What is the 1st thing you will do when you get on the ship??

[Disney Cajun Man]

This is a downer but we:
Eat ....walk around until 1:30 ...go to room...DH and DD take a nap while I iron the weeks worth of outfits! That way no waiting in line to iron every night for dinner! I know it is boring...but not too much happening the first day until we set sail! The rest of our cruise is relax, relax, relax!

On my last cruise just last month I tried Downey Wrinkle release spray product that was mentioned on these boards and it worked like a charm. Used it on everything that needed to be ironed when I unpacked. Just follow the directions on the back on the bottle and it will save you a great deal of time and headache. I found this product at the grocery store on the laundry isle, it was about $4.25 for a bottle and we used it on all our outfits for a seven day cruise for 2 people and only used about half the bottle. I am hooked on this product and now use it at home.

 

[Tami0220]

1. Cry
2. Guest Services to make reservations for tours, tastings, etc
3. Wavebands for Palo reservations
4. Take pictures of EVERYTHING
5. Parrot Cay
6. Decorate door
7. Relax, relax, relax

 

[ewerstruly]

Forgive me. I'm a newbie too. What is Parrot Cay and there are characters there?

I just want to get on the ship as early as possible and hit the pools with the kids. I'm excited to explore, but as of yet haven't got a clue where I'd start. I've got no idea what sort of activities or excursions might be offered in October 2011. It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm enjoying the planning and all the options.

Should be fun reading this thread for ideas!

 

[tink70]

Last time, I unpacked as I like to "move in". Seeing how we are only going for 3 days this time, I will probably hang out at the pool, or sit on a deck chair on the promenade deck. I just LOVE that deck!!! Then unpack later. I dont want to waste any time.

Does anyone know what time our cabins are available?

 

[carmie3377]

1. Parrot Cay
2. Cabin
3. Unpack
4. Safety drill
5. deck party

Sounds like my plans as well! I plan to send DH and the kids up to the pool while I unpack. Getting our cabin in order is very important as I want to get ready for our 15 nights on board before we even set sail!

 

[AWHOFAN]

Get a drink with an umbrella and lots of fruit, and I really never drink then check out the ship.

 

[Angelhalo]

Forgive me. I'm a newbie too. What is Parrot Cay and there are characters there?

I just want to get on the ship as early as possible and hit the pools with the kids. I'm excited to explore, but as of yet haven't got a clue where I'd start. I've got no idea what sort of activities or excursions might be offered in October 2011. It's a bit overwhelming, but I'm enjoying the planning and all the options.

Should be fun reading this thread for ideas!

Parrot Cay is the sit down dining option that is open for lunch on boarding day. DH and I love it because your server brings you your dinks and you you don't have to try to juggle a tray and your luggage while looking for a seat etc etc like at the buffet. I saw where someone said they have seen characters there on their first day, but I never have. Parrot Cay is also a buffet, but you are seated and you can stash your luggage at your table and then relax and hit the buffet. For us, it's just less hectic.

 

[Stephieann]

1. Parrot Cay
2. Cabin
3. Unpack
4. Safety drill
5. deck party

Ditto!

Not sure what restaurant will be doing the buffet on the Dream but that is where i will probably head first on my next cruise!

 

[Mmketeer]

After the announce my name... I try to head to my cabin ( in the old days it was just to try and find it), but now it's just to get my carry-on off my shoulder and get unpacked as quickly as possible. Next stop the buffet for lunch. Then back to the cabin to check to see if the luggage has arrived and to make the "I am onboard and starting my vacation phone calls". By this time it's time for the fire drill, then up to the sail away party and a Bahama Mama. Once we sail out of Port Canaveral, it's back to the cabin to finish unpacking if neccesary and decorating my door. Then the vacation really begins.

I certainly have my routine down, how about ya'll?

 

[Mindyjoy]

As a first time cruiser, I think I'll be overwhelmed and just start crying tears of happiness! Getting food and a drink sounds good too, though!

 

[lapdwife]

CRY! I can almost guarantee it... I'll be standing there bawling tears of joy!

Yep, that will be me. I cried as we were waiting to board the bus at the airport in Orlando for WDW.

 

[llnolte]

On our first cruise last month on the Magic...
1. I went to Studio Sea to get Palo Brunch reservations.
2. Met family at Parrot Cay for lunch-it was so nice to sit down and have someone bring our drinks (great Disboard suggestion!).
3. Walked around to take pictures and then went to our cabin to unpack and then off for more pictures-the ship was so amazing.
4. Lifeboat drill (Prince Charming from Twice Charmed was in charge of our station!)
5. Sailaway party

 

[jenshell75]

CRY TEARS OF JOY

Then I will be off to explore the ship with my darling hubby and our beautiful children. I am sure the kids will be insisting on visiting the Toy Story Play room.

Then decorate our door,
Set up our Christmas tree
Hide the Christmas pressies


I want to know what others do especially with children :

 

[Michele325]

In the past we have gone right to the pool. Got a table near the pool and us adults took turns going to the buffet and brining food out. For the Dream I am not so sure what we will do. Initial plan will be the same I think, but shorter time at the pool. Then to explore the ship and then to our cabin, unpack quickly and get to the sail away party.

 

[SideshowBob]

SSB likes to visit the Buena Vista Theater to see the shows for the week ... always part of tradition when first on board. Agree with others on PCay and booking reservations/spa.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

In the past it has always been to go to lunch!!

 

[MissSixty]

getting a drink, first and foremost!

 

[Kurby]

our first cruise we went right for lunch but from now on i think we'll head right up to the pool and get some swimming (aqua duck) in before everyone gets on the ship.

we plan on being at port for when they open so don't expect to get a boarding pass past 3 so we should be on board pretty early.

but the very first thing we'll do is jump for joy that we're finally back on board

 

[budbeerlady]

getting a drink, first and foremost!

Yup, drinks then finding a chair to settle in for a bit. With Dd along for her 1st cruise it might shorten the sitting around time by a lot!

 

[Rogillio]

1. Go to room, look around.
2. Look in bathroom.
3. Go out on verandah, look at the view.
4. Look in fridge.
5. Play with the light switches to figure out which switch is which.
6. Look in all the clossets and sea chest.
7. Look in bathroom again.
8. Claim a side of the bed.
9. Go out on verandah again and look at view. See if we can see our luggage on the luggage racks.
10. Decide there is nothing really do in the room.
11. Look in other shower room.
12. Pull cord on clothes line to see if it really works.
13. Turn off lights - head up to Topsiders for lunch.
14. Make comments about how the cruise is finally here!