On November 14th we were supposed to go to Paris for vacation for a week. When the attacks happened on the 13th we knew that wasn't any longer any option. We knew we still wanted to go on vacation as we both had the week off and don't get to see each other much. After some quick considerations and debates we decided to try to get on the Fantasy cruise the next day. We had a OBB cruise in the future so I called our travel agent Amber SWV and she managed to get it all changed and set up! She said that often they will not let agents book cruises closer than 3 days in advance to the trip but they put it though and we got the OBC and discount from Disney. She wasn't sure if they would be able to get the OBS from the travel agent but a few days into our cruise it did show up. Then we had some frantic last minute flight bookings and hotel for after the cruise. Then at 5am we were off to the airport.
I was nervous about flying in the morning of because we never had and there are always warnings not to but everything went smoothly. I would highly recommend a direct flight if you are planning on doing this to take some stress off. We also got trip insurance for our cruise through Disney in case something happened with the flight and we didn't get there.
We decided to take Disney transfers since we were just getting in that morning. I couldn't book these through my travel agent since it was last minute but that was no problem. We went to the transfer check in desk and the cast member took down our information and actually charged it to our onboard statement so you don't even pay there. All the information I had was the confirmation e-mail from my travel agent as I obviously didn't have time to get the cruise documents or luggage tags in the mail. This was no problem and they just made out some luggage tags for us when we got to the transfer desk. So don't worry if you ever forget these things.
When we got to the terminal it was no problem not having the cruise documents or not having done online check-in in advance because they just did it all for us when we checked it.
After getting onboard we were able to get a time for palo dinner by going to the designated area at the time posted for dining reservations since we couldn't do this in advance.
I usually thoroughly research and book port excursions but didn't have time to do this. So we went to the port adventures desk on board and got some information. We ended up booking the Discover Scuba in Cozumel and Deluxe Stingray City Snorkel in Grand Cayman through the port adventures desk. Before we left port I also booked an excursion for Falmouth though the Resort for a Day website at the Hilton Rose Hall.
Discover Scuba in Cozumel - We had actually done this excursion on our last cruise on the Wonder to Cozumel and my fiance loved it so much he insisted we do it again. I would recommend it. It is a great way to get a taste of scuba diving and there are actually a lot of fish to see. The instructors seem very good. You have a quick classroom session, probably less than 20 mins, and then suit up and walk into the water from the beach. I think they take you about 25 feet deep. It is in small groups, the first time we were in a group of four and this time is was just us and the instructor when we actually got in the water. You go to and from the facility in a cab that is included in the cost of the excursion. It is maybe a 10 min ride up the coast from the port, actually inbetween the two cruise ports in Cozumel.
Deluxe Stingray City Snorkel - I would recommend this excursion as well. I didn't like the port set up for check in for the adventure, it seemed very disorganized and not what I am used to from Disney. I would have preferred to check in on the boat instead of trying to check in at the port with people for 10+ other excursions. We were taken in a trolley bus from the port to the marina, maybe 15 mins drive. Then you board a boat and take about a 20-30 min ride out to the sandbar area. The water was fairly rough but not too deep. They provide you with snorkel masks and snorkels but they aren't really useful given the shallowness of the water and they ask you not to swim but to stand so you don't step down on a stingray. So that is one thing I didn't like that it wasn't actually a snorkel. But when you actually get into the water it is so cool to be with the stingrays in their natural habit out in the middle of the ocean. There are a ton of them. The people that organize the excursion are great and help you hold them and take pictures with them and feed them. There is plenty of time there. You then reverse the journey with the boat and then the trolley bus back to the pier.
Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica - When looking at the excursions for Falmouth we really weren't interested in anything. We were somewhat apprehensive about going to Jamaica. We had never been there and heard how it is not safe to go about. I had read on these boards a review of someone who used the company Resort for a Day to go to the Hilton Rose Hall for the day. I wished I would have had more time to review the Resort for a Day company but being last minute this wasn't an option and I needed to reserve it quick before we left Port Canaveral and internet service so we decided to go for it. I am also a Hilton HHonors Diamond member and had looked at the website for the Hilton Rose Hall online in the past when looking for vacation possibilities. We usually vacation either at a Hilton family property (Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, etc.) or through Disney (DCL, WDW, Aulani, etc.). I was nervous because it said to print out your confirmation and I wasn't able to do that already being on the boat so I just saved a screen shot on my phone and hoped that would work. When we got to the port we looked for the person from the Resort for a Day company who we found in the excursion area in port after a little searching. We were the only people going to the Hilton that day so she called our driver who met us and took us over to his car in the port parking area and drove us to the resort. He was very professional and was very proud to be from Falmouth and drove us through the town a bit. Even though we were expecting it we were overwhelmed by the poverty in the area and would definitely not feel safe going about on our own. His car was like an old town car but clean and well kept. When we got to the resort he set the time to pick us up, about 2 hours before the boat was scheduled to leave. When we went into the Hilton we checked in at the Concierge who gave us wristbands. The resort is all inclusive. We asked about internet and he said it isn't usually included, that it is an extra I believe $5 but he did end up giving us a passcode since we are Diamond members of Hilton. You aren't able to just long in with your HHonors number like you are at most Hiltons. While there you had full access to the pools, restaurants, bars, beaches, and some activities. There was one large pool and then another pool area which connected to a lazy river and two water slides with a swim up pool bar. The place was overall well kept. We don't drink much but did have a couple of drinks. If you like to have many drinks throughout the day this would add valve to the day because it is unlimited. There are three lunch options and I was not impressed with any of them. I usually find the Hilton to have quality food but was disappointed with it there. At the end of the day our driver picked as up as scheduled and took us back to the port with plenty of time to spare. Overall I was surprised that I wouldn't actually go back to the Hilton. I think it is a good option for a port day if you are looking to relax at a hotel. I would consider using the Resort for a Day company in another port.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything.
