Advice for our first cruise

[daipp]

As you can see from my counter, we are off in a few days, and although we've been to WDW several times, this will be our first cruise.

I'm beginning to think I have overlooked something (what it is I'm not sure!) so are there any tips or information seasoned Disney cruisers from the UK can offer.

By the way, to land at Nassau, we don't need any form of Visa etc. do we?

Also, like the resorts, does the "Wonder" loan towels out to guests. Can you also buy towels with the Cruise Line logo (that's for me !). Whilst docked at CC, can you access the ship? Are the soft-drinks in McDonalds on board free?

I have already trawled the other forums but a UK view would be handy.

Many thanks

David

 

[chunkster20uk]

I will see if I can help.

By the way, to land at Nassau, we don't need any form of Visa etc. do we?

No, just your stateroom key and photo ID (we used Driving License)

Also, like the resorts, does the "Wonder" loan towels out to guests?

Yes, there are towels in your room, towels by the pool, and towels on CC.

Can you also buy towels with the Cruise Line logo (that's for me !)?

I think so, as it was our second cruise we were given a logo towel as part of the Castaway Cay Club.

Whilst docked at CC, can you access the ship?

Yes

Are the soft-drinks in McDonalds on board free?

There is not a McDonalds on board as far as I remember, free soft drinks can be had Deck 9 aft, but don't forget the bar is open and there are cocktails of the day!!


If you are doing the four day cruise, you have to go to Palo for Brunch on your day at sea.

 

[mandymouse]

Hi David

You lucky thing, you will have a fantastic time, I promise

So here goes

1. Have you received your documents yet ? In them, you will have various forms to fill in, including one for debarking at Nassau. When you check in at the DCL terminal, they will keep your passport and give you a copy of it (the copy will be sent to your stateroom) and this will be your ID (it would be useful to have the photo-driving licence ID also, but not essential) as you will need ID to get back on the ship. You will have your passport returned at 6.00am on the morning you return to Port Canaveral when you all have to go to immigration onboard (this is the only downside of the trip). No you don't need a visa.

2. Towels, you can use the towels that are in the cupboards by the pools and yes you can buy the DCL towels onboard.

3. Whilst at CC you can come and go to the ship as you please. The soft drinks are free with meals and there are 'drink stations' on Deck 9 where you can help yourself. You only pay for the soft drinks that are bought at the bars.

4. There isn't a McDonalds onboard (if I read your post right)

Hope this helps, just let me know if you need to know anything else.

mandymouse

 

[UKDEB]

Just a few additional comments:

If you don't have a photo driving licence, they will photocopy your passport for you at check-in (as international passengers they are held by Disney for the duration of the cruise).

DCL logo towels are available in the gift shop onboard and you can also purchase Castaway Cay logo towels on CC itself.

 

[UKDEB]

Looks as though mandymouse and I were posting at the same time.

 

[mandymouse]

Chunkster, the towels are lovely, we had one as our Castaway Club gift along with two Mickey pins. I'm hoping that we get another towel when we go again in May.

mandymouse

 

[pooky_uk]

Hi David!!

Can't give you any advice but I found loads of useful stuff in the cruise forum on here !

We are cruising for the first time on 13th Feb - 4 nights on the wonder YAYAYAY.

When are you cruising?

Hope you have a fab time!!

 

[Celestine]

You can buy DCL towels at the shop on CC, I think mine was $20. Soft drinks, tea, coffee, hot chocolate & occassional pastries are always available on deck 9. Soft drinks free with dinner too. Have a really great time. Having been back for a month, we are definite converts & as you can see have already rebooked!

 

[marv]

HI diapp
I notice you are from britain and was wandering how you went about booking your cruise. I want to book a 3 week stay in a villa in orlando april 2006 and a week cruise on the disney ship but some of the travel brochures only allow you to go on the cruise if you stay in a disney hotel.

Any help and information greatly recieved
Marv

 

[mandymouse]

Hi marv

If it helps I booked my cruise direct through the Disney Cruise website
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/disneycruiseline/index

mandymouse

 

[daipp]

Thank you to everyone so far for their replies;

In answer to some points raised........

For some reason my wife was under the impression that there was a Mc.Donalds on board.

We cruise on Thursday 3-Feb-05.

It was booked through the DVC by using some of our points.

David

 

[UKDEB]

Marv,

We booked our cruise through Dreams Unlimited (the travel agency affiliated with these boards). It was cheaper than booking directly with Disney. We also got the same quote from MouseEarsVacations.

 

[daipp]

Mandymouse

You said "Have you received your documents yet ? In them, you will have various forms to fill in, including one for debarking at Nassau"

What documents? We are using DVC points for the cruise, does it make a difference. All we had from DVC is the usual confirmation.

Can you offer any further information please?

Many thanks

David

 

[mandymouse]

Hi David

As I'm not a DVC member, I am not sure about this. I would suggest that you post this question on the Cruise Line Forum. Usually a few weeks before your cruise you will received a package with a booklet for each member of your family. In the booklet it has details for immigration at the Bahamas, luggage tags and general info about your cruise.

Sorry I can't be more help

mandymouse

 

[UKDEB]

You'll get the documents a couple of weeks beforehand, no matter how you book.

 

[daipp]

Great !!

This has sent my wife off in a panic as we leave the UK on the 30-Jan-05, and cruise on 03-Feb-05 and we haven't received anything yet. As I type she's phoning the States!

David