How to Enjoy Disney Cruises to the Bahamas Without Excursions

Some people who are new to cruising wonder if it is possible to enjoy a cruise to the Bahamas aboard Disney Cruise Line without the excursions. Here is a rundown of whether you should consider skipping the excursions.

Disney Cruise Line

A cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line is one of the most enjoyable experiences you can buy in terms of customer care and attentiveness. The level of service will remind you of Disney Parks back in their prime. And, it is hard to beat.

However, that service comes at a premium. A Disney cruise can be very expensive, even for a short voyage to the Bahamas.

This is why many people who would like to try cruising wonder if it is possible to enjoy a Disney Cruise without any of the extra add-ons such as excursions. The answer is maybe. It is highly possible that you can enjoy a cruise with no extra expenses.

A Disney Cruise includes so much food and fun beyond your stateroom. If you have it in your budget to go on a cruise, but all the extra add-ons would put a cruise out of your reach, don’t let it keep you from your vacation. You might find you don’t actually need the extras.

Reasons to Consider DCL Port Adventures

Before we go into the fun you can have with no excursions, you might want to consider the circumstances under which you will WANT to book a Disney excursion while you are cruising to the Bahamas. If you plan to get out and venture to one of the destinations, and you WANT to book a fun activity, booking a Port Adventure through Disney can be beneficial, albeit pricey.

Naturally, if you are on a cruise, especially a longer cruise, with ports in different cities and countries you have always wanted to see, Port Adventures can be an amazing investment in your enjoyment of the itinerary. This is especially true if you are not comfortable exploring on your own.

You can, of course, decide to explore for yourself if you feel safe doing so. For example, the Straw Market in Nassau is a quick walk from the cruise port’s gate.

However, a DCL excursion is likely the safest route to go for a variety of reasons. One of these is that if the excursion is canceled due to weather, etc. it will be Disney Cruise Line you deal with in being refunded rather than a 3rd party vendor. It makes it much simpler.

Also, you can be certain an excursion booked directly with Disney Cruise Line isn’t a scam. Moreover, the Port Adventures booked through Disney will get you back to your boat in time.

So, if you want to explore a new place through a fun adventure, and you don’t want to strike out on your own, a DCL Port Adventure is a good way to do it. This is especially true if there is nothing of interest for you within a short, safe walk from the port. If it is within your budget, you can have quite a lot of fun!

Do You Really Need Extras?

If you are on a short cruise to the Bahamas that includes one or both of Disney’s private islands, you might not really need to go on an excursion to enjoy your time. You can enjoy a perfect day at the beach and get a great feel for the beauty and vibe of the Bahamas at Castaway Cay or Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.

Both Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point and Castaway Cay offer Port Adventures. Some people rave about the Stingray encounters, for example. And, while I am sure the Port Adventures are fun, there is fun to be had without the add-ons.

You might find you don’t need extras to be happy.

If you and your travel party are beach people, and you enjoy just hanging out and relaxing on beautiful beaches, you can do that on Disney’s private islands. The water makes for a nice swim, and the sand is perfect for a stroll. Your DCL cruise includes lunch at the beach, and you can grab snacks and soft drinks as well.

Pirate Tip: If you have little kids who love to play in the sand, I do recommend bringing along a packable, collapsible bucket and shovel. Some kids can have hours of fun with just a simple shovel and bucket. They are easy to find online for a few dollars.

Plus, there is a kid’s club ON the island. Kids can enjoy fun and games there if they wish.

Moreover, there are fun areas to play such as Pelican Point at Castaway Cay. It features a pair of waterslides that drop directly into the ocean. On another beach, there are monkey bars over the sea to play on. There is also a fun splash pad area. And if you like games, check out Games in da Shade for a break from the sun.

You can read more about how to have a perfect day at Castaway Cay right HERE.

Stay on the Boat

If your short cruise includes a stop at a port that isn’t one of Disney’s private islands, and you do not want to book a Port Adventure, you do have the option of staying on the boat. You will not likely run short of activities to enjoy.

This is especially true if you and your travel party are new to cruising. There will be so much novelty associated with the experience that you are sure to have fun right where you are.

DCL includes plenty of onboard entertainment, and many of the activities are complimentary. Some may argue there is more to do on the ship alone than can be done in a single cruise.

This includes character meets, trivia, swimming and water slides, Kid’s clubs, teen clubs, arts and crafts, and drawing classes. It also includes recreational activities such as shuffleboard, table tennis, basketball, and even an obstacle course depending on your sailing.

And, of course, it includes Broadway-quality shows that DCL is known for. Additionally, you can see first-run movies and attend deck parties!

And, when the ship is at port, the crowds and lines for those activities are shorter than they are on sea days when no one has left the ship. The waterslide line will be shorter, the lines to meet characters will be shorter, and the theaters will be less crowded.

A stop at a port day at a destination that does not speak to you makes for a great time to explore the ship and enjoy your time aboard. You are paying for all these included activities, so it is fine to enjoy them instead of extras if you have already stretched your vacation budget as far as it will go.

And, it is fine if you simply want to relax and enjoy the views from the boat. There are some amazing spots onboard to just watch the world go by.

It’s YOUR Cruise

Remember, it is your cruise, and only you and your travel party can determine what is fun for you. No one can enjoy your trip like you can.

If you are full of wanderlust, and can’t stand the idea of missing out on a port, go explore, and don’t worry about whether you got the value out of all the experiences that are included on the ship. Soak it all up and have the best time right where you are.

Moreover, if you would rather relax and enjoy the activities and entertainment included in your cruise than get off the ship at every port, that’s fine too. Soak it all up and have the best time right where you are.

At the end of the day, a Disney Cruise is a big expense, and you should have the experience that makes you happy. Worrying about the reactions you will get from others about your happy memories is not what a cruise is all about. It’s about experiencing the magic of an escape across the sea.

Do you book Port Adventures when you sail on Disney Cruise Line? What has been your favorite? Or, do you like to have a day to enjoy the boat once in a while? Let us know. And, be sure to share this with your friends and family who have cruises booked.