Totally lost and confused....

[cra-z-4-dizney]

OK, I wanted to start planning our first cruise for October 28, 2006, but after reading these threads I am a bit overwhelmed. If someone can help me or point me in the right direction to get me started I would greatly appritiate it.

Ok, first things first...how early should I book??
I am a little confused with the dining arrangments if someone can explain that to me, and also the tipping on board.
Also, how do you book the activities...and a really, really stupid question...what is an excursion??? (please don't laugh...lol) Is there a Disney Cruise for dummies book, cause I think I really need it.
What is a KTTY card, and do you have to have a credit card...and how much open credit on it and what do they use it for?? OK, now that I have bombarded you guys..and gals with questions...PLEASE HELP THIS NEWBIE CRUISER BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!!!!!!!

 

[lindakmonty]

If you already know the date you want... you're doing good. I would go to cruisecompete.com and you will get bids...that is how I found the best price...

you rotate to different restaurant every night, they may seat you with another couple or family usually having children same ages as yours so they can talk and make friends and parents have things in common...

an excursion are activities you do while at port... "snorkeling, swim w/ dolphins etc."

there are several books, but you can find about anything right here free and you can search up top as well and find past threads with valueable info!

tips on board, for me its easiest to go to guest services and put on your credit card, they give you a ticket to put in their envelope and you're done!

KTTW is Key to the world, you tie your credit card to it and use it for purchases, and key to get in your room etc. you only have to have enough credit to cover anything you purchase on board... and there is no atm!

don't change your mind you will LOVE IT!! feel free to pm ... sometimes people feel better once they have ?'s answered... no biggie you're in the RIGHT place !

 

[webray]

.....

OK, I wanted to start planning our first cruise for October 28, 2006, but after reading these threads I am a bit overwhelmed. If someone can help me or point me in the right direction to get me started I would greatly appritiate it.

Ok, first things first...how early should I book??

The earlier you book the better with disney because it will be cheaper. Shop around..the price differences can be quite substantial between disney and travel agents.

I am a little confused with the dining arrangments if someone can explain that to me,
Dining arrangements are easy...There are three dining rooms, you go to a different one each night. You will be assiged this when you board the ship. You have the same table number in each dining room. Each dining room serves the same menu every night. There is also an adult only restaurant which requires a reservation, paying a fee per person to eat there, and tipping them individually.

and also the tipping on board.
There is a suggested tip amount, per person for your stateroom host, head server, asst server, and dining room manager person. We always tip extra. You pay the tips on your last night either in person (cash), or have them charged to your stateroom account.

Also, how do you book the activities...and a really, really stupid question...what is an excursion???

An excursion is like a mini trip/tour/activity in the ports that you visit. You may or may not want to book these. You can check out what is offered on disneycruise.com. We mostly do not book excursions, especially if it is our first time somewhere, we like to explore on our own.

(please don't laugh...lol) Is there a Disney Cruise for dummies book, cause I think I really need it.
What is a KTTY card,
Key to the world card is your room card and charge card on the ship. You use it for everything, including getting on and off the ship. No cash is used on the ship at all.

and do you have to have a credit card...
You don't have to have a credit card, we sometimes use a credit card, sometimes our debit card. Both work fine. The open credit amount depends on how much you are going to spend on the ship on extras. Pictures, special coffees, adult dining, spa, etc.

and how much open credit on it and what do they use it for??
The card is used for everything on the ship that you do extra, including excursions. Everything over what is included in the crsuie price. The ship is entirely cashless.

OK, now that I have bombarded you guys..and gals with questions...PLEASE HELP THIS NEWBIE CRUISER BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!!!!!!!

 

[mmouse37]

Welcome to the cruise board!!! You will learn tons of info just by reading these boards so don't dispair or feel overwhelmed.....

Start slow....

First suggestion is to book as soon as you can....prices only go up on DCL...hardly ever go down, so booking early can save you money and guarantee you a cabin where you want it.

