canadians and cruising

[Islandergal]

Hi everyone I am looking for information from any one who has taken a Disney cruise lately.Specifically, when did your documents arrive,boarding procedures,and anything special I should know.We are taking a short 3 day cruise on dec8/05.prior to this we will be at the AK for two days and have purchased Disney transportation to the port.Thanks for your help.

 

[Canadiancruiser2]

Hi Islandergal,

I haven't cruised lately but I could tell you from our experience back in 2004. Someone could correctly me if they have more currently info. If I remembered correctly, our document arrived 2 or 3 weeks before departure.

Right now DCL is testing a new boarding process where the CM's pass out number when you enter the terminal.....group #1, 2 etc and you board according to the number being called. (This process does not apply if you are booked in Category 1-3. The concierge people get to board first). It used to be that you lined up in front of the mouse ears and were allowed to board at around noon.

I'm not sure if you like to arrive at the DCL terminal early and be the first on the boat. Since DCL bus picks up at the AKL around 12:30pm , you will probably arrive at the terminal around 1:30 to 1:45pm. At that time most people will have been boarded already. We used to have to do the Palo ressie rush when onboard. So when you arrive late, Palo dinner ressies are usually all booked up. But now, you can reserve Palo online.

HTH

Edit to add: don't forget to bring a picture ID as DCL will keep your passports until the end of the cruise. You will need to show ID to get back on the ship if you go ashore at a port.

 

[spsneman]

We did a 3 night 4 day cruise in Nov 2004 and it was an awesome first cruise. We rented a car and drove from Orlando to Port Cavaneral and parked in the lot right at the terminal. We got there at around 10 am, dropped our bags off outside the terminal with handlers and then proceeded thru security and up the escalator where you present your cruise documents. Hubby stood in the boarding line while the kids and I walked around the terminal and watched some tv. They started boarding shortly after 11 and hit for the buffet and ate outside. It was great. Had packed a carry on with kids swim suits so after eating they made use of the Mickey Pool while hubby and I enjoyed a drink on deck and soaked up the sun. Was concerned about motion sickness as I have gotten ill on the ferry from Vancouver to Victoria, but felt fine the entire trip. We enjoyed it so much that we rebooked on board for a 7 night next November. Hopefully the hurricanes decide to tone down next year and let the islands rejuvinate. Our luggage was delivered to our stateroom about 1 pm and we were booked in a catetory 12 but were ungraded to a category 10 split bath stateroom. Didn't sleep very well due to the hydrualic pumps sounding off every 15 mins and after complaining received several sets of ear plugs which really didn't help. But for three nights I lived with it. When we rebooked I voiced my concern and we are now up on deck 7 in a category 10, but no more noise. Yee ha. It was hard getting up on our last day as you have to be at the customs area on the ship by 6 am. That takes a little while and then you are off to breakfast at one of the three main restaurants on board and then its time to exit the ship. We were back in our rental car heading back to Orlando shortly after 9 am... If you have any other questions, ask away...

 

[disney06]

We are going on a disney cruise. On the day we return we have a very late flight. So I was thinking of getting a hotel for the day. We have a 4 and 6 year old. Any ideas of nice hotels that will give a day rate near the port / cocoa beach / near airport or any other place that would be appropriate.

thanks

 

[sandraB]

We are cruising in March 06, and are very excited.

A few questions????

Is it no longer first come, first onboard at the port??? I would think that getting there early makes no difference then. If we land around 12:30-1pm, would most people have already boarded??

I haven't decided when to leave for the port.

We are at Disney for a few days first, and thought we would do a fun breakfast on Saturday before the cruise.

Just trying to figure out the best time to get there.

thanks!!!

Sandi

 

[Scratch42]

We are going on a disney cruise. On the day we return we have a very late flight. So I was thinking of getting a hotel for the day. We have a 4 and 6 year old. Any ideas of nice hotels that will give a day rate near the port / cocoa beach / near airport or any other place that would be appropriate.

thanks

Hi,

I have heard that the Hyatt at the Airport has a special Day Rate for DCL people. They have a pool there as well. Unfortunately do not know what that rate is.

You could also spend the day at DTD.

janet

 

[jeannief]

We did land and sea last February, 4 days at sea and loved it. Hated the 6 am immigration thing on the last day, especially with small kids but they napped on our way back to Orlando. We had thought about doing a day at the beach but had such a nice,full day at CC that decided to do DTD instead since we hadn't had time during our land portion. And we honestly felt better about that since we were so much closer to the airport and didn't have to worry about traffic, etc.
You could also go to Canaveral base for a tour, but it was about $100 US for the 4 of us and we decided to spend the $$ on souveniers at DTD instead.
Enjoy the cruise, it is truly magical. If you are doing land and sea option then you pre-board from AK, but it sounds like you are just doing them separately. We boarded at 3:30 pm and it was too late to really enjoy the day on the boat and the sail away party, since I had to unpack our clothes for early seating dinner. So my advice is to get the clothes unpacked as soon as the bags get to your room and enjoy that sail away party!

 

[Canadiancruiser2]

Is it no longer first come, first onboard at the port??? I would think that getting there early makes no difference then. If we land around 12:30-1pm, would most people have already boarded??

I think it is still first come first board but you don't have to line up anymore. The CM gives out the number according to the time you arrived at the terminal. The earlier the arrival time, the lower the number. Then you wait for your group number to be called.

If you arrived at 12:30-1pm, you may be able to walk up without waiting. Not sure about this though. Just from our experience, we arrived at the terminal at 1:45pm from WDW and there was no more line. Usually, DCL allow people to board after they finish clearing out the ship. Boarding time can be from 11:45am to noon. The process is pretty quick, so a lot of the people who arrived at 10am will already be onboard.

 

[CharlesTD]

We are cruising in Dec 06 3 day cruise and have not heard hide nor hair from them about our travel docs.

 

[Islandergal]

Thank you everyone for all of your responses.It is great to find out that the bus to the port from AK arrives around 12:30 because that will help me plan my morning activities.We are not doing the land and sea, but are just tacking on the two days prior ourselves .So unfortunately I don't think we can do our paper work at the hotel.I thought I heard that there was a seperate check in area for non US citizens.Can anyone tell me about this? Also, my travel agent mentioned that about a month prior I should receive some immigration paper work to fill in.I know its silly but I don't want to phone him and ask because I had to phone him a lot last month about a problem I was having with westjet.I just dont want to be the hellish customer of the month.On the disney cruise line site there is an area that says my documents.When do you pass/fax/mail these in.Wow that was a lot of questions.Sorry all but I am a compulsive planner and like to be prepared. thanks
ps thanks for the info on the second picture ID .

 

[the neighbours]

Hi folks,

This might give you a bit of a reference for receiving documents. We are booked on the Dec 4th Wonder cruise and received the documents for one of our cabins yesterday (Nov. 9th). Hoping the stuff for the other cabin comes this week.

Deanna

 

[Canadiancruiser2]

thanks for the info on the second picture ID .

You're welcome.

I thought I heard that there was a seperate check in area for non US citizens.Can anyone tell me about this?

When you get to the terminal, you'll head up the escalator, to your left is the check-in area. One side is for international passengers, including Canadians and the other side is for US citizens. The CM checks your passports and tickets and then you are ready to line up for boarding.

Also, my travel agent mentioned that about a month prior I should receive some immigration paper work to fill in.

I think we got the immigration document at the same time as our tickets. It comes in a little DCL booklet along with your DCL luggage tags.

Have a great time on your cruise!