donald@home
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2001
- Messages
- 352
I just returned home after our 7 day Disney cruise on the Magic, and I thought I would share some things I learned while on board. I have divided the list into two categories, Things Not To Worry About and Things To Worry About. These are based on the things that I was worrying about before our cruise and the actual experiences on the cruise. I thought it might help others who share the same concerns that I had, but everyones experiences and opinions will be different. So here goes...
THINGS NOT TO WORRY ABOUT
1- Dont worry about kids in the adult only areas. We were in the adult only pool about two hours after we boarded the ship, and a father and young daughter decided to join us. They were in the pool for about 5 minutes when a cast member approached and told them that it is the adult pool and they left. A few other times we saw kids sitting quietly with the adults in their party on the deck around the adult pool, but they were not bothering anyone and left after a short visit. The only time it was a problem was when I went up to take a late swim on a warm night and the adult pool had been taken over by a group of teenagers screaming, splashing and pushing each other into the water. No one else was around so there were no cast members to intervene, so I left. I was angry at first, especially since the teenagers knew it was the adult pool, and they were in no way acting like adults, but it was soon forgotten. Maybe I will drop Disney a note and let them know that I appreciate them keeping the kids out of the adult pool, but they should continue to patrol the area after dark.
2- Dont worry about getting sea-sick. Yes, depending on the weather and sea conditions YOU WILL FEEL THE MOVEMENT OF THE SHIP (unless the sea is very calm), but you can take very simple precautions if you think there is a chance you will get sea-sick. On our last cruise (before this most recent one) the sea was VERY rough, and I did get sea-sick. I was worried about it for this cruise, so I came prepared. I purchased a package of chewable Bonine and took one about an hour before we sailed (when we went back to the room to get ready for the lifeboat drill). I took one each morning like it was a vitamin, and I never had a problem, and it didnt make me drowsy. I also bought the wristbands and wore them to dinner the first few nights, but decided I didnt need them. If you think there is even the slightest chance you might feel sick, take the Bonine before you sail, and continue to take it BEFORE you feel sick.
3- Dont worry about doing excursions on you own. We decided to go to Orient Bay on St. Maarten and to Trunk Bay on St. John while we were in St. Thomas and we did it on our own. Not only did we save money over doing it with Disney, we had more time on the beach and were free to come and go on our own schedule. It was VERY easy to find your way around. On St. Maartin, there is a taxi stand at the dock with different lines for different destinations. Want to head over to Marigot? Just stand in the Marigot line. Want to head to Orient Bay. Stand in the Orient Bay line. It is similar on St. Thomas. There are always cabs available going to the major points of interest on the island and attendants pointing you to the correct cab. Just tell them where you want to go and make sure you get in the correct cab.
4- Dont worry about finding something you will like on the menu. In addition to the menus on the cruise, Disney has added some basic items, like steak and chicken breast, that most people would enjoy. A couple at our table liked more basic food, and they always could find something to eat. Personally, I think a cruise is a great chance to try something different, but others might not. If that is the case, there is a chicken breast waiting for you in the kitchen.
5- Dont worry about dining with other people. Everyone is concerned about dining with strangers, but on the three cruises that I sat at a table with other parties, we ended up LOVING our dining companions. This last time we were at a table for eight and by the end of the cruise we were so sad to say good-bye. If you arent as lucky, speak to the head-server after the first dinner and see if they can move you. Im sure they will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.
6- Dont worry about what you are going to wear for dinner. As long as you are not in shorts or jeans, you will be fine. On formal night, we saw many people dressed in a Tuxedo, many people in dark suits, many people in suits of other colors, many people in shirts and ties, many people in shirts with no ties, etc. etc. etc. No one stood out as not being dressed appropriately. I was in a light grey/green suit and did not feel at all out of place. On casual dinner nights, once again we saw everything (except Tuxedos), and on tropical night, many fun tropical shirts with dress pants, khakis or shorts (Tropical night was the only night we saw shorts).
7- Dont worry about not planning enough. We hardly planned at all and ended up having a wonderful time.
THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT
1- Do worry about getting back to the ship on time. If you are not on board at the designated time, Disney WILL leave you behind. While on the islands, if you decide to go off on your own, give yourself plenty of time to be back on the ship. I am not sure, but I think we left someone behind in St. Thomas.
2- Do worry about spending too much money. Yes, most things are covered, so you can have a wonderful vacation without spending much money. But Disney is a master at separating you from your money. With a drink here, and a photo there, before you know it you have spent a small fortune. And if you really dont want to spend money STAY AWAY FROM THE SPA. My friend and I decided before we went that we did not want to spend our money in the spa. Of course, as soon as we boarded we had to check it out to see what is available. Before you know it, we had purchased unlimited use of the Rainforest room for the duration of the cruise, a massage for each of us, an extra back and neck massage purchased on impulse and products that they used on us during our massage. We ended up spending close to $500 in the spa. Dont get me wrong, I loved every minute of it, but this is an example where you end up spending money you didnt intend to.
3- Do worry about Sea Lice if you are travelling during Sea Lice season. We purchased the Sea Safe lotion and applied it under our bathing suits and we didnt have a problem. I am not sure if we didnt have a problem because we didnt encounter the sea lice or because we used the lotion. But on Castaway Cay we did see a boy about 5 years old covered in white cream. When we asked at first aid what happened, they told us they thought it was sea lice and that they had a few kids in that day with the same thing. Also, on the adult beach we saw a beautiful sting ray (which are harmless unless you step on them) and someone said they saw a barracuda. It didnt bother anyone, but just be mindful that you are in the ocean and are sharing it with other creatures.
4- And the MOST important thing to worry about is the power of the sun. We saw so many people so burnt by the sun, it made we want to become a dermatologist. APPLY SUNSCREEN CONSTANTLY. Apply it all over BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CABIN and continue to apply it all day. This is a very different type of sun than what you are used to. You will burn. Especially on Castaway Cay. I applied it constantly and still came home with a very dark tan (and did not burn at all). We purchased $40 worth of sunscreen before the cruise for the two of us and went home with none. I think my friend and I were the only two that did not burn.
And there you have it. Like I said, this was my experience, and yours will vary.
Bon Voyage.
Donald
THINGS NOT TO WORRY ABOUT
1- Dont worry about kids in the adult only areas. We were in the adult only pool about two hours after we boarded the ship, and a father and young daughter decided to join us. They were in the pool for about 5 minutes when a cast member approached and told them that it is the adult pool and they left. A few other times we saw kids sitting quietly with the adults in their party on the deck around the adult pool, but they were not bothering anyone and left after a short visit. The only time it was a problem was when I went up to take a late swim on a warm night and the adult pool had been taken over by a group of teenagers screaming, splashing and pushing each other into the water. No one else was around so there were no cast members to intervene, so I left. I was angry at first, especially since the teenagers knew it was the adult pool, and they were in no way acting like adults, but it was soon forgotten. Maybe I will drop Disney a note and let them know that I appreciate them keeping the kids out of the adult pool, but they should continue to patrol the area after dark.
2- Dont worry about getting sea-sick. Yes, depending on the weather and sea conditions YOU WILL FEEL THE MOVEMENT OF THE SHIP (unless the sea is very calm), but you can take very simple precautions if you think there is a chance you will get sea-sick. On our last cruise (before this most recent one) the sea was VERY rough, and I did get sea-sick. I was worried about it for this cruise, so I came prepared. I purchased a package of chewable Bonine and took one about an hour before we sailed (when we went back to the room to get ready for the lifeboat drill). I took one each morning like it was a vitamin, and I never had a problem, and it didnt make me drowsy. I also bought the wristbands and wore them to dinner the first few nights, but decided I didnt need them. If you think there is even the slightest chance you might feel sick, take the Bonine before you sail, and continue to take it BEFORE you feel sick.
