Random questions before booking first DCL

[Tessaf]

Hello!
This weekend we were given and amazing gift from my parents! They are retiring next year and decided to gift each of their kids a trip. Knowing our love of WDW, they are gifting us a Disney Cruise. Neither me or my parents have ever done a cruise before and we have a few questions.

Due to a WDW trip already booked in May for me, dh, dd (12) and dd (9), we can’t book another trip during school. My brother already picked his for June so we are thinking July or August. We would be looking at doing a Bahamas cruise and my parents will be joining in the fun!

I am hoping that some of you could help answers our questions or give some recommendations.
1) Weather wise, is July or August better or worse for a Bahamas trip?
2) Question from my mom- She wants a verandah room and is curious is you get cool breezes from the balcony.
3) We are looking at a 3 or 4 day trip. To be able to experience all that the ship can offer. Would we miss out on a 3 day trip? Would 4 even be enough?
4) While looking at the room options I saw you can pick Aft, midship or forward. Along with decks 5-10. Is there a ship location and deck that’s better then the others?

 

[lilsonicfan]

You will love it, I'm sure

1 - August tends toward storm/hurricane season, but it's tough since technically hurricane season can start in July too. So I'd just pick the date that works best for you.

2 - A balcony is great for getting some fresh sea air breeze!

3 - 4 days is definitely better than 3, even longer if you can swing it but I definitely would pick 4 over 3. You can't do every single thing on the cruise anyway, but it gives you an extra day of fun.

4 - I am always of the view that midship is better for accessing everything fairly easily. The midship elevators tend to be busy though. I also like a deck in between passenger room decks, i.e. not above or below public areas. We were on Deck 7 on the Fantasy and it was perfect - 4 flights up to the pool area, 4 flights down for dinner.

 

[piglet1979]

We went on a Disney Cruise last summer at the beginning of August. I don't think the temp would be much different. It is just hot. We had an inside room so I do not know about the veranda. We did a 7 day and though I was ready to be off the boat (found out on this trip I get sea sick) I still felt like I didn't get to see and do everything that I wanted. If it were me I would go with the 4 day. This was our 3rd cruise and I find being in a room that is on the middle of the ship, floor wise and from the sides, is the best. I feel like you don't feel the rocking as much. We were on the 9th floor midship and it was a great spot.

 

[Mommb]

2) Question from my mom- She wants a verandah room and is curious is you get cool breezes from the balcony.

You will get cool breezes while on the balcony. However, guests are asked to keep the veranda doors closed at all times except when actively using them, so you won't get any breezes within the room.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

1. As posted, both months are in the hurricane season. Find a date that works for your family and your parents.
2. Great breeze on the veranda especially at night. But as stated, keep the veranda door closed when you are in or out. The ship has negative air pressure (sucks the air to keep it moving) so if the veranda door is open it is very hard to get the cabin door open (hallway is sucking air), it will slam shut if it is open (watch your fingers) and there will be a wind tunnel down the hallway.
3. The more days the better.
4. Mid-ship low deck for the "relatively smoothest" cruise. Mid-ship high deck for a great view on that veranda.

 

[Tessaf]

Thank you all for the information!

We went ahead and booked a 4 day for July, my parents didn’t think they could handle any more then that lol. We did go with midship for our location and my mom chose deck 10 for the views... we’ve never done a cruise before so I’m hoping we don’t get seasick and end up wishing we did lower decks.

I completely understand the doors can’t be left open. She just wants to feel the breeze as she’s sitting out there relaxing.


I really appreciate everyone’s help and replies. It was so helpful! And now we will just cross our fingers for no hurricane.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Great choices. You'll have a great time.

 

[squirk]

And now we will just cross our fingers for no hurricane.

July was a better call in that regard. The season starts on June 1, but historically, September is the most active. You can see activity start to creep up in August.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

Thank you all for the information!

We went ahead and booked a 4 day for July, my parents didn’t think they could handle any more then that lol. We did go with midship for our location and my mom chose deck 10 for the views... we’ve never done a cruise before so I’m hoping we don’t get seasick and end up wishing we did lower decks.

I completely understand the doors can’t be left open. She just wants to feel the breeze as she’s sitting out there relaxing.


I really appreciate everyone’s help and replies. It was so helpful! And now we will just cross our fingers for no hurricane.

Do look at getting cruise insurance — not necessarily thru Disney but you definitely want to have it for weather cancellations, illlness, etc. You have a limited time to buy it once you book your cruise so don’t delay.

And have fun! DCL cruises are great fun.

 

[deliela999]

Thank you all for the information!

We went ahead and booked a 4 day for July, my parents didn’t think they could handle any more then that lol. We did go with midship for our location and my mom chose deck 10 for the views... we’ve never done a cruise before so I’m hoping we don’t get seasick and end up wishing we did lower decks.

I completely understand the doors can’t be left open. She just wants to feel the breeze as she’s sitting out there relaxing.


I really appreciate everyone’s help and replies. It was so helpful! And now we will just cross our fingers for no hurricane.

We were on midship deck 10 in March. My only complaint (and isn't a deal breaker) is that sometimes we could hear people dragging the chairs around above us. We are on a 4 night for Christmas next year and picked deck 9. That was our only issue and it wasn't loud enough to wake you up or interrupt a conversation, more what's that odd noise?

I'm sure you'll have an amazing time!

 

[piglet1979]

we’ve never done a cruise before so I’m hoping we don’t get seasick and end up wishing we did lower decks.

I was worried that one of the kids would get sea sick and myself since I can't do motion simulators rides anymore. I did buy sea bands and bonine to take on the trip just in case. I am glad I did. I was bad. Ended up taking the bonine twice a day and wearing the sea bands just to feel ok. Just be on the watch for it and at the first sign start taking something. I am sure you will will all be fine though.

Have a great trip. My kids deemed it there favorite vacation.

 

[bakerworld]

We've only accomplished 5 cruises - the longest was 5D. I find that after day 4 I'm ready for land. My sisters both did 7D cruises with RCL and both wanted off the ship after day 4.

We've stayed mid-ships and aft - preferred the aft with the larger verandas.

I've always been prone to motion sickness but didn't have a problem on any of the cruises - the one out of Manhattan was a bit rough (closet doors banging). I take 24H non-Drowsey Dramamine starting a day before the cruise and I stop taking it after 3 days. My husband continues to take it even after we're back on land for day (I forget what it is that he experiences - my daughter had the same reaction - something taking an antihistamine helps with - sounds like middle ear issues to me).

We've cruised late September, October twice, January and June.