For all repeat cruisers: What would you do differently based on first cruise?

[IvyandLace]

Everyone here has such wonderful ideas and cruising tips that I thought I would pose the above question: Did you do anything on your first cruise that you regret doing (besides getting off the boat when the trip was up!! )? Is there something that you would definitely do now that you didn't do the first time? (this can be anything...get off the boat at port, relax more, eat more ( ), etc.)

Just curious...Thanks!
IVY

 

[Mickeyhugger]

What I would have done differently..

I would've made it a point to lose weight beforehand, had I known I was going to gain 5 lbs. from all the wonderful food I devoured.

And, I would've brought dressier clothes for semi-formal and formal nights. (We didn't have many opportunities other than weddings to dress up before, and had we known, DD and I would've had fun in the dress departments, and DH would've brought his suit instead of a sports coat.) We made up for it the next year though.

It's a live and learn, but a FUN live and learn!

 

[inkkognito]

Having done 36 Disney cruises, I like to take a different approach on each one. Sometimes I make cramming as much as possible into our schedule my priority. Other times, I take the laid-back approach and go for sheer relaxation. Sometimes I decide that all I'm going to do are my old favorites. Other times, I make it a point to try all the new things I possibly can. Disney is constantly changed and tweaking their offers, so taking a different approach each time we sail keeps it fresh and interesting. But I will admit...on the one cruise where we decided we would stay on board the ship to see what it was like vs. disembarking on Castaway Cay, it was VERY VERY hard to force myself not to go to the island!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Annie12345]

No regrets, but some tips...

I would have dinner at Topsiders one night and do the Palo brunch instead of dinner (we can only tear ourselves away from our servers one night).

I would eat when hungry (as opposed to all the time).

I would rebook early in the week so that I could relax and know that if I missed something that I wanted to do, I could always do it next time...

 

[ennazus]

On our second cruise we may just stay on the ship while in Key West to enjoy the ship & its amenities while many people are in Key West.

I would also rebook while on the cruise. We didn't do that the first time & we should have.

 

[Jillie]

We have been on 2 cruises so far and #3 is next year. What we will do differently next year is...no excursions. We will walk around each port a bit, maybe do some sopping but try to spend most of our time at the adult pool...reading and having a drink of the day!!

 

[CRB#33]

Take a longer one! (which I'm doing in June )

Not worry about getting enough sleep. Who cares? I'll sleep when I get home.

Play BINGO.

Repack dirty clothes in zipper plastic bags throughout the week. Saves major time the night before disembarktion.

 

[lbgraves]

I would be sure to pack most of our things the day before Castaway Cay instead of leaving it for that night. The last day is rushed enough that packing just makes it worse.

 

[WDWLVR]

As a repeat cruiser I'll sometimes skip the shows in favor of others things. Our first two cruises we went to the big shows every night. On our last 3 cruises we skipped more and did more walking around and enjoying the ship during those quiet times when most people are at the shows and dinner.

Lisa, we did your suggestion on our last cruise. The night before CC was Disney Dreams night. We had seen it 4 times already and it was playing on the TV in the room. So I stayed in with it on and did some packing. Made the next day much more enjoyable as I didn't have to worry about that packing! Plus I still got to see Disney Dreams!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

After three cruises, here are a few things I learned since the first cruise:

1 - I would pack less.
2 - Rebook onboard for the stateroom credit.
3 - Take more photos than I think I need. I always appreciate it afterwards.
4 - Ask to be seated alone with DH for dinner (we don't have children) unless we make arrangements with DIS friends or others prior to the cruise.
5 - Never underestimate the power of the Caribbean sun. I got a nasty burn in St. Thomas.
6 - Take a little nap in the afternoon so I can last longer at night.
7 - No need to go to the debarkation talk. They rebroadcast it on the tv.
8 - Book my own airfare...it's so much less expensive that way.
9 - Eat breakfasts and lunches at Lumiere's/Triton's. The first cruise we didn't realize you could do this and always ate these meals buffet.
10 - Eat at Palo, which after three cruises I have yet to do. We were supposed to eat there last cruise (long story) but it is a priority for our next cruise.
11 - The Rainforest at Vista Spa -- IT IS HEAVEN ON EARTH!

HAVE FUN!

 

[callahanjulie10]

On our first cruise, we drove down the day of the cruise- we live 6 hours away. Never again. We were too rushed. We now drive down the day before- get on the ship around 12:30 and enjoy the ship before we sete sail.
Also- make sure to set out clothes for EVERYONE for the next day the night before you debark. I got things for everyone but me and then our bags were gone. I got off the ship looking like I should have not been on there in the first place, night pant, DCL t-shirt, and gold shoes. What a sight!!!! Looking back now- it is too funny but at the time- not so funny to me!

