August 25 2012

[FJS961]

My cruise bug is so infectious.

I have been focusing on future cruises after this one and I decided to book the NCL inter island Hawaii cruise for April 2013. It looks awesome.

I am still waiting to see if I will be able to actually go on my DCL Med cruise for 2013 ... impatiently.

 

[jojojones]

I'm taking my daughter (7 1/2) on our first Disney Cruise together on the Fantasy's August 25th sailing, and then a couple of days at the Beach Club afterwards.

Very excited, since this is the first vacation we've been able to take together since 2009!

Any tips for first time DCL-ers...?

 

[Susiesark]

I'm taking my daughter (7 1/2) on our first Disney Cruise together on the Fantasy's August 25th sailing, and then a couple of days at the Beach Club afterwards.

Very excited, since this is the first vacation we've been able to take together since 2009!

Any tips for first time DCL-ers...?

Welcome! We have some other girls about your daughter's age with us. She'll have a blast!

 

[Disneyholic]

Well, as of last night I am Paid In Full!!!!!! Can't wait til midnight Saturday when I can go online to check-in and book excursions & dinners.

Anyone know if you have to check-in first or can you go right to booking after you sign in? I can't remember. I'm hoping I can go right to booking because I am hoping to get Remy for August 26, the second night of the cruise. Wish me luck!and pixie dust!

 

[JKSWonder]

Well, as of last night I am Paid In Full!!!!!! Can't wait til midnight Saturday when I can go online to check-in and book excursions & dinners.

Anyone know if you have to check-in first or can you go right to booking after you sign in? I can't remember. I'm hoping I can go right to booking because I am hoping to get Remy for August 26, the second night of the cruise. Wish me luck!and pixie dust!

We are paid in full as of yesterday morning! It's a great feeling isnt't it?

Now people, correct me if I'm wrong, but as I now understand the process, you can book dining, excursions etc. at 12:00 a.m. EST, but you can't do online check-in until 3:00 a.m. EST. Seems kind of odd and reversed, but that's what people say the process is on the main board.

 

[dvcdisney]

We are paid in full as of yesterday morning! It's a great feeling isnt't it?

Now people, correct me if I'm wrong, but as I now understand the process, you can book dining, excursions etc. at 12:00 a.m. EST, but you can't do online check-in until 3:00 a.m. EST. Seems kind of odd and reversed, but that's what people say the process is on the main board.

Perhaps it's because a lot of people are more anxious about booking the excursions, Palo, Remy and other activities.

If you are taking DCL transfer to the port, or you don't care what time you get to check in at the port, there's no rush to check in online. Since we are taking the DCL transfer, I will just wait until the morning to do the online check in.

 

[JKSWonder]

Perhaps it's because a lot of people are more anxious about booking the excursions, Palo, Remy and other activities.

If you are taking DCL transfer to the port, or you don't care what time you get to check in at the port, there's no rush to check in online. Since we are taking the DCL transfer, I will just wait until the morning to do the online check in.

That's my plan as well. We are taking Disney transport from Riverside to the Port. So, I'll book my dining, etc. at midnight, go to bed and do the rest in the normal a.m.

 

[Disneyholic]

We are paid in full as of yesterday morning! It's a great feeling isnt't it?

Now people, correct me if I'm wrong, but as I now understand the process, you can book dining, excursions etc. at 12:00 a.m. EST, but you can't do online check-in until 3:00 a.m. EST. Seems kind of odd and reversed, but that's what people say the process is on the main board.

Good to know I don't have to check in first. I was worried it would take too long & I'd miss out on Remy. If I can't get it at 90 days I will try again at 75.

I'm not real worried about early port time. We are leaving to drive down on Thursday after work & have reservations in Jacksonville for Friday night. Then we have about 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive to port in the morning. We may stop somewhere along the way Thursday night, too if we feel we need it. We usually just pull into a secure roadside reststop for a short nap.

 

[JKSWonder]

Good to know I don't have to check in first. I was worried it would take too long & I'd miss out on Remy. If I can't get it at 90 days I will try again at 75.

I'm not real worried about early port time. We are leaving to drive down on Thursday after work & have reservations in Jacksonville for Friday night. Then we have about 2 1/2 to 3 hours drive to port in the morning. We may stop somewhere along the way Thursday night, too if we feel we need it. We usually just pull into a secure roadside reststop for a short nap.

