txwriter

On 12/23/2019 at 8:41 AM, USCcruisecrazy said:

For our 7 day Western Caribbean on the Sky (7-14 Dec) the Captain did not play the Love Boat theme the first few times in or out of port.  My wife actually was talking to him around the pool deck and asked about it.  He said he had to make a special call and something about the timing of it.  He did promise to get it in, though, and the next port he did about a 5 second blast of the song...never the longer version like he heard on other Royal Class ships.  Just something fun and a way to set the ship apart from everyone else!!

This is interesting to me since I was in the Disney Magic docked near the Sky this very week in Grand Cayman.  I woke up and saw the beautiful new Sky Princess right outside of my window.  (I was a little sad not to be on her since I had initially been deciding between the two.)

I had hoped for a horn battle between the two ships, but it did not happen.  Now I know why.  We did get a back and forth with our sister ship the Disney Wonder who was also in port that day.
 

I realize it’s not some people’s cup of tea, but I like the specialized horns.  I think they are fun and give the ships a special identity.

I took my mom to Alaska last year, and she wanted to fish for salmon.  Mom was using a wheelchair at the time due to injuring her knee after we landed in Alaska, but we were able to go on our excursions including our Ketchikan fishing excursion which was her favorite of the whole trip.  We both caught our limit of one king salmon each despite it being a time of year when certain posters here always say no one catches fish then (I actually caught 3 but could only keep one).  Neither mom or I are super experienced fishermen.  I actually had never caught a fish before, and neither of us had been fishing in a LONG time.

We went with Captain Nick at Chasin Tail Charters.  He was awesome!!!  He rents the boat, so you are not with other people—just your group.  He was very patient and super knowledgeable about all things fishing.  The boat was clean and comfy with plenty of seating space and clean restroom onboard.  He also has some snacks onboard.  His website specifically states they welcome kids.  https://www.ketchikan.fish/ketchikan-fishing-charters/#captain

Oh, and a bonus, he will call the eagles over which is just SO AMAZING.

I will make one very small warning which is not about this captain, but I did hear some salty language coming over the radio from some of the other captains on the water that day.  Enjoy!

On 4/9/2019 at 12:23 PM, snirpville said:

Just had to post to say this is exactly me! So glad to know others are doing/thinking this too. I love traveling with my parents but know they won't always be around so I've been playing with the idea of an NCL cruise next February out of Port Canaveral. Only 5 days so a little dip into the solo cruise water. Still debating it though which is why I'm stalking these boards 🙂

You should go ahead and book it if rates are agreeable.  It gives you more time to think before final payment is due.

My philosophy is that if a person loves to travel, they should not let their solo status stop them.

Most people complain about the “double” charge for a single cruiser, but I pay for myself and my mom when we go together, so it’s the same for me.  Plus, hotels are the same way.  They don’t charge you less if there is just one person in the room.

We tip most places (when the wheelchair assistance is contracted workers).  We do not tip at DFW when flying American because those assistants are airline employees (not the case for all airlines at DFW or for AA at all other airports).  

It is against airline policy for employees to accept tips, so I do not offer them.  I used to work for that airline and employees who violate this policy can be fired if it is discovered, so I do not want to hurt them by trying to help.  In cases like this, it is much better to reach out to corporate to let them know when exceptional service is delivered.  

That said, our service from contracted workers has been far superior with some of them even offering to help me with my bags when it was just my mom who needed the assistance.  For those who are kind and efficient, we do offer a nice tip.

Our best service so far was at the airport in San Diego.  

We sign up online to let the airline know we need assistance.

I just wanted to remark about the comment regarding the elevator doors closing too slowly.  I traveled with my mom last June on our first Princess Cruise.  I was glad the elevator doors did not close too quickly as mom was in a wheelchair.  If she had not been using the chair, she would have been on her walker. 

Not all people can run onto the elevator (most people who can, and are in a super hurry, use the stairs). 

If you find the doors are taking too long and there is no one coming, you can always push the button to close the doors more quickly.  

Final thought:  recently, a nurse at a local hospital received very bad crushing injuries from an elevator door that closed too quickly.  I am totally okay with waiting a bit for the doors to close.

4 hours ago, Sea Day Cruiser said:

Thank you, Numtini, for the terrific, detailed information.

Agreed!  Thank you for all of the details.  😄

On 11/14/2018 at 8:50 PM, Shmoo here said:

 

Not exactly.  While what you've reported is how it happens at Port Canaveral, it's not like that in other ports.  We've cruised DCL where we had to wait until our tag color/character was called for debarkation.  Some terminals are pretty small and they put bags out for pick up in the terminal when space opens up.

 

I’m curious if you have any insight on the port of Miami.

