10 Things that Surprise First-Time Disney Cruisers
My first Disney cruise was way back in 2005, but even as a long-time Disney World and Disneyland fan, I still remember how much I didn’t know. If you’ve never done a cruise before, it may seem confusing or even overwhelming. I’m here to tell you, it’s all going to be okay. And hopefully I can clear up some confusion!
1. Free Food Is Always Available – Unlimited food is one of the most discussed topics before cruising. Is food really available all the time? It is. Restaurants are only open at certain times, and heaven knows I’d like the unlimited soft serve to open earlier and close later, but something (like pizza) is usually open until midnight. If all else fails, room service is available 24 hours a day until early on the morning of disembarkation. Doesn’t everyone order room service at 1 am? No? Just me?
2. Advance Bookings Don’t Affect That Much – Advance bookings for things like cabanas, adult upcharge dining, mixology classes, tastings, and excursions will open in stages based on how many times a guest has sailed before. That leaves first-timers with the leftovers after everyone else has booked. I have good news! Most excursions do not sell out early, and the advance bookings for onboard activities represent a very small amount of your time onboard. There is still a great deal to do onboard even if you don’t get a single one of those things. And if all else fails, there are waitlists and some openings onboard.
3. Staterooms Don’t Matter As Much As You Think – Picking a stateroom can be overwhelming if you’ve never done it or don’t have an experienced travel agent helping you out. While I do love finding hidden gem staterooms, the reality is that you won’t spend that much time in your stateroom, and it won’t make or break your cruise.
4. Late Port Arrival Times are Okay – After your booking window opens for online check-in, you’ll select a Port Arrival Time. While being among the first onboard is always fun, if you have a later arrival time, usually after 12:30 or so, you’ll probably find an empty terminal and avoid waiting in any lines to get on. Just don’t be too late!
5. Staterooms Are Not Available Immediately – After leaving your luggage with porters to deliver later, you’ll probably have some carry-ons with you. Make sure they are easy to maneuver or carry, because you can’t drop them off right away. Staterooms will open around 1:30 or later, so depending on what time you board, be prepared.
6. There Are Many Activities on Sea Days – So many first-time cruisers are worried about being bored on a sea day. Let me assure you that there are so many activities available on a sea day! The only reason to sit in a lounge chair and soak in the sun or read a book is that that’s exactly what you want to do. Which is a perfectly valid choice!
7. You Don’t Have to Pay to Communicate – While you do have to pay for Wi-Fi, you’re not completely cut off. You can chat at no cost with fellow cruisers via the DCL app, and messaging apps like WhatsApp and iMessage will work with friends onboard and ashore.
8. You Have to Eat With Strangers – If you go to the main dining rooms for dinner, you may have to eat with strangers. You can, however, request a table alone, and Disney will try to accommodate.
9. Upcharge Dining May Be Worth It – Despite all the aforementioned free food, it may actually be worth it to spend some money on food. Palo, Remy, and Enchante are all wonderful experiences with delicious food. If you want a nice, quiet, kid-free meal, this is what you’re looking for.
10. Some Gratuities Aren’t Really Optional – Gratuities are the one expense onboard that you can’t really escape. There are four tipped positions onboard (six if you are sailing Concierge), and their gratuities are automatically charged to your onboard account if you don’t prepay them. While you could go to guest services to have them removed, the crew works hard to earn them, and therefore, it’s highly discouraged.
Do you have any questions? Any more tips for first timers?
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Good comment on staterooms and their importance. As with everything, there’s always exceptions.
I’d amend it to stateroom locations don’t matter as much as you would think. But the difference between inside, ocean, or verandah is very much dependent on the travelling party.
If you have a toddler or baby that needs nap time, you may find yourself spending more time in your room than a family with teenagers. That verandah would allow a parent the opportunity to be outside enjoying the view while the little sleeps!
There are always exceptions! Good tips. 🙂
I think number 7 should read “you *don’t* have to pay to communicate”.
None of these are “top ten tips” material, but before my first Disney cruise, it wasn’t obvious to me that:
-The three advertised “broadway-style” shows are only presented on one night each. If you’re sailing on the Treasure, regardless of how long the cruise is, you’ll only be able to see the Moana show on one evening. For sailings longer than three nights, the Walt Disney Theatre will have other entertainment on evenings that there isn’t a “major” show.
-There are lines for the scheduled character meet & greets, just like in the parks. It’s not as bad on sailings from Florida ports (since most of the guests onboard have had ample photo op chances in the parks), but if you want to get a photo at a scheduled M&G, show up BEFORE the advertised start time.
-The headliner water slide (Aqua Duck, Aqua Dunk, etc) will also have a long line, as it’s very popular and low-capacity. Rope drop it!
-If you have an outdoor muster station, and it’s hot on the afternoon of your embarkation, bring a cold drink to the muster drill. You will be stuck there sweating longer than you’ll want to be.
-Onboard photographers are abundant onboard, but purchasing any of the photos they take, much less all of them, is shockingly expensive (as compared to Disney World’s Photopass and Memory Maker pricing).
-If you get a massage or any other spa treatment, the therapist WILL try to sell you some overpriced product (likely “Elemis” branded) at the end of it. They don’t actually think you need this product, but they are required by Senses management to try and upsell you. Don’t be caught off-guard by this, and don’t feel bad about declining.
-Clean towels are abundant on the ship’s pool deck and on Castaway/Lookout Cay. No need to bring any from your stateroom.
-While it’s accepted wisdom that the late dinner seating has fewer small kids, there’s a corollary that we’ve found more valuable. Because all those small kids are at the early dinner seating, this means that the earlier showtime in the Walt Disney Theatre is less crowded, and with far fewer little kids who are up way past their bedtime and get squirmy & chatty. Even if you’re used to theme park dining and don’t mind having dinner surrounded by little kids, having a more serene (early) theatre experience is reason enough to choose late dining.
You’re right! I fixed #7!
Thank you for sharing yours!