Disney Cruise Tips
Wednesday, August 16, 2017
Tips For Arriving in Port Canaveral
Sunday, July 23, 2017
Enhancements to the Disney Fantasy
Star Wars: Command Post
Saturday, October 1, 2016
Shopping
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique: Just like Magic Kingdom, they have Bibbidi Bobbidi on all four ships.
Sea Treasures: Sells clothes, tervis tumblers, trading pins, etc. (Ideal for children)
Mickey's Mainsail: The main shop, that sells lots of things such as clothes, souvenirs, etc.
White Caps: The ships' jewelry store. Selling things like Vodka, pearls, Swarovski crystal, robes, etc. (Focused more on adults)
Vista Art Gallery: Art Gallery, very expensive
Quacks: Near the pools, Quacks sells swimming gear, disposable cameras, and crocs.
Castaway Cay
Friday, September 2, 2016
Packing
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Choosing the Right Stateroom
Here are the types of rooms.
Standard Inside Stateroom:
- Category 11A: Decks 8, 9 and 10
- Category 11B: Decks 5, 6 and 7
- Category 11C: Deck 2
- 169 Sq. Feet
- Sleeps 3-4 People
- Does not have a split bathroom
- Magical Porthole with real time views
- Sleeps: 3 to 4
- Size: 204 sq. ft.
- Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
- View: Magical Porthole with real-time views
- Classified as category 10A
- Located on decks 5,6,7,8, and 9
- Category 9A: Decks 5, 6, 7 and 8; 1 or 2 porthole windows
- Category 9B: Deck 2; 1 porthole window
- Category 9C: Decks 7 and 8; 1 obstructed porthole
- Category 9D: Decks 6, 7 and 8; 1 obstructed porthole with limited ocean views
- Sleeps: 3 to 4
- Size: 204 sq. ft.
- Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
- View: 1 or 2 porthole windows, some with obstructed views
- Category 8A: Decks 5 and 6; 2 large porthole windows
- Category 8B: Deck 9; 1 large porthole window
- Category 8C: Decks 7 and 8; 1 large porthole window
- Category 8D: Decks 5 and 6; 1 large porthole window
- Size: 241 sq. ft.
- Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed (in most) or upper-berth pull-down bed (in some)
- View: 1 to 2 porthole windows with built-in seating
- Sleeps 3-5
- Category 5A: Decks 9 and 10
- Category 5B: Deck 8
- Category 5C: Deck 7
- Category 5D: Deck 6
- Category 5E: Decks 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10; oversized private verandah, some with whitewall
- Category 6A: Decks 8 and 9; private verandah with whitewall
- Category 6B: Decks 5, 6 and 7; private verandah with whitewall
- Category 7A: Decks 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9; enclosed verandah with limited views
- Sleeps: 3 to 4
- Size: 246 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper-berth pull-down bed (if sleeping 4)
- View: private verandah
- Category 4A: Decks 9 and 10
- Category 4B: Deck 8
- Category 4C: Deck 7
- Category 4D: Deck 6
- Category 4E: Deck 5; oversized private verandah
- Sleeps: 4 to 5, except Category 4E staterooms which sleep 3 to 4
- Size: 299 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room Configuration: queen bed, single sleeper sofa, wall pull-down bed (in most) and upper-berth pull-down bed (in some)
- View: private verandah
- Sleeps: 5
- Size: 306 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room Configuration: queen bed, double sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed
- View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows
- Classified as category V
- Located on decks 11 and 12 Fwd.
- A separate bedroom
- 2 bathrooms, including a master with double sinks, a rain-style shower and whirlpool tub
- A verandah
- Living room
- Wet bar stocked with water and sodas
- Walk-in closet
- Sleeps: 5
- Size: 622 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room Configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed; double sleeper sofa and wall pull-down single bed in living room
- View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows in main living space
- Classified as category T
- Located on Decks 11 and 12 Fwd.
- A separate bedroom
- 2 bathrooms, including a master with double sinks, a rain-style shower and whirlpool tub
- A verandah with a whirlpool tub
- Living room
- Open dining salon
- Pantry and wet bar stocked with water and sodas
- Walk-in closet
- Sleeps: 5
- Size: 1,781 sq. ft., including verandah
- Room Configuration: 1 bedroom with queen bed; wall pull-down double bed and wall pull-down single bed in living room
- View: private verandah with floor-to-ceiling windows in main living space
- Located on Deck 12 Fwd.
- Classified as category R
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Shore Excursions
Shore excursions are absolutely amazing!! If you'd rather just stay on the ship (everything's not as busy) than do so. I highly encourage you to get off and explore the port unless there is some sort of security issue. I've mentioned these a few times, but in Tortola, we went on the Jeep Adventure. It was really fun! At the bottom of this blog, I will attach some information to send you to the link so you can look at it. Ok, back to the Jeep Adventure, for MAYBE an 1/ 1 1/2 hours you would drive around. Then, you would go to Tortola International Airport to change/ use the restroom. Then, you will go to a private (YES, PRIVATE!!) Beach where they provide drinks.
