4/24/2010 Med cruise: Friends, Romans, Countrymen lend me your Ears

[shushh]

I've been reading threads on this forum until my eyes water everynight. Was wondering if those who have cruised Disney before could help without me having to trawl through another 50 pages...

1) Tipping - We don't tip in Australia so please bear with me. We were told when we booked that we can pay the $50 per day (roughly) as a lumpsum at the beginning or end of the cruise. This is obviously easier for us as it avoids having to change into US dollars. I have read many recommendations of carrying $1 bills.

• Who are these for?

• Is this rather than paying as a lump sum?

• If we do this, do some "behind the scenes" people miss out?

• What about room service? I know its free (for certain things on the menu) but do we have to tip the person bringing us the food everytime we order? My husband nearly went berserk when I suggested that we may have to do this.

2) Fish extenders - I know what they are! But what is it used for other than for exchange of gifts? Do you only put it up at the beginning? Do you need a pocket for every single person in the room or will 1 "big" pocket do? Is there gift "etiquette" so to speak? ie rules for gifts, who gets them etc or do each group of people make their own rules?

3) What is Tea for Alice?!?!?!

Thanks all!

Belinda

 

[NC_Tink]

Let's see if I can answer at least some of your questions:

I've been reading threads on this forum until my eyes water everynight. Was wondering if those who have cruised Disney before could help without me having to trawl through another 50 pages...

1) Tipping - We don't tip in Australia so please bear with me. We were told when we booked that we can pay the $50 per day (roughly) as a lumpsum at the beginning or end of the cruise. This is obviously easier for us as it avoids having to change into US dollars. I have read many recommendations of carrying $1 bills.

• Who are these for? Tips are for stateroom attendants, head waiter, waiter and assistant waiter. You can give them a tip in cash, charge to your room at the end of the cruise or pre-pay prior to or at the beginning of your cruise. There is a recommended amount posted in several places, but here's a Cruise tip calculator that is posted in the FAQs of Disboards: http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/ And, remember this is only a recommended amount -- if you feel that someone did an exemplary job - you can always give more. The $1 bills can be used to tip porters at the pier and to give to CMs who deliver room service. Hopefully this answers your next two questions?
  

• Is this rather than paying as a lump sum?

• If we do this, do some "behind the scenes" people miss out?

• What about room service? I know its free (for certain things on the menu) but do we have to tip the person bringing us the food everytime we order? My husband nearly went berserk when I suggested that we may have to do this. I'm not 100% sure if you hae to tip every time you order -- I think most folks would say "yes". I figure we probably won't order room service that much, so it won't be that huge of a deal for us. I plan on putting together small "thank you bags". It seems many from the DISboards do this -- put a couple of dollars in a small plastic bag along with a "thank you note" and some candy. Anytime we order room service - whom ever delivers will receive a "thank you bag". It's my understanding that the CMs really appreciate candy
  

2) Fish extenders - I know what they are! But what is it used for other than for exchange of gifts? Do you only put it up at the beginning? Do you need a pocket for every single person in the room or will 1 "big" pocket do? Is there gift "etiquette" so to speak? ie rules for gifts, who gets them etc or do each group of people make their own rules? I haven't participated in FEs yet -- but if you go to the FAQ sticky at the top of the board -- there's a link under there about Fish Extenders. I know that it's a gift exchange. I believe that a Fish Extender has a separate pocket for each member of your family. You can either make your own FE or I know that someone also sells them on Ebay. I believe you can spend as little or as much as you want putting together the "gifts". I've heard of some people basically putting together small gifties of candy and stickers and others making much more elaborate gifts such as mini scrapbooks. I believe most folks like to give gifts that are age and gender appropriate when participating -- but again I think it is what you want it to be.

3) What is Tea for Alice?!?!?! Well, being the Mom of two boys -- I think the boys would laugh at me for an entire day if I dared to suggest this having tea with Alice But, here's a description I found: "Tea with Alice & the Mad Hatter is a posh-yet-casual afternoon snack just for families. Alice & the Mad Hatter host a fun tea party for guests on sea days during an afternoon service of iced tea and cookies." I believe you need to go to guest services on embarkation day as this is a first-come first-served event.

Okay - I hope some of this information helps and hopefully someone more knowledgeable than I will add to this. You might also like to post your questions out on the main thread - I bet you'll get a ton of answers

Hope you have a great night!

