Okay, I thought a Cruise FAQ thread might be helpful. I started out with a few things below. If you’ve got a question, or a good answer, post it here! I’ll try to keep this post updated with answers. Everything is alphabetical for now. I’m certainly open to suggestions if you find this hard to read!
Also, Disney tinkers with things frequently! If you notice something has changed and an answer is no longer correct, tell me!
Adult Only Restaurants – Palo and Remy are by reservation only and for adults only. Book them online as soon as you are paid in full and your booking window opens up. If you are unable to secure a reservation online before boarding, you may be able to get one as soon as you board at Rockin Bar D (Magic), Wavebands (Wonder) and D-Lounge (Dream), or at the restaurants themselves. Check the Navigator you are given in the terminal to see where to go and make bookings.
Arrival Time at Port and Boarding Time – As soon as you are paid in full and your booking window opens, you can check in online. At the end of the online check in process, you will be able to select a port arrival time. Disney will assign you a boarding number based on your selected port arrival time. If you arrive earlier than that time, and the terminal is not full, you can enter but in general you will be given a higher boarding number than those with earlier arrival times. Platinum Castaway Club members and concierge guests, do not have to worry about port arrival times. They do not apply to them. In Port Canaveral, the terminal opens between 10:30 and 11:00 am and boarding begins around 11:30.
Beverages on Board - Soda is free at the beverage stations and in the dining rooms.
Contact Information - The emergency ship to shore number is 1-888-322-8732.
Deck Plans –
Disney Magic:
http://www.disneymedialab.com/2011/DCL-Deckplans/DisneyMagic.pdf
Disney Wonder:
http://www.disneymedialab.com/2011/DCL-Deckplans/DisneyWonder.pdf
Disney Dream and Fantasy Deck Plans:
http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/DCL/Dream_FantasyDeckPlans.pdf
Dine and Play – For those with late dining and children ages 3-12. If you would like to participate, inform your servers. They will bring the children’s meals out as quickly as possible. About 45 minutes after dinner begins, children’s counselors from the kids club will come pick up the children and sign them in to their respective clubs.
Dinner and Show Times – Currently on all 4 ships there are two dinner and show seatings. Early dining is around 5:45 with the show around 8:00. Late dining is around 8:15 with the show around 6:00. Disney tinkers with these often, but that should give you some idea.
Dress Code at Dinner - Let's preface this by saying that Disney doesn't enforce the dress code in any of the main dining rooms. Having said that, they could choose to at anytime, and guests should be respectful of the dress codes. If you don't want to dress for dinner there are several other casual dining options. Formal wear is available to rent before you cruise, also.
In the main dining rooms most nights are cruise casual. Cruise casual means no tank tops or swimsuits.
There are a few exceptions to cruise casual. They are listed below.
Pirate Night occurs on all length cruises. The dress for pirate night is pirate attire. It's one of those times that ripped jean shorts will work fine if it's part of pirate attire. Of course if you don't feel like dressing like a pirate, cruise casual works too.
Dress Up Night is for cruises of 3, 4, and 5 nights. Dress up night is not as dressy as the formal nights below, but Disney requests a jacket for men and dress or pantsuit for women. You will see some people very dressed up.
Semi Formal Night occurs on cruises of 7 nights or longer. On some very long cruises Disney adds in a second Semi Formal Night. Semi Formal wear is defined as a suit/jacket for men and a dress or pantsuit for women.
Formal Night occurs on cruises of 7 nights or longer. Formal wear for men is defined as a tuxedo or suit. For women it's a gown or dress.
Palo is the adult only restaurant located on all ships. The dress code is enforced and you will be asked to go change if you do not follow it. The dress code for dinner at Palo is dress pants and a dress shirt or jacket for men. For women it's a dress or pantsuit. They request no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops or tennis shoes.
Remy is another adult only restaurant located on the Dream and Fantasy. The dress code is also enforced at Remy. For dinner, a tuxedo or dress jacket is required with dress pants for men. Ties are optional. For women a cocktail dress, evening dress, pantsuit or skirt/blouse is required for women. They also require no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops, sandals or tennis shoes for anyone. For brunch men need dress pants and shirt, jacket is optional. Women need a dress or pantsuit. No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops, sandals or tennis shoes.
