Magic 10/15/16 out of NYC, odds and ends

[Anna114]

I hate to be that person that when you Veteran Disney cruisers read what I will write and roll your eyes LOL.

1.This isn't my first cruise but am confused about excursions. Is it not possible to know what the excursions are before you can book them? I assumed once I paid off my trip that I could explore my options. It's not giving me that ability. I think I take this one back. It's not available to book but I can look on the Disney cruise site and find options? Also, is it worth it to take the ride over to WDW? We are DVC owners and go once a year, is the schlep worth the time or is it better spent on the ship. It's only my husband and myself and we are old, 52 years old.

2.This cruise goes to Port Canaveral and Castaway Cay. Will I need my passport? I read that I will need it but I think that the passport is if we were going to the Bahamas. Not that it's a big deal more curiosity than anything.

3. I'm down the hallway from the laundry. I love to take clean clothes home Is there a charge for the washer and dryer?

4. I'm a huge fan of flowers in my room. Do I have to order from Disney (crappy choices) or can I have flowers delivered to the ship? If I can't, can I call the cruise line to order special flowers (I love star gazer lilies, they stink up the whole room)?

5. Since we booked this cruise their alcohol policy has changed. I can't seem to find if they offer alcohol packages like other cruise lines, other then some beer or wine in the room. Do they offer it? This is me being lazy What can you bring with you, any wine? Sounding boozy here, sorry, lol.

6. For anyone who's a Dooney person, are the bags always available on the ship?

7. How is the snorkeling at Castaway Cay? We have our own equipment but is it worth, again I use the word schlep, packing it for a couple hours of snorkeling?

8. We will be carrying our bags off the ship. We live on Long Island and will take the train home. How soon can you get off the ship after docking?

Thanks to anyone who can help this Disney cruise newbie. I truly hate being that person but I'm a planner. Now that I've paid off the cruise (it was so much money because prima donna {my husband} needed a balcony and I wasn't sure I wanted to pay that much for a cruise) it's time for me to kick it into high gear with only 92 days left. Thanks for the help.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I hate to be that person that when you Veteran Disney cruisers read what I will write and roll your eyes LOL.

1.This isn't my first cruise but am confused about excursions. Is it not possible to know what the excursions are before you can book them? I assumed once I paid off my trip that I could explore my options. It's not giving me that ability. I think I take this one back. It's not available to book but I can look on the Disney cruise site and find options? Also, is it worth it to take the ride over to WDW? We are DVC owners and go once a year, is the schlep worth the time or is it better spent on the ship. It's only my husband and myself and we are old, 52 years old.

2.This cruise goes to Port Canaveral and Castaway Cay. Will I need my passport? I read that I will need it but I think that the passport is if we were going to the Bahamas. Not that it's a big deal more curiosity than anything.

3. I'm down the hallway from the laundry. I love to take clean clothes home Is there a charge for the washer and dryer?

4. I'm a huge fan of flowers in my room. Do I have to order from Disney (crappy choices) or can I have flowers delivered to the ship? If I can't, can I call the cruise line to order special flowers (I love star gazer lilies, they stink up the whole room)?

5. Since we booked this cruise their alcohol policy has changed. I can't seem to find if they offer alcohol packages like other cruise lines, other then some beer or wine in the room. Do they offer it? This is me being lazy What can you bring with you, any wine? Sounding boozy here, sorry, lol.

6. For anyone who's a Dooney person, are the bags always available on the ship?

7. How is the snorkeling at Castaway Cay? We have our own equipment but is it worth, again I use the word schlep, packing it for a couple hours of snorkeling?

8. We will be carrying our bags off the ship. We live on Long Island and will take the train home. How soon can you get off the ship after docking?

Thanks to anyone who can help this Disney cruise newbie. I truly hate being that person but I'm a planner. Now that I've paid off the cruise (it was so much money because prima donna {my husband} needed a balcony and I wasn't sure I wanted to pay that much for a cruise) it's time for me to kick it into high gear with only 92 days left. Thanks for the help.

