NEWBIE! Please help if you can! Cruise ??'s

[twoprincessesmom]

Hello everyone! I have been reading some posts over the past few days while I was waiting to receive my approval to post And I have been dying to ask questions!

My sister and I leave for a 4 day cruise on the 1st of August, yes in under two weeks. I am so much of a planner, but not on this trip! She won the trip through a local radio station, so they booked the cabin and arifare, and we only have to worry about spending money and our tips and such.

Now, we are taking our 5 year olds, and we have never been!

Are there character breakfasts that we need to make reservations for??

Should I take an autograph book for my daughter like we do at WDW?

On Cataway Cay, should we stay with them so we do not miss any of the characters?

If we get on board that ship with NO CLUE, will we be OK? Do we have to have excursion plans for Nassau?

I am so sorry to ask all these questions, but I feel so lost, and I Hope you can offer some help

Sharon

 

[PoohJen]

Congratulations!

You'll be "assigned" a day for character breakfast - it has to do w/ your dinner rotation, i'm sure someone here will give you the accurate scoop!

Yes, bring autograph book! (and pins!)

Have fun exploring! If you think you want to do an excursion, better check them out on the disney website. Look on disboards for reviews of trips that interest you.

Check out sample navigators at www.dcltribute.com (look at menu on left) - you'll all have a menu of options everyday of things to do - no advance planning necessary!

Have fun!!!

 

[PinClubs]

Congrats!

I will skip the character breakfast and autograph book questions because they have been answered.

Castaway Cay there is a little parade around lunch time that can be fun, but for the most part the characters are accesible during the day and also as you are getting back on board the ship just before the ship leaves.

You can book excursions 60 days prior to the date of your cruise (August 1st) so you may run into issues of certain excursions being booked full.

You have excursion options on both Nassau and Castaway Cay. Check out the links I provided for you.

Castaway Excursions

Nassau Excursions

Once you decide on an excursion call Disney Cruise Line to book the excursion as soon as possible.

NO CLUE: When you arrive in your stateroom there will be lots of information for you including a "Personal Navigator" which is in a newsletter type format. It will tell a lot about what to expect and what activities are available. You will get a Personal Navigator for each day you are on the cruise so don't sweat being clueless.

Also the TV is a great source of information. Certain channels are dedicated to getting you up-to-speed on what to expect and hot topics like what to do and where to shop on Nassau.

Have a great time,

Jeff

 

[PoohJen]

p.s. my twin 8 year olds are really looking forward to Scuttles' Cove - which is the CC equivalent to the Oceaneer's Club (ie, Disney's supervised kids' club, included w/ the cruise), so your five year olds may want to spend a little time there on CC w/o the moms!
~Jen

 

[m-sjaxjag]

There is a great book with tons of tips:

PassPorter‘s Field Guide to the Disney Cruise Line - 2nd Edition - Paperback

Here is a link to the publisher web site:

http://www.passporter.com/Store/1587710161.aspx

If you have time it will be well worth your time.

Have a great time !!!

 

[m-sjaxjag]

If you have still have questions that aren't answered by Friday at 9pm you might want to join the weekly online chat .

The forum thread at the top of the listing has instructions on how to join in.

There is always a number of very knowledgeable cruisers joined in.

Hope this helps !!

 

[praisehisname]

Unless they've changed things recently, there isn't a Character Breakfast on the 4night.

Are you from Baltimore? Our local radio station was giving away a 4night cruise back in the spring! Just curious...

Denise

 

[twoprincessesmom]

Hello! My sister did win this in the Spring, from Lite 101.9! Is that where you heard it??

Sharon

 

[tkd lisa]

Clarifying a few things.

1. There is no character breakfast on the 4 day cruise.
2. You will get the welcome aboard navigator when you check in at the terminal. It's good to look through it while you're waiting to board the boat, that will help get your bearings.
3. Staying with the kids for photos, etc. Generally, the characters are things you need to take your child to. In the navigators (you can see copies at www.dcltribute.com ) there will be designated places the characters will be. There's also a number to call from your stateroom phone (I think it's 7-pals) to check for scheduled appearances. One of the nicest things about a Disney cruise, is that the kids can enjoy their time in the kids programs, while the adults can have some "me" time.
4. I do agree bring your autograph book. The photographers will also take a picture with your camera if you ask.
5. Getting on board with no clue. I would suggest you check out the deck plans also on the dcl tribute. It's not as big a deal as entering WDW with no clue, but it does help to know where the food is, where the pool is, etc. Generally, remember aft for food, forward for fun. The main dining restaurants are on deck 3 and 4 aft, or deck 3 mid (that one's right where you enter the ship, so you won't miss it!). The casual dining buffet is deck 9 aft. The clubs are all forward, the main theater is forward, etc. Kids programs are on deck 5 midship., etc.

Have a great trip! And congrats on winning the contest!

 

[Karel]

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

As far as info, just reading this board will help a whole lot. Lots of time I'll think of some question just to find it's already been asked.

Read through some 4 day trip reports. Look around at the various personal websites. Check out the menus and the navigators.

If I were you, I would splurge on an excursion since you're not paying for the cruise or airfare.


It's such a short amount of time, it's best to be prepared and there's a ton of info on the web. OTH, just like WDW, you can't do everything, and that's ok.

 

[praisehisname]

That is so cool!!! We were on the Wonder in February. Not long after we got home, 101.9 started advertising about the giveaway. I was wondering who ended up winning. I hope you have a fabulous time! It was our first ever cruise and we are hooked now!!!

Denise