First cruise 1 week from today!!!! Last words of wisdom?

[Mousemommy1]

Woooohooooo!!! 1 week from today we will be checking out of AoA and boarding the DCL transfer on our way to our 1st Disney cruise - our 1st cruise ever!!!

I think I have done everything I need to do - but hit me with things I might forget. Trying to get packing nailed down.

Family of 5 w/ 2 girls (ages 11 and 9) and a boy (age 15 months)!!

Thanks!!

 

[dsdeleon]

WHOO HOO I think I am on your cruise (April 25 Dream). It is going to be a blast, I am packing right now actually. Trying to keep it light but with FE gifts, formal eating at Palo, it's getting packed. I don't have any packing tips but here is what I told our f b group (PM me if you need a link, we are having meetups and stuff):

The first thing I want to say is plan your first few hours on the ship properly. Plan on standing in line at guest services for things like Princess meetings. We also come with our bathing suit underneath so that we can go right on the Aquaduck. Lines are supershort if you can get on the ship early. Plan where you're going to eat for lunch up at the cabana on 11 or down in the main dining rooms. You will be carrying your stuff with you for the first couple of hours if you get there early so keep that in mind. You will also want to go to the kids club open house even if you have no kids you have to check out the millennium falcon! You could do that throughout the week though.

There is a 50 meg Internet free that you could only get on the first day so make sure you log in and sign up for that. Speaking of smart phones get your navigator apps loaded with the right OSs if you plan on texting back-and-forth with it. There are also really old style cellular phones call wave phones (2) where you can easily call each other and the room. We prefer them over the app, they even work on castaway cay.

Getting off the ship at Nassau is not recommended so it is still busy on the ship that day. If you do get off to do some light shopping you will get accosted by the locals.

Lastly if you buy the drink of the day refillable mug you can get refills throughout the week for about five bucks. This is a pretty decent deal on alcohol.

f you haven't registered your kids for the club online, do so now. The line on the ship the first day is really long. If they are pre-registered you could walk up right to the lab and pick up their bands. The bands can be returned to get your deposit back of around $15 but they do unlock Disney infinity castaway Cay when you get home.

If anyone is running the 5K you have to register at the excursions desk. You need bring your key card, ID and registration the morning of castaway Cay so 3 THINGS to remember. The medal is cute and you don't have to run but the cast members leave after about an hour. Min age is 12.

If you have kids 8 to 12 you need to decide if you'll let them self check in and out of the clubs themselves. If they are 11 and older and going to the edge they have to be self check in and out. There are many pros and cons to self checkout so you have to decide as a family. The cast members are so amazing in the club I have to say my oldest son is special needs and they are just so so great!!

 

[RedSox68]

BOY OH BOY do I remember the feelings we had on our first ever cruise on the Wonder. It was so exciting and when we got to the ship and crossed the gangplank to board, don't ya know I cried I was so overwhelmed (did the same thing the first time I saw Main Street at WDW).

You will have so much fun -- my DD still talks about our first cruise (she got a crush on our waiter).

The biggest tip I can give is -- don't sweat the small stuff! Don't let tablemates or other passengers get on your nerves. Just view them as comical characters in an extended movie!

Have a wonderful time and tell us all about it when you return.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Relax and have a great time. If you can wake up early one morning by yourself, sneak out of the cabin, go grab a cup of coffee or tea and watch the sunrise from Satellite Falls. It's a beautiful way to start the day. Enjoy your cruise!

 

[daisyx3]

I was on the Dream last month and it was blissful (except CC, which was rained out, but that's no one's fault). Try to get some time to enjoy the adult pool area! I liked to wake up early, go up on deck 11 before 7 and get a treat from the Cove cafe and look at the sunrise. Hardly anyone is up there then as the full breakfast doesn't start at Cabanas until 7:30.

 

[Mousemommy1]

WHOO HOO I think I am on your cruise (April 25 Dream). It is going to be a blast, I am packing right now actually. Trying to keep it light but with FE gifts, formal eating at Palo, it's getting packed. I don't have any packing tips but here is what I told our f b group (PM me if you need a link, we are having meetups and stuff):

The first thing I want to say is plan your first few hours on the ship properly. Plan on standing in line at guest services for things like Princess meetings. We also come with our bathing suit underneath so that we can go right on the Aquaduck. Lines are supershort if you can get on the ship early. Plan where you're going to eat for lunch up at the cabana on 11 or down in the main dining rooms. You will be carrying your stuff with you for the first couple of hours if you get there early so keep that in mind. You will also want to go to the kids club open house even if you have no kids you have to check out the millennium falcon! You could do that throughout the week though.

There is a 50 meg Internet free that you could only get on the first day so make sure you log in and sign up for that. Speaking of smart phones get your navigator apps loaded with the right OSs if you plan on texting back-and-forth with it. There are also really old style cellular phones call wave phones (2) where you can easily call each other and the room. We prefer them over the app, they even work on castaway cay.

Getting off the ship at Nassau is not recommended so it is still busy on the ship that day. If you do get off to do some light shopping you will get accosted by the locals.

Lastly if you buy the drink of the day refillable mug you can get refills throughout the week for about five bucks. This is a pretty decent deal on alcohol.

f you haven't registered your kids for the club online, do so now. The line on the ship the first day is really long. If they are pre-registered you could walk up right to the lab and pick up their bands. The bands can be returned to get your deposit back of around $15 but they do unlock Disney infinity castaway Cay when you get home.

