New Cruiser

[rwasbury123]

Help!!!!
My family (me, husband, 7 year old, 5 year old) are cruising December 13-20 and I have several questions.
1) We have 8:30 dinner reservations, how can I change those?
2) What kind of Christmas activities do they have going on?
3) What is the temp like then?
4) What kind of character activities do they Have? Do you sign up somewhere? Do they fill up?
5) Are there any "secrets" or "tips" you can give?
6) How much are beers and drinks on the ship? Where is a good place to get those?
7) Are any excursions worth doing?

 

[AnnMorin]

Originally posted by rwasbury123

Help!!!!
My family (me, husband, 7 year old, 5 year old) are cruising December 13-20 and I have several questions.
1) We have 8:30 dinner reservations, how can I change those?
First off, Welcome! We are on that cruise too. The best chance you have to change to early seating would be to get on the wait list right now (call your TA or DCL direct) once you board you can also request to switch to early seating but it is not gaurenteed


2) What kind of Christmas activities do they have going on?
]

The ship is beautifully decorated, trees and wreaths everywhere you look. The past two years they have had caroling, a tree lighting ceramony, Mrs. Claus reading Christmas stories, a HUGE gingerbread house etc.

3) What is the temp like then?

While in Florida the temperature can be unpredictable, last year it was only in the 60's but once you leave port it gets warm fast, I would say the temp averaged in the mid 80's every day
4) What kind of character activities do they Have? Do you sign up somewhere? Do they fill up?
There is a character breakfast which you are assigned to, a daily schedule of character meetings and character type lab and club activities, they are all posted in the navigators. There is also a tea with Wendy
5) Are there any "secrets" or "tips" you can give?
Read this board... ask any specific questions and you will get lots of help!
6) How much are beers and drinks on the ship? Where is a good place to get those?
You will have no problem finding drinks on board. I really don't recall what they cost, I know there is a drink of the day each day for around $3.50. Our bar bill is always big but thats because we imbibe alot
7) Are any excursions worth doing? Last time that we did the Eastern we did the 5 star snorkle to trunk bay it was one of the best excursions I have ever done.

 

[jrabbit]

There are characters out every day around the ship. The big gatherings take place in the atrium (deck 3 mid ship). There are usually multiple characters there. There is not a sign up sheet/location, so in typical Disney fashion, it's Line Up not Sign Up.

Your kids will probably love their clubs. Sign them up early on Saturday (it's quicker then - there is room for all of the kids). Most children love spending time in the clubs, which will leave you time for "adult" activities like the 3 "Art Of" series (entertainment, entertaining, and the Navigator (about the ship)). You can pick and choose which activities you wish to participate in. They are quite enjoyable.

My "tip" is:
We really enjoy the family cabaret shows that are between the dinner seating times. The entertainers are magicians, jugglers, singers, comedians, etc. The shows run about 1/2 hour so you have time to finish dinner then go to the main show in the Walt Disney Theater (assuming early seating - with late seating you go to the WDT for the show, then to the cabaret show then to dinner).

 

[rwasbury123]

Do we sign up for the different adult activities as well?

 

[AnnMorin]

I know for the wine tasting you need to call guest services to sign up. I have yet to try the entertaining series and plan to finally try it this time so I don't know about signing up for that. The adult pool games, just show up...

 

[tennisany1]

good questions. moat of those can be answered by reading a book by Passporters on the disney cruises. I found it on amazon.com It is an excellent review. I Have already read it 3 or 4 times in anticipation of our first cruise.

We have a 6y.o, 3 y.o and an 8 month old and will be with you on the 12/13 cruise.

See yo soon