Best Advice

[Reddaisy]

We all learn so much from the Dis Boards. Thank you, Disers.

What is your favorite piece of advice/info? (List 1)

Mine...

*Send clothes to be pressed onboard for half the price of dry cleaning costs.

On our first cruise, we didn't know this and waited in a long line to press items for dinner. On our second cruise, we were wiser and loved having everything neatly pressed for the week.

 

[scootch]

Cabanas is like a POD, just go up to each section and get what you want. Don't stand in a long line. Recently got off the Magic and people could not figure this out. Truly makes for quicker service for everyone.

 

[Passholder]

don't try to schedule every minute of your day

 

[tink1970]

Enjoy and relax...prioritize activities and don't exhaust yourself running hither and yon.

 

[Amanda129]

Enjoy and relax...prioritize activities and don't exhaust yourself running hither and yon.

Ditto. Too much planning makes for a stressful cruise. I take a highlighter set and prioritize my navigators with "must do's" ""would like to do's" and "looks fun if I'm not doing anything else".

Also, take the time to just walk around the ship. There are so many neat things to look at that most people don't take the time to appreciate because they're rushing around from one activity to the next!

 

[TFC_UNTIL_I_DIE]

#1 Wait a few days until your kids line up to meet characters - the lines get shorter and the lines are very short on Castaway Cay!

#2 Park at the terminal - very secure, worth the extra cost, no shuttles involved. (unless from Orlando airport - the Disney buses are great!)

#3 Don't forget to decorate your cabin door!

 

[Bishoparc]

people could not figure this out.

We run into this every time at Cabanas. Folks will even get rude with you and I'm just thinking, this same item is in 5 more places on this buffet lol

 

[diznymom]

1. You can order cookies and milk from room service
2. Join a FE exchange group.
3. Decorate your door w/ magnets
4. Relax. You are on vacation.
5. You can't do everything, so pick what you want to do.
6. DCL transportation. (ignored this the first cruise)

 

[scootch]

My goal to teach everyone this... haha.... Wasn't bad on the Fantasy/Dream, but our Magic cruise it was terrible.

 

[CamColt]

What a great thread!

My tip is to listen to others opinions but also know that may not be whats best for you. Over the years here I have heard a few things that the majority of guests swear by but when I experienced it, it turns out I prefer the opposite. 1 example is the side of the ship. I often hear how people enjoy the view of CC, but I found I liked the other side where I could hear the music from the dock down below (we pulled in forward on 1 cruise).

 

[Steve Dexter]

Agreed CamColt, my wife and I are Platinum and I can't believe how often I prefer the opposite of what seems like the majority of guests on this board like. For example, I love keeping in touch with work, always get the wifi on the ship, and always have my iPhone with me. Keeping in touch reduces my stress level, my career is what allows me to afford Disney cruises. I've noticed a lot of posts by people that are overly opposed to wifi/phones/keeping in touch. To each their own! I always get the biggest wifi package available and often have to buy more. It's ok.

 

[jrabbit]

You Can't Eat It All - BUT this is time to expand your palate ... try new foods without the worry of having to pay for something you don't like or two meals. In The MDR's they are more than willing to bring you a "replacement" dish if you pick something you don't like

You Can NOT Do It All - the hardest thing about DCL cruises is choosing what NOT to Do. That's just the way it is.

Sleep is for AFTER the vacation, but I sleep better on the ship than in any hotel on land, and I can take a nap up on deck 4 or on the pool decks.

SUNSCREEN - Frequently ... because the sun IS different in the Caribbean than at home.

 

[ludari]

Pack half as many clothes and take twice as much money as you think you'll need for any vacation.

 

[TestingH2O]

My tip is to listen to others opinions but also know that may not be whats best for you.

This. Every family is different and it is impossible to say that one vacation experience will work best for everyone.

You hear about kids who love the clubs and also those who would really prefer to avoid them.

Food in the dining rooms is great or barely edible depending on the person.

For me personally, concierge is a lovely experience that makes the vacation, but for others, it is a total rip off and/or just a chance to show off.

Do your research and then live in the moment.

My own advice is to make a short list (1-2 things for each person in your traveling party) and commit to doing those things. Leave the rest of your schedule open to enjoy what comes your way.

 

[tinydancr06]

I have a few:

General
- First thing once you board, do a lap of the ship (at least the "public" areas) to get your bearings. We were told to do this and now it's a tradition! The DCL ships are so beautiful that just walking around is seriously entertaining.
- Do Palo brunch. Just do it.
- If you aren't able to book Palo/Remy prior to your cruise just go directly to the restaurant you want after embarkation to reserve it.

Castaway Cay
- Do the Castaway Cay 5K! You get to get off this ship early and run/walk in paradise! Bring your swim stuff to change into when you leave for the 5K so you can change and cool off at the beach immediately after the race.
- Rent bikes! We loved seeing the island this way. The course was long but not too long and you get to see parts of the island you might not see otherwise. Oh, and don't leave your camera on the bike when you return it! Ugh.
- The BBQ at Serenity Bay (adults only) is much calmer than Cookie's/Cookie's Too and equally delicious.

 

[Allabouthemouse]

Do not overschedule your vacation which is not the same as not planning. DO plan. DO research activities by browsing old navigators. DO ask each member of your cruise party to do the same then go with the flow when you get on board. You won't be able to do it all. Leave room for spontaneity.

 

[SCA2015]

Heads up: Guest services no longer will provide character autographs

We just got back from our cruise and I wanted to give everyone an update on the character autographs. I had previously read that if you bring an item to guest services at the start of your trip, they will have all of the characters autograph it for you. Not sure when they stopped but this is no longer the case! Not a huge deal, you must wait in line for the photos with characters anyway. However, I had purchased a custom photo mat on Etsy which was large to carry around. I would plan on something small and sturdy enough to throw in your bag.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Heads up: Guest services no longer will provide character autographs

We just got back from our cruise and I wanted to give everyone an update on the character autographs. I had previously read that if you bring an item to guest services at the start of your trip, they will have all of the characters autograph it for you. Not sure when they stopped but this is no longer the case! Not a huge deal, you must wait in line for the photos with characters anyway. However, I had purchased a custom photo mat on Etsy which was large to carry around. I would plan on something small and sturdy enough to throw in your bag.

This was discontinued last August.

 

[mickey0624]

We all learn so much from the Dis Boards. Thank you, Disers.

What is your favorite piece of advice/info? (List 1)

Mine...

*Send clothes to be pressed onboard for half the price of dry cleaning costs.

On our first cruise, we didn't know this and waited in a long line to press items for dinner. On our second cruise, we were wiser and loved having everything neatly pressed for the week.

Read the Navigator every night. So many cool and fun things going on during the day. and go on Aqua Duct after dinner. No lines after 9pm