Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[morainechef]

Forgive me for being "green" but I am confused about the passports. Some posts say that we are to leave them with Guest Services, but another post says that it's not required. Another post says that we must take them with us when we are at port, but then what happens to them if we are on an excursion where we are going to be in the water or there is no secure place to store our passports? (I am totally screwed if that is the case)

Second, the whole auto-tip on vs off thing has me concerned. Help please!

You are traveling, just get the passports. And just go with the recommended gratuity.

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

Forgive me for being "green" but I am confused about the passports. Some posts say that we are to leave them with Guest Services, but another post says that it's not required. Another post says that we must take them with us when we are at port, but then what happens to them if we are on an excursion where we are going to be in the water or there is no secure place to store our passports? (I am totally screwed if that is the case)

Second, the whole auto-tip on vs off thing has me concerned. Help please!

You are not required to leave your passport with guest services. In fact I would not let it leave your sight if you are off ship except in castaway cay. Trust me I've known a few people who have missed the ship at port. If you are in a US port just lock the passport in your safe and use your drivers license. You can easily find a waterproof carrier that can go around your neck for any water excursions.

What exactly about the tips confuses you?

 

[sheadley]

My passport will not be leaving my in room safe. You do not need them when in port. You've already gotten into the country, no need to carry them around with you. Carry your license instead.

If anything happens to your passport you are screwed.

 

[EPCOTatNight]

You are traveling, just get the passports. And just go with the recommended gratuity.

They didn't ask if they should get passports or not.

 

[violetmonarch]

They didn't ask if they should get passports or not.

Thank you. No, I have our passports but my concern is taking them with me to port vs leaving them in the safe. My TA advised me to leave them in the safe, but in previous posts others were taking them with them. There may be waterproof holders for them, but what a hassle to deal with three passports (mine and my 2 kids') and managing two kids without help when I am going to be where I am not permitted to have anything but my bathing suit on me due to the animals. That was the real concern.
I have also read from other sources that some guests experienced less than satisfactory service than others because it may or may not have been made known to CM who decided to leave auto tip on and who took it off (thereby thinking they were getting stiffed of a tip). I haven't heard much talk about that here, so I was curious if anyone here had any thoughts on that.
I am happy happy to be going in little over two months, and this thread was great to find. Everyone had added some good bit of info! I am all ears, LOL

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

Thank you. No, I have our passports but my concern is taking them with me to port vs leaving them in the safe. My TA advised me to leave them in the safe, but in previous posts others were taking them with them. There may be waterproof holders for them, but what a hassle to deal with three passports (mine and my 2 kids') and managing two kids without help when I am going to be where I am not permitted to have anything but my bathing suit on me due to the animals. That was the real concern.
I have also read from other sources that some guests experienced less than satisfactory service than others because it may or may not have been made known to CM who decided to leave auto tip on and who took it off (thereby thinking they were getting stiffed of a tip). I haven't heard much talk about that here, so I was curious if anyone here had any thoughts on that.
I am happy happy to be going in little over two months, and this thread was great to find. Everyone had added some good bit of info! I am all ears, LOL

Tips are not added onto your stateroom acct until the second to last day. The only time they are added sooner is if you physically go to the guest services desk and tell them to do so. It's best not to worry about the tips until you receive the letter from guest services in your room. At that point decide what you are comfortable tipping based on the service you received.

In regards to the passports, Are you doing excursions through Disney directly? If yes, then leave your passports in the safe and just carry your ID's. If not bring them with you.

One more question what cruise destination are you going on (Mexican Riviera, Bahamas, Caribbean)? This might help us help you especially if we have been to the same ports before.

 

[sheadley]

I will say, if you DO take your passport on port days, make sure you have a copy back on the ship. This could really help if you lose your passport.

I make copies of everything, even front and back of 2 major credit cards and license.

 

[violetmonarch]

Tips are not added onto your stateroom acct until the second to last day. The only time they are added sooner is if you physically go to the guest services desk and tell them to do so. It's best not to worry about the tips until you receive the letter from guest services in your room. At that point decide what you are comfortable tipping based on the service you received.

In regards to the passports, Are you doing excursions through Disney directly? If yes, then leave your passports in the safe and just carry your ID's. If not bring them with you.

Thank you. I thought that they were automatically charged before we even got on board.
Yes, my excursions are booked thru Disney, and since this is my first trip out of the state and the country EVER and I definitely don't want to lose my passports.

You have helped to reassure me, thank you.

 

[violetmonarch]

I will say, if you DO take your passport on port days, make sure you have a copy back on the ship. This could really help if you lose your passport.

