Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[IlliniAmy]

I seem to recall that you used to be able to get a voyage map that had all the ports marked for your cruise; people would have the Captain sign it. This was a few years ago so I don't know if you can still get it, but we will be on the 7/20 Med sailing on the Magic for our honeymoon so I definitely plan to try it - would make a great souvenir.

And this isn't so much a secret tip, but when my girlfriends and I cruise we always make ourselves take the stairs wherever we go - no elevators! Saves you waiting for them, for starters, which can take forever at busy times (dinner, disembarking in the ports). Plus, you burn off a few extra calories!

Thanks to those who contributed to the passport discussions. I would *love* to have stamps for each country we stop at, but I am really nervous about separating from the only thing that will let me back into the US! Does anyone who's been to the Med know if there is anywhere you can get it stamped when you get off the ship?

 

[abcangie87]

posting to subscribe... I've read the first six pages. Going on our third cruise at the end of may.

I think our favorite thing so far is the Deck 7 Aft Overlook on the Magic and Wonder. I tihnk that is it. you keep walking and walking and walking till you get to the end of the ship and there is a deck with lounge chairs out there and everytime we have gone up there, it has been completely deserted. I think it's deck 7?

I'm told they don't have that on the Dream, so I guess part of my adventure will be finding some other cool little nook that is off the beaten path!

 

[abcangie87]

I guess I was thinking more of things I would need for the kids especially the toddlers like keeping the pack and play up for naps and things like that! We also love the Mickey bars and since it wasn't on the room service menu I guess I just assumed you couldn't get them.


What have you asked for and been surprised that DCL gave you without any problem?

You know, I think the Magic of the service on DCL is this: you only have to ask once or twice. For example, on our last cruise, I asked for a few slices of cheese for DD1 at dinner on the first (and maybe the 2nd) night, and then they just automatically were on the table all the rest of the nights. Same with our room steward, the first evening after dinner/show we asked for a bucket of ice. He then made sure there was a fresh bucket of ice in our room pretty much all the time (after morning clean up, and again at turn-down).

I think as far as the kids go, like I mentioned with the slices of cheese, just ask. While they might not have a stash of....gerber puffs or spaghetti-os, they are going to do whatever they can to help you out. My DD3 ONLY eats one vegetable (right now), broccoli with ranch. So I'm sure I'll ask for some of that periodically, even if it's not on the menu.

Happy sailing!

 

[Susiesark]

posting to subscribe... I've read the first six pages. Going on our third cruise at the end of may.

I think our favorite thing so far is the Deck 7 Aft Overlook on the Magic and Wonder. I tihnk that is it. you keep walking and walking and walking till you get to the end of the ship and there is a deck with lounge chairs out there and everytime we have gone up there, it has been completely deserted. I think it's deck 7?

I'm told they don't have that on the Dream, so I guess part of my adventure will be finding some other cool little nook that is off the beaten path!

There is the somewhat private area on Deck 7 but an even larger area 1 flight up, on Deck 8. And if you are walking almost to the end of Deck 8, you'll find a short hallway then stairs that lead up to the back of Beach Blanket Buffet. That's where you'll fin the drink stations, as well as desserts and fruit, and in the morning, there is cereal and yogurt, and the like. This will save you a lot of time waiting in the buffet lines. I got off the Wonder 2 days ago and I'm going through withdrawals.

 

[Mythicalbee]

As a previous CM in Youth Activities (Flounders, Club, Lab, Quest, & Aloft), NO!!!!! We never get sick of candy. Homemade cookies would be the crem de la crem though! Please remember, we're all away from home for about 4.5-6 months on average & we go gaga over anything that wasn't made on the ship or came from a deep fryer.

Thanks for the advice, great to have a former CMer let us grateful cruisers how to best say "thank you!" I didn't think we could bring homemade items on board, though. If I'm wrong, I will gladly come stocked with some of my famous scottchies and chocolate chip cookies!

10/02/2011 Dream a little dream...

 

[Susiesark]

Thanks for the advice, great to have a former CMer let us grateful cruisers how to best say "thank you!" I didn't think we could bring homemade items on board, though. If I'm wrong, I will gladly come stocked with some of my famous scottchies and chocolate chip cookies!

10/02/2011 Dream a little dream...

I left a big package of OREOS in the Lab this week. Who doesn't love OREOS? I gave my Host, Server, and Asst. Server goodies bags filled with a Hershey's mix.

 

[szubieta]

I left a big package of OREOS in the Lab this week. Who doesn't love OREOS? I gave my Host, Server, and Asst. Server goodies bags filled with a Hershey's mix.

Yes I too left a big bag of pb cups in the lab and a cash tip too.

