First cruise, what do you wish you knew that you want to share?

[AngelinaVP]

One week from today we leave for our first cruise. Taking a weekend cruise on the Disney Dream. I'm so excited!!!

My husband and I have been reading up on things but I thought I would ask this question.

Is there anything you wish you had known before going on your first cruise, or first Disney cruise?

 

[Otimon]

Personally speaking, we planned nothing for our first Disney cruise, way back long ago, but instead just plunged in and experienced the joy and wonder
of it all. No expectations except to just see what it was all about and enjoy whatever we came across. It didn't disappoint!

The second cruise (good excuse for one although we really didn't need an excuse) we knew what we especially enjoyed and took it from there!

Worked for us!

You will love the Disney cruise. Bon Voyage.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

This is a "memo" I wrote to myself after our first cruise:
What will I try to do next time that I didn't get to this time:
*Table service breakfast - what a concept!
*Room Service - can't believe we never did room service! Aft was just too convenient to all the food places. *Animation class - why not?
*Try to stay awake to listen to music in the lounge after the show
*Seek out more characters for pictures/be willing to wait in some lines for character pictures
I went on a second cruise (though #2 was with girlfriends, not the DH and kids), and I did ALMOST all of the list. Except for staying up late and going to the nightclubs. Still fell asleep early every night! But we did an adult only "tasting" on the second cruise (wine and chocolate) so at least I saw the inside of a lounge!
You can't possibly "do it all" on any one cruise, so take it as it comes. There's always a lot left to experience on the next cruises!

 

[TestingH2O]

Bring more super comfy clothes like yoga pants. I spent most mornings dressed that way because even though I'm an early riser, the ship sleeps in.

 

[Agent 86]

I wish that I'd known that you could order as much as you wanted at dinner. I always just ordered one entree, one main and one dessert. I would have eaten so much more if I'd known you could order multiples and switch things up. And even order a Mickey Bar to go!

 

[Tigerladyd]

There are so many things to do, so just mentally prepare yourself for this to be your "1st" Disney Cruise and assume you will repeat.

One thing I missed on my first sailing with DCL that became a fun find on my second sailing was that free afternoon treats at Cove Cafe. My husband and I enjoyed stopping by in the afternoon to prepare a small plate of snacks and then find an open lounger on the same deck to watch the ocean roll by and discuss the best parts of the day up to that point. We also used that leisure time to talk about what we wanted to do in the evening. It was a relaxing and very simple pleasure.

 

[HermanTriplets+1]

... And even order a Mickey Bar to go!

That's a good one!
Mickey Bars (premium chocolate coated vanilla ice cream) is always available for dessert in the main dining rooms even if it's not on the menu.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

First cruise-congratulations! It will be over before you know it, and the time in between embarking and debating will be filled with new experiences. Explore the ship, read the navigators, attend what you think you would enjoy.
We did not do bingo our first cruise, but many people love it, so our second cruise we played bingo. While fun, I'm not sure it would be something I would seek out to do specifically. Just an example of try out an activity, and you'll know for next time. After two cruises, we've only ever watched one movie in the theater on board, but I would totally do this again as it was a fun atmosphere and we watched a recently released movie in a packed house. Check out the kids clubs during posted open houses - you may find yourself being unexpectedly silly as you admire/enjoy the fun atmosphere (even if you don't have kids). Sometimes they hold adult events in the kids clubs later at night - and I've always heard good things, but we've not done this yet/not sure it is always offered -we were too tired the night it was offered on the Magic.
Once on board, I'm sure you'll start to find what appeals to both of you. I do, however, concur that the treats in Cove Cafe (adults only) are worth checking out on a daily basis. Their coffee drinks were all very good, too.

 

[thumpie's mom]

RELAX and let the incredible DCL crew take care of you. When we first boarded, we went to lunch at Parrot Cay. I had my daughter who is in a wheelchair and a child at the time, and was getting her food. One of the server's came up to us and asked for her plate. Being used to just doing our own thing, I said no we are fine. He looked at me and very politely said "Madame, may I please take her plate and I will assist her". The light bulb came on and I thought why am I refusing this? DCL has truly awesome crew staff and because of that, you can relax and enjoy the cruise. Have a wonderful time!

 

[wilma-bride]

Rebook, rebook, rebook. I knew I would want to take another cruise but because we didn't have any idea of when we didn't rebook onboard. And could have saved a pretty penny off the cruise we did, in fact, take 18 months later.

 

[momof2n2]

That snacks at Cove Cafe were complimentary

 

[PrincessJo]

I did some research before our first cruise and noticed that they had a dress code for dinner depending on what night it was.

