A check-in pro tip. You do not have to provide your credit card info while checking in. Check the box saying you will settle in cash to get through check-in more quickly. That will get you to your Port Arrival Time more quickly. Later, once you have your port arrival documents, go back and modify your check-in info to add a credit card.

If you are a concierge guest, you don't need to choose the arrival time. They will automatically set your arrival time as 11:00 a.m. and you can arrive anytime.

3:43 the deliver of " now DoNt YoU fEeL sPeCiAl" was so good 😂😂😂

For last year's cruise, I totally forgot that my husband, daughter and I could book shore excursions before my parents and my sister's family because we had cruised with Disney before and they hadn't! So glad we remembered at the last minute!

I’m cruising on Disney next October for the first time and decided to do concierge. This is a helpful video and always fun to watch these videos from DFB Guide!

Cabanas buffet is really good especially if you like boiled shrimp and cracked crab claws. The deck “food court” is great too.

For a future video, advice on combining a cruise with going to the parks? Presumably you can split stay at different resorts between a cruise.

@richardmercer2337

11 ай бұрын

If you mean staying at separate resorts, no problem. Just make separate resort reservations for before and after your cruise. Of course it's simpler to book your cruise entirely before (or entirely after) your resort stay, but that's up to you! FWIW I strongly recommend using a travel agent for trips that involve a cruise.

@hunnybe28

11 ай бұрын

Thank you for this, I am looking to do the park and cruise.

@LinusCello75

11 ай бұрын

If you have the money, splitting your stay at different resorts allows you to take advantage of location. Maybe before or after the cruise you stay at AK Lodge, so you can quickly get to AK. For the other split stay, Caribbean Beach or Swan/Dolphin so you’re walking distance to EPCOT and HS.

@TiffUponAStar

11 ай бұрын

Land and sea trips are fun and easy to plan. We do land and sea trips every year and don’t use a travel planner. Super easy to do

@audreyrose1694

10 ай бұрын

it's definitely a thing! almost every time i am traveling through orlando, i run into someone who does a "land and sea" package

I’m a gold member now. The Wish is the only ship I haven’t been on yet, but I’m looking at December for that. I love the DCL. What beautiful and happy ships they have!

Online Check-In is based on your Castaway Club level. Pearl can check in the same time as Concierge, Platinum a couple days later, Gold a couple days after Platinum, then Silver, and then first timers.

Was on the Wish earlier this year and we are going for another cruise in March next year. Truly enjoyed the cruise.

Would be good to mention that some of the things brought up in this video to watch for are identical on any other cruise (what's asked for in online check-in, no cash onboard, buffets not being 24/7, premium dining booking). Great to mention for people fully new to cruising, but for people only new to Disney cruise, there's a lot that's the same. =)

The Key to the World card has always felt like an ID while you're on the cruise to me. So it makes sense that you would want to keep that on your person while you're getting on and off the ship. Plus, some of the Caribbean and Bahamian destinations don't require a passport as an American. So I would assume that your Key to the World card functions as your "passport" while you are at those destinations.

Sailing on our first Disney cruise in April and I could not be more excited!!! Our kiddos first cruise ever !!

@DFBGuide

5 ай бұрын

Have so much fun!!

After this vid Im ready to just book a weekend stay at a resort in Orlando. Seems way less stressful. And more fun.

I don't mind occasionally buying an individual LL, but i really wish they would open more viral queues. They're free so I would love each park to have one or two rides like that

Lol - I am a stairs girl. My secret superpower is my mild fear of elevators.🤣 I live in the city in a condo building - I take the elevator around 1-2 times a day but generally do the stairs. I like a cabin on middle deck because it is manageable to take the stairs up or down because you are halfway. 🤷🏻‍♀️

@potatoking8468

11 ай бұрын

W

@richardmercer2337

11 ай бұрын

Totally understand. I was once stuck on an elevator for 30 minutes, and ever since have (almost) totally avoided elevators. I have carried my suitcase up several floors of stairs on a number of occasions!

Wow, some great points in here! Awesome Video! :D

AJ, great video and great info!

