rsconnelly
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2013
- Messages
- 9
Ok so I know this is seriously long, but take some time to read through some of the tips i've been finding about the cruise! i found an awesome blog thread (disboards) and I can't stop reading, it's just chalk full of great ideas! Yes I'm a geek and can not wait to "cruise" with everyone!
1) Deck 7 - take an old hotel key card with you so you can leave your lights and AC on in your room. The light switch is controled by your KTTW and when you leave with your key the lights turn off and your AC turns way down. Put an old key card in the slot instead and when you leave your room you can turn off your lights but keep your AC on.
2) Bring a Bubba Keg or Tavel Cup - you can just fill them with the cups at the Deck 9 drink station, not directly into the Bubba keg (or other travel cup)...(sanitation reasons)
....and Bubba Kegs are great to pack breakables in for the trip home!
3) Diversions is a lovely late afternoon, quiet place and at 5pm they serve chips/salsa, sour cream, guac dip, hot dogs, wings etc. Usually with ESPN playing on the TVs. They also have board games for everyone.
Cast Member Signatures (so you don't have to track down each one personally)
4) When you get on the ship take your Photo mattes (white inside frame that goes around a picture) to guest services, include a sticky note for photo orientation, put everything in a ziplock bag with sharpies in all colours, or black, and make sure you drop it off first thing when you board...
....One item per person from each stateroom is ok - 4 people in your stateroom, you can drop off 4 items
And your items will be returned to you signed at the end of the trip.
5) Same with pillowcases - prewash, fabric markers, labeled, drop off early...
....One item per person from each stateroom is ok - 4 people in your stateroom, you can drop off 4 items
6) Bring Lots of treats, yummies, phone cards, for our fabulous Crew members and Youth Acitivities crew members....a lot of people put a few goodies in the ziplock bag that they leave with guest services that has their stuff they want signed. I guess people really get alot of signatures that way.
....pre-packaged treats/snacks only, sadly, no homemade allowed onboard...
....Phone cards for Afirca, Europe, Australia, Carribbean -double check the cards b/c most are for North America/Mexico only - please check before you buy
....cash tips get put into a pot for crew member events and gifts, not for individuals
....you can bring small gifts for crew members but ask them if they can except it - they have no room in their cabins, and they're not supposed to accept items over a certian dollar amount.
7) Fish extenders...too cute!!...We should do this!
Google it! The fish on your door is a clip/hook. You can also use magnets to decorate your door (no tape or adhesive products). Appartently alot of people do this. They say the more personalized the fish extender is the less likey it is to grow legs and walk away.
8) Tall people BEWARE the showers are short in your stateroom. However, the locker room at the spa (free access to all guests) has large nice (individual) showers where all the tall moms and dads can shower and shave. You will so appreciate that. It's quiet early in the morning and I hear the counter space is quite large. If this sounds like a possible option for you, you might think about packing some shower shoes just to be on the safe side.
9) Magnets ONLY for the doors, no tape, poster stick, nothing sticky, you will be charged extra if you damage the finish on the doors.
10)Clothespins!...
....for closing cutains on ocean view/balcony staterooms, and hanging swimsuits in bathroom, keeping towels on chairs so they don't blow away
11)Travel clock...
....something that lights up - the wheel clock doesn't illuminate at night
....IPOD Home docks are now on the Wonder? But I've heard that some people have a hard time programming them.
12)Inside Staterooms - Turn your TV on bridge view channel or basketball court channel at night before you go to bed, muted, when the sun comes up the inside cabins get lighter...
....no need to mute...
....The Bridgecam has been observed as being changed to a starry night scene
13)Order the Drink O' the day from the bar, not the waiter traveling around...the drinks are fresher from the bar and are not watered down from the melted ice
14)If you have alot of electronic items to charge, bring a power bar but make sure it has a surge protector or it will be confiscated.
15)No need to bring books or magazines/can you can borrow some from the Cove Cafe, but if you do bring one or two, you can consider leaving them for the crew members onboard.
16)Mickey Bars are room service available! Woohoo!...not on the menu
....Ask your Room Steward for fresh ice every day...and it'll be there in your room whenever you need it
....You can order cookies and milk to be delivered to your room each night, This is an automatic service for the suite rooms but all you need to do is ask and you shall receive. Also, cookies can be warm, if you ask.
....Bring money in small bills for tipping - room service food is included, a gratuity is always appreciated
17)If you bring on a box of wine in your carry-on...
....Ask your Room Steward for wine glasses to keep in your room and they will put clean ones in your room each day.
18)Bring/pack a day bag/carry-on bag with swimsuits and personal items, etc...
That way the kids can jump right into the pool when you get on board and don't have to wait until 1:30 when you're finally aloud into your stateroom to access your luggage.
....carry-ons stay with you until you check into your stateroom - there isn't anwhere else to store it while you wait to get into your stateroom, you must keep it with you
19)Have your passport with you at all times when you go to port. Some do this, others just leave them in the room safe. It's completely up to the person and what they feel safe with.
