Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Navigating Your Disney Cruise with Your Personal Navigator


No matter what cruise line you sail, every day on board offers a wide variety of activities. So much fun, so little time, how do you choose? Disney Cruise Line makes this easy for you with their Personal Navigator, or "The Bible", as my family calls it.

Your first copy of the Personal Navigator will be in your stateroom when you board. This Welcome Aboard issue helps with the business end of your trip. It gives you advice on making dining reservations in Remy or Palo, the adults only dining areas, how to use the safe, changing dining times, lifeboat drill information and evening attire. All very important, especially for first time cruisers. It also gives fun information, such as time and place of the Sail Away Party, the show in the Walt Disney Theatre, drink of the day and more. And that's just on the cover!

Once you open the Personal Navigator you will see how Disney makes planning a bit easier. All activities are broken down by age and time. They are color coded for adults, family, or kids only. It's broken down even further in age groups for the children by which club they belong to; Oceaneer Club & Lab, Edge and Vibe. They also breakdown which characters are available with their times and locations.


During your stateroom's evening turn-down service, you will be given a new Personal Navigator for the next day (along with a really creatively folded towel animal). If you still have any energy left at the end of the day, this is an ideal time to sit with your group and read through all tomorrow's choices and make a plan.

Did you know the Disney Cruise Line also shows first run movies in their Buena Vista Theatre? Show times are broken out in the Personal Navigator along with movies shown "under the stars", or Funnelvision as it's known on the ship.

There is still so much more information on the back page, such as operating hours, shopping and port adventures, I could go on forever! Best tip I can give you is to read the Navigator from front to back, circle everything you would like to do, and remain flexible. Some activities will repeat during your trip. Others, such as the big production numbers, are one day only. But most of all, keep the Personal Navigator with you at all times because you don't want to miss a thing!


Up next, Looking Over Overlooked Activities on Your Cruise.

6 comments:

  1. I call it the Bible too! How funny. I never go anywhere without it while cruising. Great tips...especially for first time cruisers.

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  2. Great info! There are little tid-bits on the bottom back of the Personal Navigator, like the auction for art work in the ships Art Gallery. Yes we won because us and the other family we were with where the only ones bidding, see we know how to use the Navigator!

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  3. Glad to hear that it's broken down by age!! we are going with a 3 & 4 year old and don't want to miss anything that would be enjoyed by them.
    Any suggestions???

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    1. What a fantastic age to go! They will be so excited with everything offered. Definitely check where their favorite characters will be doing photos and autographs. There will be Disney photographers but you are more than welcome to snap a few of your own. Also, if there is something you would like to get autographed by all, such as a picture frame or pillowcase, be sure to bring it to guest services at the start of your cruise and they will have it signed by all at the end of your cruise.

      Your children will be old enough for the Oceaneer Club where there's fun-filled activities for them from morning til late night. I have found the kids love going and never want to leave, but the parents miss having their children around. Really look at your Navigator and pick a few fun activities in the club that won't interfere with your family pool time or dance parties.

      One last piece of advice, if it's possible, the early dining rotation seems to work out a bit better with younger children. Don't want any little cruisers falling asleep at the dinner table.

      No matter what you pick for your family, your children are in for the time of their lives! Have a great cruise!

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    2. Thanks Kelly!! Great suggestions!!

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