Dining is different than other cruise lines but wonderful. There are 3 main restaurants onboard...each night you rotate through a different one, keeping your same servers and table. Imagine the passengers broken down in thrids....1/3 of the passengers each start off in a different dining room and rotate each night to a different dining room. You will be assigned a rotation so you don't have to worry about booking any dining rooms. Then there is Palo which is an 18 and over restaurant...that you do need a separate ressie for.

Most activities onboard you just show up for. If a sign up is required it will be listed in your Navigator (a daily onboard newletter that tell you exactly what is happening every hour of the day).

An excursion is a trip off the ship when you are in one of the ports....it can be a Disney sponsored excursion or you can do them on your own. Examples would be horseback riding in Cozumel, snorkeling in St. Thomas, Harbor cruise in Cabo San Lucas, etc. There is a list of all shore excursions for each port at the DCL website.

Tipping is done traditionally on the last night of the cruise. There are recommeded amounts to tip your head server, server, assistant server, room steward (takes care of your room). The link will show you what each recommeded amount is for that person and you would mulitply that by how many people in your party. The calculator will figure out the total amount to tip...just add the correct number of people in the blanks. Tipping can be done in cash or can be charged to your onboard account and you will receive vouchers to put in the tip envelopes (provided to you in your stateroom) to hand to the Cast Members.

A KTTW card is a credit card sized card that you do all your onboard purchasing with, it is also your room key and your onboard I.D. You will need this each time you leave and reboard the ship along with a photo I.D. if you are over 18. If you have ever been to WDW...it is the same card as their room key. You can put cash against this onboard or link it to a credit card. I am not sure how much credit you need to have on it, but I would guess enough to anticipate how much you will spend onboard.

Again there are no stupid questions and it will all fall into place.

Hope this helps you get started. Keep reading this board and a good book is called the Passporter to Disney Cruise Line. It can be purchased at most book stores or directly from www.passporter.com

MJ

 

[lbgraves]

If you would feel better having everything in a book to learn it I recommend the Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and it's Caribbean Ports of Call. That book has gone with us for reference on both cruises. It has a little of everything in it and you can read it in categories instead of hopping thru threads.

 

[cass'mom]

Welcome!

Definitely keep reading the boards here, as everyone is great and has massive knowledge! Do searches to find the specifics...

I defintiely have to second mmouse 37 with the suggestion about buying the Passporter. It's great for those times you can't be on the computer and need to check on something. It also allows you to write your plans in it and if you buy the deluxe it has pockets to keep important info as well as journal...

 

[Cruella de mom]

You are taking a step in the right direction just being here! All your questions will be answered, even the ones you haven't though of.

I would definately plan on taking either a credit or debit card. I read on some other thread the approximate amounts people spent on board that was helpful for budgeting. Also know that everyone will need a passport and that adds close to $100 per person ahead of time.

We don't do shore excursions either, we like to spend a couple hours exploring the port then hop back on board the ship. However, Disney has a fantastic array of interesting things to do at each port so definately check them out.

Keep reading and have a great trip!

 

[auntie k]

Hang in there - this board will help! I planned my whole trip soley based on input from this board.

I didn't find the passporter all that helpful - everything it covers is on here and from someone who most likely recently took the cruise. I prefer this method, however, a book is not a bad idea.

Pace yourself - some of us prefer to do things commando style and some a little more laid back....choose whatever fits your lifestyle/mode of vacation.

 

[jrabbit]

Your First Question is: When To Book: The easy and correct answer is: As Soon As Possible Like others have said, prices only will go up.

And there are a couple of passenger restraints that you can run into (in other words, the ship sells out and you won't be able to book passage.
First: all of the rooms sell out (that's the most obvious).
Second that does happen from time to time: All of the Kids Clubs spaces fill up (the adults can get a room, but the children can't because they only allow so many kids in each age group so that the club and lab are not overrun with too many children)
Third that happens almost never happens: Rooms still available, but due to the number of people in the currently booked rooms, there is not space available on the life boats.

