What I would do/not do next cruise

[100AcreWood]

I believe Bonnie's cruise was cancelled just three days before the sailed. magic was in dry dock and this was the first cruise after returning to port and she wasn't ready. Very, very sad for those booked on that sailing.

That would stink. I would be so disappointed.

 

[Bonniec]

Why? I'm curious as we are amateurs at this point.

Yeah, it was my first cruise and it got cancelled only 3 days before. I'm not happy with how Disney handled things. I'll just know better to never go on a ship right after dry dock. Plenty of people warned about that on this site. I figured Disney knew what they were doing. Lesson learned big time.

 

[minniemouse1]

See. This I don't get. The people saying that Palo dinner is "way over-rated". I mean, is it the best meal money can buy? No... But come on, I'd pay the 20 bucks just to be in a quiet, adult only environment to enjoy a nice meal with my sweetheart.

It's 20 bux... :/

We have done Palos on every cruise and intend to go again to atleast dinner in April. My husband isn't thrilled about the Palos brunch but we both really enjoy the dinner atmosphere and the one night of kid free dining.

 

[RedSox68]

I would have skipped onboard breakfast on the last day and slept in. Our time was 6:45am and after sleeping in all week and having nowhere to be super early, getting myself and the kids up and out the door to get down to breakfast for the last last day when we could have slept in until 8:30 or so and gotten breakfast on the port somewhere made us feel rushed, tired and cranky for most of the rest of the travel day. We had a long day of flights ahead of us (and a mid afternoon flight so getting up so early was particularly silly) and I think we all would have enjoyed a more leisurely breakfast or brunch somewhere off the ship more.

We stopped going years ago -- too much hassle. We get bagels, etc. from Cabanas and eat in our room while we get ready. Then we just walk off the ship. No hauling around our carry-ons, etc.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

On my next cruise I'll pay more attention to the activities listed in the navigator!!

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[Tami0220]

I'm exactly the opposite. I would do nothing. See the shows, eat, lay around and take in the sun

 

[SG101]

Don't bring an extension cord or hair dryer (theirs is fantastic and I'm super duper picky since I have thick long hair). Next time don't bring so much liquor...we only drank 1 bottle of wine (we're not big drinkers). Will not bring work out clothes --- who was I kidding --- I'm on vacation.

We will always book a Palo dinner or brunch (and we switch off with the grandparents that way the kids are still eating at the Main Dining --- my kids love the dining experience with the waiters). We had friends that had their kids eat almost every evening in the kids club...I didn't realize that (since they had the late dining) till midway into the trip and I invited their oldest to join us since she got along so well with my kids. She loved dining in the main dining and hated eating in the kids club. I felt horrible for her and kept her every evening with my family so we can eat together, watch the shows, and go swimming in the evenings.

 

[DznyCrzy11]

I'm exactly the opposite. I would do nothing. See the shows, eat, lay around and take in the sun

That's exactly what my DH and I did when we went in September and it was great!! I did feel like we missed out a little on the activities though, that's why next time I'll check the navigator, mainly on our "at sea" day, by then neither of us wanted to just sit by the pool. When we got back to the ship from Nassau and CC, we did just relax by the pool. There were a couple of things I would have liked to have gone to. We did go to the show and dinner every evening which was nice.

Sent from my Galaxy SII

 

[100AcreWood]

We just went on our first Disney cruise but next time I will listen and eat breakfast only at Cabana's. Once we caught on we wanted to kick ourselves!

Also next time I will bring bonine and seabands. My dramamine wasn't effective enough for me.

 

[disneyfreakliveshere]

I would love to talk to you more. I'm actually just graduating with my masters degree as a family therapist and have decided to work in the travel industry instead lol. My interest is combining my three passions of Disney, cruising/traveling, and doing part time travel agent work with my background in family therapy specifically families with members that are on the autism spectrum. I am working on creating a DISneyABILITIES guide to making Disney travel plans for families that deal with Aspbergers to severe autism (Aspbergers myself as well as my sister so invested interest ) and focusing on the fact that no person on the ASD spectrum is the same so no travel plan is cut and dry but focusing on the individuals specific sensory triggers with food, personal space, sounds, images, weather, etc and how to tailor a Disney trip to optimal conditions with restaurants and excursion choices, etc. Does that make sense? For example, one family has a son who needs to eat very quickly and very often and cannot stand water and they had never done a Disney trip of any kind so we have been working on making plans and itineraries that best suit his needs as well as planning what the rest of the family needs and wants as well and I have really enjoyed it! I am just interested in speaking a bit to families that have done a WDW or DCL trip and asking a few questions about things that worked well and things they might have changed in terms of their family member that is blessed with autism so please let me know! It'll be a few weeks as tomorrow we board the fantasy for our honeymoon and then 8 days at the parks! To not hijack the thread... I'm an experienced cruiser but this is my first DCL so I'm going to list the things I think I will for sure do and things I for sure wont do. When I return ill let you guys know how it went and then ill compare it to the other cruise line experiences! Will do: (will put my wont do and maybes in the following posts so the lines don't confuse anyone) Am doing FE Have participated in the FB group and dis thread and made probable lifelong friends already Stay at the parks for a week after the cruise portion of the honeymoon (curious to see how this will go! Have a BOG ressie on debarkation day i randomly got pixie dusted last week!) Palo brunch Palo dinner (on pirate night... Not sure about that decision.. I am happy about it as of now because we have late dinner and our ressie is at 6 so we will be able to enjoy more I think) Category 00V concierge (not sure if its worth the money but leaning towards yes) Have used shoreside concierge extensively and been very pleased Ride aqua duck during day and night Take lots of pics Be goofy about the honeymoon with Mickey and Minnie bride and groom ears Go to match your mate Participate in a beer exchange Give pillow case and photo mat to concierge hosts Take a bit of alcohol on board Make sure to get in pool once at least Do at least one day of rainforest room Do mixology class Wave to family on webcam Go to DVC presentation Take tour of ship Get room service Enjoy concierge lounge especially coffee Attend sail away party Take advantage of happy hour Enjoy time with my new husband without stressing or negativity Use costs maya as a poor mans castaway cay I could go on and on... I wanna do it all! (Well not everything... See next post)....

