Wish Day 1 Planning

[randomguymike]

Hi-

So, I'm the type of person that likes to plan every 10 minutes to provide the family(wife and kids 5&9) a white glove experience. We are in boarding group 3, and I'm trying to decide what order we should tackle things on day 1. I'm leaning lunch at Mercantile (noon-12:30), Aqua Mouse(1:00-1:30), Star Wars Lounge(1:45-2:15), Check out kids club real quick(2:30-3:00), then into the room (if we have time) before the Sail Away show.
With that, two questions
1. Should I change that order around at all, and is that a full, but not crazy aggressive (or unrealistic) agenda?
2. Is there usually a gap between Sail Away show and needing to get down for a good seat at Seas the Adventure (we're second dinner)? The kids could likely use a touch of down time to make sure they make it till the end of the late dinner, and it'd be nice to squeeze it in there.

After day 1, I'll tone down the scheduling, but I've heard lunch is a mad house on Day 1 and Aquamouse /Star Wars can be busy after the first day. So, I would love to get those knocked out once, at least.

Thanks for any input you can provide.

 

[Dug720]

Honestly? I'd not try to do a time schedule. That will make the first day so militaristic and "must be here now" it would take ALL the fun out of it for me. Doesn't sound like a "white glove experience" at all to me - it sounds like torture and not how I'd want to start a cruise.

Even my dad, who is often very much schedule driven lets that go on cruises.

 

[randomguymike]

This is a goal, not a "Must do" list. If we're running late, I prioritize items to cut. No worries, and typically they don't even know what they've missed. They look at me and ask "what's next" and I tell them. That's the white glove portion. Same thing happens at the parks. Wife asks "when should we get in line for the parade and where should we be". I tell her don't worry about it. If I've done my job right, we'll land almost exactly where we're supposed to be when we're supposed to be there and it is just "magic" to them.

That being said, are you saying the Day 1 agenda is too aggressive?

 

[princesscinderella]

Definitely eat first as that does fill up the quickest and a lot of passengers tend to linger because they have all their carryon luggage with them and don’t want to lug it all over the ship before staterooms open. You may be able to get in all the other stops on your plans accomplished in that time, but I would probably schedule a bit longer at the pools til the staterooms open so that way you can go change in your rooms instead of at the pool deck and lugging around 4 wet bathing suits. We always check out all the kids clubs that first afternoon if it’s a new ship to see how well they are designed. Sometimes the bars aren’t all open because the crew works double duty on the first day with the muster drill. Have fun!!

 

[dcassetta]

If riding the Aqua Mouse is a priority, I might suggest doing that first. Lunch in Marceline is nice, but the Wish has some pretty good deck foods also. You could stake out a place to enjoy the slide and the pools and then get some tacos or barbecue or pizza, rather than having to manage everything through Marceline.

 

[Dug720]

This is a goal, not a "Must do" list. If we're running late, I prioritize items to cut. No worries, and typically they don't even know what they've missed. They look at me and ask "what's next" and I tell them. That's the white glove portion. Same thing happens at the parks. Wife asks "when should we get in line for the parade and where should we be". I tell her don't worry about it. If I've done my job right, we'll land almost exactly where we're supposed to be when we're supposed to be there and it is just "magic" to them.

That being said, are you saying the Day 1 agenda is too aggressive?

I feel like it is. I don't see ANY time for downtime in that agenda.

 

[DWillowBay]

I agree that for a Day 1, your plan may leave you feeling more frustrated than accomplished. There are lots of variables that could interfere with your plan. However, if you have .... hypothetically, 2 or 3.... things that are priorities, then you can add to it if time allows. Crowd size, readiness of the AquaMouse, etc may alter what can be accomplished. The first day is rough to fit a lot in after boarding and before needing to gather (I'd say 30 mins prior) to the Sail Away. I do hope you have a wonderful cruise, no matter your approach.

 

[Erica1016]

I agree with what others are saying. Have a list of what you'd like to do, where you want to eat and even a tentative order, but don't stress about the exact timing. Don't forget you'll have the muster drill in there before sail away.

 

[NAB]

I wouldn’t worry about getting into the Star Wars lounge it isn’t as busy as the first few sailing where you need reservations.

We always eat when we get on board. Then see the kids clubs since it is open house until the muster station time. Anyone can go check it out. After it’s only kids until the next open house. The kids clubs Star Wars room is way my impressive than the lounge…lol

Like others said you can wear your bathing suits and go to the Aqua Mouse right away eat pool deck food ..but here is a tip….the Aqua Mouse has less lines when everyone goes for first dinner.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[JulieBeeRN]

I think it’s a lot to do on the first day. How many days is your cruise?

