Great unknown tips or secrets!

[disnutt]

you step off the ship to go on the island...play in the water, step onto the sandy beach then put some baby powder on after...Sorry, a little lost...wouldn't that make more clumps and goo on the feet...just curious

You wait until the water has dried and then apply the powder. It helps to dry up any final moisture that's holding the sand particles on your feet. Apply it and then brush the powder and sand off!

 

[muffin07]

I don't have a lot of tips on the DCL as our cruise in Nov. will be our first. But
one tip I would like to share with others, is that if you fly nowdays with the
airlines restrictions. AAA sells this handy little gaget, worth every penny,
sells for about 10.00. It is a hand held small scale that weights your suitcases. About the size of a small travel clock, we weigh our bags before
we leave home, put scale in our carry on to weigh the bags before we
start our trip home. No standing in line, no surprises, no extra fees.
Muffin07

 

[kritter]

Anything liquid must be brought on in your carry on. They started this restriction several months ago partly because the customs dogs were hitting on food and stopping all the boarding processes and also and probably most of all... containers for the liquids were breaking open and causing all kinds of messes...including on your clothes.

You can bring a roll on cooler with you - no ice (you can get it filled on board...) but it MUST fit through the x-ray machine.

Also...if you are packing a box like we did for our fish extender gifts (ours were candy...) make sure you mark on the outside of the box with a sharpie marker your room number AND the contents so if the dogs do hit on it..they don't have to open it and inspect it.

Did they give you a hard time about the candy??? Also, did you just list a packing slip in an envelope on the outside of the box??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tinapomp]

I read this somewhere els re spa. when you sign before starting your treatment write in big letters, NO SALES PITCH. It stops them giving you the hard sell on the products, what a great tip by someone, I would HATE to have to go through that!

Has anyone ever tried this? I think it's a FANTASTIC idea. I just hated the hard sell that they pushed at the end of our massage. Kind of annoying.

But has anyone done this? I just wonder what your experience was like. TIA!

 

[tinapomp]

Thanks for your concern, but, since we have to wear vests on Disney excursions and Castaway Cay, some of us do not inflate the vest on purpose.

We do not need floatation assistance as God has provided a body type that floats extremely well.

Jan

ITA! When I snorkel I want to dive down to the bottom to look at sea life and find that underwater Mickey at CC!

But am I right in thinking that they force EVERYONE to wear a life vest even if you don't want one? My DH and I always want to dive down in the water when snorkeling, and a life vest sure would hinder that.

 

[HoosierFrog]

ITA! When I snorkel I want to dive down to the bottom to look at sea life and find that underwater Mickey at CC!

But am I right in thinking that they force EVERYONE to wear a life vest even if you don't want one? My DH and I always want to dive down in the water when snorkeling, and a life vest sure would hinder that.

From what I've read, they do require a life vest to be worn. I've also heard many say that there are quite a few that do not inflatee the life vests. They're not your standard foam life vests, but need to be blown up.

 

[neonurse]

I read that the life vests are just for visibility and you don't have to inflate them if you don't want to.

 

[Tink rules]

I don't have a lot of tips on the DCL as our cruise in Nov. will be our first. But
one tip I would like to share with others, is that if you fly nowdays with the
airlines restrictions. AAA sells this handy little gaget, worth every penny,
sells for about 10.00. It is a hand held small scale that weights your suitcases. About the size of a small travel clock, we weigh our bags before
we leave home, put scale in our carry on to weigh the bags before we
start our trip home. No standing in line, no surprises, no extra fees.
Muffin07

Thats a good idea... alot of people were dragging their luggage up to the fitness center to get it weighed on the scales...

Did they give you a hard time about the candy??? Also, did you just list a packing slip in an envelope on the outside of the box??????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They didn't give me a hard time... but it's a good idea and they suggest you do put a packing slip on the outside...

 

[algg]

Great thread, keep it up, we are going in 2010 and I am saving tips.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I think they handed it out right before we got off to go to Castaway Cay - they gave it to us in the Promenade Lounge. I'm pretty sure it's mentioned in the Navigator.

