Disney Cruises Everthing You Need to Know

I finally did it! Later on years of hearing others go on-and-on most Disney Cruises, my family and I embarked on our kickoff voyage. A 3-nighttime Bahamian cruise aboard the Disney Dream and it was just that- a dream!

As a consummate newbie in the cruise world, I knew very little about what we were about to get into. Of course, I had read a few things online but what I really needed was a uncomplicated guide with the nuts for our start cruise.

So that is exactly what I've done for you! If y'all are thinking of planning your first cruise, savor reading all these bones tips to get you started. If you've already cruised, keep reading and maybe y'all'll acquire something new to make your next sailing smoother.

Choosing Your Itinerary

Our plan was to get-go with a short cruise to get our feet moisture. As someone who is prone to motion sickness, I was not certain how I would handle the rocking of a send. Have me out on a boat on the lake and I'm fine, but this would be quite a flake dissimilar. Thus, we decided a 3-nighttime cruise would work best for us.

Still, looking back, 3-nights is simply non enough. What y'all expect will be a 4-day cruise is truly 2 days. Your first solar day is spent onboarding and getting settled. Your concluding day involves an early morning, requiring you to disembark before ten AM. This leaves yous 2 total days to enjoy everything the ship has to offering… just not enough!

Our 3-night sailing began and ended at Port Canaveral with a finish at Nassau and a stop at Castaway Cay (Disney's individual island). For your outset cruise, I suggest at least 4-nights. It'southward long enough to experience the ship and short enough in case you end upward feeling seasick.

Choosing Your Room

Palatial Oceanview Stateroom on the Disney Dream (1 pocket-size porthole)

Equally I mentioned higher up, the rocking of a cruise ship is very different from a jaunt in the canoe. While I was told past our stateroom host that it was a very smooth trip, you could admittedly feel the rocking of the ship.

The offset 24 hours took some adjusting for me. My hubby, on the other paw, barely noticed the rocking. I attribute the adjustment menstruum to my "motility sensitivity" (i.e. can't ride in the back of a motorcar or bus for long). I did manage to make it the whole trip without requiring any medicine, but I would recommend bringing it or having information technology on hand if you are prone to motion-sickness.

That being said, when choosing your stateroom, the lower and more than cardinal you are in the ship the less motion yous will feel. If you're on a higher deck and forward (forepart of the ship) or in the aft (back of the ship) you lot volition feel the most move. So cull wisely!

Another thing to consider is that not all staterooms are created equal. While I wouldn't telephone call the staterooms "large", Disney has washed a great task of utilizing space. For instance, y'all'll find plenty of room under the beds to store suitcases and the closets offer a perfect corporeality of space to slide your suitcase right in.

I recommend selecting a Family Deluxe Stateroom with a split bathroom. In addition to a little more than space, y'all will have 2 bathrooms – ane with a sink and toilet and one with a sink and shower. As a family of 4, we really appreciated this setup.

Online Check-In

For your first prowl, y'all will exist able to check-in online at midnight EST, 75 days before your departure engagement.  While the DCL website will walk you through the process, the main sections to review and/or complete include:

• Invitee Information Form
• Payment Dominance Form
• Online Check-In and Signature Grade
• My Cruise Activites (excursions, special dining, nursery, spa activities)
• Fun Aboard (register your kids for the kids social club)
• Schedule a character call (our kids loved this!)
• Packing list (what you tin can and cannot bring)
• Air and Basis Transportation (guidelines, etc…)
• Passport and Travel Documentation
• Stay Continued
• In-Room Gifts and Shopping
• Driving Directions
• Pre-Arrival Guide

For this cruise, the merely activities we scheduled during online bank check-in were the Princess Gathering and a meet and greet with Anna and Elsa. Other than that we were just looking to explore the very basics, a wise decision on our part.

Packing

I had no thought what to pack. "What practice people fifty-fifty wear on cruise ships?", I wondered. During the twenty-four hours we mostly wore casual shorts and t-shirts if we weren't wearing bathing suits and coverups. For dinner, we donned sundresses and polos, which worked perfectly.

One matter I wish I knew was how much  "Pirate Night" is. Each cruise will have a pirate nighttime onboard which includes costumes, fireworks, dance parties and more! Everyone will receive a bandana in their stateroom for that evening, simply you volition also see guests in full-on pirate attire. It was incredible. By no means do yous demand to become out and spend hundreds of dollars to look similar Helm Jack Sparrow, only some "piratey" flare and inspired-attire volition assistance y'all to fit right in.

Other than that a few items I'd recommend bringing:

• large cups with lids and straws (makes it easy to bring a drink back to your room at the end of the day without worrying about spilling)
• sunscreen
• passport (or other travel documents)
• bathing suit (assuming you're not sailing to Alaska in the wintertime)
• photographic camera (or your telephone)
• chargers

In my stance, less is best! Go along in mind yous'll need to store everything that you do bring and the staterooms may be a bit smaller than what you expect. Also, keep in mind that Disney will provide towels and life jackets, so there'due south no need to worry about either of those!

