Any advice for some first time cruise About This Page:

[Eeyoresmom]

So, we are planning another Disney cruise (last time we postphoned because we found out we were pregnant). Our baby is now 3, so it has been a while since I have done the research!

Do any of you have any advice for our famly of 4 first time cruisers? The kids will be 8 and 4, looking at a 3 or 4 night cruise on DCL along with some time at WDW. (I have ordered the Passporter cruise books but can not open them on my tablet or phone, so I am axiously awaiting the arrival!)

[toddjodybrent]

Our top tips:
--We prefer to do the sea portion first, then the land. It takes less time to get to Walt Disney World from the ship than vice versa. You can disembark and be in a park by 10:00 am!
--Try to be in the first groups to board the ships (hence the advice above). You get an uncrowded ship and it is like adding another day to your cruise.
--Buy the photo CD. Yes, it's expensive, but you won't regret it.
--Get up and out early on Castaway Cay day. The day flies by and you don't want to miss any of your time on this island paradise.
--Rebook your next cruise while on board. If you love your cruise, book your next one while on board and get some perks--discounts, on board credits.
--A DCL vacation is the easiest vacation you will ever go on (other than Adventures by Disney).
Enjoy!

[cbate717]

I have done a 7 night and a 4 night. The 4 flew by!! So if I had to choose 3 or 4, I would go with a 4. You get that at sea day to really explore and enjoy the ship.

I enjoy doing the land first then sea. I find that we run run run in WDW and are exhausted by the time it's done. My husband always says we need a vacation from our vacation. We like to run around WDW and then relax more on the cruise. But there is no right or wrong answer to which to do first.

[OhToodles!]

I too, second the 4 night. Our first cruise (in 2013, with our 2nd being this October) was a 4 night on the Dream and I wanted a 7 night by day2!
If you go to Nassau - stay on the ship and enjoy lower crowds.
Send the kids to the kid's club and go to Palo - brunch or dinner - or both!
Late dinner seating the kids can get their meals right away, then be picked up at the restaraunt to go to the kid's club. Late dinner worked for us and the boys were 6& 3 then. Yes, we were done after dinner but we'd had a full day up to that point.
IN 2013 we spent a few days before AND after at WDW, but didn't go to the parks. The day we got off the ship we went to MK for MNSSHP. This year we are spending 3 nights in WDW and going to the parks after the cruise (timing of school break worked that way).

Enjoy!

[lindadarrall]

I agree: do 4 nights. On my 3-night cruise I finally learned where everything was, and then it was time to leave.

Don't think for a moment that you can do or see everything. Take an item to Guest Sevices for the characters to sign ( for free!). Photo mats and pillowcases are popular items for this.

Palo brunch. Yum. Do it!

[iloverags2]

I'm just going to repost some of the final thoughts/ramblings/tips I have included in previous trip reports.

· Visit Cove Café and have a snack and/or drink. The snacks require no additional cost (the drinks, even coffee drinks, do have an extra charge) and there is no need to purchase something to enjoy the treats!
· My mantra after every cruise shall continue – if you decide to get off the ship in Nassau (and you really should especially if you have never been!), be kind to the locals. We are far more fortunate than they are, and should be thankful for that. A polite “no” will suffice; and most are ready to chat it up with you if you are interested in any of their city and/or culture.
· Hunt for the strawberry soup during the embarkation lunch! It is out of this world good, and the only day I always see it. It’s somewhere - trust me!
· Go to Palo! Seriously...GO! We prefer dinner, and this cruise was no exception. It’s a wonderful evening between the service, food, and atmosphere. We considered bagging it this cruise, and I am sooooooo glad we did not, and decided to go. Probably our best experience yet!
· I say this in every one of my cruise trip reports, but believe it is worth repeating. Please keep in mind the folks in Nassau (and even some other ports) who are trying to get you to purchase something from them (goods or services) pretty much rely on this as their sole income. By no means are the majority of these folks wealthy, and just think how difficult it is for them to watch ships coming in each and every day, when they most likely will not have the means to cruise themselves. Be kind when turning them down. They will not take it personally.
· While we are on Nassau, get your passport stamped there!
· Buy stamps in Nassau to use on postcards being mailed from Castaway Cay, in the event the post office at CC is closed on your day there. They have a slot outside for mail.
· Join an FE group here, on Facebook, or on the DIS! It’s a great way to meet people on your sailing, and it is such a treat to find goodies by your cabin door throughout the cruise. I will admit, the group can make or break the experience, and on this particular cruise they really MADE the experience! We had a wonderful camaraderie before the cruise, via the message board, and we often saw folks in our group and were able to have nice chats with all of them.
· If on the Magic or Wonder, take a stroll on Deck 4 and enjoy seeing the inner workings of the ship in the forward section.
· If time permits, sit in on the DVC presentation. While we are still on the fence about its benefits for us, it still is quite informative and typically a fun atmosphere. In addition you may win a door prize, or even $300 OBC!
· Always have a camera handy - you never know who you are going to bump into, or where!
· Be ready at the stroke of midnight on the day you can begin to book Palo and/or shore excursions. If there is a particular date and/or time, be sure you are ready with those.
· Decorate your door. If for no other reason, it just adds some happiness to your cruise!
· Take your time with purchases. There was only one “must purchase” item at the beginning (the scrapbook). Other than that, we patiently looked and shopped until we were sure what we wanted to buy. Same goes for photos. You will have an opportunity throughout the cruise to purchase whichever ones you want (hello kiosks!). Don’t fork over tons of money up front!
· Shop late. The shops will be less crowded and easier to navigate. Due to space constraints it can get awfully claustrophobic in the onboard shops right after the stage shows let out!
· Explore the ship! There are just so many neat nooks and crannies. And you just never know who you might bump into, like Stitch or Mickey.
· Always carry your camera with you. You just never know what or who you will see!
· Get off at every port, even if for just a short time. No matter what you think, every destination has something to offer.
· Be pleasant to the locals. When you think about it, we’re lucky we have the opportunity to cruise on such a great ship; I’m sure those less fortunate wish they were in our shoes, and how difficult it must be for them to see this day in and day out.
· Do not miss Palo! I cannot stress enough how wonderful this meal is. It’s not just the food, but the service and the atmosphere. Truly an all-around experience.
· Find the treasures of food outside of the norm. Sandwiches from Goofy’s Galley, Daisy’s De-Lites or Flo’s Café; Pastries from Cove Café; Mickey Bars from Room Service. These treats are just as good, if not better than those found in obvious places.
· Book second seating for dinner. You won’t feel as rushed in the ports (to be back on the ship in time for dinner). In addition, you have the added benefit of having late breakfast on debarkation morning.
· Mail postcards from Castaway Cay. Ours arrived about two to three weeks later – not bad!
· Eat at the buffet for breakfast on the last morning before disembarking. It is not nearly as rushed as the dining room, plus you can go at your leisure (rather than an assigned time).
And a few pics of random run-ins (which is why I always have a camera with me!)..

[jagmom08]

My biggest tip is pack more than one swimsuit. We spent most of our onboard time during the day in our suits and I have never enjoyed putting on a still wet swimsuit the next day.

[unewillow]

I agree with the 4-night, it's a great way to get your cruising feet wet.

When were you looking to go? The itineraries out of NYC next year may be a great option for you, since you wouldn't have to fly. My parents and I did the Nova Scotia cruise (5 nights) in 2012 and it was beautiful. We had an airport shuttle pick us up at my gransfathers in NE Philly and take us to/from the port and it was significantly less expensive (and more relaxing) than driving ourselves and parking the car for a week.