Blog Posts Tagged Cruise

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Beverage Packages Explained

3/31/2020 • Cruises, Tips • If you are traveling on a Royal Caribbean cruise, it’s important to know your options regarding extra purchases and packages.  The most common question I get from clients is about beverages and beverage packages.  Here is what you need to know: What’s included: There are a few select options available to you at no charge.  Tap water, coffee, iced tea, milk, lemonade, flavored water, juice, and hot chocolate are available to all guests free of charge.  If you want a little more variety, you may want to add a beverage package to suit the needs of your family. What are my options? If the free beverages don’t quite cut it, there are affordable options for anyone on a Royal Caribbean Cruise.  The three main beverage packages are the Classic Soda, Refreshment and Deluxe. Classic Soda Package:  With this package, you will receive a free refillable cup for the duration of your […]

I Just Booked a Royal Caribbean Cruise! Now What?

11/12/2019 • Cruises, Tips • Booking a cruise is so exciting, but can also feel overwhelming if you aren’t sure what steps to take next.  To plan your next Royal Caribbean Cruise and arrive feeling calm and collected, follow these four important steps: 1. Make sure you have all of the required documentation for every member of your party.  At Me and The Mouse, we always encourage our clients to have passports.  While this is not required for cruises embarking and debarking in the United States, it will protect you in the event you would need to fly out of the country.  Make sure to check your passports and renew any that expire at least 10 weeks before your cruise.  If you do not have a passport, make sure all adults have their government-issued photo IDs and original birth certificate.  Double and triple-check that all required documents match the birthdates and spellings that are listed […]

Top 5 tips for Preparing for a Disney Cruise – From the View of a Special Needs Parent!

11/8/2019 • Cruises, Tips • WE DID IT!!!  We accomplished a long term “goal” of successfully traveling as a family on the Disney Cruise Line.  There have been many factors over the 20 + years since my husband and I went on our first Disney cruise that has stood in the way of successfully accomplishing this goal.  Fear was the biggest hurdle. As I have previously shared, my oldest son is living with Fragile X Syndrome. Would he tolerate the motion of the boat? Would he be able to tell us if he was feeling unwell or would he only display undesirable behaviors?  Would he want to participate in the various activities? Would he want to get off at the various port of call? The following tips are what we did to prepare by hoping to lessen any potential behaviors that might come along with his constant desire to know, "what's next." 5. Research your […]

Top 5 Things to do at Perfect Day Coco Cay Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s Private Island

9/10/2019 • Cruises, Tips • As a long-time cruiser with Disney Cruise Line, I have always enjoyed the stop at Disney’s Castaway Cay.  On my recent, first trip on Royal Caribbean, this is where they had to reach the bar that Disney has set so high in the category of private islands.  I am happy to report that Perfect Day Coco Cay was everything and more than what I expected.  There is so much to do on this island and not enough time so with that in mind, here are my top 5 “must-do” activities: 1. Zip Lining – By far, this was my favorite activity and the best way to get some spectacular views of the island.  There were 3 segments, all very mild and low-key.  Each segment lasted about 20 seconds and whisked you over the top of several different areas of Coco Cay.  Even those who are not huge thrill-seekers will enjoy […]

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line {Review}

6/25/2019 • Cruises, Reviews • Are you an adventurer looking for endless thrills? Are you foodie hoping to expand your culinary experiences? Maybe you are just a little stressed from the constant full schedules on a daily basis. Whatever your reasons, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line could be just what you’ve been looking for! With 20+ ships in the fleet and 7 different classes this cruise line could surely have the perfect itinerary for you. My family’s awesome adventure took us on an 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruise with stops in Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, & St Maarten. Each Caribbean or Bahamian itinerary also includes a stop at one of Royal Caribbean’s private islands, either Labadee Haiti or Perfect Day at Cococay. Each private destination allows you to chill on beautiful beaches. Thrill yourself on things like ziplines, waterslides, or unwind like you mean it at swim-up bars or overwater cabanas. Even though Caribbean is in their […]

Doing Laundry on a Disney Cruise

12/4/2018 • 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 – Very Merrytime Cruises

11/30/2018 • Cruises • If you love Christmas and you love Disney, sailing away on a Very Merrytime Cruise with Disney Cruise Line should be added to your Christmas list. I was fortunate to experience my first Very Merrytime Cruise on the Disney Dream with my Me and The Mouse team in early November this year. I love the holidays and was so excited to get a jump start on Christmas music, decorations, and holiday traditions. Disney’s expertise in creating a “Magical Christmas” sailing is something I was thrilled to have the opportunity to experience. I especially enjoyed the magic of snow in the tropics. Holiday activities and offerings are subject to change by ship and itinerary, but I am excited to share a sampling below: Deck the Deck Tropical Holiday Party-Where your Disney pals know how to get the holiday party started with dancing and games such as candy cane limbo. Mickey’s Tree […]

Sailing Concierge Level on Disney Cruise Line

8/31/2018 • 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 […]

5 Don’t Miss Opportunities on the Disney Dream

7/13/2018 • Cruises, Tips •   1.  Sail Away Party -  The Sail Away Deck Party is not to be missed! This event marks the beginning of your adventure on your cruise and shouldn't be missed.  Go to the pool deck, or the deck above that looks down onto the pool deck and enjoy the party.     The Sail Away Deck Party is full of excitement, has lots of music and dancing, and you get a chance to see many of your favorite Disney characters decked out in their cruising attire. Be on the lookout for Captain Mickey Mouse and his friends Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, and Pluto, who want you to join in on the fun!!   2.  Animator's Palette-  Animator’s Palate pays tribute to Disney and Pixars animation process. From the dining room chairs that are patterned after Mickey Mouse’s pants to the paintbrush butter knives,  you won't want to skip your dinner at this […]

Selecting the Best Location on a Disney Cruise Ship

7/5/2018 • Cruises, Tips • You’ve been planning your cruise by picking the perfect date and itinerary for your upcoming cruise, but how to choose a stateroom location. Everyone has different ideas as to what goes into the best location, so a few things to consider when making your selection: If you are sensitive to motion, having a stateroom center ship and on a lower deck may provide less movement of the ship. 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 light sleeper, this location may not be for you. Elevators tend to be very congested before and after dinner. If you do not mind taking […]