Necessities for first Cruise

[KrzyKtty101]

So my family is going on our first ever cruise; very first one in our lives is the Wish . We are sailing the first week of April. I know, I know I am super early, but I'm a type A planner and having a slow week at work LOL.

Is there anything I should start seriously planning and looking into between now and whenever our "windows" open up? As a first timer, I am sure there are things that will be filled before I even get a chance, but I don't want to walk into 75 days blind either.

Also, I keep seeing TicTock and Youtube videos with all of these crazy extras that people bring on the ships to help. Our sailing is only nights and days. Are things like magnetic hooks and a door shoe organizer really helpful? Someone said something about specific cruise approved surge protectors (are surge protectors even helpful?) I saw someone else bring a wine bottle on the ship, and a suitcase full or bottled water. I figured I could just get drinks on the ship? What random things did you find helpful?

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Some thoughts - not DCL specific, but helpful on our cruises (2-3 per year)

• Surge protectors are not usually allowed. Power strips without built in surge protectors are allowed and can be helpful. Not sure about the Wish, but cabins often have only 3-4 available outlets.
• I laughed at magnetic hooks, but my wife always brings them and they can be helpful. Cruise card lanyards, masks, jewelry (inexpensive or free charm bracelets and necklaces, and kids club keepsakes) are easy to keep track of and hard to forget when leaving the room.
• We’ve never used a door shoe organizer, but definitely one of the similar ones (for cosmetics?) for the bathroom door - for miscellaneous stuff.
• You can get drinks on the ship but bottled water is an expensive purchase on the ship. We know lots of people who bring them on. We just buy a drinks package.
• Bringing your own wine can be a good idea. DCL limits you to two standard bottles (or quantities of other beverages like beer). Again, we always do a drinks package, so we don’t do that, but if you’re very specific about your wine, and want to avoid a high charge, BYOB can help.
• Don’t forget to get a prescription for scopolamine patches if you need them. If not, bring some Dramamine in case you hit bad weather.

 

[Dug720]

Some thoughts - not DCL specific, but helpful on our cruises (2-3 per year)

• Surge protectors are not usually allowed. Power strips without built in surge protectors are allowed and can be helpful. Not sure about the Wish, but cabins often have only 3-4 available outlets.
• I laughed at magnetic hooks, but my wife always brings them and they can be helpful. Cruise card lanyards, masks, jewelry (inexpensive or free charm bracelets and necklaces, and kids club keepsakes) are easy to keep track of and hard to forget when leaving the room.
• We’ve never used a door shoe organizer, but definitely one of the similar ones (for cosmetics?) for the bathroom door - for miscellaneous stuff.
• You can get drinks on the ship but bottled water is an expensive purchase on the ship. We know lots of people who bring them on. We just buy a drinks package.
• Bringing your own wine can be a good idea. DCL limits you to two standard bottles (or quantities of other beverages like beer). Again, we always do a drinks package, so we don’t do that, but if you’re very specific about your wine, and want to avoid a high charge, BYOB can help.
• Don’t forget to get a prescription for scopolamine patches if you need them. If not, bring some Dramamine in case you hit bad weather.

Unless things have changed a lot, Disney doesn't have a drink package.

 

[Carl Wegner]

4 nights with a stop at Nassau and Castaway. That was my first itinerary on the Wonder so many years ago. I planned nothing and just enjoyed exploring the ship and Castaway Cay. Didn't even get off off in Nassau as we more excited by the Wonder and having it to ourselves in port.

I would suggest watching some of the stateroom tours people have posted and decide if you think you will need extra outlets or hanging storage, etc. If you drink wine, by all means bring a couple of bottles of your favorites and an opener. You can also restock at the Nassau stop. Bring a good refillable water bottle.

I would recommend researching Nassau and see if there is any reason there for you to even leave the Wish! If you do find something that you absolutely must do in Nassau, you may find it more economical, convenient, and rewarding to book it yourself. You may also find that a ship day while in port may actually be more interesting on your first cruise.

