First time with Disney Cruise Line

[the_princess]

Hi all,
I have decided on Disney Dream for me, my mom and my girls (5&7) next year in May out of Barcelona. I know quite a lot about cruising because I work at a cruise agency, but I know nothing about DCL. So please point me in the right direction (blogs, podcasts, information sites) for DCL newbies?
When it comes to booking, should I use a travel agent? And is this even possible when I live in Europe? I don’t know any agents who works with DCL here.
At the moment I’m trying to choose the right cabin. I’m looking for an oceanview family in a quiet area but close to stairs or elevator. Cabin 9656 is availeble, but what should I look out for?
I feel like a complete newbie

 

[Travel60]

Cruising Disney is not like going to the parks. The level of planning required is much less.

Download the DCL app before you board. It won't do much until you are on the ship. Then it will populate with your dining rotation including menus. It will give the timing of shows and activities, etc.

As to the room, we like the area just aft of the aft elevator, mid level of room floors. It is quiet, only a few floors up for breakfast, pools, spa and only a few floors down for evening restaurants. We never take elevators.

You need to decide which of the two dining times. We like second seating because it gives us longer days. But with younger ones, you may want to consider early. The evening shows are opposite the seating times so you don't miss a show either way.

Then consider excursions. As a first time DCL cruiser, you are last in line to sign up for excursions so pick a first, second, third choice. A lot of the cities you visit on a Med cruise are quite a long way from the cruise terminal so keep that in mind for your young ones. You can't see the excursions for your cruise until your time but, you can see the typical excursions for each city.

The kids clubs at that age don't require reservations but take your girls to open house the first afternoon so they can see what it's about and decide if they are comfortable.

That's all you really NEED to plan. You may want for you and your mother to try to get a reservation at one of the premium restaurants. You may want to get your girls a Princess makeover. If you are a drink connoisseur, there are various tastings but they fill up fast. But most everything else is open to all, first come.

Don't try to do it all, especially with young ones. Just enjoy!

 

[Girl of the South]

Which ship? Here is a link to all the deck plans:
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships/deck-plans/

Don't get a cabin under the pool deck. My sweet spot is Deck 8. But everyone has their favorite. The higher up the more movement. As you probably know.

There is a TON of information on this forum. Ask specific questions rather than "tell me everything" for better replies. This forum is sponsored by a travel agency so sending you elsewhere sometimes is considered bad form. YouTube has some AWESOME videos - full tours of various ships and sometimes even your specific cabin. Up at the top (light yellow) you'll find some reviews for specific cabins.

The Disney Cruise line phone number for Europe looks like a US number but the UK one might be something you can dial (see below). There's really no reason why you can't book this yourself! If you want.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

Scott's blog (https://disneycruiselineblog.com/) is a great resource. I started researching on the DCL website for the basics, then went to Scott's site for the next level info. There's seven metric tons of videos on youtube, but they seem to have an agenda (I hate this ship! I love this ship!) so I prefer the info over the spin.

 

[ddonner]

If you are looking for a TA, Dreams Unlimited travel is the owner of these forums and a great company to work with. I would highly recommend.

 

[DCLMP]

You don't need to use a TA unless you want onboard credit. You can book online and manage the reservation yourself.

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

Hi all,
I have decided on Disney Dream for me, my mom and my girls (5&7) next year in May out of Barcelona.

I have been on the Dream twice out of Southampton. Trip report links are in my signature. They will give you a great overview of what you can expect on the ship, from the activities, to the rooms to the food and pool areas.

When it comes to booking, should I use a travel agent? And is this even possible when I live in Europe? I don’t know any agents who works with DCL here.

European travel agents generally don't know much about Disney cruises, so if you can get any special extras, discounts etc through your work, then book through your work.

Its only the American large specialist Disney Travel Agencies which give onboard credit. The Travel Agencies receive commission from Disney and the large specialist Disney Travel Agencies give a % of this back to clients. The onboard credit amount is % of the cruise fare.

Do your research, if this is something you want to do. There are a few out there.

When you book through specialist Disney Travel Agency you will book and pay in US Dollars. This means that you will be able to book and pay for the onboard gifts like drinks through the App. If you book in any other currency you have to phone Disney Cruise Line to pay in your currency.

If you don't choose to book through your work or through and American specialist Disney Travel Agency, you can book direct through Disney Cruise website.

At the moment I’m trying to choose the right cabin. I’m looking for an oceanview family in a quiet area but close to stairs or elevator. Cabin 9656 is availeble, but what should I look out for?
I feel like a complete newbie

My advise is to check the ship layout diagrams. See what is above you, below you and around you. My room of choice is an inside room at the front of the ship, which has rooms on the floor above and below and is a non connecting room. I choose the front of the ship as I am a solo cruiser and I spend a lot of time in the adult only areas which are mainly at the front of the ship. This means I have easy access to the areas of the ship I use the most.

 

[RedHead0186]

Scott's blog (https://disneycruiselineblog.com/) is a great resource. I started researching on the DCL website for the basics, then went to Scott's site for the next level info. There's seven metric tons of videos on youtube, but they seem to have an agenda (I hate this ship! I love this ship!) so I prefer the info over the spin.

I was going to say this. Scott's blog is awesome, I've learned so much from him/that blog.

