January 20, 2008

[Caninoce]

Total of 12 of us going- kids ranging from 8-2y! We are hoping to have a blast!!

Cindy & Joe
Jacksonville Florida

 

[NancyIL]

Welcome to our thread, Cindy and Joe!

I suppose we ought to set up a time and place for our little group to get together, right? I've never been on a Disney ship, so maybe one of you repeat cruisers will have a suggestion. On my last cruise (on Princess to Alaska), our roll call met at a designated location right after the muster drill.

Now that its January, I suppose I ought to start thinking about what to pack, too! I only have to pack for myself, so I'll save the worrying for the weather on the day I fly to Orlando.

 

[dustermom02]

I have a question for mmps108- we've been on one cruise before and we checked in later - I think after 1:00pm. How early do you need to be there to get a pass? (We didn't get one). And do they really number them 1, 2, 3 and take people in order? We were thinking about arriving around 10:30 this time. What time do they start passing them out? And I'm curious when other people are going to arrive too. It looks like you can go right to Parrot Cay at noon for a sit down lunch.

Nancy, I'd love to get together. Seattle Girl suggested martini tasting but I wouldn't mind a wine tasting either. Would anyone want to meet at the first tasting whatever it is? I'm just not a beer drinker. We could try to check a recently posted Navigator to check and take a guess on when it would be.

I've done the Nassau tour before. We were the last taxi back to the ship and our taxi driver was teased for being the last one back- we really took our time. One suggestion I have is that you ask your driver to let you go DOWN the Queen's steps not UP them like they normally have you do. My parents were with us and it worked much better that way. But if you have kids to tire out, then up is fine.

Has anyone checked the weather? I know its too early to really know, but I've been afraid to look in case it says its going to be bad. If its bad I don't really want to know.

 

[NancyIL]

.

Nancy, I'd love to get together. Seattle Girl suggested martini tasting but I wouldn't mind a wine tasting either. Would anyone want to meet at the first tasting whatever it is? I'm just not a beer drinker. We could try to check a recently posted Navigator to check and take a guess on when it would be.

Has anyone checked the weather? I know its too early to really know, but I've been afraid to look in case it says its going to be bad. If its bad I don't really want to know.

Do they have any chocolate milk tastings? I'll volunteer to be the official martini or wine tasting photographer!

I have checked FL weather for the next 10 days to see when it's warming up - but it is too early to see what the weather will be like when we leave. I'm more concerned about the weather at home the day I fly to Orlando. I'm sure the Caribbean will be warm - no matter what Florida's temps are.

 

[SeattleGirl]

I would go to whatever tasting there is. Unfortunately, I can't get anyone to post a recent Wonder navigator! We're getting to the port early - probably 10 or 10:30.

 

[dustermom02]

Do they have any chocolate milk tastings? I'll volunteer to be the official martini or wine tasting photographer!

Very cute. Hhmm. How about this -can you drink chocolate milk in the hot tub? Is there a hot tub at the adults pool? and what are the hours?

You'd never guess I was on a 3 day cruse before, I know so little!

 

[NancyIL]

Very cute. Hhmm. How about this -can you drink chocolate milk in the hot tub? Is there a hot tub at the adults pool? and what are the hours?

You'd never guess I was on a 3 day cruse before, I know so little!

Well I can drink chocolate milk anywhere, but I don't know if DCL appeciates it being imbibed in their hot tubs!

 

[MichiganFamilyof5]

Has anyone gotten their cruise documents yet? They said about two weeks out. I think that I look in the mailbox about three times a day. We have about 2 feet of snow in Michigan and the current temperature is a whopping 4. I can't wait for the sun!

 

[NancyIL]

No cruise docs yet.

 

[SeattleGirl]

My TA called DCL earlier this week and was told they would go out Thursday or today and we should get them early next week. She did say they were behind. I think our cruise was full, but hopefully they are behind because they have to hand out piles of free upgrades.

 

[mmps108]

I have a question for mmps108- we've been on one cruise before and we checked in later - I think after 1:00pm. How early do you need to be there to get a pass? (We didn't get one). And do they really number them 1, 2, 3 and take people in order? We were thinking about arriving around 10:30 this time. What time do they start passing them out? And I'm curious when other people are going to arrive too. It looks like you can go right to Parrot Cay at noon for a sit down lunch.

Nancy, I'd love to get together. Seattle Girl suggested martini tasting but I wouldn't mind a wine tasting either. Would anyone want to meet at the first tasting whatever it is? I'm just not a beer drinker. We could try to check a recently posted Navigator to check and take a guess on when it would be.

I've done the Nassau tour before. We were the last taxi back to the ship and our taxi driver was teased for being the last one back- we really took our time. One suggestion I have is that you ask your driver to let you go DOWN the Queen's steps not UP them like they normally have you do. My parents were with us and it worked much better that way. But if you have kids to tire out, then up is fine.

Has anyone checked the weather? I know its too early to really know, but I've been afraid to look in case it says its going to be bad. If its bad I don't really want to know.

dustermom02-sorry for the delayed response! I am subscribed to this thread but it didn't email me when there were new replies! sometimes I forget to check the boards when I'm wrapped up in my weekly duties (otherwise known as my job I also started weight watchers Wednesday in hopes to loose a few pounds in the next couple of weeks before the cruise, LOL!

