February 9, 2012 3 Night Bahamian Dream Cruise

[Silverfox97]

There seem to be a lot of cruise veterans here- so if you have any insight I would love to hear from you.
I need packing help. It looks like during our visit, Orlando is going to have daytime temperature highs ranging from 60 to the low 80's; Some evenings have a low in the 40's. So, how do I pack for such a broad spectrum of weather, plus fit in the cruise stuff (FE gifts, Pirate Gear, Dressy night clothes, etc) without taking a ton of bags. Right now it seems like we will have a suit case for each person and another suitcase with all the extra cruise stuff- that is SIX bags and seems outrageous to me!
We will be in the Cabins at FW for 5 days before the cruise and then back at Beach Club for 2 days after-my kids are young and very messy, they often go through two outfits a day at home. I am not opposed to doing a load of laundry or two- I do not want to spend my vacation in the laundry room. Suggestions?

I am a proponent for laundry. When we go on 5 or 7 night cruises, we do laundry because I don't want to do it when I get home - I would much rather do it before and take home clean clothes. So, I say pack lighter and then do laundry before the cruise. It's laundromat-style, so you won't spend that much time in there When we lived in Ohio and vacationed in Florida, my Mom always took a couple hours during pool time to toss in the laundry.

Also, remember that 80 in Florida now is different than summer 80. Virtually no humidity, and once the sun sets, it's chilly. Also, it is FREEZING in the dining rooms of the ships.

We were just at Animal Kingdom on Thursday afternoon for a few hours. The wind made it seem chillier than the 78 it was. (That's the low-to-no humidity we have) Once we got to Downtown Disney for dinner and the sun went down, it was downright cold....

 

[brackjr]

As a Floridian I would suggest some shorts for the daytime, pants for the evening and a light jacket or hoody for when the sun goes down. If you do not live here then it will seem warm to you unless you are really cold natured.

Do not over think this and end up packing too much!

 

[grayson02]

Hi! I know I may be too late in responding, but my daughter, Eve, will be cruising as an only child. She is in the fourth grade and is usually very social, but was a little timid going into the programs on our last cruise. I am sure she would love to meet your daughter if there is any kind of meet and greet. I have heard that the kids clubs are divided by age, so maybe it would be helpful for your daugter also. We live in Jasper , Alabama and are flying in on Wed. night. I am a speech/language pathologist and work in the school that she attends. We are both "playing hookie" for a few days. Our cruise is getting really close and we are so excited. I hope you guys have a good week ahead, the countdown is on : ) !!

 

[grayson02]

Sorry, I thought I was sending some type of private message! This was intended for the two passengers that were interested in having our daughters meet. I am new to this.

 

[Silverfox97]

Sorry, I thought I was sending some type of private message! This was intended for the two passengers that were interested in having our daughters meet. I am new to this.

You need to have 10 posts before you can send a private message.

 

[Hygiene99]

We are planning a very similar trip - ssr before and bcv after. I decided to rent a car because I like having control over when we arrive at Port etc. Will you park in the lot at the port? Is that fairly easy? I think the check-in is open at 10:30am - is that right? I am thinking of upgrading at the port so want to get there early. Is the parking open early in the day (I would think so)? Anyone have a coupon for parking at the port? TIA and sorry for so many questions!

We, drop car off at Avis! we do not park the rental while on cruise, we return it! then avis shuttle will take you to the ship and will be waiting to take you to rental counter to rent another car.
Port opens sometime around 10...

What rental company are you using! ?
Several, not just avis will do this!


Ok, so we are flying in night of the 8th arrive at 9PM ...

So my rental looks like this ........................

Pick-up Information
Wednesday, February 08, 2012 @ 08:30 PM
Orlando Intl Airport, Orlando, MCO
1 Airport Blvd, Orlando, MCO FL US

Return Information
Thursday, February 09, 2012 @ 12:00 PM
Avis - Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, P3F
6650 North Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, P3F FL US


Why pay for rental car and parking when you don't need to ?
This code with Avis got us a car for about 30 bucks, S767700


THEN THIS........

Pick-up Information
Sunday, February 12, 2012 @ 08:00 AM
Avis - Port Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, P3F
6650 North Atlantic Ave, Cape Canaveral, P3F FL US

Return Information
Monday, February 13, 2012 @ 05:00 PM
Orlando Intl Airport, Orlando, MCO
See Airport Map
1 Airport Blvd, Orlando, MCO FL US


Sign up for there fast break program, they hand you keys and go! avoiding line of people renting after you get off the ship! just walk to counter and tell them fast break.!


Use the money saved on car to pay for upgrade!
Right now there are these cat 4A rooms available.
What are you in? THESE ROOMS ARE GREAT. big shower. big feeling in general.

9612
9614
9622
9626
9628
9630
9632

and these 2 in concierge OOT , one we hope to get! LOL
but will be happy with 4A
11020
12524


We are BLT & BWV.

One other thing, less than 75 miles for the rental period and you do not have to stop and refill the tank!
over that you do!

