If Disney cruises are on your wishlist, then you may want to pay attention to some new tips shared by parents who've already been on board.
Disney's ships have long been a big draw for for families, and of course the brand has a reputation for putting on incredible shows based on favourite films, with plenty of character appearances and delicious food, the Daily Star reports.
Sailings in 2023 set off from Southampton – as well as elsewhere in Europe and Florida in the US – meaning it’s great for British families who don’t want to fly.
While the jam-packed schedule means it is unlikely you'll be bored while on the ship, people want to know how to make the most of the dream holiday.
One parent posted on Mumsnet asking for advice ahead of an upcoming Disney sailing. She wrote: “Going on a Disney cruise soon and very excited. Has anybody got any top tips/ best bits to share with me that will get me even more excited?”
Luckily, lots of fellow cruise fans had some useful tips that they were happy to share.
One mum said: “On embarkation day you might not get all of your luggage until evening so take a carry-on bag with everything you’ll need between boarding the ship and dinner. If you want to swim you will obviously need all your swim stuff."
They continued: “Don’t rush to dinner. If you show up five minutes after they begin seating you’ll walk right in. If you show up early you’ll just have to wait!
“On most ships, there are some small snacks available most of the day. In the adult coffee bar, there have generally been free mini-desserts available during the day, and little antipasto nibbles during the evening.
“You can pre-book popular character meet and greets before you get onboard.
“For our most recent cruise, I was able to reserve tickets for the Princess Gathering and the Frozen Meet and Greet on the day I checked in.
So make sure you book your child’s favourite character ASAP – as spots are apparently “gobbled up” on the first day.
Another parent said: “Try and get first dining option too. The early dining slot allows you to have dinner at 6.15 then get to the 8.30 shows (which are amazing).”
While another mum noted: “Pack refillable water bottles as there are dispensers and don’t forget they will add gratuities to your credit card at the end of the cruise, which is fine, but can come as a shock if you are not expecting it.
“You may prefer to take dollars and ask for gratuity envelopes so you can tip staff personally.”
While a fun loving cruiser commented: “Make or buy magnets to go on your door. There are some Facebook groups for stencils and they are easy to do.”