Since it is your first time at Castaway, I would suggest just going with the flow and enjoy exploring the island at your own pace. You can always decide to rent water toys or bikes once you are there. I'd save the parasailing and boat tours for your third or fourth visit. And I am pretty sure, your are going to have such a great time, that you will be sailing again and again....

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

The one thing that sticks out in my memory is BRING EXTRA SUNSCREEN. We thought we had enough, but ran out for us and the kids. We ended up mortgaging the house, the dogs and four cars to buy three more cans of sunscreen on the ship (I kid, but the prices were pretty above normal).

 

[Mommb]

Unless things have changed a lot, Disney doesn't have a drink package.

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have an inclusive drink package, but it does offer a wine package in which you can get a bottle (from a limited list) each night at dinner. My husband just orders by the glass, which works out much better since I barely drink.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

Thank you! These are really helpful. I am the only "drinker" in my family, as my husband doesn't drink. So maybe I will bring a bottle to enjoy on the balcony at night. Outside of me though, my family isn't much for drinking water. So I wasn't sure if part of the all inclusive cost would be some way for them to shlep somewhere to refill sodas or something when they want. So maybe I will just bring one of our water canteens to refill as needed.

The power strip might be a good idea. Going to convince the family to leave the army of electronics at home, but it doesn't hurt to have extras.

Does the Wish use the normal MagicBands, or should I invest in the MagicBand+?

I live in Charleston, SC, and am a bit of a Pirate nerd. So I might want to explore Nassau for that at least, unless there is nothing there for it. Also, it might be cool to let my children see another country/culture.

I was thinking for Castway, I was thinking of spending at least a little time snorkeling. Never done that before, but maybe it gets to busy...

 

[Travel60]

You don't say how long it where (and I'm too lazy to look up the Wish's April sailings). But here's my advice:
Take half what you think you need. Seriously. What you wear to embark will be fine for first night dinner. For the last night dinner, wear what you will debark with. You will wear swimming suit or shorts on sea days... Wear them multiple days, maybe add an extra t-shirt. A couple of dresses, skirts or nicer pants/shirts for dinner. One pair sneakers (wear on), one flip-flop or sandal, and one nicer pair. Throw in one sweater or jacket that matches everything else - Dining rooms and outside at night can be cool. Done.

Bring your phone chargers even if you don't plan to buy WiFi (we don't). There is a Disney internal network that you will need to connect to in order to see what's going on.

I've stayed four in a family veranda room and never needed all the extra "space saving" stuff people seem to require. There's plenty of storage. Suitcases go under the bed when empty. Just be organized.

Unless you are a big drinker, I don't think it's worth carrying on wine or beer. The ship prices are not higher than at a nice restaurant. Plus, I like to try different ones. DH drinks a lot of water so we often buy a case of water on the ship.

It's not a trip to WDW - most stuff is taken care of and open to all.

The only thing you have to plan is if you want an upgrade dinner or brunch - as a first time sailor it may not be possible. You can check out any ports for potential excursions and Castaway Cay if you want to rent bikes, snorkel or do other activities.

Have fun!

 

[auntlynne]

I like the basic cruise offering to start your cruising life.

Start now with making sure you have the documentation you need. State-issued birth certificates as a minimum. Make sure IDs are up to date (with any name changes you might have made). Passports are recommended if you leave the country, but you can get by with the minimum. (I’m not getting into that debate here).

 

[auntlynne]

Then figure out where you will stay and book it early (it’s not too early now). Book with a no deposit no-charge cancelation policy.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

Then figure out where you will stay and book it early (it’s not too early now). Book with a no deposit no-charge cancelation policy.

We only live 6 hours from the port. So honestly, we were probably just going to drive down day of. Since we are first time cruisers I figured we will probably get later boarding group.

 

[auntlynne]

As a pirate fan, working your plan for Pirate costumes for the ship. If you have little princesses, consider any outfits they might like.

I agree about paring down the packing list. This is a cruise casual vacation; shorts, sundresses, fun and easy.

Coke Co drinks are free and available 24/7 on the Pool Deck. I took an insulated cup with lid and straw ($1 at Wal-Mart) to fill and keep the ice from melting quickly. The water from that dispenser tastes better than my city water. Sodas are also free with meals.

