May 4, 2014 4-Day Bahamian Cruisin the Dream Cruise Meet!

[Hunclemarco]

Hello fellow upcoming cruisers. I am so excited to have found this. I just joined DIS.
This is my first cruise and I cannot contain myself. I know it's early but planning and waiting is half the fun!!
I will be traveling with my husband and 2 little girls!

Hello and Welcome!

I'm not sure if you're familiar with Fish Extenders, but if you look at post number three of this thread, there's a link with information there, as well as a link to sign up if you wish.

 

[nickih87]

Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I have heard of them, but as this is our first cruise I think this time we will opt out of it...simply because I am already overwhelmed at everything there is to do. I have a feeling we will be regular Disney Cruisers though...next time for sure!!!

 

[nickih87]

I do have a question, If anyone knows the answer maybe?
I have Disney Gift Cards. I know that I can use them on the ship, but I don't really want to carry them around with me. Can they be loaded to my "Key to the World" card?
Also, can I tip with Gift Cards? Not trying to be cheap, just wondering.
Thank for any help!!!

 

[Mouse Lovers]

I do have a question, If anyone knows the answer maybe?
I have Disney Gift Cards. I know that I can use them on the ship, but I don't really want to carry them around with me. Can they be loaded to my "Key to the World" card?
Also, can I tip with Gift Cards? Not trying to be cheap, just wondering.
Thank for any help!!!

Great question about adding them to the Key to the World cards, Nicki. I hadn't even considered this - but I'll be anxious to hear the answer if anyone knows. Gift Cards would make fun Valentine/Easter basket items!

 

[calker]

We are using gift cards for the first time on our upcoming May cruises.

The only thing I know for sure is that any unused balance is credited back to the gift card - you will not receive a check or cash for any over payment. So you MUST keep all of the cards. I don't know how you figure out which card it is credited back to. I've received different answers from different phone CM.

An example I was given: 4 gift cards worth $50 each are credited to your on board account for a total of $200. After all of your charges are placed against your KTTW card the total is $158.25. $41.75 is credited back to one of the four gift cards (which one - who knows).

CM suggested checking the balance of your account every couple days and adding the gift cards to cover that amount - always applying slightly less than the balance due.

Using the above numbers: after 3 days I owe $158.25. Have $150 credited to your account with three gift cards. A balance of 8.25 is still owed. Pay that with a credit card or cash.

When I asked if I could use the gift cards directly on board the ship in the gift shops, I was told both no and yes.

When I asked if they could be used at Castaway Cay I was given the same answer.

When I asked if the cards were a good idea for CM tips - I was told during two different conversations that cash is always the prefered tip.

Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

 

[Hunclemarco]

We are using gift cards for the first time on our upcoming May cruises.

The only thing I know for sure is that any unused balance is credited back to the gift card - you will not receive a check or cash for any over payment. So you MUST keep all of the cards. I don't know how you figure out which card it is credited back to. I've received different answers from different phone CM.

An example I was given: 4 gift cards worth $50 each are credited to your on board account for a total of $200. After all of your charges are placed against your KTTW card the total is $158.25. $41.75 is credited back to one of the four gift cards (which one - who knows).

CM suggested checking the balance of your account every couple days and adding the gift cards to cover that amount - always applying slightly less than the balance due.

Using the above numbers: after 3 days I owe $158.25. Have $150 credited to your account with three gift cards. A balance of 8.25 is still owed. Pay that with a credit card or cash.

This is how we do things at the Parks.... probably best to do things this way. Just stop at guest services and pay when you're nearby. This will remedy us knowing which card still has a balance that can be used

 

[nickih87]

Thank you for the responses. I also got those answers. It seems like just adding a little at a time is best, so that's what we'll do. And I'll leave tips in cash.
And Calker, that is a good point about Castaway Cay...I never even thought about using them there. Hmmm....Well I guess we will all find out in a few short months. I'm gearing up for my online check in. Is it weird to be excited about it??lol

 

[Hunclemarco]

Thank you for the responses. I also got those answers. It seems like just adding a little at a time is best, so that's what we'll do. And I'll leave tips in cash.
And Calker, that is a good point about Castaway Cay...I never even thought about using them there. Hmmm....Well I guess we will all find out in a few short months. I'm gearing up for my online check in. Is it weird to be excited about it??lol

Not weird at all!

 

[ChristaS]

Just found the group! Signed up for FE gift exchange and FB group! So will be in the loop now. I am traveling with my husband and 3 yr old twin boys. My mother will be in the cabin next to us. Can't wait! This is our second Disney cruise, third cruise with boys (one on Carnival Dream), but my 10th cruise overall. It will be my mother's first Disney cruise.

Will get started on those FE's and gifts this weekend! Woo hoo!

