October 7-10th three day Fall Getaway on the Disney Wonder!

[FrigulettoEA]

No water park for us either. We did it 2 yrs ago and it was great. And then we did it again this past April and it was so cold that we weren't able to go on any slides. We were bundled up in sweatshirts. I think the weather was around 60 and windy. We are just relaxing this trip. You will have a fun time.

 

[chellealistic]

Woohoo! Got my cruise docs in the mail a few days ago. I didn't even realize it was them until I saw the luggage tags! LOL.

A question: I see that most of the docs that you have to fill out online are also in this notebook. Do I have to do both? I think it would be silly to fill this thing out AND fill out the one online and print it out. I assume you can do one or the other.

Also, what time do people usually show up at the port? And how early do they let you board the ship? I know I've read on the boards in the past that some people get on well before 4pm and then spend the afternoon on the ship swimming and eating lunch. I'd like to get as much time out of this experience as possible since it is our first time on a cruise.

SO EXCITED!!!

 

[chellealistic]

Where do you get them pre-made? I'm not crafty at all

 

[Dicecatt]

A question: I see that most of the docs that you have to fill out online are also in this notebook. Do I have to do both? I think it would be silly to fill this thing out AND fill out the one online and print it out. I assume you can do one or the other.

Also, what time do people usually show up at the port? And how early do they let you board the ship? I know I've read on the boards in the past that some people get on well before 4pm and then spend the afternoon on the ship swimming and eating lunch. I'd like to get as much time out of this experience as possible since it is our first time on a cruise.

SO EXCITED!!!

No, you don't have to fill it out...if you do the online version, you actually don't need the hard copy version at all, except the luggage tags. People show up at port at various times...I am usually coming from a Disney resort so I'll probably be there around noon. Some people want get their early, but they won't start boarding the ship until probably 11:30, maybe later. Cabins are ready at 1/1:30.

For the FEs, check ebay

 

[chellealistic]

No, you don't have to fill it out...if you do the online version, you actually don't need the hard copy version at all, except the luggage tags. People show up at port at various times...I am usually coming from a Disney resort so I'll probably be there around noon. Some people want get their early, but they won't start boarding the ship until probably 11:30, maybe later. Cabins are ready at 1/1:30.

For the FEs, check ebay

Is one way better than the other?

Oh! Good idea. Why didn't I think of that?

 

[Dicecatt]

You mean, for the documents? The online documents are better, because all your stuff will be in their system. If you bring the hard copy, it will take longer to check in because they'll have to enter everything. Checking in is super easy if you have all of your documents!

Also, for those of you first time cruisers, consider getting lanyards, either before the cruise or during. You get them when you are a Castaway Club member. I don't wear them at Disney World, but on the cruise they are really handy because you need your room card everywhere you go!

 

[FrigulettoEA]

I do all of our cruise docs online then print it because of the signature page. I also register my children in the kids program just incase they want to go. I think mine only went once or twice. They like being up my butt. I plan to arrive around 10:00am. Checkin is very fast. Then I stand in line to get the kids club bands put on the children. Then we just wait for our number to be called. The kids want to be 1st but I'm not sure that I want to be there that early. We like getting on the ship and going to Parrot Cay for lunch. The kids will have their swimsuits on so that they can go swimming right after lunch. I really can not wait.

 

[Dicecatt]

FrigguletoEA makes a great suggestion with Parrot Cay. They will most likely point you to the buffet when it is lunchtime. If you want to go to Parrot Cay instead, they may tell you they aren't seating at that point...tell them you'll wait. You'll get in shortly after .

Also, although I've never been to port earlier than 11:30, we've never had to wait. When you get their early you will have to wait for your group to go in because the ship might not be boarding yet (which is fine if you want to get there early and are willing to wait!). The most we've ever waited is maybe 10 minutes and that was in Barcelona!!! Longer lines are possible, but in my experience if you get there after boarding has already started, you'll not wait for very long. It goes in waves, though...you can't really predict.

Also, as far as the kids clubs...if there is a line at Port, just skip it and wait...you can do the same thing onboard later in the day at deck 5. Of course, if the ship isn't boarding yet and you are waiting anyway, might as well get it over with and do it then.

Another tip...if you are going to participate in the airline check in program (only certain carriers) then make sure you tell DCL when you check in. They won't automatically put you in, and you have to do it in advance.

 

[Nikki'sMommy]

I see that some people have already received their package.. Do they take longer if you go through a TA? I know we have a month but when should I start worry?

