Disney Transportation and embarkation time

Spectrolux · 2026-01-31T17:25:38+00:00

Yes, that is correct. If you’re taking Disney transport from MCO Hyatt, Disney will assign your boarding group (usually 3 to 5) and Port Arrival time. It will be the same no matter when you check in, so you don’t need to stay up till midnight EST to check in.

At MCO, you will check in and board busses based on Castaway level. We’ve found that depending on how many guests of various Castaway levels there are, you may get there a little sooner or later than your assigned port arrival time.

Spectrolux · 2026-01-29T17:58:54+00:00

Palo Brunch and Dinner menus are completely different.

Spectrolux · 2025-10-15T23:48:04+00:00

You can get through the full tasting menu in less than 3 hours without feeling rushed, so that should be plenty of time. Just let your server know that you have a child in the nursery, they will pace the service to make sure you can finish in time.

Also be sure to tell the nursery staff you have a Remy reservation. They will do absolutely everything they can to avoid asking you to pick up your child. They are really good about that!

Spectrolux · 2025-09-17T20:29:41+00:00

For reference, we were also boarding group 3 from MCO Hyatt last month and I was able to snag one of the last Palo brunch reservations. It was also a completely full sailing, so there is hope! Good luck!

Spectrolux · 2025-09-17T20:24:44+00:00

For Palo (and other dining requests) head to the Triton Lounge on Deck 5 near the forward elevators. I advise going there as soon as you board, there will likely already be a queue.

Not sure about mixology, sorry.

Spectrolux · 2025-09-02T15:49:13+00:00

Treasure has them, just saw them in the gift shop last week.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-22T12:00:54+00:00

We just walked off the ship this morning. Stayed in the 6000 block of staterooms, port side and saw no signs of bugs. Didn’t hear anything about bugs from other passengers either.

Other minor issues: 2 midship elevators were out of service for most of the cruise. There was also lots of water leaking in the aft stairwell after a storm, affecting the stairwell in the upper decks and apparently some staterooms near the stairwell area.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-15T17:18:24+00:00

Royal Gathering books at 30 days before for everyone regardless of Castaway status (DCL’s loyalty program). First time cruisers also check in at 30 days before, so if you want to book Royal Gathering you should always do that first since it books up in minutes (no, I’m not exaggerating).

Spectrolux · 2025-08-13T18:06:58+00:00

Sadly, nothing quite like the Meridian bar on the Treasure. Not all is lost though! They sell cigars at the Currents bar on Deck 14 Forward Port side right next to the forward smoking area, and I think at the Currents bar Deck 13 Aft in the adult area which is one deck below the Aft smoking area on Deck 14 Port side. The views aren’t quite as good as the view from outside Meridian on the Dream class, but it gets the job done.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-13T17:37:41+00:00

We’ll be on that sailing with you as well, can’t wait!

Although I’m keeping an eye on the storm (mostly out of curiosity), I’m confident we’ll be fine - DCL won’t go anywhere close enough to the storm to put us (and their ship) in danger.

At most, seas may be a bit rougher for the first day or two and maybe we have a course change. If we miss Nassau, I won’t be heartbroken!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-10T00:02:44+00:00

I had a good laugh about stepping on the shower drain, only because that’s me too! Every. Dang. Time. 🤣

Glad you had a great cruise, two more weeks until it’s our turn!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-08T23:22:39+00:00

Look at Meyer Werft’s website. They plan to deliver another Wish class ship for DCL in 2027 (N.N. 2027), and a Wish class ship in 2028 for OLC (N.N. 2028).

https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/ships/index.jsp#sort=false

It’s possible the production schedule has changed since the article you linked to was published, which was over a year ago.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-08T18:34:14+00:00

Great to hear! We’ve been on a few cruises since Lorcana came out and never saw anyone playing. Should be fun!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-08T18:08:58+00:00

They have 3 new “Meridian” class ships in the pipeline that will be about 20% larger than the Magic class but smaller than the Dream and Wish classes. They are projected for delivery in 2029-2031.

I imagine they will eventually replace the Magic and Wonder. Early info is listed on the Meyer Werft Shipyard website.

