Couple planning questions Dream January 2018

[revdon64]

I'm taking my older son on his first cruise for his 8th birthday in early January of next year. We're sailing on a 3 night Dream cruise to the Bahamas. I'm something of an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, so I feel like I might miss something as this is also my first trip on DCL. Anyway, that's the long way around to asking a couple questions:

1. As opposed to our Disney resort vacations, we are not planning to do a lot of things on this cruise. Still, my son is excited to try to do the stingray experience. When can we book that? Can we book online or by phone?

2. Son is also a little apprehensive about going to Oceaneer's club. He's actually a pretty outgoing kid, but when it's just him and daddy he's not so sure about being by himself. Anyone have experiences with their kids and how they warmed up to the kids clubs?

3. Are there any things that I can book and pay for ahead of time that we should really try to do? He has no interest in meet and greets and I don't particularly care about eating at Remy or Palo. We're planning to just hang out on the ship for our port day in Nassau. What's not to miss on Castaway Cay?

4. Will I need to bring formal wear or shirt/tie for meals? We booked early seatings for dinner. But, we're also going to be in WDW for 2 nights before our cruise and six nights after. I don't particularly want to have to pack stuff that we'll only wear once all trip.

Thanks for any and all input!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. As a first-time cruiser, you can book those kinds of excursions I believe 75 days in advance.

2. No comment, as my kids are not apprehensive about things.

3. Some people do stuff. I think the beach is nice.

4. No. Some people dress up. Many don't. If it's a dad-son trip, consider nice shirts for the one night and get a picture taken, though. Maybe no tie, but something picture-worthy.

 

[Dug720]

My only caution would be that there are times that at least some of the stingray time slots are cancelled due to currents or wind conditions - so while I'm not saying don't sign up, I would prepare him for the possibility that it might not go.

Or you could go the route of saying there were no slots open and then let it be a surprise.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm taking my older son on his first cruise for his 8th birthday in early January of next year. We're sailing on a 3 night Dream cruise to the Bahamas. I'm something of an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, so I feel like I might miss something as this is also my first trip on DCL. Anyway, that's the long way around to asking a couple questions:

1. As opposed to our Disney resort vacations, we are not planning to do a lot of things on this cruise. Still, my son is excited to try to do the stingray experience. When can we book that? Can we book online or by phone?

2. Son is also a little apprehensive about going to Oceaneer's club. He's actually a pretty outgoing kid, but when it's just him and daddy he's not so sure about being by himself. Anyone have experiences with their kids and how they warmed up to the kids clubs?

3. Are there any things that I can book and pay for ahead of time that we should really try to do? He has no interest in meet and greets and I don't particularly care about eating at Remy or Palo. We're planning to just hang out on the ship for our port day in Nassau. What's not to miss on Castaway Cay?

4. Will I need to bring formal wear or shirt/tie for meals? We booked early seatings for dinner. But, we're also going to be in WDW for 2 nights before our cruise and six nights after. I don't particularly want to have to pack stuff that we'll only wear once all trip.

Thanks for any and all input!

1. Your activity booking window opens at 75 days out from the cruise. You do it online.
2. I'd suggest the two of you attend the Open House the first day/evening there to check the place out. And there are Open House hours at various times during the cruise you can attend with him.
3. You don't pay for any of the activities ahead of time. What can be booked are the port adventures, as well as some character meet & greets (Princess Gathering & Frozen Meet and Greet). Pelican Plunge is fun on Castaway Cay.
4. There is no formal night on a 3 night cruise. There is a "dress up optional" night. People dress up, or not, as they wish. Only "dress code" in the dining rooms is "no swimwear or tank tops for dinner". Beyond that, you'll see all manner of dress.

 

[over50visits]

I'm taking my older son on his first cruise for his 8th birthday in early January of next year. We're sailing on a 3 night Dream cruise to the Bahamas. I'm something of an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, so I feel like I might miss something as this is also my first trip on DCL. Anyway, that's the long way around to asking a couple questions:



3. Are there any things that I can book and pay for ahead of time that we should really try to do? He has no interest in meet and greets and I don't particularly care about eating at Remy or Palo. We're planning to just hang out on the ship for our port day in Nassau. What's not to miss on Castaway Cay?