 

[mdurette]

No really a secret - but goes into the ya don't know if you don't ask.

On the Dream a couple weeks ago:
1. My 5YO wanted steak for dinner. It was not offered on the kids menu, but was on the adults menu. No problem with her getting it. But, it did mess up their "kids get served" thing.

2. We missed our early seating cuz DD was sound asleep after a day at CC. Around 7:30 we went looking for something. Room service or burgers/hot dogs. Neither we really wanted. Went to AP (the restaurant we missed) and asked if they could place us in the 2nd seating. No problem!

 

[abcangie87]

No really a secret - but goes into the ya don't know if you don't ask.

On the Dream a couple weeks ago:
1. My 5YO wanted steak for dinner. It was not offered on the kids menu, but was on the adults menu. No problem with her getting it. But, it did mess up their "kids get served" thing.

2. We missed our early seating cuz DD was sound asleep after a day at CC. Around 7:30 we went looking for something. Room service or burgers/hot dogs. Neither we really wanted. Went to AP (the restaurant we missed) and asked if they could place us in the 2nd seating. No problem!

I think too, you could have contacted the dinig room and had them send your dinners up to you. I say this because, on the few occasions where one of us left early (before our entrees arrived) with one of the kiddos, they sent a plate up to the room for us instead.

 

[moniqueelaine]

Great thread!!!! Subbing in for trip in June of 2012...Thank you for all the great info

 

[tamsocal]

Great idea! I just have a question: Has anybody ever found any of these "left for the followers" items going into their room? I keep reading people do it, but I never read about anybody finding stuff left by the predecessors. So, is it really worth it? Or is it going to garbage anyway?

Thanks for the answer,

Poussière de fée!

I think the cabin stewards would keep for themselves or trash. THe person following in the cabin might just consider it someones trash left behind & not useful.
We have never thought about leaving our door shoe holder, and 10 shelf collapsing closet organizer- as we take them on every cruise & most vacations, so dont want to have to buy new ones each time

 

[Mythicalbee]

I left a big package of OREOS in the Lab this week. Who doesn't love OREOS? I gave my Host, Server, and Asst. Server goodies bags filled with a Hershey's mix.

Thought the hershey sampler was a good thing to give as well, I know I always pick out the special darks! Great idea on the oreos!!

Also, I read that cash has to be turned in, and they all split the cash since they don't consider it fair that (typically) only the last night of cruise staff get "thanked." I also read that to especially thank a CM, to buy a couple $10 phone cards so they can call home.

Anyone know for sure on the cash or offering calling cards?

10/02/2011 Dream a little dream...

 

[moomy-san]

We made a point of befriending a few Canadian youth counselors- they loved chatting about home, and hearing about the coooold weather they were missing out on. To thank them for being so great to our kids we left them with a bunch of unique-to-Canada chocolate. They were thrilled to have a little taste of home!

 

[ALK$Disney]

Good info here. I will make sure I read them all before our cruise next year.

 

[shawni]

Another good tip is to bring your swimsuits in a day bag when you board (or kids can wear them under their clothes). That way you can hit the pool right away, before everyone's bags start arriving and it gets crowded. We like to eat lunch poolside and watch the kids swim as soon as we get on board. Then I sneak off to decorate our door with magnets at 1:30, which is the earliest you can get to your room. By the time the kids are done swimming, they head down to change and they get to see my latest masterpieces and a welcome message from me![/QUOTE]

Wonderful idea!

 

[VKtravel]

Subbing

 

[mjaclyn]

2. We missed our early seating cuz DD was sound asleep after a day at CC. Around 7:30 we went looking for something. Room service or burgers/hot dogs. Neither we really wanted. Went to AP (the restaurant we missed) and asked if they could place us in the 2nd seating. No problem!

That's great to know!!! I was worried bout CC Day because we have a 2 and a 4 year old who (I'm sure) will be wiped out afterward. If they sleep through dinner it's nice to know that attending second seating may be an option. We can always ask!!

 

[luv2plan]

this isn't as much a secret as something overloooked, my family had a wonderful time playing Shuffleboard. It is on the lower decks, a few CM's didn't even know where it was?! But, once we found it, we had a lot of fun.

Happy planning!!

 

[mmmears]

this isn't as much a secret as something overloooked, my family had a wonderful time playing Shuffleboard. It is on the lower decks, a few CM's didn't even know where it was?! But, once we found it, we had a lot of fun.

We really enjoyed playing shuffleboard as well -- my DD is looking forward to playing it again on our upcoming cruise. Deck 4 was a nice, uncrowded spot to relax as well.

 

[VKtravel]

Glad to hear about Deck 4! It might quickly become one of my favorite places!