December 26, 2011 Dream Cruise

[SharonLowe]

Anyone going on this one? We're thinking about it and would love to meet some fellow DISers.

[IrishCowboy]

I have added your thread to the cruise meet list :cool1:

[iloveokw]

Just booked this cruise with our DVC points. This will be cruise #10 for my dh, and dd (19 when we cruise). Always excited to plan a trip, especially a DCLtrip.

[SharonLowe]

Just booked this cruise with our DVC points. This will be cruise #10 for my dh, and dd (19 when we cruise). Always excited to plan a trip, especially a DCLtrip.

yay! At least one other DISer on the cruise. We're booked too. Lucky you on #10. Any interest in FE?

[mikat]

I'm looking into the 12/26/11 cruise and had a question - since it leaves the day AFTER Christmas, so you think there will still be any holiday decorations on the ship? Does anyone have experience with post-Christmas cruises?

[SharonLowe]

I'm looking into the 12/26/11 cruise and had a question - since it leaves the day AFTER Christmas, so you think there will still be any holiday decorations on the ship? Does anyone have experience with post-Christmas cruises?

The ship will definitely be decorated. I'm sure they keep them up at least until January 1.

[SharonLowe]

Well, we've now decided to switch to an April 2012 4-day cruise. I'll miss seeing the holiday decorations but I hope everyone has a great day after Christmas cruise!!!

[angeleigh]

We are thinking about taking this cruise. It will be our first and it leaves the day after my birthday.

[ksloane]

DIS Members So Far

ksloane - dd11 *Interested in FE
WolffDVC2004 - DH, DS16 months
iloveokw -dh, dd19 (10th cruise)
unkamike
jungle_mag - dh, ds(14), dd(8), and ds(6)
DanieD0909 - dh, dmom and dmom's bf *Interested in FE
MarkLyndaJakeChloe
MD_Guy - dw, dd, and dd's bf (2 cabins)

[ksloane]

So I started the paperwork for my income tax return and we are going for sure!!! :cool1: My travel agent booked me today! WOOHOO!!

We'll also do the Magic on the Dec 17! Then we'll be caught up and have been on each of the Disney ships (until the Fantasy)....

[unkamike]

Hi Everyone, my name is Mike. I booked this cruis while on the Panama Canal Cruise. This will be my 15th cruise, 8th on disney. Looking forward to getting to know you. I'll check back often to see what's going on.

See post #50 for FE INFO.

I'll be taking over for kslone, here is the list I have so far. Updates will be on Friday of each Week.
For the FE's, please include,
Children's name(optional), age and Cabin #

unkamike [FE] Cabin #6150
iloveokw - DH, DD(19) 10th Cruise
jungle mag - DH, DS(14), DD(8), DS(6) 1st Cruise
Wolffdvc - DH, DS(16 months)
DanieD090 Danielle, DH Proby, [FE] Cabin #7681
DMOM Liz, DMOMBF Ray [FE] Cabin #7687
MarkLyndaJakeChloe - DW, DS, DD
MD Guy - DW, DD, DDBF
Winnie The Pooh13 - DH
cappygirl - DH
evadicats -DH 40th Birthday, 10th Anniversary
BraveCruiser - DH, DD Rachel (19), DD Natalie (17) [FE] 17th Birthday, Dec 26th Cabin #10166
travelbug24 - DCOUSIN Jill, DNIECE [FE] Cabin #9555
ESFC - DW, [FE] Cabin #8030
DD, DSINL, DGS(10), DGS(8) [FE]Cabin #8032
shellsdisncycruise - DH, D?(6), D?(6)
tomandrobin - DW, DD, DDBF
here_and_there - DW, DD(7),DS(almost 2) [FE] 1st Cruise Cabin #7614
cruiser830 Darlene, DH John, DS Brian [FE]Cabin #6076
DD Heather, DSIL Brad, DGS Kaleb(8), GGD Rylee(4) [FE]Cabin #6082

[jungle_mag]

Hi everyone, we are planning on taking this cruise. It will be our first! We're also planning on adding a couple days in Orlando as well. It will be me, dh, ds(14), dd(8), and ds(6). If there are any good hints or tips that you can recommend, I'd certainly appreciate it :)

[ksloane]

Yea! Glad to see other DISers joining in. Can't wait for December!

