I'm a little less than two weeks away from my FIRST CRUISE!!

[andeesings]

So my friends and I (we're a group of six) are two weeks away from our very first Disney cruise!! In fact, for most of us it's our FIRST cruise ever!! (We're doing a brief three-night to the Bahamas, leaving the 25th!)

So I've got some questions!

1- I'm seeing people talking about pre-paying tips, but I don't see anywhere I can do that?? Am I missing something??

2- Those cabanas look INCREDIBLE, but obviously they're all sold out. We're planning on putting ourselves on the wait list the moment we get on the ship, but I'm thinking the chances are pretty low. Has anyone ever gotten one from the waitlist? We'd rather Serenity Bay, but honestly we'd take anything. Where do I put us on the waiting list for one?

3- I read somewhere there was this special sunblock that blocked... I don't know, something in the water that could do something to you?? Am I crazy?? (I mean, I AM crazy, but... in all the best ways.)

4- Should I be buying gift cards at a discount for onboard credit or something?? I see people talking about that and I'm confused. Other than target, where can I get Disney gift cards at a discount??

5- Can I pre-purchase a Rainforest pass?

6- Anything I MUST do upon boarding at risk of me not getting it?

Help a new cruiser out!!!!

 

[gary in florida]

4- Should I be buying gift cards at a discount for onboard credit or something?? I see people talking about that and I'm confused. Other than target, where can I get Disney gift cards at a discount??

Online at BJ's, you do not have to be a member, a $100 card cost $94.99, no shipping no member charges, savings are $5 per card and purchase as many as you want. Use for on board credit or apply to your remaining amount of the cruise

 

[Dug720]

1- I'm seeing people talking about pre-paying tips, but I don't see anywhere I can do that?? Am I missing something??
You can call and prepay them.

2- Those cabanas look INCREDIBLE, but obviously they're all sold out. We're planning on putting ourselves on the wait list the moment we get on the ship, but I'm thinking the chances are pretty low. Has anyone ever gotten one from the waitlist? We'd rather Serenity Bay, but honestly we'd take anything. Where do I put us on the waiting list for one?
I did a cabana for myself and my parents in Feb and in that case it ended up being a godsend as my dad had hip replacement surgery a couple of weeks after the cruise - but IMHO otherwise totally NOT necessary. That said, if you want to go on a waiting list, you'd need to go to either guest services or port adventures (I've seen reports of both) to do so upon boarding. As to whether it will come through or not, it all depends - probably less likely on a Dream-class because there are more concierge cabins than cabanas and they would have first whack even at the waitlist.

3- I read somewhere there was this special sunblock that blocked... I don't know, something in the water that could do something to you?? Am I crazy?? (I mean, I AM crazy, but... in all the best ways.)
I've seen things mentioned - but I've never had any issues. Of course I'm going to the adult beach, so... Hopefully someone else can answer.

4- Should I be buying gift cards at a discount for onboard credit or something?? I see people talking about that and I'm confused. Other than target, where can I get Disney gift cards at a discount??
I get my Disney gift cards at the Disney Store or online (I just feel weird going around them to get them from other places) and reload them. I like to call the gifts and amenities number and pre-purchase OBC (you could do that with a credit card as well) to save the step of Guest Services on day 1 (not that I've found them to be as crazy crowded as some seem to always find them but to just save that step). Either way, if you do end up with multiple gift cards, I HIGHLY recommend that you go to disneygiftcard.com and combine them onto as few as possible. A) It makes it so much easier for the person having to put them in (and you if you've called to buy the OBC beforehand). And B) Anything left over will go back on the cards in the order they were used - much easier to be dealing with one or two potential cards than 10-20 to determine which one or ones the money went back to.

5- Can I pre-purchase a Rainforest pass?
Not length-of-cruise, but you can purchase day passes in advance. Gifts and Amenities number.

6- Anything I MUST do upon boarding at risk of me not getting it?
Mental check to remind yourself that you CANNOT do it all and you will make yourself crazy and have a horrid time if you try.

