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Disney Cruise Line Departure Info

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It’s almost time for your cruise, so here are a few reminders for you:

7-60 days before boarding:

  • Pre-Booked Photo Package Discount:  Disney Cruise offers a discount on their cruise photo package. You may receive 15% off if you go to the following website and order between 2 and 60 days before your sail date: http://www.mycruisephotos.com/

  • Complete online check-in & print off Disney Cruise Contract.  Everyone must sign this contract prior to boarding the ship. 

  • Book Port Adventures, Spa, register for Kid’s Clubs and book Adults Only Restaurants.  Don’t forget to book Bibbidi Boppidi Boutique and Pirate’s League, if interested. 

  • Download the Disney Cruise Navigator app, so that you can access the daily schedules and important information while onboard.  Once aboard, your app will connect to the ship's Wi-Fi and Internet activity used to support app functionality is complimentary. There is a fee for all other internet use.

Check in - 5 days before boarding: 

  • Tour Excursions, Spa and Adult Dining:  Make sure you cancel any reservations you made that you will NOT be doing as once you board you will not be able to cancel and full cancellation penalties will be in effect.

Day of boarding:

  • Bringing liquor onboard at embarkation: Any liquor, spirits or powdered alcohol found in checked or carry-on luggage will be taken and stored until the end of the sailing.

  • Bringing wine or Champagne onboard: Passengers (21 years of age and older) may bring onboard two bottles of unopened wine or Champagne (no larger than 750 ml) or six beers (no larger than 12 ounces) on embarkation day and in each port of call. The alcohol must be hand-carried in a day bag and/or carry-on luggage. Carry-on luggage dimensions cannot exceed 22 inches wide, 14 inches high and 9 inches deep. Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to remove fragile items (including beverages) from checked luggage, and the items (as well as any in excess of the stated limits) will be stored to return to the passenger at the end of the voyage.

  • A $25 corkage fee per bottle is charged for consumption in the main dining rooms, Palo or Remy. Passengers may not bring their personal beverages into any other venue, including public decks.

  • Purchasing liquor in port: Liquor purchased at a port of call will be stored to return to the passenger at the end of the voyage.

  • Purchasing liquor in ships' duty-free shops: Liquor purchased at the duty-free shop onboard is held until the last night of the cruise.

  • Coolers filled with personal items (e.g. soda, alcohol, chips, candy, etc.) may not be brought on board.

 

Reservations while onboard:

As soon as you've boarded & found your stateroom, if you haven’t already, make reservations for the adult restaurants (Palo or Remy), the spa & any port adventures you plan to take. If you know what treatment you would like for the spa, you may skip the tour and just make your reservation.

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Safety Drill:

A mandatory safety drill will occur prior to the ship leaving port.

 

Sail Away Celebration:

Can you believe it's already 5 p.m.? Go get your favorite cool beverage and head up to the pool decks for the festive Sail Away Party! Deck 10/Deck 11 offers great vantage points to watch and wave to the crowds. The Sail Away Celebration features lively music and Disney characters, as well as an opportunity to meet some of the cruise staff.

Be sure to be on deck as the horn sounds on departure and enjoy the festivities!  After the party, go wave to those on land who come out to watch the ship sail away.

TIP: You can bring bubbles for the sail away party. It's great fun for kids and adults!

 

On Board Entertainment:

Pirates IN the Caribbean Party:  Be sure not to miss this party.  There is a fun show with special guests and a wonderful goodnight surprise!  LOTS of adults and children dress up in their pirate gear for dinner and the party! 

TIP:  You can also make a reservation in advance for Pirate’s League on the Disney Fantasy and Disney Dream.

 

Shows:  Do not miss the nightly shows, as they are Broadway quality. If you have the main seating for dinner, go to dinner and then the second show, if you have the second dinner seating, go to the first show and then to dinner.  Check your personal navigator for extra show times.

