We are finishing up paying off the balance next week for our June 9, 2013 cruise on the Dream. So what's next?? Still trying to figure out if what "excursions" we are going to do, we are actually thinking of going to "Discovery Cover" prior to the cruise. If we don't, when can I book the excursions? Also, when there is a party of 11 (6 adults, 5 kids), how do they sit us for dinner? Will they keep us together? And best place to watch the Sail Away Party? Is there a secret to getting the best spot? Same with the Pirate Party?
Discovery Cove is GREAT. Much better than any dolphin thing we've found on any island. And it includes (or used to ) a pass to Sea World. If this is your first cruise, you can book DCL excursions 75 days before embarkation. If all the cabins are "linked," you'll be seated together at dinner. Good luck with the deck parties. If you want to dance, hit pool level. Otherwise, go one deck up and look down on the action.
First, relax... There is alot to get done so the first thing you want to do is start reading trip reports, and any and all tip threads. These were very helpful for my first cruises. Also you want to make a list. If you want to do door decor make sure to get those printed off lamenated and with magnets. With that many people I would try to have weekly or bi0weekly planning meetings with the adults to make sure that everyone is on the same plan. If this is your first cruise then you can book excursions 75 days in advance. Make sure that if you are going to be making reservations at the reservation or specialty dinning locations ( such at Palo's or Remy's) make alternate dates incase they are full on the evening you are wanting. Now as long as your reservation are all linked they will seat you together. Just make sure that they are all linked and that the dinning times are the same. With breakfast and lunch, you would just need to go in at the same time to be seated together as those are first come, first serve. I would suggest being there early in the day to be able to get an early boarding number. We did this and was able to dine, see some of the ship and then go to our room. It made things much easier. This also allowed enough time to drop everything off, do the drill and head to the sail away party. If you have children then you might want to be on the mail level where the pool is for the party but I was on the deck above it near the stage and got a perfect view and photos! It was great! The same with the pirate party. Also make sure to have fun with them. It was me (and adult) and my parents and we still had just as much as fun if not more then some with children! ALSO make sure to take some adult time! I've heard that even an hour at the quiet cove pool in the evening helps to relax and keeps down on the normal vacation stress!
And a different perspective - relax - there is NOTHING you need to get done before you cruise! You will have a great time without magnets, FEs, trip reports or anything else that the other 80% of the folks on your cruise don't know about because they have never heard of the DISboards. Do as little or as much as you want - but none of it is worth stressing out about.
I agree with the previous poster that you can enjoy the cruise without all the extra stuff. The only thing I might suggest is if there is a DIS meat on the first day of the cruise go to it for at least a few minutes. You will meet a really nice group of people who share some of the same excitement. The people we met enhanced each of our cruises.