 

[jrabbit]

Things to know about dinning

1) Seating: Main (6:00) or Late (8:30) (Now on the Wonder they are experimenting with some alternate times)
2) Rotation: Which dinning room that night. On the Magic the restaurants are: Lumiere's, Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay so the three rotations are LAPLAPL or APLAPLA or PLAPLAP and on the Wonder the restaurants are: Tritons's, Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay so the three rotations are TAP or APT or PTA.

** NOTE: At this point in time I don't know what DCL is doing on the 4 night cruises - so you will want to check this info out.**

If you are on the 4 night cruise DCL has now changed the rotation again (2nd time) to having the third and fourth restaurant the same (in other words - the last two nights in the same restaurant). So the rotations are as of March 13, 2005: TAPP, APTT and PTAA (this is the way it was way back in the beginning in '98-'99). And Pirates Night is on the third night (Tuesday). Note1: early in 2005 DCL change to having the first 2 nights in the same restaurant (ie. TTAP, AAPT and PPTA) because of the new Pirates Night show/buffett. Note2: BEFORE Pirates Night the rotation on the 4 nighter was TAPT, APTA and PTAP.

3) Table Number: (same table number in all of the dinning rooms) There are NOT any tables for 2. Tables seat from 4 to 16.
4) Your Serving Team: they will be with you for all of your rotational dinning
5) Your Tablemates: Most families will share a table with other families. They will be with you for dinner in all of the rotational dinning rooms (so get to know them - you have 3 to 7 nights to make new friends)
6) Tipping (it's an entire topic in and of itself!!): On the ship you do NOT need to tip the waitstaff at every meal (and it's not expected). Tipping happens on the last night of the cruise (you tip YOUR dinner staff: Server, Asst. Server, Head Waiter). Other than dinner, you will most likely have other servers than your assigned servers. You do not need to tip them. The published gratuity "chart" assumes that your tip will cover not only your dinners but all other meals as well (because your waitstaff is working someplace on the ship at all meals).

NOTE: For Breakfast and Lunch you do NOT have assigned times or locations. You are free to go to any venue that is serving that meal

 

[jrabbit]

Gratuities: Everything you wanted to know about tipping!

I've read that you can charge your tips to your stateroom acct. Does that mean you could actually charges the tips to a credit card?

Yes. Everything on the ship gets charged to your room. You can pay off your room charge with cash, credit card, debit card, travelers check, first born, etc..

I saw someone saying there was a line to charge the tips - can anyone clarify how this works for me?

1)When you order room service there is a line on the receipt that you can add a tip to (it used to be that you had to tip in cash to the server - recently (in the last year or so) DCL has added this capability to their system. 2)When you order drinks where there is a charge ("adult" beverages, smoothies, soda not at dinner, virgin "adult" beverages, bottled water) DCL automatically adds a 15% gratuity charge that you cannot remove. There is a line where you can add more if you want to.

It was mentioned you get tipping envelopes (do they deliver them to your cabin or do you need to pick them up somewhere)?

Generally your room steward will place the gratuity envelopes on your bed the night before your last night of the cruise (i.e. 7 night cruise from Saturday to Saturday-last dinner Friday- you will get the envelopes delivered while you are at dinner on Thursday)

Also vouchers were mentioned (what does that mean)?

You can go to Guest Services and charge your gratuities (for the required tipped positions) to your room. They give you two slips of paper - one is a receipt for your records and the second is the voucher that you place in your tip envelope. You give Guest Services your room number and they KNOW who your server, asst. server, head server and room steward are. Their names/positions print out on the voucher so that you know which envelope to place each voucher in. Also, since tipping is not customary in Europe, sometimes the packages they purchase will include vouchers for the tips.

Who do you tip, how much?

Your Server (takes your food order and brings you your food), Assistant Server (takes your beverage order, brings the bread to the table and assists the server in delivering your food, head server (the person that makes sure that your server and assistant servers are doing their jobs. Also comes around on the last night and introduces them self and says "remember to tip me please” ) and Room Steward (Cleans up your room several times per day, brings you ice for your cooler, usually makes towel animals, turns down your bed and makes up the couch into a bed and sets up the pull down bed every evening. We've found these folks to be some of the nicest/friendliest people working for you.

