HELP. First cruise ever, need info.

[Tracy Mac]

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to Disboards. My family and I are going on our first cruise and it happens to be a Disney Cruise! The trip that we are taking states that all gratuities and port fees will be paid. Does that mean that it's not necessary to tip? But I still can tip for exceptional service?

Also, will there be enough to keep us busy for the entire 5 days? It looks like there is enough to do but thought I'd ask.

We will be traveling on the Disney Wonder and from what I read, dinner is casual dress. I was thinking dress shirts and jeans for the boys and I will wear nice cargo pants and dress shirt. Does that sound about right?

I would appreciate any advice from your experiences, like I said this is our first, ever, trip on a ship.

Thank you!

 

[missyp]

Port fees are included in the price of the cruise. You will be charged for tips at the end of the cruise. You will have the opportunity to increase the standard tip to a higher amount for exceptional service. You do so at the guest services desk.
5 days is a great first cruise. It will keep you very busy but still wanting more! Be prepared to book anther onboard!

 

[missyp]

Everyone dresses differently on the cruise for dinner. We usually dress up a bit for dinner every night but anything goes. Jeans are fine as are cargo pants. Jeans are fine as are cargo pants.

 

[Dug720]

Hello everyone! I'm brand new to Disboards. My family and I are going on our first cruise and it happens to be a Disney Cruise! The trip that we are taking states that all gratuities and port fees will be paid. Does that mean that it's not necessary to tip? But I still can tip for exceptional service?

Also, will there be enough to keep us busy for the entire 5 days? It looks like there is enough to do but thought I'd ask.

We will be traveling on the Disney Wonder and from what I read, dinner is casual dress. I was thinking dress shirts and jeans for the boys and I will wear nice cargo pants and dress shirt. Does that sound about right?

I would appreciate any advice from your experiences, like I said this is our first, ever, trip on a ship.

Thank you!

Is this part of a package from a company? Or a prize or something? The phrasing as you write it here makes it sound like that - in which case the gratuities are most likely built into the total you are paying. You can always increase the tips if you choose - either on your account or with cash on the last night.

If you have just booked the cruise NOT as part of a package or group deal, then gratuities will be added on daily per person.

Regarding the pants... I personally have never seen cargo pants I'd describe as "nice" - they look like cargo pants. I'd go with khakis or dockers if you're not into nice jeans. There will be some people who dress up and others who dress down - it all depends on what people feel like doing. The only place where there is a pretty firm dress code (other than no bare feet or swimwear in the dining areas - that is non-negotiable) is Palo (and Remy, but Remy is not on the Wonder).

 

[Tracy Mac]

Is this part of a package from a company? Or a prize or something? The phrasing as you write it here makes it sound like that - in which case the gratuities are most likely built into the total you are paying. You can always increase the tips if you choose - either on your account or with cash on the last night.

It is actually a prize. I'm just waiting for Disney to call me and get the information that they need. I'm beyond excited and I'm trying to get all the information on DLC and what if offers. I don't want to miss a thing!

Thank you everyone for your input.

 

[SpaceSquirrel]

You can prepay your tips so it's all taken care of when you sail. Typically we prepay our tips and then tip 100% that same amount. Crew members are so incredible and work long, crazy hard hours with a smile on their faces and they deserve it.
You'll definitely not get board, DCL really is amazing as everyone says

 

[jlynch924]

Something you might want to do to get an idea of all the types of activities there are to do is look back at the Navigators from past cruises on the same itinerary. The Navigator is the daily "newsletter" of all the activities for the day, times, places, age groups, etc. It also has information about the shopping on board and in port, the specials, and tons of other useful information. You can search the forum for past Navigators and check on the Disney Cruiseline Blog.While not all the activities are offered on every single cruise, and certainly not necessarily on the same day, it definitely shows you the range of things there is to do (which is tons!) every day.

 

[lanejudy]

Congrats on winning a cruise! How very exciting for your family!

I would guess the "gratuities" that are paid are the standard recommended gratuities that are typically charged to the stateroom account. Those are valued at $12 per night per passenger and cover the stateroom host, main dining room staff of head server, server and assistant server. So in basic terms, the tips for your meals and housekeeping.

