First Time sailing DCL – what you wish you knew?

[Duke07]

I'm in the same boat here (no need for applause for that pun )...first time on DCL (and any cruise for that matter) and I feel majorly unprepared. I have nothing booked and no idea what we'll actually do, aside from eat a lot and maybe some pool time. The typical response is "there's so much to do you don't have to plan," but that never seems to come with any specifics. So, if anyone would like to elaborate on that, it could be helpful.

 

[Calantha]

I'm in the same boat here (no need for applause for that pun )...first time on DCL (and any cruise for that matter) and I feel majorly unprepared. I have nothing booked and no idea what we'll actually do, aside from eat a lot and maybe some pool time. The typical response is "there's so much to do you don't have to plan," but that never seems to come with any specifics. So, if anyone would like to elaborate on that, it could be helpful.

I did my first DCL/ever cruise in 2019. I think a lot of people are comparing that with Disney World (where I feel like everything must be planned).

Here's some ideas:

On Sea Days:
Eat Breakfast, Go to the Pool, Pool side lunch, go back to room mid-afternoon, shower and then go look for characters/kids club/etc, get family pictures before dinner, dinner, then show (no reservations required)
On Castaway Day:
Eat early Breakfast, go out to the beach early, lunch, go back to room mid-afternoon, shower and snooze, mid-afternoon snack, get family pictures before dinner, dinner, then show or kids club/shopping
On new island Day:
Eat Breakfast, Go out on the island to do whatever, go back to room mid-afternoon, shower, get family pictures before dinner, dinner, then show, etc.

There are things listed to do all day in the DCL app, and you just show up - drawing, trivia, music, whatever you want to do. My son likes the pool, so there we sit.

Hopefully that helps.

 

[sponica]

I think a lot of people are comparing that with Disney World (where I feel like everything must be planned).

Yes, I'm in this camp. I'm looking forward to the relatively unstructured pace of a cruise. I vaguely remember spending a lot of time on the pool deck, just lounging, not doing anything when we last cruised. We lounged, we drank, we ate...I think we wandered the boat. I know we saw a movie

 

[Weedy]

The day you board you will drop your luggage off with the porters and they will deliver it to your cabin.
Cabins aren’t available until 2pm.
You should carry on a small day bag with anything you may need until then.
Bathing suits, sunscreen.
Also RX’s and any electronics.

 

[cmph]

I'm in the same boat here (no need for applause for that pun )...first time on DCL (and any cruise for that matter) and I feel majorly unprepared. I have nothing booked and no idea what we'll actually do, aside from eat a lot and maybe some pool time. The typical response is "there's so much to do you don't have to plan," but that never seems to come with any specifics. So, if anyone would like to elaborate on that, it could be helpful.

Everything varies a bit depending on the ship, if it's a specialty sailing (Marvel themed, DVC members, something like that), and the itinerary. Some general stuff that's always going to be included will be character M&Gs, trivia, crafts, game shows, evening shows, bingo, open houses in the kids' spaces, movies (indoor theater plus pool deck), musicians performing in lounges, just to name some of them. The schedule fluctuates sailing to sailing, but you can see example Navigators (which show all the activities) here: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/.

The whole "you don't have to plan" thing comes from the lack of a need to pre-book most of the daily, free activities.

 

[auntlynne]

 

[Budzooka]

We look at the Navigator each day and plan it out. Inevitably, we won’t do hit everything but we also identify ones that we don’t want to miss and plan around it.

 

[Meredisney]

I recommend looking at old daily schedules (Personal Navigators) on Disneycruiselineblog to see what a fairly typical day offers on an itinerary similar to your cruise. If not the Wish, look for one from 2020 or earlier, as they were paper and are easier to get the big picture. Schedules from ore recent sailings are on the app - and the website does have videos of the screens in a scrolling format.

I miss the paper navigators and being able to see the "Big Picture" of everything that is happening

 

[NothingClever]

In terms of setting expectation levels, when we went on our first cruise, we were shocked with how small the swimming pools were. Our kids love to swim and were a bit bummed that "swimming" was really just "standing" in a crowded tub.

On the opposite end, we were equally shocked with how much we enjoyed the shows - newbies should certainly give those a try!

 

[Calantha]

were a bit bummed that "swimming" was really just "standing" in a crowded tub

also known as "movie watching from the water"

 

[gpjacobs]

In terms of setting expectation levels, when we went on our first cruise, we were shocked with how small the swimming pools were. Our kids love to swim and were a bit bummed that "swimming" was really just "standing" in a crowded tub.

On the opposite end, we were equally shocked with how much we enjoyed the shows - newbies should certainly give those a try!

This is really good to know ... we'll need to do some expectation setting cuz our kid is a fish and will also be disappointed if it's a standing-room-only type thing.

 

[gpjacobs]

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

What about booking like BBB for our kiddo? We hoped to do this, esp. as we're on a Halloween at Seas sailing. Fun to get the princess treatment and be all dressed up for the evening.

 

[Calantha]

What about booking like BBB for our kiddo? We hoped to do this, esp. as we're on a Halloween at Seas sailing. Fun to get the princess treatment and be all dressed up for the evening.

I've never booked it, but I would say be careful about when if you do decide to book. Don't go early on Castaway Day if you want to go hang out at the beach. I've seen a non-zero number of unhappy children with sparkly hair and dresses who couldn't go swimming.

