Friday, June 17, 2022

WOW You are Planning a Disney Cruise!

WOW You are Planning a Disney Cruise!

 You are considering or have booked your very first Disney Cruise. Congratulations!!!! You are going to have one amazing vacation!

 

What are some things you should know to make the most out of your Disney Cruise? I’ll start out with things you should know from booking your cruise to what to do before you go and then move onto what to do when you board the ship.

 

First off let’s talk about booking your cruise. You can book directly with Disney on their website or by calling them. You can also find your friendly and trusted Disney Certified (they took the College of Disney Knowledge training) Travel Agent and book with them. The reason I say Disney Focused. One, most do not charge extra fees for booking vacations for their client. If they do skip them! In other words, you will not be charged more for going through the Travel Agent than if you had booked yourself. Two, having gone through the training at the College of Disney Knowledge they have more expertise in handling your booking and answering your questions. Why not do it yourself? The agent should watch for any problems and handle them. If any unforeseen problems arise the agent should take care of it for you. The agent should be willing to book all the little things such as Port Adventures and even your Shipboard Adventures such as spa time and meals at the Adult Only Palo and Remy Restaurants. If there are any changes in policies, such as changes in Covid-19 testing or Pay in Full Date your agent should notify you and help you understand and make any necessary adjustments to your trip.

 

No matter how you book your cruise book early. This is to save you money. The closer to the date of the cruise the quicker and more the price goes up. It takes a small deposit to book your cruise and then you can make payments or pay it off all at once by the date Disney Cruise Line sets. Pay in Full (PIF) dates are changing right now. When you book it may say 90-105 days out but due to Covid-19 DCL may change that to 60 days.

 

There are several other money saving tips besides booking early. Purchase Disney Gift Cards at Target Stores using your Target Red Card (Debit or Credit) and save 5%. There are other places that sell Disney Gift Cards at a discount like Sam’s Club and some shops on EBates. Use the gift cards to pay off your cruise! You can also use these gift cards to pay for your gratuities, shopping on the ships, Port and Shipboard Adventures along with anything else that could be charged to your cabin.

 

Some agents give On Board Credit (OBC). On Board Credit is a gift that some Travel Agents will give you to spend on the ship. This goes onto your shipboard account and can be used to pay everything from gratuities to Port/Shipboard Adventures. Any money spent on the ship goes through your Shipboard Account! Friends and family may also put OBC on your folio. You can even put some spending money on your account before you leave so you have a set budget.

 

*** Booking Tips ***

·        Big Tip 1 *** You don’t have to pay extra to book with a Travel Agent!!!

o   If they want to charge find a different agent!

·        Big Tip 2 *** A Travel Agent will do all the work while you plan to play!!!

o   Have your agent do as much or as little as you wish!

o   Your agent can:

§  Book the cruise.

§  Make the payments for you.

§  Answer questions.

§  Arrange for any special needs to be taken care of.

§  Do your online check-in

§  Book your Port and Shipboard Activities for you.

·        Big Tip 3 *** There are a few ways to save money!

o   Watch for them and use them.

§  Booking Early before prices go up.

§  Pay with Discounted Disney Gift Cards are the easiest to do!

 

Once you have booked there are still things to do before you go. If you have a Travel Agent, ask them what date you can book your Adventures. You must have Paid in Full (PIF) before you can book, no matter if the required Pay in Full Date has arrived or is a after the Booking date. The date you can book Port Adventures and things to do on the ship is based on your Castaway Club Level. Your Castaway Club Level is passed on how many Disney Cruises you have taken. Here is the breakdown of those dates.

 

·        First time cruisers can book things 75 days before sailing.

·        Silver Castaway Club Members (those that have sailed 2-5 times with DCL) can book 90 days early.

·        Gold Castaway Club Members (those who have sailed 6-10 times with DCL) can book 105 days out.

·        Platinum Castaway Club Member (those who have sailed 10+- DCL cruises) can book 120 days early.

