New to Disney Cruise Line and DIS boards

[Grangergirl]

I am new to Disney Cruise Line and these boards, so hopefully I am posting correctly. We are taking our grandsons (ages 6 and 8) on their first cruise Dec. 28-31st. I know it will be too short, but this is all that time allowed. Any suggestions on what to do or not do would be helpful.

Also, has anyone cruised to Nassau and Castaway Cay during the end of Dec? Wondering what the weather MIGHT be like and if the water temperature will be too cool to enjoy. Are the pools heated on-board during this time? We have cruised several other times (never with Disney) but have never gone at this time of year. I guess we need to pack anything from shorts to sweatshirts??

I have requested personalized designs to create door magnets especially since we are leaving the day of the six years old's birthday. Hopefully I will get these made. Not sure we will do fish extenders.

We are assigned late seating -- anyone ever had seating time changed once on-board?

Any tips, suggestions, do's and don'ts will be very helpful. Getting very excited!

Thanks.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

Especially since it is a short cruise, I would skip getting off the ship at Nassau. There are so many great things to do onboard! To us, Nassau wasn't worth missing time on the ship.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I am new to Disney Cruise Line and these boards, so hopefully I am posting correctly. We are taking our grandsons (ages 6 and 8) on their first cruise Dec. 28-31st. I know it will be too short, but this is all that time allowed. Any suggestions on what to do or not do would be helpful.

Also, has anyone cruised to Nassau and Castaway Cay during the end of Dec? Wondering what the weather MIGHT be like and if the water temperature will be too cool to enjoy. Are the pools heated on-board during this time? We have cruised several other times (never with Disney) but have never gone at this time of year. I guess we need to pack anything from shorts to sweatshirts??

I have requested personalized designs to create door magnets especially since we are leaving the day of the six years old's birthday. Hopefully I will get these made. Not sure we will do fish extenders.

We are assigned late seating -- anyone ever had seating time changed once on-board?

Any tips, suggestions, do's and don'ts will be very helpful. Getting very excited!

Thanks.

Congrats on your cruise! You'll have a great time!

Having done that cruise, I would spend a short amount of time in Nassau and use that time to enjoy the ship.

As far as fish extenders go, I'd skip it this go around, especially being just after Christmas.

Somewhere here on the boards you can find a copy of the Navigators that show a good idea of what activities may be offered for your cruise.

You're a cool grandma!

 

[rcchello]

Weather is variable, sometimes warm, sometimes cool that time of year. We have it in the 80s or 60s depending on the year.

Pools are heated.

Depending on the wind and air temps, some years we go into the water on Castaway Cay and some years it can be a bit to cool.

Most people find Nassau around the dock area a bit seedy. If you go to the zoo or paradise island area you will probably have a good time. If you are just going to get off and walk the area close to the ship plan on just a one or two hours it will be mostly shops aimed at separating tourist from their money.

You can request a dining tine change once on board and sometimes it will be granted. Worth a try. If you are from the other coast late seating is good.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are assigned late seating -- anyone ever had seating time changed once on-board?

Have you had the request to be switched to early seating placed on your reservation? That would be your first move. Then, give DCL a call once in a while to "confirm" the request is still there. When you check in at the port, look at your KTTW card. It will tell you what dinner seating you have. If you still have late seating, look in the Navigator you get at check in and see where the dining changes are handled (location/time) and to there to make your request again. Many times these steps will get you switched. Sometimes not.

 

[cantontrebor]

Agree with the suggestion to pass on Nassau or spending a limited amount of time there. Nassau just doesn't appeal to my family.

On Castaway Cay I would suggest renting bikes and exploring the island. We had so much fun when it was too cold to swim on one of our trips.

Finally, I would suggest visiting www.disneycruiselineblog.com there is a lot of good information there including menus, daily navigators, etc.

Hope you have a wonderful trip.

 

[PryncessLace]

I'm going to go against the popular opinion and say to get off the boat at Nassau..I think your grandsons would really enjoy the Pirate Museum there, and it is not that far from the ship!

 

[SonicGuy]

I'm with PryncessLace - if you and your family haven been there Id spend at least some of the time Nassau. Most of the people that recommend that have been there many, many times. We don't get off in Nassau usually because we too have been many, many times. However, last Christmas we took several family members. We did the Chocolate Factory tour and it was AWESOME. The kids LOVED it. IT wasn't too long, and didn't break the bank. Either way y'all will have an AWESOME time.

 

[Grangergirl]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We have actually booked the semi-submarine excursion offered through Disney at Nassau. It is a short excursion (only a couple of hours) and am hoping the boys will get to see some tropical fish and coral since they have never snorkeled. AND, it might be too cool to try at Castaway Cay. Has anyone ever done this excursion?

 

[flyersfan1129]

We did the semi sub when my son was 7 and he loved it. Saw tons of fish, and he loved being in a submarine...there was no telling him it wasn't a real sub. I agree on seeing some of Nassau if you have never been, it is a beautiful island, imho. Make sure you note the birthday, and be sure to tell your servers, they will make a big deal with a special dessert and sing to him. If you have gifts that you would like to surprise him with, your room attendant can help with that. Most of all, have fun!

 

[DisneySisters]

Welcome! I'm glad you found us. The folks here have given me so much great advice and information. You are going to have a wonderful time!

 

[Grangergirl]

Thank you all for your suggestions. Just received the designs from Jill for the door magnets and printed them on magnetic paper. Should I cut them and laminate over the front side?