Inflow

Your arrival day (embarkation in "cruise speak") will mostly be spent boarding the ship and getting yourself settled. We spent the nighttime prior to the cruise at Disney'south Fauna Kingdom Lodge and decided to utilise Disney's cruise transfer to Port Canaveral. Nosotros left AKL effectually 11 AM and still had stops to brand at Disney'southward Coronado Springs and Disney's All-Star Music Resort. Past the time everyone boarded and we were off to Port Canaveral we didn't arrive until effectually one:00 PM.

Savanna View Room at Disney'south Animal Kingdom Lodge

From there we had a long await at security (of course information technology may have just seemed long since we had a kid who needed to employ the restroom) and so went upstairs in the last where we needed to wait some more to bank check-in. The line was very long simply thankfully it connected to motility. By the time we arrived, it was considered "general boarding" and it was a fleck of a rush to go onto the send. We were told to hurry and eat once we boarded since tiffin would shut downward at 3:00 PM.

In hindsight, I wish nosotros had arrived earlier to not experience and so rushed getting onto the send. Our friends who we traveled with arrived a few hours before and got to run into characters in the final while they waited to board. Nosotros had no such luck. Even so, I can run into the pros and cons of both situations. Arriving earlier would accept immune us more fourth dimension on the send and more than time to enjoy a leisurely lunch only staterooms are not set until later in the twenty-four hour period, which leaves you lot to carry effectually any carry-on items.

Photo Source: Go Port Canaveral

Since we arrived later, by the time we boarded the ship our stateroom was prepare. Nosotros headed straight there to drop our property, ventured to find lunch, and so nosotros were off to explore.

The Navigator

When you check-in at port, you volition receive your first copy of the Navigator (which can likewise exist found on the Disney Cruise app). This is the daily schedule of all the on-board activities taking place throughout the twenty-four hour period. It includes dining hours, weather forecast and other of import information for the day. Each nighttime when your room is turned down, yous will receive a copy of the Navigator for the next mean solar day.

Our daily schedule was jam-packed with things to do!

I can guarantee in that location has been no time in my life when I accept been more overwhelmed than taking my first look at the Navigator. I remember wondering at ane point what we would exercise on the ship all twenty-four hours… hah! Before you take your first expect at the Navigator (Disney's daily schedule for all onboard activities) take a deep breathe and accept that you lot will NOT be able to do information technology all.

Activities

Every bit the Navigator laid out, at that place was something for anybody to enjoy onboard at any point during the day. Each night, there was a alive Broadway quality prove in the theater. We were able to relish Dazzler and the Beast (OUTSTANDING!)  and Disney'southward Believe. You lot will not want to miss these performances!

Young children could play in the Oceaneer's Club and the Oceaneer's Lab. Hither the children could play in "Andy's Room". Children ages eleven – fourteen could hang in Edge where at that place is a dance floor, gaming rooms, a lounge, music and on-going activities such as karaoke and scavenger hunts. Teens age 14 – 17 tin savour the teen-but lounge, Vibe. Here they can mind to music, watch movies, play video games, and more than. Adults had a selection of nightclubs and lounges, a spa, and even developed-only pools.

One of the evening shows was Beauty and the Beast

Nonetheless, in add-on to all of these "hangouts" and principal events, at that place were was a wide option of scheduled events. Everything from graphic symbol meet and greets to karaoke, trivia and stand-up one-act. The kids were making slime, blistering cookies and dressing up for interactive storytelling. Every bit I said earlier, yous but cannot practice it all!

Dining

Set your palate to be wowed! Each cruise ship offers a mix of restaurants including a cafe, quick service locations, and tabular array service restaurants for rotational dining.

The first restaurant we dined at was Cabanas (the cafe). In that location were a wide variety of options to cull from (including fresh seafood), but we felt like the whole restaurant was very crowded. Nosotros ate here twice while on board, once for lunch and a second time for breakfast. The food was good (zilch that actually wowed u.s.a.) but merely a bear on likewise busy for our taste.

That evening our rotational dining began. Nosotros had 3 restaurants that we would rotate through including Purple Palace, Animator's Palate, and Enchanted Garden.

The Imperial Palace was tastefully detailed with bits of royalty. Glass slippers were strewn around the chandeliers, portraits of princesses hung on the walls, and Cinderella'due south silhouette was carved into the rim of silvery bread bowls.

Animator'south Palate was my family's favorite! At that place were screens all over the walls featuring sketches of Finding Nemo characters. As dinner began, the sketches came to life and all of our favorite sea creatures swam throughout the restaurant from one screen to the next. At i point Vanquish made a special appearance at our table and was actually talking to and interacting with the guests. (Annotation: Animator's Palate is a different experience on each ship)

The tertiary tabular array service eating place was Enchanted Garden. We had breakfast here twice besides as dinner. The dining room resembles the foothills of French republic adorned with white trellises, ornamental posts, and custom glass blossom lights. During dinner hours, the lighting changes and the flowers appear to bloom.