[WolffDVC2004]

I just booked this cruise yesterday using my DVC points! It will be me, DH, and our DS (16 months at the time of sailing)! I am so excited to see the new ship and all of the christmas decorations. After the cruise, we will be driving up to Hilton Head, SC to spend the rest of the week.

[ksloane]

Woohoo....glad to see this list growing....

[ksloane]

I went back and edited my post 9 to start a list of who is going. So far there are 3 of us. List parties as well.

I'll keep updating as we add on....Hopefully we'll grow as the date gets closer.

[unkamike]

Just checking in to see what's happening. I'm trying to get my nephew to go with me, just have to wait on his parents for their permission. Got my room assignment today, Deck 2. Never been that low in a ship before, hope it is alright. Hope we get some more DISers soon, it sure make the cruise better when you know a few people.

[ksloane]

Just checking in to see what's happening. I'm trying to get my nephew to go with me, just have to wait on his parents for their permission. Got my room assignment today, Deck 2. Never been that low in a ship before, hope it is alright. Hope we get some more DISers soon, it sure make the cruise better when you know a few people.

Did you have a gty room?

I too hope we get some more DISers. I'm sure we will as the date gets closer. I bet every cruise is full of Disers..:rotfl:

[unkamike]

Did you have a gty room?

I too hope we get some more DISers. I'm sure we will as the date gets closer. I bet every cruise is full of Disers..:rotfl:

Yes, I had a GTY room, I was surprised it was assigned so early, Disney usually waits till about 5 or 6 weeks before the cruise. I don't know if we will get a lot of DISers, this being such a short and expensive cruise. I'm just doing it to relax after the Christmas rush at the P.O.

[ksloane]

Yes, I had a GTY room, I was surprised it was assigned so early, Disney usually waits till about 5 or 6 weeks before the cruise. I don't know if we will get a lot of DISers, this being such a short and expensive cruise. I'm just doing it to relax after the Christmas rush at the P.O.


Rushed over to check and mine's still gty.

Yea, it is short and expensive...We really wanted the Dream as our vacation, but wanted more then 3 or 4 days...so we paired this one with a 7 day magic before Christmas, staying at port the 24 and 25 and then doing the 3 day dream to end our vacation so that we can still experience it.

[unkamike]

Doesn't look like much is going on. Spring has sprung here in FL. had to mow my yard last week, flower beds are next, but am going to Disney World this weekend, so the flower beds are going to have to wait.:goofy:

[ksloane]

Spring here in east texas too. A little cold, but yards need mowed and such here as well...Jealous you're going to Disney. We are going back in June and I can't wait!!

[ksloane]

Spring Break this week. 289 days left I think until we're on the Dream!!

[DanieD0909]

I'm on this cruise too! Can't wait - taking my first cruise - the Trans-Atlantic in a few weeks!! Bought this cruise last year for my Mom and her Boyfriend and we are going as well (me and my DH!) We can't wait and we are DEFINITELY interested in FE when that gets organized!! :)

Can't wait to meet everyone!
:yay:

[ksloane]

I'm on this cruise too! Can't wait - taking my first cruise - the Trans-Atlantic in a few weeks!! Bought this cruise last year for my Mom and her Boyfriend and we are going as well (me and my DH!) We can't wait and we are DEFINITELY interested in FE when that gets organized!! :)

Can't wait to meet everyone!
:yay:

I added you to the list in post 9 and marked you as being interested in participating in a FE. We are too...In fact, my dd10 would be disappointed if we don't. If it doesn't work out, I may have to just pick up some things for her and put in ours each day...:goodvibes


If anyone else is interested in participating in an FE, let me know and I'll mark your names as well....

[DanieD0909]

Thank you :)

[MarkLyndaJakeChloe]

Hi there,

We're also going on this one.

Spending 6 nights before and 5 nights after cruise in WDW. We've been to WDW seven times inc. two DCL cruises but never at Christmas or New Year. Can't wait to experience it in a whole new way, as well as the new ship!!

[ksloane]

Hi there,

We're also going on this one.

Spending 6 nights before and 5 nights after cruise in WDW. We've been to WDW seven times inc. two DCL cruises but never at Christmas or New Year. Can't wait to experience it in a whole new way, as well as the new ship!!

Glad you're joining us. Can't wait! You'll love Disney at Christmas! We've done it once and it was one of my fav trips. Can't wait to see the ships decked out as well! :banana:

[MD_Guy]

Add us to the cruise.

