The key ingredients for a great Disney cruise are pretty simple: show up, relax and have fun! But I wanted to share some other tips that you will want to make sure you do so you and your family can have the ultimate Disney vacation at sea. So, without further adieu, here are my 10 tips of things NOT to do on a Disney cruise …
Carry your own luggage onboard. Let the Disney Cruise Line do it for you! Whether you arrive to the cruise terminal on Disney Cruise Line transportation or in your own vehicle, they offer services at the port that keep you from having to lug your suitcases onto the ship. Just bring aboard a day bag with your essential personal items, and your luggage will be delivered to your stateroom in the afternoon.
Live out of your suitcase. The staterooms are designed with families in mind and offer LOTS of storage space, including a place to tuck away your suitcases. How cool is that? One of the perks of cruising is visiting multiple destinations and only unpacking once, so settle in and make yourselves at home on the first day by assigning closet space and drawers to each member of the family.
Clean your stateroom. As difficult as it may be to break your daily habits, now’s the time to try! Don’t worry about making the bed each morning, and don’t worry about washing your towels and taking out the trash. Your stateroom hosts are there to make your stay as pleasant as possible, and if there’s anything you need, just ask. They are great at helping you get what you need, when you need it!
Introduce yourself to your dining servers each night. Your serving team stays with you as you visit different restaurants and enjoy new menus each night. That means only one round of introductions are needed. And chances are their personalized service and hospitality will make your servers unforgettable. Many times, if you have a special drink of choice, it will be waiting for you at your table because your team knows what you like! Just another way the Disney Cruise Line offers amazing, personalized service.
Miss out on time for yourself. As a parent, this is one of the hardest things sometimes. You have to remember- it’s your vacation, too! Activities for families to do together are endless on a Disney cruise, but there’s also no shortage of fun just for adults. The kids clubs are supervised by trained counselors and have the longest operating hours at sea, so there’s no excuse for parents to not take advantage of adult-only dining, spa, quiet pool and other activities.
Throw away the Navigator. Your only excuse for tossing this daily activity guide is if you already downloaded the Navigator app on your smart phone. With so many activities happening throughout your cruise, you’ll want Navigator info handy at all times. It gives you the scoop on what’s happening every minute of every day and even categorizes the fun for kids, adults and families. Each evening, your stateroom host will place one in your room so you can review all the activities for the next day and plan out your fun!
Head back to the ship for lunch while at Castaway Cay. The Disney Cruise Line is the only cruise line that docks at its own private island, so it’s easy to go back on the ship throughout your day at Castaway Cay. But if you want to maximize beach time, head to one of three all-you-care-to-eat lunch buffets served under the shade of the island’s covered pavilions. They are delicious and it just immerses you into the island even more!
Explore destinations on your own. Port Adventures are the best way for your family to have an unforgettable experience ashore. The Disney Cruise Lines offers so many options, the hardest thing will be deciding which to do. Along with the peace of mind that comes with having all the planning done for you, they offer unique activities that you can only experience through Disney. Many excursions even offer just-for-kids components, so parents have a little time alone.
Worry about your kids in the youth spaces. See above! The Disney Cruise Line has the most extensive youth activity spaces of any cruise line, with age-specific areas and interactive programs to entertain children up to 17 years old. Getting your kids to leave the kids clubs may be the one challenge of your cruise. And, if you plan to have your tiny sailors spend time in the Nursery, let’s be sure to arrange that ahead of time.
Watch the fireworks at sea through your camera lens. This show is so amazing that it’s completely understandable you’ll want to capture every moment on your camera. Resist the urge and just enjoy the moment with your family! If you take your eyes off the fireworks, it should only be to glance over at the smiles on your family’s faces. But, if you are anything like me, you will want to take some photos, so just be sure to try and find that balance, because these fireworks are truly magical!
So what do you think? Does this truly sound like a vacation you would love to experience with your family? With destinations around the world, there are options to fit every sense of adventure and every budget. I’d love to help you find the perfect itinerary for your family. Email me at [email protected] for more information and be sure to follow me on Facebook and Twitter (@TriciaatWoMT) for the latest Disney news, updates and events!
