Top info for first time on DCL

[Spork24]

We are taking our first disney cruise in January. We are doing a 3night on the Dream on Jan 2nd out of Port Canaveral. We will be traveling with our 2 children DS 3 and DD 2. 2 other families with various age kids are joining us. We are frequent ravelers to Disney World, but are pretty clueless when it comes to Cruising. (we went on 1 cruise on carnival years ago)

So basically what are the most important things to know about Cruising with Disney? Any tips for first timers are appreciated.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are taking our first disney cruise in January. We are doing a 3night on the Dream on Jan 2nd out of Port Canaveral. We will be traveling with our 2 children DS 3 and DD 2. 2 other families with various age kids are joining us. We are frequent ravelers to Disney World, but are pretty clueless when it comes to Cruising. (we went on 1 cruise on carnival years ago)

So basically what are the most important things to know about Cruising with Disney? Any tips for first timers are appreciated.

#1 - Don't try to do everything - you can't. Just look at the Navigator each evening and pick a few things you want to do, and otherwise relax, remember it's a vacation.

#2 - Don't plan every minute. Relax. Remember it's a vacation.

#3 - Save some things to do "next time".

If you want to use the nursery, it's a good idea to schedule some time there during your online check in process.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

4: No swim diapers in the pools.

 

[Spork24]

#1 - Don't try to do everything - you can't. Just look at the Navigator each evening and pick a few things you want to do, and otherwise relax, remember it's a vacation.

#2 - Don't plan every minute. Relax. Remember it's a vacation.

#3 - Save some things to do "next time".

If you want to use the nursery, it's a good idea to schedule some time there during your online check in process.

1. Ok, is the navigator the smart phone app?

2. That's the plan, trying to work in massages at some point as well. (Helps with relaxation)

3. Absolutely, we are using this short trip to help us learn DCL and will likely book another while on the cruise.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Spork24]

4: No swim diapers in the pools.

Yeah we heard about this.

 

[tink1970]

Ok, is the navigator the smart phone app?

There is a navigator on the smart phone app (I've heard...I turn off my phone and don't look at it during the cruise...at all). There will also be a 1 or 2 page navigator left every night in your stateroom for the next day with the important information you need. It is very helpful.

I agree with PPs-they've covered the basics. If you enjoy your trip and plan to do another Disney Cruise within the next two years booking while onboard either a specific cruise or placeholder cruise is a good idea.

 

[The Hunchback]

The Navigator is the daily newspaper. It will be in your stateroom when you arrive and you get a new one each evening. It may be a phone app too. We don't turn our cell phones on when cruising. Avoids roaming charges.

My suggestions:

Bring a few ziplock bags and collect a few snacks for the kids at breakfast. Saves running up to decks if you are in the stateroom and they get hungry. Cereal is great for this. I like gallon size bags.

Bring a child friendly anti nausea medicine. Just in case. Adults too get seasick.

I have not had a massage on a ship in years but would guess you need to book it as soon as possible. May need to call Disney on this. Otherwise book as soon as you board to be sure you get a slot.

E-mail time on a cruise is expensive. Plan what you really need ahead of time and don't let them talk you into buying extra. E-mail is very slow at sea. We sometimes skip it on short cruises.

Plan to have a great time.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

E-mail time on a cruise is expensive. Plan what you really need ahead of time and don't let them talk you into buying extra. E-mail is very slow at sea.

5. Sign up for the 50 MB free package on embarkation day. Great for being able to do a quick check of emails.

 

[lklgoodman]

You can't take any food off/on the ship if its package has been opened already. So any snacks that you want for port excursions need to stay unopened in their wrappers. There's a small frig in your stateroom. We'd get a couple of yogurts/fresh fruit from Cabanas and keep them in it for when dd woke up super early. If you order from room service, please don't put the tray in the hallway afterwards. Leave it in your stateroom and your attendant will get it. I've seen trays left out in the halls and food being smashed all over hallways.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

The cruise staff give a general "ship tour" at specific time before you set sail on the first day of your cruise. Since you haven't cruised DCL, this is a great way to locate where certain things are onboard the ship.

The most important thing I would say is keep track of when your online check-in/activities booking date is on the DCL website.

 

[Spork24]

If you want to get a general idea of what the navigators will look like, go here:http://disneycruiselineblog.com/201...t-bahamian-cruise-port-canaveral-may-29-2017/

This was very helpful! Thanks

 

[Spork24]

Thanks for all the tips so far!

 

[Dug720]

Yeah we heard about this.

That is pretty much standard in any non-private pool. As it should be.

 

[rcchello]

If you want to use your phone just for the app and not take a chance of making or receiving calls

Step 1: Download app before you board. Disney Cruise Line Navigator App
Step 2: After boarding turn on Airplane mode
Step 3: Turn on Wifi
Step 4: Connect to DCL-GUEST
Step 5: Start the app

 

[diznymom]

4: No swim diapers in the pools.

There is an awesome splash zone for little ones still in diapers.

 

[PurplePencil]

Is your 3 year old planning on being Potty Trained? This is an important question as if he will be unable to attend the Oceaneer Club, you should plan accordingly.
(He still can go to the nursery, but may get bored). Either way, I also highly suggest you attend an Open House in the Club and/or the Lab; your daughter can also attend.

 

[Goofy&Sleepy]

APP is AMAZING and can keep in touch w/other family members by messaging HOWEVER there can be delays in getting the messages.

 

[Spork24]

Is your 3 year old planning on being Potty Trained? This is an important question as if she will be unable to attend the Oceaneer Club, you should plan accordingly.
(She still can go to the nursery, but may get bored). Either way, I also highly suggest you attend an Open House in the Club and/or the Lab; your son can also attend.

That's his plan last time we talked.

 

[tink1970]

That's his plan last time we talked

 

[Trera]

We cruised on DCL often when our DD was 2 and 3 and here would be a couple of suggestions I would make.

1. She loves juice and milk, so we filled up a tervis each morning at breakfast with apple juice and grabbed a carton of milk and put it in our in room fridge for drinks later in the day or in our room.
2. We brought our own large Tervis tumblers or Yeti Ramblers to fill up at the drink stations to avoid frequent return trips
3. Splash pad is great for non potty trained kids and we tried to do it early in the morning before the larger kids got in there and started running around.
4. We always had Main Seating at dinner as our little one would be so tired at night that she couldn't make it through the late dinner.
5. One of us always took her to the room for a nap after lunch to keep her on her schedule. (other one could get a massage, work out in the gym or lay out at the adult pool)
6. If she was still in diapers, we requested a diaper genie for the room.
7. The nursery is not a bad thing. Our DD had time in there every day even if it was for a couple of hours so we could eat at Palo. They did crafts, have toys, watched movies and many times have a character drop by to read a story to the kids. They can even have an area with cribs for babies/toddlers to nap if necessary.
8. Open houses are a good way to get the kids acclimated to the clubs/nursery as well as let the parent see what it is all about.
9. Get princess meet and greet tickets reserved as soon as your activity booking window opens.
10. We bring pirate hats, outfits, foam swords, glow sticks, etc for Pirate night as our DD loves to dress up now. (when she was 2 and 3 not as much)

Good luck