Advice For a First Time Disney (or other) Cruiser

[Disney3]

I have NEVER been on a real cruise. I'm just wondering what advice would you give to someone who has never been on a cruise but would like to go on one eventually? :)

[Disney5]

Aubrey should go with Shawna on our first cruise together.

[Disney3]

That's awesome advice:D

[Sue]

Great question!
The first thing I would ask myself (if I had never been on a cruise) is what type of experience I was looking for. That would determine which cruiselines, itineraries, and ships would be of interest. Are you looking for total relaxation, partying, dancing, drinking, gambling, shows, scheduled activity, etc?

[Disney5]

Total relaxation, alcohol, and somewhere I can avoid children's entertainment on tv.

[Sue]

LOL Shawna....sounds like John and I! haha
Just about any cruiseline would work for you...often I find I like an inside cabin..total darkness whenever you want..the best naps in the world! :) Alcohol is very expensive on cruiseships...but most allow you to BYOB...boxed wine is wonderful for this! :) Also, the only children's tv can be easily avoided just like a hotel. haha Now, with the kids thing, you do need to be careful with certain cruiselines known for children's programming when kids are not in school...just like DL or WDW, those are heavy kids times, and you may feel like even the adults only pool is overrun with kids.
The nice thing about cruises is that you can be as structured or unstructured as you would like...if you want to participate you do, if not, you don't!
Are you more into glitz and glamour, or elegance? Would you use things like movie theater, rock climbing wall, ice skating?

[Disney3]

Oh, great things to consider! I'd go for a relaxation type of cruise. Lol. Movies - yes! I would like rock climbing and such. Massages and anything like that would be nice too! I wouldnt be bringing any kids though:D It would kinda be like a "single girl" outting with a friend or two. Are there any cruises specifically for a person like me? I mean, I know there are singles cruises but I dont want to get hit on or anything...lol...am I making sense? I hope I am:D

[Disney5]

For me I'd want kids - gotta be fun for Morgan. I'd want to be able to get a massage if I had a chance and Bryan would take Morgan. I'd want a pool - where I was not the only one not a size 2! I'd want to be able to wear my jeans and comfy clothes - no dressing up for me, I'm a full-time mommy and want to be casual and comfortable.

[Sue]

Disney would be a good option for you Shawna, and if not Disney, then sounds like you might like Norwegian..they have "free style cruising" where you don't even have to schedule dinner or ever get dressed up! :)
Aubrey...my first cruise was "the girls"...it was a blast!!!!! We fully enjoyed dancing the night away! Carnival or Royal Carribean would be good bets for you...the Royal Carribean boats have ice skating and rock climbing walls on the really big boats! Disney could be fun with the girls...but I am betting it might be too many kids and could cramp your style...Disney is truly a family oriented cruiseship.

[Disney3]

Thanks Sue! I'll look into that, it sounds real fun! Maybe when I'm older and get my own kids, I'll take a Disney cruise.