Just back from 1st cruise - Random Thoughts.

[HiddenMickeys]

Hey gang. Just got home last night from our Wounder trip last thurs-sun for our family of 4, and my brother's family of 4. There were a lot of great tips here on the dis, and many were invaluable. Here are just some random mental notes I made along the way that may or may not help any other first timers out there.


1. Being at the terminal at 10am. Well yes, we were the first two families in line to check in, and we both got #2's. In retrospect, so what? In all honesty we could have arrived at 11, checked in, gotten all of our pics taken, and still have been on the ship at Parrot Cay 10 mins later than we were. So, next time? No rush.

2. Bringing drinks on the ship. A great tip from here on the dis. Every time we ordered room service, we didn't need drinks. Another unexpected benefit was that every time we went to a show (we had late dinner), we would grab sodas from our room rather than buy them outside of the theater. I know they aren't much, but x4 people, and every night, it starts to add up and for some of us, every little bit helps. Next time, Bring even MORE 12-packs.

3. Bringing snacks on the ship. Big mistake. We left a lot, and brought others home. Bottom line is, you don't need to move to get food (as opposed to drinks). Every deck you're going to be on, just about, has food. We thought we may want to nibble while everyone was getting ready for dinner, et but we ended up calling room service. Next time, Don't bring snacks.

4. The bond you make with your servers is truly amazing. We had Brenton and Andrew, and they were utterly fantastic. Can't say enough here to give them the credit they are due. In just a short 3 day trip, they were reading our minds, anticipating our every wish, and were just plain great guys and very fun to talk to. Brenton said he is now confirmed to be moving to the dream, and Andrew has a request in to go to the Magic once the Wonder heads west. We will miss those guys, they were great. Next time, (if it's in 2010) Request Brenton and Andrew again.

5. Ok, strange subject here. The stateroom "thrones", potties, or whatever you want to call them. I will try and use some family friendly code here, lol. Should one ever find oneself in a situation where you feel the need to flush, but also need to remain seated (everyone with me so far? lol) BE PREPARED. lol Let's just say, those puppies could suck the dimples out of a golf ball. If you're a rotund person, such as myself, don't be surprised if you create an "airlock" type situation. enough said...I had not read here on the dis about the phenomenal cosmic power of the cruise potties, but now you know.

6. Everyone was right about "Don't be afraid to ask." Jokingly, the first night at dinner I made a comment to brenton about "The menu at palo didn't really appeal to me, but the souffle looked fabulous." and that sine this was our first cruise, we wanted to hit all the main dining. Well on our 3rd and final night, In Triton's, Brenton surprised us with 4 chocolate souffle's from palo, one for each of the adults in our group. This was just one example. He also noticed my dd loved a dinner from the night before but was having a hard time deciding on an entree this night. So, he (Brenton) said "I will bring you something I know you'll love" and then went and got her the dinner from the night before without us even asking. Needless to say, we took good care of Brenton and Andrew as we feel they went incredibly above and beyond. But I learned, don't be too shy to ask.

7. Remember what elevators you are using. I didn't realize they all do not face the same way. I was so used to taking the midship elevator and turning left to head to our room that when i used other elevators, I turned left and found myself in the wrong hallway on the wrong side of the ship (and yes, my wife pointed out the signs to me many times)

8. Night and day. As seasoned (more times than we can count lol) WDW travellers, this was our first cruise. For the first time, we actually felt like we had a VACATION. No tired feet from walking the parks, no squabbles about where/when to eat like we'd do at the parks. No lines. And yet we still felt very much immersed in Disney and got our "mickey fix" WHILE relaxing. So yes, to us, like others had told us, it was like night and day. We are completely hooked on DCL now, and that's not to say we won't visit wdw again as we surely will. But now when I think vacation, I no longer think of sore feet and fatpasses, but relaxation and great food,fun, and people.

Well, that is about all I can think of for right now. Take it fwiw. I'm sure I'll post pics/trip report but right now we just dropped the bags in the living room last night and are still getting back into the grind. Hope this post does someone at least some bit of good out there.

[mdezot]

Thanks for your post. We are planning our first cruise and your tips are definitely helpful. Especially about asking if you need/ want something.

I have read several posts now about the wonderful acommodating staff on ship. Kudos to them for enhancing everyone's experience.

[andrewsmommy]

LUCKY! Last year we begged for souffle from Palos - and even the head server tried. No luck.

[mommyarewegoingback]

Thanks for your comments. We are like you, been to WDW more times than we count, unless it's written down , and we'll be going on our first cruise this Sat. We can't wait now!
-virginia

[parlay]

I completely agree with you about arriving at the port early, and that it (getting there at 10) is over-rated. We waited 2 hours to board on our first cruise, we got their early and waited and waited! This time we got to the terminal at 1:30, checked in, went to the restrooms, and 5-10 minutes later we boarded. We will definitely be doing it this way for our next cruise.

And about your #5 - so glad you went there! I warned my children before our first cruise to make sure that the lid was down before flushing and NOT to be sitting! Your description is too funny!

[DLW8]

Thanks for the random thoughts (which is how I seem to think as well). I was laughing OUT LOUD about the "airlock" on the "throne", good thing I am at home today and not in the office.

