Once the game begins the cruise staff keeps things moving quickly by dancing and interviewing guests. They even have small giveaways like DCL hats, tote bags, or water bottles they’ll handout just for showing up.
The best part is you don’t have to have any skills or prior experience to win! Anyone can play, but you have to be 19 or older to claim a bingo, so make sure you accompany your kids to the games.
Float Rentals
This last favorite is a simple and inexpensive way to enhance your day at Castaway Cay. For about $13 you can float in the ocean without a care in the world! Floats are available for rent at several locations along the family beach or at Serenity Bay (the adults only beach). The best part of renting there vs bringing your own is you don’t have to inflate them yourself!
Make sure you wear sunscreen!
I have had great experiences with all of these experiences on various cruises throughout the years. Even if you don’t try any of these special activities you’ll have an amazing cruise!
