First Cruise Questions

[KNovacovschi]

I booked our first cruise tonight and it will be on the Wish, perfect ship to cruise on for a first time. We are booked for the Sept 30-Oct 3rd, 2022 sailing and booked inside stateroom GTY. Being I’ve never been on a cruise before I’m wondering a couple things.

1. I understand I booked a guaranteed inside stateroom but after reading what that meant I went to see availability if I picked a non GTY room and there are only about 6-10 rooms left, what happens if all those rooms get booked?

2. in my reservation it says second for dining? What time is that normally and if it’s to late am I able to request an earlier dining? I‘m not seeing anything in my reservation to do that so will I need to call to request it.

3. If I were to change my room category, it’s only a $30 difference, is the front or rear of the ship better, middle is unavailable and I’m worried about sea sickness? For the rear only deck 9 and 10 have rooms available but for front deck 9, 10, and 11 have rooms, only a couple on each. With so little rooms left is it better to just leave what I have booked or change it.

4. Don't laugh as this is probably a silly question but how do the deck numbers work, is it deck 1 at the top and works down in number or is deck 1 at the bottom and works up in number.

5. Am I able to request a table for 2, my DH is an introvert and doesn’t really like to have to eat with other people. He refuses to go to Biegarten due to having to sit with others.

6. I would like to note we will be celebrating our anniversary while on the cruise, am I able to do this.

7. seeing as this is only a 3 night cruise do you have any suggestions for first timers.

Sorry for all the questions, I know WDW like I know the back of my hand but this is all new to me.

Thanks

 

[dina444444]

1. With a GTY stateroom is means you have a stateroom of at least the category GTY you booked or it could be a higher category.

2. Typically the second dinning is around 8/8:30pm. If you are unable to change it online it likely means that the earlier dinning is full. (to change it online make sure you are logged into your account on the DCL site, click on the "My Reservations" option under Already Booked. Then scroll down to where it says Dining.) I believe you can call and have them put you on a waitlist for the earlier dining.

4. Like a hotel, deck 1 is at the bottom, deck 14 is at the top.

5. You should be able to request your own table, but I don't know what the percentage rate is for DCL honoring it. (I've only sailed on DCL once and it was years ago with extended family so we had enough people to make up a full table that sat 12)

 

[Dug720]

Regarding the private table - I’m pretty much 0 for every request.

Especially when a sailing is sold out like many of the Wish sailings, the odds of them being able to accommodate drop. Unless the CDC requires private tables, I honestly would not count on being able to get it.

Just to add, if it is not granted, you can check to see if it is possible. Twice they were able to move me before the first night - but that was only because my sister had permission to join me and strings were pulled so she would not have to talk ship stuff with other guests all night as she had to be in her Whites. Once - the one time I did not go and ask - it was like they had done a solo dump. Just dumped the solo cruisers together rather than even trying to pair up people. Though the 2 guys were both into real estate and obviously very conservative. The first night was AWKWARD. The second night I had Palo and figured I would do the Cabanas thing the other nights and get Palo again the final night. But Cabanas menu was like they took my least favorite things from the MDRs and put them together on that menu. So I went to the host stand and begged and they were able to accommodate me in a section where basically the servers had their regular number of people at one big table. The other time the ship was a complete sell-out and there was simply no way. It ended up fine - but none of the “lifelong friends” junk people talk about on here.

 

[Marc D]

1. DCL offers GTY bookings when most of the staterooms in a specific category are sold. They do that to keep some flexibility because they have some occupancy rules to follow, mainly for lifeboats. You will probably get a room in the category you picked but could also get a better room if they need to move some guests.

2. Because main/early seating is very popular with families with kids, DCL only makes a few places on that seating available when the cruise go on sale. Most guests end up with late/second seating. They then move guests to early seating based on requests, either before sailing or on the first day of the cruise. You need to call DCL and ask to be placed on the waiting list. They go through it a couple of times before the cruise. The agents on the phone are not able to move you directly. They can only note your request, which will be managed by the dining team.

