Tips and Observations from a First-Time Cruiser (LONG)

[DanelleVT]

That was great, just like you said even if you have been reading here you still pointed out a couple of new ones ! I leave 9/2 on the Eastern Caribbean cruise and I was guided to that by my niece who worked at WDW and has taken several Disney Cruises, she said pick the one that doesn't stop at Key West, especially with kids, you kind of confirmed that I did the right thing there, I am looking forward to 3 at sea days, but I would have liked the Mexican ports, but, fair trade to me. The biggest thing I took away from this is to try and hit some of the matinees with my DD 4, I think we will both be a lot happier that way. Can I ask you how you handled the pirate party, did you go, did the kids stay up, take a nap before ? Thanks

 

[pbbtlchhk]

Thanks for the tips JD99, I'm flying out tomorrow for our Land/Sea and we are boarding the Wonder on Thursday.
I'll let everyone know how it went. Thanks again & Happy Sailin'

 

[jd99]

Danielle - DD2 slept through the party, DD7 went for a while...was tired, a bit grumpy and didn't make it to the end. I'm the only one who did (and that was just barely). We were ALL very tired the whole week. I think the rocking of the ship really does make you sleepy and we were all in bed earlier than normal and certainly earlier than I would have liked or expected. I picked the western because I didn't think I would like the at sea days and wanted more ports. I was wrong. I could probably do a trip with mostly at sea days. I didn't believe other people when they said they were the best days...but they are. There is SO much to do on the ship and the knowledge of having all day and night to do whatever you want to do is a great great thing.

That was great, just like you said even if you have been reading here you still pointed out a couple of new ones ! I leave 9/2 on the Eastern Caribbean cruise and I was guided to that by my neice who worked at WDW and has taken several Disney Cruises, she said pick the one that doesn't stop at Key West, especially with kids, you kind of confirmed that I did the right thing there, I am looking forward to 3 at sea days, but I would have like the Mexican ports, but, fair trade to me. The biggest thing I took away from this is to try and hit some of the matinees with my DD 4, I think we will both be a lot happier that way. Can I ask you how you handled the pirate party, did you go, did the kids stay up, take a nap before ? Thanks

 

[mmouse37]

Could you post this so we can all see, I'd be interested in the day room at Westin. TIA

Great report!!

We have cruised DCL 15 times (we were on their Maiden Voyage of the Magic) and tons of things went wrong...but....I knew a good thing when I saw it!!! They eventually got their "sea legs". It became very addicting!!! #16 is scheduled for this November.

I also would like to find out about the Westin......please post about Westin day rates....we belong to Starwood and would love use some points there, but if day rate is reasonable I would just pay the rate....thanks.

 

[jd99]

Great report!!

We have cruised DCL 15 times (we were on their Maiden Voyage of the Magic) and tons of things went wrong...but....I knew a good thing when I saw it!!! They eventually got their "sea legs". It became very addicting!!! #16 is scheduled for this November.

I also would like to find out about the Westin......please post about Westin day rates....we belong to Starwood and would love use some points there, but if day rate is reasonable I would just pay the rate....thanks.

Hi mmouse37 - see above in post #16 and #20 the info about the Westin & day rates as we got it. Wow 16 cruises. I am dying to figure out number 2. We have a 4-day booked in June but I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed with the length of time after starting with a seven day. What do you think?

 

[DCL Repeaters]

Hi mmouse37 - see above in post #16 and #20 the info about the Westin & day rates as we got it. Wow 16 cruises. I am dying to figure out number 2. We have a 4-day booked in June but I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed with the length of time after starting with a seven day. What do you think?

I think you should switch to a 7 - day eastern!! We love the eastern over the western just for that extra sea day. We're heading out on DCL #17 in Oct. Looks like you've caught the DCL fever like the rest of us!

 

[jd99]

I think you should switch to a 7 - day eastern!! We love the eastern over the western just for that extra sea day. We're heading out on DCL #17 in Oct. Looks like you've caught the DCL fever like the rest of us!

that's what we want to do but with DD7 in school the only possible week we could do it is Easter Week since the Med cruises start before she is done with school. We'd only have to take her out of school for 2 days and that is reasonable I think. We're considering that and a Med cruise (we had hoped to go to Greece to see my wife's family this summe so if we can work it out we might be able to swing a long trip doing both).

 

[DeloreanGirl]

Wow what a great list! I love tips like those. Thank you so much, I can't wait for our first cruise!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Hi mmouse37 - see above in post #16 and #20 the info about the Westin & day rates as we got it. Wow 16 cruises. I am dying to figure out number 2. We have a 4-day booked in June but I'm afraid I'm going to be disappointed with the length of time after starting with a seven day. What do you think?

I know what you mean....I came off a 2 week DCL cruise through the Panama Canal last summer so now a 7 day is going to seem short!!! You will be fine though on the 4 day....just book another 7 day once onboard!!!

