BRB Cruising with my Sweet Friends - September 2023

Hi Sweet Friends, said in my best Shannon voice. We are so excited you’ll be sailing with us on the 2nd annual BRB group cruise! In 2023 we’ll be sailing the Disney Wish on a Halloween on the High Seas cruise. You’ll find all of the information you need to plan, book, and prepare for your big adventure here!

We will be sailing on the Disney Wish departing Port Canaveral on Friday, September 29 – Monday, October 2, 2023. You can read all the details below and reserve your room below.

Halloween on the High Seas Stateroom Quote

Pre Cruise

ARRIVAL: Sweet friends wanting to sail on the Disney Wish should plan to arrive in Orlando at least one day before (September 28) the ship departs Port Canaveral. Cruise ships do not wait for delayed planes and it is so sad watching friends get left behind!

DEPARTURE: Your departure flight should not leave before Noon on the day we disembark the ship, October 2, 2023.

Flights

You can fly into MCO – Orlando International Airport, the same airport you fly into when visiting Disney World. Upon arrival in Orlando you can make a couple of different choices:

Choose to join Shannon and friends for an evening meet-up and fireworks at Disney World and stay at one of three Disney resort room blocks. We will have a deluxe, moderate, and value option to choose from. Room blocks will begin a few days prior to December 1st should you decide to add on a few days at Disney World prior to the cruise.
Or go directly to Port Canaveral and spend the evening on the beach. I have a couple of choices of hotels here too!

Port Canaveral is approximately 40 mins from Orlando International Airport.

Disney World is approximately 25 mins the opposite direction of the port but with the bypass, guests can reach Port Canaveral from Disney World in about 1 hour.

Disney Meet Up & Disney Resort Information

Resort prices will be shared as soon as they are available. Guests staying in the room blocks will be given meet-up information prior to arrival. A minimum of a one-day park ticket will be needed for the meet-up.

*Estimated prices * Please email Jamie@LOTMV.com for an exact quote.

Beach/Yacht Club – $508 to $600
Caribbean Beach – $234 to $315 per night
Pop Century – $160 to $190 per night

Port Canaveral

I recommend staying in the Cocoa Beach area where you eat at the Cocoa Beach Pier and visit Ron Jons Surf Shop. There are a handful of great hotel options I share with my clients including the Hampton Inn, a short walk to the beach, or the Hilton Hotel beachfront. I am happy to book these reservations for you as well as part of your cruise package.

Transportation

Orlando International Airport to Port Canaveral

Shared Transfers
Private Black Car Service – typically $150 each way, prices are subject to change
Uber/Lyft – prices fluctuate based on demand

Orlando International Airport to Disney World Resorts

Shared transfer
Private Black Car Service – $125 each way, prices subject to change
Uber/Lyft – prices fluctuate based on demand

Disney World to Port Canaveral

Disney Cruise Line Bus – $75 per person prior to closure. I’ll update you as I have more information.
Possible charter bus depending on the number of guests we have to transport to Port Canaveral
Private Black Car Service
Uber/Lyft – prices fluctuate based on demand

Cruise Details

Set sail onboard Disney’s newest ship the Disney Wish

Friday, September 29 – December 2, 2023

Itinerary:

Port Canaveral – all guests onboard by 3:45 pm
Nassau
Castaway Cay
Port Canaveral
*schedule subject to change per DCL policy

*Guests wanting to rent a private cabana on Castaway Cay should be sailing in a concierge-level room. These can be booked by your Travel Advisor (that’s me) 160 days prior to sailing for all concierge-level guests. Cabanas are typically gone before all other guests aboard the ship can reserve them.

Stateroom Choices and Cost

*Cruise prices are subject to change until your deposit has been made. Prices will be updated each evening based on availability. Your room has NOT been held until you receive a confirmation from Jamie@lotmv.com. Please check your spam folder often. First-time emails often go to guests’ spam folders.

Reserve Your Room

Request Change to Reservation

Payment Information/Schedule

*By entering your information in the Reserve your Room section you are authorizing Love of the Magic Vacations to charge a NON-REFUNDABLE 25% deposit to your credit card.

