I love watching your vlogs. I miss being on a cruise or at Disney so much. Here is my very first disembarkation experience. After a three night double dip on the Fantasy, on May 19, 2017, just after it's dry dock, the ship lost half power on the way home to Port Canaveral from Castaway Cay. There was no announcement early in the day, but I saw quite a difference in the wake that we could see from our balcony. I said, "We re going much slower," and I was right. That night the captain came on over the room speakers to tell us of the situation. This cruise wasn't reaching port until well after 11:00 am or 12:00 pm (it might have been 1:00). I don't remember the exact time of arrival at Port Canaveral, but we had breakfast in the Royal Garden and lunch in Cabana's. Character meet and greets sprung up everywhere. Overnight there were long lines of folks trying to get flights changed at customer relations. I hear from a response on TH-cam to another post of mine that those embarking on the next cruise that it wasn't under way until well after dark. I can't imagine the logistics of all those loading and unloading supplies for the ship. Disney was professional, accommodating and very helpful during this process. My wife and I drive to Chicago (or the Poly) so no problem on our part. We think of this as some extra magic hours, plus a few hours talking on couches in the atrium with friends we made on board. Hey Ron and Michelle, we remember! Bob
I remember this!! I felt so bad for those boarding after you but I thought how fun is it to stay on board for more time!!! However, if you did have transportation issues I guess that could have been an issue. So great they brought characters out and let you eat lunch :)
Your voice is easy to listen to and all your tips and tricks are very helpful for first time cruisers like myself. I now know what to expect for my cruise in October. Keep up the great work! I hope your following expands like crazy so you can go on many many cruises 🚢 🤗
Key to the World card! I didn't hear you mention it but, it should be said that you should ensure your key is available and not packed in checked bags on debarkation day. Everyone has to scan out using their cards so the Cast Members know the ship is empty.
We were very sad on disembarkation day as well. There were eight of us in our group: my parents, my brother and his wife and kid, and my wife and kid and me. We had the 6:30 breakfast, but my brother being my brother, didn't think it was "crucial" to be at the 6:30 breakfast and decided to sleep in until 8:00. We already had a transportation designated to pick us up around 8:30. My brother said "it'll be fine." We tried to convince him otherwise, but he insisted. Lo and behold, he didn't join us for breakfast and when we called him after 8, he was still asleep, having forgotten to set an alarm. He said they'd be down to join us for the ride back to the airport, but he ended up missing that as well. By 8:45 or so, he was either just getting something to eat or something else that was delaying him. His family had to catch their own ride and ended up getting to the airport about an hour after us and very hungry!
Every time I hear your into when you wish upon a Star I tear up. So I’m in trouble for the last day. Last cruise I cried at the party on the last night. Disney is so magical and really pulls at those heart strings.
I love watching your videos, they are so helpful and you make me laugh. I'm going on my 1st Disney Cruise next year been saving for a long time and can hardly wait! Your videos are getting me through. I have to stop binge watching cause I'm starting to repeat. Sad thing is I don't care and keep watching. This is one of my favorites because you saved me from being one of the pajama people. Ha ha also you will be saving me from the embarassment of asking for help and not having the right amount of money to tip. I WILL BE SENDING THIS VIDEO TO MY SISTER (a couple of times close to the we will be cruising). But I'm so tempted to letting her be a pajama person ;) BTW can you use the bands on your next cruise if you keep them?
Aww what a nice comment Sandra- thank you!! I think it would be totally hilarious to make her be a pajama person, but then have a stash of clothes for her in your purse so she can change. The pj outfit is bad... but no shoes.. lol that’s worse!
I have a child with Autism and have our first cruise with DCL (his first ever cruise) in November out of San Diego. Would Express help combat the wait/crowds? Or can Disney accommodate people with disabilities/special needs?
The earlier you go, the less of a line you will stand in. They do not let you get off though, until the all clear, and at that time there is a little bit of a line because people are racing to get off to get to the airport. So maybe wait a little after the all clear. It is however, a line in the atrium... and it would be very easy to have one person wait in line while the other takes your son around to look at things or sit elsewhere. Also, if trying to avoid crowds, you can eat at cabanas the buffet for breakfast if you would rather not eat in the dining room on the last morning 😃
Thanks for another informative video! Watching this did make me sad though because now focused on the end of the cruise that I have an even started yet. As a result I am looking for the Porter for my emotional baggage. JK, love the videos please keep them coming!
