Luggage Limits on Disney Cruise Line – A Full Guide

Are you going on a Disney cruise soon? This article has everything you need to know about luggage limits on Disney Cruise Line. Including what restrictions exist for bag size, weight, and number of bags allowed per person. I have also researched all of the policies in regards to bringing on your own alcoholic beverages, so you can save some money too!

Disney Cruise Line limits luggage to two checked bags, one carry-on bag, and one personal item per passenger. All bags must be 50 lbs or less. There are no restrictions on bag size for checked bags or personal items. But carry-on bags must be no larger than 22” x 14” x 9”.

The luggage limits on Disney Cruise Line are very similar to the typical limits you have to abide by when flying. Security procedures at the pier on boarding day are also very similar as well. Your bags will be screened by x-ray at a minimum. And they may possibly be hand screened if Disney needs to gather more information about the items you’re bringing onboard. Keep reading for all of the details you need to know about your luggage limits on Disney Cruise Line!

Basic Luggage Limits on Disney Cruise Line

• Number of Suitcases Allowed Per Person: Disney Cruise Line’s luggage policy is pretty much the same as most airlines. Disney allows each person on the cruise reservation to have two checked bags and one carry on bag plus one small personal item (like a backpack or purse). 
• All Luggage Is Complimentary: As always, there is no cost for luggage on Disney Cruise Line. Though you may want to tip your luggage porters at the pier. 
• Size Restrictions: Carry-on bags must be no larger than 22” x 14” x 9”. The only dimension requirements Disney Cruise Line lists is for carry-on bags. This is because they have to fit through the x-ray machine at the cruise port security check. The pier uses x-ray machines like the kind you use in the airport. Therefore, checked bags and person items should have no size restrictions.
• Weight Restrictions: All bags must weigh 50 pounds or less. While there is no mention anywhere that I can find that there would be a fee if your bag is overweight, I’d say it’s probably best not to find out first hand. Especially if you’re flying to your cruise anyway. Because airlines would definitely charge a fee if one of your bags is over 50 pounds. 

Liquids Allowances on Disney Cruise Line

• No Restrictions on Toiletry Items: All toiletry type liquids are allowed and there are no limits to size or amount on those. Toiletry items can be packed in checked or carry-on luggage on Disney Cruise Line. So you can definitely bring full size bottles of everything, if you’d like. You are not required to pack your liquids in a quart size Ziploc bag like you are at the airport. Although I do still always recommend packing toiletries in ziplocs in case they leak while in travel. And just because you can bring full size items, doesn’t mean you always should. If you can find travel size toiletries that is always better in the interest of space while on a cruise. But don’t feel bad for taking full size versions of your favorite or most used items. It is totally allowed and totally okay!
• Breast Milk: For those that are breastfeeding, you are allowed to bring breast milk onboard Disney Cruise Line. It is important to note, breast milk is required to be packed in your carry-on luggage only. 
• Pre-Packed Drinks: According to the Disney Parks Moms Panel, you are allowed to bring on pre-packed drinks. But only if they are brought on unopened and in your carry-on luggage. No size restrictions are listed for pre-packed drinks. So things like pediasure, juices, sodas, etc should be allowed. Although sodas (Coca Cola products) are provided for free onboard Disney Cruise Lines in all of the dining locations and on the pool deck. However, alcoholic beverages have their own category and limits/restrictions.  

How to Legally Bring Your Own Alcohol Onboard and Alcohol Luggage Limits on Disney Cruise Line

• Each adult over the age of 21 is allowed to bring a maximum of either: Two bottles of wine or champagne (750ml or less), or six beers (12oz or less). You are granted this allotment on the initial boarding of the ship on the first day. And also at each port of call during the cruise. 
• Approved alcoholic beverages are allowed to be packed in your carry-on luggage only. Any alcohol found in checked luggage will be confiscated by the cruise line before it even reaches your room on the first day. And it will not be returned until the end of your cruise. 
• There are a few caveats of bringing your own alcohol onboard. You are not allowed to drink it in lounges or public areas. But you can drink it in one of the dining rooms for a $25.00 corkage fee per bottle. Or drink it in your stateroom for no charge, of course. 