MJ

 

[ReggieB]

DD2 slept through the party, DD7 went for a while...was tired, a bit grumpy and didn't make it to the end. I'm the only one who did (and that was just barely). We were ALL very tired the whole week. I think the rocking of the ship really does make you sleepy and we were all in bed earlier than normal and certainly earlier than I would have liked or expected. I picked the western because I didn't think I would like the at sea days and wanted more ports. I was wrong. I could probably do a trip with mostly at sea days. I didn't believe other people when they said they were the best days...but they are. There is SO much to do on the ship and the knowledge of having all day and night to do whatever you want to do is a great great thing.

Completely agree with you about at sea days. Although I did enjoy the excursions we took, I really felt terribly herded all the time..baa! Wasn't very relaxing!

Didn't like the 5:30 dinner either, but we had great servers (Depak and Christina) and a really nice family to sit with. Didn't feel rushed at all. I would request them again again on the Magic.

DD6 fell asleep for about 15 mins before the pirate party started, we were able to rouse him and find our fellow Disers up on deck ten. We missed it on our 4day - it is tough to stay up late, loved the matinees too! Hope you had a great anniversary by the way. Glad you got your pirate magnate back.

 

[michelle9343]

Thanks for taking the time to post such an informative report. I agree with so much that you said. The 1st day I felt like a spinning top trying to figure everthing out.My 1st was a 4 day , so I am hoping on my next one , which is a seven day, I will be able to slow down and enjoy the ship.

 

[disneyfanatic3166]

Congragulations on enjoying your cruise in the end. I'm sure that with your experience now, your next cruise will be even better!

Also, Thanks for your informative report

 

[Pea-n-Me]

32. Here is a change I would make. I know that a lot of people love the split baths. I feel like I’m in an airplane bathroom in either one. I’d rather have one larger bathroom. Even as a family of four – with 3 girls, 2 of which love their getting ready time – we never really “shared” the bathoom with one of us in one side and the other in the other. I’d so much rather have one larger bathroom. It is truly the only part of the cabin I had a problem with

LOL, FINALLY, someone who agrees with me (see Tag #2)!

Thanks for the tips. Next year we're sailing with several families who've never cruised before. I'm going to share this with them.

 

[Minniespal]

Thanx for your wonderful report

I have copied it onto my computer as we will be Cruising for the first time next year.

 

[Tiggery]

Sounds like you had a great time, especially once you had relaxed a little. Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

[Dawn414]

I enjoyed reading your list and can relate to some of these having just come off of the Majesty of the Seas for a 3-night anniversary cruise with DH (his first cruise, my second). The goal of that cruise was to 'christen' him to cruising and thankfully within about an hour he was already ready to do the next one!

But onto the addiction...The whole thing came about when a friend was talking about a cruise he went on...it got me talking about how much I loved the cruise I went on (albeit 7 years ago). After much convincing....We had booked the 7-night Western 4/07 and later were booking the 3-night Sovereign of the seas for 8/07....Then, I started reading all the 'stuff' about WDW and the like and got the hankering for that because I want the kids to see it before they start kindergarten. Well...we're not independently wealthy so SOMETHING had to change. I'm disappointed that we ended up cancelling both of the cruises, booking a 4-nighter instead so we could do 2 stints at WDW with the DD/DS (will be 4-year old twins next year), but at least I'll get to see one of the DCL ships. The biggest thing I think I've learned in all the trips I've taken and planned (I'm a killer planner!) is HAKUNA MATATA (pretty appropriate for this site, I think). There are things you cannot control and in those cases, you just can't let it bother you. I'm glad you got the itch and will do it again. I think it is amazing and am counting down the months until I get to step foot on a ship again. Happy sailing!

Dawn McG

 

[Seahunt]

37. The Iron Horse Fairy Tale champagne is such a great treat. I had a glass every night while doing my trip report.

I agree! My DH & I first had this at the GF afternoon tea a long time ago, yummm..

Then when we were staying at the Poly a couple years ago, we found a bottle of this for sale at the shop (upstairs), and took it home for New Years eve, and last year it was also available for purchase at the Food & Wine, so we had to buy another! (It is pretty expensive there by the bottle though - I think we paid around $40, but on NYE I didn't think about that!) Hic!

 

[curlybop]

Thanks for taking the time to post! I always enjoy reading others tips, hints, etc.

 

[jd99]

The dolphins we saw. It was amazing. One morning (and I really can't remember what morning it was) we were having breakfast at Topsiders and I swear I just glanced down and saw a dolphin. Others joined in and we saw at least 20 of em racing along side the ship, jumping a bit and just having a good old time. I've been whale watching in Maui and on a dolphin cruise in Southern California, but never saw so many of anything gathered in one spot for such a period of time. It was amazing.

 

[dlf246]

28. If you don’t feel like getting up for your character breakfast – don’t. It’s very rushed and there are enough other opportunities to meet characters. Ours was on our first morning and we got up early to get there and I think we could have easily missed it with no harm/no foul with the kids.

Each time I have reviewed our DCL scrapbook, I sigh looking at character breakfast pictures... Yet, it wasn't until I read this post, that I said "Yeah, that's right!" I think for most of us it is unthinkable to miss.

With all the character appearances on the Magic plus the little enjoyment our DD5 had at character breakfast, I think we will skip it next time.