First time cruise help?

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

This will be our first cruise ever. I am so overwhelmed and don't have a clue what I'm doing here. I have no idea about excursions. No clue what I'm supposed to book ahead of time. All I know is we can start booking something January 8th? I feel like I know the ins and outs of WDW and am so clueless about how to plan for a cruise.

Our kids will be 11,7, and 4 during our cruise in March. We will be sailing on the Dream during Spring Break. Any must-do's we can't miss? We love the magic and hope it feels the same as WDW does for us. The kids have seen Atlantis commercials and this is an option, but it eats into our budget big time. Is it worth it? Pirate night sounds fun! Do adults dress up too? Do I book Pirate's League for my kids on the 8th? If so, how do I know which night is Pirate night?

I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing on this. Any tips for this clueless momma? Thank you!

 

[Starwind]

DCL's website has info about the port excursions (port adventures) that they offer on their website: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/overview/

The info for Bahamas (Nassau and Castaway Cay) is here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/bahamas/ at the top under "Ports of call" you can filter the ports to see eg just Nassau or just Castaway Cay (I suggest doing this). Tis will help you decide what you want to do, you can see the age restrictions, etc etc.

My adult sister and I had also seen Atlantis' commercials and wanted to visit it (and would consider a trip to it alone if we really liked it). We did the Aquaventure and while we liked it and are glad we did it, for us it is something we would only do the once. One issue we did discover is the amount of smoking that is allowed on site is problematic, especially since it is allowed inside the buildings. solidified our decision that Atlantis is NOT somewhere we will be vacationing to. The resort and grounds themselves were nice and well maintained and we felt comfortable walking around. The aquarium was interesting but not spectacular and we were glad it was included with our excursion and not an upcharge. The food was basic QS food and was decent. One suggestion: familiarize yourself with a map of the place, especially aquaventure. More than once we ended up taking a long roundabout way to get from point A to B when there was a shorter way had we known about it.

You do not have to sign up for any port excursions unless you want to. Castaway Cay certainly can be enjoyed without anything extra.

SW

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This will be our first cruise ever. I am so overwhelmed and don't have a clue what I'm doing here. I have no idea about excursions. No clue what I'm supposed to book ahead of time. All I know is we can start booking something January 8th? I feel like I know the ins and outs of WDW and am so clueless about how to plan for a cruise.

Our kids will be 11,7, and 4 during our cruise in March. We will be sailing on the Dream during Spring Break. Any must-do's we can't miss? We love the magic and hope it feels the same as WDW does for us. The kids have seen Atlantis commercials and this is an option, but it eats into our budget big time. Is it worth it? Pirate night sounds fun! Do adults dress up too? Do I book Pirate's League for my kids on the 8th? If so, how do I know which night is Pirate night?

I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing on this. Any tips for this clueless momma? Thank you!

Well, for starters, just relax. I'll point out that a DCL cruise will really be nothing like WDW. Yes, there will be the Disney characters/shows and ambiance, but it's much more laid back. And there's no rushing around long distances to catch all the rides.

On the DCL website you can look up and see what sorts of excursions have typically been available for your cruise here: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/overview/ Scroll down the the "Bahamas Port Adventures" link and click there. Once your booking window opens you'll find which ones will actually be available on your cruise, as well as the times the excursions are available.

Yes adults, as well as kids dress up. Not all do, but they do. Pirate League at BBB is only available on the day that Pirate night is, so that will be a clue as to what night. You can also check your specific itinerary on your reservation for theme nights (My Cruise Activities). It should indicate what night is pirate night (where I've indicated "No Confirmed Activities" is will show that there is an activity planned, click on that and it will tell you what the activity is (whether an excursion you've booked, or Pirate night, whatever).

 

[CamColt]

As for what you can book ahead of time, besides excursions, if you are interested in adult dining, spa treatments, and meet and greets, those will be available on your booking date too.

 

[amberwc]

We just did our first cruise in June, when I found this board I was suddenly very overwhelmed by all the things I hadn't "done". Check out this board: http://www.disboards.com/threads/what-was-your-worst-dcl-rookie-mistake.3549558/ it has some great tips. If you see an excursion that you REALLY want, book it right away, you can always change it. Other than that don't rush it too much. Enjoy your vacation! You will know more next time! And if you are having the slightest bit of fun, consider booking a placeholder cruise while on board (my biggest rookie mistake!). I hope you enjoy your trip!