I have only been on two cruises prior.  My first in 1990 and the second last June.  Last June on Princess in Vancouver was very simple except I somehow did not have my paperwork filled out and no one mentioned it until we were on the march toward the bus (we had booked a post cruise hotel stay).  But still, so much easier than our first cruise on Royal Caribbean in NYC.  That was a nightmare.

I found the system on Princess very efficient and easy to do.  We knew where to be at what time.  We got breakfast, went to our spot, and waited.  We did have some navigation challenges since some areas were blocked off that we were used to being able to go through, but we got to where we needed to go in plenty of time.  And we actually were let off much earlier than they had originally told us.

I am scheduled to be on my first DCL cruise in December out of Miami, so I would appreciate any help.  I find embarking and disembarking the most stressful times, but because of that horrible experience on my first cruise it is leaving the ship and trying to make a flight the same day that makes me nervous enough to just not want to go.  I cannot stay an extra day in Miami this time since I need to get home.  

I plan to use Disney’s transportation to the airport.

On 1/30/2019 at 10:44 AM, adstz said:

I was under the impression that Disney released cruises approximately 18 months prior to the cruise.

I am interested in going to Alaska in June of 2020. It will be our first Disney cruise and I want to be sure we get a good choice of cabins (as we need 4).

Itineraries have not been released yet.

Is there any way to know when they will be released?

Sources on another board are saying the next release date will be this Thursday, Feb. 28th.  Booking can begin a few days later based on your cruise status with Disney.  Hope this helps.

On 2/20/2019 at 7:33 AM, geoherb said:

In our experience, holiday activities and menu items only happen when the holiday falls during the cruise. The Christmas decorations start appearing generally the first cruise after Thanksgiving in the U.S. When we were disembarking from the Royal a couple of years ago on December 20, I noticed they had started constructing a huge gingerbread display in the piazza. 

This is not necessarily what I wanted to hear, but it is good information.  Thank you!

Does Princess only do holiday activities and special food/decorations if the actual day is during the cruise, or are there several weeks when holiday festivities can be enjoyed onboard?

I am looking specifically for Christmas decorations or activities, but I cannot take off day before AND after Christmas so when it falls in the middle of the week a cruise with the actual day would not be doable for me.

On 2/5/2019 at 10:13 AM, JulieMcCoy said:

I'm late to this party, but I'm glad you chose the Disney cruise! I have cruised solo once (on Carnival) and loved it, and I have cruised four times on Disney and loved it every time. My family has always been big into Disney, but my daughter was already a teenager the first time we cruised, and our last Disney cruise totaled nine adults, no kids. Things I love about Disney cruises:

-DCL does a great job of keeping the adults-only areas adults-only. Our pool time was spent with zero kids in view. 

-DCL has that same Disney can-do service attitude.

-Entertainment is better quality than on other mass-market lines I've been on (although you'd better like Disney!). I had my choice of things to do during the day without watching a hairy-chest contest. Quest (which I believe originated on Royal Caribbean) was most definitely an adult-only event, and quite hilarious.

-Love DCL's themed restaurants and rotational dining. 

-If you're going to Castaway Cay, it's a wonderful private island, with an adults-only beach if you would like that option.

 

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks for the encouragement! 😄

29 minutes ago, 1threadshort said:

txwriter:    most places will accommodate a wheelchair because 1)they fold or there is a lift. i was told there is no abilityh for the scooter to go on a lift. i said i can fold up the scooter, but that wasnt good enough either. sol while a wheelchair is good to get around for the excursions, a scooter is not.  if i only wanted to get around town i guess that would be fine. but i also wanted to see some of the site and cannot. i didnt understand the tour for mendenhall. but i guess its because its a small bus and there is no room for the scooter. 

Another option might be to rent a wheelchair to use on excursions where your scooter cannot be accommodated.  We used Scootaround, and they were able to deliver it to the room even with less than a week notice.  Would you be able to wheel yourself or have someone in your party push you if/when needed?

My mom uses a rollator for help with distances most of the time.  The wheelchair was a last minute addition.  With the rollator, there is a built in seat, so she can sit and rest.  Is that an option?  

I do think the bigger buses could accommodate a scooter so maybe focus on those?

You might get better responses to your questions here:  https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/114-disabled-cruise-travel/

3 hours ago, 1threadshort said:

having difficulty finding tours that take mobility scooters in juneau, skagway, ketchikam. i would like to do the city tours and maybe a glacier, whale watcher or see the glass blower in skagway.  or is a taxi i can take to get me around. should say not totally inmobile. i can walk just not long distances. thank you!

I actually had a chance to take Mom to Alaska last year, and it was great.  I had originally thought she’d have her walker, but she ended up needing a wheelchair after hurting her knee just prior to the cruise (like on the plane so really just prior).

