9/28/13. Disney Wonder 7 night Bahamian out of Galveston.

[spacejen18]

I received some additional tips from Mickey's (Seeing Eye Dog's) owner and wanted to share with our FE Group (Group B). Mickey (the dog) likes squeeky toys, balls and nylabones. If you want to give a food treat, Mickey loves food treats made for 4 legged friends in the good old USA. As you may have heard in the news, there have been lots of issues with dog treats and rawhide from China. Hope that helps.

Lastly, if you are wondering why I'm replying instead of Mickey's owner--Mickey's owner is getting married on this cruise and thought they would be too busy preparing for that grand event and not have adequate time to prepare for the FE program. However, they really thought it sounded great and wanted to be a part of it. Since we are joining them to celebrate their big day, we offered to help coordinate the participation in the FE program on their behalf.

 

[Aggiegrl]

I received some additional tips from Mickey's (Seeing Eye Dog's) owner and wanted to share with our FE Group (Group B). Mickey (the dog) likes squeeky toys, balls and nylabones. If you want to give a food treat, Mickey loves food treats made for 4 legged friends in the good old USA. As you may have heard in the news, there have been lots of issues with dog treats and rawhide from China. Hope that helps.

Thanks, great info!

We also avoid rawhides from China. For anyone interested, Target offers their Boots and Barkley brand chews in an American version (blue tag) at a "comparable to Chinese" price point. That's what our dog Molly gets. They are on sale right now too.

 

[Dumbo Girl]

We are first time cruisers and so I will probably asking a lot of questions.
We were thinking of doing the FE. I had two questions:
1. Do we do one set of gifts for each room for the entire cruise? And, then just randomly leave them at each room throughout the cruise or do we deliver to all the rooms on the same day?
2. We have two rooms, my daughter and mom in one, and hubby and me in another. Neither my mom and or hubby are really interested in the FE but my daughter and I think it would be fun. Can we sign up both rooms and only fill out information for the people who would appreciate being involved?
Thanks!

 

[Aggiegrl]

We are first time cruisers and so I will probably asking a lot of questions.
We were thinking of doing the FE. I had two questions:
1. Do we do one set of gifts for each room for the entire cruise? And, then just randomly leave them at each room throughout the cruise or do we deliver to all the rooms on the same day?
2. We have two rooms, my daughter and mom in one, and hubby and me in another. Neither my mom and or hubby are really interested in the FE but my daughter and I think it would be fun. Can we sign up both rooms and only fill out information for the people who would appreciate being involved?
Thanks!

1. Yes, one gift for each room for the entire cruise. You could deliver them all the same day (I do), or split them up and deliver them on different days. Whatever works for you.

2. You certainly can just sign up you and your daughter. I would pick one cabin to sign up and have both people's gifts delivered there. That way, you only need to hang up one fish extender.

 

[Lindsey2065]

Hi EVERYONE!!! Is it too late to do Fish extender???? I just got back yesterday from the Eastern Carribean on the Fantasy and we booked Galveston while we were onboard. It will be me Lindsey, my DH Travis and my 3 year old twins Harper(girl) and Owen (boy). Thank you!!!!!

 

[Dumbo Girl]

Hi! Since this is our first cruise, I have been trying to read up on cruising and I am really confused about whether we need passports or not. Half of what I have read says we need them and half says not to bother for this kind of cruise. Our travel agent said she would not get them since we will not be cruising on a regular basis.
I get that if there is an emergency or we miss a flight or the boat that it will be a pain if we don't have them. But taking that into account do we need them just to cruise, go on shore excursions, etc.?
And if we don't have passports, do we just need birth certificates and drivers licenses? Does my DD who will be 12 need a photo ID?
Thanks!

 

[ChloroFiend]

You do not need passports, no.

You will need original/certified state-issued birth certificates (the kind with the embossed/raised seal) as well as photo ID for anyone over 16.

I personally won't leave the country in any manner without a passport. Everyone is free to make their own decision as to what is best for them.

Also...I see you're from Iowa. I went to ISU, my wife went to....that other school.

 

[Aggiegrl]

You do not need passports, no.

You will need original/certified state-issued birth certificates (the kind with the embossed/raised seal) as well as photo ID for anyone over 16.

