Disney Cruise 2014: Time Zones

Disney Cruise Series: Post #5

One quick tip... be sure to note your time zones and set your watches accordingly, especially if you are getting on and off the ship!

We saw an older man run almost the entire length of the pier in Cozumel because he did not do this. He boarded after the whistle sounded for the last passenger aboard and almost missed the ship.  Everyone who happened to see him running from their balconies (like us) was cheering him on and telling the crew to wait.  I'm sure he'll  never do that again.

Even though there is no internet service (unless you bought one of the plans), be sure to set your phone/iPad, etc. to whatever time zone you are in if you take it off the ship.  I had mine still set on "set automatically" for New York, Eastern Daylight Time.  I got off the ship in Grand Cayman which is an hour earlier and unknowingly, came into a wifi area.  My iPhone which I had set one hour ahead, reverted to its original NY time setting and I thought I had missed my tour!  Thankfully, I had not, but to avoid any unnecessary panicking...

Disney Cruise 2014 : Doing Your Laundry

Disney Cruise: Post #4

Chores--yes,  you can do your own laundry on the ship OR you can have it done by your room host/hostess.  Not sure how much that costs, but to do it yourself...

$1.00 per small single load box of detergent
$1.00 washer
$1.00 dryer

$3.00 total for one load which took about 1 1/2 hours to complete.

The main issue is finding an empty washer and dryer.  Check your Navigator app for the locations or call Guest Services to find one.   OR ask your room host / hostess where they are all located.  Ours told us about one that was not even on our map which was a huge help.

Everyone seemed to be doing laundry on the same day that we did, which was the Thursday day at sea before returning home on Saturday, so get this chore done early.

It's so much easier to pack clean clothes than dirty ones (and more sanitary, too), so this was a given for us to set aside a little time to do this.  We just put a load in the washer before breakfast and put it in the dryer after breakfast. Did a little shopping while it was drying... piece of cake... or you can have an ice cream cone on one of the decks.  :)

Also, the only irons and ironing boards on the ship are located in the laundry rooms (Disney calls them launderettes).

Disney Cruise 2014: Navigator App

Disney Cruise:   Post #3

This handy phone app for iOS or Android is a handy tool.  Disney definitely thinks of everything.  Incredible the way that it only works on the ship's wifi free of charge, yet blocks other access out but its own.  The wifi network is pricey so we did not purchase it.  Plus, you're on vacation, so who wants to answer mail?

When opening your app on the ship though, most times as it refreshes, it would also refresh my Facebook and mail accounts during the 2-4 seconds it takes to open.  So I was generally able to see what was going on at home.     Don't count on this as I'm sure Disney will figure out sooner or later that this happens...

Be sure to download the app  BEFORE you leave home or you will need to purchase one of the internet packages in order to use it.

What's in it?  No need to reinvent the wheel, so take a look at THIS link to see the details.

OK, I'll tell you a few things that it has:

• Deck plans (maps)
• Menus at the restaurants
• Show times for stage and screen

But really, click on the link to see everything that is has to offer.  :)

Disney Cruise 2014: What to Wear

Disney Cruise 2014, Post #2: What to Wear

This is primarily for women since I am one, but I will advise men to take a jacket, dress pants and shoes (and socks) and a tie.

Day Wear:
Cruise Casual--shorts / capris and T-shirts, blouses, flip flops
Around the pools of course, swimwear and  cover-ups
Buffet type food locations:  swimsuits and cover-ups are fine
Table service food locations:  no tanks, swimwear

Evening Wear:
Cruise casual, unless designated

3 out of 7 nights were dressy for us:
(1) Captain's Gala, the most formal--cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, photo shoot with the Captain and crew in their dress uniforms
(2) Dinner at Palo restaurant
(3) Another evening that was designated as semi-formal

I took one long dress with two different shawls and jewelry to change them up.

Disney Cruise 2014: Planning Your Trip

My husband and I just returned a couple of weeks ago from our first cruise on the Disney Fantasy to the Western Caribbean.  It was seven days of a truly lovely vacation. We are already discussing taking another longer one next year to a different location and taking our sons on a short one sometime in between.  We were fortunate to have a friend who had been on several cruises to sit and talk with us and give us some handy tips and ideas.  So, even though we probably have not met, I'll be that friend to you!  :)

Post #1:  Initial Planning

--Renew your passport

--Check your budget

--Look at the weather forecast and for women, plan your wardrobe and do whatever shopping is needed early.   2 suitcases per person are allowed to be checked.  My husband and I each had one suitcase and we shared a third that had tennis shoes,  umbrellas, jackets, snorkel gear.  We carried my laptop on board primarily to upload photos each day.

--Take advantage of the planning center that Disney offers to get an idea of all of the excursions that are available and budget your $$ to do something fun at each port, even if it's as simple as just getting off the ship and walking around the new city, sightseeing and doing a little shopping.   Don't plan to do too much each day.  Our cruise had 2 days at sea, with stops at four ports.  Day 1 debarkation is not until 4 pm, and we boarded at 11:30 a.m. so that was another day as well.    Book your port adventures as early as you can.

--If this is an anniversary or special occasion, adults check out the fine dining (it's ALL good) and the special reservations-only restaurants on board the ship [Palo and Remy]. You pay a little more for one or more of these evenings but they are very elegant to celebrate a special time together.  Make those reservations early.

Happy Sunday!

Have a wonderful, restful day ...  wherever you may be, I hope you begin it with worship.

Heb 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, 

but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Cross Stitch Gift : Bookmark

Here is a cross stitched bookmark that I made for our sweet Chinese scholar when she returned home... I actually made a second one similar for me to keep to remember her by.

One of my sons gave me a laminator as a Christmas gift and this was its inaugural project.  Works GREAT.

The verse on the back in Mandarin Chinese reads:

Philippians 1:3-4

I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you...

Coming soon: First Disney Cruise

My husband and I experienced our first cruise last week--on the Disney ship Fantasy. 

I will start posting about it over the weekend and will do a series on this excellent adventure. 

Check back soon!