Your most important tip for a first time cruise

[JavaHound]

Relax ... before your cruise! It is amazing to see how many people are obsessing over specific dining rotations and so many other things that are so minor. Don't chase so hard after the 'Perfect Cruise" that you make yourself (and your family) miserable, both before and while on the ship. You will not do everything, no matter how hard you try. Make the choice to enjoy every moment and let little things slide.

 

[tup1830]

Haven't read everything so sorry if this is repeated...

Try to walk around during off times (super early or super late) The lobby, the uppermost deck...its a treat to see everything when there is nobody there.

Also, we asked guest services when we would be passing another disney ship, and they told us a date an appx time...so we got up and saw the dream sailing past us in the opposite direction...very neat

 

[carissa1970]

Haven't read everything so sorry if this is repeated...

Try to walk around during off times (super early or super late) The lobby, the uppermost deck...its a treat to see everything when there is nobody there.

Also, we asked guest services when we would be passing another disney ship, and they told us a date an appx time...so we got up and saw the dream sailing past us in the opposite direction...very neat

I will second this! Next cruise I need to do this. my husband got up early every morning to walk around the ship and take pictures. Spoke to every CM he could find and came back with lots of interesting stories!

 

[perditax]

When you guys say 'early', how early do you mean?

When do things really start hopping?

 

[bibbidibobbidibecky]

Caveat: I didn't read everything in this thread, but I did do a quick search and didn't see this suggested! My suggestion is to actually let the kids wear their suits on under their clothes, so you can go straight to the pool/slide when you board!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

When you guys say 'early', how early do you mean?

When do things really start hopping?

4 and 5 am. Is good.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

Caveat: I didn't read everything in this thread, but I did do a quick search and didn't see this suggested! My suggestion is to actually let the kids wear their suits on under their clothes, so you can go straight to the pool/slide when you board!

My husband and I do this too, not just the kids! I have a very modest suit anyway, so I just wear a longer swim coverup to the port and my husband wears his trunks with a tee shirt. We don't wait in line to get photos taken prior to boarding, so we don't care what we're dressed like. We just get right on board, grab food, and hit the pool. No need to fights crowds trying to change in the small restrooms near the pool!

 

[goNDmay9]

If you have young children - you can leave your stroller at home! Disney provides them free of charge. You just have to sign up for them and agree to pay if you don't return them at the end of the trip. We even took them when we went on shore. They also provide pack and plays and diaper genies as well. The strollers we had were well worn - but it beat having to lug a double stroller around. Not to mention - we have the double BOB and there was no way that would have fit!!! The two from Disney fit under the bed.

Also at CC - they have wagons for you to use.

 

[havoc315]

Dramamine. Especially if you are a first time cruiser. My daughter gets motion sickness very easily. I'm usually fine, but some sailings get a day or night of rough seas, where I'm feeling it too.
So bring dramamine, and don't hesitate to use it if necessary.

 

[3fish]

1. Budget for your next cruise (10% is a big savings)

2. DON'T NOT PACK THE HOUSE!!!

3. Bring a night light

4. BYOB. You'll save a ton!

5. See all the shows

6. Tip! These are very hard working and under paid employees! So budget out for tips.

7. Order cookies and milk from room service right before bed. *Bring singles to tip room service attrndants.

9. Save your 'Navagators.' They make great scrabooking back-ground paper.

10. Have brunch at Palo.

Extra: Have a blast and remember you can't do it all, so keep calm and relax!!!

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

1. Budget for your next cruise (10% is a big savings)

2. DON'T NOT PACK THE HOUSE!!!
I hear yah, more reason to shop for new stuff! Lol

3. Bring a night light
Great idea!

4. BYOB. You'll save a ton!
special spot in my carry on for that stuff

5. See all the shows
STAR WARS!!!!

6. Tip! These are very hard working and under paid employees! So budget out for tips.
Noted, thank you!

7. Order cookies and milk from room service right before bed. *Bring singles to tip room service attrndants.
My 17 year old will be soo happy, we joke that he will serve milk and cookies at his wedding one day!

9. Save your 'Navagators.' They make great scrabooking back-ground paper.

10. Have brunch at Palo.

Extra: Have a blast and remember you can't do it all, so keep calm and relax!!!

Great tips thanks

 

[mrtoffee]

This sounds like fantastic advice

My suggestion- trust in the Mouse, be careful that you don't overreach with your expectations, because you will miss the magic... Just as when at WDW, take time to smell the roses, figuratively... There is no perfect excursion, no perfect meal, no perfect on board experience ( ok, maybe Fireworks at sea is perfect) but just let the magic happen, don't force it, don't be one of those parents that lose it because they missed out on something... Be that person or family that just enjoys what is in front them, and goes home with the memories of the most awesome cruise ever... And I also suggest 7 days, 3-4 days is just a teaser...

