Things To Know When Cruising on Disney

For those of you who have never been on a Disney Cruise I offer these tips and advice so you will not make the mistake my family did on our first Disney Cruise.

You should arrive at the port no earlier than 10 AM.
You can arrive and check in before it gets crowded (It usually starts getting crowded around 12-12:30) and you will get a number that will tell you which group you will board with. Starting at number one, two and you get the idea. The doors to board usually open at 12 sharp and you will be called in order. Once you get on board, you will be on deck three mid ship lobby.
If you need to make any dining changes or reservations for Palo you should do it soon as you board.
There will be a hall right behind guest services and the first nightclub on the right that has tables set up to help you. If you do not need any dining changes you will go in and down the hall to the left that will lead you to a restaurant called Parrot Cay that has a buffet or you can go to deck 9 up to Beach Blanket or Topsider's Buffet (same place just a different name depending on which ship you are on). The staff tries to tell you where you have to go but you can do either one. At Parrot Cay it is buffet but you will have a server and all indoor eating. topsiders is up on deck 9. It is all self serve and you can eat inside or outside on the aft deck or out by one of the pools. There are also walk up food areas by the Mickey pool and the Goofy pool that will have pizza, fruit, wrap’s, burgers, chicken strips, and hot dogs. The soft serve ice cream is all you can eat out by the Mickey pool as well.
Hang out, eat, and make sure the kids or everyone has a swimsuit on under their clothes or you can carry it on to change in a nearby restroom , because the pools are open when you get on.You are allowed in your room once the room steward has finished usually around 1:30 or 2:00.
At approximately 4:30 the sail away party will begin with a huge dance party and all the Disney character’s will appear and at 5:00 the magical horn will blow and streamers will shoot out.At that point if you are in first dining you will need to go get dressed for dinner and find your restaurant by your designated time. Just because your key says your dinner says 5:45 don't stress if you are a few minutes late. Things are not that strict on the ship.
DINING DRESS CODE
On a 3 and 4 night cruise you will have a casual dress night such as sundress or capris for ladies and kakis and a polo for men. No jeans or shorts are allowed in any dining room unless you are under 5 years old.There will be a semi- formal night, men do not have to wear a jacket or tie but recommended. A nice button down with dress pants will do and a dress for ladies.
There is pirate night were everyone can opt to dress up in pirate costumes or just the kids, it’s up to how much you would like to get involved. There is also a tropical night, so pack your Hawaiian shirts and dresses.
The 7 night has a full semi and formal night. So take your tie and or jacket guys. Ladies pack those nice dresses, some even wear floor length.If a dress is not stated in your Navigator then look at the restaurant you will be in that night and dress accordingly. Animator’s Palate is casual, Parrot Cay is Tropical and Triton’s on the Wonder and Lumiers on the Magic you will need to dress up tie would be suggested for the men and a dress for the ladies as this is a fancier style restaurant.
Soft Drinks
Soda is free in the restaurant and out by the pool in the fountain. Other wise you will be charged. PALO- Adults Only Restaurant
Adults make sure you make your Palo reservation and if you have little one’s under 3 you will need to also have nursery arrangements. This is a restaurant for Adults only and you must wear a tie or jacket. This is a very hard restaurant to get into so make sure if you are paid in full and 90 days out you log onto the Disney cruise line website and make this reservation. You can also make your nursery arrangements as well.If you kids are 3 and up and potty trained they will be able to go into the kids club and you do not have to make advance arrangements.
LUNCH
For lunch you may go into Tritons or Lumiers and eat with out a reservation just walk in and you will be seated and this is the one time you can wear shorts to a restaurant. There will also be the buffet (Beach Blanket or Topsiders) up by the pool but it is only open for selected times as will Triton’s or Lumiers.
The walk up’s by the pool are always open.

Kids Clubs
These are for ages 3 all the way up to teenagers. The Oceaneers Club and Lab are for kids age 3 -12, they open at 9am and close at 12 midnight! That’s right you can leave them all day and they will be taken care of and they also take them to eat. For teenagers or a 12 year old within two months of their birthday they can opt to go to the Teen Aloft Club. There are organized activities or just go hand out and play video games.
Check your navigator on one night there is Goofy's Pajama party (7 night sailings) where the kids go to the club in their PJs and have a big time with Goofy! Don’t miss it, they love it.The kids clubs are filled with constant activities and some free play time. They will bake cookies; make flubber and lot’s of other cool things. There is always a character coming to visit and play with the kids on different days. It is super secure, like the White house of security for your children, so don’t be afraid to leave them.
Adult activities
There is so much to do each day on the ship some things are for grown ups only such as the Bridge Tour, Food demonstrations, or Wine Tasting.
Family Activities
There are also many family activities such as napkins folding, food carving demo’s, character drawings, and live family game shows. Also look for other things such as magic show’s during the day and ice cravings. You can do as much or as little as you like while on board a Disney cruise.
Room Service
A little hidden secret is room service is also Free. My kids think they can’t come in from the pool or go to bed without milk and cookies. Call up room service and ask for a big plate of assorted cookies and milk and or juice. Soda does cost through room service and at the live stage show. There is a book in your room that on one of the pages list some pizza’s and burger’s that can be ordered free of charge. There is a note beside any item that would not be free. Also ask for the cake of the day. Hey you are on a cruise why not get every dollar you have paid for right?
Castaway Cay –
This is Disney’s Private Island and it is a little piece of paradise. If you are healthy I suggest walking over in the morning so you can enjoy the beauty and take pictures because at the end of the day you will be too tired to care. You can take the tram back at the end of the day if you like.If you get off early you may be one of the lucky few to get a hammock under the trees. There are plenty of chairs but few hammocks and some people literally run for them.You can rent floats for just a few dollars a day and take your own sand buckets and snorkel gear or you can rent or buy these items.There are water sports to do such as sea doos, Hobie cat, and other things. These do cost money. All your food, ice cream, and drinks are included because it is still Disney. There is a family beach, teen beach, and Adults only so no kids to deal with.When you get to the beach have a little family time then take the kids to the club which is moved to the beach for the day, then go over to the adult beach for a little quiet time. There is food for you there as well and they have steaks that is not offered at the family side.

The Adult Areas on the Disney Cruise Line

I suggest the Disney Cruise to adults without children.....I can hear you asking now......Why? You don't have to be a child to enjoy all the cruise has to offer. Disney has dedicated areas for adults only including bars, nightclubs, a whole beach just for adults, a swimming pool just for adults, and even a restaurant just for adults. My husband and I plan to take a short Disney cruise together in December for his 40th birthday. I can't wait.

Disney Cruises and Families

I have to say the most satisfying family vacation I have had is the Disney Cruise. Now I have to admit, I am a bit of a fanatic for anything Disney, but even if I were not I would still say that Disney knows how to do up a cruise. I, along with my husband and two boys, have been on six Disney cruises in about 2.5 years. All varying lengths but all were wonderful. There is something for everyone on a Disney Cruise and there is no shortage of fun. This is one of the main reasons why my main focus in my Travel agency is Disney. In about 2 months I will be going on my 7th Disney cruise and I am as excited now as I was the first one.

Want to know more?
Go to my website at www.cruiseondisney.com