Now for the how much (the following amounts are PER GUEST (including children) for THE ENTIRE cruise). This is from DCL's web site.
What about gratuities? (September 2004)
We'll make it easy. It is customary to give gratuities in recognition of service, which you will most likely be treated to in abundance aboard the ship. As a guideline, may we suggest the following:


Per Guest per cruise______3-Night____4-Night____7-Night
......Dining Room Server___11.00______14.75______25.75
Dining Room Asst. Server____8.00______10.75______18.75
.Dining Room Head Server____2.75_______3.75_______6.50
..Stateroom Host/Hostess___10.75______14.50______25.25

Dining Manager: Your Discretion
Room Service: Your Discretion
Palo: Gratuity Included (this is new - May 2005) (BUT many of us here are VERY, VERY suspect of this - I would tip over and above the "service charge" for Palo)
Vista Spa and Salon - Your Discretion
Babysitting: Gratuity NOT expected
Shore Excurisions: Optional; NOT included in shore excursion price (if you tip, you will want to have some cash with you tip your excursion operators)

For your convenience, a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine, and deck service tabs. All gratuities can be charged to your room charge.
At the Walt Disney World® Resort, 15% is the customary gratuity at restaurants and bars.

------------
This is me again to give a real world example

So if there are 3 of you on a four night cruise your tips would be:

Server________3*14.75 = 44.25
Asst. Server__3*10.75 = 32.25
Head Server___3* 3.75 = 11.25
Stateroom_____3*14.50 = 43.50
________________Total: 131.25

So here is how the tips break down PER GUEST
3 Night Cruise - $10.83 per day or $32.50 for the cruise
4 Night Cruise - $10.94 per day or $43.75 for the cruise
7 Night Cruise - $10.89 per day or $76.25 for the cruise

How do I find the current tipping guide?

Go to the DCL web site and do a search. Be sure to search for "Gratuities" NOT tip. Then to FAQ and onto the topic "What about gratuities?"

Do I really have to tip?

The truthful answer (legal) is no. The real answer (ethical) is absolutely. Many of us here use this guide as the minimum tip. Many tip a little over these recommended amounts and many more tip a lot over these amounts. If you receive very poor service from any of these positions you should tip less than the recommended amount AND make an appropriate comment on the comment cards that DCL requests us to fill out at the end of our cruise. If you received a "way above and beyond the call of duty" service from ANY cast member - be sure to comment about them too!

Should I tip my waiters at breakfast and lunch?

No - it's not required nor expected. If (and it's a BIG if) everyone tips to the published gratuity guide then all of the wait staff gets tipped for all meals because in reality your wait staff is working breakfast, lunch, dinner and special events (late night deserts, desert buffet, other buffets). Your standard tip covers breakfast, lunch and dinner for the entire cruise - what a deal!!

Also, when is the best time to pay the tips? Do you hand each person their envelope on the last evening? Is it awkward doing that?

For the waitstaff when you are at the last dinner. No, it's not awkward - it's when they expect it. For me it's been an emotional time too because generally speaking your Server and Assistant Server are very good and you've had a chance to get to know them AND the end of your cruise is near. For your room steward, just find him/her sometime on the last evening and HAND them your tip.

When should I tip my Room Steward?

I like to hand my room steward their tip on the last evening of the cruise or the next morning. This is the best way to make sure that YOUR room steward receives the tip (especially if CASH is involved). It has been brought to our attention that if you leave the room stewards tip in your room they might not receive it. Why? Because extra help comes onboard to help clean up the rooms (remember Disney is doing a 4hr turnaround on the ship - wow!). This extra "help" will frequently pocket any cash left in the room for the steward, so that YOUR steward won't receive it - some stranger will.

What other reason are there for tipping?

Well, that’s how these folks get paid. DCL only pays these people about $50 per MONTH (yes month, not day, not week). Granted they also get room and board. But they usually work 16-17 hours per day 7 days a week

Anyone else we should tip?

Glad you asked. On embarkation and debarkation days porters are available to assist you with your luggage. Be sure to tip them $1 or $2 per bag. If you use their service when disembarking (and you should - they'll help you through customs) and if they take you out to the far parking lot or where the shuttles load, considering tipping them more because they will be taking longer helping you and won't be able to help as many guests.

