DoomBuggieDriver
Boston Strong
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2003
- Messages
- 536
This really isn't titled correctly, as there was little to be disappointed in. Maybe it should be titled, "things I recommend to make things go better?" Or "things we didn't take advantage of but wish we did?" Or "a suggestion here or there for DCL?" I'll leave it up to you.
Let's see, this is much harder to do:
1. This is completely my fault because I didn't prebook anything but the Dolphins in Cozumel (though the company directly) and the banana boat on Castaway Cay. It seemed for our first cruise it would be better not to overshedule. But after planning for over a year, and asking everyone if there was anything else they wanted to do, with the answer always NO! (which means the same as "We are sick of hearing about this @#$% trip and would you just leave us alone already), DDs thought just maybe a snorkling excursion for Grand Cayman would be cool. Except they ran it by me after we docked in GC. Word to the wise: book everything early or you'll be disappointed-even if you think you are a hoity-toity in concierge. Unless we wanted the butterfly farm excursion, we were out of luck.
I could have easily booked snorkleing through DCL or one of the local companies people have recommended on the board. So it was a laundry day for me, which was very easy and turned out good (thanks Tooty) and a Daddy excursion for the DDs on Grand Cayman, which was quite the adventure from what I heard.
This is where they got the key chain, but that's another story for later.
2. Not much DCL can do about those pull-out couches and Murphy beds blocking access to the verandah; after all it's a cruise ship cabin. But be warned; climb over the Murphy bed carefully or you just might break it...ooops Watch those shins!
3. Go to Shutters early in the week and buy the 10 picture package. Then go in periodically and update your collection. I didn't understand that you could trade a previously selected picture for a better, recent photo, so I ended up dumping a couple into the bin of no return too soon (Wes, if you are out there, is that peaking too early?
) So keep them as you go along and it will be much easier than trying to look through a pile in the crowd at the end of the week.)
They will give you a credit if you don't use up the 10 allotted, or you can be like me and pick a stock photo of the Magic or a character. If you are over, bump up to the next package. Sure you can get lots of photos yourself, but the photographer caught my DDs around the ship during the day at times we weren't there to get a picture, and those happen to be great snaps of them.
4. Take advantage of the wonderful DCL policy of letting you bring your own bottles aboard. We really could have enjoyed cheaper drinks on our verandah. Disney made it very easy and tasty to buy from them, but again, a bottle (or two) in the room would have cut the bill dramatically (and I didn't think I was a big drinker, but everyone is at those prices
)
5. Unless you are flying with several transfers, don't bother to mix up the clothes in the luggage so everyone will have just about anything crucial if a bag gets lost. We spent the first two nights at Ron Jon's, and I thought I had planned well by putting a fresh set of clothes and bathing suit in each carry-on, and with our medicines, toiletries and documents in my bag. Then no one needs to go digging in the big suitcases until we are on the ship- right? No, WRONG
Not only did they dig, but they went through everything because everyone had different items divided between the two big bags. Everything was everywhere. I swear I packed and unpacked 6 or 7 times. The night before we went to the port I sent the kids out for a walk with DH so I could pull everything out and get it all back in with some kind of order.
6. Put on your spa questionare "No sales please" I learned this from DRCLAWS and DVC KATHY. Otherwise they try to hit you up with necessary creams etc. at the tune of around $100.00 a bottle for some products. Who wants that after, as DVC Kathy says about DR, you are so relaxed they should just roll you out onto a lounge chair when you are done.
7. Wish the hot tubs were open later......
8. Take advantage of room service. We didn't, but then again we were piggies at dinner and were never hungry, and weren't motivated to order breakfast in the room for the next day. Dumb. Should have done it at least one day.
9. Go to the 70's night way early. The 80's night was busy but we got there just in time and were able to find a seat. But the 70's night was a whole 'nother ball game. I think a lot of people were out because it was nearing the end of the cruise and they wanted to go out with a bang, and many had made friends with other people and wanted to spend some together. At any rate, it was so jammed we had to take a pass
(I think the DH was secretly pleased, but hey, this is my vacation too....) By the way, I think it was Wes's son Buddy who was the very convincing stand-in for Bon Jovi at the 80's night. Well done!
10. My DDs had a great time, so don't get this wrong. But I think some of the younger teens are intimidated by the older teens in The Stack. My DD 13 made a friend here on the board and they spent time together but weren't into the Stack. My DD 11 also made a friend here and they never went to the Club. The shows, movies, arcade and just hanging around was fine for them so we had no problems. But I can see where other people complain about the younger teen activities, especially on a sea day.
Honorable mention: please remember people: it's your expensive, maybe once-in-a-lifetime(-but-I-hope-not) vacation. But it's someone else's too. I swear some people checked their "please" and "thank you" at the pier, and were willing to trample to be first anywhere. Relax. The photographer will be there for quite a while, as will the character, the buffet, the {You fill in the blank} Thankfully, this was just a few, but didn't they keep popping up around the ship and on the islands? It got to be funny, as we assigned nicknames.
