[WishUponAStar]

Other cruise tips I found, not specifically just on the Disney boats:

* Bring your email addresses with you, as ships now have Internet lounges. An email along with a digital photo is the modern day postcard; so don't forget the digital camera.

* Have THREE copies of all important travel documents (passport, birth certificate, etc) and pack one in your carry-on, one in your checked luggage and leave one with someone at home. Pack your medical insurance card and a copy of any medications you are taking.

* A "pop-up" mesh clothes hamper packs flat in your suitcase and keeps your closet neat on board.

* Have a supply of one-dollar bills handy for tipping airport skycaps and porters at the pier.

* Tuck fabric softener sheets between garments as you pack to keep clothing fresh during travels.

* Pack a pad of Post-It notes to leave messages for your cabin steward, family, and shipboard friends.

* Personal 2-way radios are a great way to keep track of cruise companions, but set the volume low so you don’t disturb your fellow passengers.

* A mesh laundry bag that allows damp clothing to dry out is ideal for gathering soiled garments during a cruise.

[llama]

A Tide Laundry Pen! (especially if you're married to my husband, who can't seem to get through a meal without dropping something. )

[tiggerfan74]

I love all these tips !! Thanks=)

[timkelmom]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

I found these tips on various websites SPECIFICALLY about Disney cruises:

* The best time to find characters is during the sail-away celebration, on deck 10.

Not necessarily, the sail-away celebration is packed with rail to rail people. The characters did not actually seem approachable to me at this point. However, there are many, many opportunities to see characters and their scheduled appearances are very clearly marked in your daily newsletter. There is also a screen in the main atrium with daily events and character schedules.

[timkelmom]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Other cruise tips I found, not specifically just on the Disney boats:

* A mesh laundry bag that allows damp clothing to dry out is ideal for gathering soiled garments during a cruise.

Great idea except I don't think they work that well on board. We saw several families with them on the first day, they did not use them much after that.

[llama]

Originally Posted by timkelmom

Not necessarily, the sail-away celebration is packed with rail to rail people. The characters did not actually seem approachable to me at this point. However, there are many, many opportunities to see characters and their scheduled appearances are very clearly marked in your daily newsletter. There is also a screen in the main atrium with daily events and character schedules.

Yep - the Sail-Away party isn't the time for any interaction with the characters - it's too crowded and nuts.

I think the best time to see the characters is just before the dinner hour in the atrium. All the little princesses and princes are getting their photos done and it's SOOO adorable.

[iluvwdw]

Originally Posted by llama

GREAT TIPS - I'm loving this....

Thanks for the link to the steamer Kim! I had one, but it broke and I could not find another one under $50. - which I wasn't going to spend. - I was going to take my iron, but I'm buying this steamer instead. It's so much easier than ironing.

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy it! It is a MUST for every trip...not only cruises. MUCH MUCH easier than ironing!

[iluvwdw]

**Bring a couple of beach toys from home for the kids...think Dollar Store stuff. You'll pay a premium for these items on any vacation. And if you don't feel like taking them home, you can always leave them.

**You won't need many other "toys" for the kids! I packed an entire duffel bag full of coloring books, Leapster, Games, Color Wonder stuff, markers, Uno, etc, etc, etc. They NEVER had the chance to use anything. They were busy day and night! By the time we got back to our cabin after the days festivities, they fell right out.

**Don't be upset if you have an Inside Cabin...it's a great way to save money on a cruise. I have been on 4 cruises and not once have I had an Ocean View or Balcony or anything. On my last cruise, it was SO WINDY that the Balcony would have been a total waste. You will have JUST AS MUCH FUN on your cruise if you are in an Inside Cabin...no worries.

**Bring Air Freshener to leave in your bathroom

**Bring Extra Hand Sanitizing Gel...on my ship, they had these machines ALL OVER THE PLACE. Not sure about the Disney ships...

**Bring dry box cereal from the buffet with you when you leave the ship ---Fruit Loops are a great snack!

**It's totally not necessary to pack Beach Towels. They take up a lot of room in the luggage and the ones provided by the ship do the trick.

**Pack a change of clothes and/or bathing suit in your carry on...you never know what time you will get your luggage that night

**Make dinner reservations for the Specialty Restaurants as soon as possible...on DCL, it's Palo. As soon as you can, make the ressie...you don't want to miss such a great meal!

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

I found these tips on various websites SPECIFICALLY about Disney cruises:

* Buy snacks & sodas from a supermarket before you get to the ship, you can store them in the fridge in your stateroom. You can then take snacks with you when you go ashore.

* In the corridors on the ship, just look at the carpet to find out which way the back or front of the ship is - the anchor on the carpet is two-coloured, the red points towards the back of the ship, the blue towards the front.

* On Castaway Cay, get off the ship as early as you can if you want to get a good place on the beach, in a hammock or under an umbrella.

* The disembarkation talk is broadcast on the TVs in the staterooms all day, so you don't need to attend the talk.

* The best time to find characters is during the sail-away celebration, on deck 10.

With the exception of the last tip, those could pretty much apply to any cruise line.

[E&B's Mom]

Originally Posted by llama

A Tide Laundry Pen! (especially if you're married to my husband, who can't seem to get through a meal without dropping something. )

Although if you're flying - you should check this. My MIL has had them taken away by TSA on two separate occassions.

[llama]

Originally Posted by E&B's Mom

Although if you're flying - you should check this. My MIL has had them taken away by TSA on two separate occassions.

I pack everything in my checked luggage. If it's the least bit questionable I stick it into the suitcase. A lot easier than dealing with it at security.