Thanks for any and all input!

You certainly can pay for activities or things ahead of time. In reality, your final bill is just the sum of everything you've spent (including tips), so you don't pay ahead of time for a particular "thing" (some people like to think they are prepaying tips), but you can absolutely call DCL and have a credit placed on your account. They love to hold and use your money LOL! Your final bill on the cruise will be the sum of all you've charged minus any upfront deposit.

If you know what your excursions will cost, and your gratuity amount and anything else you are going to spend money on (lots of opportunities for that, see me list of 50+ things you can spend $$ on), you may wish to pay ahead of time by putting down a deposit in that amount. No money is earmarked for any particular activity, and for the life of me I can't think of why one would pay for things ahead of time, but I hear folks say they like it paid for before the cruise just because it feels better. If that floats your boat, go to it!

 

[over50visits]

I'm taking my older son on his first cruise for his 8th birthday in early January of next year. We're sailing on a 3 night Dream cruise to the Bahamas. I'm something of an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, so I feel like I might miss something as this is also my first trip on DCL. Anyway, that's the long way around to asking a couple questions:


4. Will I need to bring formal wear or shirt/tie for meals? We booked early seatings for dinner. But, we're also going to be in WDW for 2 nights before our cruise and six nights after. I don't particularly want to have to pack stuff that we'll only wear once all trip.

There is a dress up night, and you will see a lot of folks in really nice evening wear. You will also see a lot of folks in really not nice evening wear. Your servers won't bat an eyelash no matter what you wear, and I think you'll find your fellow cruisers don't care either, everyone seems to have a good time eating dinner and talking at the table. If you want to dress up, you will fit right in with the elegant decor, and dressed up waiters, and the upscale restaurant and menu. If you don't want to dress up, you will fit right in with probably more than half of the other guests. Don't even stress for a second about what to wear at dinner, it DOES NOT matter!

 

[mevelandry]

I'm taking my older son on his first cruise for his 8th birthday in early January of next year. We're sailing on a 3 night Dream cruise to the Bahamas. I'm something of an obsessive planner when it comes to our WDW trips, so I feel like I might miss something as this is also my first trip on DCL. Anyway, that's the long way around to asking a couple questions:

1. As opposed to our Disney resort vacations, we are not planning to do a lot of things on this cruise. Still, my son is excited to try to do the stingray experience. When can we book that? Can we book online or by phone?

2. Son is also a little apprehensive about going to Oceaneer's club. He's actually a pretty outgoing kid, but when it's just him and daddy he's not so sure about being by himself. Anyone have experiences with their kids and how they warmed up to the kids clubs?

3. Are there any things that I can book and pay for ahead of time that we should really try to do? He has no interest in meet and greets and I don't particularly care about eating at Remy or Palo. We're planning to just hang out on the ship for our port day in Nassau. What's not to miss on Castaway Cay?

4. Will I need to bring formal wear or shirt/tie for meals? We booked early seatings for dinner. But, we're also going to be in WDW for 2 nights before our cruise and six nights after. I don't particularly want to have to pack stuff that we'll only wear once all trip.

Thanks for any and all input!

3. Palo and Remy are only for adults. You could not bring your kid. And most activities you only have to pay on the last night of the cruise (automatically paid with on board credit or credit card).

4. You don't have to. Those are only requested in Palo and Remy.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

You can buy wine packages, and other gift type items and tips ahead of time. It is charged to your credit card ahead of the cruise and therefore won't show up on your final bill. You also might want to order a photo CD. You may want to coordinate outfits for boarding and/or a meal or two as photographers are everywhere and you can get some nice portraits. Only charge if you buy any of them. We did a 10 photo cd. I think for pirate night you can have your son made up as a pirate for a charge. This might need to be reserved, but I don't have young kids so don't know the details. My family loves to do the bike/float rental at castaway cay. My daughter and I loved the stingray adventure. It took 2 cruises to get to do it as it was cancelled on our 1st try due to a big storm before we arrived at castaway cay. I also would get off at Nassau a bit. Fun to walk around, shop, I love the straw market. Also, try local seafood. And, your son might enjoy the pirate museum.