First Disney Cruise (eeek!). I have random questions. Thanks!

[Disney Dreams]

Hi All,

Soooo.... DH and I have been wanting to take a Disney cruise for about 2 years now, but have not been able to swing it.

Through some juggling, we have pulled off a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the Wonder. I will admit, we are not particularly excited about Nassau and the fact that it's the only port of call, but we are VERY excited about going on a - ahhh! - Disney Cruise!

We are 2 adults, no kids. We went on a cruise 12 years ago for our honeymoon and this will be our belated 12 year anniversary gift to ourselves.

We have the reservation. - Check! -
We have the flight. - Check -

Ummm.... now what?

I've read the sticky at the top. But... hmmm.... I'm sure there's things we should be doing to prepare, right?

- What is special about a Disney cruise that we aren't going to want to miss?
- What do we need to book separately (reserve?) that we are not thinking about?
- Are there theme nights that we need to pack some special items for that we aren't even aware of?
- I am a pin trader. I know there is some trading onboard. Can anyone give an idea of how much compared to the Parks (DL or WDW)?
- How do sodas, water, other non-alcoholic drinks work onboard cost-wise?
- What else should I know that we are not even thinking to ask?

Thank you all in advance for anything you can share. This is our first and we want it to be everything we have dreamt it to be.

We appreciate any input, ideas, or tips!

- Dreams

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

Hi All,

Soooo.... DH and I have been wanting to take a Disney cruise for about 2 years now, but have not been able to swing it.

Through some juggling, we have pulled off a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the Wonder. I will admit, we are not particularly excited about Nassau and the fact that it's the only port of call, but we are VERY excited about going on a - ahhh! - Disney Cruise!

We are 2 adults, no kids. We went on a cruise 12 years ago for our honeymoon and this will be our belated 12 year anniversary gift to ourselves.

We have the reservation. - Check! -
We have the flight. - Check -

Ummm.... now what?

I've read the sticky at the top. But... hmmm.... I'm sure there's things we should be doing to prepare, right?

- What is special about a Disney cruise that we aren't going to want to miss?

I've never cruised any other cruiseline but from what I hear it's the service that puts DCL over the top.

- What do we need to book separately (reserve?) that we are not thinking about?

You should book Palo for brunch or dinner. BUT...if you book it for dinner, make sure you check your dining rotation when you check in to make sure you're not in Animator's Palate the same night as Palo....you don't want to miss AP! Also, any excursions you want to do on CC...such as Parasailing, jetskiing, bike riding, stingray excursion, etc.

- Are there theme nights that we need to pack some special items for that we aren't even aware of?

If you want to dress up for pirate night, bring costumes for that. Also, there is a semi-formal night so you might want to bring some dressy clothes for that

- I am a pin trader. I know there is some trading onboard. Can anyone give an idea of how much compared to the Parks (DL or WDW)?

I think they do it every evening around dinner time.

- How do sodas, water, other non-alcoholic drinks work onboard cost-wise?

They are free at dinner and at the drink station. If you order any drinks at the concession area just outside the theater, you pay for it PLUS auto gratuity. If you order room service then you pay for any drinks PLUS auto gratuity. Food is free in room service though.


- What else should I know that we are not even thinking to ask?

Get to the port by 10:30 am, check in and look around the terminal. Check all of your luggage in but bring a daybag with you with bathing suits in it so you can swim while you are waiting for your room. The rooms aren't available till 1:30. OR...just walk around and explore the ship while you're waiting for your room.

Check the navigators for any activities you want to do. Don't try to do everything...you'll wear yourself out. Pick the top things you want to do and enjoy them. DEFINITELY see DREAMS, and TRY to see the other broadway style shows....they are AWESOME!

Read some trip reports to get an idea of what you might want to do onboard. As well as finding out other "must do's"

Thank you all in advance for anything you can share. This is our first and we want it to be everything we have dreamt it to be.

We appreciate any input, ideas, or tips!

- Dreams

I answered your questions above. Hope my answers help!!!

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

P.S. Book another cruise while on-board....you only have to put 1/2 the deposit and you get a 10% discount.

 

[Cruisin'Nick]

Hi All,

Soooo.... DH and I have been wanting to take a Disney cruise for about 2 years now, but have not been able to swing it.

Through some juggling, we have pulled off a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the Wonder. I will admit, we are not particularly excited about Nassau and the fact that it's the only port of call, but we are VERY excited about going on a - ahhh! - Disney Cruise!

We are 2 adults, no kids. We went on a cruise 12 years ago for our honeymoon and this will be our belated 12 year anniversary gift to ourselves.

We have the reservation. - Check! -
We have the flight. - Check -

Ummm.... now what?

I've read the sticky at the top. But... hmmm.... I'm sure there's things we should be doing to prepare, right?

- What is special about a Disney cruise that we aren't going to want to miss?
- What do we need to book separately (reserve?) that we are not thinking about?
- Are there theme nights that we need to pack some special items for that we aren't even aware of?
- I am a pin trader. I know there is some trading onboard. Can anyone give an idea of how much compared to the Parks (DL or WDW)?
- How do sodas, water, other non-alcoholic drinks work onboard cost-wise?
- What else should I know that we are not even thinking to ask?

Thank you all in advance for anything you can share. This is our first and we want it to be everything we have dreamt it to be.

