Lujackdisney
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2012
I will make this fairly brief as I know much has been written about the ship and the itineraries. Our party included my husband and I (42), our children are Jack 4 and Lucy 8 and my mother (70). We planned for months, not having been on a cruise with kids or for 7 nights. We were in a family verandah stateroom. I will go over some observations....
*In our experience, no need to get to the port prior to 11:30, maybe 11. We used Park n Cruise. Getting back a little tiresome, you have to wait in the crowds for their shuttle. We had the hurricane mess so maybe on a regular day, it would not have been as crazy. Next time we might just park at port. We could then just get our car and be out of there. Shorter cruise for sure, not worth the little bit of savings on the return.
*They didn't start boarding until 11:30 and there were quite a few people ahead of us even when we arrived at 10:30. I have worked for Disney and have gone my whole life so for me the port was nice, but we just wanted to get on the ship. Even with my experience, I was more excited than the kids. Just trying to point out my frame of reference
*We went right to lunch, the Enchanted Garden did not open until 12 so we started our trip by waiting in line. Next time, I would go make a mixology res or walk around for a bit. Maybe even go right to the pools. Mixology books up immediately, we never had a shot after early the 1st afternoon. I did go to the spa after lunch to make a couple of reservations. I would maybe wait for the daily specials if I had flexibility, they are quite good and you see them the night before in the Navigator.
This might take a bit so I will stop here...if you have questions, feel free to ask.
*In our experience, no need to get to the port prior to 11:30, maybe 11. We used Park n Cruise. Getting back a little tiresome, you have to wait in the crowds for their shuttle. We had the hurricane mess so maybe on a regular day, it would not have been as crazy. Next time we might just park at port. We could then just get our car and be out of there. Shorter cruise for sure, not worth the little bit of savings on the return.
*They didn't start boarding until 11:30 and there were quite a few people ahead of us even when we arrived at 10:30. I have worked for Disney and have gone my whole life so for me the port was nice, but we just wanted to get on the ship. Even with my experience, I was more excited than the kids. Just trying to point out my frame of reference
*We went right to lunch, the Enchanted Garden did not open until 12 so we started our trip by waiting in line. Next time, I would go make a mixology res or walk around for a bit. Maybe even go right to the pools. Mixology books up immediately, we never had a shot after early the 1st afternoon. I did go to the spa after lunch to make a couple of reservations. I would maybe wait for the daily specials if I had flexibility, they are quite good and you see them the night before in the Navigator.
This might take a bit so I will stop here...if you have questions, feel free to ask.