Disney Cruise - 1st Timer Help!!!

drinkupmehardy · Post by **drinkupmehardy** » Feb Wed 18, 2009 8:44 am

We are DVC Members since 2005 and have planned a Disney Cruise for April 2010. Although we are seasoned WDWers, we are new to the Cruise Lines. Can anyone please provide any tips, hints, thoughts, advise on cruising? Also, and excursions that might me good. Oh, by the way we are doing the 3 night Disney Wonder to the Bahamas and Castawy Cay. It is only my wife and I, we are leaving the family behind, kind of a adult only getaway for 3 nights.... Thanks for any all help!!!

Post by **sockfire** » Feb Wed 18, 2009 6:18 pm

My wife and I did that cruise back in 99. Castaway Cay is awesome, wake up early that day. The area around the port in the Bahamas is a bit of a tourist trap. We were talking about it and decided if we did that cruise again we would just stay on the ship that day. It's a remarkable ship

We also did a 7 day cruise when it came out west in 2005. Which afforded us some more time to enjoy the ship. We are in the process of planning our next cruise and plan to go Disney again.

As far as tips go, read the daily itinerary, there's tons of stuff to do. There are lots of adults-only areas too. If you plan to do the spa or Palo, book them as early as you can. The piano bar (I think it was called Sessions) was our favorite place to relax and have a cocktail prior to the shows.

I'm sure you'll have a stellar time

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Feb Thu 19, 2009 10:40 pm

Here are a few tips that I collected on my last cruise that I hope will be helpful!

- Bring a watch and walkie talkies!! I didn't realize how attached to my cell phone I was until this trip. You can make calls from the ship, but it will cost you an arm and a leg. Also, if you don't wear a watch, get one. When we got into international waters, my cell phone reset itself to October 31 at 12:00 AM (it was June). They do have clocks around the ship, but it's a bit of a pain to hunt one down if you want to know the time.

- Like sockfire said, when you go to the Bahamas, just stay on the ship. It's very touritst-trappy and dirty with a lot of people begging for them to braid your hair, etc. Stay on the ship and enjoy the empty pools and dining areas. It seemed like they used a lot more seafood and meat on the day that we were in the Bahamas because they knew that they wouldn't have to feed as many people. Save your energy for Castaway Cay!

- Speaking of the Bahamas, don't go to the shopping meeting unless you're interested in spending some serious cash on jewlery in the Bahamas. I was warned ahead of time not to go, but didn't listen because they announced that if you go, you will receive a free charm bracelet, etc. Well, the "free" charm bracelet turned out to be a coupon for a free charm bracelet that you had to run all over the Nassau for. They also gave a coupon for a free lanyard at Del Sol, but when we were exiting the ship, they were handing them out to everyone. Explore the ship and make reservations instead of wasting your time at that meeting.

- Bring SPF 50 or higher!! I got mad when all I saw was SPF 50 in our bag, but I was so relieved when I still burned anyway. The sun is MUCH stronger there than in our neck of the woods, so make sure you really put it on.

- Especially since you'll be there in April, be sure to bring a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. The nights can get breezy (especially on the first and third nights since they're really booking it to get to their next destination) and if you're sitting outside watching a movie on the poolside big screen (they will also show major sports events on it, so you don't miss your favorite team while you're there!), it can get a little chilly.

- This may seem like common sense, but since it's just adults, book the later seating time. Don't let the late seating time scare you into thinking you will be starving by the time you get there - there is plenty of food available (pizza, burgers, chicken fingers, sandwiches, fruit, ice cream, etc) during the day. Just make sure to check your daily itinerary for operating hours (they usually close around lunch and dinner, but reopen after both).

- Room service is free! It's great because you can check off what you want and what time you want it (this is great for breakfast) and be able to eat in your room while everyone is getting ready and so you don't have to fight those breakfast lines. Don't forget to tip though!

- Go to the Sail Away and Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Parties. They are fun for all ages and it really gets you into that vacation spirit. The fireworks at sea at the Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Party is definately a must-see!

I'm sure I'll think of more tips, so I'll post them as I remember them!

Have a great time - this is one of the best trips I've ever taken!

drinkupmehardy · Post by **drinkupmehardy** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 8:31 am

spodie - thanks for all the advise. please provide and additional info you can think of in the future... the watch thing is a great thought. i wou;dn't of even thought about that. also, why do you recommend the late dinner seating rather than the main? is it because less children? do you still have time after dinner to enjoy the shows and deck parties/fireworks? thanks...

Post by **sockfire** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 12:04 pm

drinkupmehardy wrote:spodie - thanks for all the advise. please provide and additional info you can think of in the future... the watch thing is a great thought. i wou;dn't of even thought about that. also, why do you recommend the late dinner seating rather than the main? is it because less children? do you still have time after dinner to enjoy the shows and deck parties/fireworks? thanks...

If you have late dining, usually there are less young kids. Also, you would then have the early show time. Meals/Shows never interfere with deck parties.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Fri 20, 2009 12:15 pm

We did the cruise in '99 also. We were amazed at how many adult areas there are on the boat, so if you are there with your significant other, you can enjoy yourselves! We did the sea/land vacation.

The restaurants are wonderful! We did the later seating time for dinner, and there were less children. The food is is fantastic!

