One thing you wish you'd known

[bbowers]

I've been doing my reading in prep for our first cruise ever (of course on DCL), but I'd like to hear from your pros one more time:

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before your first cruise? (Any cruise line)

And,

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before your first Disney cruise?

THANKS A BUNCH!

 

[dclwdwlover]

I've cruised only 2 other lines & our 3rd DCL cruise is upcoming. Not everyone will agree with me, but the two most important things to my husb. & I when we book is:
1) Do WDW or any other places BEFORE cruising. Then, it's just pure relaxation from entering the ship, on...
2) Get a VERANDAH. I don't know who you're crusining with, but we found our verandah to be relaxing, romantic & wonderful.
Having had an inside cabin once & portholes 2x (one was on DCL with the large round obstructed view ph)
3) Book excursions - whatever one's that you can - before getting on the ship. No work then on the ship.

 

[moocow35]

Go a day early! That way you can enjoy your first day/night on the ship. The first 3 cruises we flew down the same day, and were beat that first night. Never again.

Robin ºOº

 

[jlawall]

What I know on DCL....... know that you can board ship around 12. Get there early and start enjoying the fun!


What I know about cruises in general.....sail on DCL!

 

[Buckaroo's Dad]

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before your first cruise?

The winning lottery numbers for the day after returning home from our cruise...

What's the one thing you wish you'd known before your first Disney cruise?

Everyone here at the Dis...

 

[ADisneygirl]

The one thing I wish I had known first was to show up on time for the mandatory lifeboat drill. We got there early, by about 10 minutes, and it was torture waiting and waiting for all the late-comers. They didn't even start on time, but I think you should be there on time for this important information. Plus, they line you up against the deck facing the water, so as you arrive, you line up. This puts the early people in the back, behind everyone.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I wish I had known about these Boards prior to our first cruise. I've learned SO much and it made our second cruise even better!

 

[AnnMorin]

After three Disney cruises and two "other brand" with number four Disney comming up.,, here is what I have learned..
Disney is the best.. we feel like we are returning home each cruise,
get a veranda,, the money is well spent,,
you can bring on your own beer/wine (we only do the wine and still end up with a $900.00 bar bill..go figure-must be the frozen drinks)
if you have children take them to the caberet show for "everyone" they will then understand what you are going to later that night.. (much more funny for adults) it was priceless seeing dear son laugh until he cried...
Head into Fla. the day before.. we went on our first two cruises flying in from MA. the morning of.. we were useless and tired for at least a day. Fly in a head of time, you don't have to worry about missed flights etc. and you will be well rested. we did this DCL number three and are doing it for DCL #4 and it is the best!
Purchase the cabin you will be happy with, DCL does not upgrade very often so buy what you will enjoy!
It will be the trip of a lifetime.. but be warned.. it is addicting,, we say each year that we will do a different trip and we just can't seem to stay off the magic!

 

[imgoingtodisney]

wish Id known before my 1st cruise -
how much Id want to get back on a cruise

before a DCL cruise -
still waiting

 

[Fins2TheRight]

Great question! Here's my list (OK, I know you said "what's the ONE thing", but I took the liberty to add a few...)

1. Don't bring on so many carry-ons when boarding. We took a bag EACH because we were thinking "what if". They were very much in the way and not-so-fun to carry around until our rooms opened up at 1:15PM. Turns out we should have checked EVERYTHING and just ate, toured the ship, then went to our room.

2. Go to more shows. Me being a guy (I'll insert my deep voice here) I didn't want to go to the shows because that was for kids and women... how stupid! I loved them when my 18yo DD finally dragged me to one, and now I wish I'd have seen all of them!

3. Don't spend so much time at Nassau. It's cool to see for about two hours, then back to the ship! Now we can say, "Been there, done that".

4. Ask more questions on these boards. This place is the equivalent of a Disney Fort Knox. Everyone is friendly too.

5. Become a Stowaway.

JMHO's here.

 

[DISFANS3]

DCL CRUISE TIPS- We just returned from 4 night Wonder- loved it. Put your carry on bag down close to the main door about two hours before you board, Gave us time to looked around, Then we got in line one hour before boarding. We were second on the Ship, Awesome..... Going on Seven night in 05..........

 

[WDWLVR]

Since my first cruise was over 20 years ago I guess I would say I wish I'd known how addicting it could be. I love cruising!

If there is one thing I'd wish I'd known before my first DCL cruise is that 3 days isn't long enough. Our first DCL cruise was part of the land/sea package and since I had 3 people with me who had never cruised before (DH and his parents) we went with the 3 day. Never again. I love the 7 days. 4 days can be fun (the DVC Member Cruise was a 4 day and it was a blast!). Next up the 10 day on 12/18/04.

 

[goofyfamily41]

I'd say spend some money on good camera equipment and take lots of good pictures to hold you over until the next inevitable cruise.

 

[Moosysmom]

The best thing I learned.
Get to Port Canaveral early sailing day. Get checked in and get someone in line right away so you can board quicker.
Do the reservation run, go to your room, drop your stuff, and relax and enjoy.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by WDWLVR

If there is one thing I'd wish I'd known before my first DCL cruise is that 3 days isn't long enough. Never again. I love the 7 days. 4 days can be fun (the DVC Member Cruise was a 4 day and it was a blast!). Next up the 10 day on 12/18/04.

I would never even do the 4 day again...it is just not long enough...it seemed like before we knew it it was time to leave!

 

[WDWLVR]

I think what made the 4 days doable for us was that the first was designed as just a quick getaway for us and it worked great. The second was a special cruise and there was so much DVC stuff going on that it was great. For a true cruise experience I say defiantely go with a 7 day. For a quick treat the 4 day works (and gave us a chance to experience the Wonder).

 

[rae519]

I wish I had a Passporter or DISBoards before our first cruise.

And I don't think the 3 or 4 night cruise is enough to really enjoy or appreciate the ship -

But I do like BD's wish to have known the lottery numbers.....he's always thinking, isn't he?!

Rae

 

[ZebraStripes]

I wish I had shopped around for a better price the first time around. Booked via Disney and wasn't aware that others offered rebates or room credits.

 

[Fins2TheRight]

And I don't think the 3 or 4 night cruise is enough to really enjoy or appreciate the ship

I think seven days may be dangerous for us, Rae ... after taking the three day, we wanted to stowaway. If we took the week-long cruise, you'd see scratches in the paint all the way from our stateroom to the terminal after they had to drag us off the ship!

 

[plutojudy]

Remember to relax and enjoy. It's a vacation.