Disney Cruise Tips? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JenTay · #1 01-02-2005, 06:51 PM

As a college student once again, money is always tight. So when school is not in session, I often fill in for a babysitter for extra cash. As it turns out, the family I work for is going on a Disney cruise and the full time sitter had to cancel. So I get to slide into that spot!!! The cruise leaves from Port Canaveral and goes to the Bahamas.

The family is nice enough to give me plenty of non-working, personal time. I basically work for 6 hours a day. The rest is my time.

A few questions......

1. Any tips as to what to avoid in Nassau? Is the town worth exploring? How's the crime rate these days? What about Castaway Cay? any tips there is appreciated as well.

2. Is the water going to be too cold to get into for snorkeling?

3. If i can snorkel, should i bring my own gear to save money? What can i bring that would save me money. What can i bring that would save me headaches later?

4. I am interested in Paradise Island in Nassau. Since I am obliviously not staying at that resort, how much is it to get into it? As a non-guest, do i just pay as i go?

MS Fowler · #2 01-02-2005, 07:10 PM

Can't offer any advice, but I just wanted to say " Da*n, girl, thats one sweet gig, and the family is great to allow you personal time.
Enjoy!!

Plantman · #3 01-02-2005, 07:10 PM

Most of the ports you off-load at are relatively safe, provided you don't venture to far off the beaten path.

Snorkeling will be fine as the water never gets any colder than 75-80 degrees. If you catch a cold spell, that's another story.

Most cruise line offer snorkeling gear at no cost so I wouldn't bother with the extra luggage.

If you happen to like conch, as in fritters, or cracked conch, some of the best you will find anywhere will be streetside vendors selling them right at the docks.

FWIW, after the hurricanes, there was a lot of waste that had not been picked up yet, leading to lots and lots of houseflies and mosquitoes. Bring some OFF or some other mosquito repellant just in case it's not been fully cleaned up.

Other than that, have fun and be wary of the scam artists and tourist traps that are readily available anywhere.

Most of the people in the Bahamas are very pleasant, as they live off tourism. Since it's been a bit off, you may be able to get some deals.

Paradise Isaland resort and CASINO should be free of charge as they would love nothing more than to see you gamble your money away.

CSchmidt · #4 01-02-2005, 08:59 PM

JenTay,

Happy 30.... boy that sounds good - I'm at 30 + 19 now.

For the cruise, many of the off-boat trips may be an extra fee. Maybe your hosts can cover that. We were in Nassau the week before Christmas on a Carnival Cruise. We docked next to a Disney ship and it looked very nice. There was a cold snap then, and the water was cool. It was above 70*, but maybe not much. It was fine for the hour. We went to Trunk (sp?) island? It was snorkel only, no beach. The fish and wildlife were pretty good there. Off the beach might be less fish, but you have the sand to warm up on. Watch out for all the hair braiders on the public beaches.

Bring your own snorkel stuff if you have it and can fit. Hygiene and better fitting mask / flippers are good reasons. Underwater camera or there are underwater disposables. Get one with a flash.

Other ideas... sunscreen, driver's license for ID, then passport or birth certificate for citizenship. Copies of all your docs and credit cards and store somewhere away from the originals. There are money pouches that are a strap and then a small pouch/bag that you can wear around your neck and inside your shirt as another option. We did in Europe because of pick-pockets. It may not be needed there but is still handy and safe.

US cell phones don't work there, but if you have a tri-band ( European band) it will. The US cell phone worked in St. Thomas - a US territory.

Check the dress codes, most Disney stuff is pretty casual, but our cruise had 2 more formal nights.

We had a lot of electrical stuff that needed charging ( walkie talkie, camera, camcorder) so I brought a power strip. The 110 plugs are usually limited in the cabin - 1 on ours.

If you are into shopping, check out the duty free or liquor prices. Some are pretty good. There are limits so be aware of that as well.

Immigration is much tougher now since 9/11. Coming back to the US took a while to get back through. We came into Miami. All the folks coming off the ship claim your luggage and then stand in a long line to go through immigration. I used a porter there to handle our heap of suitcases. With the porter we went around all the self-serve folks and went right through, probably saved 20-30 minutes or so in line. Check to see if that is the case when you return. Best $10 I spent on the trip.

