Waiting for Your Disney Cruise?

The excitement is building! It’s still months away but it’s on your calendar – your vacation aboard one of the four beautiful ships of Disney Cruise Line (DCL)!  If you are anything like me, the reservations were made months in advance.  So there is a lot of waiting.  To help pass the time, here are five suggestions.

Find your Facebook cruise group

Just about every cruise has a Facebook group that someone has created.  Find it!  You can usually find it by searching by the date.  There are also some general Disney Cruise Line fan accounts that keep a running list.  It’s a great way to “meet” some of your fellow cruisers.  You can find out if they have kids in similar age groups.  You can sign up for a Fish Extender gift exchange.  Check out Katy’s fantastic article explaining the FE fun.  It’s also a great place to ask questions.  There is usually a mix of new cruisers along with those that have several cruises under their belts.  They are a great source of information.

Think about port adventures

Are you the adventurous type?  Do you prefer milder excursions?  The Disney Cruise Line website will list the port adventures available at each port of call.  Disney offers a wide variety of excursions for all activity levels and age ranges.  Check out my article Port Adventures with Disney Cruise Line.  It may give you some things to consider as you peruse all of your options!

Seaworld Explorer Semi -Submarine-Photo Credit Disney Cruise Line

Check out the kids’ clubs

There are activities for all ages onboard Disney Cruise Line.  Each of the Disney ships has amazing areas just for your children aimed at their particular age range.  The Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab are supervised areas for kids ages 3 – 12. Your child will be given a band to wear (similar to Walt Disney World’s Magic Band), that is used so you can sign your child in and out. You can relax, knowing that they will be happy and safe there. There are so many activities, your kids may not want to leave. For those kids ages 11 – 14, there is a youth club called Edge. There are counselors but kids are free to come and go. This is also true for those that are 14 – 17 years old.  Their hangout is called the Vibe.  If your kids are tweens or teens, check out Karen S’ article.  You may find some helpful hints on keeping your child safe while allowing them some independence with peace of mind.  If you have a child under 3 and plan to use the nursery, there is an additional charge.

Oceaneer Club on the Disney Dream – Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Think about adult-only activities dining or taking a mixology class

Now that you’ve checked out the activities for your children, what are the adults in your group interested in doing?  Do you want to try brunch at Palo or dinner at Remy (depending on the ship you are aboard)?  Perhaps you want to take a mixology class.  Many Facebook groups coordinate and arrange their own class.  Once onboard, there are also opportunities to do different tastings: wine, champagne, tequila, whiskey.  There are also shows for adults only in the evenings.  There are many options!  Each ship also has an adult entertainment area with several bars and lounges.  Or check out the adults-only pool area.  My article, Five Reasons Adults Love Disney Cruise Line, may provide you with some ideas as well.

Remy on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream. Photo by Matt Stroshane

Download the DCL app and set your countdown

The Disney Cruise Line Navigator app is something you will definitely use onboard the ship.  The app details the daily activities and has a chat feature so you can keep in touch with your family and your new cruise buddies.  But before you get onboard, the app offers a countdown so you know exactly how many days until you sail away.

Countdown feature on DCL app – Photo by Mary Spina

All of this will help you to pass the time and build the excitement.  Check out My Top Ten Reasons for Sailing with Disney Cruise Line.  By the time your cruise date arrives, you’ll be all set to go!  Okay, you will have to pack and get to your port…

Is there anything that you do to prepare?