Dry Cleaning – Dry cleaning is available on all the ships. They will also simply press your clothes for half the price of dry cleaning. Details are in your stateroom.
Excursion Reviews - Here are some member reviews of excursions. Add your own when you get back!
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=837325
Flight Times - Recommended arrival and departure flight times vary by port. For Port Canaveral, you must be checked in by 4:00 PM. There are no exceptions. The port is about one hours drive from MCO. It's best to arrive early in the day, or better yet the day before. In Port Canaveral the ship usually clears customs by 7:30 AM. There are exceptions to that. Disney recommends not booking your departure flight before 11:30 out of MCO.
Ground Transportation - Disney offers ground transportation from the airport to the port and back for all their departure ports, and from WDW to the port or port to WDW for their sailings out of Port Canaveral. Prices vary depending on the departure port. Children under the age of 3 are free.
Port Canaveral - $35 per person each way.
Alaska out of Vancouver - $25 per person each way.
Alaska out of Seattle - $30 per person each way.
Mexican Riviera (out of LAX) - $30 per person each way.
Helpful Information - Here's thread full of tips and tricks for your cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4776915#post4776915
Hotels - There are several places to stay the night before your cruise out of Port Canaveral, here's just a few options.
A Disney resort! This is always a fun option. Stay one or several nights before your cruise. You can take Disney transfers from WDW to the port for an additional fee.
The Hyatt in the MCO airport. If you don't want to go to WDW and you don't feel like driving to Port Canaveral this is a good option. If you stay here the night before your cruise you can take Disney transfers the next morning for an additional fee. If you're on Disney transfers, they will get your bags from your room, and you won't see them again until they appear in your stateroom later in the day.
The Radisson Resort at the Port is a great hotel in Port Canaveral. They have standard rooms as well as suites with large Jacuzzi tubs. They have a large heated outdoor pool. They also offer cruise packages with free parking during your cruise and a shuttle to the port.
The Residence Inn Cape Canveral is a good choice too. It's all suites with a hot breakfast included. They do offer cruise parking and a shuttle to the port for a small fee.
Internet - Internet packages are as follows:
Pay as you go - 1 MB - $.25 cents per MB
Small Package - 100 MB - $19
Medium Package - 300 MB - $39
Large Package - 1000 MB - $89
Insurance – Here's Disney’s travel insurance brochure:
https://media.disneywebcontent.com/...df/DCL/DCLVacation_Protection_Plan_030614.pdf
Itineraries – Here are the current itineraries:
January 2014 - December 2015:
https://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/DCL/2014_5_19_DCL_HawGalvItins.pdf
Kid’s Clubs – Children ages 3-10 are registered for the kids club. You should do so online before you arrive. When you check in at the port, you can go get their wristbands and information. Tip: If the line is long, wait until you board. You can go to the club anytime that first afternoon to register them.
Movies- You can call 888-325-2500 a few days before your cruise to see what movies will be playing.
Onboard Booking – You should book your next cruise onboard to get the best prices. Usually you will only have to pay half of the deposit up front, and you will get 10% off the cruise price, plus an onboard credit for your next cruise. You will get a $100 onboard credit on cruises of 6 days or less, and a $200 onboard credit for cruises of 7 days or more. You can name a travel agent at the time of booking. If you've already booked, check about rebooking it onboard. Sometimes you will still save money.
Packing - What to pack! Here's a good thread of suggestions:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4776932#post4776932
Parking - Parking in Port Canaveral at the terminal is $15 a day. Some local hotels offer free parking when you stay the night before your cruise.
Passports - Currently, you do not need a passport to sail on a closed loop cruise in the US. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that starts and ends in the same US city. The laws are always subject to change but that’s the current rule. Having said that, passports are always a good idea to have and Disney recommends everyone have one. Should an emergency occur, it will make it easier for you to travel home. If you are late getting back from an excursion, or fall ill in a foreign country, not having a passport book can seriously delay your return to the United States. A passport card will only help if you are driving, so a full passport book is recommended. Also, you never know when you’re going to want to take a last minute trip!
