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

[jitsb]

Ah, so people are finally getting their cabin assignments. Getting more excited everyday...and more in need of a vacation!

So, I'm putting together my gifts and found I had a question about the FE exchange. HFC1969 had mentioned in an earlier post that we might just post the cabin room numbers here on the thread, along with the age/gender of the participants. Is that ok with everyone? It's fine by me...

If we don't go that way, then how will we know where to deliver the FE gifts? Can you tell I'm a newbie at these??

 

[Cruella 66]

Has anyone bought one of the Christmas tree center pieces from DCL? I am thinking of getting one for the cruise. Tell me if you liked it, why or not, and are those ornaments miniature reusable? Thanks, Cindy

 

[tinkerbell_29]

We leave in 41 days and it can not come soon enough. I've called DSS twice this week and I am just done. One more day and then I am not leaving my house all weekend.

How are we doing FE's? Is someone keeping a list or are we just going to post our room # and info? Got to know where to deliver to.

Melissa

 

[KaryCam]

How are we doing FE's? Is someone keeping a list or are we just going to post our room # and info? Got to know where to deliver to.

Melissa

Yes, someone is keeping the list.
You need to post your cabin # & those in your room along with ages.

Looking forward to it all.

 

[charliez]

Has anyone bought one of the Christmas tree center pieces from DCL? I am thinking of getting one for the cruise. Tell me if you liked it, why or not, and are those ornaments miniature reusable? Thanks, Cindy

Tell me more about these... and do you have a link? Sounds like something we might need!

 

[Cruella 66]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/gifts-and-amenities/

What does everyone think? These are from the DCL site.

 

[KaryCam]

http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/planning-center/gifts-and-amenities/

What does everyone think? These are from the DCL site.

They look cute. Wonder how tall they are, it didn't say.

For us, MIL made a 15-inch tall crocheted Christmas tree (there's something inside to keep it open and standing) and then we have 9-inch Mickey and Minnie in Santa outfits (plush/beanbag type) to put next to it. Nothing fancy but they fold flat and are lightweight in the suitcase.

 

[Bursley2010]

I actually bought the Mickey head Christmas lights from DisneyStore.com and was going to bring them to decorate the room, but after seeing how big they are and as nice as they'd look, I think I'm just going to keep them at home and enjoy them as we anticipate the trip. What I am going to bring is my Pal Mickey (remember those? ) with all his fun outfits, including his Santa suit and his Pirate outfit- it's a bit of a tradition to bring him along because we take all our pictures with him in them (as a mascot of sorts), and he'll be a little bit of holiday decoration at the same time.

 

[tinkerbell_29]

Yes, someone is keeping the list.
You need to post your cabin # & those in your room along with ages.

Looking forward to it all.

Not sure if I posted it before but going to do it again.

It is me, my mom and my brother all adults

room# 8582

Can't believe it is just a little over a month away so excited !!! For decorations we have bought a small prelite tree and a few other small things like window clings that are easy to pack.

Melissa

 

[BackRow]

Hey everyone, I'm so excited to join you all for Christmas! This will be our first cruise of any kind, and our first vacation with just our little family. We can't wait!!

Quick question, how is everyone handling presents on Christmas day? We're planning to bring some for DS but not sure if we should wrap them beforehand or what. We'll be driving to the port, so no need to worry about flight regulations. What do you guys think?

 

[Cruella 66]

Hey everyone, I'm so excited to join you all for Christmas! This will be our first cruise of any kind, and our first vacation with just our little family. We can't wait!!

Quick question, how is everyone handling presents on Christmas day? We're planning to bring some for DS but not sure if we should wrap them beforehand or what. We'll be driving to the port, so no need to worry about flight regulations. What do you guys think?

We're driving too and I just thought about this today when I heard a news report on the radio about not wrapping presents for plane rides. I'm going to ask my fabulous TA to look into it. I am (and the kids' don't know) filling their stockings @ home and bringing them and we'll probably have a small gift or two for Christmas morning. Our daughter has a birhtday too so I'll also have a present for her. What a pain it will be if I have to wrap them after we board.

 

[KaryCam]

Hey everyone, I'm so excited to join you all for Christmas! This will be our first cruise of any kind, and our first vacation with just our little family. We can't wait!!

Quick question, how is everyone handling presents on Christmas day? We're planning to bring some for DS but not sure if we should wrap them beforehand or what. We'll be driving to the port, so no need to worry about flight regulations. What do you guys think?

Welcome BackRow!! Glad you are joining us.
This is our first cruise also.
Have you thought about joining our FE group? It's a small gift-giving exchange, do a search on it on the message board. The gifts don't have to be expensive or fancy, just something that says, "I'm thinking of you." Any questions, just ask.

We also will be driving to the Port. My DS is 12, so we don't have all the Santa stuff. The cruise is a BIG portion of our Christmas present. I am planning on bring his stocking with a few things for him.
Regarding wrapping, if flights are saying no wrapping, then port security might be the same. If it was me, I'd bring gift bags to put them in once you are on-board. It would be much easier - no scissors or tape needed.

 

[Cruella 66]

Yes, this is what my TA said... "I am sorry to tell you, they go pretty much by the airlines security rules. So yes, you need to bring them unwrapped. And your wrapping paper, bows and tape separately. If you are bringing a pair of scissors, bring them in your carryon."

Gift bags are a great idea...

 

[BackRow]

Thanks so much for that answer, very helpful! Looks like Santa will be doing gift bags this year. DH and I aren't doing gifts for each other (well we are, but our gift is the cruise!) but DS is at that age where gifts are a necessity. He can't stop talking about Santa finding us on Mickey's boat.

 

[KaryCam]

Just got a call from our TA - our cruise documents are in. Yeah!
Going to pick them up tomorrow. This makes the cruise seem even closer.

We tell DS12 in 9 days! Can't believe I have held it in this whole year.

 

[tinkerbell_29]

We got cruise doc yesterday. It was great to come home to them after a really hard day. Can't believe we leave in 35 days!!!!!
Melissa

 

[Bursley2010]

Didn't get ours today yet-- hopefully tomorrow!

 

[Cruella 66]

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??????

 

[KaryCam]

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??????

sorry, Cindy, just got home - Wednesdays are our long days.

It is $12 per person per day. What it shows in my book would be the total for one person for the entire cruise. $72.
Our cabin has 3 people so that would be 72 x 3= $216.

The break down of the $12 a day is:
Server $4
Asst. Server $3
Head Server $1
Stateroom Host $4

Anymore questions, just ask.

 

[Cruella 66]

For the tipping, on page 14 of our documents there is a section:
"6-Night Cruise Gratuity Suggestions" (per person, including children) Restaurant Server: $24.00;
Restaurant Assistant Server: $18.00;
Head Server: $6.00;
Stateroom Host(ess): $24.00;
Room Service: at your discretion.


Now, when I first read this I thought it was per person PER DAY; that's how I got that outrageous sum. If I go by your $12 total that is $360; if I go by DCL's as a per person total for the cruise, than that's $360. But thank you for setting my mind at ease!