We appreciate any input, ideas, or tips!

- Dreams

K, so...first off. AWESOME!!! Glad you were able to swing it and be able to cruise again finally!!

What sets Disney apart?

Well, might sound cliche', BUT, there truly IS something for everyone on the ship. Spa, adult only pool and cafe, sports bar, comedy and music bar...list goes on. If DH wants to go to watch that important game, and you wanna go play shuffleboard or bingo, or ya'll wanna catch a comedy show together, it can be done. You definately DON'T want to miss the shows every night, they are some of the best I've ever seen.

Booking and Reserving

If ya'll can swing an extra $15 per person, I HIGHLY suggest doin Palo for dinner one night, everything is included in the price, just make sure to dress formal-Dress for the ladies- Tux/Coat and tie for the gentlemen. My mother and I did it on our last cruise and we were not dis-appointed one bit. They also have brunch and High Tea, not sure of those prices though.

Theme Nights

PIRATE NIGHT!!! One of the best nights on the ship!! Hands down Most everyone dresses up in pirate garb the restaurant ya'll are in that night will have a Pirate themed menu. Your waiters/waitresses will be dressed to the T as well. But the best part is AFTER all the dinners take place. There's a BIG party on the top deck music, dancing, buffett, (yes they know you just got done eating, but it's VACATION.), there's a pirate show with some of the Characters and to top it all off is the fireworks at SEA!! The most wonderous sight ever.

Pin Trading

As far as pin trading goes, can't honestly tell you much about how much goes on on the ship. I do know, and this was on our last cruise in July '09, that every night after dinner they had a SMALL cart with pins on it for people to buy, and on one night I know the ships captain and officers were out in the atrium to swap pins with anyone who wished. But from what I saw and heard, I'm sure it would be just like DL and WDW, if you see a pin that a CM is wearing and you'd like to trade with them, just ask! Would prolly be no problem at all, plus what's the fun in pin TRADING if they won't trade any of them.

Drinks

As far as cost for dinks on the ship, if it doesn't have alcohol in it, it's FREE!!! Free to drink, free re-fills..free everything. when you paid for the price of your cruise, MOST everything was included in that fare. Stateroom, all food and drinks (minus alcoholic ones), all shows and character interactions while on board. There are a few things to do on the ship that do cost more money, like wine tasting, beer tasting, and stuff like that. But, yep..all free, no worries on that one.

Other stuff to know

Bring night light!!-To be able to see at night for those trips to the bathroom. No busted toes or knees!!

Bring singles-LOTS if you plan on room service, other than that, really just for the porters and attendants at the end of the cruise if you choose to tip that way.
(Can also just add it on to the final cost of the cruise for each person)

Aaaaand my mind just went blank...will post more if I think of anything else!!

Hope this helps!! And I know you will have a blast!!

 

[When I Grow Up]

Oh Wow!!! Congratulations. But remember... Disney Cruises are highly addictive......
PPs have listed a lot of things but also if you have a veranda room bring a peg or clip to hold the curtains together (they tend to have a gap). A small air freshener spray for the bathroom helps and we alway bring a small lysol to wipe down the TV remote and surfaces.
On the pin trading the PP was correct. Just a small cart each night in the atrium. The CM's scattered around the boat have lanyards and also in the stores. In the stores they do put the lanyards away at busy times such as when the shows let out. Speaking of shows you must catch the golden mickeys on the 1st night. sit in the center and up close. it is unbelievable to see the stage sets and effects. Pin Trading with the officers is typically on the last night in the atrium. I got a shot of them lined up last week and will upload it if I can figure out how. We are setting out on our 10th cruise on the Wonder in a few weeks and we still have not scratched the surface of all the things to do and see on the boat. As I said.. its highly addictive.

 

[jilljill]

Drinks

As far as cost for dinks on the ship, if it doesn't have alcohol in it, it's FREE!!! Free to drink, free re-fills..free everything. when you paid for the price of your cruise, MOST everything was included in that fare. Stateroom, all food and drinks (minus alcoholic ones), all shows and character interactions while on board. There are a few things to do on the ship that do cost more money, like wine tasting, beer tasting, and stuff like that. But, yep..all free, no worries on that one.

Just to clarify what is quoted.

Drinks (soda, milk, juice, coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade, tap water) are only free from the self-serve drink station on deck 9, in the dining rooms, in the buffet and the self-serve drink stations on Castaway Cay.
From room service you can order milk, juice, coffee, tea, lemonade at no cost just a tip to the delivery person.

If you walk up to a bar and order any drink you will pay the cost of the drink plus a 15% gratuity. This includes soda, bottled water, smoothies and alcoholic drinks.
If you order soda thru room service you will pay for the soda plus the 15% gratuity.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

To clarify another point, Palo isn't formal. You will be sent back to change if you arrive in shorts or shirts with no collars for men (dress shorts for women are covered on another thread, there's lots of them) so if you want the food of Palo, but are concerned about formal, don't be, you don't need a tux for DH or a formal gown for you.

 

[FairyGrandmother]

bs sure to join your cruise thread. Just go to the cruise meets at the top of thepage and find your cruise and join in. You will get to know some of the people who will be cruising with you and they will be glad to help you with any other questions that you might have. You also might think of decorating your cabin door (it makes it eaiser to find) and joining a Fe group.
Most of all relax and have a great time.