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

[Seamama]

This is our first cruise, can you tell me more? Are these drinks you're talking about free? Thanks!

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!!!

 

[Seamama]

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.

Thanks, I'll have to check that out...

 

[adnil530]

This is our first cruise, can you tell me more? Are these drinks you're talking about free? Thanks!

No, these drinks are not free. I thought they were more than the $5 quoted below but I could be wrong. One thing to remember: When you order any drink that you have to sign for, a 15% gratuity will already be added on your tab. It would be up to you if you wanted to tip above and beyond the 15%.

Drink of the Day!

Each day of your cruise there will be a Drink of the Day, both an alcoholic and no-alcoholic version. Drinks can be purchased in Souvenir glasses, but you will save money if you go up to the bar yourself and ask for the drink in a regular cup. Some examples of Drinks of the Day are Bahama Mama, Planters Punch, Sting Ray, Malibu Breeze, Konk Koolers and Tropical Depression. Prices for the Drink of the Day on the Disney Cruise Line Ships are $4.54 (15% tip included)

 

[Seamama]

Got it, thanks! So the drink of the day is basically on sale, then. Is there an advantage to getting a souvenir cup (other than it's a souvenir)? Something I saw here about using it again for a discount on future drinks...?

No, these drinks are not free. I thought they were more than the $5 quoted below but I could be wrong. One thing to remember: When you order any drink that you have to sign for, a 15% gratuity will already be added on your tab. It would be up to you if you wanted to tip above and beyond the 15%.

Drink of the Day!

Each day of your cruise there will be a Drink of the Day, both an alcoholic and no-alcoholic version. Drinks can be purchased in Souvenir glasses, but you will save money if you go up to the bar yourself and ask for the drink in a regular cup. Some examples of Drinks of the Day are Bahama Mama, Planters Punch, Sting Ray, Malibu Breeze, Konk Koolers and Tropical Depression. Prices for the Drink of the Day on the Disney Cruise Line Ships are $4.54 (15% tip included)

 

[Calicruiser32]

Hi. I'm on the Sept 23 cruise leaving today. If you want to give me a link to your Facebook site I would be happy to post pics and take requests for you.

 

[Meganyvemarie]

Hi. I'm on the Sept 23 cruise leaving today. If you want to give me a link to your Facebook site I would be happy to post pics and take requests for you.

That would be amazing! Were all so hyped for our trip! Have a wonderful time on board, can't wait to see your photos!!

 

[Lady Boadicea]

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.

If you want great food and don't mind the wait, visit http://www.schoonerorlater.com/
Just be warned that there will proabaly be a big crowd on the weekends. I ate there on a weekday so the wait wasn't too long. They have great food and were featured on Diners Drive Ins and Dives.
If it is too croweded to eat there, there are more restruants in Shoreline village http://www.shorelinevillage.com/archives/portfolio/great-food. I like eating there because the view is great and it is nice to walk around and window shop afterwards.

 

[Lady Boadicea]

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!!

Hi Mel!!!! We are coming to your city! I hope to see you

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

Hi. I'm on the Sept 23 cruise leaving today. If you want to give me a link to your Facebook site I would be happy to post pics and take requests for you.

Here's the link

https://www.facebook.com/groups/382253105181418/

Thanks

 

[DesertGal]

This is our first cruise, can you tell me more? Are these drinks you're talking about free? Thanks!

Well, the drinks aren't free but they are really reasonable. Every day of the cruise they have a special drink of the day. It is lower priced. They always have a non alcoholic version drink of the day as well. The Piña Colava is a piña colada with fresh raspberry purée. So yummy!!! At the sail away party, they come in a big keepsake plastic cup. If you save them, you can give them to any bartender and they will make your drink in them. They are pretty big!! You will see tons of cast members walking around with huge trays on sail away. They charge everything to your room. Gratuity is added already.

They will also be selling a beer mug and you get a big beer (maybe 20 oz) for the price of a 16? They actually give you a wooden coin and you give that to the bartender. At the end of your cruise, just keep your mug. It is a nice glass mug.

There are multiple alcohol tastings on board too. You register on board. They are a small fee (ten to fifteen) and are fun. We plan on doing the martini and maybe the tequila one.

I actually am not someone who drinks very often (waste of calories) but there are a few drinks I really enjoy when we cruise and we also take advantage of our kids enjoying the kids club so much and get to have date nights a lot on the cruise.

Parrot Cay is my favorite restaurant on the first day because it is so tropical and festive. The food is phenomenal. The atmosphere is so fun!!!
There are multiple places to eat and lots of people eat up by the pools (topsiders, goofy's, etc). I prefer to sit down.

