Shiver Me Timbers! Grace, I am glad you sailed by planDisney on your way to the Caribbean. I can think of no better place to search for pirates, especially when Mickey and Minnie captain your ship. It's the perfect combination for adventure on the high seas!
When onboard your
Disney Cruise Line ship, the
Disney Cruise Line Navigator app will be your best shipmate. On land, the app has tools and functions to help plan your cruise. When you are on board and connected to "DCL Wi-Fi" (Disney Cruise Line's Wi-Fi system), the app
automagically transforms to its "Cruise Control" mode, with functions that help you navigate all the details for smooth sailing. Any
Port Adventures you have booked will appear in your daily plans, including the meeting time and location, which is usually on the ship.
At your meeting time, you will check in and will likely see a lot of other cruisers getting in groups for their Port Adventures. The Cast Members typically give you a sticker with a beloved Disney character. When everyone has signed in and the guides leading you are ready, they call your Disney character. They also carry paddle boards with the characters, so you can find them on the dock if you get separated while leaving the ship. Don't worry; like school field trips, they know who is supposed to be going and will make sure no one gets left behind or forgotten. 'Ohana!
For the
Scenic Island Drive and Pirate Museum (ST72), the Cast Members will lead you to your bus and tour guides will take you on an hour-long scenic drive up to Drake's Seat, Magens Bay, the Kongens (Kings) Quarter with Blackbeard's Castle and the famous 99 Steps.
At the end of the driving tour, your bus will drop you off at the Pirate Treasure Museum, a short walk from the port. Typically, your tour guides will tell you how to return to the ship. If not, ask. Like you, they want to make sure you get back safely on board.
When I have done Port Adventures like this one, I've enjoyed visiting the museum and returning to the ship at my leisure – with one very important caveat: the "All Aboard Time." This is when you have to be back on the ship.
The Navigator app will tell you the All Aboard Time, and you will hear it on the announcements on the cruise that morning. You can also usually see the time on the television set in your stateroom and on signs as you depart the ship. Your Disney Cruise Line ship will be in the port until this time. It does not leave during its scheduled time at the port.
The Havensight area, where Disney Cruise Line usually docks, is very easy to get around. My family did the
Skyride to Paradise Point (ST23) adventure, which is near the museum. We enjoyed window shopping in the Havensight Mall and the walk to and from the port.
Grace, I hope this information helps paint a picture of how your time on this excursion will work. The Cast Members and tour guides will provide a lot of instructions to make sure you know all the details for your excursion. If we can help with any other questions ahead of time, you have
mateys in
planDisney. Savvy?
SEAS the Adventure!
Jana