Luckily, all of our planned activities were doable.  We even went fishing!  (We took the wheelchair onboard).

Have you contacted the tour companies directly?  I found Alaskans to be very friendly and helpful.  Most were good at communicating and definitely willing to answer my many questions.  You can get very specific with them about things how much space you’d need for the scooter for example.  Some are even gracious enough to make suggestions of other vendors who might be a better fit.

We used Beyond Skagway in Skagway.  They customize tours specifically for your group and what you want to do and see.  They are great!  They even helped me plan a few extra surprises for mom.  Skagway itself is completely doable for you in the scooter.  Just beware the railroad tracks.  I missed the last bus stop, because the ship looked so much closer than it really was.  I ended up pushing Mom all the way back.  The railroad tracks were difficult to get over, and at the first set, some kind gentlemen helped me get her over by basically lifting the chair.

I know there are some taxi tours and other types of private tours in both Ketchikan and Juneau.  Trip Advisor is very useful to find private tours as are these boards.

I believe Allen Marine has a wheelchair accessible whale watching excursion in Juneau.  I believe one was offered by Princess, but we did the Underground Gold Mining Tour which was very accessible, but this is where I warn you about gravel.  What passes for accessible in Alaska is not necessary what we would expect here at home.  There are often gravel driveways or paths which can prove difficult since heavy objects like scooters like to sink into it.  On our gold panning tour, the part inside the mine is a wood plank covered path.  Outside of the actual mine, there are some gravel areas.  I was able to negotiate these easily, so this was not the deep gravel I warn you about.

Alaska definitely can be done with limited mobility, but planning ahead will help.  Have a great trip!  😄

1 hour ago, adstz said:

We have been to Alaska 6 times with Princess.  We love Princess and do usually cruise with them. (check out my full signature)

The cruise in 2020 will be in celebration of my granddaughter (she will be 11 1/2 then) being 10 years cancer free.  

 To me it is worth the extra money to celebrate.  I know Disney will do a great job of letting her know how important this celebration is.

I definitely think if you have been to Alaska before then that changes things.  😊

Congratulations on the opportunity to celebrate such an amazing milestone with your granddaughter!  Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your trip!  It should not be too much longer to wait.

There are some Disney Cruise blogs that might post this info sooner than cruise critic or if you were to contact a Disney specialist travel agent.  They would probably love to help you make a special trip for your granddaughter and could grab you a hold spot as soon as the fares come out.  Disney does not discount, but some of the TAs will give OBC.

I am excited for you.

Bon Voyage! 😄

11 hours ago, adstz said:

I was under the impression that Disney released cruises approximately 18 months prior to the cruise.

I am interested in going to Alaska in June of 2020. It will be our first Disney cruise and I want to be sure we get a good choice of cabins (as we need 4).

Itineraries have not been released yet.

Is there any way to know when they will be released?

Are you set on only cruising Disney?  Most of the other lines that cruise Alaska already have their itineraries out for 2020. At the very least, if you are bored, you might look them over.

I took my mom on the southbound Princess Cruise from Anchorage to Vancouver last year.  Port times were fantastic, and we got to do both Hubbard Glacier and Glacier Bay.  

There are are so many things to do on shore, you may find you will want to spend more time off the ship than you might in other places.  Plus, Disney prices are really sky high even when first released

compared to other lines.

Of course, it is a different story if you have gone on Disney many times and know your kids love it and plan on utilizing their kids clubs a good deal.  I have, however,

read a ton of Alaska trip reports and hear many good things about kids clubs on other lines though.  Some even report their kids like the clubs better on other lines.  It really just depends on why you are picking Disney.

Are you 100% sold on Disney only?  Would you be open to doing some time on land prior to the cruise?  We spent five days on land prior to the cruise and loved seeing a little more of everything and meeting some of the people that live in the Great Land.

Oceansaway17,

Thanks for the post.  I am really looking forward to my cruise in December, and am interested to see what the new ships hold—if they will be basically the same with perhaps some ship specific themeing or will be offering completely different or new experiences.

2 hours ago, Nightrythm said:

Here's a couple of things to think about. My husband and I don't have children. We went with a couple of friends and their kids. We were both Disneyland season pass holders and love Disney.

 

When on vacation, we are also late risers and tend to close down bars. That's where the rub was for us. When we got up at 10am and wandered up at 10:30 to eat, they were shutting down the buffets. The first several days we had to go get pizza or burgers because the buffet was closed. Their pizza and burgers are really bad. 

 

The other thing was, the bars closed early. I think it was maybe 11:30/Midnight? We were ready to continue drinking and chatting and they were rolling up the side-walks. So, while we enjoyed the cruise, the timelines didn't really work for us. 

