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

[newrygirl]

if you get a photo mat signed by the characters, make sure you let them know if you want it signed vertical or horizontal, we just got back from our first cruise and dropped one off to be signed, I never even thought of which way it would be signed, needless to say it is beautiful and they signed it vertical but every single one of my pictures, all my shutter ones and my personal ones are all horizontal so I don't even have a picture I can put in it, stupid of me but I didn't even think.

 

[lavawalker]

The best cruise tip I learned from DIS?

That I could order Mickey Mouse ice cream bars from room service even though they aren't on the menu...

 

[zoill]

I thought of another one I wish I had known about on our first...

If it matters to you...before you board the ship a picture is taken of your family and/or group. You may want to dress in something special or matching for the picture. We didn't our first cruise and we looked weird together...the outfits clashed (I know, I know PUH-leezze! hey, I'm an artist...these things matter to me.) So now we wear matching, or at least coordinating, outfits or something to tie us all together for our embarkation photo. For our '05 Christmas cruise we all wore Santa hats. It was cute. The hats came out later during the cruise too.

Just my $.02

Haha... A few years ago we went on the land and sea vacation. A group of thirteen, at Disney we all bought the hats of the characters. When we walked up to board the ship we pulled out our hats. It got a lot of funny looks, but we are a goofy bunch anyway.

 

[Jennifer_W]

Well, we flew Southwest, and they don't charge for a second suitcase I would have been in trouble otherwise!

Luuuucccckkkkyyy! I guess it wouldn't hurt to re-check with Northwest before we start packing. Maybe since fuel costs have gone down they'll let us bring 2 per person again.

 

[Schachteles]

Luuuucccckkkkyyy! I guess it wouldn't hurt to re-check with Northwest before we start packing. Maybe since fuel costs have gone down they'll let us bring 2 per person again.

Keep on dreaming...I know I am!!

But NWA doesn't even give you ONE bag for free unless you are first class. I believe you pay $15 for each first bag per person and then $25 for each second bag per person!!

OUCH

 

[kcashner]

It's called the airline rip off. I use a home pest control company that added a gasoline surcharge a couple years ago. Of course, gas prices have come way down, and the surcharge has remained.

I don't expect the luggage charges to go away. Of course, that might impact your choice of airlines.

 

[Schachteles]

It's called the airline rip off. I use a home pest control company that added a gasoline surcharge a couple years ago. Of course, gas prices have come way down, and the surcharge has remained.

I don't expect the luggage charges to go away. Of course, that might impact your choice of airlines.

I made a comment to the sky cap when we flew to Orlando on NWA back in November and he just laughed when I asked if they would remove the fee...he said they never will now that they started. Which stinks!

 

[NMMickeymom]

Wow, what an amazing list!! Do I get some kind of award for reading 33 pages of posts?? My list is twice as long as it was a few hours ago!!

A few questions, Are the outlets in such a location that one could use a night light? I also thought about goggles for the kids in the pool, and maybe a small pool toy? Are small floaties allowed? I know DDs loved having a small .99 blow up ring our last DW trip. I am also addicted to flavored coffee creamer (well, more like a coffee addiction ). Any chance they have this on board or will I have to bring my own stash in the roll on cooler I'm going to buy for my wine?
Some things I don't travel without are my small fan - I can't stand a stuffy room and I don't want to create kid popcicles with the AC on all the time. I also really like having my mini I-pod speaker. You never know when the DDs will need a bit of "Barbie Girl" to get them moving in the morning!!

Thanks for all the great ideas!!

 

[kcashner]

Small pool toys and floaties are allowed, but the pools are crowded. There isn't a lot of room for them.

There are outlets where you can plug in a night light or small fan.

 

[dsneygirl]

Thanks for all these great tips. I am really looking forward to our cruise.

 

[GreenAcres]

The best tips I've used:

Bring an over the door shoe holder and plastic clothes pins for hanging up wet swimsuits.
Bring a giant mesh laundry bag. We were able to stuff it in one duffle bag so all our dirty clothes were together and ready to wash when we got home.
You can find VERY inexpensive tuxedos on ebay (less than the cost of renting)
Keep a stack of $1 bills in a drawer for room service tips. Our son could order whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted and always had a tip handy.
Bringing your own hairdryer is a must.
Eat at Palo.
Participate in cruise meets and fish extender gift exchanges.
Order the All-hands-on-deck cheese tray from room service.

