What to do differently on my 2nd Disney Cruise?

[CupcakeLisa]

In November we did our first Disney cruise - a 4 night Christmas Cruise on the Dream. We have booked again to do another 4 night in October, a Halloween on the high seas this time.

What suggestions does everyone have on things we could do differently? Maybe things a first timer would have missed?

Lisa

 

[soniam]

More alcohol tastings
Rainforest Room
Get free apps at adult coffee shop. Excellent free desserts too.
Brunch or dessert thing at Remy in addition to dinner
See more movies,
Vanellope's on the Dream supposedly has really good, large sundaes that you can have delivered to the MDA for dessert at an extra, but reasonable, charge
Skyline bar has a passport that lets you try several of their drinks for a reasonable price and includes a little book with the recipes
Free apps in the adult area at night, maybe after dinner
Skip the late night buffet on Pirate Night

EDIT: Forgot to add to see more of Castaway Cay, like the adult area and the big slide. Maybe even use the kids club on the island.

 

[tigerchic89]

One of my new favorite things is going up to a top deck to listen to the horns as you leave CC. I missed that my 1st cruise.

 

[Dug720]

A lot depends on what you did on your first cruise. You might have hit all the things we would. Also what your interests are.

 

[tgarre06]

More alcohol tastings
Rainforest Room
Get free apps at adult coffee shop. Excellent free desserts too.
Brunch or dessert thing at Remy in addition to dinner
See more movies,
Vanellope's on the Dream supposedly has really good, large sundaes that you can have delivered to the MDA for dessert at an extra, but reasonable, charge
Skyline bar has a passport that lets you try several of their drinks for a reasonable price and includes a little book with the recipes
Free apps in the adult area at night, maybe after dinner
Skip the late night buffet on Pirate Night

EDIT: Forgot to add to see more of Castaway Cay, like the adult area and the big slide. Maybe even use the kids club on the island.

Is the Rainforest Room available on all cruises? I looked to prebook it last night, and it wasn't showing under Spa Activities for the 3 night Bahamas cruise.

 

[Starwind]

Is the Rainforest Room available on all cruises? I looked to prebook it last night, and it wasn't showing under Spa Activities for the 3 night Bahamas cruise.

That isnt where you book it.

Rainforest Room is booked as either a length of cruise pass which can only be bought on board ship, or as single day passes (you can buy more than one) which are purchased in advance through DCL Gifts and Amenities: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/ . Sometimes single day passes MAY be available on board, but don't count on it.

SW

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@Starwind I'm curious about the passes for RR. I love spas but have never done one on DCL bc of the price. But I hear the passes are reasonable. I've heard it may be overcrowded tho and might be hit or miss? We're doing a B2B, 3 nt, then 4 nt. Do you have any advice on maybe what day might be least crowded?

 

[Sloane]

We did a RR day pass on our recent Wonder trip, it wasn't too busy and of the days we were there but were told that any at sea days are going to be more crowded.

 

[tgarre06]

That isnt where you book it.

Rainforest Room is booked as either a length of cruise pass which can only be bought on board ship, or as single day passes (you can buy more than one) which are purchased in advance through DCL Gifts and Amenities: https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/gifts-and-amenities/ . Sometimes single day passes MAY be available on board, but don't count on it.

SW

Much appreciated!

 

[Starwind]

@Starwind I'm curious about the passes for RR. I love spas but have never done one on DCL bc of the price. But I hear the passes are reasonable. I've heard it may be overcrowded tho and might be hit or miss? We're doing a B2B, 3 nt, then 4 nt. Do you have any advice on maybe what day might be least crowded?

I am biased because I love the Rainforest Room, though I have only done it on the Dream and Fantasy.

Our most recent cruise was a B2B on the Dream, 3n and 4n. I got length of cruise passes (the basic pass, without scrubs, which only seem to be available on the Dream 3 and 4 night cruises) for both cruises.

I primarily use it for the heated lounging chairs. I have never found the RR crowded, let alone overcrowded, but others may have had different experiences. I have gone at different times in the day but more usually in the early morning or (more often) around the dinner/shows times, when most guests are elsewhere. Sunsets from it are pretty neat.

There are other threads on here that have pricing info.

One nice thing is that you can use it for the whole day, so even if you have a one day pass, you could go in the morning and if you found it too busy come back later in the day. Also, you dont have to do all of it at once. Or even all of it at all. Most times I use it I ONLY use the loungers. Sometimes I use the hot tub. Rarely the showers and sauna. Totally up to you how you make use of it.

SW

 

[tgarre06]

Much appreciated!

Another question! If I book a massage, I can access all the Rainforest Room amenities with my massage, correct?

 

[Starwind]

Another question! If I book a massage, I can access all the Rainforest Room amenities with my massage, correct?

As far as I understand, no. Rainforest Room access is purchased separately.