Actually, if you don't get what you are looking for at 90 days out, I would continue checking every day after that....I don't think you have to wait again until the 75 day mark, do you? After all, people may have booked dining at Platinum, Gold and Silver levels and then cancel the cruise after the 90 day mark, but prior to the 75 days (in order to avoid cancellation charges and fees), opening up those dining reservations they may have made for the rest of us.

 

[Disneyholic]

Actually, if you don't get what you are looking for at 90 days out, I would continue checking every day after that....I don't think you have to wait again until the 75 day mark, do you? After all, people may have booked dining at Platinum, Gold and Silver levels and then cancel the cruise after the 90 day mark, but prior to the 75 days (in order to avoid cancellation charges and fees), opening up those dining reservations they may have made for the rest of us.

That's true. Thanks! I didn't think about it that way. Last cruise I didn't pay till the 76 day mark & couldn't get Palo when I tried on my 75 day mark (Even though I was silver CC I didn't have all the cruise money together by 90 days). I kept checking and about a week before the cruise someone on my Meet board said that they noticed Palo had an opening and I went in and jumped on it. I am not even particularly worried about the date or time, although I would like to book it for right on our anniversary. If I can't get it for that day, I will book any day available & keep checking.

 

[JKSWonder]

That's true. Thanks! I didn't think about it that way. Last cruise I didn't pay till the 76 day mark & couldn't get Palo when I tried on my 75 day mark (Even though I was silver CC I didn't have all the cruise money together by 90 days). I kept checking and about a week before the cruise someone on my Meet board said that they noticed Palo had an opening and I went in and jumped on it. I am not even particularly worried about the date or time, although I would like to book it for right on our anniversary. If I can't get it for that day, I will book any day available & keep checking.

We weren't looking for Remy. A Palo dinner would be nice, but since all the MDR restaurants will be new to us, I won't mind if we don't get one.

At least you know I'm one person you won't be competing with at midnight for that particular reservation!

 

[Disneyholic]

We weren't looking for Remy. A Palo dinner would be nice, but since all the MDR restaurants will be new to us, I won't mind if we don't get one.

At least you know I'm one person you won't be competing with at midnight for that particular reservation!

When I was in at AAA last night to pay my travel agent said that he was on a travel agent 3 day cruise on the Fantasy in March. He said the ship is beautiful and a lot of fun and that Remy is larger than he thought it would be. They went to CC, but instead of Nassau they had a sea day.

Remy is the first thing I am going to try to snag as soon as I get online tomorrow night. As far as other excursions, I wouldn't be really upset if I can't get any of them. I can always get off the ship and walk around on my own. The first time we cruised we went to Nassau & just went to the stores around port & the Straw Market. Got more of a taste of the island from that than when we did the Atlantis Dolphin Encounter and tour (although we did enjoy the Dolphins I don't feel the need to do it again.). I can't snorkel & DH can't swim, so that leaves out a lot of the excursions because they include snorkeling. I think I found 8 tours that are fairly cheap and don't involve stuff I can't do because of my heart. Walking around on our own has worked well for us.

 

[JKSWonder]

When I was in at AAA last night to pay my travel agent said that he was on a travel agent 3 day cruise on the Fantasy in March. He said the ship is beautiful and a lot of fun and that Remy is larger than he thought it would be. They went to CC, but instead of Nassau they had a sea day.

Remy is the first thing I am going to try to snag as soon as I get online tomorrow night. As far as other excursions, I wouldn't be really upset if I can't get any of them. I can always get off the ship and walk around on my own. The first time we cruised we went to Nassau & just went to the stores around port & the Straw Market. Got more of a taste of the island from that than when we did the Atlantis Dolphin Encounter and tour (although we did enjoy the Dolphins I don't feel the need to do it again.). I can't snorkel & DH can't swim, so that leaves out a lot of the excursions because they include snorkeling. I think I found 8 tours that are fairly cheap and don't involve stuff I can't do because of my heart. Walking around on our own has worked well for us.

We can't do any super active excursions....my son can't swim and my mom has issues that make her sort of fragile (arthritis, osteoporosis, anemia, etc), so I think it's mostly just the beach and maybe some shopping for us this time around.

