Well ahoy there Bernardo and welcome to planDisney! I'm so glad you thought to sail our way before heading on your first Disney Cruise!
For starters, expect to have a great time! You will be enjoying a voyage on a
luxurious ship, a beach vacation with a stop on Disney's own private island of
Castaway Cay, and top-notch
entertainment with the excellent service that you can expect from Disney. There is
so much included on a Disney Cruise and I can't wait for you to experience it all.
If you have paid in full for your vacation, as a first-time cruiser you are now within your 75-day advanced booking window. This means that when you sign in to your reservation either via the Disney Cruise Line
website or the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, you can make reservations for a few
select activities. These activities include adults-only dining, beverage tastings, spa treatments, and Port Adventures. I'd love to recommend a brunch reservation for the adults-only restaurant of Palo to be booked on your day at sea. If you are interested and the reservations are no longer available, you may inquire about any additional availability on the day of embarkation.
Thirty days prior to your sailing, you will then be able to check in for your cruise. You will provide photos of your proof of citizenship documents, select a port arrival time, and register your children for the
youth activity clubs. You will also be able to make one reservation per child per day at the youth clubs.
My 8-year-old and 10-year-old couldn't get enough of the Oceaneer's Lab and Oceaneer's Club. After they had completed their reservation for the day, we had good luck with additional spots available for more fun in these youth spaces. I'd also recommend that you take your boys to an open house in
Edge, a club specifically for tweens. During open house times (find these listed in the daily schedule on your app once onboard) parents and children can enjoy the spaces together.
I think your boys will really enjoy the AquaDuck and the water play areas on the Disney Dream. My children spend some time every afternoon poolside with frequent ice cream breaks. And when they've had enough sunshine, I'd recommend checking out the
Midship Detective Agency as a family. You can help Mickey and his friends solve a mystery all while exploring the ship.
Bernardo, you will find activities offered for every age, an array of delicious food to choose from for every meal, and nightly entertainment. Pack your swimsuits, sunscreen, a hat, facial coverings, casual cruise wear, a light jacket, and
something a little nicer if you choose to dine in Palo.
If you have any further questions as you anticipate your cruise vacation, please come back and ask us!
Happy sailing,
Adrianna