Questions from a cruise newbie

[DC to Disney]

I've been reading Disboards for a while, but this is my first post. My family just booked a summer 2017 cruise on the Dream (4 nights, with stops in Castaway Cay and Nassau). We've never gone on a cruise before, so I'm rather clueless. There will be 9 people traveling together, including 3 in my immediate family (me, DH, and my son will be 6 at the time of the trip). I have a lot of questions!

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

2.It looks like you rotate through 3 restaurants... is that right? We'll be on the ship for 4 nights, so where do we end up for the 4th night?

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing?

5. Is it worth paying for a cabana on Castaway Cay? Is there any chance we could even reserve one?

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

I'm brand new to cruising-Disney, the entire thing. I've learned a lot by googling my questions and reading the blogs that pop up. Also, call Disney! They are very gracious and you know the answers are accurate. Like yourself I'm eager to see what seasoned cruisers post in response to your questions

 

[Quellman]

I've been reading Disboards for a while, but this is my first post. My family just booked a summer 2017 cruise on the Dream (4 nights, with stops in Castaway Cay and Nassau). We've never gone on a cruise before, so I'm rather clueless. There will be 9 people traveling together, including 3 in my immediate family (me, DH, and my son will be 6 at the time of the trip). I have a lot of questions!

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

LINK Here. There is an assigned seating for dinner only if you dine in the main dining room. You can also dine during scheduled hours at your own pace at Cabanas if you don't eat on the pool deck. There are scheduled hours when the restaurants will be open for breakfast and lunch.

2.It looks like you rotate through 3 restaurants... is that right? We'll be on the ship for 4 nights, so where do we end up for the 4th night?

You will visit one dining room twice. Either 1233 or 1223 are common rotations.

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

They are both adults only. If you think you would enjoy either menu then they might be worth considering. They both offer brunch as well.

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing?

Somethings you can try booking on your own, but an excursion should appeal to your family and what you want to accomplish.

5. Is it worth paying for a cabana on Castaway Cay? Is there any chance we could even reserve one?

First time cruisers are the last to check-in online and therefore the last to select excursions, which include cabanas. There is debate if they are worth it or not. However, they only hold 6 people, unless you get the family cabana which I think holds 16.

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

There are lots of threads about this topic and recommendation. It depends on preference. Some people like to continue the magic after the cruise, while others prefer the relaxation of a cruise after the hustle of the parks.

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

Link HERE

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere?

Just lots of reading.

Thanks in advance!

Comments in blue.

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

Most food, except some items at the bars and from room service, is included. Sodas, juice and normal coffee are free at the drink station and in the dining room. Sodas anywhere else, as well as alcohol, specialty coffee and drunks, have a cost. There are times where restaurants are open to serve the other meals but it is not assigned like dinner.

2.It looks like you rotate through 3 restaurants... is that right? We'll be on the ship for 4 nights, so where do we end up for the 4th night?

You repeat one of the restaurants with a different menu.

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

This depends. We like Palo but have never done Remy. They are both Adult Only.

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

2 bottles of wine or a six pack of beer.

 

[Jess_S]

I started typing out answers to all of the questions, but Quellman beat me, so I'll just add comments where I think they have some value.

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

On a 4 night cruise for a first-time cruiser, my vote would be to skip Palo and Remy. Although people love them, the food and atmosphere at the main dining rooms is good and will be new to you -- so I don't see the need for paying the upcharge.

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing? I usually book things on my own, but will use ship excursions if they offer something that would be difficult to book/do on my own or is really far from port.

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere? Read back a few pages on these boards, check out people's trip reports, etc. I'm also a fan of Cruise Critic, which has a DCL section as well as forums for specific ports for excursion ideas.

 

[MSPeeler]

Comments in blue.

Your Link in Question 1 took me to Lander Toyota? LOL

 

[clten]

I've been reading Disboards for a while, but this is my first post. My family just booked a summer 2017 cruise on the Dream (4 nights, with stops in Castaway Cay and Nassau). We've never gone on a cruise before, so I'm rather clueless. There will be 9 people traveling together, including 3 in my immediate family (me, DH, and my son will be 6 at the time of the trip). I have a lot of questions!