We actually booked this cruise last year, when we did the Labor Day Weekend Cruise. We usually just go to WDW between Christmas and New Years. We decided to try something a little different, prior to celebrating NYE in WDW.

We have two cabins, one for my wife and I, and one for our DD and BF.

[ksloane]

I've added everyone up to this point to post 9. We're up to 8 DIS families.

Remember if you are interested in possibly participating in a FE Exchange, let me know that as well, and I'll add the notation by your name.

December seems soooo far away right now, but I'm surprising DD10 with a trip to WDW on May 30 so I'm anxiously working on those plans....

[WinnieThePooh13]

I'm going with my husband! We would most likely be interested in participating in the FE activity, but we've never done it before, so I have to start making one! 5 other cabins filled with family members will be with us, as well, so I will check with them (I just have to explain what a FE is. It sounds like something right up my Mom's alley!)

[DanieD0909]

YAY! I'm so glad that there will be more cabins for FE's!! My mom and I have been working diligently on our FE's and we can not wait for this cruise!!!!

[cappygirl]

Looks like we'll be cruising with you all!
DH's grandfather is taking the whole family (all 19 of us) on the cruise followed by a few nights at the Boardwalk. :goodvibes
December can't get here soon enough.

[unkamike]

Just finished paying for this cruise, looks like I'm going by myself. My nephew won't be able to go. If any of you see an old fat guy sitting by himself, say Hi!, that will be me. Still looking forward to this getaway cruise, work is such a hassle during the Holidays. Just Six months to go!!!!:banana:

[lori_vinciguerra]

We will be on this cruise for my daughter's 17th birthday! Can't wait to see the new ship.
Lori and Ralph
Rachel (19)
Natalie (17 on 12/26!!!)

[evadicats]

We'll be celebrating my 40th and our 10th anniversary on this cruise with 2 other families and then heading over to the WDW through NYE! I hate to wish away summer now that its hear but I'm really looking forward to being on the Dream!

[lori_vinciguerra]

I added you to the list in post 9 and marked you as being interested in participating in a FE. We are too...In fact, my dd10 would be disappointed if we don't. If it doesn't work out, I may have to just pick up some things for her and put in ours each day...:goodvibes


If anyone else is interested in participating in an FE, let me know and I'll mark your names as well....
We are interested in the FE. It would be our first time so need to understand the logistics. We are Lori and Ralph, and DDs Rachel (19) and Natalie (17 - turning 17 on the 26th!!! so it's her birthday cruise!).

[DanieD0909]

Hi Lori,

I would recommend searching for Fish Extenders on the Disboard site and there will definitely be posts with pictures of people's extenders and what they have done and/or received for gifts in the past. But basically; you can hang some sort of bag; pocket; etc to the fish outside your door. You would then give one gift per cabin or one gift per person in each cabin in the fish extender exchange group and they in return would give you a gift back. You get a mixture of everything...candy, gum, lotion, homemade bookmarks, homemade bracelets, magnets, ornaments, etc...no gift is too small...it is all for the fun of it. The hardest part is making room in your suitcase! Hope that helps!

Danielle

[BraveCruiser]

Hi Lori,

I would recommend searching for Fish Extenders on the Disboard site and there will definitely be posts with pictures of people's extenders and what they have done and/or received for gifts in the past. But basically; you can hang some sort of bag; pocket; etc to the fish outside your door. You would then give one gift per cabin or one gift per person in each cabin in the fish extender exchange group and they in return would give you a gift back. You get a mixture of everything...candy, gum, lotion, homemade bookmarks, homemade bracelets, magnets, ornaments, etc...no gift is too small...it is all for the fun of it. The hardest part is making room in your suitcase! Hope that helps!

Danielle

Thanks Danielle! We were just on the Alaska cruise and I got some info from other Disboard members on the FEs. It sounds like fund and we're looking forward to it! By the way, I'm changing over to a new Disboard name since I was so lame to pick my own name as a login originally. lori_vinciguerra is now BraveCruiser. Thanks to teriyaki for the suggestion!

[DanieD0909]

Hi everyone! Can we do a roll call of who is doing fe's??

Danielle & Proby (31 & 32) - cabin unknown
Liz & Ray (56 & 65) - cabin unknown

Just need to get my numbers together of how many gifts we need... Thanks!

