first timer cruise questions

[meekoman]

Just booked our first disney cruise (or any cruise). We had a couple of questions for any veterans out there.
1. What are the food options at times other than the dinner time restaraunt?

2. What is the shopping like on board, on castaway cay and in the bahamas?

Any info would be great.

thanks!!

 

[iluvstitch]

1. What are the food options at times other than the dinner time restaraunt?

You will NOT go hungry : )

-Breakfast Buffet on top deck (really good)
-Palo
-Pizza stand near the adult pool
-Stand near Mickey pool had Hot Dogs, Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers, grilled chicken sandwich, tacos and chicken fingers (all made to order and really tasty!)
-Lunch buffet on top deck
-Ice cream- chocolate/vanilla and swirl, lots of toppings
-room service



2. What is the shopping like on board, on castaway cay and in the bahamas?

-There are two shops on the ship, one has DCL logo clothes, mugs, pins, plush toys, postcards, snowglobes, candy, etc.
The other one is fancier, nicer clothes, jewelry, bags, pricier posters, art, etc.

The shops are not open 24/7, the hours are in your navigator and the shop is usually packed.

-Castaway Cay has a few stands/tents w/logo merchandise, postcards, pins, etc. A stand w/stuff made by bahemians.

-Nassau- nothing really spectacular for shopping, lots of junky gift shops, straw market, duty free stuff. Expensive stores at Atlantis.

 

[1stStarIC2nite]

Originally posted by meekoman
Just booked our first disney cruise (or any cruise). We had a couple of questions for any veterans out there.
1. What are the food options at times other than the dinner time restaraunt?

2. What is the shopping like on board, on castaway cay and in the bahamas?

Any info would be great.

thanks!!

Yeah, you will not go hungry on this cruise. They have (on the one I went on.. I think it was Wonder) ice cream, drinks, and pizza stands open all day long. And there are really good restaraunts, like the Animator's Palate which is really cool, and there's also a buffet restaraunt. And there's a more cafe' like restaraunt, and also a very nice restaraunt just for adults... but either way.. there's plenty of things to find to eat.

For shopping,... the one I remember was there is a part that is like a mini mall. It goes around in a circle and there are shops around it. I personally didnt go in any of them... but I remember them being there..

I dont know what shopping is like in Nassau, we didnt get off. And I dont remember any shops on Castaway Cay... but there probably were some...

You are going to have such an amazing time.. The cruise is amazing. Btw, when are you going? We're going on one this summer so I can't wait!

 

[BRER STITCH]

Originally posted by meekoman
Just booked our first disney cruise (or any cruise). We had a couple of questions for any veterans out there.
1. What are the food options at times other than the dinner time restaraunt?
2. What is the shopping like on board, on castaway cay and in the bahamas?
Any info would be great.
thanks!!

As mentioned already, go hungry and prepare to eat! :slurp:

Aside from your scheduled dinner times, the snack bars on the ship are always open. Also, ROOM SERVICE is available 24/7 on the cruise and is a nice option if want food late at night or if you have a patio to enjoy breakfast or lunch on!!!

In addition, depending on the length of your cruise, there will be one or two "midnight" parties where great desserts and/or sandwiches and hot and cold hors d'ourves are served. :slurp:

As for shopping, the tourist storesin the Bahamas have typical "island themed" gifts, etc., but we found good prices on t-shirts, water shoes, and snacks for the room!
You can also get some great items if you take a water taxi over to Atlantis and shop in and around there.

The straw markets are typically 500 booths of the same old t-shirts and junk, though, a good bargainer can get some pretty good deals!

Lots of restaurants to eat at in your ports of call too, so don't be afraid to wander and ask the locals for their recommendations!

YOU'RE GONNA LOVE IT!!!

I can't wait to go again! :sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:

 

[meekoman]

Wow!! Can't wait to go!! We are on a 3 day cruise starting on May 20th. We got a great rate of $399.

Shopping and eating are two of our favorite things to do (besides being at Disney, of course).

Last night we watched the disney cruise video we have and the travel channel special we taped just to get outselves even more excited than we already are.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[westie]

Yeah, we were real big on room service, every night! The chicken sandwiches by the pool were a daily delight. I definately didn't go hungry. The midnight dessert was nice too.

Ship shopping is pretty lame, your usual fare based on disney nautical design. Ports of call are interesting and for real relaxation, enjoy your day at Castaway Cay. Have fun!

On a down note, don't bother with the online cafe. I wanted to do like daily posts from our 7 day but, the modem speed was so slow and theres so much to do. Don't waste your time. Let us know when you get home.