Wonder Merrytime Questions

[MEC004]

We are cruising for the first time with Disney in November on a Merrytime cruise. I have a couple of questions.

• Due to issues outside my control we didn't get all the onboard activities. I was able to book just myself for a princess meet and greet. Tried talking to chat since it still shows available, but they won't let me add my son. Do these usually open or can I talk to Guest Services once onboard?
• My son is autistic and we did not get the 11 am port call time. We are at 12:30 out of Galveston. Is this a busy time? I am afraid of waiting in line with him and having a meltdown.
• Also, since he is autistic does the cruise line need anything? What provisions can be made?
• Anything special we should look for while on the cruise? This is the first time with our son who is 6.

Thanks so much! This is all new to me.

 

[gotomu212]

We are cruising for the first time with Disney in November on a Merrytime cruise. I have a couple of questions.

• Due to issues outside my control we didn't get all the onboard activities. I was able to book just myself for a princess meet and greet. Tried talking to chat since it still shows available, but they won't let me add my son. Do these usually open or can I talk to Guest Services once onboard?
• My son is autistic and we did not get the 11 am port call time. We are at 12:30 out of Galveston. Is this a busy time? I am afraid of waiting in line with him and having a meltdown.
• Also, since he is autistic does the cruise line need anything? What provisions can be made?
• Anything special we should look for while on the cruise? This is the first time with our son who is 6.

Thanks so much! This is all new to me.

Welcome! We love Merrytime cruises! My advice:
1 once onboard go to guest services and ask for another meet and greet ticket. They should have one, but if they don’t the meet and greet for the princesses is generally in the lobby so you could give your son the ticket and still watch him go through the greeting (but the chance of you getting 1 onboard is high).

2. Honestly a later PAT might be better is you’re worried about your son waiting. The ship typically starts boarding 11:30-12 (Galveston can run a little later) so an earlier PAT means you are just waiting around the terminal in crowds longer. With a 12:30 you may be able to walk right on without a wait. If you wanted to wait until 1 you would almost definitely have a short check in line and no wait to walk on.

3. It really depends on your son’s individual situation but there’s nothing you should need to tell Disney. Some things people have found that help are to call and request a table alone stating that your son hasn’t special,needs (if meal time or strangers can be difficult), there will be several open house times at the kids clubs if he’d prefer you were in there with him (otherwise the clubs are just drop offs), some people also need to talk to Disney on the first day during the muster drill-everyone onboard lines up for a safety briefing either on deck or in the theater and it is very crowded and can be loud so Disney can help if your son just absolutely cannot stand there (they will find a different way to accommodate you with the information and muster they won’t tell you to skip it), and other than that we’ve seen a lot of kids with headphones for the deck parties and fireworks.