October 20, 2012, Disney Fantasy, Eastern Caribbean-Who's with us?

[lewiskids004]

Brenda-where are you??? Hope you're packing for the pre-Disney cruise!!

 

[JOANNEL]

We are so excited for our first family cruise! I just found this message board today & am still trying to navigate it. Would love any tips & tricks you may have. I am cruising with my DH (40), DD (11), DD (8) & DS (6).

Welcome. You are going to love it. We took our first DCL cruise in 2002 and haven;t stopped. We are emptynesters now but my boys loved it too.

So just ask away any questions you have.

 

[JOANNEL]

How true is it that I'll probably have problems booking excursions & Palo 90 days out, being a first time cruiser. I was told by a DCL rep that I'll have a difficult time because priority goes to returning cruisers, concierge level & DVC members. I'm starting to get bummed out & second guessing the cruise.

Don't second guess yourself. They leave slots open for booking on board. Palo brunch is fabulous. We have only done the dinner twice. We enjoy our dining room dinner companions more.

 

[sunshine1259]

Hi there! Would love to get added to the main page
DW- Jamie, DH, DD (11), DD (8), DS (6)
Cabin 8628
Second Seating

Would love to participate in FE's

Thanks for organizing all of this!!!

Hi, Jamie, Welcome Aboard!!! I have added you all to the main page and to the FE list. This is going to be quite some fun.

I don't mean to be a bubble-burster or anything, but you said that this is your first time cruising Disney. If that is the case, I believe that your booking window will be at 75 days out not 90. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I thought it was 75 days for first-timers, 90 days for Silver, 105 days for Gold and 120 days for Platinium and Concierge passengers.

Palo will be the hardest to book at that time. So, if you can't book online before the cruise, be sure to go up and get on the waiting list as soon as you board.

Most of the excursions you will probably be able to book at your booking window.

Well, this is the place to ask any and all of your questions about the cruise as far as planning goes. Most of us on this cruise have cruised several times with Disney and are starting to get a handle on things.

Again, welcome aboard and I look forward to helping become acquainted with Disney cruising.

 

[sunshine1259]

Brenda-where are you??? Hope you're packing for the pre-Disney cruise!!

Sherry, What the HECK!!!!???? Am I surprised to see you here! Yes, you will be happy to know that I have started my packing, in fact, I just need to add a few things and I will be all set to go next week. What are you doing?

 

[sunshine1259]

Welcome! You've come to the right place! This is an amazing place to learn the in's and out's of Disney Cruising. The best piece of advice I learned on our first cruise - last fall - was prepare ahead of time so you don't have to stress when you're on the cruise. Things like booking your excursions and Palo/Remy reservations at your 90 day window. Being totally prepared for the costs that you will end up with at the end of the trip - gratuities, any room service tips, dry cleaning/pressing, drinks, excursions, photos - so you don't end up with a heart attack at the end when you see your final bill. To help with that "sticker shock", I actually buy a Disney Gift Card at the grocery store every time I go so that I slowly accumulate the amount I'll need at the end.

The other thing that really made our cruise more enjoyable was to send our dinner clothes to be pressed the first night we were onboard. It's really pretty reasonably priced, and I never had to think about ironing once!

Beyond that, we gave the kids a little extra freedom than they would have had at home and just had a wonderful family time.

Have fun planning and we look forward to hopefully meeting you onboard!

Steph

You know, Steph, that is a GREAT idea about purchasing gift cards when you go grocery shopping!!! What is the lowest denomination can you purchase? I might have to start doing that to help pay for things like Remy, Palo and excursions, and maybe even tips. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks.

 

[McNabrat]

You are correct...it is 75 days. I was mistaken, no biggie All the positive feedback won't allow my bubble to be burst LOL

 

[sunshine1259]

You are correct...it is 75 days. I was mistaken, no biggie All the positive feedback won't allow my bubble to be burst LOL

That's the attitude!!! Think positive and things usually work out just fine.

 

[*Bambi-Bell*]

We will also be joining this cruise; I’m a wee bit late to this thread but would also love to join the fish extender group, however I better do a bit more research on making an extender and finding out the types of gifts to make or buy, it does sound fun though.

Cruising will be –
Me – Laura, I will be celebrating my 40th birthday the week before at the Grand Floridian.

DH – Alan already 40

DS1 – Liam 17 at the time of the cruise

DS2 – Connor 13 at the time of the cruise

Our very first cruise was this same itinerary on the Magic last October and we can’t wait to see those lovely Islands again, we would have liked to have tried the west itinerary but we had to fit our holiday in with the Scottish school holidays.

We are booked into stateroom 12508 with late dining.

Looking forward to getting to know or fellow cruisers.

 

[linco711]

In St Thomas we plan to go snorkeling over in St John. Previously we've kayaked in St. Thomas (I think it was a guided tour through the mangroves).

