Calling all Disney cruise veterans for advice!

[Mama hallie]

Want to make sure I dot all my i's and cross all my t's.

Headed on our first Disney cruise the first week of April 2017. We are going on the Fantasy, 7-night western Caribbean: Star Wars day at sea. This is a GIRLS ONLY trip for four generations of ladies in my family, my grandmother, mother, myself and my 6 year old daughter. We are celebrating my 30th birthday and my impending graduation from grad school.

I was wondering if all you frequent Disney Cruisers have any tips or advice of your own. I've read 5 million blogs, but would love to hear some individual input from people who do this all the time. I want to make this the trip of a lifetime as I am traveling with 3 of my favorite people in this world. We mainly want to do this for my 6 year old daughter, so anything to make the best experience for her.

Thanks!!!!! And may the force be with you all.

 

[squirk]

Want to make sure I dot all my i's and cross all my t's.

Headed on our first Disney cruise the first week of April 2017. We are going on the Fantasy, 7-night western Caribbean: Star Wars day at sea. This is a GIRLS ONLY trip for four generations of ladies in my family, my grandmother, mother, myself and my 6 year old daughter. We are celebrating my 30th birthday and my impending graduation from grad school.

I was wondering if all you frequent Disney Cruisers have any tips or advice of your own. I've read 5 million blogs, but would love to hear some individual input from people who do this all the time. I want to make this the trip of a lifetime as I am traveling with 3 of my favorite people in this world. We mainly want to do this for my 6 year old daughter, so anything to make the best experience for her.

Thanks!!!!! And may the force be with you all.

Heavens, this question gets asked at least three times a week around here. You can wait for this thread to fill, but you can get a mountain of tips right now if you search the forum for threads with the word "first" or maybe "first-timer" in the title.

Best advice - don't overplan. Don't exhaust yourself trying to do everything. Plan not to plan.

 

[jrabbit]

Depending upon your daughter, you might see her, you might not. Some kids love the kids clubs so much that they don't want to leave, others are not so enamored with them.

For the older ladies, you might enjoy spending some time in the rain forest room on the ship - away from the kids. And then there's Deck 13 forward - this is the Satellite falls area. This is about my favorite outside place on any of the ships (adults only).

Be sure to check the Daily / Personal Navigators - it is a list of the activities for the day. There are Family, Kids and Adults activities. The hardest part of a DCL cruise is deciding what NOT to do -- decisions, decisions!!

My basic rules for new cruisers are:
1) you cannot Eat it All - but try new things. If you are disappointed in (or don't like) something, they will bring you something to replace it with. Remember: adults can order off of the kids menu if they want to!!
2) you cannot Do It All - but sleep is for after the cruise
3) Sunscreen - thoroughly and frequently - the Sun is Different there than at home (usually)
4) Even though this is a trip of a lifetime, things happen, so be prepared to go with the flow and don't take your frustrations out on someone who does not have the power to "fix it"

 

[Bear3412]

A couple items rarely mentioned.

Make sure everyone experiences the auto hand washers in the kids Club/Lab during an open house.

If you are into cool bathrooms, tile, marble, etc. check out all the public bathrooms aboard if you have time.

Great ship and itinerary choice.

Enjoy

 

[Skittlesmom]

We just returned this past Sunday on the Disney Magic, 7-night, Western Carribean cruise...perhaps my post will help. Specifically, if you're going to Key West, Grand Cayman, or Cozumel.

I agree with an earlier post...you won't be able to do it all. The Fantasy is a very large ship with a tremendous amount of options aboard. I highly recommend the Rainforest spa...very relaxing and enjoyable. The adult areas are a very relaxing quieter environment and good social option. The dining options are plentiful and superb to sample something new. The child/youth programs are beyond exceptional. The broadway shows are just amazing.

My son is a huge Star Wars fan and we found some magnetic Star Wars decals to decorate our room door. Once the ship is at sea, the stores will open. With a Star Wars-theme, I assume they will be in short supply.

Have a great cruise!

 

[over50visits]

Something else rarely mentioned, and often for us the most rewarding part of our cruise...the crew. Try to spend some time talking to any of them. First your servers, they are jewels, and too many cruisers ignore them or worse treat them like servants for their dining whims. Give them some respect, be considerate of their time and you'll get it back in spades.

Talk to your room steward. What great families some of them have! If you see someone painting part of the ship, stop and ask them about their job. They love to talk about it, and you'll get great "inside" information.

Ask the bar staff what they do back home. Stop by Guest Services and tell them you are having a great time. Talk with the lounge entertainers during their break. Tell the server at the buffet how you appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to make those buffets so great.

None of this takes too much time, but believe me it is wonderful what can happen.

 

[over50visits]

For really cool bathrooms check the ones outside Palo, and the ones near the lounge.

 

[o&smom]

Look for info on the Royal Tea. A bit pricey, but may be priceless for your once in a lifetime cruise.

 

[Mama hallie]

Something else rarely mentioned, and often for us the most rewarding part of our cruise...the crew. Try to spend some time talking to any of them. First your servers, they are jewels, and too many cruisers ignore them or worse treat them like servants for their dining whims. Give them some respect, be considerate of their time and you'll get it back in spades.

Talk to your room steward. What great families some of them have! If you see someone painting part of the ship, stop and ask them about their job. They love to talk about it, and you'll get great "inside" information.

Ask the bar staff what they do back home. Stop by Guest Services and tell them you are having a great time. Talk with the lounge entertainers during their break. Tell the server at the buffet how you appreciate the work that goes on behind the scenes to make those buffets so great.

None of this takes too much time, but believe me it is wonderful what can happen.

What a great tip! I manage a restaurant while I finish grad school and try to always make sure to pay attention to my servers and food staff when I go out. I never thought to consider maintenance workers! Such a great idea! Thanks

 

[Mama hallie]

Look for info on the Royal Tea. A bit pricey, but may be priceless for your once in a lifetime cruise.

I just looked this up after your tip, and watched a few videos. We are definitely doing this now. This is right up my daughter alley! Thanks for the tip.

 

[TestingH2O]

On our first cruise, we did a ladies night at a champagne tasting. That was great!

 

[dragynally]

My favorite thing to do on the fantasy was to sit on deck 4 or walking around that deck. Seeing a movie together can be cool. An adult dinner for you, mom and GM at palo or remy could be cool. Ride the aqua duck if you can. Have a blast and get pics.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We are platinum so have been on lots of Disney cruises

The fantasy is a great ship.

Be sure to do the aqua duck as much as possible. Lines are lowest early in the day or on port days.

Depending on the ports you may just want to stay onboard.

Encourage your daughter to enjoy the kids program.

Take part in the wine and other cocktail tastings.

Enjoy the adult spaces at night. They are beautiful.

Try to go to Palo or remy for an adult dinner.

Enjoy the dining rooms. So many people skip the dining rooms. Not sure why. The experience and food is great

Consider second seating. It's so much more relaxed than first seating. Plus the counselors will pick up kids from dinner so the adults can linger.

Get a latte or other coffee from the Cove. Be sure to get the card so that after five drinks you get one for free.

If your daughter is with the kids enjoy the adult pool area. It's beautiful.

If you are wine drinkers consider the wine package for dinner.

Have fun!

 

[o&smom]

I just looked this up after your tip, and watched a few videos. We are definitely doing this now. This is right up my daughter alley! Thanks for the tip.

Glad to help! We thought it was going to be a one time experience for our daughter, but now that it is on all four ships we are probably doing it one last time on our WBPC cruise on the Wonder this Spring. Have a wonderful cruise!