Roll call for 10/29/09 3 night Bahamian - General chit chat

[meryll83]

Ok, time for me to ask some stupid questions so I know a bit about how things work onboard.

1. At dinner there is a main and late seating, but do you have to arrive at opening time on the dot, or between certain times?
If you're sharing a table with other cruisers not in your party, is it possible they might arrive at a different time to you, or does the whole table have a sepcified time slot?

2. For things such as the vista spa salon tour, do you only book this once you're on board via the appropriate extension number? (I saw this advertised on a personal navigator from earlier this year, not sure if they still do this)

3. How early before the main theatre show begins do you need to get there for a reasonable seat?

4. We're thinking about doing the Discover Atlantis tour at Nassau and I've read that it includes a voucher for your return from Paradise Island on the ferry. Does this effectively mean you make your own way back to the ship at any time of day (obviously making it back by "all aboard" time!)

Think that's all that's in my head, for now!!

Thanks in advance everyone!

 

[disneycr8zy]

All very good questions Meryll83! I'll try to answer them as best I can.

1. At dinner there is a main and late seating, but do you have to arrive at opening time on the dot, or between certain times? If you're sharing a table with other cruisers not in your party, is it possible they might arrive at a different time to you, or does the whole table have a sepcified time slot?

Whichever seating you are assigned to, you'll want to arrive between 5-10 before and 5-10 minutes after the assigned time. Usually a line will form outside the dining room a little before both seatings. We've found that arriving about 5-10 minutes after the assigned time means less standing around in line while everyone sanitizes their hands (required before entering the dining room). Your table mates - should you have some - will be assigned the same dining time as you and may be the first in line or arrive late depending on their preference. I wouldn't arrive more than 15 minutes late as you may miss some of the fun stuff (animator's).

2. For things such as the vista spa salon tour, do you only book this once you're on board via the appropriate extension number? (I saw this advertised on a personal navigator from earlier this year, not sure if they still do this)

I've actually never taken the tour or had any spa services on any of my previous cruises. My understanding from talking to others is that the salon tour and ship tours are booked once arriving on board and are only available on embarkation day.

3. How early before the main theatre show begins do you need to get there for a reasonable seat?

It really depends on the show and where you like to sit. I've found that if I'm there 20 minutes ahead of show time, I can pretty much sit where I choose. The exception to this is "Disney Dreams" and I'd make sure you're there 30 minutes ahead for best seating.

4. We're thinking about doing the Discover Atlantis tour at Nassau and I've read that it includes a voucher for your return from Paradise Island on the ferry. Does this effectively mean you make your own way back to the ship at any time of day (obviously making it back by "all aboard" time!)

You are correct. The voucher for use gets you back to Nassau, but not back to the boat. It's been 6 years since I did an excursion to Atlantis, but I remember the walk to/from the ferry as feeling very long. So make sure you leave PLENTY of time for the ferry ride and the walk (and any shopping you might want to do in between!).

I hope this helped a little. Please keep asking questions because I'm sure there are others out there who have them also, but don't ask!

 

[meryll83]

Thanks for answering all my questions, it's really helping me be prepared!!

I've also noticed people posting about taking a carry on bag with swimsuit etc in, so you can go to the pools while you wait for you luggage to get delivered.

So it got me thinking, is there any sort of luggage allowance?

We will probably just be taking a large sports bag each, as we will be leaving our suitcases with my parents at Pop, so would these class as hand luggage or main luggage? Would we be able to carry them on with us for immediate use of not?

Thanks again!

 

[natalielongstaff]

Welcome. It is our first cruise also. There is me (DH) my name is Mike, my (DW) Stacey, Taylor 14 (DS) and Alyssa (DD) 11. There seems to be quite a few coming across the pond for this cruise. We live in NW Florida and are about 350 miles from WDW.
We are going to Cape Canaveral and then to Disney's Vero Beach the week of the cruise. We are DVC'ers and have never been to VB before. It looks like a real nice resort and we look forward to that part of our vacation as well. From what I have seen from the web sites it looks like the cruise will be alot of fun for all of us. We have booked a Cat 4 on the 8th deck.
I saw the thread for the group cruising this year at Halloween. That groups has a web site and all kinds of information regarding their trip. You may want to take a look at if you have not already. http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1894686
We are going to WDW this December for Christmas and New Year's Eve. And of course are counting down the days until the cruise.

thanks for the link ! wish i lived that close to WDW

Just booked for the 10/29/09 Disney Wonder while we were on the 07/27/08 Disney Magic Mexican Riviera. We met KPROS & SPROS and Firsttimers onboard and they told us about this great website.