What may NOT be covered (I could be wrong, but you may at least want to confirm):

• additional amount(s) you may wish to tip any/all of the 4 positions mentions above
• tips for porters, drivers or others who assist you with getting to/from your cruise (generally $1-$2 per bag handled)
• tips for room service orders (typically $1-$2 per item)
• tips for excursion leaders (you don't mention whether port excursions are covered or not), this is somewhat discretionary based on the excursion and what role the "leader" plays
• tips for adult dining (again, not sure if you will be comped an add-on meal beyond the main dining rooms)
• adult beverages or specialty beverages, which also include an automatic 15% bar tip
• spa services include an automatic 18% tip (again, not sure if you will be comped any spa services)

Those are the initial things that come to my mind that may not be considered in the prize because all are discretionary and based on your preferences. Hopefully you'll get a full run-down of exactly what is covered and what to expect as additional charge.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

It is actually a prize. I'm just waiting for Disney to call me and get the information that they need. I'm beyond excited and I'm trying to get all the information on DLC and what if offers. I don't want to miss a thing!

Thank you everyone for your input.

Congratulations! How did you win? My first Disney Cruise in February 2015 was a 7-night Western Caribbean aboard the Disney Magic that I won from a local radio station. It was truly the best vacation I have had in my entire life, (actually, tied for Best with the Walt Disney World vacation my family won on the radio when I was about 18). With the package I won, and granted, it could be different for everyone, it included the full amount of the cruise, the gratuities were paid for us, as was the parking at the port (because I live in the Orlando area....only an hour or so from the port).

But seriously, I am dying to hear all the details about how you won! I'll share my story too, if you want to hear it.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

It will keep you very busy but still wanting more! Be prepared to book anther onboard!

I also think it is important to mention that I second this comment! When we won our Disney Cruise in 2015, it was our first Disney Cruise because we never felt we could afford one. Once that cruise ended, we knew we would be doing another Disney Cruise again. We didn't book onboard and probably (sadly) never will because we don't sail within 24 months of the last one. (This time it is 30 months) But, just know that the odds are in favor of you taking another Disney Cruise in the future and an Onboard booking is a great thing if you are within the 24 months.

 

[Neptune's Fork]

It is actually a prize. I'm just waiting for Disney to call me and get the information that they need. I'm beyond excited and I'm trying to get all the information on DLC and what if offers. I don't want to miss a thing!

Thank you everyone for your input.

Awesome. Are you the family that was recently featured on Good Morning America? I saw how they were surprised with a Disney cruise and were really excited about it.

 

[Tracy Mac]

Congratulations! How did you win? My first Disney Cruise in February 2015 was a 7-night Western Caribbean aboard the Disney Magic that I won from a local radio station. It was truly the best vacation I have had in my entire life, (actually, tied for Best with the Walt Disney World vacation my family won on the radio when I was about 18). With the package I won, and granted, it could be different for everyone, it included the full amount of the cruise, the gratuities were paid for us, as was the parking at the port (because I live in the Orlando area....only an hour or so from the port).

But seriously, I am dying to hear all the details about how you won! I'll share my story too, if you want to hear it.

I won through an online sweepstakes. I entered once a day for about a month. This was the first sweepstakes that I had ever entered and only because it didn't require any personal information, I just had to sign in with my Disney username. When I got the email saying that I won, I didn't believe it was real. I was very worried about fraud so I called Disney up to see if this sweepstakes was real. Sure enough it all checked out.

My biggest worry is the taxes. Did you get slammed when you claimed it on your taxes?

I would love to hear how it all happened for you!!

 

[Tracy Mac]

Awesome. Are you the family that was recently featured on Good Morning America? I saw how they were surprised with a Disney cruise and were really excited about it.

No, we weren't on Good Morning America but that would have been super cool! Ours was online but I was equally surprised and still very excited! I was mowing when I got the official announcement and I went right in the house and started looking up DCL stuff. lol

 

[Tracy Mac]

Congrats on winning a cruise! How very exciting for your family!

I would guess the "gratuities" that are paid are the standard recommended gratuities that are typically charged to the stateroom account. Those are valued at $12 per night per passenger and cover the stateroom host, main dining room staff of head server, server and assistant server. So in basic terms, the tips for your meals and housekeeping.

What may NOT be covered (I could be wrong, but you may at least want to confirm):

• additional amount(s) you may wish to tip any/all of the 4 positions mentions above
• tips for porters, drivers or others who assist you with getting to/from your cruise (generally $1-$2 per bag handled)
• tips for room service orders (typically $1-$2 per item)
• tips for excursion leaders (you don't mention whether port excursions are covered or not), this is somewhat discretionary based on the excursion and what role the "leader" plays
• tips for adult dining (again, not sure if you will be comped an add-on meal beyond the main dining rooms)
• adult beverages or specialty beverages, which also include an automatic 15% bar tip
• spa services include an automatic 18% tip (again, not sure if you will be comped any spa services)

Those are the initial things that come to my mind that may not be considered in the prize because all are discretionary and based on your preferences. Hopefully you'll get a full run-down of exactly what is covered and what to expect as additional charge.

