Know Your Dining Rotation. During your cruise you'll rotate through all of the dining rooms and your

Thinking about cruising in 2015? Then say hello to our cruise specialist, MaidenVoyage . As a travel agent who spends day in and day out booking cruises for curious travelers, she knows cruise lines and ships like the back of a muster drill script. Got a question about cruises? Even a stupid one? MaidenVoyage has heard and seen it all, so don't be shy.
Previously , I shared with you why the Disney Cruise Line is great for adults who sail without children. If that article persuaded you to book a Disney Cruise, then you can send a check for $500 to Jaunted.com, of which I'll take 20 percent. Kidding.
But if you are heading out on a Disney Cruise this spring or summer, here's what you need to prepare for. Much like visiting the Disney theme parks, sailing the ship of Mouse requires a bit of pre-planning.
Book Early. I don't think I've ever seen a "Flash Fare" for a Disney Cruise...if you know what I'm sayin'. Book early to secure your desired stateroom, remember your deposit is typically refundable up until final payment and YES you can make interim payments. Oh and if you have and use your Disney Visa, you'll get an onboard credit! Ed. Note: There is currently a Disney hotels uk Cruise offer that requires only 50 percent of the deposit hotels uk for new 2015 bookings booked by February 15, 2015. This is valid only sailings that do not require total payment. Use or mention booking code HALF. Call 800-951-4137 to get the discount.
To Theme Park or Not To Theme Park? If you plan to go to the theme parks AND cruise (called hotels uk a Land and Sea option by Disney) think carefully about the order in which you'll do so. Cruise first, then parks or parks, then cruise? We prefer doing the parks and then cruising. That's because when we're in the parks, we're NONSTOP, open 'til close. We would've loved the relaxation of the ship afterwards.
Make Your Dining hotels uk Time Selections A strange category, but hear me out. There are two dinner times - 6pm and 8:15pm. Your first instinct, especially if you have kids, is to book the early seating. Think again. Do you want to rush back from shore to get ready for a 6pm dinner hotels uk (especially with kids in tow)? The later seating will give you enough time to come back, refresh and catch an early stage production...probably with some free time between show and food. If you have kids and select the later seating (ONLY) you can also use the Dine and Play option. Kids will order their meals first thing then counselors from the Oceaneers Club will pick them up and take them away! Perfect for mom and dad who then can enjoy a leisurely dinner then go to back to the stateroom the club, karaoke, lounge, etc.
Book Your Shore Excursions. Or as Disney Cruise Line calls them "Port Adventures." These can be booked online after final payment is made. The cool thing, and most other cruise lines have moved away from this, is that you won't be charged straight away. The ability to reserve online will disable a few days before embarkation, but adjustments can be made on board. Don't know about you, but sometimes I don't like to spend that chunk of change right before travel. Maybe it doesn't hurt so bad when you see it on your stateroom folio?
Pack Pirate Gear. Besides the obvious clothing, shoes, toiletries, etc. we suggest you bring your best pirate gear along with a refillable cup/lid/straw, bottled water, and alcohol. Random? Not really. hotels uk There's plenty of pirate merch available on the ship for Pirate Night (which is kind of a big deal.) But, to save some cash, hit up mall before you travel. As for the refillable cups, these are a must for us at the free drink fountains up on deck 24/7. The disposable cups provided are SUPER small, so the refillable will prevent back-to-back visits. And don't forget to pack your bottled water and alcohol in your carry-on ONLY. Yes, alcohol hotels uk is allowed and the policy doesn't seem as strict hotels uk as other cruise lines.
Know Your Dining Rotation. hotels uk During your cruise you'll rotate through all of the dining hotels uk rooms and your service team will follow you. The order of your rotation will be printed on your room key with the first letter of each dining room being used. You can probably decipher while still in the cruise terminal and if you'd like to, change with the dining room staff as soon as you're onboard.
Sign Up Your Kids Reserve your kids spots in the nursery or kids programs early. You can do this when you complete your online check-in and even upon embarkation. We also suggest bringing some kids activities and toys--think coloring books, crayons, sketch pads--with you. When back in the room for the evening, the kids might not be READY to sleep because of all the excitement around them. Even though the ship will send up (free) chocolate chip cookies to the room, only break this out in case of emergencies as you may not sleep again for the rest of the trip. Another cool tip for kids is to give them each a disposable camera. (Yes, they still make them.) This way they can take their own pictures during the cruise and the photos can turn in a great scrapbook souvenir. Plus, parents can see the vacation from their kids eyes. #priceless
Cavorting Around Castaway Cay #1 Rule of Castaway Cay? Get off the ship EARLY. Breakfast hotels uk crowds at the buffet hotels uk and restaurants may set you back. You can always opt to order from room service and then bounce. Though cash is not really needed when cruising, throw some in your beach bag, just in case. There's a working post office on the island and they only accept coin. Your post card will probably arrive at your home before you do, complete with Castaway Cay postmark. Our final suggestion is to get back to the ship on time. We say this because you won't want to leave but try your best to motor back in time.
I hope you enjoyed my tips. I'm sure this list will be added to over time, so stay tuned. And if you try some of them on your cruise with Disney Cruise line, let me know how it goes. Or if you have tips of your own, drop them in comments below!