Like the others have said, I would just stay on the boat the day you dock in the Bahamas. Just a huge tourist trap, not much to see. Enjoy the boat!

Castaway Cay, is gorgeous! Make sure you're up and at 'em early that day! There are so many activities to do there. You can go to the adult beach or stay at the main beach. If you like to snorkel, make sure you find the hidden Mickey!!!! I've heard that they have the Black Pearl docked there now too. Take lotsa pictures!

drinkupmehardy · Post by **drinkupmehardy** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 2:24 pm

not to sound weird, but i have a fear for sharks, jelly fish, etc... my question on the snorkeling, is there a risk of any of these things while snorkeling? i heard they have areas screened off for snorkeling, but wasn't sure if this is true. thanks

Post by **sockfire** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 4:18 pm

drinkupmehardy wrote:not to sound weird, but i have a fear for sharks, jelly fish, etc... my question on the snorkeling, is there a risk of any of these things while snorkeling? i heard they have areas screened off for snorkeling, but wasn't sure if this is true. thanks

We saw lots of fish and crab at Castaway Cay, but no sharks or jellyfish.

We went to the adults only beach and put our chairs right in the water, and the fish would come right up to our legs. It was pretty surreal.

spodie · Post by **spodie** » Feb Sat 21, 2009 9:30 pm

drinkupmehardy wrote:spodie - thanks for all the advise. please provide and additional info you can think of in the future... the watch thing is a great thought. i wou;dn't of even thought about that. also, why do you recommend the late dinner seating rather than the main? is it because less children? do you still have time after dinner to enjoy the shows and deck parties/fireworks? thanks...

Yes, it is because there are less children. The only downside is is that you will be way too full to enjoy the late buffet. It really stinks when you can get free turkey legs at the Pirates in the Caribbean Deck Party. However, if you get hungry, you can still order room service - I believe it's 24 hours!

The other question you had was about sharks. I actually did see a shark and what I think was a barricuda near the shore at Castaway Cay when we were there. I hate going in the ocean because I'm really not into fish either, but it was still cool to walk around and see all of the fish from the shore.

boilerbabe · Post by **boilerbabe** » Feb Sun 22, 2009 12:23 pm

With the snorkeling, Disney actually has nets up around that area so big fish cannot enter the area. The only large sea creature we saw was a sea turtle, he was pretty far out there. Beautiful! So unless this has changed, Disney has taken care of the scary animals. The nets keep them out! We were there in '99, so I'm sure by now there are more fishes to see!

drinkupmehardy · Post by **drinkupmehardy** » Feb Sun 22, 2009 7:34 pm

thanks... i thought i heard this about the large fish, but i wasn't 100% sure...

coasterfiend · Post by **coasterfiend** » Mar Wed 25, 2009 10:23 am

By all means book Palo - best meal available on the ship.

We enjoyed the wine tasting event (on Nassau day) held in Palo.

The port area in Nassau has gone downhill unfortunately - partly the world economy and the past few years' hurricanes. If you like casinos go to Atlantis, the resort is beautiful and the casino was fun. I would just take a taxi rather than pay for the package deal.

CC- snorkel on the family beach and then go to Serenity Bay for lunch, drinks, quiet time, drinks (oh I said that already!)

Get your picture taken with Captain Jack in front of the Flying Dutchman - he was hilarious!

Diversions is a great place to go after the horn blows during the sail away party. We got drinks (imagine) and sat in the comfy chairs by a big porthole window and watched Port Canaveral go by.....AH vacation

disneylizzy · Post by **disneylizzy** » Sep Fri 04, 2009 9:22 am

I just read through all of these tips...thanks for posting!

Are there any more DCL tips?

Recently booked the 14 day transatlantic on the Magic in April.

yodiwan1 · Post by **yodiwan1** » Sep Fri 04, 2009 11:58 am

OK, here are a few simple ones. 1) For our honeymoon back in May I did the Sea Lion experience at Nassua and it wa AMAZING!!!!! if you like wildlife do it!
2) the sting rays there are awesome too!!! as for onboard, i took a 7 day cruise so we had time to epxploe..dont miss which ever shows they put on they are amazing!

Mr.ToadWildRider · Post by **Mr.ToadWildRider** » Sep Tue 08, 2009 9:07 am

While I've never been on the Disney Cruise, I've been on several cruises and I would heartily disagree w/ anyone saying stay on the ship at the Bahamas port. Not to be insulting, but that's totally Disney-fying your trip. That may be what you want, but the truth is the world outside of Disney isn't always shiny and clean. I would go and experience the culture a bit. Don't necessarily go on a Disney run tour (depending on how long you are in port), just grab a map and hop in a cab. I'm sure the crew will be happy to point out areas of interest, and they usually know where to avoid in terms of safety (though I don't think the Bahamas are particularly dangerous as is unfortunately the case is places like Jamaica and Costa Rica and Mexico).

As far as snorkeling goes, generally even big fish leave you alone if you aren't in an enclosed, Disney area. The only time I've ever been at all uneasy was when I was snorkeling over a school of barracuda, which are can be a fairly aggressive fish. Even they didn't come close. Most sharks don't pose much of a threat as long as you aren't thrashing about, and even then a lot wouldn't come after you. Although a big tiger or something would be pretty scary to see