Shmoo here

4 hours ago, d9704011 said:

If a passenger pays $60 per day for a seven day cruise, the total is $420.  Over the course of the seven days, let's say 40 drinks are consumed and a couple of pizzas are eaten.  Internet is probably less than $2 per day, drinks cost $2 each and the entire rest of the Plus Package is probably not costing more than $20.  So, the total cost to Princess for the week is 7 x $2 plus 40 x $2 plus $20... a grand total of $114!!!  Plenty left over to make contributions to CA pool, take a profit, etc....

The Plus package also includes gratuities.  So, 7 night cruise, 2 people in room @ $16 each per night =$224.   $224+$114=$338.  Still less than the $420, but closer.

3 hours ago, JVes said:

Is it normal for a cruise terminal to look more like an empty warehouse than something enticing?

Yes.

24 minutes ago, Daphne Hope said:

Are kids/children under 3 allowed to swim in Mickey pool on Disney dream cruise.

From the DCL website:

Restrictions:

• This attraction is intended for Guests 3 years of age.
• Adult supervision is required for Guests under the age of 16.

They must also be toilet trained (no swim diapers allowed in pool).

1 minute ago, Daphne Hope said:

Well those parents that home school their kids/children should definitely take kids/ children on excursions because the kids/ children will learn some whilst on the excursions because they don’t learn anything when home school.

They can do lessons onboard, if they wish.  

53 minutes ago, Daphne Hope said:

Well parents should take children/kids on excursions during port days so children/ kids can have lessons because are missing school. no children/kids should be on ship swimming in Mickey pool( kids) and Donald pool(families) or riding the aqua dunk water coaster or ride Mickey slide or padding in the funnel paddle or watching movies from the Donald pool funnel vision tv.

 

Remember, not all families/children onboard are from the UK.  So whether they are "missing school" is not really an issue.  There are children that are home schooled in many parts of the world, as well as those who attend schools that allow vacations during school terms.

You are not going to be alone onboard the ship at any point.

1 hour ago, Daphne Hope said:

Do think parents from America,Wales,England, Ireland and Scotland  will take children 3 years old to 12 years old off the Disney dream cruise ship during port days Excursions on Tuesday 10th September, Wednesday 11th September,Thursday 12th September and Friday 13th September 2024 meaning that no children/kids swimming in  Mickey pool( kids) and Donald pool(families) or riding the aqua dunk water coaster or ride Mickey slide or padding in the funnel paddle or watching movies from the Donald pool funnel vision tv.

While people will be doing excursions, and may, or may not take their children along on them, there will still be people onboard, including children.

8 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I purchased a large container of clam chowder from a restaurant on the Monterey Pier in CA. As I stepped off of the tender onto the ship they asked me what I had. They took my piping hot clam chowder. You know someone ate it. 

On one Princess cruise, in San Francisco, someone behind us in line reboarding was denied bringing fresh donuts onboard from a local bakery.  

11 hours ago, srobinet63 said:

I was wondering about the pools/slides during the colder months.  Are they heated? If not for those of you who have cruised the Bahamas do you think the water would be too cold to use the slides?  

Answered on your other thread.

11 hours ago, srobinet63 said:

I was wondering about the pools/slides during the colder months.  Are they heated? If not for those of you who have cruised the Bahamas do you think the water would be too cold to use the slides?  

Generally, no.  

2 hours ago, Daphne Hope said:

Okay. I really hope that that when we go on Disney Dream British Isles cruise  on Sunday September 8th to September September 15th 2024 staying concierge stateroom 12524 with my mum that won’t be any parents with kids/children age 3 years old to 7 years old or 8 years old to 12 years old screaming the head off running up and their room late at night e.g.  from 12:00pm (midnight) onwards or early in the morning  4:00 am about (four o clock) or watch Tv with volume up really loud from 12:00pm (midnight) onwards or early in the morning  4:00 am about (four o clock)or knock or banging on door connecting stateroom 12524 and stateroom 12522 from 12:00pm (midnight) onwards or early in the morning  4:00 am about (four o clock) staying in concierge stateroom 12522.