 

[cmsb]

3- I read somewhere there was this special sunblock that blocked... I don't know, something in the water that could do something to you?? Am I crazy?? (I mean, I AM crazy, but... in all the best ways.)

It is called Safe Sea and it is used to prevent stings from sea lice (jellyfish larvae). We have needed it when we cruised in July at Castaway Cay. I'm not sure about other times of the year. The one time I did not cover my son in it (under the bathing suit as well), he got multiple skin irritations. Once you wash off, you are OK, but it is quite uncomfortable until then and it kept him out of the water.

4- Should I be buying gift cards at a discount for onboard credit or something?? I see people talking about that and I'm confused. Other than target, where can I get Disney gift cards at a discount??

Our grocery store offers discounts on gas if you purchase a certain amount in gift cards. SO, we don't get a discount on the gift card, but we do get a discount on gas.

 

[Trera]

We have gotten a cabana while being on the wait list a couple of time but as you said, we went right to guest services to be put on the list as soon as we boarded.

 

[Sytrace]

So my friends and I (we're a group of six) are two weeks away from our very first Disney cruise!! In fact, for most of us it's our FIRST cruise ever!! (We're doing a brief three-night to the Bahamas, leaving the 25th!)

So I've got some questions!

1- I'm seeing people talking about pre-paying tips, but I don't see anywhere I can do that?? Am I missing something??

2- Those cabanas look INCREDIBLE, but obviously they're all sold out. We're planning on putting ourselves on the wait list the moment we get on the ship, but I'm thinking the chances are pretty low. Has anyone ever gotten one from the waitlist? We'd rather Serenity Bay, but honestly we'd take anything. Where do I put us on the waiting list for one?

3- I read somewhere there was this special sunblock that blocked... I don't know, something in the water that could do something to you?? Am I crazy?? (I mean, I AM crazy, but... in all the best ways.)

4- Should I be buying gift cards at a discount for onboard credit or something?? I see people talking about that and I'm confused. Other than target, where can I get Disney gift cards at a discount??

5- Can I pre-purchase a Rainforest pass?

6- Anything I MUST do upon boarding at risk of me not getting it?

Help a new cruiser out!!!!

1. Call DCL and prepay them
2. Once onboard go to GS and ask to be placed on the waitlist for one. They may direct you to Port Adventures if they cannot help you.
3. It is called Safe Sea or Sea Safe. It is not sunblock though, it protects against sea lice (jellyfish larva) You can buy it on Amazon or via scuba shops.
4. Target, BJ's, Sams Club all have options to buy Disney gift cards at a slight discount. Target requires the Red card, and I think Sams requires membership, but BJ's you can go online to buy them.
5. Yes, via Gifts and Amenities. You could buy that when you prepay your gratuities.

 

[kiford]

1- I'm seeing people talking about pre-paying tips, but I don't see anywhere I can do that?? Am I missing something??

Just FYI - it's not necessary unless you just want to have the funds paid upfront. The staff don't get anything until the end of the cruise so it won't impact your service either way. What happens is that they put it as a credit on your on-board account. I don't know if it gets earmarked for gratuities or if it's just a basic credit. You will then get charged for gratuities to your account the same as someone who hasn't prepaid and the process is exactly the same. So you can call and have it added if you want or, if you don't want the hassle or spend the time to do it now, it's not required. Totally your choice; no need to worry about it if you haven't done it.

3- I read somewhere there was this special sunblock that blocked... I don't know, something in the water that could do something to you?? Am I crazy?? (I mean, I AM crazy, but... in all the best ways.)

It is called Safe Sea and it is used to prevent stings from sea lice (jellyfish larvae). We have needed it when we cruised in July at Castaway Cay. I'm not sure about other times of the year. The one time I did not cover my son in it (under the bathing suit as well), he got multiple skin irritations. Once you wash off, you are OK, but it is quite uncomfortable until then and it kept him out of the water.

