First time going on a cruise

[charlie2]

I could really use some tips , this is the first time my family has ever gone on a cruise . We sail April 24-May 1 on the disney magic . Any help would be great

 

[Aby]

What kind of tips are you looking for? It might help the other posters to know if there are specific questions you need answered.

I would suggest that you spend lots of time just reading threads on this board - this is what I started doing when I booked my first cruise and I learned so much just by reading answers to questions others asked. Also, when I saw something that I wanted more info about, then I did a search and read more threads on that topic. There is a wealth of information here!

My favourite thing about cruising is the fact that I don't have to worry about a whole lot. Once the cruise is paid for and I've figured out my transportation to and from, I don't really HAVE to plan anything. I can get on the ship and just go with the flow - no need to worry about where we're going to eat for meals and how we will get there, how we will entertain ourselves, etc - to me that just makes it so much more relaxing than a land vacation where I have to figure out everything. Of course, I still do like to read and plan and dream about the trip but I know that if life gets in the way and I don't have time to make lots of plans, I will still have a great time on the ship.

Aby

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I could really use some tips , this is the first time my family has ever gone on a cruise . We sail April 24-May 1 on the disney magic . Any help would be great

1 - Welcome to your new pretty expensive obsession
2 - Scan the boards a lot to find things that interest you
3 - You'll probably have to share more info on what kind of help you may need
4 - If you're sailing out of Port Canaveral and need transportation to the port, for a first time cruiser I highly recommend DCL buses. It will cost you more than anything else but the ease and convenience for a first timer is well worth it
5 - Don't feel the need to over plan your cruise
6 - I've yet to be on the Magic so I can't help you with any specific ship stuff, sorry
7 - Enjoy your cruise!

 

[thechief]

1. Enjoy yourself
2. Don't try to do everything
3. Utilize the kid clubs programs
4. Relax.

 

[charlie2]

What kind of tips are you looking for? It might help the other posters to know if there are specific questions you need answered.

I would suggest that you spend lots of time just reading threads on this board - this is what I started doing when I booked my first cruise and I learned so much just by reading answers to questions others asked. Also, when I saw something that I wanted more info about, then I did a search and read more threads on that topic. There is a wealth of information here!

My favourite thing about cruising is the fact that I don't have to worry about a whole lot. Once the cruise is paid for and I've figured out my transportation to and from, I don't really HAVE to plan anything. I can get on the ship and just go with the flow - no need to worry about where we're going to eat for meals and how we will get there, how we will entertain ourselves, etc - to me that just makes it so much more relaxing than a land vacation where I have to figure out everything. Of course, I still do like to read and plan and dream about the trip but I know that if life gets in the way and I don't have time to make lots of plans, I will still have a great time on the ship.

Aby

Hi , I'm wondering where to stay ? We are arriving the day before we cruise . Should we do disney transportation ? What about excursions ? We hare doing a Caribbean cruise .if anyone has cruised on the magic ship? We have a inside stateroom I'm hoping I won't mind that .

 

[Aby]

We really liked staying at a WDW resort before and after our cruise. Magical Express transport from the airport to a WDW resort are free, and you can pay 35$pp per direction to go to and from the port. The main thing some people don't like about DCL transportation from the resorts to the port is that you don't arrive very early - usually between 12 and 2pm - and some people want to arrive earlier to maximize their time on the ship. I truly preferred the convenience and piece of mind taking the DCL bus over arriving earlier at port, but to each their own.

We've never been on the Magic, but we've been on the Wonder, and we thought she was beautiful. We didn't do any excursions on our Castaway Cay day instead just choosing to enjoy the snorkel lagoon and adult beach, which was plenty to keep us busy.

Aby

 

[cijay]

I have a few questions. Going on the Dream in 13 months so take your time to answer

Will get in a couple of days before so will be staying at the All Star Music. Do you know if the cruise bus picks me up from there or do I have to get to the airport and get picked up from there?

Customs...do you go through customs to get on the boat or only when you're getting off? Is it in the port terminal?

I know that the night before the cruise ends, you leave your bag out in the hallway and they transfer it for you, do you have to do this? I have "lost-bag-o-phobia" and will only have a weekender (will leave anything else with my girlfriend who will be staying on land to do the parks while I'm gone). Can I keep it with me?

Has anyone done the chocolate shop tour in Nassau? Worth it? I'd like to do that and then just blue lagoon. I don't need any 'experiences' with marine life, swam with dolphins in NZ and stingrays in Mexico.

How much climbing is involved in getting up to Aqua Duck? Ladder-things or just stairways?

