Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[rescuetink]

Bumping!!!

Ok, so thanks to msabol01 he showed me how to post the list as a Google Doc!!

I hope this works!! If not I'll just keep sending it out, I don't mind at all!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pg2mG-lswenU_d5chdnQ5VA9R34owEeevcTnQeDYrkA/edit

I meant to add this which I was including in the emails that I've sent out:

There are a number of things that seem to repeat themselves, but it shows that different people had different experiences with different things!! But all in all it seems to be an easier read then paging through the thread!! I did do a spell check and make some minor changes to some posts. It also indicates the end of each page so if you see a post that interests you, then you can just go to that page on the DIS and see the responses after it!! If you see anything that I posted incorrectly PLEASE let me know so I can change it!! I just got off the magic and can't wait to sail DCL again in 2013!!

Oh, and one of my BIGGEST tips is to re-book another DCL trip while your onboard!! And what we did was book a December 2013 3 day sailing and paid the required 10% deposit on that, we booked 2 rooms at around $89.00 per room deposit. Now we can decide when we actually want to sail, which we can even push it into 2014, and then we can change our sail date!! And if we decide that we can't do the cruise, or something else get's in the way of us going (NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!) we can just get our deposit back, but we can never get the discount once we get off!!) You can also add a TA after you book online depending on who has the best incentives, as long as you don't pay the cruise off before you try and add the TA!! Oh, and I think that the re-booking desk was without question the #1 busiest spot we saw on the cruise!! That girl had a line of people waiting before she would sit down twice a day, and she wouldn't get a break till she cut the line off!! So try and get to her early!!

Oh, and keep the suggestions for the thread coming!!! I love the DIS... and all the DISigners who made wonderful door magnets and shirt DISigns for my family!!!

Happy Sailing!!

 

[2CME911]

It works great! Thank You so much for posting all of this info together.

 

[mousetrip]

I bought a few very cute Mickey coffee spoons in Narita last month, as well as tons of Disney stuff at the 100 Yen shop. Turns out that we won't do the FE exchange, so your advice about checking first was dead on.
I think, especially for the kids, you have the best shopping opportunities of all, I could spend days in japanese shopping malls, oh wait, actually I do .

Japanese shopping malls? Is this a place you go to online to buy FE gifts? I'm new to this, info please!!

 

[rescuetink]

Ok, so thanks to msabol01 he showed me how to post the list as a Google Doc!!

I hope this works!! If not I'll just keep sending it out, I don't mind at all!!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Pg2mG-lswenU_d5chdnQ5VA9R34owEeevcTnQeDYrkA/edit

I updated the document up to this point in the thread!!!

 

[kuhltiffany]

What an awesome thread, thanks from a cruise newbie!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you so much, rescuetink!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

The document is awesome! Thanks so much. It really helps a first time cruiser!

 

[tinkerbellandeeyor]

They give Birthday buttons I found this out when my ID was returned to me and they saw on it, it was my actual Birthday

 

[Susiesark]

They give Birthday buttons I found this out when my ID was returned to me and they saw on it, it was my actual Birthday

As well as Anniversary buttons and 'Lost my Tooth' buttons.

 

[tikimimi]

Thank you so much, rescuetink!

rescuetink - the Google doc was a genius idea. Thank you!

 

[jazaman]

For medical reasons, I can't have coke, pepsi or dr. pepper. I generally have root beer. If it's not available, what other choices will I have?

 

[Susiesark]

For medical reasons, I can't have coke, pepsi or dr. pepper. I generally have root beer. If it's not available, what other choices will I have?

The soda fountain offers Sprite, lemonade and tea. Or you can bring your own. We brought orange soda with us.

 

[rescuetink]

For medical reasons, I can't have coke, pepsi or dr. pepper. I generally have root beer. If it's not available, what other choices will I have?

We brought a case of water on board with us!! We took it with us on excursions!!

 

[mousetrip]

Ok so I was reading other pages, I think I am up to 31 and someone was talking about how much they gained.

Here is something they tell you if you attend the gym presentation on day 1, the average person gains 1-2lbs a day on a cruise.

This was a huge shock to me...how could this happen. I tell you its the the abudance of food,

Here is how I combated it:
-I worked out before I left so my body was in full swing of burning.
-I worked out twice with a trainer (it was considerably cheap compared to my gym).
-I only took the stairs (which was pretty easy even with heels on)
-I ran the 5K on CC, it only takes about 1 hr (of course I sent DH to get a good spot on the beach, cause he can blink and lose weight)

I ended up losing 2lbs on the cruise and I ate everything possible, I was a food addict.

Love this, I will totally do the 5K now!! I cannot run the whole thing, but I will run/walk it!! Love the stair idea too, and I bet, with such a busy place, that you will beat the elevator most times!

 

[lgierling]

Another "Thanks" to rescuetink for the Google Doc.

 

[mousetrip]

FYI- They are getting really picky with the port times. No matter what time you show up, if your number doesn't corespond with the time your registered for online, the person who checks you in may switch your number. It happens more often than not...

On the bright side, if you have issues in the port where you get a higher number then you should just talk to the check in person and they will help you out.

Here's the deal, We have 18 people going, or 6 parties. One party of two did online check in and got an 11:30 time slot. Then I checked in my in-laws and they got a noon time slot. Being without our passports (it was over Christmas) I couldn't do our family, so I called Disney Cruiseline in a panic because I knew I wouldn't be able to get an early check in time by the time we got home and they said, "Don't check in online then because when you are assigned a time, THAT is your time, but if you don't have an assigned time, then you can just show up and they'll get you in when they can. I am worried about this! We are all planning on getting to the port at 11am. I know we'll wait some, but just hoping we'll be ok like the agent said... Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[CareBlair]

Thank you!!! I ordered the platter from a woman in CT and she shipped it to my house very quickly. Her company is called Custom Ceramics by Traci. She did an awesome job working with me to personalize my platter. Let me know if you want any more information!

What did they use for the character autographs? Sharpie? Paint pen? Just wondering how permanent the autographs will be. I assume you will never use the platter for food and will only display it? Thanks!

 

[poohj80]

What did they use for the character autographs? Sharpie? Paint pen? Just wondering how permanent the autographs will be. I assume you will never use the platter for food and will only display it? Thanks!

They'll use whatever you give them with the item to be autographed (if you want somethine specific or special colors). Otherwise, I believe it's just a black Sharpie.

 

[smint]

Great thread! Love hearing about the 5k!

 

[jp'smommy]

Thanks for all of the tips! I will be doing lots of reading in the next little while!