Any tips for the Disney Cruise?

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ponting

hi
Just to correct Ms. Switch, the Disney Cruise Line does not allow you to bring your own alcohol on board. I don't know of any money-saving tips other than to book directly through the Disney Cruise Line website. You'll pay more at any other website because they have to buy the packages through Walt Disney World, charge you for that, and then charge you extra so they can actually make a profit.

Anyway, sorry I couldn't be of more help, but you'll have a wonderful time!

kimmer727

Don't miss the Sail Away party.
Don't miss the show on the LAST night. It is magical.
If you are stopping at Castaway Cay - save your money for souvenirs there. They have a great little gift shop that is actually better then the one on the ship!!
Lots of Character sightings all over the ship - always have your camera. I rode up and down the elevator with Chip and Dale!!!

TINKERTOY ..... the 1 & only

Here are some tips for any cruise:

- If you can, plan to fly to the departure port a day early so that you do not have to worry about missed flights and connections. If you are changing time zones it will give your body time to adjust and you time to rest from the long trip.

-If your cruise included many connections, flying, train and bus, buy travel insurance and get it from an independent supplier, not the cruise line.

-Join the cruise club so that the cruise line will send you their specials and so that you can get discounts on future cruises with them. The discount will typically be $50 to $100 per person.

-If you will be celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary, or birthday during the cruise, be sure to tell them, they will do special stuff for that.

- Cruise lines charge a lot for the photos they take so take your own photos around the ship when you get the chance, especially on the formal nights. Ask other passengers to take photos for you, they generally are very willing.

-Review the listing of tours offered on your cruise and decide whether you want to pay for a tour or go on your own. On most Caribbean islands you can get a taxi or tour in port for much less than the cruise ship tours. HOWEVER, the one big advantage of going on ship sponsored tours is THE SHIP WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU if your ship sponsored tour is late getting back to the ship. If you will be in a port for 12 to 16 hours you are probably safe to go on your own for most anything. But if you are only there for six to eight hours you may want to stay close to the ship or go on the ship tours.

- Take a 6-pack of water and/or soft drinks in your carry on for your cabin.

- take a cup or mug with a lid for cold drinks when you are around the pool, most plastic glasses on cruise ships are small.

- Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

- If you are going to the Bahamas and/or Caribbean, or some other ports where there will be a craft/straw market where you barter the price, take some one dollar bills. Then show the merchant only the amount of money that you want to pay for the item(s); they will usually or are more likely to accept it.

- Take a small bottle of hand sanitizer. The cruise ships normally will have the sanitizers available at the entrance to all dining areas but sometimes they do not work properly or are empty.

Duane T

We were on the Disney Cruise Ship "Magic" this past summer during it's Mediterranean tour. Disney is very well organized. Whether you have kids or not with you, Disney has a variety of events all day long which they published in a daily newsletter that they leave in your cabin. The shore excursions are very well communicated and tours were excellent.

Dining/Food and Entertainment were typical Disney themes and we had great time watching stage shows, first run Disney Movies (probably Enchanted is playing now) and other family stage events.

We were allowed to bring bottles of wine on board, but that may have been because Disney sponsored wine tasting excursions at the ports of call and I saw some passengers bringing on board one or two 6-packs of bottled wine.

You'll have a great time.

david

Let the staff look after the kids now and then and get some well deserved R and R. The staff are completely capable. Enjoy!

MomSezNo

Great tips from Tinkertoy.

I'll just add that you can go to CruiseCritic.com, "Boards", "Disney Cruise Line" and any of the other boards that apply. You might want to check out the "Ports of Call" board for the ports you are visiting, etc.

webtravelreviews

Take some costumes for your kids. My girls wore their princess outfits several times. There is a pirate night and that is fun to dress up for too. Take some pirate gear for adults and kids alike.

We also found that we over packed. You wear your swim suit most of the time so you don't really need a bunch of outfits too. The dinners are dressy and really nice so be prepared for that.

Take a anti-bacterial wipes with you to wipe down the cabin. We found that there is handsantizer everywhere on the ship and it's really clean.

Take a power strip. There aren't enough outlets for the camera, laptop,etc.

Take a camel back pack. Fill it up with water for your shore excursions and it has enough space for your passports, sunscreen etc.

Get ready for lots of activity. We never rested! There was always so much to do and we didn't want to miss a thing! A great time.

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