Wander with Kelsey
Your Cruise Planning Page · Holiday Sailing

The Minix Family Disney Dream
Adventure Awaits!

Peyton, Aaliyah & Blaire · Disney Dream
December 4 – 7, 2026

Hi Aaliyah! I'm so excited for your family's first sailing on the Disney Dream — and what a magical time of year to do it. Everything's confirmed, your stateroom is paid in full, and now comes the fun part: locking in the extras that make the trip unforgettable. Here's your personal roadmap for the weeks ahead. πŸŽ„πŸš’βœ¨

Your Booking at a Glance

Ship
Disney Dream
3-Night Very Merrytime Bahamian Cruise
Sail Dates
Dec 4 – 7, 2026
Friday to Monday
Departs From
Fort Lauderdale
Port Everglades, FL
Your Party
3 Travelers
Peyton, Aaliyah & Blaire
Reservation #
45177457
Stateroom
Verandah with Restrictions (Category VGT / GTY)
Main Dining Time
5:45 PM (subject to change by ~15 minutes)
Ground Transfers
Not included — you'll arrange your own transportation to and from Port Everglades

Who's Sailing

Peyton MinixAdult
Aaliyah MinixAdult
Blaire MinixAge 1 — little cruiser!

Your Big Date: Booking Window Opens!

Activity Booking Window Opens
September 20, 2026
Because this is your first Disney cruise, your window opens 75 days before you sail. This is when you can start reserving Port Adventures, dining, spa treatments, character experiences & more.
Set a midnight reminder! Booking windows open at midnight Eastern Time. The most popular experiences — adult dining and top excursions especially — can fill within hours, so have the Navigator app and DisneyCruise.com ready the night before.

Your Key Dates

September 20, 2026
Activity Booking Window Opens
Reserve Port Adventures, dining, spa, character experiences & more.
November 4, 2026
Online Check-In Opens
Complete check-in and select your Port Arrival Time window — earlier check-in means earlier boarding. You'll provide guest data, citizenship documents, and any independent air/flight schedules here.
December 4, 2026
Set Sail! πŸŽ„
Arrive at Port Everglades during your selected arrival window. All aboard by 3:00 PM.

Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Friday
04
Dec 2026
Port Everglades — Set Sail
All aboard by 3:00 PM
Saturday
05
Dec 2026
Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point
Ashore 9:00 AM · All aboard 4:45 PM
Sunday
06
Dec 2026
Nassau, Bahamas
Ashore 8:00 AM · All aboard 5:00 PM
Monday
07
Dec 2026
Port Everglades — Return
Ashore 8:00 AM
Disney Lookout Cay is Disney's newest private island paradise in The Bahamas — beaches, water play, and included family fun. It's a highlight of this sailing, so it's a great place to look at Port Adventures early.

Before September 20 — Quick Prep

A few minutes now makes booking day smooth and stress-free:

  • Create/link your Disney Cruise Line accounts — add reservation 45177457 to each traveler's account at DisneyCruise.com or in the Navigator app.
  • Confirm your guest list — Peyton, Aaliyah, and Blaire should all show correctly on the reservation.
  • Have citizenship documents ready — a valid passport is strongly recommended for everyone (yes, even Blaire!). This is a closed-loop Bahamas sailing, but passports make everything smoother.
  • Have payment info handy — most add-ons are charged to your onboard account when you book.
  • Rank your must-haves — decide your top picks ahead of time so you can grab them fast the moment your window opens.

Book These First (They Sell Out Fastest)

1
Adult Dining — PaloThe Dream's signature adults-only (18+) restaurant. Brunch and dinner both fill within hours of the window opening. A lovely date-night option if you have a sitter or the nursery for Blaire.
2
Top Port AdventuresShore excursions at Disney Lookout Cay and Nassau. Beach days, cabanas, and family-friendly tours go quickly.
3
it's a small world NurseryFor little Blaire (ages 6 months–3 years). Space is very limited, so book this as soon as your window opens if you'd like some grown-up time.
4
Spa & Rainforest RoomMassages, couples treatments, and Rainforest Room passes are limited and popular on the sea-day portions of your cruise.
5
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique & Character ExperiencesIf anyone wants the princess or knight makeover, or reserved character moments, book early.

