Biggest waste of time?

[YayDisney]

We had the pleasure of being offered Indian dishes every night of our recent Alaska cruise, once the head server heard I was vegetarian. Fantastic curries and dals! Really great food, often better than the regular menu. Our nearby tablemates were jealous.

Yes, this began with the Wonder to Alaska last year and the same thing happened - it was offered to me once I expressed dislike for the vegetarian options and I was thrilled. This year, both our server and assistant server were indian and I specifically requested it and they were very happy to accommodate.

 

[ludari]

Okay, I'm going to say it.... I think the biggest waste of time is participating in fish extender groups. I tried it once and I'll never do it again. Vacations on DCL are short already and I don't want to waste my time trying to decide what to bring for an FE gift; having to find space in my suitcase to pack these FE gifts; wasting my time walking around the ship to deliver said FE gifts; and having to bring home FE gifts I received that I have no need for or want.

 

[RedSox68]

Okay, I'm going to say it.... I think the biggest waste of time if participating in fish extender groups. I tried it once and I'll never do it again... I don't want to waste my time trying to decide what to bring for an FE gift; having to find room in my suitcase to pack these gifts; wasting my time walking around the ship to deliver said FE gifts; and having to bring home FE gifts I received that I have no need for or want.

I think this is a fun and lovely idea for those who have the time and craftmanship and patience. I participated in the past, but it was a Med cruise and lugging everything over there was a lot. I took up more than half a large suitcase with everything I got/made. We had a lovely family who got our names and they were very generous with mugs and robes and large items that unfortunately caused problems to fit in our luggage. Luckily we flew Southwest from Florida, so the luggage was free and we managed to spread it all around LOL It was a great way to get to know and meet everyone, but I don't know if I'd do it again.

 

[DISNEYFAN3260]

This is a fun thread to read! Maybe it's just me, but I'm surprised to see that no one has mentioned how awful the Mickey waffles are on the ship - waiting in long lines for those at the buffet when my kids were younger was a huge waste of time each morning! I don't know if they use a different batter or something, but they're dry, dense, and totally tasteless, completely unlike the Mickey waffles I know and love at the parks and resorts. I tried them again on the Magic earlier this year just to see if they've gotten better since we started cruising DCL in 2000, but nope - still terrible.

 

[wcw57]

we had them years ago (not buffet) and they were soggy and just ....meh.

if they ever do change them, there will be a thread about how awful it is that they messed with them and lets start an email campaign

 

[GPaLarry]

Victoria is our only port on our cruise NEXT WEEK!!!!!.

You will love it, especially with kids. Top thing for us was feeding the seals at Fisherman's Warf. Butchart Gardens has a scavenger hunt for kids (check at the entrance for the guide). The Miniature Museum and Bug Zoo were cool, too. The British Museum should still have their wooly mammoth exhibit. If you have time, take the small water taxis. Had High Tea at the Gatsby Mansion (cheaper than Empress and more fun for kids). Our grandkids (12, 10 & 6) felt it was like a Canadian Disneyland. Wish we were going with you.

 

[Mousesmom]

Victoria is our only port on our cruise NEXT WEEK!!!!!.

I really hope you enjoy your visit to my hometown! It's a beautiful place.

 

[JoAnnPan]

Bumping

 

[scgustafson]

Bumping

Since you went to all of the trouble to bump this, I will add for any new cruisers or veterans, not joining the verandah club is an incredible waste of time and opportunity on your Disney cruise.

 

[m3owbox]

Since you went to all of the trouble to bump this, I will add for any new cruisers or veterans, not joining the verandah club is an incredible waste of time and opportunity on your Disney cruise.

What is a verandah club and how does one join?

 

[Adelle Dazeem]

What is a verandah club and how does one join?

It's the cruise ship version of the mile high club.

 

[JMommyof3]

It's the cruise ship version of the mile high club.

We booked too late to get a verandah room for our first cruise. Guess we will have to book a second

 

[scgustafson]

What is a verandah club and how does one join?

It is an "adults-only experience(s)" making use of the verandah. Please make sure that the children are safely engaged elsewhere, preferably without self-checkout privileges at the club. Be warned, some members have "enjoyed" a permanent souvenir nine-months after their (re)joining.

 

[scgustafson]

We booked too late to get a verandah room for our first cruise. Guess we will have to book a second

See if you can make friends with someone in a verandah cabin and borrow theirs.

 

[Naterfan]

Okay, I'm going to say it.... I think the biggest waste of time is participating in fish extender groups. I tried it once and I'll never do it again. Vacations on DCL are short already and I don't want to waste my time trying to decide what to bring for an FE gift; having to find space in my suitcase to pack these FE gifts; wasting my time walking around the ship to deliver said FE gifts; and having to bring home FE gifts I received that I have no need for or want.

I fell the same way, but my son loved the whole idea and my wife had a great time making all the items that we gave away. It's been a year and they both still stay in touch with a few members.

 

[xiphoid76]

This is a fun thread to read thru - glad it was bumped up.
It is neat to see all the different opinions of what people like and what people think is a waste of time Goes to show, that cruises need to have a little bit of everything to try to appeal to everyone.
I liked Fish Extenders...once, after that it just became a hassle - too much to pack and plan, plus schedule a time to deliver gifts and then felt wasteful at the end of our cruise by throwing our most of the stuff we got.
Have never done Palo or Remy, but this thread has convinced me it is not worth it - I am just not a fancy person, and enjoy a hamburger and fries for dinner off the kids menu so I don't think those restaurants are for us - even though we will get a free Palo soon as Platinum members - so I am sure we will try it at least.
I don't like pirates in general, so I tend to avoid most things pirate-related that night anyway, but do like the fireworks.
The shows are always a must-do for us, even though as people have said - Villain's tonight and the retired-Toy Story were our least favorites and skippable.
We hate the comedians/magician - that would probably be our biggest waste of time - hate those nights on the cruise because it means there is no musical show. I would rather eat aluminum foil than watch a comedian or magician perform, but that is just me. I know some people look forward to those nights as they provide variety on the cruise which is great! I use those nights to go to Skyline or the adult bars on this ships and just relax.

 

[HappilyEverAfter80]

Port adventure talk in the theatre/lounge (complete waste of time but if you really want to see it watch it on your stateroom television)

Sailing Away party - we now like to just hear it in the background if we are up on the top decks

See you real soon in the lobby and a few other "shows" they put on there, it's so crowded and hot that it's just not worth it for us

Now that we have done the character photos in wdw and dcl a few times, we don't waste time standing in line for most of them

Crafts - maybe it's just the ones we did but they were lame and a waste of time

Welcome aboard show unless there is a variety act we are not familiar with included

 

[GPaLarry]

It is an "adults-only experience(s)" making use of the verandah. Please make sure that the children are safely engaged elsewhere, preferably without self-checkout privileges at the club. Be warned, some members have "enjoyed" a permanent souvenir nine-months after their (re)joining.

Disney even has a commercial about this...it is a hoot!

 

[GPaLarry]

Let's face it folks, sleep might be the biggest waste of time. While I get to sleep faster being rocked each night, I miss out on maybe 6-8 hours of the cruise I paid for. I never get tired of looking over the railing and seeing flying fish, dolphins, etc. or just watching the waves. Sunrise on the ocean can be awesome and humbling. The human body, however, needs a break after chasing mice & friends all day. Solution: book longer cruises.

 

[postcard]

We'll be doing our first DCL in January, but I don't plan to do character meets. We just did WDW with the kid a year ago & got a book full of signatures. I did sign up for a FE group but I plan to buy all the gifts since I'm not that crafty.