December 12 - 19, 2009 Western Magic

[Scooby3x1y]

Bev,
Do you have any pics of the residential hallways? I'm just wondering about the layout and they distance between doors. And do the doors open near eachother or are they all equal distance apart.

Somewhere I have a picture of the vacuum that they use in the hallways. So far I can't find it, but this kind of gives you a little idea. These two doors are to connecting rooms. The hinges are about 24" or so apart with a wall in between.

Here's non-connecting rooms.

 

[GoBison]

Thanks Lori.

Wow, lots of cute door decorations. Is there somewhere you can buy those? I'm just not that creative.

Hope your party goes well. We have a big party for our parish coming up. Unfortunately or fortunately, as you choose to look at it, we will be on a big boat.

 

[Shelebeen]

Thanks Lori.

Wow, lots of cute door decorations. Is there somewhere you can buy those? I'm just not that creative.

Hope your party goes well. We have a big party for our parish coming up. Unfortunately or fortunately, as you choose to look at it, we will be on a big boat.

The door decorations are magnets, you can print them out on your printer either on magnetic paper or regular paper and add magnets to the back.

There are some amazing "dis" igners that create and personalize them for anyone that asks.. there is a thread called Cruise Magnets and Graphics...

 

[bevtoy]

Here are more pictures of hallways on Picture of teh day thread!
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=34497390&posted=1#post34497390

 

[kcashner]

As for excursions, we are doing the Trolley Tour in Key West, so we can see as much of it as we can. In Coz we are hitting Paradise Beach...so excited for that! In Grand Cayman, we are doing Captain Marvins island tour and staying at 7 Mile Beach for a bit afterwards. In CC, we will just the included beach stuff.

If you do the trolley tour on your own, you can get on and off as often as you'd like at any site. You basically have a ticket for the loop, but can take as long as you'd like to do it. If you do it thru DCL, you stay on the trolley and just ride the loop. Cheaper on your own too.

Captain Marvin's island tour is great.

 

[kcashner]

If you park at the terminal, I believe there is plenty of parking, but they charge $15 per day. I am having my parents drive us to the terminal and drop us off. HOWEVER. If you are not going on the boat, you can't enter the fenced area, so they will have to drop us off outside the gate and we will have to walk to the terminal with all our luggage. So, we are planning on rolling suitcases with handles, with carryons strapped on top.

WHAT???? This was the case MANY years ago, but not recently. There is a passenger drop off area that they will be able to drive you to. It is the same area used by the hotel and rental car shuttles as well as the limo services. It is right across one street from the terminal, the parking lot is across 2 streets (if they are using the main lot--they keep changing with the construction).

If you are driving your car and parking in the lot, you will be able to drive up to the drop off right next to the terminal (you do have to have ID checked for that one). You can dump all the luggage...and the passengers if desired, and you'll then be directed to the parking lot. If a non-cruiser is dropping you off, you will go to the area where non-cruisers and shuttles drop off. The porters come up to the vehicles there as well, so you'll just have to unload the car and turn the stuff over to the porters. This is where we were dropped off and picked up on our last cruise; it's actually closer than the parking lots.

Yes, there is plenty of parking, but as above, it is $105 for a 7 night cruise. We got a hotel room near the port that included breakfast, a shuttle, and free parking for $107 including all taxes. OK, the breakfast wasn't great, but was totally adequate, and we needed a place to sleep anyhow. I HATE to pay big bucks for parking!

And for anyone who cares.....2 weeks from now I will probably be sitting in Rockin Bar D watching "Match Your Mate" and thinking about chocolate dipped strawberries for a before bed snack.

 

[Scooby3x1y]

WHAT???? This was the case MANY years ago, but not recently. There is a passenger drop off area that they will be able to drive you to. It is the same area used by the hotel and rental car shuttles as well as the limo services. It is right across one street from the terminal, the parking lot is across 2 streets (if they are using the main lot--they keep changing with the construction).

If you are driving your car and parking in the lot, you will be able to drive up to the drop off right next to the terminal (you do have to have ID checked for that one). You can dump all the luggage...and the passengers if desired, and you'll then be directed to the parking lot. If a non-cruiser is dropping you off, you will go to the area where non-cruisers and shuttles drop off. The porters come up to the vehicles there as well, so you'll just have to unload the car and turn the stuff over to the porters. This is where we were dropped off and picked up on our last cruise; it's actually closer than the parking lots.

Yes, there is plenty of parking, but as above, it is $105 for a 7 night cruise. We got a hotel room near the port that included breakfast, a shuttle, and free parking for $107 including all taxes. OK, the breakfast wasn't great, but was totally adequate, and we needed a place to sleep anyhow. I HATE to pay big bucks for parking!

