10/15/2011 - Taking the West by Magic!

[Cayley]

We ran into the same problem when we first cruised and Ryan was 3. We ended up doing the ports on our own (glass bottom boat in Key West, Chakanaab in Cozumel and left the kids on the ship in the clubs to go to Stingray City in Cayman). Until this last cruise, we'd never done a DCL excursion, just gotten off and done our own thing, sometimes that works out better, and it's pretty much always less expensive!

Do you mean you walk off and do a non-Disney excursion last minute? I'm still deciding whether to pre-book a non-Disney excursion or to take pot luck. Are there usually good deals on excursions right off the ship?

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Do you mean you walk off and do a non-Disney excursion last minute? I'm still deciding whether to pre-book a non-Disney excursion or to take pot luck. Are there usually good deals on excursions right off the ship?

Pretty much everything we booked we did before hand through the web. In Key West we booked the glass bottom boat online, we booked a dolphin encounter at Chakanaab online in Cozumel and booked our Stingray City snorkel tour online as well. When we did our 2nd Western, it was a special itinerary with a double dip at Castaway Cay, so we weren't supposed to get Key West, but the winds were bad so we couldn't tender at Grand Cayman and switched to Key West. We didn't do anything in Cozumel on that trip, it was so windy that we just decided to get back on the ship after walking down the quay, and we ended up just walking down Dumont in Key West and hitting the Butterfly museum, and the Southernmost point, then catching a pedi-cab back to the ship.

I've been so bad this trip, I still haven't booked anything for us, but with the scuba stuff I want to do, I'm waiting until the dive show that they have here this weekend.

So, long story short (I know, too late), we usually booked ahead of time, just not through Disney, and even when we didn't, and we just winged it, we still had a good time.

 

[Cayley]

Pretty much everything we booked we did before hand through the web. In Key West we booked the glass bottom boat online, we booked a dolphin encounter at Chakanaab online in Cozumel and booked our Stingray City snorkel tour online as well. When we did our 2nd Western, it was a special itinerary with a double dip at Castaway Cay, so we weren't supposed to get Key West, but the winds were bad so we couldn't tender at Grand Cayman and switched to Key West. We didn't do anything in Cozumel on that trip, it was so windy that we just decided to get back on the ship after walking down the quay, and we ended up just walking down Dumont in Key West and hitting the Butterfly museum, and the Southernmost point, then catching a pedi-cab back to the ship.

I've been so bad this trip, I still haven't booked anything for us, but with the scuba stuff I want to do, I'm waiting until the dive show that they have here this weekend.

So, long story short (I know, too late), we usually booked ahead of time, just not through Disney, and even when we didn't, and we just winged it, we still had a good time.

Thanks for the info. Our last cruise was a 4 night and we went to Nassau. We just walked around a little and, although I liked the straw market, I wished I had seen the sights more - specifically Atlantis. I don't mind a quick walk and back on the ship, but I think at least at one port it would be good to do something a little more exciting. We had some pixie dust on our four night cruise because instead of a day at sea we did two stops at Castaway Cay because they wanted to paint the boat!

 

[Onkel Hans]

After reading the various opinions of my esteemed fellow cruisers, I decided to check the breakdown of when it makes more sense to get the CD vs. just getting photo packages.

I am not sure how recent this data is:

Single Photo Prices

6x8 photos are $9.95 each.
8x10 photos are $19.95 each.
Photo Package Prices

6x8 Photo Packages

10 photos - $84.95 ($15 saving)
15 photos - $119.95 ($30 saving)
20 photos - $149.95 ($50 saving)
30 photos - $219.95 ($80 saving)

8x10 Photo Packages

5 photos - $84.95 ($15 saving)
10 photos - $149.95 ($50 saving)
15 photos - $219.95 ($80 saving)
20 photos - $289.95 ($110 saving)

Mixed Photo Packages

A - $169.95 (save $40)
Any 5 - 6x8 photos & Any 8 - 8x10 photos

B - $239.95 (save $79)
Any 8 - 6x8 photos & Any 12 - 8x10 photos

C - $299.95 (save $119)
Any 12 - 6x8 photos & Any 15 - 8x10 photos

All photo packages are refundable
Photo CD Prices

You can now purchase a CD that contains all photos taken on your cruise.

