Before You Leave Home

We've never been on a cruise. What do we need to know?

First of all, relax -- that's the point of your vacation. With Disney Cruise Line, you'll find your ticketing, air transportation, and transfers (if you choose the Air Program), your stateroom accommodations, and meals and entertainment on board have all been arranged. All you need to do is pack -- and you don't need to bring much, because the atmosphere is casual and informal and if necessary, you can purchase almost anything you need right on board.

Should I buy travel insurance?

It is strongly recommend that you purchase the Disney Cruise Vacations Protection Plan that provides baggage, trip cancellation/interruption, and medical expense coverage for your vacation. Remember, most major medical policies do not provide coverage outside the U.S.

What documentation do I need to bring?

All U.S. citizens must travel with proof of citizenship. The requirements up until 12/31/05 are to have one of the following:

• Valid U.S. Passport
• Certified birth certificate with acceptable picture identification. Copies of birth certificates without a raised seal are not acceptable
• Certified Naturalization certificate with acceptable picture identification.

Acceptable forms of picture identification are state driver’s license, or federal, state or local government photo ID card. Guests age 17 and under who are U.S. citizens are only required to have proof of citizenship, excluding picture identification.

As of 12/31/2005, the U.S. Department of State is requiring Passports .

All non-U.S. citizens , including alien residents of the United States, must have valid passports and necessary visas at time of embarkation to ensure his/her ability to re-enter the U.S. upon the ship’s return. Travel documents required throughout the vacation are the responsibility of the Guest.

These guidelines are based on U.S. government regulations, which are subject to change at any time. It is the Guest’s responsibility to check with their travel agent, government agencies, embassies or consulates prior to their vacation to ensure that they have proper documentation.

Any Guest traveling without proper documentation will not be allowed to board the vessel and no refund of cruise fare will be issued.

For all non-U.S. citizens, including Canadian citizens, travel documents will be collected at check-in by a Disney Cruise Line representative and a passport/Alien Resident Card receipt will be issued for presentation to Immigration Inspectors upon return to Port Canaveral.

Security guidelines require all adult Guests to show a picture I.D. to embark and disembark the ship in all ports, including Castaway Cay. Please be advised that anyone under the age of 18 wishing to go ashore unaccompanied will be required to have a consenting parent, guardian or other responsible adult with them at the gangway, to provide their signature as authorization.

Should I bring cash/ Credit cards/ Foreign currency?

Transactions aboard the ship are in U.S. dollars. In The Bahamas and the Caribbean , U.S. dollars and major credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. But you won't need to bring much cash (except for shore side purchases), because Disney Cruise Line has a convenient "cash-free" system on board the ship. When you arrive at the Walt Disney World Resort or at the Disney Cruise Line Terminal at Port Canaveral, your signature will be requested for check-in. At this time you may also present a credit card (American Express, MasterCard, Visa, or The Disney Credit Card), which will give you charging privileges at both the Walt Disney World Resort and aboard the ship. Any purchases on the ship, including beverage services, spa, salon services, photography, medical and laundry services, purchases from our retail shops, gratuities, and any item or service of a personal nature must be charged to your room charge.

All charges must be settled before your resort departure and debarkation from the ship by cash, personal check, travelers checks, Disney Dollars, American Express, MasterCard, Visa, or The Disney Credit Card. (Any other expenses are payable on demand.) Note: Credit card payments are subject to credit clearance, and personal checks must be accompanied by a valid U.S. driver's license and a major credit card. Note: Credit card payments are subject to credit clearance

What should I pack?

In short, the less the better. The Walt Disney World Resort and Disney Cruise Line offer a casual, informal resort atmosphere. During the summer months, lightweight shorts, slacks, sundresses, jeans, and tops are all appropriate daytime attire in The Bahamas, the Caribbean, and Central Florida . In the winter, a light jacket, sweater, and socks may be needed for cooler days and nights. Bring comfortable shoes -- like boat shoes, sandals, or sneakers. And don't forget swimwear, sunglasses, a sunhat or visor, and sunscreen - especially for the kids.

Shipboard evening attire for the Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay dining rooms is casual. Button-down, open-collar shirts or polo shirts and slacks are recommended for men. Pants and a blouse or a casual dress are appropriate for ladies. For Lumiére’s (Disney Magic) and Triton’s (Disney Wonder) restaurants and the adult-only alternative dinner restaurant, Palo, it is suggested that men wear jackets, or a button-down shirt and tie, and ladies wear dresses or pantsuits. It is requested that no shorts, T-shirts or jeans be worn in any of the restaurants in the evening.

Aboard the 7-Night Caribbean Cruise there are two evening dinners that require more formal, or "black-tie-optional", attire. Tuxedo rentals are available in advance for these special dinners.

For those Guests sailing on our 7-Night Cruise, we will celebrate the spirit of the islands with a special deck party. You are invited to join in the fun by wearing festive island wear including colorful shirts, dresses, shorts, or pants.

