Top info for first time on DCL

[cadien]

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.

I love this idea. Does it ever happen in the regular kids club?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I love this idea. Does it ever happen in the regular kids club?

Yes. There are character visits at the Club all the time.

 

[TrishaK]

On our previous cruise, our daughter was only 3. At breakfast, I picked up bread, peanut butter, and jelly. I then made a sandwich for her lunch/snack later in the day. I also brought fruits back to the room for her snacks.

 

[Trera]

I love this idea. Does it ever happen in the regular kids club?

Yes, On our last cruise our DD said one day Stitch came to the club and on another day it was Captain America.

 

[lklgoodman]

The navigator will state when characters will be in the Oceaneer's club. My dd danced with Belle and Snow White and had Tiana, Rapunzel, and Belle come read stories to them at different times. We've only been on 7 night cruises and on 2 different nights on our last cruise there was a Pluto Pajama party. Dd went both nights and LOVED it. They got to throw marshmellows at the CMs, color a pluto pillowcase(which you get to keep), dance with Pluto and watch Mickey videos. It didn't start until 10pm, which is past dd's regular bedtime, but she loved it and we had to drag her out both times. Not sure if they do the party on 3 nights, but if they do, it also will be listed in the navigator.

 

[PurplePencil]

That's his plan last time we talked.

Sorry I phrased my question oddly. With the overwhelming excitement of a new environment, I highly suggest you explore the club/lab on the first day and get your son acclimated with the area.
If you are planning on being at Palo/Remy/Spa or even just want some alone time, be sure to let the kids club staff know and they will try to redirect your son if he wants them to page you unless it is a crisis.
A quiet hidden gem is a small pool on Deck 12 called Funnel Puddle. It is a shallow pool with plenty of lounge chairs around it perfect for your son (or some of the other kids you said will be with you) to splash around in without the crowds of the main pools.

 

[bbel]

I believe all the ships now offer 'preschool fun' within the first couple of days.
It a time when the club is only open for 3-5 year olds to be dropped off for 30 minutes to an hour, so they can get used to being left in the space with kids their own age and size. They'll often do programmes like 'explore the club', heffalump expedition, puzzle playtime, little einteins during that time for them too.

As for characters in the clubs, it's constant, especially on sea days: detective school with Goofy, aloha and adventures with stitch, pirates with Captain Hook, Sophia, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, Cinderella, belle, captain America, Spider-Man, woody, tinkerbell...they'll often come in for a wander too.

Some programmes with characters are often offered in open house which are good for families with young kids such as: mickeys puzzle playtime, always has Mickey and two others (goofy, Pluto, Minnie), and story time with Belle.

 

[bbel]

Not sure if they do the party on 3 nights, but if they do, it also will be listed in the navigator

Plutos is (99%) of the time, offered on all cruises because it's so popular.

 

[Spork24]

Thank you all for all the help, I'm feeling much less in the dark about DCL now!

 

[lklgoodman]

You can look at the carpet in the halls by the cabins to tell which way you are going on the ship. I haven't been on the Dream, but on the Fantasy the stars looked upside down when walking towards the aft and right side up when walking forward. There was also some other design, a globe maybe, that had a meaning but I don't remember what it was. I'm sure someone on here knows, otherwise just ask any cm you see and the can tell you.

 

[Dug720]

You can look at the carpet in the halls by the cabins to tell which way you are going on the ship. I haven't been on the Dream, but on the Fantasy the stars looked upside down when walking towards the aft and right side up when walking forward. There was also some other design, a globe maybe, that had a meaning but I don't remember what it was. I'm sure someone on here knows, otherwise just ask any cm you see and the can tell you.

The map of the world is easy - the North Pole is towards the bow and the South Pole is towards the aft.

That's the easiest for me as I don't think of stars as having a right or wrong side, so that doesn't help me.

 

[lklgoodman]

The map of the world is easy - the North Pole is towards the bow and the South Pole is towards the aft.

That's the easiest for me as I don't think of stars as having a right or wrong side, so that doesn't help me.

Thanks. I was hoping someone would say what the other image is on the carpet. I need to write that down in my planning notebook. It only took me 3 cruises to learn the carpet trick. I have a horrible sense of direction and never knew where I was going on the first 2 cruises. My then 6 yr dd had to tell me where were most of the time!! I just remember the stars looking really odd whenever I was going towards the aft. Maybe someone(Princess Schmoo), has a pic??? Any other tips about knowing where you are on the ship? If I remember correctly there are directories next to the elevators.

 

[ILoveMyKellen]

You can look at the carpet in the halls by the cabins to tell which way you are going on the ship. I haven't been on the Dream, but on the Fantasy the stars looked upside down when walking towards the aft and right side up when walking forward. There was also some other design, a globe maybe, that had a meaning but I don't remember what it was. I'm sure someone on here knows, otherwise just ask any cm you see and the can tell you.

The map of the world is easy - the North Pole is towards the bow and the South Pole is towards the aft.

That's the easiest for me as I don't think of stars as having a right or wrong side, so that doesn't help me.

You know, I looked at the carpet but never really "looked" at the carpet. This is good to know.

 

[Stellar01]

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!

I've read and been told that these 3 and 4 day cruises make you feel rushed and not enough time for the things you want to do. We are doing a 7 day for our first so we actually feel that we have time to do the the stuff we want to do.

 

[Dug720]

I've read and been told that these 3 and 4 day cruises make you feel rushed and not enough time for the things you want to do. We are doing a 7 day for our first so we actually feel that we have time to do the the stuff we want to do.

And even then you WON'T be able to do it all.

 

[Stellar01]

And even then you WON'T be able to do it all.

Oh I know we won't be able to do it all. But we are making a list of our most wanted things to do at each port and they on the ship. And will narrow to just 1 or two things if able per port and go from the top to the bottom with the in ship stuff. And what ever we get to we do and if we don't we will do it the next time.

 

[Minnie & Daisy]

Yeah we heard about this.

Children with swim diapers can use the splash zone. They seem to enjoy it and even older children like using it, too!

 

[PaoDCL]

Don't forget....Room service is free