First Time Cruiser - How Screwed am I with Activities?

[Patmcpsu]

I am doing my first ever cruise (let alone a Disney Cruise) - 5 nights on the Fantasy, stopping at Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay and Nassau. Our group will be two adults, a 7 year old and a 4 year old (both girls fwiw).

I know I'll be the absolute lowest on the pecking order for booking activities, but it will really be a factor for our situation? For the two private islands, I planned on just sitting on the beach and a little bit of casual swimming / splash pads. For Nassau, we would visit Atlantis (I'm aware that day passes are overpriced). I don't see us doing any of the onboard fine dining options or beverage tastings. We just did Bippidy Boppidy Boutique at Magic Kingdom, so that urge is out of our system for a while.

It feels like most of the activities are more geared towards adults, or at least older kids. Are there any activities I'll actually want to book, and if so, are they easy to obtain as a first-timer?

 

[Erica1016]

From what it sounds like you plan to do, I think you'll be just fine!!
It sounds like you have very reasonable expectations and that will work in your favor. The one thing I can think of is the Royal Gathering/Princess meet and greet. That opens up 30 days ahead for everyone, so your status won't matter. It's a free event, but you sign up. You'll get to meet several princesses at the same time.
We love the Fantasy and that sounds like a great itinerary for your first cruise!

 

[jalapeno_pretzel]

I am doing my first ever cruise (let alone a Disney Cruise) - 5 nights on the Fantasy, stopping at Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay and Nassau. Our group will be two adults, a 7 year old and a 4 year old (both girls fwiw).

I know I'll be the absolute lowest on the pecking order for booking activities, but it will really be a factor for our situation? For the two private islands, I planned on just sitting on the beach and a little bit of casual swimming / splash pads. For Nassau, we would visit Atlantis (I'm aware that day passes are overpriced). I don't see us doing any of the onboard fine dining options or beverage tastings. We just did Bippidy Boppidy Boutique at Magic Kingdom, so that urge is out of our system for a while.

It feels like most of the activities are more geared towards adults, or at least older kids. Are there any activities I'll actually want to book, and if so, are they easy to obtain as a first-timer?

If you're not interested in the adult dining or the beverage tastings, there's really not much else to book. FWIW, we're getting ready to go on our 4th DCL cruise, and have never done adult dining nor beverage tastings, and we don't even really want to. If you want any kind of spa treatment, you will likely still be able to find options for those, and if not, you can always check with them once you board. If you want the rainforest room pass, you might be out of luck on that. I got one for my upcoming cruise, but when I checked back awhile later they were sold out. I don't know at what point they sold out. But really, I've only used the rainforest room 2x on my 2nd cruise, and while it's pleasant, it wouldn't bother me much if I didn't get to do that.

The only other thing you'll want to book is Royal Gathering, and that opens for all guests at the same time, so the higher levels don't have any priority over you. Most character meet & greets are just wait in line, no reservation, but Royal Gathering is 4-5 princesses that you will meet all at once, one after the other. We didn't get one for our upcoming cruise, and I know they filled up quickly. (I forgot about booking it, but my kids are older teens and likely not too interested in it anyway).

For the first time ever, we booked an excursion on Castaway Cay, but I booked it just last week, well after it's been open booking for everyone. But I think just planning unstructured beach / swim / splash pad time is definitely the way to go for first time visits and younger kids. You'll have a great time!

 

[dreamer17555]

Bookable activities- BBB, Royal Tea, Sports Simulator, Adult Dining, Spa, Excursions, Drink Tastings-

I would not recommend an excursion for first time DCL cruiser with your stops. Maybe check out the port area in Nassau but instead spend the time enjoying the ship. For Castaway and Lookout- just enjoy the beach, maybe rent a float or bike at Castaway.

Royal Gathering opens for everyone at 30 days midnight and it goes fast. It is a free event with a set time to meet the princess but they have other meetings if you don't get it. If you want it do it at midnight before doing your check in for your port arrival time.

Most other activities like crafts, shows, trivia, family games, mini golf, etc you just show up- no need to book.

 

[cruisehopeful]

I don't think you'll have a problem with booking Atlantis. We actually booked Atlantis while we were on the ship. I think we booked it the night before at the Port adventures desk.

 

[jimmymc]

Based on your post, I don't think you'll have any issues. The big excursions that go fast are cabanas on the private islands and big adventures in Alaska and Europe. Getting over to Atlantis will be no problem. You can book a DCL excursion or catch a normal or water taxi at the dock.

 

[bbn1122]

If it is your first cruise just enjoy the ship. Movies, mini golf, pools, slides, characters, Mid-ship detective, shows, kids clubs, pirate night. I agree skip Nassau and give yourself another ship day.

As previous posters meantioned Royal Gathering, try to book that if daughters are interested (even if you can not get a slot, the princess are there to see and you can get a great view from above the Grand Hall) and the Daily activities no need to book.

You will be surprised how fast the day goes.

Just exploring the ship and randomly meeting up with a Character. My boys played ping pong with Goofy.

I only had boys but they had a ball, just watching Disney Movies sitting in the pool or hot tub.

Have a great first cruise.

 

[VGCgroupie]

If it is your first cruise just enjoy the ship. Movies, mini golf, pools, slides, characters, Mid-ship detective, shows, kids clubs, pirate night. I agree skip Nassau and give yourself another ship day.

As previous posters meantioned Royal Gathering, try to book that if daughters are interested (even if you can not get a slot, the princess are there to see and you can get a great view from above the Grand Hall) and the Daily activities no need to book.

You will be surprised how fast the day goes.

Just exploring the ship and randomly meeting up with a Character. My boys played ping pong with Goofy.

I only had boys but they had a ball, just watching Disney Movies sitting in the pool or hot tub.

Have a great first cruise.

This is the kind of stuff that makes Disney so special

 

[happycamper47]

I am doing my first ever cruise (let alone a Disney Cruise) - 5 nights on the Fantasy, stopping at Castaway Cay, Lookout Cay and Nassau. Our group will be two adults, a 7 year old and a 4 year old (both girls fwiw).

As others have said you should be fine.....So enjoy, it will be fun.

 

[CamColt]

I agree with the majority here, you should be fine. I recently did the same itinerary on the Fantasy and am doing it again this summer on the Magic. Even with the early booking option, the only thing I did, and plan to book again is Palo Brunch. I don't want to have my days filled with plans....for me a cruise is about relaxing. You can still have a great time doing "nothing"...or at least nothing that needs to be prebooked.

 

[mjkacmom]

Been to Atlantis twice for the day. The first time we left our 4, 4 and 6 year olds on the ship with grandparents and took our 9 and 11 year olds and was glad we did, many high height requirements. Check out margaritaville or baha mar water parks.

 

[Hoorayforcookies!]

I think you’re fine too. We just did this exact itinerary last week. The ship was packed with folks on Spring Break from central region of the US. I didn’t get Royal Gathering but it was easy to see all the princesses at various other times they were doing meet and greets throughout the cruise. You will have so much fun!!

 

[mcd2745]

For excursions, you normally will be okay. As others have said, you can forget about things like Mixology or Palo brunch (even some Platinum people were shut out of brunch - with 3 sea days, no less - for the 10-nt in July on the Magic).

 

[Anna131517]

You can have a great time on a Disney cruise without booking any extras! If you think your kids might still be interested in meeting princesses then go to guest services once you get on the ship and get on a waitlist for the Royal Gathering. The royal gathering is right in the middle of the ship and your kids will see it - and then possibly be disappointed. But we’ve never had trouble or getting a spot by getting added to a waitlist while on board.