Disney Cruise Line Trip Report 12/03/2021

This is, what I hope to be, one of many trips reports that we get to share with each other on the agent website. I had the idea on the way back from my latest vacation and thought it would be useful and fun to share with other travel agents who are part of the MainStreet Travel Program.

A quick intro, I’m Dean and I’ve been a travel agent with the company for over 10 years. I’ve spoken with many of you over the phone and hope to continue to do so as you have questions or need help. You can book an appointment with me by using this link.

Needless to say, overt the past 10 years I’ve travelled A LOT. My last trip was Dec. 3rd, 2021 on a Disney Cruise out of Galveston TX. It was a quick 4 night cruise on the Disney Wonder that went to Cozumel and back. Just one port day and the rest at sea.

This particular cruise I used a TAAP rate with Disney and brought my wife and two daughters ages 6 and 4. Booking the cruise was simple as I just needed to call the travel agent line and check for availability.

Grand Entry of Disney Wonder for a Merriest Sailing

Once booked I received a confirmation number that I linked on the Disney Cruise Line website. Because TAAP rates are typically not available until closer to the sail date, I was able to start checking in right away. This process includes filling in guest information and providing passport/birth certificate information as we were going out of the county.

I did also need to provide a security photo of each person that was used on the ship to verifying identity. Overall the online check-in takes about 15-20 minutes and some of it requires additional approval on Disney’s end. Make sure to follow all instructions.

My family did travel with another party and we did have Disney link our reservations and request for rooms to be close, which they did accommodate.

Typically this late in the game first dining is not available but because there were so few guests cruising, it was. If it’s not when you book your own, get on the list and then show up at first dining and check with the manager. They can typically accommodate you.

Because of COVID restrictions, we had to submit some additional paperwork on the Safe Passages website (most cruise lines are using them). We received a link to it after booking. Basically what we did was upload photos of our vaccination cards and fill in some info.

Daughter in front of the Christmas Tree

For our girls who are not vaccinated we had to upload negative COVID tests within 3 days of sailing. For this we went online and made an appointment with our local Walgreens for 3 days before. Most offer a Rapid COVID test (non antigen) and we ended up getting their results a few hours later. We uploaded them to the Safe Passages website and then waited to be cleared for arrival which happened about 24 hrs later.

Once we arrived in Houston, we took an Uber from the Hobby Airport to a hotel near the cruise terminal in Galveston. The Harbor Hotel I believe which was within walking distance of the terminal.

The next morning after breakfast we walked over to the terminal for our arrival time of 11am. There was a place to check-in baggage that you didn’t want to carry on with you (kinda liked checked bags). We skipped that since we didn’t have any and got right in line for check-in.

Cast Members there verified our arrival time and then sent us in to be tested for COVID. It’s a pretty simple process. You go into an individual tent area where someone helps you collect your sample for both adults and kids. A simple swap of the nostrils and you’re ready to go.

From here, we were put into a waiting room until our test results came back. Ours took about 20 minutes. They sent us an email once they were done and then we were able to move on to the next part which was document verification including passports.

After this we sat down and waited for our boarding group to be called. Typically concierge rooms are called first followed by Platinum, Gold and Silver Castaway Cay members. We were in groups 7 so we only waited maybe 35 minutes or so.

Once on board the ship we were invited to dance with Mickey, Minnie and the gang and then head to lunch at Tiana’s. Remember that anything you don’t check outside the terminal has to be carried around the ship until your room is ready. We ate lunch and then went to our stateroom since it was ready (typically around 1-2pm).

Dancing with Mickey and Minnie

We ended up with a veranda room towards the back of the ship on level 6. It was quite enjoyable and very close to the stairs/elevator. The room had a split bath, a queen bed and a sofa bed with another pull down bed. Perfect for our family.

Once onboard and settled in you can start walking around the ship and getting familiar with it or jump right in to some activities. We took the girls to open hours at the Oceaneer Club and let them learn about all the activities they could do. It didn’t take them long to become obsessed!

We had previously reserved time slots for them to participate at the Lab and Club which is a new COVID thing. They get an hour and a half each day with more time based on availability. Typically however, it’s unlimited and they will serve the kids meals there. They are not serving them right now.

We did do a quick tour of Senses Spa which we already knew but like to do anyway because they typically offer special deals. Ultimately we did not book anything but I highly recommend the tour.

Oceaneer Club

Walking around the ship while at port is a great idea so you can get your bearings. There are a ton of dining and entertainment locations so get to know each one.

