Ask Magically Speaking

In each issue we like to answer questions from you. What are your questions? Are you wondering about a certain attraction? Are you curious about a resort or cruise? Do you have some nagging little trivia question that you are just dying to know the answer to? If so, please send them to us. We have a great team of Disney experts and sleuths that would love to answer your questions! If you have a question, send it to us at magicallyspeaking@themouseforless.com.

Ask Magically Speaking is a regular feature in the Magically Speaking newsletter. The following Ask Magically Speaking was published in the Novermber 6, 2006 issue
of Magically Speaking ISSN: 1556-3863

In keeping with our Disney Cruise Line theme, in this issue we will answer some commonly asked questions about cruising.

Q. What time can I board?

A. Boarding officially begins at 1pm, but typically boarding will begin around noon. When you arrive at the terminal, you will be handed a numbered boarding card. Numbers will be called in order once they open the gangway for boarding. In order to expedite check in, make sure to have all your forms filled out completely and your documentation handy.

Q. Where can I get information about Shore Excursions?

A. Well, right here on TheMouseForLess! http://www.themouseforless.com/tripplanning/dcl/Ports.shtml.

Q. What should I do regarding food allergies before I board?

A. Advise your travel agent or Disney Cruise Lines if you are booking directly, but also fill out and fax them a Guest Medical Information Form found here: Guest Medical Form. Disney takes food allergies seriously, and will do their very best to accommodate you.

Q. What is a good way to get character signatures, I heard something about a pillowcase?

A. Supply Guest Services with a clean white pre washed pillowcase as soon as possible after you board along with a bunch of different colored fabric laundry markers (Rub a Dub is one specific brand that doesn’t wash out). Place the items in a bag and mark your name and cabin number on it. If there is a specific character signature that you especially covet, be sure to note that. And of course, a nice little thank you card in the bag never hurts. The signed pillowcase will be returned to you (either by delivery or with a phone call to come pick it up) on your last day.

Q. Is there Wi-Fi on board? Can I get it in my cabin?

A. There are Wi-Fi hot spots on board. They are located in the Cadillac Lounge (Wonder), Sessions (Magic), Wavebands (Wonder), Rockin D Bar (Magic), Promenade Lounge, Studio Sea, Cove Cafe, Open Decks 9 & 10, and the Atrium (Decks 3,4 & 5 mid ship). Wi-Fi is not available in the rooms. The cost is 75 cents per minute, or you can prepay for a package, $55.00 for 100 minutes and $100.00 for 250 minutes. Internet access is also available on terminals located in the Cove Cafe and the internet Cafe.

Q. I'm dying for a Mickey Bar, are there any on the ship?

A. Sure they are and best of all they are free! You can ask for one in the Dining Rooms for dessert, and also order them from Room Service (be sure to tip your the room service attendant).

Q. Our kids are grown and have left the nest, can we still go on a DCL?

A. There are plenty of adult only areas on Disney Cruise Lines. After hours, the entire Beat Street (Magic) and Route 66 (Wonder) are loaded with adults only entertainment. In addition, the Cove Cafe is adults only all the time, as are the adults only pool (and hot tubs located in that area), Palo (brunch, dinner and high tea), Serenity Bay (beach on Castaway Cay) and the Vista Spa.

Q. How much and who should we tip?

A. Tipping is as always optional, but highly encouraged. Disney suggests the following per person based on the length of your cruise:

• 3 day cruise, stateroom host/hostess $10.70, dining room server $11.00, assistant server $8.00. head server $2.75
• 4 day cruise, stateroom host/ hostess $14.50, dining room server $14.75, assistant server $10.75. head server $3.75
• 7 day cruise, stateroom host/ hostess $25.25, dining room server $25.75, assistant server $18.75. head server $6.50

Of course you can add more at your discretion. Envelopes will be provided in your stateroom, along with a form. You can use cash in the envelopes, or return the form to guest services with the amounts you would like to tip filled in. They will then give you tip vouchers that they charge to your on board account to put in the envelopes to hand out on the last night of your cruise.

15% is also added to all bar tabs. You should tip the porter who handles your luggage $1-$2 per bag, and the room service attendant $1 or $2.

Q. Do we need passports to cruise?

A. The U.S. Government has extended the deadline requiring all Guests — including children — to carry passports on cruises throughout the Caribbean, including the Bahamas and Mexico, to June 1, 2009. Current requirements for anyone 18 or over are a valid government issued photo id (drivers license) and a state issued, raised seal birth certificate. So, you don’t have to get a passport yet, but we recommend that you do for two reasons. The U.S. government may change their deadline date at any time, and you could be caught with too little time to get passports before your cruise. Also, if something should happen during your cruise and you need to fly home, you must have a passport to enter the United States by air; the passport requirements for air travel have not been extended.

Q. Any final words of advice?

A. Glad you asked! You may already be a member of the MouseforLess email list on yahoogroups. Consider joining its sister list, MagicCruisesforLess. The list homepage has tons of information about ports of call, shipboard activities, trip reports, etc. And many experienced cruisers are happy to answer any more questions that occur to you as you prepare for your cruise. To join, click here: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/magiccruisesforless/.