Tips on photo package

[xiphoid76]

We will have the photo package for the first time on our February Fantasy cruise. Was wondering if there are tips from people who have bought this in the past to maximize its value. Is every photo included? We are interested in the ones where they have the back drops (during formal night). There never seems to be a big line for those. Less interested in characters. Have Royal Gathering planned. We just want some really nice photos of the two of us. Excited for the chance to finally get some nice photos of us Thanks for any advice.

 

[Liastaob]

Every photo is included, even photos taken at Castaway should you be passing through there!

I like doing the package since I hate having to pick the photos I want at the end of the cruise. I suspect it's not a great value, but a Disney cruise isn't exactly a great value in and of itself...

 

[magsnwonderland]

Besides the characters and backdrops on the ships, it also includes the embarkation photos at the port, any photo ops on the private islands and the photos they come around and take at dinner. I don’t think it’s a great “value” but it’s worth it for us because they’re better than the camera phone pics we could get as an alternative. We have an adorable series of photos from when my daughter was 5 and still pretty shy with the characters where Pluto got down on the ground and acted like a real dog with her to get her engaged. I was enjoying just watching it happen but the photographer was snapping pictures the whole time and I didn’t realize until we were downloading the photos later. It’s my favorite cruise souvenir ever.

 

[bffdisney]

I've read you can get a refund on the package if you don't end up with a lot of photos? Does anyone know if that is true? I trust DIS more than other groups!

 

[magsnwonderland]

I've read you can get a refund on the package if you don't end up with a lot of photos? Does anyone know if that is true? I trust DIS more than other groups!

Yes, you can cancel on the last day as long as you haven’t downloaded anything.

 

[xiphoid76]

Every photo is included, even photos taken at Castaway should you be passing through there!

I like doing the package since I hate having to pick the photos I want at the end of the cruise. I suspect it's not a great value, but a Disney cruise isn't exactly a great value in and of itself...

I forgot about Castaway! Awesome!!

 

[Doingitagain]

I know this isn’t applicable to Fantasy, but when we went in Mediterranean cruise, they had photogograhers at some of the sites like Pisa and Coliseum!

 

[Liastaob]

I know this isn’t applicable to Fantasy, but when we went in Mediterranean cruise, they had photogograhers at some of the sites like Pisa and Coliseum!

That's super cool.

 

[CaptainMarvel]

In terms of maximize your value, I'd recommend looking at the navigators each day to see where/when photo opportunities will be happening. The atrium backdrops are usually very obvious, but as someone who cruises with a sibling that loves photos, I've learned that there are also a surprising number of other non-character based photo opportunities through the day. Not every photo will necessarily turn out that well, but the more photos you have, the more likely it is that you'll walk away with some you really like.

(Also, when you're constantly getting photos, the photographers will start to recognize you, which can sometimes lead to more involved/extensive shoots when they have the time).

 

[msmama]

Can't speak specifically to the Fantasy as I've never cruised her, but they often will have "magic shot" photos (in the Nav app as "photos with a touch of magic") so check out opportunities for those, too. I travel with just my son and I and we always to the photo package. For me, the value is having someone else do the work of taking photos of us and me not having to worry and, like someone else said, not having to pick out my favorites at the end of the cruise when everyone else is.

 

[Calantha]

but they often will have "magic shot" photos

We had magic shots on the Fantasy. It was a frozen background with snowflakes and the little salamander from Frozen 2.

 

[SnowWhite2]

I've never purchased the photo package but I guess I get it free now as pearl CC. Do you just get a bunch of downloads or are they physical pictures?

 

[Liastaob]

I've never purchased the photo package but I guess I get it free now as pearl CC. Do you just get a bunch of downloads or are they physical pictures?

It's essentially the same as doing the photo pass at WDW, if you're familiar. Basically you just get access to every picture that a DCL photogograher took during the cruise, digitally. I think you can order prints, but that costs extra (of course).

 

[pamjb]

The breakeven point for a 5 night cruise where the pre-purchase price is $212 is 11 photos. So if you find more than 11 that you like you are golden. If not, you can get a full refund for the pre-purchase and just outright purchase the photos that you like.

 

[Lillebelle]

I always do the photo package because I hate having to choose photos. Definitely look for random other photo opportunities and don't be shy about asking the photographer if you see them. I got some great shots last cruise of my daughter at the beach on Castaway from a wandering photographer. They sometimes are around the upper deck during things like Sailaway as well.

The biggest thing though is make sure you download them ASAP once you're home (or you can even download them while on the ship if you're sure you're going to keep the package). They don't give you a very long window before the photos expire after your cruise ends.

 

[jceric2002]

thanks we will avail too. We went to HK disneyland few years ago and availed photo package. Got a lot of nice photos from there. With 4 kids, we need all the help we can get