Just off Fantasy. Interesting experiences!

[cris0809]

Also, we saw no Ariel the entire trip for photo opps. Maybe I overlooked something, but my sister mentioned it as well.

I think our resident CMontheseas mentioned that Ariel would not be on a few cruises during the holiday season, she would be swimming off for other obligations.

Princesses Anna and Elsa (I believe both) would be in on special visits.

 

[TLLCanada]

Oh is it just for concierge? It doesn't show up on my activity options.

Not just for concierge. It never showed up on my list of activities until after it was booked and only then as a confirmation. I got a generic DCL email about a month before sailing to say it was offered but I had already booked by then.
I spoke to another lady at the tea who booked thru DCL in advance based on that email. She said DCL told her space was limited for the #of kids because the tea is only 90 minutes and they want to make sure each child gets enough time with the princesses and Gaston. So if you are interested it might be wise to call ahead and see if you can reserve now.
Thinking about the cost of it I would say it was worth it. My son got about $150 worth of stuff if I had to buy it in the ship store and get that special framed photo from Shutters and the entertainment value was much better than what I would have spent taking him to a movie or a show. My husband thought it was odd taking a boy to tea but it was his birthday and I wanted to do something special with him for the day. He isn't into princesses but loved talking to Gaston, watching the performances and most especially he enjoyed getting dressed up in shirt and tie escorting his momma to tea.

 

[moonlily8]

I think our resident CMontheseas mentioned that Ariel would not be on a few cruises during the holiday season, she would be swimming off for other obligations.

Princesses Anna and Elsa (I believe both) would be in on special visits.

No Princess Elsa, just Anna on the 11/30 sailing. And sadly no Ariel - my 4 year old loves her.

I inadvertently caused a bit of drama myself one day - it was soooooo embarrassing. My 2 year old wanted to see "her" princesses come down the big stairs for the princess gathering, she had no interest in meeting them - she's very shy, wouldn't even look at Cinderella the one time we chatted with her. So I wasn't paying much attention to those around me when I approached the lobby, just trying to keep her from going past the ropes so I failed to notice a line. I literally assumed people were just "gathering" around the ropes to see the princesses descend (we had seen it from above earlier in the week). Well, turns out I cut in line!!!!! YIKES!!!! My DH texted me on the wave phone around that time and I was trying to reply when the guy beside me (sitting on the floor, no children in sight) basically called me out for line cutting. I was so taken aback and embarrassed! My daughter just wanted to see the princesses come down the stairs so I wasn't trying to cut in line. I felt horrible (I blame pregnancy emotions!) and mumbled nonsense as I tried to find another viewing location. Some parents are very cut throat about these character greetings, it's crazy!!!! I felt bad though that I looked like the loony line cutter, lmao! I'm seriously not that desperate, especially since my 2 year old daughter was afraid of most of the characters.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[steph5377]

I guess we were on the same sailing! I saw a lot of cut throat on the character lines. We were on the Tinkerbell line and a family in front us of were using the Tinkerbell photo for their holiday card. It was such a production that the photographer had to politely ask them to finish up since they were also taking a lot of shots with their own cameras and kept re-posing their kids for other shots. This took about 15 min, I kid you not. The dad had some nasty words with the photographer and kudos to the photographer, he kept his patience and was so nice. I think when it comes to the characters, it should be limited to a few shots especially when the line is long and other people are waiting. Saw a lot of inconsiderateness where the characters were concerned.

 

[Disneyholic]

I too just off fantasy
Couple notes that may help others that I had not read previous to this being my second cruise in 12 years, this time just wife and I.
I must say the ship was top quality in finish and features
Duties on purchases on and off ship on eastern port stops, $800 limit for St. Maarten and on ship per person I believe and $1600 for St. thomas per person, have not un packed yet, and 1 liter of alcohol. We as a couple were almost at the amount to pay duties due to jewelry purchases in st. Maarten. Had we known these details prior to cruise or arrival to islands we probably would have purchased in st. Thomas rather than st. Maarten. We went to the shopping presentations and they highlighted duty and tax free but none of the customs/duties details at return. We did not buy much, but I saw others making some big purchases. I would just research the duties if you might make some major purchases on or off the ship so you are prepared when you disembark at end of cruise.

So true. I knew about paying duty, but assumed that it could be paid with a credit card. NOT!!!! It has to be paid cash or check. I owed $466 and they offered to have someone take me to an ATM. I have a $300 daily limit on my ATM card so I told them I had to go inside a Wells Fargo Bank to a teller to get that much. Didn't have much cash left after the cruise. Paid most stuff with plastic. They got someone to take me and I got the money. They kept DH & luggage hostage till I got back. ( funny thing is, I had all the jewelry in MY purse with me. Don't know what would have happened if I was traveling alone or if it was a Sunday or a bank holiday. Guess they would have kept us hostage till I could come up with the cash. I usually fold a check and put it in my wallet before we go away, but I forgot this time.

 

[phinz]

The regulations are actually different for the alcohol on cruises. Up to 5 liters as long as 1 liter is from the USVI.

https://www.goccl.com/~/media/Files/Irman/bookccl/shipboard_knowledge/dutyfree_purchases.htm

In addition, the $1600 applies to the total, and no more than $800 outside the USVI. So you can spend $1600 in St. Thomas or you can spend up to $800 in Sint Maarten but will be limited to no more than the amount left totaling $1600 once you enter St. Thomas before you'll have to pay duty. Example: $400 ring in Sint Maarten. This leaves you with $1200 to spend in St. Thomas before duty takes effect.

 

[dmar]

Hi, and thank you so much for the info regarding your trip!

We are looking at participating in the Royal Tea for our dd. We were wondering if they offered the Tea each day on the trip or just once on the 7 day cruise. You had mentioned it was on a port day… which port day was it? In addition, how were you able to set up reservations… did you call ahead of time at dcl, or the day you boarded. I appreciate your help in any way!

Thanks in advance!

 

[KashasMom]

Hi, and thank you so much for the info regarding your trip!

We are looking at participating in the Royal Tea for our dd. We were wondering if they offered the Tea each day on the trip or just once on the 7 day cruise. You had mentioned it was on a port day… which port day was it? In addition, how were you able to set up reservations… did you call ahead of time at dcl, or the day you boarded. I appreciate your help in any way!

Thanks in advance!

We just got off the Fantasy yesterday. It was offered on our Costa Maya day. Any other day and I would have booked it but Costa Maya was the only port we had an excursion already booked. Such a stupid thing on the part of Disney to offer it only once AND on a port day at that!!

 

[WikiWiki]

As to the deck party- on the Wonder it was worthless- it was just the characters doing the limbo and hula hooping. It was on our first port day at 10 in the morning. Bleh.