How to get to the Port for your Disney Cruise

 How to get to the Port for your Disney Cruise

You can start your Disney Cruise before reaching the ship!! Catch a DCL bus from Walt Disney World, the Airport or select hotels! Let them take you to the port to board your ship. These cost between $30-40 per person per trip.

Why take DCL Ground to the ship? The biggest perk to using DCL bus service is you can ignore your PAT (Port Arrival Time)! When your bus arrives you can just start the process of going through customs instead of waiting for your PAT. You may get to board earlier!

 

At the end of your trip you can have the DCL bus take you right back to the airport or Walt Disney World! This is a easy and stress-free way to return to the airport or go to Walt Disney World and it keeps the DCL fun going a little longer.

New DCL Busses

You will notice I mentioned that the DCL Bus can be used from the Airport to the ship. If you have read my blogs you will also know I strongly advise not flying in and arriving the day you board the ship. Flying in the day you board has too many risks and it is too easy to cause avoidable stress and you could even miss your cruise. I recommend flying in at least the day before so you can avoid stress and make sure you make it onto the ship. I also recommend it so you have an evening of relaxation and a night of rest before boarding. Remember, if there is ANY flight delay or cancelation you could miss your trip! It is not like going to WDW or Universal where you may just miss part of your trip. You miss the boat you miss the trip! No trip insurance? You lose the money!

 

How do you use the option from the airport to the port if you are flying the day before?? Look for a hotel that has a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel and back. Take the shuttle to the hotel when you get there. In the morning take the hotel shuttle back to the airport and catch the DCL bus to the port.

 

The transportation required varies by port. If you fly into MCO for a cruise out of Port Canaveral it is a long drive from the airport to the port. Coming in the day before you need to decide if you will get a hotel in Orlando, near the airport or a hotel closer to the port. It is about a 90-minute drive between the airport to the port. I suggest renting a car at the airport and driving to a hotel near the port. Many car rentals have return locations near the port that have shuttles from the drop off location to the port. I have the car overnight so I can get dinner and maybe even run to a store for any items I forgot to pack and need. In the morning, I drop the car off at the drop off location and take the shuttle to the port.

 

Disney Ground Transportation costs $30-$40 per person each way. For a group of 4 or more it may cost less to rent a car to get between the airport and port. Again, on the way home the car rentals have shuttles at the port to pick you up at the end of the cruise to take you to where you pick up your car. You just drive to the airport and drop it off there.

 

However you get to the port have a great cruise!

 

The Last Night and Debarkation Day on a Disney Cruise

The Last Night and Debarkation Day on a Disney Cruise

The saddest days of a cruise, debarkation day. You’ve had a fun time on the ship and now it is back to reality. What do you need to know?

 

Debarkation preparation actually starts the night before your cruise ends. You have to make choices the day before you get off on how you will get off. You have 2 choices, Express Walk Off or Let the Porters carry your bags:

1.       You can carry all your luggage off the ship. If you are traveling lite this is a great thing! This is called “Express Walk Off”

a.       You will not have to put your bags out the night before.

b.       You will have to keep all your bags with you until you disembark.

c.       You will not have to wait for your group to be called.

d.       Once Customs has cleared the ship you can leave.

e.       Show your Keep to the World Card to the Crew Member at the door

f.         Go through customs in the port

2.       You can set your luggage out by 10 pm the last night on the ship

a.       You will be given tags with a character on them to attach to your bags

b.       You will go to breakfast, either in the restaurant you ate at the night before or at the buffet

c.       You will wait for your character to be called to join the line to disembark

d.       You will show your Key to the World or Magic/DisneyBand+ to the Crew Member

e.       You will then go through customs in the terminal

f.         After going through customs you will find your luggage in the terminal. It will be placed in a section with the character on your tags.

g.        If you use a porter to assist you it is appropriate to tip them several dollars per bag.

What NOT to pack in the bags the porters take off the ship:

·       ID and Citizenship Paperwork for each guest

·       Key to the World Card and/or Magic/DisneyBand+ for each guest (you will need this to disembark)

·       Car/Home Keys

·       Medication

·       Electronics

·       Valuables

·       Fragile items

·       Tickets for your travel home

·       Anything you will want easy access to before you can get to your bags or home

A quick recap:

·       Choose “Express Walk Off” debarkation or let the porters take your bags off the night before

·       Leave your bags out by 10 pm if you do not choose Express Walk Off

·       Be out of your cabin by 8 am, 7:30 am is better

·       Have breakfast either in the restaurant you ate at the night before or the buffet

·       Be ready by 8:30 or 9 am to walk off the ship

·       Show your Key to the World Card or Magic/DisneyBand+ to the Crew Member as you leave the ship

·       Have ID/Citizenship Paperwork ready to show at the port

·       Pick up your bags in the Terminal

·       Enjoy your trip home

 

Construction of The Disney Destiny!

