Just booked 1st Cruise...and now the ????

[DWillowBay]

I am so excited!! We just booked our first cruise for the end of August, 2017. 4 nights on the Dream! I can't believe we're going to do this. I'm so excited already...and it's 14 months away!!
But... some questions just so that I understand basics a little better.
1) The Pirate Night... there's a meal with that??? Does that replace the dinner rotation? Are the Pirate nights a specific night of the 4-day cruise? (Surely, they're not every night?) Any insight would be really helpful. Arrrrrrgh!
2) In terms of transfers....we are a family of 3. Would we do better to take a car service from Orlando to PC the morning of the cruise and get transfers back to WDW for our "land" part of the trip after the cruise? Or...car service each way? Or...rent a car in Orlando, drive to PC, and park it there for the 4 days of the cruise? This one's really a mystery as to do the transfers. Must they be booked in advance? How do I do that?
Gosh....I'm sure those two questions are plenty for now. I really appreciate the insights of the veteran cruisers here. Thanks!

 

[openwater]

Transfers. Are you flying to Orlando on the morning of your cruise? That's always a bit risky...and your transfer options depend on whether or not you arrive a day early or not.

 

[vaidas]

1. Pirate night is one night and in addition to all the pirate stuff there is a pirate themed night in the dining room (based on your rotation). They will leave some bandanas in your room the evening of and they sell plenty of costumes/accessories in the gift shops if you want to dress up (or bring with you of course).
2. To book your transfers call your TA or DCL... they'll take care of the rest. Its $35 per person per way.

 

[tink1970]

1. Pirate night is on one night-there is a pirate themed menu in the MDRs and some people dress up for this to different degrees.The stores have some themed items and there are free bandanas left by your stateroom host the night before. If you're into dressing up I've read of folks getting costumes for a good price after Halloween.

There is also a show on the deck, and fireworks, as well as a buffet later in the pm. I have been on 12 cruises and have never seen the show, fireworks or eaten from the buffet so others can chime in about the specifics. (Not a pirate fan nor night owl but I've read lots about it ).

2. Transfers can be via DCL, rental car, or private. If this is your first cruise and you want to get to the port as soon as you can (it's lovely-and characters come out, etc) I'd have a private transport or rent a car one way. Then (if I read this correctly) you're going to WDW I'd recommend that you take the DCL transfer to WDW. After breakfast and the ship is cleared, you leave the ship, find your luggage, go through customs and follow the signs to the buses which depart steadily and effectively.

My experience: we usually drive but the one time I rented a car I wasn't thrilled with the chaos at the rental car agency, but that's just me and my one time contact, others swear by the rental car.

Pros for private transportation- you control the reservation (to the extent that anyone has control...but anyway), pick up time, drop off time, etc. Many companies offer a grocery stop on the way so you can pick up anything forgotten. Cons-expensive (usually more than the other options).

DCL transport-pros- easy, convenient, and I believe they have a video playing on board to heighten the excitement (as if!). Cons-unless you're staying at the MCO Hyatt, the DCL transport doesn't get you to the port very early and no convenience stop. At $35/pp some feel this is too expensive.

Rental car-having to drive, deal with tolls, drop off the car, catch a shuttle. Sorry, just realized I listed only cons Pros would be more control, can be the cheapest options, can stop to pick up last minute items before turning in car.

Also you didn't mention where you were staying pre cruise. DCL transfers only operate from MCO Hyatt and WDW resort. I'd recommend flying in the day prior just to avoid any stress.

Hope that helps!

 

[DWillowBay]

Wow! You are all great. I feel so much more informed now. Thank you so much.

 

[hanscarlet]

we didn't do DCL transfers during our first two cruises and we did them this past cruise and we felt like, "Damn why haven't we been doing this the whole time?" So easy!

Book a placeholder, no matter what, it's refundable, book it with the vacation desk

have fun!!!

 

[MPS516]

When you complete your on-line check in you will select a Port Arrival Time (PAT), this will also determine your boarding order. Should you arrive too early you may find yourself waiting quite awhile in the terminal before boarding. We generally use DCL transfer to port when flying same day, check bag at home airport and it shows up at stateroom next time we deal with it. When we come early we stay at WDW and catch transfer from there, again luggage is from here to stateroom. When sailing out of other ports we have usually used private arranged transfers and experienced no problem with luggage, plenty of curbside porters at port.