First Time sailing DCL – what you wish you knew?

[gpjacobs]

Just booked a 3-night sailing on the Wish to introduce our daughter to sailing – and it’s turned into a multiple family trip. And, suddenly, I’ve become the go-to travel planner, which I don’t mind … but I’m no expert. So I’m spending a lot of time on these boards, trying to get familiar with what’s unique to this cruise line and the Wish itself. Is there anything you wish you’d known prior to your first DCL sailing, on any ship or the Wish? Anything that would’ve made your vacation more magical, even if it was just a matter of expectation setting? Any pitfalls to avoid?

If it’s helpful, we’re sailing in two connected verandah cabins with the extended bump outs. Our daughter will be one week shy of 9 when we sail and our friends will have a 1.5 year old. I’m gluten-free (not by choice) but there are no other dietary restrictions. TIA for the help!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Just booked a 3-night sailing on the Wish to introduce our daughter to sailing – and it’s turned into a multiple family trip. And, suddenly, I’ve become the go-to travel planner, which I don’t mind … but I’m no expert. So I’m spending a lot of time on these boards, trying to get familiar with what’s unique to this cruise line and the Wish itself. Is there anything you wish you’d known prior to your first DCL sailing, on any ship or the Wish? Anything that would’ve made your vacation more magical, even if it was just a matter of expectation setting? Any pitfalls to avoid?

If it’s helpful, we’re sailing in two connected verandah cabins with the extended bump outs. Our daughter will be one week shy of 9 when we sail and our friends will have a 1.5 year old. I’m gluten-free (not by choice) but there are no other dietary restrictions. TIA for the help!

#1 - Remember, it's a vacation. Don't try to do "everything" onboard. Truth is, you can't. Just relax and enjoy the things you can do. And.... just relax. If you like it, there'll be other cruises.

 

[o&smom]

Agree with Princess Shmoo...you can not do everything. Our first cruise was 10 days, and we could not do everything. Two fun things are ordering Mickey bars from room service and eating them on your veranda while you sail away, and ordering warm cookies and milk before bed. Happy cruise!

 

[AquaDame]

If you're ordering cookies before bed you can also order a caraffe of coffee for the morning also. We don't do this, but people say it stays hot enough overnight and then you don't need to fuss for that first cup in the morning.

 

[auntlynne]

I went blindly into cruising. Nothing pre-ordered, pre-scheduled for time on the boat. It was a 3-night Bahamas cruise.

We just followed the Personal Navigator (daily schedule, now in your phone app) and picked activities for the following day. They do a good job of not creating scheduling conflicts. Your dinner time and location are pre-set. They have 3 distinct menus for your nightly dinner; you will experience them all. Skip the adult specialty dining on your first cruise - you can try it on following cruises.

These cruises are set-up in a way that you can have the full experience with very minimal planning. Especially if you don’t do a bunch of pre-planning (because there might be things you could do, but were unable to secure reservations for).

For the friend’s kiddo - they offer a Pack N Play (no fee, I believe.). Your daughter will probably have the choice of an upper berth (stored in the ceiling during the day) or a single bed created when the back of the sofa is flipped forward, exposing a single mattress. The room steward will take care of set-up. Again, handled once on board.

My biggest advice - make sure you have necessary papers for travel. Passports or state-certified Birth Certificates for everyone, with names that match what you currently use.

2nd - If there is any chance you might cruise Disney again in the 24 months after your cruise and have $250 available, purchase an Onboard Booking Deposit for a Future Cruise. It will save you 10% on a future cruise (the cruise fare, not taxes). The deposit is applied to the price of the next cruise, too. It is fully refunded by request or if not used in the following 24 months. There are some black-out dates and a few limitations, but works nicely for the majority of cruisers. But you can only purchase it while on a cruise. Once your cruise is over, it’s too late. I have left this savings on the table too many times. My second cruise was just 4 months after the first!

And leave a bunch of clothing options at home. Bring princess stuff if someone enjoys dress-up. And bring cruise casual clothes for those who enjoy a beach vacation vibe. You can even leave beach/ swim towels at home; they are provided.

 

[FastPasser.]

You can't change your cruise length but I wish I had known that anything less than a seven day cruise is too short. And now as platinum CC members we've not done a short cruise except for back to back cruises.

Another thing I wish I knew is that I need to do a vigorous one hour work out every day during the cruise to at least reduce the weight gain a little. I still have to take off a few pounds after I get home though.

You won't want to do this because you have kids in your party but I wish I knew that for us the first dinner seating doesn't work. We prefer a later lunch between 1:00 and 2:00 so we're not ready to eat again by the first seating.

 

[Weedy]

If you have early dinner 5:45ish you will see the late show 8:15ish
If you have late dinner 8:30ish you will see the early show 6:00ish.

You will eat at one of the three restaurants each night. You will have the same serving team all 3 nights. Your table number will be the same at each restaurant.

You are assigned a table every night for dinner. The restaurants do not open before the assigned time. No need to line up before dinner ( I’ve never understood why people do this?) We usually have a drink before dinner near the restaurant we are eating that night and head to the restaurant a few minutes after our assigned time. That way the line has begun moving and no waiting.

Every time you get off the ship you will need your Key to the World card for everyone!! Anyone over 18 needs a photo ID.

