Couple of questions... from first time cruiser! - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Hello,
we are setting sail on 1/3/09 and flying to orlando from baltimore, we CAN get transfers from the travel agency who booked our trip for the three of us round trip it was about $210.00 , should we just rent a car from the airport to the port and the same for our return??/ I saw a post where someone said they did that and rented from Thrifty.??? we are not sure at this point which way to go... we are flying home in the afternoon upon our return on Saturday 1/10/09?? any suggestions???
also, we have a navigators verandah room... anyone else ??? I am really happy about having somewhere to sit in the early morning... did you like yours if you had one???
drinks onboard?? are they really expensive... we do not drink too much, DH likes a beer now and then and I love a frozen drink once in a while too? what did you like????
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Can't help with the transfers as from the UK but have had a verandah on my last 2 disney cruises and have another one booked for the cruise in Octber and it is wonderful, it is so nice to open up the doors and have fresh air coming in, also nice to sit and read if you don't want to sit around the ship, also great as I have little ones and they can have a nap and hubby and I can still sit in the sun, as long as it is the right side.
As for drinks, not too expensive, but out of my last 6 disney cruises, the last 2 cruises I was breastfeeding and then pregnant so no drink for me, but one year we did buy some beers at key west and put them in the fridge in the room, no problem with brining them n board, but this was about 4 years ago so don't know if they are any stricter.
Have a wonderful time, I love it and can't wait for my cruise, it hwil be 14 months since my last disney druise which was the 10 day med one so only 4 months to go till we leave a cold wet UK
Hi!
I think that many people get the Disney ground transfers if all they are doing is going from the airport to the port and back. It may depend on how many people are in their party - it may be cheaper to rent a car for some and have the rental company shuttle take you to port... I have not done this myself...
The parking fee at the port just increased -- it is now $15 a day, so consider that...
The drinks are up to $4 per beer, up to $6 for mixed, and 15% gratuity is added to that.
They are offering a wine package.
They allow you to bring alcohol in your luggage, but taking it back off is another question. Don't bring much more than you plan on drinking,
For my family of 4, I like using DCL transfers. The cost is a bit higher than what I could find a rental car for but the convenience definitely outweights the cost. When my extended family of 11 cruise, it's cheaper to rent a large van but it's not easier.
Transfers include luggage handling - they will take my bags to/from the ship. I don't have to touch my luggage! If you use a participating airline at the end of your cruise, your bags will be taken the last night, delivered to the airport and you won't see them until you arrive at your destination airport. For my family and all of the bags, that's a great advantage to transfers!
I also like leaving the driving to them - sit back and enjoy a short DVD on the way to the port. No worries about traffic, parking fees, returning / getting a rental car if doing one-way rentals, either. You'll have to either park the car (for a $15 per-night charge) or drop off the luggage and make arrangements to return the car. Nothing more frustrating than getting to the port, seeing the beautiful ship and then have to turn around and leave to return the car!
Verandah rooms, regular or navigator's, are an excellent choice! I spend lots of time on our verandah - watching the sunrise/sunset; reading a book during the early morning while the kids are still sleeping; even people-watching in port (if you're on the side of the dock, that is!) is fascinating. Especially in Castaway Cay - if you have a port side cabin, it's fun to watch the 'forklift shuffle' as they get everything ready for your day at the beach. Even just having the door open and hearing the sounds of the water while sailing is so relaxing!
Drinks on board vary - the 'drink of the day' is $3.50 plus gratuity (I pad my budget and allow $5); mostly I stick with the drink-of-the-day (unless it contains coconut ::blech::!)
Other drinks or glasses of wine will cost more, depending on type of libation. I've had glasses of wine costing anywhere from $6 to $12. Remember that a 15% gratuity will automatically be added to all bar orders - including soft drinks ordered from the bar or room service! (Soft drinks are free from the beverage station on deck 9 or during meals).
If you want to bring your own bottle of alcohol, it must be brought on board in your carry-on luggage, NOT your tagged bags! This makes it difficult if flying directly in, since you can't have large bottles in your carry-on bag so plan accordingly.
__________________
Lynn
Yes, I am a Disney Addict... and I'd rather be cruising!.
Thank you SO much everyone for all of your help in answering my questions... some great information... makes me even more excited to get out there and cruise!!! Take care!!
For my family of 4, I like using DCL transfers. The cost is a bit higher than what I could find a rental car for but the convenience definitely outweights the cost. When my extended family of 11 cruise, it's cheaper to rent a large van but it's noteasier.
I also like leaving the driving to them - sit back and enjoy a short DVD on the way to the port. No worries about traffic, parking fees, returning / getting a rental car if doing one-way rentals, either. You'll have to either park the car (for a $15 per-night charge) or drop off the luggage and make arrangements to return the car. Nothing more frustrating than getting to the port, seeing the beautiful ship and then have to turn around and leave to return the car!
Lynn, You have all the answers! If we were not already driving, we would definitely use the DCL transfers! I love to leave the driving to others! Oh, and don't you have to pay the parking in advance, too?
Yeah, parking is up front. Make sure you budget this in your "cash in the pocket" figure. We like the car rental thing, even if it's just the two of us. But that's partly because we fly in the night before.
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