 

Before the date to book arrives look at the things to do on the ship and in ports. Decide what you would like to do and on the first available day book it if you can. You don’t have to pay until you travel. If you decide to change your plans that is ok! You can cancel adventures before you sail if you wish! Make sure you know the last date you can cancel and change plans. Most things are 24 hours before the adventure. If you have booked a port adventure for day 3 of your cruise you can cancel up to day 2 of your cruise. Many Travel Agents will handle booking your chosen Adventures for you if you wish. You also need your last date to pay and date for online booking.

 

Why should you book your Port and Shipboard Adventures before you go? Because they are limited and fill up fast! Your dream of a once in a lifetime swim with the dolphins could be crushed if you wait until the day you board to book and that Port Adventure is full! Also, why spend your precious and hard-earned vacation time booking adventures you could have done from home in your spare time? Palo and Remy fill up quickly as well. You don’t want to miss some adult quiet time!

 

How do you find out what is available to do?? Go to DisneyCruise.com or the Disney Cruise Navigator App and look at the Port Adventures offered for your ports of call. Then go look at the things to do on the ship. Decided if Adult Dining are something you would like to do. Would you like some Spa time? That can be booked beforehand as well. Check out what they offer! Remember once you choose your adventures your Travel Agent can book them for you.

 

Are you interested in making friends onboard? Consider joining a Facebook Group set up for your cruise. These are NOT associated with Disney but set up by a fellow cruiser. Just do a search on Facebook. For example, cruising January 26th, 2023, on the Dream I search for Disney Dream January 26th, 2023 and find Disney Dream January 26th, 2023 Cruise Facebook page. Here you will find people you can meet up with on the ship. Maybe you have kids, and you want to preset playmates. Maybe you have someone in your group in the awkward age of 18-21? Too old for the Kids Clubs yet too young for the Adult scene. See if they have other people that age to mix and mingle with. You can join a Fish Extender Group (FE) (Click here for more information on Fish Extenders http://pixiepranks-panstinkerbell.blogspot.com/2012/03/fish-extender-what-is-it-why-should-i.html Door Decor is also something fun to work on and you can learn more in a group (Here is a link to more information http://pixiepranks-panstinkerbell.blogspot.com/2012/03/disney-cruise-line-door-decor.html In this group you can ask questions about Disney Cruising and get answers from the pros, people who have been there done that. You don’t have to join the FE Groups or decorate your door if you don’t wish to. But they are both fun to do!

 

Make sure you have any necessary documents such as Passports and Original Copies of Birth Certificates so you can do your online check-in. Make sure they are packed to go with you as you will need them to board the ship! As the date gets closer know the dates to check in online and to book your Adventures as stated before. Have your Adventures picked out before the online check-in date so you can get in quickly and book them before they fill up.

 

If you are a US Citizen and leaving and returning to a US port technically you do not need a Passport. BUT, it is advisable to have a Passport Book  just in case of emergency. If something were to happen while in a non US port you could have problems getting home without one. A NON-Disney ship caught fire while in port in the Caribbean and guests had to figure out how to fly home. Those without passports had to wait until they could get to the US Consulate to get emergency passports. Yes, the cruise line helped them but they could have been helped much quicker with a Passport Book.

 

Download the FREE Navigator App and if on the Wish also download the Disney Parks Play App, to your smart phone and/or tablet. While at home the Navigator App can keep a countdown until your cruise. Lots of fun! Once on the ship it will become invaluable! It will give you the daily and complete cruise schedule of events so you can make plans wisely. It allows you to keep in touch with other people onboard the ship, allowing you to send messages to each other. It lets you set reminders for events you don’t want to miss on the ship. (More app info here https://pixiepranks-panstinkerbell.blogspot.com/2022/06/disney-navigator-app.html)

 

Pack wisely. Ask your Travel Agent for a suggested packing list for your chosen destination and season. Know what items are not allowed (Check out this link for prohibited items https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/my-cruise-plans/faqs/prohibited-items/prohibited-items/ Make sure you have all necessary items such as medication in the original bottles and medical equipment.