SW

 

[CupcakeLisa]

More alcohol tastings
Rainforest Room
Get free apps at adult coffee shop. Excellent free desserts too.
Brunch or dessert thing at Remy in addition to dinner
See more movies,
Vanellope's on the Dream supposedly has really good, large sundaes that you can have delivered to the MDA for dessert at an extra, but reasonable, charge
Skyline bar has a passport that lets you try several of their drinks for a reasonable price and includes a little book with the recipes
Free apps in the adult area at night, maybe after dinner
Skip the late night buffet on Pirate Night

EDIT: Forgot to add to see more of Castaway Cay, like the adult area and the big slide. Maybe even use the kids club on the island.

We dont have kids so spent all our time on Castaway Cay at the adults area

We did Palo and the three dining rooms as we did a 4 night cruise but missed pirate fireworks as we were too tired.

What is the skyline bar passport? We did go the skyline bar one night but only had time for one drink as we were on the way to Palo

Also the apps and desserts at the coffee shop? This is something I dont know about?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We dont have kids so spent all our time on Castaway Cay at the adults area

We did Palo and the three dining rooms as we did a 4 night cruise but missed pirate fireworks as we were too tired.

What is the skyline bar passport? We did go the skyline bar one night but only had time for one drink as we were on the way to Palo

Also the apps and desserts at the coffee shop? This is something I dont know about?

The Passport at Skyline is on the Fantasy.
The Skyline Passport works like this:

It’s for sale only in the Skyline bar on the Fantasy, which is currently running 7 night cruises. The passport costs about $67 (there was change but I don’t recall the exact amount). For that , you get 7 specialty drinks from Skyline.

The menu is separated into 7 European cities – Barcelona, Athens, London, Paris, Budapest, St. Petersburg, and Florence. Each country is assigned two specialty drinks. You can get these on your passport in whatever order you want – if you don’t want to try one from each city, that’s OK. With each drink you choose you’re entitled to an embossed stamp in your passport booklet. There’s a space for your stamp in the page for each city – plus a recipe for one of that city’s specialty cocktails. Try the ones listed, try different ones, or if you like one city’s cocktails you’re good to go with 7 of those.
https://drinkingdisney.wordpress.co...ssport-at-the-disney-fantasys-skyline-lounge/

In Cove Cafe and Vista Cafe there are finger foods (desserts or savory treats, depending on time of day) that are included in the cruise price.

 

[soniam]

...
It’s for sale only in the Skyline bar on the Fantasy, which is currently running 7 night cruises.
...

I didn't realize it was just on the Fantasy. Another good reason to stick with that ship We only knew about from the bar tender that hosted our Mixology class at Skyline. It was really fun and forced us to go when we might have just gone back to the room.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I suggest trying a different view point for the sail away party. We have watched from the deck above as well as right below the stage, both are fun!

Also, on our last cruise I enjoyed the pre-dinner piano music in one of the bars.

Aqua Duck and swimming at night!

Cooking class

Galley tour ( ask at guest services if it is available on your cruise)

Napkin folding class

Lunch in a sit-down restaurant, dinner at Cabanas

 

[Ware Bears]

Pirate party/fireworks seeing as you missed it first cruise.

 

[Lisa F]

More alcohol tastings
Rainforest Room
Get free apps at adult coffee shop. Excellent free desserts too.
Brunch or dessert thing at Remy in addition to dinner
See more movies,
Vanellope's on the Dream supposedly has really good, large sundaes that you can have delivered to the MDA for dessert at an extra, but reasonable, charge
Skyline bar has a passport that lets you try several of their drinks for a reasonable price and includes a little book with the recipes
Free apps in the adult area at night, maybe after dinner
Skip the late night buffet on Pirate Night

EDIT: Forgot to add to see more of Castaway Cay, like the adult area and the big slide. Maybe even use the kids club on the island.

Can you elaborate on the "dessert thing" at Remy?

the last time I cruised was 2005 and I am taking my son on a 4 night in Feb 2018. I have much to learn!

 

[soniam]

Can you elaborate on the "dessert thing" at Remy?

the last time I cruised was 2005 and I am taking my son on a 4 night in Feb 2018. I have much to learn!

There are actually 4 dining experiences at Remy:
1) Normal dinner
2) Champagne brunch
3) Dessert Experience - From the website: "Enjoy a 5-course dessert menu, coffee and an in-depth discussion with the Executive Chef and Executive Pastry Chef of Remy. As each dessert is presented, they'll explain its history and evolution."
4) Petites Assiettes - From the website: "Embark on a tasting tour of Remy, where you’re invited to feast on small plates of Remy’s gourmet cuisine while savoring fine wine. Offered during the early evening hours on the first day of your cruise, this “tiny plates” dining experience is hosted by Remy’s Executive Chef and Sommelier, who both serve as epicurean guides for your 6-course culinary journey. The unique meal concludes with a distinctive dessert and the final wine pairing in the private Chef’s Table dining room."

I have read reviews of all of these. I love desserts, so I would probably have to go with it. However, the small plate thing sounds really good too.

 

[JanDave]

Before each cruise, I tell my husband we are going to "cruise outside the box". We always find something new to do or see. It helps to keep up on here and other social media for changes, ideas, etc.