Enjoy your cruise!

This was very helpful information. Thank you.

 

[Tracy Mac]

Something you might want to do to get an idea of all the types of activities there are to do is look back at the Navigators from past cruises on the same itinerary. The Navigator is the daily "newsletter" of all the activities for the day, times, places, age groups, etc. It also has information about the shopping on board and in port, the specials, and tons of other useful information. You can search the forum for past Navigators and check on the Disney Cruiseline Blog.While not all the activities are offered on every single cruise, and certainly not necessarily on the same day, it definitely shows you the range of things there is to do (which is tons!) every day.

Thank you. I will look Navigators up right away! I appreciate the information.

 

[85glht]

If the gratuities are prepaid, you will get vouchers with envelopes. You put the appropriate voucher in the appropriate envelope. They will be marked as to whom you are to give them to. If you want to give them extra money, this is the time to slip in the extra money into the envelope.... This is what we have done.

You can be as busy as you want or as lethargic as you want on a cruise. This is why I LOVE this type of vacationing! Be ready to book another..... Just saying.

As far as clothes for diner, don't sweat it. An evening gown and a tuxedo are NOT required. I wear jeans and a polo shirt and my wife does the similar thing. I like being comfy.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

I won through an online sweepstakes. I entered once a day for about a month. This was the first sweepstakes that I had ever entered and only because it didn't require any personal information, I just had to sign in with my Disney username. When I got the email saying that I won, I didn't believe it was real. I was very worried about fraud so I called Disney up to see if this sweepstakes was real. Sure enough it all checked out.

My biggest worry is the taxes. Did you get slammed when you claimed it on your taxes?

I would love to hear how it all happened for you!!

The tax bill will likely be about $1000 or so.
We won ours as part of a "scavenger hunt"contest of sorts from a local radio station. In a purely hypothetical manner they "hid the tickets somewhere aboard the Disney Dream." Each day, they would give one clue at 6 am and take the 7th caller to guess where the tickets were. Then, if that person was wrong, they would repeat the process again at 7 am with yet another clue and another 7th caller. If that person was wrong, it went on to the next day. It started on Monday. Friday at 6 am, I had a pretty good idea where it might be so I began dialing while they were talking. As they gave the last clue, "Pirate speak can be heard here.", I knew that the answer was the Arrr-cade. Just then, the phone began ringing and they answered the phone asking, "What's your name?" I knew that meant I was the 7th caller. I started crying before I could get the answer out. I knew at that moment that I was going to win. It was one of the happiest moments I can remember. My whole family was in the room in disbelief as I won. Totally amazing! The crazy part comes with the fact that they had the same contest the next year and that we almost won again, but there was an issue where they had another 7th caller before us and the call dropped. They put us on hold but said they would be trying to get the original caller back. They did get them back, but they got the answer wrong. But when they came back to us, they said, in keeping with the rules of the contest, they had to disconnect us and take another 7th caller. We tried again, but didn't get through and the next caller won. We did have the right answer though. Ironically, it was friends of ours that won. And we were happy for them, but it was heartbreaking to come so close and not win. Lol. Congrats on winning, and it's great to know that someone actually does win those. Lol. If you have any other winner questions, feel free to ask.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I can't speak for anyone but my own experience but we never ended up receiving a tax bill for the cruise. I'm still not sure how or why. It would likely have been $1000 or so.

You won't receive a "tax bill", but you are supposed to claim the value of the trip on your income tax return as income.

 

[DisneySunPrincess]

You won't receive a "tax bill", but you are supposed to claim the value of the trip on your income tax return as income.

Actually, from my experience with prize winnings, which by the grace of God, I've had a great deal of experience, you always get a 1099 to use on your taxes. That is how you show the proof of income. Without it, because all prize values are estimates of what it could be valued at depending on the time of year and room category, you would not know how much to pay. Our reservation confirmation simply showed a $0 balance.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

Actually, from my experience with prize winnings, which by the grace of God, I've had a great deal of experience, you always get a 1099 to use on your taxes. That is how you show the proof of income. Without it, because all prize values are estimates of what it could be valued at depending on the time of year and room category, you would not know how much to pay. Our reservation confirmation simply showed a $0 balance.

Yes, most times the organization will produce a 1099, and they should, but it doesn't always happen. Even if you don't receive a 1099, you are still responsible for claiming the value of the prize. Not receiving a 1099 doesn't remove the obligation to claim it as income. You would be expected to at least estimate the value. The chances you will get caught by the IRS are very slim, but technically you still owed the tax.