9/27/14, Returning to the Southern Caribbean

[Maji31]

Welcome aboard!

Hi everyone! We just booked yesterday and are excited for our first Disney cruise and first cruise to the Carribbean! Here is some information about us:

1) Number of adults / children in your group: 2 Adults
2) Names of adults in your group: Christie & Steven
3) Ages of children in your party (at your discretion): None
4) General location of where you currently live: Dallas, TX
5) Castaway Club Level: N/A
6) Disney Vacation Club owner?: No

 

[jjrodriguez]

Party of 2 also arriving on Saturday from Philly at 1:20. Feeling "safer" w/ time after multiple checks and also added Disney transfers from airport to ship. Can anyone estimate time needed from airport to ship beside published "20 minute taxi ride"? Why did I read "hours" some place? I chose a 3/3:30 boarding time when they were offered.

From airport to ship should not be more than 20 minutes, easy taxi ride.

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

I booked this cruise on Tuesday for myself, DH, and two DS. Of course, today the price goes down, oh well nothing I can do.

Can some one explain Disney transfers to me? Why are they better than a taxi?? If I book Disney transfer from port to Airport, is it like Magical Express where you have to be 3 hours early? Our flight leaves SJU at 7:55pm, we were hoping to sightsee some that day. If I book Disney transfer do they take care of our luggage? Do we have to claim them when we disembark or do they take them straight to the airport?

Thanks for any help.

We have used Disney transfer multiple times. If you want to do some sight-seeing the day we disembark you should probably just use a taxi service and have the port hold your luggage. I know on disembarkation day anyone who is paying for Disney transfers, has to leave at a set time.

We took a cruise out of Galveston one time and we had a later flight on disembarkation day. Since we booked Disney transfers we had to leave at a set time (I think it was 9am). So we just waited around in the airport for 5 hours.

So I would suggest if you don't have an earlier flight on disembarkation day, don't use Disney transfers and just get a taxi to the airport.

Also, when you disembark the ship you will have to pick up your own luggage and take it through customs and then take them to the bus.

Hope this helps!

 

[MJDisFamCruisers]

GTY room assignments are up!

We got our room assignment too! Really getting excited now!

 

[sdlong329]

Loved the wristbands for room and park access on past 2 trips to WDW May and June. Have they figured out how to use them on the cruises yet?

OMG! We went to WDW last December & January. The wristbands did not work for the first two days. When they finally sync'd up the bands, they forgot to "establish" a credit limit, so my very first attempt to make a purchase ($6) was declined, since I supposedly had exceeded my credit limit. The 1st and 3rd days in the park were horrid, since we did not have anything to use for payment for anything to eat or drink.

The bands do not fit the vast majority of human wrists properly, because of the way they sit on the wrist. Accordingly, they often take several swipes before they can be used to pay for a purchase, gain access to a theme park, obtain a not-so-fastpass, and open the door to your room.

Using these would on a ship would be deplorable, since they will not work while on excursions or in ports (possible exception of Castaway Caye). While onboard, you rarely need any form of payment ... and I'd really hate to be in the hot sun wearing plastic on my wrist.

Steven

 

[sdlong329]

Hoping to pick others' brains about a future 2016 Alaska booking while on board.

We were on the Inaugural Racific REPO Cruise ... B2B to the Maiden Alaska Cruise. No need to think ... just book it! September 2014 sounds like it may be too soon to book a May/June 2016 through Fall 2016 DCL cruise, but definitely book it (whenever possible), whether while on board, or via dummy booking! FWIW, DCL does not tell guests when they are holding a salmon bake on the upper decks, or BBQ at the buffet.



Steven

 

[sdlong329]

Other links seem to be setting up a mixology class session. Enjoyed one on Fantasy cruise...anyone interested?

What other links? Stop by Guest Services when you board the ship ... you can sign up for all alcohol tastings, or merely get a list of the tastings schedule(s). Of course, those who want to board the ship at 9PM may not have the same opportunity, as many of the tastings book up within a few hours, depending on the specific cruise and who is onboard.

Steven

 

[sdlong329]

If you are using Disney transportation to the airport, do you claim your luggage and schlep it through customs, or do they take it directly to the airport?

You personally take your luggage through customs ... this makes it easier for Customs to detain people who are carrying contraband (seriously). If you need assistance with the schlepping, you can ask a porter for assistance, but be prepared to tip them (whether at the airport, or at the pier/terminal) as they are not paid by any airline or cruise line.


Current information suggests a local taxi will be cheaper than DCL transportation. Check information on the first page of this thread (first two posts) for taxi information, as airport taxi's are generally flat rate, while local taxi's are metered.

 

[sdlong329]

The following people have requested permission to join our FB page, however, none of the FB ADMIN's have seen them post an introduction on this thread. If your name appears below, please introduce yourself on this thread (see the first two post on page one) ... otherwise, the FB request will be deleted.

Renee Kurtz-Hubler
Nora Van Demark
Marylee McElvany Lingle - friends with another FB Southern Caribbean cruiser)
Trevor Gallagher - appears to be fairly new to FB
Dione DuBois Colón
Mary Jo Vogel Musial

 

[jaw417]

1) Number of adults / children in your group: 2 adults
2) Names of adults in your group: Janice & John
3) Ages of children in your party (at your discretion): none
4) General location of where you currently live: Queens, New York
5) Castaway Club Level: Silver
6) Disney Vacation Club owner?: I wish

 

[jaw417]

#2

I am new to forum, after sign in, is there a shortcut to get straight to this thread?

 

[jaw417]

#3

My boyfriend and (in our mid 50's) are new to the fish extenders. Do you have to be invited, and how do you do that? Is there an adult-only FE group for this cruise?

 

[jaw417]

#4

Does the group set a price point for FE gifts? Is there an individual cost for each item or a total price?

 

[jaw417]

#5

Has anyone been to these islands before and can I get recommendations on excursions? Also ones not through Disney.

 

[jaw417]

#6

John and I have been one other Disney cruise, the Fantasy, last September 28, 2013.

 

[jaw417]

#7

I have been on the Princess, Royal Caribbean (3x), and Norwegian. John has been on Carnival and Norwegian.

 

[jaw417]

#8

I forgot John was on another Disney cruise. He was the one recommending that we go on the Fantasy last year.

 

[jaw417]

#9

We were looking for a cruise and this cruise came up at a reasonable price and we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Fantasy last year. Looking forward to the Magic trip.

 

[jaw417]

#10

I hope I qualify for Personal Messages now and I get invited to the Facebook page. I am very new at this so will need instructions. haha

 

[jaw417]

Here is a link those participating in Fish Extenders might find helpful. http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3221387

Is it too late to join FE group? Is there a late booker FE group?