April 1 2010 cruise meet

[Deb T.]

Deb T.: I should've known you'd be one step ahead of me! I was about to call regarding the movies, but I decided to check here first!

The girls are excited about seeing Alice (well, Johnny Depp ).

Deb -- thank you for posting the movie info! I wouldn't have known where to get that information -- you're a great asset for us newbies to have on our 1st cruise!!!

Glad I could be helpful. It was hard for me to be patient enough to wait until we were under the two-week window of our cruise to call about movies. Of course, the first thing the cm said was, "These are subject to change." Gotta love that about Disney... they ALWAYS hold the right to that particular disclaimer.

 

[MNBrooke]

Hi,
Just wondering about the seating for meals:
How big are the tables?
Do they randomly group people or try and match?
We have 3 people, one is our 6 year old daughter. Wondering if they try and match us with other 6 or 7 year old girls?

We are hoping she will make friends during the day, but curious about meals...

Can't believe we are a week away from the start of our vacation!
Finishing up our FE stuff today. The list is final?!?

 

[Deb T.]

Hi,
Just wondering about the seating for meals:
How big are the tables?
Do they randomly group people or try and match?
We have 3 people, one is our 6 year old daughter. Wondering if they try and match us with other 6 or 7 year old girls?

We are hoping she will make friends during the day, but curious about meals...

Can't believe we are a week away from the start of our vacation!
Finishing up our FE stuff today. The list is final?!?

I know the tables range from 4-seats on up to 20+. I think there are also a few tables for two, but I'm not positive about that. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to how they group people, but you do have the option of linking your dining with another family if that's something you're interested in doing.

Our experiences have been:
Cruise #1 - just the four of us at one table for four (we did not request this)
Cruise #2 - again, just the four of us at one table for four (again, we did not request this)
Cruise #3 - the four of us were randomly paired with a family of 3 who's son was around 3yo. They seemed bothered that we were sitting at their table, so it was a bit uncomfortable.
Cruise #4 - DH and I were paired with 4 girls from Germany in their early 20's who were International cms at EPCOT. They spent most of each evening talking to each other in German and just politely answering when we spoke to them.
Cruise #5 - The four of us linked dining with another DIS family with two teenage sons for the Med cruise and it was our best dining experience ever - we had so much fun! We still keep in contact and have even managed to visit once when they were driving through our state on the way to a vacation.
Cruise #6 - I sailed solo and upon embarkation went to check my dining assignment to make sure I wasn't randomly paired with a family who would wonder why this one lady was sitting at their table. The cm indicated that was indeed the case and thought it was a good thing I checked, and then switched me to another table. When I went to dinner that night, I was seated at a table for six and no one else showed up! I ended up being invited to dine with new DIS friends, taking the husband's place the next two nights because he and one of the sons weren't going to the dining rooms for dinner. So, it ended up being three ladies and two pre-teens and we had a great time!
Cruise #7 - DH, DD, and I sailed the Mexican Riviera with extended family and linked all of our reservations, so our one looooong table had 9 adults and 7 kids.
Cruise #8 - DH and I were randomly assigned to a table for six with another family who weren't very friendly.

So, it's really the luck of the draw. You might try going to Wavebands after embarking to see what your dining assignment is and then try to change it if you're not seated with a family with a young daughter.

 

[Deb T.]

Hi,
Just wondering about the seating for meals:
How big are the tables?
Do they randomly group people or try and match?
We have 3 people, one is our 6 year old daughter. Wondering if they try and match us with other 6 or 7 year old girls?

We are hoping she will make friends during the day, but curious about meals...

Can't believe we are a week away from the start of our vacation!
Finishing up our FE stuff today. The list is final?!?