25% Deposit due at the time of booking
2nd payment – 1/3 of your reservation balance total due – March 20, 2023
Final payment due – August 20, 2023
*All guests will be charged prepaid gratuities totaling $40.50 per person on their final payment per DCL group policies.

Insurance should be purchased to cover your vacation investment and any medical needs that may arise. See below for more information.

A schedule of meet-up times will be provided to everyone sailing in the group. You are welcome to join the group at any time or do your own thing. Just know there will be opportunities to gather throughout the weekend.

Room Types

Concierge Level -All concierge-level staterooms have access to the concierge lounge with food, beer, wine, and specialty coffees. Among concierge-level services are early excursion booking opportunities.

Concierge rooms include a standard size floor-to-ceiling oceanview stateroom (no access outside) standard size verandah stateroom (shown below), one-bedroom, or two-story tower suite (shown below) staterooms.

Two Story Tower Suite Disney Wish ©Disney

Concierge level verandah stateroom, Disney Wish, artist rendering ©Disney

Verandah – This stateroom includes an outdoor balcony and sitting area with a sliding glass door. Children are most likely unable to open these doors. The door is heavy and the lock is near the top of the door.

Verandah Stateroom on the Disney Wish, artist rendering ©Disney

Oceanview – This stateroom has a porthole window to the outside. The window does not open and there is not access to the outdoors from inside your stateroom.

Oceanview Stateroom on the Disney Wish, artist rendering ©Disney

Inside – These staterooms have no window or door to the outside. The rooms have magical portholes (screens) that show the ocean, port, and sometimes Mickey and friends scuba diving near the ship.

Inside stateroom on the Disney Wish, artist rendering ©Disney

Meet Up – Party Ticket

Your cruise must be booked through Love of the Magic Vacations, LLC to be able to purchase a party ticket and have access to the private events. No exceptions.

Party tickets cost $135 per person

Purchase Your Party Ticket Here

Party tickets are non-refundable.

Includes

Event check-in on departure day
Catered cocktail hour inclusive of all you can drink beverages
Access to the private event
Swag Bag

Dining Onboard

The Disney Wish has rotational dining meaning that each night you will eat at one of the three included Disney Wish restaurants. The whole group will dine together at the late dining time, approximately 8:00 pm. Guests can choose to dine with the group each evening or on their own.

Excursions

Excursions are not included as part of your cruise fare but can be booked after your final payment is made. Guests can choose to stay on the ship or explore Nassau, the Atlantis Hotel day pass and Blue Lagoon are some of my guest’s favorites for beach days.

On Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island you can do nothing or everything! Like riding bikes, running the Castaway 5k, water sports, and more!

*Private Cabanas are reserved in advance and are on a first come first serve basis. If you want a private cabana you need to be staying Concierge Level to ensure you can book the Cabana in advance of other guests.

Passports

Passports are not required for guests sailing on a “closed-loop” cruise from the US. Closed means it departs and returns to the same port. However, passports are highly suggested for all passengers. Should something go wrong – you miss the ship, it happens, or you have a medical emergency that requires you to return to the US early, you will be delayed in getting back to the US without a passport.

You can find all the information you need about passports here, at Travel.gov . Buy them NOW! Don’t wait! Passports have been taking longer than normal as we recover from the Covid-19 shutdown!

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance is recommended to cover any emergencies or what-ifs that may arise before or during your trip.

Worldwide Trip Protector is what has been recommended to me by our insurance sales advisor. Please read the coverage amounts to decide if this fits your needs. Children are covered free with a paying adult.

You need to add the “cancel for any reason option” to cover your vacation for any reason not listed in “covered cancellation” reasons.

Insurance needs to be purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit to cover preexisting conditions.

World Wide Trip Protector from Travel Insured

For guests who live in MO, MT, WA, PA, NY, and OR. Please use this link.

Travel Insured for Guests in States above

An infographic by Travel Insured: