Anchors & Outfits: The Art of Character Bounding at Sea

One of the things I LOVE about a Disney Cruise is the ease of meeting characters throughout your sailing.

Captain Mickey on the Disney Magic

This means there are multiple chances to bound as your favorite characters and see their reactions to your bounds! So, let's embark on this written journey, and look at the bounding opportunities found onboard a Disney Cruise.

Disney Magic pool deck, showing the two smoke stacks on the ship

The first chance to bound begins on embarkation day and continues throughout your sailing; its character meets and greets. After being welcomed aboard by Disney Cruise Line Cast Members, look around (or consult the Disney Cruise Line app) and, it won't be long before you encounter characters ready to interact with you.

Kelly bounding as Captain Mickey with Captain Minnie

On the first day of sailing, the classic characters Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, Chip, and Dale can be seen in their cruising outfits, providing picture-perfect opportunities to start wearing your bounds and interacting with these fantastic friends.

For the classic characters, I was inspired by Captain Mickey and Cruise Donald.

Captain Mickey Bound Details:

  • Navy blouse
  • Navy blazer
  • White skort
  • White wristband
  • Navy bow barrette
  • White sunglasses
Kelly on a balcony of the Disney Magic and bounding as Captain Mickey


One bonus of bounding as cruise-themed characters is that several of my pieces were reusable for multiple bounds throughout the sailing.

Cruise Donald Bound Details:

Cruise Donald
  • White and red striped shirt
  • White skort
  • White wristband
  • Navy bow barrette
  • Navy bow barrette clipped on shirt
  • White sunglasses


Another point worth mentioning is that these same characters can be seen numerous times during your cruise in different outfits, giving you even more opportunities to create bounds inspired by their signature styles.

The second opportunity to showcase your character-inspired bounds is at the ships' shows and parties. From Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party to the Broadway-caliber shows in the Walt Disney Theatre, endless options exist to bound during your time sailing the seas.

Entrance to the Walt Disney Theatre on the Disney Magic
Take a look at the picture below, and what do you notice?
Disney Cruise Line performers form Mickey’s Sail-A-Wave Party bounding as Disney characters

Even the Cruise Line Cast Members in the Sail-A-Wave Party are bounding as Disney characters! To me, this highlights how popular bounding has become in the Disney community; it's even being used for their entertainment Cast Members.

By far, my favorite time to bound on a cruise is dinner. The phenomenal theming of the ship's restaurants creates a perfect setting for bounding.

These restaurants' theming is spectacular, from the dinnerware, the art on the walls, and even the details in the chairs.

Beauty and the Beast designed table number at Lumiere’s on the Disney Magic
Beauty and the Beast mural in Lumiere’s restaurant on the Disney Magic

For our sailing on the Disney Magic, I bounded three out of the four nights (the other night was the Pirate party, and I wore a pirate-themed shirt). Here's a look at each of those bounds.

Restaurant: Lumiere's

Belle Bound:

  • Light blue and white polka-dot dress
Paired with the accessories from our Book Loving Princess bounding box
  • Light blue satin bow
  • Book earrings
    &
  • Rose necklace
Kelly bounding as Belle outside of Lumiere’s on the Disney Magic

Restaurant: Animator's Palate

plate setting at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Magic
Sorcerer Mickey at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Magic

Sorcerer Mickey Bound:

  • Red dress
  • Navy bow barrette
  • Navy bow barrette clipped on the dress
  • Gold chain belt
Kelly bounding as Sorcerer Mickey at Animator’s Palate on the Disney Magic

Restaurant: Rapunzel's Royal Table

table setting with stage in the background at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic
snack cart for characters at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic
Rapunzel designed bread basket at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic

Rapunzel Bound:

Kelly bounding as Rapunzel next to Rapunzel at Rapunzel’s Royal Table on the Disney Magic
  • Light purple dress
Paired with the accessories from our Tower Princess bounding box
  • Chameleon ring
  • Lantern scarf
    &
  • Frying pan necklace
Kelly bounding as Rapunzel on a balcony on the Disney Magic

Whether dining in beautifully decorated restaurants with delicious food, seeing wave-making shows, meeting characters, or looking through a porthole, sailing the seas with Disney Cruise Line is a sea-riously wonderful place to accessorize with a story and make new magical memories!

Kelly bounding as Cruise Donald and looking out the window on the Disney Magic

 

~Kelly

 

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