Embarkation Day Questions

[YachtDad]

Hi All! Only 12 days left till our cruise, so it is WAY passed time to start obsessing over the smallest details! I appreciate your advice and information in advance, thank you!

1. I've seen many times that folks are advised to bring swimwear in their carry-on. If we were on board early enough and did want to attempt to ride the Aquaduck before the rooms are ready at 1:30ish, I'm not sure where we would go to change clothes. Is there a handy changing room somewhere for this?

2. Is the Sail Away Party usually held just before the actual cast off, or is it held right after as the ship starts making its way down the canal? In other words, if we wanted to get close and in front of the stage so the kids could enjoy the show better (assuming it's not raining) would we then have to miss out on waving at folks on shore from the rail and seeing us move out to sea? If the party is during the actual sailing away, then I'm guessing we would have to watch the party at a distance or on the big screen on deck 12 starboard in order to do both. Does this question make any sense at all?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi All! Only 12 days left till our cruise, so it is WAY passed time to start obsessing over the smallest details! I appreciate your advice and information in advance, thank you!

1. I've seen many times that folks are advised to bring swimwear in their carry-on. If we were on board early enough and did want to attempt to ride the Aquaduck before the rooms are ready at 1:30ish, I'm not sure where we would go to change clothes. Is there a handy changing room somewhere for this?

2. Is the Sail Away Party usually held just before the actual cast off, or is it held right after as the ship starts making its way down the canal? In other words, if we wanted to get close and in front of the stage so the kids could enjoy the show better (assuming it's not raining) would we then have to miss out on waving at folks on shore from the rail and seeing us move out to sea? If the party is during the actual sailing away, then I'm guessing we would have to watch the party at a distance or on the big screen on deck 12 starboard in order to do both. Does this question make any sense at all?

1. No changing rooms. Just public restrooms nearby. Many people just wear their suits under their clothes.

2. Sail Away party has a set time it starts. Sometimes the ship may be delayed departing. Yes, if you're right up front at the stage, you won't be at the rail to wave at people. Not sure what ship you are on, but here's the Dream pool/stage area during sail away (Fantasy would be similar):

 

[YachtDad]

Princess Shmoo - thank you for the terrific info and quick response! We are sailing the Dream on June 1st. Thank you for the photo, I can sort of visualize what we need to do now! It looks like "funnel vision" gives a fine view of the stage no matter where you are, so we could position ourselves on the rail right under the Aquaduck and see the party and wave at folks on shore at the same time. (Maybe with just a little bit of going back and forth though, but no problem.)

As for changing in the public restroom, ugh, but if that's all there is then that's all there is.

Thank You! YachtDad

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

Couldn't you change in the spa locker rooms? At least the adults.

 

[ACQUADUCK]

Hi All! Only 12 days left till our cruise, so it is WAY passed time to start obsessing over the smallest details! I appreciate your advice and information in advance, thank you!

1. I've seen many times that folks are advised to bring swimwear in their carry-on. If we were on board early enough and did want to attempt to ride the Aquaduck before the rooms are ready at 1:30ish, I'm not sure where we would go to change clothes. Is there a handy changing room somewhere for this?

2. Is the Sail Away Party usually held just before the actual cast off, or is it held right after as the ship starts making its way down the canal? In other words, if we wanted to get close and in front of the stage so the kids could enjoy the show better (assuming it's not raining) would we then have to miss out on waving at folks on shore from the rail and seeing us move out to sea? If the party is during the actual sailing away, then I'm guessing we would have to watch the party at a distance or on the big screen on deck 12 starboard in order to do both. Does this question make any sense at all?

With regard to Aquaduck, we boarded quickly, and queued , we had swimwear under our clothes.

We were able to ride 8/10 times quickly, as we went along, the queue increased, then we stopped as the queue length jumped.
Thoose waiting, eating, changing did loose out, note, we did the same pirate night when we spotted it would open in the night, we were waiting in swimwear got some rides in, before others saw it was running.

Best advice, have swimwear with you, on you, or easy change, restrooms are very close, easy to use.

Sailaway typically starts before leaving port, and cruisers queue up from post the muster drill to get the best spaces.

 

[Weedy]

There are restrooms in the terminal (have they finished redoing them??) good place to change while waiting for boarding to begin.
Or
The restrooms by the pool can get crowded...so just go up on down a deck.

 

[phinz]

There are restrooms in the terminal (have they finished redoing them??) good place to change while waiting for boarding to begin.
Or
The restrooms by the pool can get crowded...so just go up on down a deck.

Or go down to the restrooms in The District, which are huge and almost always very clean. That time of day they will be empty too.

 

[DietCokeMommy]

I would wear your bathing suits onto the ship and change later in your rooms once you’re done.