Thanks all!

Belinda

 

[skoi]

Belinda- NCTink answered the tipping questions pretty well.

We never did Tea with Alice, but have gone to grown up tea at Palo on sea days. I don't know whether they do that on the Med cruises, but I can't imagine they wouldn't. I personally prefer Palo brunch.

Tipping can get very expensive, and it seems on Disney tipping guidelines are higher than some of the other mass market ships (Carnival, Royal Caribbean), but in my experience the service is much better.

We didn't order room service a lot, but when we did, we just tipped a few dollars, depending on the amount of food we ordered. The thank you bag is a good idea.

I wasn't planning on doing the fish extender thing, because with the weight limit on baggage, and having to pack for two weeks, I didn't think we'd be able to haul a lot of extra gear. We've never done one, though some of the cruise meet group we've been in have.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Julie

 

[shushh]

Thank you both and especially Lubi for such a detailed answer! It's really hard for us with regard to tipping because we are so used to paying the price that we see. So when you have to pay extra (I know it's only a few dollars) here and there, it gives the impression that things are expensive. My husband still doesn't understand why we have to give the person who delivers room service any extra. I might put the questions up on the main to see what other people think.

I asked about FE because I though it might be nice for the kids to get a gift from Mickey or something along those lines. Do people do that? Put one up to put your own gifts in for the kids. Or will it look silly if no one else on the ship has any up?

 

[mehaul]

I've been reading threads on this forum until my eyes water everynight. Was wondering if those who have cruised Disney before could help without me having to trawl through another 50 pages...

1) Tipping - We don't tip in Australia so please bear with me. We were told when we booked that we can pay the $50 per day (roughly) as a lumpsum at the beginning or end of the cruise. This is obviously easier for us as it avoids having to change into US dollars. I have read many recommendations of carrying $1 bills.

• Who are these for?

• Is this rather than paying as a lump sum?

• If we do this, do some "behind the scenes" people miss out?

• What about room service? I know its free (for certain things on the menu) but do we have to tip the person bringing us the food everytime we order? My husband nearly went berserk when I suggested that we may have to do this.

2) Fish extenders - I know what they are! But what is it used for other than for exchange of gifts? Do you only put it up at the beginning? Do you need a pocket for every single person in the room or will 1 "big" pocket do? Is there gift "etiquette" so to speak? ie rules for gifts, who gets them etc or do each group of people make their own rules?

3) What is Tea for Alice?!?!?!

Thanks all!

Belinda

I think NC tink and Julie did a great job answering your questions.
Since I have 2 DD I can add a little info about the tea w/Alice.
It is fun for girls and some boys (probably under the age of 10). You can get free tkts when you check in. It is a character meal/skit with Alice and the Mad Hatter.

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

Just a note to say that Disney will announce 2011 cruise destinations at noon pacific, September 11th.

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Be9VjryeIF0

 

[friend of tinkerbell]

Disney will begin booking the Wonder for Alaska September 28th!

We're going to be broke, but we're going!

 

[NC_Tink]

Alaska sounds fantastic! I would love to do the Panama Canal crossing - take the Wonder on her voyage west -- but I don't think it's in our future. Unless DHs plan to win the lottery ever works out I may just have to talk him into one of those "fact-finding" missions next week when we're on the Magic. "Oh look honey -- there's the desk where you can book another cruise -- let's just stop by and see what "specials" they might be offering" Although my boys are really pushing to cruise Freedom of the Seas -- they want to ice skate on a ship and ride the flow rider. So, I will probably be completely outnumbered when it comes to vacation plans for 2011 (unless of course that lottery comes through!)

 

[shushh]

Michaela, I am very excited for you! An Alaskan cruise is definitely on our to do list. We would LOVE to cruise the Panama Canal with Disney as this will fit into our plan to go to WDW in Jan 2011. It'll save us having to fly back to LA to go home to Australia. However, seeing as we are only general pleb...I think our chances of getting on are quite remote. If I read correctly, the ones a few years back sold in hours/days?!?! The prices will probably be too exorbitant anyway (so I keep telling myself!)

Lubi, I think we will start buying lottery tickets as well!

