Anyone else feel overwhelmed being a cruise newbie?

[nisiemouse]

I have to admit I am feeling a little overwhelmed with our first Disney cruise on Dec 19th. I feel like I have the WDW thing down pretty well. I am really looking forward to it but just feel there is so much to learn and do to get prepared. Anyone else feel that way?

 

[lilpritch04]

I've been to WDW before, and so I know some of the things that are must sees for me, and I'm getting great advice from others; but this cruise is a whole new thing!

Neither DH or I have been on a cruise and so we have no clue! People give great advice, but I still feel like I need a manual to understand it all!

I know that we will have a great time on our HM, but I know that once I get back I'll want to do it again--better. Oh well, live and learn and we'll just have to cruise again

lilpritch04

 

[hydster]

It's normal to feel that way and then when you get on a board like this with people who've done it so many times it just adds to it! My only piece of advice to give you is to not stress about doing it all or that your trip will be ruined if you miss something! It is impossible to do everything on a ship on 1 cruise!

My suggestion would be to look at the Navigators on inkkognito's site and pick what sounds interesting and then expand on doing those things! I think the more you plan the more expectations you have and if for some reason they aren't met sometimes it can be a letdown!

I think it is possible to overplan it and then not enjoy what you are doing.

JMO
Heidi

 

[TiggerKing]

I am the consummate planner when it comes to things like our cruise. Since this is our first, and it is occurring on our anniversary, I want to be perfect. Sometimes I come here and I get overwhelmed with the information and don't know which direction to turn. When that happens, I take a step back for a day or two and just imagine cruising the open sea and sitting on the deck. That helps me to put it in perspective that it IS a VACATION and I am supposed to ENJOY and not get stressed. Hopefully that will continue to be true as I get closer to 11/28!

 

[PoohJen]

think about what advice you'd give to a WDW newbie, and apply the same here. For instance, I'd advise a WDW newbie to first hit a recent addition of Birnbaum's guide. So, for the cruise, consider sitting back and relaxing each night with the Passporter's Guide.

The Navigators mentioned above are also great for getting an idea of what's actually going on while you are cruising. the site referred to is www.dcltribute.com

Planning the vacation is so much a part of the vacation fun! but definitely can be overwhelming! don't try to take it all in at once!

Happy Planning!

 

[natdencro]

As you pay a lot of money for a Disney vacation, make sure you get your money's worth! See everything you can, eat what you fancy, rest when you want and have fun! And, most of all..........take TWICE as much spending money that you planned, and an extra 10 rolls of film for the camera! Nat

 

[kcashner]

Relax! That's the main thing about vacations. DCL actually tries to make it easy for you. The Welcome Aboard sheet has all the info you need shortly after boarding. The Navigator each night tells you what to expect the next day. In your initial navigator, there is an overview of the cruise.

You can learn a lot here. Just accept that you can't possibly do it all, and as a first timer, choose what looks most interesting to you. Remember, the cruise keeps changing. We've done it 10 times, and it's never exactly the same!

 

[crisi]

Its a little overwhelming, but keep in mind that a cruise is relaxing.....

You board, someone feeds you, tells you when and where to go to dinner, and gives you a schedule of things that are happening each day. You do those things, or you sit by the pool. And you will have a lovely time.

If you want to make it complicated, start worrying about the perfect night for Palo, packing, the perfect excursion, etc. But really, Palo will be great any night (and while you may miss something from your regular rotation, you will always miss something - that's what the next cruise is for).

Its really pretty simple compared to Disney.

 

[jeeper9]

I feel overwhelmed and more nervous than usual ~ but I can't seem to stop reading the information on these boards either.

All the information has given me some ideas of what to expect and I have finally decided not to worry so much about clothes and where we are eating each day. With 3 children I will need to stay flexible so I am going to concentrate on that.

I am amazed at how many times everyone has been on a Disney Cruise so it has to be wonderful!

jeeper

 

[gshoemate]

I felt the same way when we took our first cruise last November. I know WDW like the back of my hand but a boat that I have never stepped foot on, it's hard to plan. Just go with it and enjoy it. The Navigator will tell you everything you need to know. My most important suggestions would be, if you have small children that are going to Flounder's Nursery, kind of have an idea of when you want to put them there so you can sign up early. For example....on our next cruise I know me and DH want to spend a few hours after dinner alone...maybe go dancing while DD is in the club, so we will reserve DS for Flounders from 10:00 to midnight. Also, be prepared for when you first get on the boat, you will be sent to one of the resturants for lunch. We weren't prepared for that and really weren't to hungry, but we ate anyways. And have fun!!!!!

