If you’re a first-time cruiser to the Disney Cruise Line, here are 10 tips for your first Disney Cruise. From one first time cruiser to another.
Our family got the chance to experience our first Disney Cruise aboard the newly renovated Disney Wonder. I rave on about the wonderful service and fun in my previous post: Why Book a Disney Cruise as a First Time Cruiser.
Tips for Your First Disney Cruise
Join a Facebook group about the Disney Cruise Line
Planning a Disney Cruise can be overwhelming. I never realized what the itinerary has to offer, and it truly is a different kind of vacation from what you might be used to.
I was thankful to have some veterans in our Disney Social Media Moms tribe. They really showed the way when it came to planning dinner rotation, excursions and what to expect.
Hit the Deck Parties
Don’t miss the ‘Adventures Away’ deck party has the ship is leaving port. Also, the themed evening you don’t want to miss either.
photo courtesy of Disney Social Media Moms Celebration
Aboard the Wonder, we had the Pirate Party. It was a blast with a deck area only for kids, characters, games, and fireworks.
Get to Know Your Servers and Stateroom Host
Take a moment to hear the stories from your servers and stateroom host. One of my favorite things about our first Disney cruise was all the diversity that surrounds it. The different cultures and people create beauty.
There are so many wonderful things to learn from these people. They truly become friends. Plus, your stateroom host leaves some fun in your room each evening, so be sure to thank them.
Accept the Service of Luggage Handlers
When you disembark the ship, I recommend using the luggage handlers services. Especially if you have a larger party with more luggage. They are very helpful and will take your luggage from the staging area, through customs, and to the buses.
I recommend tipping between $1.50-$2.00 per bag.
Buy the Family Photo
I know $20 for a photo and another $20 for a frame might seem like a lot of money, but the memories are worth everything. As a creative person, photography and music are two things that always take me back.
Shutters, the Onboard Photography Shop, offers touch-screen kiosks for easy ordering and pick-up at the desk the following day. You won’t regret having this memory.
Don’t Miss Castaway Cay
It doesn’t feel like a lot of time on the island, but don’t miss stretching your legs off the boat on Disney’s very own private island: Castaway Cay. This island breaths life. The beauty will be something you won’t soon forget.
You actually leave a piece of yourself there when you leave. Enjoy paradise!
Listen to the Informational Videos Available on Staterooms Televisions
The night before you disembark, take a minute to listen to the video provided by your cruise director that plays on the television in your stateroom.
It offers really good information to help prepare for disembarking. You won’t feel as lost.
Go to Morning Breakfast Before Disembark
If you can, go to the breakfast that is offered by your rotation before leaving the ship. You get that one last chance to say your goodbyes to the staff and enjoy a good meal. It gives that one last moment of magic.
Pay the Suggested Gratuity in Advance
There are basically two ways to do this, according to the Disney Cruise Line website:
- Pay the suggested gratuity in advance by contacting Disney Cruise Line no later than 3 days before your cruise begins
- Pay by automatically having the suggested gratuity added to your onboard account prior to the end of your cruise
We had the opportunity to do this through Disney Social Media Moms for our first Disney cruise which really helped. We were provided a sheet to remove each section for each server and stateroom host.
Envelopes were provided to easily give them their portion that stated their name, position and how much the tip will be that they will be receiving. A very simple way to remember to thank your servers and stateroom host.
Bring Along the Seasick Remedies…Just in Case
We didn’t face any issues with seasickness, but there were a couple of evenings I did take Dramamine to be safe. The ship moves faster in the middle of the night, so you can really feel the rocking. It is better to be prepared than to find out the hard way. A good idea to pack some.
Seasick Remedies:
Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief Less Drowsey Formula, 8 Count
Dramamine Motion Sickness Relief for Kids, Grape Flavor, 8 CountZenTrip Motion Sickness Relief Strips, 8 CountPsi Bands Acupressure Wrist Bands for the Relief of Nausea – Color PlayBonine Motion Sickness Tablets, Raspberry, 16 Count
Bonus Tip
EAT! No seriously, eat all the things. My one regret from this cruise is that I was focused on a lot of work. Which is good, however; I just wish I had tried more of the wonderful and delicious food the cruise had to offer.
I’ll say though, my husband enjoyed the extra Mickey Premium bars at dinner and eating just about everything available on deck.
Have fun, enjoy every moment and happy cruising!
For more tips about the Disney Cruise Line, check out my Why Book a Disney Cruise as a First Time Cruiser.
More Disney Travel Tips:
- What I Was Not Prepared for On the Disney Cruise Line
- Disney Cruise Line Dining and What to Expect
- Why the Best Time to Visit Walt Disney World is in the Fall
- Disneyland Trip with Friends and Why You Should Take One
- Multigenerational Family Vacation Tips
The biggest of thanks to the 2017 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration that we were invited to attend with a conference fee. We received discounted and complimentary items from Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, and their sponsors during our stay. While not required to write about our experiences, I wanted to share with you these amazing memories. All opinions are my own.