Fantasy - March 26, 2016 Sailing

[GoofyNewfie]

REALLY helpful -- thanks!! This is ALL new to me, and although I've been reading up, I still feel like there's so much that I'm missing. I think my goal will be to CHILL and just enjoy our first cruise... not super easy for an ultra-planner!!

The awesome thing about a Disney cruise, and particularly one like this that's at least 7 nights is that chilling is exactly what we should be doing. Personally, I feel Disneyworld is more complicated and impactful of something missed or misunderstood. Things are more dedicated to us on the ship. So it's more about the little things that we shouldn't stress over anyways. I certainly wouldn't stress over meals like I do at Disneyworld. There's always lots of easy options.

A couple of the more important things I can point out (I won't use the word "stress" ) is the process of getting on and off the ship.

Getting on the ship:
- expect a fair line up when you get to Port Canaveral (how are you getting there?)
- have your paperwork for a fast checkin. (Have you checked in online yet?) I've rarely been at the desk more than a couple minutes.
- when you get on the ship, it's likely your room won't be ready. So have carryon for those few things you need right away. Bathing suits for example.
- If you want any extra bookings for Palo, Remy, Tastings, etc, there will be places set up to do them.
- you'll likely want to grab lunch before you get your room. The crew will generally sheppard you to the one they want you to use, but there are normally other options.

While on the ship:
- if you haven't memorized the general locations of things from the ship map before getting on the ship, there will generally be lots of maps around. But it's better to have a good idea.
- if you're trying to go back to front, or vice-versa, you can use the cabin floors often much easier than the crowded areas.

Getting off the ship:
- the last night, you will have to have your luggage packed and outside the cabin before a certain time. Maybe 8pm? you'll see lots of tears about that time.
- Remember that you have to keep clothes out for the next day!! Do not pack them, they will be gone. The next morning, if you haven't forgotten, you will be able to admire all the people that like walking around in their pyjamas.
- you have been given a Disney character to indicate what group you will be disembarking with.
- when your group is called and you slowly file off the ship, you'll find your luggage in that same Disney character's area.
- have lots of patience at this time. It's slow and there are lots of people that have no patience.

Hope this helps.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

The awesome thing about a Disney cruise, and particularly one like this that's at least 7 nights is that chilling is exactly what we should be doing. Personally, I feel Disneyworld is more complicated and impactful of something missed or misunderstood. Things are more dedicated to us on the ship. So it's more about the little things that we shouldn't stress over anyways. I certainly wouldn't stress over meals like I do at Disneyworld. There's always lots of easy options.

A couple of the more important things I can point out (I won't use the word "stress" ) is the process of getting on and off the ship.

Getting on the ship:
- expect a fair line up when you get to Port Canaveral (how are you getting there?)
- have your paperwork for a fast checkin. (Have you checked in online yet?) I've rarely been at the desk more than a couple minutes.
- when you get on the ship, it's likely your room won't be ready. So have carryon for those few things you need right away. Bathing suits for example.
- If you want any extra bookings for Palo, Remy, Tastings, etc, there will be places set up to do them.
- you'll likely want to grab lunch before you get your room. The crew will generally sheppard you to the one they want you to use, but there are normally other options.

While on the ship:
- if you haven't memorized the general locations of things from the ship map before getting on the ship, there will generally be lots of maps around. But it's better to have a good idea.
- if you're trying to go back to front, or vice-versa, you can use the cabin floors often much easier than the crowded areas.

Getting off the ship:
- the last night, you will have to have your luggage packed and outside the cabin before a certain time. Maybe 8pm? you'll see lots of tears about that time.
- Remember that you have to keep clothes out for the next day!! Do not pack them, they will be gone. The next morning, if you haven't forgotten, you will be able to admire all the people that like walking around in their pyjamas.
- you have been given a Disney character to indicate what group you will be disembarking with.
- when your group is called and you slowly file off the ship, you'll find your luggage in that same Disney character's area.
- have lots of patience at this time. It's slow and there are lots of people that have no patience.

Hope this helps.

This most DEFINITELY helps -- thank you!! That first day on the ship is what I've been thinking about most over the last couple of days... what might we need to get signed up for, reschedule, and where to do it all.