Is it really...free all you can eat ice cream? Like...really? Wow, they make dreams come true!

 

[Aby]

If you are staying at a WDW resort, you can book DCL transfers to take you from the resort to the port for $35 per person. You can also book these transfers to take you back to the resort after your cruise, or straight to the airport for the same cost.

No, you don't have to leave your bags out the night before you disembark the ship. You are welcome to keep it with you but you will have to take it with you to breakfast and lug it off the ship yourself. We travel carry on only so it's no big deal to do this but depending on how much luggage you have it can make things more difficult in the morning.

Yes, there is free all you can eat soft serve ice cream so enjoy!

Sorry I can't answer the other questions but I'm sure others will chime in!

Aby

 

[Sir William]

Hi , I'm wondering where to stay ? We are arriving the day before we cruise . Should we do disney transportation ? What about excursions ? We hare doing a Caribbean cruise .if anyone has cruised on the magic ship? We have a inside stateroom I'm hoping I won't mind that .

Depending on when you arrive, you have the option of staying at one of the WDW resorts, an airport hotel, or a hotel near the port. If you've a day to spend, then I would suggest either a WDW resort or port hotel. If you're arriving late, stay at or near the airport. DCL transfers pick up (and drop off) at the WDW resorts and the Orlando airport for $35 per person one way, as PP stated, which is convenient and usually less stressful. A couple of times we've arrived late afternoon or at night at Orlando so stayed at a nearby hotel and then the next morning returning to the airport to catch the DCL transfer. If you want to stay at the port, you'll need to rent a car or arrange a car service so you can get there.

On the whole, we like the DCL transfers. You are instantly put into "cruise mode" and the kids are entertained by the cartoons they show on the bus.

You can select your shore excursions 90 days prior to sailing (as a new DCL cruiser). However, you can see the excursion choices right now with descriptions and prices available to help you choose the right excursion. You do not have to sign up for any excursions, and you can take a privately booked excursion instead of a DCL excursion (though it is your responsibility to get back to the ship on time and before it sails). Excursions are offered by private tour operators with a contract from DCL, they are not DCL operated tours.

Love the Magic. It's our favorite ship.

Nothing wrong with an inside stateroom, especially if you plan to spend most of your day and evenings on deck, ashore, or at various ship activities and shows. I prefer a balcony as I like to relax there instead of at the pools, and DW prefers a porthole as she spends most of her time at the pools but likes the view when in the room. But she also likes the inside rooms as they are so dark that she can sleep half the day away without any problem. However, if you're claustrophobic the inside rooms are probably not for you.

 

[Sir William]

I have a few questions. Going on the Dream in 13 months so take your time to answer

Will get in a couple of days before so will be staying at the All Star Music. Do you know if the cruise bus picks me up from there or do I have to get to the airport and get picked up from there?

Customs...do you go through customs to get on the boat or only when you're getting off? Is it in the port terminal?

I know that the night before the cruise ends, you leave your bag out in the hallway and they transfer it for you, do you have to do this? I have "lost-bag-o-phobia" and will only have a weekender (will leave anything else with my girlfriend who will be staying on land to do the parks while I'm gone). Can I keep it with me?

Has anyone done the chocolate shop tour in Nassau? Worth it? I'd like to do that and then just blue lagoon. I don't need any 'experiences' with marine life, swam with dolphins in NZ and stingrays in Mexico.

How much climbing is involved in getting up to Aqua Duck? Ladder-things or just stairways?

Is it really...free all you can eat ice cream? Like...really? Wow, they make dreams come true!

As PP stated, DCL transfers pick up at the WDW resorts. The night before your departure you'll receive a letter informing you of the time and location.

As previously stated, you can keep your bags with you on disembarkation. Just be aware that the elevators are usually packed with other people with the same idea. If you opt to have DCL take your bag ashore, you will receive a colored tag to put on the bag and you will find it in that location in the terminal after disembarkation but before going through customs. DCL has never mislaid any of my bags on disembarkation and only once on embarkation: the DCL tag provided was somehow ripped off and they were trying to find me based on my personal luggage tag. I saw them with my bag and claimed it. Now I put on an additional but separate tag with my name, stateroom, ship, & itinerary date just to be on the safe side.

You go through customs only on disembarkation. You'll receive a form the night before. No customs at the ports or on embarkation.

Aqua Duck: Stairs. You won't be required to climb any ladders aboard ship.

Can't help you on Nassau. It's our least favorite port anywhere.

 

[hlsx97]

Enjoyed reading this thread...thx!