Great unknown tips or secrets!

[disneyfaninaz]

Welcome to the DIS. (I've always wanted to use the Fireman smiley)

 

[eapawsat]

thanks everyone...I love these tips.

 

[PoohJen]

Keep the count/type of all your luggage before you board!

Porters take the luggage away the night before you disembark. The next morning you go into a large area crowded with people and a few thousand pices of luggage. Yours will not necessarily be all together!

After disembarking from our first cruise, I spent a half hour needlessly worrying, checking EVERY piece of luggage lying in the pick up area, running back onto the ship, searching everywhere (and I'm sure there were some Cast Members looking too!) for my MISSING SUITCASE! You know, the black American Tourister carry on that looks like every other black American Tourister carry on.

Finally, one of the staff asked if I was sure I took it on board with me.

My jaw dropped. I remember now, I left that at MIL's house (near the port) with our dirty travel clothes in it! Doh!

 

[1971visitor]

I've enjoyed reading these tips! We set sail a week from today on the 10-29 Eastern!

We always take a plug bar and plug it into the desk outlet. Then we put the plug bar on the first shelf of the cabinet above the TV. We recharge all our cameras, walkie talkies, cell phones, etc. in the cabinet out of the way and out of sight.

Also, the over the door shoe organizer is a must, and definitely ziplocs!

Oh, and some bathroom deodorizer spray..........

Jamie

 

[oo138oo]

I am not sure if these are being mentioned.. but here goes

buy smaller size/portion of sunscreen, toothpaste, shampoo, laundry soap, etc. have it shipped to DCL a week or two before your cruise (depends on where you live). Once the cruise is over, leave or toss the left overs. This will eliminate luggage space. oh also some cheap beach toys if you don't mind leaving them behind.

pack an extra duffle bag. throw dirty laundries or anything you don't care smashing up in there for the returning trip. it'll free up your luggage space for anything extra you may want to bring home.

anything extra or non-emergency items you need from the housekeeping maid, just leave a note on your pillow before you head out. whatever you requested will sure to be there once you return.

order the fruit and cheese platter from room service. they make a great midnight snack.

I'm sure this was mentioned... clothes pins to keep the curtains tightly sealed so the early morning sun doesn't peek through.

get your tea with alice tickets at the counter right after you board. they went pretty fast during my last two cruises.

any specific dinning needs, be sure to check with the server. the other family we went with mentioned to their server they'd love some malaysian food, next day the server did just that, infact he brought them maylansian food for 4 whole straight days. of course you can't expect anything, but you never know until you ask

 

[gottagoo]

Since everyone has the same black or blue suitcases we go to the dollar store and get gift ribbons ( the ones that are stringy and curled). Then I take out the staple from the midddle and tie the whole thing around the suitcase handle. Usually I get the same colors and it makes for finding our suitcases so much easier.

 

[atinkerbellmom]

I've enjoyed reading these tips! We set sail a week from today on the 10-29 Eastern!

We always take a plug bar and plug it into the desk outlet. Then we put the plug bar on the first shelf of the cabinet above the TV. We recharge all our cameras, walkie talkies, cell phones, etc. in the cabinet out of the way and out of sight.

Also, the over the door shoe organizer is a must, and definitely ziplocs!

Oh, and some bathroom deodorizer spray..........

Jamie

Jamie are you double dipping for a month That must be quad dipping. You leave in a week, but the cruise is October 29th Take me, take me.......

 

[Doingitagain]

Since everyone has the same black or blue suitcases we go to the dollar store and get gift ribbons ( the ones that are stringy and curled). Then I take out the staple from the midddle and tie the whole thing around the suitcase handle. Usually I get the same colors and it makes for finding our suitcases so much easier.

I forgot to bring ribbon, so on the first night "welcome aboard" show, when they shot ribbon over the audience I took some back to the room!

 

[1971visitor]

Jamie are you double dipping for a month That must be quad dipping. You leave in a week, but the cruise is October 29th Take me, take me.......

I get Sept. and Oct. mixed up all the time every year!!!

Must have been wishful thinking!

Jamie

 

[kaykels]

I'll be honest, didn't read through all 18 pages, so if these are repeats, my apologies!

1. Late night swims! You'll have the place to yourself! My son fell asleep at dinner most nights. I took him upstairs for tacos or chicken fingers and we went for a swim. Most people were either dining or at a show. It was heaven and memories I will always cherish. He got lots of special attention from Iriza, the lady at the food counter and they are buddies for life!

2. On a western or double dip, you CAN wait until the last minute for excursions on your own. When you get off of the ship, at least 15 people will approach you trying to cut a deal for any water sports or activities you want to do. This way, if it rains, you're not locked into an activity.

3. Sneak food to the conselors in the kids clubs. They feed them crap and they are SO appreciative! On dessert buffet night, watch their eyes roll back in their heads when you show up with a plate full of cakes for them!

4. You can go to Palo any night and sit at the bar for drinks and dessert without a reservation!

5. Show up at the port at 12:30. You will practically walk right onto the ship. The early arrivers aren't getting on until 12:00 anyway.

6. I'm sure somebody mentioned over the door shoe holders. OMG, I can't stress enough how important this is if you're in a cat. 11 ! It's a life saver for bathroom supplies, sunblock, glasses, etc. all in one place!

 

[kaykels]

Oh one more, in case it wasn't mentioned. Walk to the end of the beach on Castaway. It's uncrowded and HEAVEN ! There is a volleyball net down there too.

 

[kaykels]

Oooh, one more!
Bring a little bit of vinegar to the beach in case of jelly fish stings. It was a life saver. Don't count on finding any in Costa Maya !

 

[jsheridan]

Is there a charge if you just get dessert at the counter in Palo?

 

[momof2disprincesses]

Is there a charge if you just get dessert at the counter in Palo?

I'd like to know this too. Dessert to me was the best part of our Palo experience and I'd love to just go in there for dessert!

 

[Babs417]

We went for a drink

 

[Linda Gardner]

The elevators get so crammed with people that we almost always go the stair route(if you can). You get to the level faster and are burning off all of those wonderful calories.

 

[kaykels]

Give the bartender a tip and they won't charge you for desserts at the bar!

 

[kath1210]

We just got back and one thing I never noticed was an extra plug in the wall behind the TV. It helped a lot because my blowdryer did not fit into the other plugs.

Also, if you are on a 3- or 4-night cruise, consider sending your clothes out to be pressed the first night. It takes about 24 hours to get them back, and the prices are not bad at all! My husband had his shirt and pants pressed for our Palo dinner, and it was only $3.88.

 

[dmja716]

Bump.
This is a great thread.

 

[Pansy]

Great tips, thanks.