December 7,2013 Wonder from Galveston

[1stdisneycruiser]

I forget how the dining rotations are assigned, but you can always try to swap the Palo reservations on board, if it turns out to be the wrong night. We're aiming for brunch, ourselves. Dinner was good, but we felt brunch was better. To each their own, though. It's still a good dinner.

For the formal nights, some people did go all out. It's up to you on how formal you want to be, though. I saw tuxes, suits, church dress, and polo/khaki combos from people. (And, no, I wasn't one of the khaki polo combos....for once. ) I didn't notice anyone giving horrible looks to those who were dressed differently, but I do know there are some very "angry" sounding threads on some of the forums about how people who didn't dress up ruined the cruise for some people. I'm not really on the cruise to ruin others experiences, and I sure don't take a cruise to have others tell me how to live my cruise experience, either. That being said, as long as clothes are worn, you won't be hearing a complaint out of me.

We are so going to dress up! I got a darling white dress on ebay for my little girl that has a red sash and a red flower girl type head piece.

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

So what if we do need to make calls? Maybe every other day, my step son needs to call his mom to say good night did you say it was $10 a minute?

It is something like $7-10 a minute. You can buy wifi time for less and he could email or Skype her. I don't recall the price, but that might work. Also, when cruising past Florida, both east and west, you will get a signal. Likewise, the whole day in Key West you will too. Just some thoughts.

 

[dryvithome]

So what if we do need to make calls? Maybe every other day, my step son needs to call his mom to say good night did you say it was $10 a minute?

You can have international calling turned on for your phone service and it might come out better than that. Here are a few threads on it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2226301

http://ww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2404621
lists AT&Ts rates from 2010. Note that internet is $.02 per Kb, making any internet expensive.

Here is the quote from the DCL page: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/internet-phone-services/

"Cell Phone Services
In addition to dedicated locations where you can take advantage of ship-to-shore calling, Disney Cruise Line features Cellular at Sea phone service—so you can use your own cell phone or wireless PDA just as you would on land. Available from most cell phone carriers including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, this service is currently accessible in staterooms.
Note: Usage rates and international roaming rates vary as you travel. Be sure to contact your cell phone provider to learn these rates before your cruise. Disney Cruise Line recommends that Guests seeking to avoid the unwanted costs associated with data downloads keep their wireless devices turned off during their cruise. "

Regardless, as it was mentioned, Florida Keys is the US and should be free to talk from. While at sea, it can get costly. One of the above threads mentioned renting a phone while abroad, not sure how that works out. Sounds like a prepaid time limit phone for short usage. Otherwise, people can call the ship and say hello, but that could get costly if it goes for a few minutes. Even text messaging without an international plan sounds like it could get costly.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for him.

 

[dryvithome]

Here is a more recent thread on the cellphone usage: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3089268

Still not inexpensive usage onboard. Ports sound like a better opportunity.

 

[dryvithome]

This is from Sprint's international page:

International Roaming in Cruise Ship Roaming
Pricing Information
International Dialing

Voice Pricing: $2.99/minute
Data Pricing: EV Data: $0.004/KB; GPRS Data: $0.020/KB
Text Pricing: Send: $0.50/recipient; Received: $0.15/msg

-----------------------------------------------------------

That sounds steep to me. Granted, better than $10 a minute, but still could get costly. Nothing like receiving 10 texts, a photo message, and trying to call out at the same time to add up the bill.

I'm sure they have an international rate. Most cell companies do. Even with the rate applied, there is still a per minute charge, but check with your carrier to see what it is.

 

[The4Woods]

As far as cellular phone usage... When I worked for AT&T when I left the military, I found many problems with international billing and cruise ship billing. Just as a tip, if you need to use your cell while at sea, instead of just ending the call like normal.... Of course end the call, but also shut down the phone. The wireless company has some sort of clause that says if the tower "ie ship or foreign tower" does not disconnect the call from network, you are liable for the charges. I'd say shut off the phone to ensure a successful disconnect from the network. Just a tip. And remember, AT&T and tmobile, and some Verizon phones will use data at the same time of voice... So be careful.

 

[mamacrumbcake]

If you send a request to join the FB group, please let me know here that you sent a request and please include your first name and last initial. THANKS!!!

