Cruise Questions

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Hello everyone, and Merry Christmas! I have a few cruise questions for everyone.

Are there hotels near the port? I would like to use Yourride to get to the port, but am unsure of whether to stay at a hotel near the Orlando Airport or near the port the night before the cruise, with a 10PM arrival.

How is the weather in the Bahamas at the end of January? Is it warm?

Are the standard inside staterooms too small for two people? When do I request that the beds be seperated into two twins?

How is the second dining rotation? What about tipping? Any recommendations for food to try?

Also, how do I visit Atlantis while in Nassau?

I'd *LOVE* any tips or suggestions to make a Disney cruise the best!

 

[AnnMorin]

The radisson is right near the port. However if you are arriving at 10pm I would just get a room near the airport (we stayed at Amerisuites last month and that was fine-nice free breakfast) The port is about an hour from MCO so you would not get to your hotel until around 11:30 after getting your luggage etc. Limo services will pick up at hotels and most hotels near the airport have free shuttles to get you to/from airport and hotel. If you use hotwire you can get a great deal. We got Amerisuites for $39.00 plus their $10.00 fee.

I would imagine that you could tell reservations ahead of time if you would like the beds seperated or just call down to housekeeping when you arrive and your stateroom host/hostess will do it quickly.

Tips- I don't know the schedule on the three/four day one, I can just tell you that for the three of us we spent about 450.00 in tips on our seven day one. We did tip considerably over recommended for our stateroom host and we did tip in palo too, but I would guess that if you divided that by seven and then by three and subtract about 100.00 it would give you a rough guestimate per person per day on tips. I am sure someone else can give you the exact recommended amounts.

You can get to Atlantis either by a disney excursion or much cheaper on your own.

Definately go to Palo-the food and service is outstanding.

When we have cruised in December each year the weather has been in the 80's at castaway cay which is in the bahamas, can't help you on Nassau as we have only been there in April.
Ann

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thank you for the response. Is Palo for guests 16 years or older, or is the age older than that? I'd like to try Palo on our "repeat" night. What is the cost to eat there?

 

[AnnMorin]

I don't know if 16 year old's could go to Palo, my impression was that you had to be 18. It was mostly couples the night I went, definately no children allowed. There is nice italian opera music in the background and the atmosphere is very upscale. The cost for dinner is a five dollar per person surcharge, plus of course your alcohol. Tipping is not required but we certainly felt compelled to tip as the service was absolutely outstanding, you felt like this person was here only to cater to you. A definate not miss! On the seven day cruises you can also have brunch and high tea there, not sure about the shorter ones.

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

You need to be 18 to dine at Palo.

 

[mmouse37]

You can check out www.disneycruise.com to find out about the tipping suggetions for the 3 or 4 day cruises.

Second dining rotation is fine. You eat at 8:30 pm. We have had late seating by request on all 6 of our DCL cruises. You have two ways to tip....you can put cash in the envelopes provided or you can go to guest service and put the amount on your charge card and then you will get vouchers to put in the envelopes. The envelopes are traditionally given out at the last dinner. As far as food, I believe Dave has menus at his site at www.dcltribute.com

MJ

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

Thank you for the responses.

I think we decided to stay at the Radisson by the port the night prior to the cruise. With the "cruise package" - the 1BR Suite, is it the suite with two kings and sleeper?

Thanks again!