when you first get on the ship question

[DCMommy]

First 3 day Bahamas cruise. So when you first get on the ship how will you know where and what to do? Will a navigation paper be mailed to us prior to our cruise so we can plan?

 

[DynamicDisneyDuo]

You will receive a navigator for the first day in the terminal.

Navigators for the other days are delivered at turndown the evening prior.

If you have any specific questions once on board, there will be plenty of cast members to ask.

 

[dcassetta]

You will get the navigator for the first days activities when you check in at the port. Of course you can also look at previous navigators to see what kind of events will probably be available.

 

[SleepyV]

Congratulations on your upcoming cruise.

You will receive a copy of the Navigator in port when you check in. Have a look though at some of the examples you can find on dis and disneycruiselineblog as they tend to be pretty similar.

Most people tend to eat and hit the pools when they first board. ( Bring swimsuits in your carryon or wear underneath). Your staterooms will be ready about 1.30.
You can look at the kids clubs, the spa and book mixology classes at guest services if you want.

Have a look at those examples but don't try to do everything. Remember to relax and enjoy yourself!

Sleepy V

 

[Mousesmom]

We typically go eat and then find a place to hang out until our cabin is ready. Because we are hauling around our carry on luggage, we don't get too far until it's time to go to cabin First thing in cabin - a glass of wine to celebrate

We're not pool people but many people head to the pool right away.

 

[algae]

First 3 day Bahamas cruise. So when you first get on the ship how will you know where and what to do? Will a navigation paper be mailed to us prior to our cruise so we can plan?

As others say, you will get the schedule in the Navigator when you check in at the terminal. We ususally go grab a quick bite to eat and then roam around the ship. While at the dock on embarkation day, all the special places are in open-house mode: adults can go into the kids clubs, kids can go in the spa and fitness areas, etc. It's a great time to explore the ship because you won't be able to do it later. You are on a rather short 3-day, so let the fun start right away!

 

[DCMommy]

Thanks everyone. So how exactly do you know where to go grab a bite to eat at ( while waiting)?. Is it a sit down meal or like a buffet?.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks everyone. So how exactly do you know where to go grab a bite to eat at ( while waiting)?. Is it a sit down meal or like a buffet?.

Once you are announced and walk through the clappers, you will be pounced upon by a crew member giving you advice as to where to go.

 

[KristiMc]

Thanks everyone. So how exactly do you know where to go grab a bite to eat at ( while waiting)?. Is it a sit down meal or like a buffet?.

All of the dining locations/times will be posted in the Navigator. On embarkation day, Cabana's buffet on deck 11 is open along with Enchanted Garden on deck 2. Enchanted Garden is also a buffet, but you are escorted to a table and a server will bring you drinks. You can also eat at the fast food options that are on deck 11 near the pools.

When you enter into the atrium there will be many castmembers that will point you in the right direction.

 

[mmfox316]

There are navigators that people have saved , scanned and posted online. Google for them or go to this sites cruise info section. On a navigator the last page lists what is open when and what deck that is on. Typically the buffet and one sit down is open and the the pizza\burgers\salad\sandwich places are open.

 

[ptcbass]

We just took our first cruise. Beforehand I read all I could here and I studied the deck plan. When we got on board we headed to Cabanas for lunch and then looked around the ship a little till our room was ready. If you board at 11:30 and then go to eat (if that takes a hour) you should only have about 1 hour before the rooms are open. If you board a little later then that is even less time before your room is open. The first day for us flew by.

Eat lunch, rooms available, Muster Drill, Sail Away Party, Dinner, Show, Shop, check out the ship a little or swim, bed time. - Day one gone.....

 

[DCMommy]

So basically when i get on the ship i can head to lets say Enchanted Garden Buffet without reservation or having to pay etc?

Sorry for all the questions.

 

[jdb in AZ]

So basically when i get on the ship i can head to lets say Enchanted Garden Buffet without reservation or having to pay etc?