 

[Dicecatt]

I see that some people have already received their package.. Do they take longer if you go through a TA? I know we have a month but when should I start worry?

It will take longer for you because first DCL sends them to your TA, then you get them. I am a TA and an owner (meaning the docs come to my address...if you have a TA that works for an agency out of their house or something the main office gets the docs first) and I got mine close to two weeks ago.

 

[chellealistic]

I feel so overwhelmed and we still have a few weeks to go! I know it'll go smoothly when the time comes, but thinking about it now makes me nervous. LOL.

I'm already compiling a list of everything I need to remember to bring with us on the ship. Does anyone have any MUST HAVE items that most people wouldn't think to bring? Not just normal stuff, but items you never thought you would have needed until you did?

 

[Dicecatt]

I feel so overwhelmed and we still have a few weeks to go! I know it'll go smoothly when the time comes, but thinking about it now makes me nervous. LOL.

I'm already compiling a list of everything I need to remember to bring with us on the ship. Does anyone have any MUST HAVE items that most people wouldn't think to bring? Not just normal stuff, but items you never thought you would have needed until you did?

Michelle, I'll PM you with a link for a list I created...if anyone else wants it, feel free to ask. I don't want to post it out in the open

 

[FrigulettoEA]

Off the top of my head here are some of the things I like to bring are: a highlighter to highlight my navigator with things I would like to do, alot of $1s for room service, clothes pins to hang wet swimsuits.

 

[chellealistic]

Oh! I love those suggestions. I was wondering how I would get our swimsuits to dry overnight. Might have to bring two just in case. Is there a convenient place to hang them in the room?

 

[FrigulettoEA]

Oh! I love those suggestions. I was wondering how I would get our swimsuits to dry overnight. Might have to bring two just in case. Is there a convenient place to hang them in the room?

In the shower there is one of those retractable clothes lines. We always pack 2 bathing suits so that we can wear one while the other is drying.

 

[Dicecatt]

Another tip that was way too simple for me to think of...you can actually pull the drying clothes line through the straps on your swimsuits, eliminating the need for clothes pins! As I said...I did not think of that...I've been lugging clothes pins

For those of you that asked for my "Tips" list, they've been sent or they will be shortly.

 

[Dicecatt]

Chellealistic, are you going to do the Fish Extender?

So far, we have 4 families (5 cabins) participating, possibly 5 if you are going to do it...I haven't heard from 3 others on our list.

If anyone else is interested in participating, please PM me or post here ASAP, so I can finish the list. You can do one gift per cabin, or one gift per person per cabin...it is really up to you. Just as an example, for the last cruise I was on I created magnets with the cruise Itinerary (Med) and Alice with the Cardinal's logo on her apron (I'm from STL). I gave caramel chocolates to the adults, pirate patches for the boys and giant rings to the girls. Don't tell your kids that because I might repeat their gifts

So far, here is what we have:

8 adults
1 4 year old
1 6 year old
1 10 year old
1 13 year old
1 16 year old

I'll give it a couple more days, and then I'll email everyone the list of names and cabins with the total count! Erin

 

[chellealistic]

I haven't ordered the FE yet, but I plan to buy one on Ebay. I hope it can get here in time. If not, then I will figure something out.

It's just going to be me and my husband, so I think we can handle joining in on the fun

Do we get to know the gender of the kids beforehand?

Chellealistic, are you going to do the Fish Extender?

So far, we have 4 families (5 cabins) participating, possibly 5 if you are going to do it...I haven't heard from 3 others on our list.

If anyone else is interested in participating, please PM me or post here ASAP, so I can finish the list. You can do one gift per cabin, or one gift per person per cabin...it is really up to you. Just as an example, for the last cruise I was on I created magnets with the cruise Itinerary (Med) and Alice with the Cardinal's logo on her apron (I'm from STL). I gave caramel chocolates to the adults, pirate patches for the boys and giant rings to the girls. Don't tell your kids that because I might repeat their gifts

So far, here is what we have:

8 adults
1 4 year old
1 6 year old
1 10 year old
1 13 year old
1 16 year old

I'll give it a couple more days, and then I'll email everyone the list of names and cabins with the total count! Erin

 

[FrigulettoEA]

there are directions for a no sew fish extender. It's easy to make. I will find the directions and post them if you'd like.

 

[Dicecatt]

I haven't ordered the FE yet, but I plan to buy one on Ebay. I hope it can get here in time. If not, then I will figure something out.

It's just going to be me and my husband, so I think we can handle joining in on the fun

Do we get to know the gender of the kids beforehand?

Yes, the gender will be specified on the list!