What I would do/not do next cruise

[Aeryn76]

I've never had the problem getting off the ship however when I traveled via overnight train in China, I felt like I was on a train the next few nights when I was sleeping...woke up in the middle of the night convinced the room was moving!!

I had something like that a few years ago. Took a train from Denver,CO to Springfield,IL and later that night trying to sleep in a motel, the bed felt like it was moving.

 

[Aeryn76]

So a lot of people on here have said that next time they would skip the pirate party. Is it that bad? It is my first cruise and I was excited for pirate night. I have read other things that people really get into it and this is the first I have heard of people wanting to avoid it for their next cruise. So want to know if it's worth the hassle.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

So a lot of people on here have said that next time they would skip the pirate party. Is it that bad? It is my first cruise and I was excited for pirate night. I have read other things that people really get into it and this is the first I have heard of people wanting to avoid it for their next cruise. So want to know if it's worth the hassle.

It was a highlight for our first cruise. We went on the Dream and saw Jack Sparrow live in a deck stunt show that led into the fireworks. Why would you ever want to miss that on your first cruise?.after the deck action and firework show, the actual deck party started with popular dancing, we headed on to other things like adult karaoke. There is a lot more to the night then a just deck pirate party. Also all the staff started dressing around 4:30-5 as pirates and were everywhere. We went and changed into our pirate dresses before dinner.

I think there are a lot of people up there yeah, but in would not personally skip deck SHOW and fireworks. You did pay for that entertainment, is my opinion. The party itself i could take it or leave it... But for pirate night, you gotta go with it if you are already excited about it. It may not be everyone's thing and that's OK..its YOUR cruise and some times you just gotta try something your self instead of letting other people decide for ya..this is true for food, excursions like Nassau, and the pirate party etc..

 

[2Princess&aPrince]

So a lot of people on here have said that next time they would skip the pirate party. Is it that bad? It is my first cruise and I was excited for pirate night. I have read other things that people really get into it and this is the first I have heard of people wanting to avoid it for their next cruise. So want to know if it's worth the hassle.

Pirate night is definitely not a hassle in my opinion! We love pirate night! All of the characters are dressed in their pirate clothes (many places around the ship to get photographs of you and the pirate characters), your servers are dressed in their pirate clothes...they show Peter Pan outside on the movie screen while you wait for the show/fireworks to start. Lots of things to get you in the spirit. You get pirate headbands to wear, and while my family doesn't go all out, a lot of families do and it is so fun to be a part of. (We mainly stick to pirate necklaces, eyepatches and the headbands Disney gives you). The show is full of action and on no other cruise line are you going to find a fire works show while at sea....yep, the magic of Disney again!!
Go ahead and look forward to pirate night. We have been to three so far and look forward to our fourth in February. The dance party after is so fun...watching all the little ones dance and laugh and sing is so cute (my three are all almost as tall as me now so not as cute... ). Pure joy and excitement...kind of what Walt Disney did all of this for now isn't it??
My challenge every cruise is to actually get to eat some of the yummy looking pirate buffet, but I am always too full by that night!!!

Enjoy your pirate night!!!
(I think that when DH and I start cruising DCL without the kids...we will still go to pirate night...if they still have them by then!! Lol. Maybe by then Jack Sparrow will be the real Johnny Depp as he will need a new gig at that time...*sigh*a girl can dream can't she???)

 

[Aeryn76]

Hey thanks a lot you guys. You have a been a big help. That goes to the others I have talked to on here. I will have a blast on pirate night. Just wish it was late September already and I'm on vacation.

 

[amandalacey2001]

Hey thanks a lot you guys. You have a been a big help. That goes to the others I have talked to on here. I will have a blast on pirate night. Just wish it was late September already and I'm on vacation.

Me to can not wait for the 21st

 

[twentytoez]

Bump

 

[the_bUg]

Will do:
Will not do:
2. Palo Dinner. In my personal opinion way over rated like the show in Animators.

See. This I don't get. The people saying that Palo dinner is "way over-rated". I mean, is it the best meal money can buy? No... But come on, I'd pay the 20 bucks just to be in a quiet, adult only environment to enjoy a nice meal with my sweetheart.

It's 20 bux... :/

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

See. This I don't get. The people saying that Palo dinner is "way over-rated". I mean, is it the best meal money can buy? No... But come on, I'd pay the 20 bucks just to be in a quiet, adult only environment to enjoy a nice meal with my sweetheart.

It's 20 bux... :/

I understand what you are saying, but it's $20 per person, right? My DH and I enjoyed our brunch at Palo, but decided we didn't really want to do it again on our next cruise (or try dinner). We can spend the $40 on something else and still get a nice meal with each other in a nice dining room that we've already paid for. I don't really pay that much attention to the kids in the dining room with me (unless they are my own, of course). Just a personal opinion.

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

I am from the old school idea that you should never pay for dinner on a cruise where dinners are included. Especially because there are so many things yet for me to try in the MDRs of Disney. (Unlike CCL. Pretty much know that menu with my eyes closed...)

I will be saving my $40 for the actual cruise itself! (or excursion, or tips...)

 

[SeattleSuz]

These are great tips. I am also wondering why so many people didn't like the Pirate Party?! I am thinking that it will be one of the major highlights of our trip, but DD and I like pirates, so that makes a difference, I think.