Congrats on your wedding. I am sure you have had an amazing honeymoon.

Ask me anything. We have traveled to Disneyworld in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, and did DCL And Disneyworld in 2013. For the most part my Autistic child is almost "normal " when are down there. By saying that I'm not saying we don't have some issues, but since his imaginary world is right out in front of him, he is more in the real world, than lost in his head unable to focus. My son is fairly high functioning on the spectrum.

 

[epfootballcutie04]

Just got off the Fantasy and I feel the need to update my do's and donts.

- If you like to drink, even if occasionally, DO MIXOLOGY!! It's awesome!! And the drinks were so yummy!

- Spend some time in satellite falls!!! We loved it!!

- Don't miss any of the shows in the Walt Disney Theater Some are better than others, but I never felt like I needed my 45 -60 minutes back.

- If you don't mind doing so, then skip a night or two of the main dining rooms to do the aqua duck and pools/hot tub at night time. It's a different experience

- Do the midship detective games! We did all 3 on the Fantasy and they were a lot more fun than i thought they would be!!

- don't feel too silly to get up on stage during a show to volunteer!! It can be so much fun And chances are, you'll never see those people again if you feel like you made a fool out of yourself

 

[tnkrbell]

I'm exactly the opposite. I would do nothing. See the shows, eat, lay around and take in the sun

This is our plan for our next cruise too!!!

 

[psac]

Just got off the Fantasy and I feel the need to update my do's and donts.

- If you like to drink, even if occasionally, DO MIXOLOGY!! It's awesome!! And the drinks were so yummy!

- Spend some time in satellite falls!!! We loved it!!

- Don't miss any of the shows in the Walt Disney Theater Some are better than others, but I never felt like I needed my 45 -60 minutes back.

- If you don't mind doing so, then skip a night or two of the main dining rooms to do the aqua duck and pools/hot tub at night time. It's a different experience

- Do the midship detective games! We did all 3 on the Fantasy and they were a lot more fun than i thought they would be!!

- don't feel too silly to get up on stage during a show to volunteer!! It can be so much fun And chances are, you'll never see those people again if you feel like you made a fool out of yourself

Totally agree about the midship detective agency. We're two adults, no kids, and we LOVED the muppets one. A ton of fun. Highly recommend!!

 

[leeleesmail]

Marking for later!

 

[Jenntx]

ON Tea at PALO
MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE of all Palo's
Here is why, it doesnt take forever, I am not tired before i get there, i am not tired when i leave, i am not stuffed when i leave, i have not felt any pressure to eat or try things that i dont want, for the most part i have worn casula clothes, it isnt crowded, i have to eat lunch anyway, why not be served in a NON CHILDREN SCREAMING PLACE with a GREAT VIEW!!
Also, you can ask for a new Cup for your tea anytime you would like, I think if you use the difusser properly, you should not have tea leaves in your tea.
Although i am bad at using them and always end up with tea leaves in my tea..But i just get a new Cup.[/QUOTE]

I am learning so much from this thread! For the past two nights I have been reading through it with a pencil & my Mickey journal taking notes for our first ever cruise in Dec.

Is Palo Tea available on all cruises & ships (we will be on the Dream)? Or is it only on the seven or more night cruises (we are doing a four night)? I love having tea, so if available I'd like to do it.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[Meghatron]

Is Paleo Tea available on all cruises & ships (we will be on the Dream)? Or is it only on the seven or more night cruises (we are doing a four night)? I love having tea, so if available I'd like to do it. Thanks for your help!!

Palo (not Paleo) not longer serves their Tea. It has been replaced with longer Brunch hours. Sent from my Tricorder using DISBoards

 

[wrighter]

What a great thread for a first time cruiser! Lots of great information here. Too bad it will take me six months to read it all!

 

[mduncan1]

Love this thread! Thanks for all of the ideas.

 

[stephanievt97]

When do you have to sign up for mixology? At online checkin or once on board?

 

[Mom323]

When do you have to sign up for mixology? At online checkin or once on board?

At guest services when you board. Some group meets will have a group one scheduled. Check your group thread.