Advice for First Time Cruisers

[pearljim]

We've booked our first DCL cruise - 4 day on the Magic (Jan 4-8) and are really excited. I've done lots of research but any advice from you DCL veterans would be much appreciated!!!

 

[belle41379]

My one piece of advice is one that is hard to do...pack less than you think you will need. We ended up wearing our suits most of the time, and only wore "real" clothes when we went to dinner. I almost always wore my surrong (sp?) and a tank top while in port. Have a fantastic vacation!!

 

[jrabbit]

Since this is your first DCL cruise (and maybe your first cruise ever) I would arrive at the port by 11am. The terminal is beautiful. There's a model of the Magic inside and the real Magic outside. The characters come out for photo ops. There's Mickey cartoons on the tvs scattered throughout the terminal. Any you will probably strike up a conversation with some friends here on the DIS!! The wait to board goes very quickly.

If the weather is nice (not to hot, not to wet), go up to Topsiders for lunch. If the weather isn't to your likeing, eat inside at Parrot Cay.

You got questions, we got answers!!

 

[DCLADDICT]

CHECK-OUT WWW.CASTAWAYCLUB.COM GREAT SOURCE OF INFORMATION!!!

 

[pearljim]

Thanks everyone for your responses!!

 

[TheWog]

Try to do only what you can, enjoy, you can't do everything they have to offer so make it what you want it to be. Relax and love every second of it. Go to the Sail Away party as you leave Port Canaveral. If you have kids let them get up close..... it's so much fun.

And apparently there is something special to watch for as you leave the terminal, but I did not see it on our first cruise......

 

[crisi]

Relax, enjoy yourself and have fun. Don't sweat it.

More practical advice:

1. Pools are less crowded in the morning and on port day.

2. If you are interested in character greets, there is a phone number to call. The advertised ones in the navigator get busy, the "unadvertised" ones you find out about from the character boards (one in the atrium, can't remember where we saw the second on) or the phone are less busy.

3. Don't forget to leave out clothes for the next day when you leave your luggage out the night before.

4. You may gain a little weight. You might want to work on taking some off before you get on the ship.

5. Check out the link above for links to recent Navigators to get some idea of how your days will go. These may change and the events probably won't be identical.

 

[ericamanda01]

Remeber that you are on vacation. There are so many things to do on board that you may feel overwelmed. Just read through the navigator and highlight what you want to try. And don't forget to relax. Take a few moments just to sit and watch the water roll by.