First time cruiser jitters

[ladygypsy]

Hi!

We're WDW veterans. We try to get there at least once per year, sometimes twice. We've been there over 10 times. This year instead of WDW (and the Food & Wine Festival) we decided to do something different. Since we've never been on a cruise, and never been to islands, and love Disney, what better choice? So my husband and I are sailing aboard the 10/16 Magic. I'm anxious and excited and nervous all at once.

I did research these boards and found answers to my general queries. But (of course) I have some subjective questions as well.

We love Walt Disney World. We stay onsite and I totally relish the Disney theming, the constant Disney music, etc. When I'm in my stateroom (cat 5 stateroom seven-thousand-something) will I *know* I'm on a Disney Cruise? I've seen stateroom photos but nothing in the photos I've seen says Disney.

I'm a pretty shy person, so the idea of tablemates is daunting. I've read some "Our tablemates weren't great -- they barely even talked to us!!" posts which didn't help the matter much. Sometimes I want to just enjoy dinner and not have to be 'on.' How have you shy folks handled it without being written about in someone else's TR?

I read a lot about pictures. How pushy are the photographers? While I like SOME posed photos, I inwardly shrieked with horror last year at Blizzard Beach when they had photographers at the top of the family raft ride and in the middle of the lazy river. Am I going to be lounging on a deck chair reading a book and be accosted?

I guess most of my jitters can be attributed to going from a vacation experience where I know everything like the back of my hand to something brand new! With that, I humbly close my post and await your sage advice/suggestions.

 

[huckster]

we too only did the parks then 2003 my dh and i did our first 4 day cruise for 20 year anv. we were very worried ,we are quiet so table mates were a new thing but all worked out well.
the rooms and ship does have Disney you will see them when you are on board. suttle but there. this last August we went again with gs 10 and dd16 the photographers werent pusy we either let them take it or just kept going no one ever came up except at dinner and we just said no thanks . have a have fun safe trip!!

 

[snowball22]

Yes, you will feel the Disney Magic in your Stateroom and everywhere else on the ship. The rooms have Disney artwork. You will also receive WDW gold foil Cindy Castle chocolate mints on your pillow every night along with a towel animal. The television has Disney channels.

As for eating, try and get to know your tablemates if you can. You will find that you might just have alot in common with them. If you just don't want to deal with tablemates just ask your server if they can separate the tables for all your future meals or have you located to a separate dining area. They are usually very attentive to your needs.

The photographers are not pushy. If you have the time, try and take advantage of the photo ops. Some of the photos I purchased were absolutely beautiful.

Hope you have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AladdinsPrincess]

My DH and I are also frequent WDW visitors and we tried our first Disney Cruise this past May. We really, really loved it. You will definitely know that you are on a Disney cruise! There are subtle touches everywhere plus the shows and the crew and the food are all enhanced by Disney magic.

I am definitely a shy person, so I was also not looking forward to having to dine with other people every night. It honestly was not that bad though. Of course, it depends on who you get, but you're all there experiencing the same things so it just naturally gives you something to talk about every night; what they did during the day, or what excursion they took at that port, etc. It was fun to compare notes at the end of every day! We even ended up taking an excursion we hadn't planned on with one of the other couples at our table because we all got along so well.

If you don't have kids, you will hardly see a photographer on your cruise. The only time we did was at dinner a few nights, and then whenever there were characters around.

Have a wonderful cruise!! And no worries - if you love WDW you will love DCL!

 

[jrabbit]

We love Walt Disney World. We stay onsite and I totally relish the Disney theming, the constant Disney music, etc. When I'm in my stateroom (cat 5 stateroom seven-thousand-something) will I *know* I'm on a Disney Cruise? I've seen stateroom photos but nothing in the photos I've seen says Disney.

In your room, you will know that it's Disney. There is Disney artwork above all of the beds. Then turn on the TV. One of the stations is Disney animated movies ... ALL OF THE TIME!!

I'm a pretty shy person, so the idea of tablemates is daunting. I've read some "Our tablemates weren't great -- they barely even talked to us!!" posts which didn't help the matter much

We are a shy family, but getting to know the other people/families at dinner has been a highlight. Remember, you're with them for the duration of the cruise, and you will get to know them better than just at 1 seating. Yes there are the few tablemates from heck, but most of us onboard are pretty nice.

I read a lot about pictures. How pushy are the photographers? While I like SOME posed photos, I inwardly shrieked with horror last year at Blizzard Beach when they had photographers at the top of the family raft ride and in the middle of the lazy river

Noone in my family wants their picture taken in a wet bathing suit. Never even stopped to look at the pictures taken at the water parks. The DCL photogs are very nice and will ask if you want your picture take and if you say NO, then they won't. We actually had a great picture taken of us with Mickey up on deck 10 that is one of the best pictures we have ever had taken of us. Be sure to stop by Shutters to find your pic's and you can discard the ones you know that you would never want in a million years. It helps keep down on the clutter and makes it easier to find your pictures next time. Remember, when you board the ship in Port Canaveral, they take an embarkation day picture. We like to get these, as it signifies the "official start" of the cruise.

Don't worry, you'll have a Magical and Wonderful time onboard. Relax, take a deep breath and know that it's Disney and that there are a lot of nice and friendly people on board (guests and crew) and that you won't have to buy any pictures that you don''t want.

Have a great trip.

 

[Lisa62064]

Welcome Ladygypsy,
We will be on the 10/16 Magic also!!!!!
We are in staterooms 6632 & 6633 We have a thead started here under the cruise meets for the 10/16 cruise, its a little late but hop on over & check us out! We have several meets scheduled for the cruise including a wine party, would love to meet you !!!!

Lisa

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Where is the cruise meets board?

edited to say I found it, never mind.