Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What are Onboard Gifts?

On Disney Cruise Line, Onboard Gifts, also known as In-Room Gifts, are extras that appear in your room as a special treat. They can be a fun surprise, but the word “gift” isn’t always accurate. Sometimes they are free items that you were expecting. And sometimes they won’t be a surprise at all because you ordered (and paid!) for them yourself.

Upcharge Gifts

A variety of upcharge gifts are available from Disney Cruise Line’s Onboard Gifts & Amenities program. You could order these yourself as a fun present to someone sailing with you, or someone who isn’t traveling with you might order them as a gift to make your cruise a bit more special.

The in-room gift options here range from cupcakes and fruit plates to a bottle of wine (or three) to an all-out room decoration package that can make your little one’s eyes pop when they enter your stateroom. And everything in between! As you might imagine, prices vary, and there is also a “gift card” option in the form of onboard credit.

Order through the Onboard Gifts & Amenities page, or by calling (800) 601-8455. If you’re not sailing, you’ll need enough information to locate the reservation. You can use the reservation number, or alternately the departure date, name, and ship. All onboard gifts need to be ordered at least three days in advance, with a longer seven-day lead time for cakes.

For themed cruises such as Very Merrytime and Halloween on the High Seas sailings, limited-time items like miniature Christmas trees or Halloween blankets can be ordered from Onboard Gifts. These in-room gifts can only be ordered for guests on these themed sailings. And they should be ordered early, as they do sometimes sell out.

Free Gifts

Free gifts come from a few sources.

• If you’ve booked with a travel agent, you may find that they’ve ordered you something from the Onboard Gifts catalog.
• Welcome gifts for repeat Disney cruisers
• Gifts from Disney Cruise Line to mark a special sailing, like an inaugural or holiday cruise
• Platinum and Pearl Castaway Gifts (in addition to the regular member gift)

Castaway Club member gifts are often variations on a tote bag, along with luggage tags or lanyards.  Different club levels get different colors or designs. You’ll find these left on the bed in your stateroom.

On top of the stateroom gift, the highest Castaway Club levels are entitled to a free extra of their choice. This is usually a small box of chocolates, a fruit plate, or a bottle of sparkling wine or cider. These items will not be automatically left in your room; you have to call room service to request them.

There’s a wide variety in “special sailing” gifts, as they aren’t routinely offered. Some examples are gifts received from Disney Cruise Line during

• sailings that coincide with Christmas (DCL art prints, chocolates)
• New Year’s Eve on board (art prints, party hats)
• maiden voyage sailings (extra tote bags, champagne flutes, additional items).
• Themed sailings like Marvel- or Pixar Day at Sea
• DVC member sailings

You won’t know in advance what these special sailing items are. And quality-wise, they go from champagne flutes that you might take home and use again, to paper party hats that may not make it off the ship.

Onboard gifts are usually delivered to your stateroom on embarkation day, often before you arrive. If it isn’t something you arranged for yourself, it’s a nice surprise! Some in-room gifts, like cakes and beverages, can be ordered for a specific date and time. And some special sailing gifts are also delivered mid-cruise. On a themed sailing, you’ll usually find the gifts on the sea day that’s dedicated to theme activities.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a Disney Cruise Line term that you want to see explained? Suggest it in the comments below!