New cruiser from UK looking for advice!!!

[TotallyAngelic]

Hello! I am a complete newcomer to Disney Cruising and have finally given in to temptation and have decided to give it a go in 2008. We will combine the 4 day cruise to the Bahamas with a week or so in the world! So I really don't know what to expect.....especially as I have never cruised as a passenger before (however used to work for princess cruises in a former life!) and as we are from the UK we don't have much exposure to DCL etc. So any advice would be really welcome!

My first question would be: is February a good time to go...how busy is it likely to be (or is it ALWAYS busy?) and will the weather be hot hot hot!

Are there any bad points? I like to be prepared, and at the moment my expectations are sky high (I cry evertime I see a WDW commercial on TV!)

Thanks for reading!

 

[A fat english gent]

Hello Totally Angelic welcome,i'd go have have a look at THIS year's thread for the cruise your looking at going on NEXT year by doing this you should be able to get a good idea of their expectations for their upcoming cruise and then simply follow their cruise with their cruise report...if theirs any other way we can help you feel free to PM us....

Chris

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Hello Totally Angelic welcome,i'd go have have a look at THIS year's thread for the cruise your looking at going on NEXT year by doing this you should be able to get a good idea of their expectations for their upcoming cruise and then simply follow their cruise with their cruise report...if theirs any other way we can help you feel free to PM us....

Chris

Thank you Chris, I will do just that!

I am sure I will asking loads and load of questions over the next few months.

Another question has just sprung to mind......I will be travelling with one husband (as you do) and 4 teenagers ranging from 14 - 18. We will therefore want the late seating for dinner. Can you organise this in advance. Also if the teenagers are fussy eaters (which mine are for sure) can you order something more plain which is not on the menu as such? (I think thats 2 questions actually!!)

 

[A fat english gent]

Thank you Chris, I will do just that!

I am sure I will asking loads and load of questions over the next few months.

Another question has just sprung to mind......I will be travelling with one husband (as you do) and 4 teenagers ranging from 14 - 18. We will therefore want the late seating for dinner. Can you organise this in advance. Also if the teenagers are fussy eaters (which mine are for sure) can you order something more plain which is not on the menu as such? (I think that 2 questions actually!!)

Late seating?=No problem as most want early,yes you can sort before you go and NOBODY is more fussy than me,a man who had chicken EVERY NIGHT for 14 nights around the MED....
They'll bend over backwards to try and accommodate you..

ps...Just remember to for warn your 18 year old NO Alcohol....My 20 year old daughters face when asked "would you like a shirley temple" is something our family still laugh out load at now ....

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

Hi,
there is abook called The Passporter , which I'm sure youcould find on line. It is a great book, full of all kinds of tips about cruising with Disney. It will really help you. Also if you go to the DCL website you will see where you can order a free DVD about disney cruises which is fun and informative to watch.

Plus keep reading these boards, post specific questions as you did above and someone will help you.

The tip posted above about going to the cruise meets thread is a great one to do. Once you post there you will get aquainted with others on your cruise. That is always so much fun, the have a meet on board to meet in person.
Plus ask if anyone has teenagers coming along too. Once you find some have them contact your kids and get aquainted before the cruise too. For teens this is awesome, it takes away the social pressure to fit in and get aquainted with other teens once you board. This way they will have friends waiting for them on board. The teens with us have always done this and it works great!!

Good Luck,
mom x4,grandma x4

 

[A fat english gent]

Hi,
there is abook called The Passporter , which I'm sure youcould find on line. It is a great book, full of all kinds of tips about cruising with Disney. It will really help you. Also if you go to the DCL website you will see where you can order a free DVD about disney cruises which is fun and informative to watch.


Good Luck,
mom x4,grandma x4

No DVD's for us Brits.... as Mr mickey won't send them out of the US...

 

[granmaz]

I just tried yesterday to order a DVD and no they don't sent to the UK!! Why can't Disney UK have them to send out?

I thought it would be lovely to see a film rather than just still pictures, though I am grateful for them!

 

[mom x4 grandma x4]

I forgot they wont send them out. I can order one of the DVD's to my address. If you guys will PM each other and decide who will PM me their address I will send it to you, then when your done you can send it ot the other person.

They will only send me one, or I would send you each one.
perhaps someone else here will volunteer to send one too, if not you can share.

Just PM me and let me know what you decide.

It does take a couple of weeks for it to arrive here. I willorder it if I hear fromyou.

mom x4,grandma x4

 

[TotallyAngelic]

I have actually managed to get hold of that DVD....and now I am addicted to watching it. Some friends from Italy sent it to us. If any of you UK cruisers want to see it I can pass it around!

 

[floridahippy]

hi there totalyangelic - we are booked to go on a 7 day eastern next april and was wondering if i could borrow your dvd?
This would be great if so

 

[MrsJobba1]

Hi and welcome to the boards.

I have been on 4 dcl cruises (1x 4nights, 2x 3 nights and last year 7night western) and am booked on this years 11 night med cruise!

To start with there are some stickies (thread that dont move) marked at the top of the board. There is one that has Frequently asked questions. This is really good as it has loads of info.

Here is also a copy of my trip report of my latest 7 night cruise from a british perspective
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1194035

feel free to ask any questions or send me a PM.

RE: late seating. dinner is divided into 2 seating times, late and early , but these are subdivided into
early 5:45 6:00 and 6:15
Late 8:00, 8:15 and 8:30
Normally you are on either early or late but you wont know which time until you get your key to the world card on boarding the ship. Although it is possible when booking to request a certain time, though this is not always guarenteed.

Also regarding Feb - I would cruise then, although I would cruise any time of the year

Take care and again feel free to ask any questions or send me a PM.

 

[granmaz]

I have just finished reading your cruise report - thanks, it was so good!!!!!