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What are some "insider tips" about DCL?
- Thread starter durangojim
- Start date
Or, if you know what you want to book ( for example if you are like me and have it all prepared by looking at their website before the cruise) just use one of those papers to request a quote and drop it in the box on the desk. No need to wait!
fltink
Active Member
OK....I'll share a few of mine...
1. The night before a shore excursion, order PB&J from room service. They are Smucker's Uncrustable packaged sandwiches and are great to throw in a bag.
2. Milkshakes, anyone? Bring your own refillable cup onboard, but make sure it has a good seal on it, so it doesn't leak from the top. Get some milk from the beverage bar, then add some soft serve, cover and shake. AHhhhh....
3. ALWAYS have a camera available. Our best moments with characters happen when we least expect it! I got awesome shots of Sully at the Guest Services desk, (maybe he had an issue with the size of the shower?), Snow White taking my daughter's hand unexpectedly, as we walked out of lunch, and skipping down the hall, Mickey having a chat in the chairs outside of the spa with my sister in-law.
4. PARTICIPATE! Down underestimate the fun you can have at Music Trivia, Towel Folding, The Art of Entertaining, and Line Dancing. Don't worry.... no one is looking at you! They are too busy worrying that you are looking at them!
5. Don't miss full service lunch! Some of our favorite dining experiences have been at lunch in Lumiere's. It's cool, relaxing, and you get to try more phenomenal food options.
6. A fun extra activity for kids to do, is collect autographs from international crew members. It is a fun was to meet new crew members, and for your kids to learn about their home countries. Every time you see a new country on a crew member's name tag, ask them to write a greeting in their native language in your autograph book, and ask them some questions about foods they eat at home and their local traditions.
7. Do unique itineraries! Repositioning cruises are the BEST! Typically they include some unique and fun activities and adventures, and you get to see and do something few people get to enjoy. We just did the Panama Canal crossing last September and it was AMAZING! Aside from fun activities, (Dancing with the Officers, mystery series, lectures on the canal, etc.), there were guest appearances by Broadway stars, movie premiers, deck BBQs and more! Plus, because it was such a long cruise, at 14 nights, and it was in September when most kids are in school, there were VERY few children onboard! About 250, compared to the normal average of around 800, I believe! But be prepared....
8. Your kids will be SPOILED!!!! Because of the small number of children and the many, many interactions they have, the characters get to know your kids! Half way through our 14 nighter, the princesses all knew my little girl by name and all you moms out there I'm sure can imagine how much this made her SWOON! Night 11 of the cruise, I took my 5 year old daughter and 1 year old son up to Deck 5 on the Wonder, while my husband got ready for dinner. Well, about fifteen minutes later, I had to get out my Wave phone and call my husband and tell him to hurry up and come see what was happening. My daughter and about seven other girls were playing a full game of tag with Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, and Peter Pan! There they were, ball gowns and all, racing around Deck Five, yelling, "Tag! Peter Pan is IT!" It was the most magical moment ever. Of course, now we go to WDW, wait in line for an hour, and get five minutes with Belle. Needless to say, somebody is disappointed....
9. Treat the crew well, and they will treat you like family! We have become friends with so many crew members over the years, and unbelievably, they remember us every time we come back! They appreciate and value those guests that go out of their way to ask how to pronounce their name correctly, ask about their families, and thanks them, not just with tips, but with words and smiles as well!
10. Movies on deck at night. Don't miss them! Bring a blanket from your cabin, grab some drinks and snack from the quick service stands, and have a little picnic under the stars.
There's a few.... I'll have to decide how many more I am willing to disclose! ;o) I don't want to give ALL of them away!
1. The night before a shore excursion, order PB&J from room service. They are Smucker's Uncrustable packaged sandwiches and are great to throw in a bag.
2. Milkshakes, anyone? Bring your own refillable cup onboard, but make sure it has a good seal on it, so it doesn't leak from the top. Get some milk from the beverage bar, then add some soft serve, cover and shake. AHhhhh....
3. ALWAYS have a camera available. Our best moments with characters happen when we least expect it! I got awesome shots of Sully at the Guest Services desk, (maybe he had an issue with the size of the shower?), Snow White taking my daughter's hand unexpectedly, as we walked out of lunch, and skipping down the hall, Mickey having a chat in the chairs outside of the spa with my sister in-law.
4. PARTICIPATE! Down underestimate the fun you can have at Music Trivia, Towel Folding, The Art of Entertaining, and Line Dancing. Don't worry.... no one is looking at you! They are too busy worrying that you are looking at them!