This forum is also super helpful, both if you have a specific question and also just for general perusal/learning.

 

[the_princess]

Hi all
Thank you so much for all your input. I have researched and decided to go with DU. After almost 20 years on these boards, I feel like I know when without ever having used them. I got a reservation and will pay deposit in a minute.
Then the planning will begin. It's exciting to try something new with Disney.

I remember years ago reading about DIS'er leaving small notes and gifts for each other. Is this still a thing? Is there any kind of communication between fellow cruisers before going?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

I remember years ago reading about DIS'er leaving small notes and gifts for each other. Is this still a thing? Is there any kind of communication between fellow cruisers before going?

The cruise groups are all on other social media platforms now.

There are usually 2 types of gift exchanges organized.
1. Fish Extender Exchange. This is the main organized exchange group. There are usually a number of different types of exchange groups, Family, Adult, Magnet, Ornament etc. Its organized in the social media group and they have a sign up form to add yourself to whatever group you want to participate in. Once Paid In Full Date is passed, they will then close the sign ups. You then give gifts to the other members of the group you are assigned to, by putting them in the Fish Extender Pouch hanging outside the peoples door.

2. Pixie Dusting. This has really taken off in the last number of years. This is an unorganized gift giving. People are making up little gift bags , things like stickers, candy, friendship bracelets, the mini bubbles, keychains, croc charms, etc etc and going room to room and putting them in random Fish Extender pouches.

People are also putting things on their doors for people to take, like candy or pin exchanges.

Another thing that has taken off in the last few years, is WhatsApp groups. WhatsApp messaging now works on the free ship WiFi, so there are also WhatsApp groups organized through the social media groups. People use the WhatsApp group while on the ship during the cruise to share information and updates. For some cruises the WhatsApp group is more active than the social media group.

 

[Weedy]

Beds
There is one queen bed, the couch folds down to a twin bed and another twin folds down from the ceiling. Your room steward will set up and take down these beds in the morning/evening.

 

[DisneyMamaintheDesert]

If you are a Costco member, booking through their travel agency offers a great cash back deal. I believe this is only available if you live in the UK, US, or Canada.

You will have an amazing time! We enjoy watching vlogs on YouTube like Our Z Roll and Adventures in Millerland. They give great tips for families and cruising with kids!

 

[Girl of the South]

When you are looking for a cabin, and click on a specific one - you should get a list of the beds. Even if you are looking for a cabin that sleeps 3, you might get one that sleeps 4.

So this cabin will have the double bed, the sofa bed (that only sleeps one) and a top bunk that comes down from the ceiling. Not all cabins have the same bed count. Some have a Murphy bed. MOST have the split bathroom but not all. And some have a circular tub and some have a Rectangular.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The cruise groups are all on other social media platforms now.

There are Cruise Meets here on DISboards.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-meets.85/

 

[Skittlesmom]

We did a Mediterranean cruise out of Barcelona on the Disney Dream two years ago (end of May) and absolutely loved it. We booked our own reservations and did fine...I don't think we've ever used a travel agent for any of our cruises. The Barcelona airport is a bit far from the port, but we arrived a day early from departure. A lot of European cruisers took a train to Barcelona to cut back on airline costs.

We stayed at the Hilton Diagonal Mar...it was the Disney contracted hotel, so it had transportation to the cruise port available...which we used. If you forget anything, there is a mall across the street from the Hilton Diagonal Mar hotel. Note: There are two Hilton hotels in Barcelona...our taxi took us to the wrong one but we realized it early enough. Again, transportation from hotel to port is fantastic through the Disney contracted system. The port is about 12 miles from the hotel and I don't recall much in the way of hotels or restaurants near the port.

Our destinations included Cannes/Nice, France; Livorno, Italy; Day at Sea; Naples, Italy; Civitavecchia, Italy; Day at Sea; then back to Barcelona. Cannes was very nice as the Cannes movie festival ended the day prior to our arrival and the red carpet was still there and many actors were still in town. Walking around Cannes and Nice were just magical. In Livorno, we went to Florence and just walked around the beautiful sites. In Naples, we took a (very) long hike up Mt Vesuvius, then a tour of Pompeii...lots of walking and hiking, but very much worth the experience. For Civitavecchia, we took a tour of Vatican City and then Rome...amazing experiences.

The Dream is a fantastic ship. There are plenty of things to do, first-class service, excellent kids programs, and just an amazing ship to explore. Cruising on the med was very different than being on the ocean...smooth and I don't recall feeling any wave movements. If you use the DCL agents, they can assist with a lot of questions and booking excursions. For a first cruise, this may be helpful.

 

[TXDCLfan]

There are Cruise Meets here on DISboards.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-meets.85/

the ones on FB have way more people these days

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

There are Cruise Meets here on DISboards.

https://www.disboards.com/forums/disney-cruise-meets.85/

the ones on FB have way more people these days

Unfortunately, the cruise Meets here on Dis are not very active and you might only find one or two members who are on your specific cruise. Gone are the days when Disboards was the go to place for cruise meets. The reality is if you dont look for cruise groups on social media, then you miss out and are at a big disadvantage. So much information is posted in real time. Especially for the European cruises, there are far more European people than Americans now, and WhatsApp is used by more people than IMessage.