3-Night Cruise - $249.95

4-Night Cruise - $299.95

7-Night Cruise - $399.95
Photo Cards

40 cards for $39.95
100 cards for $69.95
200 cards for $119.95

Actual card size 4" x 8"
Film Developing & Processing

Don't wait until you get home to see those great pictures! Shutters offers a high quality film and media developing service onboard. Look for the drop-off box in Shutters. Drop off before 11am to get the photos the same day before 5pm.
Costs are around $10 for 24- 4x6 prints, or 40c each.

They can also transfer digital photos to a CD for around $15.
2D Crystals

Engrave your cruise memories on a 2D crystal and receive gifts worth $50 absolutely free!
Only $59.95
Free 8x10 stock photo ($12.50 value)
Free illuminating base ($20 value)
Your portrait free ($20 value)

At the $399 price point, it only makes sense if you have at least 30 pictures that you like--neglecting the cost of turning the images on the CD into pictures. The fact that the CD doesn't have the nice frames also detracts some of the CD's value. But, having the CD means having every possible image, so you will never wish or wonder about the image you didn't have them print up.

I am a bit more on the fence now, since there are just the two of us so there may not be as many photo opportunity to make the CD make sense. Guess we will still wait till Thursday to decide which trigger to pull.

 

[Onkel Hans]

I think we will be getting Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets for after the cruise. Anyone else going the 25th?

 

[momtylerashley]

Now I'm even more confused. What are the Photo cards?

Renee

After reading the various opinions of my esteemed fellow cruisers, I decided to check the breakdown of when it makes more sense to get the CD vs. just getting photo packages.

I am not sure how recent this data is:
At the $399 price point, it only makes sense if you have at least 30 pictures that you like--neglecting the cost of turning the images on the CD into pictures. The fact that the CD doesn't have the nice frames also detracts some of the CD's value. But, having the CD means having every possible image, so you will never wish or wonder about the image you didn't have them print up.

I am a bit more on the fence now, since there are just the two of us so there may not be as many photo opportunity to make the CD make sense. Guess we will still wait till Thursday to decide which trigger to pull.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

I think we will be getting Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets for after the cruise. Anyone else going the 25th?

We're going before the cruise, on the Thursday. We've been to the Very Merry Christmas Party, and it was fun, so figured we'd do this too.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Now I'm even more confused. What are the Photo cards?

Renee

They can do holiday cards with photos on the cruise. So like ones you'd get at Walgreens or online.

 

[dkfajr1]

Thanks Onkel Hans for the picture breakdown. We are on the fence too about getting the CD. I think we'll wait a few days and see how many pics we get and go from there.

I WISH we were going to a party, but neither myself or DH can get any more time off from work right now We usually go to the Halloween party. I keep trying to talk DH into a Christmas party, but so far he keeps telling me no, not this year.

 

[MouseMadness]

I think we will be getting Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets for after the cruise. Anyone else going the 25th?

We're going Thursday the 13th. We're flying home Sunday after the cruise and I'm afraid the kids won't make it if I keep them out late for the party on Saturday night.

 

[MouseMadness]

OK, I'm bummed

We haven't gotten our cruise packet yet! I thought it was because we moved and it was taking longer, but my TA said she changed the address before it went out. I would think I would have it by now anyway, right? Three long years waiting for this cruise and I don't even get to do the happy dance when it comes in the mail! Even worse, the kids have been waiting for it every day too!

So, what's inside that I am missing?

Is there anyone else who's still waiting for theirs to arrive?

 

[Onkel Hans]

OK, I'm bummed

We haven't gotten our cruise packet yet! I thought it was because we moved and it was taking longer, but my TA said she changed the address before it went out. I would think I would have it by now anyway, right? Three long years waiting for this cruise and I don't even get to do the happy dance when it comes in the mail! Even worse, the kids have been waiting for it every day too!

So, what's inside that I am missing?

Is there anyone else who's still waiting for theirs to arrive?

I can't say where, but I remember seeing that documents arrive 20-30 days before sailing. DIS says: "Disney Cruise Line delivers your cruise documents via UPS and they usually arrive 10 – 14 days prior to arrival." Ours came USPS, so I don't know how accurate it is, but it supports you getting your documents later rather than never.

