Never cruised before

[bonnielynn]

And wondered if there is anything that I should know before I go.. Any advice that will make it a better trip?

 

[alexandrew]

relax and be prepared to have the time of your life...

Read the posts here and before long you will be an expert and know everything you need to have an extra great time

 

[jennat]

You will have a wonderful time!!! There are a thousand suggestions out there, tried and true things to do from vetern cruisers. Let's try to narrow it down. What specific area interests you the most (packing, traveling, pre-cruise info/research, ports of call...)
Here is a big heads up. Fly in the day before (definately) and get on the ship as early as possible. They say you can get on at 1 or so but you can actually get on around 11/11:30 (depends on the cruise line). This is one of the best days on the ship. It isn't crowded and you get to explore and take some great pictures without to many people in them.

Jen C

 

[bonnielynn]

I guess I am wondering about it all. Thanks for the info about getting on early.. I will try and do that. We have never ever cruised before and I decided on a disney cruise and picked 10/29/05. We got an inside cabin 2573. Am cruising w/my husband and 8 yr old. I was just looking for any inside info that would help me enjoy it more.

Thanks.

 

[kikipug]

Go to the cruise meets board, and find the thread for your cruise date... you can 'meet' some of your fellow cruisers, find out who's got kids the same age as yours, and make some new friends prior to your trip. Our cruise isn't til May of 06, and we have almost 2000 posts on our cruise meet thread. Most of the cruisers on there had cruised together before (I was not one of them), but we have quite an ongoing conversation going... about the cruise, and everything else under the sun!!!

 

[rsjj]

one great tip i learned from browsing through here is...

bring zip lock bags! order room service, get sandwiches or what not, put them in zip lock bags as snack, go to port, do whatever, when you get hungry, you'll have snack!

this was a very helpful tip, since our DSs were 4 & 2 at the time when we first cruised. and you know kids! when they're hungry, they're hungry!

i'm sure there are lots of other tips & info. there's a post near the top on cruise FAQs, which was pretty helpful for me, when i was doing "research" on our first cruise.

good luck & have fun!

 

[kshabare]

bonnielynn,

We're on our 5th cruise, 4th with DCL and we love it. I don't enjoy staying in hotels anymore because they don't leave chocolate on my pillow or make towel animals. They don't have Mickey-head ice creams or 2 for 1 margarita days. Regardless of what you read on these boards, make your own fun. We've loved the activities, we love the theatre shows and ocassionally catch a movie. Explore the ship and appreciate how beautiful it is. I don't think many ships have CM painting during the day and the night. This amazed me. DCL made me think they have pride in their ships. I enjoy this family time without cooking, running to sporting events, taking the bus to work, wearing nylons, etc. Remember the little things and enjoy the time with your 8YO and DH. It goes to quickly.

Bring Motrin, Tums, Dramamine and Aloe Vera to be safe. Dunking underwater is also supposed to accustom your equalibrium. The stabalizers are good but people react differently. I usually only need a Motrin on the 1st night.

HAVE FUN AND RELAX!!

Kim

 

[daipp]

Further to an earlier post, can you board the DCL earlier than 1:00 (it was suggested at 11:00 or 11:30)?

David

 

[GenieDana]

Here is a good read, that will answer many of your potential questions:

http://allearsnet.com/cruise/mdcg.pdf

 

[jennat]

I thnk another good tip is to leave all (maybe not all ) your inhibitions behind. If people are dancing to Grease with their thumbs as microphones....get in there. Cruise's are about having fun, not being cool and the more you get involved with the cheesy stuff the more fun you will have! Don't be an observer, be a participant!

 

[Tenorsinging]

Don't know if you are interested, but there is a neat book I got before my first Disney Cruise. It's PassPorter's Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line.
I think it's less than $20. Try this web page for ordering info: www.passporter.com/dcl

Lynne

 

[skibum]

I agree with everything posted - and was going to add the Passporter's Guide as well. It is an awesome compilation of everything you need to know. You can get it from many libraries as well.
A couple silly things that we found helpful were a cheap shoe holder for the back of the bathroom door (holds toiletries as well as shoes), and suction hooks for the shower to hang wet suits on.
Have fun!

 

[atakaratemom]

We just did our first cruise on DCL a month ago and like you I had a lot of questions. I checked this board daily for ideas and I also found it very helpful to read the trip reports, especially those that were for our same itinerary. As you read them and other posts, you will get great information and also think of specific questions you can post. I found that reading this Board and planning for the cruise was a big part of the fun, plus I discovered what great people are here at the DIS Board.

Mary

 

[Tenorsinging]

also look at some of the old navigators. It will give you a great idea of what goes on every day.

Lynne

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Read the boards every day but don't overplan and don't stress. You'll learn some great tips on the board, but your trip won't be ruined if you miss any of them.

We got an inside cabin 2573. Am cruising w/my husband and 8 yr old.

We were in cabin 2601 in June with our DS8. He loved the convertible couch/bed but was nervous about being sucked down into the toilet (which it sometimes feels like could happen from across the room!).
Check out the "secret" aft verandah (or aft overlook) on Deck 7. Very peaceful and we never saw anyone else out there the times we went.