First Cruise Questions

[HisChildBeth]

My daughter won us a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise this September! We know we are going to get a Cat 4, 5, 6 stateroom which means we'll be on decks 7 or 8 on the Magic. I know we are down to the last of the stateroom, and I don't know if we get to pick or not, but if we do I'd like to know:

 

How do you tell if the furniture in the room is facing forward?

 

Where is the best position forward, midship or aft?

 

Is one side of the ship better?

 

We are not sporty but we like to snorkel and we like to sight see and shop. Are there ship excursions at the two port calls that folks would recommend? Our first time out, we are going to use Disney. I have limited mobility and balance and walk with a cane.

 

What is the most fun thing for 2 adult women friends to do on-board ship? We love Disney and when we go Disney, we go back to childhood. Love the characters.

 

Can you wear nice jeans and blouses to dinner?

 

I'm a bit frightened that if we love this cruise, and want to cruise more, that we might have a hard time finding a cruise line that isn't too snotty for us. The last thing you would find me in is a formal long dress just to have dinner!

 

I'll probably think of more later, but I'm still reading everything I can find on the site :D My you folks have such good stuff for beginners!

 

Thanks,

 

Beth

[mom x4,grandma x4]

My daughter won us a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise this September! We know we are going to get a Cat 4, 5, 6 stateroom which means we'll be on decks 7 or 8 on the Magic. I know we are down to the last of the stateroom, and I don't know if we get to pick or not, but if we do I'd like to know:

 

How do you tell if the furniture in the room is facing forward?

 

I am pretty sure every other room faces forward. That has been our experience. But i dont know if the first room is forward or backwards.

 

 

 

 

 

Where is the best position forward, midship or aft?

 

 

We prefer AFT, just because welike to dine at the buffet a lot and it is straight up to deck 9 and the elevators let you off right at the buffet. and the drink station is just outside the door there too on one side and Goofy's galley and the ice cream are just outside the other door.

Parrot Cay and Animators Palate are also AFT, so again just a few feet off the elevators.

 

If you want to hang a lot at the adult areas you may want Forward because they are towards the front of the ship.

 

Advantage to mid ship is less movement but upper decks have more movement anyway over lower decks.

 

 

Is one side of the ship better?

 

We like the Starboard side better, just because when we dock at Castaway Cay w ehave an awesome view of the island from our balcony.

 

 

We are not sporty but we like to snorkel and we like to sight see and shop. Are there ship excursions at the two port calls that folks would recommend? Our first time out, we are going to use Disney. I have limited mobility and balance and walk with a cane.

 

St. Thomas has tons of shopping right at the pier if you dock, not tender.

You may want to bring a scooter is you have one or a wheel chair if you have much trouble. even though shopping is right there , it is a lot of walking. They also have a free shuttle there that will take you around to the other side of the bay to the other shopping area too. This is the shopping area where you will be if you tender. It has old sidwalks that are not in great shape and very crowded. If possible shop near the pier it has rows and rows of shops to visit.

Most excursions will have stops for shopping too.

If you just want an over all view of the island without much walking go to the St. Johns island tour. you get on a small ferry boat and are taken as a group over to St. johns,itis bumpy but scenic ride. Once there you only have a few feet to walk to your vehicle fo ryour tour. They are open air safari bus so you do have to step up on them and the seats are hard, but so are all the excursions. Anyway they drive you all over the island of St. Johns, stopping at many view points where you can step off the vehicle or stay seated.

They have 2 stops where you can walk a bit if you want or just elect to stay on the bus. One lady with us told the driver she couldnt walk down the hill to where he was going to park so afer everyone esle got on the bus, he drove back up the hill and picked her and her family up. They are very helpful. The views were breathtaking there.

you do have a few minute to shop there after the tour but it is expensive there. best ot wait until you get back to St. thomas.

Just about any island tour of St. Thomas you could do with limited walking. Most you ride a lot, then get out to see a view, then back on the bus. then walk through gift shops. Not many restrooms.

 

St. Maartin has a Sea and See tour, I think that was what it was called. You ride a big bus, like a grey hound for an island tour. Then onto a big 2 deck boat with live singing and dancing a syou cruise to Marigod (spelling) for shopping for a couple of hours, then cruise back and then the bus. after this you will not have time for extra shopping because w egot back at boarding time. The shopping area was an easy walk from the dock at Marigo but they were exepensive shops. If you walk about 1/2 mile they have what they call a flea market which means an open air market by the water and they are much lower in price than the shops in the buildings.

