First time tips

[UGAFan0829]

Can any of you veteran cruisers give me and the DH any tips for our first time cruise? Is there anything that you can recommend that we should make sure and do? I know you only have your first time once, so I want to make sure that we can get everything out of it that we can. Not to mention, I want to make sure that the DH has a good time so that maybe I can talk him into booking again for a 7-night before we leave the ship! :jumping4:

 

[O&WMOM]

Do NOT miss Palos!!!!!!!!!!!

For the most part the food is bland at best but Palos is outstanding!!!!

 

[tvguy]

Well, I think the first response you got brings up an important point. What does your husband like and what does he not like?

We did not do Palo, and did NOT find the food in the regular dining rooms to be bland. So personal tastes are a big factor. I am not a fussy eater, but my kids and wife are and they too found the food great.
The only measurement I can give you to understand my perspective on the food is to say this was our 7th cruise, our first Disney cruise. The food in Disney's dining rooms was right on par with our cruises with HAL, RCCL, NCL and Paquet.

 

[jrabbit]

Get to the port by 11am. Theres enough to do to keep you occupied for 1 1/2 hours. The terminal is beautiful. Theres the model of the ship inside (to help you get oriented) and the real deal outside (to get you real excited). There are many soft couches and tv's showing Mickey cartoons. If you have children, my understanding is that you can register them for the kids clubs while waiting in the terminal.

They take embarkation photos - you will not want to wear clothes that clash with each other.

There is a embarkation lunch buffett up on deck 9 at Beach Blanket Buffett and the same one is inside on deck 3 in Parrot Cay.

Don't miss the manditory lifeboat drill at 4pm (and don't be late)

Read/Study the daily Personal Navigator - that gives you a list and times and places of all activities that are going on.

Don't try to do it all - because you can't!!

I feel that you don't have to worry about making ressies for dinner in Palo. Your rotational dinning is a lot of fun. Usually your servers are great and usually your tablemates are enjoyable too.

Skip the movies (unless they are doing a PremEar at Sea) because you can see them at home.

Don't miss the shows in the Walt Disney Theater because they are very good.

Try a lot of new foods at dinners. If you don't like the first choice, they are more than willing to bring you something else. Where else do you get to "experiment" on food for free.

There are shows between the dinner seating are very enjoyable. There are family "cabarette" shows in Wavebands and family game shows in Studio Sea.

Something I wish that we had done is send ourselves postcards for all the ports we visited (yes even Nassau). On Castaway Cay you need real money to buy the stamps - your KTTW card won't work there.

Walk deck 4 or 10 at night. Enjoy the evening with your siginficant other. You'll be able to see passing ships and islands off in the distance.

Mostly...Relax, Go with the Flow and Have Fun!!!

 

[cindalu]

I agree about the shows. They are fantastic. Especially Disney Dreams And the Golden Mickey.

 

[Thunderrd]

How much do stamps cost at Castaway Cay for a postcard?

 

[crisi]

Clocks!

Your stateroom has a clock - it isn't readable in the middle of the night. A digital travel alarm is a good investment

Also, clocks on board are rare, wear a watch.

The shows - matter of taste again. We like Hercules and thought it went downhill from there and Disney Dreams was schlock (though worth sitting through), but obviously, everyone's taste is different.

If you like dancing, dance. If you want a spa afternoon, spa. Take advantage of the adult pool. Take advantage of kid stuff too - we have a great photo of DH and I with Donald - the kids were in the clubs, Donald didn't have a line. Read your navigators and do what interests you - and when nothing does, settle down in a deck chair with a drink.

Some people choose to "double dip" their Palo dinner - having a "taste" at their regular seating and another "taste" at Palo....might be worth a try if you are divided.