First time cruisers! Disney Fantasy (10/8/2016)

[AshleyMikel]

My husband and I are first time cruisers. We are going on the Disney Fantasy October 8th, 2016 sailing.

We are new to cruising and have some questions!

1) We LOVE Disneyworld and the memory maker option. So we do plan on buying a photo package. I cannot view them for our particular cruise yet. But, Trying to decide between USB of all only or that + prints? (we love the character meets, ect.) Pictures are my favorite souvenir.

2) Will we need to exchange currency for tips on excursions? (Going to Tortula, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay.)

3) We are leaving out of Port Canaveral, Where does everyone like to stay there? We are flying in on the 6th.

4) Participating in FE (20 staterooms) and an Ornament Exchange. What's the best way to map out rooms being my first cruise?!

4) Any tips for first time cruisers??


We can't wait for our trip!! Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My husband and I are first time cruisers. We are going on the Disney Fantasy October 8th, 2016 sailing.

We are new to cruising and have some questions!

1) We LOVE Disneyworld and the memory maker option. So we do plan on buying a photo package. I cannot view them for our particular cruise yet. But, Trying to decide between USB of all only or that + prints? (we love the character meets, ect.) Pictures are my favorite souvenir.

2) Will we need to exchange currency for tips on excursions? (Going to Tortula, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay.)

3) We are leaving out of Port Canaveral, Where does everyone like to stay there? We are flying in on the 6th.

4) Participating in FE (20 staterooms) and an Ornament Exchange. What's the best way to map out rooms being my first cruise?!

4) Any tips for first time cruisers??


We can't wait for our trip!! Thanks!

Well, there's a Cruise Meet thread going for your cruise, have you checked that out?
http://www.disboards.com/threads/fantastic-fall-on-the-fantasy-10-8-2016.3438616/

2) For excursions, we've typically use USD for tips.

3) We're staying at the Hyatt MCO and catching the DCL transfers the next day.

4) Have you signed up for the FE and ornament exchange on your Cruise Meet thread? I usually just download/print the deck plans from http://disneycruiselineblog.com/ (hover over "ships" on the left and then hover over "Deck Plans" in the next window. Click on "Dream/Fantasy" and then click on "click here to view full screen".

Once I have the plans printed, I mark what rooms I need to deliver to. And plan the shortest route to do so.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

My husband and I are first time cruisers. We are going on the Disney Fantasy October 8th, 2016 sailing.

We are new to cruising and have some questions!

1) We LOVE Disneyworld and the memory maker option. So we do plan on buying a photo package. I cannot view them for our particular cruise yet. But, Trying to decide between USB of all only or that + prints? (we love the character meets, ect.) Pictures are my favorite souvenir.

2) Will we need to exchange currency for tips on excursions? (Going to Tortula, St. Thomas/St. John and Castaway Cay.)

3) We are leaving out of Port Canaveral, Where does everyone like to stay there? We are flying in on the 6th.

4) Participating in FE (20 staterooms) and an Ornament Exchange. What's the best way to map out rooms being my first cruise?!

4) Any tips for first time cruisers??


We can't wait for our trip!! Thanks!

Welcome to your new addiction! DCL is a great vacation and the Fantasy is my favorite ship. With that in mind, @PrincessShmoo answered all the important stuff so I'll just give you some of my own tips and suggestions.

1 - since this is your first cruise, use DCL transfers, either stay at the Hyatt MCO or stay at WDW before do you can use them. They walk you through it all do there is no stress and the bus is just a lot of fun.

2 - as soon as you sail away from Port Canaveral, turn off your cell phone and disconnect from the world! Relax, have fun and live in the moment, social media and email can wait until you return.

3 - at Castaway Cay, if you can book the parasailing excursion, do it! Just trust me on this one, I'm super afraid of heights and loved it.

4 - wake up early one morning and watch the sun rise while relaxing on a lounger at Satellite Falls while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.

5 - realize you can't do everything in one week so make sure you book another cruise while on board.

Congrats again, enjoy the anticipation and make sure you relax and unwind on the ship, afternoon naps on deck are heavenly.

 

[AshleyMikel]

Welcome to your new addiction! DCL is a great vacation and the Fantasy is my favorite ship. With that in mind, @PrincessShmoo answered all the important stuff so I'll just give you some of my own tips and suggestions.

1 - since this is your first cruise, use DCL transfers, either stay at the Hyatt MCO or stay at WDW before do you can use them. They walk you through it all do there is no stress and the bus is just a lot of fun.

2 - as soon as you sail away from Port Canaveral, turn off your cell phone and disconnect from the world! Relax, have fun and live in the moment, social media and email can wait until you return.

3 - at Castaway Cay, if you can book the parasailing excursion, do it! Just trust me on this one, I'm super afraid of heights and loved it.

4 - wake up early one morning and watch the sun rise while relaxing on a lounger at Satellite Falls while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea.

5 - realize you can't do everything in one week so make sure you book another cruise while on board.

Congrats again, enjoy the anticipation and make sure you relax and unwind on the ship, afternoon naps on deck are heavenly.

I think we will parasail at castaway cay! We've been talking about it for months!