A few last minute questions

[mom2aprincenprincess]

I just have a few last minute questions before my cruise in 3 weeks. (And I may post a few more in this thread as the come to me ) How much cash is needed on a 7 day cruise? I've seen a post somewhere that had a breakdown of how many 1's, 5's, 10's, etc to bring for things like tips off the boat, and other things. I've already entered my CC info on the dcl website to use onboard.
Also, my port arrival time is 2:30. I'm concerned that there will not be and Ana and Elsa meet and greet tickets left at guest services. Are there enough tickets for every passenger?

 

[Smeece]

Following.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I just have a few last minute questions before my cruise in 3 weeks. (And I may post a few more in this thread as the come to me ) How much cash is needed on a 7 day cruise? I've seen a post somewhere that had a breakdown of how many 1's, 5's, 10's, etc to bring for things like tips off the boat, and other things. I've already entered my CC info on the dcl website to use onboard.
Also, my port arrival time is 2:30. I'm concerned that there will not be and Ana and Elsa meet and greet tickets left at guest services. Are there enough tickets for every passenger?

Tips for porters generally run in the $2 per bag range. Depending on how many bags you have will determine what you'd need for that. Tips for excursion guides (if you use them) we generally tip $5 for two of us for a 1/2 day tour, $10 for a full day. That amount depends on whether the guide actually did something beyond the "norm" for the tour and if the tips are split between the guide and driver. Room service onboard is usually $1 an item ordered up to $5 for a full meal.

If possible, I'd suggest you arrive around 12:30. That's the "sweet spot" after Open Boarding in usually called and before the busses start arriving from the resorts. You don't really need to wait until 2:30 to arrive.

 

[DISGRL13]

You really can't use cash for many things on board except tips, so do bring 1 dollar bills for tipping for room service. Other than souvenirs and food you might buy in port there isn't much more. And that amount is up to you. All drinks and activities are charged to your room account.

Not sure how many Ana and Elsa tickets they have. I would think there would be some tickets left just maybe not your first choice of times. Go to the location they are handing them out at as soon as you board. They usually don't start handing them out until noon.

Good luck!

 

[imm93]

Newbie here....so not sure how this works....do people start boarding in the morning hours? then 12:30 is general boarding? we got 2pm slot time so wondering how that goes with general boarding. TIA.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Newbie here....so not sure how this works....do people start boarding in the morning hours? then 12:30 is general boarding? we got 2pm slot time so wondering how that goes with general boarding. TIA.

The port/terminal opens at 10:30. When you arrive, you get into line and check in (much like for a hotel). The boarding number you receive at check in is tied to the Port Arrival Time you selected during your online check in process. You will get the same boarding number regardless of when you actually check in at the port. But, if you arrive early, and the terminal is full, you may be asked to wait until either the terminal has cleared some or your PAT (whichever is first).

Around 11:15-11:30 boarding begins with Concierge guests, followed by Platinum Castaway Club members. Then boarding numbers are announced, roughly every 5-10 minutes, depending on how quickly the line is going. Once the boarding number being announced catches up to the boarding number being issued at check in, Open Boarding is announced. That means anyone holding any boarding number may board. This typically occurs around 12:45-1:00.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

I just have a few last minute questions before my cruise in 3 weeks. (And I may post a few more in this thread as the come to me ) How much cash is needed on a 7 day cruise? I've seen a post somewhere that had a breakdown of how many 1's, 5's, 10's, etc to bring for things like tips off the boat, and other things. I've already entered my CC info on the dcl website to use onboard.
Also, my port arrival time is 2:30. I'm concerned that there will not be and Ana and Elsa meet and greet tickets left at guest services. Are there enough tickets for every passenger?

We were on the Fantasy in January and wanted to get the Anna and Elsa meet & greet tickets, but changed our minds once we boarded as the line to get them was HUGE.
Later on around 3:00 pm I happened to be walking by the port adventures desk where they were handing them out and noticed there was no line up at all.
I stopped by and asked if they had any tickets left and they did! Our time was for 8:30 am the next day.