And for anyone who cares.....2 weeks from now I will probably be sitting in Rockin Bar D watching "Match Your Mate" and thinking about chocolate dipped strawberries for a before bed snack.

 

[the3lowes]

Sorry for the slow reply! I tried to reply earlier and kept getting denied

Thank you so much for the generous offers for us to take part in the FE gift exchange. I appreciate the offers but will have to decline. I don't think I'd have time to come up with something creative and I would hate to give everyone else the short end of the stick. But again, THANKS for the offers!

Quick question - does anyone have a quick summary of what is included on the ship (every meal? all shows and movies?) and what isn't? I hate to keep asking so many questions but there are some things I just can't seem to find anywhere else online.

THANK YOU ALL!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Sorry for the slow reply! I tried to reply earlier and kept getting denied

Thank you so much for the generous offers for us to take part in the FE gift exchange. I appreciate the offers but will have to decline. I don't think I'd have time to come up with something creative and I would hate to give everyone else the short end of the stick. But again, THANKS for the offers!

Quick question - does anyone have a quick summary of what is included on the ship (every meal? all shows and movies?) and what isn't? I hate to keep asking so many questions but there are some things I just can't seem to find anywhere else online.

THANK YOU ALL!

Included as in free? Your paid fare includes meals, shows and movies. There are things in certain areas that require a fee added to your bill. Ie, Palo restaurant, any bar drink, drinks ordered from roaming waiters, etc. On deck around the pool open almost 24/7 is burgers, chicken strips, ice cream, soda fountain.

They have evening shows, and movies throughout the week. These are all included.

Really there isn't much that isn't included.

Did that answer your question?

 

[kcashner]

Quick question - does anyone have a quick summary of what is included on the ship (every meal? all shows and movies?) and what isn't? I hate to keep asking so many questions but there are some things I just can't seem to find anywhere else online.

THANK YOU ALL!

OK, it's probably easier to do what's not included....but here goes.

ON the ship and on Castaway Cay (it's easiest to think of Castaway as an extension of the ship).
included--
all meals except the $15 per person surcharge at Palo
food is free on deck 9, in restaurants, from room service, etc.
sodas are free at the beverage station on deck 9 and in the dining rooms. If you get them from a bar (if they come in a can) there is a charge.
All activities unless it requires an appointment (like spa) or involves alcohol tasting (beer, wine, martini, etc. tastings have a small fee)
ALL activities in the kid programming are free including those that have a fee at other times--for instance, if the OQ group goes to the arcade, the machines are set for "free" play for that 45 minute period. If there is a smoothie party, each person attending gets one free smoothie.

What's not free:
alcohol
fancy "virgin" drinks
sodas in cans
boxed or bagged snacks or candies from a bar or room service
$15 surcharge for brunch or dinner at Palo, $5 for tea
wine tasting, tequila tasting etc.
bingo
spa and hair treatments
specialty coffees in the Cove Cafe
photos are taken free, you pay for prints or CD
anything in a gift shop
postcards mailed from Castaway Cay are 65 cents postage
any excursions you book have a charge

Suggested tips for the 4 tipped positions are $12 per cruiser per day...allow a little more for luggage porters and room service

anything you do off the ship is "on you." For instance, you could do a morning island tour and return to the ship for lunch free....or you can choose to pay for lunch in town.

I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but....

Hey Scooby, we're up way too late!

 

[Scooby3x1y]

Room service is free, however it is customary to tip. Tipping - a whole other subject.

 

[bevtoy]

Heres a link to a cruise tip calculator.

http://cruisetip.tpkeller.com/

 

[poohfriend]

and you guys fill 3 pages 99-107. it took me forever to catch up a little bit.

My kids are so excited about the cruise. Little one took the captain mickey with him everywhere this weekend.

I just realized that I have 2 weeks to pull everything together. I've always wanted to do the 7-day so I'm thrilled that it's working out. The only big hurdle at this point is helping my hubby (a teacher) finish everything so we can start driving the day before the cruise. He has an exam on Wednesday, so it's possible...but I cannot count on him being available to do anything these next two weeks. It will be worth it!

The good news is that with it being colder in Alabama this week, I really think I can pack all our clothes now. We'll wear our coats and a pair of jeans for the drive and then wash and wear them on the return trip.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN is the formal and semi-formal nights -- 2 nights of special clothes. And that means packing them special too and more shoes. Shoes. they take up so much space for such a short appearance! I'm counting on my DS wearing the same black pants both nights with a different shirt. (and a children's place tie). DOes DH have to have a jacket for formal night (i just haven't read up on it.) I do know from past cruise experience that semi-formal night will see everything from beautiful ball gowns to strappy sun dresses.

