First Time Cruising

Sep 11

By: Sarah McClureThis is your first sailing with Disney Cruise Line and you want to get in on as much of the magic as you can! Here aresome tips to help you make the most out of your vacation:

It is your long awaited vacation. Diets are out the window and it is time to live it up! Disney Cruise Line offers 24-hour complimentary room service (please be sure to tip your server!), so each night before bed, order a plate of chocolate chip cookies and milk.
A late night dinner buffet may be served on Pirate Night, complete with the famous Disney turkey legs. Other cruises may offer a late night dessert buffet! Note: late night buffets are on select sailings, check your personal Navigator for details.
Having a hard time choosing from the dinner menu? Go ahead, order one of everything and share it around your table! If a selection from the kid’s menu looks appealing, order it! If your sweet tooth is screaming at you, order all of the desserts!
If you have fallen in love with Disney Cruise Line and know you will be back, make your next cruise reservation while on board to save 10% off the cruise fare and only place a 10% deposit. Be sure to give the reservationist the name of your favorite Wishes agent.
Bring Pirate costumes, shirts or accessories for Pirate Night! Don’t forget to pack a pretty dress and a nice suit for Formal and Semi Formal night. It’s fun to get dressed up!
Disney Cruise Line events always start on time! Make sure you arrive early to the evening stage performances in order to get a seat, or you may find standing room only. If your kids want to do a Kid’s Club activity, be sure to drop them off well in advance of the event. Check your personal Navigator for specific times each day.
Bring a souvenir to be autographed. Some good ideas are a pillowcase, a picture frame matte, a shirt, a Vinylmation or a tote bag. On your first day, drop your items off (limit 1 per child) at Guest Services where you will fill out a form and indicate whose autographs you would like. Be sure to send your own markers and a treat to thank the characters for their time (bag of candy, chips, etc). Your items will be brought back to your stateroom on the last night of your sailing.
Create your own personalized magnets to decorate your stateroom door. There are Facebook and DisBoards pages and artists who will help you create images at no cost!
Join a FE (Fish Extender) Group. You can find the group for your specific sailing on Facebook or DisBoards. This is a fun gift exchange and a way to meet other travelers from all over the world!
You can bring your own alcohol in your carry-on bag.
Bring suction cup hooks or another type of hanger to hang wet swimsuits.
Attend the Sail Away Party right after the muster drill. This is a great way to get in the mood for the whole cruise. Disney knows how to throw a party! There will be great music, fun dancing and characters as you wave to people in port and look out at the ocean ahead. It will be held on the main pool deck. If the floor is crowded, go up the stairs. You may get a better view of the characters and have more room to dance!