 

[Flossbolna]

Depending on what your plan is on port days, you might want to bring some cash to use in port as well. For example for taxi fares or tips for guides on excursions. Shopping you would be able to use your credit card, but for small things you might want to have some cash. All the cruise ports I encountered in the Caribbean always were happy to accept US currency in the main tourist areas.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

Do you all recommend lanyards for you KTTW? Also, I've read that shoe holders are not longer aloud, is this true? Another thing, are all the cabin doors metal? I'm planning to put magnets on my door decor.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Do you all recommend lanyards for you KTTW? Also, I've read that shoe holders are not longer aloud, is this true? Another thing, are all the cabin doors metal? I'm planning to put magnets on my door decor.

Over the door organizers are no longer allowed. You can still use organizers as long as it hangs either in the closet or from the various hooks in the room.

All doors are metal. However, on the Dream class, the Concierge doors have a wood veneer that makes the typical "fridge" type magnet (the black rubber-type stuff) not adhere well. You need stronger magnets for Concierge doors.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

What about water bottles??? Are they really worth bringing?

 

[Trera]

What about water bottles??? Are they really worth bringing?

we bring bottles of water because we are particular about the water we drink. Many feel the filtered water on the boat is fine but the convenience of the bottled water is just better for us. We normally pack a rolling suitcase full of water that we carry on to the ship.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

What about water bottles??? Are they really worth bringing?

Do you mean bottled water? As in, already filled bottles? The water onboard the ships is processed the same as most bottled waters (reverse osmosis and filtered).

Or do you mean your personal water bottle? To fill onboard? That's what we do.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

Do you mean bottled water? As in, already filled bottles? The water onboard the ships is processed the same as most bottled waters (reverse osmosis and filtered).

Or do you mean your personal water bottle? To fill onboard? That's what we do.

No, not bottled water.....I've seen posts about bringing refillable water bottles. They say that the cups on board are very small and that you tend to refill very often. It just seems like one more thing to keep up with and to clutter the stateroom.

 

[imm93]

Cups are small so sometimes its nice to have regular size ones....plus paper straws so best to have own.

 

[Plaid Princess]

No, not bottled water.....I've seen posts about bringing refillable water bottles. They say that the cups on board are very small and that you tend to refill very often. It just seems like one more thing to keep up with and to clutter the stateroom.

We do both... we buy a flat of water somewhere near the port and put it in a carry-on, and we also brink reusable cups for soda. The first time I packed them, I thought they might turn out to be a waste of space, but I probably use that cup more than anything else I pack.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

No, not bottled water.....I've seen posts about bringing refillable water bottles. They say that the cups on board are very small and that you tend to refill very often. It just seems like one more thing to keep up with and to clutter the stateroom.

Well, you can fill your water bottle in your room. You don't have to use the drink stations to do so. All the water onboard is processed the same, so it's the same water you get from the drink station as you get from the tap in your room. And the same water used for preparing food, making ice, etc.

If you do fill your reusable bottle/cup at the drink station, you are asked to use one of the cups provided to fill it, not fill directly from the spigot.

I've found our personal water bottles are not that much problem. Since I carry it every day, I'm used to it.

 

[VbChristy]

I boarded this summer at like 2:30 and there were still plenty of A&E tickets.

 

[C6PT7]

If possible, I'd suggest you arrive around 12:30. That's the "sweet spot" after Open Boarding in usually called and before the busses start arriving from the resorts. You don't really need to wait until 2:30 to arrive.

Why would dcl try to spread out cruisers arriving and boarding, giving them open boarding after 12:30 and clearing the pax from the terminal if they did not think that by telling them to arrive after the busses arrive would alleviate that problem?
Why would you go against what dcl advise?

Advice like this can only lead to stricter adherence of PAT's, with people ignoring their instructions for their own benefit, and possibly overcrowding of the terminal ahead of the busses.

Sigh.

Just like the newly revised alcohol policy, and removal of privileges like Mickey Mail.
Just do as you are asked and it will all most likely run smoothly!
Try to cheat the system and get one over on them, and you may cause a problem, and feel the repercussions later on in future cruises when you are subjected to more checks and delays.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

I finally received my Disney visa reward card. Can I load it to my on board account through the website, or do I have to wait to do it when I board on Friday?
Also, I made my door decorations and I hope that the magnets I used will be strong enough. My decor is made from foam paper and I used the magnet that comes in a roll with a sticky back.
Finally, (for now), can the weather in the Bahamas be compared to the weather in Orlando? The forcast shows rain for everyday that we are in a port. I'm hoping that it's just a little rain, like in Orlando where you can expect rain almost everyday.