Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[mom2rm]

Thanks for all the great tips! Leaving in 10 days! So excited!!!

 

[couchpotato]

Book a dummy date while on board for a future cruise and get a nice OBC that way.

Is the OBC for use on the current cruise or for the future cruise you booked?

 

[floridaminnie]

Is the OBC for use on the current cruise or for the future cruise you booked?

For the future cruise

 

[CruisinNick]

1. I believe all the cruises have a pirate night. Even Alaska (minus fireworks).

This has changed. You can keep your pirate garb at home.
There is no Pirate Night in Alaska for 2013.

It's now a "Pixar Party" with your favorite Pixar Characters. It will take place in the Atrium on Deck 3, Midship. The characters and everyone will sing "You've Got A Friend In Me".

Source: From a Cast Member when I called DCL last week.

 

[kimgg]

Don't know if this has been mentioned but you can watch disney movies on demand in your stateroom at night. I have boys ans don't know that I've ever actually watched all of Beauty and the Beast but I have now thanks to this .

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

Don't know if this has been mentioned but you can watch disney movies on demand in your stateroom at night. I have boys ans don't know that I've ever actually watched all of Beauty and the Beast but I have now thanks to this .

When you say "on demand", is it an extra charge?

 

[fairytalelover]

When you say "on demand", is it an extra charge?

No it's all free. It's awesome! There were tons of on demand channels with tons of Disney movies to watch, commercial free.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

No it's all free. It's awesome! There were tons of on demand channels with tons of Disney movies to watch, commercial free.

Wonderful! Thanks

 

[wachnicki]

This has changed. You can keep your pirate garb at home.
There is no Pirate Night in Alaska for 2013.

It's now a "Pixar Party" with your favorite Pixar Characters. It will take place in the Atrium on Deck 3, Midship. The characters and everyone will sing "You've Got A Friend In Me".

Source: From a Cast Member when I called DCL last week.

That sound fun!

 

[missycj96]

On demand also has kids tv shows- my 2 little girls could disney jr shows whenever they wanted. My dd1 likes mickey mouse clubhouse and to watch in bed so it was great for us.

 

[DeniseMarie526]

Subbing! Haven't gotten gotten through them all, but am seriously working on it...lol I loved all the pillow case/ photo mat ideas. I don't know if anyone else has posted this idea, but what I'm doing for our April 19, 2014 EC Cruise on Fantasy is transferring pictures of the kids and myself onto a white sheet, having it signed then framing it. I have it planned in my mind but wondering if anyone has done anything like this.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

A little clarification. You MAY get OBC or other perks from a TA. Not all TAs do.

We've used different TA's. Our favorite is Costco. After our Alaskan cruise in May we will have $500 in Costco cash cards to spend. Sweet!

 

[PrincessAndie]

It has seriously taken me a week to read all 91 pages of this thread but it has been wonderful! We are leaving in 8 days and I am so excited! We will most definitely be doing photo mats for the Characters to sign. Bring on the tips!

 

[the5wills]

I am new to cruising and anytime we were at Disney World I did not book for future trips. I see that you can book for a future cruise while onboard at a reduced rate. A few questions:

1. How far out can you typically book?

2. We are going in April '13, could we book for December '14 then change the date to anytime and vise versa if we booked for April '14 can we make it Dec '14 at a later date?

3. I take it from what I have read that this does not exclude you from using a travel agent?

4. Can I book for 2 staterooms initially? We have 2 this time. What if I decide we only need one at a later date? If i book for one can we change to 2 with the same incentives at a later date?

5. Do you book for a specific cruise? i.e.: Alaska, Bahamas etc, Can this be changed to something else or do you have to go to the destination you first chose?

Sorry if this seems like simple questions but I am thinking if we really like it taking another cruise may be in the future. Thanks for any help.

I never saw a direct response to your question! So I wanted to make sure you did indeed get it:
You can book while onboard, and by doing so get a discount and future OBC. We got 10% off with $200 OBC. You pick a specific date/ship/itinerary however, this can always be changed to different date. I am not sure the specific restrictions however, on how far out but ours was 1 year away and I believe I've heard others book very quickly or even 2 years from the date as well. Our friends did book 2 rooms and therefore got $200 OBC for each room!
Hope that helps!

 

[bogey326]

Subbing..

 

[TempusFugit]

I never saw a direct response to your question! So I wanted to make sure you did indeed get it:

In answer to another question; if you book two cabins for the same cruise and decide you only need one in the future, merely cancel the reservation for one cabin and your deposit will be refunded. However, the door does not swing both ways. If you book only one cabin and later decide you need another, you will not receive the discount and OBC for the new reservation. The only real downside to booking the second cabin is the down payment and having the two reservations under different passenger names.

 

[mollymeaux]

Black photo matboard with silver and gold markers for character autographs is beautiful and perfect for formal night pics.

 

[mommaof1]

I've been reading to order breakfast through room service the morning of castaway cay so that you can get off of the boat sooner

 

[fairytalelover]

I've been reading to order breakfast through room service the morning of castaway cay so that you can get off of the boat sooner

I don't see how it would get you off the boat sooner. As soon as we got dressed we went to the buffet, grabbed a table, grabbed trays and got our food. No problem and no delays.

 

[PrincessAbby'sMom]

I've been reading to order breakfast through room service the morning of castaway cay so that you can get off of the boat sooner

That will probably work for any port stop, line we have a Port Canaveral stop & day at WDW... will get us off the boat quicker!