Planning Tips and Info for the Disney Cruise Line

[Disneyphile]

I'll use this thread to offer info and photos, and answer any questions any of you have. Enjoy!

[Disneyphile]

The Magic offers quite the dining experience. Here is a list of restaurants and their typical offerings, besides room service and the self-service drink station that is available 24/7 at no charge:

Breakfast

Topsiders - buffet (includes basics, plus usually a build-your-own omelet or pancakes station)
Parrot Cay - buffet* (includes basics, plus usually a build-your-own omelet or pancakes station)
Lumiere's - sit-down menu (very limited to typical egg or pancake platters)(*On an assigned day, you get a character breakfast at Parrot Cay which is table service!)

Lunch

Topsiders - buffet (varies - Asian cuisine, seafood, Italian, Mexican, etc. with a "build-your own" station offering a particular customizable dish)
Parrot Cay - buffet (also varies daily)
Lumiere's - sit-down menu (everything from spaghetti to gourmet hamburgers)Dinner* (location varies, depending on assigned rotation, but all menus remain the same throughout the ship, regardless of location - however, your server follows your rotation, as well as any bottles of wine you purchase onboard)

Lumiere's - the fanciest of the 3 dining rooms, with exquisite decor, including "enchanted rose" chandeliers.
Animator's Palette - the "artistic" dining room. It changes colors before your eyes, among other effects.
Parrot Cay - the most casual of the main dining rooms, it offers a tropical ambience.(*Casual buffet dinner is available every night at Topsiders without an assigned time)

Counter Service (open from 11am - 11pm daily)

Goofy's Galley - ice cream, assorted deli salads and sandwiches, fresh fruit
Pluto's Dog House - hot dogs, hamburgers, tacos, fries, chicken strips
Pinocchio's Pizzeria - pizza!
The Cove Cafe - specialty coffee drinks (they do charge for these)Special Dining

Palo - a special adults-only Italian restaurant that offers a stunning 180-degree view of the ocean on the top deck. They offer brunch, high tea, and dinner. Reservations are required, and a $10 per person surcharge applies. (I highly recommend booking reservations 75-90 days prior to disembarkation via the DCL website or phone number. If not, you can always "run the gauntlet" right after boarding, and hope you get a spot. http://www.micechat.com/forums/images/smilies/wink3.gif )
Pirates IN the Caribbean Deck Buffet (only happens on the specified evening in conjunction with the themed deck party) - save room at dinner, because this swashbuckling bounty offers the best turkey legs, chili, and build-your-own crepes, in addition to a treasure chest of desserts! (However, do NOT miss your regular dinner on this night! There are surprises you won't want to miss!)
Dessert Buffet (around 10pm - midnight on a specified evening) - come see the chocolate sculptures and indulge in a vast array of desserts at Lumiere's.Restaurant Locations

Lumiere's - Deck 3 Midship
Parrot Cay - Deck 3 Aft
Animator's Palette - Deck 4 Aft
Topsiders - Deck 9 Aft
Palo - Deck 10 Aft (Adults Only)
The Cove Cafe - Deck 9 Fore (Adults Only)
Pinocchio's Pizzeria, Pluto's Doghouse, Goofy's Galley - Deck 9 Aft (Outside)
24-Hour Self-Service Drink Station - Deck 9 Aft (Outside)Bon Appetit!
:D

[Disneyphile]

What to bring:

Formal Attire

There will be 2 formal nights, being a two-week cruise. Some people just dress nice, and a lot go all out with tuxes and gowns. Tuxedo rentals are available, and information will be provided in your pre-cruise documents. You need to reserve a tux at least 2 weeks out, and it is delivered directly to the stateroom (and you simply leave it there for pick-up). It's the same price as most rental places, and far more convenient and easy!

On one of the formal nights, it is themed Oscar-style, as the Golden Mickeys. There is an exquisite menu that evening, and you'll walk the red carpet on the way to the Golden Mickeys show that evening. It's just like being at the Oscars, Disney style. :cool: It's a brilliant show!

Semi-Formal Attire

We will also have 2 semi-formal nights. Think cocktail gowns and suits. But, some just go dressy, as with most dinner nights. (However, it's a lot of fun to dress up - it really adds to the atmosphere.) Semi-formal to formal attire is also recommended for dinner at Palo.

Dinner Attire

When dining in the main dining rooms (Lumiere's, Animator's Palette, Parrot Cay) for dinner, "dressy casual" is recommended. I usually wear a nice blouse and skirt or pant ensemble with dressy sandals. Men often wear a collared shirt and slacks. Dressy casual is also recommended for brunch and high tea at Palo.