20)Inside cabins get really dark so bring a Flashlight for middle of the night trips to the bathroom or bring a small night light for young kids that get up in the middle of the night.
21)Bring grungy old cloths for the beach so when you're done you can toss em', so then you'll have more room for all the extra stuff you're gong to be taking home in your luggage.
22)Wine, beer, tequila, champagne tastings, mixology class
Sign up as soon as you are onboard. Guest Services will have the schedule for the week available, so you don't have to wait to see the Navigators. You pay at the time of booking, get your tickets, and no worries about tastings being full.
23)"Tea Parties" with Princesses, or Alice!
Sign up with Guest Services as soon as you board. Limited space, first come frist serve, but it's completly free (at least that's what the web page said).
24)Use the drink cups at the soft serve station for ice cream instead of the little icecream bowls. Chocolate sauce is at the end of the station. Also combine with your favorite soda to make great floats, add sauce, and perhaps, ask for a cherry from the bar for sundaes.
25)Shuffleboard!!
On Deck 4 - have fun!!
26)Food/Dining/Anything
Just ask
Don't want an appetizer? - ok. Would like to try 2 entrees? - just ask (but be prepared to be stuffed silly) Want steak and french fries every night? Ask. Missed your early seating because the kids (or you) were napping...just ask if you can do second seating...worst that can happen is the answer is no, and you have to "suffer" room service
27)Clear Shoe Hanger
Great for hanging on the inside/outside of the stateroom bathroom door, keeping toiletries neat, tidy and handy! there isn't a whole lot of counter space in the stateroom bathrooms, so this might come in handy if you have a daughter that has a lot of hair and makeup products.
28)Collapsible laundry basket - great for just about anything, including laundry!
29)Address labels for luggage on debarkation night
Save the Disney luggage labels for scrapbooking,
30)Skip the elevator lines, and take the stairs!!
Burn some calories, and see the ship
31)Printed Voyage Maps...??
If available, you could ask the Captain to sign
32)You can ask your wait staff for recipes for the food you're enjoying. Also, recipes are available on the Castaway Cay website under downloads, or you can ask your server while onboard
33)Coffee on Last Morning (you can not get room service on the last morning of the cruise so order the night before if you're worried about breakfast and packing)
Order room service 10:30-11:00pm or so the night before debarkation.
Comes in a thermal carafe, and will still be hot at 7am
I hope this helps and I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!
1) Deck 7 - take an old hotel key card with you so you can leave your lights and AC on in your room. The light switch is controled by your KTTW and when you leave with your key the lights turn off and your AC turns way down. Put an old key card in the slot instead and when you leave your room you can turn off your lights but keep your AC on.
2) Bring a Bubba Keg or Tavel Cup - you can just fill them with the cups at the Deck 9 drink station, not directly into the Bubba keg (or other travel cup)...(sanitation reasons)
....and Bubba Kegs are great to pack breakables in for the trip home!
3) Diversions is a lovely late afternoon, quiet place and at 5pm they serve chips/salsa, sour cream, guac dip, hot dogs, wings etc. Usually with ESPN playing on the TVs. They also have board games for everyone.
Cast Member Signatures (so you don't have to track down each one personally)
4) When you get on the ship take your Photo mattes (white inside frame that goes around a picture) to guest services, include a sticky note for photo orientation, put everything in a ziplock bag with sharpies in all colours, or black, and make sure you drop it off first thing when you board...
....One item per person from each stateroom is ok - 4 people in your stateroom, you can drop off 4 items
And your items will be returned to you signed at the end of the trip.
5) Same with pillowcases - prewash, fabric markers, labeled, drop off early...
....One item per person from each stateroom is ok - 4 people in your stateroom, you can drop off 4 items
6) Bring Lots of treats, yummies, phone cards, for our fabulous Crew members and Youth Acitivities crew members....a lot of people put a few goodies in the ziplock bag that they leave with guest services that has their stuff they want signed. I guess people really get alot of signatures that way.
....pre-packaged treats/snacks only, sadly, no homemade allowed onboard...
....Phone cards for Afirca, Europe, Australia, Carribbean -double check the cards b/c most are for North America/Mexico only - please check before you buy
....cash tips get put into a pot for crew member events and gifts, not for individuals
....you can bring small gifts for crew members but ask them if they can except it - they have no room in their cabins, and they're not supposed to accept items over a certian dollar amount.
7) Fish extenders...too cute!!...We should do this!
Google it! The fish on your door is a clip/hook. You can also use magnets to decorate your door (no tape or adhesive products). Appartently alot of people do this. They say the more personalized the fish extender is the less likey it is to grow legs and walk away.
8) Tall people BEWARE the showers are short in your stateroom. However, the locker room at the spa (free access to all guests) has large nice (individual) showers where all the tall moms and dads can shower and shave. You will so appreciate that. It's quiet early in the morning and I hear the counter space is quite large. If this sounds like a possible option for you, you might think about packing some shower shoes just to be on the safe side.