3- Dont worry about doing excursions on you own. We decided to go to Orient Bay on St. Maarten and to Trunk Bay on St. John while we were in St. Thomas and we did it on our own. Not only did we save money over doing it with Disney, we had more time on the beach and were free to come and go on our own schedule. It was VERY easy to find your way around. On St. Maartin, there is a taxi stand at the dock with different lines for different destinations. Want to head over to Marigot? Just stand in the Marigot line. Want to head to Orient Bay. Stand in the Orient Bay line. It is similar on St. Thomas. There are always cabs available going to the major points of interest on the island and attendants pointing you to the correct cab. Just tell them where you want to go and make sure you get in the correct cab.
4- Dont worry about finding something you will like on the menu. In addition to the menus on the cruise, Disney has added some basic items, like steak and chicken breast, that most people would enjoy. A couple at our table liked more basic food, and they always could find something to eat. Personally, I think a cruise is a great chance to try something different, but others might not. If that is the case, there is a chicken breast waiting for you in the kitchen.
5- Dont worry about dining with other people. Everyone is concerned about dining with strangers, but on the three cruises that I sat at a table with other parties, we ended up LOVING our dining companions. This last time we were at a table for eight and by the end of the cruise we were so sad to say good-bye. If you arent as lucky, speak to the head-server after the first dinner and see if they can move you. Im sure they will do everything they can to make you feel comfortable.
6- Dont worry about what you are going to wear for dinner. As long as you are not in shorts or jeans, you will be fine. On formal night, we saw many people dressed in a Tuxedo, many people in dark suits, many people in suits of other colors, many people in shirts and ties, many people in shirts with no ties, etc. etc. etc. No one stood out as not being dressed appropriately. I was in a light grey/green suit and did not feel at all out of place. On casual dinner nights, once again we saw everything (except Tuxedos), and on tropical night, many fun tropical shirts with dress pants, khakis or shorts (Tropical night was the only night we saw shorts).
7- Dont worry about not planning enough. We hardly planned at all and ended up having a wonderful time.
THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT
1- Do worry about getting back to the ship on time. If you are not on board at the designated time, Disney WILL leave you behind. While on the islands, if you decide to go off on your own, give yourself plenty of time to be back on the ship. I am not sure, but I think we left someone behind in St. Thomas.
2- Do worry about spending too much money. Yes, most things are covered, so you can have a wonderful vacation without spending much money. But Disney is a master at separating you from your money. With a drink here, and a photo there, before you know it you have spent a small fortune. And if you really dont want to spend money STAY AWAY FROM THE SPA. My friend and I decided before we went that we did not want to spend our money in the spa. Of course, as soon as we boarded we had to check it out to see what is available. Before you know it, we had purchased unlimited use of the Rainforest room for the duration of the cruise, a massage for each of us, an extra back and neck massage purchased on impulse and products that they used on us during our massage. We ended up spending close to $500 in the spa. Dont get me wrong, I loved every minute of it, but this is an example where you end up spending money you didnt intend to.
3- Do worry about Sea Lice if you are travelling during Sea Lice season. We purchased the Sea Safe lotion and applied it under our bathing suits and we didnt have a problem. I am not sure if we didnt have a problem because we didnt encounter the sea lice or because we used the lotion. But on Castaway Cay we did see a boy about 5 years old covered in white cream. When we asked at first aid what happened, they told us they thought it was sea lice and that they had a few kids in that day with the same thing. Also, on the adult beach we saw a beautiful sting ray (which are harmless unless you step on them) and someone said they saw a barracuda. It didnt bother anyone, but just be mindful that you are in the ocean and are sharing it with other creatures.
4- And the MOST important thing to worry about is the power of the sun. We saw so many people so burnt by the sun, it made we want to become a dermatologist. APPLY SUNSCREEN CONSTANTLY. Apply it all over BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE CABIN and continue to apply it all day. This is a very different type of sun than what you are used to. You will burn. Especially on Castaway Cay. I applied it constantly and still came home with a very dark tan (and did not burn at all). We purchased $40 worth of sunscreen before the cruise for the two of us and went home with none. I think my friend and I were the only two that did not burn.
And there you have it. Like I said, this was my experience, and yours will vary.
Bon Voyage.
Donald