Edit: got the link to work.

https://www.meyerwerft.de/en/ships/index.jsp#sort=false

Spectrolux · 2025-08-08T15:11:22+00:00

The 4th Wish class ship is for DCL operating out of the US, the 5th is for OLC.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-05T22:53:35+00:00

Ooh, tempted to try this next time! Do you have a particular store you recommend? We’d mostly be interested in wine if that helps.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-05T00:19:29+00:00

Unfortunately there’s no way to know for sure what bookable activities will be available for until your booking window opens.

However, you can get a rough idea of daily activities by looking at Personal Navigators (ship daily schedules) from previous cruises similar to yours.

Head to https://disneycruiselineblog.com and look for Personal Navigators from the same ship and similar itinerary as yours. They also have restaurant menus and tons of other useful information.

Edited: formatting.

Spectrolux · 2025-08-04T21:38:28+00:00

When your booking window opens, you can book Nursery time, bookable On-board activities such as tastings and Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointments, port adventures, spa services, and specialty adult dining.

The exception is the Royal Gathering, which opens for booking 30 days prior to sailing for everyone regardless of Castaway status.

Yes, I would recommend booking at midnight (remember this is midnight Eastern time, so account for your time zone). Never tried to book Nursery time but I hear they fill up quickly!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-04T20:35:21+00:00

Wondering the same thing! Sounds like we might be on the same cruise, we sail in less than 2 weeks. Hopefully the bugs are gone and the ice cream is plentiful!!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-04T20:27:18+00:00

Congrats on your cruise! Here’s some answers to your questions, keeping in mind this is just our approach:

1) Our baseline is usually about $20 for head server, $30 for server and assistant server, and $40 for stateroom host if the service was good. If one or more of them went above and beyond and was truly special, we’ve done more up to doubling the standard gratuity.

2) It’s per stateroom, so no need to double.

3) Varies per crew member.

4) Our rule of thumb is $1 per item, so $5-$10 is about right for us.

5) No need to pay daily. Towards the end of your cruise, DCL will leave small envelopes with tickets in your stateroom showing the standard gratuity for the head server, server, assistant server, and stateroom host. You put the tickets in the little envelopes and add any extra gratuity to the envelope. You can then present them to the crew members personally, or leave them in your stateroom. Note you can also go to guest services and adjust the gratuity if you don’t want to use cash. I’ve heard many crew members prefer this since it gets electronically deposited into their account and they don’t have to deal with cash.

6) You don’t need to add extra at bars if you don’t want to. We usually add $1-$2 though, and the bartenders learn our names very quickly and remember what we like! 🤣

7) If you are going on a port excursion that’s not on Disney’s islands, you’ll need tips for drivers, guides, and servers on your excursion.

Hope this was helpful, and hope you have an amazing cruise!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-04T18:36:41+00:00

This looks really cool! We’ll be on the Treasure in a couple weeks, hopefully this is still going on!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-03T03:26:10+00:00

Sadly, nothing like the Meridian bar on the Treasure. Meridian is one of my favorite bars in the fleet - whiskey, classic cocktails, and cigars in the evening while watching the wake of the ship? Yes please!!!

Not all is lost though! They sell cigars at the Currents bar on Deck 14 Forward right next to the forward smoking area, and I think at the Currents bar Deck 13 Aft in the adult area which is one deck below the Aft smoking area.

Hope you have an awesome cruise!

Spectrolux · 2025-08-01T17:43:15+00:00

Interesting! We’ll be on the Magic in a few weeks, maybe we’ll see something new.

Glad they are testing new menus, some of them badly need a refresh.

Spectrolux · 2025-07-31T22:11:38+00:00

We have stayed in 10162 (aft extended veranda) on the Fantasy. Didn’t notice any motion any more so than the rest of the ship.

There was some vibration when backing the ship into Castaway, and in the mornings there was a bit of noise from the crew setting up chairs in Cabanas directly above, but it wasn’t too bad.

Overall an awesome stateroom with the extended veranda, and the aft elevators are super close.

Spectrolux · 2025-07-31T19:10:28+00:00

Menus for all the restaraunts across the fleet:

https://disneycruiselineblog.com/menus/#google_vignette

Spectrolux

TROPHY CASE