Disney Cruises

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did a five night on the Wonder as our first cruise, and I felt like it was plenty of time. Keep in mind that you will need to fly down a day early.

To pp re: cabins - The disney cabins have a Curtin to separate the main sleeping area from the secondary sleeping area (sofabed).

To pp re: exploring the ship - you take the baby/kid with you...it's disney, so kids are welcome.

Thanks, PP. I was the one who wrote about the room question, and wondering what people did. I also was curious about the cost. But I believe these are rather pricey trips. Also, as another PP wrote, I would wonder what to do once bedtime comes. We could not leave our child alone in the cabin.

Honestly, we were tired by bedtime. We had the early seating, went to the show after dinner, then went to our cabins (2 parents, 4 kids in adjoining cabins). Kids crashed pretty quickly, and DH and I crashed soon after. We slept well but woke up pretty early on days we docked so we could enjoy breakfast before heading off to our excursions. DH and our two older kids stayed up later a couple nights when there were special activities, but honestly I was thrilled to go back to the cabin and tuck in the little guys and relax.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did a five night on the Wonder as our first cruise, and I felt like it was plenty of time. Keep in mind that you will need to fly down a day early.

To pp re: cabins - The disney cabins have a Curtin to separate the main sleeping area from the secondary sleeping area (sofabed).

To pp re: exploring the ship - you take the baby/kid with you...it's disney, so kids are welcome.

Thanks, PP. I was the one who wrote about the room question, and wondering what people did. I also was curious about the cost. But I believe these are rather pricey trips. Also, as another PP wrote, I would wonder what to do once bedtime comes. We could not leave our child alone in the cabin.

Honestly, we were tired by bedtime. We had the early seating, went to the show after dinner, then went to our cabins (2 parents, 4 kids in adjoining cabins). Kids crashed pretty quickly, and DH and I crashed soon after. We slept well but woke up pretty early on days we docked so we could enjoy breakfast before heading off to our excursions. DH and our two older kids stayed up later a couple nights when there were special activities, but honestly I was thrilled to go back to the cabin and tuck in the little guys and relax.

How long are the shows? If we do early seating plus shows, what time would the kids get to bed?

[Anonymous]

I can't remember exactly, but I think they end by nine. You could always walk out early if your kid falls asleep (just sit on the aisle).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We did a five night on the Wonder as our first cruise, and I felt like it was plenty of time. Keep in mind that you will need to fly down a day early.

To pp re: cabins - The disney cabins have a Curtin to separate the main sleeping area from the secondary sleeping area (sofabed).

To pp re: exploring the ship - you take the baby/kid with you...it's disney, so kids are welcome.

Thanks, PP. I was the one who wrote about the room question, and wondering what people did. I also was curious about the cost. But I believe these are rather pricey trips. Also, as another PP wrote, I would wonder what to do once bedtime comes. We could not leave our child alone in the cabin.

Honestly, we were tired by bedtime. We had the early seating, went to the show after dinner, then went to our cabins (2 parents, 4 kids in adjoining cabins). Kids crashed pretty quickly, and DH and I crashed soon after. We slept well but woke up pretty early on days we docked so we could enjoy breakfast before heading off to our excursions. DH and our two older kids stayed up later a couple nights when there were special activities, but honestly I was thrilled to go back to the cabin and tuck in the little guys and relax.

How long are the shows? If we do early seating plus shows, what time would the kids get to bed?

Shows are about an hour. Kids would be in bed by 9:30.

[Anonymous]

We went with a 3-year-old. Early seating. They'd bring her dinner first, then we'd take her to the kids club while we finished eating. We'd pick her up for the 8pm show, then head back to the room (around 9) and put her in bed, closing the room-length curtain between us. They have bunk beds and she was so excited to sleep on the top bunk that she'd go right to sleep. One adult would stay, the other would meet up with family that was on board.

[Anonymous]

Nope. Super crowded and filled with annoying children.

[Anonymous]

Shows are 6 and 8pm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, the Fantasy is my favorite of the Disney boats (and we have been on them all). This is a lovely trip.

Pp, you should also look at the disboards cruise section for all the information and reviews you could ever want (and then some). The Fantasy is consistently voted the best large cruise ship in the world. It is beautiful and you will have a great time. I assume you are hitting on this itinerary St Thomas, Castaway Cay, and either St Martin or Tortola. These are all great stops.

Can someone tell me if you need a passport to Tortola? My husband and I have ours, but our kids (5 and 4) don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Shows are 6 and 8pm.

I just looked it up and it said dining is 5:45 and 8:15 and shows are 6 and 8:30.

8:30 will be really late for my kids - we may just pick one or two and only stay for part of them. No way we can do late dining.


As for the passports, not sure if they are required for cruising, but I've read you still want them because you can't fly home (from an island, in case of emergency) without them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shows are 6 and 8pm.

I just looked it up and it said dining is 5:45 and 8:15 and shows are 6 and 8:30.

8:30 will be really late for my kids - we may just pick one or two and only stay for part of them. No way we can do late dining.


As for the passports, not sure if they are required for cruising, but I've read you still want them because you can't fly home (from an island, in case of emergency) without them.

Yes, best to go ahead and get passports for the kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Super crowded and filled with annoying children.

At least you won't have to deal with this lovely person, OP!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Super crowded and filled with annoying children.

If you did some research, you would realize that kids have their own area they can hang out for hours on end, and adults have an area that no one under the age of 21 can get into.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nope. Super crowded and filled with annoying children.

We just got back from a cruise over Thanksgiving break. I was really surprised at how well Disney managed the crowds on the ship. The pools were actually comfortable for my kids. We were able to ride the Aquaduck and Mickey slide multiple times. They do a really good job having activities throughout the ship to spread out crowds. Like they would play the new movie, the Good Dinosaur, indoors while having a character meet and greet in the lobby, toddler activity in one place, smoothie making for teenagers and then Jedi training and some dance party all at peak pool time. Good job, Disney!

I was also able to enjoy some quiet time in the adult only area and had a lovely time at the spa.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shows are 6 and 8pm.

I just looked it up and it said dining is 5:45 and 8:15 and shows are 6 and 8:30.

8:30 will be really late for my kids - we may just pick one or two and only stay for part of them. No way we can do late dining.


As for the passports, not sure if they are required for cruising, but I've read you still want them because you can't fly home (from an island, in case of emergency) without them.

8:30 was too late for our kids. We watched 2 out of 3 shows on our recent cruise. We went to our 5:45 dinner seating and went to the show a few minutes late. I am almost certain the shows started at 6:15. If you skip dessert, you can get through dinner in about 30 min. They bring out kid's plates with adult appetizers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Shows are 6 and 8pm.

I just looked it up and it said dining is 5:45 and 8:15 and shows are 6 and 8:30.

8:30 will be really late for my kids - we may just pick one or two and only stay for part of them. No way we can do late dining.


As for the passports, not sure if they are required for cruising, but I've read you still want them because you can't fly home (from an island, in case of emergency) without them.

8:30 was too late for our kids. We watched 2 out of 3 shows on our recent cruise. We went to our 5:45 dinner seating and went to the show a few minutes late. I am almost certain the shows started at 6:15. If you skip dessert, you can get through dinner in about 30 min. They bring out kid's plates with adult appetizers.

Oh! I didn't realize this was an option! Are we not "assigned" to the late show if we have early dining? You don't need tickets or anything? If not, then your plan is a great one! I'd rather show up late to the 6:15 show than leave super early from the 8:30 one.