Gimme the low down (first cruise)

lookame · Apr 23, 2018

Ok so we are planning our very first cruise ever! We are planning a 4 night bahamian cruise in Jan with a 2 night hotel stay (one day going to universal) after the cruise. So...my questions are
Is food really included in the cost (aside from the premium dining)? I want to possibly book royal court tea, is that an extra expense I need to plan for? When the ship docks in the bahamas are you able to get off the ship or do you have to book an excursion? What things do you prefer (activity wise)? Do we need a passport? I know these are pretty dumb questions, I just want to be prepared for any costs or whatever on the cruise. Thanks in advance!!

PrincessShmoo · Apr 23, 2018

lookame said:
Ok so we are planning our very first cruise ever! We are planning a 4 night bahamian cruise in Jan with a 2 night hotel stay (one day going to universal) after the cruise. So...my questions are
Is food really included in the cost (aside from the premium dining)? I want to possibly book royal court tea, is that an extra expense I need to plan for? When the ship docks in the bahamas are you able to get off the ship or do you have to book an excursion? What things do you prefer (activity wise)? Do we need a passport? I know these are pretty dumb questions, I just want to be prepared for any costs or whatever on the cruise. Thanks in advance!!

Yes, food in the buffet, main dining rooms, at the poolside quick serve locations is included in your cruise fare. Also the little finger foods in Quiet Cove.

Royal Court Tea is something like $180 for one child. Not sure if that includes one adult or not. Hopefully someone else will chime in here.

You can come and go from the ship as you wish. Not necessary to book a ship's excursion.

If you are US citizens, the minimum ID requirement for a closed loop cruise is a birth certificate, plus (for those 16 and over) a government issued-photo ID.

Extra costs will be any drinks ordered from lounges/bars, photos, gratuities and souvenirs.

lookame · Apr 23, 2018

Thanks! Especially for the quote on how much the tea costs! I appreciate your help. One addition question is the ID requirements for my son. He'll be 12 when we go but his father and I divorced awhile ago. His father has agreed to let him go but do I need any sort of document stating his father is allowing him to go?

PrincessShmoo · Apr 23, 2018

lookame said:
Thanks! Especially for the quote on how much the tea costs! I appreciate your help. One addition question is the ID requirements for my son. He'll be 12 when we go but his father and I divorced awhile ago. His father has agreed to let him go but do I need any sort of document stating his father is allowing him to go?

I'm not sure it really "required" but it would be a good idea to have a notarized statement from him saying he's aware that you're taking your child out of the country. You may not need it, but it's only a piece of paper, and won't take that much space.

lookame · Apr 23, 2018

Ok so last question I have. Is it best to book with Disney online or should I book with a travel agent and if I should book with a travel agent, are there any good TA you can recommend or is there a reason why I should book with them? If I book with a TA does everything I want have to be booked through them such as princess meets and the tea and excursions or can I book those myself? Is there an additional fee to book with a TA?

MichelleCanada · Apr 23, 2018

We book with a TA because a
Disney certified TA can get you on board credits (OBC) which can then be used against anything you charge to your room on the cruise (drinks, Palo dinner/brunch, specialty coffees, excursions, liquor tastings, etc). The cost is exactly the same as when you book with Disney directly. All payments and transfers will have to be done through your TA. But you can book all your other things through the Disney Cruise site (ex. Character breakfast, port arrival time, dining time, etc)

Maggie'sMom · Apr 23, 2018

lookame said:
Thanks! Especially for the quote on how much the tea costs! I appreciate your help. One addition question is the ID requirements for my son. He'll be 12 when we go but his father and I divorced awhile ago. His father has agreed to let him go but do I need any sort of document stating his father is allowing him to go?

It is not required, but US Customs and Border Patrol strongly recommends you bring a notarized letter from the other parent granting permission. Chances are you won't need it, but they can delay your travel if they have any concerns that you are taking your child out of the country against the wishes of the other parent. In the past I've gotten a letter from my ex for most of our cruises. I've never been asked to produce it, but it feels better having it just in case.

TestingH2O · Apr 23, 2018

lookame said:
Ok so last question I have. Is it best to book with Disney online or should I book with a travel agent and if I should book with a travel agent, are there any good TA you can recommend or is there a reason why I should book with them? If I book with a TA does everything I want have to be booked through them such as princess meets and the tea and excursions or can I book those myself? Is there an additional fee to book with a TA?

