Safety and Security Aboard a Disney Cruise

As we mentioned in our last post we had such an amazing trip last month! Before we get into the details of dining at both Disney World and aboard the Disney Fantasy and the amazing Star Wars Day at Sea activities that we participated in we have some important information to share with you all.

A few days ago I read a post on Facebook that eventually led to comments stating that they weren’t sure if they should feel safe leaving their children in the youth clubs onboard cruise ships. Should you feel safe, YES! That post has influenced this post – not only should you feel safe with your little ones having loads of fun in the youth clubs – you should feel safe in all aspects of your cruise.

With that said, today we’re going to talk about safety and security on the Disney Cruise Line ships.

Before Boarding

When you book a cruise (or I book it for you!) your information is given to the cruise line and then run through a system to make sure that no one dangerous can come on board.

Upon arrival at the port everyone must go through airport-style security before being allowed to enter the terminal. All guests must walk through a metal detector, carry-on bags must go through an x-ray machine, and just like when boarding a plane all checked bags are screened as well.

Additionally, those that do not have correct documentation (passport, birth certificate, notarized letters for those not traveling with both parents, etc.), and even those that hoped to slip through the cracks, like those that stated that they would not be past their 24^th week of pregnancy, will be denied boarding. We’re all read stories like these.

Embarking and Disembarking

When you check-in at the cruise terminal everyone in your stateroom is given a Key to the World Card. This card acts as your room key and charging card, but it also allows you to get on and off the ship. Every single guest that walks onto or off a Disney ship must have and scan their card to be allowed on or off. When the card is scanned the guest’s photo pops up on the screen and the security officer verifies that it is the correct person.

Additionally, guests that are under the age of 18 MUST disembark with someone over the age of 18 from the stateroom that they are staying in, or have the correct paperwork filled with guest services to disembarking with another adult from a different stateroom.

Upon returning to the ship from a port guests must once again scan their Key to the World to verify that they are supposed to be on the ship (and for accountability), and once again walk through a metal detector and have any bags that they have with them pass through an x-ray machine.

Pools

Pool safety is incredibly important! Pools onboard either have a lifeguard present (the bigger pools do) or have a posted sign stating that there is no lifeguard and to be vigilant. Lifeguards are on duty at the top and bottom of the AquaDuck and AquaDunk waterslides, at the bottom of the Mickey Slide and Twist and Spout slides, and in various locations at Castaway Cay’s beaches.

In addition to the lifeguards parents should always pay attention to their children to ensure that they are not engaging in dangerous activity.

For those little ones that are totally comfortable in the water pool vests are available on the pool deck of all four ships as well as at Castaway Cay.

 Public Areas

There is ALWAYS a Cast Member somewhere close by no matter where you are or the time of day. Additionally there are security cameras in all public areas.

All atrium railings, as well as railings on decks that are open (ex. Deck 4 on all four ships, deck 10 on the Magic and Wonder, and decks 12 and 13 on the Dream and Fantasy), and verandah railings have Plexiglas to ensure safety.

Emergency  

On the very slim chance there is an emergency the crew is trained, and holds drills throughout the week every week, to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

At the start of every sailing, before the ship can leave port everyone on board must attend a muster drill to learn about the emergency signals, where to meet if there is an emergency, and how to put on a life jacket. Life jackets are provided in every stateroom, and extras are located around the ship in case guests cannot make it to their stateroom in an emergency.

There are also life rings located around deck 4 in case someone were to fall over board.

Youth Clubs

Now we have come to the main reason for this post, the youth clubs on board.

Children ages 3-12 can enjoy supervised fun in the Oceaneer Club and Lab on all four ships. Children 8 and older can check themselves out of “the club”. Those that are younger than 8 and those in the nursery (6 months – 3 years old) must be checked out by someone at least 13 years old or older.

In order to be allowed to check a child out of the club or nursery the person must be on the list of approved individuals, and must also know the secret word that is set up during youth registration. So, when you arrive to pick up your child (or grandchild, sibling, etc.) the youth counselor will scan your Key to the World card which brings up your picture. They then verify that you are there to pick up, in our case Christian or Bella, and then you enter the club to find your child. Don’t worry, they give you a starting point based on what they tracking band says. They could run to a different part of the club before you get there, though.

If more than one parent shows up one will be permitted into the club while the other waits outside. While parents are inside the counselors, which are located in every room, keep an eye out to make sure that the kids are talking to someone they know (“Hey Daddy!”). Once back at the check-in/out desk the child will scan their Magicband, which will again bring photos up, and the parent is asked for the secret word before the gates will open.

There is no way that a child that is not old enough to check themselves out, or an adult with a child that is not theirs can get out of the youth club.

Have questions or comments, let us know!

Are you ready to start planning your next magical vacation?! I’d be happy to help! Contact me at miriyawhitaker@worldofmagictravel.com for your FREE quote and to start planning! Summer 2020 sailings with Disney Cruise Line are bookable for first time cruisers starting March 7, 2019. Disney World 2020 bookings aren’t too far away either! (Based on past years 2020 packages should open in mid-June.) For more Disney and travel information feel free to follow me on Facebook.