Sorry... forgot the last part of your question. Yes, the list is final! Here it is again for anyone who's looking for it:

Cabin 1058 – wisconsinmom: Kari & Dan, Connor (7), Alice (5)
Cabin 2104 – Mozart: Kevin & Holli, nephew Jake (6), niece Chloe (5)
Cabin 2105 – Mouseskis: Kristi & Brian, Matthew (7), Andrew (4)
Cabin 2512 – TDWZ: Trisha & Kurt, Adam (11), Hailey (9)
Cabin 2580 – Deweysgirl’s parents: Betty Sue & Austin (celebrating 38th anniversary on 4/1)
Cabin 2582 – Deweysgirl: Liz & Dewey, Tabby (15), Brianna (turning 12 on the cruise!)
Cabin 2586 – MNBrooke: Charlie & Joni, Brooke (7 on April 2nd)
Cabin 2592 – CarolinaBlue: Karen & Steve, Kelley (19), Caroline (almost 16)
Cabin 2628 – Dizma: Joe & Kara, Karly (15), Shjon (12)
Cabin 5024 – Kdlong: Kari & Russell, Bryson (7), Austin (5)
Cabin 6051 – Isi: Isabel & Jose, Bryan (8), Brianna (8)
Cabin 6566 – Deb T.: Deb & Jeff
Cabin 6636 – Aye-Landers: Ron & Beth, Emily (13)
Cabin 7123 – eastonsmom: Melissa and Easton (6)
Cabin 7562 – mmmears: Michelle & Hans, Danielle (12)
Cabin 8530 – ppiew: Gert (4/1 Birthday!) & Jack, Lori & Rob, Sophia (13), Olivia (8)
Cabin 8602 – Bullseyebaby: Janie & Dave, Riley (17), Sierra (almost 13)

We were sorry to see this family have to drop out but totally understand since they're coming in from overseas:
Cabin 7127 – Bobo_UK: Deano & Katie, Jessica (5)

 

[MNBrooke]

I know the tables range from 4-seats on up to 20+. I think there are also a few tables for two, but I'm not positive about that. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason to how they group people, but you do have the option of linking your dining with another family if that's something you're interested in doing.


So, it's really the luck of the draw. You might try going to Wavebands after embarking to see what your dining assignment is and then try to change it if you're not seated with a family with a young daughter.

Thanks Deb!
It is a Disney Cruise, we hope they are friendly. We plan to be on early, so I might try and find Wavebands

 

[Deb T.]

Thanks Deb!
It is a Disney Cruise, we hope they are friendly. We plan to be on early, so I might try and find Wavebands

I just checked the most recent Navigator that's been posted on the DIS Boards and it listed the hours that you can request dining changes as 1-3:30pm. The lines usually start earlier, though, because that's also where people go to try to snag Palo reservations. Wavebands is very easy to find - it's on Deck 3 Forward, in the first room on the right as you wind your way into "Route 66". (Route 66 is the adult-only area after 9pm.)

 

[Deb T.]

Thanks Deb!
It is a Disney Cruise, we hope they are friendly.

Actually, all eight of my above cruises were Disney cruises. We've only ever cruised DCL. I'd agree that most people are friendly on Disney cruises, but there have been several "dining table mates" threads on here that have stories that are doozies! Again, it's all luck of the draw. So, here's pixie dust that your family is one of the super lucky ones!!!

 

[Mouseskis]

Okay - I have a few more questions:

1. Deb - am I understanding your rebooking response correctly that we can book cabins onboard for friends and family as long as we have their names and addresses, etc.? We have some family members that would like to join us in 2011 on an Alaskan cruise. Also, am I understanding correctly that we can book up to 4 cabins since we have four people in our cabin on this sailing (event though 2 are children)?

2. I know they take pictures onboard the ship - do they offer anything like the photopass system where you can buy a cd of all your pics?

WisconsinMom - Hello! We are from Madison. Did you get snow last week? It was a good reminder of why we are headed to FLA & the Bahamas!!

See you all soon!

 

[Deb T.]

Okay - I have a few more questions:

1. Deb - am I understanding your rebooking response correctly that we can book cabins onboard for friends and family as long as we have their names and addresses, etc.? We have some family members that would like to join us in 2011 on an Alaskan cruise. Also, am I understanding correctly that we can book up to 4 cabins since we have four people in our cabin on this sailing (event though 2 are children)?

2. I know they take pictures onboard the ship - do they offer anything like the photopass system where you can buy a cd of all your pics?

