Just got off a 4 night, a few suggestions

[MaryQ]

We just got off a 4 night and have a few suggestions for future travelers---most important to us is to next time bring some kind of a fan/white noise maker to cover up the kids that run and scream in the halls until midnight, it was the worst part of the cruise. Night light was extremely helpful. Check your bill carefully on the last day, they had charged us $138 for a "transfer" and when my hubby went to question he was told that they automatically charge everyone for Disney transportation, we had a rental car so didn't use their transportation. They easily took it off but I'm glad we noticed. The deep sea fishing expidition at Castaway Cay was awesome!! Another DISer caught a 5-6 foot black tip reef shark. We went on the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and were amazed. None of us had ever snorkled before and it was windy so kind of scary getting into the water and floating away from the boat in the ocean but once we got the hang of it it was terrific and well worth the money. We wish Disney would move some of their family activities to earlier in the evening. By 10pm when a lot of the things on board are cranking up we're going to bed, it was kind of disappointing, even the Pirate's Party doesn't get going until late and we wanted to see fireworks but gave up the wait.

 

[Hygiene99]

We just got off a 4 night and have a few suggestions for future travelers---most important to us is to next time bring some kind of a fan/white noise maker to cover up the kids that run and scream in the halls until midnight, it was the worst part of the cruise. Night light was extremely helpful. Check your bill carefully on the last day, they had charged us $138 for a "transfer" and when my hubby went to question he was told that they automatically charge everyone for Disney transportation, we had a rental car so didn't use their transportation. They easily took it off but I'm glad we noticed. The deep sea fishing expidition at Castaway Cay was awesome!! Another DISer caught a 5-6 foot black tip reef shark. We went on the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and were amazed. None of us had ever snorkled before and it was windy so kind of scary getting into the water and floating away from the boat in the ocean but once we got the hang of it it was terrific and well worth the money. We wish Disney would move some of their family activities to earlier in the evening. By 10pm when a lot of the things on board are cranking up we're going to bed, it was kind of disappointing, even the Pirate's Party doesn't get going until late and we wanted to see fireworks but gave up the wait.

Fireworks

 

[DisneyCM]

Check your bill carefully on the last day, they had charged us $138 for a "transfer" and when my hubby went to question he was told that they automatically charge everyone for Disney transportation, we had a rental car so didn't use their transportation. They easily took it off but I'm glad we noticed.

We wish Disney would move some of their family activities to earlier in the evening. By 10pm when a lot of the things on board are cranking up we're going to bed, it was kind of disappointing, even the Pirate's Party doesn't get going until late and we wanted to see fireworks but gave up the wait.

I have never heard of Disney just charging everyone for DCL transfers. Sounds more like someone just made an error (they definitely do not charge everyone and only add transfers if asked to do so.) I have been on 9 Disney cruises and never had transfers charged to my account (although I have had billing errors on my account so I definitely second the recommendation to check it periodically. I don't recommend waiting until the last day.)

For the evening activities, you have to remember that they need to plan these after everyone has had dinner and seen the shows. 6-10 p.m. is pretty much taken up by dining and shows, so the only time available to do these special deck parties and such is after 10pm to allow everyone to be able to attend. There are lots of family activities planned during earlier times, but to plan a deck party (such as the pirate party) they need to account for that dinner/show time and give people a chance to change and get to the parties.

Sounds like you enjoyed the fishing excursion at Castaway Cay. I have not tried that and it is nice to hear about it.

 

[deb123453]

i told my dd we would have to have a nap the day of the pirate party, i don't want her to miss the fireworks.

 

[spoon2003]

We went on the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and were amazed. None of us had ever snorkled before and it was windy so kind of scary getting into the water and floating away from the boat in the ocean but once we got the hang of it it was terrific and well worth the money.

Thank you for writing We've booked that excursion for April, glad to hear it was a great excursion

Sue

 

[lg3]

Can you check your statement in your room as you go?

 

[OceanLvr]

My DW andf I are sailing in a week. Can someone tell me if Steve in the Cove Cafe is still onboard. We had a great time with him on our last cruise in October. Would love to see him again.

Thanks.

