a few more questions....

[AlwaysMouseTime]

1) What is there to do in Nassau with a 3 year old?
2) If we're staying at WDW beforehand, is it better to take the ME back to the airport and then hop on the shuttle to the cruise? Or is it better to arrange other transport? Or, just take DCL bus right from the resort? I know some ppl have commented in the past that you don't get there until later if you take the bus from the resort. I was hoping to be able to board the ship ASAP.
3) Can you eat supper anywhere but the MDR's? All that was left was late seating, and I'm afraid with a 3yo, that will be awful late for him to eat. Are the other buffet areas open later?
4) What time does the ship begin boarding? I know I've read this in the past, but can't remember where I read it!

Thank you for all your assistance...you're all so helpful. And I'm a control freak who needs to know allllll the details ;-)

 

[ahain]

1. If it was me, I would likely stay on the ship in Nassau and enjoy some pool/splash pad time with my 3yo.
2. I don't have experience with this, so I can't help really. We've only taken Disney Transportation direct from MCO.
3. Ask your TA to put you on a wait list for early seating. If it isn't revised before you board, go directly to guest servicesw when you board and request a change. Chances are that they will be able to accomodate you, although there's no guarantee. But to answer your question, yes there are other places besides the MDR that you can eat dinner, including room service.
4. Our experience has been that they begin boarding the ship between 11:30 and noon.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[scootch]

Request to be put on the waitlist, it usually goes through. They don't usually do it until very close to cruise time. If you still don't have it, on the front of the navigator they give you at port, there will be a place you can go and ask for it. Mine have always gone through. Cabanas opens at 6:30pm also except for first and last night with a limited menu.

Can't take the Magical Express back to the airport unless you have a flight. If you want to arrive earlier, rent towncar service would best option.

Nassau, I would likely stay on the ship. Blue Lagoon and Atlantis are both very nice, so if you are not on a budget, then those options are good.

Boarding 11:45 on most of the cruises that I have sailed.

 

[cruisehopeful]

1.) I probably wouldn't take a 3 year old to Nassau, but you can buy day use tickets for the Hilton to use their private beach. There are other resorts there that offer day use passes, too.

2.) I took DCL transport from a Disney resort before and we didn't get to board until after 3:00pm. When we got on the ship, the whole place was a mad house. The bus got to our resort at 12:30pm, took a while to load and then made a couple more stops on the way. If you are going on a short cruise, I suggest finding a different way for transport to try to get more time on the ship.

3.) Buffets aren't normally open the first and last night of the cruise. There are quick service stations around the pool areas for things like sandwiches, hot dogs, pizza, etc. You can also order room service anytime, but that menu is limited.