We have not had to fill out a custom form on our last two cruises which were in January 2018 and January 2019. I believe when you receive information for disembarking on the last night it tells you what the limitations are before a form is required. If you need a form then you can get it from Guest Services. It sure takes a lot of the stress away on the last night not having to fill it out!
I’m so so appreciating these videos. Im so excited to go on my first Disney Cruise Dec 21-27th of this year! Do you have any tips or tricks for special Merrytime events?
Merrytime cruises are MAGICAL! Since you will be on the cruise over Christmas Day, I do believe they do a Christmassy type dinner that night in the main dining rooms :) If you are wanting to do the gingerbread house activity, head to guest services as soon as you board to get a reservation. They fill up very quickly. Also, arrive early for the tree and Santa activities. No reservation needed, but good views are first come first served!
My recollection of the last night aboard ship is of chaos! Everyone is trying to clear their accounts, purchase photos at Shutters, etc. We generally place our luggage outside the stateroom door before going to dinner, just in case. Also, make sure you pick up the right piece of luggage in the customs area. I once picked up someone else's and didn't realize it until I had left the terminal. We brought the luggage back and I was able to get my piece of luggage, but I'm not sure the other person was so lucky as they were loading a truck with the luggage that hadn't been picked up and taking it to Orlando.
If you have large suitcases I am not sure I would walk off with them. You totally can and it’s not a far walk.. I just wouldn’t want to deal with the hassle of breakfast with them.
Most of the time I’m crying but I’m also happy because the next day is my birthday we go on the thanksgiving cruise fantasy November 30th is the day we leave
Our cruise was during a time change weekend and we not only lost an hour of sleep but our clock was wrong and we got up early on disembark day so we tipped the guy who took our luggage to our car for us.
Customs is painless.. but still something you have to do. I never have purchases that exceed the limit though, so I have never dealt with that aspect. We just had our passports and ID's ready. You walk up to an open window and there will be a person there. Your whole family that was in your stateroom walks up together. They usually ask you a question that lets them know you actually know the person you are with. One time they asked my husband a date and asked why it was an important date.. he had to say it was my birthday. One time we got pulled off to the side for a random check. They just rechecked all our passport and IDs and then looked in our carryons. Then they let us go. Every time they have been MORE THAN NICE. Noting to worry about at all :)
Very nice. Things of note missed were that guests and expected to out of their stateroom by 8am and hosts really want you out as they have to turn around the rooms by 1:30pm for the next cruise therefore please be out on time as this slows the hosts down. If you are still in the room asleep you will get a loud knock as a reminder to leave the room. Also you mentioned you can go to Cabanas on the last day, please note they close access to food very promptly at 8:30am therefore do not be late and expect to be served. Cabanas opens at 6:30am.
💟💟💟 your videos! My first cruise is next month. I think disseminating is what I am most confused about. I will actually be using Disney transportation to the resorts. How does that work?
They will have tons of Disney buses sitting at the port waiting for you to board. You just get on one. When it is full, they will leave to go to WDW. Unless things have changed.. but it was like that 2 months ago :)
If we are late dining and heading to WDW by Lyft or car service, what time should we be ready to be picked up at the Port? Eat at 8 and pick up by 9:30? #firsttimerhere #wontbeinourpjs
Nope you just walk on out with your luggage and get on a bus. Once the bus is full they will head to the resorts. Your bus will make multiple stops at different resorts :)
Yep, I was one of those moms. I forgot to leave a shirt out for my son! And to make matters worse, he only sleeps in bottoms. No top. He had to wear my mother's pajama top. It was a very ratty, very thin (a.k.a. "old") t-shirt that was ten times too big for him. He was so embarrassed. Oh well.