9) Magnets ONLY for the doors, no tape, poster stick, nothing sticky, you will be charged extra if you damage the finish on the doors.
10)Clothespins!...
....for closing cutains on ocean view/balcony staterooms, and hanging swimsuits in bathroom, keeping towels on chairs so they don't blow away
11)Travel clock...
....something that lights up - the wheel clock doesn't illuminate at night
....IPOD Home docks are now on the Wonder? But I've heard that some people have a hard time programming them.
12)Inside Staterooms - Turn your TV on bridge view channel or basketball court channel at night before you go to bed, muted, when the sun comes up the inside cabins get lighter...
....no need to mute...
....The Bridgecam has been observed as being changed to a starry night scene
13)Order the Drink O' the day from the bar, not the waiter traveling around...the drinks are fresher from the bar and are not watered down from the melted ice
14)If you have alot of electronic items to charge, bring a power bar but make sure it has a surge protector or it will be confiscated.
15)No need to bring books or magazines/can you can borrow some from the Cove Cafe, but if you do bring one or two, you can consider leaving them for the crew members onboard.
16)Mickey Bars are room service available! Woohoo!...not on the menu
....Ask your Room Steward for fresh ice every day...and it'll be there in your room whenever you need it
....You can order cookies and milk to be delivered to your room each night, This is an automatic service for the suite rooms but all you need to do is ask and you shall receive. Also, cookies can be warm, if you ask.
....Bring money in small bills for tipping - room service food is included, a gratuity is always appreciated
17)If you bring on a box of wine in your carry-on...
....Ask your Room Steward for wine glasses to keep in your room and they will put clean ones in your room each day.
18)Bring/pack a day bag/carry-on bag with swimsuits and personal items, etc...
That way the kids can jump right into the pool when you get on board and don't have to wait until 1:30 when you're finally aloud into your stateroom to access your luggage.
....carry-ons stay with you until you check into your stateroom - there isn't anwhere else to store it while you wait to get into your stateroom, you must keep it with you
19)Have your passport with you at all times when you go to port. Some do this, others just leave them in the room safe. It's completely up to the person and what they feel safe with.
20)Inside cabins get really dark so bring a Flashlight for middle of the night trips to the bathroom or bring a small night light for young kids that get up in the middle of the night.
21)Bring grungy old cloths for the beach so when you're done you can toss em', so then you'll have more room for all the extra stuff you're gong to be taking home in your luggage.
22)Wine, beer, tequila, champagne tastings, mixology class
Sign up as soon as you are onboard. Guest Services will have the schedule for the week available, so you don't have to wait to see the Navigators. You pay at the time of booking, get your tickets, and no worries about tastings being full.
23)"Tea Parties" with Princesses, or Alice!
Sign up with Guest Services as soon as you board. Limited space, first come frist serve, but it's completly free (at least that's what the web page said).
24)Use the drink cups at the soft serve station for ice cream instead of the little icecream bowls. Chocolate sauce is at the end of the station. Also combine with your favorite soda to make great floats, add sauce, and perhaps, ask for a cherry from the bar for sundaes.
25)Shuffleboard!!
On Deck 4 - have fun!!
26)Food/Dining/Anything
Just ask
Don't want an appetizer? - ok. Would like to try 2 entrees? - just ask (but be prepared to be stuffed silly) Want steak and french fries every night? Ask. Missed your early seating because the kids (or you) were napping...just ask if you can do second seating...worst that can happen is the answer is no, and you have to "suffer" room service
27)Clear Shoe Hanger
Great for hanging on the inside/outside of the stateroom bathroom door, keeping toiletries neat, tidy and handy! there isn't a whole lot of counter space in the stateroom bathrooms, so this might come in handy if you have a daughter that has a lot of hair and makeup products.
28)Collapsible laundry basket - great for just about anything, including laundry!
29)Address labels for luggage on debarkation night
Save the Disney luggage labels for scrapbooking,
30)Skip the elevator lines, and take the stairs!!
Burn some calories, and see the ship
31)Printed Voyage Maps...??
If available, you could ask the Captain to sign
32)You can ask your wait staff for recipes for the food you're enjoying. Also, recipes are available on the Castaway Cay website under downloads, or you can ask your server while onboard
33)Coffee on Last Morning (you can not get room service on the last morning of the cruise so order the night before if you're worried about breakfast and packing)
Order room service 10:30-11:00pm or so the night before debarkation.
Comes in a thermal carafe, and will still be hot at 7am
I hope this helps and I can't wait to see what everyone else comes up with!
I am joining you on this cruise!!! This is an all girls' cruise with my BFF - Sue; her daughter, Alyssa, who I think of as a 7th grandchild. Alyssa has Down syndrome and you will see her in the Promenade Lounge dancing the night away. She will be 17 at the time of sailing so we can't take her to Wave Bands at night. This cruise will be 
