Mexican Riviera Cruise April 3, 2011

[iankh]

Where are you getting your check in times from,nothing on DCL my cruise reservation.

The cruise documents DCL sent out reflected information as of February 18th.

If you did the online check-in you selected a check-in time. You might want to go to the site, retrieve your reservation and look at on-line check-in.

 

[dizbubbles]

We are nearly complete with our FE gifts. packaging/organizing is the fun part! We're still waiting on our FE hanger to be delivered Hopefully this week since we leave next Wed. Someone else may have mentioned... but does anyone on the FE list have any allergies?

I'm so ready to be on the ship!!

Erin

 

[Lady_Kluck]

Hello Cruisemates! It's almost here!! Have not quite packed but I got most of our clothes "scoped" out awaiting placement in suitcases. And the FE's are ready to go!! But I have some questions of you return Disney Cruisers:

- Are there line dryers in the inside cabins (you know, those you usually find in hotels that you can pull out to hang items to dry)

- I'm already all checked in online, including the kids club/lab for the girls. I keep reading about the horrible lines at the port to get the bracelets. Do I really need to stand in that line, or just get on the ship and pick up the bracelet at the lab later? I'm not clear why people are standing in that long line for and I don't want to rot in it unecessarily (especially if we get called to board early!!)

- speaking of being all checked in online (barcode sheet printed out) all the early spots were taken. The earliest is 1:30. Is that time hard and fast or will we move up earlier?

- Is there a safe in the cabin? Can it fit a regular size laptop or only notebooks/ipads?

- How big is that steamer trunk in 5013 (inside cabin). Is that the "closet"? Is that the only place where you can hang clothes? HOw much drawer space is there.

- For an inside cabin, will I really need the over the door shoe organizer? Do you put it on the bathroom door? Does that mean the door won't shut at night? Does that mean we risk "bilge" smell coming into the sleeping area because the bathroom door cannot close once the shoe hanger is over it?

- Are there plenty of outlets or should we bring a strip?

I'm sure I forgot something but this is the majority of them. thanks friends!!

 

[pthuhges2]

Hello Cruisemates! It's almost here!! Have not quite packed but I got most of our clothes "scoped" out awaiting placement in suitcases. And the FE's are ready to go!! But I have some questions of you return Disney Cruisers:
**SNIP**

- Are there plenty of outlets or should we bring a strip?

I'm sure I forgot something but this is the majority of them. thanks friends!!

No, there are not, you should bring a power strip...

 

[iankh]

Hello Cruisemates! It's almost here!! Have not quite packed but I got most of our clothes "scoped" out awaiting placement in suitcases. And the FE's are ready to go!! But I have some questions of you return Disney Cruisers:

- Are there line dryers in the inside cabins (you know, those you usually find in hotels that you can pull out to hang items to dry)

• I think I remember that there was a dryer like that, but I'm not 100% certain.

- I'm already all checked in online, including the kids club/lab for the girls. I keep reading about the horrible lines at the port to get the bracelets. Do I really need to stand in that line, or just get on the ship and pick up the bracelet at the lab later? I'm not clear why people are standing in that long line for and I don't want to rot in it unecessarily (especially if we get called to board early!!)

• I seem to recall that we did have to stand in line to get them when we checked in. But I have only travelled once with our grandson and so do not have the benefit of doing it many times. When we did it there was not a problem with a long wait. It was fine. (But we also did this in Florida, San Pedro.)

- speaking of being all checked in online (barcode sheet printed out) all the early spots were taken. The earliest is 1:30. Is that time hard and fast or will we move up earlier?

• Can't answer this. They only a few months ago started this thing of check-in slots. You can give it a try and see what happens. Or, post this on the main board and see what sort of responses you get. Just be prepared that some people will probably relish pointing out "rules" and "fairness."

- Is there a safe in the cabin? Can it fit a regular size laptop or only notebooks/ipads?

• No, the safe in the closet was not big enough for a laptop. I would just put it out of sight in a drawer, or if you're really concerned put in one of your suitcases and lock it. We always have lots of electronics with us and everything has always been fine.

- How big is that steamer trunk in 5013 (inside cabin). Is that the "closet"? Is that the only place where you can hang clothes? HOw much drawer space is there.

