First time crazed-cruisers begging for some help...

[SparkyC]

Hi, DISers...

Crazed couple here begging for some DIS help, goodwill, and pre-trip pixie dust.

We are sailing on the Wonder on August 26 for the 3 day cruise, which we booked through D.U. This is our first cruise but we're WDW veterans.

So, the wedding is only 22 days away now, and the house that we built was just finished, and work is crazy and...well, we're out of our minds! To put it into perspective, we just got around to having a minute to book our flights for the honeymoon today! YIKES!

So, I am hoping...no, pleading. Begging? For some first time cruise advice. I know the ins and outs of WDW, but NOTHING about the cruise, or shore excursions. Nothing about Castaway Cay, other than that there is a seperate adult beach. ( I just saw that there were restaurants there, didn't even know that!)

So, I'm looking to be pointed in the right direction for the best one-stop-shopping info. for a first time cruiser.

thanks! and wish us luck!

 

[jrabbit]

For first time cruisers I would...
1) Get to the port by 11am to get checked in and look around the terminal and go out an look at the ship then get in line to board. My rule about the cruise is the same as at the parks - get there early and wait in line "outside" the park/ship - don't want to be waiting in line in the parks or on the ship
2) If you plan on eating at Palo, be in line for ressies fairly early once on the ship
3) Since this is a "honeymoon" cruise you don't have to worry about getting the kids signed into the clubs
4) Been there, done that as far as an August cruise, so plan on eating at Parrot Cay (inside where it's cool).
5) Bring a highlighter to use on your daily navigator - to help organize your day (delivered to your room each evening. And the one waiting for you in your room is Different than the one you get in the terminal when you check in).
6) Take the ship tour on embarkation day - It will help you get oriented

** Remember that there is a MANDITORY safety drill at 4pm on embarkation day**

7) I recommend going to the main shows - they are very good. We also enjoy the cabarette and "game shows" that happen between the dinner seatings (around 7:45)
8) You CAN NOT do it all - so don't try!!! - Relax and enjoy the ship and one another!!! (and remember you can sleep once your cruise is over )
9) If you don't know, you are assigned a table for dinner. You sit at the same table number in all of the rotational restaurants - your tablemates and servers will be the same.
10) You are expected to tip the wait staff on the last dinner (or at breakfast on disembarkation day). You don't tip at each meal you have (for breakfast and lunch you most likely will have someone other than your assigned wait staff - remember you don't have to tip at these meals). You will recieve envelopes in your room towards the end of the cruise. The tipping guidelines are per person in your party. You tip your waiter, assistant waiter, the "head" server (the guy that comes around once and say "hi my name's jack - please remember to tip me") and finally you tip your room steward.

Finally remember to relax and have a great vacation!!

Oh yeah, it's NOT required that you get off of the ship in Nassau unless you want to.

 

[kcashner]

There are adults only areas everywhere--on CC, on the pool deck, the nightclub area after 9 pm, Palo's, the spa, etc. Enjoy them.

I hope you have late dinner seating--quieter, many fewer kids.

After 10 Magic cruises, we still haven't done it all. Pick what looks good on the Navigator and have fun.

There is not really a restaurant at Serenity Bay (the adult beach at Castaway.) It is a buffet outlet. If that's where you're hanging out, try it. If you don't find something you want, go over to the family buffet. There is more variety at Cookie's, but I liked the food at Serenity Bay better.....this was my first time there as DD was busy on "the wild side" with the teens!

 

[scrapperjill]

Since this is your honeymoon...you may want to check into the REAS package... aka Romatic escape at Sea package... It's an additional 299.00 per person (I don't think the rate change takes effect until next year...but I could be wrong). But with the package you would recieve...Romantic gift basket in your stateroom, Couples massage at the Vista Spa and Salon, Priority seating at Palos for one night/dinner, Romantic turndown service with rose petals around the room, and Champagne breakfast in bed (one morning). In all its a great value...even with the increased price.

Best of all you wouldn't have to worry about getting the Palos reses and/or spa massagae apotinments once you were on board..since with the package you can arragne it ahead of time.

You'll also want to learn about the dress requirements for the 3 day. No shorts or jeans to any of the dinners....and I know on the 7 night there is a formal and semi formal night...howefer I'm not sure what they have on the 3 day trip..I'm sure some one will be able to let you in on it. Oh and at Palos...a jacket is required for men.

 

[SparkyC]

Thank you, I am seriously grateful for any and all tips, hits, advice, and so forth.

We do have the later dinner seating. I need to look into the formal night info., to see if the new DH should keep his tux?

I will look into that package, for certain.

The Navigator, is this available before the trip?

I don't know that we will have any control over when we check in , as we'll be going on the Disney bus, from the AKL...

 

[scrapperjill]

The navagator for your sailing will not be available prior to your dates...however you can check out resent ones on a couple other sites.....http://www.dcltribute.com/ is one site that has some to look at....it will also give you an idea of dress and dinners for the three day cruise.

 

[clh2]

There is not a "formal" night on either the 4-nt or 3-nt wonder cruises. The dressier restaurants are Palo (suitcoat recommended) and Triton's (suitcoat also recommended).

 

[Kitster]

Just to correct some mis-information.......the REAS package is $299 per couple, not per person. Of course the DCL website is now quoting $339

Romantic Escape at Sea

Sip champagne as you sail on a romantic fairy tale voyage to The Bahamas or the Caribbean. Discover special Disney touches, like a romantic gift left in your room, priority seating at the exquisite Palo restaurant and an aromatherapy body massage at the Vista Spa & Salon.

Romantic Escape at Sea:

Add $339 per couple to 3-, 4- and 7-night Disney Cruise Line® cruise packages.

On board, you'll receive:
- Romantic gift amenity delivered to your stateroom (one per package)
- Couples massage at the Vista Spa & Salon
- Priority seating at Palo for one night --- reservations made PRIOR to boarding...
- Romance turndown service (one night) - on Palo dining night
- Champagne breakfast in bed (one morning) - not available last morning

 

[PoohJen]

Sparky,

just like you'd tell a newbie at WDW - there's so much to do, don't try to take it ALL in when you only have 3 days.

- do the REAS to have your ressies set.
- check the navigators (www.dcltribute.com) ahead of time so you can have an idea of the things you would really not want to miss this time around
- and, finally....start planning for your next DCL cruise!!!

Congratulations and Happy Planning!!!

 

[scrapperjill]

Ohhh geeez I didn't mean to put per person on the REAS package...It is per couple...sorry for the goof.....I didn't even realize I put that down until I saw the post above....

I'm Bad..

 

[TheWog]

Steal away to the secret aft deck on deck 7. Nice romantic spot for the two of you at night.

 

[kcatoir]

Get a Passporter's Guide to the Disney Cruise Line at your local bookstore or online.
We new nothing about cruising and man am I glad I got that book, I was much more prepared for what to expect and how to prepare.
Having that book made our trip much less stressful because we knew where to go for what and could plan ahead some of the things we wanted to do.

Can't wait for the 2005 version for our Sept 05 cruise.

KC

 

[jrabbit]

Steal away to the secret aft deck on deck 7. Nice romantic spot for the two of you at night.

Yea, it'll just be you and the teenagers that are "making out"

Actually the odds are pretty good that you will have it to yourselfs.

 

[mickey minder]

In January, the bus from AKL to the port left at 12:38. Not sure if there have been any changes. Have a great trip.