First Timer Cruiser tips?

[Mommb]

When I attempt to add the gift card to purchase on board credit, the app/website asks me to choose a person that the credit will be linked to. Based on what you are saying above, it does not matter who I choose (in my stateroom). Correct?

Correct. As long as the person to whom the gift is assigned has charges equaling at least the amount of the gift (including gratuities, excursions, and onboard spending) it doesn’t matter who it’s assigned to.

 

[Beachbummer]

Correct. As long as the person to whom the gift is assigned has charges equaling at least the amount of the gift (including gratuities, excursions, and onboard spending) it doesn’t matter who it’s assigned to.

So this answer doesn’t actually clarify my question. Is the credit actually reserved for ONLY that person, or does the credit go towards the stateroom balance? I’m not planning on allowing my kids to have spending privileges. But let’s say I put $500 of credits under my name. But I spend $300 and my spouse spends $200. Do I lose out on the $200, or does the remaining credit cover my spouse’s spending since we’re in the same stateroom/reservation?

 

[Skippyboo]

Magnets- door magnets for decorating your door. Etsy has a variety. It also helps with finding your cabin. Inside the cabin, magnets w hooks are useful for hanging stuff. DCL went with more shelves than drawers in the cabin in the newer ships. I just did the Wish for the first time over Thanksgiving weekend. The food court on the pool deck (deck 11) is excellent.

 

[Mommb]

So this answer doesn’t actually clarify my question. Is the credit actually reserved for ONLY that person, or does the credit go towards the stateroom balance? I’m not planning on allowing my kids to have spending privileges. But let’s say I put $500 of credits under my name. But I spend $300 and my spouse spends $200. Do I lose out on the $200, or does the remaining credit cover my spouse’s spending since we’re in the same stateroom/reservation?

As long as you are in the same room with a shared account, that should be fine because a credit for one person would be used up with charges for the other person. However, I am not 100% sure because my family always spends at least the amount of our pre-cruise credits and I don’t apply gift cards until I am sure we will use up the money.

 

[NAB]

So this answer doesn’t actually clarify my question. Is the credit actually reserved for ONLY that person, or does the credit go towards the stateroom balance? I’m not planning on allowing my kids to have spending privileges. But let’s say I put $500 of credits under my name. But I spend $300 and my spouse spends $200. Do I lose out on the $200, or does the remaining credit cover my spouse’s spending since we’re in the same stateroom/reservation?

Everything goes on one statement so I believe it would just go to the bill. I believe you can put the gift cards to the account at anytime . I believe I heard if you don’t use all the amount of the cards the remaining balance has to go back on orginal card. Maybe someone else can chime in about that.

It’s just like you can’t give an amount only for your kids spending privileges it’s not or all in.

 

[sponica]

So this answer doesn’t actually clarify my question. Is the credit actually reserved for ONLY that person, or does the credit go towards the stateroom balance? I’m not planning on allowing my kids to have spending privileges. But let’s say I put $500 of credits under my name. But I spend $300 and my spouse spends $200. Do I lose out on the $200, or does the remaining credit cover my spouse’s spending since we’re in the same stateroom/reservation?

If I recall when you check in the system asks who will be responsible for x person's charges. So if you're the lead on the reservation and you check off that you're responsible for his charges, anything in your name will cover him.

My kids didn't have spending privileges, so I just tracked how much they spent and charged it to the room and then used their gift cards at guest services.

 

[Beachbummer]

Everything goes on one statement so I believe it would just go to the bill. I believe you can put the gift cards to the account at anytime . I believe I heard if you don’t use all the amount of the cards the remaining balance has to go back on orginal card. Maybe someone else can chime in about that.

It’s just like you can’t give an amount only for your kids spending privileges it’s not or all in.

Thanks. The gift cards for the kids is really just symbolic so that they know they can purchase something on board (and the amount is “set”, so they don’t whine for more money). But I have other gift cards to apply. My preference is to do it beforehand to avoid guest services. I just want to make sure I do it correctly. But I had read on a previous post that any unused gift cards would need to go back on the original gift card. I know that as a whole we will spend more than the total balance of the gift cards (we have Palo, Remy, and tastings booked).

 

[NAB]

Well I hope you enjoy your cruise!

Like someone said you can’t do it all, keep an eye on the app . Heart what you think you will like. Not sure how old the kids are . If they have a phone get the app on everyone’s phone. You can only see the daily things when you get on the ship but it does have a count down before you go. Some things are repeated during the cruise so look at all your days and heart what you like and it will notify you it is about to start just in case you forget.

If you really like it and want to do another get a place holder before you get off the ship at the end of the trip. It is good for 24 months . Deposit is $250.

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

If you have young ones along book things like the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique the very second you can. Fills immediately.
It's a big hit with the youngest girls in the family.

Lifetime of unique memories.

 

[BeachMouse1]

So a few more question please. I have been reading about checking in online and you have to add photos of passports and other info. Can this be done prior to check in so it’s all ready?
Also I have seen we can choose ground transportation (can stay in a hotel the night before if need be we are locals) I have read that if you are using ground transport you may get an earlier boarding time because taking Disney transport is that something I should do?

 

[NAB]

I think you check in on line 30 days before the cruise. There you do put in all your information . They will take your passport info and ask you to take a picture of everyone in your party by themselves to use as a photo for your Key to the World card.

If I was local I would not spend the extra money to use the DLC. Park in the parking garage . The hotel is the airport one or a Disney resort and they vary when you get there.

When you check in you will get to pick a PAT…port arrival time. I know everyone wants on fast but they don’t start letting anyone on until maybe 11:30 -11:45. If you get on too early the restaurants aren’t open until 12.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

So this answer doesn’t actually clarify my question. Is the credit actually reserved for ONLY that person, or does the credit go towards the stateroom balance? I’m not planning on allowing my kids to have spending privileges. But let’s say I put $500 of credits under my name. But I spend $300 and my spouse spends $200. Do I lose out on the $200, or does the remaining credit cover my spouse’s spending since we’re in the same stateroom/reservation?

When I check in, under the payment section I do the check in and agree to pay for all of my wife's charges.

When I do the OB Credit purchase, I get it in my name. Voila, all is good. I add the CC also, as there's usually a little overage ($45 last cruise), but the combo of me agreeing to pay for her charges (and mine, of course) and the OBC in my name has never caused a problem.

Noto Bene: Same was true when the kids cruised with us.

 

[dad of 3 addicted to DCL]

So a few more question please. I have been reading about checking in online and you have to add photos of passports and other info. Can this be done prior to check in so it’s all ready?
Also I have seen we can choose ground transportation (can stay in a hotel the night before if need be we are locals) I have read that if you are using ground transport you may get an earlier boarding time because taking Disney transport is that something I should do?

I wish we could pre-upload the pics (of passports and the mug shots)! Unfortunately, no. I have a file on my computer with the pics that makes it a little - a very little - easier.

Ground transportation will get you a much earlier boarding group. You could get an Uber/Lyft to drop you at the hotel in the morning of boarding to avoid an unnecessary hotel fee...

 

[NAB]

I wish we could pre-upload the pics (of passports and the mug shots)! Unfortunately, no. I have a file on my computer with the pics that makes it a little - a very little - easier.

Ground transportation will get you a much earlier boarding group. You could get an Uber/Lyft to drop you at the hotel in the morning of boarding to avoid an unnecessary hotel fee...

But you’re still paying $45 ? Or is it $49 now a person to go on the bus . Cheaper to use garage at the port and you go right home after.

Plus it doesn’t guarantee you will get an early boarding number anymore. I’m platinum and took the bus from a resort and got boarding number 8.