HELP! 1st time cruising and no idea what is what

[miss missy]

OK I need help! My usual booking of WDW trips isn't helping now I have no idea what I am doing trying to put this cruise together. I have my ressie, I am looking at post stay and flights now. I am hoping to add a couple days after the cruise to do the parks. I have been to WDW 11 times in 5 years, I can book that easy! but cruise... I am at a loss! It is myself, boyfriend and 17 yr old daughter.


Here are a few questions:

1. post stay, if I want the dining plan, I cant stay at the Swan I know, wonder what to do here.

2. do I need a rental car to get to and from ship? 50pp for to and from port, or a rental with 15.00 fee to park at port.

3. flights- if I fly in the morning of the cruise, is that too risky? smart? what time do we board the ship?

4. Do I need to pack differently than hitting the parks? I NEVER have dress clothes, do I need them?

5. what else should I think of, what posts should I read? HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

thanks to all!!!!!!!!!

 

[miss missy]

oh... and I just found the cruise Q & A on the Dream's site... reading that now

 

[usnuzuloose]

I have not cruised disney but I can tell you, you should always fly in the day before, as so many things can happen. If you leave late, weather, changing your flight, best not to take any chances. You can check out cruise critic board. That is a wonderful place and they have a thread for disney as well. Enjoy your cruise. I cant wait to take another one someday. Jo

 

[winotracy]

OK I need help! My usual booking of WDW trips isn't helping now I have no idea what I am doing trying to put this cruise together. I have my ressie, I am looking at post stay and flights now. I am hoping to add a couple days after the cruise to do the parks. I have been to WDW 11 times in 5 years, I can book that easy! but cruise... I am at a loss! It is myself, boyfriend and 17 yr old daughter.


Here are a few questions:

1. post stay, if I want the dining plan, I cant stay at the Swan???

2. do I need a rental car to get to and from ship?

3. flights- if I fly in the morning of the cruise, is that too risky? smart? what time do we board the ship?

4. Do I need to pack differently than hitting the parks? I NEVER have dress clothes, do I need them?

5. what else should I think of, what posts should I read? HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP

thanks to all!!!!!!!!!

1. You cannot get the dining plan at the Swan and Dolphin as they are not Disney owned resorts.

2. You will need transfers to get to the port. It is too far to take a taxi (too expensive). Depending on where you are coming from there are transfers you can purchase. Dreams is offering transfers from the Swan to the port and then back to either the Swan or MCO. Disney Cruise Lines also has transfers from the airport or any Disney owned resorts to the port (with very few exceptions). You can also get a rental car or use a towncar service to get you to the port.

3. It may be too stressful to fly the day of the cruise, especially if there are weather issues, which can be possible in December. You need to be onboard by 4pm, however, the ship will start boarding usually around noon.

4. You will want to have something to wear for dinner such as slacks, capris, skirts, dresses, etc. Jeans are acceptable as well. Shorts are discouraged and swimwear is not permitted in the main dining rooms. Most nights are cruise casual with one night optional dress up night (not a formal night).

5. You found the cruise FAQs. This is a good place to start.

 

[winotracy]

1. post stay, if I want the dining plan, I cant stay at the Swan I know, wonder what to do here.

2. do I need a rental car to get to and from ship? 50pp for to and from port, or a rental with 15.00 fee to park at port.

1. You can stay at the Swan and pay for meals or choose to stay at another resort and getting the dining plan. You can still come over to the Swan for your transfers if you want.

2. You don't need to park at the port. You can do one way rentals. I would use Hertz, Avis or Budget as they have convenient drop offs and shuttles to the port.

 

[Yvet]

2. You don't need to park at the port. You can do one way rentals. I would use Hertz, Avis or Budget as they have convenient drop offs and shuttles to the port.

Dollar has also a drop off shuttles....

 

[winotracy]

Dollar has also a drop off shuttles....

Dollar/Thrifty do have shuttles however, they generally have a one way drop off fee so I generally do not recommend them.

 

[Yvet]

Dollar/Thrifty do have shuttles however, they generally have a one way drop off fee so I generally do not recommend them.

Ahhh i understand.

As foreign people we don't have drop off fees within the state of Florida.
So i never thought about that....

 

[disneyfan19712006]

OK I need help! My usual booking of WDW trips isn't helping now I have no idea what I am doing trying to put this cruise together. I have my ressie, I am looking at post stay and flights now. I am hoping to add a couple days after the cruise to do the parks. I have been to WDW 11 times in 5 years, I can book that easy! but cruise... I am at a loss! It is myself, boyfriend and 17 yr old daughter.


Here are a few questions:

1. post stay, if I want the dining plan, I cant stay at the Swan I know, wonder what to do here.



thanks to all!!!!!!!!!

I opted for the value resort with free quick service dining. Free food is always good.