DCL pricing can't be lowered from what is posted online. That being said, meant agencies offer perks in the form of on board credit to use their services. Dreams unlimited sponsors these boards and offers a good credit if you use them. This money can be used for gratuities, excursions, souvenirs, drinks etc. We use small works vacations. They offer the same credit as dreams and we've been very happy with them.

In terms of booking meet and greets etc, you would retain control of that. The agent would handle your financial transactions before the trip but you'd be able to do everything else.

mevelandry · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
Ok so we are planning our very first cruise ever! We are planning a 4 night bahamian cruise in Jan with a 2 night hotel stay (one day going to universal) after the cruise. So...my questions are
Is food really included in the cost (aside from the premium dining)? I want to possibly book royal court tea, is that an extra expense I need to plan for? When the ship docks in the bahamas are you able to get off the ship or do you have to book an excursion? What things do you prefer (activity wise)? Do we need a passport? I know these are pretty dumb questions, I just want to be prepared for any costs or whatever on the cruise. Thanks in advance!!

While a passeport may not be necessary, it is very useful if there is an emergency and you need to go back to the US as soon as possible.

I would highly recommend it + you will be able to travel in many places when you have it. It opens many doors.

Also, you are sailing to the Bahamas so you will most likely have a stop in Nassau. While some brave people chose to venture by themselves there, it's not something I would do as the crime rate is very high there. I would highly recommend going on an excursion (being in a group) if you chose to get off the ship in Nassau. If you like beaches, the Blue Lagoon Beach Day excursion is quite nice. I hear good things about Balmoral Island too.

Castaway Cay is super safe, you don't need an excursion. You get off the ship and you are a 5 minutes walk from the family beach.

starvenger · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
Thanks! Especially for the quote on how much the tea costs! I appreciate your help. One addition question is the ID requirements for my son. He'll be 12 when we go but his father and I divorced awhile ago. His father has agreed to let him go but do I need any sort of document stating his father is allowing him to go?

Agreed with the others about the travel consent letter. Better to have one and not have to produce it than the other way around.

We've gotten one for my kids for when my wife takes them to the UK and I stay here. Might be different rules going from Canada to UK but we stopped using a notary a while ago.

smiths02 · Apr 24, 2018

PrincessShmoo said:
Yes, food in the buffet, main dining rooms, at the poolside quick serve locations is included in your cruise fare. Also the little finger foods in Quiet Cove.

Royal Court Tea is something like $180 for one child. Not sure if that includes one adult or not. Hopefully someone else will chime in here.

You can come and go from the ship as you wish. Not necessary to book a ship's excursion.

If you are US citizens, the minimum ID requirement for a closed loop cruise is a birth certificate, plus (for those 16 and over) a government issued-photo ID.

Extra costs will be any drinks ordered from lounges/bars, photos, gratuities and souvenirs.

The tea is about $210 per child and $69 per adult (and I believe that at least one adult has to accompany the child, so you are looking at a minimum of $280)

Dug720 · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
Ok so we are planning our very first cruise ever! We are planning a 4 night bahamian cruise in Jan with a 2 night hotel stay (one day going to universal) after the cruise. So...my questions are
Is food really included in the cost (aside from the premium dining)? I want to possibly book royal court tea, is that an extra expense I need to plan for? When the ship docks in the bahamas are you able to get off the ship or do you have to book an excursion? What things do you prefer (activity wise)? Do we need a passport? I know these are pretty dumb questions, I just want to be prepared for any costs or whatever on the cruise. Thanks in advance!!

Don't forget the gratuities - $12/person/night. Those are the minimum cover for your stateroom attendant, your head server, main server, and assistant server. You can call DCL (or have your TA if you used one call) and prepay them if you prefer. You can, of course, add more either in cash or to your onboard account if you choose.

In addition to the food that @PrincessShmoo mentioned, the food on Castaway Cay is included also.

Soda from the self-serve stations or in the MDR is included. (Soda from a bar is not.) Also milk, water, and coffee or tea from the self-serve stations or MDR are included. Soft-serve ice cream on the pool deck is included.

NOT included is the ice cream from Vanellopes or Sweet on You if you're on the Dream or Fantasy; popcorn; snacks at the theaters; or food ordered off a menu at the pub. Also NOT included are specialty drinks (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) in the MDRs or smoothies.

