Packing question

[TLHB70]

This is our very first cruise. I have been to Disney World numerous times and I feel very comfortable planning those trips. However, I feel so lost as I try to plan this trip. It was quite a surprise from my husband. I am thankful that he is surprising me with it, but I don't feel like I know how to plan. I know that I can book excursions early online. However, after reading several of these threads it looks like we might do better touring Nassau on our own because we want to see Atlantis.
Anyway, we are taking the 4 night cruise from November 7-11. I have 6 year old and 9 year old daughters. I need to know what to pack. I know that we need dresses/dress clothes for dinner each night in the dining area. Do we just need swimming suits and shorts for daytime? Since the cruise is in November do we need warmer clothes than shorts and t-shirts?
Also, we will be doing 3 days in Disney World after the cruise so we may need to wash some of our clothes while on the cruise. Is this possible? Is there a laundry service on board? Is it way too expensive? Also, should I pack floaties/life jacket for my 6 year old or do they have those aboard? I just don't have any idea of what to pack.............other than the camera!
Any help is appreciated!

 

[PoohJen]

First, RELAX! You're going to have a great time!

1. The average high in Nassau in November is 81, the avg low is 69, so you can plan around that. I understand a sweater at night on the ship is useful.

2. The kids will be swimming and playing all day, so plan clothes around that! You may feel more at ease knowing the types of activities generally available/scheduled - See this link for sample "Navigators" (daily itineraries) to give you an idea of what you all might be doing: http://www.dcltribute.com/navigators/

3. There are coin-operated laundry facilities on the ship as well as laundry service (the latter looked pricey to me).

4. You'll get all the answers you're looking for right here on these boards! and, you may like picking up a Passporter Guide to DCL at your local bookstore, so that you can have a quick reference whenever a question pops up.

5. Here's a great thread (although, I think it can be overwhelming) as to 'what to pack': All the Best Tips Thread

And lastly, RELAX! You're going to have a great time!!! Happy Planning!!!

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks for that information.
Is there also detergent at that laundry facility? I would assume so.
Also, the Passporter Guide.....is it like a Birnbaum's? Do you prefer the Passporter over Birnbaum's? I will go pick one up this afternoon.
Do the kids wear dresses/dress clothes for the dining room as well? My girls are excited about wearing their dresses to the restaurants.
Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

 

[PoohJen]

I love Birnbaum's for WDW. But my friends on my "cruise meets" thread who just got the new Birnbaum's DCL book say that Passporters is more detailed. Try their link for a sample chapter: http://www.passporter.com/dcl/

I don't know if they sell detergent. Many people suggest the trial sizes from Walmart or bring a few ziploc bags of detergent.

From what I've read here, plenty of kids dress up! I have all boys; they will be doing the khakis-and-polo shirt thing at dinner (DS12 will wear a suit on formal night).

The best tip I've read so far is to bring an over-the-door shoe hanger for the bathroom, and then keep your toiletries, cameras, sunglasses, sunblock, etc in the pockets for handy access.

Have fun!

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks again. I will be leaving in about an hour to go to our bookstore to buy the Passporter Guide.
I can't wait to read it!
That is a great idea about the detergent too. The travel size should be easy to pack and enough to get us through.
I am getting excited!

 

[scrapperjill]

We just returned from our first ever cruise...and boy do I wish I would have listened to eveyone on the board about not overpacking. We honestly didn't use over half of what we packed. Our girls 6 & 11 wore their swim suits and coveru -ups or board shorts durring the day both on the ship and off. At night we did dress for dinner in nice dress casual clothes, ie sundresses or capris. I made the big mistake of bringing a diffrent outfit for everyone...for each nights dinner. Well when you get dressed for dinner..then rush back to the stateroom to change..one really dosn't need 7 diffrnet dinner outfits. Next time I will be sure to bring outfits that can be mixed and matched...it dosn't hurt to wear the same black skirt a couple times.

So I don't know if I helpled with your delema of what to pack...I just wanted to be another one on the list to warns you not to over pack....Sure it's nice having tons of options...but at the end of the week it all has to be packed back up again. That's a pain in the ***.

The girls and myself wore our swimsuits so much...I'm glad I packed us 3 suites each that way one could be rinsed out and hung to dry while we wore the next one. The girls also ended up wearing the same dress to dinner two nights.. same for their capris. Do make sure you pack a sweater. We just got back this past weekend and there were a few chilly areas on the ship. We went on the 7 night. So in your case doing a 4 night would really cut down on what you would need to pack.

Good luck. I know packing is a tough job.

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks! I do get the idea that overpacking will be a problem. I was wondering how to handle enough outfits for the cruise and WDW. However, if we wear our bathing suits every day while cruising that will definitely help!!!!!
What about dresses? Will I be able to wear a dress two different nights for dinner? That will cut down on the dresses that I pack.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

I was on the 9/2 Wonder ... our 3 day cruise was extended to 5 days and since I packed lite I had to do laundry.

If I remember correctly detergent (Tide) was $1.00 per load, the washer was $1.00 and the dryer was $1.00 per cycle.

Remember to clean the lint trap before starting the dryer ... you should have seen how much lint was in the two dryers I used.

One cycle didn't get my clothes completely dry, but I just hung dresses/pants in the closet and laid the rest in a neat pile ... except for the socks they were all dry the next morning.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Don't forget the Oceaneers Club. I know first timers might be reluctant, thinking it's like dumping the little ones off at daycare, but the kids LOVE it. I don't think you want them wearing their bathing suits while there.

Generally you need two outfits a day. You can reduce that depending on how well you can mix and match/wear more than once. As someone said, the evening clothes often don't get worn all too long and can easily go more that one night.

 

[scrapperjill]

For sure...you'd be able to wear one dress more than one time...You could simply change some acessories or diffent sweater. Or just wear it the same two times...it's not like anyone will really remember if you wore it the first or second night also. I think I mentioned our daughers wore the same dress and capri's twice.

And wdwoldtimer is correct..the clubs don't like the kids to wear just their suits...they have to have some sort of coverup on...like a dress, shirt and shorts or regular swim suit coverup over the suit. And shoes are a must...even at goofy's pj party..it can be tennis shoes, flip flops...or what ever..just something more than bare feet or socks.

We found that one out when we took our little one to the pj party in her pj's and socks. Didn't pack slippers..I figured socks would be good enough...I was wrong.