You will still either leave your bags outside your room at night the night before, or take everything off with you. If you leave them outside of your door, you will pick them up right before you go through customs. You will then take it with you to a bus. They will put your luggage under the bus. You will board the bus, when it is full it will leave. It will stop at several resorts :) If your room is not ready yet once you arrive, bell services will hold onto your luggage once it is taken off of the bus.
On your navigator it will tell you what time cabanas will be open. It does open earlier than 8 am. If you have first dining for dinner, your breakfast will be at 645 that last morning in the dining Ron you last ate dinner in.
This was sooooo helpful! We are heading back to WDW for one final day before flying home. In your expert opinion should we do the express thing and take our bags ourselves to get to WDW on their shuttle faster? Or should we still just leave them outside for pick up?
Disney Cruisers Well I will have an almost 4 year old when we travel, so knows! I know me and I’d be motivated to get going early for one final Disney day! We have 4 WDW days before we sail, so this will just be one extra good bye and a way to delay our post-Disney sadness!
@@RondaRae I would say that if you are not getting off the ship until around 9 anyway, then you can just give Disney your luggage the night before. If it were me doing this, that is what I would do. If you are wanting to leave the ship around 7-8 then I would take my own luggage. Also know that cabanas buffet will be open that morning so you do not have to go to the main dining room that morning :)
That will depend on which company you rent it from. Some say on their website, but if it does not you can always call them. The car rental places there are pretty close, and they really are only in that area to work with cruise passengers :)
Yes! This exactly! For a while Disney was saying they were being nice and letting you have more options for your evenings, therefore, they would do the same show multiple nights so that you would have a night where you would not want to or need to be in the theater. Lame....
I love watching your vlogs. I miss being on a cruise or at Disney so much. Here is my very first disembarkation experience.
After a three night double dip on the Fantasy, on May 19, 2017, just after it's dry dock, the ship lost half power on the way home to Port Canaveral from Castaway Cay. There was no announcement early in the day, but I saw quite a difference in the wake that we could see from our balcony. I said, "We re going much slower," and I was right.
That night the captain came on over the room speakers to tell us of the situation. This cruise wasn't reaching port until well after 11:00 am or 12:00 pm (it might have been 1:00). I don't remember the exact time of arrival at Port Canaveral, but we had breakfast in the Royal Garden and lunch in Cabana's. Character meet and greets sprung up everywhere. Overnight there were long lines of folks trying to get flights changed at customer relations. I hear from a response on TH-cam to another post of mine that those embarking on the next cruise that it wasn't under way until well after dark. I can't imagine the logistics of all those loading and unloading supplies for the ship.
Disney was professional, accommodating and very helpful during this process. My wife and I drive to Chicago (or the Poly) so no problem on our part. We think of this as some extra magic hours, plus a few hours talking on couches in the atrium with friends we made on board. Hey Ron and Michelle, we remember!
Bob
I remember this!! I felt so bad for those boarding after you but I thought how fun is it to stay on board for more time!!! However, if you did have transportation issues I guess that could have been an issue. So great they brought characters out and let you eat lunch :)
I packed all of my shoes and had to wear Disney provided slippers off the ship. I felt like the biggest dufus.
Lol.. well, how nice of DCL to give you slippers. I am SURE that the happens a lot! At least you werent in your PJs.. I see that quite often lol
Your voice is easy to listen to and all your tips and tricks are very helpful for first time cruisers like myself. I now know what to expect for my cruise in October. Keep up the great work! I hope your following expands like crazy so you can go on many many cruises 🚢 🤗
Ooooo I hope I can go on many many cruises too!!!! Thank you for such kind words 😍
Your vlog are the best way to start the day!
Aww thanks Erika!
I am your first official full time fan!
Thanks.
This is helpful! We felt a little overwhelmed disembarking from our first cruise. And of course, very sad!!!
Thanks Ashley. This is very helpful. 78 and first Disney cruise.
You are welcome Jean! I bet it will not be your last cruise :)
Key to the World card! I didn't hear you mention it but, it should be said that you should ensure your key is available and not packed in checked bags on debarkation day. Everyone has to scan out using their cards so the Cast Members know the ship is empty.
