Wee bit discouraged

[quickcat]

Let me start by saying that I am usually an obsessive planner....however, for our first DCL cruise, I did ZERO planning. Zilch. Nada. My kids were 2 and 5 at the time. We literally showed up at the ship, and took it a step at a time. We made our plans by looking at the Navigator and winging it. And, we had a fabulous time. There are plenty of activities to take part in, even if you can't sign up for ticketed events ahead of time.

This was our same experience with our first two or three cruises. We planned nothing and had a great time. To be honest, those were some of our best cruise memories too!
Have a great cruise!

 

[wanderlust7]

If you preregistered for the Oceaneer's club then you don't need to do anything else until you get to the port. You can either get their band at the port or wait and go to the club on the ship to get it. I would base that one the line at the port. We have always gotten through pretty easily at port but others say there were really long lines and it was quicker to do it once on board.

On our cruise on the Fantasy out of Port Canaveral in October, I was pleasantly surprised when the CM handed us the kids' club bands during the check-in process. No need to pick up at a different place. I thought it was great that they streamlined the process!

 

[Shanti]

I know I will be in the minority here, but I have to say that I'm discouraged with the cruise planning so far. We haven't even left (our cruise is in April), but we couldn't get into ANY of the activities we wanted (we were at our computer at midnight the day we could start signing up) and the thought of having to stand in a line at guest services as soon as we arrive to try to get into one of them is not appealing to me, my one child is too young for a majority of the port activities, the kids won't be in the same pool together because of their ages. And many other things. This is our first cruise and we've been looking forward to one for a long time, but I thought cruises were supposed to be relaxing but I feel like we are planning more for this than our land excursion following the cruise. I feel like its going to be line after line after line, and crazy busy every where we go. Please help me get excited for this cruise.

I'm not sure what you think you'll have to wait in line for, besides character meet & greets. If you want to book an excursion or mixology event onboard, there might be a line to do that, but in 3 DCL cruises I've never seen a really long line at Guest Services or the Port Adventures Desk.

The pools are small and will usually be quite crowded, so they're not ideal places to relax onboard. If your kids like the nursery/kids clubs, they can do that while you chill out on deck, or you can all relax on the pool deck loungers while watching a movie. Staterooms are nice places to chill out, too, especially on the Dream or Fantasy, which have on-demand Disney programming on the tv.

 

[Sytrace]

I know I will be in the minority here, but I have to say that I'm discouraged with the cruise planning so far. We haven't even left (our cruise is in April), but we couldn't get into ANY of the activities we wanted (we were at our computer at midnight the day we could start signing up) and the thought of having to stand in a line at guest services as soon as we arrive to try to get into one of them is not appealing to me, my one child is too young for a majority of the port activities, the kids won't be in the same pool together because of their ages. And many other things. This is our first cruise and we've been looking forward to one for a long time, but I thought cruises were supposed to be relaxing but I feel like we are planning more for this than our land excursion following the cruise. I feel like its going to be line after line after line, and crazy busy every where we go. Please help me get excited for this cruise.

First, don't give up yet on booking those meet and greets that you want. Check again at 3 to 5 days before sailing and before they close out access to booking. If you still don't get them, THEN you can worry about trying once on board.
Second, the lines on the ship are a heck of a lot shorter than they are in WDW waiting for characters. Plus side, you don't have to worry about ADR's or Fast passes either. The only things you have to reserve are those meet and greet tickets and Palo or Remy dinner/brunch if you are so inclined to dine there.
Port excursions are fun and sometimes DCL does not allow younger ones on them for a reason...however, there is always the option of going to an outside vendor and booking directly if you know of something you want to do and if you understand their policy of booking and cancellation guidelines.
Pools are right next to Nemos Reef so while the youngest is running around in the splash area, the older kids can be having fun in one of the pools right there.

Cruises are fun and relaxing...don't let these little things worry you and stress you out. Have a great cruise!

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

We booked 4 out of 5 of our Disney cruises late within 75 days of sailing, and everything and I mean everything was sold out online. We always were able to get tasting/mixology classes, etc. For example, on our last cruise this month - about 5 days before sailing mixology became available, the character breakfast and some excursions that were previously sold out.
Even when they didn't before, we were able to book on board. Our DS wanted the pirate makeover and all online spots at BBB were taken with the exception of some 11 am and 8 pm ones. When we visited BBB Boutique once we boarded, they had soooo many time slots available.

The only place where I experienced lines after lines- was the non ticketed character greets.
First couple cruises we stood in lines for 2 hrs each day waiting on the different characters.
Now we only join if there happen to only be a few people, and otherwise get our character photos during the character breakfast and ticketed meets. I found our cruises were much more relaxed not chaising and waiting for characters.
Same with lines/crowds at the buffet especially on sea days. This past cruise we did a lot more sit down breakfasts and lunches - so relaxing and uncrowded.

Excursions and pools - we experienced this once when we had one in our travelling party under 3.
There should be some selection of excursions for all ages, maybe a beach or resort for the day were your child in diapers can happily splash away? Also, we found one excursion where Disney required the child to be 5, but the same tour independently didn't have an age limit.
It really depends on the younger child, if it's a baby under 2, he/she should be easily satisfied playing in the toddler splash area or sitting watching funnel vision. Ours at the time was 2 months away from being 3 and in diapers, so he was very aware he could not be in the pool. I will admit that sucked. But you already have the advantage of knowing this ahead of time. Create a plan that you think will work for your family.

Having traveled with a 2 almost 3 year old, I do think some of your fears are funded. But try to relax, you should get your stuff once you board, if you don't before and believe me - DCL will make it special for your baby and your family.
Watch the personal navigator, they have lots for toddlers. Wake up with Disney Jr, toddler time, baby diaper race - there should be lots. Granted I have not been on the Dream but they should have baby/toddler friendly activities.
Visit kids clubs during open house hours.

You will have an amazing time.
If however you are still apprehensive, move your sailing to a later date if you can. When both kids will be able to use the pool etc. Go to a resort now instead.
My friend did that because she knew they wanted all kids to be able to use the pools.
I would personally still go, but you know your family best

 

[diznymom]

Take a deep breath and relax.
I was so used to WDW and planning every activity, meal, etc. Cruising....there's not much to plan. I'm Type A personality (aka OCD). It drove me nuts for our first cruise. I, like you, felt like I was missing something - a major something. Nothing was missed.

I have since found copies of old Personal Navigators online through the Disney Cruise Blog. I find these so helpful. I study them before we cruise - realizing that my cruise will most likely be a bit different, but will be similar.

If you printed out the one page you were told to print during the check in process, that is all you need. (It is at the end of the online check in process).

Pools.....they are small and super crowded. Nemo's reef is awesome. Both of your kids might like it and they will be together.

Kid's club....they have Open House (I think every day). You can all go in there during that time and do stuff. (It is on my bucket list to do. We don't have littles, but DH wants to "steer the boat" and I want to see Andy's room)

 

[EllieBride]

I would try not to be too discouraged. We took our first cruise last June and our advance sign-ups were pretty minimal. Just two character meet and greets, and a hair appointment for my daughter. I didn't get the day/time that I wanted for that (Pirate Night), but it still worked out fine and she was none the wiser. We didn't take any excursions, but we did do one Chocolate and Alcohol Tasting while the kids were at the club. That was awesome and we signed up for it about an hour before it started. The kids (both almost 5 years old at the time) enjoyed the club more than we expected which gave us time to relax and explore the ship. Now that we know what to expect, we'll plan more adventures (spa, a dinner without them, etc.) next time.

Also, even if you don't get a character meet and greet scheduled, you will find tons of opportunities to meet them.