First-Timer keeps coming up with more questions!

[mkm1998]

Sorry, as my pre-booking date is fast approaching, I keep coming up with more questions to help myself get ready:

1.) I originally thought the Pre-Booking date was only for Port Adventures, and everything else was during the check-in window. Are ship activities also able to be booked at the Pre-Booking date. (I know as a first-timer it might be slim pickings, but just want to know what I need to be doing that night that pre-booking starts.

2.) How fast do spa treatments book up? My wife would like to do one, and we're just wondering if we need to book it ASAP, or if we can wait until we're on the ship and get an idea of all activities going on.

3.) We're going on a 7-day MerryTime cruise that's during Thanksgiving. I know that if it wasn't MerryTime, most likely this cruise would be 2-nights at each restaurant, and then 1 night pirate themed. That way everyone can experience both shows at all restaurants. Since with MerryTime they do a Thanksgiving night, is that just a special menu, or is it it's own show? If it is a show, then does it replace Pirate Night, or does everyone randomly miss out on one of the main dining room shows?

4.) The ship we're going to be on is the Magic. I know it's the oldest, but we don't really get a choice in San Diego. Plus I hear it's probably a good first ship, as it's not as large as the newer ship. Any secrets or tips anyone has on the Magic?

5.) Not a question, but hoping there are some more people going on this cruise! Going to try and set up a meet-up post.

Thanks!

 

[Mommb]

1. Almost everything that can be booked onboard the ship can be booked on your Pre-Booking date. This includes shore excursions, adult dining, spa treatment, nursery slots, alcohol tastings, and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique treatments. Some character meets (such as Princess Gathering) may not open until 30 days before the cruise.

2. I have not had difficult booking a spa treatment on board.

3. I have never done a MerryTime or Thanksgiving cruise. My guess is that there will be a Thanksgiving menu that won't affect the dining room shows. Typically, on the longer cruises I've taken, each restaurant has a unique menu for the first visit, and then all restaurants have the same menu for the other nights, so that all guests get the same set of menus over the course of the cruise no matter their dining rotation.

4. The Magic is a great ship. My family last sailed on it in 2019, and it did not feel any more aged than the Fantasy that we sailed in January 2023. Sure, there are always some things that need fixing, but there are also cast members making fixes throughout each cruise. I recommend taking the ship tour on embarkation day to get a sense of what's on the ship.

Happy planning!

 

[RedHead0186]

Yes, as PP said you will book almost everything during your pre-booking window, not just excursions. To your question about the spa, I don't think it fills up. However DCL recently moved to an appointment based system instead of booking a specific service. (Read more about that here: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...atments-beginning-with-early-october-voyages/). So, if that's available for your sailing and you know you want to do the spa at a certain time but don't know yet which service, it sounds like that might work well for you.

 

[lilsonicfan]

We loved the Disney Magic when we sailed in 2019, it's still a really beautiful ship despite being one of the older ones. My kids loved the AquaDunk on board. Our cruise was pretty adult-heavy so I didn't find Quiet Cove to be all that quiet, however, I loved Cove Cafe for a morning coffee. I'm not sure if they still do this, but we really enjoyed O'Gills for late night snacks.

Re: Thanksgiving, I found this: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/thanksgiving-at-sea/
My guess is that it would definitely NOT replace Pirates night and also no one would miss any of the special shows.

I've always found the Disney ships pretty easy to navigate. Tip: on stateroom decks, look at the carpet. If the stars/map are oriented correctly, you're walking forward. If they are upside down, you're walking aft.

I like that you can do laundry on the ship. Yes, many don't want to do laundry on vacation, but on longer cruises it's really nice to have the option. Bring your own detergent/dryer sheets. Your keycard will be what you use to pay for the laundry.

The promenade deck, Deck 4, is so nice - goes around the whole ship, plenty of chairs/places to sit to watch the ocean go by.