1. Going to WDW for the day is really up to you. If you don't go, what would you do? Just stay onboard? Get a rental car and go somewhere else?
2. The minimum requirement for US citizens on a closed loop cruise is birth certificate and (for those 16 and older) a government issued photo ID. Passports trump all other forms of ID, however.
3. $2.00 to wash; $2.00 to dry. $1.00 for laundry soap. Use your KTTW card, it's charged to your onboard account.
4. No private deliveries are allowed by DCL. If you want flowers, you have to chose from what they offer. You can carry your own flowers onboard, however, if you wish.
5. The alcohol policy currently is 2 bottles of wine/champagne (750 ml max) OR 6 beers (12 oz max) per person 21 years of age and older may be brought onboard at embarkation as well as from ports of call. No alcohol packages, except the beer mug/token package, or the multi-day wine package.
6. I've always seen the Dooney bags on all our DCL cruises.
7. "Worth it" is in the eye of the beholder. There are lots of pretty fish, as well as random Disney-inspired artifacts to be seen. If you want to bring your own equipment, you may. Or you can rent on CC, if you decide last minute to do it.
8. Generally (at least most cruises I've been on) you must be out of your room by 8:00 and off the ship by 9:00 (9:30 at the latest). Once the ship has been cleared by cusoms/immigration they open the doors for people to debark. Usually it's around 7:30 am. Don't know if that's the procedure for NY or not.

 

[NS8VN]

Well more experienced cruisers will cover everything better I am sure, but figured I would jump in with a couple of answers that I do know.

2: You will need either a passport or photo ID with birth certificate to board the ship. Castaway Cay is a Bahamian island so you are going international. You don't need a passport to enter the Bahamas by ship if you have photo ID and a birth certificate, but it is good to have in case there is a situation where you need to return by air. Since Castaway Cay is the only foreign port of call for that trip it is unlikely, but probably the easier option.

5: Disney doesn't have many good alcohol packages. Outside of the overpriced packages and a refillable beer mug they don't have any all-inclusive drink packages like Carnival's CHEERS! unfortunately. Make sure you put your allowed wine/beer in your carry on, they will remove it from any checked luggage and put it in storage until you return.

7: Probably worth it to schlep your own stuff if you have room in your luggage. I believe you will still need to grab a snorkeling vest from the rental shop.

8: You can disembark as soon as customs clears the ship. This depends on when you get back and whether there are any problems, but it will likely be early enough to see the sun rise from dock

 

[BCV23]

1. You will be able to book excursions once you hit the booking window based on your Castaway Cay status since you are paid in full.

We loved our 8 day cruise from Galveston that included a stop at PC/WDW. My younger son and I spent part of the day at WDW while my husband and daughter chose to just enjoy the day on the deserted Magic. We all enjoyed our choices. Like you, we are DVC and had APs for many, many years. My son and I took an earlyish bus to Epcot to enjoy a couple attractions then took the monorail to the GF for lunch at the Cafe. After that we took the monorail to the MK bus stop and caught a bus back to the ship. Relaxing and fun for us. I know others hit all four parks that day. Whatever floats your boat. You will have an opportunity to pick a bus time before the cruise but no one was checking at all. Everyone just hopped on the appropriate park bus. If you decide that morning to stay on the ship, that is fine, too.

Happy planning and enjoy your cruise.

 

[Anna114]

You've all been great, thank you! I do have some more questions.... sorry. We will be docked from 6:30am to 11:59pm at Port Canaveral, do buses run all day between the port and WDW or is it a set time too and fro? If it's only 1 way to and 1 way back what is the length of time at WDW? We will be in port a long time so I assume there might be a couple of bus times. Also, can you use your DVC discount on ship? I really want a Dooney but want to purchase it on the ship but would prefer a discount . Also, I saw there is an app regarding events going on onboard. Is there wi-fi on the ship that is free or can you pay for it for the lenght of the trip? Thank you again.