5. and 6. When you call to be waitlisted, ask for a private table and mention the anniversary. The fact that you are celebrating it will help with the private table request. It is however not guaranteed you will get it. There are a limited number of two-tops. Maybe the Wish’s configuration will be different than the other ships, and maybe COVID will impact how table are arranged. Don’t expect anything special from DCL because of your anniversary - a lot of guests celebrate things during cruises, especially on short cruises - but you never know...

 

[KNovacovschi]

1. DCL offers GTY bookings when most of the staterooms in a specific category are sold. They do that to keep some flexibility because they have some occupancy rules to follow, mainly for lifeboats. You will probably get a room in the category you picked but could also get a better room if they need to move some guests.

2. Because main/early seating is very popular with families with kids, DCL only makes a few places on that seating available when the cruise go on sale. Most guests end up with late/second seating. They then move guests to early seating based on requests, either before sailing or on the first day of the cruise. You need to call DCL and ask to be placed on the waiting list. They go through it a couple of times before the cruise. The agents on the phone are not able to move you directly. They can only note your request, which will be managed by the dining team.

5. and 6. When you call to be waitlisted, ask for a private table and mention the anniversary. The fact that you are celebrating it will help with the private table request. It is however not guaranteed you will get it. There are a limited number of two-tops. Maybe the Wish’s configuration will be different than the other ships, and maybe COVID will impact how table are arranged. Don’t expect anything special from DCL because of your anniversary - a lot of guests celebrate things during cruises, especially on short cruises - but you never know...

Thank you. I’m not expecting anything, I’m just used to adding it to our reservations so thought I would. Our anniversary is on Oct 2nd so we are usually in the parks a week before our anniversary so I’m excited to actually celebrate at Disney on the actual day.

I’m just now trying to decide if I should change it and pick one of the remaining rooms or keep it as is. Also which deck would be the better 9,10 or 11 and front or rear?

 

[KNovacovschi]

1. DCL offers GTY bookings when most of the staterooms in a specific category are sold. They do that to keep some flexibility because they have some occupancy rules to follow, mainly for lifeboats. You will probably get a room in the category you picked but could also get a better room if they need to move some guests.

2. Because main/early seating is very popular with families with kids, DCL only makes a few places on that seating available when the cruise go on sale. Most guests end up with late/second seating. They then move guests to early seating based on requests, either before sailing or on the first day of the cruise. You need to call DCL and ask to be placed on the waiting list. They go through it a couple of times before the cruise. The agents on the phone are not able to move you directly. They can only note your request, which will be managed by the dining team.

5. and 6. When you call to be waitlisted, ask for a private table and mention the anniversary. The fact that you are celebrating it will help with the private table request. It is however not guaranteed you will get it. There are a limited number of two-tops. Maybe the Wish’s configuration will be different than the other ships, and maybe COVID will impact how table are arranged. Don’t expect anything special from DCL because of your anniversary - a lot of guests celebrate things during cruises, especially on short cruises - but you never know...

And can I say I love your avatar.

 

[princesscinderella]

Try to get dining reservations at the adult restaurants instead (palo and enchante) you will not be seated with others there. The food is superior there too but there is an up charge. You should try to book this during your online check in window but if you are unsuccessful you can try to book it as soon as you get on board as they hold some reservations back. The first night of the cruise is the easiest one to get typicallly.

 

[Travel60]

Usually lower decks have less movement than upper. DH and I prefer aft but I know some people think you hear more engine noise/vibration on one of the larger ships. We have not had that problem on either Magic or Wonder.

 

[PrincessJL16]

I personally think that with these big ships room location doesn’t matter as much. But people advise if you are prone to motion sickness you should get a lower numbered room and be more in the center.

Do you normally have an issue with motion sickness? I’ve only been on one Disney cruise but have been on a few other cruises before that without any issues (and I don’t really have any issues with motion sickness to begin with). We stayed concierge on the Fantasy so were on 12th floor at the front of the ship. I was worried because that is the only location for those rooms and I didn’t know how my kids would be since it was their first cruise. But no one had any issues with sea sickness.

 

[Marc D]

I’m just now trying to decide if I should change it and pick one of the remaining rooms or keep it as is. Also which deck would be the better 9,10 or 11 and front or rear?

Unless you know exactly what room or section you want, which doesn’t seem to be the case, there is no reason to pick a specific room.

