The "hey whats up with the disney cruises" question thread...

[NJ Mike]

And you thought the title of the thread was long?

Ok. First off, let me start by saying anyone who answers any of the questions has my eternal thanks. I have a lot of them.

Well 2 days ago we got the DCL (hope thats the right acronym for disney cruise line, but I digress) DVD. Anywho, we got the dvd which is awesome. The deck by deck tour was great and a lot of our questions were answered. (although we had to play "ask the fish" or something like that, to get some of them)

Ok, so the wife, kiddies and I have never been on a cuise, ever, anywhere.

But we're thinking our vacation next year may be just that.

Our biggest questions, for starters, is what is/isnt included in the price of the package when we book it. And we're just talking about ON the ship.

We know excursions are extra. But some of the snack places on the dvd made it a point to say "included in your package" (or something to that effect), while some others, like the buffet, did not.

I know if you want to go to palo, its gonna cost extra.

So heres a list of things we wanted to know that either are or are not included in the price.


hotdog/hamburger/snack places around the pools?

room service?
(also, what can you get from room service, anything?)

the buffet?

also, we know they said that drinks and soft drinks arent included. Do they have mugs like the resorts do for soda,etc? I know alcohol is going to cost anywhere you go, but getting soda/juice/milk etc would be fine.

Are there snacks that they sell at either the movie theatre or the live show theatre?
and are they included or extra?
(only reason I ask is because on the dvd it looked like the seats had cupholders on the arms).

and one more for now. (although I know we'll have a lot more)

Anyone know, in driving time, about how long it takes to get from ormond beach to the docks for the ship?

we have relatives in ormond beach and we'd prob. stay there the day before we leave.

Oh i guess i should mention that we're looking right now at doing the 7 day eastern caribbean possibly sometime in late oct-nov-dec 05.

thanks everyone.

[Corwin17]

We just got back from the Pin Trading Cruise (Villainous Adventures Nov 14-18) on the Wonder, so I'll take a stab.


hotdog/hamburger/snack places around the pools?Included.
room service?
(also, what can you get from room service, anything?)IIRC, included, but delivery tips are greatly appreciated. There will be a menu in the cabin, but consider the basic fare stuff. Breakfast I know was limited to pretty much a continental style. (Don't expect an omlet ;)) NOTE: Warm chocolate chip cookies *ARE* available!! YUM!!
the buffet?yup, included.
also, we know they said that drinks and soft drinks arent included. Do they have mugs like the resorts do for soda,etc? I know alcohol is going to cost anywhere you go, but getting soda/juice/milk etc would be fine. On the Wonder (3- and 4-day cruises) Everything but alcohol was included. Deck 9 even had a soda fountain that was manned most of the day. They normally dispense drinks in their own disposable cups, but my GF and I brought our own. I got some looks from the staff and other guests when I was carrying around my monster Cornado Springs mug ... the 64 oz one. :D One CM hesitated before filling it, but after that I had no problem. DCL mugs are available for purchase, too.

Be advised, too, that the crew will serve *EVERYTHING*, from buffets to drinks. This, I believe, is in reaction to the Norwalk Virus scare 2 years ago. Also, you will find 'handi-wipes' outside of *ALL* restaurants.
Are there snacks that they sell at either the movie theatre or the live show theatre?
and are they included or extra?
(only reason I ask is because on the dvd it looked like the seats had cupholders on the arms). Yes they are available, but at a cost. I didn't buy any, so I can't tell you how much. But, I'd say it'd be safe to say regular movie rates. The movie is free, the snacks there aint.
Anyone know, in driving time, about how long it takes to get from ormond beach to the docks for the ship?Sorry, can't help you there. In general though, embarkation begins at about 11am. You'll have paperwork to fill out, so I'd recommend getting there at least an hour before you want to get on the ship. Security is like an airport, and no matter how close you park (or are dropped off) you'll have to walk a bit. Plus you should be on board for the mandatory safety drill (4 or 430?).

If you do decide to do Palo's, shore excursions, or any of the onboard spa treatments, I'd recommend getting there early. Some of the prime spots fill up quickly and you may not get your first choices.
Oh i guess i should mention that we're looking right now at doing the 7 day eastern caribbean possibly sometime in late oct-nov-dec 05. Sounds cool! We've only done the 4 day (twice in 2 years). If you are into Pin Trading, and change your mind to a 4-day, consider the Nov 13-17 cruise on the wonder. The pin theme for that one will be "Stitch's Adventures on the High Seas"!! :D

[Alex S.]

We just did the weeklong cruise before Halloween. It is easier to list what you will have to pay for than not (and you need not have cash except for room service waiters; everything can be charged to your account from your room card).

You will pay for:
$10/person for Palo.
Arcade game cards.
Alcoholic drinks however delivered.
Non-alcoholic drinks from a bar or from one of the people carrying around trays of frou-frou stuff
Bingo
Tips for your head waiter, waiter, assistant waiter, and housekeeping.

