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Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
We leave the beginning of next month and can't wait. We are going with friends who's kids are the same age. I have 2 boys 7 and 5 and they have two girls 7 and 4.
Any advise on packing?
Do they do character autographs?
Any tricks on seeing the shows or ideas for their dining?
We have the late seating, which we're happy with because we don't have to rush back, but don't want the kids starving.
How is the kids rooms? Definitely planning on spending some adult time too. Any advise?
Our friends got the check in a half hour before us, but we're going together. Does that matter?
What should I bring in the carry on when we first arrive?
How long till we get our luggage?
Sorry, it's been so long since we've been on a cruise. DH and I were only dating so probably 13 years ago or so.
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Posted 10/13/16 12:47 PM  |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
Posted by EricaAlt
We leave the beginning of next month and can't wait. We are going with friends who's kids are the same age. I have 2 boys 7 and 5 and they have two girls 7 and 4.
Any advise on packing?
Do they do character autographs?
Any tricks on seeing the shows or ideas for their dining?
We have the late seating, which we're happy with because we don't have to rush back, but don't want the kids starving.
How is the kids rooms? Definitely planning on spending some adult time too. Any advise?
Our friends got the check in a half hour before us, but we're going together. Does that matter?
What should I bring in the carry on when we first arrive?
How long till we get our luggage?
Sorry, it's been so long since we've been on a cruise. DH and I were only dating so probably 13 years ago or so.
Let me just say that you are in for a vacation of a lifetime. We just got back from a Disney cruise last week (sailed on the Disney Magic from NYC to Canada) and it was by far the best cruise we had been on (it was our 4th, but first with DS). I'm so so excited for you, your family is going to have a fabulous time!!
To answer your questions-
Packing- I normally overpack but managed not to on his trip. I'm sure you know staterooms are not known for their spaciousness, so we limited it to one large suitcase, one carry on, and my DS's small suitcase for some toys. It was a perfect amount and we still managed to find spade to squeeze in souvenirs.
Yes, the characters will do autographs and there are LOTS of opportunities for character greetings.
For seeing the shows, we had second seating too for dinner, and it worked out perfect. We knew we'd be way off my ds's schedule (he normally goes to bed 7:30ish) and felt we'd rather have him overtired at dinner where we can distract him with a meal, rather than at the shows. We ended up giving him a snack at the shows to hold him over, and then went to dinner at our scheduled time. It also helped that on the second day, we moved our clocks back (so a 8:15 dinner was really more like "7:15", for half the trip). We actually had no choice but to take the second seating because we booked the cruise sorta late and it's all that was left, but ultimately we were very happy with it and would do the same thing next time.
The kids rooms were ..,shall I say... awesome. My DS is 3 and there were 2 different "kids clubs" on our ship to accommodate kids 3 to I believe 10 or 12. They had all sorts of play areas, video games if that's their thing.., and the staff is just incredible. I've never seen a staff so friendly and accommodating. We didn't do it, but we were told we could have arranged for my DS to be picked up from our dinner tabke and brought to the kids club so my dh could enjoy our meal alone. We opted out of that, but may be a good option for you guys.
For the carry on when you first arrive, you really don't need much. We had lunch as soon as we boarded, and our bags were brought to ou room for us. I'd say just keep any medications on hand. We got our luggage pretty quickly, within a couple hours. Actually, we boarded around 12:30, our room was ready by 1:30, and by the time we went to our room, our bag was there. It was just the perfect amount of time to have lunch and tour the ship a little.
For your friend giving the check before you guys, I can't speak for that part bc we jut traveled the 3 of us.
What ship are you taking and what's your destination? Let me know if you have any questions. It was really an incredible trip and I already can't wait to book our next one day!!! Disney Cruise Line has ruined all other cruise lines for me. The entertainment was amazing (Broadway quality shows), the service was also amazing.. I truly cannot say enough how wonderful this trip was.
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| Posted 10/13/16 3:18 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
Name:
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
Packing: depending on your destination, don't overpack. We don't care if we repeated causal outfits and often you spend a whole day in a bathing suit! Do pack a few formal outfits and a pirate outfit for the party.
Autographs: we did character pictures instead. This was easy... there were lines, but they moved along smoothly
Shows/dinners: Shows were very entertaining. Dinners we did late too & it was ok (we got up later & had lunch later). I thought the sit down dinners were anti climactic.
Carry on: On take off, there is a dancing pool party. Being bathing suits for take off. Suitcases took a while to get there... we did have lunch, then did the dancing party for take off. Then explored the ship. I think we did the drill before takeoff as well.
We didn't use the kids club (our youngest was 2).
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| Posted 10/13/16 5:23 PM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
FYI you can book a "placeholder" cruise while on board for a $250 deposit. You then get 10% your future cruise along with a $100 to $200 onboard credit. You don't need to choose a date yet while on the ship. You can call after you get home and figure out your dates. You have 2 years to move your placeholder cruise to an actual date. If you decide not to cruise again, you get your $250 back.
I'm not sure how the Magic is, we have only done the Dream (larger ship), but there is so much room in the stateroom. So much closet space, drawers, and suitcase fit under the bed, as the bed is raised.
Rooms aren't usually ready until 1:30, and your luggage should arrive by 5pm. If you are leaving out of NYC you don't need a bathing suit for disembarkation day, because it will probably be way too cold to swim!
Try to get a Cabana on Castaway Cay, look at the site daily. It's the BEST thing EVER.
Kids clubs are amazing on whatever ship you are on. That is what they are known for! Make sure to take advantage of the activities they offer in there. I think I've replied to your posts before, so search for the specific ones I recommended.
