BlazerGB has written a great summary of this cruise...Our last DCL cruise was Aug. 2000, we noted a few changes:
Embarcation at PC...Last time we just walked right on - just like in the commercials! This time the line up started 1+ hour to boarding, but everyone was jovial and made themselves comfortable on the sitting on the ground.
The Perfect Gift...DD10's basket was waiting and did her eyes bug out! Joanne did a beautiful job!
Palos...We were probably the 5th family who boarded and ran for the aft elevators and were first in line. We had no trouble signing up for dinner, brunch & tea. Service was top notch thanks to Vlado and Salvatore. Tea was a bit disappointing, not like a British high tea (i.e. 8 mini-wedge sandwiches for 4 of us...). Wonderful selection of loose teas though! Next time would bypass Tea...
10-12 kids programs...agree with BlazerGB. DD10 signed up for cell painting, and taking over common ground...and that was it! Everyday she looked at her navigator and said there was nothing interesting. Think she'd have gone if there was more to "do" ie. making things, interesting tours, other than many computer games. In fact, the night we went to Palos she vetoed the club and opted for room service and a movie!
Spa...Check this out - I won a weeklong rainforest pass! Booked an Absolute massage and facial and afterwards the therapist told me that I had won a rain forest pass. When I asked "how come?" she indicated that the spa selects arandom spa times and therapist and the clients that show up "instantly win". Took great advantage of this - and it was lovely! Therapists gently directed DH and myself to some products - some we purchased and others were politely refused. A word of CAUTION to those of you in the surial bath! My DH was having a massage when he commented about the "noise" next door. The therapist sighed and said, "The Surial Bath is all tile, no noise absorption. All the therapy rooms surround the surial bath and you can hear EVERYTHING. Let's see if we can hear the countdown for this couple"! Apparently it was clear as a bell!
Getting chosen...DD10 and I were selected as participants in Mickey Mania (and won!) and I was a panelist (spokesperson) on "Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer?". Some folks ask how you get chosen...jump up and down the moment they ask for volunteers! FYI. The person who sits in the front row of the panelists' seats closest to the stage gets to be spokesperson (didn't find out until I sat down!).
Wines...DH was disappointed that on the Wine Package table, wine bottles were displayed that were not offered onboard. He's a "vinophile" and spoke to the "Head of Wines" about the lack of variety of wines...was informed that they knew that it was a problem and would change it soon.
Overall, it was a great get-away with very good service!
Thanks to the many contributors to this board, we really felt organized and had made the most of our vacation!
Embarcation at PC...Last time we just walked right on - just like in the commercials! This time the line up started 1+ hour to boarding, but everyone was jovial and made themselves comfortable on the sitting on the ground.
The Perfect Gift...DD10's basket was waiting and did her eyes bug out! Joanne did a beautiful job!
Palos...We were probably the 5th family who boarded and ran for the aft elevators and were first in line. We had no trouble signing up for dinner, brunch & tea. Service was top notch thanks to Vlado and Salvatore. Tea was a bit disappointing, not like a British high tea (i.e. 8 mini-wedge sandwiches for 4 of us...). Wonderful selection of loose teas though! Next time would bypass Tea...
10-12 kids programs...agree with BlazerGB. DD10 signed up for cell painting, and taking over common ground...and that was it! Everyday she looked at her navigator and said there was nothing interesting. Think she'd have gone if there was more to "do" ie. making things, interesting tours, other than many computer games. In fact, the night we went to Palos she vetoed the club and opted for room service and a movie!
Spa...Check this out - I won a weeklong rainforest pass! Booked an Absolute massage and facial and afterwards the therapist told me that I had won a rain forest pass. When I asked "how come?" she indicated that the spa selects arandom spa times and therapist and the clients that show up "instantly win". Took great advantage of this - and it was lovely! Therapists gently directed DH and myself to some products - some we purchased and others were politely refused. A word of CAUTION to those of you in the surial bath! My DH was having a massage when he commented about the "noise" next door. The therapist sighed and said, "The Surial Bath is all tile, no noise absorption. All the therapy rooms surround the surial bath and you can hear EVERYTHING. Let's see if we can hear the countdown for this couple"! Apparently it was clear as a bell!
Getting chosen...DD10 and I were selected as participants in Mickey Mania (and won!) and I was a panelist (spokesperson) on "Who Wants to be a Mouseketeer?". Some folks ask how you get chosen...jump up and down the moment they ask for volunteers! FYI. The person who sits in the front row of the panelists' seats closest to the stage gets to be spokesperson (didn't find out until I sat down!).
Wines...DH was disappointed that on the Wine Package table, wine bottles were displayed that were not offered onboard. He's a "vinophile" and spoke to the "Head of Wines" about the lack of variety of wines...was informed that they knew that it was a problem and would change it soon.
Overall, it was a great get-away with very good service!
Thanks to the many contributors to this board, we really felt organized and had made the most of our vacation!
