Preparing for your time in Germany

When packing personal clothing, please keep the weather in mind. Average temperatures in Germany can range from 10 to 30 degrees Celsius (50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) from May through October, and rain can occur frequently in the summer and early autumn. Please check the local weather before you travel and remember that you might be packing for more than one season. Crew will not be required to wear costumes during their time in Germany, so it is important to pack a sufficient amount of comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing. Please remember to also pack closed-toe shoes and thick socks to wear with the steel-toed shoes that DCL will provide for wearing at the shipyard.

Vessel Commissioning Team members with construction site responsibility will wear site-appropriate attire. Those not required to be on-site as part of their responsibilities will be able to wear personal clothing, including jeans. All individuals will be required to follow the Disney Look once individuals are living on the ship. Please see the Disney Look Book for additional details.

Don't forget your nametag! It is important to bring your Disney Cruise Line name tag with you, as neither the shipyard nor the ship will have the capability to issue a new one immediately upon your arrival.

Preparing for your full contract

As you begin to pack for your upcoming journey, take time to prepare and ensure you have the appropriate documents and personal belongings that you will need for your full contract.

Luggage

Due to limited space within each crew cabin, it is suggested that you pack conservatively for your time onboard.

• Once you embark the ship, everything you bring will be stored only in your cabin.

Please be mindful of the size of your luggage. The designated storage area underneath the beds in each cabin is approximately 80 cm wide by 38 cm high.

• You must be able to carry your own belongings; it is recommended that you use wheeled luggage.
• Soft-sided bags and suitcases are quick and easy to store.

Clothing

You will be representing the company while working and also during your personal time in guest areas and in ports of call. For those reasons, please choose your clothing with care.

• Comfortable, casual clothing such as jeans, shorts, and t-shirts of good taste can be worn in crew areas.
• Pack clothing that you can layer based on the weather. Temperatures will fluctuate through the seasons in different ports of call. A sweater or jacket is recommended for cooler evenings.
• You will also need a swimsuit to participate in Personal Survival Techniques (PST) safety training (known as "wet drill"), and for your personal relaxation time.
• In addition to casual clothing, we suggest you bring at least one nice outfit to wear for special occasions or crew events. Sunglasses, suntan lotion and/or bug spray are also strongly recommended.
• Long sleeve and/or pants are recommended for winter months and to prevent bug bites and/or sunburn. A sweater, wind breaker and/or light jacket for cooler mornings and evenings is also recommended. 

Toiletries

You should bring toiletries (i.e. shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, hair spray, etc.) onboard with you. Please know that once sailings begin, prices may be higher for toiletries and other personal items in some ports of call, so you will want to ensure you have what you need to last at least two weeks.

Decorations

Posters, small decorative items, personal mementos, photographs, a calendar, books, and other personal items can be brought onboard. However, tape and/or nails cannot be used to hang items. Magnets are acceptable. You will be living in your cabin for several months, and we want you to feel at home. For safety reasons, candles and incense burners are not allowed. Remember that your cabin has limited space and your roommate(s) will also bring items.

Room Linens

Bed linens, a bed cover, towels, and a small amount of coat/clothing hangers are provided in your cabin. Should you desire, you are allowed to bring personal linens and towels. The laundering of your personal linens is your responsibility; there will be a laundry facility available onboard.

Medicine and Prescriptions

If you are currently taking medicine as prescribed by your own personal doctor at home, you should bring a supply to last for the duration of your contract. Once onboard, you are required to register all prescriptions and/or medicines with the medical team. All new and returning crew must present any new medication to the medical center upon embarkation. If you become ill or injured while on vacation, please report to DCL-Crew.Medical.Services@disney.com before returning to your contract.

Please note: Medications containing controlled substances such as codeine, even if they are readily available without a prescription at home, are not allowed onboard due to compliance with flag state laws.

Shoes

Visit the shoe resource guide to learn about what work shoes you need for your role onboard. Some shoes are provided and others require that you purchase them prior to your arrival.

