Tips and Tidbits from my peers!

So a massive Thank You to everyone who has been trawling the seafloor of the internet in order to help me with my journey- and also thank you to all the Cast/Crew Members I've met lately as we all collectively bond over the idea that we've signed off our lives to the sea witch for the next while and need to be prepared.


I am super appreciative, and so is everyone else trying to pack their lives/get ready!
Remember - everything in this post is courtesy of other people and their opinions/ideas - entirely their property and I lay no claim to them whatsoever!
So let's get on with it:

TIPS AND TIDBITS FROM THE CAST AND CREW

"Everyone over packs the first contract - so don't worry too much.  Here's a general list..

• Tolietries (shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, sun screen etc) enough for the first 2 or 3 weeks (you can buy them in port but may not have a chance to for a while depending on your schedule). You will have access to a walmart in Port Canaveral

• Lots of socks and underwear (I would bring enough for 3 weeks just in case I didn't get a chance to do laundry). A Laundry bag.

• Clothes for off time - crew bar, ports, bathing suit and a fancy outfit or two (they have nicer crew events).  Make sure to bring some warmer clothes too as Florida/Bahamas gets cold in the winter)

• Proper footwear (you cannot get footwear easily before you get on the ship) avoid the hassle and bring the proper footwear with you.

• Laptop if you have one, DVDs,Camera, hair dryer if you use one, battery operated alarm clock

• Money for the first couple weeks (as it may be a bit before you get your paycheck)

• If you have guest privileges (some positions are allowed to use certain guest areas on time off ) make sure to bring disney look clothes

• If there is something you can only get at home (candy, specific brand of toiletries etc) make sure to bring a good supply.  You can bring only certain types of food on the ship (basically dry goods like snack food), so I would always bring some meal bars, crackers etc on just so I had them in case I was hungry or slept through a meal.

• A beach towel

• Medication (they do have sea calm and pain relievers available at anytime outside med center)

• Pictures of family/friends and any small comfort items, magnets (the walls in your room are magnetic - to hand pictures and notes up).

• On the Dream there is room under the beds to store things, but on the magic and wonder there are just drawers - so if you by any chance get transferred to the Magic/Wonder it is better to have a soft case luggage so you can store it."

-Nicole

 "Make sure you take an adapter plug for every electrical item you are taking (something they didn't tell me before I went).  When you take your stuff to electrical they will stick a label on every item you have a plug for, and then tape your plug to that item.  Luckily lots of my stuff changed through my laptop, but unless you plan on hiding your things every week for cabin inspection, make sure you take enough!'

 -Louisa

"-Bring lots of comfortable clothes (ah my days of accessorizing are long gone, bring on the sweatpants!)
-Make friends in all departments, you never know when you will need their help
-Don’t leave your laundry unattended for too long
-Use your safe (I finally learnt how to use it! Don’t worry mom, they hold on to my passport so it wasn’t in there)
-Buy an American phone because phone cards are ridiculous and I whip right through them
-When using the internet, type all your messages out in Word first and then copy and paste them into the emails once you have signed on…as I am super cheap and stingy with my internet card.
-Febreeze. Enough said.
-Sleep any chance you can.
-Eat when you can, even if you’re not hungry, you will be hungry later when your break gets swapped around or you’re too lazy to get up for breakfast…
-Snacks are your friend when you’re too lazy to get up for breakfast.

-Run around a lot during the day so you don’t feel bad about eating so much."

 -Amanda

" I would recommend taking a cell phone... but not a contract one because that is going to be real expensive with the constant roaming charges.

If you take along an unlocked phone that can accept sim cards there is a sim card you can buy so that you can make calls/receive texts at sea.  It is kind of expensive but cheaper than using 'oceanphone' from the phone in your cabin.  It's useful to have if you are desperate to call home.

American cell phone is a great idea.  Whichever ship you end up in you should be in an american port at least two times a week.  I actually use that to call to the UK when I need to. And it's not extortionate to text home either. Most Europeans I know do not have us cell phones... Only the British really.

Internet is a ongoing debate. You will use it... There is no way around it really. Because like you said it is the best way to communicate while at sea. It's probably equivalent to the speed of dial up... So things like Skype come and go... And downloading anything is usually a big no no. There are times when it is slower than others. Usually between 11pm and 1 am when everyone is using it. And sometimes you can't even get on it because it can only cope with so many users logged into it at anyone time."

-Ben

 "As for advice... I feel like I could write a whole book on it.  Biggest ones: make sure you have balance in your life on board.  Have fun, but makes sure to get enough sleep and take time to yourself as you need it.  Don't lose sight of the reason you are there and the job you have to do, there will be many things that will cloud that."

-Nicole

 "My next post will consist of what I forgot to bring.

Forgotten List

1. Febreeze
2. Duvet
3. Suitcase
4. Magnets
5. Pictures
6. Clock
7. Powerbar
8. Small decorations
9. Baskets for wardrobe
10. Plain t-shirts (Disney Look)
11. Laundry Basket/Bag 
12. More snack foods (granola bars, etc)"

-Amanda

"DCL provide a lot of stuff... towels and linens included.

You should just bring any personal items you require... shower gel... hair products... toothpaste... but even if you forget there is the crew store.

YourTV is equipt with a DVD player so you might want to bring a few movies (as long as they are Region 1) or CDs.

On the clothes front... it's always a good idea to not bring too much.  You'll be in your work clothes most of the time.  Cabins are designed well for storage but they are still very small.  Think logically... swimming shorts, one smart outfit (i.e shirt and tie).  It's warm all year round but can get chilly during the evenings in the winter months... so just incase someone has told you it's a great idea to just bring t shirts and shorts... pack a sweater haha.

You can always buy new clothes at the mall anyway.

Laptop is up to you... the ship is wireless (you have to pay for the internet by buying cards tho) but there is an internet cafe with computers if you decide not to bring a laptop.  My first contract I didn't have a laptop and I got on fine... but I guess it's annoying not to have it if you need to do things like update your ipod... upload pictures etc.

For youth activities you'll also need a pair of white sneakers, a pair of black dress shoes and a pair of teevo sandals (for Castaway Cay).  Beware of visible logos on the sneakers.  You can normally find good Nike ones tho that are all white... they are ok to have the 'Nike tick' visible as long as it is not completely obvious.

If you have problems obtaining any of the shoes you can get them here.  Before you get on the ship you will stay at Disney World... there are stores in the Disney area that sell suitable trainers.  The teevo sandals are a little harder to find if you don't know the requirements but you can order on board and use your trainers while you wait for them to arrive."

-Ben

 "The wonder doesn't have a lot of storage for suitcases so it is better if you use a soft sided duffle bag (I got one with wheels).  The normal rolly bags will be a pain to store.

Life on board can be hard at times, and I don't know if you celebrate Christmas or not, but it is hard over the holidays, especially if you are new.  There will be holiday parties and such which are lots of fun.  You may want to bring some nicer outfits for those.

Bring anything from Canada that you cannot get in the US.  On the West coast, there is a Walmart in one of the Mexican ports (PV I think).  It's always good to bring enough toiletries and such to last the first 3 weeks just in case you cannot get to a store due to days off. "

-Nicole