Received documents...a few questions for a first-timer

[My2Kidzmom]

Hi-I have been reading all the threads for the past 2 months in prep for our upcoming cruise on the Dream next month. It is my and my children's (soon to be 10 year old b/g twins) first time ever on a cruise and my husband last went on a Carnival cruise like 20 years ago so this is all new to us.

I received my Cruise Documents a few days ago and had a few questions (not all related to the documents).

1. I have DCL transfers from the Resort to the Port, which is indicated in the booklet. However, it says I am to call 24 hours before the Cruise to find out when and where we will be picked up. In everything I have read here on the boards, people using DCL transfers received a letter in their room the day before with these details. It's not a major issue for me to call except it says to call within business hours and the day before is a Sunday, so when would I call? We are also going to be in the park that day so not the most convenient but we'll do it if we must. I was wondering if this was a change or did those who receive letters also have this note in their packets about calling?

2.I suffer from motion sickness. I was going to visit my doctor for a prescription but read here how bonine has helped a lot of people. For those of you with severe motion sickness, was the bonine sufficient? I would classify myself as having moderate motion sickness (I can go on a ride like Space Mountain and be OK but Expedition Everest is out as the backwards part kills me). Dramamine knocks me out so looking for alternatives.

3. We do not plan on doing any excursions in Nassau but my children would like to get off the ship to look around as it is their first time to the Bahamas. Are the markets in port something they would enjoy, just to see a little bit of the island?

Thanks!

1. We just got home from the Dream and we did transfers from ASMu. We got a letter when we checked in, and one delivered to our room around 9pm. In the morning they called or room to ask the # of bags we had for them to pick up (they came by about 8:30am to get bags). Just to give you an idea, we were to meet in lobby at 11:30 - check in with cruise line staff w/clipboards and wait. Our bus left at 11:45 and we were at the port at noon. The line was long but moved quickly. We went through Mickey's ears, got our photo, boarded, looked around a bit and were eating at Cabañas a little after 1pm. It's very smooth.
2. I too am very prone to motion sickness. I had some Dramamine but stopped taking it on 2nd day b/c the motion didn't bother me at all. My niece wore sea bands and said they worked great for her.
3. We got off at Nassau to say we did, we went to the Queen's staircase and fort, got passports stamped, looked through market as we walked through but that was it. Off and on in under 2 hours.
Have fun!

 

[mkymouse40]

My2Kidzmom - how did you get to the Queen's staircase and Fort? Is the market right next to the ship?

To Anyone - what is "land sickness"?

We have the Arcadia Gardens Tour booked, but I don't really think it sounds very exciting.

 

[1 Minnie & 3 Mickeys]

To Anyone - what is "land sickness"?

Just like sea sickness (nausea vomiting etc) but happens when your body is adjusting to being back on land.

 

[Imahikergirl]

DH and I walked to Queen's Staircase & Fort in Mar. It didn't take too long at all to get there.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

To Anyone - what is "land sickness"?

Also called "Mal de Debarquement"

Mal de debarquement syndrome (MdDS) is a rare and little understood disorder of the body's balance system (vestibular system) and refers to the rocking sensation and/or sense of imbalance that persists for an excessive length of time after an ocean cruise, plane flight or other motion experience. Most people after exposure to an ocean trip or long airplane ride will experience "motion" after the event is over and for a short period of time, with two days being the upper limit of normal. But for persons with MdDS, these sensations may last for 1 month or a year or even many years. Symptoms may diminish in time or periodically disappear and reappear after days, months, or years, sometimes after another motion experience or sometimes spontaneously. This syndrome is probably more common than the literature might lead us to believe, as the level of awareness in the general population as well as among health personnel is very low.

The disproportionate length of time over which the discomfort persists is normally unaccompanied by nausea, nor is it responsive to motion-sickness drugs.