Alcohol

For crew members that are 21 or older, you will have availability to purchase alcohol onboard. As you complete your onboard training, you will learn more about what alcohol purchases are allowed on the ship, as well as in our ports of call. You may purchase alcohol onboard or in the Castaway Cay crew store if you are 21 years or older. Failure to comply could result in disciplinary action, not excluding termination.

Smoking, alcohol and drug consumption is generally prohibited throughout the shipyard premises, including in vehicles. Individual sub-areas may be exempted from the general smoking ban; these areas are marked accordingly. It is prohibited to bring alcoholic beverages, drugs and other addictive substances to the site or to consume them there. It is prohibited to enter the yard in an intoxicated state. This includes onboard the ship. While the vessel is docked at the shipyard (i.e. in Papenburg, Bremerhaven, or Wismar), you may not bring or consume alcohol onboard.

Voltage / Electronics

Voltage is 110 and 220 volts in crew cabins on most vessels; the Disney Adventure has 220 volt Type C (Europlug) outlets only. Items using 110V should not exceed 1500W; items using 220V should not exceed 2000W. All electronics must be checked and cleared for use by the Engineering team for safety reasons.

• Appliances such as hair dryers and razors from most parts of the world will work on the ship
• A small radio or portable/personal audio player with headphones is recommended.
• We recommend you bring a watch and a battery-powered alarm clock.

Clothing irons, kettles, blenders, or heat-producing equipment may not be brought on board. Disney Cruise Line will provide access to those items. UL, CE, CSA or equivalent approved coffee or hot drink machines that make single cups from capsules may be used in cabins.

If you have any questions regarding whether or not you can bring a particular item onboard, please contact us before leaving home.

Face Coverings

The requirement to wear a facial covering for Guests and Crew will be based upon ship and/or itinerary. Requirements will also be influenced by current health advisories. While today, masking is optional for Crew in Guest and Crew areas, all Crew must be receptive to wearing a facial covering if/when required.

If possible, it is recommended that you carry both credit card (karte) or cash in euros with you, depending on where you are going. Some locally-owned restaurants or shops may only take cash.

German Payroll

Prior to the start of your assignment, the DCL HR team will need you to complete a questionnaire form to get your payroll set up to the bank of your choice.
Details on the payroll enrollment process will be provided closer to the start of your contract.

Banking

Cast and Crew Members who are staying in Germany longer than 90 days and do not have an EU or UK bank account will need to open a bank account at a German financial institute to receive your wages and to pay your bills. To open a bank account, you need the following documents:
- passport
- certificate of proof of residence (Meldebestätigung)
- proof of adequate finances (in some cases)
We encourage you to make an appointment at the bank of your choice, taking into consideration factors such as fees, branch locations, and availability of service in your preferred language.

Tax Equalization

All VCT Crew Members will receive more detailed information on how to participate in the Tax Equalization program prior to the start of their assignment.

Please check your travel itinerary for your assigned hotel for the night of your arrival.

Once you land at Bremen Airport, please collect your luggage and head to the hotel.

The Atlantic Hotel Airport is conveniently located at Bremen Airport and is a quick walk from the terminal area. You will stay overnight, and in the morning, transportation will pick you and your fellow Crew Members up to transport you to Papenburg.

Hotel Address:
Flughafenallee 26, 28199 Bremen

Hotel Phone Number:
+49 (0) 421 5571-0

Your room has been designated as a smoke-free room. Smoking or vaping is allowed only in designated smoking areas.

Your room will not be serviced during your stay; however, if you need fresh linens or towels, you may request them.

Complimentary high-speed internet and Wi-Fi will be available.

Complimentary meal information will be provided upon hotel check-in.

Please be aware that you'll be responsible for the cost of long-distance telephone calls. If you charge any expenses to your room during your stay, please settle the payment at the Front Desk before checking out.

If you have a true medical emergency, please dial 112.

Please note that your room may not be ready until the designated check-in time. Please see the front desk upon your hotel check-in for more details.

