First time cruisers, adults only....what should we know?

[MELSMICE]

My DH and I will be doing a 4-day on the Dream in February. It's our first time cruising and is our "test run". It's just us two as our kids are grown!

Questions:

What a must do's?
What should we definitely bring?
What can't we bring?
What excursions are recommended for adults?

Was looking at the Balmoral Private Island excursion while in the Bahamas. Any opinions on that? Probably wouldn't do the package with the lunch since I'm a horribly picky eater. How does that compare to the Atlantis excursion?

Also considering the Graycliff Escape Nassau. Anyone have any opinions on that excursion?

What are your recommendations on the Castaway Cay day? What about the Castaway Cay Sandbar Beach Adventure?

Anyone been to one of their spas?

We're not really excited about carting along suit coats, shoes and things like that so are wondering if dining at Palo would be a "must do" before we definitely decide.

TIA for any and all help and opinions!

 

[kiford]

I would skip Palo on your first cruise especially since it is so short. We love Palo but with only four days you would miss some of the main dining rooms and I personally think you really should do that the first time. We were on the Wonder for our first cruise (also 4 days only) and booked Palo. We ended up missing Tritons and we have never sailed on the Wonder since and I now regret that. Of course, we had no idea if we were ever going to sail again so we thought we should experience Palo at least once.

We have done spa treatments including the couples massage which we loved. It is expensive and somewhat time consuming (a couple of hours) but very nice.

Castaway Cay depends on what you like to do. We always go over to Serenity Bay (adults only) for lunch and drinks and sometimes will go into the water. We are not real beach people but we have done snorkeling, kayak and walking tour, parasailing (that has been cancelled several times due to high winds but we have been able to do it once), searaycers, and stingray excursions and sometimes do spend a little bit of time on the beach.

 

[jdb in AZ]

If you really want to do Palo, try the brunch. It's more casual and you won't have to skip a dinner in a main dining room. Besides, we like the brunch better than Palo dinner anyway.

As for must do's, that varies from person to person. Some people can't miss an activity that bore someone else to tears. The DCL excursions often have a bus for families, and a separate bus for adults traveling without kids.

 

[MELSMICE]

I would skip Palo on your first cruise especially since it is so short. We love Palo but with only four days you would miss some of the main dining rooms and I personally think you really should do that the first time. We were on the Wonder for our first cruise (also 4 days only) and booked Palo. We ended up missing Tritons and we have never sailed on the Wonder since and I now regret that. Of course, we had no idea if we were ever going to sail again so we thought we should experience Palo at least once.

We have done spa treatments including the couples massage which we loved. It is expensive and somewhat time consuming (a couple of hours) but very nice.

Castaway Cay depends on what you like to do. We always go over to Serenity Bay (adults only) for lunch and drinks and sometimes will go into the water. We are not real beach people but we have done snorkeling, kayak and walking tour, parasailing (that has been cancelled several times due to high winds but we have been able to do it once), searaycers, and stingray excursions and sometimes do spend a little bit of time on the beach.

Thanks kiford! We are not huge beach people either, but will do a day at the beach. Do you have to book an excursion for Serenity Bay on Castaway or can you just take a walk to it?

 

[lorimay]

You are going to LOVE cruising, my husband and I cruise DCL solo a lot, I never tire of it.

If Palo brunch is offered, I would definitely do it. Its a wonderful meal with a lot of variety so much to enjoy. Its so beautiful up there watching the ocean a beautiful quiet meal.
The only excursion we have done in the Bahamas was Atlantis, it was a chilly overcast day, so not that great. We now stay onboard and make it a sea day.

Castaway Cay is beautiful go over to Serenity Bay and find a chair and umbrella and just relax. There are also hammocks to hang out in for a while.
When we are lucky enough to snag the coveted cabana, they have to force us off the island at the end of the day .
Its so peaceful over there. I love to grab a chair and put it by the edge of the water and just sit with a konk cooler and relax. Yes, try a konk cooler, they are yummy! There will be cast members walking around SB that will be happy to get one from the bar for you, so you don;t have to leave your perfect spot.

You are going to become addicted to cruising, its the most relaxing vacation you will ever do. Disney knows how to spoil you.

Have a wonderful time!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

We just cruised as two adults in October on the Fantasy! We did Palo brunch and really weren't impressed. Honestly don't understand what all the fuss was about. It was good, but the main dining room food was pretty on par. We also did Remy for dinner on the other hand, and that was absolutely mindblowing. Beyond phenomenal! So worth the cost, and the wine pairings/mizuyaki beef upgrades were oh so worth it!

Anyway, I'd bring comfortable flip flops for roaming the ship/decks, and multiple bathing suits. The rainforest room was fun once, but we didn't even use the second day we bought. Definitely bring your own sunscreen/aloe, and take advantage of bringing on your own wine/champagne! We ordered 4 glasses of orange juice from room service and requested empty champagne glasses, and we made mimosas to have on the verandah during sunset/in the mornings. That was a highlight for us! We found we didn't need a excursion on Castaway Cay, the island has so much to offer already! We went out in the snorkeling area before heading to Serenity Bay to lounge in a hammock with a drink. That was amazing!

