Do people over plan things on a cruse?

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

All the threads asking what dinning rotation should I request what servers should I request or what Captain and what cruise Director is on board. I know when I cruised none of them were a factor to me at all. When I decided to book Palo on my third cruise I picked a night that appealed to me most at the time I had no idea which MDR i was in but since I had late dinning I went with an earlier time and decided to go to the MDR anyway and hang out with my table mates.

 

[sambycat]

yes

 

[Transit]

I think different things are important to different people. Personally, I don't care what rotation I'm on or who my servers are, and we just booked palo for our anniversary. But I'm generally like that with restaurants - if the server is pleasant and brings what I actually ordered, I'm good. I do have a list of things to do when we get on board before we eat (book spa, that sort of thing).

 

[xlxo]

If one is spending time on this board... you already are....

 

[Dave2425]

Yep. It seems to get a little out of control sometimes.

 

[kiford]

Picking excursions are the most important things to me. Once that's done and I've picked Palo and Remy (if relevant) according to my own schedule, spa if we want to do that, the rest is all winging it. What we feel like at the time. We don't even know where we're going for breakfast until, well, breakfast. I presume that the captain, whoever he is, knows where to sail. The cruise director knows how to direct whatever it is that he/she does.

 

[Ofinn]

Yes . I plan nothing on the ship. The only thing I research is the ports. I don't like excursions so I spend a lot of time on cruise critic researching what to do in port and how to do it for less money.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Yes I can see some OCD on questions like, what soda fountains are offered, or if chicken tenders is available, that detail is imho not needed or logical. Yes I can see a point in requesting servers, rotation etc, there is a benefit.
But I bet a lot of the detail planned here will never be used as cruisers relax onboard go with the flow, have a lay in etc.
Port adventers need planning to get what you want and at a time and price you want.
Chicken tenders you can get off cruise at any fast food place if you crave them.

 

[Patinmn]

I think half the fun of my vacation is over planning. However a lot of the planning goes out the porthole, once I get on board and decide I would rather do something different . but, I did all those things beforehand in my mind

 

[Robert Bunch]

It seems to get a little out of control sometimes.

 

[KarriTigger]

I'm in the same boat... I don't over plan...I could care less what the dining rotation is, or who my server is. There has to be SOME element of surprise on vacation...
I do understand that some people need to over-plan/OCD and all that stuff. I do look at excursions and have them booked prior to sailing, I do work with my wonderful TA to get a room location that meets our needs, and I do read the DisBoards to see what sorts of fun stuff we can do while on board, but mostly I just want to put the stress of planning behind me when I hear my family's name announced when we walk onboard.
We had a lot of things "planned" out to do when we sailed in September 2014, and I'd say half - or maybe even more than half - didn't get done! We didn't see all the shows, as the kids wanted to ride Aquaduck at night...stuff like that.
But we were all very happy that our vacation was just what we wanted it to be....and while sad it was over, were very happy it happened!

 

[yorkieteacher]

Here's why I plan: My first trip to Disney World as an adult (my third) with my kids was spur of the moment, knew three days ahead of time. Had a great time, but missed so much because I didn't know about it. Researched the next 6 each time so I knew what I wanted to see, when the best times were, where to eat, etc. Had MUCH more fun and left with no regrets (and happy, not cranky kids, cause they were prepared, too)except wanting to stay longer! I want to know what to expect in general on a Disney Cruise so I know which are don't miss as well as don't care about things onboard. I want to be able to feel like I got what I wanted, plus I get more excited reading about what others did.

 

[undertheradar]

Yes, there are many over-planners. Just take a look at the cruise meets and look at how much over-planning many first time cruisers attempt.

 

[krisinparis]

I think half the fun of my vacation is over planning. However a lot of the planning goes out the porthole, once I get on board and decide I would rather do something different . but, I did all those things beforehand in my mind

Love it!

 

[Wenawen]

Yes I can see some OCD on questions like, what soda fountains are offered, or if chicken tenders is available, that detail is imho not needed or logical. Yes I can see a point in requesting servers, rotation etc, there is a benefit.
But I bet a lot of the detail planned here will never be used as cruisers relax onboard go with the flow, have a lay in etc.
Port adventers need planning to get what you want and at a time and price you want.
Chicken tenders you can get off cruise at any fast food place if you crave them.

Don't even start people going on the iced tea or root beer question....