Dining Information: DCL Crew Members are entitled to breakfast, lunch, and dinner each full day of their stay. Your meal allotment is based on your anticipated time of check-in to the hotel. The exact allowance will be provided by the front desk. Please keep in mind alcohol is not included in your meal allowance. If you purchase alcohol or go over your allowance you need to pay for this at check-out.​ When paying for meals, please add a tip in accordance with local customs if a gratuity is not already included.

Restaurant Information: Restaurant Blixx is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Please check with the hotel for restaurant hours.

For any hotel amenity questions, please contact the front desk.​

Transportation Information:

You will receive additional information about transportation by email prior to your arrival.

If you have any questions or need any other information before you travel, please let us know.

For other non-medical emergencies regarding your travel, such as flight challenges or cancellations, contact the Crew Emergency phone line at  +1-407-566-6999 or by email at DCL.Crew.Travel@disney.com.

Please check your travel itinerary for your assigned hotel for the night of your arrival.

Once you land at Hamburg Airport, please collect your luggage and head to the hotel. 

The Radisson Blu Hamburg Airport is conveniently located at Hamburg Airport and is a quick walk from the terminal area. Once you have gathered all of your belongings, you will proceed through the luggage collection hall and exit the airport building through the Departure Terminal (one level above). The hotel is directly across the street from the main terminal (between Terminal One and Two). Additional information about the hotel can be found below.

You will stay overnight, and in the morning, transportation will pick you and your fellow Crew Members up to bring you to Wismar. You will be picked up from the hotel at 8:30 AM and brought directly to the Meyer Wismar shipyard (approx. 2 hour drive).

Once you arrive at the shipyard, you will complete the Safety Orientation and receive your work location assignment.

Your respective Leader will welcome you and give you more information on expected working hours, breaks, and transportation to your accommodation.

The rest of your first day is reserved for you to visit the supermarket or other stores to get supplies for your first few days before heading to your accommodation.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport

Hotel Address: 

Flughafenstr. 1-3, 22335 Hamburg, Germany

Hotel Phone Number: 

+49 40 3003000

Please ask the front desk for a "Hotel Welcome Letter" if you don't receive one at check-in. This letter contains important information about your stay and includes a health screening form, which you'll need to fill out for embarkation day.

Your room has been designated as a smoke-free room. Smoking or vaping is not allowed during your stay.

Your room will not be serviced during your stay; however, if you need fresh linens or towels, you may request them.

Complimentary high-speed internet and Wi-Fi will be available.

DCL Crew Members are entitled to breakfast, lunch, and dinner each full day of their stay. Your meal allotment is based on anticipated time of check-in to the hotel. The exact allowance will be provided by the front desk. Please keep in mind alcohol is not included in your meal allowance. If you purchase alcohol or go over your allowance you need to pay for this at check-out.​ When paying for meals, please add a tip in accordance with local customs if a gratuity is not already included.

Restaurant Information:

• Breakfast is offered weekdays from 6:00 am to 10:30 am and weekends from 6:00 am to 11:00 am.
• Circle Bar & Restaurant: Lunch is available daily from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, and dinner is available daily from 5:00 pm to 10:30 pm.

Please be aware that you'll be responsible for the cost of long-distance telephone calls. 

If you have a true medical emergency, call 112.

If you charge any expenses to your room during your stay, please settle the payment at the Front Desk before checking out. Please know The Radisson Blu Hotel, Hamburg Airport is a cashless hotel and accepts card and contactless payments only.

Please note that your room may not be ready until the designated check-in time. Please see the Front Desk upon your Hotel Check-In for more details.

If you have any questions or need any other information before you travel, please let us know.

If you need urgent assistance upon your arrival in Wismar, please contact +49 151 25825254.

For other non-medical emergencies regarding your travel, such as flight challenges or cancellations, contact the Crew Emergency phone line at  +1-407-566-6999 or by email at DCL.Crew.Travel@disney.com.

Members of the Disney Destiny Vessel Commissioning Team will be residing in Papenburg, Germany for the duration of their assignment, and members of the Disney Adventure Vessel Commissioning Team will be residing in Wismar, Germany for the duration of their assignment.  Crew Members may be required to obtain a C or D visa, and possibly a residency permit to allow them to work locally in the area. 