 

[disneyfan19712006]

My DW andf I are sailing in a week. Can someone tell me if Steve in the Cove Cafe is still onboard. We had a great time with him on our last cruise in October. Would love to see him again.

Thanks.

We sail in 51 hours. Can't wait thanks for the tips.

 

[luvcruisn]

Can you check your statement in your room as you go?

You can! We stop by guest services about halfway through and request a copy of our statement. It is not a problem at all and really helps you keep track of how much spending money you have left

 

[jilljill]

I like tho check my stateroom acct. every night, especially if I've been charging a lot during the day. That way all our charges are fresh in my memory bank.
We also like to add cash to our account and this helps us keep track of that as well.

 

[RLccweems]

We sail in 51 hours. Can't wait thanks for the tips.

Ohh....have a great time!!!


lettie

 

[dpuck1998]

I have never heard of Disney just charging everyone for DCL transfers. Sounds more like someone just made an error (they definitely do not charge everyone and only add transfers if asked to do so.) I have been on 9 Disney cruises and never had transfers charged to my account (although I have had billing errors on my account so I definitely second the recommendation to check it periodically. I don't recommend waiting until the last day.)

Actually when you book online they include ground tranfers unless you change it and hit update. Its the first thing I do when checking prices online.

 

[lindakmonty]

I've never been charged the transfers unless I selected to purchase them. Yes, online you have to decline transfers and/or the travel insurance if you don't want them.

 

[rubbergypsy]

we were on the same cruise as the op, we never heard any noise in the hallways, perhaps because we were at the very end of the hallway? we loved this cruise and booked the same one for next year, pres week, did it onboard with the discount and room credit. the weather was awesome. we did the discover atlantis tour and really enjoyed it. my daughter had a great time in the clubs, my pager never went off once, had to drag her out of there. i cannot believe it went so quickly. back to the ice and snow

 

[HawkeyeGal]

Did you find that the rates for president's week were high? We were on that one and booked for next year, but the week prior, because the rates were so much higher.

 

[chepic]

Hygiene99: Thanks for the video clip....it is great....I so can't wait....another 11 months....can it really be that long....I wonder if they use the same music all the time, we will have to brushup on the handjive

Thanks again

cheryl

 

[marlower]

We just got off a 4 night and have a few suggestions for future travelers---most important to us is to next time bring some kind of a fan/white noise maker to cover up the kids that run and scream in the halls until midnight, it was the worst part of the cruise. Night light was extremely helpful. Check your bill carefully on the last day, they had charged us $138 for a "transfer" and when my hubby went to question he was told that they automatically charge everyone for Disney transportation, we had a rental car so didn't use their transportation. They easily took it off but I'm glad we noticed. The deep sea fishing expidition at Castaway Cay was awesome!! Another DISer caught a 5-6 foot black tip reef shark. We went on the catamaran snorkeling in Nassau and were amazed. None of us had ever snorkled before and it was windy so kind of scary getting into the water and floating away from the boat in the ocean but once we got the hang of it it was terrific and well worth the money. We wish Disney would move some of their family activities to earlier in the evening. By 10pm when a lot of the things on board are cranking up we're going to bed, it was kind of disappointing, even the Pirate's Party doesn't get going until late and we wanted to see fireworks but gave up the wait.

Thanks for the updates! We leave in 12 days!
How was the weather? Should I pack shorts? Any suggestions on packing would be great.

 

[JanDave]

most important to us is to next time bring some kind of a fan/white noise maker to cover up the kids that run and scream in the halls until midnight, it was the worst part of the cruise.

Sorry to hear that you heard kids running and screaming the halls until midnight. That happened to us on our first DCL cruise in 1999. I immediately called guest services on our first night at approximately 11:30 pm, and a CM was there immediately and we never heard the kids again at late hours throughout the rest of our cruise.

Jan

 

[rubbergypsy]

definitely pack shorts. we had great weather. as far as the rates for next year, i thought it was ok. with the discount and shipboard credit, it seems fine. it is pres week after all and everything is higher. we went on a passholder discount for the cruise last week and it was a steal, but who knows if they will offer it again. i hope i can wait a whole year.

 

[chake]

we stayed in a Cat 6 6618 to be exact right off the Aft elevators and heard not 1 sound. i was worried it would be noisy but i would book that room again in a second