Another one of our favorite things were the alcohol tastings. We liked mixology and the champagne tasting best.

Also, have an extra $250 available to book a placeholder cruise. You are going to be addicted, and this gets you 10% off your next cruise and an onboard credit! We cruised in October for the 1st time, and already are booked for Feb and May!

 

[MELSMICE]

If you really want to do Palo, try the brunch. It's more casual and you won't have to skip a dinner in a main dining room. Besides, we like the brunch better than Palo dinner anyway.

As for must do's, that varies from person to person. Some people can't miss an activity that bore someone else to tears. The DCL excursions often have a bus for families, and a separate bus for adults traveling without kids.

Thank you. Good idea.

 

[Oh Henry]

Also, have an extra $250 available to book a placeholder cruise. You are going to be addicted, and this gets you 10% off your next cruise and an onboard credit! We cruised in October for the 1st time, and already are booked for Feb and May!

How long are placeholders good for? I won't be on a cruise until this summer and it'll be my first. If I decide to book a placeholder can I only choose from cruise itineraries that are released? And if so can I keep transferring it down the line? Ex book a placeholder for Summer 2018 but in 2018 transfer that placeholder to a 2019 cruise?

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

How long are placeholders good for? I won't be on a cruise until this summer and it'll be my first. If I decide to book a placeholder can I only choose from cruise itineraries that are released? And if so can I keep transferring it down the line? Ex book a placeholder for Summer 2018 but in 2018 transfer that placeholder to a 2019 cruise?

You get 24 months from the date you book the placeholder I believe. I think it gets refunded if you don't use it. You don't have to select a date when you book the placeholder.

 

[MELSMICE]

Another question....do you pay for the excursions up front when I book them or are they added to your bill? What about any of the adult dining options? Are they paid up front or added to your bill?

What about cancellations if we should decide to change something? Are there cancellation penalties or how far in advance can you cancel?

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

Another question....do you pay for the excursions up front when I book them or are they added to your bill? What about any of the adult dining options? Are they paid up front or added to your bill?

Excursions and adult dining will be added to your bill, you don't pay when you reserve them.

 

[MELSMICE]

All of your responses are very helpful.

So.........on Castaway Cay it's best to just head to Serenity Bay? Once on Serenity Bay we just find our own chairs, etc., of can we rent them? What about towels? Do we bring towels from the ship or get them/rent them on the beach?

Anything special on the Bahamas you'd all recommend? If we're planning on the Beach at Castaway Cay I'm thinking maybe we'd want to do something in the Bahamas. We are all about relaxing while on vacation so a pool or even a beach chair is good enough for us. We are not all about doing something every minute of the day.

As far as alcohol, what can be bring on the ship?

 

[sambycat]

You might want to peruse a guidebook like pass porters or something as well to explain the whole cruising thing. Enjoy your trip!

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

All of your responses are very helpful.

So.........on Castaway Cay it's best to just head to Serenity Bay? Once on Serenity Bay we just find our own chairs, etc., of can we rent them? What about towels? Do we bring towels from the ship or get them/rent them on the beach?

As far as alcohol, what can be bring on the ship?

Plenty of chairs already set up and available over there! There will be towels available to take where you get off the ship. We took some pictures with Captain Jack and by the ship, then went shopping, then headed to Serenity Bay and were fine.

Each over 21 can bring 2 bottles of wine/champagne no bigger than 750ml OR a 6 pack of beer. You have to carry it on the ship with you, don't put it in a checked bag.

 

[kiford]

Thanks kiford! We are not huge beach people either, but will do a day at the beach. Do you have to book an excursion for Serenity Bay on Castaway or can you just take a walk to it?

You can walk there but it's a long way and it can be hot. Take the first tram to the main area and then take the tram to Serenity Bay. No excursions required. You can have lunch at either the main area or have it at Serenity Bay. It's right at the entrance to the beach and the bar is just past it.

So.........on Castaway Cay it's best to just head to Serenity Bay? Once on Serenity Bay we just find our own chairs, etc., of can we rent them? What about towels? Do we bring towels from the ship or get them/rent them on the beach?

Lots of seats and lounge chairs - no renting required. There will be a big bin of towels as you get off the ship and then you just dump them into the return bins when you return. I think that there are also towels at the various beaches in labelled bins but I can't say for sure that's true. We also take 2-3 towels when we get off the ship so I've never had to look around for more.

 

[MELSMICE]

Thank you. Was hoping I could get more than one towel! I hate drying off and then sitting on a wet towel so I always like to have at least two!

 

[MELSMICE]

Has anyone done the Graycliff Escape Nassau?

 

[tigger2002]

So.........on Castaway Cay it's best to just head to Serenity Bay?

Yes, there is also a very good grilled lunch at Serenity Bay.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@tigger2002 How is that BBQ different than Cookies 2? I've heard it's better; always wondered why.

 

[Dug720]

@tigger2002 How is that BBQ different than Cookies 2? I've heard it's better; always wondered why.

A) It's quieter and not as crowded. No kids around really does make it more peaceful.

B) They have steak (not sure if that's only there, but I've heard it is).

C) I've heard that on occasion there is lobster.

But basically A is the big draw for me!