January 17th, 2016 Southern Wonder Cruise

[Sir William]

Welcome.

Unfortunately, it's been very quiet here the last month or so.

 

[Sir William]

Curious how you feel about DCL's new alcohol policy. Are you OK with it, or is it enough to cause you to cancel your cruise reservation?

From DCL Website:

Effective for cruises embarking on or after September 30, 2015, Disney Cruise Line Guests 21 years and older may bring a maximum of 2 bottles of unopened wine or champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or 6 beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on board at the beginning of the voyage and at each port-of-call.

Guests wishing to consume wine or champagne that they have brought on board in one of the dining rooms will be charged a corking fee of $25.00 per bottle. Please note:
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• • • These beverages must be packed in carry-on (not checked) bags or luggage.
    • Any alcohol packed in checked luggage will be removed and stored until the end of the cruise.
    • Any wine or champagne in excess of 2 bottles or beer in excess of 6 beers will be stored until the end of the cruise.
    • Bringing liquors and spirits (including powdered alcohol) on board is prohibited. These items will be stored until the end of the cruise.
    • Guest MUST retrieve any stored alcohol at the end of the cruise. Items not retrieved will be destroyed, and no compensation will be offered.
    • Alcohol brought on board may not be consumed in any lounge or public area.

Please note that the Disney Cruise Line alcohol policy is subject to change without notice.
​

While I can't say I'm happy about it, the new policy actually has very little impact on us. We usually take 4 bottles of wine onboard with us and that typically is enough for in room consumption over a 7 day cruise. We sometimes a pint bottle of rum for DW, and once or twice a small one of Scotch for me, but it looks like we'll now have more room in our luggage.

 

[danfromca]

I need a vacation, and it looks like this cruise will be it. I mean, how often does one get a Disney cruise with all new ports? (well, new for me that is).
It will be myself and my godson 19 (he'll be thrilled to hear there are other young adults onboard).

 

[Sir William]

Completed online check-in and port excursion selections this morning. Our flights and pre-cruise hotel are confirmed. Better start packing as January will be here before we know it!

 

[danfromca]

A bit early for packing, but I do have Palos and excursions booked (and flights of course). Probably should do the checkin....

 

[Sir William]

I'm off to Ireland in a few weeks so I have to pack for that trip first! I've a pretty well refined cruise packing list so that I no longer pack too much or forget something, but I do like to start gathering everything together about 2 weeks prior to the cruise.

I did the check-in so I could get an early PAT, even though we will probably arrive a bit later.

 

[Ksplash]

My husband just booked this as our first Disney cruise this weekend for our 6 & 8 girls along with my parents!! I'm so excited but can't share the excitement in the house bc it's a surprise for my kids and mom!!

 

[disney diane]

This is my families first time on a Disney cruise. We have been getting our decorations ready for our door. Now I am thinking about the fish extenders. How do we do this? Is this the only place that people will post to be part of FE?

 

[stephnj]

Does anyone know if there's a pirate night on this cruise? Can't find it anywhere and want to book Palo tomorrow.

Also...anyone doing FE?

 

[Sir William]

Does anyone know if there's a pirate night on this cruise? Can't find it anywhere and want to book Palo tomorrow.

According to the downloadable pre-arrival guide, we'll have Pirate Night on Day 3, Jan 19th, the day we're in Grenada.

 

[Sir William]

Did everyone get the email from DCL that guests need to be at the terminal in San Juan by 5pm for a 6pm sailing?

We're arriving the day before and plan to be at the terminal by noon, so will be onboard long before final call.

 

[danfromca]

This is my families first time on a Disney cruise. We have been getting our decorations ready for our door. Now I am thinking about the fish extenders. How do we do this? Is this the only place that people will post to be part of FE?

It's been a while since I've done an FE. In my experience (and someone please correct me if it's out of date), FE gift exchange happens for those groups where there interest, and somebody willing to put in the effort to create and manage the cabin list so that people can know what to bring and where to deliver it.
I've been in small FE groups, and in massive groups (which are way too much work).
In terms of happening here, this is a really quiet thread so far, so it really depends on whether anyone is planning to step up and organize it.
(and sorry, while I may participate, I don't have the bandwidth to do this myself).

