December 24, 2011 Celebrating a Magical 6-Night Caribbean Christmas Cruise

[Cruella 66]

What does everyone put their tips in? An envelope? Hand it to them personally? A LLOONNGG time ago I found cool envelope designs and printed those...wonder if I could find them again?

 

[KaryCam]

Saw this on another thread and thought I would post it here since it mentions Christmas:


I saw this at the Orlando Sentinel's website today and thought some disers would find it helpful.

Disney Cruise Line kicks off its holiday season Nov. 19 with the first of three Thanksgiving voyages. All three ships will offer traditional Turkey Day activities with feasts and football games broadcast live on the outdoor jumbo screens by the pools. Mickey, Minnie and friends will also appear in their Thanksgiving attire.

The Disney Magic sets sail Saturday on a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise. On Sunday, the Disney Wonder heads out on a seven-night Mexican Riviera cruise. And on Wednesday, the Disney Dream goes on a four-night Bahamian cruise.

During these cruises, the winter holiday celebrations begin as well. Guests can experience:

** Nightly “King Triton’s Tree Lighting” in the atrium lobby, where a child is chosen each day to help Disney characters light the three-deck-tall tree.

** Holiday storytellers sharing tales of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Plus, there’s a story tailored to Disney Cruise Line guests about celebrating aboard a ship.

** Family holiday crafts, such as decorating stockings, building gingerbread houses, making holiday cards and creating holiday animation cells.

** “Til We Meet Again” on the Magic and Wonder and “See Ya Real Soon” on the Dream feature a special holiday edition of the farewell party with beloved Disney characters and the ship’s crew.

** Traditional holiday feasts in the themed dining rooms.

On Castaway Cay, Disney Cruise Line’s private island in the Bahamas, passengers will find “snow flurries,” Christmas trees, character meet-and-greets, carolers and holiday-themed activities and crafts for children.

Santa Claus and his elves will have surprises for all the kids, along with cookies and milk, on Christmas morning by the atrium tree. Religious observances include midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and Hanukkah services each day from Dec. 20 through 28. The ships will each have parties on New Year’s Eve to ring in 2012, complete with music, sparkling wine in commemorative flutes and a midnight countdown.

 

[KaryCam]

What does everyone put their tips in? An envelope? Hand it to them personally? A LLOONNGG time ago I found cool envelope designs and printed those...wonder if I could find them again?

Now this is our first cruise but I have been reading that DCL gives you envelopes and papers that tell you the "minimum suggested tipping." ($12 per person per day)
I have read that you can go to Guest Services and have them charge the tips to your credit card or you can pay in cash. On the last night, you give the people their tip envelope.
Maybe our seasoned cruises can add something I might have missed.

 

[Cruella 66]

I hope we get input...I can't remember from last time.

 

[TimmyTown]

Now this is our first cruise but I have been reading that DCL gives you envelopes and papers that tell you the "minimum suggested tipping." ($12 per person per day)
I have read that you can go to Guest Services and have them charge the tips to your credit card or you can pay in cash. On the last night, you give the people their tip envelope.
Maybe our seasoned cruises can add something I might have missed.

KaryCam is correct. A few days before the end of the cruise, a gratuity form and pre-labeled envelopes (for server, head server, etc) are placed in each stateroom. The suggested per person gratuity levels are listed on the form, but you are certainly free to deviate from these suggested amounts. If you wish to charge gratuities to your stateroom account, you simply complete the form and bring to Guest Services desk. They charge your account and give you a receipt and small paper stubs (designating amount and recipient) to place in each envelope. Alternatively, you can place cash in each envelope. Regardless, you give each crew member their respective envelopes, usually on the last night of the cruise. That's all there is to it. Feel free to ask any questions if you're not clear on anything.

TimmyTown

 

[TimmyTown]

Holy smokes

We got our cruise paper work today and page 14 has gratuity suggestions...ours add up to $360 per day! Are you freaking kidding me? $2160 for 6 days??????

As pointed out, the suggested gratuity amounts are based on the entire six days, not one day. That being said, if you do decide to give $2,160 in gratuities, you should do so as soon as you board the ship. I can virtually guarantee that your party will receive "above and beyond" service for the duration of the cruise and you will be ensuring a very merry Christmas for some very fortunate crew members.

Best wishes,
TimmyTown

 

[Cruella 66]

As pointed out, the suggested gratuity amounts are based on the entire six days, not one day. That being said, if you do decide to give $2,160 in gratuities, you should do so as soon as you board the ship. I can virtually guarantee that your party will receive "above and beyond" service for the duration of the cruise and you will be ensuring a very merry Christmas for some very fortunate crew members.

Best wishes,
TimmyTown

LOL, I've seen the error of my ways.

 

[Elfinjojo]

I know I asked a while back but I have been offline for a while due to laptop breakdown, so I was hoping that I wouldn't be a pain in asking if we could have an up to date te FE list fo cabins and participants ages and whether male or female. i cannot complete my FE's with out a list and we are running out of time so fast!

thank you so much

 

[KaryCam]

I know I asked a while back but I have been offline for a while due to laptop breakdown, so I was hoping that I wouldn't be a pain in asking if we could have an up to date te FE list fo cabins and participants ages and whether male or female. i cannot complete my FE's with out a list and we are running out of time so fast!

thank you so much

HFC1969 was keeping the official list but he hasn't been posting for a while.
I have all the ones that posted their info here written down. Not sure if some PM him or not. I'm getting ready to go out. If he hasn't posted by the time I get home late tonight - I'll post what I have and anyone can correct it if they want.
There's still time for people to join if they want.