Last time we were in St. Maarten we sailed in the 12-metre regatta, which was a blast. This time we want to see the French side of the island, so we will just wander over on our own most likely.[/QUOTE
If you get to the French side-theres a great restaraunt calledTropicana that a cab driver took us to. It was sook cool to listen to all the people around us speaking French!! We picked up a newspaper and they were in French too!! What a fun experience. It didn't hurt that we were by do docks with beautiful yachts to look at while eating at this open restaraunt!

What a great suggestion..You make it sound like a must not miss!! We have been to St. Maarten several times but have never gone over to the French side. We just usually take the easy way and stay where we are planted...but now after reading this, I'm thinking we might be missing something..Do you really think it is worth the long drive...Is it much nicer than the Dutch side?

 

[lewiskids004]

Sherry, What the HECK!!!!???? Am I surprised to see you here! Yes, you will be happy to know that I have started my packing, in fact, I just need to add a few things and I will be all set to go next week. What are you doing?

Attempting to pack myself!! Cant wait for our girls trip!!! It keeps me going day by day! Ill call you later! Have a great day!

 

[Renysmom]

Welcome new cruisers so happy to see more of you joining us on this great trip.

We have a facebook page as well as this page. If you want to join in send me a PM with your facebook link, I will then friend you so we can add you to the group.

 

[sunshine1259]

We will also be joining this cruise; I’m a wee bit late to this thread but would also love to join the fish extender group, however I better do a bit more research on making an extender and finding out the types of gifts to make or buy, it does sound fun though.

Cruising will be –
Me – Laura, I will be celebrating my 40th birthday the week before at the Grand Floridian.

DH – Alan already 40

DS1 – Liam 17 at the time of the cruise

DS2 – Connor 13 at the time of the cruise

Our very first cruise was this same itinerary on the Magic last October and we can’t wait to see those lovely Islands again, we would have liked to have tried the west itinerary but we had to fit our holiday in with the Scottish school holidays.

We are booked into stateroom 12508 with late dining.

Looking forward to getting to know or fellow cruisers.

Hi, and Welcome aboard, Laura. We are really going to be a party group. I will add you all to the main page and to the FE list. I have a couple of links on the first page under FE that links to FE's and gifts.

But, let us know here what you need and I am sure someone will have the answer for you.

Again, Welcome.

 

[sunshine1259]

Attempting to pack myself!! Cant wait for our girls trip!!! It keeps me going day by day! Ill call you later! Have a great day!

I still need to buy some sneakers. Otherwise, I think I have pretty much what I am going to take.

We leave in just 9 short days!!!! I CAN'T wait!

 

[McNabrat]

I'm not able to send you a PM because I do not have enough posts. Nor will it allow me to post a link to my FB page.
Thanks! Would love to join

 

[ethanash1]

You know, Steph, that is a GREAT idea about purchasing gift cards when you go grocery shopping!!! What is the lowest denomination can you purchase? I might have to start doing that to help pay for things like Remy, Palo and excursions, and maybe even tips. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks.

I second that! I'm going to start doing that. I think if I save up cash, i may spend it on that "must have" pair of shoes in between! This will prevent that.....

Does anyone know if I can use Disney Dollars toward my final on-board bill? I have several D-land trips planned in between, and if they still have them available (not even sure about this), can we use them?

 

[sunshine1259]

I second that! I'm going to start doing that. I think if I save up cash, i may spend it on that "must have" pair of shoes in between! This will prevent that.....

Does anyone know if I can use Disney Dollars toward my final on-board bill? I have several D-land trips planned in between, and if they still have them available (not even sure about this), can we use them?

I'm not 100% positive, but I think that you can. Someone else who has done will probably chime in here soon.

 

[sunshine1259]

I second that! I'm going to start doing that. I think if I save up cash, i may spend it on that "must have" pair of shoes in between! This will prevent that.....

Does anyone know if I can use Disney Dollars toward my final on-board bill? I have several D-land trips planned in between, and if they still have them available (not even sure about this), can we use them?

I know what you mean. I have this big piggy bank that I am using; putting extra change and even bills in it to keep in out of my purse and therefore eligble for spending.

 

[1stDisneyCruiseForUs]

You know, Steph, that is a GREAT idea about purchasing gift cards when you go grocery shopping!!! What is the lowest denomination can you purchase? I might have to start doing that to help pay for things like Remy, Palo and excursions, and maybe even tips. I don't know why I hadn't thought of that before. Thanks.

Glad to help My local grocery store tends to have $25 and $50 increments. Sometimes they have blank ones that you load with as much as you want.

 

[sunshine1259]

Glad to help My local grocery store tends to have $25 and $50 increments. Sometimes they have blank ones that you load with as much as you want.

Great, I will mention this to my husband.