WisconsinMom - Hello! We are from Madison. Did you get snow last week? It was a good reminder of why we are headed to FLA & the Bahamas!!

See you all soon!

Question #1, Part 1: Yup, you can book for family and friends while onboard so that they can get the discount (currently 10%) and DCL's OBC. But, there is one catch... you have to also be sailing on that particular cruise. If you would have to cancel that cruise for any reason, and your friends still planned to go, then I believe they would have to rebook at current regular rates. This is what I understood to be true when I was booking all those extra cabins for our MexRiviera cruise, but I would suggest that you double check this when you talk with the booking agent onboard just to be sure this information is still correct.

Question #1, Part 2: I've always been told that we could book as many cabins as we had people sailing, so I assume that would include younger children, too.

Question #1, Part 2, further clarification: Whenever we've booked onboard for us or for family/friends, my name has always been listed as the person who made the reservation... mostly because I'm bound and determined to make it on each cruise no matter what! Yeah, I know, it's a tough job but somebody's gotta volunteer! So, in that case, it didn't matter what the ages of the others sailing in my cabin were because none of the bookings were made under anyone else's name but mine, even though I was able to rebook four cabins.

Question #2: Uh-oh... you've stumped me! I guess it had to happen sometime!! The last time we purchased any of DCL's photos was in '07, during the Mediterranean cruise so I'm sure their options have probably changed (evolved) since then. I don't think they have Photopass yet, although they should! I do know they have packages you can purchase to help cut down the cost of the photos. I also know they have CDs available so you can download your own camera's memory card if needed. But I just don't know if you can buy a cd of photos they've taken. You might try posting your question on the main cruise board.

Question #2, added tidbit: In the past, we've been able, upon request, to receive a waiver form from Shutters that allowed us to make copies of their photos for a limited time frame. This ended up saving us tons of money over what DCL charges for extra copies. Instead of buying duplicates from Shutters, we were able to print them on our own at WalMart!


Hope this helps.

 

[Deb T.]

Okay, time for Deb T. to throw herself a little pity party. We just found out today that DH isn’t going to be able to come on this cruise after all. It’s the second time in the last four spring breaks that this has happened, darn it. What happened was, in order to guarantee getting the time off he needs for our Baltic cruise, he officially submitted a vacation request for those days off, which was granted in January. (Thank goodness!) So, he was going to use *cough-cough* sick days for the spring break cruise, which we’ve gotten away with twice (shhhhhhh!). But, he just found out today that his big boss is flying into town next Thursday (sure wish it was an April Fool's joke). Just like two years ago, it’s too late for a cancellation refund, so I’ll still go… alone... again. We’re both pretty bummed out tonight. He was really looking forward to seeing all the changes on Castaway Cay, and we had a couple's massage booked on Nassau day, and we'd been waiting to watch The Princess and the Frog together onboard. So, I'll spend tonight re-arranging "our" plans into just "my" plans, because it will definitely change what I'll be doing. But hey, at least I still get to go!

Only 10 more days!!!!!!!!!

 

[wisconsinmom]

Mouseskis-We are from Lake Mills, and yes we got snow. I was actually in Madison Saturday morning running errands

Deb-So sorry that your husband won't be joining you! You are going to have to live it up on your own

Little by little I'm getting ready for the trip. Today I made my kids t-shirts for Pirate night. I also made our Fish Extender bag. I bought a black tote bag and decorated it. I'm so not crafty so it isn't anything special but it will work.

Hopefully our Fish Extender gifts will arrive tomorrow so I can personalize them.

Only 4 more days of work before we leave!

 

[Deb T.]

Deb-So sorry that your husband won't be joining you! You are going to have to live it up on your own

Thanks. I now plan to bring a good book and totally relax!

Little by little I'm getting ready for the trip. Today I made my kids t-shirts for Pirate night. I also made our Fish Extender bag. I bought a black tote bag and decorated it. I'm so not crafty so it isn't anything special but it will work.

Hopefully our Fish Extender gifts will arrive tomorrow so I can personalize them.

