Considerate Cruisers

[purfectlyweird]

I'm sure you can guess which thread I just got done reading. Let's see if we can get this one going instead. What is your experience with people doing something nice for you or for your family? What have you done? I'll start. I found this really expensive camera in the adult area outside of Cove Cafe. As I was about to leave I overheard someone asking about it. It was an older couple and the husband left it behind. They were very sweet and thanked me a lot for trying to return it because it contained pics of their grand kids throughout the cruise. It felt nice to do something good especially when people don't expect it.

 

[Sytrace]

WOW! I just finished typing one too. lol

 

[southerngirl528]

Very nice idea, Purfectlyweird! Hmmm, I don't think I have a story as great as yours but I have to say that it always warms my heart when my little grand-princesses have sailed with us and other passengers will take the time to speak to them or say how cute they look. Along the same lines, I have always really appreciated it when in "mob" situations like the deck parties or when shows let out, when others are considerate enough to see that there are small ones and not push or trample them. I've had a situation or two where that was not the case, so all those times when folks are nice are more noticeable I think.

I guess it's the small things for me, just folks being friendly, maybe pointing out an open table up at Cabanas for us, or remembering that we have told our tablemates that it was someone's birthday and have them mention it afterward. I love when parents ( and this is more times than not in my observation) will keep their excited kids from shooting into an elevator first when we have been waiting longer or remind their kids to be polite. It's hard for kids I know when they are excited but it's always wonderful to see parents continue to train their kids responsibly even on vacation.

I love to see other cruisers enjoying and appreciating the hardworking crew members. Always a day brightener. I always try to smile and say hello to passengers I greet in the halls and to take note if their kids are dressed up and say something like how wonderful it is to be riding the elevator with a PRINCESS! (or a pirate or..) I love chatting with the crew and getting to know them a bit, asking where they are from, how many contracts they have done with DCL and if they have worked for any other lines. If they have I like to ask why they are with DCL now. Most seem genuinely pleased when we take a few moments to ask about THEM and their families for example. It makes my vacation nicer too.

 

[Jennifer777]

I LOVE reading these stories! Here are just a few of mine. This wasn't done to us but on our last cruise, an elderly woman walked into the theater shortly before the show and you could tell she was a little unsteady on her feet. Without hesitation a man there with his family jumped up and gave her his arm to help her down the stairs and to a seat. It warmed my heart and gave me an opportunity to talk with my son about what it means to be a gentleman. On pirate night, a little guy was handing out glow necklaces and made our daughters night by giving her two (and you could tell he loved handing them out too!). She now wants to take them on our next cruise so she can hand them out. Last year when we first got on the ship and walked into Cabanas it was packed and we walked back and forth for what must have been 10 minutes waiting for a seat to open up. Every time one would open up someone else would get to it first. A lady who must have been watching us struggle approached us and told us that they were getting ready to leave and brought us to her table so we could have it. Up on the pool deck I told the husband that we forgot the sunblock and asked him to go run and grab it. The couple at the table next to ours immediately volunteered theirs. We didn't end up using it because I felt bad and DH had to get a couple other things from our room anyway but it was so nice that they immediately offered to save us a trip. More often than not, people hold elevators and I love watching people jump into action and open doors or carry trays for moms pushing strollers or families that have their hands full.

Like @southerngirl528 mentioned, all the little things like when passengers flash their "I'm on vacation" smile and say hello as you're crossing paths in the hallway or take the time to tell your child how awesome they look in their princess dress or pirate gear brighten my day the most. These little things make such a huge difference and can turn someone's day around and they happen all the time when we cruise.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

Haven't really had anything happen to me but on our last cruise we were on deck 10 at the railing watching the sail away deck party, (4th sail away party for us), and I noticed @bcwife76 and her family with young girls behind us. I knew this was their first cruise so I scooted out and let the girls see it at the railing. They are such a nice family so it was more fun to watch the girls enjoy the party than the party itself.

Thinking about this more, I do remember a couple times when some tweens held the elevator door open until everyone entered and then pushed buttons for the correct decks for all on the elevator.

 

[purfectlyweird]

[QUOTE Thinking about this more, I do remember a couple times when some tweens held the elevator door open until everyone entered and then pushed buttons for the correct decks for all on the elevator.[/QUOTE]

See look the elevators aren't so bad lol

 

[Minkyboodle]

I like this thread! It's so easy to get hung up on the negativity and I'd much rather read stories like this. I think the number of good eggs greatly outnumber the bad.