There are advantages to each decks : higher will be closer to the buffet, the pool deck, and quick-serve windows. Lower will be closer to the theatre, main dining rooms and spaces where activities are help. Some are bothered by noise from the pool deck so they prefer staying on a deck with rooms above them.

Your comfort in the stateroom will not be impacted by the deck, at least not between 9 and 11.

As for seasickness and positioning, you’ll get as many opinions as answers. Some swear by lower rooms, others by higher... Personnaly, it doesn‘t change anything but I do not feel anything, even in storms and massive waves. My wife is prone to be seasick. We have stayed all over ships and positioning has no impact in her mind. We did encounter massive vibrations staying aft on Wonder and Fantasy, but that was a new problem that had not occurred on our previous cruises on those ships. It will probably not be a problem on Wish.

 

[RACHEL_GB]

Hi - I literally just called DCL to move my reservation to a different sailing and the agent was super helpful - she put us on the waitlist for early dining, it is our preference too. We have managed to get it for both our previous sailings so its worth asking. You can also fill in the online contact form, they got back to me very quickly both times.

She asked me unprompted if it was for a special occasion (which it wasn't) so definitely worth mentioning. Have a wonderful time!

 

[KNovacovschi]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate all recommendations. I know it’s still far away but I’m very excited.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Unless you know exactly what room or section you want, which doesn’t seem to be the case, there is no reason to pick a specific room.

There are advantages to each decks : higher will be closer to the buffet, the pool deck, and quick-serve windows. Lower will be closer to the theatre, main dining rooms and spaces where activities are help. Some are bothered by noise from the pool deck so they prefer staying on a deck with rooms above them.

Your comfort in the stateroom will not be impacted by the deck, at least not between 9 and 11.

As for seasickness and positioning, you’ll get as many opinions as answers. Some swear by lower rooms, others by higher... Personnaly, it doesn‘t change anything but I do not feel anything, even in storms and massive waves. My wife is prone to be seasick. We have stayed all over ships and positioning has no impact in her mind. We did encounter massive vibrations staying aft on Wonder and Fantasy, but that was a new problem that had not occurred on our previous cruises on those ships. It will probably not be a problem on Wish.

This is good to know. I’m not really prone to seas sickness but haven’t really been on a boat to know.

 

[lovedisneycruise]

I do have one other suggestion that I don’t see on this thread about choosing a specific room. Check the deck plans and if you are sensitive to noise, don’t choose a room that’s directly under a dining room. I’ve read that you can hear them dragging chairs, cleaning, etc. either very early or very late because these crewmembers work all hours.
Also, try not to choose a room directly above the theaters because again you may hear speaker noise, rehearsals, shows etc. For some people this doesn’t matter, but I learned this last one the hard way.

 

[HiStitch626]

7. seeing as this is only a 3 night cruise do you have any suggestions for first timers.

Don't stress yourself into thinking you have to do it all. Cruise vacations should be relaxing. Each day Disney publishes a Navigator of the day's events. This will be available on the DCL app or you can pick up a paper copy at Guest Services. Choose the activities that are of most interest to you. Obviously, there are no Wish Navigators yet, but on Scott's DCL blog, you can see Navigators from other cruises to get a sense of what goes on each day. I would recommend looking at the Dream as her cruises are similar to what the Wish will be doing. Once the Wish starts sailing, I am sure he will have Navigators for her also. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

Since you are doing a 3 night cruise, I would not book the adult dining areas. It will give you a chance to experience the fun of the main dining rooms.

However, since you mention that your DH will not go to Biergarten, you may want to consider not doing the MDRs. Be upfront with him that you are likely to be seated with others. Disney will most likely pair you with other couples traveling without children. I would guess it is easier to get a private table at the second seating. If your DH would really be opposed to sitting with others, then you may want to consider the adult dining venues, the pool deck options or room service. As we have not seen all of the Wish dining options yet, it is a little hard to know what will be be available. But, on the pool deck there is likely to be pizza, burgers and other hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches and salads, fruit, and ice cream.

