First time cruiser - lots of ?'s!

[KLR-wlv]

Well - we've booked a 4 day July 6 cruise...I have a lot of questions!

From these boards I know know how to pronounce Palo - and to bring a coffee press...

How much does Palo cost (approx)?

What drinks are free - is it just at meals that the drinks are free or can you get water and milk anytime of the day without paying?

What about the ice cream place - free or extra?

I am typically a queasy person, but my DH and I went on a harbor cruise last summer in Charleston and he lost his cookies and I was ok - Neither of us have been on a big ship before - is it bad for seasickness?

Will the weather be unbearably hot in July? Or is it pleasant on the water?

Does the children's programming go on until the evening, so if we want to go to Palo one night, there's a place for them to go, or do we have to arrange babysitting?

I think that is all for now.
Thanks in advance for the infinite knowledge of the boards!

 

[WDWLVR]

I can answer some of your questions and I'm sure others wll chime in with the rest.

What drinks are free - is it just at meals that the drinks are free or can you get water and milk anytime of the day without paying? Pop is free at meals you pay for it all other times. There is a drink station up on deck 9 that has ice, water, lemonade, milk, coffee and tea for free (used to be 24 hours - there have been some reports that it is now closed overnight).

What about the ice cream place - free or extra? FREE and yummy - they also have fruit there.

Does the children's programming go on until the evening, so if we want to go to Palo one night, there's a place for them to go, or do we have to arrange babysitting? If the kids are old enough for the clubs/labs (3 and up I believe) yes they are open at night. If under 3 (or not potty trained) then you have to arrange for babysitting at Flounders nursery.

The ships are big so I've never had problems with seasickness. Hope this helps!

 

[KLR-wlv]

thanks!
That's very helpful - the kids are old enough for the clubs.
Unlimited ice cream for 4 days could be dangerous...

 

[disneyfreak1]

I have a tendency to get motion sickness, so I always take Bonine. It doesn't make me drowsy at all, so I take it every morning whether I need it or not. I have never had a problem.

 

[Fay Ray]

KLR,

I have three words for you....buy a Passporter!

It's a wonderfull resource and easier to carry than print outs
of what is on the boards. It's a deal!!! You can order it from:

http://www.passporter.com.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I second Fay Ray's motion to buy a Passporter. But don't desert the boards either. We're almost! at the double digit mark for our third cruise, I have the Passporter and log onto these boards almost daily and am always finding out new things. Or at least embedding them more firmly into my mind.

Ok, and there is an addictive element to regular exposure to others like ourselves!

Deb

 

[Incharge]

I am a first time Disney cruiser also, and let me tell you, I take my Passporter everywhere with me. It helps so much to read it every day. My trip is not until September, so I should know quite a bit by then Have fun on your cruise.I took Bonine also. I had no side effects.

 

[WDWLVR]

I agree that the passporter is great. Between that and the DIS you will know so much more than anyone who doesn't have those resources!

 

[floridaminnie]

Also check out Barb's website at www.castawayclub.com She has some past navigators to give you an idea of what goes on the ship along with what activities are in the kid's club.

 

[rae519]

I've used dramamine, bonine and sea bands for nausea. I am very pleased to report that the sea bands worked very well. I still keep the bonine handy though - just in case!

Rae

 

[Incharge]

rae519,
Where do people get these sea bands I hear so much about? Can a child 8 years old wear them?
Thanks

 

[pjacobi]

Palo's is FREE, except we had a bottle of wine. With the tip our bill was $70.00. That's not a bad price for a nice dinner, but not exactly as free as you may have thought.


-Paul

 

[rae519]

I got mine for about $10.00 at Walgreens. Since the sea bands work on pressure points on the wrist, there shouldn't be any reason why a child couldn't wear them.

I find that most children are okay at sea, it's the adults that might get a bit queazy!

Happy Sailing!
Rae

 

[Incharge]

Thanks for the info. I will look for those bands. If we don't need them, at least they are not expensive.
Thanks

 

[tigger41]

I don't think you'll have any problem with motion/seasickness on the ship but if you feel that you need to wear the wrist bands that's fine too. I"ve cruised on the huge RCCL ships and on a couple of smaller, older cruise ships and I've never had a problem with motion sickness. The ships today are built better, have stabilizers to help prevent the ship from moving too much, and they are usually some huge that you often forget you are on a ship and just think you are at a big party/gathering!!!

This sounds more like a "pep" talk than any real help but I think once you go on a cruise you'll be glad you did...especially on a Disney cruise!!