First Time Cruiser Tutorial

[EddieK76]

So I thought this would help with some first time cruisers (myself included) on a tutorial on your first time cruising. Perhaps some ideas on how to quickly acclimate yourself to the ship, things you should do the moment you get on the ship and so on throughout the time on the ship. Let's discuss shorter cruises first (3/4/5 night) since a vast majority of 1st time cruisers select that length.

To be fair....I could be the worlds best tour guide anything WDW related but I'm intimidated by DCL and all the ins and outs....Like how do I select a PAT, paying for items (how much of a hold is put on a card), can I build up a credit to my room before hand...All these things have me watching as many VLOGs as I can but most don't discuss that.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Great idea. Theres a lot taken for granted by regular cruisers which first time cruisers need to know.

One thing for me, as I've been researching, is that there is an MDR open on embarkation day for lunch and Cabanas is open for breakfast on debarkation day. From watching vlogs, especially all the first time cruisers who did the UK staycation cruises last summer, first timers just assume the thing to do is get lunch in Cabanas when they get on the ship and they have to go to their allocated breakfast time in MDR on debarkation day. Very few first time cruisers know about the other option.

 

[harleyquinn]

I know you get your PAT when you check in 30 days before the sail date. You want to do it at midnight so that you can get the earliest time possible. The earlier you get on, the earlier you are getting the most bang for your buck. You should be prepared with PHOTOS of your important documents as they don’t accept PDFs.

You want a carry on with your bathing suits if the pools are a priority. Cabins are usually available around 2. And you have to do the virtual muster (which I hope doesn’t go away).

 

[BadPinkTink]

I know you get your PAT when you check in 30 days before the sail date. You want to do it at midnight so that you can get the earliest time possible. The earlier you get on, the earlier you are getting the most bang for your buck.

Just to clarify, you can check in when your countdown goes to 29 days 59 minutes. The check in opens at midnight Orlando time, so you need to calculate your time zone.

9pm LA PST /Midnight Orlando EST / 5am UK, Ireland, Portugal / 6am Central Europe, Spain, France , Germany /

 

[Ohmymonty]

Let's see...after 7 cruises, I'm sure I've got something in my brain worth sharing...lol

On embarkation day, I usually use the time before the Sail Away Party to get acquainted with the ship and do a little hidden mickey hunting. Most of the common areas and lounges will never be as empty as they are on day 1, so that's always been easier for the hidden mickey hunting. I also find it nice to get acquainted with where the lounges/restaurants are when I'm also not trying to navigate around people. I also use the first day to weirdly stare inside the gift shops so I can start planning what I'll buy lol

It's also a great time to check in with guest services/cast members/activity places to see if you can grab a reservation for an activity that you weren't able to book ahead of time. Really wanted some time on the sports deck? Go up there and ask if they have more times available. Brunch at Palo? Tasting? I think they reserve some appointments for on-board booking, so that'll be your chance.

Seasickness happens to someone in my party almost every time I go. Personally, I take a 24 hour Bonine every day just to ward off any potential sea-sickness. Also, I didn't know this on my early cruises, but guest services and the health center usually have a bin of (free) motion sickness medicine nearby. In the case of the health center (pre-covid) I remember it being right outside the door. I'll go and grab a few packets to have on hand in case of emergency. Forever scarred by that one time I got really queasy at Remy and had a really hard time getting myself down to deck 3 and waiting in line at guest services. So! Now I always try to prevent and also grab some early.

Bring a hoodie or sweater or something. It can get chilly inside the boat, especially if you've been in the water outside. I was surprised at how cold I was all the time on my first cruise, so now I'll never be caught by surprise haha.

Not sure how much the app has changed, but I like to check out my activity options for the cruise as early as I can. So I'll go through the app and find all the trivias, towel foldings, jack-jack diaper dashes, anyone can cooks, etc and go ahead and favorite them. This way the app will send me a notification when the time is approaching. I've always found the activities can run back-to-back so I just like to have a little plan on what I intended to do. BUT! I've also totally played it by ear and that worked too.

If you're worried about PAT and you're on the fence about taking Disney Transportation, I would book it. If you're arriving on Disney transportation, they don't care so much what you chose your PAT to be.

