First time on Disney cruise. Have a few questions

[Meganb2]

Hello!! This is my first time going on disney cruise. We are very exicited. I have a few questions

1 I saw there are tickets events such as princess gathering and frozen. Can I go to guest services as soon as we board to get these tickets or do they have a certain place and time to go obtain them?

2- I have read about the characters autographing a pillow case if left at guest services but have heard mixed reviews if they still do that or if they have stopped.


3-has anyone done the photo package and do you recommend it?


4. Last but not least, how long before the cruise do the fe groups usually start?



Thank you for all your help!my daughters will be 5 and 2 they can hardly wait!

 

[Plaid Princess]

1- I saw there are tickets events such as princess gathering and frozen. Can I go to guest services as soon as we board to get these tickets or do they have a certain place and time to go obtain them?

Yep, go to Guest Services!

2- I have read about the characters autographing a pillow case if left at guest services but have heard mixed reviews if they still do that or if they have stopped.

They no longer do this, but your kids could still individually collect the autographs when they meet the characters.

3-has anyone done the photo package and do you recommend it?

I've done them occasionally, not every cruise. I've never purchased in advance, we always decide onboard if there are enough pictures to make it "worth it". The Shutters crew is always super helpful in this regard.

4. Last but not least, how long before the cruise do the fe groups usually start?

It's different for every cruise, but typically there will be rumblings in the Cruise Meet thread within a year of the cruise. Some groups are more into planning than others and start earlier. Typically you can join a FE group anytime up to a few weeks prior to departure.

 

[mrs.ariel]

Hello!! This is my first time going on disney cruise. We are very exicited. I have a few questions

1 I saw there are tickets events such as princess gathering and frozen. Can I go to guest services as soon as we board to get these tickets or do they have a certain place and time to go obtain them?
When you first board you will get the daily Navigator (paper that has all info about each day) it will tell you where to go, and at what time to sign up for princess and frozen meet and greets on that first afternoon.

2- I have read about the characters autographing a pillow case if left at guest services but have heard mixed reviews if they still do that or if they have stopped.
They are not doing this anymore.

3-has anyone done the photo package and do you recommend it?
We did not do the photo package, but our friends did- they waited in lines to meet all characters, took lots of family pics and they were happy with their package. My kids don't care that much to wait to meet the characters, so it's not worth it to us.

4. Last but not least, how long before the cruise do the fe groups usually start?
Do a search for your cruise, these fe groups usually form very early, but accept people up until 75 days out...

You all will have a great time!!!!

Thank you for all your help!my daughters will be 5 and 2 they can hardly wait!

 

[Huskiesrule]

I can answer a few of these. Read the Navigator you receive at check in and it will tell you where to go to pick up the tickets, it's usually in a club/lounge. You can no longer drop things off to get autographed, sorry! FE groups are usually formed as soon as someone starts a cruise meet thread although not always. It depends if someone steps forward to be in charge or not. I can't answer anything on the photo package as I haven't done that. Hope this helps

 

[Meganb2]

Yep, go to Guest Services!



They no longer do this, but your kids could still individually collect the autographs when they meet the characters.




I've done them occasionally, not every cruise. I've never purchased in advance, we always decide onboard if there are enough pictures to make it "worth it". The Shutters crew is always super helpful in this regard.




It's different for every cruise, but typically there will be rumblings in the Cruise Meet thread within a year of the cruise. Some groups are more into planning than others and start earlier. Typically you can join a FE group anytime up to a few weeks prior to departure.

Thank you

 

[Meganb2]

I can answer a few of these. Read the Navigator you receive at check in and it will tell you where to go to pick up the tickets, it's usually in a club/lounge. You can no longer drop things off to get autographed, sorry! FE groups are usually formed as soon as someone starts a cruise meet thread although not always. It depends if someone steps forward to be in charge or not. I can't answer anything on the photo package as I haven't done that. Hope this helps

Thank you

 

[KT2038]

Hi I am a youth activities Counselor. I just wanted to check that you are aware that your 2 year old cannot participate in secured programming in the Oceaneers Club and Lab with her sister. She will have to go to the nursery or go to Oceaneers during open house times. Have a magical cruise!

 

[Meganb2]

Hi I am a youth activities Counselor. I just wanted to check that you are aware that your 2 year old cannot participate in secured programming in the Oceaneers Club and Lab with her sister. She will have to go to the nursery or go to Oceaneers during open house times. Have a magical cruise!