I was nervous about flying in the morning of because we never had and there are always warnings not to but everything went smoothly. I would highly recommend a direct flight if you are planning on doing this to take some stress off. We also got trip insurance for our cruise through Disney in case something happened with the flight and we didn't get there.
We decided to take Disney transfers since we were just getting in that morning. I couldn't book these through my travel agent since it was last minute but that was no problem. We went to the transfer check in desk and the cast member took down our information and actually charged it to our onboard statement so you don't even pay there. All the information I had was the confirmation e-mail from my travel agent as I obviously didn't have time to get the cruise documents or luggage tags in the mail. This was no problem and they just made out some luggage tags for us when we got to the transfer desk. So don't worry if you ever forget these things.
When we got to the terminal it was no problem not having the cruise documents or not having done online check-in in advance because they just did it all for us when we checked it.
After getting onboard we were able to get a time for palo dinner by going to the designated area at the time posted for dining reservations since we couldn't do this in advance.
I usually thoroughly research and book port excursions but didn't have time to do this. So we went to the port adventures desk on board and got some information. We ended up booking the Discover Scuba in Cozumel and Deluxe Stingray City Snorkel in Grand Cayman through the port adventures desk. Before we left port I also booked an excursion for Falmouth though the Resort for a Day website at the Hilton Rose Hall.
Discover Scuba in Cozumel - We had actually done this excursion on our last cruise on the Wonder to Cozumel and my fiance loved it so much he insisted we do it again. I would recommend it. It is a great way to get a taste of scuba diving and there are actually a lot of fish to see. The instructors seem very good. You have a quick classroom session, probably less than 20 mins, and then suit up and walk into the water from the beach. I think they take you about 25 feet deep. It is in small groups, the first time we were in a group of four and this time is was just us and the instructor when we actually got in the water. You go to and from the facility in a cab that is included in the cost of the excursion. It is maybe a 10 min ride up the coast from the port, actually inbetween the two cruise ports in Cozumel.
Deluxe Stingray City Snorkel - I would recommend this excursion as well. I didn't like the port set up for check in for the adventure, it seemed very disorganized and not what I am used to from Disney. I would have preferred to check in on the boat instead of trying to check in at the port with people for 10+ other excursions. We were taken in a trolley bus from the port to the marina, maybe 15 mins drive. Then you board a boat and take about a 20-30 min ride out to the sandbar area. The water was fairly rough but not too deep. They provide you with snorkel masks and snorkels but they aren't really useful given the shallowness of the water and they ask you not to swim but to stand so you don't step down on a stingray. So that is one thing I didn't like that it wasn't actually a snorkel. But when you actually get into the water it is so cool to be with the stingrays in their natural habit out in the middle of the ocean. There are a ton of them. The people that organize the excursion are great and help you hold them and take pictures with them and feed them. There is plenty of time there. You then reverse the journey with the boat and then the trolley bus back to the pier.
Hilton Rose Hall in Jamaica - When looking at the excursions for Falmouth we really weren't interested in anything. We were somewhat apprehensive about going to Jamaica. We had never been there and heard how it is not safe to go about. I had read on these boards a review of someone who used the company Resort for a Day to go to the Hilton Rose Hall for the day. I wished I would have had more time to review the Resort for a Day company but being last minute this wasn't an option and I needed to reserve it quick before we left Port Canaveral and internet service so we decided to go for it. I am also a Hilton HHonors Diamond member and had looked at the website for the Hilton Rose Hall online in the past when looking for vacation possibilities. We usually vacation either at a Hilton family property (Hilton, Waldorf Astoria, etc.) or through Disney (DCL, WDW, Aulani, etc.). I was nervous because it said to print out your confirmation and I wasn't able to do that already being on the boat so I just saved a screen shot on my phone and hoped that would work. When we got to the port we looked for the person from the Resort for a Day company who we found in the excursion area in port after a little searching. We were the only people going to the Hilton that day so she called our driver who met us and took us over to his car in the port parking area and drove us to the resort. He was very professional and was very proud to be from Falmouth and drove us through the town a bit. Even though we were expecting it we were overwhelmed by the poverty in the area and would definitely not feel safe going about on our own. His car was like an old town car but clean and well kept. When we got to the resort he set the time to pick us up, about 2 hours before the boat was scheduled to leave. When we went into the Hilton we checked in at the Concierge who gave us wristbands. The resort is all inclusive. We asked about internet and he said it isn't usually included, that it is an extra I believe $5 but he did end up giving us a passcode since we are Diamond members of Hilton. You aren't able to just long in with your HHonors number like you are at most Hiltons. While there you had full access to the pools, restaurants, bars, beaches, and some activities. There was one large pool and then another pool area which connected to a lazy river and two water slides with a swim up pool bar. The place was overall well kept. We don't drink much but did have a couple of drinks. If you like to have many drinks throughout the day this would add valve to the day because it is unlimited. There are three lunch options and I was not impressed with any of them. I usually find the Hilton to have quality food but was disappointed with it there. At the end of the day our driver picked as up as scheduled and took us back to the port with plenty of time to spare. Overall I was surprised that I wouldn't actually go back to the Hilton. I think it is a good option for a port day if you are looking to relax at a hotel. I would consider using the Resort for a Day company in another port.
Let me know if you have any questions about anything.
