Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy: What is the Navigator App?

There’s a lot to keep track of on a cruise: dining, spa reservations, the activity schedule, and more. Many cruise lines have mobile apps that you can use on board to help with this. Disney’s cruise line app is called the Disney Cruise Line Navigator, and it’s one of the most full-featured we’ve seen. In fact, it’s really more like two apps – one that you use before you cruise, and one to use while you are sailing.

Before you sail, you can use the app to do many activities that you can also do on the website. You’ll need to login with the same username and password that you use on the site. These activities include:

• making payments
• viewing your ship’s itinerary
• researching and booking port adventures
• reserving onboard dining and other activities
• updating your dining time
• adding trip insurance or ground transportation
• pre-paying gratuities
• learning about your ship
• checking in for your cruise
• … and more

If you’ve booked your cruise with a travel advisor, some of these options will not be available in the app because you’ll need to do them through your agent.

Once you’re onboard, the app will have a different look. You’ll connect using the ship’s WiFi (a paid WiFi plan is not required). Other members of your party will be able to log in even if they don’t have a website username and password. And the focus will shift from planning your cruise to keeping track of your plans for the day and keeping in touch with your group. You can see a bit of difference comparing the home screens of both modes below.

Disney used to distribute a detailed daily paper schedule to each stateroom. It was called the Navigator (that’s where the app name came from!) and it covered all activities, port information, dining and shopping hours, etc. Now, all that info is in the app. And not only is it on your phone, it’s personalized to your activities and preferences.

For more about how to use the Navigator app on board, check out our detailed guide: Step-By-Step: How to Use Disney Cruise Line Navigator on Board. For extra tips on the activity planning features, see Plan Your Day With the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App.

Disney Cruise Line in a Jiffy is for first-time Disney cruisers looking to learn about the DCL experience. Got a question about a term that’s unfamiliar to you? Suggest it in the comments below! Share your best tips!