Daily Wear

Yes, it will be warm, but also plan for cool nights, especially once we start heading north in the Pacific. (Trust me on this - I remember from the Mexican Riviera sailing in 2005.) Bring everything from shorts and tank tops and also a couple pairs of pants, a sweatshirt, and also a jacket. It can, and more than likely will, get cold in the evenings during the last few nights of the trip. While the ship is kept temperately comfortable in all weather, you will want to be prepared for being out on deck or on your veranda.

Swimwear

Doesn't matter if you're fat or thin - bring your swimsuit! People of all sizes are onboard, and no one "gawks". There are wonderful pools and jacuzzis onboard, and it'd be a shame to miss them.

Costumes

There are various theme nights, including Pirates IN the Caribbean. While costumes are not required, plenty of people do dress up and join the fun (although those who wish not to, are certainly not out-of-place). Also, the nightclubs offer 60's, 70's, and 80's theme nights. You should see some of the stuff that people bring from the backs of their closets for those nights. :birdy: I will do my best to find out the theme line-up and post it in advance, for costume planning. (If that's your bag.)

About Laundry Service

There is a laundry service and also self-service laundry available onboard. Usual cost for self-service is $2 per load for wash, and I believe the driers are in 30-minute increments at $1. Detergent is also available for purchase, but it is much cheaper to buy a few individual powder boxes at your local laundromat and just pack them in your luggage. With onboard laundry services, you can get away with packing less clothes, especially for a 2-week cruise. Remember that more luggage = less space in your stateroom! (You can store about 2 suitcases under your bed, and 2 on the closet floor. It's recommended you fully unpack, stash your suitcases and use the drawers and closets - makes things a LOT easier, and you can store your suitcases within each other, making for even more space.)

[Morrigoon]

omg...I so have to find some legwarmers for 80's night !!

[Not Afraid]

Here's our baby in San Pedro. (http://photos.xenarchy.com/thumbnails.php?album=12&page=1)

The DCL site is not quite up to date.


60's Dance Party
Go totally tie-dye at this dance party salute to a bygone era of peace, love and bell-bottom blue jeans. Groove to your favorite oldies on the dance floor or start a sit-in rally at the bar.

70's Disco Night
Put on your platform shoes and hit the dance floor as we kickoff a disco fever epidemic. Our 70s dance party will have you spinning like a disco ball.

80's Time Warp Party
Put on your platform shoes and hit the dance floor as we kickoff a disco fever epidemic. Our 70s dance party will have you spinning like a disco ball.


:)

I'll be doing this:

Salsa Class
Shake your hips and hit the dance floor as your Cruise Staff teaches you the basics of the Salsa, the hottest dance around.

[Stan4dSteph]

Tony shared a file with a list of menus from the first Westbound repositioning cruise. See this thread at MousePad (http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=66111).

[Not Afraid]

Those menus look so wonderful!

[Disneyphile]

omg...I so have to find some legwarmers for 80's night !!I've still got my old Wham! shirts, and by then, I'll be able to fit into 'em again. I even have the Wham! headband. :birdy:

[€uroMeinke]

It appears platform shoes are required for a number of themed nights - I may have to stop by Hot Topic and get some Kiss Army Boots.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

My question is "why can't I go!" :(

[Alex]

Just remember that you have to carry all of that crap back and forth.

Since even for a cruise I only travel with one bag that I can carry in one hand, my clothing selection was very limited on the cruise.

If you're going to have planned nights for skipping an assigned dinner I suggest skipping Animator's Pallette. Do it once, but after that I found it the least enjoyable of the dining rooms.

[Disneyphile]

Just remember that you have to carry all of that crap back and forth.Although, with Magical Express, Disney handles all the luggage and brings it right to the Stateroom, and then picks it back up the night before we arrive at Los Angeles. We had all kinds of crap for our honeymoon, and it wasn't a nuisance at all. :)

[Alex]

I don't let my luggage out of my sight since it is usually worth more than I am, but that isn't difficult since I hardly ever travel (no matter how long) with more than can fit in a large gym bag.

But regardless, I was just raising the issue (we went with a couple that pretty much brought their home with them and it made for a crowded stateroom). But as we all know, definitions of nuisance vary.