Prohibited Alcoholic Items in Your Luggage on Disney Cruise Line

• Liquor or Spirits: Any hard alcohol is strictly prohibited to be brought onboard in your luggage on Disney Cruise Line. Regardless if in your checked bag or carry-on. If it is found, it will be confiscated from you and not returned until the end of your cruise. 
• This is not to say that you can not purchase liquor while in port as a souvenir to take home. I have done this so I know there is no issue. However, when going through security to get back onboard, Disney Cruise Line security agents will confiscate it. They then return it to you at the end of the cruise.

How Luggage is Screened by Disney Cruise Line

Carry-On Luggage

Luggage that is carried onto the cruise ship on the day of departure is screened pretty much just like it is at all major airports. I have found that the set up at the pier is virtually the same as at airports. All carry-on luggage is screened by x-ray machines and all passengers are screened by walking through a metal detector. If a security agent at the port finds it necessary, they can also hand screen your luggage after the x-ray machine results as well. 

In my experience there is also police on site at the pier with dogs roaming the area to smell passengers’ luggage. (For what they’re smelling I can not say – Food items? Drugs? Weapons? All these and more could be a possibility). 

Checked Luggage

Checked luggage, just like at airports, is scanned behind the scenes while you are boarding the ship. So while we do not know exactly what goes on while security is checking your luggage, it is a sure bet that they are at least scanned by x-ray. I would imagine that there are also police dogs patrolling through bags as well sniffing for prohibited items. 

If Disney finds a prohibited item in your checked luggage, they will open your bag and confiscate the item until the end of the cruise. Usually they will deliver your luggage to you with a note of what was taken and how to get it back. But if they don’t and you’re missing something, I recommend just letting your cabin steward know and they will find out what happened for you. 

Check this link for a list from Disney of all of the prohibited items on Disney Cruise Line. This includes things you might not think of like small fans, and white noise machines. Though some items (like fans and white noise machines) may be allowed if they pass a hand inspection by the Chief Electrician onboard. 

Where To Store Your Luggage in Your Cabin Once Onboard Disney Cruise Line

So while Disney Cruise Line does allow you to bring onboard up to two checked bags, one carry-on bag, and one personal item per person, I would recommend that you try to pair down what you’re actually bringing. There is very limited cabin space in most Disney Cruise Line cabins onboard. Most Disney Cruise Line cabins are around 200 square feet total. Which also means limited storage space. Not only for items that you want to unpack, but also for the suitcases themselves as well. 

In my experience, it is easier to stay organized in your cabin if you unpack as early as possible into your cruise. This seems to keep things more in their place. More so than just living out of a suitcase the whole time. Once you do unpack, the best place to store your empty suitcases is underneath the bed. 

To save even more space with empty suitcases I have even stored empty suitcases like Russian Dolls within each other. Just place some of your smaller suitcases within some of the larger ones. And you’ll double, or even triple, the amount of suitcases you can fit under the bed. 

You could probably also find room for a suitcase or two in the closet. I have found that it is not usually very convenient to keep them there. They are mostly in the way in the closet, unless they’re small enough to lay flat on the closet floor. I recommend you check out the video below published by Disney about the cabins onboard and the amenities. I think it gives you a good idea of what to expect onboard, and shows how to keep your suitcases under the bed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cw4LTdFVajg

Get Prepared For Your Disney Cruise

If you’re sailing out on a Disney cruise soon, make sure that you plan ahead for all of your port adventures, onboard activities, character meet n greets, etc. Check out my article about everything you need to do after confirming a Disney cruise to make sure that you are ready to go for your next cruise vacation and you don’t miss a thing!