We leave tomorrow!!

[Next_disney_princess]

Hi everyone! I woke up a little sad this morning because it's our last day at Disney ..... BUT then I realized we checkout tomorrow and go right to the port to get on the Disney Dream for our first ever cruise! (First cruise ever...not just Disney) we are very excited, nervous, and csnt wait!

I emailed my travel agent a couple days ago to see about possibly paying for an upgrade to our room and to also see if she could request a dining change for us, she of course didnt respond until over a day later and my second email with the first email attached. (I've had nothing but problems with her and shes really taken away some of the joy of planning the cruise. But I'm desperately trying to be like Elsa and just let it go) when she finally did reply she said no I don't do that, you do that when you get on board. I'm so over this woman and I've never used a travel agent before and shes really left a bad taste in my mouth for this.....

So, let me ask here since yall are way more helpful than the supposed professional I'm "working with". I have an inside stateroom booked. If there is a verandah room available can I pay for an upgrade when I get on board? If so is there a way to estimate what that charge will be? Is it a certain percentage? Also I had ordered an inroom surprise blanket and decor for the trip would it be delayed if we do swap rooms? I know since we are first time cruisers we dont get the gift that most get and that kinda stinks, I was looking forward to getting a small surprise from mickey.

Someone told me even if I'm not in a FE group I should still hang something by our door for possible pixie dust items.. is that considered rude since im not in a group? I did pack a few small pixie dust items to slip into others bags, but also keep small pixie dust items with me at disney too (extra glow bracelets, bubbles, small disney figurines from dollar store) I never expect anything back and was wondering if I hang a bag is that acceptable or is it like begging? I dont want to be "that person".

 

[bobbiwoz]

If you hang your FE, no one can tell if you are in an FE group, there could be many groups going on. I find that my FE helps me find my cabin. So, if you want to hang it, do!

As far as dining request, go to the designated place at the given time to see if your dining can be changed. You will read about this place in the Navigator you get when checking in at the terminal.

i hope you have a great cruise!

 

[lorimay]

You can try for an upgrade after you check in at the port. You go to the supervisors desk and see if any are available.
As a first time cruiser, many will be in the port before you and you may not get lucky.
But its a worth try.
The TA is correct, about upgrading at this point , its done at the port. No changes can be made online 3 days before the cruise.

Have fun, you're gonna have blast!

 

[Rob1872]

Your travel agent should have said, "No, I CAN'T do that" and explain the 3 day rule instead of saying, "I DON'T do that". It is better when dealing with a first time cruiser to always explain the "why" to an answer.

Good luck in buying an upgrade.

 

[Marc D]

You didn’t ask us about the dining change but that also must be done onboard so close to sailing. Once you board, go to the designated place (usually deck 2 in front of Enchanted Garden, but check the Navigator handed out at port) and request the change with the head server. Do not wait until dinner time, since it will be much more complicated for them to change anything then.

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

Your TA hasn't done anything wrong. This close to sailing, she genuinely cannot change your dining time or upgrade your stateroom. No one can do that but you on the day you board the ship (just like your agent said).

After check-in at the port, go to the supervisor's desk (ask the check-in person where it is & they'll point you in the right direction). That is where you can ask about upgrade availability and pay for an upgrade if one is available.

Upon boarding, go to Dining Changes. The location will be listed in the Personal Navigator, but if you can't figure out where it is, just ask someone onboard. At Dining Changes, you can see if there is availability for you to change your dinner seating.

There are different Fish Extender groups from different social media sites, not just one group, so there is nothing at all presumptuous or rude about hanging a Fish Extender without being in a group. No one will know or care that you aren't in a group. Some people choose to bring Fish Extenders and fill them with items brought from home to surprise the kids, without having to participate in a broader exchange. Pixie dust happens but is relatively rare so don't count on it.

No need to be envious of the return cruisers' gift. It's typically a small bag, nothing valuable or cutely themed.

 

[MomOTwins]

On our upcoming cruise, there is a pixie dust request group of about 100 staterooms, so you are definitely not alone! I would hang it since it is fun decoration if nothing else, but not expect anything as pixie dust is so random.