We usually go in late November/early December and have never had an issue. Also went once in May and also not an issue. I don't know if it is a seasonal thing or just random/unlucky people.

 

[smiths02]

So to piggyback off of this...could I call and prepay tips and my on board account with a Disney Rewards card (like I get from the Disney Visa)? Or does it have to be a gift card or credit card?

 

[gary in florida]

Don't know about other people, but saving $5-$20 is on my 2 do list. You don't have to bring the gift cards all at once, so you do a little planning you can bring them to guest services at any time, GOD knows that this would be just a small amount of planning compared to other items, and the CM's at guest services are great and make you feel it's ok.

 

[Rabb it]

Looks like your questions were all answered! Enjoy it!

 

[lanejudy]

So to piggyback off of this...could I call and prepay tips and my on board account with a Disney Rewards card (like I get from the Disney Visa)? Or does it have to be a gift card or credit card?

Yes, you can use the Disney Rewards card -- either in advance or once onboard. And depending how much you intend to spend onboard, you can get 6-mos 0% interest if you prepay an onboard credit using your Disney Visa.

Another option (you'll have to weigh what works out best for you) is to set-up your onboard account with your Disney Visa as there are a couple of onboard discounts offered but you must have the Disney Visa listed as payment. You can always go to Guest Relations with the Rewards Redemption card to pay down your balance before it actually hits the visa card.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[andeesings]

Another option (you'll have to weigh what works out best for you) is to set-up your onboard account with your Disney Visa as there are a couple of onboard discounts offered but you must have the Disney Visa listed as payment. You can always go to Guest Relations with the Rewards Redemption card to pay down your balance before it actually hits the visa card.

That's interesting... What sort of discounts are available on board with a Disney Visa??

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's interesting... What sort of discounts are available on board with a Disney Visa??

From the VISA site:
Create more magic and memories on your next Disney Cruise Line vacation. Use your Disney Visa® Card during online check-in or onboard at Guest Relations for all onboard purchases to treat your family to amazing perks while you relax, shop and play throughout your voyage.

Here’s how to take advantage of your new Disney Cruise Line perks.
1. When you check-in online or onboard at Guest Relations, enter your Disney Visa Card as your form of payment for all onboard purchases.

2. When you arrive at the ship, your “Key to the World” card will indicate that you are a Disney Visa Cardmember and eligible for the following onboard perks. Please mention these offers to ensure that you receive the savings.

3. Cardmember perks cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts, including Cast Member, Annual Passholder, Disney Vacation Club®, Florida resident, etc.

• 
  10% Off Select Disney Cruise Line Digital Photo Packages
  Receive 10% off non-discounted 10-photo, 15-photo, 20-photo and all-inclusive digital photo packages.
  
  
• 10% Off Select Merchandise Aboard Disney Cruise Line
  Receive 10% off select merchandise purchases of $50 or more aboard Disney Cruise Line ships.
  
  
• 10% Off a Castaway Cay Getaway Package
  Receive 10% off a Castaway Cay Getaway Package and enjoy snorkeling, bicycle rental, float or inner-tube rental on Castaway Cay, our private island!
  
  
• 20% Off Select Onboard Massages or Facial Treatments
  Receive 20% off a non-discounted massage or facial treatment service aboard Disney Cruise Line ships on port days only.

 

[babycatsy]

Feel free to check out my 50 tips for cruising - I just did my first cruise (ever) and had lots of questions and nervousness. Of course, I didn't do everything perfectly but some of these tips will help you out!

Even though I went to Alaska, a lot of these tips can help out any first time cruiser!

TOP 25 TIPS FOR PREPARING FOR AN ALASKAN DISNEY CRUISE
https://plaidshirtyogapants.com/2017/05/16/travel-tuesday-preparing-for-an-alaskan-disney-cruise/

25 TIPS I LEARNED AFTER TAKING A DISNEY CRUISE TO ALASKA
https://plaidshirtyogapants.com/2017/08/15/25-tips-for-a-disney-cruise/