I bought a couple of pretty sun dresses and shouldn't have bothered. Everyone else showed up in shorts and t-shirts and the "dress code" wasn't enforced at all.

 

[ahain]

Before our first cruise, I didn't know about these boards, so I was like pp and just went with the flow - we had a great time. Things I didn't know about on that first cruise:

• Didn't know that room service was "free"
• Didn't know that you could order multiple entrees at dinner or make special requests for things not shown on the menu (like Mickey bars, caprese salad, or desserts from a different restaurant)
• Didn't know you could have dress shirts (for formal night) pressed at a reasonable price
• Didn't know about the pirate buffet
• Didn't know about the benefits of booking a future cruise while still onboard
• Didn't know that I wouldn't need nearly as many clothes as I had packed.
• I didn't know that desserts at Cove Cafe and late night snacks by the clubs were free for the taking.

 

[cruisehopeful]

The main thing for me was that I didn't really study the daily navigator. We were only on a 3 night and were extremely busy the entire time with the 2 ports, the very long dinners and the live shows. I didn't know about all the stuff going on all over the ship. I didn't even know that adults could go to the kids clubs during open houses if they didn't have kids in those age groups until I read it on here. Read the forums every day if you have time.

 

[sdjen]

Make sure you have the DCL app on your phone. Before you get on the ship it has a fun vacation countdown. On the ship you can see menus, all the activities and character meets and text others in your party to meet up or stay in touch. Very useful!!

Don't wait for the last night to look at your pics. It is crazy!

 

[xlxo]

Thoughts....

• do you like photo's? If you pre-order the photo package.... there's a discount!
• unlike other cruises.... Disney offers "character photo's".
  • don't miss the bonus character photo in the cruise terminal
  • some characters make multiple appearances.... but some come back with different outfits!
• there's a ship tour... unlike other cruise lines.... they are free on DCL on opening day
• most head to the buffet for the welcome lunch.... but it's much quieter in the dining room for a buffet
• don't like your assigned dining time? Go straight to where they make changes the moment you walk on board
• wanna try the pool or spa services when it's quiet.... go on the first day before the people show up.
• most like to arrive early to enjoy the welcome meal.... late arrivers miss the crowds for quicker boarding.... just don't miss the boat.

 

[TigerTown]

I didn't realize the shuttle bus from AoA didn't leave for the port until 12:30 PM. We spent the morning just wandering around the resort waiting for the bus to pick us up. Next time we'll arrange our own transportation to get there earlier.

 

[Pens Fan]

On our first cruise I did not realize that the buffet was open for breakfast on debarkation day. We went to our assigned MDR at our assigned time with our carry on bags in tow and ate breakfast. It felt rushed and chaotic. We had no idea that we had a choice. Now we mosey up to Cabanas and grab a nice leisurely breakfast. Then we head back to the room and pick up our bags and head off the ship - so much easier. We always tell our servers goodbye the night before so they aren't waiting for us in the morning.

Have a great time on your cruise. I will warn you though, they are addictive!! Prepare to be spoiled.

 

[TrySomethingNew]

Make sure you have the DCL app on your phone. Before you get on the ship it has a fun vacation countdown. On the ship you can see menus, all the activities and character meets and text others in your party to meet up or stay in touch. Very useful!!

Don't wait for the last night to look at your pics. It is crazy!

Very, very good to have the app on phone. If you did only one other thing besides pack your clothes, this would be it. Both of you can have the app and send messages to each other, too.

 

[BW813]

We just got back 2 weeks ago from our first cruise (and first Disney cruise). It was an amazing experience. There is so much to see and do and I know there were areas of the ship that we didn't explore in our 4 days. I will second Pens Fan that they are addictive. We went not expecting to do it again for years and decided to book on board.

• Now that I've done the photo package, I probably won't again. The cast members will take your photos with your phone or camera. Sure they won't have cute frames, but it will serve the purpose.
• Breakfast at Cabanas can get a little crazy. We did not try breakfast in the MDR's except on debarkation day but I will definitely do that next time.
• Pirate night buffet. We missed this because our little one ran out of energy earlier in the night but we definitely want to check that out next time.
• If you are wanting to meet a character, plan on arriving 15-20 minutes prior to their scheduled arrival. It was much easier than waiting in what seemed like a line that would never end.
• Getting a lounge chair on the pool deck can be a challenge. We ended up on deck 12 in an awkward spot to watch funnel vision because there were chairs everywhere with towels thrown over to reserve them. I know that's discouraged by DCL, but it happens.
• Relax, enjoy, repeat.