Disney Cruise Line Mistakes We've Made & Hope You Don't!

[@CoastersandPop]

I’m not sure this is making me want to never do a Disney cruise ever, sounds way too much stress and planning for a relaxing holiday

[@adamp2384]

Yea with the money that you pay for those cruises I would want everything I want to do to be great, and with most Disney cruises being very short it would amplify my stress

[@thatderek]

My wife and I are in our late 40's and took our 1st DCL cruise in 2022 (a 5 day on the Dream), our only disappointment is that we didn't do it when we were younger. We have since already taken our 2nd cruise on the Fantasy (7 day) last month and have the Treasure booked for another 7 day in Feb 2025. Currently trying to figure out if we can squeeze in a couple short back-2-back cruises on the Wish for 2024 but haven't pulled the trigger on those yet, don't want to go into debt over vacation no matter how good it is. A Disney cruise is not like going to the parks, it is an ACTUAL VACATION, as relaxing or busy as you want it to be. The only stress we have felt was packing up to go home the night before debarkation day. It's not for everyone for sure but we're hooked, nothing like stepping back on board, smelling that special DCL cruiseship smell, hearing the horn blast during sail away, and clinking a toast on our verandah while watching the sunset. Makes us smile every time just thinking about it.😃

[@lesliereynolds4492]

A young girl was going back to US with her husband, he was a marine changing stations from London. They went to a club as a going away party, she didn’t like flying so took some pill to help her. She had one drink and died. I always read the direction on any pills forever now.

[@marianacary425]

My grandmother took me on my first cruise when I was 10 - it was 45 days , it was great

[@Malvito]

Love the panel of Captains. You all need the hats.

[@trudisabaj2741]

Wasn’t going to watch, not doing a cruise anytime soon, but JACKIE!!! How great to see your sweet face again! I enjoy and trust your thoughts and opinions. 💗

[@jackiegailey9531]

Wow, thanks so much for the kind words and for watching! We sure appreciate the support! 💖

[@brianmcdonald1547]

We did what Jackie said about taking a short cruise first. We did a 3 day on the Wish as I was very anti-cruise and got talked into going. Ended up liking it and then did a 7 day on the Fantasy and it was great. 20:12

[@jackiegailey9531]

I love that you ended up enjoying it! I feel like if you would've done a 7-night first, you may not have felt the same way about it.

[@casolo8107]

I had the opposite on my Disney Alaskan cruise. They didn’t get us off the ship on time for 2 excursions. One they held (the train in Skagway) but the whale watching tour in Juneau they left without us. It has made me completely rethink ever doing excursions through a cruise line again.

[@teuschem7633]

I have to fly to get to any port so a short cruise is not worth it for me - we did a 7 day cruise for or first and it was awesome! I can't image doing only 3 days. If i lived near a port that would be awesome to do a weekend cruise and i think i would do a 3 or 4 day more often.

[@kellykristine1238]

Coming from Michigan, I can’t always justify such a short cruise. Our first was a 7 night. We since have done 5, 4 and 3 nights. I prefer the longer cruises. We plan to move to Florida or closer in the future and I’m sure we will be on a lot of 3 nights

[@Amy-yh8kf]

We did a 3 night Disney Dream cruise in 2021 & then did s 4 night Disney Wish cruise in 2023 and the 4 night cruise seemed so long compared to the 3 night, even though, it was only 1 more night! Baby steps is the way to go!

[@joykinser3444]

I do like to relax on my trip and also do activities. I might get there really early for the few activities that don't repeat like fireworks, deck parties, and match your mate. Other activities I will drop by and see if it's full and if so, I'll do something else. Most things are offered multiple times and there were as many activities that were almost empty as full especially family activities. And Craig is right about the 4 day Bahamas cruise. I like a 4 night BUT he is right that a lot of people don't get off in Nassau including me. I cruise for the ship and Castaway so it's fine, but if you are expecting to have the ship to yourself bc you are in port, think again. 4 nights was just right for us but Jacky is right that anything more is too much for a first time. We took friends on their first cruise on a 5 night Marval day at sea. We all had a great time but it was a little too long for them. Between the lack of communication with home, close quarters with even family in the cabin, and we had some rough waters, 5 nights was a little long.

[@AH-vz9rr]

Good god , Craig. Could you take a bigger dump on their love of bingo?

[@unvoicedapollo3318]

Oh wow. A dcl show! Also: on a previous cruise, we absolutely spoke up (politely of course) on BatB night to let our servers know we wanted to be in & out. They delivered and we would've been out of the restaurant in an hour were it not for the Animator's Palate show.

[@athenlepard2944]

We made the mistake of going on princess cruise after being on Disney cruise line many times 😂 we love Disney

[@susantownsend8397]

Even if you stay in the shade you are getting more UV than you think so sunscreen all the time. We avoid being in the sun because of family history of benign skin cancer and melanoma.

[@MatrixGlitch14]

Don't take the motion sickness pill and a patch. It made my pupils dilate and I was clinically blind for over 6 hours in Mexico. Scariest moment of my life

[@LONG_Shot000]

Great Title!

[@dameodetta]

Don't forget to test your cell phone "waterproof" bag WITHOUT your phone in it first. Poor since napkins or toilet paper in there and submerge it first. My phone got completely destroyed in the one I bought and I had to buy a new phone. Two days with no photos as a result. Lesson learned

[@griff389]

That’s going to be one expensive game of bingo. 😅 It should be included in the price of your cruise really. Not sure I’d go 90 minutes early for a game of bingo.

[@carolynsmith1976]

Turning up really early for activities sounds miserable. I dont want to spend vacation time sitting around waiting for stuff.

[@chantelcain3297]

I was totally fine as far as motion sickness, then I went to mixology 😅 I laid on the bed with my feet up on the wall, it made me feel better to “touch the boat” bahaha

[@StripofPaper]

What in blazes is up with the Alaska cruise?? Sending a van out with and hour still to spare? Makes me not want to do that one lol, or those employees are going to get a piece if my mind and a terrible review

[@krab1791]

Always, always speak out if things are not to your liking. Especially if you have kids. We had one cruise where were a party of 4 and for some reason were seated at a table of 8 with our kids seated across from us. The others were strangers on their first Disney cruise. I didnt spend the kind of money to have to share my meals with strangers. With the order they served our meals my kids were almost finished by the time my husband and I were served. Immediately after the meal, I went to Guests Services and asked that our table be changed. We were given a table of 4 for the rest of the cruise. This was better for both parties. It was not the fault of the servers but if we hadnt changed tables it would have been reflect in their tip. Another thing to know about dining is that if you order a meal and are not happy with it, let your server know. They will get you something else. At this point in our cruising career, my adult kids order multiple meals and share. So my daughter and her boyfriend will order 3 appetizers and 3 meals and share them. Also, let your cabin steward know any special preferences you have. On our last cruise there were only 2 of us in the cabin so normally they would not make up the sofa. but it was my son and I so we let the cabin server know we would need the sofa made up. As far as how many days, it is highly dependent on your wishes. Our first 3 cruises were 7 night, 7 night and 12 night. We love the at sea days. In our last cruise, there were mostly ashore days and we missed not having as many at sea days but we love the on board activities, especially bingo. 😊