#4: Watch fireworks on deck – Disney is the only cruise line in the world which presents a fireworks show launched right from the deck of the ship. Usually presented during the “Pirates in the Caribbean” party, the fireworks are spectacular because they are so close.

The fireworks on board are just fantastic, different from any other fireworks you have ever seen. They are close to the ship, and it is so dark outside, Disney turns off all exterior lights during the show, that you can see them explode right in front of your face.

Check out the other in the top 10, they have some great suggestions.

Hosted by family travel expert Emily Kaufman, the podcast episodes showcase the unique experiences Disney offers on a cruise vacation, providing guests in-depth, portable information on specific areas of Disney Cruise Line. In each episode, Kaufman, also known as The Travel Mom, offers tips for parents looking to take a cruise vacation.

“The podcasts immerse guests in the Disney Cruise Line experience, bringing to life the way we cater to the specific needs of kids, adults, and the entire family,” said Joe Rand, Director of Marketing for Disney Cruise Line. “Each episode is three to five minutes long, making it easy for on-the-go parents to learn more about specific areas of the Disney cruise vacation experience.”

Emily Kaufman narrates the podcasts with expert advice for not only a Disney Cruise, but also for family vacations in general. Her expertise in family travel makes her a great fit for the official Disney Cruise Line podcast.

“I’m extremely pleased to partner with Disney Cruise Line on this podcast series and hope parents considering a cruise vacation find them to be a valuable resource,” explained Kaufman. “As the mother of two, I truly believe that Disney Cruise Line is a great getaway for families. I have taken both my teenagers and my toddler nieces on a Disney Cruise, and have seen first hand that they offer something for every age.”

Interested guests can find all of the videos on disneycruise.com. In addition to watching episodes on the website or downloading them directly to their computer or video iPod, guests also have the ability to share episodes with friends and family via email.

One item that is rarely included, and even less understood is gratuities. On board the ship, there are several people you will become very familiar with, your stateroom steward and your waiter and assistant waiter. Your stateroom steward will take care of your room night and day, he makes sure you have everything you need and that your stateroom is put back together each day. Your waiter and assistant waiter follow you around to each new restaurant each night, and you will get to know them quickly. For these people, as well as the head waiter, much of their salary is based on gratuities from you.

The night before you debark the ship, your steward will place a sheet and a few envelopes in your room with suggested tip amounts for the four people who have served you while on the cruise. The easiest way to pay the gratuities is to go to the guest services desk in the lobby of the ship, and have the gratuities amounts added to your room bill. They will then give you vouchers to put in the envelopes to give to the cast members. You can alternatively put cash in the envelopes. If your service has been great, feel free to add a bit in there. One thing I have done in the past, if the service has been great, is that I have included pre-paid calling cards in the envelopes. Most of the employees on board are from outside the US, and many have families (wife and kids) at home that they support. A pre-paid phone card allows them to call home when at port, and those seem to be more appreciated than equivalent cash for some reason.

Rather than explaining who gets what for each type of cruise, the easiest way to figure out what your gratuities will be is to figure that you will need to pay $11 per person per night of your cruise. So, if you are on a 4 night Disney Cruise, with 2 people, you will be looking at about $88 total for gratuities.

So, while planning your Disney Cruise, make sure you take into account your gratuities on board. If you wish, you can ask your travel agent or the Disney Cruise Line, and you can pay your gratuities in advance as part of your final payment if you wish.

On board, there are a few other tips you will have to pay. For any room service, while the food and drinks are included in the cost of the cruise, you should tip the waiter that brings the food to your stateroom. Also, any spa treatments that you have done, please remember to tip the employee. If you choose to dine at the adult only restaurant, Palo, there will be a $10 fee per person to eat there, and that is basically the tip for your waiter. Feel free to tip him/her extra if you get great service, but an extra tip is not required.