Your most important tip for a first time cruise

[cschaaf]

7. Ask you servers if you can have a cheese plate on night 2 with your bread. A good team will provide you a plate on night 2 and the remaining nights automatically. Recommend the parm and the smoked chedder.

@Justacruiser, I loved these tips. I have a question on this one.

When are you doing the asking?
Do you ask on night one, "Tomorrow, could we have a cheese plate with our bread service?"
Or are you asking on night two, "Can we have a cheese plate with our bread service tonight?"

And, why no cheese plate on night 1? Too much else going on that night?

Thanks!

 

[JTBE]

ugh don't tell me this now i won't leave my room LOL

IF there were ONE show on the Dream that you would recommend being there to see in person, which one would you choose?

My kids loved Villians-- they thought it was so funny. They liked it so much, they re-watched it on the tv in the room.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

Don't fall in the Goffy pool, fully dressed, while everyone is watching....just saying.

This is good to know, especially after trying the coloured drink of the day in the souvenir cup!

 

[Justacruiser]

@Justacruiser, I loved these tips. I have a question on this one.

When are you doing the asking?
Do you ask on night one, "Tomorrow, could we have a cheese plate with our bread service?"
Or are you asking on night two, "Can we have a cheese plate with our bread service tonight?"

And, why no cheese plate on night 1? Too much else going on that night?

Thanks!

I ask the first night for the 2nd night so they can prepare it in advance. I do it towards the end of the meal when the head server comes around to greet you for the first time. You can ask the first night, I just choose not too. The first night is typically the longest as the service team MUST tell you about "Excellent Service" and explain the menus and get the drinks for the first time, and hopefully everyone arrives on time.

Just thinking of the service team and the other people assigned within our service team.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

How many pools on ship and what's the best one to go to for kids 11-17?

 

[perditax]

I ask the first night for the 2nd night so they can prepare it in advance. I do it towards the end of the meal when the head server comes around to greet you for the first time. You can ask the first night, I just choose not too. The first night is typically the longest as the service team MUST tell you about "Excellent Service" and explain the menus and get the drinks for the first time, and hopefully everyone arrives on time.

Just thinking of the service team and the other people assigned within our service team.

How long does this 'Excellent service' thing go on? I first heard about it on a Dis Unplugged podcast, and they sounded absolutely appalled when it happened. Then I thought I understood that it only happened on the final night. Now it sounds like it's every single night? Can anyone give me the blow by blow of what this entails?

 

[perditax]

Bumping back to page one. I notice certain questions of mine go unanswered, and the "excellent service" speech seems to be one of them. Is it that bad?

 

[perditax]

And while I have it bumped, I would love sun protection tips for pale cave dwellers.

 

[JMHDisney]

How long does this 'Excellent service' thing go on? I first heard about it on a Dis Unplugged podcast, and they sounded absolutely appalled when it happened. Then I thought I understood that it only happened on the final night. Now it sounds like it's every single night? Can anyone give me the blow by blow of what this entails?

I've only been on the Wonder but no one gave us a speech about excellent service on any night. Good thing too - our service was fine, but not excellent and I'd have been super annoyed listening to the not excellent servers tell us how excellent they are!

 

[Footnotegirl]

How long does this 'Excellent service' thing go on? I first heard about it on a Dis Unplugged podcast, and they sounded absolutely appalled when it happened. Then I thought I understood that it only happened on the final night. Now it sounds like it's every single night? Can anyone give me the blow by blow of what this entails?

In my experience, the only thing it entailed was our server telling us that when we do our surveys, please understand that Disney only considers 'excellent' service to be acceptable in their servers, 'good' is considered to be failure, and so if they are providing less than excellent service to please let them know in advance so that they can fix it, etc. Yes, basically, it's a spiel to get better surveys, but I have definitely experienced the "We're going to ask customers to grade you and tell them that it's an A B C D E F grade, but really it's just A=Pass and everything else, even good =Fail." thing in customer service, and it can really really be terrible for you as a customer service person, so I understand why they do it.

 

[Footnotegirl]

And while I have it bumped, I would love sun protection tips for pale cave dwellers.

