First cruise questions!

[FrozenFosters]

Hi everyone! Firstly, thank you all for all the information on this site as I feel like I know what I'm doing!
There's just a few things I can't find the answer to and would really appreciate any information anyone could offer!
1. The 'drink of the day' - how much do these cost? (We're trying to budget!)
2. Should I buy a generic autograph book online before we go or can I buy a DCL specific one on board?
3. Can we buy those cool lanyard holders for our key to the world cards on board?
4. Are the photo packages worth buying before we go or should we wait to see how many pictures we actually want to buy? (We weren't actually sure what pictures they take).
5. My daughter turns three the day we disembark (not the best timing!) but we wanted to book Bibbity Bobbity Boutique...we called Disney and they have told us to try and book while we're on board. Anyone have any experience? Are they likely to just say no as she isn't three until the next day?

Thank you in advance, 18 days to go and we can't wait!

 

[85glht]

1. Not sure, don't drink.
2. You can
3. I believe that everyone will get a lanyard when you check it
4. Wait to see a preview of your photos and you can buy what you want on the ship. Trust me, there will be photographers everywhere.... You will think that you are famous and the paparazzi is following you
5. Cannot help you there, sorry



Enjoy your first cruise! It is my favorite way to vacation!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Drink of the day us around $ 5 to $6 per drink. Cocktails can go up to $9

Lanyard holders only given free to repeat cruisers, but first cruisers can buy onboard or in port Canaveral terminal shop.

Photo packages do save money, and most people tend to buy more photos then planned.

There are offers on board. We got one last night.

 

[elena_n2o]

I can only answer a couple of your questions... We did our first cruise last year (our second one coming in 25 days but who's counting right??).

Regarding the lanyards, yes, you can find some on-board, I bought mine as soon as the shop was open! We didn't all get lanyards when we checked-in (but I did see that the Silver Castaway Club members were getting them; we were first time cruisers)

For the photo packages, we were surprised at the number of photos we had at the end of our week cruise (we did go to lots of character meets, and we also had a few photos taken during the port days in the excursions, or around the ship). This time we've bought a package in advance, you do save a bit, we'll see at the end of the cruise if it was worth it! Last time we ended up getting only a few of the pictures and I wished I could have gotten more, there were really lots of great pictures). Particularly since they've got them all nicely printed and you can really see what you're getting!

 

[RACHEL_GB]

Hi - just got off my first cruise, as others have said you don't get a lanyard on your first go, the Disney ones started at $12.95 on board. I had got my kids one personalised on Etsy for $5 each pre cruise which I was glad I had done (the lady made it the right length for them too as they aren't very tall)

The two autograph books available in the shops were a generic "Disney Parks" one in blue (about $8 I think) and a "Disney Cruise Line Princess" pink one (about $15 I think). My daughter plumped for the small cheaper blue one as she thought the princess one was too pink. She did buy a Cinderella fluffy pen to go with it though and then was embarrassed asking the Captain to sign with it

 

[Drusilla99]

I did notice a "happy hour" type of special early on mimosas, under $5, but in the morning; I obviously had a lot, so I don't remember.

Unless your kids care that it says dcl, I'd get them before you go. You can find them on Amazon for a lot less. Same with lanyards. There's a lot of really cute Disney lanyards out there that aren't available on the ships.

I would pre buy the photo package. Apparently, if you don't feel you've gotten enough pictures, you can get a refund if you cancel before the last full day of the cruise. I've never wanted to cancel, so I haven't tried this. Our last cruise we got the least amount of pictures ever, but still came away with 119 on the disc, still worth it.

My girls are too old for bbb, so I can't help with that.

Have a great Trip!

 

[FrozenFosters]

Thanks everyone! Not sure what I would do without these boards! Crushing is such a different experience to any other holiday we've had. I'm so excited for the adventure!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone! Firstly, thank you all for all the information on this site as I feel like I know what I'm doing!
There's just a few things I can't find the answer to and would really appreciate any information anyone could offer!
1. The 'drink of the day' - how much do these cost? (We're trying to budget!)
2. Should I buy a generic autograph book online before we go or can I buy a DCL specific one on board?
3. Can we buy those cool lanyard holders for our key to the world cards on board?
4. Are the photo packages worth buying before we go or should we wait to see how many pictures we actually want to buy? (We weren't actually sure what pictures they take).
5. My daughter turns three the day we disembark (not the best timing!) but we wanted to book Bibbity Bobbity Boutique...we called Disney and they have told us to try and book while we're on board. Anyone have any experience? Are they likely to just say no as she isn't three until the next day?

Thank you in advance, 18 days to go and we can't wait!

2. You can purchase autograph books onboard, however, the shops don't open until you are underway. If you think you may need that autograph book before then, you should buy it ahead of time.
4. If you even think you may be interested in the full digital photo package, you should prebuy it (before the cruise). There's a discount prebuying it. If it turns out that you aren't getting enough photos to make the cost worth it, you can cancel the package, as long as you do it by the last full day onboard. The credit will be put on your onboard account.