 

[d4est]

How many of you bring your own snorkle gear? Do you recommend it? If so, what type? Cheapo from Walmart or target...or something better?

Thanks!

 

[kcashner]

I have decent snorkel gear for myself from a dive shop. Got it on sale. For kids who are growing, I tend to get the cheaper stuff, but DD's was only like $30 on sale at the dive shop. It takes a lot of room in the luggage, so I tend to bring it when we drive, not necessarily when we fly.

The nice thing about getting it for your kids is that they can practice in a pool before you cruise. Sprinkle some pennies on the bottom and let them practice finding them.

 

[bwcb4]

I don't think I've seen anyone with my packing tip:

I worry that the airlines will lose my luggage. So I have our suitcases opened up in the living room. Each person has a spot in the room and they put all of their clothes there. Then each person picks out what they need for a complete outfit and puts it in a stack. (shirt and matching pants for casual dinner, include underwear and socks, etc) (shorts and t-shirt plus undies, sandals)

Then we play "musical suitcases". We walk around the room and each put a set of casual dinner clothes into suitcase #1. Everyones formal wear is in one suitcase. (with the good shoes too) Everyones pirate outfit is in the same suitcase. ETC. Keep walking around the room putting a type of clothing for each person in the suitcase until everything's packed! It doesn't come out even, but at least everyone will have an assortment of clothes available! This way , I figure if we lose a piece of luggage before we sail, each person will have a few complete outfits in the other suitcases. I put special clothes, formal and pirate, in the same suitcase. Then we all look dressed up or we don't together.

My family thinks I'm crazy for making them do this, but now it's the joke they look forward to!
But if we ever lose a suitcase they'll thank me!!

 

[Jennifer_W]

I don't think I've seen anyone with my packing tip:

I worry that the airlines will lose my luggage. So I have our suitcases opened up in the living room. Each person has a spot in the room and they put all of their clothes there. Then each person picks out what they need for a complete outfit and puts it in a stack. (shirt and matching pants for casual dinner, include underwear and socks, etc) (shorts and t-shirt plus undies, sandals)

Then we play "musical suitcases". We walk around the room and each put a set of casual dinner clothes into suitcase #1. Everyones formal wear is in one suitcase. (with the good shoes too) Everyones pirate outfit is in the same suitcase. ETC. Keep walking around the room putting a type of clothing for each person in the suitcase until everything's packed! It doesn't come out even, but at least everyone will have an assortment of clothes available! This way , I figure if we lose a piece of luggage before we sail, each person will have a few complete outfits in the other suitcases. I put special clothes, formal and pirate, in the same suitcase. Then we all look dressed up or we don't together.

My family thinks I'm crazy for making them do this, but now it's the joke they look forward to!
But if we ever lose a suitcase they'll thank me!!

Good idea!

 

[kcashner]

We're not quite as creative as your "musical suitcases" game, but we do the same thing of making sure that we each have some full outfits in each suitcase.

 

[DaniTaylor]

These tips are great!! We just booked our first ever cruise and I can't wait so I've been reading all the tips and trying to think what I need to pick up!

 

[ejdonne]

On my last Disney cruise, they mentioned a tour of the galley, however when I asked about it, it was already full. Does anyone know how to sign up for this early on?

second question, can you pack a bottle of alcohol in your luggage, or do you have to carry it on?

thanks,
Eric

 

[ibouncetoo]

You can't book the galley tour (or martini/wine/beer tastings) in advance. A good idea is sometime during that already hetic embarkation day, stop at guest services and ask "What's going on I need to sign up for?" Then you can find out when these events are happening and reserve your spot.

 

[MaryKLady]

Ask your at home cosmetic lady (I suppose you could go to the cosmetics counter too.) to order you the sample sizes of your skin care and makeup. You can pack just enough for your trip and you don't have to carry it all back home.