A few last minute questions

[mom2aprincenprincess]

Another question.....does anyone recommend bringing extra hangers??? We are a family of five and I'm worried that there won't be enough hangers for all of our hanging clothes. But hangers will take up valuable room in my luggage.

 

[over50visits]

Another question.....does anyone recommend bringing extra hangers??? We are a family of five and I'm worried that there won't be enough hangers for all of our hanging clothes. But hangers will take up valuable room in my luggage.

I wouldn't. Not only are there plenty of hangars, you can ask your room steward for more. They really do take up a lot of luggage space!

 

[over50visits]

I would actually prefer the ship's water for drinking rather than buying bottled water. If the bottled water uses reverse osmosis, that's good enough (meets FDA), but I prefer the flash distillation on cruise ships that produces a purer water. And it tastes great. And it drives me crazy that someone decided we should pay such silly prices for....wait for it...water! We take a water bottle, refill it in the room, and spend the money we saved not paying (!) for water on some cool coffees.

 

[ladypiph]

Another question.....does anyone recommend bringing extra hangers??? We are a family of five and I'm worried that there won't be enough hangers for all of our hanging clothes. But hangers will take up valuable room in my luggage.

I always bring extra hangers but mainly for my DS clothes since he still uses kids clothes hangers. I pack them in his suitcase. And only enough to hang each of his outfits.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

I have spent the entire day packing and only have 3 out of 5 packed!! I think I am WAY over packing. Any suggestions on how to cut back?? I'm packing a day outfit, dinner outfit, several swimsuits, pajamas, shoes, and of course toiletries, makeup, medicine and goodie bags for my kids. This is for 7 days!!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I have spent the entire day packing and only have 3 out of 5 packed!! I think I am WAY over packing. Any suggestions on how to cut back?? I'm packing a day outfit, dinner outfit, several swimsuits, pajamas, shoes, and of course toiletries, makeup, medicine and goodie bags for my kids.

How long is your cruise?

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

How long is your cruise?

7 days!!! And I do plan to wash once, but I love to have options when I dress

 

[PrincessShmoo]

7 days!!!

Well, my experience, you don't need separate day and dinner outfits. Take stuff that can mix and match, no one (except you) will remember that you wore that shirt with your "other" pants earlier in the cruise. I pack 5 shirts, 2 pants/capris/shorts (whatever works for you). Those, coupled with what I wear on embarkation/debarkation day (usually the same thing) are enough for up to 14 days. 2 swimsuits if I plan on water activities, if not only one. one nightgown. Underwear for 7 days.

DH & I travel with 2 suitcases and 2 backpack for all trips over 7 days. That includes the 24 & 29 night cruises/trips we've done.

Of course, I'm a "do a load of laundry once a week" even on trips person.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

7 days!!!

Well, my experience, you don't need separate day and dinner outfits. Take stuff that can mix and match, no one (except you) will remember that you wore that shirt with your "other" pants earlier in the cruise. I pack 5 shirts, 2 pants/capris/shorts (whatever works for you). Those, coupled with what I wear on embarkation/debarkation day (usually the same thing) are enough for up to 14 days. 2 swimsuits if I plan on water activities, if not only one. one nightgown. Underwear for 7 days.

DH & I travel with 2 suitcases and 2 backpack for all trips over 7 days. That includes the 24 & 29 night cruises/trips we've done.

Of course, I'm a "do a load of laundry once a week" even on trips person.

wow!! I would feel like I have nothing! You are obviously an experienced traveler. I'm just one of those people that hates being away from home and wishing that I had packed something else. Know that I definitely need to reconsider what I'm bringing.

 

[bceagle76]

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

we buy a case or two there are 4 of us usually. The case off ship cost like $6 on ship it is $24.

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

How much is it to have wifi on the boat?? Is it totally ridiculous?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

How much is it to have wifi on the boat?? Is it totally ridiculous?

You can find internet access costs here:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/?s=internet&submit=Search

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

You can find internet access costs here:
http://disneycruiselineblog.com/?s=internet&submit=Search

Thanks! Just trying to decide if it's worth packing iPads

 

[Sytrace]

The weather in Bahamas is pretty close to Orlando, but warmer. The water should be a good temperature too.

For a 7 night cruise, I pack 7 bottoms (shorts/capris) 9 tops (2 extra just in case my son decides to be sloppy or be a boy) 4 pair of pajamas, 2 swim suits and 7 undergarments. Depending on excursions planned is the quantity of socks to pack. No need to pack socks for sea days as we are in flip flops or sandals on those days anyway. And Castaway Cay is definitely not a sock place at all, so typically I pack 2 to 3 pairs per person.
Toiletries are packed into 2 separate small toiletry bags (one for my DH and DS and one for me and my DD) These small bags go into the large suitcase that my husband and I share. The kids each have one suitcase that fits everything. Evening clothes are packed for all of us into a hanging bag. And we are not talking gowns and tuxes here...just nice shirts, jackets and long casual dresses with wraps for my daughter and I)
We have one small suitcase that carries shoes. Sneakers, sandals and dress shoes go into this case. (Flip flops go into the day bag with the bathing suits and sunscreen as a carry on)
This means that for a 7 day cruise, we take 4 suitcases and 1 garment bag. I carry on the pool/beach bag, camera bag and my purse which holds all cruise documents and needed items until luggage arrives. I don't do laundry on the cruise as I had a couple of very negative experiences and felt it was a waste of my time and money. I would rather throw it all into a suitcase at the end of the week and deal with it at home when I feel like it.