This will be our 5th DCL Cruise but our first with anyone under 18! It will be me, my roomie, her DD (20's), and her DGS (4). He'll turn 5 the day we get off the ship.

We are super excited to hear about what they will be doing onboard for Halloween since we have LOTS of time to plan for it.

Welcome aboard

Speaking only from my own experience (we've never taken a DCL cruise with anyone under 18) there are some definite don't miss activities:

1 - Sail Away Party following the safety drill (Deck 9 & 10)! If travelling with children you'll want to be on deck 9 to get a good spot. Otherwise, the view from the rail on deck 10 is quite good!

2 - Evening shows - the entertainment on board is above top-notch and you won't want to miss a minute of it. Your fellow diners and neighbors will all be talking about it and you don't want the be the only ones 'in the dark'.

Since it's only a 3 day cruise, make sure you look closely at the Daily Navigator each night and make a plan for the next day (including alternate choices in case you want to be inside vs. outside, etc.

Check out the Passporter website (passporter.com) for the Passporter Guide to the Disney Cruise Line ($17-$37) and the Disney Cruise Clues (about $6). They are inexpensive books that includes everything you need to know about the ships, the destinations, the shows, packing, planning and is an all-around great tool to help build excitement. I get a new one every year because of all the great information (I'll be getting the WDW guide before our next WDW trip in 2011 because I know it'll help me have a better time at the parks).

Can't wait to meet everyone onboard!

Great info, thank you x x

 

[disneycr8zy]

Thanks for answering all my questions, it's really helping me be prepared!!

I've also noticed people posting about taking a carry on bag with swimsuit etc in, so you can go to the pools while you wait for you luggage to get delivered.

So it got me thinking, is there any sort of luggage allowance?

We will probably just be taking a large sports bag each, as we will be leaving our suitcases with my parents at Pop, so would these class as hand luggage or main luggage? Would we be able to carry them on with us for immediate use of not?

Thanks again!

Since you'll be coming from the Disney Resorts, you'll definitely want to put swimsuits/sunscreen/camera/medicines (if any) and anything else you think you'll need between the time you board and the time your luggage arrives at your room. Check the PassPorter guide for more ideas on what to take in the 'carry-on'.

There is a luggage allowance of two 'checked' bags. I'm not aware of a limit for carry-on baggage except what you're able to "carry on". If all you have is the sports bag, it will probably be up to you to decide if you want to carry it on as "hand luggage" or have the staff deliver it as "main luggage".

Remember - your cabin will probably not be ready when you board the ship so you'll have to carry your luggage with you everywhere on board as you explore. That would be the deciding factor for me - I'll want to travel as light as possible so that I don't have piles of stuff with me at the pool while everyone is boarding!

Hope this helps.

 

[denversees4me]

just came off the 3 night halloween cruise and am thinking of booking this one again... im going to book either tonight or tomorrow WOO HOO my best friend and my seeing eye dog Denver just finished this cruise and plan on making it an anual event YIPPEE!!!!!
let you all know what happens with booking
cari and Denver

 

[meryll83]

just came off the 3 night halloween cruise and am thinking of booking this one again... im going to book either tonight or tomorrow WOO HOO my best friend and my seeing eye dog Denver just finished this cruise and plan on making it an anual event YIPPEE!!!!!
let you all know what happens with booking
cari and Denver

Oooh tell us about the fun things you did for Halloween!!

 

[disneycr8zy]

just came off the 3 night halloween cruise and am thinking of booking this one again...

Yes!! Please share the Halloween activities, decorations, menus, and anything else you can. I realize that you may have to relay others' descriptions of some of those things since Denver probably didn't care what the decorations were like!

Can't wait to meet you (and Denver) on board!

 

[wilma-bride]

I have added a list of those travelling on this cruise on post 1 of this thread. Would love to hear if anyone else is going to be joining us.

We are in a bit of a quandary at the moment, with the £ having weakened against the $ quite a lot over the last few months, this is not looking to be as good a deal as when we first booked it. We're still going (wild horses couldn't keep me away) but I'm trying to decide whether to pay it off now or to hope that the $ rate improves a bit over the next few months again - at least hopefully before August when the balance is due.