[unkamike]

Just checking in! I treated myself to an upgrade. I now have a veranda room.
Hopefully this thread will get more active closer to departure time.:goofy:

[travelbug24]

Hi Lori,

I would recommend searching for Fish Extenders on the Disboard site and there will definitely be posts with pictures of people's extenders and what they have done and/or received for gifts in the past. But basically; you can hang some sort of bag; pocket; etc to the fish outside your door. You would then give one gift per cabin or one gift per person in each cabin in the fish extender exchange group and they in return would give you a gift back. You get a mixture of everything...candy, gum, lotion, homemade bookmarks, homemade bracelets, magnets, ornaments, etc...no gift is too small...it is all for the fun of it. The hardest part is making room in your suitcase! Hope that helps!Danielle

I have heard of this and seen it but really don't know how it works. Do you register somewhere or just leave the gift (in a bag) on the fish for the next party who gets your cabin on the next cruise?

Add me, my cousin Jill and my 20 yr old niece to your list of travelers. This will be my niece's first cruise to anywhere.

[BraveCruiser]

DIS Members So Far

ksloane - dd11 *Interested in FE
WolffDVC2004 - DH, DS16 months
iloveokw -dh, dd19 (10th cruise)
unkamike
jungle_mag - dh, ds(14), dd(8), and ds(6)
DanieD0909 - dh, dmom and dmom's bf *Interested in FE
MarkLyndaJakeChloe
MD_Guy - dw, dd, and dd's bf (2 cabins)

Count us in!! BraveCruiser plus dh, dd(19), dd(17) - it will be my 17 year old's birthday on 12/26!!

[ESFC]

Have been watching this and as we passed the 90 day mark have decided to participate in the FE. We( me and DW) are sailing with my DD and DSIL and 2 DGS in adjoining staerooms. I'll post the numbers later.

[shellsdisneycruise]

Hello we are a family of 2 adults and 2 6 year olds and this is our first time to the states and our very first cruise we are just a tad bit excited

[unkamike]

I E-mailed ksloane yesterday, she is not going on this cruise, so unless we get another volunteer, I will be keeping track of DISers and FE lists. I should have it up by this weekend.

Welcome to our newest Members, ESFC and shellsdisneycruise.

[unkamike]

DISers and FE List is now on Post #11.

Please feel free to PM me or Post Corrections!!

[travelbug24]

DISers and FE List is now on Post #11.

Please feel free to PM me or Post Corrections!!

Looks good, please PM me or post what I am suppose to do for FE. I am excited about it but no one told me what to do exactly.

[ESFC]

Please add us to the FE list.

[unkamike]

Fish Extender
Next to the door is a fish, mostly used for letters and notices from crew members. A Fish Extender is hung from the fish containing pockets. Dis Members who choose to participate in FE Exchange will deliver gifts to each member and put them in one of the pockets. Gifts are up to you, they can be one to a cabin or one to each person in the cabin. In the past, I have received candy, pens, pencils, notepads, first aid kits, homemade magnets, and many other trinkets. It is fun to come back to you cabin each evening and find something. You can make you own FE, or order one from E-Bay. For more information Goggle "Fish extenders". I hope this explains FEs a little.

See post #11 for FE list.

http://stopamoment.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5520a17f388340134855cdfee970c-800wi

[unkamike]

Please add us to the FE list.

You are added!

[travelbug24]

Fish Extender
Next to the door is a fish, mostly used for letters and notices from crew members. A Fish Extender is hung from the fish containing pockets. Dis Members who choose to participate in FE Exchange will deliver gifts to each member and put them in one of the pockets. Gifts are up to you, they can be one to a cabin or one to each person in the cabin. In the past, I have received candy, pens, pencils, notepads, first aid kits, homemade magnets, and many other trinkets. It is fun to come back to you cabin each evening and find something. You can make you own FE, or order one from E-Bay. For more information Goggle "Fish extenders". I hope this explains FEs a little.

See post #11 for FE list.

http://stopamoment.typepad.com/.a/6a00e5520a17f388340134855cdfee970c-800wi

Fabulous. I cannot wait to go looking for everyone's door. The three of us will be cabin 9555.

[unkamike]

We are at the 60 Day mark and the ship is almost sold out! Where is everybody? We only have two FE's confirmed, we need more! I'm still waiting for my cabin assignment, not sure if I will do the FE, I don't have my Nieces and Nephews with me this time, they loved making the deliveries. I'm not much of a chatter on these boards, but I like to read everybody else's chats. Has anybody been on the Dream? It's my first time, I'm looking forward to exploring it. My favorite place on the Wonder is the Cove Cafe, I hope the one on the Dream is nice.

