1st Time Cruisers - What do we need to know?

[DisneyFanatic1215]

We are a family of 6, and have our first cruise planned for May 2014 - a 4-Night Bahamian cruise on the Dream. As first timers, what do we need to know? What did you wish people would have told you before your first cruise? We have read up on the basics (I think!) but we still have A LOT to learn!

 

[cruisecrasher]

You cannot possibly do it all, so try to relax and enjoy it!
And plan to rebook onboard.

 

[mordecai]

We're also a family of 6 and the main thing I found out is that cruising isn't designed for a 6 person family :-/ Only the older ships can accommodate 6 people in 1 room, it's limited and expensive so you end up booking 2 rooms every time. I've been trying to figure out which kid I like the least so that I can leave one behind and all fit in one room

As for first time tips/tricks, I'd start here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1380936

It's a great thread. I know it may be daunting but I've found the easiest thing is to throw your questions (if you have them) into google and odds are you'll find someone has asked it on disboards before.

 

[ThePedersonFamily]

First of all...you are one step ahead of me by being on the disboards!!! We went on our first cruise before I found the boards and I have since learned sooooo much!! So bravo to you!!

Second...don't stress, and don't preplan too much! There is so much going on all the time that I felt like I was always running because I wanted to do everything...just won't happen!! Do as much as you can with allowing time to breath and enjoy the serenity of being on the ocean! It truly is magnificent to walk deck 4 by yourself and just enjoy the view! I loved my afternoon walks!!

And last...let the magic take you away!! I wore pink sparkly Mickey ears with my formal dress!! I'm 42 years old and I still gushed like my kids when Mickey would hug me! The magic is contagious...give in to it!!!

Have a fabulous time and be forewarned that Disney cruises are addictive!!!

 

[DisneyFanatic1215]

We're also a family of 6 and the main thing I found out is that cruising isn't designed for a 6 person family :-/ Only the older ships can accommodate 6 people in 1 room, it's limited and expensive so you end up booking 2 rooms every time. I've been trying to figure out which kid I like the least so that I can leave one behind and all fit in one room

As for first time tips/tricks, I'd start here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1380936

It's a great thread. I know it may be daunting but I've found the easiest thing is to throw your questions (if you have them) into google and odds are you'll find someone has asked it on disboards before.

We have two rooms booked, which is a bummer. We have never stayed in two rooms before, I guess we will see how it goes!

Thanks for everyones replies!

 

[Peytonthe1st]

We're also a family of 6 and the main thing I found out is that cruising isn't designed for a 6 person family :-/ Only the older ships can accommodate 6 people in 1 room, it's limited and expensive so you end up booking 2 rooms every time. I've been trying to figure out which kid I like the least so that I can leave one behind and all fit in one room

Sorry, just had to say that was probably one of the funnier things I've read on this board.

 

[SeattleSuz]

Thanks for posting the link to the tips! I was just going to ask the same thing!

 

[Tinked]

Consider this: four days is a short cruise. Take your time and do what you can. Do try to participate in shows and things but don't let it stress you out. You won't be able to do everything offered so maybe sample here and there or break up and compare notes after. Definitely do the Midship Detective Agency as that will take you all over the ship and is a lot of fun. Go to the shows early and relax while people try to find seats down front. Don't forget deck 4 for walking, running, or watching the sea go by. Order Mickey bars and cookies from room service for a quiet time in your room. Relax and plan your next, longer dcl vacation.

You know someday there will be 5 or you, then 4 of you, then 3 then 2. Enjoy what you have.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I'm not sure why booking two cabins is a bummer. We have 4 people and get 2 cabins. Having the extra bath and extra TV makes a happy travel family.

 

[mordecai]

I'm not sure why booking two cabins is a bummer. We have 4 people and get 2 cabins. Having the extra bath and extra TV makes a happy travel family.

Oh don't get me wrong, there are definite advantages to having 2 cabins, but the expense is the problem. To break it down so it makes a little more sense; if you have 5 people you can do 1 or 2 rooms. The cost for the same cruise, same class room doing 1 room is around $5200 whereas if you do 2 (exact same) rooms it's $6100. It gets more complicated/expensive if, like us, you have little ones because then you need connecting rooms which are limited and can add more expense. Either way the main problem is that having 2 rooms you have to pay for 4 adults regardless of whether you actually HAVE 4 adults. It can be the difference between being able to afford a veranda/ocean view room that you "want" vs getting inside rooms that you "need".

The bottom line is I say the 2 year old stays home.

 

[TheRatPack]

We're also a family of 6 (now) and have been a family of 7 up until last year when my oldest flew the nest so we're used to getting two rooms at Disney Value resorts when we travel. I'm seriously considering a cruise for 2014, to celebrate my 40th as well as our 20th wedding anniversary. It's so expensive though, and while my kids and I ADORE Disney World....I'm wondering if a 4 day cruise at the same cost as a 9 day land vacation will bring us the same satisfaction LOL.

I'll be following your thread for first time cruisers

 

[mordecai]

It's so expensive though, and while my kids and I ADORE Disney World....I'm wondering if a 4 day cruise at the same cost as a 9 day land vacation will bring us the same satisfaction LOL.

There is a lot you can do to get the cost down if you REALLY want to do it. I don't know what the costs you are talking but using the target/Disney gift card thing helps out some, especially when/if they do the December deal again with the $10 back on $50 gift cards.

