Hello all. I'm new to the site and would love to get your advice.
Our family is going on DCL for the first time on the 2-week eastbound transatlantic cruise in May 2013. Our 3-year old twins are so excited. We haven't cruised in about 4 years now, but have done the Trans-atlantic previously on Royal carribbean. We are new to Disney. Would appreciate it if you have helpful tips on
- travelling with tots
- meeting the princess/disney characters for photo op or breakfast
- going to the bippipity bop pity boutique / pirate area
- have u been happy leaving your tots in their "daycare"
- any specific "must-do" activities for the tots?
Many thanks in advance!!!
Teri
We have sailed w DCL twice now, and the kids clubs have been great, we were on Dream and Wonder, and we have used both Flounders Reef Nursery for our youngest, which you pay for and for which you must have reservations, and the Oceaneers Club for our 6yr old. When you drop them off they will remind you to carry your stateroom cordless phone (they call them Wave phones) so they can contact you. A couple things that helped us: when you first board, take a walk to the kdis club areas, they generally have open house, so your tots can get a feel for what it looks like. My oldest has a little separation anxiety so it helped him feel a little more comfortable. The staff was excellent in all areas, the ratio is higher in Flounders Reef which is why you must reserve. The website lets you reserve 10 hours, but when you get on board if there are openings they will let you have more hours. On our last trip the Oceaneers Club on Wonder sometimes was not open for drop off, I didn't recall that on Dream, but if you check the daily bulletin called the Navigator, which they drop off in your room in the evening, it will have the hours and activities. For example, at one point they didn't have drop off in the club because they took the kids to the movie theatre. At certain times they will offer dinner in the club, again check the Navigator.
Other tips: we had a stroller with, but never actually used it on the ship except for boarding and leaving, might skip that next time, although it was helpful in the airports, you still have to fold it, gate check it, etc etc. Drinks are available free 24hrs at a self serve fountain, I think it was soda, milk, coffee, water, and hot water? We brought some sippy cups from home and filled them there a lot. We brought snacks from home too, fruit snacks, goldfish type stuff, but probably would not do that again other than for the airport, because on board if you have buffet breakfast, which we did on both trips-more flexible timing and selection, besides the hot food they have individual boxes of cereal, cartons of milk, muffins, apples, bananas etc we always picked up a couple extra to bring back to our room or to take with us on excursions. Soft sided cooler helps that process. Pools were nice, if somewhat crowded. Several nights after dinner my 6yr old and I went to Mickey's pool (shallow) and we were the only ones there, and the water temp according to the ship channel on TV said 102F, it was relaxing to sit and look up at the sky. They stock towels in big wood cabinets next to the pool so you don't have to take ones from your room. The ship photographers do a nice job, but goodness the prints are expensive, I got one 6x9"? it was just so cute but I think it was $18? For myself I just made sure to have my camera with so I could take photos. Many indoor areas of the ship are somewhat low light though if you don't have a good flash that may influence your decision.
Character greets: honestly we didn't have much luck, it's easy to find out when and where in the Navigator, but people line up ahead of time, and our boys don't tolerate the waiting and the crowds well so we stopped trying. We did run into characters periodically during the trip and got a couple pix that way.
We are so excited. Counting down the days lol
If you have never been to Atlantis you may want to spend your Nassau day there. The "Beach Day" excursion might be a good choice if you love the beach. The waves are nice and The Dig is very interesting, as well as the open pools of aquatic life you will pass by on your way to the beach. I have never tried the water slide, swimming pools, lazy river area. That excursion called Aquaventure is very expensive, and if it is crowded you may not get your money's worth. The resort is exceptionally beautiful. You will see the towering structure first in the distance as you come into port. Very impressive!
Watch Pirate Night from deck 12 at the railing above the masses of people below. Great place for the fireworks too!