Back in the day of the old muster drill, you'd be uncomfortably close with random strangers. I always took this opportunity to strike up conversation, especially with people wearing gold or platinum lanyards. I wanted all their pro tips! No one was ever shy to share anything and were absolutely delightful. I'm sure this would work for any line or activity. Don't be shy. Everyone I've ever talked to on board (with very few exceptions) have been really kind. I got lots of great advice on things to do from them. One of the best being, check an activity out if you think you might be a little interested. Heck, even if you don't think you're interested. They can be a lot of fun. As someone without kids, I made a big frowny face at the idea of Jack-Jack's diaper dash, but it was hilarious and I love it. I can't count how many times I was like "isn't bingo for old people?" Also crazy fun. The adult Match Your Mate should never be missed, even if you think you've seen all the Newlywed game episodes and nothing will surprise you.

Probably my last tip and a pretty shameless one. I've gone to more than my fair share of DVC seminars. They raffle off some onboard credit in there and if I have the time and nothing else is going on, I pop in for a free drinky-drink and listen in on what the plan's going for these days. I did the same thing for port shopping seminars, though I am not as interested in their swag as I am with the OBC. I've never won the OBC from DVC, but the people I've traveled with have gotten swag at the port shopping seminars.

 

[elittleton]

Seasickness happens to someone in my party almost every time I go. Personally, I take a 24 hour Bonine every day just to ward off any potential sea-sickness. Also, I didn't know this on my early cruises, but guest services and the health center usually have a bin of (free) motion sickness medicine nearby. In the case of the health center (pre-covid) I remember it being right outside the door. I'll go and grab a few packets to have on hand in case of emergency. Forever scarred by that one time I got really queasy at Remy and had a really hard time getting myself down to deck 3 and waiting in line at guest services. So! Now I always try to prevent and also grab some early

I’m prone to seasickness so I also take 24 hour Bonine, also. I learned it’s not quite as affective the closer your get to the 24 hour mark. I learned to take the Bonine before dinner while we were getting ready. My table mates like to ask if I was okay at dinner because I would turn green before the medicine kicked in. Luckily I didn’t get queasy or have to leave the table but it was close a couple of times.

Also, keep taking it the last day off. My first cruise I didn’t take anything when I got off the ship and was so sick that night. I felt like I was rocking even though I was at home.

 

[sadiwest]

So I thought this would help with some first time cruisers (myself included) on a tutorial on your first time cruising. Perhaps some ideas on how to quickly acclimate yourself to the ship, things you should do the moment you get on the ship and so on throughout the time on the ship. Let's discuss shorter cruises first (3/4/5 night) since a vast majority of 1st time cruisers select that length.

When you book a cabin, make sure the only thing above you is more cabins. No public places.

 

[auntlynne]

…paying for items (how much of a hold is put on a card), can I build up a credit to my room before hand...

I have no idea about credit card holds, but a recent thread has been talking about at what $ onboard charges get posted to your credit card.

You can give yourself an onboard gift (credit). Lots of reports (and my experience today) that the online system will not process your request after entering all the information. So the next step is to call. And that is a long wait to get through.

I am thinking I will change my course of action and just go to Guest Services after boarding.

Why am I not just using my credit card that is on file? To save money. I have a Target card which offers 5% savings on Disney gift cards (not cash back, later; 5% off when purchased). Others save money buying discounted cards at Sam’s, coupled with cashback they get their credit cards. You can use the Gift Cards to pay for the cruise, too. Every 5% helps with DCL prices. I estimate onboard spending and buy gift cards to cover. Anything else will go on the credit card.

Chase Disney Rewards credit card will earn you Rewards Dollars which can be used to pay for onboard spending, too. Six months 0% interest on cruise costs (including pre-paid onboard account) charged to the card.

Chase VISA cardholders also get some discounts in ship shops.

 

[auntlynne]

I could not get the Onboard Gift website to process a room credit using my Disney Rewards Card last night, but it did accept my Disney Gift Cards. Then I bought Disney gift cards (e-mail version) from Disney Shopping and used them on the gift website.

I have enough free time that it is worth 5% savings to jump through hoops. Those with heavy work or family schedules may find it easier to just use a credit card with a good cash-back program.