 

[ann southworth]

This will be our first cruise with the kids. We have been on three before ourselves and I expect e very different experience. Our kids are 5 and 7 so they are the perfect ages for a Disney adventure. We here nothing but very positive thibgs about everything. Our cruise leaves Dec 11, 2004.

 

[dclwdwlover]

Our first cruise in 1998 I didn't know a thing about DCL - I'm sure these boards didn't exist then. So, we just went on our cruise, read the daily Navigators & did as much as we could, while making sure that we got a lot of relaxation time in. It was terrific!

Now, I use these boards to get as much information as I can about the ship, excursions, etc. Even though I'm a planner, with the cruise, I don't stress about things that we don't get to do & I try to take the tips about pre-booking or getting to things timely to make reservations & use them, if possible.

To us, the whole point of cruising is to relax - especially after several days in the parks which, although we love very much, is a lot of work with walking miles each day, getting up early, going to bed late, crowds, etc.

Don't get overwhelmed by all the info. here. See if there are "must do" things & try for them if you'd like, but just enjoy the whole experience. You are going to love the cruise.

 

[Hygiene99]

You Will Be fine RELAX and enjoy..

And think of it this way u have found the Dis and Are way more informed than most..

We did not know of this Forum and made it Threw our First Cruise just Fine.. Had a Great time..

With out the Benefit of this Forum...

Relax Dont Worry Be happy.....

And Have A great cruise.....



Peter

 

[traycie2201]

Hi welcome to the boards, i felt the same way when i booked but have found the site to be a mine of wonderful information and helpful new friends, you really can ask anything and not be made to feel stupid , someone will help you with the answer, as well as all the boards mentioned which are also invaluable i found having the passporters field guide to the disney cruise line really has been the biggest help for me, without all these resources i wouldn't have any excursions booked, saved money, found friends, joined dismeets etc etc etc.
The best words of advice i've had are to plan , plan, plan and then leave all your expectations at home, your vacation isn't the same as everyone elses nor are your expectations and what may be one persons idea of paradise may be anothers idea of hell.
So plan, prepare, enjoy and relax.

 

[UKDEB]

We've been visiting WDW since 1992 and I often think it would be nice to recapture that first visit when I knew nothing. I'm looking forward to our first cruise as a rookie.

 

[East Coaster]

Yes, it can be overwhelming, but since I found this site, I have learned a lot!

DH, DS15, DD12 and I are doing the land/sea April 27-May 5. We have never been to Disney before or on a cruise so we are in for a few surprises.

I haven't had to post alot because anytime I think of something I need an answer for, I usually find the answer right here on the boards!

I find these boards very helpful, interesting and B]VERY[/B] addictive!! Hopefully all this time spent finding things out now will allow for a fun vacation!! Frustration will be left home!

Thanks everyone for of the help!!

 

[nisiemouse]

Thanks so much for all the advice and comments. I will be hanging around quite a bit the next few months. A couple of weeks ago dh was thinking he wanted to cancel and just have a week at home without going anywhere. Needless to say I was very disappointed and I tried to stay away from the cruise forum until I was sure we were going. Thankfully, he turned around on his own and we are both really looking forward to 4 days at disney and then the 4 day cruise before Christmas. Plane tickets are bought and I took the kids to get passport photos yesterday (although I wish my photo could have turned out a little better since I'm stuck with it for 10 years-- dh said in 10 years I would wish I could keep the photo). Thanks again everyone.

 

[Doctor P]

Now, now, you are selling yourself short. What do you mean you are cruise newbie? Seems to me we were on a cruise together at WDW a few years ago! We had the same feelings when we went for the first time last year, but sure didn't feel like first time cruisers once we got on board because of all the information we got on this board and from the Passporter cruise guide. But, there was still so much we missed that DW and I are doing a 5th anniversary cruise staring 9/4. Enjoy the planning--I think that might be the most fun part of the whole thing and its all fun!

 

[nisiemouse]

Doctor P: I sent you a pm.

 

[jeeper9]

Why did your children need passport photos ~ do my 5, 8, 9 year olds need photos? I thought their birth certificates would be enough?