I just sent a request to join the FB group. -- Karen N.

 

[mamacrumbcake]

Hello everyone! We just booked this cruise a few weeks ago and are really looking forward to it--especially the Christmas decorations and activities. This will be our third Disney cruise. My husband and I are traveling with our two teenage daughters, ages 13 and 15. Anyone else traveling with teens?

 

[dryvithome]

Hello everyone! We just booked this cruise a few weeks ago and are really looking forward to it--especially the Christmas decorations and activities. This will be our third Disney cruise. My husband and I are traveling with our two teenage daughters, ages 13 and 15. Anyone else traveling with teens?

Welcome aboard! Just approved the FB request. If no one answers up here about teens, you can check the list on the FB group. My wife and I are going without the children for this cruise, so we're not much help on the kids department. (at least not this go around). This is our third Disney cruise as well.

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

You can have international calling turned on for your phone service and it might come out better than that. Here are a few threads on it.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2226301

http://ww.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2404621
lists AT&Ts rates from 2010. Note that internet is $.02 per Kb, making any internet expensive.

Here is the quote from the DCL page: http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/internet-phone-services/

"Cell Phone Services
In addition to dedicated locations where you can take advantage of ship-to-shore calling, Disney Cruise Line features Cellular at Sea phone service—so you can use your own cell phone or wireless PDA just as you would on land. Available from most cell phone carriers including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, this service is currently accessible in staterooms.
Note: Usage rates and international roaming rates vary as you travel. Be sure to contact your cell phone provider to learn these rates before your cruise. Disney Cruise Line recommends that Guests seeking to avoid the unwanted costs associated with data downloads keep their wireless devices turned off during their cruise. "

Regardless, as it was mentioned, Florida Keys is the US and should be free to talk from. While at sea, it can get costly. One of the above threads mentioned renting a phone while abroad, not sure how that works out. Sounds like a prepaid time limit phone for short usage. Otherwise, people can call the ship and say hello, but that could get costly if it goes for a few minutes. Even text messaging without an international plan sounds like it could get costly.

I'm sure you'll be able to find something that works for him.

Thanks for all the info!

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Do they still pass out bandannas for pirate night or did they stop doing that?

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

Do they still pass out bandannas for pirate night or did they stop doing that?

On the Fantasy in March they still did. They were left in your stateroom and not given out in the DRs.

 

[tdbdolphin]

On the Fantasy in March they still did. They were left in your stateroom and not given out in the DRs.

On the Magic in February they were on our plate at dinner on pirate night.

 

[dryvithome]

Do they still pass out bandannas for pirate night or did they stop doing that?

As the others have said, we too had ours that night. I can't remember if it was at dining or in the room, but either way, we had it.

 

[Shartman79]

http://www.catchstitchsweepstakes.com/EnterEmail

It is easy and fun and you are entered to win a 7 day Eastern or Western cruise on the Fantasy(airfare and gratuities included) for each day you enter.

Can't beat that.

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

The kids don't need a passport for this trip right? Our travel agent said we didn't. does anyone know for sure?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

I have another stupid question? I'm bringing 2 pillowcases and also a picture mat to be signed. Can we put it all in one bag with the markers and a treat or does each item need to be put in a separate bag with it's own markers?

 

[1stdisneycruiser]

Does anyone know how much the Disney CD from Shutters is? I heard $399 and $299 and was just wondering if anyone knew what the recent cost was?

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

The kids don't need a passport for this trip right? Our travel agent said we didn't. does anyone know for sure?

It is not required, but recommended. You would not have any problems, unless for some reason you needed to fly out of the Bahamas for an emergency or something. The reason you don't need one is because the trip begins and ends in the USA. But, if you had to shorten your trip in the Bahamas...you would be in a world of trouble...or so I am told.

 

[tdbdolphin]

I have another stupid question? I'm bringing 2 pillowcases and also a picture mat to be signed. Can we put it all in one bag with the markers and a treat or does each item need to be put in a separate bag with it's own markers?

Yes, I got a huge plastic ziplock bag from work and placed everything in it (pillowcase, mat, markets and a bag of candy).