Have fun!

Chuck

elau · #5 01-02-2005, 09:03 PM

You can go into Paradise Island Resort and walk around free. But there will be an admission charge for the aquarium part and the amusement parks. If you don't gamble and don't want to pay for anything the resort has to offer then it doesn't worth the trip. You are not allowed to use ANYTHING there if you are not a guest staying at the resort. I found that out last trip I was there. I must admit the aquarium worthes the $35 admission.

CJ · #6 01-02-2005, 09:03 PM

Call your local AAA office, they will fill you in on everythng you need to know.

JenTay · #7 01-02-2005, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elau

You can go into Paradise Island Resort and walk around free. But there will be an admission charge for the aquarium part and the amusement parks. If you don't gamble and don't want to pay for anything the resort has to offer then it doesn't worth the trip. You are not allowed to use ANYTHING there if you are not a guset staying at the resort. I found that out last trip I was there. I must admit the aquarium worthes the $35 admission.

$35 for the aquarium? does that include the amusement park?

elau · #8 01-02-2005, 09:36 PM

Nope.

And be prepared to pay over $20 for a sandwitch (same one you buy from a 7-Eleven) from a pool side snack bar.

JenTay · #9 01-03-2005, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elau

You can go into Paradise Island Resort and walk around free. But there will be an admission charge for the aquarium part and the amusement parks. If you don't gamble and don't want to pay for anything the resort has to offer then it doesn't worth the trip. You are not allowed to use ANYTHING there if you are not a guest staying at the resort. I found that out last trip I was there. I must admit the aquarium worthes the $35 admission.

question. as well as you know me, how much do you think i will spend on the casino?

LaughingGravy · #10 01-03-2005, 03:16 PM

Do they allow you on a Disney cruise if you're over 30?

I'm jealous. Maybe in the next couple of years we can manage another cruise.

elau · #11 01-03-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JenTay

question. as well as you know me, how much do you think i will spend on the casino?

No telling. I personally am not a gambler but I will play just for the entertainment value. I usually allow myself ten dollars as my donation to the Indians (as most casinos in the country are owned by Indians) as I call it.

One tip for the cruise - do not hesitate to order every course at dinner time. I did. When the waitress/waiter came take my order, I just said everything on the menu. Seriously. Now, you may think its a lot of wasted food. Nope, they prepared a huge amount in the kitchen every hour, and what they don't serve, it's garbage time. So don't be shy and ask for everything on the menu. Last time I was on a cruise, people on the next table thought I was nuts. They copied me the very next night

TX76513 · #12 01-03-2005, 04:24 PM

Take some Zanax with you

I have nothing against children or cruises but the later (children) in mass quantities on a ship is not for the meek. Yes there are adult escapes - but you need to use hallways to access and that were they are 1,000's of them and they are all running

JenTay · #13 01-11-2005, 10:37 AM

It was good advice to bring my own snorkel gear. They were renting it for $25 and i bought mine at target for $8. Thanks.

It was a fun relaxing trip. The two kids I watched were easy to deal with. I had them singing german beer garden songs by the end of the trip. I also won the celebrity lookalike at the karaoke bar. I won the Jewel lookalike contest and I gave them my best rendition of some Jewel song.

The natives in Nassau tried all the tourist traps on us. If you can look beyond all that, it's a nice pleasant place to vacation.

My advice to anyone who goes...bring exact change when you go to the market. The vendors tend to pull the "i don't have the right change line..can i give you bahamian money instead?"

mplafleur · #14 01-11-2005, 11:03 AM

Oops. You're already back. Hope you had a great time.

You can't see much at Paradise if you're not a guest. It is an impressive hotel. The glass sculptures are awesome. I saw a show on PBS about the guy who made them.

There is a beach at another hotel next to the Paradise that we went to.

The first cruise I won about $50. I didn't even sit down at a table during the second cruise.

dolebludger · #15 01-11-2005, 11:42 AM

Let me correct a few things, as we are regular cruisers.

First, Disney does not have free snorkel gear unless you book on one of their extra cost snorkel excursions (not a bad idea). If you want to go off on your own, the line MAY or may not have any for rent.

Second, you don't mention your sailing date. We find the water in the Bahamas to be too cold to snorkel until mid spring.

Thanks,
Richard