Disney Cruise Advice

[ScottishDisMam]

Hello everyone, I'm new here (well actually I've just plucked up the courage to join in).
We're going to wdw in october, staying for 7 nights at Port Orleans Riverside and then 7 nights on Disney Magic for our first ever Cruise Can anyone tell me what I should pack as I will need a couple of items of more dressy clothes? , But as we're a family of 5, I am going to need every spare inch of luggage space. Also my eldest is 15, and only ever wears black t shirts, will they turn a blind eye to him being more casual?
Any advice appreciated.

 

[Goofysmate]

Can't help you but just wanted to say aboard

 

[ScottishDisMam]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to talking to other Disney lovers out there, and picking up tips and advice.

 

[cornish pixie]

Hi and welcome.
Well we will be staying at the POR in a few weeks time and then onto the Wonder for a 3 day cruise, wish it was longer but couldn't fit in any more and it's a good excuse to do another one
This will be our 2 nd cruise as we loved it so much first time around.
I know the 7 day cruise has a couple of formal nights on but I'm sure you can get around them, especially with your 15 year old.
I'm sure from what I've seen there not going to say anything if your son want's to wear his black t.shirts.. it might be that on those informal nights he decides he wants cabin service or if I'm right in thinking the buffet restaurants are open.The only place I think they are a little more tight on dress code is Palos.
What a lot of people do is to change into casuals after dinner.
Whatever you do please don't worry about it it's your holiday and you enjoy it.
My hubbie wore casual cloths and day time we were in shorts t.shirts bathing costumes etc.
Through the day I would just treat it like a beach holiday and then perhaps something slightly smarter for the evening, 3/4 pants are ok as well with polo shirts.
Anyway like I said you will have such a ball you wont think twice about it.
There is not much lugguge space depending what type of cabin you are in as we were only on for 3 days we didn't bring that much... my hubbie disagrees
Anyway let me know if you need anything else
Take Care
Cornish Pixie

 

[amystevekai&bump]

Hello and Welcome to the Dis - they are a great bunch and so knowledgable, someone will always have the answer!!

We are also doing our 2nd cruise with Disney next year - but haven't been lucky enough to do a 7 day one yet!!! I might be wrong, but I have been spending alot of time on the cruise board and they seem to suggest that the 7 night cruises on the Magic are more formal than on the Wonder. I would recommend you ask them on that board to get a definite answer - one solution might be for your son (or indeed you all) to eat up on deck on formal nights (I believe there are 2 on the 7 night) where you could wear more casual gear or perhaps could he just take one dressy outfit and literally wear it to dinner only and change right away??

There is always an answer - Please don't worry too much, they will suggest something that will suit you and your DS i'm sure!!

 

[Cyrano]

I'm sure you will get a few replies once the evening crowd comes in

Welcome to the DIS. You'll get lots of help and advice from everyone here

 

[ScottishDisMam]

Thanks for the advice everyone.DH and I will have more formal stuff, DD(10) will probably need an entourage to carry all the holiday clothes she has HAD to get, DS(12) pretty much goes with the flow, It's my 15 year old that has "issues" with dressing in anything conventional, Jack Skellington being his favourite thing Disney related. He is however looking forward to the holiday.

 

[wayneg]

Only a quick response as we have had a long day traveling to Florida

We have done 2 x 7 night DCL cruisers. I would say wear whatever you are comfortable in. About half on formal night were in tux/suits other half in shirts some with ties some without, some polo's etc. as long as its not shorts and sleeveless shirts nothing will be said. Some like to dress up others dont.
You paid for the cruise you wear what you want.

 

[disneyholic family]

they really aren't going to care what a 15 year old wears (or the adults either for that matter)...

just wear what makes you comfortable....and don't sweat the small stuff when it comes to the kids....

in any case, your son is probably going to hang out with the teen club anyway...

on both of our cruises, my son only joined us for meals and one of the shore excursions....he had such a fantastic time with the teen club (he was with them on castaway cay too)....
and that was amazing to us, because up to the cruise, he had never been a 'joiner'....always stayed home on his computer...
but from that first cruise and then again on the second cruise he completely changed.....and his new personality stuck with him when we got back home...
sounds strange, i'm sure, but it was a major turning point in his life..

it was so cute when we got back to port and we were walking out to the car....so many of the teens came up to him to hug him or shake his hand goodbye.....
to say he had an outstanding time would be the understatement of the century...

one thing to note, most of the kids were from the US, so the fact that we were from overseas was very interesting to them....so i assume the same will be true for your son as well...