I make copies of everything, even front and back of 2 major credit cards and license.

Thank you, that is a great idea...on my list now!

Appreciate all the info, truly

 

[Hollywood Glitter]

I will say, if you DO take your passport on port days, make sure you have a copy back on the ship. This could really help if you lose your passport.

I make copies of everything, even front and back of 2 major credit cards and license.

Good idea. I always take a copy too. Thanks for bringing that up!

 

[violetmonarch]

Now I have a question about strollers. I was told by TA that I can take an umbrella stroller, but do you ever really see them out and about on the ship? Also, since we have to take a bus to excursions, does that mean I must take a carseat, too? Whew...lot's to consider!

 

[jkrislc]

Now I have a question about strollers. I was told by TA that I can take an umbrella stroller, but do you ever really see them out and about on the ship? Also, since we have to take a bus to excursions, does that mean I must take a carseat, too? Whew...lot's to consider!

The busses don't have seat belts, so a carseat would be useless. As for strollers, we used our travel one on every cruise that we've taken with DS. On our first DCL cruise, he actually slept in it during our first dining room dinner.

 

[morainechef]

Thank you. No, I have our passports but my concern is taking them with me to port vs leaving them in the safe. My TA advised me to leave them in the safe, but in previous posts others were taking them with them. There may be waterproof holders for them, but what a hassle to deal with three passports (mine and my 2 kids') and managing two kids without help when I am going to be where I am not permitted to have anything but my bathing suit on me due to the animals. That was the real concern.
I have also read from other sources that some guests experienced less than satisfactory service than others because it may or may not have been made known to CM who decided to leave auto tip on and who took it off (thereby thinking they were getting stiffed of a tip). I haven't heard much talk about that here, so I was curious if anyone here had any thoughts on that.
I am happy happy to be going in little over two months, and this thread was great to find. Everyone had added some good bit of info! I am all ears, LOL

Sorry I thought you were asking if you should bring passports at all. I always bring my passport when in a foreign country. For safety I always leave a copy of all my ID ( passport included ) with a trusted family member, that way if I lose my passport and I am stranded I can connect with someone who has a copy. I realize the destinations disney goes to are pretty tame, but this is just a habit I have gotten into during some of my travels.

 

[NAB]

Now I have a question about strollers. I was told by TA that I can take an umbrella stroller, but do you ever really see them out and about on the ship? Also, since we have to take a bus to excursions, does that mean I must take a carseat, too? Whew...lot's to consider!

Yes sometimes you see some pretty big ones out in the hall. Really not room for those but an umbrella one is perfect. You would be surprised how long some of those halls are.

Depending on what ship, the Fantasy and Dream expecially you will not be able to take it in the dining but leave it just inside the restraurant because the tables are so close together.

 

[All Things Simba]

Question - when you get the picture matt signed, is it for a 8x10 picture or a 10x8 picture -- i.e. which way do the majority of the pictures fit. Boy, I hope this question makes sense.

I think you can put a sticky note on it and say it's for a vertical print or for a horizontal print. They should get it then!

 

[Momma2Jax]

I think you can put a sticky note on it and say it's for a vertical print or for a horizontal print. They should get it then!

They also asked me, and noted it on my form

 

[sdKT]

we used our stroller all the time. everywhere.

 

[FlyingBelle]

I will say, if you DO take your passport on port days, make sure you have a copy back on the ship. This could really help if you lose your passport.

I make copies of everything, even front and back of 2 major credit cards and license.

We just got off the Dream yesterday... the instructions provided said to leave your passports on the ship, and carry a photocopy of it with you if you get off on the boat. (3-night Bahamas cruise) You need to carry your key to the world card and a photo id when you get off the ship.

 

[richmo]

We just got off the Dream yesterday... the instructions provided said to leave your passports on the ship, and carry a photocopy of it with you if you get off on the boat. (3-night Bahamas cruise) You need to carry your key to the world card and a photo id when you get off the ship.

That was pretty much our experience as well, at least at Nassau. We brought along color copies of our passport while in the city of Nassau, along with our USA driver's licenses. Left the actual passports in the safe in the stateroom. If I remember correctly, the only ID we used at customs in Nassau was the driver's license.

 

[DeejP]

Thanks for all these tips - I'm nearly done reading all 72 pages of them!!! My husband and 8yr old DD have booked 2 weeks at WDW (Port Orleans) followed by a week on the Dream - all to celebrate my 40th birthday, which was last month. I can't wait, although my DD is now very excited, now she has been allowed to let the secret out - it's a long time for the excitement to grow too ;-)