eva2015

General Manager- Ricardo

Guest Services Manager - Giannina

With this promotion, do you have to use 3 or up to 3?  If we only have 2 credits, can we "double up"? 

We sailed with DCL in March and did the Baths on our own.  The Disney excursion has age min of 5yr.  Our kids are also 6yr and 4 yr.  We saved a lot of money going on our own and it was so easy. 

We got off the ship just before 8am and walked to the ferry terminal. We went with Sensation Ferries 8:30am ferry. They offer a package that includes round trip taxi in Virgin Gorda.   There was another group of 8 people on the ferry and taxi with us.  The taxi was a large van.  When you pay for admission at the Baths (kids are free), you will be directed to the Devils Bay path.   We spent some time at the beach before making our way through the caves.  There are arrows spray painted on the rocks showing the way to go.  I think people used to be allowed to go either way but there is a sign when you exit on the Baths beach side "Exit only, Do not enter."

We met our driver at the top where he dropped us off.  We took the 1:30pm ferry back to Tortola. 

https://www.sensationferries.com/

We will be visiting Tortola in March (7:30am-5:45pm) and planning to head over to Virgin Gorda on our own.  Our party will include our kids, 4yr old and 6yr old, and parents, 68yr old and 72yr old.  I'm not too worried about the kids, they are used to hiking and climbing etc.  We are trying to determine if it would be best for the grandparents to stay at the top of the bath or if they would be able to make their way to beach.  I've read there is a easier path down but with people taking both paths down, I can't figure out which one that is.  We could all go down the easier path and leave the grandparents at the beach while we go through the rocks.  We can meet up with them when we are done and take the same path back up.  Is it best/easiest to take the path to Devil's Bay or the path the Baths beach?  They may prefer to stay at the top but I'm hoping to get more info before making a decision.

Also, I see there is a new ferry company, Sensation Ferries, their schedule might work better than Speedy's.  We could take their 8:30am to VG then return on the 1:45pm. That will give us plenty of time for the beach and lunch in VG.  Any reviews of them yet?

Taking DCL transportation does not guarantee you will get to board right away. We were on the first bus from MCO to PC. We were the first group through security and in the terminal to check in (finished by 10:20am). We were given boarding group 12 or 13 (can't remember exactly but definitely double digits.) Once boarding started, it moved quickly. I think we boarded just after noon.

If you opt for other transportation, boarding will depend on your selected port arrival time (PAT). Does not matter how early you get to the terminal, you will not board earlier than your PAT. Unless they have moved to open boarding.

Really though, a couple hours on the first afternoon is not going to make much difference overall.

I would think so. The sky ride is right by the port. We wanted to go on it when we were there last January but it was still closed from Irma and Maria.

A 2 yr old will be more comfortable (and safer) in his car seat than an airplane seat. There is a better chance of a nap in the car seat too.

We have used this several times, so easy and convenient getting a toddler through a busy airport. Strap the car seat on and it becomes a stroller.

https://www.amazon.com/GO-GO-TRAVELMATE-STROLLER-toddler-silver/dp/B00D45BF6G/ref=sr_1_3_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1537211947&sr=8-3&keywords=gogo+kidz+travelmate

In our experience, last call was November, there is a recording with some cruise details before the character comes on. You press "1" to be connected with the character portion (also recorded). I request the call the same day, usually within 10-20 minutes. I provide my husband's phone number so I can record video with my phone.

We did a couple tastings last January on the Fantasy. They collect KTTW cards at the beginning to charge and give back at the end. You could give 2 cards to charge one on each or charge both on one card.

This should be a serious consideration--not necessarily the Fantasy' date=' but a longer cruise. We like the parks, but we LOVE the cruise.[/quote']

 

 

Right but I figured by mid-May the Magic might already be headed to Europe and Wonder to Alaska, leaving Fantasy cruising for longer than 3-4-nights.

Are you set on land/sea trip? Personally, I would do a 7 nt on the Fantasy and do WDW in a few years. Our kids are 6yr and 3yr and we have done 2 cruises with a 3rd scheduled. They get their Disney fill without the lines/stress of the parks. We will do WDW at some point but want to wait until they are a bit older.

On 7 nt cruises, there is a character breakfast with Mickey, Sofia, Doc and Jake; Princess and Frozen gatherings. All require tickets but no extra charge.

Have sailed the Fantasy three times, and agree that she has aft vibration issues. Midship and forward are generally OK, though. Would choose a cabin with other cabins above and below (so not under the pool deck or a restaurant, not over a bar or theater, etc.). Would also choose a non-connecting cabin if possible to minimize potential noise from the connecting door. And try not to be right across from a laundry - noise and a surprising amount of heat from the dryers can come from them. All this can be found on deck plans that are available online.

