Step by Step Guide to Booking Disney Cruise Activities & Excursions & What I Have Booked

f you’re sailing with Disney Cruise Line this summer, there’s something important coming up — your booking window for bookable activities is either about to open or already has. And if you’re not ready, you might miss out on some of the most magical extras Disney Cruises have to offer.

In this post, I’ll walk you through exactly what these bookable extras are, when your booking window opens based on your Castaway Club status, which activities are worth prioritising, and what I actually booked for our upcoming Disney Fantasy cruise from Southampton.

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What Are Disney Cruise Bookable Extras?

Bookable extras are optional paid (and some complimentary!) activities and experiences that you can reserve ahead of your sailing — things like adult-only dining, beverage tastings, spa treatments, character experiences, port adventures, and more.

While there’s plenty to do onboard even if you don’t book anything extra, these optional add-ons can add something really special to your cruise — if you know what to look out for.

When Does the Booking Window Open?

This depends entirely on your Castaway Club status:

First-time cruisers: 75 days before sailing
Silver Castaway Club (after your first cruise): 90 days
Gold Castaway Club (after 5 cruises): 105 days
Platinum Castaway Club (after 10 cruises): 120 days
Pearl Castaway Club (25+ cruises): 123 days

The higher your Castaway Club level, the earlier you can book — and the better your chances of grabbing the most popular activities like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique and Royal Court Royalty.

📝 If you’re using my Magical Cruise Planner, make sure you pop those booking window dates into the “Important Dates” section — it makes the whole process so much easier.

What to Prioritise When Booking Opens

Here are a few of the most in-demand extras you’ll want to grab ASAP:

💫 Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique

A fairy-tale makeover experience for kids aged 3–12. This usually sells out fast — but surprisingly, there was availability several days after our Silver window opened!

👑 Royal Court Royal Tea

This elegant tea party with princesses is a splurge, but truly magical. It’s not included in the cruise fare and tends to sell out quickly — but I managed to grab it this time (and even booked it twice just in case we wanted to change days, then cancelled one to free it up).

🍽️ Adult-Only Dining (Palo & Remy)

Both are fabulous. We’ve done Palo before and loved it — Italian vibes and great food. This time I’ve booked Remy brunch (French cuisine — fancy!). If you’re choosing between the two, brunch is a great way to enjoy it without missing your rotational dining in the evening.

🧖 Spa & Rainforest Room Pass

I booked the Rainforest Room pass for the length of the cruise, but I’m still deciding whether we’ll keep it. It’s a lovely way to relax, but I’m not sure I’ll use it every day.

⚓ Port Adventures

If you’re planning to explore beyond the ship, Port Adventures are definitely worth considering — especially if it’s your first time in that destination. These Disney-curated excursions can include sightseeing tours, cultural experiences, beach trips, and more. The big benefit? If your Disney-organised tour runs late, the ship will wait for you — which isn’t the case if you go it alone or book with a third-party. Some do sell out quickly, especially family-friendly or shorter-length tours, so it’s a good idea to review the options as soon as your booking window opens and reserve anything you’re even thinkingabout. You can always cancel later if plans change.

🍹 Beverage Tastings

From mojitos to mixology sessions — there are lots of fun drink experiences. They’re popular and do tend to book up quickly, so if you’re interested, don’t wait.

📸 Unlimited Photo Package

If, like me, you’re the designated family photographer and want to be in the photos too, this is absolutely worth it. Pre-booking saves you money compared to onboard prices.

Port Adventures: Are They Worth It?

Short answer — yes, but not essential. You don’t have to book a Port Adventure to enjoy the port. Disney often puts on a shuttle if the ship docks in an industrial area. You can simply get off, have a wander, and soak in the atmosphere.

That said, Port Adventures can be a brilliant way to make the most of your stop. Think sightseeing tours, cultural experiences, or family-friendly activities — and Disney guarantees they won’t leave without you if your excursion runs late!

This cruise, we haven’t booked any official excursions — we’ll probably just get off for a walk and a few photos in one of the ports, then head back onboard.

A Few Extras You Might Miss

🧸 Nursery bookings (for under-threes) must be booked in advance and are a paid extra. All other kids’ clubs — Oceaneer Club, Edge, and Vibe — are included and don’t require pre-booking.

🎁 Onboard gifts like the champagne & robe package can be pre-ordered and delivered to your stateroom. I still use the robe from mine — such a nice touch and great value compared to buying it separately onboard.

🌴 Castaway Cay & Lookout Cay: If your cruise includes a stop at Disney’s private island(s), there are tons of exclusive activities — bike rentals, beach cabanas, float hire and more. These book up fast, especially the cabanas, which are usually snapped up by Pearl, Platinum, and Concierge guests.

What I Actually Booked

So far, here’s what we’ve got lined up for our summer sailing on the Disney Fantasy:

✅ Unlimited Photo Package
✅ Rainforest Room Pass (still deciding if I’ll keep this)
✅ Remy Brunch — our first time!
✅ Royal Court Royal Tea — very excited about this for the girls

We haven’t booked any Port Adventures or Palo this time — and we’re skipping Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique as we’ve done it before and have other plans this cruise. Still keeping everything crossed that we do get a Pirate Night!

What’s Next in Our Disney Cruise Countdown?

Next up: Online check-in, where I’ll walk you through how to get the best port arrival time (and yes — there’s a vlog coming for that!). Then we’ll be booking the Royal Gathering, planning our outfits, and doing all the pre-cruise prep.

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Want help planning your cruise in order to make the most of the magic? Either grab a pen and paper and make nites of everything said in there video, or check out my Magical Cruise Planners, available in digital (printable or to be filled out on a tablet), coil bound or perfect bound book versions.