 

We may cruise Disney again, with the right itinerary and group of friends, but sadly, it's not the top of my list. Which is a shame, I liked everything else about that trip.

I definitely think Disney is designed primarily for families and their adult areas are designed mostly for parents traveling with kids.  They do close down early, but this is not unusual in the realm

of Disney as it is the practice in the parks as well (outside of some things that are open late during Extra Magic Hours).

I am not a big fan of bars, so it’s really not a factor for me.  Neither are casinos.  I do see the appeal though of just having a place to hang out and chat besides your room.  The Piazza was a great place on Princess to just sit and chill or chat or people watch; I will miss that.  

What Disney does best is be Disney.  They have some things that other cruise line’s do not, which primarily is their vast array of intellectual properties, so they could theoretically do any number of specialty cruises though right now they are only doing Star Wars at Sea and Marvel at Sea.  They have figured out a way to leverage these properties to avoid slashing prices in non-peak cruising seasons.  

Disney is not trying to be like other cruise lines.  They are being Disney but doing it at seas.  This will attract Disney fans who might not normally cruise.  Some of them will be loyal to Disney (a win for Disney). Others will find they enjoy cruising and then try other lines (a win for the industry).  

For me, one reason I wanted to do a solo cruise was because I wanted to see if I truly like cruising or it was just the specific combination I had last June in Alaska.  This cruise I’m planning is a perfect opportunity to do so.  I believe the differences are enough for me to better judge things I like or don’t like about cruising.  And I may have a must have/can’t stand list by the end of it.  Also, it is also the first legitimate opportunity I’ve had to try a Disney Cruise; and I’ve wanted to try them since they launched their first ship.  It is that first ship, the Magic, that I will be sailing on this December. 😄. 

Modern viking—Thanks for the details.

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

yes by all means do a Disney cruise solo.  Get an inside room and enjoy. I will be doing one this OCT on Fantasy and for Halloween.  Watching others kids can be fun.

Kids for the most part do behave as they have lots of things to do.

Also the ship will let adults into some of the stuff once each cruise so an adult can do some of the simulators etc etc.

 

The food and dining is good.  Best part is the last day.  No calling out luggage numbers or deck.  No shuffling around the buffet.

Everyone gets assigned to dining room for a nice full breakfast and you walk off the ship when you want.  At least I did in 2016.

 

No extra charge for soda and the entertainment is top notch and the ship is clean.   Go ahead and go alone.  Castaway Cay if you can is the best private island and even the family area is enjoyable as well

Thanks.  I’m really looking forward to it! 

9 hours ago, Sea Day Cruiser said:

 I hope someone will be able to provide an answer here. Our kids made the reservations for us and have us flying into Fort Lauderdale rather than Miami so we’re trying to figure out the easiest way to get from Fort Lauderdale to the cruise ship. 

I had a friend that used to live in Miami and said she always flew into FLL, so I know it’s not unusual for travelers to do this.  Maybe when cruising, people would rather fly directly to the port city?  I hope too that some one can answer.

Thanks FSU Girl!

Based on the replies, I feel like maybe I came off as anti-kid.  I am not.  In fact, one thing I always enjoyed at the parks is seeing little kids get excited to meet characters or just their pure glee over things.

My friend who has been on many Disney cruises assures me the adult only areas give ample space in kid free environments if desired, so I’ve decided to go.  Since my friend will be on board with me, I can always hassle her if it turns out she was wrong.  

Does anyone fly into FLL instead of MIA for Disney Cruise out of Miami?

How do you work the cruise transfer? 

If you s done both fly into FLL and used alternative transportation to the port and also done the direct flight to Miami with Disney transfer, which did you prefer?

2 hours ago, travelnap said:

No, it is not wrong to say that.  Many of us who are already hooked on solo cruising would welcome you to the club.  Yes, planning a cruise solo is fairly simple, and the best thing about solo cruising  is all you really have to worry about is pleasing yourself and enjoying the experience.   Soon you will start feeling sorry for all those people who have to drag someone along with them.  Sorry about the last crack, it is just to get even with those people who think solo cruisers can't find anyone to go with them.  

I didn’t mind the comment.  Here’s my snarky comment for the day:  those people who pity solo travelers should befriend them.  After all, we have to pay for two people’s spots most of the time.  They might find theirselves with a bargain trip or even nearly free trip if we were feeling sociable.  

19 hours ago, Lois R said:

 

Glad you found something you enjoy.  I don't price my vacations by the day either.  I was just meaning that you could sail for 7 nights at the same price as a 5 nighter...7 is better than 5 (in my opinion anyway).

I like longer vacations too, but I do find having a few days before returning to work to get unpacked and back up to speed helpful—especially since this will be a holiday cruise.