 

[baleeve]

See. This I don't get. The people saying that Palo dinner is "way over-rated". I mean, is it the best meal money can buy? No... But come on, I'd pay the 20 bucks just to be in a quiet, adult only environment to enjoy a nice meal with my sweetheart.

It's 20 bux... :/

I agree - I can't even see a movie with popcorn for 20 bucks!!!

I'm looking forward to the Palo Brunch because to me its like an onboard excursion.

Now that said, I agree I wouldn't miss the MDR meals for a Palo or Remy dinner.

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Great thread for a first time cruiser next year. Thanks!

 

[sunryzez]

These are great tips. I am also wondering why so many people didn't like the Pirate Party?! I am thinking that it will be one of the major highlights of our trip, but DD and I like pirates, so that makes a difference, I think.

The issue with Pirate night is timing. It starts really late. I believe it starts after nine and fireworks isnt until ten. It is also VERY crowded and then the buffet line after is crazy as well. Both times my son has been so excited about it and both times he was cranky, overtired, and couldnt really enjoy it. If you have older kids who stay up later and dont mind large crowds then it is a non issue.

If it was up to me I would not go to it my next cruise since we have seen it a few times now but my kids even miserable during it want to go..lol

But for a first time cruiser I would say definately go!

 

[staley98]

I will definitely do:

1. Palo brunch and dinner - awesome food and the service was outstanding. Plus, hubby and I never indulge in fine dinners away from the kids at home.

2. Run on the treadmill/elliptical the morning post Palo and the Castaway Cay 5K...gotta luv the Mickey medal and the awesome views.

3. Not feel guilty when my children want to spend more time in the clubs...it's their vacation too!

4. Get in the adult-only pool. We never did it even though we were on the 7 night Fantasy.

5. Pirate party - we went to the kids' one, but fell asleep before the later one and missed the fireworks

6. Take hanging grooming kits/organizers. There are many pegs in the walls of the bathrooms and the five of us would've had no use for the now banned shoe organizer.

7. Bring Tide pods and dryer sheets. Two out of three children had potty accidents during the night...and they normally don't. Too much fun in the sun

8. Use travel Space Bags. They're awesome!

9. Eat table service breakfast. It was Royal Court on the Fantasy. Btw, the pineapple French toast was one of the BEST things I had to eat.

Won't do:

1. Bring jackets on a summer cruise. We didn't need them and they were a hassle.

2. Bring a power strip. There were plenty of plugs and we "powered down" on this vacation. I put my iPhone in the safe and didn't think about it.

3. Let my kids run off with other DISer's kids while waiting in the terminal. They were safe, but it unnerved me.

It's the best vacation ever. Our cruise surpassed my expectations, so we're headed back out on the Wonder in March. I could seriously only do the cruises and skip the parks from now on. Happy sailing

 

[Delrea]

Completely agree about dry cleaning. Or just their laundry service in general. After our first cruise, we decided to budget it on our second for all evening clothes. Not only did we save time not having to iron...well, more importantly we just didn't have to iron! Now that's a vacation.

OOHH Please tell me more about the laundry service! How much was it? I didn't take advantage of it after our 7 day but just might after the 5 day

 

[PrincessShmoo]

OOHH Please tell me more about the laundry service! How much was it? I didn't take advantage of it after our 7 day but just might after the 5 day

 

[tdbdolphin]

Will NOT:

-Forget to place the tags DCL gives your for your luggage ( came back from Pirate party late daughter was fussy and trying to pack and forgot to add the tags. When we were looking for our luggage we could not find it)

-Book a 4 day haha only 7+ now

Must Do:
-FE's
-make hubby and daughter wear matching family shirts on longer day (I love our pictures)
-bring a cup (I love cold tea and would make it twice a day)
- room service: ordered all hands on deck cheese platter every day.
- find the wrap and fruit snack bar before our last day
- princess signing (we stood in line for an hour the princesses didn't rush at all)

Must do:
Have a drink with hubby
Visit club
Watch sunset

 

[Delrea]

Thank you PrincessShmoo!

 

["Got Disney"]

lets see...



Will do....

1) Try to spend less Money...I always spend way to much $$$ and ask my self why did I do that when i get home

2) Make sure i remember to pack something to wear in the morning( one yr forgot to leave something for my one son)

3) Order room service the night before for breakfast like cereal and danish and stuff for the morning of departure...so we can sleep in a bit longer. Just leave it in the frig.

4) Not spend so much $$$ on Fe gifts...or take so many hrs to make homemade stuff...I really go over board at times.

5) Get up earlier so I can have more time to play on the ship...I always sleep in late and miss out on so much...you would figure by now being a Gold member I would have learned all this and corrected it.

6) Try to get to the dinning rooms for every meal...UGH!

Things I wont do:

1) Force my family to get in every picture after Dinner or before dinner. I love all the photos but they hate posing and standing in line so long for all of them

2) The Spa treatments...to much $$$ cheeper at home.

3) I will not bring so many clothes since I wear the same ones anyway over and over..like my shorts and pool stuff.

4) Not buy any Art if they have it again on the ship. I have in the past and spent a lot of $$$ however they have all gone up in value so at least that was a good thing.

5) Enjoy the cruise with my son that is going to be 20 on the ship and can do all the grown up stuff with us for the first time...well almost all the grown up stuff... ... the other one will be 17....

6) Go to bed earlier the last night of the cruise....I always stay up so late and regret it in the morning ALL day and night when I have to fly all the way back to Ca.