Hello! I'm a first time cruiser (and long time Disney fan) in need of advice.

[Purplemandms]

Hello there! I'm purplemandms, a (veteran?) member of Disneypinforum.com . (My friends there directed me here for your expert advice.)

About a week ago I received the exciting news that I'll be going with my mother on a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Fantasy. We've already made our dining reservations at Palo and Remy, and can't wait to get on board!

First, I should give you a bit of a background on myself: I (and my mother) are long-time Disney fans and WDW-goers. (We were AP's for a couple years.) She works nearly every day of the year, and I'm a full-time student at University of Florida (Go Gators!) so between the two of us vacations are a rarity. So we're hoping that this Disney cruise will allow us the opportunity to both relax but still have access to lots of entertainment and the Disney magic we love so much in the parks.

But as first time cruisers, we of course have a couple questions regarding our the Disney cruise experience that we're hoping members of the DISBoards forum can help us with:

1) Besides the obvious (clothes, bathing suits, camera) are there any items to bring? Not bring?
2) What are the must-dos on the ship? (Or Castaway Cay/any other excursions in the Western Caribbean?)
3) Is the Castaway Cay 5K offered every cruise? (Because I've been dying to run in a Disney event)
4) How is pin-trading on board? What about shopping?
5) Where's a good place to get ideas for door decorations? (I'm a huge crafter, and although I don't have a lot of time right now to make things due to my course load I hopefully will be able to whip something up after exams are finished.)
6) Is there a list online somewhere that I can find where the most frequent characters are? I have an idea that requires signatures, and would need to format this idea to each specific character before I embark.
7) Any other comments, or questions I should have asked?

Thank you all so much, and I look forward to exploring the boards!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hello there! I'm purplemandms, a (veteran?) member of Disneypinforum.com . (My friends there directed me here for your expert advice.)

About a week ago I received the exciting news that I'll be going with my mother on a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Fantasy. We've already made our dining reservations at Palo and Remy, and can't wait to get on board!

First, I should give you a bit of a background on myself: I (and my mother) are long-time Disney fans and WDW-goers. (We were AP's for a couple years.) She works nearly every day of the year, and I'm a full-time student at University of Florida (Go Gators!) so between the two of us vacations are a rarity. So we're hoping that this Disney cruise will allow us the opportunity to both relax but still have access to lots of entertainment and the Disney magic we love so much in the parks.

But as first time cruisers, we of course have a couple questions regarding our the Disney cruise experience that we're hoping members of the DISBoards forum can help us with:

1) Besides the obvious (clothes, bathing suits, camera) are there any items to bring? Not bring?
2) What are the must-dos on the ship? (Or Castaway Cay/any other excursions in the Western Caribbean?)
3) Is the Castaway Cay 5K offered every cruise? (Because I've been dying to run in a Disney event)
4) How is pin-trading on board? What about shopping?
5) Where's a good place to get ideas for door decorations? (I'm a huge crafter, and although I don't have a lot of time right now to make things due to my course load I hopefully will be able to whip something up after exams are finished.)
6) Is there a list online somewhere that I can find where the most frequent characters are? I have an idea that requires signatures, and would need to format this idea to each specific character before I embark.
7) Any other comments, or questions I should have asked?

Thank you all so much, and I look forward to exploring the boards!

1) Pirate gear, camera, sun screen, bug repellent, any "first aid" meds you might need (aspirin, bandaids, immodium, etc), as buying them onboard is costly.
2) Palo brunch; take some time to just lay in a lounger and watch the ocean at Serenity Bay (and do this onboard on a sea day - watch the sea go by); don't try to do everything.
3) Yes. Sign up location/times are in the Navigator.
4) There is pin-trading, and the shops carry most Disney themed stuff (at Disney prices)
5) There are a couple of decorating threads here on the cruise board, and there's the Creative DISigns board also.
6) You can check past Navigators for locations/times for the characters. Not sure if they are always the same from cruise to cruise, however.
7) Again, be aware you can't do everything. If you just enjoy doing what you can fit in, and plan on catching the other stuff on your next cruise, you'll be a lot happier. Along that line - be sure to look at your Navigators each night for the next day's activities.