 

We also did the under 2 flags island tour which was nice and you did see a lot of the island on both sides. Our guide was very good. You did get off at a few view points but you dont have to walk far if you dont want to.

Just go into the gift shops at the stops if you want.

This tour finished in plenty of time for us to go back to the ship for lunch and then back off to shop for a few hours. This has better shopping than the other tour I described.

 

If you go to DCL's website they will list in detail about all the excursions they offer. If one interests you, post a question for those who have done it to tell you about it and you will get lots of great information about it.

 

One thing w ehave found about these islands is not many bathrooms, some charge to use the restrooms. I take travel size seat covers and toilet paper and hand sanitizer because they are often out or very dirty.

Cleanest restrooms are in the casinos .

NO water fountains, water is scarce and very expensive, you dont want to buy water on the islands. Buy a bottle as you exit the ship and take with you. You will need it. take small bills with you as many people dont have change, so you wont be able to buy what you want.

In the store if you want to use a credit card they do have a minimum purchase and unles syouw ant to stand there while they are on the phone for an hour, call your credit card company and tell them you are out of the country and will be using your card or it wont get ok'd and you will have to go through a big hassle to convince them that you are who you are so they will approve your purchase.

 

On CC they do have wheel chairs that will go in the sand if you cant walk in it, but you must reserve it early on the ship because they dont have many. The shuttle will take you close to the beach so not too long a walk, but lots of sandy beach to navigate to get to the beach area. There is a nice sidewalk to walk around the shops and food area and to take you to the tram stop for the adult beach area.

even if you dont stay at the adult beach, take the tram over to enjoy seeing the island some. The game room on the island has pool, checkers, chess, hoops, shuffleboard etc, in the shade so be sure and check it out too.

If you think about the glass bottom boat there I will warn you tha tyou will be standing the entire excursion unless you take a wheel chair with you. I think it is handicap accessible, but you may want to call and ask.

 

 

What is the most fun thing for 2 adult women friends to do on-board ship? We love Disney and when we go Disney, we go back to childhood. Love the characters.

 

There are charavcter meet and greets a few times a day, go to them, get those photos with the characters. You wont be the only adults, I promise!! Lots of trivia games, evening shows are great, the comedians both family and adult shows are hilarious. ALL the entertainers are worth seeing. Try something new, do the Art of Entertainment series ech day. You will see cooking demonstrations with samples, demonstrations of decorate cakes, with samples, learn to fold fancy napkins, learn to make the towel animals you find on your bed each night, learn to mix drinks, yes there is a free sample!!!

I fyou want to pay extra and like alcohol there is martini tastining event and a wine tasting event, just too many awesome things to list!!

 

Each evening at turndown or shortly after your room host will leave you a Navigator paper that will list all of the events for tomarrow, mark the ones you want to do and keep it with you throughout the day so you dont forget anything.

ALWAYS take your camera with you, even to dinner or you'll be sorry!! Things happen all the time on disney.

 

Can you wear nice jeans and blouses to dinner?

 

 

Some to wear nice jeans, but most wear slacks and a nice blouse. I have seen many nice pant suits on formal night. we are not into dressing up either so on formal night we head to the buffet. It is not a buffet at night accept for the salad bar. they dim the lights, add table clothes and you are waited on with a great menu. I believe they were open from 6:30 to 8:30 accept they are closed the first and last night of the cruise. The food was great, it was casual and quiet and much faster service. We do the 3 restaurants once each then do the buffet for a more relaxed dnner. Animators Palate only does the light show the first time you are assigned to the restaurant, so dont miss it the first time around.

 

 

I'm a bit frightened that if we love this cruise, and want to cruise more, that we might have a hard time finding a cruise line that isn't too snotty for us. The last thing you would find me in is a formal long dress just to have dinner!

 

 

You will be just like the rest of us, HOOKED!!! If you want to book another cruise, do it while on board and you will get 10% off and a $100 room credit. Plus once you get home you can call and change the date if you need to. The farther out you can book your cruise the cheaper it will be. we try to book ours 18 months out and then watch the prices climb up and up as the cruise gets closer.