Maybe you will be upgraded?

 

[diznpat]

We don't have our packet either. Unfortunately we fly home on the Saturday we get off the ship.

 

[momtylerashley]

Me too...still waiting. But I did hear yesterday that it should be next week, so I'm hopeful. Not sure what to expect in the packet.

Excited...saw the new Dolphin Tale movie and really want to do something with Dolphins. Anyone recommend anything...non Disney that they booked on line?

Thanks!
Renee

OK, I'm bummed

We haven't gotten our cruise packet yet! I thought it was because we moved and it was taking longer, but my TA said she changed the address before it went out. I would think I would have it by now anyway, right? Three long years waiting for this cruise and I don't even get to do the happy dance when it comes in the mail! Even worse, the kids have been waiting for it every day too!

So, what's inside that I am missing?

Is there anyone else who's still waiting for theirs to arrive?

 

[MouseMadness]

I can't say where, but I remember seeing that documents arrive 20-30 days before sailing. DIS says: "Disney Cruise Line delivers your cruise documents via UPS and they usually arrive 10 – 14 days prior to arrival." Ours came USPS, so I don't know how accurate it is, but it supports you getting your documents later rather than never.

Maybe you will be upgraded?

Thanks for the info. We'll keep waiting and hopefully it will get here! I don't know if it's possible for an upgrade...our TA assigned a room # to us awhile ago. Oh well, I can wish, right?

 

[Onkel Hans]

Me too...still waiting. But I did hear yesterday that it should be next week, so I'm hopeful. Not sure what to expect in the packet.

If you have already done your online check-in, I think it will just be your baggage tags and handy info cards with your itinerary and contact info for the cruise (to give to the poor folks who are staying home watching your cat), along with another description of your trip and some helpful tips.

We are really getting down to the wire...I am starting to get nervous about what I am forgetting to do/bring!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Me too...still waiting. But I did hear yesterday that it should be next week, so I'm hopeful. Not sure what to expect in the packet.

Excited...saw the new Dolphin Tale movie and really want to do something with Dolphins. Anyone recommend anything...non Disney that they booked on line?

Thanks!
Renee

We did the dolphin encounter at Chakanaab when we went (ages ago!). It was good, not great, but good, just remember that they're on "island time" so if you book it, book it earlier in the day. I've heard that they won't book you if you tell them you're from a Disney cruise, so you may just want to say you're staying at a hotel.

As for the packet, here's rundown:

Luggage Tags - They have stateroom numbers on them, but, if you don't get it, not a big deal, the porters will have extras, just know your stateroom number.

Vacation Checklist - Stuff like packing, checkin, etc.

Vacation Overview - Embarkation, so documentation you need (picture ID and certified birth certificate or passport), Reservation information, and any additional information that you've provided, pre-paid tips, transportation, flights if they're purchased through DCL. Itinerary

Extras - Info on the Oboard airline check in, gratuities, ship contact cards

Then a section reminding you to print your cruise docs, the data protection notice, and marketing info.

So, you're not missing anything you need to have with you, even the luggage tags can be gotten at the port. The biggest reminder is to print off your online checking docs and don't forget them! You can re-fill them out at the port, if you forgot, but, it's faster if you have them already done.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

We're going Thursday the 13th. We're flying home Sunday after the cruise and I'm afraid the kids won't make it if I keep them out late for the party on Saturday night.

We are planning on it too, haven't bought the tickets yet, but it's on the itinerary!

 

[jdupuis1977]

Does anyone know which night of the cruise is normally formal night? I was hoping it would fall on my dd's birthday which is day 6!

 

[amazingact21]

Me too...still waiting. But I did hear yesterday that it should be next week, so I'm hopeful. Not sure what to expect in the packet.

Excited...saw the new Dolphin Tale movie and really want to do something with Dolphins. Anyone recommend anything...non Disney that they booked on line?

Thanks!
Renee

We have not received our packets yet, either. We're hoping they'll come sometime this week.

I think we will be getting Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party tickets for after the cruise. Anyone else going the 25th?

Alex and I are going to try and go on the 23rd.