 

[RRB]

Here's a good one - my wife and I sailed on one of the Halloween cruises last year. They do a costume party which my wife dressed as Belle and I was her prince. On the way back to our room from the costume party, some little kids came up to my wife and wanted pictures and autographs which she did. The kids were ecstatic. The next day, we found a note on our door from one of the kid's mothers thanking my wife for taking the time to meet the kids. That really made my wife feel special

 

[bcwife76]

Haven't really had anything happen to me but on our last cruise we were on deck 10 at the railing watching the sail away deck party, (4th sail away party for us), and I noticed @bcwife76 and her family with young girls behind us. I knew this was their first cruise so I scooted out and let the girls see it at the railing. They are such a nice family so it was more fun to watch the girls enjoy the party than the party itself.

Thinking about this more, I do remember a couple times when some tweens held the elevator door open until everyone entered and then pushed buttons for the correct decks for all on the elevator.

It was such a coincidence running into you at that moment since we'd missed each other at the meet and greet and for you to let the girls in front was such a nice gesture, definitely started our cruise off wonderfully

 

[Plaid Princess]

The number of complete strangers who left "Congratulations" messages on our white board on our Honeymoon cruise was delightful. Almost every time we came back to the cabin there would be a new sweet message!

 

[tinkerone]

while I have joined in on the dis or fb pages for our group sails over the years I have never participated in the FE's. on one of our last cruises someone posted a picture of an item they were giving out and I had to comment on how it made me wish I was participating. it was the most fabulous item I have ever seen pictured of fe gifts. the very kind person suggested that she may have had extra made and if I sent her my cabin number she may be able to have one 'delivered' to our room. surprise, one afternoon I came back to the cabin and it was there. considering I was not part of the fe I thought this was one of the kindest things that had been done for us on any cruise. it wasn't necessary but so very kind.
I did take a gift that I put in their fish extender just as a thank you. every time I look at that item, which is several times a day, I think back to the great cruise we had and of a person who cared enough to make the day for a stranger.

 

[diznymom]

• If I see a group taking pictures of each other, I almost always offer to take pics w/ all of them in the pic. Some have insisted on reciprocating the favor
• If I am standing at the rail, watching something (castaway party, etc) I will look behind me and allow anyone shorter than me to stand in front of me. I'm short (4' 10") so I know what it's like to not be able to see above / around people.
• I make up envelopes for the different tips before I leave home and use them. (I got them from "Creative DISigns" section of the Boards)
• I make up "Thank you" cards (business card size) and hand out to CMs. They fit in my pockets and are easy to take around.
• I participate in the FE exchanges and always make extra to hand out to random state rooms.
• I make lots of magnets and go down the halls and decorate blank doors

 

[jiminy14]

My DDs love to play the trivia games on board. On several occasions they have been lucky to win DCL key chains. They usually find a child that has also been playing but did not win and give the key chains to them. We have also given our DVC lanyards to first time cruisers that have asked where in the terminal we "bought" them.

 

[Bumbling Bee]

while I have joined in on the dis or fb pages for our group sails over the years I have never participated in the FE's. on one of our last cruises someone posted a picture of an item they were giving out and I had to comment on how it made me wish I was participating. it was the most fabulous item I have ever seen pictured of fe gifts. the very kind person suggested that she may have had extra made and if I sent her my cabin number she may be able to have one 'delivered' to our room. surprise, one afternoon I came back to the cabin and it was there. considering I was not part of the fe I thought this was one of the kindest things that had been done for us on any cruise. it wasn't necessary but so very kind.
I did take a gift that I put in their fish extender just as a thank you. every time I look at that item, which is several times a day, I think back to the great cruise we had and of a person who cared enough to make the day for a stranger.

This made me terribly curious. Would you mind telling what the FE gift was?

