What Did You Learn? About This Page:

[DebiDebiDebi]

I know there are classes, seminars, etc. offered onboard. What kind of classes, etc., did you participate in? Was it worth your time? Thanks!

[Bert & Sully]

We've read up on this and I'd be curious about other DCL cruisers first-hand experience as well.

[katerkat]

We went to two seminars by Ducky Williams, the character artist for Disney Marketing. He was really cool and explained what he does and how he does it, etc.
We also went to the dessert seminar. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] We learned how to make a really sweet glaze for fruit, and how to cut cantalope really prettily.

[iloverags2]

I haven't done a seminar on DCL, but I did do a dessert one on RCCL and loved it. Definitely a not miss thing on cruises.

[DVC_Don]

We were supposed to take the wine tasting seminar, but I got sick prior to the seminar. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

Guess I'll have to take the "Home Study" course. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]

[AKLRULZ]

Originally posted by Disnydad:
Guess I'll have to take the "Home Study" course. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img]

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Whoo! Nuthin' wrong that! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

[Bert & Sully]

Originally posted by katerkat:
We went to two seminars by Ducky Williams, the character artist for Disney Marketing. He was really cool and explained what he does and how he does it, etc.
We also went to the dessert seminar. [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] We learned how to make a really sweet glaze for fruit, and how to cut cantalope really prettily.

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">Katerkat was it someone from one of the Disney Restaurants doing the dessert seminar?

[DebiDebiDebi]

Thanks for the information so far everyone. Anyone else?

Don, let us know what your grade is when you complete that wine home study course! [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[inkkognito]

The food prep seminars (appetizers, desserts, etc.) are typically given by one of the chefs. On the four-day Wonder, we went to one given by Chef Vinnie from Animators Palate and got to taste his excellent scallops...mmmmm!
On the 7-day day they also do things like an informal chat with the cast from the Walt Disney Theater, the Making of the Magic (about building the ship), and a chance to ask the Captain and other officers questions about the ship, the cruise line in general, life on board, etc. We've really enjoyed every one of the seminars that we've attended.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

[DebiDebiDebi]

Thanks for the information Barb!

[katerkat]

Yep, the dessert thing was done by a chef onboard. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[figment52]

While on the Western Caribbean Cruise 3/1-3/8/03 I attended the Art of Entertainment series. Most of them had food and wine. You were given a sample of the food (appetizer, main course and dessert)and then it was prepared for you by the appropriate chef on board. Then the wine steward explained why he/she selected the accompanying wine (which you were also given a sample of). There was even a session where they taught you plate decorating and cake decorating; how to fold the napkins they way they did on the ship - the tuxedo shirt from Palo's was really easy; the bird of paradise was harder. One session included mixology and the bartender demonstrated several of the daily specials and handed them out to those in attendance after it was made. If you didn't get a full drink, there were samples of the Bahama Mama. Each session was about an hour; 3/4 on the food and 1/4 on the wine or drink. (You did have to be legal to get the drinks). I think there were 5 sessions in all.

[Dave Marx]

To paraphrase a famous American, I haven't attended a seminar I didn't like.

The Art of Entertainment was quite enjoyable. They hold the cooking demonstrations in Studio Sea, which has a Cooking Channel-style portable kitchen and is fully-equipped with video cameras and large monitors so everyone can see what's cooking. And who can complain about a tasty nibble and a free sip of wine?

The Navigator Series includes something very near to this reporter's heart - a Q&A Session (can you say, Press Conference?) with the ship's senior officers. Between the information they present at the start, and the great questions from the audience, I consider that a must-see.

The wine tasting seminar at Palo is also quite pleasant. While it's tough to cover a lot of ground in a one-hour session, they do a good job of opening a novice's palate to the world of fine wines. Palo is also a gorgeous setting for a class.

When there's a special guest aboard (as Ernie "Pumbaa" Sabella was on the first Western Caribbean sailing) he/she generally does several public appearances, the nature of which vary based on his/her particular talent.

Ernie Sabella did a talk in the Buena Vista Theatre. Part of it was a chance to hear "Pumbaa" speak (the kids loved that), and the interview (by the Cruise Director) and Q&A session included a few juicy tidbits for those who love to peek behind the scenes.

Animators like Don "Ducky" Williams may hold a how to draw Mickey workshop. While we've also "learned" to draw Mickey at DisneyQuest, Don takes a lot more time to discuss technique, shares tips, and encourages interaction in a way the instructors at DisneyQuest can't touch with a 10-foot brush. He's a very "giving" instructor.

I don't know what guidebook authors might do--they haven't asked us yet. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[All Ears]

These seminars sound great! Is there anyway to know before boarding what will be offered and when?
Thanks!
Michelle

[Dave Marx]

They don't announce schedules before you cruise. You may know about special on-board guests in advance, but they don't announce actual event schedules. As to regular seminars, you'll get some idea by looking at past copies of the Navigator (available online at http://www.castawayclub.com , thanks to Barb & Tony), but schedules are always subject to change.