There are so many opportunities for family time, but the kid’s clubs are also so fun you don’t feel guilty for spending time away from your kids either. You get that Disney magic without the stress and activity of the theme parks and there is plenty to do that you will never be bored of. Whether you are a cruise newbie, this is your first cruise with kids, or you are a regular cruiser on other lines, there are some things you should know before your first Disney cruise.
I am a planner by nature and did all sorts of research before my first cruise, but there were still some things I wished I had known before my trip.
Choosing the Right Stateroom
The good news is that Disney cruise lines have some of the largest and best-designed staterooms in the industry. They are much larger than average cruise line cabins. Disney cruise staterooms are among the nicest and best designed for sailing the seas,
but they are still small.
Unlike a resort where you book a room type and the front desk assigns you a room at
check-in, on a cruise ship you get to select your actual room, and there is more to consider beyond just your budget.
You can Book some Character Meets in Advance
One of the things that sets Disney apart from other cruises is the opportunity to meet some of your favorite characters. The Navigator app will list when certain characters are meeting and where, but there are some experiences you can reserve in advance.
You can make reservations online within your advance booking window. Your advance booking window is determined by your Castaway Club membership level and you might be able to reserve:
Princess Gathering
Frozen Meet and Greet
Royal Court Royal Tea (select cruises only)
If this is your first cruise with Disney your advanced booking window isn’t as long as repeat cruisers which means some activities may be full before you can reserve them. Some activities that showed up as full online beforehand (e.g. meet and greets, tastings, etc.) have more availability once you get on board so check in with guest services.
In a similar vein, if you want a specific dining time and it wasn’t available you can ask to be added to the waitlist, you will usually get notified of changes before your cruise but if you haven’t you will want to ask guest services again.
You don’t have to arrive at the port before your check-in time
When you make your final payment, you will be prompted to fill out an online check-in form. On that form, you will select a port arrival time. There are some people who like to get the earliest arrival times so they can get their vacation started sooner, and there are others who choose to arrive later so they avoid the crowds and delays at the port. If you arrive at the port before your check-in time, you may have to wait until your boarding group is called. There are character meets in the terminal if you are sailing out of Port Canaveral so you will be entertained. I prefer a boarding time in the middle, and I arrive a few minutes after so that I can check in and walk right on.
Extra tip! Most people head to the buffet and the pools as soon as they get on. I like to head to the open dining room, enjoy a leisurely lunch, and explore the ship before the room is ready. Make sure you have everything you need for a few hours as your luggage will not arrive in your room until later.
Comentarios