Yes excellent!!Thank you! Good catch :)
We were very sad on disembarkation day as well. There were eight of us in our group: my parents, my brother and his wife and kid, and my wife and kid and me. We had the 6:30 breakfast, but my brother being my brother, didn't think it was "crucial" to be at the 6:30 breakfast and decided to sleep in until 8:00. We already had a transportation designated to pick us up around 8:30. My brother said "it'll be fine." We tried to convince him otherwise, but he insisted.
Lo and behold, he didn't join us for breakfast and when we called him after 8, he was still asleep, having forgotten to set an alarm. He said they'd be down to join us for the ride back to the airport, but he ended up missing that as well. By 8:45 or so, he was either just getting something to eat or something else that was delaying him. His family had to catch their own ride and ended up getting to the airport about an hour after us and very hungry!
Oh my goodness! I would hope he learned a lesson that day!
Every time I hear your into when you wish upon a Star I tear up. So I’m in trouble for the last day. Last cruise I cried at the party on the last night. Disney is so magical and really pulls at those heart strings.
It’s my text ringtone ... I love it and it always makes me happy EXCEPT for the month or two I am home after a cruise... then it is just torture 😂
So excited to have found your channel! I love the depth and details you give!
Thanks so much Sarah!!!
I love watching your videos, they are so helpful and you make me laugh. I'm going on my 1st Disney Cruise next year been saving for a long time and can hardly wait! Your videos are getting me through. I have to stop binge watching cause I'm starting to repeat. Sad thing is I don't care and keep watching. This is one of my favorites because you saved me from being one of the pajama people. Ha ha also you will be saving me from the embarassment of asking for help and not having the right amount of money to tip. I WILL BE SENDING THIS VIDEO TO MY SISTER (a couple of times close to the we will be cruising). But I'm so tempted to letting her be a pajama person ;) BTW can you use the bands on your next cruise if you keep them?
Aww what a nice comment Sandra- thank you!! I think it would be totally hilarious to make her be a pajama person, but then have a stash of clothes for her in your purse so she can change. The pj outfit is bad... but no shoes.. lol that’s worse!
@@DisneyCruisers Wow such a quick reply! I really love you!
It hurts so much to debark! It hurts less if you pre-book the next cruise while you're on the current one, but it still stinks to have to get off...
I have a child with Autism and have our first cruise with DCL (his first ever cruise) in November out of San Diego.
Would Express help combat the wait/crowds? Or can Disney accommodate people with disabilities/special needs?
The earlier you go, the less of a line you will stand in. They do not let you get off though, until the all clear, and at that time there is a little bit of a line because people are racing to get off to get to the airport. So maybe wait a little after the all clear. It is however, a line in the atrium... and it would be very easy to have one person wait in line while the other takes your son around to look at things or sit elsewhere. Also, if trying to avoid crowds, you can eat at cabanas the buffet for breakfast if you would rather not eat in the dining room on the last morning 😃
@@DisneyCruisers Thank you SO much for the information! Trying to plan ahead as much as possible and your videos have been very helpful!
The karaoke cast members called the morning the "pajama party"
😂😂 that’s great 😂
Thanks so much for this. Debarkation was one of the things that was stressing me out a little.
Oh def nothing to stress over. Besides you will be so sad you wont even know or care whats going on lol.
Thanks for another informative video! Watching this did make me sad though because now focused on the end of the cruise that I have an even started yet. As a result I am looking for the Porter for my emotional baggage. JK, love the videos please keep them coming!
AHHHH hahahaha emotional baggage!!!! LOL LOL
We have not had to fill out a custom form on our last two cruises which were in January 2018 and January 2019. I believe when you receive information for disembarking on the last night it tells you what the limitations are before a form is required. If you need a form then you can get it from Guest Services. It sure takes a lot of the stress away on the last night not having to fill it out!
Thank you Barbara!
I’m so so appreciating these videos. Im so excited to go on my first Disney Cruise Dec 21-27th of this year! Do you have any tips or tricks for special Merrytime events?
