Blog Posts by Janene Jaroscak

Disney Cruise Line Discount Rates

7/27/2021 • Cruises, Tips • How many times have you had an itch to get on vacation, but the thought of making a reservation at the last minute would cost an arm and a leg? Disney Cruise Line may have a solution for last-minute planners. Many times, Disney Cruise Line releases promotional rates called IGT (Inside Guaranteed), OGT (Oceanview Guaranteed), and VGT (Verandah Guaranteed). Granted, you may receive a lower fare if you book as soon as Disney releases their new itineraries, but many people have a hard time planning that far in advance. If you happen to discover you have extra vacation days at work or you just need a little time away, these fares may be right up your alley.  They are usually quite a discount from the regular fares that you would book last minute. Disney generally releases these fares after the pay in full date, which for most sailings and stateroom […]

Transportation to and From Port Canaveral

7/20/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Woohoo!! Your cruise is booked but now you are wondering how you’re going to get to Port Canaveral. No worries - we're here to help! It is highly recommended that you fly in at least one day prior to your cruise!  This may impact the means of transportation you chose. Here are a few options to consider. Disney Cruise Line Transportation Disney Cruise Line shuttles passengers from the airport (MCO) to the port. The cost of the ride is $35/person each way, however, it only runs the day of embarkation and debarkation. If you are flying in the night before and staying at a local hotel and are utilizing this option, I would suggest staying near the airport. The Hyatt Regency is located inside the airport and will be an easy elevator ride down to the bus. Otherwise, a hotel that provides shuttle service to and from the airport is […]

Sailing Concierge Level on Disney Cruise Line

5/21/2021 • Cruises, Tips • If you are looking to receive a pampering level of service on your next Disney Cruise, sailing concierge-level may be the perfect fit for you and your family. For some, the additional cost to sail concierge is worth the extra expense. The benefits begin while you are still at home. Shore-side services will reach out to you before the 120 days prior to your sail date to secure adult dining reservations at Palo or Remy and spa reservations. This booking window is prior to Gold, Silver Castaway Cay members and first-time guests. If you desire a cabana at Castaway Cay, they will also help you reserve the very coveted cabana. They are also available to book shore excursions and offer suggestions. On your embarkation day, you may wait to board in a separate lounge at the port, and you are given priority boarding ahead of the non-concierge guests. Once on […]

Doing Laundry on a Disney Cruise

5/14/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Doing laundry on a Disney Cruise is a great way to help if you are a light packer and/or you do not want to return home with dirty clothes. Disney makes it easy and convenient. Each of the Disney Cruise Line ships have 24-hour self-service laundry rooms. Cost $3.00 Washer $3.00 Dryer $1.00 Laundry Detergent *Please note that prices are subject to change. Paying is easy and you don’t need to lug quarters around. You simply use your Key to The World Card to purchase credits that can be used for each wash/dry cycle. The amount will be charged to your stateroom account. You will also will be given the option to share your credits with others in your stateroom at the time of purchase. I prefer to pack a few detergent pods before leaving home. Since clothes irons and steamers are not permitted in any stateroom, the laundry rooms […]

Disney Cruise Line’s Cove Café

5/7/2021 • Cruises, Reviews • Taking a vacation at sea does not mean it will be a vacation without your daily gourmet coffee. Disney Cruise Line has the Cove Café, which is an adult-only location on each of their cruise ships which offers gourmet coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos, espressos, and hot tea. One of my favorite ways to start the day on a Disney Cruise is to stop in and grab a pastry and an Americano. This is also a great place to try something different from your typical routine! You can find the Cove Café, on the Disney Magic and Wonder, on Deck 9, and if you're on the Dream and Fantasy, it is located on Deck 11 adjacent to the adult pool. The Cove Café isn’t just for morning coffee and breakfast treats. You can visit it all day long for different delightful treats! Throughout the day, they offer snacks and desserts […]