That's it for now....
Kathy
Let's see, this is much harder to do:
1. This is completely my fault because I didn't prebook anything but the Dolphins in Cozumel (though the company directly) and the banana boat on Castaway Cay. It seemed for our first cruise it would be better not to overshedule. But after planning for over a year, and asking everyone if there was anything else they wanted to do, with the answer always NO! (which means the same as "We are sick of hearing about this @#$% trip and would you just leave us alone already), DDs thought just maybe a snorkling excursion for Grand Cayman would be cool. Except they ran it by me after we docked in GC. Word to the wise: book everything early or you'll be disappointed-even if you think you are a hoity-toity in concierge. Unless we wanted the butterfly farm excursion, we were out of luck.
I could have easily booked snorkleing through DCL or one of the local companies people have recommended on the board. So it was a laundry day for me, which was very easy and turned out good (thanks Tooty) and a Daddy excursion for the DDs on Grand Cayman, which was quite the adventure from what I heard. This is where they got the key chain, but that's another story for later.2. Not much DCL can do about those pull-out couches and Murphy beds blocking access to the verandah; after all it's a cruise ship cabin. But be warned; climb over the Murphy bed carefully or you just might break it...ooops
Watch those shins!3. Go to Shutters early in the week and buy the 10 picture package. Then go in periodically and update your collection. I didn't understand that you could trade a previously selected picture for a better, recent photo, so I ended up dumping a couple into the bin of no return too soon (Wes, if you are out there, is that peaking too early?
) So keep them as you go along and it will be much easier than trying to look through a pile in the crowd at the end of the week.)They will give you a credit if you don't use up the 10 allotted, or you can be like me and pick a stock photo of the Magic or a character. If you are over, bump up to the next package. Sure you can get lots of photos yourself, but the photographer caught my DDs around the ship during the day at times we weren't there to get a picture, and those happen to be great snaps of them.
4. Take advantage of the wonderful DCL policy of letting you bring your own bottles aboard. We really could have enjoyed cheaper drinks on our verandah. Disney made it very easy and tasty to buy from them, but again, a bottle (or two) in the room would have cut the bill dramatically (and I didn't think I was a big drinker, but everyone is at those prices
)5. Unless you are flying with several transfers, don't bother to mix up the clothes in the luggage so everyone will have just about anything crucial if a bag gets lost. We spent the first two nights at Ron Jon's, and I thought I had planned well by putting a fresh set of clothes and bathing suit in each carry-on, and with our medicines, toiletries and documents in my bag. Then no one needs to go digging in the big suitcases until we are on the ship- right?
No, WRONG Not only did they dig, but they went through everything because everyone had different items divided between the two big bags. Everything was everywhere. I swear I packed and unpacked 6 or 7 times. The night before we went to the port I sent the kids out for a walk with DH so I could pull everything out and get it all back in with some kind of order.
6. Put on your spa questionare "No sales please" I learned this from DRCLAWS and DVC KATHY. Otherwise they try to hit you up with necessary creams etc. at the tune of around $100.00 a bottle for some products. Who wants that after, as DVC Kathy says about DR, you are so relaxed they should just roll you out onto a lounge chair when you are done.
7. Wish the hot tubs were open later......
8. Take advantage of room service. We didn't, but then again we were piggies at dinner and were never hungry, and weren't motivated to order breakfast in the room for the next day. Dumb. Should have done it at least one day.
9. Go to the 70's night way early. The 80's night was busy but we got there just in time and were able to find a seat. But the 70's night was a whole 'nother ball game. I think a lot of people were out because it was nearing the end of the cruise and they wanted to go out with a bang, and many had made friends with other people and wanted to spend some together. At any rate, it was so jammed we had to take a pass
(I think the DH was secretly pleased, but hey, this is my vacation too....) By the way, I think it was Wes's son Buddy who was the very convincing stand-in for Bon Jovi at the 80's night. Well done!10. My DDs had a great time, so don't get this wrong. But I think some of the younger teens are intimidated by the older teens in The Stack. My DD 13 made a friend here on the board and they spent time together but weren't into the Stack. My DD 11 also made a friend here and they never went to the Club. The shows, movies, arcade and just hanging around was fine for them so we had no problems. But I can see where other people complain about the younger teen activities, especially on a sea day.
Honorable mention: please remember people: it's your expensive, maybe once-in-a-lifetime(-but-I-hope-not) vacation. But it's someone else's too. I swear some people checked their "please" and "thank you" at the pier, and were willing to trample to be first anywhere. Relax. The photographer will be there for quite a while, as will the character, the buffet, the {You fill in the blank} Thankfully, this was just a few, but didn't they keep popping up around the ship and on the islands? It got to be funny, as we assigned nicknames.
That's it for now....
Kathy
