How to Maximize Ship time on a 3 nighter

[dskib]

Our next trip is a 3 night Dream in Feb. As much as I'd love a longer cruise, it's just not going to happen this time.

Aside from skipping Nassau, (my hubby REALLY wants to go to the beach) does anyone have any suggestions to maximize time on the ship? Maybe prioritizing some things and skipping others?

Thanks!

 

[MandJHuff]

Is it your first cruise? If not, and you have already seen the shows, perhaps you could skip those, allowing more time at night. Perhaps look at eating at Cabanas for dinner, and skipping the MDR which while nice, can be long dinners.

 

[plutos1fan]

Hi dskib,

While I have never been on a 3 night cruise I have some ideas that might maximize your time on the ship. First try to get an early boarding group. Boarding groups are assignedd based on when you do online check-in. So, if you do online check and you do it early, you might get an early boarding group. Another thing to consider to maximize ship time and activity time is to wake up earlier and stay up later. (I know it is a vacation but, if you are awake more hours you can get more fun things done.). Have fun on your trip!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Boarding groups are assignedd based on when you do online check-in.

Not really. The boarding number you receive at check in at the port is tied to the Port Arrival Time you've selected. Not when you did your online check in.

 

[plutos1fan]

Not really. The boarding number you receive at check in at the port is tied to the Port Arrival Time you've selected. Not when you did your online check in.

Thank you for letting me know about this!

 

[tltay2005]

We too are booked on a 3 night in June ( 30 days ) and want to maximize the short time we will have. I have done a lot of research on the basics so we don't waste "fun" time trying to figure things out. We are also planning on just a short walk of the ship at Nassau, then right back. I have also looked at past Navigators to get an idea of what things are on our "must do " list. I also plan to stay up late and get up early, plenty of time for sleep at home, lol.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you for letting me know about this!

You're welcome. I will point out that the PAT windows typically may have 3, 4, or 5 boarding numbers within that window. I've read some speculation that when you do the online checkin determines which of these you get. But no one really knows.

 

[jlwhitney]

On Castaway Day , get off right away swim explore eat lunch and then head back to the ship. It stays so empty that day. The pool decks are awesome and like no line for aquaduck.

 

[bumbershoot]

Maybe prioritizing some things and skipping others?

Yes. But only you two know what to prioritize.

The number one priority is to *read the Navigator*. That is the schedule of the day, and that gives you the info you NEED in order to decide what you want to do.

If you have devices (phones, ipods, Kindles, etc) that get wifi, you can download the Navigator app ahead of time, then launch it once you are onboard. It uses the FREE wifi on the ship, and you can then look at menus and ALL the Navigators, without having to wait for each new day. So if meeting Jack Sparrow is a priority but on day 2 it butts up against something else you want to do (trivia, perhaps?) you can look ahead to see if Cap'n Jack is meeting on day 3. If so, go to trivia the one day and the meet/greet the next. That sort of thing.

Don't be afraid to split up if there is something that you think is amazing and he doesn't (or vice versa). That way you might not be as joined at the hip as you maybe imagined, but you're maximizing individual fun AND finding something to talk about that the other doesn't already know about.

Things on the ship are scheduled in as short as 15 minute increments, so maybe you'll just be apart for half an hour, but it will be superfun for each of you to do something you truly want to do.

It's all related to reading those Navigators and finding out what exactly is going on on YOUR sailing.

 

[xlxo]

I say...

• show up early for embarkation day for the welcome lunch before they close at 2pm that you paid for.
• go late dining and go with the late breakfast on debarkation day.... savour the hot breakfast instead of being one of the first walk-offs.

 

[griffindesign]

Check out some of the recent 3 night navigators. In February dh and I took a 3 night without kids and I made a document on my phone with a schedule for each day which helped tremendously! I looked at the online navigators to get an idea of what was available and the times. I asked questions here about things I was unsure of. Then when we checked in I compared my document with the navigator and made adjustments. Then once onboard I was able to look at the navigator app to adjust the other days.http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/

If you haven't been on the ship familiarize yourself with the deck p
http://www.cruisecritic.com/disney-magic-deck-plans/dp/

 

[PhillyCruiser]

We did a 3-nighter in April... (Our 1st DCL...) and loved it!! You're going to have a ball!!! Here are my tips to maximize shipboard time (disclaimer to avoid flaming: "IMHO"). I tried to keep this list brief...but failed miserably! Sorry! It wasn't as easy as I thought! Note: we sailed with kids:

