Hi, Robert!
I'm happy to hear you'll be sailing on your first Disney Cruise! As a first-timer, it can seem overwhelming with all there is to see and do. The good news is, Disney Cruise Line makes it easy for you! Your stateroom accommodations, meals and entertainment will all be taken care of once your cruise is booked. All that's left to do is pack, and that's not hard, because of the casual, informal atmosphere!
The first thing I can tell you to expect is amazing, personalized customer service. They crew members really do treat guests like VIPs, and are there to answer any questions you might have during your sailing. Also, you can expect a comfortable, cozy stateroom, designed with families in mind. There's plenty of room to store your luggage, so my biggest piece of advice is to fully unpack and store your bags under your bed. It makes it very organized and easy to find your things!
On your first afternoon onboard, take some time to familiarize yourself with the layout of the ship. They offer a walking tour that can help you get your bearings and know which way is which! By the end of your cruise, you'll be an old pro. We like to pack a few magnets to place on our stateroom door - it helps to find your stateroom in a long hallway of doors that look alike.
Each day, you'll receive a daily schedule - a Personal Navigator. Make sure to bring along colored highlighters so you can mark "can't miss" activities for each member of your family! As you've heard, every cruiser receives a special pirate bandana for Pirate Night. Feel free to bring your favorite pirate gear to dress up for this fun event! The onboard shops also have lots of pirate accessories to choose from.
Here's a
video for you to enjoy that highlights some of my favorite things about cruising with Disney!
I hope this helps! - Diane W.