A Disney cruise can be expensive, but you can save a lot of money by planning ahead and packing the right essentials.

A Disney Cruise is packed with magic, but it can also get expensive fast. Between specialty drinks, beach gear rentals, pirate costumes, and onboard convenience purchases, those little extras add up before you know it.

The good news? A little planning ahead can save you a surprising amount of money. From smart packing tricks to easy budget hacks, these are the items seasoned Disney cruisers always bring along to avoid overspending at sea.

Bring Your Own Snorkel Gear

Snorkeling is one of the coolest things you can do at the beach on Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay, and other warm-weather ports of call during your Disney Cruise. But renting the gear can be expensive. On Castaway, for instance, it costs $44 for anyone ages 10 and up ($24 for 5 to 9).

Photo by Abby Richardson

If you have snorkeling gear at home and can fit it in your suitcase, bring it! You’re allowed to use your own gear and save the money. Just remember that you still have to check in at the snorkeling booth, where you’ll be given a life jacket that you must wear.

Pack Wine or Beer Before Boarding

Drinking on a Disney Cruise is expensive. A glass of bourbon that would cost me $10 back home costs more than $20 on the high seas. And while you can’t bring bourbon on board, you can bring beer or wine with you to help save some money. Guests 21 and over can bring up to two unopened bottles of wine (750 ml max each) or six beers (12 oz max each). I’m a beer guy, but if you want the most bang for your buck, bring two bottles of wine.

And the best part? That rule applies at every port of call. While you can’t purchase booze at Castaway Cay and Lookout Cay, you can buy beer and wine at other ports throughout the world, whether you’re in Europe, Alaska, or the Pacific Coast.

Want more Disney drinking tips? Check out my guide to drinking at Disney World.

Don’t Forget Pirate Night Outfits

A lot of Disney cruises have a special Pirate Night, with themed dinners, special character interactions, and an awesome deck party and show. While you don’t have to dress the part, it’s fun to put on your pirate duds and say “Arrr!”

Photo by Danny Shuster

Disney provides a free bandana in your room for each guest on the day of Pirate Night, but otherwise, you’re on your own for putting together your outfit. If you don’t pack one for the voyage but want to dress up, you’ll have to buy some pirate outfits and merch from the gift shop.

Bring Cheap Beach Toys and Surprise Souvenirs

You can find all manner of pool and beach toys on the islands and ships, but you can save money by packing things like a shovel and bucket or a ball for tossing in the water. To that end, it’s a smart idea to pack some Disney merch to surprise your kids with when they start to ask for expensive souvenirs from the shop. Having a Mickey plushie at the ready can save you some serious cash!

Buy Motion Sickness Medicine Before the Cruise

If this is your first time sailing and you’re not sure if you’ll get seasick, just assume you will and purchase the pills in advance. You can find them on the ship, but they’ll definitely be cheaper back on land.

Sunscreen Is Much More Expensive at Sea

If you forget sunscreen on a Disney Cruise, prepare to pay premium prices onboard.

Whether you’re sailing the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Alaska, or Europe, you’ll spend far more time outside than you probably expect — at pools, on deck, or during port adventures. That means sunscreen becomes essential fast.

Packing multiple bottles before your trip is one of the easiest ways to avoid overpriced convenience purchases during your vacation.

Pack a Hoodie — Even in the Caribbean

On Caribbean sailings, you might think you only need shorts, short-sleeve shirts, and sandals. However, the early mornings and evenings can get chilly, especially if it’s a windy day. Just in case, pack a sweater or hoodie and a pair of pants.

Bonus Disney Cruise Money Hack: Settle Up Throughout the Cruise

Once you’re on board a Disney cruise ship, even if you packed smart, you’ll be tempted to spend a lot of money, from specialty coffees and cocktails to popcorn for the theater to tastings and Port Adventures. This can get dangerous since you just charge everything to the room.

Each day, I head to Guest Services to pay off what I’ve spent so far, rather than wait to settle at the end of my sailing. This helps me understand how much I’ve spent. If I spent a little too much the day before, I know to dial it back the next day.