New to Disney...have a few questions

[Eskwire]

We have traveled Princess a bunch of times but never Disney! What do I need to know that is different on a Disney cruise? I know we have a fixed seating time instead of the freestyle seating we are used to. What else?

[truck1]

We have traveled Princess a bunch of times but never Disney! What do I need to know that is different on a Disney cruise? I know we have a fixed seating time instead of the freestyle seating we are used to. What else?

 

 

Basically think the Magic Kingdom on the ocean.

 

Yes there is fixed dining, and your wait staff travels from dining room to dining room.Each rest, has a different theme and menu to match. With out giving it away, there is 1 special rest, for the entire family, that is truly magical. Bring a camera,or a camcorder. As far as I know DCL are the only ships to have it. There are also broadway style shows, based on Disney movies, and a Pirates Party and fireworks, at sea.Again, as far as I know, DCL is the only cruiseline to have them. The Disney characters, are out and about, and will sign autographs, and pose for pictures. Its much easier then in the parks.

As far as what else is different,Disney themeing is all around you, but at the same time its not overwhelming. Even with more kids onboard, you really dont notice them.

[suezyq50]

Posing and autograph times will be listed in the daily newsletter. (I can't recall it's official name.) Many wore the matching princess dress that was doing the signing. For us, the chararacter breakfast was a highlight. We "ran" into Pluto in the hallway. We made sure we always had our camera. A few days later, we ran into Mickey! Palo was awesome, especially brunch.

[PopFla]

Posing and autograph times will be listed in the daily newsletter. (I can't recall it's official name.)

 

The daily newsletter is the Navigator. :cool:

[james'mommy]

I'm a Princess princess also. Sailed on a lot of lines but always come back to Princess. My favorite was the Med on the Grand. We are trying DCL for the first time because I love disney and have a motto of try everything disney at least once (hence my burning desire to visit every park in the world). I hope I like it but I won't ever be going again because DH refuses to pay their inflated prices more than once. I personally despise anytime dining (I'll never sail NCL again because of this). Set dining times is one of the things I am looking forward to on DCL.

[shellyc]

We are big Disney fans but also sail Princess. There is no casino on the Disney ships, but they do have daily bingo, and they have the wifi bingo boards. DH who doesn't play, went with me and I gave him the wifi bingo machine, he won $300...

They don't have anytime dining, but they do serve a sit down dinner at the casual buffet restaurant on certain days if you don't want to go to the dining room.

We love both Princess and Disney, and we jut returned from the Baltics on Princess. We had booked Disney for June 12th, but changed to Princess for June 11th since the price was so good on Princess. We are already booked on the new Disney Dream for april 10th, 2011 for my 65th birthday.

[CaseyJr]

While you have fixed times to eat in the dining rooms, you can always pick up food on deck or at the buffet and aren't set to a particular time.

[sugarcat]

We've done 2 DCL and one Princess. The specialty restaurant on DCL is adults only (Palo) and if you want to do it, I would advise booking online if possible, as close to your 75 days before as possible. If not, you can sign up on board the first day. You may get a spot for dinner, but brunch, unlikely. Also, it's semi-formal dress code there. As in long pants, closed toed shoes and dress shirt at a minimum.

 

There is a drinks station where you can get soft drinks 24/7 up on the pool deck and soda is free with meals in the dining room and buffet.

 

The adults only areas such as the coffee shop and adult pool actually enforce the child-free policy.

 

Enjoy!

[sugarcat]

Oh, there is also a great adults only area of the beach on the private island for DCL.

[sugarcat]

Just thought of something else, there are towels by the pool, so you don't have to bring a towel from your stateroom like you do on Princess.

[tontok]

I am also a Princess cruiser and will be on my first Disney cruise in less than 20 days!

 

From what I have researched, another difference is the DCL tips are not pre-paid like they are in Princess. I have been trying to figure out the process.

[james'mommy]

We are big Disney fans but also sail Princess. There is no casino on the Disney ships, but they do have daily bingo, and they have the wifi bingo boards. DH who doesn't play, went with me and I gave him the wifi bingo machine, he won $300...

They don't have anytime dining, but they do serve a sit down dinner at the casual buffet restaurant on certain days if you don't want to go to the dining room.

We love both Princess and Disney, and we jut returned from the Baltics on Princess. We had booked Disney for June 12th, but changed to Princess for June 11th since the price was so good on Princess. We are already booked on the new Disney Dream for april 10th, 2011 for my 65th birthday.

 

My husband didn't find out until after he paid in full that there was no casino. He was not a happy camper.

[james'mommy]

I am also a Princess cruiser and will be on my first Disney cruise in less than 20 days!

 

From what I have researched, another difference is the DCL tips are not pre-paid like they are in Princess. I have been trying to figure out the process.

 

I believe you can just ask at the purser's desk and they will add the tips to you shipboard account.

[CruisingSarah]

I believe you can just ask at the purser's desk and they will add the tips to you shipboard account.

 

This is correct. On the day before the last they send out a sheet to your cabin which you can fill in with the amount you wish to give to each person, if you take this to the guest services desk they will then issue you vouchers to put in your envelopes to give to the servers etc and charge it to your onboard account. However I heard that it can take two weeks or so for the staff to actually then have this money in their hand so as always cash is king.

[Seraphina52]

I'm a Princess princess also. Sailed on a lot of lines but always come back to Princess. My favorite was the Med on the Grand. We are trying DCL for the first time because I love disney and have a motto of try everything disney at least once (hence my burning desire to visit every park in the world). I hope I like it but I won't ever be going again because DH refuses to pay their inflated prices more than once. I personally despise anytime dining (I'll never sail NCL again because of this). Set dining times is one of the things I am looking forward to on DCL.

 

Ok- I'm new here, so please forgive my ignorance. I have seen the abbeviation DH several times in posts- I know BF is boyfriend, and I assume the H stands for husband- but what is the 'D' for?????(I can make a guess that wouldn't be too flattering...) Maybe this is something only the younger people know and I am in my 50's! I know everyone will laugh at this post, but at least I'll know wht I'm reading from now on! Thanks!

[Soups]

but what is the 'D' for?????(I can make a guess that wouldn't be too flattering...)

 

DH= Dear Husband

However, if you are ever not sure, you can always look it up at http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php.

[Seraphina52]

DH= Dear Husband

However, if you are ever not sure, you can always look it up at http://www.netlingo.com/acronyms.php.

 

Thanks, Soups! And thanks for giving me the answer without laughing at my question! (Or at least not laughing outloud!):o