 

[NS8VN]

Also, I saw there is an app regarding events going on onboard. Is there wi-fi on the ship that is free or can you pay for it for the lenght of the trip? Thank you again.

There is WiFi on the ship and the Navigator app can be freely used on it. The app lets you view some of the goings on of the day and text other users with the app as well. For all other uses internet access is charged at a rate of 9-25 cents per MB depending on which data plan you get. DISNEY FANTASY posted a picture of the plans here: http://disboards.com/threads/internet-charges.3521078/#post-55984450

 

[mmouse37]

You've all been great, thank you! I do have some more questions.... sorry. We will be docked from 6:30am to 11:59pm at Port Canaveral, do buses run all day between the port and WDW or is it a set time too and fro? If it's only 1 way to and 1 way back what is the length of time at WDW? We will be in port a long time so I assume there might be a couple of bus times. Also, can you use your DVC discount on ship? I really want a Dooney but want to purchase it on the ship but would prefer a discount . Also, I saw there is an app regarding events going on onboard. Is there wi-fi on the ship that is free or can you pay for it for the lenght of the trip? Thank you again.

We did this excursion when on the ship out of NYC back in 2012. Disney has the process down pretty well. buses will leave at different times and come back to the ship at different times. You will be handed a schedule. In the atrium they will set up lines and you line up based on what park you want to go to first (the passes are park hoppers). You board the bus to the park you want to go to. Last time they had you fill out which park you wanted first the night before so they had an idea of bus capacities.

You can park hop all you want. Check the schedule for the last bus from what park you want to end up in and meet that bus so you don't miss it. Give yourself some time. The dining schedules were changed a bit that night due to people coming back at all different times. It was run very smoothly and we had a great time at WDW. It was worth the schlep.

You pay for the internet on the ship. Different packages available. You can text on the ship within the disney navigator app.

MJ

 

[Anna114]

We did this excursion when on the ship out of NYC back in 2012. Disney has the process down pretty well. buses will leave at different times and come back to the ship at different times. You will be handed a schedule. In the atrium they will set up lines and you line up based on what park you want to go to first (the passes are park hoppers). You board the bus to the park you want to go to. Last time they had you fill out which park you wanted first the night before so they had an idea of bus capacities.

You can park hop all you want. Check the schedule for the last bus from what park you want to end up in and meet that bus so you don't miss it. Give yourself some time. The dining schedules were changed a bit that night due to people coming back at all different times. It was run very smoothly and we had a great time at WDW. It was worth the schlep.

You pay for the internet on the ship. Different packages available. You can text on the ship within the disney navigator app.

MJ

Thank you so much for the clarity. This is a big one for my husband. Do you recall how much time you had at the parks? Since we will be in port for so long I kind of hoped we could potentially get 6-8 hours at the park. I've been told you can get on the ship as early at 10, is that possible? It's usually around 12, that seems a little early.

 

[mmouse37]

Thank you so much for the clarity. This is a big one for my husband. Do you recall how much time you had at the parks? Since we will be in port for so long I kind of hoped we could potentially get 6-8 hours at the park. I've been told you can get on the ship as early at 10, is that possible? It's usually around 12, that seems a little early.

We were on one of the first buses to leave the port for WDW and we easily had 6 hours at the park. We did not wait until the last bus as we were exhausted after doing the Wild Africa Trek at Animal Kingdom and then just visited the rest of AK for a few hours. We didn't park hop but I know many did. Some even hit all four parks that day!!!

Embarkation usually starts at about 11:00-11:30. I believe the port opens at 10:00. I have never seen boarding start before 11:00.

Have a great cruise.