Port Information - Here's some great information on Galveston:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/galveston-island-info-for-potential-cruisers.848866/
Prices – Disney does not allow anyone to discount their cruises. Unless an agency held a block of rooms when they were first released, all agencies should have the same price. Some agencies, such as Kingdom Konsultants, offer onboard credits to sweeten the deal.
The best time to book a Disney cruise is – as soon as possible! Disney prices tend to only go up as they usually sell out their ships. If a special, such as kids sail free, is released before your penalty period begins, and there is availability, you can apply the special. The least expensive cruises and the most specials offered tend to be times when kids are in school.
There are some last minute restricted category guarantee fares that are offered. These often take you down to opening day prices. Watch for them if you are traveling last minute. They are IGT (inside guarantee room), OGT (oceanview guarantee room), and VGT (verandah guarantee room). You can not pick your stateroom, just your general category.
Room Service – Room service is available 24 hours a day. It opens a few hours after boarding and closes at midnight on the last night. Room service is free, although you should tip the cast member that brings it to you. The only exceptions are a few packaged snacks and drinks and the charge is notated on the menu. Tip: You can get Mickey bars from room service even though they are not on the menu.
Secret Porthole Rooms – On the Magic and Wonder there are certain rooms with portholes that are classified as inside rooms because the window is partly obstructed. You pay an inside price for an outside room. These rooms are 5020, 5022, 5024, 5520, 5522, and 5524.
Stateroom Reviews - Here's a thread with Stateroom Reviews for the ships. Add yours!
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4913402&posted=1#post4913402
Tips – Tips are expected for your head server, server, assistant server and room steward. These tips are paid at the end of the cruise with envelopes provided by the cruise line. Disney will charge them to your stateroom account unless you stop by guest services and ask them not to. You can also prepay your tips before arrival by calling DCL or your travel agent. Tips work out to about $12 per passenger per night of the cruise.
You will also want to tip the following people - Tip the porters who take your luggage when you board and if you use them when you disembark. When your room service is delivered, it's customary to give them a few dollars. Tips are automatically added to bar tabs. Tip excursion operators and taxi drivers if you use them in ports.
Also, Disney tinkers with things frequently! If you notice something has changed and an answer is no longer correct, tell me!
FAQ's
Adult Only Restaurants – Palo and Remy are by reservation only and for adults only. Book them online as soon as you are paid in full and your booking window opens up. If you are unable to secure a reservation online before boarding, you may be able to get one as soon as you board at Rockin Bar D (Magic), Wavebands (Wonder) and D-Lounge (Dream), or at the restaurants themselves. Check the Navigator you are given in the terminal to see where to go and make bookings.
Arrival Time at Port and Boarding Time – As soon as you are paid in full and your booking window opens, you can check in online. At the end of the online check in process, you will be able to select a port arrival time. Disney will assign you a boarding number based on your selected port arrival time. If you arrive earlier than that time, and the terminal is not full, you can enter but in general you will be given a higher boarding number than those with earlier arrival times. Platinum Castaway Club members and concierge guests, do not have to worry about port arrival times. They do not apply to them. In Port Canaveral, the terminal opens between 10:30 and 11:00 am and boarding begins around 11:30.
Beverages on Board - Soda is free at the beverage stations and in the dining rooms.
Contact Information - The emergency ship to shore number is 1-888-322-8732.
Deck Plans –
Disney Magic:
http://www.disneymedialab.com/2011/DCL-Deckplans/DisneyMagic.pdf
Disney Wonder:
http://www.disneymedialab.com/2011/DCL-Deckplans/DisneyWonder.pdf
Disney Dream and Fantasy Deck Plans:
http://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/DCL/Dream_FantasyDeckPlans.pdf
Dine and Play – For those with late dining and children ages 3-12. If you would like to participate, inform your servers. They will bring the children’s meals out as quickly as possible. About 45 minutes after dinner begins, children’s counselors from the kids club will come pick up the children and sign them in to their respective clubs.
Dinner and Show Times – Currently on all 4 ships there are two dinner and show seatings. Early dining is around 5:45 with the show around 8:00. Late dining is around 8:15 with the show around 6:00. Disney tinkers with these often, but that should give you some idea.
