Do they give you a map with the navigator so you know where to go if you want to book the tastings/princess photo ops? This will also be our first cruise and we aren't sure how to navigate once we get on board.
Cabanas for the first meal or Enchanted Garden? We are sisters in our early 30's so we won't have any children with us that need to eat right away.
If I remember correctly, they hand you a layout of the ship, and the ticketed event, and change issues locations are in the Navigator. I would strongly suggest, reading the Navigator thoroughly before boarding so you can prioritize your movements. Dining changes are typically done in the MDR that is in the atrium for example. Ticketed events are normally at GS but can get moved. GS is in 2 different places on the 2 classes. On the Magic class, iirc, its starboard side deck 3. The Dream class, its ports side deck 3. The Walt Disney Theatres on all 4 ships are forward, along with the gift shops on both classes. The mdrs are all mid ships and aft, on deck 2,3 and 4 depending on which ship your on. The Dream class its 2 and 3 and Magic class 3 and 4. Palos is aft top deck, depending on the ship. What I would also do, is once you have gotten all of your tickets etc, go walk the ship. Start at 1 end on 1 deck, go to the other, then drop down 1 deck, and walk the deck the other way. Keep doing that until you run out of ship. Its not as bad as you would think getting around.
As far as Cabanas or EG for lunch that's up to you. Personally we prefer the open air Cabanas for lunch.
Heres some translation to help:
Bow, front or pointy end
Stern back or round end
Port Left side when facing towards the bow
Starboard right side when facing towards the bow
Midships middle of the ship
Forward (towards the bow)Its a reference term as in the Walt Disney Theatre is deck 4 foward.
Aft (towards the stern) Reference as in Animators Palette is deck 3 aft.
Deck. The thing you walk on. Called a floor on land.
Cabin or stateroom. Place you store your clothes. (Most people don't send too much time here)