5. Don't miss full service lunch! Some of our favorite dining experiences have been at lunch in Lumiere's. It's cool, relaxing, and you get to try more phenomenal food options.
6. A fun extra activity for kids to do, is collect autographs from international crew members. It is a fun was to meet new crew members, and for your kids to learn about their home countries. Every time you see a new country on a crew member's name tag, ask them to write a greeting in their native language in your autograph book, and ask them some questions about foods they eat at home and their local traditions.
7. Do unique itineraries! Repositioning cruises are the BEST! Typically they include some unique and fun activities and adventures, and you get to see and do something few people get to enjoy. We just did the Panama Canal crossing last September and it was AMAZING! Aside from fun activities, (Dancing with the Officers, mystery series, lectures on the canal, etc.), there were guest appearances by Broadway stars, movie premiers, deck BBQs and more! Plus, because it was such a long cruise, at 14 nights, and it was in September when most kids are in school, there were VERY few children onboard! About 250, compared to the normal average of around 800, I believe! But be prepared....
8. Your kids will be SPOILED!!!! Because of the small number of children and the many, many interactions they have, the characters get to know your kids! Half way through our 14 nighter, the princesses all knew my little girl by name and all you moms out there I'm sure can imagine how much this made her SWOON! Night 11 of the cruise, I took my 5 year old daughter and 1 year old son up to Deck 5 on the Wonder, while my husband got ready for dinner. Well, about fifteen minutes later, I had to get out my Wave phone and call my husband and tell him to hurry up and come see what was happening. My daughter and about seven other girls were playing a full game of tag with Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, and Peter Pan! There they were, ball gowns and all, racing around Deck Five, yelling, "Tag! Peter Pan is IT!" It was the most magical moment ever. Of course, now we go to WDW, wait in line for an hour, and get five minutes with Belle. Needless to say, somebody is disappointed....
9. Treat the crew well, and they will treat you like family! We have become friends with so many crew members over the years, and unbelievably, they remember us every time we come back! They appreciate and value those guests that go out of their way to ask how to pronounce their name correctly, ask about their families, and thanks them, not just with tips, but with words and smiles as well!
10. Movies on deck at night. Don't miss them! Bring a blanket from your cabin, grab some drinks and snack from the quick service stands, and have a little picnic under the stars.
There's a few.... I'll have to decide how many more I am willing to disclose! ;o) I don't want to give ALL of them away!
wdwstateofmind
Well-Known Member
At least on the Fantasy, there is a bar on deck 11 / 12 by the stairs to goofys sports area that isn't Waves and isn't on the deck plan. I'm not a huge drinker but it was pretty convenient if you were in the Cabanas / AquaDuck area and want to get a a nice, ice cold tropical drink on the way back to your room / pool chair.
popsicletrees
Well-Known Member
I'm loving these tips! In October I'm going on my first Disney Cruise with my mom and grandmother. My grandmother loves to find a nice spot to do some serious reading whenever we go on vacation. Any good quiet spots on the Wonder?
fltink
Active Member
On the Wonder, because of the Alaskan itineraries, the entire Cove coffee shop is glassed in. There are plenty of comfortable places to sit within, plus it is air conditioned and the fact that those on the outside can't see in very well makes it the ultimate people watching paradise!
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
As Tammy mentioned earlier in the thread, there is a "secret" deck all the way aft on Deck 7. It's a small outdoor deck area that is not usually used for cruise activities. It's not really very secret anymore, but it doesn't get a ton of traffic, in my experience.
Here's another one that might not be obvious to some:
If you're staying in an veranda stateroom with kids, you can close the curtain between the bed and the pull out berths, but then you can pull the tv out and swing it to the bed side of the room in front of the curtain, so the adults can watch tv while the kids sleep.
If you're staying in an veranda stateroom with kids, you can close the curtain between the bed and the pull out berths, but then you can pull the tv out and swing it to the bed side of the room in front of the curtain, so the adults can watch tv while the kids sleep.
ChuckElias
Well-Known Member
popsicletrees
Well-Known Member
She'll love that. I swear she vacations to get some reading and people watching done!
I definitely want to check that deck out for myself. It looks like such a peaceful place.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
There is nothing out there, except maybe some deck chairs. It has limited hours (dawn to dusk basicaly) but not many people go out there, so I is almost like a private deck.
Bring some towels, a beverage, and enjoy the sun/view
-dave