I was worried about this our first time on Fantasy. Almost all the verandah rooms are connecting. We didn't hear any noise from the connecting door.

My 4.5 yr old slept there with no problem. She loved it.

 

Mixology and cooking classes also sound right up my alley! What are the prices usually like on the mixology classes? I know the ones they offer at Epcot’s Food and Wine festival are usually fairly pricy.

 

Not sure about mixology, but tastings are $20/person. We did the wine tasting and mojito/caipirinha tasting on Fantasy. Both were a lot of fun and informative.

When we cruised out of Miami, we stayed here https://miamiairporteast.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html

An UberXL to the port was $30 and took 20 min. We opted for a taxi back to the airport after the cruise. Taxi line moved fast (waited < 5 min) and is a flat $27.

Star Wars Day at Sea is on Thursday. There are 3 ticketed meet and greets: R2D2 & C3PO, Chewbacca and Darth Vader. They are available on the other sea days also. You sign up when you do the online check in. Other characters can be seen roaming the ship. There is a dance party in the lobby and stage show/fireworks at night.

There is Jedi training for kids. My daughter loved that. She battled Kylo Ren.

The dinner menu is SW themed. The lobby has a couple themed back drops for pictures. Lots of people were dressed up as SW characters (us included!)

This past January, our girls got their bands at the main check in desk. It was nice, everything done in one stop. We were on the first bus from MCO and the terminal wasn't busy yet, not sure if they stop when it starts filling up. The hallway/entrance to the OC was packed with people trying to do it on the ship that first day.

Our first Disney cruise was a 5 night on the Magic last year. Our girls were 4 yr and 2 yr at the time. We didn't spend much on board. We did a wine package with dinner ($150), pop corn at one show ($4?) and drinks at CC ($20). And of course tips. We did book a placeholder but I think that was charged to our credit card not our on board account.

BBB- Skipped it. We did the Frozen and Princess gatherings (free), they each brought 2 princess dresses from home and I did their hair. There were lots of little girls (and boys) all done up but I felt no pressure to pay $$$ for something that will last a couple hours.

Gift Shops- Our first cruise, we were prepared to let them each pick something but they didn't notice/ask so we skipped it. Our most recent cruise on Fantasy, they each picked a SWDAS shirt ($50)

Photos- Skipped it. We've never bothered to even look at any of the pictures from Shutters.

I personally feel most of the "extras" are parents thinking their kids NEED it but if the kids don't even know its available they won't miss it.

Your nuts id you do it. Would love to have that kind of money to throw away.

Seriously? Who are you to judge how people spend their money?

We've always signed up for tickets for everyone but only the kids actually meet the princesses.

You can also call to get them applied to your onboard account before you leave.

Our very first cruise was a 5 night on the Magic March 2017. We did the Fantasy last week. My husband and I both preferred the Magic. Fantasy felt more chaotic but I imagine the Dream is worse so maybe that won't bother you. We booked another place holder and will do the Magic again or maybe Wonder.

We don't typically take long vacations, so we didn't feel like 5-nt was too short. We thought the food/menus options declined by the last 2-3 days on Fantasy.

The AquaDuck was fun but a little over- hyped. H and I each took our 5 yr old and few times, she preferred other things.

PC cruise terminal is a lot nicer than Miami but that wouldn't be a deciding factor for me. POM is a lot closer to the airport with cheaper transportation options.

We were on the Fantasy last week. We felt and saw a lot of movement the entire cruise. The curtains in our stateroom swayed, the hangers slid around in the closet and the water in the pools sloshed around.

We weren't too bothered during the day but I woke up nauseous in the middle of the night a few times. Taking meclizine before bed helped.

We will be on Fantasy soon and have DCL transfers booked. We are interested in doing the onboard airline check in and I see "airline bag fees may apply". We have the Delta Skymiles AmEx and have status so we get free checked bags. Will DCL charge our onboard account regardless of airline status?

are prams prohibited? I have this pram http://www.prams.net/hauck-sport and am worried that I won't be allowed it with my child

No, strollers are allowed.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faq/preparing-for-cruise/strollers/

Do I need to bring my child's stroller, or are there strollers on board I can use?

We encourage you to bring your own stroller, as the ship has a very limited number of strollers available on a first-come basis.

For ease of carrying and maneuvering your stroller on board, as well as for less-bulky storage, we recommend you bring a lightweight, foldable stroller.

Please note: safety regulations require all Guest equipment—including wheelchairs, electric mobility scooters and strollers—be stored inside Guest staterooms when not in use. Parking these devices in corridors or stairwell landings is strictly prohibited.

Once on board, contact Guest Services if you need to find an alternate parking location.