So, buying necessary items is on the list this week. And in addition, we need new brakes on my car. If I can get those done while keeping up the regular stuff, I'll be set for this week. Then I can pack. Plan to have everything except personal items in the bags 2 days before we leave.

Tipping does bring up lots of discussions on this board. PALO tipping seems to create the biggest stir. I usually tip on what the meal would have cost me at home. Some people say that 2/3 of the Palo fee goes to the server already. I don't know. I do know that I always get great service from my PALO server when I see him/her elsewhere on the ship (Topsiders on the last morning for example.) This may be an indication that I tip well when compared with other guests. The thought of that really cracks me up because I am so CHEAP!

The one I always have trouble tipping on any cruiseline is the head server if I don't know who he/she is. Last march on a carnival cruise I almost laughed when he came by our table on the last night...I hadn't seen him all week. Once on a RCCL cruise we saw the head server every night and I was thrilled to be able to tip him well. (He never stayed at the table long, but just did the simple, "hello, is everything excellent this evening?") I'll be interested to see how that goes on this trip.

I am so looking forward to the rest. Now my next hurdle will be telling my mother-in-law we're leaving town.

Happy Sunday eveyone. I'm off to care for pre-church stuff

 

[kcashner]

You bring up lots of issues....
Formal night..you will see everything from jeans to tux...and I'm not kidding. I usually bring black sandals which double as formal night shoes. Boys can use black sneakers if they have those. Yes, shoes take up too much room. Other space saving suggestions--as you mentioned, the same pants or skirts can go with a different top. For a lady, black pants can make a LOT of dinner outfits. After all, you may wear your dinner outfit less than 3 hours each night.

Palo tipping--the tip from the "fee" is supposedly about $4.75 which is divided among all the servers. The 15% mandatory bar tip is divided among the bar staff. Any additional that you add goes to the person who actually served you. While dividing the tip among the various servers makes it seem like very little, one must remember that your guy gets his share of what everyone else does too. In 22 cruises, we've done a fair amount of talking to the servers after we get to know them. We asked a Palo server what they consider a "good" tip (not while we were dining). He said that they consider anything over $5 per person to be good, and that they see everything from nothing to $50 per person. However, overall their tips are significantly higher than in the regular dining rooms. Again, tipping is your choice.

The head server is the person (there are now women who have come up thru the ranks) who walks around and asks if everything is all right. He/she is also responsible for birthday cakes and special celebrations. He deals with any allergy issues or special needs. What we've seen recently (not a few years ago!) is a head server helping out if a serving team seems stressed or overwhelmed. On our May cruise I made a point of thanking our HS as she seemed to be doing a lot at our table. She commented that she didn't want us to be neglected while our server was dealing with a large group (I think 14, but I had trouble counting them as there was a lot of seat shifting during the meals, MANY alcohol orders, food being sent back on a regular basis, etc. The adults always seemed a bit drunk and the kids were taking full advantage of it). On DCL, you should see the head server every night, but if you are an "easy" family with no special celebrations, you may not see him do much. I once commented to our favorite server that the head server was a real dud--he violently disagreed and said the this particular server was his "best support" and that the head server made it possible for the server to do his job well. He expressed that WE didn't see what the head server was doing behind the scenes--I have no reason to disbelieve this server as we'd requested him for many cruises. Again, tipping of HS as all tipping is a personal matter.

 

[Orlando36]

Ah, tipping. My least favorite subject. I'm very confused about the whole tipping thing. My husband and I are excellent tippers, but we hate it that tipping has become expected and mandatory regardless of level of service. For meals out, we tip 20% for good service, 25% for excellent service, and 15% for bad service. However, we believe that when we tip "low", the thing the server takes away is that we are cheap, lousy tippers, not that he/she did a poor job. The whole system has broken down, imo.

So, to the cruise. We prepaid our tips. I'm not sure this sits well with me. One, I like to tip to level of service, and I'd like to do more if we receive exceptional service, but I don't understand AT ALL who gets what from the money I paid. I will feel wrong about not tipping, I know I will. But, leaving a dollar here, a dollar there feels cheap and odd. My current plan is to assume that my prepaid gratuities will cover the people who take care of me at meals, the employees in the kids' clubs, and the people who take care of my room. I know there is a gratuity added in when you buy a drink. The only additional tips I am planning on are for room service and porters. But again, I'm not sure I feel good about that.

Any feedback, suggestions?

 

[Orlando36]

Bevtoy's tip guide link helped a lot; thank you! I noticed that it shows that kid's club is not included. I read on the kid's club threads that they are required to pool and share ANYTHING they receive, including gift cards, etc. So, I guess I should plan to do some additional tip there of some sort, and not worry about it going to any one person.