Also remember to bring prescription medicines in original containers, an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, and your camera. Of course, if you do forget something, you can buy it on board. Please note that strollers are available for rental on board.

Can I park at Port Canaveral?

If you prefer to drive to your cruise, the parking facility is operated by the Canaveral Port Authority. Cash, MasterCardand Visa are acceptable forms of payment. Outdoor parking at the pier is $30 for the 3-night cruise, $40 for the 4-night cruise, and $70 for the 7-night cruise. Rates are subject to change.

Onboard

Can I call home from the ship?

You can direct dial anywhere in the world right from your stateroom.

Ship-to-shore rates of $6.95 per minute apply (subject to change) and will be posted in your stateroom

What's an assembly drill -- and do I have to go?

Everyone on board the ship must participate in a compulsory safety drill before departure to comply with Coast Guard and international safety regulations. All passengers are required to attend.

There's so much to do on the ship! How will I know what's going on and when?

On your cruise, you can Discover Uncharted Magic of your own. A complete listing of all activities, adventures, and entertainment will be available upon arrival in your stateroom. Guest Services and the programming counselors will be happy to assist you in developing a customized itinerary for your one-of-a-kind voyage.

Is there child care on board?

Supervised children's programs and activities are available on the ship from 9:00 a.m. to midnight for children ages 3-12. Children must be age 3 and potty trained in order to participate. Parents sign their children in and out of the programs. Events have been designed for teens as well, ages 13-17. Teens do not need to be signed in and out by parents. There is no additional charge for these planned events. Group babysitting is available for a fee and is subject to availability.

Will we get to see Disney Characters on board?

On board, the beloved Disney Characters appear like magic in an array of different settings including lively stage shows, plenty of meet and greet and photo opportunities, and other special programs, especially in kids' areas at Disney's Oceaneer Club and on Castaway Cay. These are magical moments to remember forever -- only on Disney Cruise Line!

Is there Babysitting?

Group babysitting is available for children 12 weeks-3 years old in Flounder's Reef Nursery, located on Deck 5, Midship. Guests must sign up their children between 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. on embarkation day. There is a fee of $6 per child per hour, and $5 per additional child per hour, 2-hour minimum required. The facility is open for select hours every day. Rates and times are subject to change. Space is limited. Services are subject to availability.

Is there a doctor in the house?

For your convenience, a physician and nurse are on call 24-hours a day on every cruise to provide basic medical services. The physician and nurse will charge their standard prevailing fees for these services. Also, please bring an adequate supply of any prescription drugs (in their original containers) you require and keep them in your carry-on luggage.

Can I work away from home? (Business services)

We know how important it is for business people, even when they are on vacation, to keep in touch with responsibilities at the office. You'll find a full range of business services at the Walt Disney World Resort and on board the ship available for an additional charge, including facsimile transmission, copies, and AV equipment when booked prior to embarkation. On the ship, ship-to-shore calling rates apply.

Are there limits to the amount of merchandise that I may bring into the U.S. from The Bahamas duty-free?

You'll find lots of exciting duty-free shopping right on board in the shops as well as on shore in Nassau! Each U.S. resident aboard Disney Cruise Line returning from The Bahamas to the U.S. can bring back up to U.S. $600 worth of duty-free merchandise (retail price) per Guest. Each Guest 21 years old and older is limited to 2 liters of alcohol (of which one 1 liter must be produced in The Bahamas) and one 1 carton of cigarettes and 100 cigars (excluding Cuban cigars) duty free. U.S. manufactured tobacco products that are purchased abroad may not be brought back into the U.S. These limits are mandated by U.S. law and are subject to change.

Are there limits to the amount of merchandise that I may bring into the U.S. from the Caribbean duty-free?

There are. Each U.S. resident aboard Disney Cruise Line returning from the Caribbean to the U.S. can bring back up to U.S. $1,200 per traveler (that includes up to $400 worth of on-ship purchases and up to $600 of purchases in The Bahamas). Each Guest 21 years old and older is limited to: 5 liters of alcohol (Only 1 liter can be acquired in The Bahamas or on the ship); 5 cartons of cigarettes (only 1 carton allowed from The Bahamas or from the ship); 100 cigars (excluding Cuban cigars). U.S. manufactured tobacco products that are purchased abroad may not be brought back into the U.S. These limits are mandated by U.S. law and are subject to change.

Can we celebrate a special occasion?

Whether you're celebrating an anniversary, birthday, honeymoon, or other special occasion, please have your travel agent advise Disney Cruise Line of the occasion at least three weeks prior to departure. They will be happy to celebrate the occasion in the dining rooms. There is a great variety of fun-filled baskets, merchandise, and other goodies that will get your cruise off to a perfect start. Ask your travel agent for a brochure listing all these items with your tickets. Then just follow the instructions and a basket full of fun will be waiting for you in your stateroom!

Dining

What is rotation dining?

Cruises are famous for great food, but only Disney Cruise Line features three spectacular main restaurants where dining is a total artistic experience: Animators Palate, Parrot Cay, Lumiére's (Disney Magic), and Triton's (Disney Wonder). Each evening of the cruise, Guests will rotate to one of the three restaurants and dine with the same table Guests and servers.

