Jonnygib
Jonnygib
- Joined
- Aug 23, 1999
- Messages
- 67
Here are my notes from the cruise that I just got back from (June 7th 5 Night on the Dream).
Rebook your next cruise while on board. The 10% DCL rebooking discount can't be beat. Plus, they give you a onboard room credit for your next cruise, and so does Dreams Unlimited if you list them as your travel agent when you rebook onboard. Thanks Dreams Unlimited Travel!
Take one evening break from supper/main show to hang out and ride the aqua duck, etc. The hours around 1st and 2nd dining/shows are a great time to hit the pools and the duck.
Go to Shutters on day before last cruise day. Crowds will be outrageous otherwise if you wait until last day.
Schedule anything with picture taking prior to last day or two so that when you go to pay for them, they are all already there. If you don't, you'll be heading back in the midst of the mad rush to Shutters on the last night.
If doing anything related to snorkeling, practice at home first if you can. Our six year old freaked out and it did not make for an enjoyable experience.
We lived in swimsuits and comfortable clothes so don't pack all of those darn outfits, dresses, etc.
Go to Guest Services day before last day to settle up and check your bill.
Watch your last day bill. Disney over charged numerous families in our group for extra checked luggage. Fix before this before you leave the boat if you can.
Use the room ottoman as a clothes hamper throughout week.
On last evening, go to the early show (4pm show) to allow earlier time in evening to pack so that later time in evening can be spent relaxing, hopefully.
Get Navigators ahead of cruise and plan out events better. If you don't, you'll constantly be thinking, "what am I missing", if you're like me. Review and plan with those Navigators that people are posting. Things won't be exactly the same for your cruise, but should be pretty close.
Don't overpack. Take the minimums or your life will be hectic trying to repack before u leave the ship, AND your room will be a mess because of all the extra stuff and small room sizes. Make minimalistic packing a priority!
Find unique ideas for cutting back on what u take. Throw out all of the advice on all of the junk from home to pack (over the door shoe holders included - no flaming please). After you are done packing, like many many many others have said, take 20-30% back out of your luggage and don't take it.
As u get bags packed, place them on the balcony to free up space in your room and to stage bags.
Figure out tipping for Palo and Remy before you go. We tipped $20 for a table of two at Palo. Hope it was enough, but think that it was based on other posts I've read. I tried to think of it like this...what is the value of this meal if I went out to a nice restaurant and had what I had tonight... I figured around $100 in my town so I tipped $20.00. This is just my thinking, other's might see this differently and that's okay. Remy, I'd think that the tipping should be double for this experience. Just my thoughts.
If you see something in the ship stores that u want, buy it then!. It may be sold out later like they were with the $28.00 resin ship models of the Dream that I wanted so bad. This really really bummed me out!!!! Do not think that you can come back later and they'll put more out. This is not always the case. I asked them about this and they said that, yes, they sometimes have extra in the back, but many times they don't.
Aquaduck was totally empty, but running at 8:00pm on the last night. Was told by a CM that it will pick up a little around 10:00pm, but not much. It was open until midnight on the last night of the cruise. Great time to go ride it over and over.
Shutters was very busy earlier the last night, but around 6:45 it was nearly empty. Was told by a Cast Member that it would be unbearable from 10-12pm on the last night.
Palo. Go! The chocolate soufflé was outstanding. On next trip be sure to go to Palo more often, or with another couple. Also, consider going to Remy one night with just spouse.
Pictures - next trip go 30-40 minutes earlier than supper time to have family pictures taken. Make it a point to have pictures taken everywhere up until two nights before end of cruise. This includes character meet and greets. Remember the photo deals. 20 credits for $149.00. One 8x10 = 2 credits, one 6x8 = 1 credit. Without enough pictures that u want, photo deals don't work and you get stuck buying them outright without a deal. We will definitely have picture taking as a priority next time.
You have to have your checked airline bags in hallway between 8pm and 10:30pm on last night. This includes checked bathroom room items, some of which you may have wanted for in the morning, but now you won't have access to. Might want to pack travel size shaving cream, hairspray, etc. (or bottles that are almost empty so u can just throw them away in morning), to be used that last morning since your checked bags will be gone.
Still many areas left to explore: spa, Edge, Vibe, teen pool area, adult dance club, lookout on deck 14. Try to check them out before you leave.
Play the Mid-Ship Detective Agency game with your kids. Good fun!