Merrytime cruises are MAGICAL! Since you will be on the cruise over Christmas Day, I do believe they do a Christmassy type dinner that night in the main dining rooms :) If you are wanting to do the gingerbread house activity, head to guest services as soon as you board to get a reservation. They fill up very quickly. Also, arrive early for the tree and Santa activities. No reservation needed, but good views are first come first served!
Sad, sad, sad. It is truly the saddest day ever! Good tips and info! You should be required viewing for all first time cruisers. :)
Lol
Great video! Do you know what time cabanas opens that sad sad morning when having to leave? Lol thanks in advance!
I think I remember @7am!?! Pretty sure.
Thank you! Check your navigator for the morning it should be listed. However, I think it is 630 or 7.
Thanks again for a great vlog, keep on cruising! !
Thank you Pamela!
Thank you! This answered a lot of my questions!
You are welcome Melanie!
Hi! I love your videos. Can you make a video about stateroom upgrades? How it works, pricing, availability. Basically the whole process. Thank you!!
Hi Melissa! Do you mean upgrading once you get to port on the day of sailing?
Disney Cruisers Yes :). Either once you are at the port or on the ship.
Great video, these are need to know tips!🌴😎💖
Thank you Kelly!
So helpful! Thank you!!
You are welcome Shelly!
If you choose not to check your luggage I saw somewhere you can’t bring it in with you to breakfast?
You can take it in with you if you eat at the buffet, but if you eat in the main dining room then they have you leave it outside of the restaurant.
My recollection of the last night aboard ship is of chaos! Everyone is trying to clear their accounts, purchase photos at Shutters, etc. We generally place our luggage outside the stateroom door before going to dinner, just in case. Also, make sure you pick up the right piece of luggage in the customs area. I once picked up someone else's and didn't realize it until I had left the terminal. We brought the luggage back and I was able to get my piece of luggage, but I'm not sure the other person was so lucky as they were loading a truck with the luggage that hadn't been picked up and taking it to Orlando.
Good advice on grabbing the correct luggage! I do feel like the luggage sections are rather large areas.. very easy to grab someone else's bag!
If you dont have much for luggage, would you reccomend just walking off with your luggage so that you dont have to worry about the night before?
If you have large suitcases I am not sure I would walk off with them. You totally can and it’s not a far walk.. I just wouldn’t want to deal with the hassle of breakfast with them.
Very helpful, thanks!
You are welcome Chari!
Omg thank you! This helps A LOT!
Most of the time I’m crying but I’m also happy because the next day is my birthday we go on the thanksgiving cruise fantasy November 30th is the day we leave
It’s always good to book one right before something else that is fun 👍🏻
Thanks so much. Already dreading leaving haha xx
LOL! But do not let it ruin your cruise. Just know... you will be back :)
Our cruise was during a time change weekend and we not only lost an hour of sleep but our clock was wrong and we got up early on disembark day so we tipped the guy who took our luggage to our car for us.
I get soooo confused on the clocks. They tell you about the time change but I can never trust that the room steward actually changed it. lol
How are customs to get through ?? What's required & how difficult is it ???
Customs is painless.. but still something you have to do. I never have purchases that exceed the limit though, so I have never dealt with that aspect. We just had our passports and ID's ready. You walk up to an open window and there will be a person there. Your whole family that was in your stateroom walks up together. They usually ask you a question that lets them know you actually know the person you are with. One time they asked my husband a date and asked why it was an important date.. he had to say it was my birthday. One time we got pulled off to the side for a random check. They just rechecked all our passport and IDs and then looked in our carryons. Then they let us go. Every time they have been MORE THAN NICE. Noting to worry about at all :)
Even as a non-American, it was painless
Very nice. Things of note missed were that guests and expected to out of their stateroom by 8am and hosts really want you out as they have to turn around the rooms by 1:30pm for the next cruise therefore please be out on time as this slows the hosts down. If you are still in the room asleep you will get a loud knock as a reminder to leave the room. Also you mentioned you can go to Cabanas on the last day, please note they close access to food very promptly at 8:30am therefore do not be late and expect to be served. Cabanas opens at 6:30am.
Yes always check the navigator for times!
💟💟💟 your videos! My first cruise is next month. I think disseminating is what I am most confused about. I will actually be using Disney transportation to the resorts. How does that work?
