MR October 28, 2012 "Halloween Time"

[Kidlette]

Hey all!

Can't believe it is getting closer (Not packed yet - but I did order our costumes). I think we're going to watch her sail off next Sunday from San Pedro.

We did have one small update:

CONGRATULATIONS!!

Hi,

I just wanted to ask if there is a way to have a prepaid gratuity (prepay before the cruise). How does it go and how does it work? Will it come out cheaper?

Thanks!

You can prepay them - or - at least you used to be able to. Just call the cruise line and say you want to add prepaid gratuities, they add it to your reservation, and you pay for them before the sailing. I think they are about $12 per person per day but the cruise line will tell you when you call. And no - you do not get a "break" on them. Also keep in mind that Disney is one of very few cruise line's who actually gives you the option of paying or not paying the gratuities. Most cruise line's charge you and you can't get out of them. Disney believes that you should only tip if you believe they deserve it. Therefore, when you sail they automatically attach gratituies to your end bill. However - at the end of the sailing you can go to the desk and ask them to be removed. Mind you - I would hope people don't do this. The workers on the ship only make a couple of dollars an hour plus tips - they do NOT get a U.S. minimum wage. Remember that the ship is registered in the Bahamas so it's the Bahamian labor guidelines that have to be followed, NOT U.S. guidelines. Most people will over tip come the end of the cruise. Also keep in mind that on the cruise they give you little envelopes - one for each person to get the tip. That means that if you want to tip the waiter more than the Matre D (because we all know he never does anything), then you can tip according to how you think they should be tipped. In the event you do decide to prepay the gratuities you will still get an envelope at the end of the sailing, your envelopes will just have the pre-paid amount for each person.

Here is a break-down per Disney on what they "recommend"
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/faqs/onboard-services/gratuities/

As a side note - when determining what you think they should make, keep in mind that you can't base it on an 8 hour work day. The schedule for these people is 6 months at sea working 7 days a week! NO JOKE. Their only "down time" is in port (if they are not working while in port), they can sometimes go into town to get supplies or things they need. Otherwise, most of them work about 16 hours a day and literally 7 days a week for 6 months! Trust me, they deserve Disney's recommendation and then some

Hope that helps!

 

[MickeyMinnie2Kids]

Hope that helps![/QUOTE]

Thanks as always for the info, Kidlette!
Yeah I know how it is to be working in a cruise ship...I have a few friends who work for a cruise line.

That was what I was wondering too - how about if you want to give more to a certain person? Oh, so they give out envelopes for each person.

Based on your experience, what is your advise on when and how to settle our "in-ship" account?

Thanks!

~mickeyminnie2kids~

 

[Kidlette]

Thanks as always for the info, Kidlette!
Yeah I know how it is to be working in a cruise ship...I have a few friends who work for a cruise line.

That was what I was wondering too - how about if you want to give more to a certain person? Oh, so they give out envelopes for each person.

Based on your experience, what is your advise on when and how to settle our "in-ship" account?

Thanks!

~mickeyminnie2kids~

This is how it works: they give you a slip and you fill out the amount you want to give to each person. They take the slip back that night and those amounts are put on your account. The next day they give you 1 envelope for each person and each envelope has a little print out of the amount for that specific person; then, you hand it to them personally that day/night.

You can only settle your account the last night, you can't do it earlier. You can however give cash instead of a credit card at the beginning if you want to watch what you spend. For instance, if you want to only spend $500 then you give them that cash instead of a card at the beginning/registration. Then, when you reach that limit they let you know and you can add more...or not. If you don't spend it all then you get the rest back.

 

[sica1799]

Pls send me the graphics for the Disney Cruise Mexican Riviera Oct. 28, 2012.
My email address:
mickeyminnie2kids
@hotmail.com

Thank you!

Sent!

 

[kindsoul73]

The list is continually updated on page 1 of the board. It's the 2nd post on page 1. Please find the FULL AND FINAL list there.

Jessica,
You're gonna kill me! Would you please add our names to our cabin? (Does that make sense? Need coffee! Kali (7) and Brody (5), so that we all know their names? I didn't realize people would be doing personalized things.
Thanks!
Oh, and I am Mindi. Thank you.

 

[sica1799]

On ship we wanted to pay ours & get it out of the way & we couldn't do it till I wanna saay day 4 or 5. They gave us a form to fill out on who gets what. We filled it out & then they gave us these little tickets. One went in the envelope to give out & one we kept as a reciept. Some of our table mates did theirs in cash.

 

[kindsoul73]

Hey all!

Can't believe it is getting closer (Not packed yet - but I did order our costumes). I think we're going to watch her sail off next Sunday from San Pedro.

We did have one small update:

OMG!!! Congrats!!!

 

[kindsoul73]

Sent!

Hey girl,
Can you send me the graphic too?
You have my email address. Thanks!

 

[sica1799]

Hey girl,
Can you send me the graphic too?
You have my email address. Thanks!

Sent!

 

[sica1799]

Hey all!

Can't believe it is getting closer (Not packed yet - but I did order our costumes). I think we're going to watch her sail off next Sunday from San Pedro.

We did have one small update:

Soooo cute! Congrats!!

 

[Kidlette]

Jessica,
You're gonna kill me! Would you please add our names to our cabin? (Does that make sense? Need coffee! Kali (7) and Brody (5), so that we all know their names? I didn't realize people would be doing personalized things.
Thanks!
Oh, and I am Mindi. Thank you.

lol, I don't know how I'm killing you, but ok.
Your names have been updated.
Let me know if you need anything else

 

[MickelMouse]

I am officially less stressed and so excited that I can hardly stand it. We bought the themed costumes for the family. We are all dressed as a character from Alice in Wonderland.

 

[AmanduhAnn]

I am officially less stressed and so excited that I can hardly stand it. We bought the themed costumes for the family. We are all dressed as a character from Alice in Wonderland.

No way! We are too!!!

 

[sica1799]

How cute!!!!

 

[MickelMouse]

No way! We are too!!!

Wow good minds think alike. My 6 year old is the red queen, my 12 yr old is the cheshire cat, my mom is the white rabbit, my husband is the mad hatter and I am Alice. To fun! What characters did you pick.

 

[kindsoul73]

Wow, that is funny!
Thanks, Jess, for sending me the graphic. It is awesome!

 

[AmanduhAnn]

Wow good minds think alike. My 6 year old is the red queen, my 12 yr old is the cheshire cat, my mom is the white rabbit, my husband is the mad hatter and I am Alice. To fun! What characters did you pick.

My 6 y/o is Alice, I am the Cheshire Cat, my sister is queen of hearts, my BIL and his sister are tweedle dee and tweedle dum and our friend is the white rabbit

 

[MickelMouse]

My 6 y/o is Alice, I am the Cheshire Cat, my sister is queen of hearts, my BIL and his sister are tweedle dee and tweedle dum and our friend is the white rabbit

That's exciting. I can't wait to see everyone. Very cool!!

 

[MickeyMinnie2Kids]

Sent!

Thank you!

 

[MickeyMinnie2Kids]

Hi!

Any ideas as to when the Onboard Halloween Trick or Treat will be held?
Hope they'll have it on the 31st Oct.