After we eat, our room is often ready (around 1). If not, we walk around, make any tasting reservations we want, etc.

Once our room is ready, I typically unpack while my husband takes the kids to swim. The muster drill is at 3:30 or 4. I know there is a meet and greet for this board at 3 in the promenade lounge (is this right)? We are going to try and go!!

You will have so much fun and you'll be addicted. It is truly the most relaxing, fun filled time! I always get Teary eyed when I walk on board, and always get Teary eyed on the last night at dinner!!!

 

[DesertGal]

Hi. I'm on the Sept 23 cruise leaving today. If you want to give me a link to your Facebook site I would be happy to post pics and take requests for you.

Hooray for you!! I'm guessing by now you are on board having a blast!!

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

Since we're mentioning facebook... If anyone wants to be friends here's my info

https://www.facebook.com/sigris.lopez

 

[Seamama]

Thanks for the detailed info! This is really helpful

Well, the drinks aren't free but they are really reasonable. Every day of the cruise they have a special drink of the day. It is lower priced. They always have a non alcoholic version drink of the day as well. The Piña Colava is a piña colada with fresh raspberry purée. So yummy!!! At the sail away party, they come in a big keepsake plastic cup. If you save them, you can give them to any bartender and they will make your drink in them. They are pretty big!! You will see tons of cast members walking around with huge trays on sail away. They charge everything to your room. Gratuity is added already.

They will also be selling a beer mug and you get a big beer (maybe 20 oz) for the price of a 16? They actually give you a wooden coin and you give that to the bartender. At the end of your cruise, just keep your mug. It is a nice glass mug.

There are multiple alcohol tastings on board too. You register on board. They are a small fee (ten to fifteen) and are fun. We plan on doing the martini and maybe the tequila one.

I actually am not someone who drinks very often (waste of calories) but there are a few drinks I really enjoy when we cruise and we also take advantage of our kids enjoying the kids club so much and get to have date nights a lot on the cruise.

Parrot Cay is my favorite restaurant on the first day because it is so tropical and festive. The food is phenomenal. The atmosphere is so fun!!!
There are multiple places to eat and lots of people eat up by the pools (topsiders, goofy's, etc). I prefer to sit down.

After we eat, our room is often ready (around 1). If not, we walk around, make any tasting reservations we want, etc.

Once our room is ready, I typically unpack while my husband takes the kids to swim. The muster drill is at 3:30 or 4. I know there is a meet and greet for this board at 3 in the promenade lounge (is this right)? We are going to try and go!!

You will have so much fun and you'll be addicted. It is truly the most relaxing, fun filled time! I always get Teary eyed when I walk on board, and always get Teary eyed on the last night at dinner!!!

 

[erk711]

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

Lise

Very funny! I hadn't seen it either. It looks like there are more on YouTube as well that I'll need to check out later.

 

[Disney-ite]

Hello FE particpants...

The final FE exchange list has been emailed to you.

Safe travels to all and see you next Sunday!

Deb

 

[Seamama]

Hello FE particpants...

The final FE exchange list has been emailed to you.

Safe travels to all and see you next Sunday!

Deb

Yay! Thanks for doing all this for us...

 

[DesertGal]

Thanks for the detailed info! This is really helpful

You're welcome. Buoy your first cruise

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[erk711]

Hello FE particpants...

The final FE exchange list has been emailed to you.

Safe travels to all and see you next Sunday!

Deb

Thanks Deb

See you real soon!!!

 

[ekim530]

Hi fellow cruisers. I am Mike, adnil530's DH. This will be our 7th Disney cruise and we're looking forward to sailing with you all. Regarding San Fran, as it's a very diverse and active city. When we lived nearby many years ago, we remember that when you wanted to find out what to do you find the "pink" section in the Chronicle and that had all the answers... Today I went out to get the San Francisco Chronicle to check out the entertainment section for the period we will be there .. for those of you who don't have access to a San Francisco Chronicle, check out SFGATE.COM maybe you can find something going on that you may enjoy while you're in the city by the bay! This site may not have it all, but it may give you some insight on what direction to seek out your passion! SF is a pretty interesting place. Enjoy!

 

[Exskygoddess]

Just checked 10 day forecast for San Francisco and Tuesday Oct. 2nd is supposed to be:
HI 68/ Lo 55 Mostly Sunny
That should give you an idea of how to pack for there. It is supposed to warm up again for this coming weekend, so boarding will likely be warm and so will San Diego and Ensenada.