They will have tons of Disney buses sitting at the port waiting for you to board. You just get on one. When it is full, they will leave to go to WDW. Unless things have changed.. but it was like that 2 months ago :)
If we are late dining and heading to WDW by Lyft or car service, what time should we be ready to be picked up at the Port? Eat at 8 and pick up by 9:30? #firsttimerhere #wontbeinourpjs
I feel like that is a great time to be picked up. They basically force you off the ship at 9.
What about if you're getting the magical express bus to a Disney resort, will you have a time to get on the bus..... etc.....?
Nope you just walk on out with your luggage and get on a bus. Once the bus is full they will head to the resorts. Your bus will make multiple stops at different resorts :)
Yep, I was one of those moms. I forgot to leave a shirt out for my son! And to make matters worse, he only sleeps in bottoms. No top. He had to wear my mother's pajama top. It was a very ratty, very thin (a.k.a. "old") t-shirt that was ten times too big for him. He was so embarrassed. Oh well.
LOL Well next time I bet he will remind you a ton to make sure he has clothes lol
Ive made it to the intro peice with the cruise annocment music and started getting sad
Bahahahaha! I have that as my text message ring tone and yes, it is bittersweet to hear it all the time lol.
Hello! We are headed back to WDW after our cruise via Disney transportation. Do you know when they take our bags for us?
You will still either leave your bags outside your room at night the night before, or take everything off with you. If you leave them outside of your door, you will pick them up right before you go through customs. You will then take it with you to a bus. They will put your luggage under the bus. You will board the bus, when it is full it will leave. It will stop at several resorts :) If your room is not ready yet once you arrive, bell services will hold onto your luggage once it is taken off of the bus.
Thank you!
What if want eat earlier than 8 am for breakfast, can I go to cabanas? I don’t want feel rushed I want get up earlier.
On your navigator it will tell you what time cabanas will be open. It does open earlier than 8 am. If you have first dining for dinner, your breakfast will be at 645 that last morning in the dining Ron you last ate dinner in.
This was sooooo helpful! We are heading back to WDW for one final day before flying home. In your expert opinion should we do the express thing and take our bags ourselves to get to WDW on their shuttle faster? Or should we still just leave them outside for pick up?
Thank you! What time do you realistically think you will wake up.. and then how much time would you need to get ready and eat breakfast?
Disney Cruisers Well I will have an almost 4 year old when we travel, so knows! I know me and I’d be motivated to get going early for one final Disney day! We have 4 WDW days before we sail, so this will just be one extra good bye and a way to delay our post-Disney sadness!
@@RondaRae I would say that if you are not getting off the ship until around 9 anyway, then you can just give Disney your luggage the night before. If it were me doing this, that is what I would do. If you are wanting to leave the ship around 7-8 then I would take my own luggage. Also know that cabanas buffet will be open that morning so you do not have to go to the main dining room that morning :)
We will be renting a car to get back to Orlando. Will there be a shuttle to get back to the car rental place
That will depend on which company you rent it from. Some say on their website, but if it does not you can always call them. The car rental places there are pretty close, and they really are only in that area to work with cruise passengers :)
Thank you
Dont leave your luggage with valuables. I have seen many people steal on the ship.
I’ve been begging my mom to take me on a Disney cruise for like 2 years but it’s really expensive any tips on ways to make it affordable
Tracey Kerr inside cabin, short cruise, don’t buy anything or go on any excursions.
It's funny because our last day in our cruise is my birthday sooo I think I'm going to be sad on my birthday 😅🤣🤣🤣
Awwww lol yes that is a predicament
I was a grown person crying too 😂
I was literally on the verge of tears when we were disembarking!😭😂
Yep Yep Yep.. it is horrible.
What do you mean by Disney doubles up the show's? You said different ships? I'm confused. Please tell me.
I think she means that they'd show the same shows on multiple nights, instead of having a different show each night.
Yes! This exactly! For a while Disney was saying they were being nice and letting you have more options for your evenings, therefore, they would do the same show multiple nights so that you would have a night where you would not want to or need to be in the theater. Lame....
Car movement sickness