 Construction of The Disney Destiny!

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Disney Adventure had to do her Float Out before the Disney Destiny because of the size of the ship. Work, on the Disney Destiny can be completed inside the Meyer Werft shipyard facility until they are ready to do the pre Sea Trial final testing of the systems. I’m expecting within the next 3 to 4 months Disney Destiny will be Floated Out.

 

Disney has announced that the building of the Destiny Ship is finished but testing and installation of special systems by Disney Imagineers are being installed. Once the testing of the ships systems that can be done inside the shipyard building are completed, Destiny will fallow her sisters and Float Out. There they will do the final pre Sea Trials testing and the she will float down the Ems River for her Sea Trials.

 

During the Sea Trials they will push the ship to the maximum. They will see how fast she can go, how quickly she will stop, and her turning radius along with other things. They will test the ships engines in real world situations, generators, electoral systems, ventilation systems and everything else. Once Sea Trials are completed the ship will be turned over to Disney Cruise Line.

 

After the hand off The Disney Destiny will take a 2 week transatlantic trip to the US. While on her way the Imagineers will finish up the last of the work installing things, crew will learn their jobs and performers will have their final practice before taking guests.

 

Once in the US Disney Destiny will be Christened and go on a few media cruises before taking her Maiden Voyage November 20^th, 2025.

Celebrations at Sea! Marvel Day at Sea and Pixar Day at Sea Return to Disney Cruise Line in 2026

Celebrations at Sea! Marvel Day at Sea and Pixar Day at Sea Return to Disney Cruise Line in 2026

Pixar Day at Sea Pic

By: Disney Destinations

 

Disney Cruise Line’s fan-favorite themed sailings will launch in a whole new way in 2026. Texas, get ready to assemble! For the first time, Marvel Day at Sea will bring heroic thrills to Disney Magic voyages out of the Port of Galveston starting in January.

 

Get ready to play! Pixar Day at Sea will make its return to the Disney Fantasy out of Port Canaveral, Florida, in January, with beloved Pixar characters bringing extra magic at every turn.

Marvel Day at Sea Hits Texas

 

For the first time out of Galveston, Texas, Marvel Day at Sea will transport families into the thrilling universe of beloved heroes and infamous villains in an action-packed adventure at sea. Select four-and five-night Disney Magic sailings will offer adventurous entertainment for the whole family, plus character encounters and special themed dining and merchandise, all culminating with a clash between good and evil on the upper decks in a spectacular deck party.

 

Spider-Man, Captain America, Captain Marvel, Thor, Loki and Plack Panther are among the dozens of favorite heroes and villains from across the multiverse that will collide onboard the Disney Magic during Marvel Day at Sea in 2026.

The excitement of the Marvel Universe will come to life at sea with experiences for the whole family. In Fathoms, a big-band, star-spangled tribute to Captain America will unfold with a special USO show, featuring vintage dance numbers and an appearance from the Star-Spangled Man himself! Recruits of Wakanda will convene in the atrium for warrior training with the mighty Okoye, General of Dora Milaje. For aspiring young heroes, themed youth activities like Avengers Training Initiative will offer the chance to test their Super Hero skills.

 

Classic Disney characters will also join in the heroics as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends dress up in their favorite Marvel gear during Mickey and Minnie’s Super Hero Celebration.

 

Finally, Marvel Heroes Unite, a signature nighttime spectacular on the upper decks will sweep guests up in a daring battle with thrilling stunts, special effects and fireworks at sea as Marvel Super Heroes and villains engage in a battle of destiny that cuts across the multiverse.

Pixar Day at Sea

 

Pixar Day at Sea is BACK!! Gather Pixar-themed attire and play with very favorite toys, monsters and supers throughout the ship, complete with character encounters, themed dining and special merchandise. On select five-night Disney Fantasy sailings out of Port Canaveral, Florida, families will experience the beloved Pixar tales of “Toy Story,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “The Incredibles,” “ Inside Out,” and “Coco” during this fun-filled adventure, starting with Hey Howdy Breakfast, a musical breakfast themed to “Toy Story.”