Our second excursion was the Catamaran Sail, Snorkel, and private beach club. Another AMAZING choice. We started out, and around the island "corner" was Abi Beach Club. They have amazing drinks and a gift shop (the drinks are extra). You can also rent a paddle boat/ paddle board. They are extremely hard. But, if you want to go for it, then go for it.
Our third and final excursion was the Getaway Package at Castaway Cay. I pretty much only did the snorkeling. Two words, ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!. The water was so clear and wonderful. You don't have to pre-book the gear, but I didn't know, so I pre-booked everything. With the Getaway Package, you get snorkel gear, a float/tube, and biking for one hour. Except for the biking, everything else is for all day.
We had an amazing time! If you have any suggestions for another subject to write about, please email me @ g.demshar@aol.com
Jeep Adventure @ Tortola (TT13):
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/tortola-virgin-islands-jeep-adventure/
Catamaran @ St. Thomas (ST56):
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/st-thomas-st-john-catamaran-sail-snorkel-beach-club/
Getaway Package @ Castaway Cay (C05):
https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/port-adventures/castaway-cay-getaway-package/
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Our Experience
Shore Excursions/ Getting off the Ship
Shore Excursions:
Shore excursions are an adventure that you can go on at a port. The choices of Port Adventures range at each port. On our 7-night Eastern Caribbean in May of 2016, we went to three. Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands; and Disney's private Island, Castaway Cay. When you do shore excursions (also known as Port Adventures), you can book through Disney, or you can book private. PLEASE book through Disney. They can get pricey, but if something happens, they will have the ship wait for you. If you are on your own, good luck.
What We Did:
On Tortola, we went on the 4x4 Jeep Adventure. It was absolutely amazing. They take you through the mountains on Tortola, you stop for a few photo ops, stop at the airport to use the restroom because there are none on the private beach that you go to, which that is right by the airport. I know what you are thinking. "A Beach right next to the airport?!" to tell you the truth, it was amazing. The airport is really small, so there are hardly any planes coming in/landing. The beach is amazing. Crystal clear water and free drinks & lawn chairs.
On St. Thomas, we did the Catamaran Sail, Snorkel, and private beach club. It was another amazing experience. You board the "Dancing Dolphin" Catamaran, sail out to the "Abi" beach club where there's no one else. They give you snorkel gear, and you can relax. They have a gift shop and bar there. After about 1 hr. 45 minutes, you board the catamaran to begin sailing back. Going back takes a lot longer than it did going there because they take you to see some things. Here's some advice. If you decide to lay out and stair at the sky, please DO NOT LAY OUT WITH THE SUN BURNING THE SIDES OF YOUR FEET!!!!! Putting shoes on after that was really fun.....The last thing that we went on was the Paradise Point cable car ride. It was very pleasant and everyone had a great time. When you get up the mountain/hill/whatever you want to call it, there is a bar and some gift shops.
On Castaway Cay, we did the Getaway package. It included snorkeling, a float/tube rental, and one hour of biking. We decided at the island not to do the biking because everyone was tired.
Everyone felt that our excursions were absolutely AMAZING!!! They were really fun. Again, a little pricey, but they were worth every penny.
Monday, June 6, 2016
Disney Fantasy
In February, 2007, Disney Cruise Line announced that two new ships would set sail in 2011 and 2012. The Fantasy is their newest ship, launched in 2012. Its sister, the Disney Dream, has the same Deck plans, but different things. The Dream only does 3-4 nights to the Bahamas, normally stopping at only Nassau and Disney's Private Island, Castaway Cay. The Fantasy right now alternates between 7 night Eastern and 7 Night Western Caribbean Cruises. They both have 1,250 staterooms, 14 decks, gross tonnage of 129,000 tons, 1,115 ft. long, and two propulsion propellers, each weighing about 2 tons, and about 20 ft. in diameter. The Fantasy is a more grand "Art Noveau" style, where the Dream is more "Art Decco."