Do you NEED to bring the Ipads? If so, how many are you talking about? There is really a lot to do on the ship that boredom is rare. And you will probably want to buy the internet packages as well. Kind of pricey. I would leave them home really.

Have a great cruise!

 

[ladypiph]

wow!! I would feel like I have nothing! You are obviously an experienced traveler. I'm just one of those people that hates being away from home and wishing that I had packed something else. Know that I definitely need to reconsider what I'm bringing.

Quick note from a proud over packer .. as far as undergarments go I pack enough for twice the amount of days (so for 7 days I would pack 14) only because I don't put on the same underwear after taking it off and I take at least two showers per day.
I.e. if i go for a mid afternoon swim after I return and get all cleaned up I need a new pair. I do find myself wearing at least two some days three outfits a day, mainly because I dress up for dinner and since I purchase the picture package I like to always be picture ready.

On port days I usually change right after returning to the ship, and then again for dinner.

On embarkation day I wear at least two outfits, one to get on the boat another one for dinner/ pictures. This is pretty much the same for DH and DS who are both very messy individuals and like to eat.

I also pack a empty beach bag for CC day to carry DS sand toys along with sunscreen, snorkel gear, and other beach day essentials.

Shoes, my DH wears a size 13, so i only pack him 1 pair of sneakers 1 pair of dress shoes and a pair of flop flops since his shoes take up so much space, for myself I pack an assortment of flip flops and sandals but only 1 pair of heels for formal nights.

I think everyone needs at least two bathing suits.

And pajamas I pack about three nice pairs for DS since the ships tend to have fun night time things for the kids to do at the clubs. For DH and I maybe two pajama sets and 1 is pretty much a throw away for disembarkation day.
I also learned to only pack full outfits and things that can interchange, not items the MAY go with with something.
And I start packing about three weeks in advance.
Happy planning!!! Enjoy!!!

 

[mom2aprincenprincess]

Ok, I'm on my way!!!! One last question, travel documents are my passports and the packet that I received in the mail from dcl, correct??

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok, I'm on my way!!!! One last question, travel documents are my passports and the packet that I received in the mail from dcl, correct??

Yes.

 

[over50visits]

Ok, I'm on my way!!!! One last question, travel documents are my passports and the packet that I received in the mail from dcl, correct??

No.

What Disney is calling "travel documents" these days are the packet you receive in the mail. Your passport isn't part of that term. And receiving the packet is not a requirement to sail (read on...)

Just to put your mind at ease, all you really, formally need to bring to the port to get on the ship is your passport/birth certificate and government ID and a payment method (credit card or cash). Show up at the port with those and you will board and have a great time.

Two areas, though, make your life easier:

First is the packet you will get in the mail (have faith, you'll get it) is what Disney calls "travel documents" and is a booklet that brings together a lot of good information in one place. Your itinerary, your luggage tags (if you forget them they have them at the port, so that's not a worry), information about ship activitie, any excursions you booked as of when it is printed, phone numbers, etc. It's a fun personalized publication, but too bad they use the term "document" to imply it is some formal paperwork you need.

The second area is online check-in. You get to fill out a lot of information, saving time doing it at the port, you can make excursion reservations (again saving time doing that onboard the ship), and you can print out a payment signature form and bring it to the port with you. Doing all this is pretty easy, saves you time at the port and onboard, and I believe just about everyone does it. But once again, it is not a requirement, you can do all this at the port.

 

[codex57]

Ha, I'm worried. I travel next week and have yet to receive my documents. Schmoo (who I totally trust) and others have already told me I can still board without, but it still makes me nervous. Like what if the computers get a glitch and they can't pull up my reservation. I'll have no "proof". I know, paranoid.

Anyways, I totally agree with not having day and night outfits to a degree. Well, it's more about mixing and matching and versatility of clothing. If it's a tropical destination, I'm generally in swimwear that can pass as "regular" clothing. Board shorts with pockets, etc. As long as I'm not wet, I haven't had a problem. However, that usually means I do have to change out of my rash guard to a regular t-shirt to eat in a dining room. I usually bring one pair of khakis to use just for night, and a collared shirt or two. Yes, I reuse, mix and match, and have never done laundry on a ship. I only bring one suit. Sometimes I'll bring two dress shirts. Sometimes, it'll just be a plain white one and two different ties. Shoes are also one thing I try to limit as much as possible. DW and I only bring one pair of dress shoes, which we pack, along with one pair of sandals. We wear tennis shoes on the plane because sandals take up less room in the luggage. And I still think that's way more luggage than lots of other frequent cruisers, but that's just cuz I like formal nights and the other formal aspects of cruising. I avoid the buffet as much as possible.

 

[over50visits]

Ha, I'm worried. I travel next week and have yet to receive my documents. Others have already told me I can still board without, but it still makes me nervous. Like what if the computers get a glitch and they can't pull up my reservation. I'll have no "proof". I know, paranoid..

Have faith, you can board without receiving that packet from Disney. It contains no tickets, boarding passes, receipts, or anything like that. If you are worried (and understandably so) just call DCL to confirm your reservation and if you don't know it get your reservation number and cabin assignment.

No one on DIS can speak for Disney (some try to), but at least I'm speaking from personal experience. I have never used a single thing from that packet to check in, identify myself, or board the ship. I have used the luggage tags that are included when I drop off bags, but the porters who take your bags have always had a pocketful of spare tags, they will just need to know your cabin number.

I understand your nervousness, this is a big event. All will be much better when you walk onboard and they announce your name. And that will happen!