When it comes to Disney Cruises, there are certain things experts make sure they do as soon as they board… and make sure they DON’T do.

From arriving at the port to souvenirs to what’s happening the rest of their voyage, these experienced passengers know what traps to avoid before even boarding their ship of choice.

They Don’t Fly In the Morning of Their Departure

For passengers who don’t live a short drive from their ship’s port-of-call – – those who need to fly or drive a long distance for that matter — it’s imperative to have an extra arrival day cushion and a hotel room nearby. After all, no one wants to miss their cruise because their flight’s 8:00 AM landing was delayed or traffic was inexorably backed up.

Try to Bring Prohibited Items Onboard

Experienced Disney Cruise Line passengers know there is a relatively extensive list of items that are prohibited on Disney’s ships, and make sure to have any with them, lest they need to throw them away before boarding. This includes:

• Weapons & Firearms
• Marijuana & Illicit Drugs
• Blenders
• Bottle Sterilizers and Warmers
• Coffee Makers
• Coolers
• Diffusers
• Electric Blankets
• Electric Irons and Steamers
• Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRB)
• Extension Cords, Power Strips, Multi-Plugs, and Surge Protectors
• Ham Radios
• Heating Elements
• Heating Pads
• Hookah Pipes
• Hot Plates
• Metal Detectors
• Microwave Ovens
• Power Tools, Hand Tools, and Toolboxes
• Remote-Controlled Airplanes, Drones, Toy Vehicles, Star Wars Droids
• Rice Cookers
• Toasters and Toaster Ovens
• Seasonal and/or Strands of Celebratory Lightbulbs
• Streaming Devices (Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Roku, etc.)

In addition, while alcoholic beverages aren’t outright banned, they are heavily regulated. Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older—or Guests 18 years and older on round-trip cruises from Singapore—may bring a maximum of one bottle of unopened wine or sparkling wine (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage. These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.

They Don’t Try and Book Excursions that Day

Whether it’s heading to the spa, going fishing, taking classes, or even exploring once you’re off the ship at different ports of call, excursions are some of the most fun you’ll have on your Disney voyage. However, as longtime cruisers know, anyone who thinks they can book their excursions the day they board the ship is in for a rude awakening. In actuality, most activities book up way beforehand.

Eligibility to book is based on the following scale:

• First-Time Guests: 75 days prior to sail date
• Silver Castaway Club Members: 90 days prior to sail date
• Gold Castaway Club Members: 105 days prior to sail date
• Platinum Castaway Club Members: 120 days prior to sail date
• Pearl Castaway Club Members: 123 days prior to sail date
• Concierge Guests: 130 days prior to sail date.

To book reservations in advance, you can follow these steps!

• Log in to My Reservations.
• Go to the “My Plans” tab.
• Select the day you’d like to reserve an activity on your day-by-day itinerary.
• Select “Add Activities” and choose from the options provided.
• Once you’ve selected all your activities for that day, review your choices and add them to the cart.
• Repeat the same steps to add other activities on other days.

Try and Shop Immediately

Veteran cruisers know that the stores on board the ship don’t open until it has left port, so there’s no rushing to the souvenir shop immediately once on board. Relatedly, the shops are not open on disembarkation day, as the ship is already back at port by the time most passengers wake up.

Head to the Buffet Immediately

While the shops may not be open, the buffet-style marketplaces (which are included in each sailing) sure are, and they get BUSY. Most experienced cruisers will skip the first hours of the journey, either grabbing food before boarding or ordering room service to hold them over until dinner.

They Skip the Elevators (If They Can)

Speaking of crowded areas, the elevators are usually slammed with people heading to their cabins or exploring the ship on their first day. If they can, experienced passengers – – especially those familiar with the ship’s layout – – will use the stairs to maneuver their way around the ship.

BONUS: They DO Unpack

Most experienced Disney Cruise passengers unpack in their cabins and get settled in before sail away. This way they can enjoy their cruise without digging for belongings the whole time or living out of a suitcase, which is tougher in a cruise cabin than a hotel room.

Whether your next Disney Cruise is your first, fifth, or fifteenth, be sure to keep in mind what NOT to do on your first day! Stay tuned to DFB for more sailing tips.

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What’s your best cruising tip? Let us know in the comments below.