Check in Process for DCL ABDs ...

[disneymath]

So, apparently, those of us who have opted for the DCL Alaska ABD add-on will not be receiving "the big box" or paperwork prior to our cruises. (At least, this is what I've read on other threads.) EDIT: Some June cruisers have reported getting a small package from ABD ... backpacks and a small info packet it seems.

Even still,

Because of that, I was wondering if any of you who have done ABD add-ons can share your boarding experiences, etc. (Do you just board like regular or is there an ABD line or????) We are first time cruisers and ABDers, so it's all very new to us!

Also, on the ABD website it indicates that transfers to and from the airport are included with your ABD ... does this apply to the cruise add-on ones as well?

(I'm thinking I'm going to have to call DCL/ABD, but figured it couldn't hurt to ask here first.)

 

[rav4lcrv]

We did the Med. last year with ABD and we were picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel (we arrived the day before) than picked up from the hotel to the ship, we got our room key and were all checked in at the hotel to board the ship. There was a reception desk for ABD and once on board we stored our luggage with the other host in Studio Sea while we explored. They gave us back packs and had a little snack with wine and talked about the 11 day trip. It would be nice to know if we are getting back packs again so I would know whether to bring 1 or not. We also got a free buffet breakfast the morning of the cruise at the hotel

 

[disneymath]

We did the Med. last year with ABD and we were picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel (we arrived the day before) than picked up from the hotel to the ship, we got our room key and were all checked in at the hotel to board the ship. There was a reception desk for ABD and once on board we stored our luggage with the other host in Studio Sea while we explored. They gave us back packs and had a little snack with wine and talked about the 11 day trip. It would be nice to know if we are getting back packs again so I would know whether to bring 1 or not. We also got a free buffet breakfast the morning of the cruise at the hotel

rav4lvrc ... thanks for sharing your experience ... it was actually your post on the Vancouver info thread that got me to thinking about all of this!

How did you know that ABD was going to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel? Is this something you arranged with them or something that they had planned into the ABD from the get go?

We are arriving in Vancouver a few days before the cruise and are not staying at one of the Disney pre-cruise hotels. Because of this, I'm assuming we will make our own way from the airport to our hotel and from our hotel to the ship. (Although, based on your experience, now I'm wondering if we will need to make our way to one of the pre-Cruise hotels on embarkation day. )

Also, at the end of your cruise, did the ABD arrange your transport to the airport or is this something you did on your own? (We have not purchased DCL transfers, because it will most likely be cheaper and quicker for us to just take a taxi. On the other hand, if the transfer is included as part of the ABD, then we would definitely go that route.)

 

[sayhello]

rav4lvrc ... thanks for sharing your experience ... it was actually your post on the Vancouver info thread that got me to thinking about all of this!

How did you know that ABD was going to pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel? Is this something you arranged with them or something that they had planned into the ABD from the get go?

We are arriving in Vancouver a few days before the cruise and are not staying at one of the Disney pre-cruise hotels. Because of this, I'm assuming we will make our own way from the airport to our hotel and from our hotel to the ship. (Although, based on your experience, now I'm wondering if we will need to make our way to one of the pre-Cruise hotels on embarkation day. )

Also, at the end of your cruise, did the ABD arrange your transport to the airport or is this something you did on your own? (We have not purchased DCL transfers, because it will most likely be cheaper and quicker for us to just take a taxi. On the other hand, if the transfer is included as part of the ABD, then we would definitely go that route.)

If things work the same way they did in Barcelona, then transportation is not included as a part of the ABD add-on. Transfers are purchased through DCL. I believe if you arrange a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay with DCL, then transfers are included. Since you are arriving a few days early, you will need to make your own way to your hotel and to the port (this is true for any ABD, also). No point in going to the DCL hotels if you haven't purchased transfers. That transportation is for people who booked a pre-night hotel room through DCL.

If you want transportation from the port to the airport, you will need to arrange that with DCL.

I'd call DCL (not ABD) to talk about that with them if you want transportation through them.

Obviously, this is based on my experience in the Med last year. Things can always change, so I'd check with DCL.

Sayhello

 

[disneymath]

If things work the same way they did in Barcelona, then transportation is not included as a part of the ABD add-on. Transfers are purchased through DCL. I believe if you arrange a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay with DCL, then transfers are included. Since you are arriving a few days early, you will need to make your own way to your hotel and to the port (this is true for any ABD, also). No point in going to the DCL hotels if you haven't purchased transfers. That transportation is for people who booked a pre-night hotel room through DCL.

If you want transportation from the port to the airport, you will need to arrange that with DCL.

I'd call DCL (not ABD) to talk about that with them if you want transportation through them.

Obviously, this is based on my experience in the Med last year. Things can always change, so I'd check with DCL.

Sayhello

Okay, this makes sense to me ... probably because this is how I just assumed things would be based on the info in the DCL-Alaska ABD brochure.

Thank you!

 

[jilljill]

We did the Med. last year with ABD and we were picked up at the airport and taken to the hotel (we arrived the day before) than picked up from the hotel to the ship, we got our room key and were all checked in at the hotel to board the ship. There was a reception desk for ABD and once on board we stored our luggage with the other host in Studio Sea while we explored. They gave us back packs and had a little snack with wine and talked about the 11 day trip. It would be nice to know if we are getting back packs again so I would know whether to bring 1 or not. We also got a free buffet breakfast the morning of the cruise at the hotel

Did you book your airfare and hotel thru DCL last year?

Were you told when you checked in that you were to go to Studio Sea?

 

[rav4lcrv]

Yes we did book everything through Disney, so maybe we did add transfers when we booked on board. I looked at the break down of the trip that we booked while on the Med. cruise and i do not see an additional fee for transfers. The ABD add on was not available when we booked (it was announced later that this could be an add on)