 

Every member of the family will find some fun during Pixar Day at Sea. For those looking for a turtle-y righteous celebration on the big blue, head to the upper decks for Crush’s Totally Awesome Pool Party, full of dances and games let by Crush’s Pixar Party Patrol. For guests more about presentation, darling, they can don their best Pixar fashion and strut their stuff for the ultimate critic, Edna Mode, during Edna Mode’s Style on Parade. Just remember … “No capes!”

 

Guests’ taste buds will have a blast, too! Live like Remy during Anyone Can Cook, a live cooking demonstration with Disney Chefs. What’s on the menu? Ratatouille, of course!

 

The sun will set on the Pixar Day at Sea fun and games during the Pixar Pals Celebration on the upper decks. Dance the night away in a high-energy deck party with favorite Pixar friends, Marvel Day at Sea and Pixar Day at Sea sailings begin on select voyages in January 2026.

Why did the Float Out of the Disney Adventure Before Disney Destiny?

 Why did the Float Out of the Disney Adventure Before Disney Destiny?

Disney Adventure has done its float out! A Float Out is when the ship is Floated Out of the shipyard when all major systems and building of the ship is completed. Standard practice is to start testing all the systems before taking the ship out for its Sea Trials. Disney Destiny is going to join the Disney Fleet first so why did Adventure Float Out First?

 

Disney Adventure is not yet completed. Normally the Float Out happens when the ship is fully completed as a ship and is almost ready for Sea Trials. This is not so for The Disney Adventure. The ship is so tall they could not finish the upper decks in the shipyard building. The classic Disney Funnels are not in place. The waterslides, rollercoaster and other upper deck attractions still need to be installed. For now, Disney Adventures sits at the shipyards dock awaiting completion. The Shipyard workers still have work to do. Disney Imagineers will also be there installing special effects lighting, carpets, wallpaper, painting, Walt Disney Theater stage lighting and effects, art and statues.

 

Once the upper deck, finishing work, and systems testing is done Disney Adventure will go out for her Sea Trials. Sea Trials are when the shipyard runs it final tests on all ships systems. They will see how fast she can go and how quickly she can stop. How tight a turn she can make and put all the motors, generators, and thrusters. They will check the electoral and ventilation systems as well. At the end of the Sea Trials the ship will officially be handed over to Disney Cruise Line. Disney Imagineers will still be on the ship during the Sea Trials working on finishing the work of final touches.

 

After Sea Trials and the handoff to Disney the ship will sail to Singapore for the christening, media cruises and finally her Maiden Voyage in December.

 

Disney Destiny is not far behind Disney Adventure! She should Float Out soon and will join the Disney Fleet in service in November.

 

 

Boarding Day for a Disney Cruise! What to know!

Boarding Day for a Disney Cruise! What to know!

First make sure you have everything you require to board. These are things to have in your Carry-On bag:

Citizenship Documents, either your Passport or your State Issued ID and Birth Certificate. You will need these documents to enter the terminal so have them handy.

Boarding PAT and Group information. You can put a copy on your phone/tablet or carry a printed copy.

Valuables (money, credit cards, jewelry

and electronics)

Extra clothes if desired (swimsuit if you wish to swim and maybe something for dinner that night. Sometimes luggage does not get to your stateroom until after dinner.)

Bottled Watter (You may not pack this in your checked luggage! You must carry it on.)

Up to 2 bottles of Wine or 6 bottles of beer per adult. (This is the allowed limit for Disney.)

Snacks for waiting in the Terminal, (Food will be available when you board the ship.) Everything must be in sealed packages and no homemade goodies.

Medications, both prescription and over the counter.

Anything you may need before dinnertime.

 

What NOT to bring:

The list is long so I’ve put a link to the Prohibited items here. If you have a prohibited item your luggage will be delayed getting to your cabin. The item will be confiscated and returned to you at the end of the cruise. You will have to stop in the port to pick it up at the end of the cruise.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/prohibited-items/

 

Here are some highlights of what not to bring

Weapons

Pointed scissors (rounded kid scissors are allowed)

Illegal drugs, including medical marijuana

Prescription medication in original labeled bottles

Hair dryers, Irons, Steamers

Check the list of Electrical items allowed and not!

Surge protectors

Extension cords

 

Do not pack valuables, electronics or fragile items in your checked bags! I’ve known of bags to get dropped overboard accidentally while being loaded onto the ship. The items inside were ruined. Do not risk it!