 

[Hygiene99]

Sorry, I thought I was sending some type of private message! This was intended for the two passengers that were interested in having our daughters meet. I am new to this.

you will not be allowed to send private messages until you reach 12 posts!
or maybe it is 10! ?

 

[DutchsMommy]

Hygiene 99 - we went with budget. I know we can do the drop off at Cape Canaveral but selfishly I like to control when I get there and leave when I want as opposed to having to return it and wait for a shuttle (if it gets busy). I'm kinda eyeballing those concierge rooms too - so want to get into the Port early and see if I can snag one - hoping price diff is not too huge.

We did GTY (the veranda guarantee - cant remember the right name) because it was the cheapest when we booked (we booked late, just a few weeks ago). We ended up in a 5A I think which is pretty cool.

We`re landing Feb 8 at MCO around 9am, so planning on heading to MK for the day (we have APs) and then heading to SSR for our 1 night stay.

On the way back we`ll check in at BCV and then head over to Epcot for the day. We fly out on the 13th around 11am.

Grayson02 - my DS is turning 10 (actually while on the cruise) and in Gr 4 as well. Not sure if your DD thinks boys are `yuck` but I`d have no problem introducing the 2 of them if you are interested.

 

[MISSREBECCA76]

Thanks for all the insight on the packing questions- I loathe the thought of doing laundry- but I have resigned myself to the fact that i will be doing at least a load or two of the basics.
We are shipping all the FE stuff to ourselves at the resort so I do not have to make room for it in the bags. We will probably only have one or two suitcases total on the cruise- we will consolidate and leave the rest in the trunk of the rental car. Although I keep having a reoccurring nightmare about my DH leaving the wrong bags in the car and bringing only bags full of dirty socks and undies.

I cannot believe how close it is now- my husband is in the air somewhere between here and Kuwait as we speak, he will be home in the next 72 hours- after 9 months apart it felt like this day was never coming!! We leave for our trip Friday night, it is going to be the stuff dreams are made of!

 

[mommy2tati]

10 days until the cruise! I'm so sick today but still at work . I'm glad it happened this week and not next week though. I have to start pulling out the warmer clothes this weekend to start packing.


I hope everyone has a great week!

 

[Hygiene99]

Hygiene 99 - we went with budget. I know we can do the drop off at Cape Canaveral but selfishly I like to control when I get there and leave when I want as opposed to having to return it and wait for a shuttle (if it gets busy). I'm kinda eyeballing those concierge rooms too - so want to get into the Port early and see if I can snag one - hoping price diff is not too huge.

We did GTY (the veranda guarantee - cant remember the right name) because it was the cheapest when we booked (we booked late, just a few weeks ago). We ended up in a 5A I think which is pretty cool.

We`re landing Feb 8 at MCO around 9am, so planning on heading to MK for the day (we have APs) and then heading to SSR for our 1 night stay.

On the way back we`ll check in at BCV and then head over to Epcot for the day. We fly out on the 13th around 11am.

Grayson02 - my DS is turning 10 (actually while on the cruise) and in Gr 4 as well. Not sure if your DD thinks boys are `yuck` but I`d have no problem introducing the 2 of them if you are interested.

Would still be less to take a taxi over, and get vehicle... than pay for vehicle and parking for entire cruise time. money could then be used to get my concierge room on the ship!!!
LOL

We are condo shopping on the day we return from the cruise! for a bit then hitting the parks! we leave the 13th late at night..

 

[Silverfox97]

Port opens sometime around 10...

Not any more it doesn't. For the Magic, the parking lot was open when we got there and they let us in the port at 10:30am on the nose. We were one of the 1st families in (like family #3)!!! For the Dream, the parking lot opens at 10:45am and the port at 11am.

 

[ssanders79]

For those participating in the Fish Extender Exchange please check the FE List to make sure everything is up to date and accurate. If anyone gets upgraded at the port leave me a note at my stateroom or call the wave phone.

 

[mommyof3boyz]

So far the weather is looking good for all of us!! Hope that it stays that way. I can handle 80 during the day and 60's in the evening. Now I can start packing!

 

[familyfundisneyway]

woo hoo! Nice weather and hopefully calm sea.My stomach does flip flops when someone at work asks me when I'm leaving and I say next week

 

[travelbug24]

I'm going with my cousin-in-law who is also my co-worker. My fellow co-workers told us to stop talking about our trip because they are sick of hearing about it.. We have toned it down and whenever we see each other we don't see a word - just do a happy dance.

 

[wink13]

So far the weather is looking good for all of us!! Hope that it stays that way. I can handle 80 during the day and 60's in the evening. Now I can start packing!

 

[Hygiene99]

This cruise no longer is on the DCL site!

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s5

 

[wink13]

This cruise no longer is on the DCL site!

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/reservations/customize?execution=e1s5

I was checking the same thing today and could find our cruise. I tried 4 and 3 people but not luck.

There may be upgrade for last minute cancellations but I don't think there will be a lot.

We're happy with what we have but it's nice to have options.

 

[ssanders79]

cruise lines are required to submit the ships manifest to homeland security some days prior to sailing. DCL could have a cut off date to accommodate this requirement.