I personally won't leave the country in any manner without a passport. Everyone is free to make their own decision as to what is best for them.

Also...I see you're from Iowa. I went to ISU, my wife went to....that other school.

I'll add to this, if you plan on traveling on birth certificates make sure you have all the necessary documentation for obtaining a passport with you just in case. Its a good idea just to look over the passport requirements in advance and be prepared.

For minors, make sure you know their SS#. If your DD's birth certificate lists anyone other than the two parents traveling, you need other documentation establishing relationship (court document, adoption decree, etc.).

 

[pllanez12]

Hi! Since this is our first cruise, I have been trying to read up on cruising and I am really confused about whether we need passports or not. Half of what I have read says we need them and half says not to bother for this kind of cruise. Our travel agent said she would not get them since we will not be cruising on a regular basis.
I get that if there is an emergency or we miss a flight or the boat that it will be a pain if we don't have them. But taking that into account do we need them just to cruise, go on shore excursions, etc.?
And if we don't have passports, do we just need birth certificates and drivers licenses? Does my DD who will be 12 need a photo ID?
Thanks!

This is our first cruise and we've never traveled outside of the country. I myself, better safe than sorry, we've decided to get passports just in case for an emergency or whatever. We're a family of 4 they were a bit expensive. We may take another cruise in the future and if we do we'll be more prepared. I myself did it for peace of mind.

 

[sullins5]

Hi! Since this is our first cruise, I have been trying to read up on cruising and I am really confused about whether we need passports or not. Half of what I have read says we need them and half says not to bother for this kind of cruise. Our travel agent said she would not get them since we will not be cruising on a regular basis.
Thanks!

We took our first cruise 2 years ago, with our then 11dd. We DID get her a passport, and also had her a 'non' official ID that matched from Walgreens, or a Kid's ID, I think. I will say this...It gave us GREAT peace of mind, that in the case of emergency, we were covered. Also? The gate agents at the airports absolutely loved it! One of the TSA agents said "This is great! 2 forms of ID, if everyone were this prepared, we could go quicker"...And remember, they are good for 10 years even though they change alot, so if something comes up and you want to travel? You're good to go!

I myself, better safe than sorry, we've decided to get passports just in case for an emergency or whatever. We're a family of 4 they were a bit expensive. We may take another cruise in the future and if we do we'll be more prepared. I myself did it for peace of mind.

Agree wholeheartedly! I felt like it was better safe than taking a chance! We thought about just birth certificates, but didn't want to chance it.

 

[SeidlFamily3]

Hi! Since this is our first cruise, I have been trying to read up on cruising and I am really confused about whether we need passports or not. Half of what I have read says we need them and half says not to bother for this kind of cruise. Our travel agent said she would not get them since we will not be cruising on a regular basis.
I get that if there is an emergency or we miss a flight or the boat that it will be a pain if we don't have them. But taking that into account do we need them just to cruise, go on shore excursions, etc.?
And if we don't have passports, do we just need birth certificates and drivers licenses? Does my DD who will be 12 need a photo ID?
Thanks!

We bought a passport for my DD. Although its not needed, it was a GREAT piece of mind to have it. We have traveled with just a birth certificate before and it was stressful on us because that was our only copy. It's a good investment in my opinion.

 

[Aggiegrl]

When you come back to Galveston, Customs and Border Patrol usually has two lines, one for passports and one for everyone else. I've sailed from Galveston from both terminals and on three different cruise lines, and every time the passports line is shorter. There will be LOTS of people sailing on a birth certificate on this cruise. You won't be alone by any means, so its up to you to determine your comfort level.

On our February Magic cruise, the only wait we had was getting past all the people with birth certificates that were clogging up the line before the split. Once we made it past them, we walked straight up to an agent. Talking to the people on our cruise afterwards, the difference was about 30 minutes. Maybe that doesn't make it worth it to shell out the money for passports, but it is a nice perk for those of us with them.

 

[ukintheus]

Morning everyone - 94 days to go! Is anyone else waiting on a GTY room assignment? We booked a Navigator's Verandah but with GTY and are keeping our fingers crossed to get what we booked, as we've never been in one of those rooms before.