How did you feel about the 3 night cruise for length? We are also seasoned WDWers and will be doing our first cruise in December, we opted for the 3 night to get our feet wet and see if we all liked cruising (none of us have been before). We are doing the parks before the cruise, and I for one, am excited that you confirmed I will be relaxed, even on a 3 night.

I have high hopes that we will book another onboard (7 night) for next year, assuming that no one is violently sea sick or hates it.

Can't wait to see your trip report...I leave in 24 days and CANNOT WAIT!!!

[akeogh]

You are a gifted writer! I laughed out loud with your potty scenario...it absolutely made my morning! Also, I had to laugh with what you (accidently, typo) called the "FASTPASSES." I think WDW should definitely create fatpasses for all of the people in my party! Ha ha!

Write more about your trip when you get the chance. Loved your ideas! We go in 3 months exactly from today.

[Presentation]

Originally Posted by akeogh

You are a gifted writer! I laughed out loud with your potty scenario...it absolutely made my morning! Also, I had to laugh with what you (accidently, typo) called the "FASTPASSES." I think WDW should definitely create fatpasses for all of the people in my party! Ha ha!

Write more about your trip when you get the chance. Loved your ideas! We go in 3 months exactly from today.

How would this work? Would the Disney Cruise Line fatpasses allow you to walk right up to the buffet without having to stand in line?

[HiddenMickeys]

Originally Posted by Presentation

How would this work? Would the Disney Cruise Line fatpasses allow you to walk right up to the buffet without having to stand in line?

Actually, they would put you last in the buffet line, so everyone else had a good sporting chance at some food. lol

Thanks for all of the great comments. Yes I did find time to relax on a 3 day. I am an early riser due to my job, and I have to say deck 10 at 5am is quite nice. Very peaceful, and I just grabbed a drink and watched the sunrise. Meanwhile dw and the kids got up at 6, got ready for the day, and we all met for breakfast. I enjoyed the alone time, and they enjoyed one less person in the room as they ran around getting ready.


Our reasons for a 3 day were exactly the same. The kids and I had never been before, and my wife had only been on one cruise in the 1980's with her parents on the SS Norway and was sick the whole time.

This time, she was fine. We all were. No sea sickness. We DEFINITELY felt the boat rockin and rollin the whole trip with the high winds from the tropical storm. But we got used to it. I was surprised I felt it at all as I do quite a bit of deep sea fishing here in nj on plain old 60 foot fishing boats. I figured something as massive as the wonder I wouldn't feel at all, but we did. No big deal, we all were fine.


DLW8- I had only talked to two couples who did the parks before the cruise and both had said they were quite exhausted and didnt enjoy the cruise as much as they could have (skipped shows or dinners due to being tired) and said "Never again" to doing both. I have no firsthand experience, but my advice would be to maybe take it down a notch at the parks. I know we usually hit them hard when we go.

I'll try to get some pics and a trip report started in the next few days.

[Davids-Coco]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickeys

DLW8- I had only talked to two couples who did the parks before the cruise and both had said they were quite exhausted and didnt enjoy the cruise as much as they could have (skipped shows or dinners due to being tired) and said "Never again" to doing both. I have no firsthand experience, but my advice would be to maybe take it down a notch at the parks. I know we usually hit them hard when we go.

Not to me, but thanks for this. I think I'll scale back how hard we will hit the parks (how hard can you hit them with two little ones ). We all need a vacation big time! So getting that relaxation time is necessary. But two trips is also out of the question with 7 hrs of travel time each way on either end... lol.

[murphy4]

we are doing our first Disney Cruise in April, I can't wait to see your pictures

[Presentation]

Originally Posted by HiddenMickeys

1. Being at the terminal at 10am. Well yes, we were the first two families in line to check in, and we both got #2's. In retrospect, so what? In all honesty we could have arrived at 11, checked in, gotten all of our pics taken, and still have been on the ship at Parrot Cay 10 mins later than we were. So, next time? No rush.

If you are trying to get a port upgrade then you would want to arrive early and be in line at the door by 10AM to improve your odds.

[luna99]

thanks for the tips! I will be cruising for the first time with DH in 2011 on the magic and have no idea where to start and am reading everything I can get my hands on!

about the drinks... you mean soda right? bring your own soda? is that possible? They do charge for soda for room service right? and at the bars/lounges... but at dinner it is included? what about at buffets?

I wasn't sure if you meant alcohol or soda when you said "bring your own drinks".... and how do you bring soda on the ship?

[ibouncetoo]

Originally Posted by luna99

thanks for the tips! I will be cruising for the first time with DH in 2011 on the magic and have no idea where to start and am reading everything I can get my hands on!

about the drinks... you mean soda right? bring your own soda? is that possible? They do charge for soda for room service right? and at the bars/lounges... but at dinner it is included? what about at buffets?

I wasn't sure if you meant alcohol or soda when you said "bring your own drinks".... and how do you bring soda on the ship?

There's free soda 24 hours a day at the deck 9 drink station. I have carried on my own 6 pack of diet rootbeer however.

[hockeyprincess]

So far so good!! Keep the ideas coming!!

1 question though. I know it's a long time away but we are sailing in 2011... wanting to NOT use Disney transportation and would like to arrive at the port with a rental car to be in line by 10am, what time can I actually get in line TO wait in line? You know what I mean! I'm assuming we should stay at a hotel close to port and drop the car off at the port? Lugging our bags along the way? LOL

Thanks!