MJ

 

[Anna114]

I'm back, lol. Since we are taking the train to NYC I'l like to minimize what I pack. I've read the DCL faq. I couldn't find anything on amenities in the room. Do they provide shampoo/conditioner/soap etc? Also is there a hair dryer in the room? I assume there is a frig in the room since they offer beer packages for the room. Are the room keys a key card or can you use your magic band? I'm assuming key card. If you go on board early, what time will they let you into your room?

MJ thank you for all of your information. You've truly been a great help. You've made it so that we will be going to EPCOT at Port Canaveral. Now to decide what ADR to make, thinking San Angel Inn.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm back, lol. Since we are taking the train to NYC I'l like to minimize what I pack. I've read the DCL faq. I couldn't find anything on amenities in the room. Do they provide shampoo/conditioner/soap etc? Also is there a hair dryer in the room? I assume there is a frig in the room since they offer beer packages for the room. Are the room keys a key card or can you use your magic band? I'm assuming key card. If you go on board early, what time will they let you into your room?

MJ thank you for all of your information. You've truly been a great help. You've made it so that we will be going to EPCOT at Port Canaveral. Now to decide what ADR to make, thinking San Angel Inn.

Yes, there is shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap


Yes, there is a hair dryer (have to find picture)

Yes, there's a fridge (in cabinet under TV in this picture)


KTTW card for room key/charging onboard/debarking/reboarding ID


Room typically are available at 1:30. Sometimes later, rarely earlier.

 

[SeaSpray]

I'm back, lol. Since we are taking the train to NYC I'l like to minimize what I pack. I've read the DCL faq. I couldn't find anything on amenities in the room. Do they provide shampoo/conditioner/soap etc? Also is there a hair dryer in the room? I assume there is a frig in the room since they offer beer packages for the room. Are the room keys a key card or can you use your magic band? I'm assuming key card. If you go on board early, what time will they let you into your room?

MJ thank you for all of your information. You've truly been a great help. You've made it so that we will be going to EPCOT at Port Canaveral. Now to decide what ADR to make, thinking San Angel Inn.

Just wanted to mention that the Food & Wine Festival will happening at Epcot while you're there! We're on the Oct 22 cruise and we made a dinner ADR for Teppen Edo but we plan on snacking around the world for lunch.

Rooms are usually open at 1pm on embarkation day.

P.S. You will end up LOVING the verandah!!!

 

[Anna114]

Shmoo, not helpful at all lol, Thanks for the picts, you certainly went above and beyond! Sea, holy crap I forgot about F&W... never even occurred to me, good grief. I'm even more excited now. We were there last year and didn't get to eat all we wanted to.

 

[chipscinderelly]

We did this excursion when on the ship out of NYC back in 2012. Disney has the process down pretty well. buses will leave at different times and come back to the ship at different times. You will be handed a schedule. In the atrium they will set up lines and you line up based on what park you want to go to first (the passes are park hoppers). You board the bus to the park you want to go to. Last time they had you fill out which park you wanted first the night before so they had an idea of bus capacities.

You can park hop all you want. Check the schedule for the last bus from what park you want to end up in and meet that bus so you don't miss it. Give yourself some time. The dining schedules were changed a bit that night due to people coming back at all different times. It was run very smoothly and we had a great time at WDW. It was worth the schlep.

You pay for the internet on the ship. Different packages available. You can text on the ship within the disney navigator app.

MJ

We are on one of this years NYC cruises and the information we have from the platinum cruisers is we can select a bus time at online checkin/excursion booking time.

 

[Cheryl592000]

We are on one of this years NYC cruises and the information we have from the platinum cruisers is we can select a bus time at online checkin/excursion booking time.

Do you know how often the buses run back & forth from the ship to WDW & vise versa?
Thank you in advance

 

[KristiMc]

We did this cruise in 2012. We were on one of the first buses out around 6:30 and got back to the ship around 8:30 pm. We could have stayed a few more hours but it was pouring and we were tired.