Extra magic on a cruise

[DisneyKatie1]

Is there a way to have the crew make some extra magic for my family? It will be our first cruise and my daughter is really nervous about being at sea. Any ideas @Mags2002 ?

 

[Bad Pink Tink 2.0]

What kind of extra magic are you looking for? At the MDR, most of the servers will make the meal special, depending on the person , some do card ticks or or magic tricks or just interact in a playful way. You room host will make a towel animal every night at evening turn down service. The CM's in the kids clubs are amazing with the children.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

You can purchase a decor package for your room-so your cabin is decorated when you arrive. You can participate in a fish exchange, so you may receive little gifts everyday at your cabin from others-but you need to give others as well. You can make magnets together for your door before your cruise at home or make matching shirts. Some of the magic can be created by you. And then as mentioned by Bad Pink Tink, there a special things the crew does if you interact with them at your meals. Towel animals in your room is standard.

 

[MamaMermaid]

I'd recommend a pin exchange or fish extenders (but they're a lot of work). I wouldn't expect anything from the crew.

 

[motherdaughtercruisers]

I’m sure if you pay DCL more $$$$$ they would be more than happy to help you out!

As far as I know, pixie dust and “extra magic” are not included in your cruise fare. But I could be wrong!

 

[Geomom]

I find that the Disney cruises are far more magical than the parks --no extra magic needed. Just bumping into characters wandering around is magical! Your family will have a wonderful time. Don't go looking for "extra" magic, that's when you get disappointed. Enjoy the cruise!

 

[brentm77]

I find that the Disney cruises are far more magical than the parks --no extra magic needed. Just bumping into characters wandering around is magical! Your family will have a wonderful time. Don't go looking for "extra" magic, that's when you get disappointed. Enjoy the cruise!

This was my exact thought. The cruises are just special without extra. The point of "magic" is that cast members do it spontaneously. It's not something you can try to force.

I had raised my displeasure with the online check-in process on my last cruise via a polite email, and it somehow made it's way to management on the ship (it's not like it was their problem). They sent a gift package to the room, which was really nice, but completely unnecessary. I also received a call from someone in shoreside management before the cruise, who explained they knew it was an issue and were working on solutions - but I don't think it has changed in the nine months since then.

On the same cruise, at check-in at port, the little chime they play on the ship before an announcement came on and I said, "that's my happy sound!" The woman checking us in liked my comment and bumped us to boarding group one. That was probably our best extra touch of magic. But again, you can't force them, as I think that would have a countereffect on them happening. Just be nice to cast member, because you should anyway, and sometimes you get a little extra magic in return.

 

[Husker Mike]

I would suggest planning to make your own magic. Besides decorating your door, perhaps set up your own little fish extender inside the room and put some small surprises in there just for her. (And then you don't have to worry that it'll get pilfered or isn't something she'd like.) If she's old enough to read and has a favorite character on board, write little notes to her from the character. Perhaps look at the schedule and have a character "invite" her to a show you are planning to attend or thank her for attending. Or to acknowledge seeing her at a dance party or whatever you happened to do on board.

Put yourself in Santa or Easter Bunny mode and think of little ways to make it special.

 

[mmouse37]

As mentioned DCL cruises are more magical than the parks normally. As it being your first cruise, and I don't want this to sound off putting, how would you know what was extra magic vs regular "magic". You would nothing to compare it to. If there is something special you are celebrating onboard definitely let the servers know. You can also go to guest services and ask for a button. You can say you are celebrating your first cruise. If its a birthday they usually have birthday buttons.

We once started talking to a cast member as we were entering the show theatre. She asked if we were celebrating anything and it happened to be that we were celebrating our anniversary. She asked how many years and said that deserved something and disappeared. Right before the show started she found us in our seats and handed us each a "I am celebrating" button which she had written how many years we had been married. We were so touched. Was that extra or regular....I don't know! Things like that can happen randomly.

MJ

 

[MommyCMickey]

I find that the Disney cruises are far more magical than the parks --no extra magic needed. Just bumping into characters wandering around is magical! Your family will have a wonderful time. Don't go looking for "extra" magic, that's when you get disappointed. Enjoy the cruise!

THIS! Last year me and my son just happened to be walking around during a Nassau port day (we’ve been to Nassau plenty so didn’t want to get off), anyways Mickey just happened to come out a side door and saw my son and grabbed his hand and they walked the deck together. My son was in awe. Such a magical moment

 

[Kennywood]

If they still do family introductions when boarding, you could have your family announced as "the Smith family with Princess ___________". Then have your daughter lead the way as she receives a round of applause.

 

[OpieDoodle]

If you're looking for extra interaction and care from the cast members I'd consider concierge. Although the customer service and extra mile the cast members always give is more than enough for us.

 

[FastPasser.]

Having been a maker of Magic for decades at WDW it was always spontaneous and somewhat rare. Also, many cast members and crew members are not in roles that enable making of magic.

 

[Mags2002]

Is there a way to have the crew make some extra magic for my family? It will be our first cruise and my daughter is really nervous about being at sea. Any ideas @Mags2002 ?

Show your daughter pictures of the ship and some of the different places on it. Talk to her about things she will be doing. Hopefully she will then be more excited than nervous.
In regards to “extra magic”, if and when this happens is usually totally random and spontaneous. It isn’t really a Magical Moment if you are expecting it to happen, right?

 

[Annabell]

I second the create your own extra magic idea. Join the fish extender exchange is always fun.

 

[Jsoenning]

I wonder if you snuck some new pre-cruise purchased Disney stuffed animals on board and discreetly gave them to your room attendant (or showed him or her where they were hidden) if he or she would arrange them with they make up the room for the night?

Or just sneak back in the room yourself because "mommy or daddy forgot something" and arrange them. I believe some of our friends used to do this. As a bonus, this method can be cheaper than purchasing in the gift shop on board.