Creating a primer for Newbies--what would you include?

[PHamrick]

We are sailing with a group of five families, most of whom are newbies to DCL. Their online check-in date is May 26th. I'd like to create a primer before their check-in date with info about the ship, what to expect, rotational dining, etc. Nothing enormous to get them overwhelmed, but enough for them to feel comfortable and excited. What would you include?

If it matters, we are on a 7 night Northern European itinerary. So, anything Caribbean/Castaway Cay/warm-weather related, doesn't apply this time. THANKS!!

 

[starvenger]

Have they cruised before? Or are they pretty much first timers?

 

[CanuckOnaBoat]

here is what i did for our Alaska cruise on the Wonder - this might have some good info or give you some good ideas. I'm now doing one for the Magic in the Med.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlze60xx5cqu4f5/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

 

[cgolf]

One of the biggies is explaining how tipping works (at least would have helped us). My mom was supposed to sail with us on our first cruise, she had sailed before and we were left alone and had not found Dis yet. When we had our embarkation lunch, I was confused because I figured good service so we tip right lol. We were clueless about a lot of stuff and didn't rebook onboard either. Which I guess is the second thing, if they like it and want to cruise DCL again book at least a placeholder to get the discount.

Best thing to do is get them on this site reading all of the info that is on here and asking questions, because no question is too basic for a new cruiser. Wish we had been on here before our first trip, but we did use the passporter books which helped at the time.

 

[PHamrick]

Have they cruised before? Or are they pretty much first timers?

Two families are COMPLETELY new to cruising and one family has done one cruise before. But essentially nothing

 

[PHamrick]

here is what i did for our Alaska cruise on the Wonder - this might have some good info or give you some good ideas. I'm now doing one for the Magic in the Med.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlze60xx5cqu4f5/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

THIS IS AMAZING! EXACTLY like what I was thinking. Thank you SO MUCH for sharing!!!

 

[Dug720]

Biggest tip: You CANNOT do it all, so don't try or you'll end up tired and frustrated.

 

[lklgoodman]

If they have young kids, once the cruise is over their kids will be asking why their parents don't make Mickey shaped ketchup on their plates for them every single time they want ketchup and why don't they get chocolate on their beds before nighttime or have cute animals made out of their towels. I have to remind my dd after every cruise she will NOT have dessert every night after dinner anymore. And thank goodness Disney channel doesn't show those Mickey cartoons like on the ships, I get enough of those while on the cruise.

 

[cadien]

If they have young kids, once the cruise is over their kids will be asking why their parents don't make Mickey shaped ketchup on their plates for them every single time they want ketchup and why don't they get chocolate on their beds before nighttime or have cute animals made out of their towels.

We took our then 3-year old on a Norwegian cruise. No impact at home, but we stayed at a hotel about six months later and he was so disappointed to not get a towel animal. Never occurred to me he'd make that connection.

 

[lilsonicfan]

here is what i did for our Alaska cruise on the Wonder - this might have some good info or give you some good ideas. I'm now doing one for the Magic in the Med.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rlze60xx5cqu4f5/Info for Alaska Cruise Disney Wonder share.doc?dl=0

Wow, this is really a ton of great info. It must have taken a long time!! So amazing.

OP I would say for first time or newbie DCL cruisers - sometimes a little less info is better. Don't forget they will still get a cruise booklet from DCL. I'd hit on a few tips: embarkation/PAT, online check-in (esp if you all want Palo or something, or princess gatherings), using the DCL website to search for excursions, automatic gratuities.