Room service is free, unlimited, and open 24 hours. I don't know how people would have time to use it much between the 900 other eating opportunities during the day, but I know on our cruise a certain person in the next cabin over got some value out of the service. They have a nice cheese tray.

[Alex S.]

Oh, and for us the 24 hour soda fountain was unmanned, you got it yourself. Same with the buffets, we filled our own plates.

Also, just remembered, sodas and water are available from room service but do have an extra charge. Ice has to be requested from room service.

[NJ Mike]

Thanks you two.

Yeah We dont plan much on using room sevice if we go, but our 2 kiddies may want something at 2am. Hey it happened in wdw several times lol.

Just curious, what deck #'s did you guys stay on? After doing the virtual tour of the ships we were thinking deck 5 or 6. What are your thoughts good or bad? We're prob looking at a cat 11 room, and even pricing it on the disney cruise website was lower than I expected. (although I'm sure there's discounts to be had out there somewhere, right?).

[NJ Mike]

You will pay for:
$10/person for Palo.



Wow, seriously??? I'm more of a low key dining guy (like you didnt already know that lol). But it would nice to treat the wife one night. I just assumed dinner for 2 at a place like that would be $100-$150+...

Wow, the things you learn on mousepad.. :D

[Alex S.]

And it would, if it weren't on a cruise ship (actually, if it served the same quality food on the mainland it would be a $75-$100 for two restaurant, but on land it would have access to better quality ingredients).

Essentially the $10/person is to tip the waitstaff in Palo. They're not your normal waitstaff so otherwise they'd get nothing.

If you go on the cruise, the first thing you should do is go book Palo. Once for dinner and once for brunch (I actually preferred the brunch). Both are $10/person.


I'm already forgetting which deck we were on, it was a lower one, I want to say 2. For 2 people it was fine (and we really didn't spend much time in it). With kids, definitely on the cramped side.

[Corwin17]

Just curious, what deck #'s did you guys stay on? After doing the virtual tour of the ships we were thinking deck 5 or 6. What are your thoughts good or bad? We're prob looking at a cat 11 room, and even pricing it on the disney cruise website was lower than I expected. (although I'm sure there's discounts to be had out there somewhere, right?).1st cruise was cat 11 on deck 2 AFT (inside stateroom). This last cruse was Cat8 on Deck 6 FWD (large porthole view). (We've already booked our next cruise Cat7, Deck 7 FWD, obstructed navigator's veranda :D)

Both cabins had queen (king?) beds. The Deck 6 had a bit more room to maneuver around the bed because it was in the middle of the room, instead of the far side like the Deck 2. IIRC, both had futon/couches and a drop-down bunk bed. Ours was locked closed (for both cruises) cuz we didn't ask (pay?) to have them opened. No biggie ... we would have only used it for storage anyway.

OH! BTW, one recommendation that we did on this trip ... since storage space will be limited, get yourself one of those over-the-door plastic shoe organizers like
this one (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B0002VQKVU/ref=dp_product-image-only_0/102-2691618-1049758?%5Fencoding=UTF8&m=A16CJD9YV40E5B&n=10325631) . I'm not saying 'get this one', but I recommend something like it. Great place to store your sun glasses, sundries, etc!

[Niwel]

If you go on the cruise, the first thing you should do is go book Palo. Once for dinner and once for brunch (I actually preferred the brunch). Both are $10/person.

Good advice Alex -- the reservations sell out fast. Before you even go to your room, find out where they are taking a reservation and get in line (it is usually in Groove 66/Beat Street, but you can always ask a staff member when you get on or check the guide they give you when you check in).
Also, if you are planning any spa trips (including cabana massages on Castaway Cay), send one person there while the other makes Palo reservations.

We also brought along highlighters (so everyone knew what everyone else was doing), post-its to leave messages on the mirror and ALOE -- if you pick some up before you go it will be MUCH CHEAPER than buying some on the ship.

[GusMan]

Regarding the self-serve soda station... you can buy DCL mugs for like $3 each and use them at the SSSS. They are typical mugs like you would find at the resorts - but DCL styled. We got them from someone selling drinks during the sail-away party.

Regarding tips for your waitstaff and stateroom host/hostess... this can get, or I should say appear to be, rather expensive. They do sugguest a certain amount for each person multiplied by the number of people in your room. (This is found in your ticket booklet you get just before your cruise.) For us, a family of four, I think we doled out about $150 for all tips for the three-night cruise. We added in a little more than sugguested because the service we got was outstanding to say the least. You can have it added to your room account and they give you little tickets for each person - like a voucher system.

For us, ice was provided by out stateroom hostess twice a day. A real nice touch.

One other thing... no cash is used on board... (At least for everything I did, it wasnt.) Everything is charged to your room.