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Last night – Good night:  Join the characters and show cast members for a final good night in the atrium.  You can take pictures of the characters (be there early to get in line and then go to the floor up to take pictures of more characters with little wait).  The last night’s show is usually the most amazing show, so don’t miss it! 

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End of the Cruise – Time to Go Home 

  • The lines at Guest Services get longer towards the end of the cruise, so make sure you get any business (paying tips, etc.) done as early as possible. The same applies for shopping and purchasing pictures at Shutters. It is recommended to purchase your pictures before the last night of the cruise and periodically review them throughout the cruise and eliminate the bad ones.  Disney Cruise offers a photo package that you an pre-purchase at a discount on the website.

  • If you fly, they will do airline check in for the way back home if you fill out the paperwork provided in your cruise reservation booklet and tell Disney when you check in for your cruise at the cruise port.  Guests will receive airline boarding passes and valet luggage tags in their stateroom the day prior to disembarkation if using Disney transfers to the Orlando Airport. A letter will be delivered along with these items to answer any questions you may have and to provide further details about the process. 

  • The disembarkation talk is broadcast on the TVs in the staterooms all day, so you don't need to attend the talk.

  • You must have your bags packed and outside your cabin door by 10pm the night before disembarkation.  They will take your luggage directly to the airport and you will not see it again until you get to your destination airport.  This eliminates the need to get your bags through Customs.  However, remember you have to carry on the plane anything you don’t pack (clothes from that night, toiletries, etc), so make sure you have small bottles of your liquids to clear airport security.  If you are not flying, you will claim your luggage before customs after disembarking.  Porters will be available to help you with your luggage to your final destination – car, shuttle, etc. (make sure to tip them!)

 

Random Tips and Hints:

  • Free juice, soda, coffee, etc is on the pool deck. Bring an insulated mug if you like as the cups are small.   Those drinks are free at any buffet or sit down meal as well. 

  • Castaway Cay is AMAZING!!! Keep on walking down a little further around the family beach and there is plenty of shade and lounge chairs - most people stop and claim spots near the boat.  It is recommended to get off the ship when it arrives, so that you can maximize your day there.

  • Power strips and extension cords are NO LONGER allowed to be brought on board, but may be borrowed from Guest Services for a refundable deposit fee. 

  • Wave Phones-As these ships are large and very difficult to keep track of people, Disney provides two “wave phones” in each stateroom.  You may rent additional phones, but there is a per-day fee for them.  The phones are rechargeable and plug into a unit on the desk.  The phones work onboard the ship and at Castaway Cay.  You may dial wave phone to wave phone, wave phone to stateroom phone or any shipboard phone to wave phone as each phone has a unique number.

  • Kids programming is TERRIFIC!! They will text you on your wave phone if they need to reach you while your child is in their care. The kid’s wrist bands also have GPS locators on it, so they know where   

          your child is in the Oceaneer Club/Lab at all times!  

  • Towels:  No need to pack towels as they provide them for the pool and Castaway Cay. 

  • Can I use my cell phone while out at sea?  In addition to dedicated locations where you can take advantage of ship-to-shore calling, Disney Cruise Line features Cellular at Sea phone service—so you can use your own cell phone or wireless PDA just as you would on land. Available from most cell phone carriers including AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile, this service is currently accessible in staterooms.  Note: Usage rates and international roaming rates vary as you travel. Be sure to contact your cell phone provider to learn these rates before your cruise. Disney Cruise Line recommends that Guests seeking to avoid the unwanted costs associated with data downloads keep their wireless devices turned off or in airplane mode during their cruise.

  • Wi-Fi: Disney Cruise offers Connect@Sea internet packages based on what you do online. For most up-to-date prices, please refer to the information in your stateroom.  Here is sample pricing:  http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/ships-activities/ships/services/internet-phone-services/#wifi

  • Laundry facilities are provided onboard for a fee.  Feel free to bring your own detergent and dryer sheets.

 

Have a MAGICAL vacation!  Bon voyage!!

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