Things you wish you would've known....

[engle]

I am a super planner. And as much as you can try, doing something yourself is a better substitute than researching it. Anyway, I will be doing my first cruise, yes, DCL, in October 2009. What do you wish you would've known BEFORE that you discovered once you got on board that you probably didn't see on these boards or in a guide book. It will be me and DH....no kids (we don't have any!). It will be a 4 night and money is no object. Tell me please!

 

[Andrew DEREK UK]

I am a super planner. And as much as you can try, doing something yourself is a better substitute than researching it. Anyway, I will be doing my first cruise, yes, DCL, in October 2009. What do you wish you would've known BEFORE that you discovered once you got on board that you probably didn't see on these boards or in a guide book. It will be me and DH....no kids (we don't have any!). It will be a 4 night and money is no object. Tell me please!

I would let you into the biggest secret,


Relax and enjoy, do not over plan.

But

Read navigators for your cruise in advance, people post these on this and other sites and you can plan what you wish to do as, when you are on the ship times goes fast.

 

[kcashner]

You can't do everything in one cruise. We will soon be on our 16th sailing on the Magic!

I agree, relax and enjoy. Don't drive yourself crazy trying to do and see everything you feel is important. Enjoy it and them come back for another cruise.

 

[safetymom]

Bring a surge strip for all your items. Use another card with a magnetic strip to lock your safe.

 

[JustLorri]

I had read this before, but ignored it: pack less clothes than you think you'll need.

We had to do laundry halfway through anyway. I thought we'd only do a small load, by dh ended up dumping all the dirty laundry in. We put the newly washed clothes right on top of the ones still in the drawer and ended up wearing them twice. We had some trouble with our luggage making weight on the flight home and there wasn't enough room to put all the clothes in our room. We would have been more than fine with only half of what we packed.

 

[wdhinn89]

Bring a surge strip for all your items. Use another card with a magnetic strip to lock your safe.

What cards with magnetic stips do you suggest? The only ones I could think of are my charge cards. Does the black strip need to be visible? How about a casino slot machine card (no black strip though)

 

[kcashner]

Your credit card works fine to lock/unlock the safe.

As to packing....black sandals double as evening shoes for ladies. Black tennies double as dress shoes for boys. I'll echo--after 15 cruises, I still take more clothes than I need. Pack what you think you'll need, then remove some. If going to WDW first, plan to do laundry either the night before you leave or the morning you leave for the cruise. That way you avoid the issue of full laundry rooms on the ship (there are more at the WDW resorts than on the ships), and all your things are fresh and clean when you start the cruise.

We really like the "over the door" shoe holder to store all sorts of things on the ship--holds sunscreen, camera, etc. as well as toiletries.

I enjoy the rainforest part of the spa, and frequently do the unlimited pass there. I tend to skip the other spa stuff because it costs twice as much as at home and I have things I'd rather do on the ship.

Unless you're a big Nassau fan, stay on the ship and enjoy it on that day. It won't be at all crowded, and Nassau is yukky.

 

[safetymom]

We used our car rental company card. We hid it in the drawer so that we could all use it to open the safe. I don't recommend using a credit card. Any card with the magnetic strip on the back will work.

 

[ibouncetoo]

We used our car rental company card. We hid it in the drawer so that we could all use it to open the safe. I don't recommend using a credit card. Any card with the magnetic strip on the back will work.

We used our grocery store 'club' card.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

I wish I would have known how crazy the last night is trying to get everything ready. I would have organized a bit all along instead of waiting until the last minute.

 

[Peggy Jean]

We take our larger suitcase and put it standing upright in the closet zipping it all the way around except for the top, which we leave open and use it like a hamper. Just stuff in the dirty clothes and zip it shut. When that one is full exchange it for another. When we get home, those go straight to the laundry room.

 

[Kim&Chris]

- Bring a surge protector or extension cord
- Don't pack any overly dressy clothes (99% of the guests dress very casually for dinner).
- If you can find a sample size of Lysol, buy it and bring it for the bathroom. The bathrooms have poor ventilation (if you know what I mean )
- If you're not too "into" seeing Nassau, stay on board. You'll love having a half-empty ship to wander around & enjoy.
- PACK LIGHT. This will be our third DCL cruise, and I refuse to overpack this time. After our two last cruises, I realized that we were bringing home a lot of unworn clothing that was taking up valuable souvenier space in our luggage .

 

[engle]

Thanks so far!! Lots of good ideas! Did anyone use a planner book like Passporter or just the dis?? I hate getting somewhere like DCL and saying "Ooooooo I wish I would've know that I had to plan that ahead and now I am missing out!!" I know about Palo and it is a must do!! Anything else like that? I have heard bad things about Nassau and other than a quick shopping trip near the port, we will probably stay onboard.

 

[Hixski]

I am a super planner. And as much as you can try, doing something yourself is a better substitute than researching it. Anyway, I will be doing my first cruise, yes, DCL, in October 2009. What do you wish you would've known BEFORE that you discovered once you got on board that you probably didn't see on these boards or in a guide book. It will be me and DH....no kids (we don't have any!). It will be a 4 night and money is no object. Tell me please!

If money is no object I would upgrade to a 7 night cruise........but thats just me.

 

[dmi188]

I would have breakfast and lunch in the sit down restaurants at least once.

 

[engle]

Yeah, we thought about that but to be honest I am leary. I have never cruised and have had bouts of sea sickness on other boats. I know, I know, cruises are different but I don't want to be nervous about this big long cruise and end up sick, ruining an entire vacation. I really wanted to do the 3 night but DH talked me into one extra night.

 

[engle]

Can you have breakfast in the sit downs on the day of departure?

 

[ashman]

Can you have breakfast in the sit downs on the day of departure?

Yes we did, we thought we be too rushed (had early seating) but was able to make our time with no trouble, and enjoyed seeing our team one more time.

Another tip. If you have a luggage set that nestles, you probably won't need all the bags (esp if you heed the good advice to pack less). Pack your next to largest bag and put it in your biggest bag. This gives you the luxery of extra room for touresty gifty thingys and you don't have to pack as effectiently to come home. (Notice how you pack a much "tighter" bag at home than at the trip to get home?)

 

[tvguy]

1) That the shows for late seating are BEFORE dinner. Every other cruise line we've been on do the shows after dinner, no matter what seating you have.


2) That while there are a ton of activities during the day, other than the bars, there really wasn't anything for families to do together after 10pm.

3) We knew that there was no organized disembarkation system before we went, everyone here seems to love that. We found it to be a big mess. I don't like standing in line. We were reminded of this in June when we cruised NCL which has a system, plus they now allow you to stay in your cabin until it is your turn to leave the ship. Wish Disney would at least let you stay in your cabin until you were ready to leave.

 

[kcashner]

You can have a sit down breakfast the day of disembarkation. Your time is based on your dinner seating time. You have to vacate your cabin at that time, so take all carry on luggage to the dining room with you. The menu is slightly more limited than normal days. The alternative (especially if you want to get off early and have late seating) is to eat at the buffet.

We've never had an issue with standing in line to disembark except the time that Customs didn't clear the ship in a timely fashion. The line at Customs/Immigration is usually minimal and goes very quickly. The entire process (getting off ship, claiming your luggage, getting thru customs) normally takes under 10 minutes, and you are on your way to the airport or wherever.

I get seasick on small boats--never had a problem on the Magic. The first time, I did everything--sea bands, scope patch, etc.....the second time, I was brave and did nothing--no problem. Sea Sick pills are available at the medical center (in a container outside the door) at no charge....available 24/7!