If anyone is running the 5K you have to register at the excursions desk. You need bring your key card, ID and registration the morning of castaway Cay so 3 THINGS to remember. The medal is cute and you don't have to run but the cast members leave after about an hour. Min age is 12.

If you have kids 8 to 12 you need to decide if you'll let them self check in and out of the clubs themselves. If they are 11 and older and going to the edge they have to be self check in and out. There are many pros and cons to self checkout so you have to decide as a family. The cast members are so amazing in the club I have to say my oldest son is special needs and they are just so so great!!

Yes! Same cruise!!

I completed on line check in. I know I reserved the nursery for the baby, and I know I wanted to register the kids for the kids clubs but can't remember if I did...I think I did.

I have the navigator downloaded onto everyones phones.

We are doing the Atlantis excursion in Nassau - so yeah, we will be getting off.

My DH and ODD are planning on running the 5k. I am assuming they don't check ID's right? DD will be 2 days shy of 12 when she runs it...she has run 5k's before...

 

[Sytrace]

First and foremost, have a great time!

The Dream is a beautiful ship and the Bahamas are stunning. If you have not already booked an excursion and want to do so, I would advise either the Glass Bottom boat tour or checking out the Atlantis beach day and Dig tour.
If you do get off the ship and just want to check out the shops in port, be as aware as you would going to any tourist destination.
There will be people trying to sell you things, and if you are not interested, just smile, say no thank you and move on. No big deal there.

If you have not registered the kids for the kids clubs, you might want to do that soon. The lines can be pretty long in the terminal and also aboard the ship.
If you plan on using the nursery for your smallest one, that is also something you want to book in advance.

You will be overwhelmed trying to pack everything there is to do into a 4 night cruise, so pace yourselves and don't stress about seeing everything the first time out.
Key spots on the ship for the young ones are the kids clubs, the pirate night, princess meet and greets (if they are into those of course) Vanellopes (candy shop that replaced the arcade) and of course the Aquaduck! Other favorites are the Mid Ship detective agency and the unlimited ice cream cones. Oh and the movie theater that will have current Disney movies playing (yes, Jungle Book)
The dining rooms at dinner are wonderful and you should really enjoy the atmosphere and try new foods.

For adults, I recommend the night club areas (after dinner) the Rainforest, and the shows (if you are into those) The family activities are pretty fun but they also have activities and games for just grown ups in the evening.

Have a fantastic cruise!

 

[Mousemommy1]

First and foremost, have a great time!

The Dream is a beautiful ship and the Bahamas are stunning. If you have not already booked an excursion and want to do so, I would advise either the Glass Bottom boat tour or checking out the Atlantis beach day and Dig tour.
If you do get off the ship and just want to check out the shops in port, be as aware as you would going to any tourist destination.
There will be people trying to sell you things, and if you are not interested, just smile, say no thank you and move on. No big deal there.

If you have not registered the kids for the kids clubs, you might want to do that soon. The lines can be pretty long in the terminal and also aboard the ship.
If you plan on using the nursery for your smallest one, that is also something you want to book in advance.

You will be overwhelmed trying to pack everything there is to do into a 4 night cruise, so pace yourselves and don't stress about seeing everything the first time out.
Key spots on the ship for the young ones are the kids clubs, the pirate night, princess meet and greets (if they are into those of course) Vanellopes (candy shop that replaced the arcade) and of course the Aquaduck! Other favorites are the Mid Ship detective agency and the unlimited ice cream cones. Oh and the movie theater that will have current Disney movies playing (yes, Jungle Book)
The dining rooms at dinner are wonderful and you should really enjoy the atmosphere and try new foods.

For adults, I recommend the night club areas (after dinner) the Rainforest, and the shows (if you are into those) The family activities are pretty fun but they also have activities and games for just grown ups in the evening.

Have a fantastic cruise!

Oh, I didn't even think about being able to see Jungle Book for "free".

 

[Imahikergirl]

Yes! Same cruise!!

I completed on line check in. I know I reserved the nursery for the baby, and I know I wanted to register the kids for the kids clubs but can't remember if I did...I think I did.

I have the navigator downloaded onto everyones phones.

We are doing the Atlantis excursion in Nassau - so yeah, we will be getting off.

My DH and ODD are planning on running the 5k. I am assuming they don't check ID's right? DD will be 2 days shy of 12 when she runs it...she has run 5k's before...

On our cruise last month minimum age was 10 for the 5k.

 

[Sytrace]

Yes, that is the funny part!
They were showing Captain America:Winter Soldier on one of our first cruises, and my son was all excited about seeing the movie for "Free"
We take our 3rd Dream cruise at the end of May and our 6th Fantasy cruise in September, so we are looking forward to many movies.
I would imagine Zootopia will be playing several times a day as well. I like to grab the Navigator when we are in the terminal and check out the movie schedule for the week before we board.

 

[Mousemommy1]

On our cruise last month minimum age was 10 for the 5k.

That's what I had read previously, so I thought she was good to go!

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Just enjoy your cruise folks!....its sure to be magical with lots of pixie dust!.

AKK

 

[thumpie's mom]

Have a wonderful time!

 

[dsdeleon]

Gah!! You guys are right, it's 10 yo now according to recent Navigators. Tell them there is NO WIND. Haha, I was not expecting that but most of the track is covered on all sides by fauna blocking the wind so it is a toasty run.