Yes I saw that. Thank you

 

[Meganb2]

I can answer a few of these. Read the Navigator you receive at check in and it will tell you where to go to pick up the tickets, it's usually in a club/lounge. You can no longer drop things off to get autographed, sorry! FE groups are usually formed as soon as someone starts a cruise meet thread although not always. It depends if someone steps forward to be in charge or not. I can't answer anything on the photo package as I haven't done that. Hope this helps

Since they no longer do the autographs at guest services, do you think they will sign a photo mat at the character meets or only an autograph book? I was really hoping to get the photo mat to put with a picture at the end when we come home. Thanks for your help

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Since they no longer do the autographs at guest services, do you think they will sign a photo mat at the character meets or only an autograph book? I was really hoping to get the photo mat to put with a picture at the end when we come home. Thanks for your help

From what I've read, they're pretty much signing anything that can lay flat. Not all characters can sign autographs, however. So the meet & greet lines have gotten a little slower, also.

 

[over50visits]

Since they no longer do the autographs at guest services, do you think they will sign a photo mat at the character meets or only an autograph book? I was really hoping to get the photo mat to put with a picture at the end when we come home. Thanks for your help

Sure do. They don't sign anything while you're wearing it, or your body (no signatures on your arm), but most anything else that's reasonable, and certainly a mat is one of those things.

 

[Meganb2]

Sure do. They don't sign anything while you're wearing it, or your body (no signatures on your arm), but most anything else that's reasonable, and certainly a mat is one of those things.

Thanks

 

[Meganb2]

From what I've read, they're pretty much signing anything that can lay flat. Not all characters can sign autographs, however. So the meet & greet lines have gotten a little slower, also.

Yea I was thinking the lines will be longer now because of autographs. I wish they still did it at guest services but thank you!

 

[xlxo]

Hello!! This is my first time going on disney cruise. We are very exicited. I have a few questions

3-has anyone done the photo package and do you recommend it?

Thank you for all your help!my daughters will be 5 and 2 they can hardly wait!

Thoughts...

• We did the photo package (we love pictures) and enjoyed it. Individual pictures can quickly add up to many times more than the package itself.
• There's a discount if you pre-order the photo package and they say can get a refund if you change your mind when on the boat.
• Not sure if the 2yr will get full benefits, but if that 5yr old starts to stalk characters for pictures... those photos can get kinda thick.
• don't forget about the bonus character at the embarkation cruise port.
• pay attention to the navigator when characters will be available for pictures. If you show up late.... handlers will cut off the line and you might not be a popular parent.
• Mickey shows up a few times in different outfits
• don't miss the princesses!
• on formal night, there are several photographers with different backgrounds.... try to get pictures at ALL of the stations!
• don't be late for the character breakfast.... Mickey shows up very early and it would be a disappointment if you miss him.

Here's a vid to give you some ideas....

 

[Meganb2]

Thoughts...

• We did the photo package (we love pictures) and enjoyed it. Individual pictures can quickly add up to many times more than the package itself.
• There's a discount if you pre-order the photo package and they say can get a refund if you change your mind when on the boat.
• Not sure if the 2yr will get full benefits, but if that 5yr old starts to stalk characters for pictures... those photos can get kinda thick.
• don't forget about the bonus character at the embarkation cruise port.
• pay attention to the navigator when characters will be available for pictures. If you show up late.... handlers will cut off the line and you might not be a popular parent.
• Mickey shows up a few times in different outfits
• don't miss the princesses!
• on formal night, there are several photographers with different backgrounds.... try to get pictures at ALL of the stations!
• don't be late for the character breakfast.... Mickey shows up very early and it would be a disappointment if you miss him.

Here's a vid to give you some ideas....

Thank you for all your help!

 

[xlxo]

I should add... what makes DCL photo packages different than other cruise lines is the character photos. On other cruise lines, you won't find appealing characters where children will be competing for pictures. I am greatful DCL has photo packages.... something that Princess does not.

 

[hlsx97]

Very informative , thx!

 

[MeeskaMooskaMickey]

Sorry to hijack thread! New cruiser also. Do the Captain's nights still exist?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sorry to hijack thread! New cruiser also. Do the Captain's nights still exist?

On some cruises there are formal and semi-formal nights. And there's typically a Captain's reception in the atrium just prior to dinner.

I don't think they do the Captain's reception on the short cruises that only have a Dress Up Optional night. I'll check. - no didn't find the Captain's Welcome reception on the 4 night cruise we did.

Or did you mean the Captain's Gala menu? That's usually on 7 night and longer cruises.