It's quite unlikely.  Yes, there are some people who may cause issues, but they are few and far between.  We've been on 27 cruises and only one have we had issues with people running up and down the halls, and kids jumping off the beds in the next room.

2 minutes ago, nini said:

 

This is how I understood it as well. I am also curious if the "included" beverage gratuity goes to that person.

It's my understanding that the auto gratuity that's added to the cost of the drink goes into a pool to be shared by all bartenders/servers.  If you give your actual server an direct, additional tip at the time you get your drink they get to keep it.

Just now, Daphne Hope said:

Yes gometros I was asking if were connected.

Yes, they are.  You can see the little open doors on the wall between them.

8 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

If you purchased a drink package, you paid a gratuity based on the value of the drink package.  For the Plus Beverage Package the cost is $64.99 + 18% of that (service charge) per day... $11.68; there is no individual service charge on the drinks, within the limits of the package.  So, I'd say you've paid the bar staff right up front when you purchased the package (unless Princess pockets the entire 18%, which I doubt).

 

If you purchased the Princess Plus package at $60 per day (grats, wifi, drinks, etc...), I've no idea how bar staff would be compensated out of that.

 

Am I confused about what you've asked?

I don't know how to ask any clearer, sorry.

We have the Princess Plus package, which includes a beverage package.

What I'm asking is if the bartenders/servers still get some money (whatever the auto gratuity on a regular, purchased drink is) put in the service staff pool to be shared when I order a drink.  

1 minute ago, gometros said:

 

I suspect the OP was asking if they were connected.

Could be.  It's difficult to understand some posts.

16 minutes ago, Daphne Hope said:

Are concierge stateroom 12524 and 12522 contact on Disney Dream cruise ship.

I'm not exactly sure what/if you're asking, but I know that Concierge Services will contact you 130 days prior to your cruise to set up anything you need.

1 hour ago, daydreamer16 said:

I just booked a Disney Dream cruise for 11, a combo of adults & children. The cruise is not until July of 2025 so I have lots of time but I also have questions.

 

How do you get assigned a check in time?

Must our group check in together, we have 3 cabins?

I know there are lots of extras that cost $.   Are there any that are must do?

We will be going to Castaway Cay, what are the approximate costs for snorkel gear & bike rentals?

 

Thanks in advance for your help😀

 

I'm sure that I'll have more questions...

 

Port Arrive Time and Boarding number are done when you do your online check in.

While all 3 rooms won't have to check in together, I believe all persons in any one room must be present to check in.

"Must do" really depends on what you want.  As to what extra costs there are here's a list:

1. Gratuities (added to your onboard account automatically)
2. Parking/transportation
3. Porters
4. Room upgrades
6 Cellular phone calls (will be billed later to your phone bill)
7. Ship to shore calls from your room phone
8. Welcome aboard packages (flowers, candy, etc waiting in your cabin)
9. Duty Free Alcohol and cigarettes purchased during cruise
10. Alcoholic drinks at the bars and from roving servers poolside and in theatre
11. Tastings and Mixology
12. Wine by the glass/wine packages
13. Additional tip (over the auto gratuity added to all drinks) for bar servers
14. Tips for room service
15. Soft drinks and candy/snacks from room service/theatre snack bar
16. Specialty coffees
17. Bottled water (sparkling or still)
18. Candy and ice cream from Vanellope’s on the Dream
19. Smoothies from the bar in Senses Spa on the Dream
20. Upcharge food items at the adult clubs
21. Adult dining (Palo, Remy)
22. Shore excursions (including cabanas and rentals at CC)
23. Tip for Castaway Cay cabana host (cash)
24. Stamps from Post Office at Castaway Cay
25. Excursion tips
26. Spa treatments (plus 18% gratuity)
27. Bingo
28. Sports simulator
29. Photos (individual and packages)
30. Internet
31. Art
32. Purchases from the stores: clothing, sundries, jewelry, souvenirs, cameras, etc.
33. Pins sold at trading pin sessions
34. Cigars (Meridian bar)
35. Hair Braiding
36. Laundry room and send-out laundry and dry cleaning
37. Onboard booking for future cruises
38. Disney Vacation Club membership
39. Adventures by Disney
40. Medical care
41. Nursery (for under 3’s)
42. Kid’s club magic bands (if you want to keep them, you lose the deposit)
43. Meeting room rental
44. Onboard or Castaway Cay wedding/vow renewal (currently $3000/$4000)
45. Tuxedo rentals
46. Duties at customs at end of cruise if you've made a LOT of purchases abroad
47. Fuel supplement charge if the price of oil is above a certain level (never happened yet, that I know of)
48. Fish Extender program gifts (if you participate)