Dress Code at Dinner - Let's preface this by saying that Disney doesn't enforce the dress code in any of the main dining rooms. Having said that, they could choose to at anytime, and guests should be respectful of the dress codes. If you don't want to dress for dinner there are several other casual dining options. Formal wear is available to rent before you cruise, also.
In the main dining rooms most nights are cruise casual. Cruise casual means no tank tops or swimsuits.
There are a few exceptions to cruise casual. They are listed below.
Pirate Night occurs on all length cruises. The dress for pirate night is pirate attire. It's one of those times that ripped jean shorts will work fine if it's part of pirate attire. Of course if you don't feel like dressing like a pirate, cruise casual works too.
Dress Up Night is for cruises of 3, 4, and 5 nights. Dress up night is not as dressy as the formal nights below, but Disney requests a jacket for men and dress or pantsuit for women. You will see some people very dressed up.
Semi Formal Night occurs on cruises of 7 nights or longer. On some very long cruises Disney adds in a second Semi Formal Night. Semi Formal wear is defined as a suit/jacket for men and a dress or pantsuit for women.
Formal Night occurs on cruises of 7 nights or longer. Formal wear for men is defined as a tuxedo or suit. For women it's a gown or dress.
Palo is the adult only restaurant located on all ships. The dress code is enforced and you will be asked to go change if you do not follow it. The dress code for dinner at Palo is dress pants and a dress shirt or jacket for men. For women it's a dress or pantsuit. They request no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops or tennis shoes.
Remy is another adult only restaurant located on the Dream and Fantasy. The dress code is also enforced at Remy. For dinner, a tuxedo or dress jacket is required with dress pants for men. Ties are optional. For women a cocktail dress, evening dress, pantsuit or skirt/blouse is required for women. They also require no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops, sandals or tennis shoes for anyone. For brunch men need dress pants and shirt, jacket is optional. Women need a dress or pantsuit. No jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip flops, sandals or tennis shoes.
Dry Cleaning – Dry cleaning is available on all the ships. They will also simply press your clothes for half the price of dry cleaning. Details are in your stateroom.
Excursion Reviews - Here are some member reviews of excursions. Add your own when you get back!
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?t=837325
Flight Times - Recommended arrival and departure flight times vary by port. For Port Canaveral, you must be checked in by 4:00 PM. There are no exceptions. The port is about one hours drive from MCO. It's best to arrive early in the day, or better yet the day before. In Port Canaveral the ship usually clears customs by 7:30 AM. There are exceptions to that. Disney recommends not booking your departure flight before 11:30 out of MCO.
Ground Transportation - Disney offers ground transportation from the airport to the port and back for all their departure ports, and from WDW to the port or port to WDW for their sailings out of Port Canaveral. Prices vary depending on the departure port. Children under the age of 3 are free.
Port Canaveral - $35 per person each way.
Alaska out of Vancouver - $25 per person each way.
Alaska out of Seattle - $30 per person each way.
Mexican Riviera (out of LAX) - $30 per person each way.
Helpful Information - Here's thread full of tips and tricks for your cruise:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4776915#post4776915
Hotels - There are several places to stay the night before your cruise out of Port Canaveral, here's just a few options.
A Disney resort! This is always a fun option. Stay one or several nights before your cruise. You can take Disney transfers from WDW to the port for an additional fee.
The Hyatt in the MCO airport. If you don't want to go to WDW and you don't feel like driving to Port Canaveral this is a good option. If you stay here the night before your cruise you can take Disney transfers the next morning for an additional fee. If you're on Disney transfers, they will get your bags from your room, and you won't see them again until they appear in your stateroom later in the day.
The Radisson Resort at the Port is a great hotel in Port Canaveral. They have standard rooms as well as suites with large Jacuzzi tubs. They have a large heated outdoor pool. They also offer cruise packages with free parking during your cruise and a shuttle to the port.
The Residence Inn Cape Canveral is a good choice too. It's all suites with a hot breakfast included. They do offer cruise parking and a shuttle to the port for a small fee.
