First time cruisers...any tips?

[Danigrl9876]

This will my me and my husbands first cruise! Celebrating my 40th bday! Are there plenty of things for adults only to do? We will be sailing on the dream in September and my husband is hesitant due to this being mostly geared toward families...but I think he will be pleasantly surprised once we arrive! Hopefully...

 

[EmbracingChaos]

we're going for the first time very soon. There is so much information out there. I'll try to remember to post a report for you when we return. definitely look into your cruise group on this board as early as possible and keep checking back each month. I checked the board really early and only a checked a few times. I found most of the activity, especially around fish extenders, happened in the three months prior to the cruise. One month out and you're already too late.

 

[Bishoparc]

As long as you love Disney, plenty for couples to enjoy. We've done two DCL cruises so far on the Dream and each just keep getting better.

Here's my trip report for our last one in January: http://www.disboards.com/threads/surprise-birthday-cruise-jan-16.3481609/

As far as tips and things to bring:

• Make sure you pick up your personal navigator when you first check in. We missed this on our first cruise so we didn't know what was going on the first day.
• Make sure to have a watch with you (or your cell in airplane mode).
• While internet packages are available, I personally recommend staying off your phone. Part of the joy of cruising for us is disconnecting and focusing on each other. For emergencies you can receive calls on board to your room so I give family and work that number and then put the phone away except for taking pictures.
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Hand sanitizer
• Turvis cups for the drink stations. The cups they have are rather small. Get yourself a nice 32oz tumblr. The drink stations are open 24 hours a day.
• Highlighter (to highlight what you want to do on your navigator each night)
• Don't try to do "everything". There's so much to do you won't catch it all but you can be as busy as you want to be.
• Don't skip the sailing away party or the fireworks for the pirate party.
• There's a pirate buffet after the fireworks. Some people like it, some don't. We didn't know about it on our first cruise but we tried it this last one and liked it.
• Calories don't count on the cruise. Eat as much as you want lol. There is plenty of food available. The quick service window on the pool deck is open pretty late if you get the munchies. Try new foods in the MDR's. If you don't like it, they'll bring you something else. If you do like it, they'll bring you more.

Those are the things I can think of right now. Hope you enjoy! Our next one is the 4 night on the Dream September 19!

 

[diznymom]

We've been on 3 cruises w/ DS17. This next cruise is going to be just the two of adults.

Tips:

• Lay out the clothes you think you will wear.

Now, put half of them back. You won't wear them.

• Bring sunscreen and sunburn lotion (I like Ocean Potion. It has aloe and Lidocaine. Pour some in a travel size bottle or 2.)
• You don't need shampoo or conditioner. You will receive some in your room. There is some different ones in the showers in the gym - free to use
• Read reviews on any excursions you might be planning on doing. Do an internet search for them (not just Disney's synopsis)
• There are lots of Adult Only areas and activities. I agree he will be pleasantly surprised.
• Breathe. Relax and enjoy.

Ask any questions you may have. Some of us love sharing info.

 

[vandy]

Besides buying souvenirs and paying for tips, what can a person expect to spend while on board? Are breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner all included? What about activities? I guess I just don't know what is included and what are extras? Thanks in advance.

 

[Danigrl9876]

Thanks for all the helpful tips so far everyone! We our cruising on the dream 9/5/16 for 4 nights. I read about mixology classes being fun, does anyone know if you can sign up for those before the cruise or do you wait until boarding at guest services? Also, I have been sea sick before on whale watches but bonine seems to work for me but I get kinda sleepy. Anyone use patches or the bracelets? And how badly do you really feel the ship?

 

[Bishoparc]

Besides buying souvenirs and paying for tips, what can a person expect to spend while on board? Are breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner all included? What about activities? I guess I just don't know what is included and what are extras? Thanks in advance.

All your main dining room, buffet, and quick service food/beverages are included (except alcohol and premium coffee drinks and the premium ice cream/snacks such as at Vanellope's, and like the theater snacks. Premium dining such as Palo/Remy are extra. Most room service is free with the exception of a few items but there is gratuity.) All the main ship activities like the shows, movies, character meet & greets, etc are free. The main "activity" stuff you have to pay for are any excursions that you would like to do. As far as what we spend money on, we're not drinkers but we get the virgin version of their drink of the day for the sailing away party, we also love their virgin pina coladas and "bon voyage" drinks (we get those on castaway too). There's a lot of exclusive merchandise you can only get onboard the ship or at Castaway so we usually splurge a bit on souvenirs. We also personally buy the photo package. The photographers take a tonnnn of pictures (especially if you do the character meet & greets) but they roam around during the parties and what not taking pictures. Saves me from having to lug around a camera. You can pre-purchase all your photos digitally or the prints (or both) and save about 15% by pre-purchasing. https://www.mycruisephotos.com/

I read about mixology classes being fun, does anyone know if you can sign up for those before the cruise or do you wait until boarding at guest services?

Those have to be signed up for onboard. If you grab your personal navigator when you check-in at the port it will have the location to go and what is being offered. You can check this site as well for the personal navigators from past cruises to get an idea of what is offered but keep in mind it changes. http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

And how badly do you really feel the ship?