1 hour ago, Daphne Hope said:

I don’t an camera e.g. on mobile phone  or  video camera or  digital camera  I mean an camera that takes an photo is taken by a camera on the second dip 

They did have cameras on the Dream and Fantasy when they were new, but it didn't work out and they no longer have them.  At least that's what most people have reported - no more professional photos taken on the ride.  Now, on occasion, a roving photographer shows up at the location where people get off the ride and takes photos, but you can't count on it.

On 5/8/2024 at 10:25 PM, srobinet63 said:

I have only been on 2 cruises .Disney Magic back in 2000 and last year on Carnival Mardi Gras.  Both times we were mid ship around deck 9. 
 

I would like to do a Disney cruise and when I find a lower rate for an inside cabin most of them are on Deck 2 . These are not rooms mid ship. I believe Disney also picks the room. 
 

I need the lower price . How much motion do you get from the lower deck staterooms either front or back of ship?  We had some pretty big waves on Mardi Gras sailed in mid Sept 2023 when a hurricane was fairly close to us.  I took medicine and was ok. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Generally the areas with more movement are in the forward or aft of the ship.  Also, there's typically more movement the higher the deck.

We've cruised many times on the Magic (and Wonder) in deck 2 rooms.  Mostly we've have mid-aft or mid-forward rooms.  The motion was not bothersome to us.

Just now, d9704011 said:

The question seems a little uncertain to me.  Are you asking whether the bar staff receive a portion of the gratuities added to a drinks package?  

If I order a drink onboard and I have no drink package, the charge for the drink includes an auto gratuity for the bartender/server.

If I order a drink onboard, and I do have a drink package, is the auto gratuity amount still on the drink?  So the bartender/server still gets the same gratuity?

5 minutes ago, MTNest93 said:

If you're asking whether or not you'll be charged for the gratuities when ordering a drink in your package, the answer is no.  You will not be charged extra.  If you exceed your drink package limit - say you order an $18 drink with a $15 limit in your package, then you'll be charged the additional $3 plus gratuity on the $3 only.  Hope that helps 🙂

Yes, thank you, that's exactly what I was looking for.  

I know that drinks have their own gratuity applied when you order one, and not part of the general onboard gratuities pool.  What if you have a beverage package, does the bartender/server still get auto gratuities added to the drink?

On 5/9/2024 at 4:30 AM, Daphne Hope said:

Where exactly is camera on Disney dream aqua dunk.

There is no camera on AquaDuck.

10 hours ago, ural guy said:

Trying Riviera in October, Budapest to Black Sea, 14N.  I'll post my thoughts afterwards.

That would be great.  I appreciate your response.

9 minutes ago, RobInMN said:

Pretty sure GC is nearly identical to Vantage, down to the ship floor plans.

 

I don't know about that.  However, the only thing I do know about GC was the rooms were small and only had twin beds in them. I do know they are brothers. 

We did 4 Vantage trips, the last one was our delayed 2020 tulip cruise in 2022.  The first 3 trips were fantastic experiences.  The last one was just OK but still good.  

46 minutes ago, margretha said:

Spoke with "agent" at HAL. Learned we have the AARP OBC on one cruise and will get the military OBC on the other because you can't get the AARP and Military both on the same cruise. Hey, free money so don't want to look a gift ship in the hold but that seems at odds with others have written. So no complaints here but glad to have gotten the reservation info from this thread and gotten the $$.

margretha

I don't have first hand experience, yet (just got the AARP added to my account and no new cruises booked yet), but I can understand not being able to get AARP & educator or military discounts together since those perks are all from HAL. But combining AARP and a TA discount isn't coming out of the same pocket and should be allowable.