Regarding the Treasure Hunt on Castaway Cay, you can also get the map/clues from the information booth down near Cookies. Of course some of the clues are for things you would have already passed, so it's better to get it before leaving the ship unless you don't mind backtracking. FWIW, we had a great time doing it.

 

[HFC1969]

Ok,,, just reread all 32 pages to make sure that I wouldn't repeat some suggestions or tips:

1. For those of us who cruise at Christmas... each year the dollar store in Jan sells those 3 foot decorated trees for around 10 dollars. Inexpensive enough to leave behind. DCL does sell a small Christmas tree also for the room if you don't want to hassle with carrying the other onboard.

2. My DW... makes a list of all of her outfits for each day, writing down outfit, closthes, accesories and jewlery. Makes her feel more comfortable when packing and she tapes the list to the DCL bathroom door and doesn't stress over what to wear. ITs all planned out.

3. We wear our swim suits to the ship the first day, just put on clothes over our suits.. Grab a quick lunch and hit the pool, usually it takes several hours for people to change and make it to the pool.

4. We drive ourself from Orlando Airport... Cheaper and we can stop on the way if we want.

5. Cruise Insurance... You medical insurance will not get you squat in a foriegn country! Ask my dad who had to have surgery in South America after developing a hernia. Several trips to the ATM, by my mom, for $3000 cash dad was operated on and all was well. The had to live in Hotel Caribe in Cartegna for 3 weeks while recovering. All paid for AFTER by Travel Insuance.

 

[miler1600]

I haven't seen anyone post on this anywhere and I'm not sure if this is the right thread or not, but does anyone take life jackets with them for kids or even adults? I'm a little nervous about the ocean! We are leaving Sept 6 and trying to get stuff ready!

 

[Finally08]

I haven't seen anyone post on this anywhere and I'm not sure if this is the right thread or not, but does anyone take life jackets with them for kids or even adults? I'm a little nervous about the ocean! We are leaving Sept 6 and trying to get stuff ready!

They will take care of that for you.

 

[Tink rules]

Life vests are provided for all ages on board. You will don your wonderfully bright orange life vest before you even leave the port!!! Then you get to hide it back in your closet and enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[Amlee]

I bought a .99 spray bottle at wal-mart. In that bottle I have spray in wash. If I have a spill, I spray the spray in wash on the stain. It does several things.

I can work with it and remove the stain myself if I need to wear the item again.

I can pretreat it and not worry about it until I get home.

I can pretreat it and send it out to be washed while onboard.

 

[acourtwdw]

Thats a good idea... alot of people were dragging their luggage up to the fitness center to get it weighed on the scales...

If you go to your local sporting goods store (like Dicks) and purchase a fish scale, it does the exact same thing.

 

[DisneyMama27]

Haven't been yet, but sure enjoyed all these tips!

Here's a couple of my own...I keep a Word file open while I am reading tips, and then just copy/paste, or type in lists of tips, so I don't forget them or have to go find info later in the threads.

YES, the baby powder trick works...just discovered this one 2yrs ago..makes going to the beach SO much more fun!

Thanks for all the great tips, everyone!

 

[sandiegosusie]

I found Disney Princess travel cases for my girls at TRU. They are perfect for their shampoos, hair garb, tooth brush and all the necessities. That way we all have our own space for our stuff.

I have also been cutting and pasting into Word. My tips are up to 4 pages long, I'm sure by the time I sail it will be even longer. I also have our packing list in Word that I add to if I see fit.

I want to put in a plug for LLBeans travel organizer. We use it constantly and I find it to be invaluable. I don't like carry a large notebook or stacks of papers. My husband also scans all our insurance cards, credit cards, ID's, tickets for the park, passports etc...on his flash drive so we have it with us. He then locks it in the safe once onboard. We found a nice case for it at Best Buy also that protects it.

 

[kat123]

If going on the cruise after Halloween.....pick up post Halloween sale pirate / costume stuff (e.g. eye patch, hats) to wear on Pirate night

 

[helenb]

If going on the cruise after Halloween.....pick up post Halloween sale pirate / costume stuff (e.g. eye patch, hats) to wear on Pirate night

I do that anyway, even if my cruise is months away! Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow costumes are at their cheapest in November.