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

As others have said, dinner is the meal you have a scheduled time in the Main Dining Rooms (MDR). You can choose to attend your scheduled MDR or not. If not, other options are quick service by the pool deck, room service and Cabanas (other than the 1st and last nights; this is normally a buffet but for dinner has table service.)

For breakfast and lunch, you dine on your own schedule and do not need reservations, just show up where you want when you want (during the posted operating hours). The buffet (Cabanas) has the longest operating hours for breakfast and lunch. Enchanted Garden may also be open and would also be a buffet. Royal Palace would be your sit down choice for breakfast or lunch.

As far as the food included, all food in the main dining rooms and quick service counters are included. Most food from Room Service is included (packaged snacks and sodas are not). There is free self-serve ice cream but the Dream also has Vanillope's which would be extra. Soft drinks and tea/coffee are free from the beverage station on deck and all restaurants is included. There is a couple of spots for specialty coffee which will cost more. Alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic drinks (including smoothies) have an extra charge.

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing?

You would have to look at the options and see what appealed to your family. We did the swimming with the Sea Lions at Blue Lagoon in Nassau -- that was a lot of fun and we thought it was different. You can swim with dolphins just about anywhere now but we have only seen swimming with sea lions in a few places.

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

Again, this would depend on your family's preference as there is no right or wrong way to do it. If you really attack the parks and run, run, run I'd say do the parks first and then relax on the cruise. If you aren't so energetic in the park and want to feel like you are extending your vacation, stay after the cruise. I will say, if you choose to do the parks after the cruise, it is still worth it to come down at least the day before your cruise so you don't have the stress of traveling on the day the cruise leaves. Small delays can cause big stress if you start thinking you may miss the boat, literally.

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

Adults over 21 can bring some beer and wine onboard (12 bottles of beer or 2 bottles of wine, each) at any port. So at embarkation and then again from Nassau if you pick up beer/wine while in port.

Also, call Disney! They are very gracious and you know the answers are accurate.

You are new so I'm going to warn you. The answers you get from the DCL res line are not always accurate. A lot of those agents have never sailed so they don't actually know what happens onboard. You can call a few times and get a few different answers. It's hard to tell if the agent you are talking to is one of the good ones giving you good advice or someone interpreting their canned information.

 

[Bear3412]

 

[Ozarkglittergirl]

Good to know that Disney call line Can. Be erroneous. That's too bad

 

[Quellman]

Your Link in Question 1 took me to Lander Toyota? LOL

Fixed! Thanks for pointing it out!

 

[loril13]

Another first time cruiser here February 2017 4 nights on the Wonder. Lots of awesome info. Thanks.

 

[OzDisMum]

My family and I are considering do a cruise for the first time as a future vacation option, so this was awesome. Really helpful information, thanks!

 

[lbus42]

I've been reading Disboards for a while, but this is my first post. My family just booked a summer 2017 cruise on the Dream (4 nights, with stops in Castaway Cay and Nassau). We've never gone on a cruise before, so I'm rather clueless. There will be 9 people traveling together, including 3 in my immediate family (me, DH, and my son will be 6 at the time of the trip). I have a lot of questions!

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

As others have said you will rotate through the three restaurants for dinner and that is the only meal that has timed seatings. We had main seating at 5:30.

2.It looks like you rotate through 3 restaurants... is that right? We'll be on the ship for 4 nights, so where do we end up for the 4th night?

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

Although, on a 4 night cruise you might want to stick to main dining , Palo and Remy are worth doing especially on a 7 nighter.

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing?

We did the dolphin encounter in Grand Cayman with some in our party doing the dolphin observer. The observer excursion is a rip off. They are not close enough to get a good view. The encounter is nice, but not worth the price.

We did Castaway Ray's stingray adventure on Castaway Cay and thoroughly enjoyed petting and feeding the stingrays. We also got to snorkel among them. This was our best excursion on our trip.