There are two main factors that will determine a Crew Member’s visa requirement- their nationality and length of time on their VCT contract. For more information about what visa you may require, you may visit the website of the German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt) or the German embassy, also known as German Mission, in your home country. Please review this information carefully as a visa may need to be obtained prior to your arrival in Germany. The Federal Foreign Office's website includes links to help you locate the nearest embassy for the most up-to-date information about visa applications and requirements.

If you have any questions regarding the documents that you will require in order to complete your visa application, please contact us.

Please check with your leader or Human Resources to determine whether a city registration appointment is required for your stay in Germany.

Cast and Crew who are staying in Germany longer than 90 days are required to register at the local city office. An appointment will be scheduled for you so that you can register yourself with the help of the port agent. This process must be completed before you can apply for your residence permit.

Papenburg

The Papenburg Citizens' Office (Bürgerbüro Papenburg) is located at Friederikenstraße 11, near the town hall and church of Papenburg. The Friederikenstraße, shown as a red dotted line on the map above, is a small street with numerous stores. It can be  accessed from the main streets on either side: Hauptkanal Rechts or Am Stadtpark.

You are required to arrive at the office approximately 5 minutes before your appointment. You will be welcomed and assisted throughout your appointment by someone from CSP (Cruise Services Papenburg). The only item you will need to bring with you to the appointment is your passport, the rest will be taken care of by CSP. The contact information for CSP Cruise Services is info@cs-papenburg.de. 

Wismar

The Wismar Citizens' Service Center (BürgerServiceCenter der Hansestadt Wismar - Stadthaus) is located near the city hall building at Am Markt 11 23966 Wismar. The Port Agent will arrange the appointment and will send confirmation details to you via email. Transportation will also be arranged by the Port Agent for the day of your registration. 

General Information

Meyer Werft is one of the largest and most modern shipyards in the world. Cruise ships for international shipping companies have been built at their production and construction docks for several decades. Around 50 luxury liners have left the shipyard to date – and the next vessels are already under construction.

The Meyer family has kept its shipbuilding company on course for 225 years – that’s seven generations. The company was founded in Papenburg, and the shipyard facilities are still located there to this day. This is where the shipyard’s founder, Willm Rolf Meyer, started building small wooden sailing boats in 1795. Over the decades and centuries that followed, Meyer Werft constantly showed its pioneering spirit. Meyer Werft is considered one of the leading technological specialists in the field of cruise ship construction.

Walt Disney Imagineering and Disney Cruise Line previously partnered with Meyer Werft for the creation of the Disney Dream (2010) and the Disney Fantasy (2012). We have now partnered with the shipyard once again for the creation of three new vessels as part of a new class of ships, with the Disney Wish (2022), the Disney Treasure (2024), and now the Disney Destiny.

In November 2022, the MEYER Group founded MEYER WISMAR to complete the Disney Adventure with construction at the Wismar shipyard.

Shipyard Badging Process

Prior to your arrival, you will receive additional details about the locations within the shipyard that you will be accessing, including site offices and parking locations. You will also be given information about how to receive your shipyard badge and the type of badge that you will receive.

For your first visit to the yard, please bring the following:

• Disney Crew Member blue ID
• Passport
• Driver's license
• Previous Meyer Werft shipyard badge, if available

In certain cases, the paper badge issued to you may be temporary, and you will be provided with a permanent yellow shipyard badge after participating in Yard Safety Training. These two badges can be used at the gates by scanning the badge, which will grant you access to the shipyard without having to go by the security office each time you arrive.

Meyer Werft Shipyard Map: Papenburg

To access the Meyer Werft Shipyard through one of its three gates, you will need to have either a paper/temporary badge or a permanent shipyard badge, which will be issued to you depending on your role and length of stay.

Meyer Wismar Shipyard

Crew joining the Disney Adventure will receive additional information about accessing the Meyer Wismar shipyard upon arrival. After completing required safety training and completing paperwork, crew will travel in groups to the shipyard for issuance of Shipyard ID badges.