Random questions for first cruise

[EDS19]

I've done a lot of reading so I feel pretty prepared for my first cruise. But I have a few random questions.
I will be on the Magic if that make any difference for the following questions.

• I've heard some people say you have one last chance to can get pictures with several characters and performers during the "Till we meet again" show. Do they come out in the crowd before the show starts or right after it ends? If that makes sense.
• Do they have a Pirates Buffett for Pirates night on the Magic? If so is that before the Pirates deck show or after?
• Any other final tips to make my first trip extra special?

Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

• I've done a lot of reading so I feel pretty prepared for my first cruise. But I have a few random questions.
  I will be on the Magic if that make any difference for the following questions.
  
  

  • I've heard some people say you have one last chance to can get pictures with several characters and performers during the "Till we meet again" show. Do they come out in the crowd before the show starts or right after it ends? If that makes sense.
  • Do they have a Pirates Buffett for Pirates night on the Magic? If so is that before the Pirates deck show or after?
  • Any other final tips to make my first trip extra special?

  Thanks!

1 - After the "show" the characters will be scattered throughout the atrium for pictures. With your camera and usually taken by a "handler" as no Shutters photographers are there.

2 - Not a clue. I about suffocated trying to escape the feeding frenzy on the Fantasy once and have had no desire to attempt that madness again. Especially since it's not like there's a shortage of food on the ship. (Not that you'd know that at the feeding frenzy - you'd think everyone was kept below deck rowing to propel the ship without any nourishment.)

3 - Know that you CANNOT do it all. And trying to will result in people being grumpy and exhausted.

 

[lbus42]

I like the feeding frenzy part

 

[k3chantal]

When we were on the Wonder, I walked around the Pirate Night buffet and 'wondered' who in the world is going to eat this? Seriously.......we had the main seating and I still couldn't understand why this was necessary. I took pictures of the pretty decorations but that was about it.
I am hoping on the Magic (my next cruise); they don't have it. I can't imagine making all that food and preparation for people who are sincerely NOT hungry. After sailing the Dream and the Fantasy (twice) without it, I seriously did not regret the lack.

My best advise to make it extra special is not to try to make it extra special. Disney's original "magic" is on those ships. It's playing miniature golf with Pluto unexpectedly, its your serving team sending your teen in 'time out' in the cabin, a full meal including dessert even though you said "Please only send him a small meal; he's in trouble with us.", it's that your whole family is absolutely excited about being back on the ship even though you have been on several times. It's Peter Pan playing hide and go seek in the main atrium with your daughter and a few other children even though there are a hundred people there. The best part about Disney Cruise Line is that it is special without having you ask. It's what I find lacking in the parks now.

Yes, waiting for the magic is taking a chance. It may not happen but that is what makes it more special when it does.

 

[tlprice]

When we were on the Wonder, I walked around the Pirate Night buffet and 'wondered' who in the world is going to eat this? Seriously.......we had the main seating and I still couldn't understand why this was necessary. I took pictures of the pretty decorations but that was about it.
I am hoping on the Magic (my next cruise); they don't have it. I can't imagine making all that food and preparation for people who are sincerely NOT hungry. After sailing the Dream and the Fantasy (twice) without it, I seriously did not regret the lack.

My best advise to make it extra special is not to try to make it extra special. Disney's original "magic" is on those ships. It's playing miniature golf with Pluto unexpectedly, its your serving team sending your teen in 'time out' in the cabin, a full meal including dessert even though you said "Please only send him a small meal; he's in trouble with us.", it's that your whole family is absolutely excited about being back on the ship even though you have been on several times. It's Peter Pan playing hide and go seek in the main atrium with your daughter and a few other children even though there are a hundred people there. The best part about Disney Cruise Line is that it is special without having you ask. It's what I find lacking in the parks now.

Yes, waiting for the magic is taking a chance. It may not happen but that is what makes it more special when it does.

I agree completely! I think the problem on your first cruise is that you try to fit in everything thinking that you might not ever be back again (good luck with that ). I've found that as we've cruised more and more, we've done a lot less and that is when the magic has happened. I used to get so excited to go to WDW, but I agree the magic is gone. We have a trip planned for December, but I'm not excited about it at all. It's all crowds, lines, and planning anymore. My daughter really wants to go, but I'd rather go to Universal or on another cruise.

 

[hcox31]

We've been on two cruises and have yet to see the pirate buffet. We're so stuffed (and kids are ready for bed!)after main seating dinner it doesn't occur to us to go looking.

we've never made the Till we meet again show either. We are asleep by that point. its late for families with young kids-like 10 or 1030!

Go with the flow and don't try to do everything. We checked out the navigator each night and decided what we wanted to try to make it to each day.

 

[DWillowBay]

We've been on two cruises and have yet to see the pirate buffet. We're so stuffed (and kids are ready for bed!)after main seating dinner it doesn't occur to us to go looking.

we've never made the Till we meet again show either. We are asleep by that point. its late for families with young kids-like 10 or 1030!

Go with the flow and don't try to do everything. We checked out the navigator each night and decided what we wanted to try to make it to each day.

All this!! So true!

 

[Goofylou]

We were on Magic at Christmas and they were playing with times for pirate night, our pirate party was between the two dinner settings so they did not provide any buffet.

I cannot comment on ‘until we meet again’ as on our 4 sailings on Magic we have never come across a show but will check our navigators. I will say though you always need to have your camera with you - we have bumped into characters at random times and places, princesses at 11pm wandering around the atrium, Mickey in elevator etc.

Tips, don’t eat in cabanas on your first day it’s a circus! There is a main dining room open (see navigator)

Do a walking tour of the ship if you can it’s normally around lunchtime on embarkation day.

Study your navigator before getting on the ship and download the mobile/cell phone app before you leave home.

 

[JoeFromSeoul]

A good opportunity for some candid character pics is by the Shutters desk on the Magic. There is a CM only door right next to the desk and a soft comfortable bench along the opposite wall. The characters go in and out that door throughout the day with their minders as they are going to their photo sessions. They are passing through on a tight schedule, but always take a moment to be playful.

 

[kiford]

We'd never been to the Pirate Night buffet until one cruise. We didn't eat dessert at dinner and went to the buffet to get the dessert crepes instead. That was just perfect to end the night.

 

[EDS19]

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I really appreciate it!