If you are able to get an upgrade at the port, they should be able to set up your décor package but I would for sure mention it at the upgrade desk, and mention it to your stateroom host if you don't see it when they open up the rooms (I do expect it might arrive later in the day; it just depends on how busy they are).

 

[Next_disney_princess]

Thank you all for your replies! And for clarifying why the travel agent cant make those changes for me. She has been quite difficult to work with and often doesnt respond to emails for days at a time and when she does respond it's with short answers that come off very rude. I wont be using her again.

We are excitedly waiting for our cruise and also enjoying our last day here at Disney! We are at epcot now then will be headed over to magic kingdom for one last spin on the tea cups (a mommy daughter tradition)

I think I may just keep things the way they are since this is the first cruise and see how it goes. But at least now I know how to make these changes tomorrow if I do fully decide to try and change anything. Yall are great! Thank you!

 

[GPaLarry]

The advice above is correct for room and dining changes. As far as the FE hanger, do as recommended and hang it outside your door. If we are on the same cruise you might get a nip of pixie dust from me as I always take some items (without joining a formal group) to spread around in FE pouches to perhaps confuse those who participate or leave them wondering if Tinkerbell might just be on that ship. Disney cruises are a great place to have fun and create some for others. Cruise on...

 

[Qbie]

More importantly, don't stress over all of this and have a great cruise! A Verandah is nice but not essential. If you get the upgrade, great.. if not.. who cares, you're on a Disney Cruise! Go ahead and put a FE at your door.. pixie dust whoever you want.. have fun and enjoy it!

 

[Next_disney_princess]

Thank you all so much!

We are very excited for the cruise and just thankful that we are able to go so I am taking the advice and it stressing over anything else!

This is mine and hubby's 15th wedding anniversary and an early 8th birthday celebration for my daughter who's birthday is towards the end of November. So we are just going to be happy and thankful and celebrate each other.

 

[auntlynne]

A little off topic - but I wish I had known this on my first cruise. If you are enjoying yourself and consider ANY possibility of doing another Disney cruise in the next 24 months (and have money available), seriously consider making an online booking. Deposit is totally refundable (or refunded if you don’t sail). It will save you 10% off cruise fare (not taxes and port fees). On our next cruise, it is enough to cover gratuities and still have $60 off).

Your inside cabin is going to get you the Magical Porthole, which your daughter (or anyone) might enjoy. We’ve found the ship to have lots of great outdoor space that makes up for a cabin with no outside view.

Too bad about a bad T Agent; for me planning is half the fun, and that could throw some water on the excitement. I just book online to be in control, but there are some good agents out there, many with financial incentives or personal touches.

Were you “too excited to sleep?” We usually are.

Bon Voyage.

 

[ThinkTink1]

Yeah!!! We also leave today too!! As the above poster put ….yes too excited to sleep,,,, that and I haven't packed yet!! Don't stress and enjoy your cruise #1 it's going to be wonderful #2 truthfully I loved our inside stateroom with the magical porthole so even if that's what you decide to stick with you'll have the feel of at least seeing the sun....I guarantee you won't be in your room all that much either and once you go Verandah it's hard to go back to anything else #3 I would in the future book it yourself or ask around foe recommendations before using one again just because you have tied your hands and are at the mercy of the TA and if you get a bad one it is extremely hard to get the TA off the res so you can take over.... trust me I used to work for DCL on the phones and the amount of times I had to tell the guest that I could answer generic questions but could not do too much other then that for them .....trust me we feel bad in these situations, #4 Hang your stuff outside like everyone else says...if anything it makes you feel part of the action because you'll see a lot of decorated doors and like the other posters it helps you to recognize your door!! #5 As far as dining goes if she couldn't book 1st dining for you right from the beginning the only thing she would've been able to do is waitlist you.....that's it....if you keep on eye online it would change to 1st dining if it became avail before the cruise and check because it might already be switched..... so here are my thoughts on this..... I LOVE second dining...I don't rush back from ports....I am still full from all the food avail ALL day...… you daughter can do the Dine and Play and you can't do that on first dining.... if all else fails it should be at 1pm in front of Enchanted Garden to make changes..... I will be there for Palo Brunch and our own table requests!! I hope that you and your family have the most magical time this week and I'll see you tomorrow!!

