Questions for 1st time DCL cruiser.

[bow0303]

So we're getting close to our 1st ever Disney cruise and had a couple of questions. Sorry if these questions have already been answered in other posts. Thanks for any help you can provide.

When do the transfers have to be paid for?

When do excursions have to be paid?

 

[DisneyJoe]

Excursions are paid while you are on the cruise, they are billed to your room account.

 

[MaryJaneP]

We were charged our transfer fees when we made the reservation. They were part of what we paid when settled up to pay in full.

We were not charged for our excursions until we actually were onboard the ship and the day of the excursion occurred. Not sure, but I think this is because you can add or drop excursions anytime prior to the actual excursion happening.

I believe the prior "reservation" of excursions is to gauge demand so they can make sure enough have signed up for an offering (they include a proviso that they can drop an offering if enough passengers do not sign up) and/or to reserve enough resources (vehicles/guides) for high demand offerings.

On one of our cruises, our preferred offering was "sold out" before the cruise (and even during, as we checked several times while onboard) and we had to choose an alternate excursion.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Yes, you will pay for transfers when you book or when you pay in full. Whichever comes last. You can add transfers on until 3 days before you leave.

You can't drop excursions within 3 days of sailing without being charged. There are times they will let you cancel onboard or switch to another without penalty, but not often. Changing is easier if you are changing to something of equal or higher cost.

 

[bow0303]

Thanks for answers.

 

[mikewdw]

newbie question
what is a transfer?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

newbie question
what is a transfer?

A transfer is the bus that gets you to or from the port. Disney transfers run you between the port and Disney World resorts or the airport.

 

[bow0303]

@Disneyfalcon maybe you can give me your opinion on this. We have a choice between taking the bus from the port to WDW or a towncar. We have 2 boys 9 & 6 at time of trip and looking for the best experience for them. What would you suggest with that in mind?

 

[Disneyfalcon]

@Disneyfalcon maybe you can give me your opinion on this. We have a choice between taking the bus from the port to WDW or a towncar. We have 2 boys 9 & 6 at time of trip and looking for the best experience for them. What would you suggest with that in mind?

When you leave the port it's not as big of a deal. Going to the port in the bus is fun because of the movie, the anticipation, the driver even seems excited half the time! It's fun and sometimes worth the later arrival.

But going back to WDW I could go either way. The bus is still a DCL bus which is fun and sometimes they show cartoons, but other than that it's nothing special. But it's quick and they leave all morning so (unlike arrival day) it doesn't get you there any later than a towncar would. I'd go with whatever is cheaper, unless you think the boys would be more excited by riding the big bus!

 

[ChuckElias]

Just something to think about, but you could also do a one-way car rental. I did this on our last trip, and while it definitely was the not the quickest way to get on the road after the cruise, it was probably cheaper than what you'll pay for a towncar. I rented a car for one day to get to the ship and then one day to get back to the airport and the total cost was about $220 for a mini-van.

I believe the transfers are $70 per person round trip? (We had 5 people, so the rental car was a bargain.) I honestly don't know the cost of a private car or van round trip. I know it used to cost us about $60 one-way from the airport to our house in Kissimmee on the Bee Line Shuttle. Not sure if that's helpful or not. . .

 

[bow0303]

Just something to think about, but you could also do a one-way car rental. I did this on our last trip, and while it definitely was the not the quickest way to get on the road after the cruise, it was probably cheaper than what you'll pay for a towncar. I rented a car for one day to get to the ship and then one day to get back to the airport and the total cost was about $220 for a mini-van.

I believe the transfers are $70 per person round trip? (We had 5 people, so the rental car was a bargain.) I honestly don't know the cost of a private car or van round trip. I know it used to cost us about $60 one-way from the airport to our house in Kissimmee on the Bee Line Shuttle. Not sure if that's helpful or not. . .

Thanks. We're flying in 3 days before the cruise and will be returning the rental car the night before the cruise. I really wish we would be able to take DCL transfer to the port but will be less than 10 minutes away so we'll be taking a taxi. We thought about getting a car and driving the WDW after the cruise but decided against it. Cost of towncar and DCL transfer to WDW are the same price so that's a wash and we are trying to figure out what would be the best experience. If the towncar will allow us to stop at a store and get a few items we'll do that but if not, we'll probably take bus. My youngest DS loves buses but rarely gets to ride on one so that's another reason we may choose the transfer. We'll be staying at the WL and while we have had some small issues with the busses, we thought that we would chance it again. Shouldn't have the same issues as it'll be much easier to get to MK and Epcot from WL compared to PC.

 

[EOD K9]

Being as we are on the topic of transfers, here's a question. Next March my wife and I will have two ten month old daughters with us. This will be our first major vacation with children. We will be staying on property. Do we take the DCL bus, rent a car, or get a taxi, if we take the bus, do we bring our car seats etc?

 

[bow0303]

If we to select the towncar, i'm assuming that we would just take our luggage with us when we disembark?

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Being as we are on the topic of transfers, here's a question. Next March my wife and I will have two ten month old daughters with us. This will be our first major vacation with children. We will be staying on property. Do we take the DCL bus, rent a car, or get a taxi, if we take the bus, do we bring our car seats etc?

With the the DCL bus you do not need the car seats. with a rental car you will. I honestly do not know about the taxi, but I would assume so. Round trip via a private car service for a family of 4 would run you roughly $260 round trip.

Pam

 

[ChuckElias]

if we take the bus, do we bring our car seats etc?

I'm 95% sure that you're not required to have car seats on the Disney bus. Couldn't hurt to give DCL a call to confirm that, tho.

If we to select the towncar, i'm assuming that we would just take our luggage with us when we disembark?

You certainly could keep all your luggage with you and disembark with it. But I would let DCL handle it. You just pick it up in the terminal before going through customs and then walk out of the terminal with it. I don't think using a towncar should make a difference in how you handle your luggage for disembarkation.

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

If we to select the towncar, i'm assuming that we would just take our luggage with us when we disembark?

Yes you would if you were going to Walt Disney world, if you were going to the airport, no with the DCL bus, yes with the town car. I have used a town car service numerous times going to and from the port. I actually prefer it to the bus.

 

[ChuckElias]

Yes you would if you were going to Walt Disney world, if you were going to the airport, no.

Ok, I gotta know. Why does using a towncar make a difference in how you handle your luggage during disembarkation?

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Ok, I gotta know. Why does using a towncar make a difference in how you handle your luggage during disembarkation?

They don't transfer to WDW unless you are on the DCL bus and the same goes with the airport. Sorry I reread my answer and I didn't finish my sentence. You do need to take your bags if using a town car service to either WDW or the airport.

Pam

 

[Kingdom Konsultant]

Ok, I gotta know. Why does using a towncar make a difference in how you handle your luggage during disembarkation?

Also, we always keep ours with us so we don't have to look for it in the holding room so we can disembark faster.

Pam

 

[ChuckElias]

They don't transfer to WDW unless you are on the DCL bus and the same goes with the airport. Sorry I reread my answer and I didn't finish my sentence. You do need to take your bags if using a town car service to either WDW or the airport.

Pam

I'm sorry to beat this dead horse, but are you saying that if you use a towncar service to get from Port Canaveral to WDW, you can't put your bags into the hallway on the last night of the cruise and then pick them up in the baggage area of the terminal? If so, why?