To get you started here's a link to previous Navigators for you to look over:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

 

[Purplemandms]

Thank you so much PrincessShmoo! (Eep! I'm so excited that they still offer the 5k!) I'll head over to check out those navigator links now. Thank you for the link!

 

[hanscarlet]

1) Besides the obvious (clothes, bathing suits, camera) are there any items to bring? Not bring? - definitely pirate dress up clothes, wear a bathing suit under your clothes on day one because you won't be able to get to your room until 1:30 (you'll just have access to your backpack because porters will take your checked luggage). Consider bringing that seasafe stuff for sealice at castaway cay (nothing too disturbing, it just can be scratchy if you don't have seasafe), consider bringing one of those USB hub plug ins for your electronics if you bring a lot of ipads, don't overpack!
2) What are the must-dos on the ship? (Or Castaway Cay/any other excursions in the Western Caribbean?) Palo brunch, at least one of the many broadway like shows at night, arrive 30 min early for a good seat
3) Is the Castaway Cay 5K offered every cruise? (Because I've been dying to run in a Disney event) it is offered every cruise, it is fun but from the sounds of it not like a regular run disney event because there are no characters or anything like that, it's very low key and the course isn't all too exciting and it's hot but it's a great way to see the absolutely gorgeous castaway cay before the crowds get on, it will take your breath away
4) How is pin-trading on board? What about shopping? never experienced pin trading but heard it is fun, shopping is more fun than I expected, I didn't do much the first time but definitely did more my second time!
5) Where's a good place to get ideas for door decorations? (I'm a huge crafter, and although I don't have a lot of time right now to make things due to my course load I hopefully will be able to whip something up after exams are finished.) There are a few ladies in here that do them and they do a great job for free, I think I used Barb's designs, I just copied her jpeg onto some magnetic paper and put them on the door, but you can google or pinterest and get great ideas
6) Is there a list online somewhere that I can find where the most frequent characters are? I have an idea that requires signatures, and would need to format this idea to each specific character before I embark. You should google DCL navigators and look for a similar fantasy western 7 day navigator and it should tell you but you should definitely go to port adventures when you get on the ship and sign up for the free meet and greets - they are ticketed character events and yes, just like DW, plenty of adults pose with characters, not just for the kiddos!
7) Any other comments, or questions I should have asked? - don't feel rushed or feel like you have to do everything, my most common advice for first time cruisers is to try and get a copy of the navigators pre-cruise (you can google them and there is a helpful blog that posts them) because when I saw them on the ship for the first time I got a little overwhelmed because it was information overload and I felt like extra pressure that I was missing things but now having experienced navigators - they are easy now for me to read. Also spend at least 1 hour on deck four in the lounge chairs with you mom just taking in the sea breeze, it's delightful relaxation.

Last comment would be welcome to the addiction, you will never go back and will spend the rest of your post cruise time trying to figure out how you will get back on a ship! enjoy the cruise!

 

[Purplemandms]

Thanks for the tips Hanscarlet! I hope that you enjoy your cruise as well!

 

[Snowwhyt]

Please check here for your date of departure and meet the people from your cruise.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/find-your-2016-fantasy-cruise-meet-link-here.3345960/

Bring two colored highlighters, then each night before bed highlight things you're interested in. Use one color for you and one color for mom. Perhaps mom will want to go to bingo and then you might be interested in making towel animals. Then you too will know where to meet each other.
Find about $250 or more to book a cruise while you're on the ship and receive an extra 10% off. Most likely even get extra spending money called room credit. ( they stopped the incentives for holidays but take a look at what you find )

 

[CamColt]

It looks like you have some great information here. Welcome to the Dis!

