September 30, 2012 - "To San Francisco and Beyond"

[Meganyvemarie]

This is so helpful, thank you! I didn't realize we got rid of (most of) our luggage even before we went to the building, that's good to know.

So the small lobby where we have to wait before check in time- there's nothing to do there, right? And not more than vending machines to get (I'm assuming only snack-type) food? We arrive at LAX at like 8:30am and I thought we'd just go straight the port (arriving by 10am) and wait till our 1pm check in. But that's a lot of time to kill w/ two excited kids who will also eventually want lunch! Maybe we'll have a hearty breakfast at LAX before heading to the port...

Were planning on arriving at 10 too, time will fly by once you get there and there's free wifi before you get onboard so you can be on DIS while you wait

 

[silvrstrfx]

Hello I'm Mel, San Francisco native, born and raised, and still residing in SF. I'm really looking forward to seeing several of my good So-Cal friends on this board. And maybe meeting some of you if you will be touring with us!

If you have any questions about weather, shopping, dining, or SF exclusive things --- i.e. where's the best sourdough or where to ogle the beautiful gay men lol I'm happy to help out! As others have already stated, the weather in SF is usually quite chilly during the Summer. If we're lucky, you'll sail in during Indian Summer which will be nice and warm, but it's best to have a light jacket or windbreaker with you for the nights, as it's quite cool by the water. Worse comes to worst, you'll just have to take advantage of our world class shopping or get a cheesy San Francisco fleece

I did have a question for you guys: I saw some of you mentioned that no homemade food is allowed on board? Is that only when you check into the cruise or does it apply to every port? Of course everyone would rather take part in the delicious Disney cuisine, but if I were to make something for my friends to give them in SF does that mean it would get confiscated? Or what if I disguised it as something from a professional bakery? It would be pretty annoying if you weren't allowed to bring in food from the port calls; I know a lot of people come to San Francisco to buy sourdough to bring home!!

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

Hello I'm Mel, San Francisco native, born and raised, and still residing in SF. I'm really looking forward to seeing several of my good So-Cal friends on this board. And maybe meeting some of you if you will be touring with us!

If you have any questions about weather, shopping, dining, or SF exclusive things --- i.e. where's the best sourdough or where to ogle the beautiful gay men lol I'm happy to help out! As others have already stated, the weather in SF is usually quite chilly during the Summer. If we're lucky, you'll sail in during Indian Summer which will be nice and warm, but it's best to have a light jacket or windbreaker with you for the nights, as it's quite cool by the water. Worse comes to worst, you'll just have to take advantage of our world class shopping or get a cheesy San Francisco fleece

I did have a question for you guys: I saw some of you mentioned that no homemade food is allowed on board? Is that only when you check into the cruise or does it apply to every port? Of course everyone would rather take part in the delicious Disney cuisine, but if I were to make something for my friends to give them in SF does that mean it would get confiscated? Or what if I disguised it as something from a professional bakery? It would be pretty annoying if you weren't allowed to bring in food from the port calls; I know a lot of people come to San Francisco to buy sourdough to bring home!!

Sorry no homemade food through any port. Like. I had mentioned earlier some people have been able to sneak it in however I wouldn't recommend it. If they catch you besides having to throw it away you can be fined. Basically food must be prepackaged or look that way. (not that I'm suggesting anything )

 

[Belle1997]

Sorry no homemade food through any port. Like. I had mentioned earlier some people have been able to sneak it in however I wouldn't recommend it. If they catch you besides having to throw it away you can be fined. Basically food must be prepackaged or look that way. (not that I'm suggesting anything )

 

[Belle1997]

Hello I'm Mel, San Francisco native, born and raised, and still residing in SF. I'm really looking forward to seeing several of my good So-Cal friends on this board. And maybe meeting some of you if you will be touring with us!

If you have any questions about weather, shopping, dining, or SF exclusive things --- i.e. where's the best sourdough or where to ogle the beautiful gay men lol I'm happy to help out! As others have already stated, the weather in SF is usually quite chilly during the Summer. If we're lucky, you'll sail in during Indian Summer which will be nice and warm, but it's best to have a light jacket or windbreaker with you for the nights, as it's quite cool by the water. Worse comes to worst, you'll just have to take advantage of our world class shopping or get a cheesy San Francisco fleece

I did have a question for you guys: I saw some of you mentioned that no homemade food is allowed on board? Is that only when you check into the cruise or does it apply to every port? Of course everyone would rather take part in the delicious Disney cuisine, but if I were to make something for my friends to give them in SF does that mean it would get confiscated? Or what if I disguised it as something from a professional bakery? It would be pretty annoying if you weren't allowed to bring in food from the port calls; I know a lot of people come to San Francisco to buy sourdough to bring home!!

Well nothing to stop your friends from eating it before they go on board

 

[kirkaliciasmom]

As I start packing, I realize that some of what goes in which bag depends on how the whole luggage thing works at port (not to mention working out which bags we're checking at the airport, etc!) So I'd like to know more about what happens at port... Here's what I'd like to know:

We can't check in earlier than our scheduled time, right? My understanding is we just need to hang around and that there's not much to do while waiting but what about food? Is there somewhere to grab lunch?

Are there long lines at check in? If our scheduled time is 1pm, do we have to wait till 1pm to get in line or can we judge how fast it's going and get in line earlier and hope it's not 1pm till we get to the desk?

When we do check in at 1pm, we give them (almost) all our luggage to be taken to our room, right? About what time does it show up in our room? Around when can we get in the room? Since the kids want to swim right away, we just need to keep one bag w/ that stuff and we're good, right?

