1st time disney cruiser - need help from the veterans!

[badams141]

hi all!

We set sail this Saturday and im so excited! Disney Fantasy for 7 days!
a few things -
-I tried to get princess gathering as soon as i was allowed to book activities - but it was sold out - Will i be able to get tics on board? my 3yo will lose her mind over that. Wasnt many good options for any of the ticketed events since we were given last option to prebook.
-what night is formal night? i cant find a true answer.
- do they offer alcoholic drink packages on board?
- we were told to board at 1pm - that was the aearliest we could choose. from what i have read on the boards - that is really late. Can we board earlier or are they strict on time?
- anyone have any secrets or tips for a first time cruiser?!?!?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE!!!

 

[Gilland18]

I can answer a few of your questions.
- I don't know if they have more tickets but I do know there will be daily opportunities to meet princesses. Always carry a camera because you may meet one in the hallways.
- It used to list formal night on the itinerary where you do on-line check-in.
- There is no drink package for cocktails, etc. there is a wine package and a beer deal.
- 1pm is you Port Arrival Time (PAT). Your boarding number (the order groups board) is linked to your PAT so you will have a higher number but should board well before 1.
Enjoy your cruise!

 

[Marc D]

1) Go to Guest Services ASAP when you get onboard. They'll surely have some tickets available
2) First sea day, which is on the second night of the cruise
3) Yes. All the bar staff will be around on embarkation day inviting you to buy one. THere are multiple options.
4) They are strict about embarkation time. Even if you show up early, you'll be given a boarding party number based on you PAT and won't be allowed onboard before it is called.
5) Go look at past Personal Navigators on disneycruiselineblog.com to get an idea of the daily schedules.

 

[CurtisB]

There are not drink packages like there are on other cruise lines, ie unlimited drinks. You can show up before your PAT, you just may have to sit around a bit after you check in. You will more than likely board before your PAT if you get there early. Boarding usually begins around 11:30 to noon and by 12:30 to 1 it's pretty much open boarding. I wouldn't wait until your PAT to get to the port if you want to get on as soon as you can.

 

[Dug720]

1) Go to Guest Services ASAP when you get onboard. They'll surely have some tickets available
2) First sea day, which is on the second night of the cruise
3) Yes. All the bar staff will be around on embarkation day inviting you to buy one. THere are multiple options.
4) They are strict about embarkation time. Even if you show up early, you'll be given a boarding party number based on you PAT and won't be allowed onboard before it is called.
5) Go look at past Personal Navigators on disneycruiselineblog.com to get an idea of the daily schedules.

Not on Disney. There are not drink packages such as on other lines. They do have a wine package, a beer mug thing, and bottled water. But for cocktails (or non-mug beer or individual glasses of wine) there is NOT any kind of package.

 

[Dug720]

There are not drink packages like there are on other cruise lines, ie unlimited drinks. You can show up before your PAT, you just may have to sit around a bit after you check in. You will more than likely board before your PAT if you get there early. Boarding usually begins around 11:30 to noon and by 12:30 to 1 it's pretty much open boarding. I wouldn't wait until your PAT to get to the port if you want to get on as soon as you can.

You can get there earlier, BUT if the terminal is at capacity you will be asked to wait outside until your PAT or closer to it. AND there is no guarantee that they will give you an earlier boarding number. The boarding number is tied to the PAT, and it is far more common for people who get there earlier than their PAT to receive their original boarding group and watch as people who arrived after them but at their correct PAT go aboard in spite of one or two reports of people being given lower boarding groups.

That said, most people have said that they are in open boarding usually around 12:30 or 12:45.

 

[Marc D]

Not on Disney. There are not drink packages such as on other lines. They do have a wine package, a beer mug thing, and bottled water. But for cocktails (or non-mug beer or individual glasses of wine) there is NOT any kind of package.

I know. The OP was asking about alcoholic drink packages, not cocktail or unlimited packages, and did not make a reference to options offered on other cruise lines. Dine & Wine and the Beer Mug package do fit the category. There are also imported and domestic beer packages.

 

[Dug720]

I know. The OP was asking about alcoholic drink packages, not cocktail or unlimited packages, and did not make a reference to options offered on other cruise lines. Dine & Wine and the Beer Mug package do fit the category.

They said "alcoholic drink packages" and did not specify only wine or beer. Therefore there was no problem with me (and @CurtisB ) stating that there are not packages like on other cruiselines as probably 95% of the time when people ask about "alcoholic drink packages" they are asking about the unlimited things other lines do.

 

[MsElusive]

I am on this cruise as well! Can't wait!

I just wanted to mention that I just did a quick check on the princess gathering online and I saw that there was one time available! I don't know if the time will work for you, but you might want to check it out.

Good luck

 

[Vicki106]

Here's a tip, you might already know, but just in case. . . you will see lots of little girls dressed in princess costumes all over the ship all day, every day. If your little one is going to see that and be upset that she isn't dressed as a princess, you might want to add a dress or three to your luggage. (If you have to purchase a costume on the ship, I think they are hella expensive.)

Have fun!

 

[NS8VN]

I know. The OP was asking about alcoholic drink packages, not cocktail or unlimited packages, and did not make a reference to options offered on other cruise lines. Dine & Wine and the Beer Mug package do fit the category. There are also imported and domestic beer packages.

While you are right, generally "drink package" refers to an unlimited drinks for single price per day package. Given that several popular lines offer such a package it is important to make it clear that Disney does not. To add to your list though there is also Drink of the Day. So while there is no All-You-Can-Drink option, there are plenty of opportunities to save on alcohol.