package to the port

[ksagan]

I am trying to find some current information or statistics about mailing a package to the port prior to sailing. The idea of packing my FE gifts is taking the fun out of it for me right now. Anyone know how reliable it is? I do not want my FE group to be without a gift from me if the system fails.

Any suggestions, advice, etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[disnygirl55]

I've not done it - but I think it would be very reliable, as long as the date and stateroom number are correct (and the ship!). Funny story (at least for us) - when our room opened last June, there was a box sitting on the ottoman in our stateroom - addressed to our ship, the date, and the stateroom number - but it was addressed to someone else!! The stateroom host took it away immediately when I told her it was not ours. It was some poor soul who had probably mis-labeled the box. Sad - it probably had many wonderful FE gifts inside. It was very odd, since we had the room and sailing for many months ahead, so it wasn't a matter of someone cancelling last minute.

So just be very clear on the address label, and I think all will be well!

 

[lanejudy]

I believe there are requirements for the size box you can send (they like everything uniform to pack onto pallets in the terminal is my understanding), and restrictions such as no food or beverages.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[ksagan]

Thanks for your replies. I've emailed DCL just to be sure. It makes me nervous still but is rather be a little nervous than stressed out trying to figure out how to pack it all.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I believe there are requirements for the size box you can send (they like everything uniform to pack onto pallets in the terminal is my understanding), and restrictions such as no food or beverages.

Enjoy your cruise!

From the FAQ sticky:

Boxes Sent the Ship Ahead of Cruise - PLEASE follow these instructions carefully!!!!!! UPDATED AS OF 2/25/2009
" ONE box per stateroom, no exceptions.
" The package must have the guest full name, ship, sailing date, stateroom number or GTY if you have not been assigned a stateroom number.
" The package also must have a packing slip attached to the outside of the box that details the contents of the package. For prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient. Your list may or may not be read but it must have one. Write packing slip on the outside of the envelope.
" NO FOODS/DRINKS OF ANY KIND, LIQUOR OF ANY KIND, FIREARMS, ETC.. Items that cannot be shipped to the Disney Cruise Line Warehouse and delivered to the ship include: food products (any and all food products including baby food/formula), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals, and luggage. These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned. This may cause the dogs to hit on your box and that would be a bad thing.
" The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Address your package(s) to:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
Guest Name / Stateroom # (GTY, if you don't know what it is when you send the package)
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196

In the bottom left corner of the top of the package put the following information: ATTN: HOUSEKEEPING
*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a copy of the prescription is sufficient)
" Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 7-Night Cruise on the Disney Dream (Saturday).
" Packages must arrive by Friday by 3:00pm for the 4-Night Cruise on the Disney Dream (Sunday).
" Packages must arrive by Wednesday by 3:00pm for the 3-Night Cruise on the Disney Dream (Thursday).

If your box is hit on by the screening dog or chosen for additional screening they will open the list and the box and look through it. They will close it back up and provided nothing bad is in it then it will be in your room as usual later after boarding. These boxes will be coming on the ship with the crew mail among other things so they may be in the staterooms later then they were before as they are low priority in the scheme of things for Disney.

 

[ksagan]

Thanks. I did see that. Last update was 2009 and wondered if anything has changed or if anyone had any personal experiences -- good or bad.

 

[donaldseeyore]

Or if you're sailing out of Miami where it would be sent......

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Our box was waiting on the coffee table when we entered our room at 1:30 It worked very well for us, I sent most of my FE gifts.

 

[ksagan]

Our box was waiting on the coffee table when we entered our room at 1:30 It worked very well for us, I sent most of my FE gifts.

Did you use fedex or ups? How many days before your cruise did you send it? TIA

 

[2BusyPlanning]

Did you use fedex or ups? How many days before your cruise did you send it? TIA

I actually used USPS and I mailed it on the Monday before our Fantasy cruise. It was delivered on Wednesday.

 

[ksagan]

Below is the email I got from DCL when I asked about this. Pretty much the same as the 2009 information:

3/9/14

Dear Kristy,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I would be happy to provide information regarding packages, boxes, and
gift delivery to Port Canaveral.