 

[SillyInventor]

For a Caribbean cruise this shouldn't be an issue. You don't even need to have a passport for those cruises, just a birth certificate - so as long as your passport is valid it will be fine for those cruises. If you are going on a European cruise, then definitely check your passport because in order to fly out you have to meet the requirements of the country. My husband and I didn't know that there were these type rules until my husband got to the airport to go to Germany for a business trip and was told he couldn't fly because his passport expired in 3 months - we always assumed that as long as the passport hadn't expired we were good. But if you're passport is close to expiring, might as well get it renewed.

Note this is only valid for US-residents, cruising on a closed loop (embarking and disembarking in the same US-port).
Background is that if anything happens while abroad this country requires your homecountry to allow you back in in case of (medical) emergencies. The USA has agreements with many caribbean countries to allow US residents back in with a passport that expired for a maximum of 6 months. Therefore this isn't an issue when traveling to these countries. For other destinations other periods may apply and for some countries (like Russia on the Northern Europe cruises) you will need a visa. It's your own responsibility to obtain the proper documentation. No docs = no cruise.
Avoid things like this: http://www.disboards.com/threads/can-you-use-just-a-drivers-license.3416373/

To go back to the OP:

1. Bring your paperwork (BC, passport, cruise contract, minor authorization forms, other)
2. Be on the Ship before "All aboard" (goes for all port days)
3. Attend the muster drill
4. Relax and enjoy whatever Magic happens!

 

[TinkRose]

Sunscreen: apply about a half an hour before you will be anywhere outside and re-apply at least every hour. They say it doesn't matter the SPF number but if you are pale and tend to burn get the highest SPF number you can find. Many brands have several choices so be careful when choosing one in the store instead of just picking up that brand. Put extra on your nose if you wear glasses or sunglasses because they reflect the sun. I live in Florida with very pale skin and have to deal with this daily. Applying the sunscreen ahead of time really helps.

Get a hat with an SPF of 50 or more. Yes, the ones that really work have SPF numbers.

 

[RosasFamily]

Great tips on here! Looking forward to our first Disney cruise next month!!!

 

[dkis4nu]

We don't bring a night light-just turn the TV on and turn down the sound. We use the channel that shows the map of where the ship's been and where it's going.

dk

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

We don't bring a night light-just turn the TV on and turn down the sound. We use the channel that shows the map of where the ship's been and where it's going.

dk

Good idea! One less thing to pack!

 

[bumbershoot]

If you are going on a European cruise, then definitely check your passport because in order to fly out you have to meet the requirements of the country. My husband and I didn't know that there were these type rules until my husband got to the airport to go to Germany for a business trip and was told he couldn't fly because his passport expired in 3 months - we always assumed that as long as the passport hadn't expired we were good.

And...it's always good to check for your trip, because that rule isn't true anymore. (or, not exactly as they stated it, really)

From the State Department...

Germany is a party to the Schengen Agreement. Your U.S. passport should be valid at least three months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen zone. This regulation is strictly enforced in Germany. Travelers whose passports do not meet this requirement may have their travel disrupted and may even be denied entry into Germany. As a U.S. citizen, you may enter Germany for up to 90 days for tourist or business purposes without a visa. Your entry into any Schengen country begins the 90-day limit for the entire Schengen area.

So he still wouldn't have been able to go, because it's 3 months beyond the date of departure, but it isn't 6 months.


DH has been traveling since 2009 and rules have changed. I remember clearly that Italy was a 6 monther, but now it isn't, because it falls under those same Schengen rules. They *recommend* 6 months (probably because you can stay for 3 months then the passport has to be good 3 months more), but that's not the rule.

 

[tyarbrough]

We bring a glow stick for each night of the cruise and hang it on the bathroom door as our night light. I order them from Oriental Trading right after a holiday for a big discount -- so they might be red and green striped after Christmas or orange and black after Halloween. Doesn't matter to us... as long as they glow.

 

[Disneyholic]

Towel folding (for families), Napkin folding & cooking classes (for adults) In the cooking classes they teach you how they make one of the dishes that they serve onboard and then serve you a small portion with a small amount of complimentary wine.

If they have a Captain's Gala night on your cruise be sure to go down to the atrium before dinner (late dining) or after dinner (early dining) You get to meet a lot of the crew and they are serving complimentary drinks (some alcoholic).

When you get to Gold and Platinum they have Crew Meet & greets with appetizers and drinks.

If you are a DVC member they have a get together, too.