help with some questions first time going on any cruise

[stalkingmickey]

OK some background info Just me and my Husband we have been to WDW many many times WDL one time and this will be our first Disney cruise. we are doing 4 night Bahama cruise on disney dream in september. I feel like a fish out of water figuring this out. We have travel plenty but I find I have a million questions about cruising any help would be great!!!

1. what are the rules on luggage ie...how many pieces weight do i drop them off someplace and they go thru security and delivered to my room???

2. and what is security like do you go through a scanner like airport. I always dress with limited things on when going to airport.

3. Can I carry a bag like back pack onboard with general items in it.

4. can i bring my own snacks from home

5. please explain this tip thing to me I am very confused I can prepay them but I would still be tipping and if i prepay them what is the amount and who does this cover. if I get twobeers at the bar does the total prices include tip or am I tipping 1 or 2 dollars like I would do at a bar at home??

6. is smoking allowed on ship anywhere(disney dream) I have a verandah room can i smoke out there?

7. anyone know how much a cabana rental on the adult only beach is for the day?

8. any info on the spa I saw you could rent a private "room" w hot tub anyone have info on is it worth it.

9. how crouded should i expect the adult only pool to be. looks like a nice area to be but looks like it could get cramped

OMG i think that is good...for know lol!!!

 

[Master Yoda]

These three threads will help.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/packing-for-your-cruise.813753/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disney-cruise-tips-and-tricks.813751/

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/disney-cruise-faqs.756886/

Second, I highly recommend that you book your cruise using a Travel Agent specializing in Disney such as Kingdom Konsultant. It will not cost you a dime more, if there is a discount they will find it for you and you will have one go to person to ask any question, no matter how crazy you think the question is.

 

[Master Yoda]

To get into your specifics....
1. If I am not mistaken, DCL recommends 2 bags per person not including carry on, but I think enforcement is pretty lax. If you are flying in, the airlines will be far more restrictive.
2. Nothing like getting on a plane. All checked and carry on items will be scanned and I think you might walk through a metal detector.
3. Yes.
4. I am not sure if you can. I can not think of a reason why they would forbid it, but I also can not think of a reason why you would need to as food is free on the ship.
5. The prepaid tipping is for your wait staff and housekeeping staff. These are the people who will serve you at dinner and make up your room. You will still typically tip cash or on your room key at the bars.
6. Smoking policy. From the DCL web site.

QuestionWhere can I smoke on board?Answer
Disney Cruise Line has never allowed smoking in Guest staterooms. In addition, smoking is prohibited in all interior spaces throughout our ships. In an effort to provide a cruise experience that satisfies both our non-smoking and smoking Guests, smoking (including the use of electronic cigarettes) is only permitted in designated areas of the ship.
On the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, smoking is permitted on:

• Stateroom verandahs
• Outdoors on Deck 4 starboard side from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. only
• The starboard side open-air decks 9 and 10 (excluding the Mickey Pool area).

On the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, smoking is permitted on:

• Stateroom verandahs
• Deck 4 port side, aft, the outside Promenade Deck from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
• Deck 12 port side, aft, the outdoor area that is accessible through the Meridian Lounge
• Deck 13 port side, forward, by Currents Bar

Guests who are found smoking in their staterooms will be charged a $250 stateroom recovery fee. This fee covers deep cleaning that includes air filter replacement, carpet extraction and the cleaning and replacement of drapes, comforters, blankets and pillows.
Due to differences in size and the availability of some services while out at sea, our policies will sometimes differ slightly from similar ones at the Walt Disney World Resort. We have carefully considered which areas of our ships to designate as smoking and non-smoking, and we do periodically review our policies to ensure continued Guest satisfaction.

7. Cabanas are $500 for a party of 6. They are very popular and actually kind of hard to get if you are not a gold or silver member.
8. I have never personally done the spa.
9. I have never found it that bad. There are times where it will be better or worse than others but I have yet to see the adult pool overly packed. The family pool on the other hand can get really busy.

 

[stalkingmickey]

Thank you Master Yoda. I did book with a Disney travel specialist. I booked for the fall sale The links will be a great help I was trying to find them but some things seem to get buried. I have some favorite snacks I like to take with me when I go on vacation. Love chocolate cover pretzels and oreo cookies. not sure how vast the selection of snack food is so I figured I would just bring some. $500 for just the two of us I doubt my DH will go for that!!! maybe I will look into the private spa room thing a little more.

 

[Phonedave]

Just to add to the snack question.

You can only bring unoponed ready to eat food. Nothing that is homemade, requires cooking, or has been opened and repackaged.

Again, as Master Yoda said, food is included for free, including 24 hr room service. There really is no need to bring any sort of snacks on board.

-dave

 

[EOD K9]

Again, as Master Yoda said, food is included for free, including 24 hr room service. There really is no need to bring any sort of snacks on board

Let me just say this about that....My wife and I ordered room service M and Ms. It came in a party sized bag and was five bucks. That wasn't a terrible price. We also ordered cashews, those came in a bag little bigger than what you'd get on an airplane...also five bucks. That was not worth it. While RS is free, give the delivery CM a few bucks tip. Just watch out for the different sized candies.

