May 14, 2011 - Eastbound TransAtlantic

[RockingTiggers]

Better than the split bath, you have the sea chest storage cabinet (at least in most cat 10s!) On a 14 nighter, storage space is a very good thing!

we went up to 11A had hope for a 10, but got deck 6 mid ship so location is good I think, deck 2 had me concerned with the deck 3 clubs etc.

reviews for this area say elevators are hard to get into, so will be walking stairs up or down 3 decks on the regular, so will help with the cruise weight add on

 

[Can't wait to cruise]

we went up to 11A had hope for a 10, but got deck 6 mid ship so location is good I think, deck 2 had me concerned with the deck 3 clubs etc.

reviews for this area say elevators are hard to get into, so will be walking stairs up or down 3 decks on the regular, so will help with the cruise weight add on

We've normally stayed on deck six and have a family rule that three decks up or down is stairs only. Great exercise, no waiting for elevators and more justification for an extra ice cream. Never had any motion problems in rough seas and we had 20' seas on day on the 07 TA. Never really had a problem with elevators on deck 6 either except when trying to be one of the first ashore on port call days.

We're booked in an 11B on deck 6 just forward of the aft elevators and no upgrade yet.

 

[KrisannB]

Speaking of tips, what do you veteran cruisers suggest for tipping room service? Without having an actual bill to base a percentage off of it is difficult to know what the standard guidelines are. I read a blog that suggested $2, but that seems rather low. Thoughts? Thanks!

We bring $2 bills to tip with (reminds me I need to start collecting them from the bank again) I normally bring about $50 - $74 worth. Any time the kids order from room service they tip $2 - if we are all ordering, like for breakfast, we normally tip $4 - $6 for the order.

I would be interested in knowing about the room service team - do they also work in the dining rooms or are they assigned to room service only? Also are they like servers and only get paid via tips from room service only?


Krisann

 

[Fivepin]

Hello Everyone-

I am not on this paticular cruise, but just found out our friend is. This will be their first Disney cruise. They have always heard of us talking about DCL. My youngest son has really talked their youngest (7) since they have been in the same class for 2 years. She is the one who came running up to me after school to tell me.
I spoke to the mom, but she is a bit overwhelmed right now and didn't think she wanted to venture onto the boards just yet.
I wanted to spread a little pixie dust especially for their daughter to make the trip magical for her. They have 2 older boys late teens so not so much worried about them.

So, I wanted to see if someone could surprise them maybe with a couple of door magnents or something. I didn't get their cabin number yet as I wanted to see if I could get some help here. I think she would be tickled pink to see these little surprises here and there. If needed I can print some up and mail?

I haven't looked on the roster to see if I cruised with any of you before. I will do that too.
I noticed a lanyard list...would it be possible just to get one for the little girl?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I just want their family to have a memorable experience. I know my boys love particiapting in FE exchanges and decorating our door.
Thank you so much.

 

[KrisannB]

Hello Everyone-

I am not on this paticular cruise, but just found out our friend is. This will be their first Disney cruise. They have always heard of us talking about DCL. My youngest son has really talked their youngest (7) since they have been in the same class for 2 years. She is the one who came running up to me after school to tell me.
I spoke to the mom, but she is a bit overwhelmed right now and didn't think she wanted to venture onto the boards just yet.
I wanted to spread a little pixie dust especially for their daughter to make the trip magical for her. They have 2 older boys late teens so not so much worried about them.

So, I wanted to see if someone could surprise them maybe with a couple of door magnents or something. I didn't get their cabin number yet as I wanted to see if I could get some help here. I think she would be tickled pink to see these little surprises here and there. If needed I can print some up and mail?

I haven't looked on the roster to see if I cruised with any of you before. I will do that too.
I noticed a lanyard list...would it be possible just to get one for the little girl?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I just want their family to have a memorable experience. I know my boys love particiapting in FE exchanges and decorating our door.
Thank you so much.

please email me at akblair@charter.net - I would be glad to get them some items, including magnets - I will also tell you about my FE gift and I have enough for their group but I need some info. I am also in charge of the lanyards and we have extras if you think they might like one, especially since this is their first cruise - just minus name tags.

Krisann

Krisann

 

[Symans3honeybees]

we went up to 11A had hope for a 10, but got deck 6 mid ship so location is good I think, deck 2 had me concerned with the deck 3 clubs etc.

reviews for this area say elevators are hard to get into, so will be walking stairs up or down 3 decks on the regular, so will help with the cruise weight add on

Dawn, when did you get assigned? I have never felt so lonely before..

Maggie

 

[TammyAlphabet]

Dawn, when did you get assigned? I have felt so lonely before..

Maggie

Maggie you are not alone. I have not been assigned either.

 

[skoi]

Congratulations to everyone on their upgrades. Hopefully there will be some left at the port for us.

