My Ideas From Our 1st Disney Cruise! — Trisha Enriquez

Hiya, associates!

I am so excited to share the superb expertise we had lately – a Disney cruise to have fun my little Noa’s sixth birthday! We deliberate this shock for a yr, and the lengthy wait was positively price it. It was a much-needed household time crammed with laughter, enjoyable, and loads of magical moments – actually!

Now, let me share with the way it all went whereas additionally providing you with some ideas that is perhaps useful in the event you’re planning to e book your Disney Cruise expertise sooner or later! It was our first time being on a cruise and we’re completely satisfied we selected the Disney Dream!

Tip #1: Plan forward, keep versatile

We booked the journey a yr in the past, however we had been very versatile with our plans. Whereas it is nice to have actions lined up, it’s additionally good to embrace the sudden moments and glide. Among the finest recollections are made if you least anticipate them!

There are positively some actions we booked previous to boarding the ship and I’d advocate you do the identical for some too. For instance, in case you are eager on the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique then set that alarm and reserve your spot nicely prematurely. We additionally booked a martini tasting, bourbon tasting and an grownup brunch at Remy’s Restaurant. Undoubtedly price it! In case you’re late to the sport, there are some issues you may e book if you arrive and if there isn’t availability at all times be sure you ask to be positioned on the cancellation checklist.

I’d additionally recommend reserving some actions when you find yourself on the Ports. The catamaran tour was successful and price it for certain! My sis-in-law booked floaties for once we had been at Castaway Cay, which was a good suggestion as a result of it’s one factor you may’t buy if you arrive on the island.

Another factor, take into account reserving photograph opp occasions with the Princesses on board since you received’t at all times be fortunate to be let in line to attend.

PS – particular shout out to Renee from Click on The Mouse Co. who helped us e book this cruise and was at all times fast to answer to all my messages about something and every part!

Tip #2: Pack Good

Be sure you’ve obtained all of the necessities packed – sunscreen, swimwear, and cozy garments for exploring and stress-free. And remember to deliver alongside some Disney-themed apparel! Whether or not it is costumes, shirts, or hats, dressing the half provides an additional layer of enjoyable to the journey.
As a result of we had been on a Marvel themed cruise with Disney there have been lots of people who didn’t mess around when it got here to costumes. It was fairly enjoyable to see so many company dressed up! There was additionally a really memorable Pirate evening the place Disney additionally supplied some equipment to decorate the half.

Lastly, relating to packing good you need to in reality pack mild. There are washer and dryers on most decks which might be fairly inexpensive (round $7 together with detergent). We want we knew this prematurely as a result of we in all probability wouldn’t have packed a lot!

Tip #3: Children’ Golf equipment are a Lifesaver

Reap the benefits of the unbelievable children’ golf equipment out there on Disney cruises. They provide supervised actions for youngsters of all ages, giving dad and mom some much-needed downtime. It is a win-win for everybody – the youngsters have a blast, and also you get an opportunity to unwind! 🍷 Notice that there are numerous children golf equipment – one for little children like Noa, one for tweens like Harper and one other for youngsters like my niece. All of the golf equipment had a jam-packed itinerary that might maintain any child busy!

I do must admit that we in all probability didn’t make the most of the youngsters golf equipment as a lot as I assumed we might. Noa was additionally so excited to be together with her sister and older cousins that she most well-liked to not go. When she was there she solely had nice issues to say. They’re additionally VERY strict on decide ups – kids can solely be picked up by an authorized grownup and this particular person should know their secret phrase.

Tip #4: Chuckle Now, WINE later.

I’d extremely recommend taking over the 2 bottles of wine that you’re allowed to deliver on if you board. It’s also possible to purchase wine packages at dinner, which I discovered very useful. The drinks add up if you’re buying cocktails all through the day.

Tip #5: Deliver Reusable Water Bottles

Shopping for the plastic water bottles whereas on the cruise is just not a good suggestion to your pockets (or the planet). Deliver your reusable bottle and replenish on the consuming stations. My sis-in-law additionally gifted us with customized tumblers, so we simply used these for all our different drinks when strolling across the ship.