Castaway cay can be enjoyed without booking an extra experiences, but there is snorkeling, bikes, and other options if you choose. Since this is your first cruise, if you decide to do an excursion in Nassau, I would book through Disney. They will handle all aspects of the excursion including transportation. You can view the options on the main DCL page. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/

My last tip is that if you are like most of the people on this board, you will fall in love with DCL and want to sail again. Make sure and do a placeholder before you disembark. This is a $250 fully refundable deposit that you can use on a cruise in the 24 months after yours and will get you a 10% discount on the next cruise.

 

[Dug720]

Don't stress yourself into thinking you have to do it all.

THIS! Even a 7-night (or longer...I've been on a 12-night on RCCL) you cannot do it all.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Don't stress yourself into thinking you have to do it all. Cruise vacations should be relaxing. Each day Disney publishes a Navigator of the day's events. This will be available on the DCL app or you can pick up a paper copy at Guest Services. Choose the activities that are of most interest to you. Obviously, there are no Wish Navigators yet, but on Scott's DCL blog, you can see Navigators from other cruises to get a sense of what goes on each day. I would recommend looking at the Dream as her cruises are similar to what the Wish will be doing. Once the Wish starts sailing, I am sure he will have Navigators for her also. https://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

Since you are doing a 3 night cruise, I would not book the adult dining areas. It will give you a chance to experience the fun of the main dining rooms.

However, since you mention that your DH will not go to Biergarten, you may want to consider not doing the MDRs. Be upfront with him that you are likely to be seated with others. Disney will most likely pair you with other couples traveling without children. I would guess it is easier to get a private table at the second seating. If your DH would really be opposed to sitting with others, then you may want to consider the adult dining venues, the pool deck options or room service. As we have not seen all of the Wish dining options yet, it is a little hard to know what will be be available. But, on the pool deck there is likely to be pizza, burgers and other hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches and salads, fruit, and ice cream.

Castaway cay can be enjoyed without booking an extra experiences, but there is snorkeling, bikes, and other options if you choose. Since this is your first cruise, if you decide to do an excursion in Nassau, I would book through Disney. They will handle all aspects of the excursion including transportation. You can view the options on the main DCL page. https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/

My last tip is that if you are like most of the people on this board, you will fall in love with DCL and want to sail again. Make sure and do a placeholder before you disembark. This is a $250 fully refundable deposit that you can use on a cruise in the 24 months after yours and will get you a 10% discount on the next cruise.

Thank you so much for this. I talked to my DH and he said if he has to he will dine with others. It’s a good step, lol

I will definitely be checking out the links. There is a couple other things I thought of, 1. Do you book shows ahead of time and 2. Can you bring on a case of water? If I read it correctly a bottle of water is not included free and am assuming it won’t be cheap for one.

 

[dina444444]

Thank you so much for this. I talked to my DH and he said if he has to he will dine with others. It’s a good step, lol

I will definitely be checking out the links. There is a couple other things I thought of, 1. Do you book shows ahead of time and 2. Can you bring on a case of water? If I read it correctly a bottle of water is not included free and am assuming it won’t be cheap for one.

You don’t book the shows ahead of time. Typically your show time is when the other dinning rotation is taking place. So if you have the early/main dining you’ll see the later show and vice versa.

Not sure what the current rules are for brining water onboard (I last sailed on DCL before 9/11 when it was allowed).

 

[HiStitch626]

2. Can you bring on a case of water? If I read it correctly a bottle of water is not included free and am assuming it won’t be cheap for one.

Unless things change post-pandemic, you can bring on any non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is limited. Each adult can bring on 2 bottles of wine or 1 6-pack of beer. Be aware that anything not in your checked luggage, and you cannot any beverages, must be carried with you until the staterooms open. So, you might want to have a small rolling bag for a case of water.

There is filtered water available free on the ship and I think it tastes fine.

 

[KNovacovschi]

Unless things change post-pandemic, you can bring on any non-alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is limited. Each adult can bring on 2 bottles of wine or 1 6-pack of beer. Be aware that anything not in your checked luggage, and you cannot any beverages, must be carried with you until the staterooms open. So, you might want to have a small rolling bag for a case of water.

There is filtered water available free on the ship and I think it tastes fine.

Ok good to know. I was looking at the packages you can have waiting in your room and a case of water is $40, kind of much for water, lol