Let me preface my response by saying I was on a Disney Cruise in 2000, A LOT has changed since then...I think I've freaked myself out with the whole boarding pass thing...or have I? When I've read other DIS trip reports they talk about getting to the terminal at 10-10:30(when it opens) just to get on the ship FIRST! They don't let you on the ship until 12, so sitting around for 2 hours doesn't sound too fun, but lots of people do it. From what I understand, the earlier you register the earlier your boarding pass will be. Registering takes a little time and as the day goes on, the line for registraion gets longer too. The earlier you get on the ship the more time you have (time is $$$) to eat, swim, get those last minute Palo, spa and other ressies you still want to get. Also, Parrot Cay apparently fills up and Parrot Cay is the better of the two buffets when you get on board...or so I've read
When I went in 2000 I don't even remember the boarding process, I just remember getting on the ship, BUT we had a land sea package and we were already "checked-in" so I think we just on board when the Disney bus dropped us off. I think it has gotten more complicated since 2000...
Back then you couldn't do anything online, so we made a bee-line for Palo to get our ressie and had no problem.
My family is lucky (if I do say so myself, I'm the only repeat cruiser and I was able to get all of us reserved under my Castaway Club # so we don't have any additions or changes to make when we get on board.

That being said...because our boys are going to drop us off at the port and return the rental car, I'm sure we'll be there at 10-10:30...only because I'm a dork
sorry for the rambling....

 

[mmps108]

no cruise docs for us either...
weather - I've got Nassau on my desktop weather and it looks to be highs of 80s this week. If you go to accuweather.com they will give you 15 days out. I've been check it and it looks to be the same, 80s and scattered storms/rain. Typical for this time of year, right?
I'm mostly worried for my mom, she gets sea sick and this 4 night is a tester for a future 7 night, I hope the seas aren't too rough. My parents have been on 2 Alaska cruises, but the water is totally different up there!

I'm up for a cruise meet too...however I'm not sure the rest of my family is, they don't understand the whole chatting with strangers online thing!

Packing- I downloaded the packing list from another thread and I'm using it for my template. I also am a Passporter club member and I downloaded the ebook for cruise tips! It's great! email me if you want a copy.

 

[mmps108]

I would go to whatever tasting there is. Unfortunately, I can't get anyone to post a recent Wonder navigator! We're getting to the port early - probably 10 or 10:30.[/QUOTE

castawayclub . com has a Navigator from 11/11/07 sailing, I think that's pretty recent...

 

[K8T]

Hi

If you arrange a meet up, count us in, but like yourselves, we don't know the ship, or the timetable, so would have no idea when and where!

We are coming from the UK and haven't received any docs. yet either. I am a little worried about them arriving before we set off for WDW next weekend! I suppose we are showing on the DCL site and have the booking confirmation, so they will be expecting us!

Look forward to meeting anyone - my dp finds this chatting and meeting up a little 'odd' too!!!

Kate

 

[dustermom02]

I was clicking through my tivo today and noticed that there are a ton of cruise shows on the travel channel tomorrow and one of them is the Disney Cruise line! I'm already excited enough, but now I can watch that and get more excited.... I don't know how similar all cable providers are but you might want to check. I have seen it before, its a 2003 recording but it still should have lots of good info.

 

[NancyIL]

Hi

If you arrange a meet up, count us in, but like yourselves, we don't know the ship, or the timetable, so would have no idea when and where!

We are coming from the UK and haven't received any docs. yet either. I am a little worried about them arriving before we set off for WDW next weekend! I suppose we are showing on the DCL site and have the booking confirmation, so they will be expecting us!

Look forward to meeting anyone - my dp finds this chatting and meeting up a little 'odd' too!!!

Kate

From what I've read, as long as you did the online check-in and bring the signed forms with you, you don't need whatever is in the package they send you. You can get the immigration forms and luggage tags when you arrive at the port.

I hope you'll have a great flight(s) and a wonderful time at WDW pre-cruise!

 

[bettydau]

I am relieved to read that many of you haven't gotten your cruise docs yet either. My AAA agent said she's been on Disney to get them to us earlier; Disney says they send them out 10-14 days before. We're Land/Sea, so are actually at WDW on the 16th (staying an extra day), but Disney said they count from the cruise day not the day you arrive at WDW. So we're cutting it close. We did all our online check-in stuff, so I know we're OK, but I wanted to have everything in my hands by now.
See you all January 20th!

 

[K8T]

Thanks NancyIL

A bit off thread, but how dressy is the Tritons night? Does anyone know? As we are doing 6 days beforehand and a long flight, we are trying to cut down on the luggage.

Does DP need a tux and is it long for ladies?

Kate

 

[NancyIL]

Thanks NancyIL

A bit off thread, but how dressy is the Tritons night? Does anyone know? As we are doing 6 days beforehand and a long flight, we are trying to cut down on the luggage.

Does DP need a tux and is it long for ladies?

Kate

There are no "formal" nights on the 4-day cruise. I haven't been on DCL before, but I understand their "dress-up" night to be what I would wear to church. So while your husband is welcome to wear his tux and you wear your long gown - you will certainly put the majority of us to shame.

 

[mmps108]

Thanks NancyIL

A bit off thread, but how dressy is the Tritons night? Does anyone know? As we are doing 6 days beforehand and a long flight, we are trying to cut down on the luggage.

Does DP need a tux and is it long for ladies?

Kate

Not to repeat what Nancy said, she's right on, but I'll share my two cents.

From my understanding DCL is different totally than other cruises! It doesn't matter which restaurant you are in, it depends on the "night" which clothes you wear at dinner.
1st night - cruise casual
2nd night - dress-up night
3rd night - cruise casual or pirate dress
4th night - cruise casual

And Nancy is exactly correct, "dress up" is not formal night, it means jackets suggested. I've head the phrase "church wear" before, but we wear jeans to church So I dug further...from what I've read, most men will be in dress shirts and khaki pants (maybe a tie) and women in dresses or pant suits.

Palo you need a jacket...