 

[kiford]

I can't answer most of the questions but just wanted to say that the Magic is still my favourite. Slightly larger rooms, better storage IMO, no annoying card required for the lights, love the Promenade lounge (though it looks like they've modified it a bit since drydock), Cove Cafe is a better design IMO (not that it stopped us from spending hours in it on the Fantasy!). Maybe she doesn't have some of the bells and whistles that the Fantasy class does but I don't necessarily need that. There's lots to love about the other ships and some things I like better but I think she'll always be number one in my heart.

 

[auntlynne]

Go to the Spa open house on boarding day. They usually offer some discounts. Some are for that day only. Port days can have specials.

 

[auntlynne]

Here are Thanksgiving Day dinners for the last two years, one on the Wonder (2022) and the other on the Magic (2021):

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/thanksgiving-dinner-menu/

That week, there was no Pirate Menu offered. Everyone got both menus of each venue. Which should have included its normal dinner show. Follow the next link to see more.

And some details about last year’s Thanksgiving sailing from San Diego (Wonder) can be found on this website:

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/20...r-20-2022-very-merrytime-thanksgiving-cruise/

A cruise on the Magic should not be significantly different than on the Wonder. This will at least give you an idea of what to expect.
The Disney Cruise Line Blog has a lot of info.
When the Navigator (daily schedule) went to app presentation, it can be more difficult to find information after the fact - but the paper version of daily activities can be found on the website for previous years’ cruises.

 

[CarolynFH]

I'm going to latch onto this thread with my almost-a-first-timer questions.

1) When we cruised with another line several years ago, we bought plastic covers to slide our luggage tags into and attach securely to our bags. Are those useful for DCL cruises? If we can find our old ones (RCL) would they fit the DCL tags?

2) We'll be on a 5-night Western Caribbean on the Magic out of Galveston, with the same ports of call as the March 5-night Western Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans. Would the Personal Navigators that I found on the DCL Blog from that March cruise be a good indication of activities on our cruise? If so, is there a way to read those Personal Navigators other than watching the video as the pages scroll by? I'm most interested in the activities on ship on the port days.

 

[mkm1998]

THANKS EVERYONE! Okay so Pre-Booking day is really the big kahuna!

Priority for us is the excursions. With our little one, only found a few we think he'd enjoy. If those don't pan out, we'll probably end up just spending more time on the ship, which isn't a bad thing. Next would be any drinking activities that we're interested in. I know we can't bring our son, so plan is try to book afternoon ones where we could drop him off at the oceaneer club. Otherwise, if it's after dinner, then we can take turns having 'night out'. Our son will be 4, and his sleep cycle comes first.

I'm hoping for the best, but bracing for the worst when it comes to what shows as available. I know I get last pick since it's my first time. I've seen reports that San Diego bookings tend to have alot of first-timers, so maybe things won't be as bad as I hear it is out in Florida. I also hear that worst-case scenario, I'm supposed to book to ask when we get onto the ship, and usually they can work things out there. Of the three 3 excursions we want, one is all my kid wants to do (Pirate Ship) and one is all my wife wants to do (all-inclusive resort). The other, I guess it's mostly me (pet dolphin). We'll see!

 

[Calantha]

I'm going to latch onto this thread with my almost-a-first-timer questions.

1) When we cruised with another line several years ago, we bought plastic covers to slide our luggage tags into and attach securely to our bags. Are those useful for DCL cruises? If we can find our old ones (RCL) would they fit the DCL tags?

2) We'll be on a 5-night Western Caribbean on the Magic out of Galveston, with the same ports of call as the March 5-night Western Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans. Would the Personal Navigators that I found on the DCL Blog from that March cruise be a good indication of activities on our cruise? If so, is there a way to read those Personal Navigators other than watching the video as the pages scroll by? I'm most interested in the activities on ship on the port days.

I've never had any issue with the DCL Luggage tags. They are like the airline ones and go all the way around a handle.

Look at older cruises out of Galveston where DCL Blog has hard copies of Navigators, the activities don't change that much.

 

[lilsonicfan]

THANKS EVERYONE! Okay so Pre-Booking day is really the big kahuna!

