Cruise secrets that DCL doesn't tell you

[NAB]

I can't believe I just spent all morning reading through all these threads - but wow, it was so worth it!! Love the tips. I saw that someone had also included an autograph book along with their pillowcase. Has anyone else done this? I was thinking it might be way more convenient than trying to carry around the book while onboard.

Might me more easier to hand in an autograph book but more fun for you and the kids to get it right from the characters. Really what do you have when they hand it back to you, signatures that really don't mean anything. At least other stuff you get autographed you show off a book gets put away.

Plus the characters have fun with signing the book, especially goofy he likes to do it on your head or back , or Chip and Dale play around too.

 

[jcemom]

We turned our book into guest services, but DD has been getting autographs in the parks for years and years so standing in line with a book isn't a big deal to her like it used to be. We were guessing we'd get far more autographs from guest services than we would by standing in line, and we did. She also wasn't interested in spending her limited time on the ship in long character lines, yet she wanted a souvenir. I made the book on Shutterfly (using a free photo book coupon) and used photos I found online for each character's page. I put photos of the ship and castaway cay on the covers. DD was very happy with the results.

If she was younger, or had less experience getting character autographs, we wouldn't have done it that way. The excitement of standing in line to meet characters has kind of worn off for her though, so the guest services route worked for us.

 

[finkerbell]

Golden Mickey's after party

Yes, but what and where is it? What is it all about? Details please

 

[Hernandez6060]

Yes, but what and where is it? What is it all about? Details please

Sorry we didn't end up going to the after party so I don't know much about it. I think it was in Studio Sea

 

[richmo]

We have cruised 3 times as a family of 4 and never been seated with someone else. I have never had a request put in... How common is it that families are seated with other families?

I guess its random if you don't make a request. The four of us have cruised twice; once we were seated with another family of four and the other time we had our own table.

 

[squirrel]

We have cruised 3 times as a family of 4 and never been seated with someone else. I have never had a request put in... How common is it that families are seated with other families?

Does someone in your family have an allergy? I noticed those that do seem to be seated at their own table.

 

[skit72]

Took some reading but really interesting and helpful for a newbie Disney cruiser. Thank you.

 

[harrisb1964]

Size of the matte is up to you. I chose a matte for a 5 by 7 picture. It was just a basic white matte from Walmart. The matte fits an 8 by 10 frame. I also bought a set of different colored sharpies. I put the matte and markers in a large plastic bag and left it at guest services. I got to choose who I wanted to sign it, classic characters, princesses , etc. We chose classic characters. The characters all signed with different colored sharpies and the matte looked amazing! We framed a picture of my son dressed as a pirate with Pirate Mickey with the matte. It's my favorite souvenir!
I also have heard of people buying white plates from the dollar store and having them signed. You can have up to 2 items signed per cabin,we chose a pillowcase and the matte.

 

[harrisb1964]

Also some people leave their kid's autograph books to be signed by the characters.

 

[harrisb1964]

As far as packing the matte, I put it at the bottom of my suitcase under my folded clothes. Had no problems transporting it.

 

[harrisb1964]

Don't forget to sign up for the welcome to the cruise phone call from Mickey before your cruise. My son got the call and at the end, I heard him say, "I can't wait to see you either Mickey!" I almost cried! (And he is 7!)

 

[WhenUWishUponA5tar]

1. Take your own tervis tumblers or large cups with lids to use at the drink stations. All they have are 8oz cups that you would have to keep filling otherwise. Just note that they want you to use a paper cup to fill your cup with for sanitary reasons.
2. When stopping at another country ask someone from GS if they can get your passports stamped. You should take a copy with you just in case you are getting off the ship so that you may return.
3. Mickey ice cream bars can be ordered from room service or you may have them for dessert.
4. When getting things signed through GS you are given the choice of what characters to sign ie: princesses, all, princeses, etc. I did the 11x14 mat with all in colored sharpies and it turned out great. We framed our formal night pic with the mat.
5. On formal night if you would like to eat in your room you can request your dinner from RS and they will bring whatever is on the menu in your resturant.
6. You can ask for a tour of the wheel house.
I hope this help some out there if I can think of anymore I will.