Sun protection tips! (because I have two colors... fishbelly white and bubbling lobster red)
SUN HATS. Get them. Big brimmed straw types are cute and cruise-y looking more than the ones with the flaps down the neck.
Make sure your sun screen is water resistant, reapply it regularly.
If you are going snorkelling, remember that the sun still goes through the water. PROTECT YOUR BACK. You will not remember to reapply because the fish will be awesome. Water resistant isn't completely waterproof. Get a rash guard type swim top or a t-shirt that is fairly tight fitting and densely woven and wear that while you are snorkelling.
Do not forget the backs of your calves. Remember that sunlight can bounce back up off of both sand AND pavement to hit them.
The temporary discomfort of a long-sleeve shirt if you can't easily get to shade is much, much less than the longer term discomfort of a serious burn.
For cave dwellers that are follicularly challenged.... you can put sunscreen on the top of your head. It ain't pretty, but it's prettier than a peeling scalp.

 

[Dug720]

In my experience, the only thing it entailed was our server telling us that when we do our surveys, please understand that Disney only considers 'excellent' service to be acceptable in their servers, 'good' is considered to be failure, and so if they are providing less than excellent service to please let them know in advance so that they can fix it, etc. Yes, basically, it's a spiel to get better surveys, but I have definitely experienced the "We're going to ask customers to grade you and tell them that it's an A B C D E F grade, but really it's just A=Pass and everything else, even good =Fail." thing in customer service, and it can really really be terrible for you as a customer service person, so I understand why they do it.

Bingo. The main point is, if there is a problem, TELL THEM. If that doesn't work, TELL YOUR HEAD SERVER. Don't just sit there and stew because they will do everything they can to fix it, but they can't fix what they don't know about! (Similar to how our administrators are not allowed to do another observation of our teaching - formal or informal - until we have conferenced and received our written evaluation of the previous one. Suggestions are offered that we will be rated on the next time we're observed, but if we don't know what those are, we can't do anything about them.)

 

[Justacruiser]

How long does this 'Excellent service' thing go on? I first heard about it on a Dis Unplugged podcast, and they sounded absolutely appalled when it happened. Then I thought I understood that it only happened on the final night. Now it sounds like it's every single night? Can anyone give me the blow by blow of what this entails?

The "Excellent Service" talk will come from your server and then your head server on the first night. It doesn't take that long to tell you, but they will tell you. Also, on around the 4th night of the 7th day cruise, they both will ask you how they are doing with the "Excellent Service". And, the last night at dinner they will remind you of the comment cards that will be left in your room.

The biggest take away I can give you on this topic is be completely honest with your marks on the servey. Their are 85% of the service team that do very good to outstanding. However, there are a few from time to time that need a nudge to improve or go to Carnival and work. Also, please leave specific remarks in the coment section to explain how the service can be improved. It is then on the head server and servers to make adjustments when required, if necessary.

 

[SarahKate]

We took our very first cruise in November - 3 night Dream.

This cruise really is a teaser. We were nervous about whether or not we were "cruisers" and we also had 6 nights at WDW after the cruise. When we first got off the ship, DH and I said to ourselves that we weren't sure if cruising was for us (I think because it was kinda chaotic at times - but more on that later). But as time went on, I totally started to miss the experience and really appreciate what we had gotten to do. It's really pretty amazing but there are things that I wish we would've done differently...

• Longer cruise. Yes!
• Not try to do everything. We wanted to see every show every night and also a movie one afternoon. Everything was so NEW to us and we didn't want to miss anything. The shows are great, but we have a few faves and would definitely not do them all again. LOVE that we got to see Big Hero 6 on the ship, that was amazing.
• Plan for relaxation. I did make it a point to just BE on the ship and do nothing, but we didn't get as much time as I would have liked.
• Pirate Party. I know it's totally Disney, but we thought it was pretty hokey. Fireworks were neat, but other than that, I really wish we wouldn't have spent so much time planning for the party and psyching ourselves up for it.
• Fish Extender. I really don't regret this because it was fun to give and receive the gifts. But I really don't think I'd do it again - I want the next cruise to be more relaxing, and that means BEFORE the cruise too.
• Rainforest Pass. Not sure if I'm calling it the right thing but I didn't hear about this until after we got back. Stone loungers! Would have loved this.

