Fantasy 7-Night Western Caribbean Cruise 8/2/14 - 8/9/14

[Rockstarmom68]

I hope the link at the bottom will work. I needed to edit both groups and somehow ended up as the owner on each. Doh!

As of this moment, FE List 1 contains our original, agreed-upon 15 cabins. FE List 2 contains 4 cabins and growing. The consensus was to close all groups on June 30, 2014 so that members can prepare accordingly.

HTH!!!



https://docs.google.com/a/kohne.org...EyV2xMMTNfNEV0ajh3VDdYR2c&usp=drive_web#gid=0


https://docs.google.com/a/kohne.org...EyV2xMMTNfNEV0ajh3VDdYR2c&usp=drive_web#gid=0

Works like a charm!!! Thanks Joy!!

 

[momtomattclare]

How does the photo CD work? Last time we did a Disney cruise, they were not available.

There are different options. The priciest option allows you to receive digital copies of all pictures taken of your family on board. The price of this varies based on the length of the cruise. I believe for a 7-day it is $349. A somewhat cheaper is to purchase 10 digital images but I believe that is around $150.

Something to be aware of is that all images will come with their borders and there is no way to remove them.

 

[AliceIn]

There are different options. The priciest option allows you to receive digital copies of all pictures taken of your family on board. The price of this varies based on the length of the cruise. I believe for a 7-day it is $349. A somewhat cheaper is to purchase 10 digital images but I believe that is around $150.

Something to be aware of is that all images will come with their borders and there is no way to remove them.

I think I'm going to do the photo book. I believe that is $149, and you get 30 or so pictures you can select to put in your book. I've done the pictures at WDW, and I think out of a couple of hundred photos, there's usually only about 30 where all 5 of us look somewhat presentable. There's almost always somebody making a goofy face in the picture (eyes closed, mouth open, glaring at somebody else next to you, etc).

 

[AliceIn]

Hey Joe! Tomorrow's your 105 day mark, right? Are you staying up tonight to do your excursions and dinner reservations?

 

[RRBB]

Whew, things have finally settled down. Just in time to book activities for this cruise. I have no idea what we're going to do though. DH isn't really into beach stuff, but I'm sure the kids would love it. What to do, what to do?

So I see the FE group has a second installment. I think we're going to join that one, too, as what we have in mind is more economical the more you purchase. Now to design it... And NOPE, I'm not gonna tell you what it is. You'll just have to check your FE to find out.

(Now I'm going back to reading through all the excursion options. My head is spinning already!)

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Hey Joe! Tomorrow's your 105 day mark, right? Are you staying up tonight to do your excursions and dinner reservations?

Hello Everyone,

Just got back from my College Tour and I am happy to report that I brought back everyone safe and sound

Yes, I am staying up tonight to see what I can book. I already contacted my DU travel agent and requested the ERA dining rotation which should place us in Royal Court for Formal Night

Joe

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

I think I'm going to do the photo book. I believe that is $149, and you get 30 or so pictures you can select to put in your book. I've done the pictures at WDW, and I think out of a couple of hundred photos, there's usually only about 30 where all 5 of us look somewhat presentable. There's almost always somebody making a goofy face in the picture (eyes closed, mouth open, glaring at somebody else next to you, etc).

On our last family cruise, my wife bought the unlimited CD package along with the printed photos

I don't want to think about what that cost

 

[AliceIn]

On our last family cruise, my wife bought the unlimited CD package along with the printed photos

I don't want to think about what that cost

I took a peek and just about fell over. I almost hope we end up looking like the Addams family in most of the pictures, otherwise we'll be tempted to buy it all, too!

 

[RRBB]

Got all of our activities for this cruise booked and doing the Happy Dance.

DH wanted me to book a massage for him, but at the time he really wanted it all that was available was couples massage. Oh darn, now I have to get a massage too.