 

[diznymom]

You don't need to bring Shampoo, Conditioner or Soap. They provide H2O products.
You can enjoy the showers in the spa area (free). There is a sauna in there, also. Also, they have different Shampoo, Conditioner there, plus some other amenities.
Do bring some clothes pins. There is a retractable clothes line in the shower and you can hang your wet swim suits up there to dry. (I bring 2 swim suits).
Do go to the Spa Open House on embarkation day. You might be interested in the Rainforest Room.
Do the Midship Detective Agency (I love this.)
Order cookies and milk from room service (free, just tip the deliverer).
Lay out the clothes you are going to pack, then put 1/2 of them back. You won't wear them.
Bring water shoes or Crocs for walking on beaches. The "sand" is rough on the feet. Bring a little baby powder to the beach to get all the sand off. (I dumped some powder in a small sock then sewed it close. Pack in a baggie so the powder doesn't go everywhere).
Bring some $1s for tipping Room Service.

There's a thread around here about Cruise Secrets that Disney (or DCL) Doesn't Tell You. There's also some threads about cruise tips.

Relax and enjoy.

 

[summerskye]

Actually have not been on a cruise yet, our first is the 7 day western on the Fantasy in July. But my advice would be read these boards. And of course as you learn more you will have more questions. Just ask, for the most part everyone here loves to help. Enjoy the trip...

 

[hanscarlet]

book a placeholder! it's good for two years! my biggest regret from my first time was not booking one

 

[DizneyNutz]

book a placeholder! it's good for two years! my biggest regret from my first time was not booking one

We second this! You won't believe how hard you will be trying to get back onboard after you complete your first cruise!

 

[DisneyMom111]

Bring a little baby powder to the beach to get all the sand off. (I dumped some powder in a small sock then sewed it close. Pack in a baggie so the powder doesn't go everywhere).

What a good idea, I'm so glad I found this board, it's full of tips you wouldn't think of!

 

[Tina Herbert]

Thank you so much PrincessShmoo! (Eep! I'm so excited that they still offer the 5k!) I'll head over to check out those navigator links now. Thank you for the link!

If you run the 5K don't forget to buy a T-shirt on CC! Me and the DH are running it just for the purpose of buying the shirt...though we could just buy the shirt we would feel bad if we didn't run it and bought it!

 

[Purplemandms]

Wow all! Thank you for all the help and the welcomes. I actually didn't know that the spa showers were free to use. That's great info! (And I just read an article about day spa passes. I'm TOTALLY signing up for that!)

Just as an update I've found my cruise's meetup thread and have already signed up for the FE! (Although I won't be able to do a lot of the usual crafts I do, I already have a great idea that I can make with my limited resources.)

 

[Justacruiser]

recommend water shoes for Serenity Bay, 6 bucks at Walmart! I throw them after the cruise and get another pair each time.

 

[Camshell]

I'm a walker, not a runner, is there a minimum completion time for completing the 5K? I would love to do it if I could walk it.

 

[Purplemandms]

Thanks justacruiser! I'm a big outdoors person so I have a ton of water shoes, but in the event I forget to pack them it's good to know where to run and get inexpensive ones!

Camshell I believe that the 5K is open to both walkers and runners! (I'm not a big runner myself - 5K is the most I can do. But a year ago I couldn't even do that much! It just takes time, practice, and a lot of water.)

 

[hanscarlet]

I'm a walker, not a runner, is there a minimum completion time for completing the 5K? I would love to do it if I could walk it.

I don't know for sure but a large portion of the participants are walkers, like 30-40%, I think they allow at least 1 hour to complete.

 

[Quellman]

4. There is pin trading on the cruise, but the people that have them are at the entrances to the Main dining rooms, and the pin books in the gift shops. There is also an officer pin trading hour, so look in the navigator.

On the Dream in Feb we saw lots and lots of scrapper/fake pins and tons of duplicates in the books at the gift shops. So we didn't trade as much as we normally would. I usually only had 2 pins with me instead of the full lot I would normally carry.