Priority for us is the excursions. With our little one, only found a few we think he'd enjoy. If those don't pan out, we'll probably end up just spending more time on the ship, which isn't a bad thing. Next would be any drinking activities that we're interested in. I know we can't bring our son, so plan is try to book afternoon ones where we could drop him off at the oceaneer club. Otherwise, if it's after dinner, then we can take turns having 'night out'. Our son will be 4, and his sleep cycle comes first.

I'm hoping for the best, but bracing for the worst when it comes to what shows as available. I know I get last pick since it's my first time. I've seen reports that San Diego bookings tend to have alot of first-timers, so maybe things won't be as bad as I hear it is out in Florida. I also hear that worst-case scenario, I'm supposed to book to ask when we get onto the ship, and usually they can work things out there. Of the three 3 excursions we want, one is all my kid wants to do (Pirate Ship) and one is all my wife wants to do (all-inclusive resort). The other, I guess it's mostly me (pet dolphin). We'll see!

My guess is that excursions won't necessarily fill up, although I could be wrong. But, many excursions can also be booked on your own. If you mean the Marigalante pirate ship in PV, I think this can easily be done on your own and not through the cruise ship. In Cozumel, we took a taxi to Paradise Beach which is an all-inclusive type resort.

The liquor tasting type activities though, those do fill up likely well before first timers can book. BUT - I recommend looking at the app as soon as you get on board and connect to DCL-wifi... they do add a lot of tastings that can be booked on board.

I'm going to latch onto this thread with my almost-a-first-timer questions.

1) When we cruised with another line several years ago, we bought plastic covers to slide our luggage tags into and attach securely to our bags. Are those useful for DCL cruises? If we can find our old ones (RCL) would they fit the DCL tags?

I vaguely recall that RCL's luggage tags are narrower than DCL's, but I can't remember for sure. I bought the wider plastic covers and the RCL ones were definitely more narrow. I do like having those though.

 

[auntlynne]

I'm going to latch onto this thread with my almost-a-first-timer questions.

1) When we cruised with another line several years ago, we bought plastic covers to slide our luggage tags into and attach securely to our bags. Are those useful for DCL cruises? If we can find our old ones (RCL) would they fit the DCL tags?

2) We'll be on a 5-night Western Caribbean on the Magic out of Galveston, with the same ports of call as the March 5-night Western Caribbean cruise out of New Orleans. Would the Personal Navigators that I found on the DCL Blog from that March cruise be a good indication of activities on our cruise? If so, is there a way to read those Personal Navigators other than watching the video as the pages scroll by? I'm most interested in the activities on ship on the port days.

Other lines often have print-your-own (on paper) tags - which make those plastic sleeves really nice (I have some). But that is not an option for Disney. They mail you the airline style self adhesive type. If yours don’t arrive pre-cruise, the luggage handlers have blank ones to use.

You could use your plastic sleeve, but so not necessary.

Agreed - if all you can find is videos of the new app, find a picture of paper Navigators.

You can look at almost any cruise for Sea Day activities. The Activities Team on each ship determines the choices, but it is a fairly set time schedule and type of activities.

To include (free):
Family trivia
Adult Trivia
Silent Dance Party (family and adult)
Arts and crafts (Origami, button making - think campaign button), string-backpack decorating)
Character Meets
Movies in Buena Vista Theater on Funnelvision (outside)
AA meetings (guest-led)

 

[CarolynFH]

Other lines often have print-your-own (on paper) tags - which make those plastic sleeves really nice (I have some). But that is not an option for Disney. They mail you the airline style self adhesive type.

Aha, now I remember - we did have to print our luggage tags and either cut or fold them in a certain way so that the information was showing. Having the plastic sleeves meant we didn't have to tape or staple them around the handle of our luggage. I'm so glad DCL uses the airline style adhesive tags - it means I don't even need to think about looking for the old sleeves!

 

[auntlynne]

Aha, now I remember - we did have to print our luggage tags and either cut or fold them in a certain way so that the information was showing. Having the plastic sleeves meant we didn't have to tape or staple them around the handle of our luggage. I'm so glad DCL uses the airline style adhesive tags - it means I don't even need to think about looking for the old sleeves!

Having to carrying heavy duty tape or go to the business center for a stapler >> buy a sleeve if not sailing Disney; that’s for sure.