Sorry for all the questions.

All food in the main dining rooms (except alcoholic beverages) and fast food up on deck is included as part of your cruise fare. You don't need a reservation for breakfast or lunch. You will be assigned a dining room for dinner.

If the Enchanted Garden is really busy you can go to Cabanas. The maître d will let you know if there's a wait and/or if you'll save time going to Cabanas, but Enchanted Garden is usually quieter and more relaxing.

 

[seo31]

Yes...we always head to Enchanted Garden right after boarding. Request a window seat, sit down, take a deeeep breath, relax and start ENJOYING yourself!! It does seem much less hectic then Cabana's. After a morning of hustling to the cruise port, we really enjoy the food and table service.

This time tomorrow we will be sailing away on the Dream!!

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

[Happy100]

If you want to take it easy when you board, pack your swim suits on a carry on and head to the pool deck to change and lounge in the pools. There are plenty of places up there to eat and you and your family can get some great pool time in before they get too crowded.

 

[truck1]

So basically when i get on the ship i can head to lets say Enchanted Garden Buffet without reservation or having to pay etc?

Sorry for all the questions.

Depending on what time you board they may direct you to one or the other based on how busy they are. The usual choices are, Cabanas, Enchanted Gardens or Flos Café( which is the fast food near the pools). The same foods are offered in Cabanas and Enchanted Gardens. The main difference though is that Cabanas offers an outside seating area, while EC is all inside.

When you paid for your cruise, theres very little extra. Included in your fare, is all foods onboard at the main dining rooms, fast food, all of your non alcoholic drinks, (theres a free 24 hour soda fountain near Cabanas) your cabin and all of the entertainment.

What you would pay extra for, is alcohol, the adult only rest. (Palos and Remy) most tours and excursions, any souvenirs.

When you check in at the terminal, youll receive a few things. One is a map of the ship,(Theres a app also available) and a Navigator, as others have mentioned. The Navigator or the app will tell you just about anything you need to know about that particular day. It will have what rest are open and when, what shows are playing, what times and where, what characters are out and when, and anything else you need to know.

 

[Beermam42]

This video may help with your thinking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpQprjb4ijg&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[algae]

When you paid for your cruise, theres very little extra. Included in your fare, is all foods onboard at the main dining rooms, fast food, all of your non alcoholic drinks, (theres a free 24 hour soda fountain near Cabanas) your cabin and all of the entertainment.

Careful, not all non-alcoholic drinks are included. Only the drinks from the self-serve soda fountains and similar drinks in the main dining rooms are included. Any drinks from the bars (including non-alcoholic) are extra.

On the topic of dining on embarkation day, we like to go to Cabana's and eat outside since that's probably the only time the outdoor eating area at Cabana's is not too windy. Plus, it's a buffet and you don't have to wait for the food. That makes it easier to get time to go play in the kids' clubs before they kick out the adults.

 

[truck1]

Careful, not all non-alcoholic drinks are included. Only the drinks from the self-serve soda fountains and similar drinks in the main dining rooms are included. Any drinks from the bars (including non-alcoholic) are extra.

On the topic of dining on embarkation day, we like to go to Cabana's and eat outside since that's probably the only time the outdoor eating area at Cabana's is not too windy. Plus, it's a buffet and you don't have to wait for the food. That makes it easier to get time to go play in the kids' clubs before they kick out the adults.

True. I forgot about that. Since we usually bring our own cups with us, we don't stop at the bars for soda. My rule of thumb is if it comes in a bottle or can, or if you ask for it outside the mdrs it probably not free.

That's our usual stop also. We board, go to Cabanas have a nice lunch outside, then wander the ship a little bit before our rooms are ready. Ive lost track how many characters we run into all over the ship on embarkation day. On my daughters first cruise, we shared the midship elevators with Minnie, before the ship even left the pier.

 

[splah]

Since you won't have access to your room is there someplace to store your carryon while swimming?