First Time Disney Cruiser - What is the First Thing You Do When You Board the Ship

[Hawaii697]

Besides grabbing lunch, what are some of the firsts thing to do when boarding the Disney Dream? Any recommendations for where to have lunch?

Also, where is the sailaway party held? Thanks much! :cool:

[Sir William]

Most people head to the buffet at Cabanas on Deck 11. I prefer the "sit-down" restaurant as it's quieter. The buffet isn't quite as extensive but I've never gone hungry or lacked choices.

 

Afterwards, if the cabins are still unavailable we explore the ship, mostly to get our bearings and see what may have changed: kids' clubs, spa, lounges/bars, pools, etc.

 

Some people bring swimsuits in their day-bag and enjoy the pools. The fast-food eateries by the pool will also be open during embarkation.

 

About 4pm or so, there will be a mandatory safety drill, followed by the sailaway party on Deck 11 (pool deck). Exact times will be provided in the Navigator, which will be provided to you at check-in.

[monty913]

We were on the Fantasy in Sept 2013. We headed to Flo's Cafe and had chicken fingers. I think we might make that tradition. We then headed to a bar, got a drink and scoped out a spot for the sailaway party! We made sure to stand on starboard side deck 12 and wave to the camera at Fishlips. My parents watched live and we gave them a big wave!

[Hawaii697]

Thanks much for your responses and suggestions. I'm excited to be taking my first Disney cruise. :D

[conandrob240]

We go immediately to the pool ( have bathing suits under our clothes). It is a nice chance to swim and have the pools/ water slides all to yourself for a few hours. We get snacks to munch on poolside like pizza, soda, hot dogs, chicken fingers and then the adults take turns going and getting a buffet plate ( try the shrimp and the lamb chops!). We never waste the first day sitting down at an overcrowded lunch.

[Scrapnana]

I like to explore and take pictures before everybody is onboard.

[megansdad1]

We grabbed a quick lunch and hit the pools. It was extremely nice, pools were not busy. We will do the same thing again next time

[PhillyRomantic]

We drop our luggage and head to Deck 11 for some food.

 

 

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[CC Help Jenn]

Besides grabbing lunch, what are some of the firsts thing to do when boarding the Disney Dream? Any recommendations for where to have lunch?

Also, where is the sailaway party held? Thanks much! :cool:

 

We go to guest services and book any tasting or extras that we want to do. Go to the dining room to see if we can change seating (if needed) Book any Palo/Remy if not able to do ahead of time. Usually the hubs handles most of this while I take the kids to Cabanas or fast food.

 

If early - we might play in the pool for a bit (AquaDuck!) then go to our room to check it out. We take the kids to their respective clubs to check out open houses. A drink of the day is usually in order by this time.

 

After muster we go up to sailaway - we like watching from the deck above and waving to the Fish Lips cam :)

[Funky Chicken]

Drop Bags

Quick pit stop at Cabanas

Get Rainforest Pass

Aquaduck

[bsddsc]

If we don't already have our Palo's brunch and dinner reservation made ahead of time online, the FIRST thing is check to see when open reservations start. Sometimes its before lunch, sometimes after. We get there as soon as they open.

 

This goes for ALL the ships. I already booked my brunch an hour after booking my cruise.

 

If you just want a day in the Rainforest , again on all the ships, go to the Gifts section of the website (not the activities section) and purchase a one day pass. You can not always purchase these on ship. Or they only have a full week.

[moki'smommy]

Couple points--unless you are in concierge, you cannot "drop" you bags until 1:30. If you are in concierge, you can leave your bags in the lounge/reception at any time and the concierge will assure their safety.

 

Most important thing is to get any reservations that you weren't able to make in advance. Hit Guest Services/Palo/dining changes/spa for these. You can "divide and conquer." Dad can take the kids to the pool while mom deals with reservations. Or you can each hit one place--one to Guest Services and the other to Palo.

 

Once you have the "business" taken care of, let the fun begin.

 

Where to have lunch--you have more choices of food on the pool deck, but we prefer to sit and have our beverages served to us. That's Enchanted Garden/Parrot Cay/Carrioca's depending on the ship.

Edited August 2, 2014 by moki'smommy

[Chelle28]

Besides grabbing lunch, what are some of the firsts thing to do when boarding the Disney Dream? Any recommendations for where to have lunch?

Also, where is the sailaway party held? Thanks much! :cool:

 

Great question! First time Disney cruise for us as well and I've been wondering the same thing? Which sailing are you on? We're 10/27

[Hawaii697]

Great question! First time Disney cruise for us as well and I've been wondering the same thing? Which sailing are you on? We're 10/27

 

We are on the 10/27 sailing as well!! :D

Celebrating my granddaughter's 5th birthday (5/28) with her other grandmother, her mom and great-grandmother! Definitely looking forward to this cruise!

[Vacationdreamer<><]

En route to Magic in May it suddenly dawned on me I didn't know where we should grab lunch. I posted my query on a DCL board and am glad I did. We loved Carioca's for lunch. Still buffet-ish, but table service drinks and comfortable place to look through the Navigator. Then we scooted up to Aquadunk and kids had barely any wait.

[moki'smommy]

And if you find yourself boarding and don't have a clue what comes next, NO WORRIES. You will be escorted onto the ship by a member of the Guest Services staff who will answer your questions, direct you to lunch, etc. Your own personal guide for the first few minutes.

[lawgator]

On the Dream there is usually a ship's tour that you can attend to help learn your way around the ship.

If you are a current DVC member there is a welcome party/presentation with free drinks, hats, lanyards, and other little gifts before the lifeboat drill. Of course they are trying to sell you more DVC points, so I guess that is why they offer the alcohol. I did win $300. obc at one of these presentations once which I was able to redeem for a nonexpiring Disney gift card at one of the onboard ship's stores. :D

[tofubeast]

I'm on the 10/27 sailing. If you haven't already, check out our Roll Call for this Dream sailing.

 

Great tips on here. I'm a first timer, too. So much to look forward to.

[kcruzgrl]

Our tradition is to get on as early as possible. We head right for the peel and eat shrimp on the buffet and get a "girlie" drink so that we feel like we are on vacation. After that we roam the ship as others have stated, you get the best pictures when it is empty. I like to take pics of all the public areas (strange I know but something I do on every ship). Even the bathrooms on the Dream and Fantasy are worth taking pictures of. :) Then we grab a spot by the pool and people watch all the newbies coming on board. It is fun to watch little kids get so excited about everything.