What's your best tip?

[kiford]

They offer the same card (and snacks) at Vista Cafe - and children are allowed there. They (children) are NOT allowed in Cove Cafe which is in the adults only area.

But the Vista Cafe is only on the Dream class ships. I don't believe that there's an equivalent non-adult-only version on the Magic.

 

[Dug720]

But the Vista Cafe is only on the Dream class ships. I don't believe that there's an equivalent non-adult-only version on the Magic.

I thought the Promenade or something had a similar daytime set-up on the Classics.

But regardless, children are not allowed in the Cove Cafe on ANY ship.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

We always get up early one day and watch the sunrise. Gorgeous!

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

All these tips are great. Especially the tips about using sunscreen and often. I just have two to add:
(1) Try to get up early at least once and watch the sun rise over the ocean; conversely, try to see at least one sunset. Both are breathtaking!
(2) Try to keep your stuff in your cabin organized as you go along. You will need to pack on your last night and get your luggage in the hallway by 10:30 (I think that's still the time...we haven't sailed in a few years). You'll want to be enjoying your last evening on board, not spending time packing. If you more or less pack as you go, it will go so much easier, and you won't have an anxious husband hanging over you.

Just saw your post about the sunrise! So I second it!

 

[kiford]

I thought the Promenade or something had a similar daytime set-up on the Classics.

I've never seen anything more in the Promenade beyond chips and salsa in the afternoon. Not nearly the same selection and availability as the Cove Cafe, but it is open to all ages unlike the Cove. And I do highly recommend partaking in it especially while seated at one of the small tables by the big portholes.

 

[Dug720]

I've never seen anything more in the Promenade beyond chips and salsa in the afternoon. Not nearly the same selection and availability as the Cove Cafe, but it is open to all ages unlike the Cove. And I do highly recommend partaking in it especially while seated at one of the small tables by the big portholes.

I never went in the Promenade during the day to see - advantage of being solo adult or adult with adult parents.

 

[Sytrace]

Sorry...one more
Bring water shoes (or flip flops) for the hot pool deck and standing in line for the Aquaduck. That pool deck gets EXTREMELY hot if you are not used to walking on hot surfaces. Also good for water based excursions that have rocks or shells on the bottom.

 

[kid-at-heart]

One more thought...bring a pop up hamper to throw dirty clothes into daily. Then mid cruise, throw them in one of your empty suitcases and push it back under the bed. By the end of the cruise, your dirty laundry will be packed already and you have less to pack up on the last day/evening of the cruise.

I bring "space bags" for dirty laundry, we deflate them as they fill and pack the bags. This keeps the dirty laundry smells contained and makes packing a breeze. I also bring a luggage scale since a suitcase full of deflated bags can easily bump the luggage over the weight limit of 50 pounds set by most airlines. AND sometimes, if I am really on the ball, I have one bag for whites/lights and another for darks.

 

[poseys]

I bring "space bags" for dirty laundry, we deflate them as they fill and pack the bags. This keeps the dirty laundry smells contained and makes packing a breeze. I also bring a luggage scale since a suitcase full of deflated bags can easily bump the luggage over the weight limit of 50 pounds set by most airlines. AND sometimes, if I am really on the ball, I have one bag for whites/lights and another for darks.

How do you deflate it on the ship?

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

Sorry...one more
Bring water shoes (or flip flops) for the hot pool deck and standing in line for the Aquaduck. That pool deck gets EXTREMELY hot if you are not used to walking on hot surfaces. Also good for water based excursions that have rocks or shells on the bottom.

Quick add-on to this: while wearing water shoes is allowed on the Aquaduck, wearing flip flops is not. I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) there are cubbies for you to store your flip flops at the base of the ride... but then you won’t be able to wear your flip flops in line. So, I’d recommend the water shoes!

 

[kid-at-heart]

How do you deflate it on the ship?

I use the roll-up compression type, no vacuum needed. Like these:

https://smile.amazon.com/Roll-Up-Co...8-2-spons&keywords=space+bags+no+vacuum&psc=1

 

[Sytrace]

Quick add-on to this: while wearing water shoes is allowed on the Aquaduck, wearing flip flops is not. I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) there are cubbies for you to store your flip flops at the base of the ride... but then you won’t be able to wear your flip flops in line. So, I’d recommend the water shoes!

Yes, there are cubbies for flip flops...or I suppose one could take them off once they get to a shaded spot on the stairs and hold them while on the raft. But water shoes would be more efficient certainly.

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

Yes, there are cubbies for flip flops...or I suppose one could take them off once they get to a shaded spot on the stairs and hold them while on the raft. But water shoes would be more efficient certainly.

I just remembered that on our 2014 Disney Dream cruise, I wore my flip flops in line and had to sit on them on the ride down. Not the most comfortable thing, but definitely better than burnt feet! Still, I recommend the water shoes.

 

[TestingH2O]

Yes, there are cubbies for flip flops...or I suppose one could take them off once they get to a shaded spot on the stairs and hold them while on the raft. But water shoes would be more efficient certainly.

I just remembered that on our 2014 Disney Dream cruise, I wore my flip flops in line and had to sit on them on the ride down. Not the most comfortable thing, but definitely better than burnt feet! Still, I recommend the water shoes.

My dad was wears his flip flops up and puts them in his lap for the ride down. I wear my water shoes.

 

[Sytrace]

My dad was wears his flip flops up and puts them in his lap for the ride down. I wear my water shoes.

I just remembered that on our 2014 Disney Dream cruise, I wore my flip flops in line and had to sit on them on the ride down. Not the most comfortable thing, but definitely better than burnt feet! Still, I recommend the water shoes.

Yes, my kids put them in their lap (if they remember to wear them at all that is) It is not like there is a huge drop where they will fall out of the float or anything. However, I do like water shoes for those excursions where there are rocks on the bottom or lots of crushed up shells in the sand. And for the Baths in September we will ALL have water shoes. And we will all wear them. lol

 

[CalifornianOrangeBird]

However, I do like water shoes for those excursions where there are rocks on the bottom or lots of crushed up shells in the sand.

Packing a pair of water shoes for Serenity Bay for this very reason, as I’ve heard the sand there is more rocky than the family beach!

 

[Sunshine2U]

We talked to kids in advance about the things available that cost money - shops, hair-braiding, specialty drinks, video games, some snacks. Then we gave them a budget and offered some helpful reminders as they navigated how they wanted to spend their fun money.

 

[Malibustyle23]

We talked to kids in advance about the things available that cost money - shops, hair-braiding, specialty drinks, video games, some snacks. Then we gave them a budget and offered some helpful reminders as they navigated how they wanted to spend their fun money.

Video games cost money?

 

[NAB]

One more thought...bring a pop up hamper to throw dirty clothes into daily. Then mid cruise, throw them in one of your empty suitcases and push it back under the bed. By the end of the cruise, your dirty laundry will be packed already and you have less to pack up on the last day/evening of the cruise.

Or skip the hamper and everynight or morning throw the dirty clothes right in the suitcase. Suitcases are so easy to pull out from under the bed. Lift lid throw push back under.

If you like ice cream a lot and don't want the cone go to the drink station and get the insulated coffee cup , a spoon by the conditments section and fill it right up. Won't melt as fast , we love to mix the flavours this way.

 

[NAB]

Video games cost money?

When they had an arcade they did but not in the clubs.