 

[gpjacobs]

Everything varies a bit depending on the ship, if it's a specialty sailing (Marvel themed, DVC members, something like that), and the itinerary. Some general stuff that's always going to be included will be character M&Gs, trivia, crafts, game shows, evening shows, bingo, open houses in the kids' spaces, movies (indoor theater plus pool deck), musicians performing in lounges, just to name some of them. The schedule fluctuates sailing to sailing, but you can see example Navigators (which show all the activities) here: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/.

The whole "you don't have to plan" thing comes from the lack of a need to pre-book most of the daily, free activities.

The links to the Navgiators is SO helpful. I agree the comparison comes from other Disney vacations, where pre-planning often is the key to a smooth/successful trip. I create spreadsheets before going to DL and haven't visited WDW since becoming a mom because ... well, it just feels daunting!

 

[gpjacobs]

I've never booked it, but I would say be careful about when if you do decide to book. Don't go early on Castaway Day if you want to go hang out at the beach. I've seen a non-zero number of unhappy children with sparkly hair and dresses who couldn't go swimming.

Good point! I'll be paying close attention to which day Halloween activities fall once we get closer. I suspect it'll be on Nassau day based on what was posted last fall but it it's on CC day, we may skip entirely.

 

[OpieDoodle]

I wish I would have known how much I'd miss on a short cruise. There is SO MUCH TO DO and I wanted to see everything. So on my first cruise (3 night) it just wasn't enough time for me. I felt I rushed through things, skipped things, etc.

Now, that's not to say I didn't have an absolutely amazing vacation but it had me chomping at the bit to go back see the things I missed.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'll be honest... my husband is really bored on any cruise (prekids) and I was really bored on a Disney cruise (prekids). I loved the daytime vibe on board, but the nightlife was non-existent for a nightowl. Carnival and RC had wonderful adult options late at night I really enjoyed. My husband is just not a sit around and relax person, and hates being in the sun. The pool is people soup.

But - that totally shifted when we had a child and neither of us were bored for a second on the Disney cruise with a toddler in tow. We wanted to do so many things with him that it was impossible. Wonderful family memories made so easy - just show up! Only preplanned the royal gathering and Palo dinner for our anniversary. This trip, we didn't plan anything other than Royal Gathering and hope to snag a Palo brunch on board. Such a nice change from the overplanning we often do at Disney parks! We did crafts, dance party, family trivia, mini golf, walking the deck to watch boats when near port, character meets, scavenger hunt, etc.

My advice is to not overplan (or overpack!) and create your own adventure each morning/hour with whatever sounds fun at the time.

 

[Budzooka]

I'll be honest... my husband is really bored on any cruise (prekids) and I was really bored on a Disney cruise (prekids). I loved the daytime vibe on board, but the nightlife was non-existent for a nightowl. Carnival and RC had wonderful adult options late at night I really enjoyed. My husband is just not a sit around and relax person, and hates being in the sun. The pool is people soup.

But - that totally shifted when we had a child and neither of us were bored for a second on the Disney cruise with a toddler in tow. We wanted to do so many things with him that it was impossible. Wonderful family memories made so easy - just show up! Only preplanned the royal gathering and Palo dinner for our anniversary. This trip, we didn't plan anything other than Royal Gathering and hope to snag a Palo brunch on board. Such a nice change from the overplanning we often do at Disney parks! We did crafts, dance party, family trivia, mini golf, walking the deck to watch boats when near port, character meets, scavenger hunt, etc.

My advice is to not overplan (or overpack!) and create your own adventure each morning/hour with whatever sounds fun at the time.

Going on a cruise with my 20 year old DD next month and we enjoy those just as much as we did when she was younger and in the kids clubs. Have also done cruises without the kids and have never been bored.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Going on a cruise with my 20 year old DD next month and we enjoy those just as much as we did when she was younger and in the kids clubs. Have also done cruises without the kids and have never been bored.

Never said others were bored or would be bored - I simply shared our experiences and vacation preferences. The ships are full of repeat cruisers without kids so I assume they enjoy it (at least I hope they do!)

Cruising, like any vacation style, isn't for everyone - and it's not for us without children in tow. But it's been a wonderful way to vacation at this stage in our lives.

 

[cmph]

The links to the Navgiators is SO helpful. I agree the comparison comes from other Disney vacations, where pre-planning often is the key to a smooth/successful trip. I create spreadsheets before going to DL and haven't visited WDW since becoming a mom because ... well, it just feels daunting!

Kindred spirit - I had a DL spreadsheet for our December trip, with tabs just for dining! (Granted, this was partially b/c I had to note which places were the better options for gluten-free food.) For cruises, I shift over to PowerPoint for planning, b/c it's mostly about which excursions to pick, so photos are useful. My kids are both teens now, btw, so I need some input (or, well, buy-in, in some cases).

Nerdfest aside, I think you'll find a ton to do, and also, you won't know quite what your family likes best until you get there and see what strikes their fancy. It's kind of like rides at DL - did I think I was going to have to go on Incredicoaster *that* much? No, but that's what my kids wanted to do this time. Did I know DH was going to want to go to allll of the movie/TV/music trivia possible on DCL? definitely not!

BTW 9 is a really good age for the game show types of things. The hosts choose audience members to get involved. The kids are super cute. Teenagers, uh, not so much. DD17: "I'm dying from secondhand embarrassment." (At least she wasn't heckling the hosts the way the teen boy to her right was haha!)