DCL Disney Magic At Sea UK Residents Only Sailing Summer 2021 General Information

[lanejudy]

It isn't clear what is happening. So how did it work when they served you - was it a fixed menu, or could you still have pretty much what you wanted, just someone went to get it for you rather than helping yourself?

Pre-covid, Cabanas was usually a self-serve buffet for breakfast and lunch. However if there was a Noro outbreak on any given cruise they would switch to CM's at the buffet to dish it out. Dinner was always a sit-down served meal (not buffet) with mostly selections from the MDRs.

 

[Jules334]

Eric D on YouTube has uploaded an interesting 10 min video about the UK Staycations.

It covers a lots of questions you may have about meet and greets, (not close ups like we may be use to) Entertainment, the H&S measures in place

A point to be aware of is that whlist you need to have had your second jab, it needs to be atleast 7 days before departure.

pre trip testing (PCR between 5 days & 24 hrs). Tests at the terminal are free of charge.

appreciate that this is also on DC! Website, but some may find it easier to watch than read.

 

[Travelling_Techie]

Pre-covid, Cabanas was usually a self-serve buffet for breakfast and lunch. However if there was a Noro outbreak on any given cruise they would switch to CM's at the buffet to dish it out. Dinner was always a sit-down served meal (not buffet) with mostly selections from the MDRs.

Aha thanks - I've done several cruises but never deviated from MDR so never even realised that Cabanas was open for dinner! MDR is one of the main features of DCL

 

[MadScouser]

Just 11 hours now until Gold and Platinum can tell us the prices

And then a few minutes later, as I told my DS12 my credit card goes "Ouchy ouchy, thats going to hurt"

 

[auntlynne]

I have a query about gratuities. I know how you tip the key staff through your room bill, and at bars they add a percentage to the bill. This will all be in USD. What about room service? I'm guessing this will be needed a lot as there is no buffet available for breakfast or lunch. Are we all expected to grab a load of USD before sailing to be able to tip, or will they accept sterling? Would they even accept cash in these covid days or just add a couple of bucks to your room bill? (I must say that for this I wish we still had our pound notes, a suitable quantity of pound coins will weigh quite a bit!)

I would tip them in £. it is too much trouble for a ship full of Brits to all try to get $ singles to tip non-American crew. After a summer of collecting £s, they will have a way to convert it to whichever currency they use.

I have never tipped $5 for room service; usually $2. It has been >5 years, though. Perhaps check these threads to see what is considered normal. Im pretty sure the runners are dining room servers and do this on a rotation Not as their primary position (and source of income). If anyone knows otherwise,please update me.

I still can’t imagine a big need for room service. There should be plenty to eat with meals and snacks.

Aha thanks - I've done several cruises but never deviated from MDR so never even realised that Cabanas was open for dinner! MDR is one of the main features of DCL

Pre-pandemic, dinner in Cabanas was not offered on Night 1. Hard to imagine them doing it on a two-nighter. Maybe a 3 or 4-night. Another mystery to discover...

Curious to see what they do about Cabanas. Even if CMs serve you food, there is the issue of social distancing in lines. Keeping 3-6 feet apart would be a challenge.

I wondered if they could use Cabanas as an option as An additional seating area, as a MDR, but I agree, the theming of the MDRs is a. Integral part of the Disney. Ruining experience.

 

[auntlynne]

This is the bit I don’t think it’s very clear on... whether or not there’s still rotational dining, as one place it says you have the same table, elsewhere it does specify that if you’re on a 2
nighter, you won’t get to experience all the restaurants... so that makes me think you do rotate...

Unless stated that there is no rotational dining (A feature if which DCL prides itself), I would assume it will happen. There is no apparent increase in injection spread by changing restaurants each night. Your server goes with you - that is where increased risk would happen - if you were exposing you or them to more people.

And, sadly, they have to say that two night cruisers won’t get all three dining rooms. Because they only have two nights. Someone would probably have gotten made about that - because they couldn’t do the math.

Breakfast and lunch are usually served in one MDR; perhaps they will utilize all three over the course of the cruise?

There is a cinema on the magic but not sure how they'll handle seating with socal distancing??

Probably like Walt Disney World. Big stickers on the seats. Group spaces, staggered between rows.

If reserved seats, they may have put numbers on the seats. So many things to discover about modifications. Whatever happens on these cruises, I expect to see on my cruise early next year.

 

[o&smom]

It isn't clear what is happening. So how did it work when they served you - was it a fixed menu, or could you still have pretty much what you wanted, just someone went to get it for you rather than helping yourself?

No, it was the regular buffet set up just like normal, but you were not allowed to serve yourself. They would put whatever you wanted on your plate. The only thing bad about it for me is that I like to try a little bit of lots of things, and their servings were very large. I had to throw away food at the end of every meal. You also could not get your own drinks in Cabanas. Someone would get you what you wanted and put it on a table. You would then pick it up, so no one touched each other.

 

[gismo1554]

It isn't clear what is happening. So how did it work when they served you - was it a fixed menu, or could you still have pretty much what you wanted, just someone went to get it for you rather than helping yourself?

See I was wondering if they will actually use it as a main dining restaurant to help thin out the tables in the other restaurants.

No, it was the regular buffet set up just like normal, but you were not allowed to serve yourself. They would put whatever you wanted on your plate. The only thing bad about it for me is that I like to try a little bit of lots of things, and their servings were very large. I had to throw away food at the end of every meal. ☹ You also could not get your own drinks in Cabanas. Someone would get you what you wanted and put it on a table. You would then pick it up, so no one touched each other.