Just keep in mind, the Australian Cruises currently say that you will need to provide covid tests 24-48hrs before boarding (depending on the test type). No further details have been released on how we will submit them.

@simplyshaymitch

11 ай бұрын

Yes literally came to say this!

Thanks, it was a wonderful cruise!

We sailed with our 4 kids 4 times and all 4 literally HATED the kids clubs. So there was ZERO adult time for me and hubby. When we tell folks they scoff saying "why didn't you force them" Well, they were old enough to check themselves in and out. So just set your expectations accordingly. We waited till they all became over 18 so hubby and I could sail alone, leaving on our 3rd adult only in May of 2024.

@laurenlnb2386

9 ай бұрын

This is our 1st cruise... I'm doing the walk around for both teens... 16 and 14 so they know what to expect. Also, they have $150 US credit so they can have room service and buy things in their budget.

Hi AJ my now wife and I just got off our first cruise ever on the Fantasy. The entire time we both thought you were our cruise director. Her name was Ashley though. It was insane how much you both sound alike! Have you ever gotten that before!?

You got me so excited! We’re going soon!

My cruise is a year away but I'm already excited

@potatoking8468

11 ай бұрын

If it is your first have a magical time🎉🎉🎉🎉 I’m going on my 12th on a 9 day in September

I gotta convince my family to go on cruise with me!....or screw it, I'll go alone LOLOL

@mindyschocolate

11 ай бұрын

Four of my five Disney cruises have been solo. No regrets.

we love our Disney planner.

Architects and engineers actually have design rules of how long people will wait for elevators without getting impatient. Something like people get antsy at 30 seconds, visibly frustrated at 45 seconds, and ready to riot at a minute.

@kpl-CA

9 ай бұрын

Imagine being a DISABLED PERSON with no other options but waiting for a minimum 15-20 minutes for an elevator. 🤷 Disabled folks know they HAVE to start travelling at LEAST 45 minutes prior to an event on ships, to even have a chance. All those disabled folks that the selfish shove aside are disabled kids, including plenty of "Make-A-Wish" kids, grandparents, people in pain, dying people, and VETERANS. Funny how so many love to show off & talk big about *supposedly* being supporters of sick & disabled kids and "wounded warriors"... Until they have to use the stairs - then they trample disabled folks into the dirt. Then their REAL personality is revealed by the tiniest of challenges. Their bigoted behaviour reveals what those Disney cruisers REALLY ARE. Money doesn't hide a lazy, selfish, repulsive, bigoted soul.

Is everything you purchase on Castaway Cay charged to your room as well?

A Disney cruise is definitely on my wish list.I’ve gone to Disney world every year but one, since 2005.I would love to try a split stay.

@supistagarcia4864

11 ай бұрын

i personally recommend the dream or fantasy as they were the best for me, I've been on 4 Disney cruises at this point and recently i just took the wish on july 28th and it was sad, the food was horrible, virtually no entertainment, and the aqua mouse breaks constantly. But the dream and fantasy are this but 1000 times better in my opinion

@CAphotos

9 ай бұрын

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the 12 Disney cruises I’ve been on and I don’t have kids or grandchildren. I sure beats the cruises I used to do before on ships that were painted grey.

Ah okay, I was like man would be awesome to swim at like 3 am and explore the ship, nice to know you can actually do that. 😂

@caroline_catbridges_kitty5384

4 ай бұрын

I wouldn’t do the swimming part

Using DCL transportation negates the need for Port Arrival time

It was the drink on the intro for me 😢😍😩

yeah when i was a kid i hated the clubs so much, 3 and 12 year olds do not work well together lmao

I wanna do a Disney cruise for my birthday on Jan with family

As part of the Adult dining information, you should have included that they have VERY strict dress codes that must be adhered to or else you will get TURNED AWAY from your reservation. If you don’t have a suit and dress shoes with you, you aren’t dining in them.

@ArielLillian93

11 ай бұрын

Not at Palo anymore. When I went a few months ago, there were people dressed pretty casual. Not in flip flops or shorts but there were several people in jeans and button downs or nice blouses. No one in a suit. They’ve actually changed that policy.

@jodiehaskell5689

11 ай бұрын

Palo allows jeans in good condition and lifestyle shoes now. Much more casual than before.

