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5/3/2023 • Cruises •
It’s almost here! You have been dreaming of setting sail on your Disney cruise for months and months, and the time has finally come! Soon you will be able to complete your online check-in. To keep you from being one of those frustrated sailors in your Facebook group, we are going to prepare you for smooth sailing through the online check-in process by making sure you are armed and ready with everything you need! Check-In dates vary by your Castaway Cay level or if you are sailing Concierge: - Pearl / Concierge Level = 40 days prior to sailing - Platinum Level = 38 days prior to sailing - Gold Level = 35 days prior to sailing - Silver Level = 33 days prior to sailing - First time Disney Cruise Line cruisers = 30 days prior to sailing Before Your Online Check-In Date: - Confirm the exact spelling and […]
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4/11/2023 • Blog, Cruises •
Disney Cruise Line has enhanced their cruise ship dining on the Disney Wish by adding more entertainment to their rotational dining experiences. My favorite of the new options is Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure and let me share my experience from the trip and why this restaurant was my favorite dining experience onboard. Tables are assigned for dining at all of Disney Cruise Line’s rotational restaurants so don’t be concerned if you are running a few minutes late. Those that arrive before the restaurant opens, will wait in the fully decorated entrance hall to the restaurant complete with port windows covered in frosty designs. You’ll be able to view and take pictures with the royal portraits and statue of armor, just as Anna and Elsa experienced growing up in their Arendelle castle. Once you enter the main dining hall, you’ll be seated around the performance stage set in the middle […]
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8/23/2022 • Cruises, Tips •
For most cruisers, packing for a warm weather destination cruise is a piece of cake. However, sailing to Alaska can require a little more thought. For our Alaskan cruise, I was concerned about having enough variety of clothes for all potential weather while still being able to pack light. I didn’t want to pack a lot of heavier clothes that would add to the number of pieces of luggage. Layers, layers, layers was our motto. For most days, we started in jeans, t-shirts, a fleece jacket and windbreakers. As the day went on, we peeled off layers. We also purchased waterproof hiking shoes that were perfect for all of our excursions and our feet stayed dry. They were our go to shoes for rainy weather or hiking out to the base of a waterfall. Hats and gloves were only necessary when sailing through Tracy Arms. It got rather breezy and […]
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4/5/2022 • Blog, Cruises, Disneyland, Walt Disney World •
Photo above: Pin trading board at Disney’s Riviera Resort craft room. Are you an expert in pin trading or have you only heard this term and thought ‘what is that?!’ Pin Trading is a really fun way to interact with cast members and other guests throughout the parks and resorts. And it’s fun for all ages! It’s super easy to get started! If you are headed to Disneyland, Walt Disney World, or a Disney Cruise, you can purchase a starter set or a few individual pins from many of the resort and park shops. ShopDisney also has a small selection you can purchase from ahead of your trip. Once you are at your Disney destination, look for pin trading stations or cast members & guests wearing lanyards with their own pins. If you find a pin you like then select a pin from your personal collection and make a trade. […]
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2/18/2022 • Blog, Cruises •
Disney Cruise Line has adapted and changed quite a bit since relaunching after the COVID shutdown. Whether you are a first-time cruiser, or frequent Castaway Club member, knowing what to expect when you arrive for embarkation is imPORTant. PortMiami sits inside Biscayne Bay on Dodge Island. This port is among the nation's busiest ports, moving around six million passengers and transporting goods by the billions. Disney Cruise Line is one of the many companies that occupy PortMiami. When you cross the bridge and arrive on the island, you will see cruise and cargo ships galore! Right in the middle of it all is Cruise Terminal C - Disney’s terminal. When you pull up, those giant red and black stacks with a giant Mickey head will let you know you’re in the right place! Whether you are parking in the main garage directly across the way or being dropped off, you […]
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8/17/2021 • Cruises, Tips •
Packing for a vacation is an important part of the planning process, but rarely do people think about what they should NOT bring onboard a Disney cruise. This is a broad overview of some of the items you should leave at home in order to provide a safe environment for all guests. If you have any questions about specific items, your Me and The Mouse Travel Specialist will be happy to assist. What NOT To Bring On Your Disney Cruise Absolutely no weapons or anything that may resemble a weapon. Includes explosives, ammunition, flares, knives or scissors exceeding 4”, or anything highly flammable. If you made a stop at Hollywood Studios prior to your cruise and bought a lightsaber, plan on shipping it home since it won’t be allowed on the ship. Scuba diving equipment, however, snorkeling equipment (mask, fins) are allowed. Air mattresses The only alcohol permitted to be […]
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8/3/2021 • Cruises •
You are ready to set sail on an amazing, unforgettable vacation onboard your Disney Cruise ship. What do I need to know about tipping onboard my Disney Cruise? Gratuities for services given throughout your cruise, including your stateroom hosts and restaurant servers are customarily given at the end of your cruise. Standard Gratuity Suggestions (per person, per night) $4.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Server. $3.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Assistant Server. $1.25 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Head Server. $4.75 (per passenger, per night) in automatic gratuity for your Stateroom Host. Gratuities for spa services, room service, etc. can be added to your stateroom bill as you sail. Some Drinks have a gratuity automatically added – any drinks, non-alcoholic or alcoholic, you order from a bartender will automatically have a 15% gratuity added. In addition, […]
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7/30/2021 • Cruises •
It is always a sad day when it is time to disembark from your wonderful Disney Cruise vacation. Even though you don’t want the cruise to end, you may be anxious to get off the ship to spend time at Walt Disney World or to get to the airport to catch a flight. Disney Cruise Line has created Express Walk-Off to allow passengers to be the first off the ship. As a general rule, you will be able to walk off the ship around 7:15 AM if you participate in Express Walk-Off, however, please keep in mind it does depend on when Customs clears the ship, which may cause delays. There are a few important steps to follow in order to use this process: 1. You MUST be able to carry your own bags off the ship, which means you will not be following the regular procedure of setting your […]
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7/23/2021 • Cruises, Reviews, Tips •
One of the most sought-after experiences of a Disney Cruise is having a cabana at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. Our family has been fortunate to experience this luxury, which we like to label “peace, quiet and solitude.” The cabana experience includes: Bottled waters, cans of soda, and cold towels in a refrigerator Fresh fruit, granola bars, and chips Towels and sunscreen Fresh water shower including foot rinse Hammock Lounge areas, changing area, storage, safe, ceiling fan, music, and outlet Floats and tubes and one-hour bike rental The Family Beach includes a private beach experience with beach loungers, chairs, umbrellas, snorkel equipment, and sand toys Cabana host and service button Twenty cabanas grace the Family Beach – including one accessible cabana – while four are at the adults-only Serenity Bay. The Experience The experience is especially good for families traveling with heat-sensitive guests, elderly or small children. My 80-year-old mother-in-law […]
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5/25/2021 • Cruises, Tips •
You’ve selected your perfect Disney Cruise Line itinerary. With all the exciting destinations offered, you have completed the hardest step! Next, let’s help you determine what kind of stateroom will best fit both your family’s needs as well as your budget. There are four main categories of staterooms on a Disney ship: Inside, Oceanview, Verandah, and Concierge. An inside stateroom (no windows to the outside) is the least expensive category. If you really want to cruise but see your room as only a place to sleep, or if the price difference between an inside stateroom and a verandah is make or break for you going on the cruise, an inside stateroom might be the answer for you! is a larger space and offers fresh light and a beautiful view. Depending on the ship and stateroom, you may have 1 or 2 non-opening portholes to look out of. If you would […]
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