 

[tinkerone]

This made me terribly curious. Would you mind telling what the FE gift was?

of course. a bit hard to explain but I will try.
its one of the round tin spice boxes with the see through tops. inside, pasted to the back is a picture of a dcl ship sailing. there is sand on the bottom and two mickey head beads that float on the sand. it has a magnet on the back so when you put it on your fridge, or anything magnetic) you see a beach with the mickey heads on top of the sand and in the background you see the ship. wish I could take a picture and post it but i'm not that good at figuring out how to do it. heres a link to it on etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/265...l&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=disney cruise line&ref=sr_gallery_28

 

[ajo]

of course. a bit hard to explain but I will try.
its one of the round tin spice boxes with the see through tops. inside, pasted to the back is a picture of a dcl ship sailing. there is sand on the bottom and two mickey head beads that float on the sand. it has a magnet on the back so when you put it on your fridge, or anything magnetic) you see a beach with the mickey heads on top of the sand and in the background you see the ship. wish I could take a picture and post it but i'm not that good at figuring out how to do it. heres a link to it on etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/265...l&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=disney cruise line&ref=sr_gallery_28

We received one of these in our first FE and it is by far one of our favorites! Back to the thread topic, we love receiving (and giving) pixie dust in our FE. It's wonderful for the kids to explore each deck and race each other to find a random FE to give out "Pixie Dust"!

 

[kmix78]

of course. a bit hard to explain but I will try.
its one of the round tin spice boxes with the see through tops. inside, pasted to the back is a picture of a dcl ship sailing. there is sand on the bottom and two mickey head beads that float on the sand. it has a magnet on the back so when you put it on your fridge, or anything magnetic) you see a beach with the mickey heads on top of the sand and in the background you see the ship. wish I could take a picture and post it but i'm not that good at figuring out how to do it. heres a link to it on etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/265...l&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=disney cruise line&ref=sr_gallery_28

That's awesome, I love it!

 

[belac]

We were at wdw pre cruise for a couple of days and in the shops/ restaurants/ hotel, the CM kept giving us the Mickey stickers. I had over 40 in 2 days. I had kept them in the tiny pocket in my purse. Well first night at MDR I saw a young mom with a fussy 2 yo, I think, and I handed them a few stickers. Baby was busy, mom got to eat...for a little while anyway. Then the light bulb went off. Just kept handing them out as pixie dust. Smallest thing make kids so happy.

I love the idea of rewarding kids for good manners, so we now always plan to bring some little trinkets for that reason. It makes them so happy.

We have also gotten 3 or 4 pizza pies to go late night (10:45pm) I think the pizza closes at 11, and we brought them to the kids club CM. They bring them to a back to an office area and enjoy on breaks. We are very discrete about it too, don't know if that is allowed, but they take it. DH checks out son and I slip the pies to another CM on the side. They always seem happy.

We have gotten pixie dust in our FEs too, and DS loves that. A gift in FE last night before packing it. He was convinced it really came from Mickey himself.

I find that most people are generally nice, I think that is why it is so shocking when we come across the inconsiderate ones.

 

[poodledogs55]

I LOVE reading these stories! Here are just a few of mine. This wasn't done to us but on our last cruise, an elderly woman walked into the theater shortly before the show and you could tell she was a little unsteady on her feet. Without hesitation a man there with his family jumped up and gave her his arm to help her down the stairs and to a seat. It warmed my heart and gave me an opportunity to talk with my son about what it means to be a gentleman.

May I ask what cruise this was? The same thing happened to my grandmother on our Christmas 2013 Fantasy cruise. We were walking down the theater steps, I was in front of her, and noticed she was about to stumble, but before I could get to her to help, a man jumped up to help her to her seat. I'm just wondering if this was the same cruise? Thanks!

 

[Bishoparc]

On our last cruise a 70-80 year old woman took a ride on the Aqua Duck. Everyone in the loading area up top was clapping for her.

Our table mates on the last one were also incredible. We ended up spending the day with them at Castaway.

In general I think the people are are really what make the cruise. Between the crew and the other cruisers. I personally have not encountered a bad member of the crew. While we have had 1 or 2 bad experiences with other cruisers the majority are super friendly. My wife had on a birthday button on this last one and just about everyone was wishing her a happy birthday.

As a pp said, we too try to comment on the little princesses and pirates that we share an elevator with or ask the kids if they're having a good time (even though I'm not a kid person at allllll).

Disney cruises have honestly become our "happy place." I smile like a kid when I hear "Disney Dream please welcome aboard..." and cry every time we walk back out that door when we disembark at Port Caneveral. (I call it the happy and sad door because you're super happy when you walk through it to board and super sad when you walk through it to disembark lol.)