For reasons that are not understood, middle aged women are overwhelmingly more likely to come down with MdDS than are men. However, most studies so far have disavowed hormones as a cause.
http://www.webmd.com/brain/mal-de-debarquement

 

[katellynne]

Hi-I have been reading all the threads for the past 2 months in prep for our upcoming cruise on the Dream next month. It is my and my children's (soon to be 10 year old b/g twins) first time ever on a cruise and my husband last went on a Carnival cruise like 20 years ago so this is all new to us.

I received my Cruise Documents a few days ago and had a few questions (not all related to the documents).

2.I suffer from motion sickness. I was going to visit my doctor for a prescription but read here how bonine has helped a lot of people. For those of you with severe motion sickness, was the bonine sufficient? I would classify myself as having moderate motion sickness (I can go on a ride like Space Mountain and be OK but Expedition Everest is out as the backwards part kills me). Dramamine knocks me out so looking for alternatives.

3. We do not plan on doing any excursions in Nassau but my children would like to get off the ship to look around as it is their first time to the Bahamas. Are the markets in port something they would enjoy, just to see a little bit of the island?

Thanks!

Bonine has worked great for my family on multiple cruises so far. My daughter and I take it the day we board, usually before we get on the bus since that makes us both queasy as well If the sailing is smooth after the first day we stop taking it. If it is bad we take another one before dinner. Rinse and Repeat based on how the sailing goes!

Nassau I highly recommend getting off and walking to the Pirates of Nassau Museum! It is a short walk, you can go quickly past the straw market-there is one in the cruise terminal and then another one outside in the streets on the way but you can bypass either. I think it is 2 blocks away at most. It is really fun and up to Disney standards IMO. The shopping area where they send you for diamonds lol is okay too...we have gotten cute Havainas and other souvenirs there and the shops are nicer in that area. Hope this link is allowed for the Pirates http://www.piratesofnassau.com/

 

[elvispursley]

1. We just got home from the Dream and we did transfers from ASMu. We got a letter when we checked in, and one delivered to our room around 9pm. In the morning they called or room to ask the # of bags we had for them to pick up (they came by about 8:30am to get bags). Just to give you an idea, we were to meet in lobby at 11:30 - check in with cruise line staff w/clipboards and wait. Our bus left at 11:45 and we were at the port at noon. The line was long but moved quickly. We went through Mickey's ears, got our photo, boarded, looked around a bit and were eating at Cabañas a little after 1pm. It's very smooth.

Did it really only take you 15 minutes do go from WDW to Port Canaveral? That seems a lot quicker than what I've heard and anticipated! Thanks for sharing the process, it gives me an idea of what we can expect.

 

[Imahikergirl]

Did it really only take you 15 minutes do go from WDW to Port Canaveral? That seems a lot quicker than what I've heard and anticipated! Thanks for sharing the process, it gives me an idea of what we can expect.

Google maps has the drive from Animal Kingdom Lodge to the terminal at an hour ten.

 

[My2Kidzmom]

Did it really only take you 15 minutes do go from WDW to Port Canaveral? That seems a lot quicker than what I've heard and anticipated! Thanks for sharing the process, it gives me an idea of what we can expect.

Oops. No sorry, typo. 10:45 - noon.

 

[My2Kidzmom]

My2Kidzmom - how did you get to the Queen's staircase and Fort? Is the market right next to the ship?

To Anyone - what is "land sickness"?

We have the Arcadia Gardens Tour booked, but I don't really think it sounds very exciting.

Queen's Staircase is pretty easy. Exit the market that's right there at the port and cross to the main street and turn left. Walk about 4 blocks and you'll see a directional sign pointing up the road to the staircase and fort. Once at the top the staircase is kind of hidden behind a lot of greenery. You'll see a parking lot at the top of the hill (on your right) keep straight and you'll see the stairs. At the top there was a guy who gave us a little history lesson and pointed us towards the fort which was just around the corner. There is a little market up there also. The fort cost $1.08 per person, there were many vendors selling cold water for $1 too (if you don't bring your own) - it's hot there!