Greetings,
We finally booked our first cruise! We are taking our family (All 7 of us) in Sept 2006.
We have decided on the 7 day Western Caribbean. As this is our first cruise of any kind we would really love to hear any suggestions. I know its a long way off but we are all so excited.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to our world :)
What are the ages of the people in your party?
Hmmm... a few off the bat (but please check through other posts in the forum for more info).
**You have the chance to purchase shore excusions before you go (it will save you oodles of time).
**If you plan to go to the spa or have dinner at Palo's (the adults only restaurant) make reservations as soon as you get on the ship.
**Understand that is OK if not everyone does everything together (if you have kids, they willl likely be in the Oceaneer's Club/Lab or Commong Grounds Teen Club from morning to night).
**Bring different colored highlighters so you can mark off on the "Personal Navigator's" what you want to do.
**bring Post-Its so you can leave messages in the room for each other.
**Bring a white T-shirt (with permanent markers) for the characters to sign -- more fun than an autograph book.
**buy a plastic holder (like the one here (http://www.mouseshoppe.com/product.cfm?ProductID=6306)) so you don't have to carry your whole wallet and the kids havea place to keep their ID cards (and it won't get wet).

Niwel,
:D
Thank you for your reply. In answer to your question on ages, 26, 25, 23, 18, and 17 then of course my husband and myself. Our son who will 17 is looking forward to the "teen" stuff but my other son who will be 18 at the time is feeling left out. He won't be old enough to participate in "adult" type entertainment with his older sisters and he will be over the age limit for the teen stuff. Do they have anything for this age group?
I have read through the other posts on various threads and it has been helpful. I think the main problem we will have is containing our excitement till 2006.
Also do you have any info on what extras are provided with concierge privilages?

Our son who will 17 is looking forward to the "teen" stuff but my other son who will be 18 at the time is feeling left out. Do they have anything for this age group?

Oops -- guess you won't need the "authograph T-shirt thing. Good news!
On Disney, "18" is adult -- which means he can go to "Beat Street" -- the adult-only nightclub district (except in "Sessions" Lounge), as well as hang out at the adult pool, the cove cafe and the adult beach. Legal drinking age is 21+, though -- but he can drink in port if he really wants to.

Also do you have any info on what extras are provided with concierge privilages?

This is what I was able to find on Concierge from magical mouse (http://www.themagicalmouse.com/dcl/nn.php) :

Concierge service is available in category 3 staterooms and above. A concierge is assigned to your stateroom and family to make your voyage more enjoyable. Concierge service entitles you to express check-in in Port Canaveral, and express boarding. Concierge service entitles you to a fruit basket as well as a gift book signed by your concierge staff. You will also receive a full room service breakfast every morning except debarkation day. A concierge can also deliver drinks and snacks to your room and can make reservations for you at the Vista Spa or Palo restaurant, book equipment rentals on Castaway Cay or shore excursions. Concierge service also gives you access to a CD and VHS library for the CD player and VCR available in your category 3 or above stateroom.

Niwel,
That was most helpful. I will let my oldest son know. I was afraid that since he wasn't 21 he wouldn't be let in the older person clubs.
The Concierge information was helpful. I wasn't sure if it wold be worth it to book a room that had concierge. The decision was made for me by my wonderful husband. He likes to spoil me and the kids. The only info the Disney Cruise CM gave us was that we would have turn down service, a special gift everyday and could order room service from any resturant on board. Have you ever heard about the "special gift"?
Sorry to be such a pest, especially so far in advance.

I traveled this past year on the DCL with a group of teenagers, ages 16 to 18. Because they were all taking this cruise to hang out together the cruise people basically let them "surrender" their adulthood. The two 18 year olds in our group chose to participate in the teen program with their friends but gave up their ability to be looked upon as adults.

I hope I'm explaining this well. I don't know if this is something they do often but you could inquire about it if the 18 year old is interested at all in the teen program.

Thanks for the reply evrythngwmn,

I'm glad that there might be another option for our son.