Disney Cruise Royal Princess Gathering: What It Is and Why Midnight Matters
One of the most magical and most competitive experiences on a Disney Cruise is the Royal Princess Gathering.
This is a special character meet-and-greet where children can meet multiple Disney Princesses in one elegant setting onboard. Instead of waiting in separate lines at different times, your child gets the chance to interact with several princesses (like Belle, Jasmine, Moana, Tiana, Rapunzel) during a single experience. There are autographs, photos, tiaras, curtsies, hugs, and some truly unforgettable moments.
But…
It’s completely free.
It’s incredibly popular.
And space is extremely limited.
How the Royal Princess Gathering works
The Royal Princess Gathering is a scheduled character event that requires a reservation. Disney does not allow walk-ups for this experience. If you want a spot, you must try to book it as soon as reservations open.
Reservations open exactly 30 days before your sailing date at midnight Eastern Time.
Not 30 days before online check-in. Not the morning of.
Midnight. Exactly.
Reservations are made through the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app or the Disney Cruise Line website. Under “My Plans,” find “View or Add Activities.”
Because of how competitive this is, I always want families to go in with clear expectations.
This is one of the fastest-selling onboard activities on any Disney Cruise.
Even if you are logged in and refreshing at 12:00 a.m. on the dot, there is still a very real chance it will already be gone. Some sailings sell out in minutes. Others sell out in seconds.
Because this booking window is so stressful for families, this is one area where we step in and help.
If you book your Disney Cruise with Be Prepared Vacations, one of our services is staying up and attempting to secure the Royal Princess Gathering reservation for your family the moment it becomes available.
That means:
• You don’t have to set a midnight alarm
• You don’t have to refresh the app repeatedly
• You don’t have to worry about missing the booking window
We will make the attempt for you and let you know the outcome right away.
It’s important to know that even when you try right at 12:00 a.m. EST, this experience is never guaranteed. Availability varies by ship and sailing, and Disney releases a very limited number of spots. I always try, but I want to be transparent about how competitive this reservation truly is.
Who this experience is best for
The Royal Princess Gathering is especially magical for younger children, typically preschool through early elementary age. Older kids are absolutely welcome, but this experience tends to resonate most with little ones who love princess stories and characters.
What families love most about it
- Your child will meet multiple princesses during your scheduled time
- Disney photographers are present if you don’t want to juggle your phone
- Photos are included if you purchase the cruise photo package
- Costumes are optional. Kids do not need to dress up to participate
- The setting feels calm and special compared to other open meet-and-greets
- It’s FREE!
A few important things to know
- The exact princesses vary by sailing.
- The day and time of the Royal Princess Gathering vary by ship and itinerary.
- You won’t know the exact time until the reservation is secured.
- If you can’t make the Royal Princess Gathering for some reason, such as a conflicting reservation, make sure to cancel. This opens up your slot to someone else who is waiting! Don’t worry, there is no fee or penalty for giving up your spot.
If you don’t get a reservation at midnight, don’t panic
Even if the Royal Princess Gathering is sold out right away, there is still hope.
Cancellations, schedule changes, and onboard adjustments sometimes cause spots to reopen. I always recommend continuing to check frequently before your cruise and even on embarkation day for cancellations.
Visit Guest Services as soon as you board the ship; they can often add you to a waitlist or find last-minute spots.
It’s also good to know that Disney Cruise Line offers additional princess meet-and-greets throughout the cruise that do not require reservations. While the Royal Princess Gathering is the most popular option, it’s not the only opportunity for royal encounters onboard.
Final thoughts
If meeting Disney Princesses is high on your child’s wish list, the Royal Princess Gathering is absolutely worth trying for. I just want families to understand that this is one of the hardest reservations to get at sea, even with perfect timing.