 

Plan for FUN!!!! Check your health, make sure the activities you wish to do are suitable for YOU. Plan ahead and deal with any health issues you can. Do you have special needs members of your group? Find out all the information you can and prepare them. If they have mobility issues, make sure they have an accessible cabin. Do not be afraid to ask questions of your Travel Agent and/or Disney Cruise Line! Explain what will be going on and what will be available for them. Encourage them to be part of the planning process if possible. Be aware that not all Port or Shipboard Adventures are suitable for all guests. At non US ports the vendors do not have to comply with the US ADA laws. Often the Port Adventures are ok but if the ship is Tendered offshore it is not possible to get into the Tender boat to get to shore. There is still plenty to do. Disney Cruise Ships and Disney’s Castaway Cay is completely compliant with ADA laws and very inclusive.

 

Notify Disney Cruise Line of all allergies or special medical needs 60 days before the cruise. Let the cruise line know if you have a young child that is using formula. Your Travel Agent can do it as well. If anybody uses a CPAP and needs water for it let them know and it will be provided free of charge.

 

Know your Online Check-In Date and have your Proof of Citizenship, Photo of yourself, Payment method for your ship-board folio, and travel information ready. You will pick your Port Arrival Time (PAT) once you have completed Online Check-In. At this time Online Check-In is done 30 Days before your cruise. Do it early so if DCL requires you to resend information you can.

 

Be ready 15 days from your cruise upload your Covid-19 Vaccination Card to the Safe Passage website.

 

Get a Covid-19 test and upload your negative results no more than 2 days prior to sailing and upload no later than 11:59pm the night before you leave. Again, I say do it as early as you can. If you do not do this you will have to take the test in the port and pay $129 per person for the test.

 

*** After Booking / Pre-Cruise Tips ***

·        Big Tip 1 *** Know important dates such as last day to pay, online booking date and when you can book Port and Shipboard Adventures

·        Big Tip 2 *** Discuss what Adventures you wish before dates to book open.

·        Big Tip 3 *** Join a group! Maybe join a Fish Extender Group

·        Big Tip 4 *** Get your documents in order! Passports can take 6-12 weeks to process! You WILL need them to board the ship!

·        Big Tip 5 *** Download the Disney Cruise Line Navigator App

·        Big Tip 6 *** Plan your fun! Especially if you have special needs members of your group. Know what is available and where things are limited.

·        Big Tip 7 *** Disney Cruise Line can only help you IF you tell them your special needs. This includes allergies and special medical needs.

·        Big Tip 8 *** Know your Online Check-In Date and be ready with all the paperwork.

·        Big Tip 9 *** Know your Safe Passage Check-In date

·        Big Tip 10 *** Know your date for taking and uploading your Negative Covid-19 Test Result

 

Once on the ship switch your Navigator App to active. This requires turning your phone to Airplane Mode and following a few on screen directions. Use the app to send messages to family, friends, and fellow passengers you become friends with. Check the above link for more information on the use of the app. Also make sure you take advantage of the printed Personal Navigator that is left in your stateroom every day. The Navigator is a schedule of all the things happening on the ship. One of the special things on longer cruise that you should be looking on the Navigator app for are special Disney Behind the Scenes events. They have Disney Imangineers and others give talks. You can learn a lot of interesting things at these events. There are also The Art of Disney Entertainment sessions. At these you can learn how to make some of the special foods served at Disney locations. There are also special tours of the ship. My favorite is the Art of the Theme Show Tour.

 

One of the first things to do on the ship is the Sail Away Deck Party. This is an amazing party on the deck of the ship. They cover the pools and turn them into places where you can dance and dance you do. This is the best thing to take your young children too. At this party the youth councilors are introduced. The kids will get excited about the Kids Clubs at this party.

 

 

Now that you are on the ship relax and have fun!! Let the kids enjoy the Kids Clubs and you enjoy the adult spots! Enjoy the family time together!


Do you want to book a Disney Cruise Line or other Disney Vacation? Let me know!

 

Carolyn@EliteMemoriesTravel.com

https://www.facebook.com/CarolynsPixieDustedMemoriesAtEliteMemoriesTravel

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