 

[elena_n2o]

Thanks everyone! Not sure what I would do without these boards! Crushing is such a different experience to any other holiday we've had. I'm so excited for the adventure!

Oh, in case you hadn't guessed it... Cruising with Disney is also EXTREMELY addictive. Once you try it you'll want to do it again and again and again So be sure you stop by the future cruises desk and book the next one while you're onboard

 

[FrozenFosters]

Thanks! I'm definitely going to get a photo package before we go, just thinking about which one now!

I think I'm already a little addicted, I'm hoping my husband feels the same
To book the next one!

Just thought of some more questions: do they search your luggage as you board? We're getting on at Barcelona. We're not thinking of taking anything we shouldn't but not sure I like the idea of someone going through my bags...especially if we're not there!

Also, do the photos you buy on board come in some sort of frame? Just wondering if there will be any difference if I buy the digital package then print them myself at home!

Last one (for now ), will we see characters before we are underway? I kind of want to get a DCL one to keep as a momento but don't want to miss loads!

Sorry for all the questions!
Thanks!

 

[Twilight Terror]

Thanks! I'm definitely going to get a photo package before we go, just thinking about which one now!

We didn't purchase ahead of time last time, as we weren't aware you could! We ended up buying the photo ok on board, thinking it would be our one and only cruise ever (we had used DVC points to book). Wrong! This is cruise two, and were already to book three when we get on board, and have a goal to reach platinum Castaway club This time, we are booking, and just like you are trying to decide between just the digital package, or the digital plus photos package. I really hate waste, and hate knowing that they will just dump all the printouts if we don't take them

Just thought of some more questions: do they search your luggage as you board? We're getting on at Barcelona. We're not thinking of taking anything we shouldn't but not sure I like the idea of someone going through my bags...especially if we're not there!

It should be just like going on any boat/airplane, all luggage should be scanned for security, customs and quarantine purposes, both on and off the boat.

Also, do the photos you buy on board come in some sort of frame? Just wondering if there will be any difference if I buy the digital package then print them myself at home!

Our last cruise, they take photos and then print them out. They get placed on a display board, and you come along and pick yours out if you are keeping them and they get kept until the end. So you get to see them all first. I might be wrong, but I think you just get the photos that are printed out. I don't think they come with any additional frames or anything. Digital is good for doing your own thing - we may make our own photo book afterwards (for a fraction of the cost!)

Last one (for now ), will we see characters before we are underway? I kind of want to get a DCL one to keep as a momento but don't want to miss loads!

Characters are not normally around before you set sail. You would need to check the navigator to see the character appearance times to be sure. But looking at a previous navigator, they weren't around until after the sail away party. You will get a family photo just before you board. Oh, and, there was a character in the check in area in the terminal for our last cruise (Minnie). The line can be quite long though, and if you have a late PAT, you might be rushing to get on board (as we were last time) and may miss this little beauty.

 

[elena_n2o]

I think the bags are only scanned, like in an airport, at least that's what they did in Copenhagen last year. One our our bags was locked so they definitely didn't open it!

If it's any help, we've taken the all prints and digital photos package, for the price difference we thought it was worth it. Personally I'm very bad when it comes to printing photos (I still haven't done the album with the prints from our last cruise!) so having the prints all ready to frame is definitely a good thing!!

When do you sail? We're on the 27/08 sailing out of Barcelona

 

[FrozenFosters]

Sorry, still can't quite figure out how to quote!
Thank you for the information. I fee like I'm ready to go now! My husband was wondering how they'd know of people put alcohol in their suitcase so I guess that's it!
I think I'll go for the digital package. I do hate waste but thibk I'd prefer the idea of a photo book!
Our PAT is 11:30 but I'm not sure if that's early or late. We are prepared for a wait now though. Before reading these boards I thought we would just walk on!
We sail on the 20/08 so the week before you! You might see me crying at the port as I don't want to leave!

 

[elena_n2o]

To quote, you click on the 'Reply' (bottom right of the post)

11:30 is relatively early, even with the wait you'll get plenty of time to relax on board... Know how you feel, I've been ready to go back since we left the Magic over a year ago And I've been counting the days ever since!!

 

[jenc842]

Definitely scope out the scene in regards to lanyards, totes, t-shirts etc -- i wanted to overplan and pre-buy everything, but going on my first cruise last year I saw so many cool ideas with many of those personalized and useful things! You can always buy an awesome version for your second (and 3rd 4th 5th ) cruise!

Before boarding, we only saw Donald in the port terminal but there was already a long line gathering. You'll see plenty around the ship though! I found it highly amusing seeing a couple of characters being walked by its handlers on the jogging deck. And Belle walked by and came and played with my toddler. It was magical. I thought I'd never get that kind of personalized interaction with a character without having to line up!

 

[BigredNole]

Look online for lanyards. If everyone has the same DCL one, why not be different. There are 100s of different designs out there and they are not expensive. You can get 5 with the characters or logo you want for about the same price as one on the ship or at Disney.