Your most important tip for a first time cruise

[Cruise-n-2015]

My husband tells me I am researching this vacation to death! Lol

There is so much to learn about cruising for the first time as well as ports adventures.
So if there was one must know thing about the Disney dream cruise, what would you tell someone?

Such as someone mentioned, have your swim suits in your carry on when boarding..
And some one else said cookies and milk via room service at bedtime was something their kids looked forward to every night..

We travel the Disney Dream with our three kids in December ages 17, 13 and 11
So far we would like to parasail at castaway cay and do the blue lagoon dolphin swim at Nassau.

Obviously having fun and family time is our #1 rule!

 

[undertheradar]

My husband tells me I am researching this vacation to death! Lol
There is so much to learn about cruising for the first time as well as ports adventures.
So if there was one must know thing about the Disney dream cruise, what would you tell someone?

Obviously having fun is our #1 rule!

We travel the Disney Dream with our three kids in December ages 17, 13 and 11
So far we would like to parasail at castaway cay and do the blue lagoon dolphin swim at Nassau.[/QUOTE

 

[undertheradar]

Remember that you will not be able to do everything. Enjoy spending time together as a family and relax.

 

[Dug720]

Relax and know that you cannot do it all.

With the proposed excursions, do be aware that the Blue Lagoon dolphin (and sea lion) things tend to fill quickly and may be sold out by the time your booking window opens. You can check back for cancellations if they are.
Also parasailing is subject to wind conditions, so if it is deemed too windy to be safe that will be cancelled. You would be refunded if that happens.

 

[Justacruiser]

If you have an option do the 4-day cruise over the 3-day. Sea days are why alot of us cruise.

 

[lizabu]

Budget for your deposit for your next cruise. It's a great deal to book onboard and you're going to want to cruise again.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

Budget for your deposit for your next cruise. It's a great deal to book onboard and you're going to want to cruise again.

Lol I have already started "googling" for the next cruise.. The question for that one is kids or no kids lol

 

[bobbiwoz]

You may be too full to enjoy the milk and cookies or room service, but you know those things are available. I would be sure to read the Navigator ahead of time, go on the app and note your Favorites. They'll show up as reminders for you, but it's up to you to go to it or not. Sometimes I was happy doing what I was, maybe just on deck reading a book, or listening to the live music, and I passed on the other activity. At least I wasn't upset with myself when I realized what I had missed!

Bobbi

 

[bethy]

We are first time cruisers also and I've been researching intensely for about 4 months how. The most consistent advice I see is to try and live in the moment much of the time and not try and do it all. And then, from what I can tell there is a very significant upgrade in experience from a 3 night to a 4 night cruise if you can swing it. Apparently that extra day makes a near-priceless difference for most people.

 

[Dug720]

Heck, now that my parents have done a 7-day, I can't even get them to consider doing the 4-night Wonder with me next February.

Sure I prefer more nights, but I want to go on a classic before it gets made into a mini-me of the Dream class ships. And any nights on a cruise are better than none!!

 

[clambert1273]

best advice I got on my first one: talk half the cloths you think you need and double the budget

 

[ayz75]

My tip: don't be shy to order multiple dishes (or ask for a second serving!) you CAN order more than just one app, one main, etc.

When I was on the Oasis (Royal) the waiter was so awesome, he knew how much me and my friend liked seafood, so when it came lobster night, once we were almost done our lobster main, he brought 3 more lobster tails for the two of us to share

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

I am hoping to have any extra port excursions paid as well as gratuities paid for before we go on the cruise ( by placing those funds on on board credit, prior to leaving) so the rest of it will be extras.

 

[Justacruiser]

Also, if you pay for a Verandah make plans to sit on it at least 1 hour a day! Just don't get wrapped up in keeping busy the whole time. If you keep busy 24-7 you might as well be at WDW. Take time to walk a lap or 2 on deck 4, watch the sunrise or sunset. By the way over half of our 23 cruises have been without our DD. Actaully do cruises with other adult only couples (inlaws)

 

[Sunshine2U]

The biggest mistake we did when doing Disney parks or cruise with our children (now adults) is trying to do everything in a single trip. If you have read the boards, you know that the price of Disney cruises are going up, up, up to the point some cruisers are looking at other cruise lines. What this means is that you are paying a premium price to be on a Disney ship. I would not overdo the off-ship excursions. The ship is awesome! If you love your experience, you can repeat a Disney cruise or, since your children are older, try out a new line at a later time.

 

[dittymau]

My suggestion- trust in the Mouse, be careful that you don't overreach with your expectations, because you will miss the magic... Just as when at WDW, take time to smell the roses, figuratively... There is no perfect excursion, no perfect meal, no perfect on board experience ( ok, maybe Fireworks at sea is perfect) but just let the magic happen, don't force it, don't be one of those parents that lose it because they missed out on something... Be that person or family that just enjoys what is in front them, and goes home with the memories of the most awesome cruise ever... And I also suggest 7 days, 3-4 days is just a teaser...

 

[bethy]

My suggestion- trust in the Mouse, be careful that you don't overreach with your expectations, because you will miss the magic... Just as when at WDW, take time to smell the roses, figuratively... There is no perfect excursion, no perfect meal, no perfect on board experience ( ok, maybe Fireworks at sea is perfect) but just let the magic happen, don't force it, don't be one of those parents that lose it because they missed out on something... Be that person or family that just enjoys what is in front them, and goes home with the memories of the most awesome cruise ever... And I also suggest 7 days, 3-4 days is just a teaser...

Gosh I just adore this post!

 

[tvguy]

Set aside a few minutes every night to go over the Navigator (the ships newsletter than will be put in your stateroom every night) for the next day to see what activities you want to do. We almost missed some things we wanted to do by not reading carefully.,

 

[jrabbit]

• You can't Do It All
• You can't Eat It All - and this is the best time to try new foods .... FOR FREE!!! well not free, but you won't pay any extra for additional entrees or appetizers or desserts ... so if you try something new and don't like it you they will get you something that you do like.
• Sleep is for AFTER the vacation
• The family shows between dinner seatings are usually fun to watch and sometimes participate in
• The adult shows "late night" are also very entertaining (usually) .... and remember they only go as far as "Disney Dirty" so no F-bombs
• If John Charles is preforming - go to his show(s)
• You don't need to participate in a FE group
• You don't need to worry about Dining Rotation - you will be assigned a dinning room and table each night
• REMEMBER - You Might be sharing a table with "strangers" ... well they are strangers only until you introduce yourselves and start visiting.
• SUNSCREEN - religiously ... er well at least Frequently and completely -- if you are "northerners" the sun IS Different down there and you will burn!!
• 
  
• DOCUMENTATION: Make sure that you have all required documentation gathered, checked and available LONG before you leave for your cruise. Make sure it meets the requirements.... like passport is valid for 6 months after your trip or you have the "correct" Birth Certificate and photo id. CHECK IT NOW!!! better safe than sorry.

 

[bumbershoot]

Read the Navigators. For us it takes more than a few minutes, but even on a 3 nighter it's well worth it. Figure out what the family wants to do, and make it happen that next day. Cruises are scheduled in chunks of 15 minutes, sometimes, it seems, which can make it feel rushed. So have a plan.