 

[lwilliam]

did not get off ship in Nassau - it was GREAT. We had the ship to ourselves and pretended it was a day at sea (when you only have 3 days....that means alot)
do not go to debarkation talk - follow the crowd and watch TV
this year, do NOT go to bed so early no matter how tired I am -
see the farewell show in the lobby.
enjoy EVERY moment, not just every other!

 

[Zandy595]

lwilliam, what do they do at the farewell show? I didn't know anything about this.

 

[lwilliam]

think it is "Till We Meet Again" - my husband went last year - told me alot of characters appear, in addition to the characters in the shows (Hades, Muses, etc.) - it is a picture-taking opportunity and told me it gave HIM goosebumps. I'll be there this year.

 

[crisi]

We flew in a day early and stayed at the Radisson at the Port. We know we won't stay at the port again, and we are currently having a discussion on whether we would fly out that morning (my husband's preference) or the night before and stay near the airport.

I'd make one organizational change: I'd pack an empty "laundry duffel" to just throw dirty stuff in. Would make packing that last day a lot easier. And it would fit under the bed easily.

 

[DisneyKids]

We are closing in on our 5th. Each time, we learn more and more as well as what's new. Of course, this board is where we learn most of it. The moral of the story is study up, know what there is to do and makes some sort of plans, at least to some extent, so that you don't miss anything that you want or didn't know of. We didn't really know about the kids clubs or Palo on our first (3 day, inagural year - information was harder to come by then).

BE READY for all of the fun you want to have!!

 

[tecdavidt]

We have been on 5 with no. 6 coming up soon. On our first cruise (3 day land/ 4 day cruise) we flew in the same day as the vacation started. Big mistake--Huge mistake with teens. All 4 children were crabby! The first day was a waste. Since then we have always flown in the day before and we start the real vacation rested and the teens are happy campers .

The first cruise we did organized excursions. The first 7 day we did organized excursions. Not really our thing. We prefer to control how much time we spend on an activity so now we do our own thing at each port.

The posts on: don't overpact--so true, if you don't use it you still have to take the time the last night to pack it. Also don't forget that you will need room to pack everything new that you bought on the cruise. One trip we had to buy a rolling bag because we had no where to put the souvenirs!

What we learned for dirty laundry--each night we roll up the dirty clothes piece by piece and store it in a closet. Then when packing to go home arrives we just gather all the rolled clothing and put quickly in one suitcase. The clean clothes go in another suitcase. I do like the idea of a dirty laundry duffle! I just might do that for our March 20 cruise.

Happy Cruising Kathy

 

[iluvtink]

The one thing we will do differently is to lay out clothes and have beach bags packed the night before CC arrival, and get up, grab a bite to eat, and be on the beach EARLY to get good spots on the beach. Not that there's a "bad" spot, but some are better than others! Oh, and I'll make sure my youngest DD is wearing sunscreen all over and not just on her face!

 

[mmouse37]

We take each cruise differently....since we have been so many times we sometimes chose to skip the big shows and go see visit the different lounges show game shows. We relax more and eat less. We do not feel the need to eat at every opportunity (which we did the first cruise!!!).

DO NOT MISS Till We Meet Again. It is by far the best character interaction event on the ship. All the characters and the stage performers line up on the stairs for a photo op in the Atrium, but before that they mingle with all the guests in the Atrium. It really is wonderful. I got a great spot on Deck 4 by the elevators overlooking the entrance to Lumiere's and the stairs. Great place for photos!!! But, actually anywhere on Deck 4 overlooking atrium is a good place for photos.

My friend and I had so much fun going from character to character getting our photos with them!!!

http://community.webshots.com/photo/118553635/121131370TPKgbv

http://community.webshots.com/photo/118553635/121131274YZbkcM

http://community.webshots.com/photo/118553635/121131473fyTpnX

http://community.webshots.com/photo/118553635/121185570ZWCkAr

http://community.webshots.com/photo/118553635/121132156YXJIEo

MJ

 

[crisi]

I must be a weirdo - I'd pack more.

I packed so light - especially for myself - I wished I'd packed more shorts and tops. I figured I'd be in my swimsuit or dinner clothes - and I wasn't.

I did pack too much for the kids - especially DD who had a dress for dinner each night - I packed minimal shorts for her and a lot of swimsuits. Once again - more shorts and tops - but don't count on her having dinner each night.

But I would pack a little differently - I brought my whole makeup bag - and should have just brought lipstick and mascara - nothing else was needed after spending every day in the sun. Should have packed more sunscreen and less hair gunk.