Unless it's storming on your cruise, the worst that you will feel it is typically the first night when crossing the gulf stream leaving from Port Canaveral. It usually lasts from the first seating of dinner till about the middle of the second show. As long as the ship is rocking from side to side it doesn't really bother me but when it's the fore to aft type rocking it does give your stomach that little kick. It's not been bad enough that my wife or I have needed to take anything. I've heard you can also put peppermint oil behind your ears and rub some on your stomach and that helps. Ginger capsules are also helpful. (The reasons too that you will really notice it in those locations is that depending on the dining room your in you're in the far back of the ship and then theater you're in the far front.)

 

[diznymom]

Besides buying souvenirs and paying for tips, what can a person expect to spend while on board? Are breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner all included? What about activities? I guess I just don't know what is included and what are extras? Thanks in advance.

All meals and most snacks, soft drinks, tea, coffee are included. Most room service is included (add $ for tips). Palo and Remy are extra $$. Alcohol, packaged snacks from room service and outside the theaters are extra $$. Some activities onboard are included. Mixology (alcohol) are extra $$. Excursions are extra $$.

 

[diznymom]

Thanks for all the helpful tips so far everyone! We our cruising on the dream 9/5/16 for 4 nights. I read about mixology classes being fun, does anyone know if you can sign up for those before the cruise or do you wait until boarding at guest services? Also, I have been sea sick before on whale watches but bonine seems to work for me but I get kinda sleepy. Anyone use patches or the bracelets? And how badly do you really feel the ship?

I don't get seasick, but I use Psi-Band bracelets. I can feel every movement of the ship. I've read that there is a seasickness medication that is non-drowsy.

 

[Sir William]

All good advice. I might add that you'll find plenty to do, but I suggest not trying to do everything. Take time to relax: enjoy the adult pool and hot tub, catch up on your reading, see a movie (they're free), stroll and the ship and look at the photos and artwork, get a massage (fee), take a tour of the galley or ship if available, attend a cooking demo, do a wine (or whiskey, rum, martini, tequila, or margarita) tasting (fee), wander around the town instead of doing an excursion, or maybe take a nap. You don't want to do so much that you're exhausted after the cruise and need another vacation to recover. Besides, this will give you a fre things to look forward to on your next cruise.

 

[disneymom4life]

Can you decorate your door on the cruise ship? If so, with magnets or tape?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Can you decorate your door on the cruise ship? If so, with magnets or tape?

Magnets - no adhesives:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/prohibited-items/room-decorations/

 

[Yumi696]

This is also my family's first time! Quick question: I know that room service is free except for soda and tip. When we tip for room service, is it just tip as soon as we get the room service? Or is it calculated with overall tip fee that we pay at the end of the cruise?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is also my family's first time! Quick question: I know that room service is free except for soda and tip. When we tip for room service, is it just tip as soon as we get the room service? Or is it calculated with overall tip fee that we pay at the end of the cruise?

Room service tips are not part of the $12.00 per night gratuity that's added to you onboard account. You can tip in cash upon delivery, or add it to the charge slip that comes with the food.

 

[over50visits]

This is also my family's first time! Quick question: I know that room service is free except for soda and tip. When we tip for room service, is it just tip as soon as we get the room service? Or is it calculated with overall tip fee that we pay at the end of the cruise?

A few other items have a room service fee, but not that many. Just read the menu to find out. You should tip them each time you order, one of the few times on board you can use cash if you so choose.

 

[Danigrl9876]

Ok so I originally thought I would be on the 9/5/16 but I was wrong and it's 9/12/16!!! We are so excited to see the Disney Dream ship and go on our first cruise!!! Anyone on the 9/12/16 Dream?

 

[2boysmommy]

Tips:

• Lay out the clothes you think you will wear.

Now, put half of them back. You won't wear them..

^^^^This is so true!!!! I'm pretty sure that I could pack for a 7-night cruise in a carry-on bag if I really thought about it. You are just really not going to wear all those clothes!!

 

[Agent 86]

How much do people tip for room service? Is $1 enough? Or is it more expensive? If it's more expensive, can you ... hoard food items to make the cost of each order more reasonable (i.e. order two serves of cookies, one to eat now and one to eat later)?

Tipping isn't expected in our country and with our weak local dollar, even small tips can be quite expensive. But, it would be nice to take advantage of "free" room service.

 

[diznymom]

We usually tip $1 for room service, unless it is a large order.

I save up my $1 bills throughout the year for tips. I like to make up tip envelopes ahead of time. That way it doesn't hit the wallet all at once.

 

[A_Princess'_Daddy]

Thanks for all the helpful tips so far everyone! We our cruising on the dream 9/5/16 for 4 nights. I read about mixology classes being fun, does anyone know if you can sign up for those before the cruise or do you wait until boarding at guest services? Also, I have been sea sick before on whale watches but bonine seems to work for me but I get kinda sleepy. Anyone use patches or the bracelets? And how badly do you really feel the ship?

One of the greatest disservices that I feel is done to new cruisers is when people say you will not feel the ship move. I assume the people who say that truly do not feel the ship moving, but I have never felt the ship NOT move on any of our cruises. It is a constant rocking that ranges from mild (but noticeable) to severe, and we have never been on a cruise during stormy weather.

We love cruising, and do not intend to stop, so to combat seasickness, I use the ear patches and they have been remarkable in keeping nausea at bay. They do have side effects, however, so you may want to try cutting the patch in half at first to see if that helps without the side effects.

Have fun! I share the above not to discourage you, as you will have a blast, but I wish I'd been prepared for the constant rocking before my first cruise so I share it with you in the hopes that it helps you enjoy your first cruise more.