Differences From the Disney Dream
- The Fantasy has the "Arr-Cade", where in the same space, the Disney Dream has "Vanellopes Sweets"
- The Fantasy has the main dining restaurant "Royal Court" where the Dream has "Royal Palace"
- The adult bar district on the Fantasy is "Europa" where the Dream's is "The District"
- The statue in the Fantasy is Mademouiselle Minnie Mouse, where the Dream's is Donald Duck
The Disney Fantasy
Deck 1- Gangways (This is not where you board the ship at Port Canaveral)
Deck 2- Enchanted Garden (Main Dining, Mid), Staterooms
Deck 3- Atrium (Mid), Royal Court (Mid, Main Dining), Animators Palate (Aft, Main Dining), Walt Disney Theatre (Fwd. Brodway Theatre), Guest Services, Bon Voyage Bar
Deck 4- Walt Disney Theatre (Fwd.), Buena Vista Theatre, Promenade Deck, Shutters (Mid.), Vista Gallery, Vista Cafe (18+), Atrium, D Lounge, Europa (Aft, 18+)
Deck 5- (Fwd.) Vibe, (Mid.) Buena Vista theatre, Bibbidi Boppiti Boutique, Kids Clubs,
Decks 6-10- Staterooms
Deck 11- Cabanas, Pools, (Mid.) Eye Scream & Frozone Treats, Quacks, Entrance to Edge, Cove Cafe, Quiet Cove Pool, (Fwd.) Senses Spa and Salon
Deck 12- (Aft. 18+) Palo, Remy, Meridian Bar
Deck 13- Goofy's Sports Deck, Waves Bar, Satellite Sun Deck
Deck 14- Outlook
On-Line Checkin
On-Line Checkin
Depending on how you book, depends on when you get to checkin and choose your PAT (Port Arrival Time). You also can book shore excursions, Dining reservations, spa, Royal Court Royal Tea, etc.
Concierge and Platinum guests (If you have booked concierge or if you have done 10+ Disney Cruises)- 120 Days Prior to Embarkation
Gold Guests-(5-9 Cruises)-105 Days Prior to Debarkation
Silver Guests (1-4 Cruises)- 90 Days Prior to Debarkation
New Cruisers- 75 Days Prior to Debarkation
During On-Line Checkin, to be able to get a PAT, you must put in passport information, how you are getting to the port, how you are leaving the port, stateroom account information, and you must give the number of someone at home, in case of emergency.
Embarkation
Embarkation:
Embarkation is the best day. You wake up, and next thing you know, it's time to get on the ship!
Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Fly in a day or two to make sure you don't miss the plane
- If you absolutely HAVE to fly in the day of, I suggest staying at an Airport Hotel the night before to make sure you don't accidentally oversleep
- Don't fly with a little commercial airline like Spirit or Frontier, they can be known to have delay-related problems
Tips for ground transportation:
When you get to the airport the terminal is closest to, you will need some sort of ground transportation to get from the airport to the port. It is one of the few things that are not included in your Disney Cruise. I suggest having the Disney transfers because if there is some sort of traffic delay, they can make sure the ship will wait for you. I have also heard great things about Cortrans and Happy Limo (Note: these are for Port Canaveral ONLY because Disney owns their own terminal there)
Arriving at the Port:
Port Canaveral is really amazing. The terminal opens at about 10-10:30 AM. Boarding begins at about 11:30-11:45 AM When you get there, if you drive, you will park in the garage and already be on the floor you need to be. If you take DCL transfers, you will have to take the escalator. There is a security checkpoint for both ways. It is like the airport, but much easier (you can probably relate it to TSA Pre Check). You don't have to take off your shoes or anything like that. Just remove metal objects (such as a phone). When you get to the main area, there will be signs directing you to new cruiser checkin, concierge, and different Castaway Club checkins. The line may look huge, but it goes really quick. When you checkin, they will take a picture of you for security reasons, to make sure you don't use someone else's card to get alcohol, or go to the night clubs that are for guests 18+. You will get your KTTWC (Key to the world card- DCL has a cashless system. All the members of your stateroom are hooked up to an account. You can grant charging to anyone on the online checkin.
Boarding the ship:
Yay! Boarding is one of the many highlights of your trip. Once you walk through the Mickey ears in the terminal, your vacation officially begins. They will have you tap your KTTWC once more that says that you are actually on the ship. Until 4PM, you can explore the ship, eat lunch, and relax.
Restaurants on Boarding day:
Once you board the ship, you will probably want some lunch. We were on the Fantasy, so here are the options for that ship:
Cabanas- Buffet on Deck 11 Aft.
Enchanted Garden- Deck 2 Mid.
Cabanas will probably be full of people, but the good thing is that there is outside seating by the pool and there is another outside entrance inside the restaurant.
Muster Drill- ALL GUESTS MUST GO TO
It is required by maritime law that all guests must participate in the muster drill. At 4 PM, the ships general alarm will sound. It is seven short blasts, followed by one long blast. Report to your muster station. If you do not know what letter it is, it is on the back of the stateroom door, and on your KTTWC. All of the lifeboats (on the Fantasy/ Dream at least) are on deck 4, also known as the promenade deck. The drill usually lasts 15-20 minutes and all guests are required to have their KTTWC. You do not bring the lifejackets!
Sail Away!
At 4:30 PM, you are invited to deck 11 to have the sail away party! Go! it is very festive and you get to watch the terminal get farther and farther away in the distance. I suggest going to http://portcanaveralwebcam.com to watch yourself sail away! I was able to see my family and I from the camera that is located at Fish Lips Bar & Grill right next to the port.