How much time passes between getting our KTTW card and being able to get on the ship?

Ok, I think that covers it! Thanks so much for your help, everyone!

EDIT: We're using private transportation from LAX to the Port (still haven't figured out who, yet) so won't have the benefit of having bags taken directly from the airport to the ship.

As for transportation I've used Sav-on shuttle and I'm using them again, but from Long Beach. John is the owner and he was our driver last time. He's very personable and has great customer service. There were 2 of us and we had the huge van all to ourselves! From long beach we are paying $22 per person each way. Seems to be a little pricey, but my personal experience was good so I decided to book again. Hope this helps

 

[kirkaliciasmom]

What check in time does everyone have? We booked late on this cruise so got the 11.30 check in time. Wondering if we will bump onto any of you in line?

1230 here. That was the earliest time available since we booked late too....

 

[Belle1997]

We have 12:30 only because we did not know if we were doing Disneyland before hand and if so what hotel we would be staying at. I do not think it matters with DCL transportation as they always pick you up a little later.

 

[stsomewhere]

1230 here. That was the earliest time available since we booked late too....

12:30 for us too.

 

[kirkaliciasmom]

Seamama,
The quote I received from Sav-on for a private car from LGB to port was $160. I was tempted to book it, but I decided I could use the extra cash on the cruise somewhere.

 

[MomofM&M]

So excited that are cruise is coming up so soon. But now i am stressing over getting the FE gifts done. Between FE gifts and work and packing, i will be pulling several all nighters!

Oh and...

Happy Birthday to Sabrina!

To my fellow soon to be cruise mates,

May all your packing be easy and light, and have safe travels to LA!

 

[erk711]

So excited that are cruise is coming up so soon. But now i am stressing over getting the FE gifts done. Between FE gifts and work and packing, i will be pulling several all nighters!

I was feeling the same way but managed to get a lot done today so breathing a little easier. Now I'm more concerned about how overweight our luggage is going to be!!

We have a noon check-in. What time do they let you start boarding?

 

[LiseG]

We have 12 Noon check-in, too

Has everyone seen Toy Story Toons - Small Fry but me?

Lise

 

[wenuwish]

We have 12 Noon check-in, too

Has everyone seen Toy Story Toons - Small Fry but me?

Lise

I'm looking forward to seeing Partysaurus Rex before Finding Nemo 3D! It came out on September 6th here, but I've been holding out to see it on the ship!

 

[Bostonluvs2cruise]

We have 12 Noon check-in, too

Has everyone seen Toy Story Toons - Small Fry but me?

Lise

We have a 2pm check in. Could have picked earlier, but are staying at DL w/ SD friends and wanted to max out our time w/them. We wanted to grab lunch in the LB area pre boarding - does anyone have any recommendations?
Hopefully we will sail through checking in and make it to the 3pm meet and greet.
Looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

[kirkaliciasmom]

We have 12 Noon check-in, too

Has everyone seen Toy Story Toons - Small Fry but me?

Lise

Small Fry is very Cute and funny, thanks for sharing that! Can't wait to see more on the ship. Only 1 week to go and we'll be meeting eachother..... I can't wait! I feel like I have so much to do and so little time.....

 

[DesertGal]

We have purchased food at ports (and alcohol) and taken it on board with no problem. Key lime pie on Key West, Mexican pastries in Cozumel, beer and tequila. No problem.

My sons 6th birthday is our first day in San Francisco so I'm planning on buying him cupcakes or a small cake in port. I purchased the decorations package but they don't have the option to buy a cake any more.

 

[Exskygoddess]

We picked 12:30 also as that is the usual time we like get to the port for ships and miss the anxious crowds. We also like to take our time in the AM and driving up.

Going to Disneyland with friends on Oct 21st...we let our Passports lapse and haven't been in a few years so lots of new stuff we haven't seen. Going with some cruising friends we haven't seen in a while too.....Whoo Hoo!

 

[DesertGal]

What check in time does everyone have? We booked late on this cruise so got the 11.30 check in time. Wondering if we will bump onto any of you in line?

We have an 11 check in time!!! Our plans are to check in, and head up to Parrot Cay for lunch and drink of the day!!!

I also highly recommend the Piña Colava drink at sail away. We get the non alcoholic version for our kids. Rinse your cup out and then you get a bigger drink at the bars for the same price!! When we have though ahead to bring rum, we just add our own to the non alcoholic version although the prices on drinks are very reasonable!!

I'm so excited that on this day next week, we will be stepping on board!!!

 

[adnil530]

Our arrival time is 11:30 but we will probably get there a little earlier. We are leaving the Sacramento area about 3 a.m. Saturday morning because we need to be in LA at 11 am to pick some things up. Then we are going down to Oceanside to have a late lunch with our oldest DD, SIL and the 3 grandchildren. Then back up to San Pedro, we are staying at the Crowne by the port. We won't have any spare time or any energy left to do DL or DTD. We might be able to make it easier on ourselves and leave Friday afternoon but I won't know until later in the week if that is possible.

I've been looking at what to do in San Diego. We've decided on the Trolley and I've printed out some walking tours off of Frommer's. I'm going to read through them so we can hit the highlights. If we are in Coronado around 10 or 2, we will try to walk in and do the segway tour there. I don't want to prebook that in case we miss the scheduled times.

Going to start packing today too! So excited Can't wait to be onboard also. We will be eating at Parrot Cay and I will most likely have a drink of the day in my hand also