• The "trunk" provides extra storage space and it's nice to have. But it's horizontal storage only, your only hanging space is the closet. We've sailed and had rooms both with and without a "trunk," I prefer to have it, but have never had a problem without it.

- For an inside cabin, will I really need the over the door shoe organizer? Do you put it on the bathroom door? Does that mean the door won't shut at night? Does that mean we risk "bilge" smell coming into the sleeping area because the bathroom door cannot close once the shoe hanger is over it?

• We've never used the shoe organizer and were fine, but this is a matter of how much stuff you have. I don't remember a "bilge" or sewage smell in any of our cabins. You could give a try and see how you fare.

- Are there plenty of outlets or should we bring a strip?

• Depends on how much stuff you want to plug in. We have never brought one and have charged 2 phones, 2 cameras, a laptop and a video camera. Frankly I've never felt deprived but then we might be very good at organizing our charging. It all depends how much you want to schlepp with you. If traveling with a powerstrip will make you happy and give you peace of mind, I say go for it! Anything to make your stay more enjoyable is worth it.

I'm sure I forgot something but this is the majority of them. thanks friends!![/QUOTE]

 

[Heyriddle]

We are getting so excited to sail in less than two weeks!!
I forgot how much planning goes into these "stress free" vacations.
I'm still bummed about our Palo reservations on Pirate night, but I'm trying to remain hopeful that we can change them once we're onboard.

We, too, have a 1:30 check in. I had no idea that they were doing this, otherwise I would have done my check in a long time ago. I just never really thought of it. We are arriving around 10 as that is when we can get a ride from a friend. I'm hoping our family isn't waiting to board until 1:30.

 

[Disney_Ox]

Hello fellow Cruisers! I'm a newbie here. My family of 5 will be on this Disney cruise as well and we're all 1st timers on the Disney Cruise. Hopefully it'll be a very magical experience for our family and meet a lot of people there. Any tips for 1st timers that you can throw us? I've been reading a lot of pages on this thread and have jotted a few things down but any extra tips you can share with us would be great. All ABOARD! LOL

 

[rbcheek]

Hello fellow Cruisers! I'm a newbie here. My family of 5 will be on this Disney cruise as well and we're all 1st timers on the Disney Cruise. Hopefully it'll be a very magical experience for our family and meet a lot of people there. Any tips for 1st timers that you can throw us? I've been reading a lot of pages on this thread and have jotted a few things down but any extra tips you can share with us would be great. All ABOARD! LOL

Here is one small tip I wish I knew on my first.
Bring a highlighter and every night before falling to sleep, read the personal Navigator (the Navigator is placed on your bed during dining the evening dining time and lays out all activities in a TV guide format) for the next days events. Highlight different activities that might seem interesting to you and your family. That way you dont just wander around trying to find something to do, and believe me, there is alot to do and you dont want to be overwhelmed.

 

[Disney_Ox]

Here is one small tip I wish I knew on my first.
Bring a highlighter and every night before falling to sleep, read the personal Navigator (the Navigator is placed on your bed during dining the evening dining time and lays out all activities in a TV guide format) for the next days events. Highlight different activities that might seem interesting to you and your family. That way you dont just wander around trying to find something to do, and believe me, there is alot to do and you dont want to be overwhelmed.

rbcheek, thank you...I'll definitely pack one of those. 9 more days!

 

[ZDARA1999]

Hi all!

What's everyones take on Disney releasing the remainder of 2012 and portions of 2013 sail dates? I read on another board that Disney is going to make an announcement on April 6th. We will be on the ship so I wonder if we can book for the new sail dates and get the discount.

Alisha

 

[ZDARA1999]

Ok, I need opinions!!

We have second dining rotation and DS-10 and DD-8 are going to participate in the dine and play. I know the dress code says no shorts but jeans ok?
Do you think if I put my DS in a button down dress shirt with shorts and loafers he will not be able to dine? Or should I put him in jeans? I think the shorts look better, the kids will be with us for approx 45 minutes and we are in the second rotation. I want the kids to be comfortable while in the kids group. I didnt have a problem with shorts on our last cruises but it seems to be a big deal now.

Alisha

 

[capntavis]

Ok, I need opinions!!