[Disneyphile]

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b80/Disneyphile/Disney%20Cruise/203e16ab.jpg

This station offers sodas, water, coffee, milk, iced tea, juices, cocoa, and an assortment of hot teas. Cups are small (around 14 ounces), but you can always take as many as you can carry, or bring your own "jumbo travel mug" to fill. :)

Canned sodas from room service or bars are $2 each, so it's much better to just grab them yourself at this station - it's even located right near the aft elevator.

Also, on the first day, crew members will try to sell you the Evian "water package" - it's 12 bottles of water for about $25. I recommend NOT doing this, and just bring one or two bottles with you and refilling them at the station, as needed. The water that is dispensed tastes great - it's filtered right onboard the ship itself.

All rooms are equipped with a small Beverage Cooler - a tad warmer than a regular fridge, but perfect for keeping drinks chilled!

[€uroMeinke]

Hmmmm - is there a fuzzy water option?

[Not Afraid]

LOL! You really need to become Gold again so you can see what i'm posting in the private forums at MC.

[€uroMeinke]

LOL! You really need to become Gold again so you can see what i'm posting in the private forums at MC.

Eh, I figure you've got us covered over there - but I suppose I should do the same over at MP

[JWBear]

I don't let my luggage out of my sight since it is usually worth more than I am, but that isn't difficult since I hardly ever travel (no matter how long) with more than can fit in a large gym bag.

But regardless, I was just raising the issue (we went with a couple that pretty much brought their home with them and it made for a crowded stateroom). But as we all know, definitions of nuisance vary.

Nobody today travels like they did in the golden age of travel. For example: Mrs Charlotte Wardle Cardeza, first class passenger, boarded the Titanic with fourteen trunks, four suitcases and three crates of baggage. Her luggage included 32 pairs of shoes, 15 rings, 84 pairs of gloves, a black lace gown valued at $900, and inumerable hats - laces - hair ornaments - parasols - necklaces etc. We know all this because she filled a detailed insurance claim for her lost possessions that is over 18 pages long. And she was far from the most encumbered traveler on board!

[Alex]

And I bet she never touched one of those bags or even unpacked them in her room. Even with Magical Express, that is hardly the truth these days.

[JWBear]

I forgot to mention that the claim totaled over $177,000. That's 1912 dollars.

[mousepod]

I hope that at some point, the Magical Express package will be expanded to include a Disney version of Batsleep, so that a castmember will come to your home, spray you, and you awaken in your stateroom on the ship with all your clothes neatly put away.

(I chose Batsleep over the gas from the first episode of The Prisoner, because I imagine you'd awaken in a place of wonder, as opposed to The Village - but I'm sure others would have a different opinion)

[Not Afraid]

I bring many shoes. Many shoes. Mot of the time they even travel in pairs. ;)


But, otherwise, I'm fairly edited. Black is a good, basic and fashionable color.

[Morrigoon]

I believe, in cruise wear, esp. through the panama canal, white is the new black .

[cirquelover]

I'm not a light packer but I have plenty of time to plan this all out so I should be ok. I either need to go shopping or lose weight..I vote lose weight but we'll see how that goes.

Thanks DP for answering some questions before I even have to ask! How great are you:snap:

Ok, now I have to learn ship-speak. What is aft, port etc...?

I've read about people bringing cases of water on board, is that allowed? How about wine or hard liquor? Do I pack them in a suitcase or leave them separate?

I've started a cruise notebook and am putting info, questions, tips and tricks in it that I come across. I saw that Passporter had a cruise book from 2005 they are recommending for 2008 travelers. I actually joined the site so I can get an extra %30 off, if I decide to get it.

I can't believe Gary agreed to this!

[Ghoulish Delight]

Aft=back of the boat, bow=front, port=left, starboard=right, muster=fun to say.

Wine and liquor are not allowed (people have been known to get around that though...). If you buy any at ports, you'll be required to check it until you return home.

[Disneyphile]

If you buy any at ports, you'll be required to check it until you return home.Actually, we were able to take our rum purchase at St. Thomas right to our room. :D

[innerSpaceman]

Wine and liquor are not allowed.

:confused: :confused: :confused:

Huh? Does that just mean you're not allowed to have a supply of your own, or are you saying there is no wine or liquor even served aboard ship?





And just when are you folks planning this grand excusion anyway??

[BarTopDancer]

The official Disney policy is no BYOA but they are will allow it. Just no ice or hard coolers. Put in your carry-on, wrap it well and it can be brought on board.

I think there is an address where you can ship packages to yourself ahead of time floating around on the internets somewhere.

iSm - lots of alcohol on the ship. It's not DisneyLAND afterall ;)

[CrazyLegs]

Thanks for info I cant wait :) I will so need to shop before hand