Do we get an assigned day to distribute gifts or distribute them randomly throughout the cruise?

 

[HBmomof2]

Anyone found a current personal Navigator for our itinerary??

 

[nickih87]

Just got 2 feet of snow. Castaway Cay and Nassau sound AMAZING right now!!!! I just bought myself a couple of floral dresses online...I'm hoping it will let winter know that it is no longer welcome here.

 

[Mouse Lovers]

Just got 2 feet of snow. Castaway Cay and Nassau sound AMAZING right now!!!! I just bought myself a couple of floral dresses online...I'm hoping it will let winter know that it is no longer welcome here.

Amen to that!

Have already sewn my FE - and begun working on our gifts. I've got a box set aside and have my packing list complete.

We are so excited and counting down the days!

 

[nickih87]

Amen to that!

Have already sewn my FE - and begun working on our gifts. I've got a box set aside and have my packing list complete.

We are so excited and counting down the days!

Since everyone is home today I am taking the opportunity to make the Pirate Princess iron ons for my girls for Pirate night! They are turning out so cute!
So funny you say that you have a box set aside. A couple weeks ago I set one of my Tupperware Bins aside and have been stock piling things. I got suction cup hangers for wet bathing suits, Frames for Character signing, etc.
Counting down the days too!
Do you have kids? If so, what age?

 

[Mouse Lovers]

Since everyone is home today I am taking the opportunity to make the Pirate Princess iron ons for my girls for Pirate night! They are turning out so cute!
So funny you say that you have a box set aside. A couple weeks ago I set one of my Tupperware Bins aside and have been stock piling things. I got suction cup hangers for wet bathing suits, Frames for Character signing, etc.
Counting down the days too!
Do you have kids? If so, what age?

I will be traveling with my Mom and my son who will be just shy of 6 when we cruise - his 1st time. My Mom and I have been on other cruises - but this is our 1st Caribbean cruise and our 1st Disney cruise. We are HUGE Disney fans - and have been to WDW several times.

Stealing your suction cup idea!

How old are your girls? We are ALL planning on dressing up for that night.

 

[DisneyMommy04]

Hi All!

Just wanted to say Hi! We just booked our cruise the other night and to say we are excited is an understatement......

This will be the second cruise for my husband and I as well as our 10 year old son. I have signed us up for the fish extender group as well as the facebook group. Looking forward to talking to you all over the next couple of months....

Thoughts of Castaway Key are beating my winter blues as I look out my window at the 2 ft of snow outside!

 

[nickih87]

I will be traveling with my Mom and my son who will be just shy of 6 when we cruise - his 1st time. My Mom and I have been on other cruises - but this is our 1st Caribbean cruise and our 1st Disney cruise. We are HUGE Disney fans - and have been to WDW several times.

Stealing your suction cup idea!

How old are your girls? We are ALL planning on dressing up for that night.

Steal away...I stole it too! lol
My girls are 3 and 5!

 

[nickih87]

Hi All!

Just wanted to say Hi! We just booked our cruise the other night and to say we are excited is an understatement......

This will be the second cruise for my husband and I as well as our 10 year old son. I have signed us up for the fish extender group as well as the facebook group. Looking forward to talking to you all over the next couple of months....

Thoughts of Castaway Key are beating my winter blues as I look out my window at the 2 ft of snow outside!

2 FT of snow? You mist be from my neck of the woods (near DC). We are super excited too!!! I really cannot contain myself. I'm waking up at 3am for online "check in" in the morning.

 

[Mommagrado]

Feeling a little late to the game here, but finally decided to stop lurking! My family is thrilled to be taking this cruise, and I'm super excited to see that there are people signed up from the FE from all over the world! My son (almost 3), my husband and I will be traveling together - I seem to spend most of my days now researching best practices on how to maximize our time on board. We'll also be staying at Disney a few days prior so figuring out the logistics of that, too, has been very exciting!

Does anyone have experience using Disney Transportation to get from the resort to port? I am very concerned as I've read about some awful experience. I've also read about some amazing experiences too so I'm confused! We're staying at the Contemporary so we'll be traveling from there. I would love to get to port as early as possible to get on board and let my son run around (and hopefully nap...ha!) before the festivities start. Any suggestions, or what your experience has been?

TIA!!

 

[Braxton34]

Hello All,

We just booked this cruise yesterday and are looking forward to meeting all of you. This will be our third Disney Cruise, but first on the Dream. We have also signed up for the FE and are super excited to participate.

Have a great day everyone!!

Sarah

 

[Hunclemarco]

Hello All,

We just booked this cruise yesterday and are looking forward to meeting all of you. This will be our third Disney Cruise, but first on the Dream. We have also signed up for the FE and are super excited to participate.

Have a great day everyone!!

Sarah

Welcome Sarah!