 

[frozenmom]

There are different options. The priciest option allows you to receive digital copies of all pictures taken of your family on board. The price of this varies based on the length of the cruise. I believe for a 7-day it is $349. A somewhat cheaper is to purchase 10 digital images but I believe that is around $150. Something to be aware of is that all images will come with their borders and there is no way to remove them.

Thanks! I was afraid of the price, but if I like ALL the pictures, I am in trouble.

 

[frozenmom]

We get to book our excursions beginning May 3. Is there a list of excursions some place? I want to do research before we book. It makes the decision making process easier.
Second question, have you used the DCL transportation from MCO to port and to WDW from port? We are staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before. I remember some one mentioning luggage transfers from the Hyatt. Does anyone know how it works? We have done Magical Express from the airport to WDW before and I wondered if it was similar.

 

[AliceIn]

Got all of our activities for this cruise booked and doing the Happy Dance.

DH wanted me to book a massage for him, but at the time he really wanted it all that was available was couples massage. Oh darn, now I have to get a massage too.

Congrats on getting all of your bookings done!

My husband refuses to get a massage, but he let me book him a shave. So I took the massage

 

[AliceIn]

We get to book our excursions beginning May 3. Is there a list of excursions some place? I want to do research before we book. It makes the decision making process easier.
Second question, have you used the DCL transportation from MCO to port and to WDW from port? We are staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before. I remember some one mentioning luggage transfers from the Hyatt. Does anyone know how it works? We have done Magical Express from the airport to WDW before and I wondered if it was similar.

The list of excursions is on the DCL website here:

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/cruises-destinations/shore-excursions/search/

Just select the port and it will list all of the excursions. We spent a lot of time there poring over the choices. It's still hard, because they all look pretty cool.

We are also staying at the Hyatt the night before our cruise and taking DCL transfers to the port. I've never done this before, but I've seen several people describe it. When you get to the Hyatt, tell them that you are taking a cruise in the morning. They'll give you a letter that explains what you need to do. Basically, you leave it in the room before you head down to the bus, and they take it to DCL for you.

The Hyatt also offers a service that they will collect your bags from baggage claim when you arrive at the airport. You just bring your luggage tags with you when you check in, and for $10 they will collect everything and bring it to your room.

Hope this helps!

 

[frozenmom]

The list of excursions is on the DCL website here: Just select the port and it will list all of the excursions. We spent a lot of time there poring over the choices. It's still hard, because they all look pretty cool. We are also staying at the Hyatt the night before our cruise and taking DCL transfers to the port. I've never done this before, but I've seen several people describe it. When you get to the Hyatt, tell them that you are taking a cruise in the morning. They'll give you a letter that explains what you need to do. Basically, you leave it in the room before you head down to the bus, and they take it to DCL for you. The Hyatt also offers a service that they will collect your bags from baggage claim when you arrive at the airport. You just bring your luggage tags with you when you check in, and for $10 they will collect everything and bring it to your room. Hope this helps!

Thanks, Allison. That helps. Off to do excursion research...

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

We get to book our excursions beginning May 3. Is there a list of excursions some place? I want to do research before we book. It makes the decision making process easier.
Second question, have you used the DCL transportation from MCO to port and to WDW from port? We are staying at the Hyatt in the airport the night before. I remember some one mentioning luggage transfers from the Hyatt. Does anyone know how it works? We have done Magical Express from the airport to WDW before and I wondered if it was similar.

You can go on the DCL website to find the excursions details.

Using DCL transportation is very easy. Since you are staying at the Hyatt, remember when you check in to tell the hotel that you are taking a DCL cruise. They will give you a paper with information regarding checking in with DCL and what to do with your luggage.

On the morning of the cruise make sure that you have put your DCL tags on the bags that you want the hotel to take from your room to be delivered to the ship. I usually leave a couple of dollars per bag on top of the luggage before checking out.

We typically get a light breakfast in the food court and then go over to the DCL check in area around 8:30 a.m. The DCL CM will ask you for your cruise docs and will point you in the right direction. The first bus leaves a little after 9:00 a.m. and will get you to the port around 10:15 a.m. Make sure that you select the earliest boarding time that is available.