They are pretty up-front about if something has a charge - there will be a menu, either hand-held or on the wall with the prices. (Exception being the soda from the bars I think.)

lookame · Apr 24, 2018

Thank you all so much! It helps to know what food is included and what’s not. It’s also great that milk is included at certain stations as my daughter is always asking for it. Wow...the tea is expensive! I really want to do it with my daughter and it’d be ok if it were just me and her but her dad wants to be there...pretty sure her brother could care less...maybe he could hang out at the tween club during it???

So...I know WDW and Disneyland pin trading is a big deal...do the cast members have pins for trading like in the shops or is pin trading not a thing on board? If it is cool if it’s not no big deal just want to be prepared.

Trera · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
Thank you all so much! It helps to know what food is included and what’s not. It’s also great that milk is included at certain stations as my daughter is always asking for it. Wow...the tea is expensive! I really want to do it with my daughter and it’d be ok if it were just me and her but her dad wants to be there...pretty sure her brother could care less...maybe he could hang out at the tween club during it???

So...I know WDW and Disneyland pin trading is a big deal...do the cast members have pins for trading like in the shops or is pin trading not a thing on board? If it is cool if it’s not no big deal just want to be prepared.

We grab a couple of cartons of milk at cabanas during our first breakfast and put them in our room fridge. That way, our DD can have milk anytime she wants it.

xQuizx · Apr 24, 2018

Hi good morning!

We did the Royal Court Tea last year in November with my 5 year old daughter.

Your daughter will get a crown and be announced at the beginning. There will be singing and snacks during the tea. My daughter received a Cinderella doll, a crown, a nice autograph book, a jewelry box, a necklace and bracelet, and she received a 8x10 photo with the princesses.

I feel it's worth it 1 time and that's pretty much it.

I don't think bringing a second adult is worth it for $69 more, but that's me.

Here are some videos from it:

PrincessShmoo · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
So...I know WDW and Disneyland pin trading is a big deal...do the cast members have pins for trading like in the shops or is pin trading not a thing on board? If it is cool if it’s not no big deal just want to be prepared.

Yes, they have pin trading onboard. There's typically an officer's pin trading session, and, I believe, in the shops there's a book with pins for trading with the CM in the shops.

Dug720 · Apr 24, 2018

lookame said:
Thank you all so much! It helps to know what food is included and what’s not. It’s also great that milk is included at certain stations as my daughter is always asking for it. Wow...the tea is expensive! I really want to do it with my daughter and it’d be ok if it were just me and her but her dad wants to be there...pretty sure her brother could care less...maybe he could hang out at the tween club during it???

So...I know WDW and Disneyland pin trading is a big deal...do the cast members have pins for trading like in the shops or is pin trading not a thing on board? If it is cool if it’s not no big deal just want to be prepared.

There is a night of officer’s pin trading - they have lanyards and trade from those. Not sure about other things as I’ve never been into that. Others may know.

cadien · Apr 24, 2018

Many of the cast members in the shops wear pin lanyards. There is a pin book in each shop and a few more in other locations. From the people I've been able to ask, there isn't really pin trading with other passengers.

piratepride · Apr 24, 2018

There are pin trading times w/ staff during the cruise. As far as food...as much as you can handle!

We like to stay on board on the 4 night to enjoy the Aqua Duck and pools with very light crowds.

Sunshine2U · Apr 24, 2018

Consider trip insurance. Some cover pre-existing conditions of those traveling + immediate family members. We make sure to have pre-existing coverage because of elderly parents, and we've had to use that coverage. For the most part, if you want pre-existing coverage you need to purchase within a couple of weeks of making the initial deposit. Just something to know in advance so you can get more information on specifics if interested. Lots of info here on the boards.

Passports not required. We didn't get for the first 4-day Bahamian but got them once we did a 7-day Caribbean. Keep in mind adult passports are good for 10 years so may be worth the trouble.

Castaway Cay: This is Disney's private island. You'll get beach time, snorkeling, lots more. No need to book an excursion as you can simply play all day. Food is plentiful and free. There's no shopping other than the Disney-standard shops. The ship is pulled right up to the island and you can walk on and off all day. You can walk over to the beach or there are trams. Your tween can hang with you or go to with the club.

Nassau: there are some shops right off the docks that you can walk to. Otherwise you probably would want to book an excursion if that's something you want to do. Because your cruise is relatively short, you may want to consider staying on the ship.

Food is plentiful. So many options, all free. Including most items from the somewhat limited room service menu. Limited = continental, not hot breakfast; sandwiches and salads, not full meals.

Enjoy planning - it's half the fun!

Gimme the low down (first cruise)

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