 

[dcassetta]

Yes I can see some OCD on questions like, what soda fountains are offered, or if chicken tenders is available, that detail is imho not needed or logical. Yes I can see a point in requesting servers, rotation etc, there is a benefit.
But I bet a lot of the detail planned here will never be used as cruisers relax onboard go with the flow, have a lay in etc.
Port adventers need planning to get what you want and at a time and price you want.
Chicken tenders you can get off cruise at any fast food place if you crave them.

I do get the chicken tenders issue. Many years ago I worked in Dining Reservations (the old priority seating days). Some families built their dining around chicken tenders as that was the only food their preschooler would consistently eat. I do not think a constant diet of chicken tenders is healthy, but do understand not wanting to force the issue while on vacation. Meanwhile, I have never requested a serving team or rotation and have always had excellent servers and great tablemates.

People should plan to a level that makes them happy and comfortable. For some, that extends only to choosing the date of the cruise. For others, they have examined past Navigators and already have a daily plan in mind before even boarding the ship. One person's overplanning is another person's underplanning.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

We rarely plan anything on the vessel, and after a number of cruises are planning less and less shore...........taking it all as it comes!

AKK

 

[ajgardner]

Yes I can see some OCD on questions like, what soda fountains are offered, or if chicken tenders is available, that detail is imho not needed or logical. Yes I can see a point in requesting servers, rotation etc, there is a benefit.
But I bet a lot of the detail planned here will never be used as cruisers relax onboard go with the flow, have a lay in etc.
Port adventers need planning to get what you want and at a time and price you want.
Chicken tenders you can get off cruise at any fast food place if you crave them.

I also understand the chicken tenders and what type of drinks are available questions. If you've ever had a family member, friend or worked with somebody who is on the spectrum, not having a specific item could require weeks of preparing that person before the vacation.

 

[vertigo235]

As long time Disney Theme Park visitors, who did our first Cruise in 2008, the absolute best part about the cruise experience is that you can do it with practically NO planning whatsoever. Everything is taken care of for you.

Not so when you visit the parks, there HAS to be tons of planning and what not to maximize your experience. We have not been to the parks in a while and soon we will have completed 3 cruises in 2 years.

To us, that's the best part about cruising with Disney is that the planning you have to do is very limited, just show up

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Sorry re duplicate posts Disboard servers slow and sticky. It didn't show any acknowledgement or confirmation or see the post then they all start to come through.

And here I thought you were just trying to get your post count up.

Yes I can see some OCD on questions like, what soda fountains are offered, or if chicken tenders is available, that detail is imho not needed or logical. Yes I can see a point in requesting servers, rotation etc, there is a benefit.
But I bet a lot of the detail planned here will never be used as cruisers relax onboard go with the flow, have a lay in etc.
Port adventers need planning to get what you want and at a time and price you want.
Chicken tenders you can get off cruise at any fast food place if you crave them.

I do believe some people overplan their cruises, but what seems OCD to one person might be a completely reasonable question for someone else.

I can see benefit for asking which sodas are available on the ship. Some people are very particular about which sodas they like to drink, and since DCL lets you carry on beverages, if a person's preferred soda isn't available on the ship, then they can plan on stopping at the grocery store to pick some up before arriving at the port.

I can understand the questions about chicken tenders from people who are traveling with picky eaters. My DD used to be in that category due to sensory issues related to her autism. There was a point in time when mac and cheese (but only Stouffers brand) and chicken nuggets were the only protein she would eat. Thanks to a wonderful occupational therapist and a lot of hard work, we've managed to expand her palate to the point where she can find something to eat on just about any menu. But there are adults I know that are extremely picky and might only eat a few foods, so chicken tenders being available could be important to them.

I do see the benefit to requesting a particular dining rotation, especially if you are trying to schedule a meal at Palo and Remy and don't want to miss a particular MDR, like AP.

Conversely, I don't understand the benefit of requesting a particular server, unless it's someone you've had before. I've seen posts from people who have never been on a cruise before asking what server they should request. There are a multitude of excellent servers on the ships. If you get one that is a dud, then complain at that time and try to get it resolved. I just don't see a need for this request before you embark.

My DD has never been on a cruise before. She is used to our WDW trips where we plan out ADRs 6 months in advance and now book FP+ 60 days in advance. She has been trying to carry over that level of planning to this cruise, and I'm trying to explain that there are far fewer things to plan ahead of time. I have made a dining rotation request. I've booked Palo brunch and dinner. I have our excursions planned. But for the most part, I'm trying to leave things unscheduled.