 

[princesscinderella]

I wouldn’t stress about booking anything extra for your first sailing, especially since it’s only a 3 day. There will be so much to do in the regular activities and just exploring the ship. I also have to eat GF and sail DCL with no worries. Usually after the first night your waiter will ask you to preorder your meal for the next evening. They will also preorder your meal for castaway and they have a side window at cookies one to pick it up. At the buffet just let one of the dining crew (usually near the hand washing stations) know you have an allergy and need to know what’s safe to eat from the buffet or if you don’t feel comfortable you can order with them and they will bring it to you. Happy sailing

 

[Scalemaster34]

Lot's of opportunities for family photos by the onboard photographers. Few folks today have large family photos in their home, but if you'd like one these are really great keepsakes. Might want to plan on dressing up one evening to take advantage of the different photo locations they have setup in the lobby before dinner. Usually there are four or five different backdrops or photo areas. Plus all the character meet and greets that have photographers at them. With small kids you might come away with several dozen great photos...

Usually always a pirate night.... some folks dress up, some don't. But kids seem to really get into being pirates for the night, but takes some planning ahead.

Kids Clubs on Disney's ships are GREAT... the kids won't want you to come get them most the time.

 

[sponica]

You won't want to do this because you have kids in your party but I wish I knew that for us the first dinner seating doesn't work. We prefer a later lunch between 1:00 and 2:00 so we're not ready to eat again by the first seating.

I found my KTTW from my first (and as of this point only) cruise nearly a decade ago and I marvel at the fact we ate at 8:15. We've booked a cruise for next year and opted for the early one....because kids....

OP: We sort of improvised as we went on that cruise. I think I booked one excursion in Nassau (discover atlantis) and we sort of ambled along castaway cay. I know I got super sunburned (bring sunblock and reapply, obviously we didn't).

Don't try to do everything, you can't. What I loved about the cruise was that it was just easy to go with the flow. And after doing a week long park trip this year and last year, I'm really looking forward to the change of pace.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Stay on the ship for Nassau and explore while people are off.

 

[cmph]

Highly recommend you fill this out in advance for your dietary restriction: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-services-information-form/. (Scroll to the bottom, ignore all the parts that don't apply.) Gluten-free items are marked on the MDR menus, which simplifies the ordering process quite a lot in those spaces. It helps to have everything documented in advance though.

 

[RedHead0186]

Highly recommend you fill this out in advance for your dietary restriction: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-services-information-form/. (Scroll to the bottom, ignore all the parts that don't apply.) Gluten-free items are marked on the MDR menus, which simplifies the ordering process quite a lot in those spaces. It helps to have everything documented in advance though.

You can do this in the app/online right from your reservation now (under special requests). I suppose you still fill out the form to be doubly-covered, but just wanted to note that you can now do it right from your reservation.

 

[gpjacobs]

Highly recommend you fill this out in advance for your dietary restriction: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/special-services-information-form/. (Scroll to the bottom, ignore all the parts that don't apply.) Gluten-free items are marked on the MDR menus, which simplifies the ordering process quite a lot in those spaces. It helps to have everything documented in advance though.

Thank you! I submitted this form as a precaution!

 

[gpjacobs]

Stay on the ship for Nassau and explore while people are off.

That's our plan - plenty of time to visit Nassau during other/longer cruises.

 

[gpjacobs]

If you're ordering cookies before bed you can also order a caraffe of coffee for the morning also. We don't do this, but people say it stays hot enough overnight and then you don't need to fuss for that first cup in the morning.

We will DEF need to do this - such a treat!

 

[gpjacobs]

You can't change your cruise length but I wish I had known that anything less than a seven day cruise is too short. And now as platinum CC members we've not done a short cruise except for back to back cruises.

Another thing I wish I knew is that I need to do a vigorous one hour work out every day during the cruise to at least reduce the weight gain a little. I still have to take off a few pounds after I get home though.

You won't want to do this because you have kids in your party but I wish I knew that for us the first dinner seating doesn't work. We prefer a later lunch between 1:00 and 2:00 so we're not ready to eat again by the first seating.

I'm with you! Normally, my husband and I would pick the later dinner time, but that isn't an option with the kiddos. We'll need to make a concerted effort to eat earlier throughout the day - and get our steps in!

And yes, fully recognize that three days is a short cruise. But seven days is a LONG time to be on a ship if cruising isn't for you. I was very prone to motion sickness when I was young and would've been miserable on a seven-day cruise ... fingers crossed she takes after her father! So far, she's a much better traveler than I was (no car sickness, can handle theme park rides, etc.), which is why we're anxious to introduce her to cruising.

 

[Alicatt]

Remember that room service is free (tip of course). I always had a few croissants, coffee and juice dropped off in the morning for early risers. Also the All Hands on Deck cheese platter is a nice little snack in the middle of the day. You can also get Mickey bars. The Wish is quiet and really lovely early in the morning or very late at night.some meet and greets need reservations. They are free but need to be booked on the app. Try to see at least one show.we saw Aladdin and really enjoyed it. Kids can go into many in the bars in the daytime. Hook's Barbery has a cast member who makes really good bourbon drinks but only during certain times. You have to ask. You don't need to get a service to order one.

 

[RedHead0186]

Remember that room service is free (tip of course). I always had a few croissants, coffee and juice dropped off in the morning for early risers. Also the All Hands on Deck cheese platter is a nice little snack in the middle of the day. You can also get Mickey bars. The Wish is quiet and really lovely early in the morning or very late at night.some meet and greets need reservations. They are free but need to be booked on the app. Try to see at least one show.we saw Aladdin and really enjoyed it. Kids can go into many in the bars in the daytime. Hook's Barbery has a cast member who makes really good bourbon drinks but only during certain times. You have to ask. You don't need to get a service to order one.

Looooove the All Hands on Deck!

 

[FastPasser.]

you can also order a caraffe of coffee for the morning also. We don't do this, but people say it stays hot enough overnight and then you don't need to fuss for that first cup in the morning.

That's a tip my wife will like. She needs two cups of coffee before heading out. We also found a USB powered self heating coffee mug in case the coffee doesn't stay hot enough.