 

[disprincess4ever]

1. Take your own tervis tumblers or large cups with lids to use at the drink stations. All they have are 8oz cups that you would have to keep filling otherwise. Just note that they want you to use a paper cup to fill your cup with for sanitary reasons.
2. When stopping at another country ask someone from GS if they can get your passports stamped. You should take a copy with you just in case you are getting off the ship so that you may return.
3. Mickey ice cream bars can be ordered from room service or you may have them for dessert.
4. When getting things signed through GS you are given the choice of what characters to sign ie: princesses, all, princeses, etc. I did the 11x14 mat with all in colored sharpies and it turned out great. We framed our formal night pic with the mat.
5. On formal night if you would like to eat in your room you can request your dinner from RS and they will bring whatever is on the menu in your resturant.
6. You can ask for a tour of the wheel house.
I hope this help some out there if I can think of anymore I will.

What's the wheel house and when did you ask for a tour of it? I'm not sure they give tours out to often, but I'd love to do one! Even a tour of this so called "wheel house".

 

[tinkerone]

1. Take your own tervis tumblers or large cups with lids to use at the drink stations. All they have are 8oz cups that you would have to keep filling otherwise. Just note that they want you to use a paper cup to fill your cup with for sanitary reasons.
2. When stopping at another country ask someone from GS if they can get your passports stamped. You should take a copy with you just in case you are getting off the ship so that you may return.
3. Mickey ice cream bars can be ordered from room service or you may have them for dessert.
4. When getting things signed through GS you are given the choice of what characters to sign ie: princesses, all, princeses, etc. I did the 11x14 mat with all in colored sharpies and it turned out great. We framed our formal night pic with the mat.
5. On formal night if you would like to eat in your room you can request your dinner from RS and they will bring whatever is on the menu in your resturant.
6. You can ask for a tour of the wheel house.
I hope this help some out there if I can think of anymore I will.

great suggestions however are you sure of number five? first i have heard of it unless your are in a suite.

 

[harrisb1964]

Confused? On our first cruise in Feb. the last day of our trip, envelopes appeared on our bed with a slip in each one stating how much each server , room hostess etc. would receive from us through charges to our account. Does everyone not receive these?
Also if you tip in cash do you just take the slip out and replace it with cash? Do you have to let GS know you are not using the slips so you they won't charge your account?
Also if you choose to use the slips is that what you put in the envelope to give to the CM 's?

 

[harrisb1964]

You can ask for Mickey Bars for dessert at dinner. My DH had one every night!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Confused? On our first cruise in Feb. the last day of our trip, envelopes appeared on our bed with a slip in each one stating how much each server , room hostess etc. would receive from us through charges to our account. Does everyone not receive these?
Also if you tip in cash do you just take the slip out and replace it with cash? Do you have to let GS know you are not using the slips so you they won't charge your account?
Also if you choose to use the slips is that what you put in the envelope to give to the CM 's?

If you've left the auto tip in place in your onboard account, the last night you will get the coupons and envelopes for tipping. You place each coupon in it's co-responding envelope and give them to the CMs. If you wish to tip additionally, you can just add cash (along with the slip) to the envelope.

If you've removed the auto tip from your onboard account, you will only receive the envelopes. And you can fill with cash, as you wish to hand to the CMs.

 

[aan1701]

Just found out after 14 cruises there is a grilled cheese from room service. I am sorry but after a night in the bar uncrustables and grilled cheese hit the spot.

Sent from my iPhone 5 using DISBoards

 

[Racer X]

great post!

 

[slykrab]

Don't forget to sign up for the welcome to the cruise phone call from Mickey before your cruise. My son got the call and at the end, I heard him say, "I can't wait to see you either Mickey!" I almost cried! (And he is 7!)

Oh, how adorable!