Beverage Tastings Onboard Disney Cruise Line

5/4/2021 • Cruises • If you are sailing on a Disney Cruise and looking for adult onboard activities, Disney offers tasting events for guests that are at least 21 years old. This is a fun activity that you can experience on select days, generally sea days. I have personally experienced the tastings with a group of friends, but I have also signed up for wine tastings by myself. It is a fun and comfortable environment and a great way to meet other people on your cruise. Here are a few examples of the types of tastings offered, but they can vary by sailings and the length of the cruise: Wines Tasting hosted by a sommelier Beer Tasting Martini and Tequila/Margarita tastings Rum Tasting Cognac Tasting + A variety of other options based on availability You are now able to reserve our tastings online after your booking window opens in the “Onboard Fun” portion of […]

Rotational Dining Aboard Disney Cruise Lines

4/20/2021 • Cruises • Rotational dining is a unique dining experience on Disney Cruise Lines, which allows all guests the opportunity to enjoy dinner in each of the restaurants onboard. Guests receive their specific rotation when they check-in at the port. Each evening, all guests will rotate to an assigned restaurant along with their wait-staff and tablemates to a new restaurant. Depending on the length of the cruise, some/all restaurants will be experienced at least once on each cruise. However, if a guest is scheduled for more than one night in the same restaurant, the menu will change, so every night truly is a unique experience. The restaurants onboard each ship: Disney Wish · Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure · 1923 · Worlds of Marvel Disney Magic Animator’s Palate Lumiere’s Carioca’s Disney Wonder Animator’s Palate Triton’s Tiana’s Place Disney Dream Animator’s Palate Royal Palace Enchanted Garden Disney Fantasy Animator’s Palate Royal Court Enchanted Garden […]

Driving and Parking Options at Port Canaveral

4/16/2021 • Cruises, Tips • Parking in Port Canaveral/Cocoa Beach for your Disney Cruise is easy when you know your options. Here is a breakdown of possibilities for those that choose to drive to Port Canaveral. Port Canaveral Parking Garage This is the most convenient option, but not necessarily the most economical. The parking garage at Port Canaveral is $ 17/day. Note, your arrival and departure day each counts as a day when determining your rate. Parking at the port is convenient and quick. The driver can drop passengers off at the entrance and porters will assist them with their bags prior to entering the parking garage. When disembarking, one member of your party can get the car and pull around to the same drop-off location and load the car with your bags. Off-site parking There are quite a few off-site parking options that provide shuttle service to and from the port. The lots are […]

Finding the Best Location for You on a Disney Cruise Ship

4/13/2021 • Cruises, Tips • One of the most common questions we receive from cruise clients is the best location when selecting a stateroom. If you are sensitive to motion, having a stateroom center ship and on a lower deck may provide less movement of the ship. Selecting a stateroom with a verandah or an oceanview will also help if you begin to feel queazy so you have the ability to look at the horizon. The verandah stateroom is also an added benefit for the ability to step outside for fresh air. Many people feel being high up on a ship is more desirable. If this is your preference, it’s important to know that staterooms on the deck right under the pool deck tend to have noise early in the morning as they move the deck chairs around the pool getting ready for the day. Therefore, if you are a light sleeper, this location may […]

Extra Fun on Oahu!

2/23/2021 • Aulani, Tips • Ready to learn about some extra adventures you can take on your next Aulani Getaway?! Things to do on Oahu - Aulani Resort Aulani is a fabulous destination with many activities on the property to pique the interest of all age levels. But there is also so much to do on the island of Oahu. The excursion desk in the lobby has a variety of planned tours, but if you would like to venture out on your own, you can also rent a car through Alamo with a location on the Aulani property. Hawaii Plantation Village Learn the history of a sugar cane plantation and the island. You will leave with an understanding of the culture and life on the plantation. It is a short 11-mile drive from Aulani. Tours start on the hour between 10:00 and 2:00 and last roughly 2 hours. The Dole Plantation Another plantation tour that […]