 

[wayneg]

and that was amazing to us, because up to the cruise, he had never been a 'joiner'....always stayed home on his computer...
but from that first cruise and then again on the second cruise he completely changed.....and his new personality stuck with him when we got back home...
sounds strange, i'm sure, but it was a major turning point in his life..

to say he had an outstanding time would be the understatement of the century...

I could have written exactly the same statement about our son. Only diff was our son was only 9 but would not join in anything, no kids cubs, nothing.
Somehow the Ocean Lab totally changed him. He was 13 last week, after 3 DCL cruises he has more confidence than me. he can't wait to go back onboard next March. So it doesn't sound strange to me.

 

[disneyholic family]

I could have written exactly the same statement about our son. Only diff was our son was only 9 but would not join in anything, no kids cubs, nothing.
Somehow the Ocean Lab totally changed him. He was 13 last week, after 3 DCL cruises he has more confidence than me. he can't wait to go back onboard next March. So it doesn't sound strange to me.

that is so interesting.....i bet it happens a lot...

what's funny is he was the one who least wanted to go on the first cruise...
and of course, most wanted to go on the second....
he just loved everything about it...
he still quotes the teen club CMs.....the whole thing was such a great experience for him.....worth every penny we paid and then some...

 

[wayneg]

he still quotes the teen club CMs.....the whole thing was such a great experience for him.....worth every penny we paid and then some...

We had to go take photo's of the CM's for our DS and give them small gifts. Its like leaving a member of the family at the end of the cruise. Whoever is in charge of hiring staff for the kids clubs does a fantastic job.

 

[ScottishDisMam]

Well, I'm getting really excited now, as it would be wonderful to see my 3 joining in with the clubs, as they never have before with anything.Even though they fight at home, they always stick together like glue when we go away anywhere, and it would be lovely for them to make new friends independantly.
Regarding the clubs - as we have never been before, I don't really know the drill. Do they automatically get a place in their age respective clubs, or do we have to apply on board, or even before that? They are 10, 13 and 15 so I don't know if they will be separate or not. Could anyone advise me on this please?

Thanks,

Lisax

 

[eyoreaud]

Hi there!

You'll find almost everything you seek here, www.disneycruise.disney.go.com

HAPPY CRUISING!

 

[disneyholic family]

Well, I'm getting really excited now, as it would be wonderful to see my 3 joining in with the clubs, as they never have before with anything.Even though they fight at home, they always stick together like glue when we go away anywhere, and it would be lovely for them to make new friends independantly.
Regarding the clubs - as we have never been before, I don't really know the drill. Do they automatically get a place in their age respective clubs, or do we have to apply on board, or even before that? They are 10, 13 and 15 so I don't know if they will be separate or not. Could anyone advise me on this please?

Thanks,

Lisax

it's been a few years so i can't remember the age split...
i think the 13 and 15 year olds are both considered teens....
but they also break them up within the teen club (between 'older' and 'younger')....so it might be that the 15 year old will be in the older and the 13 year old in the younger.....they did some of the stuff together and some separate, from what i understood....

as for signing up - that's one of the things you do on your first day....

we boarded the ship and went straight to lunch.....then to our room and then after that to sign up for the teens club....

then on the first evening, i think there was what they called the 411 (i.e., information) meeting....where everyone got together and met...

but definitely go to the disney cruise website and also there is another website, that i can't remember right now...
i'll see if i can find it and i'll send it to you...

also, when you get onboard you'll receive the schedule for that day....

don't worry....it's easy to figure out what's happening...there are schedules and no doubt your kids will figure it all out for you anyway....

you'll have a blast!!!

 

[wayneg]

Another thing you can do is goto here http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=85 and find a thread with your cruise date. Get to know others who are on your cruise, your kids could correspond with others who are cruising then meet onboard. We had a great Dismeet onboard last cruise talking to people on Dis for about a year then met them all.