I am amazed at how passionate people are about Disney. I didn't expect to see so much emotion around the various subjects (eg disappointment with the new itinerary, upset/anger/frustration with the new CC tiered benefits, people sniping at each other about who was right/wrong about new itinerary). I have no problems with it! But I didn't realise that the feelings run so deep for some people.

It also appears to me that our cruise in particular seem to not be filling up? I keep reading how previous med cruises sold out quickly and cruises need to be booked a year one advance in general. Other than cat 12 which are now gty, the other cats seem to have plenty of cabins left to choose from. THe other med cruises have a couple sold out I think and the baltics even more so.

Julie, I hope you had a great vacation!

 

[NC_Tink]

I am amazed at how passionate people are about Disney. I didn't expect to see so much emotion around the various subjects (eg disappointment with the new itinerary, upset/anger/frustration with the new CC tiered benefits, people sniping at each other about who was right/wrong about new itinerary). I have no problems with it! But I didn't realise that the feelings run so deep for some people.

Belinda, I totally understand your amazement. I love the Disboards because it's a great source of information and a wonderful support group for various things - it can be a bit high-strung at times. But, I guess whenever you get a large group of people together - you'll have varying personalities and they don't always play nice together

I can understand peoples' frustrations with some of the new tiered benefits, new itineraries, etc. But, at the same time, I know that no matter what Disney does they won't make everyone happy. I think that whenever there's change - emotions will run high and eventually I think folks will calm down once these changes are in place and it's not all so new. I, like you, don't have any issues with the new system -- although I did get concerned about Palo reservations for the Med. cruise since three groups (gold, platinum and I guess concierge) get to book before I do instead of just the concierge folks. But, it is what it is and I can't change it. I'll do my best to get what I want - but in the end - I'm on a great cruise, with my family, in a great location and to me that's all that really matters.

 

[KathyFP]

I am a little anxious about planning for the cruise. I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know anything about the countries and really have no idea about excursions and what we should. This is my reason for doing the Disney cruise.

I am waiting to see the precruise specials and try to determine when we will fly into Barcelona.

I look forward to learning a lot for my fellow DIS members.

 

[NC_Tink]

Hi KathyFP! I know how you feel in terms of being anxious - please don't feel embarrassed - I'm sure you're not the only one that doesn't know a lot about these countries. I've never been to any of these cities/countries -- so this is all new to me as well and I must admit that the language barrier, if nothing else, intimidates me somewhat.

My sister-in-law just came back from a cruise on the Mediterranean (different line) and said that it was absolutely wonderful! They did several excursions thru their cruise line, but also did a few ports on their own. I'm currently doing my research -- looking at the posts from the 2007 trip reports - searching cruise critic, etc. I'm just about soaking up as much information as I can - but then I'm big on research for any trip that we do. Currently, our thinking is that we will probably go with Disney excursions in Tunis. Not sure what we'll do in Malta, Corsica or Villefranche. And then, probably, hire a driver/guide in Naples, Rome and La Spezia. I want to be able to get in certain things in those cities and don't want to necessarily be slowed down by a large tour group. But, nothing's set in stone at this point and we're still researching. I think the researching is almost as fun as the trip itself. Okay, not quite, but I still like to do the research and dream about what we'll do and see

 

[NC_Tink]

Hey Julie! Are you back from vacation? If so - hope you had a FABULOUS time! Would love to hear about your trip when you get a chance!

 

[KathyFP]

I look forward to you sharing your research. I too love to research before a trip, but between work and school, I barely have time to breathe. Hopefully things will slow down a little before then.

 

[shushh]

I, like you, don't have any issues with the new system -- although I did get concerned about Palo reservations for the Med. cruise since three groups (gold, platinum and I guess concierge) get to book before I do instead of just the concierge folks. But, it is what it is and I can't change it. I'll do my best to get what I want - but in the end - I'm on a great cruise, with my family, in a great location and to me that's all that really matters

Amen to that!

With regard to CC benefits, I guess the only thing that Disney could have done is to introduce the changes at a time n the future so that no current bookings are affected. I am sure that they have spent time and money on the research to make the tier benefits the way they have.

KathyFP, no need for embarrassment! I can assure you that you aren't the only one who doesn't know alot about the countries. I am currently using my ignorance as a blessing. THe less I know, the less I will worry about what I WON'T see on our short 1 day visit to each port! Like NC_Tink mentioned, the research is half the fun.