5. Is it worth paying for a cabana on Castaway Cay? Is there any chance we could even reserve one?

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

 

[CM Dad]

First time cruisers are the last to check-in online and therefore the last to select excursions, which include cabanas. There is debate if they are worth it or not. However, they only hold 6 people, unless you get the family cabana which I think holds 16.

The regular cabanas can hold up to 10. Family beach basic price is for 6 guests, but you can add additional guests for I think it is $50 each.

 

[lbus42]

There is kind of a "cruising for dummies" book. It is called "The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line". You should be able to find this at most book sellers or Amazon. There is also a lot of information on other social media web sites such as the one that contain "pins". Just do a search for Disney Cruise there.

 

[HeyKoolaid]

8. My favorite tip: take advantage of the free room service. We always order a fruit platter when we arrive, and cookies and milk each night before bed. The kids love the extravagance of having cookies and milk delivered every night. Also, Mickey can wake you up in the morning via phone.
Bonus tip: The spa is divine - but expensive. My compromise is to buy a rainforest pass ($15 or so a day) and have an excuse to hang out at the spa.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

There is kind of a "cruising for dummies" book. It is called "The Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line". You should be able to find this at most book sellers or Amazon. There is also a lot of information on other social media web sites such as the one that contain "pins". Just do a search for Disney Cruise there.

Just be aware that some of the info in that (or any other) book may be a little outdated, or incorrect.

 

[Msh09d]

I've been reading Disboards for a while, but this is my first post. My family just booked a summer 2017 cruise on the Dream (4 nights, with stops in Castaway Cay and Nassau). We've never gone on a cruise before, so I'm rather clueless. There will be 9 people traveling together, including 3 in my immediate family (me, DH, and my son will be 6 at the time of the trip). I have a lot of questions!

1. How does dining work? What is included in the cost of the cruise? Are snacks included, or just breakfast, lunch, and dinner? What about drinks? Are there timed seatings for all 3 meals, or only for dinner?

2.It looks like you rotate through 3 restaurants... is that right? We'll be on the ship for 4 nights, so where do we end up for the 4th night?

3. It looks like there are 2 restaurants (Palo and Remy's) that require reservations. Are either of them worth trying to get into and paying the extra cost? Are they adults-only, or can kids go, too?

4. Are any of the port excursions worth doing?

5. Is it worth paying for a cabana on Castaway Cay? Is there any chance we could even reserve one?

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

7. Can you bring your own alcohol (like a couple of bottles of wine) onto the ship with you, or is that forbidden?

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere?

Thanks in advance!

1. All food is included with the exception of movie theatre style snacks and some items on the room service menu. All alcohol is extra.

2. Yes, you rotate between 3 restaurants. Which restaurant you end up at on the 4th night depends on the rotation that you are assigned. It will be printed on your key to the world card at check in.

3. Both of those restaurants are adults only. I've been to Palo for dinner every cruise and I have never regretted it. Always a highlight of our trip. Just delicious. Wasn't as thrilled with Palo for brunch. Trying Remy for the first time on my cruise leaving this weekend!

4. I love the stingray excursion at Castaway Cay because Disney makes it safe by filing down their stingers.

5. I've never done it. Serenity Bay is adults only and so pretty and relaxing even without a cabana.

6. I've never done it back to back wih cruises.

7. You can bring 2 bottles of wine/champagne or 6 beers per person at the beginning of the cruise and at each port of call. Hard liquor is no longer allowed.

Have fun!

 

[jamesez]

February 2017

6. If we want to add on a couple of days at WDW, do you think it matters whether we do it before or after the cruise?

If you're flying from a snowy state for a wintertime cruise (DC's is in Summer, but loril's is in February from Boston), it's probably better to do WDW first so that you can absorb any weather-related flight delays. The boat leaves the dock on time and you don't want to be stuck on the shore. When we've cruised in February we book an overnight stay at a hotel and fly in the day before.

8. Anything else I should know? Is there like a "cruising for dummies" link somewhere?

The most important thing is to get on the boat. Don't overthink everything else!

 

[hanscarlet]

my only add and it may have been mentioned already is that you should book a placeholder while on board, that was my biggest regret for not doing after sailing the first time