What time is dinner?

Dinner is served at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. You should inform your Travel Agent of your seating time preference when you book your vacation. No requests are guaranteed. Generally, adults without children will dine with other adults while families dine with other families. Children's menus are available in the restaurants. In addition, a dinner buffet will be offered for children who participate in the supervised programs during the dinner hour. Times are subject to change.

What should I wear to dinner?

As part of the "Cruise Casual" policy, it is asked that you do not wear tank tops, swimwear or shorts to the dining rooms. Jeans are allowed.

The evening's attire is determined by the day, not the restaurant. On the 7 day cruises you will have a formal night, semi-formal, Pirate/tropical night and four "Cruise Casual" nights. (Disney Cruise Line will provide a brochure for tuxedo rentals prior to your cruise.)

On the 3 and 4 day cruises you will have one night that is designated "dress-up." Gentlemen will be asked to wear a jacket and ladies either a dress or pantsuit.

For the "Pirates of the Caribbean " themed night, guests may wear pirate costumes if they'd like.

For guests who make a reservation at Palo, during dinner gentlemen will be required to wear a dress shirt. Gentlemen wearing polo shirts, t-shirts, Tommy Bahama style shirts, etc will not be allowed admittance. Jackets and/or ties are still recommended but not required. Notices will be in the Personal Navigator, on the Palo reservation card and a sign outside the elevators on deck 10 will contain this dress advisory. The Resort Casual dress code for both the brunch and high tea remains unchanged.

Is there a romantic restaurant just for adults?

The ship features an adults-only alternative restaurant called Palo. Dining hours for Palo are 6 - 11 p.m. Reservations are required, and taken (once on board) on a first-come first-served basis. Palo dining is limited to Guests 18 and older. There is a service charge of $10 per Guest for gratuities.

What about breakfast, lunch, and snacks?

Breakfast and lunch are served in Parrot Cay, Lumiére’s (Disney Magic), and Triton’s (Disney Wonder). There's an indoor/outdoor buffet or casual poolside dining during breakfast and lunch.

Is room service available?

Would you care for breakfast in bed or a sandwich at midnight? While on board, you can order room service 24-hours a day. From 7 - 10 a.m., complimentary continental breakfast will be delivered to your stateroom upon request, with the exclusion of disembarkation morning. For Guests occupying the Walter E. Disney Suite, Roy O. Disney Suite, and the 2-bedroom or 1-bedroom suites, a full breakfast is served upon request from 7 - 10 a.m., with the exclusion of disembarkation morning.

I’m on a special diet. Can I get it on board?

Low-sodium meals, Kosher meals, and certain other special diet-restricted meals will be available. Dietary requests should be made at time of booking. At the Walt Disney World Resort, certain dietary needs may be accommodated at most full-service restaurants if requested 24-hours in advance.

What is the policy on alcoholic beverages?

The drinking age aboard the ship is 21. Valid photo I.D. required. Disney Cruise Line reserves the right to refuse sales and/or service to anyone.

Services

Do I need an electrical converter?

All stateroom outlets are 110V/60 Hz. Standard U.S. electrical appliances will work on board. There's a hair dryer in every stateroom bathroom.

What if I run out of film?

You won't because you can buy film at the photo shop, Shutters, which also offers photography services and a limited selection of cameras and accessories. Of course, with so many exciting photo opportunities happening on board, you might wonder if you can cover it all. But don't feel pressured to keep your camera handy. Our photographers will wander the ship, putting your fun and excitement on film. You'll find their photos displayed for purchase at the photo shop. Film and quality photo finishing services are available throughout the Walt Disney World Resort.

What can we buy?

You'll have the opportunity to purchase exclusive Disney Cruise Line logo merchandise available onboard and nowhere else. From beautiful clothes to towels to fine watches -- this is your chance to keep the memories alive long after your cruise. You'll also find unique and exclusive Disney collectibles, and if someone forgets their toothpaste or bathing suits -- we've got that, too! All this and much more, is available at the duty-free and retail shops of Disney Cruise Line.

Is there a spa on the ship?

Disney Cruise Line offers one of the largest and most elaborate spa and fitness centers at sea, with programs ranging from a simple facial to a full range of treatments to relax and refresh your body and soul. Spa, hair salon, massage, and beauty shop charges are additional and may be charged to your room charge.

Is there laundry service?

Laundry services are available at your Walt Disney World hotel and we suggest you take advantage of them if you have a lot of laundry to do during your stay. On board, laundry and dry-cleaning services (with stateroom pickup) are available for a charge. There is also a self-service Guest Laundry Room with coin-operated washers, dryers, detergent, and ironing equipment. For safety reasons, irons or steamers may be used in the laundry room only.

Help! I’m really confused about tipping!

It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. Of course, you should never feel that a reward is automatically expected from you. But as a guideline, may we suggest the following:

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

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