Anchors aweigh, Mandy!
I am so excited to answer your great question! Anyone who refers to Southampton as "Mousehampton" is a friend of mine! What a special thing to share time with your son aboard Disney Cruise Line; it is an excellent vacation choice. My first Disney Cruise was aboard
Disney Dream and I have countless special memories.
My inaugural sailing was with a group of friends, several were already seasoned Disney sailors, so I had the luxury of personal cruise directors who helped me with my planning, but even then they couldn't tell me everything! Now, I don't have the space to tell you everything I want you to know, but here are a few things I wish I had known before we set sail.
- Don't over-pack. The more you pack, the more you have to repack at the end of the cruise and you don't want to spend your last night onboard dealing with that chore. This packing list provides helpful tips for what to bring.
- My cruise pals in the know selected the second dinner seating, which I wasn't sure about before the cruise but it is the perfect option for adults traveling together. The bonus: on debarkation morning, if you choose to eat breakfast at your assigned sit-down Rotational Dining restaurant, your assigned breakfast time usually coincides with the time all Guests are asked to vacate their stateroom, so breakfast makes for a nice way to end your vacation.
- There is more to do onboard the ship than you can ever imagine! When your Onboard Activities Booking Window opens, you can select onboard activities and Port Adventures (usually for an additional charge). For adults, I love the Beverage Tasting seminars. Also, download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator app, once you board the ship begin perusing the activities (including adult-exclusive events) and entertainment. Select the heart icon next to the ones that pique your interest and the app will send a reminder 15 minutes before the event begins.
- Take advantage of complimentary Room Service. One thing is for certain, you will never go hungry on a Disney Cruise, but there is nothing quite like having a Mickey Premium Ice Cream Bar delivered to your stateroom for a mid-day or late-night snack. Remember to bring a few dollars to tip the Crew Member who delivers your items.
- My final and most important tip is to remember you booked a Disney Cruise Line vacation because you appreciate the service and magic of Disney, so take it all in! Don't hesitate to participate in Character experiences, marvel at the Broadway-caliber and distinctively Disney shows in the evenings, and let Crew Members roll out the red carpet to assist you with your questions or needs.
I hope these tips help you and your son, Mandy. Please, write back any time if you have other questions; we love to help our fellow Guests make the most of their Disney vacations!
Wishing you many magical memories,
Shannon