Some questions for a first time cruiser...

[Rudyard Kipling]

My wife, my son, and my parents are all going on our first cruise to the Bahamas in a couple of months. We are working with Kindom Konsultans who have been great so far! We will be spending three days before hand at Disney World and then on a four night cruise.

We are not going to tell my son about the trip until the day we leave (he would be way too excited to focus on anything else!). He has no idea that Disney even has a cruise line and we will obviously be surprising him with that. Any suggestions on a fun way to tell him? I was thinking that when we are at the park or "leaving to go home" that Mickey could call him and tell him about the cruise?

Secondly, we plan to stay in the parks all day for the previous three days and will be spending very little down time other than eating dinner. During the cruise, day 2 we will be in Nassau, we contemplated going to Atlantis, but we were thinking instead maybe just spending a couple hours at Nassau then returning to the ship to explore/rest. Does that sound like a good plan?

Third, we decided not to do dinner at Palo or Remy. My wife and I are pretty lucky and are able to eat quite well, so we were thinking of skipping it this time around so we have more family time. I was thinking, assuming that the cruise is going to be that great, we could do it the next time? Or should I just go ahead and book it? Is it really worth it?

We also have second seating for dinner, which doesn't sound great to me, Carrissa from KK is looking into changing that for me. Is there any reason I should stay with second seating? I like the idea of having a couple of drinks and then going to a show. I'm a lush.

Finally, is there anything else I should be doing? I so used to planning like crazy for Disney but I have done nothing but order the sting ray excursion? It feels odd to me not booking things left and right and not constantly planning! I also kind of want to be wowed by the experience, so I'm doing my best not to look at pictures of the ship...lame I know.

Any other advice or tips would be appreciate. I've read most of the FAQs already too.

Thanks!

 

[EOD K9]

@Rudyard Kipling Congrats on taking the plunge with DCL. I can think of a few ways to surprise him. You can arrange the Mickey call via your planning center on the website. If you are staying on site and using the Disney Xfers to Port Canaveral, you can tell him you are taking a shuttle to another park, and when the cruise bus shows up, BAM!! They have fake portholes on them etc. Another idea...some of the hotels have a model of a cruise ship somewhere. Show him, say isn't that cool? We should go on it...and BAM! Spring the news.
I did Atlantis, it is just ok. I would rather spend my time on the ship. You'll need to read reviews and there are plenty on here who will chime in with their experiences and that can help you.
If I were to do Palo, and I am on my next cruise, do it on Pirate Night. The Pirate Fare isn't all that to rave about, and you will not be missing the Main Dining Room as you will repeat that room.
Second seating is better as there are less tiny tikes. I have done it twice and have it on my next cruise soon. You wont miss any shows with either seating as they run opposite schedules for those with late and early seating.
Don't over plan. There is much to see on the ship. If you don't see it this time, it is a better excuse to see it on the next cruise. If you enjoy your cruise, be sure to book another one while on board. Good luck.

 

[flynnibus]

How old is your son?

Like EOD mentioned... you can have them make the pre-recorded phone call. You might want to lure him with something like... show him something about the Aquaduck.. and then say... we can do it tomorrow! or something along those lines

If you kid is a good swimmer and maybe 8+ or so... The Blue Lagoon Beach Encounter may be a good option for you in Nassau. They have these awesome inflatables in their lagoon. Check out my kids on them a few years ago during the rain storm while we were waiting for the boats.



We did the dolphin encounter there.. which was pretty amazing, but at nearly $200 a person.. is expensive. I think it blows away the kind of interaction we got at Discovery Cove.. which was basically $130 a person.

On dining - it's personal preference... but I liked it because there was less interruption to the afternoon to get ready. With early seating, that time to get ready comes up quick! If they can't get it changed ahead of time, you can always go to F&B on departure day and try to get it changed. Depending on your family's normal eating schedule, the late dinner may be too late for you... but we've done both and I think both are fine.

On Remy/Palo... I think it boils down to.. do you like be catered to in that kind of high end dining experience? If 'going out to a nice dinner' would be something you'd do for a special occasion... I'd strongly consider trying it. You can always tour them on departure day, look at the menus, and try to make a reservation then.

Other tips
- Use the opportunity on departure day to tour the areas you may not normally see.. the teen club, palo, etc.
- On departure day, check out the offerings for the beverage services.. Like the Mixology Class, the wine tastings, etc. They are decently priced entertainment that is always good fun for adults. You can book them at any time via the guest services desk, but they will have a special time setup on departure day as well and you want to get in before they all sell out
- The stingray encounter on Castaway Cay is very cool - I would highly recommend it if you've not done it before
- Download the DCL app before you go so you have it on your phone - its a great way to see whats happening on the boat
- If you want to do characters, there are a ton, but plan ahead and get there at start time or 5mins early for the popular ones
- If you are the photo type... plan ahead and don't miss the photo opportunities they have before dinner each night. They have a range of formal settings.
- After going to the parks... dressing up may seem awkard... but for the family I think it pays off to hold everyone to the dress code for dinners. Plus you do the photo ops

 

[MaryJaneP]

We prefer 2nd seating. Less rush before show then ample time prior to dinner then post-meal drinks. But whatever works for you, it is your vacation. Also we note Atlantis is listed on article that discusses "14 most overrated tourist attractions" so we are unlikely to visit. But your mileage may vary. We have spent several port days just staying on ship and really seriously enjoyed every one of them. Of course, best wishes.

 

[Rudyard Kipling]

Thank you everyone for the great advice. I think I might surprise him with a phone call as we are ready to leave the hotel on the last day.

You've also got me thinking that maybe I should keep my reservations for the second seating. I'll have to get my wife's opinion as well!

Last time we were at WDW we spent a week there and my wife and son took a day at the hotel and I kept going to the parks. I regretted it because I became exhausted for the rest the trip. Therefore I think it will be nice to take it easy on the ship when we are at Nassau instead of running around.


Thanks again!

 

[Much-Pixie-Dust]

I loved second seating for dinner. Our DD was 9 and CMs came to the restaurants and picked her up for the kids club, while we were eating. Her food was just sent out first. I believe they call it Dine and Play. It was great! I liked it too because I felt like I had more time to get ready. Whatever you choose, you will have a great time!

 

[Rudyard Kipling]

Thanks again, I don't know if it matters but my son is seven, a young seven. My plan has been to send him to play in the ships play area for maybe three hours during the day. And that he would spend the rest of the time with us. How late is the kids club open for?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Thanks again, I don't know if it matters but my son is seven, a young seven. My plan has been to send him to play in the ships play area for maybe three hours during the day. And that he would spend the rest of the time with us. How late is the kids club open for?

I suggest taking him there on the first day early to get acquainted with it and meet the counselors and see the different rooms. Then look at the Personal Navigator or phone app each day and see what activities are planned and see what he wants to participate in.

 

[Gaston's gal]

You could give him a min Disney Cruise ship and ask him if he would like to go on it some day. Just an idea. When we did our last cruise, we did the second dining and were very pleased. Loved that less kids were there and didn't have to rush for dinner. You see the same show first that you would see if you reversed the order, so it's all good. Glad you are working with Carissa from Kingdom Konsultants. She's great, isn't she? We all work extra hard to make sure our clients have a magical vacation, whether it's on land or on sea. Enjoy your trip!