newbie to disney cruise

[NeverWantToGrowUp]

Hi,
We just booked a disney cruise for 7/05 for the 4 night on Disney Wonder. This trip is for my husband side of family reunion, 14 people, 4 families age range from 1-84 years old! Unfortunately, every family wanted to book with their agency, we did ours through Dream Unlimited. Here are some questions I wonder if anyone can help me with:
1. All 4 reservations had first dinner seating but we would all like to sit together, since the purpose of this trip is family reunion, what would be the best way to go about this? I asked DU but didn't any response back from them. Kind of strange because before we pay the deposit every question I had was emailed back within same day or the very next day.
2. We booked cat. 3 which I believe has a shorter and faster check in line but my in-laws who are in their 80s had lower catagory, can we somehow take them with us through our check in line? I can't imaging having them waited in a long line at their age.
3. How does the access to different deck work? I would like to let my in-law to have access to our room since their is 1/3 size of our room. If I give them one of our room key, will that suffice for them to get into our room?
4. My in-laws also will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary as well as my mother-in-law's 80th birthday, does the cruise kind of work like Disney Resort concierge service? I got birthday cake, anniversary special goodie from concierge staff in the past when we celebrate birthday or anniversay while staying in the resort.


Thanks in advance. Being a first timer for cruise is very overwelming.

MT

 

[mmouse37]

Cat's 1, 2 & 3 do not have a separate check-in line...they only have a separate boarding line that your in-laws could use and board with you.

If everyone booked with different TA's it makes it a bit harder to link their ressies for dining but not impossible.

I would suggest you get everyone's reservation #'s if possible and call DCL and give them all the names and resv. # and ask them to link them for dining.

The problem might be that once you book with a TA.....if you call DCL directly they refer you back to the TA...they do not handle inquiries directly from you anymore. CAll DCL and explain the situation and ask how best to handle it. You may get a DCL CM willing to link all the ressies without having to go through all the TA's.

Yes, Concierege work like the ones at WDW...I am sure if you tell them of the celebrations they will help with make it special for all.

You can get an extra KTTW card for your in-laws to let them have access to your cabin. Just go to guest service upon boarding and ask for one.

MJ

 

[NeverWantToGrowUp]

MJ,
Thank you very much for the reply. What is KTTW? Is there a big difference between the boarding line for catagory 1,2,3 vs other? Is there a check in line and then a boarding line? where do they check all the document? I read some post about cat 1,2,3 don't have to wait in a long line, I assume that was for check in. First time on a cruise, any cruise. I am total ignorant on this matter Thanks.

MT

 

[TheWog]

KTTW - is your Key To The World card. It works as your door key and payment card for anything purchased onboard. You can have an extra made up for your in-laws to allow access to your room. There are two separate lines in the terminal, one for check in and one for boarding. I am not sure of any special perks for higher categories. We were in a cat. 6. I do know that Castaway Club members get a special check in line.

 

[gometros]

Originally posted by NeverWantToGrowUp
1. All 4 reservations had first dinner seating but we would all like to sit together, since the purpose of this trip is family reunion, what would be the best way to go about this? I asked DU but didn't any response back from them. Kind of strange because before we pay the deposit every question I had was emailed back within same day or the very next day.

Even though you booked through different TAs, you can have DCL link the reservations together. Either give them the reservation numbers or the names of the various parties.

2. We booked cat. 3 which I believe has a shorter and faster check in line but my in-laws who are in their 80s had lower catagory, can we somehow take them with us through our check in line? I can't imaging having them waited in a long line at their age.

Although this was already answered, to be quite honest, I've yet to expereince a wait on line. We've cruised four times and find the heck-in process very eficient.

3. How does the access to different deck work? I would like to let my in-law to have access to our room since their is 1/3 size of our room. If I give them one of our room key, will that suffice for them to get into our room?

LOL. This is not the QM2 There is no place on the ship that anyone is restriced from (other than CM only areas, of course). All 10 decks are accessible through three elevator banks and stairways. You can request that guest services give your parents access to your room, if you want. All you have to do is ask either when you check in or after you board.

4. My in-laws also will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary as well as my mother-in-law's 80th birthday, does the cruise kind of work like Disney Resort concierge service? I got birthday cake, anniversary special goodie from concierge staff in the past when we celebrate birthday or anniversay while staying in the resort.

I don't know about concierge, but you can arrange for a cake to celebrate their anniversary. Just let your server know at least a day in advance.