Internet - Internet packages are as follows:
Pay as you go - 1 MB - $.25 cents per MB
Small Package - 100 MB - $19
Medium Package - 300 MB - $39
Large Package - 1000 MB - $89
Insurance – Here's Disney’s travel insurance brochure:
https://media.disneywebcontent.com/...df/DCL/DCLVacation_Protection_Plan_030614.pdf
Itineraries – Here are the current itineraries:
January 2014 - December 2015:
https://media.disneywebcontent.com/StaticFiles/DTA-Domestic/pdf/DCL/2014_5_19_DCL_HawGalvItins.pdf
Kid’s Clubs – Children ages 3-10 are registered for the kids club. You should do so online before you arrive. When you check in at the port, you can go get their wristbands and information. Tip: If the line is long, wait until you board. You can go to the club anytime that first afternoon to register them.
Movies- You can call 888-325-2500 a few days before your cruise to see what movies will be playing.
Onboard Booking – You should book your next cruise onboard to get the best prices. Usually you will only have to pay half of the deposit up front, and you will get 10% off the cruise price, plus an onboard credit for your next cruise. You will get a $100 onboard credit on cruises of 6 days or less, and a $200 onboard credit for cruises of 7 days or more. You can name a travel agent at the time of booking. If you've already booked, check about rebooking it onboard. Sometimes you will still save money.
Packing - What to pack! Here's a good thread of suggestions:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4776932#post4776932
Parking - Parking in Port Canaveral at the terminal is $15 a day. Some local hotels offer free parking when you stay the night before your cruise.
Passports - Currently, you do not need a passport to sail on a closed loop cruise in the US. A closed loop cruise is a cruise that starts and ends in the same US city. The laws are always subject to change but that’s the current rule. Having said that, passports are always a good idea to have and Disney recommends everyone have one. Should an emergency occur, it will make it easier for you to travel home. If you are late getting back from an excursion, or fall ill in a foreign country, not having a passport book can seriously delay your return to the United States. A passport card will only help if you are driving, so a full passport book is recommended. Also, you never know when you’re going to want to take a last minute trip!
Port Information - Here's some great information on Galveston:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/galveston-island-info-for-potential-cruisers.848866/
Prices – Disney does not allow anyone to discount their cruises. Unless an agency held a block of rooms when they were first released, all agencies should have the same price. Some agencies, such as Kingdom Konsultants, offer onboard credits to sweeten the deal.
The best time to book a Disney cruise is – as soon as possible! Disney prices tend to only go up as they usually sell out their ships. If a special, such as kids sail free, is released before your penalty period begins, and there is availability, you can apply the special. The least expensive cruises and the most specials offered tend to be times when kids are in school.
There are some last minute restricted category guarantee fares that are offered. These often take you down to opening day prices. Watch for them if you are traveling last minute. They are IGT (inside guarantee room), OGT (oceanview guarantee room), and VGT (verandah guarantee room). You can not pick your stateroom, just your general category.
Room Service – Room service is available 24 hours a day. It opens a few hours after boarding and closes at midnight on the last night. Room service is free, although you should tip the cast member that brings it to you. The only exceptions are a few packaged snacks and drinks and the charge is notated on the menu. Tip: You can get Mickey bars from room service even though they are not on the menu.
Secret Porthole Rooms – On the Magic and Wonder there are certain rooms with portholes that are classified as inside rooms because the window is partly obstructed. You pay an inside price for an outside room. These rooms are 5020, 5022, 5024, 5520, 5522, and 5524.
Stateroom Reviews - Here's a thread with Stateroom Reviews for the ships. Add yours!
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4913402&posted=1#post4913402
Tips – Tips are expected for your head server, server, assistant server and room steward. These tips are paid at the end of the cruise with envelopes provided by the cruise line. Disney will charge them to your stateroom account unless you stop by guest services and ask them not to. You can also prepay your tips before arrival by calling DCL or your travel agent. Tips work out to about $12 per passenger per night of the cruise.
You will also want to tip the following people - Tip the porters who take your luggage when you board and if you use them when you disembark. When your room service is delivered, it's customary to give them a few dollars. Tips are automatically added to bar tabs. Tip excursion operators and taxi drivers if you use them in ports.
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