Wine - there is usually a Happy Hour in several bars, which can include wine by the glass.

 

[auntlynne]

Then you could throw a bottle of wine in your boarding day bag.

 

[unrequited23]

A usb expansion hub is nice if you have multiple devices that need to be charged and power strips have been on the prohibited list. We bought inexpensive lanyards (4 for $8 on amazon) for our room keys. We hung those on the back of the door with magnetic hooks. A beach bag and simple sand toys are nice to have if you have younger kids and room in your luggage. I like to travel with a popup hamper if we're staying somewhere more than 2 nights, but I'm weird. If you have a soda enthusiast an insulated cup with a lid might be appreciated or plan on buying a DCL tervis as a souvenir. Another younger kid thing--costumes if you have space and think your kid would want to dress up if they saw other kids dressed up. Bring any OTC meds you might need, as the ship's stores will be closed when you are in port.

But really you don't need "all of the things" to have a good first trip.

 

[auntlynne]

Magicbands do not work - you need that + (The Disneyband + is a Magicband+).

 

[KrzyKtty101]

I like the basic cruise offering to start your cruising life.

Start now with making sure you have the documentation you need. State-issued birth certificates as a minimum. Make sure IDs are up to date (with any name changes you might have made). Passports are recommended if you leave the country, but you can get by with the minimum. (I’m not getting into that debate here).

Luckily we recently got back from japan so passports are all good!

You don't say how long it where (and I'm too lazy to look up the Wish's April sailings). But here's my advice:
Take half what you think you need. Seriously. What you wear to embark will be fine for first night dinner. For the last night dinner, wear what you will debark with. You will wear swimming suit or shorts on sea days... Wear them multiple days, maybe add an extra t-shirt. A couple of dresses, skirts or nicer pants/shirts for dinner. One pair sneakers (wear on), one flip-flop or sandal, and one nicer pair. Throw in one sweater or jacket that matches everything else - Dining rooms and outside at night can be cool. Done.

Bring your phone chargers even if you don't plan to buy WiFi (we don't). There is a Disney internal network that you will need to connect to in order to see what's going on.

I've stayed four in a family veranda room and never needed all the extra "space saving" stuff people seem to require. There's plenty of storage. Suitcases go under the bed when empty. Just be organized.

Unless you are a big drinker, I don't think it's worth carrying on wine or beer. The ship prices are not higher than at a nice restaurant. Plus, I like to try different ones. DH drinks a lot of water so we often buy a case of water on the ship.

It's not a trip to WDW - most stuff is taken care of and open to all.

The only thing you have to plan is if you want an upgrade dinner or brunch - as a first time sailor it may not be possible. You can check out any ports for potential excursions and Castaway Cay if you want to rent bikes, snorkel or do other activities.

Have fun!

It is just a four night five day cruise. That is honestly part of the reason why I was so shocked by all of these videos packing so many extra things like it was a disney park's vacation. I honestly didn't think we'd need a whole lot lol.

 

[auntlynne]

After a bunch of cruises, I don’t take magnets nor organizers. I am continually trying to reduce the stuff I take.

The cabins keep getting smaller with newer ships (and it’s not just my perception; it’s a mathematical reality).

I think you have got it figured out!

I will confirm your thinking. On your second cruise, you can add (or leave behind) things were needed or unnecessary.

Have a great trip.

 

[KrzyKtty101]

Magicbands do not work - you need that + (The Disneyband + is a Magicband+).

Is it worth buying them for the convenience?

 

[auntlynne]

Is it worth buying them for the convenience?

I bought one. Only time it was helpful to me was opening the door. I bought two drinks - had to take it off both times so they could charge me. Handing over a card would have been easier.

Some people report they work for children’s access to kids’ club - that might be a better reason.

I would not do it again if I had a way-back machine.

 

[Cfabar1]

Disney Cruise Line doesn’t have an inclusive drink package, but it does offer a wine package in which you can get a bottle (from a limited list) each night at dinner. My husband just orders by the glass, which works out much better since I barely drink.

Yes, we have never done this but have seen it. Do you know, do you have to drink the entire bottle during dinner? Or can you take it with you each night?