• (If possible) Pre-load your on-board account before you leave home!
• Skip the embarkation photo ops in the terminal (i.e. pic w/Capt. Mickey); you'll have time for character photos later.
• Skip the "Sail Away" party.
• Get Meet & Greet/Princess Gathering tix as soon as you board, and...
• Drop off your Autograph item(s) to Guest Svcs. (Max. 2 per stateroom)
• Skip Nassau, so you can...
• Do AquaDuck...at least twice!
• Watch at least ONE movie on the "big screen" (that's what MY kids call it) from the pool.
  
• Spend Nassau a.m. with DD meeting the Princesses, but be sure to...
• Send DH on a Beer Run while in Nassau (LOL)! And don't forget to...
• Use the DCL App on your iPhone (**download the app NOW & use the Countdown Clock!**) to tell the "DH the Beer Runner" where to meet you for lunch!
• Bring a highlighter! Remember: the Navigator is your friend!
• P.A.L.O.
• Let the kids spend at least 3 hours in the Oceaneer's Club/Lab! Trust me: they'll love it! (Carry your Wave Phone...)
• Eat copious amounts of ice cream and...
• Get to Pirate Night 30 minutes early. Grab chairs, enjoy the show! But, make sure you...
• Dance! ('Cuz you'll be shocked to discover: DH & the kids have a secret: They've "got moves like Jagger!")
• MDR choice: Animator's! Request a table near the walls...
• Let your kids draw on the table linens in the MDRs! It's all welcome...and washable!!
• Have at least ONE kid-free cocktail at an adults-only venue after dark!
• Attend the "Farewell" in the Atrium the night before debarkation; arrive early!
• Settle your on board account at midnight unless you...
• Want to buy photos at Shutters at 7:00 a.m. on debarkation day!

Finally: Relax! Enjoy! Bon Voyage!

 

[JimGA]

On Castaway Day , get off right away swim explore eat lunch and then head back to the ship. It stays so empty that day. The pool decks are awesome and like no line for aquaduck.

And avoid the long lines for all the crowds getting back onto the ship. We watched from our room hundreds of people trying to board as a pop up shower hit around 4ish. We left around 2.

 

[Dave2425]

Skip the shows. You can watch them on YouTube.

 

[bumbershoot]

Skip the shows. You can watch them on YouTube.

Or on the TV in your cabin, I've heard.

 

[MelSpees]

Or on the TV in your cabin, I've heard.

It really is a different experience to see them in person. That to me is part of experiencing the ship. Watching a stage show on a little screen just doesn't cut it for us. But then, we're into theater.

 

[ludari]

The cruises I do on are typically 7 nights or longer and I have never done a short cruise. I am booked on a 4 night Dream cruise in November because I wanted to finally become a grand slammer. Anyway, my plan to maximize ship time is to get up early and go to bed late because I can always catch up on sleep later.

 

[bumbershoot]

It really is a different experience to see them in person. That to me is part of experiencing the ship. Watching a stage show on a little screen just doesn't cut it for us. But then, we're into theater.

Possibly a wee bit better on the tv than on YouTube as the person I quoted mentioned. Don't you think?

I'm not much of a musical theater person so I don't watch them at all after one viewing of Villains and one of Golden Mickeys. I especially don't like bad shows. GM nearly had me storming the stage for a rewrite that actually made sense. DH won't let me see Believe lol. Smart man, I think.

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

1) Get up early.
2) Stay up late.
3) Play close attention to the navigator, pick your must-dos on the first day, and make a working itinerary (subject to change as you see fit.)

Other than that, I don't have any really specific suggestions. I know some people are saying skip the shows or the sail-away party, but I really enjoyed those and wouldn't recommend skipping them personally unless you are a repeat cruiser. Seeing them on YouTube isn't the same, IMHO.

Above all, know you can't do everything and don't stress about it, and you will have a great time. We enjoyed our three day a couple of years ago so much that we are taking our toddler on his first three day this year. Have fun!!!

 

[Dave2425]

Possibly a wee bit better on the tv than on YouTube as the person I quoted mentioned. Don't you think?

Nope, not at all. If you watch them on your stateroom TV, you're still spending time in your room and not doing something else on the ship.