 

[lklgoodman]

Yeah!!! We also leave today too!! As the above poster put ….yes too excited to sleep,,,, that and I haven't packed yet!! Don't stress and enjoy your cruise #1 it's going to be wonderful #2 truthfully I loved our inside stateroom with the magical porthole so even if that's what you decide to stick with you'll have the feel of at least seeing the sun....I guarantee you won't be in your room all that much either and once you go Verandah it's hard to go back to anything else #3 I would in the future book it yourself or ask around foe recommendations before using one again just because you have tied your hands and are at the mercy of the TA and if you get a bad one it is extremely hard to get the TA off the res so you can take over.... trust me I used to work for DCL on the phones and the amount of times I had to tell the guest that I could answer generic questions but could not do too much other then that for them .....trust me we feel bad in these situations, #4 Hang your stuff outside like everyone else says...if anything it makes you feel part of the action because you'll see a lot of decorated doors and like the other posters it helps you to recognize your door!! #5 As far as dining goes if she couldn't book 1st dining for you right from the beginning the only thing she would've been able to do is waitlist you.....that's it....if you keep on eye online it would change to 1st dining if it became avail before the cruise and check because it might already be switched..... so here are my thoughts on this..... I LOVE second dining...I don't rush back from ports....I am still full from all the food avail ALL day...… you daughter can do the Dine and Play and you can't do that on first dining.... if all else fails it should be at 1pm in front of Enchanted Garden to make changes..... I will be there for Palo Brunch and our own table requests!! I hope that you and your family have the most magical time this week and I'll see you tomorrow!!

They do dine and play at first seating now, had it this past Jan on the Fantasy.

 

[MomOTwins]

They do dine and play at first seating now, had it this past Jan on the Fantasy.

That is only offered on the Fantasy; OP is on the Dream.

 

[lklgoodman]

That is only offered on the Fantasy; OP is on the Dream.

They don't do it on all ships? That's odd. Pretty sure they had it on the Wonder in 2018 when we were on her. Maybe they only do it on the 7 or longer night cruises.

 

[Next_disney_princess]

3 and 1/2 Miles from port!!! I'll update as soon as we get back! So excited!!!! We are 6501, and I think I'm not even going to ask about upgrade and just enjoy what we have!!

 

[Next_disney_princess]

Hey everyone! We are off the ship and headed home. Man we've had a great week and a half at Disney world and disney cruise! The first cruise was a success! We had a fantastic family we sat with at dinner and even swapped addresses with them so the kids can keep in touch by sending post cards or little pictures. I'll be honest and say my first 2 nights I was still skeptical and not loving it as much as disney world but once I fully embraced the trivia and karaoke and other activities I really started having fun. I'm someone who needs to be doing something or I feel bored... where as hubby is fine just hanging out. But I got him to join some activities and we had a great time. He and our daughter loved it thr most and we booked a placeholder cruise! But are thinking that will be in 2021 so not any time real soon. We kept out dinner and room all the same and didnt try to make any changes and just enjoyed what we had. (Oh and on my placeholder I said NO to using the TA.... I'll handle it on my own this time!) Thanks for all the advice and help!

 

[auntlynne]

Welcome back and thanks for the update. It’s great that you enjoyed your room, dining, etc., without making changes. Sounds like you had the dreamed of DCL experience. How nice to be seated with strangers who became friends. I imagine many people here have long-term friends from cruising. I have some from 2008. Cruised and vacationed together subsequently.

When you come up with a possible date for your future cruise, consider booking it as soon as possible. Popular itineraries or dates will become more expensive as cabins fill up. If you pick a date and decide to change to another cruise, call DCL and tell them you are changing your ship, itinerary, date, whatever. Not cancelling. Then you keep your discount.