 

[stalkingmickey]

why were you charged money for snacks from RS if everything is free?

 

[EOD K9]

why were you charged money for snacks from RS if everything is free?

In the RS menu, it clearly states that those are extra. If you ordered soda from them, you'd be charged. If I wanted it that bad, I'd go up to Deck 11, get my free soda, then head back down. I was more annoyed of the size and disparity of what I ordered.

 

[coilback]

Second, I highly recommend that you book your cruise using a Travel Agent specializing in Disney such as Kingdom Konsultant. It will not cost you a dime more, if there is a discount they will find it for you and you will have one go to person to ask any question, no matter how crazy you think the question is.

I second this. I highly recommend Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants. We are doing our first Disney Cruise in May and we used her by recommendation of people here on the forum (I believe she is under "Disneyfalcon" on here - just search about any Cruise Line thread or you can PM me and I'll give you her contact info). She has been great and answers every question, no matter how stupid, with no issues. I don't know how we would've gotten it booked so easily without her.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I second this. I highly recommend Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants. We are doing our first Disney Cruise in May and we used her by recommendation of people here on the forum (I believe she is under "Disneyfalcon" on here - just search about any Cruise Line thread or you can PM me and I'll give you her contact info). She has been great and answers every question, no matter how stupid, with no issues. I don't know how we would've gotten it booked so easily without her.

Thank you, Lew! That's so nice.

 

[Kerby626]

I second this. I highly recommend Tammy at Kingdom Konsultants. We are doing our first Disney Cruise in May and we used her by recommendation of people here on the forum (I believe she is under "Disneyfalcon" on here - just search about any Cruise Line thread or you can PM me and I'll give you her contact info). She has been great and answers every question, no matter how stupid, with no issues. I don't know how we would've gotten it booked so easily without her.

I agree 100% as well. She helpe book a cruise less than 30 days out last month. It was my first one ever on any cruise line. She was more than happy to answer any of myquestios no matter how big, small or crazy they might have seemed. Some I am sure i asked more than once. She was atrue lifesaver in figuring it all out.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

I agree 100% as well. She helpe book a cruise less than 30 days out last month. It was my first one ever on any cruise line. She was more than happy to answer any of myquestios no matter how big, small or crazy they might have seemed. Some I am sure i asked more than once. She was atrue lifesaver in figuring it all out.

Wow! I'm feeling the love. Thank you, Christina.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! I'm feeling the love. Thank you, Christina.

You're just so lovable like that!!!



Seriously, bestest agent ever and I'm not just saying that because Tammy's my friend. She was super helpful, dedicated and on-point as just a fellow Disney-fan before I decided to book our first cruise with her. I found a fast friend! The best part to me is that the commission portion of my cruise fare gets routed to an agency and agent who are fellow Disney fans so it feels like I'm paying the love forward for someone else in some small little way. I'm a nerd who thinks like that, tho.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

You're just so lovable like that!!!



Seriously, bestest agent ever and I'm not just saying that because Tammy's my friend. She was super helpful, dedicated and on-point as just a fellow Disney-fan before I decided to book our first cruise with her. I found a fast friend! The best part to me is that the commission portion of my cruise fare gets routed to an agency and agent who are fellow Disney fans so it feels like I'm paying the love forward for someone else in some small little way. I'm a nerd who thinks like that, tho.

I'm lovable! Haha!

I like nerds like that!

 

[Phonedave]

why were you charged money for snacks from RS if everything is free?

Let me clarify.

Food from room service is free. Things like a slice of cake, a mickey bar, a cheese plate, a hamburger, etc. That is free.

Packaged items, like a soda (they bring a bottle), or chips or nuts in a bag do have a cost. For that matter so do package snacks at the movies or theater. I guess that DCL does not want you getting free packaged snacks and then hoarding them.


-dave

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Let me clarify.

Food from room service is free. Things like a slice of cake, a mickey bar, a cheese plate, a hamburger, etc. That is free.

Packaged items, like a soda (they bring a bottle), or chips or nuts in a bag do have a cost. For that matter so do package snacks at the movies or theater. I guess that DCL does not want you getting free packaged snacks and then hoarding them.


-dave

Mickey bars. For the love of all that is good, do not forget the Mickey bars. They are free.

 

[Master Yoda]

Let me clarify.

Food from room service is free. Things like a slice of cake, a mickey bar, a cheese plate, a hamburger, etc. That is free.

Packaged items, like a soda (they bring a bottle), or chips or nuts in a bag do have a cost. For that matter so do package snacks at the movies or theater. I guess that DCL does not want you getting free packaged snacks and then hoarding them.


-dave

It is my understanding that is exactly why they charge for them.

 

[Kerby626]

Mickey bars. For the love of all that is good, do not forget the Mickey bars. They are free.

Tammy in all my years of Disney I have never had a Mickey Bar. Then I totally forgot on the last cruise they were available. It is a must on the next one

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Tammy in all my years of Disney I have never had a Mickey Bar. Then I totally forgot on the last cruise they were available. It is a must on the next one

That is criminal!! It is definitely a must do.

 

[ChuckElias]

Tammy in all my years of Disney I have never had a Mickey Bar. Then I totally forgot on the last cruise they were available. It is a must on the next one