 

I'll probably think of more later, but I'm still reading everything I can find on the site :D My you folks have such good stuff for beginners!

 

Thanks,

 

Beth

 

Beth, please ask all the questions you can think of we will all try to help.

If you look at my signature you will see I have done many disney cruises and have several more booked so I do know some about Disney.Not all!!

 

If you havn't done so already, go the disney cruis eline web site and order the FREE DVD about the cruise. It is fun to watch and will help you to understand the fun your going to have.

Also there is a book called the passporter that is chalked full of tips and information about disney cruises. I think you can find it at www.passporter.com to buy it if you want. it is an awesome book to read!!!

Tell your daughter Congrats on winning the cruise, that is AWESOME!!!

mom x4,grandma x4

[S.S.Oceanlover]

My daughter won us a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise this September! We know we are going to get a Cat 4, 5, 6 stateroom which means we'll be on decks 7 or 8 on the Magic. I know we are down to the last of the stateroom, and I don't know if we get to pick or not, but if we do I'd like to know:

 

How do you tell if the furniture in the room is facing forward?

 

Where is the best position forward, midship or aft?

 

Is one side of the ship better?

 

We are not sporty but we like to snorkel and we like to sight see and shop. Are there ship excursions at the two port calls that folks would recommend? Our first time out, we are going to use Disney. I have limited mobility and balance and walk with a cane.

 

What is the most fun thing for 2 adult women friends to do on-board ship? We love Disney and when we go Disney, we go back to childhood. Love the characters.

 

Can you wear nice jeans and blouses to dinner?

 

I'm a bit frightened that if we love this cruise, and want to cruise more, that we might have a hard time finding a cruise line that isn't too snotty for us. The last thing you would find me in is a formal long dress just to have dinner!

 

I'll probably think of more later, but I'm still reading everything I can find on the site :D My you folks have such good stuff for beginners!

 

Thanks,

 

Beth

 

I didn't realize attending a formal dinner equaled being snotty.:confused:

 

Congrats on the free cruise and hope you have a wonderfuil trip!:)

 

Bill

[firefly333]

I hate to dress up too. Find some comfortable black shoes and a simple long black dress that is comfortable. Or even a long church dress will work, they wouldnt kick you out. You say you wouldnt do it, but on some cruise lines you get lobster on one of the formal nights, so for that I put on a dress and the whole bit.

 

I have never been on Disney...yet. Next year I go on Disney, so I dont even know if they have a lobster night. I love lobster.

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Yes they have lobster one night, I dont remember which night.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[HisChildBeth]

Bill,

 

My apologies if my comment seemed offensive, but it has been my experience when I have brushed shoulders with people who do not feel it is a big deal to dress in a formal fashion for dinner that it has never been good and I have always felt out of place and that they thought I belonged in the kitchen.

[TSoccer5]

we prefer the middle of the ship, deck 7 is nice because you have rooms above you and rooms below you, so not as much noise as some other decks, I think I would agree with the previous person who said aft on 7 because it is close to lots, AND it is close to the open deck with loungers, etc back there that tends to be a nice place to relax.

 

There are lots of good snorkling spots, you can check out the boards for each different port, we love the catamaran sail and snorkel we did in St Thomas/St John, but it can depend on the weather. Hitting the beach and then shopping is always a good choice and you can snorkle right off the beach at Castaway Cay.

 

Jeans are frowned upon after the first night, but nice capris would be fine, and if you skip formal nights the buffet restaurant actually serves you dinner, the buffet is just salad and some light stuff and then they bring you meals off of one of the real menus, or you can order room service (which is included).

 

There is a ton to do, I hope you love it!

 

 

My daughter won us a 7-day Eastern Caribbean cruise this September! We know we are going to get a Cat 4, 5, 6 stateroom which means we'll be on decks 7 or 8 on the Magic. I know we are down to the last of the stateroom, and I don't know if we get to pick or not, but if we do I'd like to know:

 

How do you tell if the furniture in the room is facing forward?

 

Where is the best position forward, midship or aft?

 

Is one side of the ship better?

 

We are not sporty but we like to snorkel and we like to sight see and shop. Are there ship excursions at the two port calls that folks would recommend? Our first time out, we are going to use Disney. I have limited mobility and balance and walk with a cane.