We're really pushing to get the school work done before the cruise. It seems that the one not coming is doing better than his older sister who is coming. Maybe I should take him instead. This, plus college visits and activities for four has kept way too busy to keep up. I'm so unprepared for this cruise.

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Maggie you are not alone. I have not been assigned either.

Oh Tammy, not you too

 

[Winstanik]

we went up to 11A had hope for a 10, but got deck 6 mid ship so location is good I think, deck 2 had me concerned with the deck 3 clubs etc.

reviews for this area say elevators are hard to get into, so will be walking stairs up or down 3 decks on the regular, so will help with the cruise weight add on

Where did you get the reviews for your cabin ? I am trying to find it but can't

Thanks !

 

[seamour]

Speaking of tips, what do you veteran cruisers suggest for tipping room service? Without having an actual bill to base a percentage off of it is difficult to know what the standard guidelines are. I read a blog that suggested $2, but that seems rather low. Thoughts? Thanks!

We will do $2 if the kids are just ordering cookies, they are yummy and warm. If we are ordering an entire meal for all of us we bump it up.

 

[seamour]

we went up to 11A had hope for a 10, but got deck 6 mid ship so location is good I think, deck 2 had me concerned with the deck 3 clubs etc.

reviews for this area say elevators are hard to get into, so will be walking stairs up or down 3 decks on the regular, so will help with the cruise weight add on

With 14 days of food I NEED to be walking the stairs with you!

 

[seamour]

please email me at akblair@charter.net - I would be glad to get them some items, including magnets - I will also tell you about my FE gift and I have enough for their group but I need some info. I am also in charge of the lanyards and we have extras if you think they might like one, especially since this is their first cruise - just minus name tags.

Krisann

Krisann

Krisann you are so sweet!

 

[Purplelv93]

Thank you everyone for the advice!

 

[WClayton]

Just Curious - How does Disney assign table mates? Do they put people without kids together? Can we request this? We love Disney and we love kids, but not so sure that we want to eat with the same kids everynight at our table (especially if they are not well behaved and well mannered). We would prefer more adult conversation and have been fortunate on other cruise lines to have great table mates. I really wish we could eat at a different table everynight and meet lots of people. That way no one is stuck with a couple of duds on a two week cruise. We have main dining this cruise. We like to have a nice cocktail, go to dinner, and then see the nightly show.

 

[RockingTiggers]

Where did you get the reviews for your cabin ? I am trying to find it but can't

Thanks !

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/cruise-new/roomlist.cfm

not a ton there but some

 

[RockingTiggers]

Just Curious - How does Disney assign table mates? Do they put people without kids together? Can we request this? We love Disney and we love kids, but not so sure that we want to eat with the same kids everynight at our table (especially if they are not well behaved and well mannered). We would prefer more adult conversation and have been fortunate on other cruise lines to have great table mates. I really wish we could eat at a different table everynight and meet lots of people. That way no one is stuck with a couple of duds on a two week cruise. We have main dining this cruise. We like to have a nice cocktail, go to dinner, and then see the nightly show.

Thats why i like NCL really i don't want to eat with the same ppl for 14 nights not much to talk about after a night or 2

 

[owensamo]

Speaking of tips, what do you veteran cruisers suggest for tipping room service? Without having an actual bill to base a percentage off of it is difficult to know what the standard guidelines are. I read a blog that suggested $2, but that seems rather low. Thoughts? Thanks!

You know, I was thinking about this just the other day. We usually tip $1/item ordered. However, I was wondering if we wouldn't be better off tipping Euros rather than Dollars for this particular cruise. I assume the crew can change money on the ship, but wondered if European currency might not be better for them in the short term, since they'll be in Europe for the summer.

Amanda

 

[strawberryblonde]

You know, I was thinking about this just the other day. We usually tip $1/item ordered. However, I was wondering if we wouldn't be better off tipping Euros rather than Dollars for this particular cruise. I assume the crew can change money on the ship, but wondered if European currency might not be better for them in the short term, since they'll be in Europe for the summer.

Amanda

That is what we did last year when we did the Med....tipped room service with 2 Euro coins instead of 2 dollar bills

 

[strawberryblonde]

Just Curious - How does Disney assign table mates? Do they put people without kids together? Can we request this? We love Disney and we love kids, but not so sure that we want to eat with the same kids everynight at our table (especially if they are not well behaved and well mannered). We would prefer more adult conversation and have been fortunate on other cruise lines to have great table mates. I really wish we could eat at a different table everynight and meet lots of people. That way no one is stuck with a couple of duds on a two week cruise. We have main dining this cruise. We like to have a nice cocktail, go to dinner, and then see the nightly show.

I've read in many trip reports, of couples being seated with other couples. Most have positive experiences. It wouldn't hurt to call and request this, it may help your chances. I enjoy seeing the show after dinner too. I also tend to get hungry earlier rather than later, so I've never tried late dining. Good luck!