How to Book in the Navigator App

  1. Open the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or DisneyCruise.com and sign in.
  2. Open your reservation (#45177457) and tap My Plans.
  3. Select a day of your cruise, then tap Add Activities.
  4. Choose a category: Port Adventures, Onboard Fun, Dining, Spa & Fitness, or Nursery.
  5. Select your experience, choose which guests are joining, and pick a time.
  6. Review the details and confirm your reservation — you're all set!
Missed something or it's sold out? Keep checking back — cancellations open up regularly, right up to your sail date and even once you're onboard.

Your Online Check-In Guide

Opens 30 Days Before Sailing · Nov 4
A step-by-step walkthrough for your family
Before you start, have ready: travel documents, security photos, a payment card, and your pre- & post-cruise travel plans.
1

Start Check-In

Use the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or sign in online. Open My Reservations, select your sailing, then choose Online Check-In.

First-time cruiser tip: Check-in opens 30 days before sailing (November 4 for you). The earlier you check in, the earlier your Port Arrival Time options.
2

Complete Guest Information

For every guest (Peyton, Aaliyah & Blaire):

  • Confirm home address and contact details
  • Add an emergency contact who is not sailing
  • Upload the required citizenship or travel document
  • Enter document details exactly as shown
Bring all original travel documents to the port.
3

Upload Security Photos

For every guest, upload a photo that is:

  • Current color, head-and-shoulders
  • Plain background, face forward
  • No hats, sunglasses, or filters
  • Only one person in the photo
  • Not a photo of an existing ID

Then answer the questions about pregnancy and minors.

4

Set Up the Onboard Account

  • Add a credit or debit card, or choose cash/other
  • Select which guests' expenses this account covers
  • Decide which guests may make purchases
Only authorize charging privileges for guests you approve.
5

Complete Children's Details (for Blaire)

  • Add toilet-training status, nickname, allergies, and other considerations
  • Review the youth activity policies
  • Select adults authorized for drop-off and pickup
  • Create a memorable secret word
If a parent or legal guardian is not sailing, additional authorization may be required.
6

Enter Travel Plans

Add your pre- and post-cruise transportation, destination or hotel, and flight details.

7

Choose a Port Arrival Time

Select an available window. (Guests using Disney Cruise Line transportation may receive separate arrival instructions — but since your transfers are self-arranged, you'll pick your own window here.)

8

Accept the Cruise Contract

Review and e-sign the agreement.

9

Save Your Port Arrival Form

  • Save a digital copy and/or print it
  • Keep it with your carry-on and original travel documents
  • Watch your email and the app for any resubmission request
"Pending Review" is normal while your documents are being reviewed.
βœ“ Check-In Complete — You're Ready to Sail!
Any questions along the way? I'm always a message away.

And Remember — So Much Is Already Included

Not every bit of magic needs a reservation! Deck parties, Broadway-style stage shows, movies under the stars, the youth clubs, pools, and character meet-and-greets are all part of your cruise fare. And because this is a Very Merrytime holiday sailing, you'll get festive decor, a tree-lighting celebration, seasonal character moments, and holiday cheer all around the ship. Plan ahead for the extras that matter most, then leave plenty of room to simply soak up the magic. πŸŽ„

Want Me to Book It All For You?

Your choice, completely! I'm happy to handle every reservation on your behalf the moment your window opens on September 20 — just tell me your must-haves. Or if you'd like to book yourself, I'm always a message away if you get stuck.

Wander with Kelsey
Magically yours,
Kelsey
Concierge Planning — Always Free to You
kelsey@polkadotsnwishestravel.com · (864) 404-8264
Polka Dots N' Wishes Travel · wanderwithkelsey.com