Make a list like this to post here for your Internet friends when you get home.
Rebook your next cruise while on board. The 10% DCL rebooking discount can't be beat. Plus, they give you a onboard room credit for your next cruise, and so does Dreams Unlimited if you list them as your travel agent when you rebook onboard. Thanks Dreams Unlimited Travel!
Take one evening break from supper/main show to hang out and ride the aqua duck, etc. The hours around 1st and 2nd dining/shows are a great time to hit the pools and the duck.
Go to Shutters on day before last cruise day. Crowds will be outrageous otherwise if you wait until last day.
Schedule anything with picture taking prior to last day or two so that when you go to pay for them, they are all already there. If you don't, you'll be heading back in the midst of the mad rush to Shutters on the last night.
If doing anything related to snorkeling, practice at home first if you can. Our six year old freaked out and it did not make for an enjoyable experience.
We lived in swimsuits and comfortable clothes so don't pack all of those darn outfits, dresses, etc.
Go to Guest Services day before last day to settle up and check your bill.
Watch your last day bill. Disney over charged numerous families in our group for extra checked luggage. Fix before this before you leave the boat if you can.
Use the room ottoman as a clothes hamper throughout week.
On last evening, go to the early show (4pm show) to allow earlier time in evening to pack so that later time in evening can be spent relaxing, hopefully.
Get Navigators ahead of cruise and plan out events better. If you don't, you'll constantly be thinking, "what am I missing", if you're like me. Review and plan with those Navigators that people are posting. Things won't be exactly the same for your cruise, but should be pretty close.
Don't overpack. Take the minimums or your life will be hectic trying to repack before u leave the ship, AND your room will be a mess because of all the extra stuff and small room sizes. Make minimalistic packing a priority!
Find unique ideas for cutting back on what u take. Throw out all of the advice on all of the junk from home to pack (over the door shoe holders included - no flaming please). After you are done packing, like many many many others have said, take 20-30% back out of your luggage and don't take it.
As u get bags packed, place them on the balcony to free up space in your room and to stage bags.
Figure out tipping for Palo and Remy before you go. We tipped $20 for a table of two at Palo. Hope it was enough, but think that it was based on other posts I've read. I tried to think of it like this...what is the value of this meal if I went out to a nice restaurant and had what I had tonight... I figured around $100 in my town so I tipped $20.00. This is just my thinking, other's might see this differently and that's okay. Remy, I'd think that the tipping should be double for this experience. Just my thoughts.
If you see something in the ship stores that u want, buy it then!. It may be sold out later like they were with the $28.00 resin ship models of the Dream that I wanted so bad. This really really bummed me out!!!! Do not think that you can come back later and they'll put more out. This is not always the case. I asked them about this and they said that, yes, they sometimes have extra in the back, but many times they don't.
Aquaduck was totally empty, but running at 8:00pm on the last night. Was told by a CM that it will pick up a little around 10:00pm, but not much. It was open until midnight on the last night of the cruise. Great time to go ride it over and over.
Shutters was very busy earlier the last night, but around 6:45 it was nearly empty. Was told by a Cast Member that it would be unbearable from 10-12pm on the last night.
Palo. Go! The chocolate soufflé was outstanding. On next trip be sure to go to Palo more often, or with another couple. Also, consider going to Remy one night with just spouse.
Pictures - next trip go 30-40 minutes earlier than supper time to have family pictures taken. Make it a point to have pictures taken everywhere up until two nights before end of cruise. This includes character meet and greets. Remember the photo deals. 20 credits for $149.00. One 8x10 = 2 credits, one 6x8 = 1 credit. Without enough pictures that u want, photo deals don't work and you get stuck buying them outright without a deal. We will definitely have picture taking as a priority next time.
You have to have your checked airline bags in hallway between 8pm and 10:30pm on last night. This includes checked bathroom room items, some of which you may have wanted for in the morning, but now you won't have access to. Might want to pack travel size shaving cream, hairspray, etc. (or bottles that are almost empty so u can just throw them away in morning), to be used that last morning since your checked bags will be gone.
Still many areas left to explore: spa, Edge, Vibe, teen pool area, adult dance club, lookout on deck 14. Try to check them out before you leave.
Play the Mid-Ship Detective Agency game with your kids. Good fun!
Make a list like this to post here for your Internet friends when you get home.
haha. I found myself playing it one night when i couldn't pry my kids out of the club! 