Later that evening we had dinner at Tritons which was our first and only as part of our rotational dining. We met our wait staff and enjoyed a fantastic meal as usual. Your wait staff will serve you every night so they get to know your likes and dislikes. They are one of the best parts of the cruise and you’ll become close with them.

Our evening that night was spent at the Walt Disney Theater where we saw Frozen The Musical. They are spacing guests out, skipping every other row and then placing 3 seats between parties. This significantly decreased the capacity of the theater so not everyone could make it in. It was a really great show, perfect for adults and kids a like.

They are running shows multiple times each day, one for first dining and one for second dining.

Over the course of the next several days we found that the Disney Cruise Line app is a must-have in order to stay up to date on everything that’s going on during COVID. You are encouraged to download it before boarding. We have sailed and used it before but were never so dependent on it like this time.

Each day at sea is filled with tons of activities to do whether inside or out. The pools were operating normally and anytime you were outside you did not have to have your mask on. That mean’t of course anytime you were inside you did unless you were dining.

Ariel Statue

There were so many great food options on the ship. We prefer a sit-down breakfast and lunch so we were typically at Tritons each morning and afternoon. Guests who want a buffet can always go to Cabana’s. They are no longer self-serve so you have to let a CM know what you want and they will plate it for you.

Our one and only day off the boat was a Dolphin experience in Cozumel. In order for unvaccinated guests to get off the boat they have to be part of a port adventure that is booked through Disney.

Getting off the boat was easy. Disney has implemented a virtual queue that you can join after 7am. Just click a button in the app and then you’ll be called when it’s your turn. Port Adventures don’t require this as they are able to get off at the time of their adventure.

We met at the Crown and Fin lounge, checked-in and then were escorted off the ship right to our adventure guide. During COVID you will be escorted by them the entire time, from debarking to getting back on.

Our trip over to the Dolphin area was a quick 20 minute taxi ride arranged by the tour operator. The port adventure that we did included Dolphin time and food and drinks. The resort that we arrived at was fine. Nothing spectacular. We watched a sea lion show which was fun and then we got ready to interact with the Dolphins.

My daughters with their mom and grandparents

For this you put on a life jacket and walked into the water with a trainer onto a metal platform that put the water about chest high. From here she taught us a bit about the Dolphins and would send them swimming by so we could pet them.

Eventually we danced and hugged them along with many opportunities to pet and see them up close. It was really fun! Our girls had a blast.

Afterwards they wanted around $350 for all of the photos they had taken of us. We passed but left an email address in case we changed our minds (typically photos are offered cheaper this way). Next we headed to lunch which was a buffet that included very basic items like hamburgers, hot dogs and nachos. It was very mediocre.

Overall we spent about 3 hours there before heading back to the ship.

Our last two days were at sea so we spent them doing activities like bingo, kids club, movies, card games and of course dining.

Animators Palate was one of the 3 dining rooms that we got to experience. If you love Disney movies, this is a fantastic place to eat. It’s full of screens where classic Disney characters are sketched right in front of you. We had a blast with our girls trying to guess which character was being drawn. Typically half way through dinner you as the guest get to draw your own character and then later watch it come to life on the screen but they weren’t doing this due to COVID. Instead they had a really cool presentation of Disney characters on the screens and then Sorcerer Mickey came out and did a parade. It was really fun!

Animators Palate

The last place we got to dine at was Tiana’s Place which, in my opinion, is the best place on the ship. The decor and atmosphere is hard to beat. Tiana came out several times and a live band was going almost all the time. Towards the end of dinner Tiana, Louis and the whole wait staff did a parade around the room and let the kids join in. It was a lot of fun.

Disembarking was easy on our final day. It starts around 7am but you don’t have to get off until around 9am ish if you don’t want to. They do want you at breakfast around 7:20am or so. We could either go to Tiana’s for one last meal with our wait staff or Cabana’s for a buffet.

Once we left the ship we went through a quick customs area and then were off to the airport.

Frozen at Walt Disney Theater

We picked up a LYFT just outside the cruise terminal. Very simple and cheaper than paying Disney to arrange them for you. It was about $85 total for the fare.

Overall we had a fantastic time. Right now is a great time to sail with reduced capacity and even though you have to wear a mask, it’s not that bad at all because you’re either eating, outside or in your stateroom!

I’m sure I skipped over some things that you may be wondering about. Leave it in the comments or send me an email at dean@parksavers.com.

Again, I’m going to try and make these a regular thing and so should you! Send me your trip reports so we can get them posted and shared with other agents!

Thanks for reading!

Dean C.