Items that cannot be delivered to the ship include: food products (all
and any food products), baby food/formula (unless shipped through Babies
Travel Lite), beverages (liquor, water, etc.), chemicals and luggage.
These items will not be accepted at the warehouse and will be returned.

Please be aware, due to Customs Regulations, you will not be able to
arrange delivery from the ship to your home residence.

The items must arrive by the following time frame:
-If the cruise is sailing on a Saturday or Sunday, then the package must
arrive by 3:00pm on Friday.
-If the cruise is sailing on a weekday (e.g. Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, or Friday), then the package must arrive by 3:00pm the day
before the cruise.

Packages should not arrive more than two weeks prior to saildate.

Please ensure the following information is on the package being
delivered:

*Name
*Sail Date
*Ship
*Stateroom Number
*Packing slip that details contents of the package (for prescriptions, a
copy of the prescription is sufficient)

Packages may be sent to the following address:
Disney Cruise Line Warehouse
C/O Ship Name, Guest Name, Stateroom, Sail Date
8633 Transport Drive
Orlando, FL 32832
Phone: 407-566-8196
Fax: 407-566-3505

Kristy, I hope this information has been helpful.

Have a Magical Day!

Kaylee
Email Communications Agent
Disney Cruise Line

 

[ksagan]

Anyone have any idea what the size limits are for mailing a package to the ship before a cruise?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Anyone have any idea what the size limits are for mailing a package to the ship before a cruise?

Assuming that you're asking about Port Canaveral, this is the information from the FAQ sticky about boxes to the port:

The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

 

[ksagan]

Assuming that you're asking about Port Canaveral, this is the information from the FAQ sticky about boxes to the port: The required size of the cartons you are shipping down have to be about the size of a record storage box 12 inches on a side and should not weigh more than 20 lbs. (This has been asked personally by Dave Adams who is the owner)

Any idea what a "record storage box" is?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Any idea what a "record storage box" is?

Ha, ha as in "what's a record?"

Basically is a small box approx. 12"X12"X12". Designed for shipping/moving heavy things. Sometimes called a "book box".

 

[kindman]

I sent a 12x12x12 box Fedex last year and even though we upgraded at port when we got into the room there it was waiting. Very simple and plan to do it on upcoming cruise.

 

[ksagan]

Ha, ha as in "what's a record?"

Basically is a small box approx. 12"X12"X12". Designed for shipping/moving heavy things. Sometimes called a "book box".

For some reason I had a music record (like an LP) in my head. Not like keeping records of important information and documents. Duh! Thanks. That size is plenty big for what I need to mail to the ship.

Love this forum!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For some reason I had a music record (like an LP) in my head. Not like keeping records of important information and documents. Duh! Thanks. That size is plenty big for what I need to mail to the ship.

Love this forum!

I thought that's what you were asking about - what was a "record" (LP). I keep forgetting there are people alive in this world who have no idea of what those are.

I never made the connection to "record keeping" material.

Any how, we've got it figured out now.

 

[minniemouse1]

Packages should not arrive more than two weeks prior to saildate.

OOPS! I mailed mine and it definitely arrived more than 2 weeks before the sail date. I had read the post from 2009 and it said nothing about a not arriving before a certain time just that it needed to be there by a certain day. I mailed 3 boxes total. One to each of our staterooms and one to my mothers with our FE gifts inside. I guess we will find out in a little over 2 weeks if our boxes are in our rooms or not. I will be disappointed but it will not be the end of the world if something happens. The boxes were clearly labeled with a packing list on the outside, sent via fed ex, and they had my contact info if needed.

I have mailed packages to the boat before and they were usually sitting on our bed on the Magic when we got to our stateroom and I'm pretty sure I mailed them more than 2 weeks out too. Oh well lesson learned.

 

[Donna3271]

I've done this to Port Canaveral. I believe no food is allowed. Our package was not in the room when we got there, but did arrive a few hours later (around 5 ish). I was a little annoyed because I had things in there that I wanted to put out when my children opened the door to the cabin. The plan was for my husband to stall them, and I ran to the cabin to put out my gifts… and no box!

Other than that, it is very reliable.