Castaway Cay

And still again, Disney has outdone themselves. Our send fabricated a finish at Castaway Cay (pronounced"key") and nosotros were able to relax on the beach with everything we could have asked for. Towels were provided when we got off the ship (with enough of spots to return them when nosotros were done) and we headed straight to the beach.

Onshore, at that place is a kids play area if yous'd like to go out your kids and head to the adult-but beach. However, nosotros kept our kids in tow since they were set up to swim. Along the embankment, you'll find plenty of lifejackets to fit all ages and sizes. Once you're suited up, the fun begins. While you can partake in an excursion, we all just enjoyed the beach as it was. We swam and swam and the kids climbed upwardly onto the platform in the ocean. This is a child-only structure where they can cross a span, climb monkey bars and jump off into the ocean.

Later a while, we ventured further down the beach to the next "cove" where a second platform was located. This platform houses two water slides and a whole bunch of fun for all ages!

After we swam our hearts out, nosotros headed over to Cookies for dejeuner. Lunch is served in three locations: Cookies, Cookies As well and Tranquility Bay (adults simply). Cookies serves up a delicious BBQ, picnic flavored lunch and information technology was the perfect meal after swimming all day. Nosotros enjoyed hamburgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, cookies, and more. And whatever you choose, don't forget to try the ribs (yum)!

This twenty-four hours seemed to pass far too apace. So my advice would be to disembark early on to make the virtually of your day!

Cleanliness

My hubby was an adult when he commencement experienced the magic of Disney World. I remember chatting with him subsequently his first trip and asking him what he enjoyed the nearly. Amidst the turkey legs and Space Mount, one of the things that amazed him the nearly was the cleanliness. He was in awe that bandage members were actively wiping downwardly garbage cans and "duster-ing" the ground after it had rained. A Disney Cruise ship is no different.

Crew members were constantly making rounds and tidying upwardly. Pool decks were dried down, tables were cleared (fifty-fifty at quick service locations), and everything appeared to be meticulous.

Even the outside of the transport looked make new. At Nassau, we pulled upward aslope some other third-political party cruise lines (I won't proper name names) which were rusted and just appeared run-down.

In an effort to reduce the spread of germs, cast members stationed themselves outside the restaurants with mitt-sanitizing wipes. There are too special hand washing machines for children as they enter and get out the Oceaneer Society and Lab as well every bit lots of handwashing reminders throughout the ship.

Service

Everyone in our travel party left feeling as though we were truthful VIP. The service we received from anybody on board was unparalleled.

The showtime person nosotros met on our "service team" was our stateroom host, Wilkins. He kindly introduced himself when we arrived at our room and showed us around.  He showed us how to utilise the outlets for our phone chargers (which yes, we were confused with) and were to find a few other items in the room.

In the mornings Wilkins would tidy up, freshen towels and soaps, and make the beds (put the pull away couch and potato bed back in identify). In the evenings, he would return for whatsoever final tidying and turn downwardly the beds. Each night we would discover the chocolates and a towel brute he had left for us. WOW!

The side by side members of our service squad were our servers. Both our server (Howard) and assistant server (Suwi) rotated through the restaurants with united states of america during the week. By the cease of our trip, when nosotros would arrive for dinner our drinks would already exist on the table.

Both Howard and Suwi made certain to give usa tips about things to enjoy on the ship, where to go the all-time view of the fireworks, and even performed some magic tricks at the table. Nosotros were blown abroad by the food and the service provided by all of our squad.

Place Holder

Whatsoever you do… do not forget to book a place holder! If y'all are thinking of another prowl (and I promise you will exist), head down to Invitee Services to arrange for your Place Holder. For $250, you lot tin receive 10% off your next cruise (must be sailing in the next 24 months) and receive a $100 or $200 on board credit. Once yous select your cruise (you lot don't demand to do that right away), the $250 volition exist deducted from your eolith. If anything happens and you cannot sheet within the next 2 years, y'all volition receive your $250 back- no questions asked!

At that place are so many different itineraries and special sailings to explore. From Curiosity 24-hour interval at Ocean and Very Merrytime Christmas Cruises to Transatlantic voyages, there is something for anybody! So be sure non to miss out on the incredible discount the place holder offers.Simply be certain to mention your Travel Agent when you arrange your identify holder!

Dreaming of a Disney Cruise? Contact me today to kickoff planning your sailing and go all of the best insider tips. Fill out the form below, send an email to mnugent@mickeytravels.com, follow me on Facebook, or telephone call (716) 601-7710 for more information. Equally a Travel Agent with MickeyTravels (a Platinum-Level, Authorized Disney Holiday Planner) I offer a total range of costless planning services to make sure your Disney Vacation is everything you've dreamed. Let'southward make your holiday extra magical!

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Source: https://mickeyblog.com/2019/02/20/first-disney-cruise/

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