Any Tips For A Firstime Cruiser?

[DVacationer]

Going on my first cruise ever in my life. I booked a merrytime cruise for 4 nights on the Disney Dream and was wondering if anyone has any tips and must do’s for a first timer (all adults no kids)?
I booked a verandah room, reserved palo brunch on the 4th day but thats about it.
Palo dinner?
Remy?
must order entrees?
Anything I should pack thats unknown to 1sttimers?
Should I adjust main dining locations to a specific night?
Is lunch a must do at any of the restaurants?

Thanks!

 

[Karin1984]

As it is your first time, just enjoy the ride. Find out what are your favourites. There is so much to see and do in 4 days, don't try to do it all.
One thing people here rave about is the chicken parm at Palo brunch. I found it underwhelming.

 

[Travel60]

You seem to have done the important planning. If you hang out on these boards you will find some people who plan like it's a trip to WDW. Fish extenders, rubber ducks to hide, meet-ups, drink tastings. Others (me included) do the minimum and just enjoy.

Many love Palo brunch. I was underwhelmed but then I don't eat a lot of egg or bready foods. I love Palo dinner -my one red meat meal of the cruise and always the chocolate souffle. But that's me.

I'm pretty sure you can't adjust your dining schedule (it's assigned) and really no reason anyway. On a 4 night cruise, you have one repeat (unless you go to Palo dinner).

You might consider spa services. They are pricey but nice.

Disney has great entertainment - check out the offerings every day.

Have fun!

 

[CamColt]

Plan to spend some time relaxing in Satellite Falls.

As noted above, some people do precise planning for a cruise. I appreciate that is not needed, and prefer to spend a cruise just relaxing. I usually prebook Palo Brunch and that is about it. I know what, if any shows I want to see, and check the Navigator daily to see what nighttime adult entertainment we don't want to miss.

 

[Clarkson U]

First cruise - take it all in. Try to get as early a port arrival time (PAT) as possible so you can get most time on the ship! If you might get seasickness get a patch to put behind your ear or buy some SeaBands!

Some things I would say you can do:

1. Eat dinner in the main dining rooms each and every night. It's a full on 4-5 course meal with usually great servers and a great time. The rotation is not that important. If you have food allergies please make sure they know that as soon as possible. We never skip a main dining room meal on any Disney cruise and we have been on 8 so far.

2. Walk the ship. Just take your time. Walk it. Up and down both sides. Explore the ship. Just so much to see and do.

3. Go to the evening shows opposite your dinner time in the Walt Disney Theater. Those are typically Broadway style production shows and a lot of fun.

4. Dress up if you want and get your pictures taken. Around the holidays, picture lines do start early say 5 pm for early seating and just keep going. So get there early if you want.

5. Ride the AquaDuck on the Dream if you can at least once (more if you like it of course)

6. Order room service at least once - even if just a morning coffee with pastries to enjoy on your balcony. (it's included except for select items) and this order you can actually place the night before you go to bed so it will arrive whenever you want in the morning!

7. Even thought just adults, check out the kids club during open house and do a quick walk through. Neat to see the offerings.

8. Have a soft serve ice cream from deck 11. Yum!

9. If you want a souvenir or something try to buy on the first day! supplies dwindle as the sailing continues.

10. If you are going to scrapbook your cruise, take notes during the day so you have them for scrapbooking later on when you have your pictures etc.

 

[DVacationer]

You seem to have done the important planning. If you hang out on these boards you will find some people who plan like it's a trip to WDW. Fish extenders, rubber ducks to hide, meet-ups, drink tastings. Others (me included) do the minimum and just enjoy.

Many love Palo brunch. I was underwhelmed but then I don't eat a lot of egg or bready foods. I love Palo dinner -my one red meat meal of the cruise and always the chocolate souffle. But that's me.

I'm pretty sure you can't adjust your dining schedule (it's assigned) and really no reason anyway. On a 4 night cruise, you have one repeat (unless you go to Palo dinner).

You might consider spa services. They are pricey but nice.

Disney has great entertainment - check out the offerings every day.

Have fun!

I want a souffle! Do none of the main dining rooms serve soufle? Is the repeat dining room a different menu or the same as the first time? Is Palo dinner worth it if I dont do the a la cart option? I really dont like the idea of paying a la carte on a cruise dinner.

 

[CamColt]

I want a souffle! Do none of the main dining rooms serve soufle? Is the repeat dining room a different menu or the same as the first time? Is Palo dinner worth it if I dont do the a la cart option? I really dont like the idea of paying a la carte on a cruise dinner.

One of the rotational menus from the main dining room offers a Grand Marnier Souffle which is excellent.

 

[Travel60]

Each dining room has an individual menu the first time through. Then there might be special menus (like for pirate night) where they all have the same.
At our last Palo dinner, I ordered from the fixed price menu (had my favorites), DH ordered a la cart (app, entre, dessert). Difference was a dollar or two so really doesn't matter.

 

[SeanSD]

Many people, including me, like the black truffle pasta purseittes at Animators Palate

 

[Clarkson U]

Many people, including me, like the black truffle pasta purseittes at Animators Palate

We love the pursettes at AP! It’s our absolute favorite dish on the ship! We try to get it more than one night!

 

[lovedisneycruise]

I bring a wrap or light cardigan to the dining rooms and for walking on deck in the evenings. (I have ivory and black ones with subtle Mickey heads woven throughout.) I also recommend to bring a pair of Tevas or a similar type of water sandal for when you’re walking on the pool decks To prevent slipping. I use these for walking at Disney World too. They are great in storms.

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

In the main dining rooms, if you select an option that disappoints don’t think twice about asking your servers for something else. Do try to get the replacement during the same part of the service. It plays havoc with their flow if you ask for a different entrée during dessert service. They would still bring you what you ask for, but it is easy to be considerate.

If any one in the party has issues with motion sickness, there are options. I saw the patches and sea bands recommended above, my go-to is Bonine. The Boss Lady and our daughter both have motion sickness issues, so the whole family takes a raspberry flavored chewable every morning. We have never had a problem, though that may be due to all of our cruises being on pretty smooth waters.

Even with the updates to the cabins, our family of four never seems to have enough outlets for all the electronics to charge overnight. We bring a small USB hub that solves that problem…don’t forget charging cables.

I love the gentle rocking of the ship when I sleep, but once the rocking was making empty hangers clink together in the closet. A washcloth draped over the empty hangers solved that minor annoyance.

Relax, enjoy, appreciate the (hopefully) stellar DCL service, and have a great time!