 

[suzannecat]

Hi! I completely don't remember this from our previous cruises...does anyone know if the kids clubs open while the boat is in port? Considering a snorkel excursion for hubby and me that our daughter (10) would hate). I was wondering if we're allowed to have them in the kids club if we go off the boat? We're also planning to sign our 14 yr old son up for the teen boat adventure in St Thomas- not sure if we need to stick around the boat to meet up with him when it's done or if he can go into the teen club once back on the boat? Thanks...
--Suzanne

 

[Lynne G]

Hi! I completely don't remember this from our previous cruises...does anyone know if the kids clubs open while the boat is in port? Considering a snorkel excursion for hubby and me that our daughter (10) would hate). I was wondering if we're allowed to have them in the kids club if we go off the boat? We're also planning to sign our 14 yr old son up for the teen boat adventure in St Thomas- not sure if we need to stick around the boat to meet up with him when it's done or if he can go into the teen club once back on the boat? Thanks...
--Suzanne

Don't know the answer, but I would think the clubs would be open when in port. I guess I would only be concerned if they couldn't contact me if I was not on the ship and something happened in the club.

Anyway, welcome! My kids are the same ages and I am sure my son would like to meet a teen like him, my daughter already is exchanging emails with some of the girls that are going on this cruise so she can have some kids she will know. If your daughter would like to email mine, just PM me and I can give you her email address.

We are so ready for our first cruise on DCL.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Hello Everyone,

Just got back from Chicago this afternoon. It was great as usual. That city has lots of wonderful restaurants

Paid off the cruise this afternoon through DU

Now I will have to stay up tomorrow night to see if I can snag a Palo brunch

If not, no worries as our group will be taking DCL Transportation out of MCO so we will board fairly early.

 

[cjnix29]

Hi! I completely don't remember this from our previous cruises...does anyone know if the kids clubs open while the boat is in port? Considering a snorkel excursion for hubby and me that our daughter (10) would hate). I was wondering if we're allowed to have them in the kids club if we go off the boat? We're also planning to sign our 14 yr old son up for the teen boat adventure in St Thomas- not sure if we need to stick around the boat to meet up with him when it's done or if he can go into the teen club once back on the boat? Thanks...
--Suzanne

We are wondering this too. I don't want to leave him in the kids club the whole day, just the couple of hours that we are doing an excursion.

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

We are wondering this too. I don't want to leave him in the kids club the whole day, just the couple of hours that we are doing an excursion.

The clubs will be open on port days. If your older children have cell phones, they work on St. Thomas and this makes it easier to stay in contact with them

Today is 13 Weeks until the cruise

 

[suzannecat]

Hi Lynne...Thanks for the welcome!!! Maybe we can get the kids to meet up at the start of the cruise...I expect mine will do lots of kids club stuff. They seem to love that sort of thing (especially the staying up late without mom and dad part, since we're pretty picky about bedtimes at home).

As for emailiing though, I have to apologize, but we're still keeping this cruise a secret from them. Can't believe I've managed to keep it under wraps over a year so far. Hopefully they don't figure it out until the "day of". Of course they'll suspect a Disney trip at the very least once we board a plane to Orlando, but we have a timeshare there so they may not think "cruise" right away. The plan is to arrive Fri afternoon, have dinner at Boma at Animal Kingdom, really tucker them out so they fall asleep in the car on the way to the hotel and not notice it's a longer ride than usual (since we're staying in Cocoa Beach). Then we'll be right there in the am.

The cell phone idea is great, My4PhillyGirls...thanks! The Screamin' Eagle teen tour is on St Thomas so that works great! We hope to meet up with him after the ride and all walk together to the Paradise Point skyride.

--Suzanne :^)

Don't know the answer, but I would think the clubs would be open when in port. I guess I would only be concerned if they couldn't contact me if I was not on the ship and something happened in the club.

Anyway, welcome! My kids are the same ages and I am sure my son would like to meet a teen like him, my daughter already is exchanging emails with some of the girls that are going on this cruise so she can have some kids she will know. If your daughter would like to email mine, just PM me and I can give you her email address.

We are so ready for our first cruise on DCL.

 

[Pudo]

I'm taking my daughter (7 1/2) on our first Disney Cruise together on the Fantasy's August 25th sailing, and then a couple of days at the Beach Club afterwards.

Very excited, since this is the first vacation we've been able to take together since 2009!

Any tips for first time DCL-ers...?

Welcome aboard. We have a daughter who is 8 there are a few others the same age group. Perhaps joining in the Fish Extender exchange would be a good idea.

I recommend reading the main forum, the FAQs, and ask a lot of questions. Our group is very happy to help.

Kind of curious what part of NJ you are from

Jeff