Did everyone get the email from DCL that guests need to be at the terminal in San Juan by 5pm for a 6pm sailing?

We're arriving the day before and plan to be at the terminal by noon, so will be onboard long before final call.

Yes - I think a slightly earlier departure than expected. I should be arriving in San Juan on Friday, so should be able to sleep in on Sunday and hopefully have a leisurely journey to the port and be on the ship in time for lunch

 

[stephnj]

FYI...it appears our pirate night is actually on Thursday. I know the online itinerary shows Tuesday but I and my travel agent have spoken to Disney and they are confirming it on Thursday. Which is unfortunate since we had booked Palo on Thursday based on pirate night being advertised as on Tuesday. Not sure if this affects anyone else.

 

[Sir William]

FYI...it appears our pirate night is actually on Thursday. I know the online itinerary shows Tuesday but I and my travel agent have spoken to Disney and they are confirming it on Thursday. Which is unfortunate since we had booked Palo on Thursday based on pirate night being advertised as on Tuesday. Not sure if this affects anyone else.

I called to find out if there was a Formal Night since it is a 7 day cruise. DCL agent told me they'd just received the changes and we now have Formal Night on Monday and a Semi-Formal Night on Friday. And, that Pirate Night was moved to Thursday. This information will eventually be posted on the pre-sailing guide.

Makes absolutely no difference to us what happens on what night. We just do the MDRs now as DW doesn't particularly like Palo (after two visits).

 

[DCL Mania]

Hi everyone. My family will be on the 1/17 cruise. Has anyone heard about the festival San Sebastian. It takes place during that weekend including the day the cruise leaves. I wonder if that is why they moved up our disembarkation time. The festival website says traveling on 1/17 which normally takes minutes can take hours. Has anyone heard anything or had any trouble with flights or rooms?


http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/san-sebastian-street-festival/

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

Hi everyone. My family will be on the 1/17 cruise. Has anyone heard about the festival San Sebastian. It takes place during that weekend including the day the cruise leaves. I wonder if that is why they moved up our disembarkation time. The festival website says traveling on 1/17 which normally takes minutes can take hours. Has anyone heard anything or had any trouble with flights or rooms?


http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/san-sebastian-street-festival/

↑
Hi, I just replied to your other post, but, figured I should repost here to warn everyone. Traffic will be crazy on that day.
San Sebastian is a very popular party and it gets extremely crowded. It is held on the other side of the harbor near Old San Juan, but, traffic backs up way past the Panamerican Pier. Just try to get to port early to avoid traffic as it will pick up as the day goes on. Taxi usually use the lanes for the public buses during the parties and are able to avoid some, but, not all the traffic.

 

[Sir William]

↑
Hi, I just replied to your other post, but, figured I should repost here to warn everyone. Traffic will be crazy on that day.
San Sebastian is a very popular party and it gets extremely crowded. It is held on the other side of the harbor near Old San Juan, but, traffic backs up way past the Panamerican Pier. Just try to get to port early to avoid traffic as it will pick up as the day goes on. Taxi usually use the lanes for the public buses during the parties and are able to avoid some, but, not all the traffic.

Good to know. Fortunately for us, our hotel is only about a mile from the pier. We had thought to spend the day (prior to sailing) in Old San Juan but since neither of us likes crowds, especially me, I think we'll just enjoy the hotel's amenities.

 

[danfromca]

Good to know. Fortunately for us, our hotel is only about a mile from the pier. We had thought to spend the day (prior to sailing) in Old San Juan but since neither of us likes crowds, especially me, I think we'll just enjoy the hotel's amenities.

Do we know which pier the Magic is using?

Dan

 

[Sir William]

Do we know which pier the Magic is using?

Dan

Pan-American is shown in the pre-arrival guide. Always subject to change of course.

 

[danfromca]

Pan-American is shown in the pre-arrival guide. Always subject to change of course.

Well, as I read the map, that should help considerably - as it doesn't require going into old San Juan (unless, of course, you're staying in old San Juan). Not saying there won't be traffic, but hopefully we're not talking the kind of delays that are likely for ships departing from the old town piers.