Newbie with Random Questions

RafikiTiki21

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Apr 6, 2015
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Hi folks! Recently booked our first Disney Cruise for the fall and really looking forward to it. We are big WDW planners and excited to expand our horizons.

Headed to Tortola, STT, and CC -- we got married in STT and honeymooned in the BVI so we're familiar with the ports and thrilled to return to the islands. I was on a "Disney cruise" back when it was the Big Red Boat as a child, but I don't think that counts so this is really our first DCL experience. It's just me, my husband, and our five year old son.

I've enjoyed searching and scanning these threads for tips and advice, thank you!

Some initial questions of my own, please:

  • Would my five year old have a need for a lanyard and card holder? I don't imagine him being alone needing the key card, but he may want to wear it and open our stateroom door with us sometimes? Can you explain if kids need their card independently, or is buying a cute lanyard one more unnecessary thing?
  • What do you recommend for my husband to carry his card around on the ship? (I miss MagicBands!). Lanyard? His small wallets to hold one or two cards are leather, so maybe a nylon replacement for that? What do you men do? Mine will be in a wristlet with my phone or in my bag, but not sure for the guys.
  • I read you cannot bring food/drink off the ship into ports, understandable. Are we able to fill our bottles with water only and take them off the ship for the island days? This answer changes which Tervis style I pack, very important.
  • If we sign up for a Port Adventure, when are we told the exact times of this trip? The site simply lists duration. (This goes for ports as well as CC adventures).
  • Other than finding copies of Navigators online for our itinerary as it gets closer and predicting a pattern, is there a way to officially know before boarding which nights are the different dress or Halloween party?
  • Any experience/recommendations for a private taxi service all day in St. Thomas? Since we know the island very well, we want to do our own thing and would rather not get a new cab at each destination. I've emailed Marian's Taxi Service (from TripAdvisor reviews) but no response in a bit... I'm trying to be patient, as they are on island time, but may need a back-up idea.
Thanks very much!
 
Hi folks! Recently booked our first Disney Cruise for the fall and really looking forward to it. We are big WDW planners and excited to expand our horizons.

Headed to Tortola, STT, and CC -- we got married in STT and honeymooned in the BVI so we're familiar with the ports and thrilled to return to the islands. I was on a "Disney cruise" back when it was the Big Red Boat as a child, but I don't think that counts so this is really our first DCL experience. It's just me, my husband, and our five year old son.

I've enjoyed searching and scanning these threads for tips and advice, thank you!

Some initial questions of my own, please:

  • Would my five year old have a need for a lanyard and card holder? I don't imagine him being alone needing the key card, but he may want to wear it and open our stateroom door with us sometimes? Can you explain if kids need their card independently, or is buying a cute lanyard one more unnecessary thing?
  • What do you recommend for my husband to carry his card around on the ship? (I miss MagicBands!). Lanyard? His small wallets to hold one or two cards are leather, so maybe a nylon replacement for that? What do you men do? Mine will be in a wristlet with my phone or in my bag, but not sure for the guys.
  • I read you cannot bring food/drink off the ship into ports, understandable. Are we able to fill our bottles with water only and take them off the ship for the island days? This answer changes which Tervis style I pack, very important.
  • If we sign up for a Port Adventure, when are we told the exact times of this trip? The site simply lists duration. (This goes for ports as well as CC adventures).
  • Other than finding copies of Navigators online for our itinerary as it gets closer and predicting a pattern, is there a way to officially know before boarding which nights are the different dress or Halloween party?
  • Any experience/recommendations for a private taxi service all day in St. Thomas? Since we know the island very well, we want to do our own thing and would rather not get a new cab at each destination. I've emailed Marian's Taxi Service (from TripAdvisor reviews) but no response in a bit... I'm trying to be patient, as they are on island time, but may need a back-up idea.
Thanks very much!
Whether your child has a lanyard or not, is up to you. Most times he won't be somewhere you aren't and won't really require it.

My husband uses a lanyard while on the ship, and puts his KTTW card in his wallet when off the ship.

Yes, you can bring a personal water bottle ashore with water. There are some (rare) ports where even bottled water isn't allowed, but not on the Caribbean cruises (in my experience)

When you book the excursion, you select a start time. Once onboard the ship, in your room, you'll find your excursion tickets with time and location for meet up to begin excursion.

You can check your itinerary in your reservation online. Check the Activities overview link. Sometimes Pirate night is indicated there (it's not on our next cruise). Generally, you can check past Navigators (on this link http://disneycruiselineblog.com/personal-navigators/) for an idea of what nights the various things happened on.
 
Next week will be our 11th and 12th cruises- we've got it down pretty good by now-
Like the previous poster stated, DH uses a lanyard on the ship and pops it in his wallet when ashore. I don't use a lanyard. It's either in my pants/short/skort pocket or in my wallet when ashore. At the pool,I have one of those plastic waterproof container things in my pool bag. At dinner,usually some type of wristlet.
As for your son having a lanyard... I'd wait until he's wandering the ship gift shops. If he sees them and seems desperate to need one,then maybe. But he might be just as happy opening the door using either of yours. I'd wait and see.
Yes,you can bring your own water off the ship.
As far as excursions go, you will never be out of the loop. There will be passes waiting in your cabin with all the info,including when and where to meet. If you misplace them or just need more info, there is both an excursions desk and guest relations to stop by. Never fear that you will be left behind.
You can find more info through the disneycruiselineblog and social media.
All you'll need is one DCL cruise under your belt and you'll be an expert passenger. Have fun!!!!
 
Thank you both for the quick and thorough replies.

For port adventure times I was mostly curious about timing in advance, I'm glad to know I can select/view these times when booking. Once I have the plan I'll be fine, no getting lost here (famous last words??). Since it's a first cruise my window for online check-in or booking these has not opened. We may want to fit in other things on Tortola since it's our longest day ashore and the adventures are mostly just a few hours.
 

As for the lanyard and kids, my 5-year old son didn't need one. i use a small cross-body purse (I despise lanyards or anything around my neck truthfully) and kept his key in there. Then he could use it to open the room door, but he never needed his KTTW. Also, most lanyards will be too long for kids.
 
I have not had an issue with bringing food off the ship if it was still in original/untampered manufactured wrappings. Granola bars are an easy one to take with you. Typically any fruits and vegetables are the things they look for since it can introduce disease or pests.

As a guy, I will use a lanyard for casual day use and for dinner in pants pockets. On Castaway Cay, most mens shorts have an inner pocket which I use on Castaway Cay.


A 5 year old doesn't really need a lanyard. If they use the clubs they will have a magic band device.
 
I just had to chime in here that I also went on the "Big Red Boat" as a child and that so far has been my only cruise. We just booked a Disney cruise for September which will be everyone else in my party's first cruise.
 

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