1st Time Cruiser with a very dumb question...

[dsheehan87]

I have never been on any cruise in my life... We are thinking of taking a Disney Cruise this March.

On the days when the ship docks, or arrives at ports, and the time it is docked there is like from 11 AM - 10PM or something, do we have to leave the ship, can we come and go on the ship throughout the day, etc...

My second question is on the last day when it says the ship arrives back at port canaveral at 8:30 am, do we have to get off the ship at that time? Or do you have a time window to get off teh ship?

Thanks!

 

[scrapperjill]

On days when the ship is at a port...you don't have to leave the ship. From the sounds of it...it's one of the best times to be on the ship...pools are less crowded...along with eveything else. If you don't mind me asking...Why would you not want to get off the ship???

And the second question...DCL does want you off the ship as soon as possable on the day you get back to PC. They have to get the ship all cleaned up and ready for the next cruisers to board at noon. So yes you do have to get off SOON after breakfast.

 

[missmulan]

you may come and go as you please on port days if it isn't too inconvenient for you to do so.

as for disembarkation morning, DCL would like to clear the ship, clean and prepare for the next sailing.

 

[faireygod mother]

We have to diembake the ship today by 9am. We just pulled into port and we have early seating so breakfast is at 645. Late seating is at 8am. Once you leave your cabin you cannot return. If would rather you can have breakfast on deck 9 buffet (Topsiders or Beachblanket buffet depending on the ship you are on)

 

[LuvThatMouse]

Jumping in here...The reason we might not get off the ship is that we've heard Nassau is pretty dirty and unless you want to go to the straw market, which burned down last fall I heard, there isn't much to do in the town itself. As for the excursions, there aren't many that a 4 year old can participate in, except maybe the dolphin encounter. Atlantis is just a big hotel. Been there done that. I've heard that it is nice to stay on the ship and sort of have the ship to yourselves.

 

[mmouse37]

They have replaced the outdoor straw market with a building that has about 20 or vendors....it is interesting to see though can be done in very little time. there is also a shopping district a short walk from the ship.

We did the Blue Lagoon excursion once and it was very nice!!! Not sure what the age limits are.

But, back to your original question....each port has a different time that the ship is in port. In Nassau, we arrived at 8:00 am and sailed again at 7:30 pm...other times it is in port until 10:30 pm. At Castaway Cay you arrive at the island before 9:00 am and the ship sails again at 5:00 ish.

On the 7 day cruises, the port times are different for each stop, but if you look at DCL's website it will show the times the ship is in port. All stops give you pretty much a full day to explore each spot.....or stay onboard!!

You may come and go as you please at each stop once the ship gives the all clear. You need to take your Key To The World Card (ship id/charge card/room key all rolled into one) and a photo I.D. to get on and off the ship at each place if you are over 18. Under 18 all you need is the KTTWC.


MJ

 

[scrapperjill]

From the sounds of it alot of people choose to stay on the ship when it's docked at Nassau...Not saying that the ship is packed because no one wants to get off...just that there are more people deciding to say aboard in general. I understand about there not being a lot of excursions to take a young child on...at least from Disney's list...I noticed the age limits they placed on alot if not most of what they have to pick from... As another poster alreaded noted they did rebuild the straw market...when we were there in September...they had a temp location with ALOT of vendors. It was sort of a make-shift market...made up with blue tarps and beams...I know they were planning on rebuilding the market in the old location...but I'm not sure if it's been completed yet....what ever..there were quite a few more vendors than just 20...it really went a ways back. From the sounds of it Cable beach is also a nice area to go...for a nice beach day. As for Atlantis...it's more than a big hotel...with it's own water park, lagoons, pools, private beaches, and aquarium...but a young child wouldn't be able to get much use out of it. Lunch at the Hard Rock cafe or some other restraunt is also nice....just to get off the ship for a short bit.
But on the other hand...from what I've heard the ship is a great place to be when it's at port...becuase most of the passangers get off....so you have so much to yourself.

 

[jlowejd5]

I'm all in favor of just hanging out on the ship that day. We've done all of Nassau the other two times we've been there. The first time (3-day) we did all the markets and stuff (because we had a spa ressie late morning, which kinda crimped how much time we had). Second time, (4-day) we did Atlantis, because we knew we had a day at sea to explore the ship.

Next time (3-day) we'll probably just stay on board and hang out. We're taking a dozen or so people with us, so we won't be hurting for company.