Must dos & don't bothers

[BradChristian]

This has been so helpful and informative...

Lots of people have been saying skip the sail away party... but sounds like something cool for first timers?

 

[Dug720]

Just looked this up.. So I have to print off the sheet and send it in with my $16 to get a day pass???

Pretty sure they still list a phone number to call... Granted it is a toll-free number and I don't think those work overseas. But I'm pretty sure you can fax it with the card you want to use.

 

[ShellB8585]

Great thread, it's interesting seeing the differences!

Our must dos:
Palo Brunch
MDRs especially Pirate night (I know I'm in he minority but we love that menu)
Have fun

Don't bothers:
Palo evening meal
Shows we have seen before
Bingo

 

[lulucornbread]

This has been so helpful and informative... Lots of people have been saying skip the sail away party... but sounds like something cool for first timers?

I would say DEF do the sail away party for your first cruise! It's very exciting! The view going out to sea is incredible! If you come back, you don't have to do it again but it's worth the experience

Plus port canaveral has a webcam & wave at everyone watching you leave!!

 

[Sir William]

This has been so helpful and informative...

Lots of people have been saying skip the sail away party... but sounds like something cool for first timers?

I like the sail away party and make a point of being there, though DW prefers to spend the time at Quiet Cove.

I don't really pay much attention to the stage show, but the excitement of the crowd is infectious in setting the right mood at the beginning of the cruise. I mostly watch the preparations for getting underway on the dock, then head to the bow and stay there until we're in the open ocean (My penance being in the Navy in a former life).

I do like Disney's sail away parties better than on non-Disney ships, which have felt more like a cocktail reception than a celebration.

 

[noahdove]

On my first cruise, I know we missed much but it was only a 3 night cruise. This time tho, I have a list of "MUST" do's for myself...I want to take a tour of the ship and I think my husband would love to do the wine tasting.....I am loving this thread.. Thank you..

 

[NAB]

This has been so helpful and informative...

Lots of people have been saying skip the sail away party... but sounds like something cool for first timers?

I love the sail away party, I like another poster like to watch the ship get ready to take off from the docking side of the ship.

Enjoy the music but don't really watch the stage show anymore because we have been on so many.

Like to wave at the people waving at us from land, even the workers come out of the terminal with mickey hands on to wave us out.

Beware though sometimes the stage show is done before we start moving so stick around and go to the top deck to watch.

 

[Dug720]

I love the sail away party, I like another poster like to watch the ship get ready to take off from the docking side of the ship.

Enjoy the music but don't really watch the stage show anymore because we have been on so many.

Like to wave at the people waving at us from land, even the workers come out of the terminal with mickey hands on to wave us out.

Beware though sometimes the stage show is done before we start moving so stick around and go to the top deck to watch.

Great point! The sail away party is at a set time - not dependent on when the ship starts moving. They do base the timing on the regularly scheduled departure, but sometimes just like air travel there are delays in leaving - or other ships are delayed and schedules are moved around.

I make a habit of watching the Fantasy sail away as much as possible (my sister is a CM and though I don't see her it gives a connection) and a lot of times they are gone before the part of the show where the horn sounds happens so you don't hear it on the webcam. And then there was this past Saturday where we heard the horn long before the ship moved.

 

[phinz]

I forgot. I also like to watch the Harbor Pilot transfer as we sail away.

 

[Feisty Fairy]

Great thread, it's interesting seeing the differences! Our must dos: Palo Brunch MDRs especially Pirate night (I know I'm in he minority but we love that menu) Have fun Don't bothers: Palo evening meal Shows we have seen before Bingo

I love the pirate menu too in fact it is my favorite.

 

[CajunMomof3]

When we cruised the first time (Magic 3/13), we tried to do the Sail Away Party. My youngest has autism, and it just didn't work for him. We sat on our verandah and waved to the CM on the dock. Any suggestions for other places to be during departure that wouldn't be so crowded but would still be fun and exciting since it just occurred to me we may not be on the side of the ship facing the dock this time...

 

[lulucornbread]

Great point! The sail away party is at a set time - not dependent on when the ship starts moving. They do base the timing on the regularly scheduled departure, but sometimes just like air travel there are delays in leaving - or other ships are delayed and schedules are moved around. I make a habit of watching the Fantasy sail away as much as possible (my sister is a CM and though I don't see her it gives a connection) and a lot of times they are gone before the part of the show where the horn sounds happens so you don't hear it on the webcam. And then there was this past Saturday where we heard the horn long before the ship moved.

Are you watching the Port Canaveral Web cam? Mine never has sound?

 

[Dug720]

Are you watching the Port Canaveral Web cam? Mine never has sound?

Yep! There is a volume switch that appears if you hover... I think it was in the top.

 

[lulucornbread]

yep! There is a volume switch that appears if you hover... I think it was in the top.

okay that is awesome!!

 

[wehavesix]

Must dos:
Royal Palace/Court for breakfast
Grand Marnier soufflé at Royal Palace
Palo brunch and dinner
Mixology and any of the other booze tastings
Rainforest room
After sailing concierge I'd like to say that's a must do but realistically it's probably not going to happen every trip.

Try to do:
Room service for snacks
Cooking presentation
Something in the spa
Bring something to be autographed
Cabana on CC

Don't bother:
Enchanted Garden
Bingo
Shopping preview
Family pools

We are trying Remy next cruise so I might add that to one of the lists. Also, my lists would change depending on if it's just hubby and me or if my grandkids and kids are with us.

 

[RebeccaLovesDisney]

When we cruised the first time (Magic 3/13), we tried to do the Sail Away Party. My youngest has autism, and it just didn't work for him. We sat on our verandah and waved to the CM on the dock. Any suggestions for other places to be during departure that wouldn't be so crowded but would still be fun and exciting since it just occurred to me we may not be on the side of the ship facing the dock this time...

You could try deck 4. Not nearly as many people and you can still hear the horn. It's also a good place to wave at all the people on shore.

 

[phinz]

You could try deck 4. Not nearly as many people and you can still hear the horn. It's also a good place to wave at all the people on shore.

As a bonus, if you're on the starboard side you can watch the Harbor Pilot being picked up by the chase boat.

 

[rawdata]

Yes definitely. Meridian is a very nice bar!

That doesn't mean it's staffed all day. Just another area to go "hang out" if you want to. As the other poster mentioned, sometimes you have to bring your own drinks...

 

[rawdata]

My youngest has autism, and it just didn't work for him. We sat on our verandah and waved to the CM on the dock. Any suggestions for other places to be during departure that wouldn't be so crowded ...

Another recommendation for Meridian bar on the newer class ships. You have a great view off the stern. There might not be anyone there so it might not be as crazy as up on deck. It's just a nice, tucked away place that many people don't visit.

 

[CajunMomof3]

Thanks for the suggestions!