It always helps me to see the big picture -- get a good visual -- so I went ahead and printed up the Fantasy deck plans on 8 sheets of paper -- effectively made a giant poster! I knew the kids would want to see it as well, and we just surprised them with the news yesterday with a call from Goofy. First thing DS10 asks is "do you have a map of the ship??"

In any case, I think that I am BEGINNING to get a bit of a picture... enough to make it through that first day and then hopefully just move on to the CHILL part...

For me, having a sense of what to expect and some plans for the most important stuff HELPS me to relax for the rest. Type A, maybe??

Thanks again for laying the first/last days out for me -- very helpful!!

 

[GoofyNewfie]

That's an awesome idea. There really isn't all that much to remember really but it saves a lot of time having that fore-knowledge. For me, the thing I recall not easily finding/remembering in my early days were the drink station (always back of the boat, outside) and the movie theatre. And I still always get confused where the rotational restaurants are, but the maps make it simple.

I'm realizing I should do some review as well. I've never been on the Fantasy, but I know it's roughly the same as the others.

Do you know about the Disney Cruise app? It won't actually work until you are on the boat, but once you are, it's awesome. They didn't have it on the first two cruises. It's both a messaging app and a daily planner.

 

[Joel0917]

How many more do you need for the mixology? We did it last cruise and are looking forward to it again.

12-people more to get to 20

 

[karenc15]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to do a call-out for the fish extender exchange. It's a good way to meet some of your fellow cruisers and get some cool little gifts along the trip.

Info is listed in our separate fish extender group:
http://www.disboards.com/threads/disney-fantasy-march-26-2016-fe-group.3443565/

Thanks!
Karen

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Do you know about the Disney Cruise app? It won't actually work until you are on the boat, but once you are, it's awesome. They didn't have it on the first two cruises. It's both a messaging app and a daily planner.

Yes, I have it installed on our phones -- I wish it worked before boarding so that I could explore it!

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Yes, I have it installed on our phones -- I wish it worked before boarding so that I could explore it!

Do explore the app once it starts working. It does more than most people think.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Do explore the app once it starts working. It does more than most people think.

Do you mean once we get onboard? Right now all I can get it to do is a countdown or tell me how to connect once onboard.

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Do you mean once we get onboard? Right now all I can get it to do is a countdown or tell me how to connect once onboard.

Yes, once you get onboard. Possibly when you get really close to the boat too but I've always been too excited getting onboard to try it.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Yes, once you get onboard. Possibly when you get really close to the boat too but I've always been too excited getting onboard to try it.

I will give it a try as soon as possible! Thanks!!

 

[David Ross]

12-people more to get to 20

My wife and I are interested in joining

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Well now. Air Canada cancelled my return flight and moved me to a 7am flight on disembarkation morning. Somehow I didn't think I'd be able to make it....

Just in case you don't do it, I recommend checking on your flights every once in a while. Perhaps it's only Air Canada but I'd say 25% of my cruising flights have been significantly changed from when I booked them. Twice the flight has been cancelled and they put me onto impossible replacements.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Well now. Air Canada cancelled my return flight and moved me to a 7am flight on disembarkation morning. Somehow I didn't think I'd be able to make it....

Just in case you don't do it, I recommend checking on your flights every once in a while. Perhaps it's only Air Canada but I'd say 25% of my cruising flights have been significantly changed from when I booked them. Twice the flight has been cancelled and they put me onto impossible replacements.

Yikes!! I've had flights change by 20min but never cancelled altogether ahead of time!!

I only use AC when I'm visiting family in Montreal, though.

 

[Joel0917]

My wife and I are interested in joining

Ok david I'll out u down. I will need u to private message me your stateroom number when u can

 

[GoofyNewfie]

Who's getting really really excited like we are?

 

[poohs4me]

I am but its coming up soooo quickly. I feel like I lost all track of time

 

[GoofyNewfie]

I am but its coming up soooo quickly. I feel like I lost all track of time

Well, with this being a leap year, you've got a whole extra day to get caught up.

 

[poohs4me]

Well, with this being a leap year, you've got a whole extra day to get caught up.

 

[frenigirl]

Hi-
Is there still space for one more in Mixology? Would love to join in--esp if it's on Monday!

Thanks.

 

[kddlm]

37 more days!!! Starting to come so quick