Post #11 has the List!

[travelbug24]

I'm not much of a chatter on these boards, but I like to read everybody else's chats. Has anybody been on the Dream? It's my first time, I'm looking forward to exploring it. My favorite place on the Wonder is the Cove Cafe, I hope the one on the Dream is nice.

Never been on the Dream. Looking forward to exploring her too. My favorite place is the tile beds in the Rainforest room of the spa.

[unkamike]

Just got my cabin # today! I'm in #6150. Getting closer to departure time!!!:banana:

[tomandrobin]

Hi all!

We will be sailing on The Dream the 26th. My wife and I are in one cabin, our DD and her BF have their own cabin. Another friend of ours has their own cabin. Looking forward to the Holiday Cruise. This will be our third DCL cruise, DD's first cruise. I am hoping Castaway Cay's water is not too chilly. We love, love, love serenity bay and I will be a little disappointed if the water is too cold to swim.

[unkamike]

Welcome tomandrobin!! I'll add you to our list. :wave2:

[tomandrobin]

Welcome tomandrobin!! I'll add you to our list. :wave2:


Thanks for the welcome!

I had debated about joining the FE, as of now I am not. I did our first FE on the 2011 DVC Members Cruise in September and had a blast. But it was a lot of work, with over 50 cabins on the list. We were taken back by the thoughtfulness and creativity of a lot of the FE gifts.

I am really excited for DD20 to see the ship. Her and her BF have never been on a cruise ship before.

Currently, we have nothing booked....no Palo, no spa treatments, nothing for Castaway Cay.

[unkamike]

Just got my Cruise Documents today, just 5 weeks to go.:yay:

Remember, We need your cabin # to participate in FE's.pirate:

[DanieD0909]

Hello Everyone and Happy Thanksgiving!

Here are our room numbers for the Fish Extender:

DanieD0909 & DH - Danielle & Proby - Room 7681

My DMOM and DMOMBF - Liz & Ray - Room 7687

Can't wait for the cruise!

[tomandrobin]

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

We got our travel documents Monday.....:cool1:

[unkamike]

List has been updated.

See Post #11

[tomandrobin]

List has been updated.

See Post #11

I see there are seven cabins participating in the FE.

What is the cut-off date?

[unkamike]

If everyone agrees, the cutoff date will be Dec. 10th.

Remember, we need your cabin # , how many people are in the room, ages of children and if they are boys or girls.

Please reply to confirm your participation in FE's.

Confirmed cabins will be in Bold on the list in post #11.

Is anyone interested in a short Meet and Greet before the ship set sails?

Just 4 weeks to go.

[tomandrobin]

If everyone agrees, the cutoff date will be Dec. 10th.

Remember, we need your cabin # , how many people are in the room, ages of children and if they are boys or girls.

Please reply to confirm your participation in FE's.

Confirmed cabins will be in Bold on the list in post #11.

Is anyone interested in a short Meet and Greet before the ship set sails?

Just 4 weeks to go.

I appreciate the Dec 10 dead line.

We are arriving late on the 25th, staying at the Sheraton Suites. After the cruise, we are heading over to Disney World for New Year Eve.

I'll have to dig up our cabin numbers. I know my stateroom is a cat 4b and the kids have a big inside stateroom on the same deck, towards the aft.

[DanieD0909]

Thanks Mike for organizing! We are a definite yes for the FE: me, my DH, my DMOM, and my DMOM BF :) Let me know if you need anything else from us.

We would probably pass on the meet and greet...sooooo much to do and soooo little time :)

[here_and_there]

We'll be joining all of you. It's our first cruise so we can't wait. :cool1:

Since we've never cruised, we've never FE'd, but we're excited to give it a try. It'll be me, my DW, DD(7), and DS(almost 2). Our cabin is 7614.

[unkamike]

Welcome here_and_there!!!!:yay:

I'll add you to the list!

[unkamike]

I've sent a PM to everybody who was interested in FE's.
Check Post #11, if you are in bold then you are OK, if not please confirm!

Mike

[ESFC]

We are in rooms 8030 (2 adults) & 8032 ( 2 adults and 2 boys ages 8 and 10).

