What is the BEST cruise tip you ever learned from the Dis?

[Castaway Stowaway]

Hey guys , im brand new here and i noticed a lot of people suggesting the over the door shoe holder. We also brought the kind that goes over the closet rod for, well shoes. With a fam of 4 it really helped with the clutter!!

 

[Stephieann]

posting for quick find!!
^&

 

[taswira]

Thanks Castlegazer! I was wondering about that. I read somewhere else that the smokers sometimes take this over and it's not as enjoyable for those of us wanting to stay away from the smoke??? Any inputs for this?

Also, I've been on a couple of cruises where if you were on the fore or aft ends the motion was much more noticable and sea sickness was more likely...so the suggestion was a room in the middle of the boat...Is this a problem on the Disney or is it too big to have much motion on the ends?

Yes, unfortunately the "secret verandah" does seem to be a haven for smokers, but sometimes you can get lucky and there will be no one out there. It can get very windy there, so not everyone likes it. Like you, I have to avoid the smoking areas.

As for sea sickness, in ten DCL cruises I have always chosen an aft stateroom (usuallly 7628) and never had a problem. Unless you encounter a big storm, the ship tends to rock or roll gently side to side (like a cradle) rather than forward and back. The stabilizers are excellent!

 

[DebºoºS]

Can anyone tell me a specific room number for the "secret veranda" on deck 7 aft?

The secret veranda isn't a secret for the teens at night. It's a fav hang out.

 

[taswira]

It is probably for that reason that it is often locked at night (by the staff)!

In any case, even during the day, it may not always be open. Access hours seem to vary.

 

[Jrsy Boy]

the "secret verandah" does seem to be a haven for smokers, but sometimes you can get lucky and there will be no one out there.

We never saw another soul out there, day or night. They lock the door at 11pm.

 

[umber]

PLEASE someone explain the "cake of the Day", I've never heard of this. Is it room service? Is there a fee?
Everybody remember all the ship sicknesses??? Bring a can of scented Lysol for your room. First things I did when I got to our room was spray down EVERYTHING! Although I've always found everything on board to be well cleaned and maintained I figure it wouldn't hurt to add a little extra protection to avoiding being sick on board!
Also, in case it hasn't been mentioned, an envelope full of $1s for tipping room service!!

 

[kritter]

PLEASE someone explain the "cake of the Day", I've never heard of this. Is it room service? Is there a fee?
Everybody remember all the ship sicknesses??? Bring a can of scented Lysol for your room. First things I did when I got to our room was spray down EVERYTHING! Although I've always found everything on board to be well cleaned and maintained I figure it wouldn't hurt to add a little extra protection to avoiding being sick on board!
Also, in case it hasn't been mentioned, an envelope full of $1s for tipping room service!!

I like the Lysol idea...Did you pack this in your suitcase and it did not explode???

 

[taswira]

We never saw another soul out there, day or night. They lock the door at 11pm.

I have found the door locked at other times - even occasionally in the afternoon. I always book Cat. 7 room 7628, so am right near there, but still like to spend a few moments on the "secret verandah" for the view from the very back of the ship. So for anyone who finds it locked in daytime hours, just try again after awhile. Usually there was no one there, but often there were smokers. The "secret verandah" isn't much of a secret anymore since nearly every Disney message board has posts about it, but many people find it too windy to stay out there very long.

 

[kshabare]

+Bring enough cash for taxis when in port. Think about those places where the debit/credit card/check can't be used.
+PB&J, chips and cookies from room service night before for excursions! (already mentioned but not the PB&J uncrustables)
+mini flashlight so you don't wake the kids
+set the alarm for midnight on midnight buffet night so you don't forget to wake up from your cat nap after dinner! LOL
+small autograph book for children (or adults)

Kim

 

[umber]

I bought the Lysol at a WalMart near the port.
Also, bring a light sweater, the dining rooms tend to be chilly (to help reduce the spread of viruses.

 

[kritter]

Seems like there is a ton of illness on this ship?????

 

[umber]

Also, this year I plan on bringing a current "Kid Safe" packet with all my DD info, finger prints and photo... just in case. You can order them free.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I think this sounds like a great idea. I was wondering about a few of my things that are summer fun wear that have sequins or beads on them but also wrinkle. Or this great large painted white shirt that has glitter-paint on it in bright blue tropical flowers I plan to wear pirate night. Can I trust them with this type of stuff. It's not that they are that fancy, But they wrinkle and can't just be ironed over.

Anyone had anything like that?

Thanks
Melanie
78 days and counting

Melanie, I did have a formal dress with irridescent beads on it cleaned for formal night, and it came back beautiful! They are so professional in all ways, I am sure they will know how to care for your things!

 

[Mickey02]

Love the tips!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Seems like there is a ton of illness on this ship?????

We really didn't see any illness to speak of on the Magic in Dec, although I heard by the grapevine that one family had strep throat.

They were so good about making everyone clean their hands with antibacterial wipes on the way in to any dining facility, and when boarding the ship after a day on shore. Staff was constantly cleaning doors, railings, etc. We also smelled antiseptic in the air in the theatre, and noticed that they have a really good air purfication system going - I think they do a good job of preventing illness!

 

[macphrsn]

I was on the December 03, 2005, Magic - Western cruise.

Other than people coughing and a few sniffling kids, I didn't see anyone who was really sick. On Wednesday 4-days into our cruise I ended up with a sore throat. I ran up to the Treasure Ketch and picked up some cough drops ($1.25 a box) and a small (very small) bottle of cough medicine ($8.99) which I took for the rest of the cruise and my sore throat didn't get any worse (yeah).

DCL was very diligent about having everyone wipe their hands before entering the dining rooms and reboarding the ship from the ports we visited.

 

[nzdisneymom]

The coffee table raises up to make it easier to sit on couch and eat from room service. Been on 3 cruises never knew this until I saw a picture in another thread. Boy..this will save my back next cruise!!

I wish I had read this post before we sailed in December - I didn't notice that the coffee table adjusted until the LAST day. It would've made in-room dining for the children easier.

Tip: If you're sailing on the Western with a Key West stop and know you'll need to burn off some of your digital pictures, find the local WalGreens and do it there for $3. Take a lot of "around the ship" pictures on Saturday and Sunday before going into Key West so you'll have a lot of photos, and then download them there. Shutters charges $14.95 to do it on board.

 

[nzdisneymom]

I'd like to add a couple of hints that I've enjoyed. I buy the small bottles of dishwashing liquid. Then, once they're empty and washed out, each one holds enough laundry detergent to wash 3 loads of clothes. As I pour the liquid in, I mark each load with a line from the sharpie pen. They're small and stay closed nicely. I do, however, pack them in ziplocs just in case of a spill.

Fabulous tip! I couldn't figure out what to do about laundry detergent when I couldn't find the powder tabs before we cruised. We ended up spending the $1/box from the vending machine. Next trip, we'll use this tip!

 

[Amlee]

I am sailing with Disney for the first time on the 29th of Jan with my whole family. Parents, Brothers, sister, in laws, nieces and nephews. 16 total.

This is by no means my first cruise, but I have enjoyed reading over this thread.

I have got some great ideas and can't wait to surprise my nieces and nephews with their pillow cases on the way back home.

I also have this to add.


Ginger Root is great for motion sickness. You can go to herbsforkids on the net to get it in liquid form for the kiddies. I used this 8 years ago on my first cruise. We had 15 to 20 foot waves as we sailed around a hurricane. Many were awfully sick from this, but I never slowed down.

Going down the day before is also one of the best things to do. It makes the hassle a lot less.