Also, we had friends who sailed with us on the Magic in April on the 8 night out of Galveston & their children didn't have passports. They didn't have any issues at all. It's all about your own comfort level.

A sea breeze and a Konk cooler would go down pretty well in this wonderful Texas heat right now!.

 

[Folklore]

We are waiting on our room assignment also. We booked a Navigator's Verandah as well. Our TA said she would start calling about 30 days out to get us assigned if we haven't heard before then. I was reading another thread and they were saying it looks like most people are getting their room assignments about 51 days out. I keep checking tho.

Does anyone know if they have Mickey Bars on the ship? It is the one thing my 4 year old keeps asking about.

 

[ChloroFiend]

Does anyone know if they have Mickey Bars on the ship? It is the one thing my 4 year old keeps asking about.

Yes, they do. They're available in the MDRs for dessert as well as free from room service.

 

[ukintheus]

We are waiting on our room assignment also. We booked a Navigator's Verandah as well. Our TA said she would start calling about 30 days out to get us assigned if we haven't heard before then. I was reading another thread and they were saying it looks like most people are getting their room assignments about 51 days out. I keep checking tho.

Does anyone know if they have Mickey Bars on the ship? It is the one thing my 4 year old keeps asking about.

Yes, I'm not expecting to see anything until mid-August at the earliest. It's one more thing to keep the anticipation going.

As previously posted above, yes, Mickey Bars are very much available in all their yumminess....

In the main dining room...


And via room service...

 

[Aeryn76]

This is going to be my very first cruise and I'm very excited!
I am taking my 70 year old dad with me too and it's his first cruise as well. We can't wait till September.

 

[SeidlFamily3]

This is going to be my very first cruise and I'm very excited!
I am taking my 70 year old dad with me too and it's his first cruise as well. We can't wait till September.

Hold on to your mickey ears, you are going to have a blast!

 

[mareed]

I'd be very curious to know how many of the 7A GTY's get upgraded to another verandah category. I'm guessing there will be quite a few, but who knows! Feel free to share if you're booked in 7A GTY and let us know if you're upgraded when you finally get your assignment. I know I'm interested, and I bet some others here would be too!

There's only 30 7A's on the ship, and I know they were showing in GTY status for quite a long time after they'd booked specific rooms. I booked 3 of the specifically assigned 7A's for my group before it went to GTY. I couldn't get rooms really close - not even on the same hallway, so we're scattered on 2 different decks and different sides, but I did snag 2 of the "secret upgrade" ones so was quite thrilled.

My group is all adults (Dad/Stepmom, Brother/Sis-in-Law, & me alone) so the cabin separation instead of being next to each other could be good to allow for a bit more privacy. Dad and brother got the "special" cabins and I got the regular 7A - first ever cruise for all of them, and I was in a special 7A previously with my Mom.

 

[ukintheus]

This is going to be my very first cruise and I'm very excited!
I am taking my 70 year old dad with me too and it's his first cruise as well. We can't wait till September.

You are going to have such a great time! We have taken my Mum (who just turned 85) on two Disney cruises and she has really enjoyed it. There's something for everyone!

I'd be very curious to know how many of the 7A GTY's get upgraded to another verandah category. I'm guessing there will be quite a few, but who knows! Feel free to share if you're booked in 7A GTY and let us know if you're upgraded when you finally get your assignment. I know I'm interested, and I bet some others here would be too!

There's only 30 7A's on the ship, and I know they were showing in GTY status for quite a long time after they'd booked specific rooms. I booked 3 of the specifically assigned 7A's for my group before it went to GTY. I couldn't get rooms really close - not even on the same hallway, so we're scattered on 2 different decks and different sides, but I did snag 2 of the "secret upgrade" ones so was quite thrilled.

My group is all adults (Dad/Stepmom, Brother/Sis-in-Law, & me alone) so the cabin separation instead of being next to each other could be good to allow for a bit more privacy. Dad and brother got the "special" cabins and I got the regular 7A - first ever cruise for all of them, and I was in a special 7A previously with my Mom.

When I get my assignment, I will let you know. I was hoping for a Navigator's Verandah, but I know we will have to take what they give us. The price on them was too good to pass up even as a GTY.