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

[neenermom]

1) We got to Palo's early for our brunch. Had 10:30 reservations but the kids were safely esconced in their clubs and we had nothing else to do. Showed up at 10:00 and mingled with others who were waiting for the restaurant to open. When they opened the doors, we hung back, assuming most of these folks had opening reservations. No one walked through the door, we gave everybody about five minutes. So in we walked, and got a lovely table right by the window with a gorgeous view outside. Perfect!

2) Extension cord -- Used ours constantly, iPod, hair dryer, cameras, travel clock, etc., easy to plug things in overnight and take them for the next day.

3) "TinkerBell" made visits to our house before we left on the cruise. Had a friend get small DCL items from the shop when she went on a cruise and they were left sporadically with a note. "TinkerBell" is coming this Saturday for one last visit and bringing each child a pillowcase signed by everyone. On the back side I am going to put pictures from this trip so the kids will know it was made specifically for them. Never would have known I could do this through Guest Services without the DIS board. And my pillowcases are beautiful, done in many colors and really very nicely.

 

[JSCTRico4]

Is there a charge for the pillow case signing? Who signs it? Characters or CM? My DD6 would love one signed by the princesses...

 

[neenermom]

I put both pillowcases in a ziploc bag with four different colored Sharpies. I also slipped in a piece of paper with my kids names, their ages, and our stateroom number on it. I didn't make any specific requests. I walked it down to Guest Services the first night. I was told I would get it back by the end of the cruise.

On the last day, I hadn't received anything. So while we were packing, I found our stateroom host and asked if he had seen it. He had it, but was waiting to see me before putiing it in our room; said he knew that sometimes they were surprise gifts upon returning home and didn't want to blow the surprise for the kids. I got them back just as I delivered them, minus the note I wrote.

I've got everyone from Lilo and Stitch to Cinderella and of course, the fab six, 22 signatures in all. My kids are going to be thrilled on Saturday!

 

[kris1973]

Wonderfull tips everyone

Kristin

 

[JSCTRico4]

I love the pillow case surprise! It is already on my shopping list for stuff I need to get before we go!

 

[Grandma Debby]

You can take a pillowcase or picture frame or whatever to guest services at the beginning of the cruise and leave it with Sharpies and request just princesses, Fab 6 or all the characters sign it

 

[Disneyizlife@msn.com]

My husband and I are planning a Disney cruise next year with our year and a half old daughter. I have been researching the perfect room to book and have never heard of this deck 7 secret verandah. Could I have some more details on this category, how to book these rooms and what makes them special? Thanks for the great info.

 

[rsjj]

Is there a charge for the pillow case signing? Who signs it? Characters or CM? My DD6 would love one signed by the princesses...

as a souvenir for a friend's daughter, who loves disney princess...we bought a disney princess t-shirt, from the local disney store, and requested for all the princesses to sign it! turned out really cute, and she LOVES it!!!!!! she was so amazed that all of them were on the same ship that we were on!

 

[Jrsy Boy]

Is there a charge for the pillow case signing?

Not from DCL, only what you spend on a pillowcase and a Sharpie.

have never heard of this deck 7 secret verandah.

The "secret" verandah on Deck 7 Aft is actually a public area, just not too many people are aware of it and it isn't really something you'd just stumble across. Therefore, unless you know the "secret" you probably wouldn't be visiting it.

 

[princesspumpkin]

My husband and I are planning a Disney cruise next year with our year and a half old daughter. I have been researching the perfect room to book and have never heard of this deck 7 secret verandah. Could I have some more details on this category, how to book these rooms and what makes them special? Thanks for the great info.

Actually, on deck 7, there is an area that is someone secluded. It's all the way aft. There are a few deck chairs and it overlooks the lower deck. It's closed from 11pm to 6am. There aren't specific "categories" of rooms, some people just like to be on this level to be closer to it. It used to be more of a secret, but is now getting more well know. Hope this helps.

 

[Jsme]

Tell me about the cake of the day from room service?

 

[Jsme]

Here is mine.....all of them are for Palo's...there is a bar at Palo's. Go early and have a drink prior to your reservation. Plan your reservation to enjoy sunset. Ask for a window seat.

 

[tlynk]

over door shoe holder, deck 4 chairs, deck 7 aft. I love it all

Please tell me about the deck 4 chairs? I haven't heard that one yet??

 

[Jillpie]

We ended every night in the deck 4 chairs...they are regular looking wooden chaise loungers. But, they have really, really comfortable cushions. I hope they never get rid of them. They are so relaxing. On our first night, it was extremely wavy and I saw some poor guy just trying to survive it on these chairs, I felt so bad for him. But at least he was comfortable. These are awesome just to relax in!

 

[castlegazer]

My husband and I are planning a Disney cruise next year with our year and a half old daughter. I have been researching the perfect room to book and have never heard of this deck 7 secret verandah. Could I have some more details on this category, how to book these rooms and what makes them special? Thanks for the great info.

Do you mean secret porthole rooms?

 

[KCMiller]

I love this thread - has anyone put these tips into a Word document?

Thanks,

KC

ps - don't tell my DH, but I just booked our 2006 trip and put down the deposit!

 

[spellhex]

If you are going on a Land and Sea cruise, be sure to do the park first, and then the cruise. When my family flew over there from California, we had to stop in Denver for a connecting flight. While in Denver, there was a blizzard that snowed us in for 6 hours, delaying our flight. We didn't get to Disney World until well past midnight, and would have missed the cruise if we did it first.

 

[Jillpie]

What do you know, my thread got resurrected! Wahoo! keep em comin everyone.

 

[GenieDana]

Get into the boarding line an board early (only one in your party has to wait - the rest of ours enjoyed the terminal, taking pics, etc.). Go straight to the pools and enjoy them before the crowds arrive. We did so, and my kids got to enjoy the Mickey Pool and slide for nearly 45 minutes - alone! And the pictures are great with your kids "exclusive" pool use. They did the slide enough time to fix them for the entire cruise.

 

[Nik's Mom]

We just decided to take a cruise in Aug 06. These tips are great!