heart4dis
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2002
- Messages
- 552
I had lunch w/a friend who returned from a 7-day cruise in August. I wanted to "pick her brain" since I haven't been on a DCL yet (I've been on Windstar).
A few notes:
* she forgot to pack a beach bag, but she didn't mind. She bought one as a souvenir and used it.
* She packed 50 extra ziplock bags and was glad she did. She used them for pool items, kids' stuff, and for packing smelly underwear and socks in the luggage for the return flight among other things
* She said on CC day, they took their time, waited for the crowds to clear, ate a leisurely breakfast and still made it to the beach by 9:30 AM (plenty of time for the day). She figured she wouldn't get a chair, but THEY DID!
* She said the best thing her DH and DS did was rent bikes at CC. THey were only $6 and the two of them had a blast. They said the island was beautiful.
* Their dinner partners were....interesting, but they made the most of it.
* She packed everything on hangers (even managed to get the kids' shorts sets on hangers) and was glad she did. She said there was adequate closet space but not a lot of drawer space (they had a verandah, but I'm not sure exactly what category they were). She said the hangers made it easy to unpack and even re-pack. They hung up their dirty clothes again then just packed them in the suitcases.
* She and her DH were disappointed with a few things, having been on other cruises. They liked the late dinner seating, but wanted an option of a later dinner show (one that followed the late dinner seating). They have two children DS10, DD5. [I personally couldn't see our kids eating that late then sitting through a late show, but I guess her family is on a different schedule!]
* She said the dueling piano pianists were actually rude. (?)
* She loved the availability of characters. Her DD5 told Cinderella, "I'm so sorry your stepmother was so mean to you." She told Captain Hook, "Captain Hook, Please don't hurt Tinkerbelle. She is soooooo wittle!"
* Their DS made friends and had a great time.
* They really enjoyed their verandah. They recommend ordering room service coffee each morning and enjoying it on the verandah.
* She didnt' see how the over the door shoe bag would work at all!
* She said their was a chest with shelves that they kept all their shoes in and it worked well.
* They didn't do any excursions.
* They enjoyed snorkeling at CC (they brought their own snorkeling gear). She had tried to get DD5 used to snorkeling before leaving home, but DD never liked it. After the trip, DD saw the underwater pix the others took and regretted not trying harder!
* One tip: don't get out of line for character signings! My friend told her family to wait in line as she stepped out for a second and of course they all followed her. She was not allowed back in line...
(She had been at the cut-off but there was a change in CMs...)
* They loved the surprises each night left for them by their room steward.
A few notes:
* she forgot to pack a beach bag, but she didn't mind. She bought one as a souvenir and used it.
* She packed 50 extra ziplock bags and was glad she did. She used them for pool items, kids' stuff, and for packing smelly underwear and socks in the luggage for the return flight among other things
* She said on CC day, they took their time, waited for the crowds to clear, ate a leisurely breakfast and still made it to the beach by 9:30 AM (plenty of time for the day). She figured she wouldn't get a chair, but THEY DID!
* She said the best thing her DH and DS did was rent bikes at CC. THey were only $6 and the two of them had a blast. They said the island was beautiful.
* Their dinner partners were....interesting, but they made the most of it.
* She packed everything on hangers (even managed to get the kids' shorts sets on hangers) and was glad she did. She said there was adequate closet space but not a lot of drawer space (they had a verandah, but I'm not sure exactly what category they were). She said the hangers made it easy to unpack and even re-pack. They hung up their dirty clothes again then just packed them in the suitcases.
* She and her DH were disappointed with a few things, having been on other cruises. They liked the late dinner seating, but wanted an option of a later dinner show (one that followed the late dinner seating). They have two children DS10, DD5. [I personally couldn't see our kids eating that late then sitting through a late show, but I guess her family is on a different schedule!]
* She said the dueling piano pianists were actually rude. (?)
* She loved the availability of characters. Her DD5 told Cinderella, "I'm so sorry your stepmother was so mean to you." She told Captain Hook, "Captain Hook, Please don't hurt Tinkerbelle. She is soooooo wittle!"
* Their DS made friends and had a great time.
* They really enjoyed their verandah. They recommend ordering room service coffee each morning and enjoying it on the verandah.
* She didnt' see how the over the door shoe bag would work at all!
* She said their was a chest with shelves that they kept all their shoes in and it worked well.
* They didn't do any excursions.
* They enjoyed snorkeling at CC (they brought their own snorkeling gear). She had tried to get DD5 used to snorkeling before leaving home, but DD never liked it. After the trip, DD saw the underwater pix the others took and regretted not trying harder!
* One tip: don't get out of line for character signings! My friend told her family to wait in line as she stepped out for a second and of course they all followed her. She was not allowed back in line...
(She had been at the cut-off but there was a change in CMs...)* They loved the surprises each night left for them by their room steward.