@Kzorith

11 ай бұрын

@@ArielLillian93 In fairness, I haven’t been since I was turned away twice. I refuse to give that experience my business any more because of it. So, they might have changed the dress code, but it’s still something that should have been included in the video because, as pointed out, you can’t go up there in board shorts and flip flops. For the record, both times I was in a collared shirt, khaki pants. The first time I was turned away because I wasn’t in a suit, the second because I was wearing black runners instead of dress shoes.

@RLucas3000

11 ай бұрын

@@Kzorith did they give you your money back? No dress shoes in this era is rediculous. It’s not 1928.

@mindyschocolate

11 ай бұрын

@@ArielLillian93Palo you can do that. Remy or Enchante are way more formal.

27 days till my Disney Alaska Cruise Can’t wait

@richardmercer2337

11 ай бұрын

I enjoyed my Alaska cruise even more than the Caribbean ones. I STRONGLY suggest you investigate the possibility of an excursion to Butchart Gardens in Victoria. I know.... formal gardens aren't your thing. They weren't mine either, but I was SO glad I went! I don't take a lot of photos, but I took over 100 there!! I still have them....

@AndrewPriester

11 ай бұрын

@@richardmercer2337 Sorry but we don’t have the time to do it & we have been too Butchart Garden twice when we visited Victoria two times

great video, really interesting :)

I'm going on my first ever disney cruise in 8 months so excited!

@potatoking8468

11 ай бұрын

Have fun🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 I’m going on my 12th in September for a 9 day

@luketharpgraphics

11 ай бұрын

@@potatoking8468going in September as well! Fantasy for our first. So excited!

Great video! I'll be going on my 2nd DCL trip in April. My daughter wanted no part of the kids' club. She was 10 at the time and thought it was too babyish. But she had the best time everywhere else. And yes, it does rain on Castaway Cay. We didn't get to enjoy it. Hoping for our next trip we can. I learned new things on this video!

We're going on the wish over Halloween, so any and all cruise videos are wanted right now 😂

@amor2874

11 ай бұрын

We are going on the Wish a few days before but will hopefully be in magic kingdom on Halloween!

I probably will never be able to afford a cruise (unless I win the lottery) but if I did my family would want to do 2 staterooms. 1 for me and my parents and 1 for my brothers. Would it all still go through one person. Like the check in, the bookings, and the charges for souvenirs?

@TiffUponAStar

11 ай бұрын

You can afford it!!! Right now you can book a cruise up to February 2025!!! Plan far in advance and pay on it each month! I’m a single mom, i don’t live in Florida and we’re Gold on DCL!!! It’s definitely doable

I’m going on a Disney cruise for Christmas!!!! Also I heard that there is a castaway cay 5k and I was wondering how I could sign up for that

@potatoking8468

11 ай бұрын

Have a good time 🎉 🎉🎉 I’m going on my 12th cruise with Disney in September for a 9 day. Also they have a bike ride that’s a 5k I’ve done it it was nice

@richardmercer2337

11 ай бұрын

Suggest you ask on the ship -- try the excursions desk. IIRC there is no advance registration before the cruise. Very likely you just show up at the starting line. Hope you have a great time!!

@Summer_S97

11 ай бұрын

@@richardmercer2337 ty

Is Royal Court Tea party an extra fee? Or just need to reserve a ticket?

@JOEKPOND

10 ай бұрын

The tea party is an extra charge. It is about $220 per child plus $70 per adult.

Why are musical instruments not allowed to be purchased or if purchased by the person you get it at the end of the cruise??❤

Wish I could afford this

so if one of the 3 in my party doesnt have a passport they have a BC and DR lic do i take a pic of her DR license and BC ..or just a DR lic..and the passport book me and my wife have just take a pic of the page where our vitals are..pic dob name etc?

I have a random question that's been bothering me for days... What was the name of the person who writes (or used to write) scripts for AJ? She used to put in a bunch of puns. I've been trying to think of her name for days.