 

[pnyltwk]

Hope everything works out and you are able to come. We are still planning to take the trip barring any unforseen catastrophy. We paid for the trip when we booked. Looking forward to meeting all.

 

[denversees4me]

ok so i havent booked yet but im going to for sure... i really want to just do the halloween one but we are debating on the 4 day instead... you all seem so cool though that it will most likely be this cruise will book in a day or two
ok so there was nothing on the menu special that i could find , i herd rumors of witches brew and yummy treats BUT never saw it LOL pretty funny since i dont see much of anything anyways LOL LOL LOL but im sure there was stuff at the pirate night deck party we missed. We got up there just in time for the fireworks show and it was cool short but cool !!! im not a dancer and neither is mary my best friend so we didnt really do much
NOTE """" dont eat yourself full on pirate night SAVE ROOM for the desserts you get at the party... i was SOOOOO bummed i was so full from yummy steak dinner that i was too full to enjoy all the yummies.... hey maybe the witches brew was there LOL and i just missed it .
Anyways for those of you who have never DISNEY cruised.... well be prepared no meal is bad no service is bad and frankly i will NEVER sail another cruise line again unless it is disney .... the shows are a MUST MUST MUST !!!! way cool and disney was so accomidating to me and they made sure since i have some vision left that i was met by a crew member 5 min before they let everytone else in and i got to sit front row and center for all the shows.... otherwise i would have NEVER been able to even remotely see the show.... not even in the second row
DISNEY IS THE BOMB!!!!!! im really looking foreward to my next cruise
my best friend wanted to trick or treat ( ask me why???? ) so denver and i gave her the bags and she filled them while we trailed along . They give you bags and a map and you start off at station 1 and work your way to 9 ... they send half the ship one way and the other half the other way so it is VERY well organized......
thats about all i know i will see if i can post a cute pic here soon so you can all see Denver
cari and guide dog Denver

 

[denversees4me]

it says i cant post pics but denver and pluto are my icon now at least
i have cute ones of him and stitch too

 

[denversees4me]

is anyone doing fish extenders ?
cari and Denver

 

[wilma-bride]

is anyone doing fish extenders ?
cari and Denver

I would love to do fish extenders if everyone else is up for it Thanks for all the info about Halloween - thsi will be our 2nd DCL cruise so I am very excited. Still managing to keep it a secret from the kids - we don't plan to tell them now until we arrive at the port.

 

[meryll83]

is anyone doing fish extenders ?
cari and Denver

I've seen various threads on these but never actually sat and read through one properly, are they easy to make? And do you do them from scratch or can you buy them almost done? I don't know if we'll have anything like it in the UK!!

I would love to do fish extenders if everyone else is up for it Thanks for all the info about Halloween - thsi will be our 2nd DCL cruise so I am very excited. Still managing to keep it a secret from the kids - we don't plan to tell them now until we arrive at the port.

Awww that's so exciting!!! They will be thrilled!!

 

[wilma-bride]

I've seen various threads on these but never actually sat and read through one properly, are they easy to make? And do you do them from scratch or can you buy them almost done? I don't know if we'll have anything like it in the UK!!

I am not in any way talented enough to make one. I think you can buy them on ebay - I'm sure Mandymouse bought hers from ebay. If we are going to do dish extenders, I will certainly be buying rather than making.

 

[meryll83]

I am not in any way talented enough to make one. I think you can buy them on ebay - I'm sure Mandymouse bought hers from ebay. If we are going to do dish extenders, I will certainly be buying rather than making.

Dish extenders - now there's a novel idea! Extra room for all that yummy food we'll be eating!!

I've found someone on ebay doing them, I've enquired about a personalised wedding/honeymoonified one!

 

[wilma-bride]

lol at dish extenders - I might need pants extenders Stupid typo - I need to learn to think quicker than I type

 

[denversees4me]

i know u can buy extenders on e bay..... i made mine .
im still debating on the 3 or 4 night cruise you all seem so cool vs the 4 night board i almost just wanna book for this one
cari and denver

 

[wilma-bride]

i know u can buy extenders on e bay..... i made mine .
im still debating on the 3 or 4 night cruise you all seem so cool vs the 4 night board i almost just wanna book for this one
cari and denver

We are all very cool - go ahead, you know you want to. Plus, my DD would be absolutely stoked if there were a dog onboard