Tip #6: Movement within the Ocean is Actual

Deliver alongside some gravol or patches to assist with movement illness. We had been typically fairly good as a result of we opted for a stateroom midship with a verandah. This helped. Once we had dinner on the decrease decks we positively felt the movement within the ocean. Don’t attempt to be a superhero, take the gravol!

Tip #7: Room Service, Tipping and Pixie Dusting

We got the recommendation to order espresso and small small bites the evening earlier than to reach very first thing within the morning at our stateroom. This was a good suggestion as a result of it gave us a while to relax and drink our espresso on the verandah. I point out tipping as a result of all ideas are included each time you signal. You might be additionally given envelopes which you could present extra tip on the finish of your journey. That is one time we want we brough money! I ought to point out that that there was by no means a time we felt pressured to offer extra tip. Each Disney employee was over-the-top good and would exit of their means once we would ask for assist. I’d defintely say service on the Disney Cruise was a spotlight and one that’s unmatched.

Let’s discuss Pixie Dusting. I did NOT know this was a factor, however apparently it’s a cute custom that includes company leaving little items anonymously at your stateroom door. We had been fortunate to get just a few hidden treasures and the ladies had been thrilled. Undoubtedly a cute thought and a pleasant strategy to get children concerned in a giving act!

Tip #8: Do Your Cruise Homework

I’ll be sincere, we had been actually uncertain how we might really feel about occurring a cruise. I’d say we aren’t cruise individuals, however we’re so glad we did it and that it was a Disney Cruise. The cleanliness and a focus to element when it got here to actions and room repairs had been prime notch. I’d say that I in all probability didn’t do my homework when it got here to picking what cruise and when. I used to be fortunate that my sis-in-law did all of that and he or she joined a fb group that inlcuded company who simply obtained off a Disney Dream and company who had been nearly to board! This was so useful and he or she handed a whole lot of information on to me as nicely. My suggestion is to essentially take the time to analysis what Disney ship you’re going to sail with; there are such a lot of now and I consider 1 or 2 launching quickly. Consider what the ports are, the time of the yr (we’ve heard individuals get to Castaway Cay and it’s freezing). Additionally, we went throughout March Break so it was VERY busy, which may additionally change the tone of your entire trip.

We additionally felt that the swimming pools and scorching tubs had been fairly small and given it was such a busy time, there actually was no “good time” to be in there. It was simply packed. I consider there are another Disney Cruise ships which have greater than a few household swimming pools, so take into account that in the event you suppose you’ll be by the pool all day whereas at sea.

A Disney Cruise is just not low cost, but it surely was price each penny due to the recollections which might be made. Take your time and e book nicely prematurely so you have got time to finances.

Tip #9: Save Some Further $ By …

We flew within the evening earlier than and spent just a little more money on a resort that Disney had really useful on their web site. I’d recommend discovering an air bnb or extra inexpensive resort to remain at earlier than heading to the port the following day. Even be aware of how far you might be from the port as a result of an extended Uber experience additionally provides up.

One other means to avoid wasting further money is to deliver your personal princess attire as an alternative of shopping for them on the cruise. Your checking account will thanks later. Additionally, in the event you’re a go-getter, buy a brand new Disney stuffy earlier than you get there to present to your infant as an alternative of spending a whoppin’ $50USD on one within the present store.

In case you aren’t big Disney goers, I’d additionally say it can save you just a little by skipping the Disney+ Bands. Sure, they’re nice for the youngsters opening the room doorways at their comfort, but in addition nice when the youngsters need to buy no matter they need on the outlets on board *yikes! I do know, you can even change this setting so that they don’t have this entry, however nonetheless! The bands are positively price it in the event you suppose you’ll be going to a Disneypark within the close to future as a result of they will also be used there.

Tip #10 Cherish Household Time

Above all, cherish the time spent collectively as a household. These moments are what make the cruise really particular 💗 Disconnect from the skin world, be current along with your family members, and create recollections that may final a lifetime.

My Takeaways

This birthday shock for Noa was one which I hope she is going to keep in mind eternally. We felt it was an excellent age for each Harper and Noa to expertise a Disney Cruise. We cherished each single little bit of the cruise, however I confess … my most favorite time of all was being off the ship and on land at Castaway Cay! In case you’re contemplating a Disney cruise expertise to your subsequent household journey, that is your signal to e book it now! ✨

Till subsequent time, xo

Trisha