@laurallewien2165

11 ай бұрын

Her name is Brea

@aliraulukaitis6686

11 ай бұрын

@@laurallewien2165 I legit can't thank you enough it's been KILLING ME FOR DAYS

Also I have heard having your KTTW card handy at dinner, if ordering an adult beverage, is better than the magic band. Sounds like they need to take one or the other away to charge drink to your account.

Pearl members also get all photos during the cruise for free.

Disney will pre-charge you gratuity at some point during your cruise unless you go to the front desk and opt out. Thank was a shocking surprise of a $350 gratuity for a “head waiter” we literally only saw twice.

@zerokool-2058

8 ай бұрын

How you opt-out ?

What’s the earliest we can check in?

"ocean ear"

That*

Can we bring water and drinks on with us for a cruise?

@DFBGuide

9 ай бұрын

Typically yes. There are a few rules to follow, like having them factory sealed and rules around how you bring them on. All the specifics can be found on the DCL site

One thing…the kids club for tweens on the Disney Dream was sooo out of date. My daughter hated it…we sailed in 2021 and they had a PS3, XBox 360 and the original Wii. The club was small, and there was almost nothing for her to do. During the day while underway there wasn’t much either. The pools were packed, the drawing/sketching was horrible…random crew members who didn’t really know how to draw we’re trying …but it showed. We are ‘Disney’ people…we go to the parks every year, and the cruise was on our bucket list…but it just wasn’t worth it. Oh, did I mention the bed bugs? Yeah…bed bugs after you splurge for a stateroom with a verandah…and Disney didn’t do a thing about it. I can’t say enough bad things about the Disney Dream honestly…ship needs about a year in a dry dock and top down refurbishment.

@Empressranda

10 ай бұрын

😱 bed bugs are you SERIOUS?! I would have thrown a fit

@shadetrehomesim

10 ай бұрын

@@Empressranda dead serious. Disney doesn’t care. When you’re onboard you have no alternatives/choices. It took them 6 hours to get the right people there just to inspect, and they said “we’re not sure”. Only POST cruise, after I contacted very senior management at the cruise line did they shut the room down and do a full spraying…we were already flying home at the time.

#4 - the outlets! stop sticking forks in them it's Disney Tragic

Hi

At 79 years young, walking challenged ( uses walker, wheelchair), the dismay of being shoved aside from elevators is hurtful and disgusting. I love Holland America, but the rude children and young parents are scary. A child darts into the elevator, so of course then the rest of the family has to get in - shoving right past me. I realize from your review today that I do not want to pay the huge bucks on Disney for an upsetting time. Your advice to "just hang around" until crowds thin out to simply use an elevator is not nice. Thanks for at least telling some truth about these ships.

@genageeraert8039

11 ай бұрын

That honestly happens on all cruise lines not just Disney. It’s worse when it’s adults they should know better.

@dryellowkate

10 ай бұрын

We take my mom in her wheelchair on a Disney cruise every year and have not had bad experiences. Most people (because there are always rude people in the world) recognize that you don’t have an alternative when using mobility devices and will help prioritize getting on the elevators. We’ve found every ship EXCEPT the Wish very accommodating to chair users. I will say that because of the way all ships are built, the thresholds in hallways and going out onto deck are a little difficult to navigate. We just go backwards over them and do ok though! Don’t give up on cruising because of bad people! 😊

@kevinerickson2316

9 ай бұрын

Use the elevator banks on the fore or aft, they're not nearly as busy

@jellybby6742

9 ай бұрын

"Not nice" 🙄

@kathleenardrey5094

9 ай бұрын

oops....not for this channel..sorry

First!

Anyone else have the video quality stuck super low??

@FuriousSyndrome

11 ай бұрын

stuck at 720p

DI$NEY $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

13 - I was shocked at how little the wait staff understood English. For the most part: don’t even bother trying to communicate with them. They don’t understand you.

@markthompson6139

10 ай бұрын

This may be a singular experience. Been on a couple and although many have been from all around the world, only maybe one (Wish) was limited in verbal English. Being able to communicate with the passengers is how the wait staff can hope to score more than basic gratuities, so, possibly just a newer wait staff employee?

@jaynekranc8607

5 ай бұрын

We loved our wait staff last August in Alaska.