We have second dining rotation and DS-10 and DD-8 are going to participate in the dine and play. I know the dress code says no shorts but jeans ok?
Do you think if I put my DS in a button down dress shirt with shorts and loafers he will not be able to dine? Or should I put him in jeans? I think the shorts look better, the kids will be with us for approx 45 minutes and we are in the second rotation. I want the kids to be comfortable while in the kids group. I didnt have a problem with shorts on our last cruises but it seems to be a big deal now.

Alisha

You know I have never seen them really enforce that. I have always gone to dinner in nice cargo shorts, except to formal night, and they have never batted an eye. I didnt even plan on packing a pair of jeans.

Quick question myself. For those of you that live in the area. We are going to DL for a week after the cruise. What kind of clothes should we pack? I'm wondering how cold it will really be.

 

[OC_stacylace]

Well, I can't tell the future, but for the most part, it's fairly chilly when the sun goes down. Even if the day is warm and sunny, there is no humidity to hold the warmth in, and you will most likely need a jacket or sweatshirt. We really don't heat up until July, so I would expect 70 degree like weather. It's freezing this week, with highs only in the 60s. I am hoping for warmth on our cruise! I am tired of the cold!

 

[gfmagic]

I loved whale watching in Cabo back in February. It was my first time out on the West Coast and I took one of the excursions to go whale watching. it was amazing seeing the young baby whales jumping and playing. Cabo was great weather. Love it.

 

[gfmagic]

Here is one small tip I wish I knew on my first.
Bring a highlighter and every night before falling to sleep, read the personal Navigator (the Navigator is placed on your bed during dining the evening dining time and lays out all activities in a TV guide format) for the next days events. Highlight different activities that might seem interesting to you and your family. That way you dont just wander around trying to find something to do, and believe me, there is alot to do and you dont want to be overwhelmed.

The Navigator is a great tool. I also like the fact that you can see first run movies the night they come out. We say "I am Four" at midnight on the Wonder when it came out back in February. I was tired, but it was kind of cool to be one of the first people to see the movie.

 

[gfmagic]

Hello fellow Cruisers! I'm a newbie here. My family of 5 will be on this Disney cruise as well and we're all 1st timers on the Disney Cruise. Hopefully it'll be a very magical experience for our family and meet a lot of people there. Any tips for 1st timers that you can throw us? I've been reading a lot of pages on this thread and have jotted a few things down but any extra tips you can share with us would be great. All ABOARD! LOL

Depending on the ages of your kids, and I have 4 of my own, they DCL kids staff is awesome. They love the kids and as a parent you feel totally safe about leaving your kids with them. It was actually tough to get them out to eat and do other activities. Palo is a great place for an amazing dinning experience. If you can get a Palo reservation, I would do it. Well worth it.

 

[TinyG]

I would agree to bring a jacket too. Still going to get chilly once the sun goes down. Layers always works.

We have had quite the time with rain. Let's get that all out of the area already! We need to have a sunny sail away.

Can we all just go to Mexico!!! Single digits

 

[giz89]

This will be our 5th cruise and my son typically wears shorts to dinner. I will bring jeans in case it's cold...and for the dress up nights...he wears jeans and a polo shirt instead of a t-shirt. I have seen adults wear shorts to dinner and they have never enforced the dress code. Even on the dress up nights....people wear gowns/tux or shorts/t-shirts. It's whatever you are comfortable with. Your on vacation....no worries!

 

[giz89]

Depending on the ages of your kids, and I have 4 of my own, they DCL kids staff is awesome. They love the kids and as a parent you feel totally safe about leaving your kids with them. It was actually tough to get them out to eat and do other activities. Palo is a great place for an amazing dinning experience. If you can get a Palo reservation, I would do it. Well worth it.

We bring walkie talkies with us so each person has one. We let our kids roam the ship and go to the clubs..but can always reach them on the walkie talkie. My son was 10 on the last cruise we took and he loved having the freedom to come and go as he pleases. Food is always available...so I didn't worry about him eating. Just made sure he attended dinner so we could catch up. Worked out great!! Bring nightlights for the cabin..they can get dark at night. Bring cheap hangers...they don't have alot in the cabins.

 

[capntavis]

Are we there yet.....?