I think that even this might not be done as you are still queuing to get the food and this would be a possible hot spot for spreading. It will be interesting to see what they do

 

[Claireywalsh]

good morning platinum and gold castaways - so interested to hear your feedback this morning on prices. It will be so useful to help me decide ahead of tomorrow! Happy Booking day

 

[BadPinkTink]

New Updates About Entertainment

Spectacular Disney Entertainment

Where else does a spectacular West End-quality musical become your bedtime story? Be dazzled as the Disney stories come to life on stage, including a pre-show celebration with Mickey.

Disney Dreams
An Enchanted Classic: Enjoy a touching story about the power of dreams, where a little girl named Anne Marie can’t seem to find it in her heart to believe. The live stage show features a dazzling procession of characters and songs from some all-time Disney classic including Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Cinderella and Aladdin.

Pre-show Special
Celebration at Sea with Mickey & Friends: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto and Donald star in an all-new, high-energy celebration at sea. This musical Disney show moment allows Guests to see and experience their beloved friends in a new way.

Heroic Encounters & Royal Festivities

Join in a Frozen flurry of fun with Anna, Elsa and Olaf, or enjoy an epic  encounter with Marvel’s mightiest heroes.

Mighty Marvel Encounters:
Assemble for an extravaganza with some of Marvel’s mightiest. Thrill to Marvel-themed entertainment and unleash your inner hero in the presence of Iron Man, Spider-Man and Black Panther.

Freeze the Night Away:
Delight in upbeat dancing, Frozen song favorites and Elsa's powerful ice magic during this star-studded show featuring Anna, Elsa and Kristoff—along with virtual visits from Sven, Olaf and the trolls.

Special Moments with Disney Characters

Spend quality time with beloved Disney characters. Snap photos of Captain Mickey, behold a royal promenade with Disney Princesses and greet Toy Story friends.

Character Sightings:
Many Disney Characters will be popping up for surprise appearances throughout the ship. Be on the lookout for many of your Disney pals throughout your voyage!

Princess Promenade:
Favourite Disney Princesses wave to Guests from the Atrium balcony as they enter Lumiere’s for dinner. This elegant dining experience also features live music by our extraordinary pianist, playing classic arrangements from the Disney Songbook.

Toy Story Encounters:
You’ve got a friend in Woody and Jessie, so be sure and get a selfie with these beloved Toy Story characters. Sarge and the Green Army Patrol will also host a fun new game show and on reconnaissance around the ship in search of the elusive blue crayon!.

 

[steveyjc81]

Phoned at 9 on the dot. Still on hold 45 mins later. Argh

 

[ShellB8585]

Phoned at 9 on the dot. Still on hold 45 mins later. Argh

Me too! I am following along on the UK DIBB forum and see some prices starting to be listed there. Fingers crossed we'll get through soon (Although the call handler may hear me singing along )

 

[steveyjc81]

Me too! I am following along on the UK DIBB forum and see some prices starting to be listed there. Fingers crossed we'll get through soon (Although the call handler may hear me singing along )

Glad you said that, I was starting to think I rang the wrong number. 52 mins and waiting now. I wonder are they giving preference to Platinum or just have 1 or 2 people on the phones. Would it kill them to do it online!!

 

[ShellB8585]

Glad you said that, I was starting to think I rang the wrong number. 52 mins and waiting now. I wonder are they giving preference to Platinum or just have 1 or 2 people on the phones. Would it kill them to do it online!!

I know what you mean, I was also wondering if they are prioritising Platinum, although I have waited a lot longer when booking on opening day for other cruises so I am anticipating quite a wait (I booked the day off because of it!) I do wish they could do it online. Also move existing bookings to new bookings. I have an Onboard booking I want to move - I'm not expecting anything but as we have the deposit paid that will be a chunk off this cruise.

 

[HesterG]

65 min on hold... was also wondering if I had the right number.

Date: 20 August
Nights: 3 nights
From: Southampton
People: 2A 2C
Cat: 09C
Room: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom
Price: £2,298.79

Date: 23 August
Nights: 4 nights
From: Southampton
People: 2A 2C
Cat: ?
Room: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom
Price: £2,996.18

Date: 16th or 18th August
Nights: 2 nights
From: Southampton
People: 2A 2C
Cat: ?
Room: Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom
Price: £1,541

 

[Travelling_Techie]

Gold here, called bang on 9 and still waiting.

 

[Duck In Blue]

I'm Gold too, was about 70 minutes waiting although I did mess up the menu option so that probably didn't help

I posted this in the price thread too, but in case it helps anyone:

14th September, 3 Night from Tilbury 2 adults Cat 5A £1665.68, Cat 7A £1444.48, Cat V £2576.48
17th September, 3 night from Tilbury 2 adults Cat 7A £1865.18
20th September, 2 night from Tilbury 2 adults Cat 7A £958.72, Cat V £1693.14
No gratuities, OBB, transfers, insurance.

Quite a jump for the weekend sailing so we are splitting our trip, fortunately it's only about a 40 minute drive to the port.

 

[scottishwee35]

I am gold and still waiting for 2 hrs and 10 mins.. I am with BSL contact so nothing yet

 

[BadPinkTink]

Info from people booking

• Passports will be required for all passengers
• 20% required at booking , balance 30 days before departure HOWEVER if PIF at time of booking, booking for Palo etc opens
• Back To Back Booking allowed
• Palo will be $45 for fixed price menu / A la Carte menu

Platinum and Gold opening day prices can be found in this thread

 

[Garyjames220]

Does anyone think there is a chance the nursary will open up by September?

also can hot tub be used