Ahoy, Allison! I am so glad to meet you here at planDisney. Your first
Disney Cruise Line vacation is sure to fill you with
Wonder!
There is so much I'd love to tell you. I'll go ahead and start with some logistics. Make sure you are prepared to provide the
required travel documents. You will need these for pre-arrival check-in and, most importantly, at the port. If you forget your toothpaste, you can usually buy a tube in the gift shop. Even powerful Disney magic can't overcome government requirements if you forget your passport.
On the days you board and leave the ship, you may not have access to your checked luggage for a while. Check out the
suggested packing list and bring a carry-on bag for your essentials.
Download the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. Once onboard and connected to "DCL Wi-Fi" (Disney Cruise Line's system), the app
automagically transforms to its onboard functionality. You can view dining menus, entertainment, movies, games, and everything else fun on board. You can mark the "heart" next to activities you want to do and receive reminders when they are about to start.
Enjoy
rotational dining and the shows. You will experience one of the main dining rooms and menus each night. The dining teams are phenomenal and get to know you. On the Disney Wonder, you will get to experience
Tiana's Place. The Cajun and Creole menu is served with New Orleans flair, and the entertainment will definitely have you swinging like you are going down the Bayou. Animator's Palette and Triton's are pretty amazing, too.
With the dining times, most nights will have a show either before or after dinner. Some nights will feature Broadway-style performances of beloved Disney movies or shows created exclusively for the cruise. The caliber of these shows will leave you in awe and with a song or two in your heart.
Disney Cruise Line is not just for kids. The nightclubs offer dancing, games, shows, and trivia contests—something for everyone. The Wonder has the British-inspired
Crown & Fin Pub, the 1950s-style
Cadillac Lounge and
Azure. The schedule of special events is available on the Navigator app and usually on a screen outside the lounges' doors.
A lot is included in your cruise, but there are a few extras you might consider. I took my first beverage-tasting class on the Disney Wonder. Learning about tequilas and how to use them in various drinks was fun and tasty. It was also the first class in which I took notes that I refer back to regularly.
Mark your calendar for your
booking window and pre-arrival online check-in dates. As a first-time Guest, you can book Port Adventures and some onboard activities 75 days before your cruise. Your online check-in is 30 days before. This is when you get to select your Port Arrival Time.
My top tip is to come back to
planDisney with any questions!
SEA 'Ya Real Soon!
Jana