 

[Elfinjojo]

thank you x

 

[KaryCam]

I know I asked a while back but I have been offline for a while due to laptop breakdown, so I was hoping that I wouldn't be a pain in asking if we could have an up to date te FE list fo cabins and participants ages and whether male or female. i cannot complete my FE's with out a list and we are running out of time so fast!
thank you so much

HFC1969 was keeping the official list but he hasn't been posting for a while.
I have all the ones that posted their info here written down. Not sure if some PM him or not. I'm getting ready to go out. If he hasn't posted by the time I get home late tonight - I'll post what I have and anyone can correct it if they want.
There's still time for people to join if they want.

Ok, here is what I have. There are things missing - hopefully you all can fill it in. There also may be some that I don't know about because they PM'd HFC1969 - fix/fill it in where you can please.

New info:
It has been suggested that we should keep our cabin numbers off the message board for security reasons. This board is available for anyone to read.
So, for those on the FE list, if you would like the FE list, please Personal Message (PM) me.

 

[hiclarke]

My family is actually going to have to pull out of the FE. Life is getting in the way at the moment, and we just don't have time to get this together the right way. Sorry - but have fun!

 

[KaryCam]

I editted my FE post from last night.

Also, I would like your opinion. How far out should we cut off any more cabins from joining the FE? A few people have expressed a need to know a final tally.

Thanks

 

[Bursley2010]

One month from today and we are all flying out and meeting at the MCO Hyatt before leaving for the cruise one week from TOMORROW! Can't wait to spend the holiday at sea with Disney! Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving! See ya real soon! 8-D

 

[TimmyTown]

I editted my FE post from last night.

Also, I would like your opinion. How far out should we cut off any more cabins from joining the FE? A few people have expressed a need to know a final tally.

Thanks

How about cutting it off at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, say midnight Sunday? Just my two cents. I'm up for whatever is decided upon.

See everyone in 30 days!

TimmyTown

 

[KaryCam]

How about cutting it off at the end of the Thanksgiving weekend, say midnight Sunday? Just my two cents. I'm up for whatever is decided upon.

Sounds good to me.
I'm still waiting on a couple people to answer my PM and tell me their cabin #. I'll PM everyone on the list on Monday and give them the current list. Then when I get the last cabin #, I'll update you.

 

[KaryCam]

30 days from today - we'll be starting our Magical Christmas cruise

But besides that date, I have anxiously waited for today. Many of you know that we have held the secret of the cruise from DS12. How I have held it since January, I don't know, but looking back it went quickly.
I have prepared a treasure hunt for him this morning to find clues of the trip. Then when he can't figure it out, I have a handmade card that will spell it out. And then I'll give him a box of things for the trip. I will also pop in the DCL DVD afterwards to even make it more real.
I'm so excited.

 

[Bursley2010]

30 days from today - we'll be starting our Magical Christmas cruise

But besides that date, I have anxiously waited for today. Many of you know that we have held the secret of the cruise from DS12. How I have held it since January, I don't know, but looking back it went quickly.
I have prepared a treasure hunt for him this morning to find clues of the trip. Then when he can't figure it out, I have a handmade card that will spell it out. And then I'll give him a box of things for the trip. I will also pop in the DCL DVD afterwards to even make it more real.
I'm so excited.

So how did everything go?? Can't wait to hear about the big surprise reveal!

 

[KaryCam]

So how did everything go?? Can't wait to hear about the big surprise reveal!

Oh My!! The whole treasure hunt and surprise went so well.
In the treasure hunt, besides finding "clues" around the house, he had to go to the neighbor's house (she had a clue) and call Grandma in TN (she had a clue), etc.
One of the clues was a Mickey tie that DH has to wear on formal night. DH is "just" so excited for that.

DS12 opened the box and pulled out the card I made for him and read it out loud. When he opened up the inside and saw the picture of the ship and it all spelled out for him, he was so excited.
He said that he had no idea and could hardly believe that we had been holding this secret all year.
In the bottom of the box I had things for him related to the cruise, including a countdown sign I made that is covered in clear contact paper. He crosses off a number with a dry erase marker and later it can be wiped off and used again.

We sat and watched the DCL DVD and he became more excited. He wanted to know so many things about the cruise. He still can hardly believe it is true.

Then last night at our extended family Thanksgiving -not so dear BIL told us how they all were on a Disney cruise last year and there was a fire in the engine room and the ship was dead in the water and all the security doors shut tight and he was on the other side of the ship away from his family.
I wanted to smack my BIL!!! We reassured DS and he got over it.

Anyway, all is well. I am so happy that I can now talk to him about it.

 

[Bursley2010]

^So glad to hear that everything for the big reveal went well! That's got to be frustrating about DBIL, but good to know your son hasn't let it get him down. Happy that you get to enjoy the anticipation now together as a family!