Some (probably dumb) q's about what to take on excursions

[BWVDenise]

OK, I have never been on an excursion so this probably sounds silly... but if your excursion includes water sports or swimming/snorkeling, do you take a change of clothes in a backpack or something? And what about passports? Do you take those with you or just your DL and KTTW card? What do you do with them if you are on a beach or snorkling? If I plan to snorkel (never have), should I bring our own equipment (5 of us)? Thanks!

 

[Viking]

You can't take your passports as you have to surrender nthem to DCL upon check-in. Your nationality for the duration of the cruise is either Disney Magic or Disney Wonder
When leaving the ship you are offered to take towels from the ship, which you simply drop in a laundry basket upon return.
If you take your own snorkel-stuff make sure that you have it in a proper bag. We have a special divebag made of a mesh-like material to allow everything to dry.
All the guided tours offer snorkel equipment. I would advise you to take their's for your first time. Some people have problems with snorkeling and you have to pay about $100 for a good ABC-set (Mask, Snorkel, Fins). So better rent, and if you like it you can buy soem equipment for your next cruise
f you have never snorkeled before a guided tour with an instructor is best.
If you happen to be at WDW before the cruise you may want to go to Typhoon Lagoon. There's a snorkeling pool with lots of lifeguards who give you instructions. It's a controlled environment and a very good opportunity to get some practice.
If you tend to sunburn easily, you should bring a T-shirt with you to wear in the water: You can burn you back severely while snorkeling!!! You're in relatively cool water, but your upper back is most of the time above the surface and exposed to the Caribbean sun. You don't feel the sun's power due to the cooling water, but nevertheless you are exposed to agressive UV-radiation.
We usually just take some cash, a creditcard, our KTTW-cards and our German ID-cards (For you it would be DL). At Mickey's Mates DCL sells a nice waterproof container with a lanyard at a reasonable price - something like $6 or 7, which holds all aforementioned stuff. They KTTW-card and a photo-ID are mandatory!! The rest is optional. You may also get one of those containers at Walmart or so for $2 or 3, but without a DCL-logo
We also take some water, a a set of clothes to change so that we can stay ashore and do some shopping after the snorkeling without having to go back to the ship for changing.
Do NOT take any food off the ship!!! It is stictly forbidden. Especially fruit will get you into trouble.

 

[mmouse37]

You only have to surrender your passports if you are not U.S. citizens ....other than that DCL just looks at them for identification and hands the back to you. We keep our in the cabin safe.....we also just take our photo id (DL) and KTTW card on excursions....we leave stuff in a zipped bag on the boat and hope for the best....in 13 DCL cruises we never had a problem with theft but be aware that the actual vendors for the excursions are not Disney employees. You could buy one of the water proof containers to wear around your neck to put your valuables in.

Every excursion I went on included snorkel equipment in the price. If you wanted to bring your own you could but it will take up a lot of room. We also order room service the night before (sandwiches or chicken fingers) and bring that on our excursions with up to nibble on.

 

[the kabuki]

So can you bring food with you or not??????

 

[AnnaS]

I tried to post yesterday and could not - to add what everyone else has said, money, id, etc.

Other suggestion - ziplock (if you plan on changing clothes - wet bathing suit), wipes, suntan lotion (sunglasses/hat, of course too).

About the food, we have been on two cruises and have another one planned for July. I have always read of people ordering room service the night before to bring to excursions the next day (we have not done this - just forget I guess). I did bring some muffins from breakfast with me once. If I remember correctly, I think they want everything (food - especially fruit) left behind when you reach home (Florida). They have signs and pictures as you exit. I could be wrong though. Will try to take notice for our next cruise.