Planning a cruise and have some questions!

[cewewee]

Hi! We do the World every year, but we've never cruised. We are planning a 3 night December cruise (not sure how my family will handle motion sickness, and didn't want to go on a long cruise without knowing!) and I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find the answer to.

1. What time can you actually board the ship on the first day? Are there lots of activities going on that day, or is it mostly a get settled/unpack day?

2. Do they offer Zumba or a cardio kick-boxing class as a group fitness option?

3. Can you come and go to the ship on days that you are in port or do you have to stay off once you're off?

4. What age are kids allowed to check themselves out of kid/teen clubs without parents picking them up (I'm not comfortable with my kids roaming around)?

5. Will car rental companies deliver cars to the dock on the day the cruise ends?

6. What time do you actually have to be off the ship on your last day?

Thanks!

 

[MuppetBaby]

#3. You can get on and off as often as you wish. Just keep in mind it can be time consuming. Remember to bring your Key To The World Card and photo ID (passport card, license works fine) as you will need both to get back on.

 

[GatorMomInNC]

Hi! We do the World every year, but we've never cruised. We are planning a 3 night December cruise (not sure how my family will handle motion sickness, and didn't want to go on a long cruise without knowing!) and I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find the answer to.

1. What time can you actually board the ship on the first day? Are there lots of activities going on that day, or is it mostly a get settled/unpack day?

Once you complete your online check in (including paying) you can choose a Port Arrival Time or PAT - this is when you arrive. If you want, you can carry on a small suitcase with a change of clothes and wear your swimsuits to go swimming. There will be a mandatory muster drill where everything shuts down for an hour, usually around 3-4pm. You can also eat lunch, check out the ship, the kids clubs, the spa, etc. There will be dinner and a show that night. The first day is actually pretty busy.

2. Do they offer Zumba or a cardio kick-boxing class as a group fitness option?

Sorry, 6 DCL cruises and 61 days on DCL ships and I have never used the gym!

3. Can you come and go to the ship on days that you are in port or do you have to stay off once you're off?

Come and go but each time you have to go through security/metal detector, and there may be a line so most people don't bother. On a 3 night cruise I, personally, wouldn't get off the ship but for Castaway Cay.

4. What age are kids allowed to check themselves out of kid/teen clubs without parents picking them up (I'm not comfortable with my kids roaming around)?

At age 8 you have the option of allowing your child in and out privileges. By the time they go to the Edge (age 12) everyone is allowed to come and go as they please.

5. Will car rental companies deliver cars to the dock on the day the cruise ends?

6. What time do you actually have to be off the ship on your last day?

Unless there is some delay in disembarkation you will have to be off around 9:30 at the latest, I believe. I am usually off by 9am and I am usually second seating so one of the later ones off.

Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi! We do the World every year, but we've never cruised. We are planning a 3 night December cruise (not sure how my family will handle motion sickness, and didn't want to go on a long cruise without knowing!) and I have a few questions that I haven't been able to find the answer to.

1. What time can you actually board the ship on the first day? Are there lots of activities going on that day, or is it mostly a get settled/unpack day?

2. Do they offer Zumba or a cardio kick-boxing class as a group fitness option?

3. Can you come and go to the ship on days that you are in port or do you have to stay off once you're off?

4. What age are kids allowed to check themselves out of kid/teen clubs without parents picking them up (I'm not comfortable with my kids roaming around)?

5. Will car rental companies deliver cars to the dock on the day the cruise ends?

6. What time do you actually have to be off the ship on your last day?

Thanks!

1. Boarding begins around 11:30 on most cruises. The Port Arrival time you select during the online check in process is tied to the actual boarding number you get when you check in at the port. Earlier PAT = lower boarding number. Most people are onboard by about 1:00-2:00.

3. You can come and go.

4. You can sign a waiver for your child at 8 to be able to sign him/herself out of the club. If you don't, they can't sign themselves out unless they are in Edge or Vibe.

5. No. You have to go to their rental office in Port Canaveral. There are shuttles.

6. DCL wants everyone off by 9:00. 9:30 at the latest (with much prompting from the CMs onboard).