 

Arrive at the port shortly before your PAT (Port Arrival Time). Have those Citizenship Documents handy to show the Customs /TSA workers. Have that PAT paperwork handy as well to show what time you are scheduled to arrive.

 

I always try for an early PAT so I can enjoy my time on the ship. I board early and enjoy a meal, swim, explore and check out the Navigator App for the schedule of events for the entire cruise. That way I can plan! It also gives me time to stop at Guest Services if I need to work something out, like dining time, dining rotation or Brunch at Palo!

 

Before boarding stop and get a picture at the port backdrop! You can have the Shutters Photographer take it with their camera or with yours. If you pre-ordered the photo package I strongly suggest stopping for that picture!!

 

When you board they will stop you at the door to the ship and ask your family name. You can choose to be “announced” as the “Jones” family or some other way. We have been called by our nick names, Sparky & Tinky as well as Queen Mum and her court. Once on the ship stop at Guest Services to fix any issues, check your kiddos into the kids club and enjoy looking around!

 

By 1:30-2 your cabin should be ready for you. Your Key to the World Card will be on the Message Fish next to your door. You can use it to open your door of if you have a Magic Band+ or DisneyBand+ and had it programed for the cruise you can use it to open the door.

 

Drop off your Carry-On Bags and check your space out! At 4:30 there will be a Muster Drill. The Muster Drill is mandatory, and you must go. You will find your Muster Station on the ship map on back of your cabin door and on your Key to the World Card. If you have issues with doing stairs head up at least 30 minutes early, they will shut down the elevators during the drill.

 

After the Muster Drill head to the pool deck or the deck above where you can see down on the deck and watch the Sail a Wave Deck Party! Enjoy the fun and dancing as the ship starts to sail away.

 

There are two dining and show times. If you have the early dining you will go to the restaurant between 5:30-5:45 pm. You will find out what restaurant to be at by looking at the Navigator App. After your meal you will see the show in the Walt Disney Theater. If you have second seating you will see the show around 5:30 and go to dinner around 8:15-8:30.

 

After dinner and the show kids are welcome to go to the kids club and adults can go and enjoy some adult shows or get a drink.

 

 

A Relaxing Disney Vacation?? Does it Exist??

A Relaxing Disney Vacation?? Does it Exist??

Disney Cruise Vacations are for the entire family! There is honestly something for everyone to do! Each specific family member will find their magical moment. Families enjoy the pool, deck fun, deck parties, meals and evening shows together. There are a lot of things for families to do all day and into the nights.

 

You go to a Disney Park with you family and it is up and running all day from one activity/ride to the next. Unless you hire a sitter or bring family to help for a few hours you are with your kids the entire time! It can seem like a vacation for the kids but what about the adults? Sure, the adults have fun on the rides and shows. It is enjoyable to see your kids/family having a good time. But it is far from restful.

 

Try a Disney Cruise Vacation! The kids get the characters and kids club fun. The kids club is designed for kids only, no adults (other than crew) are allowed! Some ships even have a ride the entire family can enjoy. There are pools, shows, games and entertainment for the family to enjoy together. A good portion of the kids who sail on Disney do not want to leave the Kids Clubs! From the age of 3 to 17 there is an area for each age group. For cruisers 6 months to 3 yrs (not potty trained) there is a nursery that you can make reservations at for a small per hour fee. Having the kids in the kids club gives you the freedom to have some adult time!

 

There is also lots of adult only fun. Cove Café serves specialty coffee and tea. The drinks you pay extra for but they are about the same as Starbucks on land. The snacks in Cove Café are included in your fare and do not cost. Near Cove Café there is the Quiet Cove Pool and a Bar. Here is an adult’s only place to swim and grab a drink, enjoying the sun.

 

Senses Spa is a wonderful place to pamper yourself with a spa treatment, rainforest room relaxation or a full massage. The spa costs extra. The gym has all the equipment to keep up your workouts and is free! Palo/Palo Steakhouse, Remey’s or Enchante are Adult only restaurants that you can enjoy at an extra cost.

 

There are lounges that during the day are family friendly. They often have Games, Art or Cooking classes there. Sometimes these offerings are adult only, even during the day. At night, at 9 pm the lounges go adult only. There are shows for the adults, games  and dancing.

 

On a Disney Cruise Vacation you can relax, even with the kids/grandkids! The kids can play while you sit poolside and sip a drink. You can enjoy a dip in the pool or ride on a waterslide with the kids when you want. You can get pictures with characters and beautiful backdrops around the ship, again with our with the kids! Do both it is FUN!