NC_Tink, you'll have to let us know if you decide to go on any private tours. We are considering this as well for La Spezia as timing seems so tight (and we have 3 young children), it might be easier/quicker with a smaller group.

Have a good week everyone!

 

[mehaul]

I am a little anxious about planning for the cruise. I am embarrassed to admit that I do not know anything about the countries and really have no idea about excursions and what we should. This is my reason for doing the Disney cruise.

I am waiting to see the precruise specials and try to determine when we will fly into Barcelona.

I look forward to learning a lot for my fellow DIS members.

We did the Med cruise in 2007. 4 of the 7 ports are the same. I set up a website to help me (and others) plan for our return trip to the Med.
www.worldofmouse.com
If you have any specific questions about ports/excursions - fire away.

 

[skoi]

Howdy, we're back. Had a great time, especially on the ship. Both of our little ones cried when it was time to leave. We had our great head server, Zan, and excellent server and assistant server. Hopefully they'll all be together in April when we sail again.

I have a lot of to catch up on, especially this tiered CC benefits thing. I have to go through the boards.

We won't be doing Alaska, just not interested. PC might be interesting, but we're far more into European/Middle Eastern/Far Asian travel. We'd love to see one of the Disney ships going to Asia. We did hear a rumor, and the Magic's schedule seems to back it up, that the new ship will be doing the Bahamas three and four nights. I know people are upset about that possibility.

We're probably doing all of the ports on our own. I have a new Arabic tutor who is fantastic, and along with my class, I think between French and Arabic we'll even be able to do Tunis on our own.

We did decide we're going to try and upgrade our stateroom. The kids had a cat 11 and it was tight for a seven day cruise. I can't imagine it won't be worse for 11 nights.

Julie

 

[Michelle2]

We recently booked this cruise with the kids free incentive. We did the Med Cruise in June 2007 with Disney. I recently created a planning site to help organize for the trip. I saved all our menus, navigators and will try to upload them in the next few days.

www.worldofmouse.com/disney-mediterranean-cruise-2010.html

I hope this link is helpful.

Wow! Love the website. I love informative sites that I can research and help me plan! Even though I have been to Rome and Florence and a little Pisa, it was way back in Dec 2001, so I have forgotten alot. LOL

[Hi Michelle2 and mehaul, was wondering if you could let me know how disembarkation went in Barcelona? We have very limited flight options as we have to catch the interconnecting long haul flight back home to Sydney. We're trying to avoid staying in Barcelona for an extra night as it is so expensive. And the hotels in Europe are not like those in America or Australia where getting a triple or a quad is not such a big deal!

Mehaul, by the way, your site is fantastic! Very helpful!

Is anyone staying at Barcelona pre-cruise?

Belinda

I know that Mehaul already answered, but for us on the TA cruise it was a little different since we arrived into Barcelona the day before. There were even some people leaving the night before...crazies! I know that the ship was available for people to leave as early as they wanted to in the morning, so catching a flight no matter how early wasn't an option. That won't be the case on this cruise because we will be arriving into port on disembarkation day, so it's a whole new ball of wax for me too....
I remember cabs being VERY limited. Those that had more than 2 or 3 people and/or needed a larger cab (like the minivan ones) due to luggage amounts, had at LEAST an hour wait. But we probably exited off of the boat at the peak time. It seemed like with luggage, everyone needed the larger cabs. There were only 3 of us, 2 adults and a 5 year old, so we just hopped in a sedan sized cab and left. There were also alot of people mad about feeling that the cabs had jipped them off...alot of angry people double checking with each other at the airport hotel because they were charging these stupid baggage fees. Just some words of warning...

I was debating this cruise thinking that I was not going to go because I wanted to go on the Baltic, but in June, we went on it through another cruiseline (just my DD15 and I) and had a BLAST! Now I can focus on this one.
Put me on the roll call, it will definitely be me and DD13 (homeschooling her this year, and she is taking an eastern geography class, so it will be perfect!) and we will see if my DH and DS7 will go on this one or the TA over.

 

[skoi]

Welcome Michelle.

We have you added to the roll call. We homeschool all of our kids, and the two oldest are both doing World History this year- ancient world through the Middle Ages, so this trip is great for us.

I really have to get some research going.

Julie