What about gratuities for the Counselors in the kids clubs?

This info was provided by DonaldFan70 - a former Counselor and Club Manager on DCL. The Counselors are NO Longer considered a non-tipped position BUT they are NOT set up with a gratuity system like the servers / asst. servers, etc. Even though you can/should tip them, all cash tips are pooled and used for department functions and any non-cash gifts (phone cards, gift cards, and BTW they love candy - but not gum - the captian frowns upon gum) are pooled to use as prizes at department functions. If you want a non-cash gift to go to a specific counselor you must let the manager know so that it does not get pooled. BTW - CM's must report all gifts and gratuities to their department leader / manager (DCL Company Policy)

What can I do for an exceptional CM?

Make a note of their name and what they did for you on the cruise on the Guest Comment Card / Survey that you receive the last evening of the cruise. Fill it out and turn it in. CM's mentioned by name with positive comments are given opportunities to win onboard gifts and services (like a dinner at Palo, spa treatments and shore excursions). So remember, to tip your waitstaff, stewards and councelors and mention ANY CM that goes above and beyond the call of duty - you might be giving them more than praise!

 

[jrabbit]

Is there a Disney Cruise for dummies book, cause I think I really need it.

DCL Resources and Planning Information

First, you've come to the right place for information. THere are a few other resources available on the 'net that can help too.
Here is a list of links to DCL resources

The DIS Disney Cruise Line Information Page
DCL Official Site (Order the Planning DVD and explore the site)
Dave's DCL Tribute (be sure check out the "External Links" section for more resources ie Cast A Way Club )
Magical Disney Cruise Guide (see links on the left) The Magical Disney Cruise Guide is HUGE document about all things related to a DCL cruise

There is a book called the "Passporter" for DCL that has lots and lots of information about cruising with Disney.
Order Disney's DCL Vacation Planning Kit
Finally the Travel Channel has a show called "Disney Cruise Line". Its part of their "World's Best" series. Lots of info about the Disney Cruise Line and what to expect onboard.

Now about the type of cruise. There are several different types of Normal cruises which leave from Port Canaveral Florida: The Wonder sails to the Bahamas (Nassau and Castaway Cay-Disney's private island paradise). She sails 3 and 4 night cruises. The 3 nighter leaves Thursday afternoons and returns early Sunday morning. The 4 nighter leaves Sunday afternoon and returns early Thursday morning. The Magic sails on 7 night cruises that leave Saturday afternoon and returns the following Saturday morning (early again ) One week she sails on the Eastern Itenerary (St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay) and the next on the Western Itenerary (Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Castaway Cay).

What Type of Room?Another good question: Disney has 12 categories of rooms. Category (cat) 1-3 rooms have regular bathrooms. Cat 4-10 rooms have a split bath (one room has the toilet and sink, the other has a sink and shower). The cat 1 rooms are the Walt Disney Suite and the Roy Disney Suite (the size of a small house, with the price of said house for just the duration of your cruise). The cat 2 rooms are 2 bedroom suites and the cat 3 is a one bedroom suite. The cat 1-3 are concierge level and have large verandahs. The cat 4 rooms are the Deluxe Family stateroom with verandah. Can sleep 5. The cat 5-6 rooms have plexiglass verandahas. Cat 7 rooms are called the "Navigator Verandah" rooms. This verandah is enclosed with a large, open port hole. Cat 8 and 9 rooms are the "deluxe oceanview" rooms and have a large porthole (window). Cat 10-12 are inside staterooms. The cat 10 is the least expensive room with the split bath. They also are about 17% larger than the cat 11 and 12 rooms (extra 30sq ft).

What to do on the cruise? Lots of activities for kids, adults and families. There is the kids clubs for kids potty trained through 18 years old. There are live stage shows, movies, "adult education classes", wine tasting, spa treatments, game shows to participate in or watch, demonstrations, watching the ocean slip by, ping pong, shuffleboard, "swimming" (3 pools - one for children, one for families and an adults only pool).