 

What is the most fun thing for 2 adult women friends to do on-board ship? We love Disney and when we go Disney, we go back to childhood. Love the characters.

 

Can you wear nice jeans and blouses to dinner?

 

I'm a bit frightened that if we love this cruise, and want to cruise more, that we might have a hard time finding a cruise line that isn't too snotty for us. The last thing you would find me in is a formal long dress just to have dinner!

 

I'll probably think of more later, but I'm still reading everything I can find on the site :D My you folks have such good stuff for beginners!

 

Thanks,

 

Beth

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Bill,

 

My apologies if my comment seemed offensive, but it has been my experience when I have brushed shoulders with people who do not feel it is a big deal to dress in a formal fashion for dinner that it has never been good and I have always felt out of place and that they thought I belonged in the kitchen.

 

 

We have felt that way at other places and on a different cruise line, but NOT on Disney!! I dress nice on formal night but NOT formal. I wear a simple long sleeve dark blue dress that goes to the top of my knee, looks like velvet. It is 10 years old. I have never felt out of place and never felt like I was ruining it for those who love to dress up.

 

I have seen many ladies who didnt want to dress formal so they chose a black pant suit, white blouse with a necklace and they looked very nice, yet no long gowns o rheels. just black sandals.

 

Most of the time we just head for the buffet that night. That way everyone is happy!! Including me. I hate to dress up, but I would NEVER want to spoil that for those who do love it. They look so nice.

 

Believe me on disney you wont be snubbed! I have seen people on formal night in shorts in the restaurants and jeans and nobody said a word. I dont think that is the right thing to do, but nobody treated them like they wernt as good as everyone else.

On 4 cruises I have sat next to people dressed this way.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Bill,

 

My apologies if my comment seemed offensive, but it has been my experience when I have brushed shoulders with people who do not feel it is a big deal to dress in a formal fashion for dinner that it has never been good and I have always felt out of place and that they thought I belonged in the kitchen.

 

I guess it depends on what you are wearing. I have found a simple dress or pants suit is good enough. If you want to wear shorts, jeans, or bathing suit with cover up I could understand.

 

take care and enjoy your cruise

 

Bill

[traveljen1027]

We have felt that way at other places and on a different cruise line, but NOT on Disney!! I dress nice on formal night but NOT formal. I wear a simple long sleeve dark blue dress that goes to the top of my knee, looks like velvet. It is 10 years old. I have never felt out of place and never felt like I was ruining it for those who love to dress up.

 

I have seen many ladies who didnt want to dress formal so they chose a black pant suit, white blouse with a necklace and they looked very nice, yet no long gowns o rheels. just black sandals.

 

Most of the time we just head for the buffet that night. That way everyone is happy!! Including me. I hate to dress up, but I would NEVER want to spoil that for those who do love it. They look so nice.

 

Believe me on disney you wont be snubbed! I have seen people on formal night in shorts in the restaurants and jeans and nobody said a word. I dont think that is the right thing to do, but nobody treated them like they wernt as good as everyone else.

On 4 cruises I have sat next to people dressed this way.

 

mom x4,grandma x4

 

Hi Kathy!!

 

What a great tip to go to the buffet if one doesn't want to dress up - I love to dress up and for me that is one of my favorite parts of cruising (the formal night) and I must admit that it bums both me & my husband a bit when other folks don't dress up at all, so I'm one of those folks who would prefer that the dress code get enforced, at least on formal nights, in the dining room - it is just so much fun to see everyone looking their best and enjoying a lovely dinner...I love it!! Although that might be because we have a three year old and the only time we get to dress up is on vacation or for our office holiday parties. :) But I do understand that not everyone finds it to be as much fun as us, which is why I don't get really upset about it, and I too have never seen anyone snubbed because of what they were wearing.

 

Anyway, my mom is traveling with us this time and she isn't too excited about getting dressed up and she was wondering if she would feel out of place. So I think I am going to suggest that she bring a nice pantsuit (something like what she would wear to church or a nice restaurant) because I don't want her to miss out on any fun (or the great dining) simply because she thinks she might feel out of place. She had also suggested she just do some alternate dining on the formal nights, and I'm going to pass on to her that other folks feel the same way and enjoy the buffet or some other type of alternate dining on the formal evenings. Thanks again for the tips!