You will check in at the port after security opens and you will wait until your boarding number is called. Boarding usually starts around 11:30 a.m. or a little before

I haven't taken DCL transportation from the port to WDW. But for those who go back to the airport for a flight. You can choose to do onboard check-in which will allow you to get your boarding pass and luggage transportation with participating airlines. I like this because I can put my bags out the last night of the cruise and not have to touch them again until I get home

 

[Carable]

Thank you for the links! Now that our Spring Break trip is done, I have got to get cracking for our May 3rd date. My parents have left me in charge of it all, so I've got a lot of research to do and very little time to do it.

We had an absolute blast at WDW this week, although my son has the stomach flu this morning (at least he waited until we were home). We never waited in line more than 10 minutes and I even spent one evening alone at the Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours until 3am. I even have photographic evidence because I'm sure nobody will believe me. I'll be starting a trip report soon, if anybody likes to read those, link will be in my siggy.

The only thing that helped during the long plane ride home was how excited I am for a new cruising experience with Disney!

 

[AliceIn]

Thank you for the links! Now that our Spring Break trip is done, I have got to get cracking for our May 3rd date. My parents have left me in charge of it all, so I've got a lot of research to do and very little time to do it.

We had an absolute blast at WDW this week, although my son has the stomach flu this morning (at least he waited until we were home). We never waited in line more than 10 minutes and I even spent one evening alone at the Magic Kingdom for extra magic hours until 3am. I even have photographic evidence because I'm sure nobody will believe me. I'll be starting a trip report soon, if anybody likes to read those, link will be in my siggy.

The only thing that helped during the long plane ride home was how excited I am for a new cruising experience with Disney!

Sorry to hear about your son being sick. Sounds like you guys had a blast on your vacation. I enjoy reading trip reports, so looking forward to your new one.

 

[Carable]

Are you guys talking about the MCO Airport Hyatt? We are flying in on Friday and were trying to avoid renting a car and that seems like a good option, especially since some of you veterans are using it.

ETA: Now that I'm doing a little research, it looks like the transfer is more expensive that renting a car one-way with 6 of us. What do you guys recommend? If we drive ourselves or use a rental car service we can avoid going on the bus with loads of other passengers and seeing long check-in lines.

 

[AliceIn]

Are you guys talking about the MCO Airport Hyatt? We are flying in on Friday and were trying to avoid renting a car and that seems like a good option, especially since some of you veterans are using it.

Yes - it's the Hyatt Regency at the airport.

http://orlandoairport.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

It sounds like there are at least 3 families staying there on Friday night. We can get our DIS party started early

 

[My4PhillyGirls]

Are you guys talking about the MCO Airport Hyatt? We are flying in on Friday and were trying to avoid renting a car and that seems like a good option, especially since some of you veterans are using it.

ETA: Now that I'm doing a little research, it looks like the transfer is more expensive that renting a car one-way with 6 of us. What do you guys recommend? If we drive ourselves or use a rental car service we can avoid going on the bus with loads of other passengers and seeing long check-in lines.

We are a family of 5 and we used to rent a car to the port but after several bad experiences with Budget, we find peace in taking the shuttle. When you drive you have to pay the tolls, gas the car back up before turning it in, stand in line to drop the car off because most of the rental offices at the port don't have express dropoff, take a shuttle to the terminal and then go through security with the crowds.

If you leave on the early buses from MCO, you arrive at the port before they open the parking garage so you are the first to go through security, also the terminal is empty and you have a quick check in and can find a seat before the terminal gets busy. I also like the fact that I don't have to haul my luggage and have to tip the shuttle driver and the porter My airline participates in the onboard checkin so I don't have to carry my luggage back to the rental car office, drive to the airport, stand in line to check in and then have to go through security

With DCL transportation its off the ship, on the bus, to MCO, straight to security and then we wait for our flight at the gate

Does it cost more Sure, but it cuts out the stress