[BraveCruiser]

If everyone agrees, the cutoff date will be Dec. 10th.

Remember, we need your cabin # , how many people are in the room, ages of children and if they are boys or girls.

Please reply to confirm your participation in FE's.

Confirmed cabins will be in Bold on the list in post #11.

Is anyone interested in a short Meet and Greet before the ship set sails?

Just 4 weeks to go.

We want to confirm that we are also doing the FE!

We're interested in a meet and Greet too. What time and place?

[cruiser830]

We are going on this cruise (DH, DS, DD, DSIL, DGS, DGD) -- it will be our 4th Disney Cruise. We went to Alaska in July ... it was totally awesome! Went on a pre-Thanksgiving cruise and saw the Dream in Port. The Aquaduct looks really cool - can't wait to try it! Have never done the FE but thinking about it - sounds like fun.

[unkamike]

Welcome cruiser830!!:yay:

[cruiser830]

Please confirm us for the FE exchange.

Cabin 6076 = Cruiser830, DH, DS

Cabin 6082 = DD, DSINL, DGS (8), DGD (4)

Looking forward to the cruise -- can't wait for warmer weather!!! :cool1:

[unkamike]

The FE LIST is now closed. We have 10 cabins particpating. :yay:


MEET AND GREET!!!
If anyone is interested, we will have a short MEET AND GREET at the Vista Cafe on Deck 4, overlooking the atrium, from 3:30 to 3:45, Dec. 26th. Hope to see some of you there.:wave2:

TWO WEEKS to go!!:dance3:

[cruiser830]

Thanks for co-ordinating this. I always wondered what those "hangy things" were next to people's doors..... This sounds like fun -- can't wait for the cruise!! See ya'all there!

[unkamike]

Only One More Week to Go!!:banana:

Hope everybody has a Merry Christmas!!

Travel Safely!!

See you real soon!!!

[travelbug24]

For FE participants. I am counting 26 people. Correct?

[unkamike]

For FE participants. I am counting 26 people. Correct?

There are 10 cabins and 29 people participating in the FE.
The three you might be missing are the ones with no names and are the writers of the post.
travelbug24
ESFC
here_and_there

I hope I didn't confuse anybody!

Mike

[travelbug24]

There are 10 cabins and 29 people participating in the FE.
The three you might be missing are the ones with no names and are the writers of the post.
travelbug24
ESFC
here_and_there

I hope I didn't confuse anybody!

Mike

Yep, I wasn't counting my three. I was counting just what I needed but you are right 29 all together.

[tomandrobin]

six more days!!!

We are so i need of this break!

[cruiser830]

Sooo excited -- We leave Sunday morning for Orlando. Can't wait for the warm weather and cruising on the Dream :goodvibes

[BraveCruiser]

It's almost time! I'm officially on vacation! :banana::banana: Today is packing! Hope everyone has a safe trip. Looking forward to the meet and greet on the 26th! :cool1::cool1:

[travelbug24]

Leaving today to visit the Parks for a couple of days before the cruise.

[BraveCruiser]

Leaving today to visit the Parks for a couple of days before the cruise.

Have a blast! We are visiting the parks after the cruise.

[unkamike]

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

See you tomorrow!!

[BraveCruiser]

Thanks you to everyone for the FE gifts! And thanks to Mike for organizing. We had a great vacation; I hope everyone else did as well. Happy New Year!

[travelbug24]

Thanks you to everyone for the FE gifts! And thanks to Mike for organizing. We had a great vacation; I hope everyone else did as well. Happy New Year!

Yes thanks everyone. Received great gifts and enjoyed all the surprises each day! Hi to my "troll" friends - thanks for the note.

[DanieD0909]

Travelbug - those chocolate bars were yummy! The note was from my mom and her boyfriend. They live in Gibraltar, MI. Have a great one!

[cruiser830]

We just got home today! Had a great time on the cruise and lots of fun with the FE Exchange! thanks everyone for the gifts :)

[tomandrobin]

We had a great cruise!

We were a little disappointed that we didn't make it into Castaway Cay, but we had a real nice pool day instead. The crew was fantastic on our entire cruise...We made memories that will last a lifetime!

