[tmoisan]

We (Myself, DH, DD Age 7) are going on a Disney Wonder Cruise Dec 21-24. We have never been on a cruise before. I am by nature a planner and would love some info from others who have taken a cruise about excursions and activities. I would also be interested in any tips for checking in that makes it faster. I am also not sure if this is the forum to ask this question, but i did not see one for cruises, so i apologize in advance if I posted in the wrong place.

Thanks so much!

[geeman]

Welcome aboard!
I too am in the midst of planning an excursion to the Carribbean later this year on the D line and found an invaluable resource through one of the links on the home page of DC-- Go and pick up (or order through the site) the Passporter Guide to The Disney Cruise Line. It's made planning this a WHOLE lot easier and gives you a full itinerary and ideas and such.

THere are also lots of online pages I discovered with many a many glowing review of the Disney ship.

I also suggest going to Disney online and ordering the video and brochure if you haven't already.

I'm very "psyched" about this trip, but want all the pieces in place before I rave about the whens and wheres.

:)

[tmoisan]

Thanks! I just ordered it along with the hidden mickeys book and got free shipping!

[BuzzLightyear]

I have never been on a Disney cruise , but have gone on several others.
First let me say that I believe your daughter is at the perfect age for her first cruise.
The only way to make checking in at a cruise terminal faster is to be there as early as possible and beat the rush.

Have fun!!

[crystalrp]

Are you doing the land/sea package or just the cruise? If you are doing the package, check in is a breeze. Your Key to the World card is also your ship cabin key. DCL prides themselves on quick check in and easy check out, and they should. It was very fast and painless.
We have gone three times. The first time we took the Historic Nassau trip offered. I would NOT recommend this excursion. The second time we just stayed aboard at Nassau.
This past May we did the Discovery Atlantis excursion and found it lots of fun and very informative. Just note that there is quite a bit of walking involved.
Feel free to ask any questions!

[Amneris]

Pick up the Passporter cruise book. It's the only one (other than Deb's website) I could find that really has a lot of info in it. Too much info, actually, lol!!! I'm stressing over how to fit three outfits per day (work out, day, dinner) into ONE measly suitcase! :)

[crystalrp]

Take two suitcases! :D

[geeman]

..but then, ahem, *somebody* would have to carry them for her, as well as the ones ,ahem,*somebody* has to carry himself.
Do right, Pack light. :laugh

[crystalrp]

What if you took extra money for tips? :whistle:

[Amneris]

Why tip someone when there's *ahem* someone right there: ;)

gee, and here I thought *ahem* someone *ahem* would be showing concern for my fashion delimma for aesthetic not weight reasons. but, hmmm, I COULD take that larger suitcase in the closet... ;)

[geeman]

I like the tipping idea, better.:D

Actually, this is a good question for people who've cruised- How much SHOULD one actually bring? At first I thought a bunch of light warm weather stuff would be enough, but aside from the fact we're heading out in the fall, there's all that dressing up for dinner. Sounds almost like M or F, you'd have to pack more than you would if you were just going to hang out at the parks.

ALSO - here's another cruise question we both thought of the other day--
What do you do with your passports and or personal belongings when you do something wet off port? For instance, if we went snorkeling or even just swimming - where do you keep the vital paperwork?

I often have this dilemma at the beach - always panick that my car keys are going to get lost at sea, so I spend more time worrying about that then really enjoying the waves.

Any advice from those of you who might do water related things in groups of 1 or 2?

[mickey]

How much SHOULD one actually bring?

We usually travel lightly, so we take one suitcase each, the small, rolling kind that you can carry on, and then a hang up suitcase for our nicer clothes. We also brought an extra duffle bag to bring home our purchases.

There are laundry rooms on the ship, and aren't too crowded, as long as it isn't right before formal night or the last day, when everyone has run out of clothes.

Not sure about the passports, etc. I would assume that all of those companies deal with that on a daily basis. They may have a safe, or a waterproof bag that they give everyone for those types of things.

[xmascruise]

***Note on TIPS***

When the Cabin attendant brought our luggage to our room I attempted to give him a tip. He wouldn't take the $$$$. Against the rules!!! Tips are settled at the end of the Voyage in a cashless transaction that is added to your final bill.

[crystalrp]

Well it isnt actually added to your bill. The last night there you are given envelopes to put each persons tip in. They give you a sheet telling you how much to give each person. If you prefer to pay with your credit card, go to guest services and they give you a piece of paper to put in each envelope. All the tips should be given in person. The written info you get will explain tipping procedures.
When you leave the ship, you DO NOT take your passports. Keep that on the ship. Each room has a safe. All you need to get on and off the ship is your key to the world card. Each member in your party has their own, including children. This serves as your ID and your onboard credit card. Cash is not accepted anywhere on the ship. Only your card. Pay at the end. If you have put a credit card on record, that is charged. If not, you have to personally go to guest services and pay the bill there.