March 31st cruise newbie freakout.

[Promomx2]

DH convinced me to go for it and we booked the March 31st for our first ever cruise. We've been to wdw tons of times but I am freaking out worried about what I don't know. Since we booked tonight for the March 31st will Disney get us our cruise info in the mail in time? We are flying in the day before and are debating on staying at Pop or the Airport Hyatt to take Disney bus to the port. If we don't book a excursion for Nassau can we just get off the ship and walk around or will we be harassed by the local vendors?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DH convinced me to go for it and we booked the March 31st for our first ever cruise. We've been to wdw tons of times but I am freaking out worried about what I don't know. Since we booked tonight for the March 31st will Disney get us our cruise info in the mail in time? We are flying in the day before and are debating on staying at Pop or the Airport Hyatt to take Disney bus to the port. If we don't book a excursion for Nassau can we just get off the ship and walk around or will we be harassed by the local vendors?

There should be enough time to get your cruise documents. DCL typically sends them out 30-45 days out.

What time are you arriving the day before? If it's late arrival in Orlando, I'd suggest using the Hyatt. If it's early in the morning you might want to do the Pop. One note, DCL transportation from the resorts arrives at the port later (around 12:30-2:00). At the airport, you can catch the first bus to port at 9:00.

Certainly you may debark the ship and walk around on your own. Chances are you'll see plenty of vendors. Some may even approach you. This is true in most ports.

 

[Dug720]

And if the Hyatt is out of your price range, check the Hampton Inn Gateway - it's super close with a free shuttle to and from the airport so you could still catch an earlier bus from MCO.

 

[Pagosa Springs]

We are on the same cruise with a family of 8. We are flying in the day before and staying at the All Stars Sports. We have done both the Hyatt at MCO and stayed at WDW before cruise. Our plan is to rent a 15 passenger thru National the morning of the cruise at the Car Care Center at WDW and driving to the port. I get a real good rate on rentals thru my work. It is only costing $80 compared to using Disney transportation of $35 per person each way. With 8 of us that is just too much.

Last time we got off at Nassau and walked the straw market. The street vendors are pushy but politely say no and that usually works fine.

 

[Dug720]

We are on the same cruise with a family of 8. We are flying in the day before and staying at the All Stars Sports. We have done both the Hyatt at MCO and stayed at WDW before cruise. Our plan is to rent a 15 passenger thru National the morning of the cruise at the Car Care Center at WDW and driving to the port. I get a real good rate on rentals thru my work. It is only costing $80 compared to using Disney transportation of $35 per person each way. With 8 of us that is just too much.

Last time we got off at Nassau and walked the straw market. The street vendors are pushy but politely say no and that usually works fine.

Or just ignore them and keep walking. Don't even turn your head if they yell. It's that moment when you look that they assume interest and push harder.

 

[Pagosa Springs]

Or just ignore them and keep walking. Don't even turn your head if they yell. It's that moment when you look that they assume interest and push harder.

Had a woman come up out of nowhere and tied a Bahamas woven bracelet on my wrist and then asked me to pay for it..... I gave her $1.

 

[Dug720]

Had a woman come up out of nowhere and tied a Bahamas woven bracelet on my wrist and then asked me to pay for it..... I gave her $1.

Had someone try to cram something in my hand in Florence and make me pay for it. I crammed it right back into his. A bracelet I would have ripped off and thrown at her IF I'd let someone hold onto my hand long enough to tie something around it, which would NOT happen. Thank you taekwondo and self-defense classes.

 

[cruiser21]

Most of the people that live there are dirt poor and harmless. I'll buy stuff once in a while if the person is polite. I've found a "no thanks" will suffice 99% of the time. Italy is a different story they are relentless.

 

[cruiser21]

And if the Hyatt is out of your price range, check the Hampton Inn Gateway - it's super close with a free shuttle to and from the airport so you could still catch an earlier bus from MCO.

I agree. There are lots of hotels around the airport with free shuttles. They airport Hyatt is great. Sometimes you can get a good price and sometimes the price is outrageous. There are lots of options that will get you on the early bus for less money.
Try Undercover tourist I booked the Hyatt through them for 176.00 a night.

 

[Promomx2]

Thanks for all the help. We're leaning toward the Hyatt. And looking at possibly hitting Daytona for a few days after the cruise. We were looking at possibly doing the glass bottom boat excursion at Nassau. How do you get from the boat to the excursion?

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for all the help. We're leaning toward the Hyatt. And looking at possibly hitting Daytona for a few days after the cruise. We were looking at possibly doing the glass bottom boat excursion at Nassau. How do you get from the boat to the excursion?

If it is a Disney excursion, you'll go as a group. If you're doing it on your own it would be on you to get there.

 

[puzzledprincess]

DH convinced me to go for it and we booked the March 31st for our first ever cruise. We've been to wdw tons of times but I am freaking out worried about what I don't know. Since we booked tonight for the March 31st will Disney get us our cruise info in the mail in time? We are flying in the day before and are debating on staying at Pop or the Airport Hyatt to take Disney bus to the port. If we don't book a excursion for Nassau can we just get off the ship and walk around or will we be harassed by the local vendors?

Don't worry about being last minute! I've booked a Disney cruise only 2 weeks out and it was fine. If your printed cruise documents don't arrive in the mail on time, you can print everything you need from the Disney Cruise website (where you log in to your own account.) Actually you can do that even if your book does get to you (in case you lose it or something.)
As for luggage tags, you can pick some up at any Disney resort, so if you end up staying at one or can drive by one, you can get them there.
As for Nassau, I have always just gotten off of the ship and walked around. There is lots of shopping if you are into high end products and a few souvenir style shops. As well as some bars. Now that I've been to that port many times, I honestly just stay on the ship. For me it's not worth getting off. However, since it is your first time, you can get off, take a lap and then get back on the ship and have lunch (and have the ship mostly to yourself.) Or you can do an excursion, which I have never done.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

DH convinced me to go for it and we booked the March 31st for our first ever cruise. We've been to wdw tons of times but I am freaking out worried about what I don't know. Since we booked tonight for the March 31st will Disney get us our cruise info in the mail in time?

Remember, you haven't done this before, but DCL has. They will take care of you! Have a great time. You'll be glad you did this!

 

[bumbershoot]

If we don't book a excursion for Nassau can we just get off the ship and walk around or will we be harassed by the local vendors?

Yes you can walk and yes you'll be talked to by by vendors. We land between a polite no and flat out ignoring. Being too polite gives them hope and ignoring causes them to act like they wonder if we heard them.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

Yes you can walk and yes you'll be talked to by by vendors. We land between a polite no and flat out ignoring. Being too polite gives them hope and ignoring causes them to act like they wonder if we heard them.

Oh, and do NOT let them take you by the hand. Some will offer to shake hands, etc. But if you do, they may well "escort" you into their booth. It's not a big deal, just keep your wits about you.

 

[jlemieu1]

I agree with Hyatt if in budget. You will not have a PAT then.
It must just be me but I have never been bugged in my 4 times to Nassau. But I do skip the Straw Market. I would recommend a Zoo visit, I think it is highly under rated and pretty cheap.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I agree with Hyatt if in budget. You will not have a PAT then.

You only don't select a Port Arrival Time if staying at the Hyatt MCO if you have DCL book the Hyatt for you. If you book it yourself, you still select at PAT.