Take advantage of the dine and play option offered with late seating. The kids club will come and get them around 9pm I believe it is and take them to the club. Their dinner will come out well before then.
P.S....if you aren't feeling dessert one night...just tell them you want "nothing"  ...it's a good nothing lol
Check in time doesn't matter, I would get there at the same time as your friends. They won't turn you away. I have seen pics of the NY terminal and it's a zoo! So while I would normally recommend getting there when the port opens in FL (again, they don't turn you away if you are earlier than your port arrival time) I think NYC is way too congested to be sitting around there for hours!
Message edited 10/13/2016 9:29:06 PM.
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| Posted 10/13/16 9:26 PM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
Thank you so much for the responses. WE are leaving out of NY and ending up in Puerto Rico. It's a repositioning cruise.
I know we won't be swimming the first day or two on the ship. lOl
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| Posted 10/14/16 7:18 AM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
You'd be surprised  there were people swimming on our cruise and it must have been in the 50s at some points. People are nuts lol
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| Posted 10/14/16 7:52 AM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
Posted by PennyCat
You'd be surprised there were people swimming on our cruise and it must have been in the 50s at some points. People are nuts lol
Wow! LOL
That won't be me. I'd rather be at the bar. 
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| Posted 10/14/16 8:41 AM |
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ml110
LIF Adult
Member since 1/06 5435 total posts
Name:
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Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
you got enough answers to your questions HAHA but just wanted to say you'll have a blast!! we've been on 2 DCL cruises, with a 3rd booked for next year they really do an amazing job!! the service is awesome--- one time when DS was like 3, he couldn't reach the sink to wash his hands in the bathroom. i was in there with him, walking over to help him... but then a staff member came in, and picked him up to help him, before i could just little things like that are great! DEFINITELY take advantage of the kid's clubs!!! DS is a complete mommas boy-- he's our only, and i've been staying home with him... BUT even he really loved the kid's clubs!! one night they did "Mouseketeer Training" and Mickey came by, another night they did "Avenger's Training" and he came out wearing little paper cape he decorated They'll call you if the kid wants to leave... so at least make your kids try it for a few hours DH and i did a dinner one night at the adults only restaurant- Palo- AMAZING!!! it costs extra, but worth it!! You can get put on the waiting list for the earlier dinner, if you want to. Both cruises, we booked late and got put on late dinner- but ended up requesting and getting the earlier time. (Forget about DS-- WE wouldn't make it until 8 to eat dinner! LOL ) Definitely pack stuff for pirate night- so fun! and if you're going to Castaway Cay, pay a few dollars to rent bikes (they have kid's sizes) and ride out to the end of the old runway- really peaceful back there The shows on the ship are great! one of the things we like about DCL is that the shows are family friendly... on other cruise lines, we felt like we didn't want to take DS with us, because it wouldn't be something he would be intested in-- so DH and I would take turns going. but on the DCL, all the shows were great for DS, so it was nice we could all go together. you guys will love it!
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| Posted 10/14/16 8:48 AM |
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EricaAlt
LIF Adult
Member since 7/08 22665 total posts
Name:
Erica
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
Posted by ml110
you got enough answers to your questions HAHA but just wanted to say you'll have a blast!! we've been on 2 DCL cruises, with a 3rd booked for next year they really do an amazing job!! the service is awesome--- one time when DS was like 3, he couldn't reach the sink to wash his hands in the bathroom. i was in there with him, walking over to help him... but then a staff member came in, and picked him up to help him, before i could just little things like that are great! DEFINITELY take advantage of the kid's clubs!!! DS is a complete mommas boy-- he's our only, and i've been staying home with him... BUT even he really loved the kid's clubs!! one night they did "Mouseketeer Training" and Mickey came by, another night they did "Avenger's Training" and he came out wearing little paper cape he decorated They'll call you if the kid wants to leave... so at least make your kids try it for a few hours DH and i did a dinner one night at the adults only restaurant- Palo- AMAZING!!! it costs extra, but worth it!! You can get put on the waiting list for the earlier dinner, if you want to. Both cruises, we booked late and got put on late dinner- but ended up requesting and getting the earlier time. (Forget about DS-- WE wouldn't make it until 8 to eat dinner! LOL ) Definitely pack stuff for pirate night- so fun! and if you're going to Castaway Cay, pay a few dollars to rent bikes (they have kid's sizes) and ride out to the end of the old runway- really peaceful back there The shows on the ship are great! one of the things we like about DCL is that the shows are family friendly... on other cruise lines, we felt like we didn't want to take DS with us, because it wouldn't be something he would be intested in-- so DH and I would take turns going. but on the DCL, all the shows were great for DS, so it was nice we could all go together. you guys will love it!
Thanks!! I think the kids will definitely love the kids club. They're all friends and a good age now where they are fine playing without us for a while.
How does it work with the shows and seating?
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| Posted 10/14/16 9:53 AM |
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BargainMama
LIF Adult
Member since 5/09 15657 total posts
Name:
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Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
The shows are first come first serve. If you are attending the first show since you have 2nd seating, it's easier to get seats. The theater opens 30 minutes before, and I would get there then to get seats in the front area (or we love the balcony side box type seats!). They also sell popcorn, canned soda and snacks right outside the theater (those things are not included in cruise fare).
Message edited 10/14/2016 10:01:09 AM.
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| Posted 10/14/16 10:00 AM |
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PennyCat
Just call me mommy :)
Member since 7/08 19084 total posts
Name:
Jib
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Re: Talk to me about a Disney Cruise
We had second seating, always arrived 15 mins before the shows and always got a seat of our choice.
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| Posted 10/14/16 11:28 AM |
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