New Cruiser - Must Do's

[tefrench]

Our Family [me, DW, DS(10), DD(8)] will be taking our first cruise ever on a three night Feb 11, 2010. As I read the threads I already wish we were taking a longer cruise, but both me and DD have issues with motion sickness so this will be the test. Because this is a first for us, the short amount of time and the time of year we are traveling, what are the must do's you would recommend for our family?

[ExpatDisneyLover]

Originally Posted by tefrench

Our Family [me, DW, DS(10), DD(8)] will be taking our first cruise ever on a three night Feb 11, 2010. As I read the threads I already wish we were taking a longer cruise, but both me and DD have issues with motion sickness so this will be the test. Because this is a first for us, the short amount of time and the time of year we are traveling, what are the must do's you would recommend for our family?

Hi - I am a new cruiser too so don't have must dos to add but I do have issues with motion sickness myself. I am already planning my strategy for dealing with it - a couple of items have been recommended to me - sea bands (bands worn around the wrist) and motion eaze (a natural oil you put behind your ear) - I am planning to use both plus have some kind of ginger - fresh or whatever I can find! Have a great trip!

[bbn1122]

We just had our first cruise this summer. Family (DH, me DS15, DS11, DS09), no one felt any motion sickness, except me. I brought the bands with me and put them on, as soon as, I felt something. I also to Bonine 1 hour we sailed and then before I went to bed. It worked right away and by the 2nd afternoon, I felt not a thing. Kids seem not to be bother at all.

[iloverags2]

Do not miss the shows each evening in the Walt Disney Theatre. They are spectacular! (My order of preference for seeing them is Disney Dreams, The Golden Mickey's, Toy Story - but try not to miss any of them!) Also, the Til We Meet Again gathering on the last evening in the main atrium is just so sweet. If you get a chance to enjoy sandwiches from Goofy's Galley for lunch one afternoon, try not to miss that. We put it into our schedule during the second day, while at Nassau. The first day is pretty much packed full with just getting on the ship, and the third day is the awesome BBQ at Castaway Cay.

Enjoy your cruise!

[truck1]

K lets see where to begin.
One of the first things I would suggest to any new cruiser is to pick up any one of a number of DCL cruise guides. Just got mine yesterday for a 2010 trip. In this book, will have just about anything and everything you can think of and then some.
Also, as a quick tip or 2. Get a small power strip for your room, so that you can plug in multiple elctrical items, such as battery chargers gameboys etc.
Also, keep a camera handy where ever you go.Youll never know who or what youll run into.
This was my fiances and her dd first trip last year and we shared and elevator with Minnie.(We werent on the ship more than an hour when that happened.)


Our last trip in August we had Chip and Dale to ourselves. (Look at the people in the back ground.)




A few quick sea sickness tips:
Sea Sickness is usually a sensory issue in your eys seeing one thing, and you mind sensing something else.
Click here for a few ss remedies and thoughts

Dont misses would include:
A hidden Mickey/Charachter hunt before you even get on the ship. Theres a few you can see from shore,(Hint check out the bow. If you cant look when you get off the ship in Nassau.)and a few that are in and on the bldg.Mickey is not the only one hidden.Make sure you check out the stern of the Wonder, as you arrive inport.
On the ship, if you arrive early, such as prior to the boarding start time, I would take some time to wander the ship after lunch. You can get a good feel for what is where while the ship is in port and not moving.
Dont miss reading your personal navigator every day. Take a highliter with you to highlite anything that may interest you.
Do not miss your night in Animators Palatte, and the PITC Deck Party, or the Sail Away Deck Party for that matter.
Disney Dreams would be another dont miss along with Toy Story.(Both are stage shows.)

Couple quick nautical terms, as youll hear them mentioned all the time while on the ship:
Bow=Pointy end or the front of the ship
Stern= round end or the back of the ship
Port= Left side of the ship when facing foward
Starboard=right side of the ship when facing foward
Foward=towards the front of the ship as in the gangway is located deck 1 foward
Aft=towards the stern or back of the ship, as in Beach Blanket Buffet is located on deck 9 aft.
Midship= the middle of the ship as in Tritons is located deck 3 midship.

Those are the highlites, and Im sure that someone will have more.
On CC if anyone snorkels, theres a snorkel trail that has a few cool things such as an underwater Mickey, Minnie, and one of the subs from the 20k attraction (now closed) from the Magic Kingdom.

[karibritt01]

Have the kids wear swimsuits under their clothes when boarding so they can take advantage of the pools before they get crowded. (Many cruisers pack their swimsuits, then can't swim until luggage is delivered. Pack change of clothes in carry-on.)

Snorkling... the stuff hidden in the water is marked by buoys. The sub is the furthest buoy out.

Motion sickness... my DH and especially my DD suffer from motion sickness. We carried meds, but decided not to use them unless necessary. We were slightly queasy the first night right off the coast of Florida, but fine after that. A CM told us that she always found the motion sickness easier to deal with if she went and watched a movie, so we tried it and it worked for us.

Room service is free. (Except for a small tip.) They have a double-decker grilled cheese not on the menu. My DD ordered one every night before bed!



Carry on your own alcohol. You can bring a rolling cooler (soft-side, no ice) with you. Bring your own beer, wine, or liquor to save money. Use juices from room service or Beach Blanket Buffet for mixers. We filled our cooler with ice at the drink station on Deck 9 right after boarding.

[bama-mom]

Looking forward to more tips!

We sail for the 1st time on Feb. 7, 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Im_A_Princess]

MUST... Order Mickey bars from Room Service!
My kids did this every night-LOL
No matter what ships you may ever sail other than DCL, DCL is the only place you can order Mickey Bars from Room Service for FREE!

[Mickey4me!]

Oh you are in for such a treat!! Here's some of my favs that haven't been mentioned yet -

-Be prepared (fyi - dh thinks he has motion sickness but we've never needed any of these)


-Take a nap in one of the comfy teak loungers on Deck 4


-Splurge on one of the Spa Villas


-Spend hours with your feet in the water day dreaming


-Laugh a lot


And most importantly - HAVE FUN!

[Scooby3x1y]

My advice: Don't rely on sea bands. I get really really really motion sick. Car, plane, or ship, and I'm feeling it. Sea Bands work for some, but most don't think they work.

I wear the scopalmine patches behind my ear, and will take meclizine morning and night. Meclizine is the active ingredient in Dramamine and I believe Bonine. Meclizine is cheaper, and according to several pharmacists, more effective if you're dealing with severe cases.

Basically, you're paying a lot of money for your vacation. You don't want to have anything less then a great time. If you personally have not tried the sea bands, then do it in conjunction with other things.

You have to do what is right for you. Just do something tried and true so you don't have any issues while trying to have fun.

[muscatine73]

Be prepaired with patches to avoid getting seasick, why take the chance.

[nemofans]

Has anyone used ginger gum? Does that help?

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

Rainforest Room! The spa treatments and villas are wonderful, but if you don't want to spend the time or money on these, at least get a day pass to experience the Rainforest. To me it is the most relaxing place on the ship.

Also, try to be on the ship as early as possible so you can start enjoying the ship right away!

[Elisa and Harris]

Originally Posted by ExpatDisneyLover

Hi - I am a new cruiser too so don't have must dos to add but I do have issues with motion sickness myself. I am already planning my strategy for dealing with it - a couple of items have been recommended to me - sea bands (bands worn around the wrist) and motion eaze (a natural oil you put behind your ear) - I am planning to use both plus have some kind of ginger - fresh or whatever I can find! Have a great trip!

someone said ginger pills help