Full Description
Your no-nonsense, consumer-oriented guide to Disney's Cruise LineThe Unofficial Guide to the Disney Cruise Line by Len Testa with Erin Foster, Laurel Stewart, and Ritchey Halphen describes the best of Disney's ships and itineraries, including a couple of stellar restaurants, top-notch children's activities, and Castaway Cay, one of the best vacation islands in the Caribbean.The book also lists which on-board entertainment and restaurants should be skipped, including recommendations on what to do instead. Along the way, this indispensable travel companion shows how to save money; choose the right stateroom, ship, and itinerary; and get to and from the cruise with ease. The guide also provides full coverage of the Disney-run European river cruises and includes itinerary and port guides.
Contents
List of Maps and DiagramsAbout the AuthorsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionAbout This GuideWhy "Unofficial"? Disney Cruise Line: An OverviewDisney Cruise Line Is Expanding Is Disney Cruise Line Right for Me? DCL's Target Market Competitors and Prices Reassuring Words for Reluctant CruisersHow to Contact the AuthorsReader SurveyPART ONE Dollars and SenseWhat's Included in Your Disney Cruise FareFood Entertainment and Activities THE 10 BEST BANGS FOR YOUR BUCK (AND ONE FREEBIE) ON A DISNEY CARIBBEAN CRUISEKid Stuff MiscellaneousCruising with KidsCruising Without KidsWhere to Find More InformationPART TWO Planning Your CruiseChoosing an ItineraryItinerary Recommendations for First-Time CruisersGeneral RecommendationsSaving MoneySurf and Turf, Disney-StyleCombining Your Cruise with a Walt Disney World VacationCombining Your Cruise with an Adventures by Disney TripBack-to-Back CruisingThe Booking ProcessGetting Started Deposit Terms and Cancellation PoliciesAge Requirements for Booking The DCL Planning CenterOther Prep WorkPacking Electrical OutletsPassports and Travel DocumentsCredit Cards and Payment MethodsHealth InsurancePhone ServiceMotion Sickness and Gastric DistressA Word About the WeatherCastaway ClubPART THREE Staterooms How Your Stateroom Category Affects the Price of Your Disney CruiseOur Stateroom RecommendationsCabin Appointments Stateroom CategoriesConcierge Level-What You Need to Know, and If It's Worth ItPART FOUR Arriving, Getting Your Sea Legs, and DepartingTransportation to Your CruiseChoosing a Departure Port Based on Time and MoneyGetting to and from the PortThe Day Before Your Cruise Staying at a Local Hotel the Night BeforeGet in the Boat, Men (and Women and Kids)! Choosing a Boarding Time Checking In at the Terminal Boarding the ShipYour First Afternoon Aboard The Lifeboat DrillBare NecessitiesThe Personal Navigator Internet Onboard Services Airline Check-in for Sailings Ending at Port Canaveral Laundry Services Port AdventuresHealth Services Ship-to-Shore CallsTransfer to Walt Disney World HotelsTippingCheckout and DepartureYour Last Night on the ShipExpress Walk-OffBreakfast on the Morning of Your DeparturePhoto Purchases US Customs AllowancesPART FIVE Special Tips for Special PeopleDCL for SinglesDCL "At Large" DCL for Expectant MomsDCL for Younger ChildrenDCL for Older ChildrenDCL for SeniorsGuests with DisabilitiesDietary RestrictionsSmoking on BoardTraveling with MedicationFriends of Bill W. Friends of DorothyPART SIX The Ships at a GlanceOverview and Our RecommendationsDCL Cheat Sheet Features Found on Every DCL ShipFeatures Unique to Some ShipsRanking the ShipsThe Disney MagicThe Disney WonderThe Disney DreamThe Disney FantasyOn Deck: New ShipsPART SEVEN DiningNoshes, Noshes EverywhereRotational Dining DCL Restaurant Categories Room Service Theme Nights Dining with Kids Dress Code Special DietsMaking Reservations Full-Service Restaurants: Rated and Ranked Disney Magic DiningCounter-Service Restaurants Full-Service RestaurantsDisney Wonder DiningCounter-Service RestaurantsFull-Service RestaurantsDisney Dream DiningCounter-Service RestaurantsFull-Service RestaurantsDisney Fantasy DiningCounter-Service RestaurantsFull-Service RestaurantsPART EIGHT Entertainment and NightlifeLive Theater on the ShipsThe Magic's Shows The Wonder's Shows The Dream's ShowsThe Fantasy's ShowsOther Live PerformancesMoviesLive SportsThemed Events and Holiday EntertainmentPirate NightFrozen DaysStar Wars DaysFormal NightEasterIndependence DayHalloweenThanksgivingChristmas, Hanukkah, and KwanzaaNew Year's EveNightclubs, Bars, Cafes, and LoungesOn the Magic On the Wonder On the Dream On the FantasyPART NINE Activities, Recreation, and ShoppingFamily ActivitiesBingoDeck PartiesFamily NightclubsSports and FitnessChildren's Programs and ActivitiesSpecial ConsiderationsYouth Clubs What Goes on in a Kids' Club? Other Kids' Activities on Board Children's Performance OpportunitiesChildren's Activities in PortChildren's Activities at Castaway CayChill Spa for TeensWhere to Meet CharactersPools and Water-Play AreasThe Magic's and Wonder's PoolsThe Dream's PoolsThe Fantasy's PoolsOnboard SeminarsSports and FitnessSpasOn the Magic and the WonderOn the Dream and the FantasyShoppingOnboard ShoppingCastaway Cay In PortReligious ServicesPART TEN Castaway CayWhat to BringWhat to DoWhere to RelaxPART ELEVEN PortsAlaskaAtlantic CanadaCalifornia CoastCaribbean and BahamasHawaiiMediterraneanMexicoNorthern Europe, British Isles, and NorwayPanama CanalTransatlanticPART TWELVE Port AdventuresFinding Port AdventuresEvaluating a Port Adventure Booking Excursions on Your Own vs. Through Disney Canceling a Port AdventurePort Adventures on Castaway CayBicycle RentalsBoat RentalsCastaway Cay 5K RunBottom Fishing Castaway Ray's Stingray AdventureFloat and Tube RentalsGlass-Bottom-Boat ExcursionParasailingSnorkelingWalking and Kayak Nature AdventureWatercraft Ski AdventureNassauA Note About Nassau SafetyNassau Port AdventuresOur Suggestions Beyond Castaway CayDolphin EncountersMayan PyramidsSkagway, AlaskaWalking ToursPART THIRTEEN River CruisingRiver Cruising for FamiliesExcursions on an AbD River CruiseSample AbD River-Cruise ExcursionsMore Differences Between AbD River Cruising and DCL Ocean CruisingTraveling with Adventures by DisneyCost ConsiderationsDCL vs. AbD AbD vs. Other River-Cruise LinesWhat's Next for Disney and River Cruising? GlossaryItineraries IndexSubject Index
