The days of elementary school held nothing in higher anticipation than field trip day. The excitement building up to the big day was almost unbearable. From the minute it was announced to the signing of the permission slip and packing up your brown bag lunch, nothing was better than an adventure out side of those 4 boring walls of school. As an adult, the week before a cruise is the equivalent of a school field trip but with much more excitement and a bit more sophisticated planning. So how do you keep that child-like anticipation while functioning as an adult to prepare for your hard earned vacation?
Let's look at some Do’s and Don'ts for both first time and new cruisers as well as us cruise-a-holics for planning the Practical Planner way.
DO Be Excited: You just booked a cruise! That’s cause for excitement whether it’s your first cruise or you 15th. Enjoy that moment when it’s official, your confirmation email comes through and all is well with the world. If you’re the type who likes to share, announce your trip to friends on the boards and find other cruisers you can meet up with. Enjoy researching your destination and thinking about Port Adventures, etc. Embrace the excitement, there is a lot to look forward to!
DON’T Be Paranoid: For first time cruisers this is a huge challenge. Cruising is an exceptional vacation experience but if it’s something you’ve never done before the fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. You’ll have a ton of questions and agonizing over each and every one is going to diminish the experience. Before you waste all your precious time and energy; find a travel agent, preferably one who has Disney Cruise experience. An agent will be there for you every step of the way to answer your questions, advise you on Port Adventures, book your ground transfers and offer you reliable and valuable insight. Knowledge is power and the right agent can provide you with the knowledge you need without the stress.
DO Plan Ahead: While there is much less planning for a cruise vacation than a Walt Disney World vacation, there is still a few things you need to plan for. Familiarize yourself with the events and experiences onboard that you will be able to book at your final payment date such as adults only dining experiences (Palo and Remy), Spa Treatments, Port Adventures and Child Registration. Don’t wait until he last minute to decide on Port Adventures. Each excursion has a limit to availability and it is on a first come, first served basis. So if you feel satisfied in your research and are interested in an excursion put it in your My Cruise Activities cart. Excursion aren’t billed until you are onboard, unless otherwise stated.
DO Keep Trying-If there’s an excursion you are interested in that you weren’t able to book ahead of time be sure to stop by the Port Adventures desk as soon as possible. They can put you on a wait list and if a cancellation occurs (which is common) then you will be notified and you can go on your dream excursion. The Port Adventures team can also recommend other excursions you may be interested in and give you more in-depth details about what each adventure has to offer.
Don’t Overpack: Pack smart, you don’t need more wardrobe changes than Cher in concert. Leave the kitchen sink at home...you don’t have room to store it in your stateroom :)
Do Pack Options: Separates are great for mixing and matching, especially for dinner time. A little back dress, pair of black pants and some tops and jewelry can get you a long way. A lightweight cardigan is also nice for the chilly nights on the deck or for dinner. Swimwear and coverups are perfect for those sunny days poolside and don’t forget your Pirate Gear for The Pirates In the Caribbean Party, with the only fireworks at sea!
My Final Tip...Do Get Out and About Onboard- Each ship is amazing and has so much to offer. Know what you want to experience and prioritize accordingly. Accept the fact that once your kids see the kids clubs they’ll want nothing to do with you and that’s ok, there are plenty of grownups only activities and it doesn’t make you a bad parent to enjoy your vacation. Check your Personal Navigator for daily highlights and events and get out and go!
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