One thing I AM happy about is regarding the tips I read here on the Dis about using the showers in the spa area. THIS was an amazing tip and is totally free. Every morning I grabbed my toiletries and clothes for the day and headed down there. Loved having that time by myself and a LARGE relaxing shower. Highly recommend doing this. Early morning is also a great time to take the walking path around the ship - it's quiet and lovely and peaceful. And you can watch the sun come up if you're up early enough.

 

[bumbershoot]

For anyone familiar with car dealerships and their mechanic shops, and the surveys sent out after a visit/appointment, the servers are graded like those.

For those who don't know how those work, if you give ANYTHING other than the top mark, they fail. For car dealers/mechanics at least, if you put a *comment* in there, even one saying how amazing fabulous tremendous they are, they fail. If you liked your car dealer or mechanic, and if you liked your dinner service, the ONLY option to help those people pass is to give the highest mark (and for the car dealer/mechanic, at least, with NO comments).

 

[elittleton]

Sun protection tips! (because I have two colors... fishbelly white and bubbling lobster red)
SUN HATS. Get them. Big brimmed straw types are cute and cruise-y looking more than the ones with the flaps down the neck.
Make sure your sun screen is water resistant, reapply it regularly.
If you are going snorkelling, remember that the sun still goes through the water. PROTECT YOUR BACK. You will not remember to reapply because the fish will be awesome. Water resistant isn't completely waterproof. Get a rash guard type swim top or a t-shirt that is fairly tight fitting and densely woven and wear that while you are snorkelling.
Do not forget the backs of your calves. Remember that sunlight can bounce back up off of both sand AND pavement to hit them.
The temporary discomfort of a long-sleeve shirt if you can't easily get to shade is much, much less than the longer term discomfort of a serious burn.
For cave dwellers that are follicularly challenged.... you can put sunscreen on the top of your head. It ain't pretty, but it's prettier than a peeling scalp.

Don't forget the bottom of your feet, especially if you are in a lounge chair or have you feet up.

Also, even water resistant sun screen will wash off if you put it on and get straight into the water. You need to give it time to dry before getting into the water.

 

[Cruise-n-2015]

Has anyone or will anyone use sea safe?..or maybe it safe sea...

 

[cashe]

Yes, I will be using it in May. I think someone said they sell it on CC too

 

[hardis5]

As a member of PA (planaholics anonymous) I'd suggest using posts like this (and DISboards in general) to find out what is available to do both on/off ship and for tips/tricks and definitely use the Navigator each day to inform you of happenings on the ship or areas you may not even be aware of.

Remember to manage expectations, for as well planned as your time on/off the ship is you will not be able to do/see all especially if doing off-ship activities/excursions. Myself, I use a form of selective forgetfulness to enjoy and be surprised by what I know is available or happens and keep the magic of DCL fresh each cruise.

 

[Starwind]

And while I have it bumped, I would love sun protection tips for pale cave dwellers.

I am very sun sensitive and burn easy thanks to both really pale skin and medications. In Jamaica I once spent 10 minutes outside wearing SPF 35 and got a bad sunburn as the prize. So I cover up.

I love Coolibar brand clothes and accessories ( http://www.coolibar.com/ ). All of their clothes are sun protective -- UPF 50+, blocks UVA and UVB, and the sun protection won't wash out.

I wear a wide-brimmed sun protective hat.

For swimming, I have a sun protective long sleeve rash guard on top of my bathing suit, plus sun protective long swim leggings. At the beach I wear a pair of LL bean aqua shoes, and keep them on my feet when swimming.

For normal clothes, when traveling I try to wear sun protective pants, and I have a mix of normal and sun protective tops. But I also have a nice Coolibar VERY lightweight "coverup" top that is long sleeve and kind of like a hoody, except the fabric is very light -- I actually feel cooler with it on than off, probably because the burning sun isn't directly hitting my skin. I just wear it over whatever top I am wearing.

If spending a long time outside, I also have a pair of sun sleeves which protect arms and the tops of hands, but are easy to slide off the hands and leaves fingers available for things. I mostly wear these when in a WDW park for the day.

I use Vanicream sunscreen on exposed parts.

SW