First time cruiser

1) We ordered lanyards online to carry our Key to the World Card. Do most people wear the lanyards the whole time or put them in purse/wallet?

I typically wear my lanyard so I can go mostly hands-free. I say mostly because I do sometimes carry my phone with me to capture pictures when characters randomly come along. If I have a pocket, I'll put it in that. If I don't, I may put it into a wristlet but I'll usually still keep my KTTW in the lanyard for convenience. You don't need to take it out to tap on your door to unlock and it's easier to hand off to the bartender to buy a drink.

Sometimes at dinner I might put it into the wristlet with the phone but not always.

Since this is an adult only trip, will they assign us a table with other couples?

Generally yes. The later dining tends to have fewer children - we always eat late dining - but they usually try to match you with other people in the same demographic. We've done 10 cruises so far and always been seated with other couples or single adults.

If you plan on wearing your lanyards the whole time, what do you do while swimming in one of the pools?

I normally wear a swim shirt which has a zippered pocket so I put the card in there or just wear the lanyard in the pool. If I have more than that with me or I'm not wearing a shirt with a pocket, I will leave my stuff in clear view of the pool (they're not that big) with a towel and whatever else I have with me. There's no room number on the card, your name is on it and it's difficult for someone to take it and do anything with it including charging. So if that's all you have, it's not likely to be taken. They don't like you to take a lounger if you're not using it (i.e., sitting in it) so a locking bag might not be the best idea. Just take what little you need to the pool and put it close.
 
Are your personal items safe on a lawn chair while you ride the water slide?
Everyone has their own comfort zone in terms of leaving things out. Some wouldn't think of leaving anything at all, others lock items down, others don't worry about it. I'm in the latter camp. I've briefly left personal items (such as my shoulder bag including wallet after embarkation & before cabins open, and at other times my lanyard), while I ride the Aqua Duck. I'm a single mom, so having another adult watch my items has never been an option. Never had a problem. I see other people's stuff left on chairs frequently. Sometimes bags but more often clothing items, lanyards & shoes. Passengers tend to respect others' items and leave them alone.
 
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Our carry on bags, etc. (prior to getting in room)
For me, personally, I'd leave someone with bags like that. Typically those bags will have all sorts of important (expensive) items in them. Like electronics, passports, medications, etc.

The rooms are ready at 1:30, that's not really a long time. You can drop your carry on bags in the room and then go to the pool.

For most days, at the pool, you'll most likely have towels, books, and such. Those I wouldn't have an issue leaving in the loungers.
 


I assume there are probably surveillance cameras everywhere, so if someone would steal something, I would hope that DCL would help recover.
 
I am confused on where we are able to eat for free on embarkation day other than the quick service area by the pool. We will probably be arriving late since we are taking DCL transport from WDW. Is there a free sit-down restaurant available for breakfast and lunch daily?
 


I am confused on where we are able to eat for free on embarkation day other than the quick service area by the pool. We will probably be arriving late since we are taking DCL transport from WDW. Is there a free sit-down restaurant available for breakfast and lunch daily?
According to a personal navigator on the Dream from November:
Embarkation day lunch:
Buffet: cabanas: 12-3PM
MDR: Animator's Palate 11:45-2
Pool quick service: Fillmore's Favorites/Luigi's Pizza/Tow Mater's Grill: 12-3:30, 4:30-6

There should be an MDR available for free sit down breakfast/lunch on the other days, but the hours may be limited. It will be listed in the Personal navigator and on the app.

Disney Cruise Line Blog has copies of personal navigator's that people have sent him: https://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/
 
Thank you.
Is this free?>
  • All the food in the 3 main restaurants is free.
  • All the food in the self service buffet is free
  • All the food in the quick service snack areas is free
  • All soda and water from the self service soda fountains is free
  • All soda in the 3 main restaurants is free
  • The self service soft icecream is free
  • Most of the items in room service are free

The only things that you pay extra for are
  1. Alcohol
  2. Speciality Barista coffee in the adult coffee bar and in the main restaurants
  3. Any items on the room service menu which are pre packaged, such as bottles of water, cans of soda
  4. Merchandise in the shops
  5. Adult only restaurants Remy and Palo
  6. Spa treatments and services
  7. Bippity Boppity Boutique
  8. Photo packages
  9. Internet packages
 
Dining in the main dining rooms is included in the cruise fare.

Food locations also included, poolside quick serve, buffet, and room service.
As is Cabana's and the pool deck quick service stations. You can also grab "free" (really they are included in your fare) pastries at the coffee shop (but not coffee) and room service. I hear the room service BLT's are awesome.
 
I am confused on where we are able to eat for free on embarkation day other than the quick service area by the pool. We will probably be arriving late since we are taking DCL transport from WDW. Is there a free sit-down restaurant available for breakfast and lunch daily?

We normally take DCL transfers from WDW and we're always there in time for either Cabanas or the main dining room sit-down lunch (which we now prefer).

Oh. I didn't know they would be ready by 1:30! Heck, I'm not sure we will even be on the ship yet since we are at WDW DCL transport's mercy.

We're usually on board just as they're opening the rooms (there was a traffic delay once along with multiple hotel stops and lots of people in security line so we didn't board until close to 2:30 - this isn't normal but we still had lunch in Cabanas or whatever it was called at the time). IIRC, even if the MDR closes at 2 pm, that's not when you have to finish eating but the latest time they'll seat you.
 

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