Thread: 1st time cruiser -- lots of questions

Hello from Georgia --

I have just scheduled our first cruise with Disney aboard the Magic for the 7 night Western Carribean cruise for December 27, 2008 (Yes, I know it is more than a year away). We are a family of 6 (ages -- 40, 42, 20, 10, 7, 5) and reserved adjoining staterooms. I have read some message boards and people talk about the Bon Voyage Party, Formal Dinner, Pirate Night, etc. I cannot find any information about this on any site or in any of the information I have received. If anyone can give me more information, I would be so grateful. How do you know what night is what...Do you have to wait until you board the ship? If so, how do you know what to pack? Also, since this cruise will be out to sea on New Year's Eve, do they have a special celebration?

Help!!!

Originally Posted by Jessebuggy

Hello from Georgia --

I have just scheduled our first cruise with Disney aboard the Magic for the 7 night Western Carribean cruise for December 27, 2008 (Yes, I know it is more than a year away). We are a family of 6 (ages -- 40, 42, 20, 10, 7, 5) and reserved adjoining staterooms. I have read some message boards and people talk about the Bon Voyage Party, Formal Dinner, Pirate Night, etc. I cannot find any information about this on any site or in any of the information I have received. If anyone can give me more information, I would be so grateful. How do you know what night is what...Do you have to wait until you board the ship? If so, how do you know what to pack? Also, since this cruise will be out to sea on New Year's Eve, do they have a special celebration?

Help!!!

First of all, Welcome to CLF and congrats on booking this fun cruise!! I was looking at the 7 night Western for April of 2008...but decided against it.

I might be able to help some...

The Bon Voyage Party is on deck...there is a band and it is alot of fun...they will tell you all about it when you check in, board the ship etc....Formal dinners...there will be two...every night in your stateroom, you will receive the news for the next day...it will tell you the theme of the day and if it is a formal night or not. Formal nights tend to be the first full day (not day of embarkation) and then again near the end of the week. Pirate night is a blast! I made my daughter and I pirate costumes...and the pictures came out really awesome. My daughter fell asleep and we couldn't go to the pirate party, but I hear great reviews!

I am positive there will be a Grand Celebration for New Years Eve...my guess is that will be one of the formal nights...just makes sense.

There aren't a ton of Disney cruisers here...but there are other places that are only Disney....

I hoped I helped you some...feel free to ask more questions...

dj -- Thanks for the response and yes all the information you provided helps!! Thanks for taking the time.

Jessebuggy

What is the best time to get to the port? I have heard some people say they were there at 11:00 a.m. and got hang out on deck and watch everyone board. If you do get there early, do they go ahead and put you in your stateroom or do they wait until everyone has boarded?

Thanks for any information you can provide...

Jessebuggy

You can get right into your cabin if it is ready, they have all the cabins turned over as quickly as possible!! On most lines if it is not ready yet, you can leave your carryons in the cabin and you can go and grab lunch while waiting, it is usually ready by the time you are finished lunch!!

There is no problem getting to the pier by 11 for the Disney ships...they start disembarking at 7 or 7:30 am !!! I was shocked honestly! If the staterooms aren't ready, you can take your carry ons with you to get lunch...

I like to get to the port early and try to get on the ship early.

hi you will love the disney cruise. We have just done the 4 day from canaveral. i never worried about formal or in formal i wore my tux every nite apart from the pirates nite. To be on it on new years eve WOW the fireworks should be great.

Congrats on your cruise!!
I have a question for you!
Did you want a door between your rooms? We learned that is called "connecting" rooms; adjoining rooms are just next to each other. If you want a room with a door between the two, you'd better change it now.
Our rooms weren't ready, so we explored the ship; found the dining rooms, the theater and OF COURSE! the kids club and lab!
Every night you will get a "Compass" that will tell you what to expect everyday from activites, movies, and what to wear each night. I packed one non-wrinkle dress for the formal nights, but you can go in slacks and blouse. Just not swimsuit!
We had fireworks on the Pirate Night.
HAVE FUN!! My kids asked if we can save money and go again!