Only 4 more days of work before we leave!

Your FE sounds perfect! Mine is a tan tote bag and totally works!

By the way, I like your countdown by number of work days!

 

[Mouseskis]

Oh Deb - I am so sorry to hear that you husband won't be joining you. At least you will have all of us DISers with you onboard!

 

[Deb T.]

Oh Deb - I am so sorry to hear that you husband won't be joining you. At least you will have all of us DISers with you onboard!

Thanks. At least he will be able to go on the BIG cruise this summer. But, I don't know who's more bummed, him or me. On one hand, it will be sort of nice to just be on my own schedule for those few days. But on the other hand, I will definitely miss hanging out with him. We're like two peas in a pod... we've known each other since middle school, were engaged for 3 years right after high school, and have been married 30-1/2 years!

 

[Deweysgirl]

Deb - So sorry to hear your sweetie won't be able to go but your DIS family will be on board and we are here for you If you need anything at all we will have a wonderful cruise

 

[Deb T.]

Deb - So sorry to hear your sweetie won't be able to go but your DIS family will be on board and we are here for you If you need anything at all we will have a wonderful cruise

Aww, thanks. You all are so sweet!! This is one of the reasons I love the DIS boards so much... not only are they wonderful for a wealth of information, but they also foster a great sense of community. I really appreciate everyone's kind words. As the saying goes (a little altered), "a day on a Disney cruise ship without your DH is still better than spending spring break at home any day!"

 

[Mozart]

How would one of you guys like to help me out? You see, I have a little problem. Last year, we went out and bought an expensive photographic printer to replace our old one which had died. It prints the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. But, guess what we just found out...our new printer does not work with magnetic paper. Apparently, the magnets mess up something inside the printer and it won't print correctly. I called the company and they said they knew it, it was even in the instruction manual. (which unfortunately it was.) So...would anyone be willing to print out our 15 door magnets. It would cost about $50, but we'd be willing to send you the money right away, and maybe a little onboard credit for the ship.

Thanks

Mozart (Kevin)

 

[Mouseskis]

I have been having trouble with the magnet "paper" too. I worked around it by printing the designs on cardstock, laminating them at Kinkos and adding magnets to the back. Hope you find a solution!!

 

[Deb T.]

How would one of you guys like to help me out? You see, I have a little problem. Last year, we went out and bought an expensive photographic printer to replace our old one which had died. It prints the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. But, guess what we just found out...our new printer does not work with magnetic paper. Apparently, the magnets mess up something inside the printer and it won't print correctly. I called the company and they said they knew it, it was even in the instruction manual. (which unfortunately it was.) So...would anyone be willing to print out our 15 door magnets. It would cost about $50, but we'd be willing to send you the money right away, and maybe a little onboard credit for the ship.

Thanks

Mozart (Kevin)

Hey Kevin,

Unfortunately, our printer doesn't print well on magnetic paper, either. It's a cheap printer and tends do two frustrating things: smear ink and cut off the text/graphics at the edges.

If no one else can help, Mouseskis' idea is a good alternative - we've actually done it that way before, too. We didn't have cardstock, so I had printed graphics on regular paper which turned out to be way too flimsy. Laminating them is a great idea, too!

Good luck!

 

[Deweysgirl]

How would one of you guys like to help me out? You see, I have a little problem. Last year, we went out and bought an expensive photographic printer to replace our old one which had died. It prints the most beautiful photographs I've ever seen. But, guess what we just found out...our new printer does not work with magnetic paper. Apparently, the magnets mess up something inside the printer and it won't print correctly. I called the company and they said they knew it, it was even in the instruction manual. (which unfortunately it was.) So...would anyone be willing to print out our 15 door magnets. It would cost about $50, but we'd be willing to send you the money right away, and maybe a little onboard credit for the ship.

Thanks

Mozart (Kevin)

Hi Kevin,
If you still want to do it this way I can try it for you. Can you send me one to practice with and if it works then we'll go from there...I have had luck doing this in the past on my printer but it's been awhile since I've tried so thats why I think I should try one first just to make sure it will still work.