[lovin'fl]

My inlaws, 10 of them in 4 cabins, went on this cruise. We (my fam of 5) went with them for 6 nights at WDW...after that we came home while the other 10 went on this 3 day crusie. They hated it! It was a 1st cruise for 8 of them and they will never cruise again and all 10 will never cruise DCL again. Here are the problems they encountered:

1- Went to their cabins at 1:30...ropes were dropped around 1:45 and 2 of the 4 cabins were not quite clean. While the beds were made, they found half eaten food (big chocolate Mickey head in 1 cabin and hummus in fridge of other cabin) as well as crumbs and dirt and trash. They also found price tag stickers stuck to the folded up decorative thing at foot of the bed (that lays across comforter????). They figured the steward quickly made up the beds and put in clean towels, but didn't really clean or vacuum.

2- The ship was very crowded and tables and chairs were hard to find...especially by the pool. The pool was packed beyond what they deemed to be safe (they said a kid could be dead at the bottom and nobody would know). The grill/pizza area was way too small.

3- They hated Nassau (not cruiseline's fault...but it added to their disappointment in the cruise...and they did not do an excursion like Atlantis because they assumed they'd get their water day in at Castaway Cay).

4- Castaway Cay was skipped. They said the ship got super close and they could not understand how Disney does not have a Plan B to get folks on that Island...especially when those folks are paying thousands for the cruise (and twice as much as on...say...CCL or RCCL). Disney also did not have a plan B for what to do that day...only added a couple stupid things to the schedule and did not stop anywhere else. I am a cruiser and I know that 'thems the breaks' and it is clear in the cruise contract that the itin can be changed up anyway at anytime. And I feel that any day on a ship is better than any day at work/home. But, the newbies(my family) on this cruise were NOT pleased. Though, I can understand it being a bummer as CC is such a highlight and it was only a 3 day cruise (that cost the 10 of them a total of $8000 for).

5- Shops were a dud, they said. 2 of those who went on this cruise(MIL and FIL) cruised on the Disney Magic with us a few years ago...best cruise ever BTW. The shops and grill/pizza area layout was much better on the Magic, according to my MIL. She felt like Disney kept all the venus the same size and numbers while doubling the number of cabins...to get the most folks on the ship...to bring in the most $$$, but not increasing the public space for all those guests. MIL also said that the shows weren't as good as when we went on the Magic in 2007 as well as the food. She feels they cut back a bit.

6- Everyone was all set for the pirates party and the power went on and off a couple times. They moved the party to the lobby and not everyone could get to it...my inlaws could not(none of them). Many people had to miss out on it.

7- My BIL and his family were in 2 cabins and asked for a wake-up call for the last day. They never got it and had to rush to do their breakfast and get off by the time they were supposed to...which was early.

8- At the airport, they went to the gate that was printed on the boarding passes that DCL gave them. It was the wrong gate...it was for a flight to Germany. Thank goodness they were there several hours before their flight.

Oh and another thing that I forgot. When they were at WDW (Dec 20-26 and staying at OKW and SSR), 5 of them did not get any word on what they needed to do...what time they were getting the shuttle...what to do with their luggage...nothing on Dec 25th (the day before the cruise). They did not hear anything until the morning of the 26th by phone. They, luckily, had all their luggage packed and sitting by the door before they went to bed on the 25th. They asked OKW desk and were told that the DCL is seperate company from WDW.

Did anyone ele on this cruise feel completely disappointed?

And they did say that their MDR servers were wonderful. That was the best part of the trip in their opinion. The cabins were a nice size and they got some free goodies...MIL/FIL(nice lanyards and a beach bag thingy) for being second time cruisers on DCL and SIL/BIL(DVC hats, lanyards and a wooden box with DVC engraved) for being DVC owners.

[travelbug24]

I am so sorry lovin'fl that the cruise was not an enjoyable one. I almost feel as if we were on completely different cruises. As for our cabin hostess she was fabulous! I do not know how many cabins they are assigned to but every time I poked my head out looking for Nicki, she said, "here I am" magically appearing. Our cabin was spotless.

We always enjoy Nassau (fifth cruise), haggling in the straw market and shopping in the upscale stores as well.

We didn't go to the Pirate's Party, never attended it in five cruises but we did enjoy the fireworks on the Deck 12.

And I understand missing CC is a big disappointment because it is a highlight of the cruise. We took this day and enjoyed the spa.

If it was my first cruise, I too, would have been extremely disappointed and would have felt cheated that I didn't get to go to CC.

I do agree about the shops, I expected more.