Based on these numbers, I may assess service through the week and then plan to add some extra on the last day in one shot, so I'm not leaving spare change, as it were. Does that make sense, or will my servers and room host resent me all week? Never done this before.... sorry for the stupid questions!

 

[bevtoy]

On the Disney cruise ships it is customary to give tips on the last night served supper. You can use the pre tipping if you desire.

We do not pre tip but leave extra for superior service.

The only tip you would give at the moment of service would be room service. Tips are automatically added for alcoholic drinks so if you add a tip you will be double tipping.

Many arguments have taken place over Palos, just go with what you are comfortable with.

Bevtoy's tip guide link helped a lot; thank you! I noticed that it shows that kid's club is not included. I read on the kid's club threads that they are required to pool and share ANYTHING they receive, including gift cards, etc. So, I guess I should plan to do some additional tip there of some sort, and not worry about it going to any one person.

Based on these numbers, I may assess service through the week and then plan to add some extra on the last day in one shot, so I'm not leaving spare change, as it were. Does that make sense, or will my servers and room host resent me all week? Never done this before.... sorry for the stupid questions!

 

[poohfriend]

Many arguments have taken place over Palos, just go with what you are comfortable with.

I love that you are so diplomatic. there are a wide-variety of viewpoints and in the end each of us has to do what seems right.

Good discussion, everyone, with no overly pushy opinions.

Wow, I feel better to know that some jeans will show up on formal night...I won't be THAT underdressed!

 

[kcashner]

The 4 tipped positions are head server, server, assistant server, and room host. These are the people you may have pre-paid your tips for. In addition, there is a 15% automatic tip added to any bar purchases--this includes candy, bottled water, virgin drinks, specialty coffees, etc. as well as alcohol.

The kid club counselors are not a tipped position. That means that they receive US type wages from DCL and do not base their income on tips from guests. Any money that they receive and any gift cards that do no have their name on them must be turned over to their supervisor where it is pooled and used as funds/door prizes for a party for the department. What they LOVE and can keep are munchies...any sort of packaged goodies are appreciated. In addition, if you wish to tip a particular person, you can do it thru a gift card with their name clearly written on it. There is no pressure and no obligation to tip or present a gift to anyone in the kid areas. When DD was in these areas, I'd ask her if there was one or perhaps two people who made her time special, and would give them a gift card with their name on it as well as mentioning them in my evaluation. Your child may interact with 12 different CMs during the cruise; it's not practical to tip all 12!

Yes, the standard for tipping of the 4 main positions is that it is done on the last night--as you stated, you assess the service during the week and tip as desired on the last evening. That tip represents all the service you received during the week, fully realizing that breakfast and lunches were likely served by someone else. It is not customary to leave small tips throughout the week, although I have occasionally seen someone tip an exceptional server at lunch (and discuss it with him when the server tried to explain that it wasn't necessary).

We have very rarely had any service that was less than exceptional on a DCL cruise. They are very careful with training and educating new people as well as giving careful supervision so that things will be "Magical."

As always, tips are one of the most highly debated issues on the boards. There are the suggested tips; beyond that, go with what YOU feel is right for your situation.

 

[bevtoy]

The 4 tipped positions are head server, server, assistant server, and room host. These are the people you may have pre-paid your tips for. In addition, there is a 15% automatic tip added to any bar purchases--this includes candy, bottled water, virgin drinks, specialty coffees, etc. as well as alcohol.

The kid club counselors are not a tipped position. That means that they receive US type wages from DCL and do not base their income on tips from guests. Any money that they receive and any gift cards that do no have their name on them must be turned over to their supervisor where it is pooled and used as funds/door prizes for a party for the department. What they LOVE and can keep are munchies...any sort of packaged goodies are appreciated. In addition, if you wish to tip a particular person, you can do it thru a gift card with their name clearly written on it. There is no pressure and no obligation to tip or present a gift to anyone in the kid areas. When DD was in these areas, I'd ask her if there was one or perhaps two people who made her time special, and would give them a gift card with their name on it as well as mentioning them in my evaluation. Your child may interact with 12 different CMs during the cruise; it's not practical to tip all 12!

Yes, the standard for tipping of the 4 main positions is that it is done on the last night--as you stated, you assess the service during the week and tip as desired on the last evening. That tip represents all the service you received during the week, fully realizing that breakfast and lunches were likely served by someone else. It is not customary to leave small tips throughout the week, although I have occasionally seen someone tip an exceptional server at lunch (and discuss it with him when the server tried to explain that it wasn't necessary).

We have very rarely had any service that was less than exceptional on a DCL cruise. They are very careful with training and educating new people as well as giving careful supervision so that things will be "Magical."

As always, tips are one of the most highly debated issues on the boards. There are the suggested tips; beyond that, go with what YOU feel is right for your situation.