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@SuperPlanner Does not having Royal Might mean no chance to have included (free) lobster in the MDR?  We are new to RCCL and going on a 4 night sailing in Early June.  Thanks!

@cinnam0n That is great news!  Thank you so much for that information.  I hope you had a fantastic cruise.

@Biker19 Thanks for the tip!  We have sailed many times, but this is our first with RCCL. I will keep an eye on it.  Right now the earliest time is noon. 

Thank you, everyone!  Unfortunately, when check-in opened last night at midnight, the app was not working.  We tried that for a few minutes, then switched to online check-in.  By the time we got to select our time (at about 12:15,)  the earliest available was 11:30.  I had really gotten my hopes up for an earlier time, but hey-- 11:30 is still not bad.  Now that we're all checked in, with boarding passes in our Apple wallets, it feels official!

@poocher Thank you!

Is it true that if you check in just after midnight, you can lock in your check-in time ONLY and come back later to fill in passport/credit card info, etc.?

@dunedinmaiden If you have travel insurance, and you think you may be able to file a claim for a lost port, go to guest services WHILE YOU ARE ON THE SHIP and ask them for a letter stating the original and changed itineraries, and that they dropped a port. The letter should include your name(s) as travelers on that sailing. They may put your name on a list and mail the letter to your home after the cruise.  Some travel insurance will require this kind of "proof," but from what I understand, if you don't request it while you are on board, you may be out of luck.  Good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=emma+cruises+compensation

@bmc alabama Thanks for the tip!  If we have time to walk around town, we'll make that 5 minute hike for sure with the boys!

@bmc alabama Where were you in Skagway when you took those photos? They are beautiful (as are the others . . .)

My husband and I did the long tour all the way to the Yukon and thoroughly enjoyed it.  But the train ride was SO much more impactful than it would have been bc our tour operator first had us watch the short film about the Klondike gold rush. I believe it was in the Skagway Visitor’s Center.  It’s been 13 years, but I feel like the video was about 30 minutes long.  Highly recommend!! 

I second Ashland’s recommendation. My husband and I did that and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We’re thinking about taking our kids on that this August when we’re in port, but disappointed that we wouldn’t have time to also do the Lumberjack show, which I think we’d all enjoy. 

If your decision is based on the features/amenities of the ships themselves, I am not of any help and refer you to the comments of others on these threads who have sailed on them.  However, I CAN advise you to compare the itineraries of these ships.   I have read that when it comes to glacier viewing, Glacier Bay is the creme de la creme, surpassing Dawes and Hubbard Glaciers.  I have not seen either of the latter, but after having been to Glacier Bay on our first Alaskan cruise (1999,)  going there again was our highest priority when we selected our second Alaskan cruise (2009.)  We are going again this year and taking our three sons, and we ONLY considered ships visiting Glacier Bay, despite the fact that some of the other ships sounded more appealing to us.  To us, it is THE not-to-be-missed highlight of our trips to Alaska.  Only two ships per day are allowed into Glacier Bay, so likely not all the ships you are considering sail there.  I encourage you to at least take a look at that and give it some consideration.  That said, I am sure you will have a fabulous time no matter what.  Alaska will take your breath away!

Perfect. Exactly the information I was looking for. Thanks. everyone!

Good morning! We are booking our return to the airport for 10, and I'm looking at getting a private van service for our family. We'd like to stay on the ship as long as possible and not have to rush, so thinking we'll probably get off around 9:00. That's the latest, right? Then how long does it take to claim luggage, etc before you're actually outside the terminal ready to be picked up? I don't want our van sitting there waiting on us.

Thanks in advance!

Hello, Cruise Critic Friends! I'm getting so excited for our trip on the Fantasy next month. Have a question. We booked 6pm reservations at Palo for the first night. But now I"m wondering if our luggage will arrive in our stateroom in time for us to shower if necessary and change? I am hoping that if it's a problem they just wouldn't offer reservations at that time. Anyone been in this situation recently?

Many thanks for all the great information you all post here. It' so much fun to read and I've learned a lot!

Hi. I am trying to decide whether or not to purchase the Disney transfers from Port Canaveral back to the airport after our Fantasy cruise in May. Our flight doesn't leave until 2:45pm. The thought of hanging out at the airport for hours with 6 tired children ages 4-16 does not sound appealing. We were thinking about renting a van when we get off the ship and maybe trying to find a place to take a walk on the beach, or a park where the kids could play, or explore Cape Canaveral for just a little bit, etc., then driving to the airport later. But then I read a thread here somewhere (that I can't find now) that said there can be long waits at the rental car places after the cruise, and that clearing security at MCO can take 2-3 hours. If both of those are the case, then it might make more sense to just purchase the transfers. Thoughts, please?

We don't need the transfers when we arrive-- flying in the day before. TIA!

Thank you!

Typically, on the Fantasy, the first 3 nights you have the Standard Rotational menu in each dining room.

 

Then, depending on a whole bunch of options, the subsequent nights are Princess & Princess, Pirates, Captain's Gala, and See Ya Real Soon menus.

 

 

Now, if you're on a Star Wars, Halloween, or Christmas cruise, there are variations to that.

 

What night do you have Pirate night? That varies, depending on itinerary.

We have Pirate Night on Thursday (5th night.)

We are sailing 7 nights on the Fantasy with family (including kids) who have never cruised before. We have never tried Palo and would like to eat there with my sister-in-law and her husband, and were looking at the first night for a variety of reasons. Are there any activities (special sail-away day, perhaps) we would miss out on if we do so? TIA!

Correct. The primary show on the Fantasy (and Dream) is the Crush show. The second time you are in AP on the Fantasy (unless it's Pirate night) it's the Animation Magic show.

Thank you. What happens if your second night IS pirate night? Do you skip the Animation Magic show?

It's been a 12 years since our last Disney cruise on the Wonder and we are sailing in May on the Fantasy. I was so looking forward to sharing the show where AP starts black and white and gradually the images become full-color with the kids who haven't cruised before. It sounds like we won't have that show on the Fantasy?

Congrats. I'm cruising in October 2018 ... and I can hardly stand it. Hope you enjoy planning to make the time go by faster.

 

I already have my xl spreadsheets going and list started. OCD much? Yes.

We leave on the fantasy at the end of April and I feel so disorganized because I do not have my normal excel spreadsheet up and ready. Ugh. Too much to do.

I see two references to these spreadsheets. I've been accused of some oCD myself, but I can't imagine what you'd put in an Excel spreadsheet. Am I missing out on some crucial aspect of preplanning anticipation build-up? :')

What ship? How long a cruise?

 

Each ship/itinerary has different possibilities.

Very true. Sorry. I should have said that. We are sailing on the Fantasy for 7 nights.

Hi! It's been 12 years since we sailed with Disney, and we're looking forward to cruising in May with extended family members who have never cruised before. I am currently looking at the rotational dining sequence options so we can make a request for the one we like best and hopefully plan our Palo night when it won't conflict with Pirate Night or the Animator's Palate Crush or Magic shows. We definitely don't want to miss those! Here is my question though. One of the rotational dining sequences (and the one that we otherwise like best) appears to have scheduled Animator's Palate-Magic Experience on Pirate Night. Has anyone who has sailed been in this situation? The Magic show at AP was one of my favorite parts of our last Disney cruise, and I am really looking forward to seeing the reactions of my sons, niece, and nephews. If dining there when both events were scheduled the same night would mean that we would miss out on something, then I'd rather choose another rotation sequence. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for your guidance.