We've done the parks a lot but prefer cruising as a change of pace. The parks are "things to do, go go go" and cruising is more relaxing for us. We can have family time when we want yet still get adult time.

 

[TinkGirl]

We're also a family of 6 and the main thing I found out is that cruising isn't designed for a 6 person family :-/ Only the older ships can accommodate 6 people in 1 room, it's limited and expensive so you end up booking 2 rooms every time. I've been trying to figure out which kid I like the least so that I can leave one behind and all fit in one room

Awesome! My family of 5 always jokes about which family member should get voted out. It is usually the teenaged daughter.

 

[JuliaK+3]

We haven't even cruised yet and I have advice for you. Research and Book your excursions as soon as you can. We are exactly 1 month away from our cruise and the main excursion we wanted to do at CC is sold out. We'll have fun other ways but my kids are bummed that we can't do the jet-ski's.

 

[JimGA]

We are a family of 6, and have our first cruise planned for May 2014 - a 4-Night Bahamian cruise on the Dream. As first timers, what do we need to know? What did you wish people would have told you before your first cruise? We have read up on the basics (I think!) but we still have A LOT to learn!

We just were first time crusiers this past May on the Dream. My tips would be;

Stay up to midnight when you booking window opens, try to get the early port arrival time of 11am, we were on the Aquaduck by noon. We felt like we had a "full" day our first day on the ship.

Unless there is something you absolutely want to do in Nassau, stay on the ship and enjoy it, you can get off for a little bit and wander the port area and look at the other cruise ships.

Definately bring an over the door organizer modified with a coat hanger to hang on the bathrobe hook in the restroom.

Not sure the ages of your kids, but we had our kids (8 &11) bring their own tip money for room service, they could order when and what they wanted, it just cost them a tip of a dollar or so.

Dont wait until the last day to do the midship detective agency, lots of people waiting in line at the clue stations. Do it any of the 3 days prior, I recommend the first or second day, lets you get aquainted with the layout of the ship.

Get up early (7am) and or stay out late (10pm) and enjoy the near desolate ship decks.

Pack light.

Enjoy and have fun, oh! Almost forgot, book you future crusie while on board, but NOT on the last day like we did, waited 40 minutes in line.

 

[dizzi]

Oh don't get me wrong, there are definite advantages to having 2 cabins, but the expense is the problem. To break it down so it makes a little more sense; if you have 5 people you can do 1 or 2 rooms. The cost for the same cruise, same class room doing 1 room is around $5200 whereas if you do 2 (exact same) rooms it's $6100. It gets more complicated/expensive if, like us, you have little ones because then you need connecting rooms which are limited and can add more expense. Either way the main problem is that having 2 rooms you have to pay for 4 adults regardless of whether you actually HAVE 4 adults. It can be the difference between being able to afford a veranda/ocean view room that you "want" vs getting inside rooms that you "need".

The bottom line is I say the 2 year old stays home.

I agree with you on the 2 year old staying home..........they wont remember it any way.

But if not have you though about doing s verandah and an inside room? Possibly across the hall from each other?

 

[mordecai]

I agree with you on the 2 year old staying home..........they wont remember it any way.

But if not have you though about doing s verandah and an inside room? Possibly across the hall from each other?

All the kids are under 10 so I don't think we'd feel comfortable with them across a hallway like that. That would mean my wife and I would have to sleep in separate rooms which isn't going to happen. We put the kids in one room and we stay in the other with the connecting doors propped open. Seems like the only viable solution to us.

 

[dizzi]

To each there own..........

I would consider it a real vacation if I could sleep in my own bed away from my snoring, stinky, bed hogging husband.

 

[mmfox316]

My 1st cruise we had two rooms. They gave us rooms next to each other and there was a door inbetween that could stay open. The night owls in 1 room and the early to beders in the other.

My tip #1
Get a Chase Disney VISA. I funnel all my bills thru it by autodeduct. I am using it to pay for tips, drinks, excursions. Check it out. It adds up.

#2
Look into tips. Disney automatically posts tips for everyone and their mother to your account. You can ask them to take them off and handle them yourselves. I am not saying they don't deserve the tips. I am saying it took me by surprise because I didn't do any research before hand.

#3
The kids food was alittle fantasy for my kids. But it is Disney. Ask them for something else. Even if it was from lunch or another day's menu. I got some incredible chocolate one night and then our server got it for me from that original kitchen each night.

#4
Sea-Bands work for sea sickness according to my daughter who is 18 and very girlie. She is overly concerned about her looks sometimes but wears these dumb looking $8 sweat band looking things. Best $8 I ever spent.

#5
In my opinion only Castaway Cay was worth leaving the ship for on that cruise. I could have spent everyday there. I could live there. Really I keep looking for an IT job posting on their site.

#6
Ship stores are closed when in port by law or agreement with the ports. Plan ahead if you need something.

#7
I know you said the expense of two rooms is alot but spending the night before at the Hyatt in the airport was very relaxing compared to flying in that day. Of course I am flying from Albany NY to Orlando. If you travel is much less it might not be that bad to fly in the same day.

#8
Relax. Have fun.

 

[JuliaK+3]

We just were first time crusiers this past May on the Dream. My tips would be;

Stay up to midnight when you booking window opens, try to get the early port arrival time of 11am, we were on the Aquaduck by noon. We felt like we had a "full" day our first day on the ship.

Dumb question but when does this happen? Will I get an e-mail about it or do I just have to keep checking somewhere?