Eating Yep, theres lots of food on board. Best part most of it's already paid for. Your breakfast, lunches, dinners, room service and snacks are all included in the price. The only "food" you have to pay extra for are: Palo for tea, brunch or dinner (it's the adults only restaurant, by ressie only), sodas outside of one of the 3 meals (unless you go to the drink station), speciality drinks / coffee / "adult" beverages. NOTE some items on the room service menu carry a charge (like soda), and some snacks (candy) are for sale outside of the Walt Disney Theater. And since it's already paid for, you can try anything you want for dinner and if you don't like it, ask for something else and your waiters will bring it to you. See a couple of entrees that you want to try - go for it - again, no additional charge. Can't do that / risk that at home because you WILL be paying for it

Shore Excursions When in port you can get off and on the ship as often as you wish. Most ports, most of the time the DCL ships dock so it is VERY easy to do. There are lots of pre aranged excursions that DCL offers (for a PRICE) that are a lot of fun for the entire family. Or you can arrange your own shore days. Or you can stay on the ship and enjoy it being somewhat less crowded. Just remember, that when you leave the ship you are NOT at home or more importantly - you're NOT at WDW. This is the real world and it looks, feels and smells a lot different than what most of us are accustomed to - this ain't Epcot!!

Bottom line: it's a great vacation. DCL goes out of their way to pamper you. You unpack once on the ship and they take you places without you having to repack and unpack again.

 

[jrabbit]

How about all of that for information overload

 

[ashman]

(phone cards, gift cards, and BTW they love candy - but not gum - the captian frowns upon gum)


Slightly off topic but what's wrong with gum, poeple stick it where the shouldn't?

 

[mmouse37]

Gum is a mess to clean off carpets, walls, under chairs/tables, etc....people do not always dispose of gum properly and can cause cleaning headaches for the staff....at WDW they don't even sell gum. Last thing I want to do is step on gum on a hot deck.....

I remember the grossest thing I ever saw was at Hershey Park in PA and on one of the rides queues there was a gum post....everyone would stick their gum on this post and it was awful to look at....yuck!!!

MJ

 

[pdarrah]

(phone cards, gift cards, and BTW they love candy - but not gum - the captian frowns upon gum)


Slightly off topic but what's wrong with gum, poeple stick it where the shouldn't?

Gum has always been a sticky subject for Disney! (pun intended ) You may not have noticed, but you cannot buy gum at DisneyLand or Disney World. Walt himself started this policy. Gum is one of the hardest things to clean - when it is wet it is sticky and when it dries it is like concrete. Since it seems to end up all over, Disney tries to limit the damage a bit by not selling it.

I would think the captain would also be thinking about the appearance of the crew in frowning on gum - it doesn't look very professionally to be chewing away at a piece of gum!

Just my two cents....

pdarrah

 

[KevinP1935]

How about all of that for information overload

That 80 page document is great, my wife and I have been going through it highlighting things to remember. By the time the cruise comes we'll have our own guide with hints, tips and other general things to remember.

 

[ibouncetoo]

cra-z-4-dizney......give DCL a call and have them send you the trip planning video .....hmmmmmm, think I'll go watch mine again right now!

 

["Ginger"]

Don't forget to pack your Halloween costumes. There will be trick-or-treating onboard.

 

[MelissaE1]

If you would feel better having everything in a book to learn it I recommend the Passporter's Disney Cruise Line and it's Caribbean Ports of Call. That book has gone with us for reference on both cruises. It has a little of everything in it and you can read it in categories instead of hopping thru threads.

I totally agree. This site and others mentioned are a wonderful source of information, but having the Passporter book is a little less overwhelming to start off with. If you did nothing but browse through that book you'd be way ahead of the game. Plus you can take it places with you and read it at lunch, etc.

Then when you've gotten the basics down, come back here to ask questions and fine tune.

Most of all, don't worry about getting it perfect. A lot us here are very detailed about our planning, just because it's fun for us. But there are lots of people who have never found all the online info or even a book and still had a wonderful time.