 

[NAB]

I missed your question about Sail Away party and first night show.

Yes the sail away party usually is only a 1/2 hour . The ship is usually moving by 5:00. Go to the rails and watch them go out . Go on the side where the terminal is they come out and wave with Mickey hands. There is also a lot of people waving from Resturants and beaches until your out in open waters.

Then you will have about a hour before your show starts . First shows start at 6:15 ,goes until 7:15 so you have time to go change after the show or dress for dinner and go take pictures after. I think the doors open at 6. Hint try to get in the middle bottom section. That where the confetti , bubbles etc goes.

 

[tvguy]

Yikes, that sounds like work, not a vacation.

 

[sparrow10_]

Your day sounds tiring NGL

 

[Flying Fish]

I'm also a planner, but I think you're overthinking this one. Get on the ship, learn your way around, and grab some food before muster drill. It's not like the parks where you have to be so regimented. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that the whole family might enjoy a little more relaxed time.

 

[CamColt]

I used to be a big planner, mostly for WDW but also for DCL on my first few cruises, but I have changed. And now I agree with the others that your plan seems like a lot of work and worry to make everything enjoyable. I understand there are some priorities, so I would say just get to them in order. If you are hungry when you board, eat. If not get to something else before eating. I will say I was disappointed in the offerings at Marceline Market compared to the other ships' embarkation buffets. After we tried the Festival of Food later in the cruise I regretted not eating there the first day. That might be a more relaxed option if you cant get to MM before it gets crowded.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

I too am a planner. 20-odd cruises in, I've become a prioritizer. I've had to pick which one (or maybe top 2) things I want to do/get done and go with that. There's so much to do on the ships; so much to see. I've started to have chats with the fam (or just DW if it's just us) & we decide ahead of time what we really want to do on the cruise and run with that. Other than that, it's very much go with the flow for us. It was hard (at first) for me to get my head around it - career military and all (Navy to boot) - but it's made our cruises much less stressful this way.

Just my 2 cents

 

[Flying Fish]

I used to be a big planner, mostly for WDW but also for DCL on my first few cruises, but I have changed. And now I agree with the others that your plan seems like a lot of work and worry to make everything enjoyable. I understand there are some priorities, so I would say just get to them in order. If you are hungry when you board, eat. If not get to something else before eating. I will say I was disappointed in the offerings at Marceline Market compared to the other ships' embarkation buffets. After we tried the Festival of Food later in the cruise I regretted not eating there the first day. That might be a more relaxed option if you cant get to MM before it gets crowded.

Oh shoot, yes. Go to Festival of Food. It might be a little less crowded (tough to predict), but I thought the food was a lot better there. Just get some food in your belly and wonder the ship at least until the muster drill. Then you will have a better ability to tackle the priority list. Trust me, as a planner I get it, but I think you'll appreciate the few hours to relax and get your bearings. Plus on the Wish there are a lot of random dead ends you'll need to navigate, so the extra time is needed.

 

[randomguymike]

I wouldn’t worry about getting into the Star Wars lounge it isn’t as busy as the first few sailing where you need reservations.

We always eat when we get on board. Then see the kids clubs since it is open house until the muster station time. Anyone can go check it out. After it’s only kids until the next open house. The kids clubs Star Wars room is way my impressive than the lounge…lol

Like others said you can wear your bathing suits and go to the Aqua Mouse right away eat pool deck food ..but here is a tip….the Aqua Mouse has less lines when everyone goes for first dinner.

Enjoy your cruise!

Good to know that we might be able to sneak an easier Aquamouse ride in between Seating 1 start and the start of our show.

Also, thinking about it now, I've read a lot of reviews saying folks are down on the Lounge, but everyone looks all smiles for the Star Wars kids room. I'll pull the Lounge from my Day 1 priorities. Thanks!

 

[randomguymike]

I think it’s a lot to do on the first day. How many days is your cruise?

4 Day. We're staying on the ship for Nassau. I imagine most folks are, though. Hopefully, I'm wrong and we have more space explore the ship.

 

[Flying Fish]

4 Day. We're staying on the ship for Nassau. I imagine most folks are, though. Hopefully, I'm wrong and we have more space explore the ship.

A lot of people are started staying on the ship in Nassau that's true, but there are plenty who get off the ship. It will certainly give you a little more breathing room. Glad to see you relaxing the priorities list a little bit. You'll be happy you did, and you'll really enjoy yourself more.