 

[squirk]

This will be our first cruise ever. I am so overwhelmed and don't have a clue what I'm doing here. I have no idea about excursions. No clue what I'm supposed to book ahead of time. All I know is we can start booking something January 8th? I feel like I know the ins and outs of WDW and am so clueless about how to plan for a cruise.

Our kids will be 11,7, and 4 during our cruise in March. We will be sailing on the Dream during Spring Break. Any must-do's we can't miss? We love the magic and hope it feels the same as WDW does for us. The kids have seen Atlantis commercials and this is an option, but it eats into our budget big time. Is it worth it? Pirate night sounds fun! Do adults dress up too? Do I book Pirate's League for my kids on the 8th? If so, how do I know which night is Pirate night?

I feel like I have no clue what I'm doing on this. Any tips for this clueless momma? Thank you!

Buy this:

The Unofficial Guide to Disney Cruise Line 2017 (Unofficial Guide Disney Cruise Line)
Amazon Link: http://a.co/fQscuwr

There is another book called "Passporter's Guide to DIsney Cruise Line and Its Ports of Call", which I think is the superior book, but the latest edition will not be out until March 14th. The previous edition seems to be out of stock, at least on Amzn.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Thank you all SO much for the info!! We are getting so excited. I'm going to order the book today!

The meet and greets that you can book aren't available on the 3 night cruises, are they? Or did I hear that wrong?

I really appreciate the info!

 

[Quellman]

If you are worried about budget, I would let the kids decide if they want the Pirate makeover or Atlantis. While I haven't done either, the adult in me says that youtube has Pirate makeup tutorials and I can buy cheap costume type stuff and bring it with. Or you could skip Atlantis, and do the chocolate tour at Greysons followed up with a Pirate museum tour before heading back onto the boat. (I have not done either but they are highly recommended it seems).

No one says you HAVE to do an excursion at all. You could spend the day on the ship like so many other people do and enjoy everything it has to offer. You did pay for it after all.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you all SO much for the info!! We are getting so excited. I'm going to order the book today!

The meet and greets that you can book aren't available on the 3 night cruises, are they? Or did I hear that wrong?

I really appreciate the info!

As far as I know, the Princess Gathering and Frozen Meet & Greet is available on all the ships.

 

[hanscarlet]

There are Meet and Greets available on the 3 days cruises on the dream, just booked some this week (they are usually on Nassau morning or CC morning)

Since your youngest is 4 years old, you're going to be somewhat limited on some excurisions since many require the age to be at least 5. If I was you, I'd look into the Blue Lagoon excursion - there are a lot of options, dolphin experience, sea lion or just a beach day... the other mentioned animal experiences include beach time afterwards so it could be a thing where your DH takes your older kid to the sea lions and you hang back with your 4 year old on the beach or whatever

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Thank you again!! Ok, so maybe it was the character breakfast that wasn't offered on the shorter cruises? Do we have to choose between the princess gathering and the Frozen meet and greet? Can you only get a ticket to one? Also, how hard are they to get? I can book on the 8th. What time can I book on that day? Sorry for a million questions!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you again!! Ok, so maybe it was the character breakfast that wasn't offered on the shorter cruises? Do we have to choose between the princess gathering and the Frozen meet and greet? Can you only get a ticket to one? Also, how hard are they to get? I can book on the 8th. What time can I book on that day? Sorry for a million questions!

You can get one set of tickets (per room)for each meet & greet. Yes, the character breakfast is only on cruises of 7 nights & longer.

Excursion booking window opens at midnight Eastern time the day your window opens.

 

[*MomTo2Princesses*]

Perfect! Thank you so much for the help!

 

[mevelandry]

I have found the Blue Lagoon Beach Day excursion amazing.

 

[hanscarlet]

As far as your pirate questions - pirate night is really fun and the show and the fireworks are great! We have never found we needed to book pirate league and keep our dress up simple and cheap - you can cut out an old white tshirt and wrap it in a bandana and does the job. Some folks go all out and it's great to watch. Each person in the stateroom gets their own bandana. Also I think pirate league books quickly so likely there may not be any spots by the time you try and book. Here was us on pirate night during the last cruise:

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Lots of adults dressed up on pirate night, we didn't and did not feel out of place (though I loved people watching all the pretty costumes!). As a recent first time cruiser my advice is to relax. Once you get on that ship, you barely even need to think for yourself. Disney makes it all so easy! My husband and I really enjoyed snorkeling on Castaway Cay, but the statues are pretty far out for a 4y/o. Would be good for the big kids and mom/dad though!