A few things before we book?

[huffjoann]

We are planning to go on the Dream next year and before I book this I wanted some expert opinions please.

I am fairly sure the dates I am booking are firm, HOWEVER if I have to change them to another date within 75 days do I loose money? I am looking thru a guide book right now and the info seems confusing to me.

Next, Do I request my dinner seating when booking? I really want 1st cause I know DD cannot do dinner at 8ish at night.

Third (I don't have to know this before booking but it would be nice to know), I was reading I can take care of my tips online BEFORE boarding? is that right? I remember reading about going to take care of them earlier in the cruise before later to avoid a long line but if I can do it from home I am psyched.

4. Guide book I am reading says that I can request my fridge for medical reasons when I book, but I thought I read I have to fill out some kinda form to fax in? I know I request it on the phone if I am going to the WDW resorts but not sure about cruise.

 

[twindaddy]

We are planning to go on the Dream next year and before I book this I wanted some expert opinions please.

I am fairly sure the dates I am booking are firm, HOWEVER if I have to change them to another date within 75 days do I loose money? I am looking thru a guide book right now and the info seems confusing to me.

Next, Do I request my dinner seating when booking? I really want 1st cause I know DD cannot do dinner at 8ish at night.

Third (I don't have to know this before booking but it would be nice to know), I was reading I can take care of my tips online BEFORE boarding? is that right? I remember reading about going to take care of them earlier in the cruise before later to avoid a long line but if I can do it from home I am psyched.

4. Guide book I am reading says that I can request my fridge for medical reasons when I book, but I thought I read I have to fill out some kinda form to fax in? I know I request it on the phone if I am going to the WDW resorts but not sure about cruise.

Congratulations on your first cruise! You may wish to engage a travel agent to walk you through the first time, they are free and most offer good onboard credit to spend on the ship. I had never in my life used a travel agent until I booked my first Disney Cruise. Make sure they are a disney specialist.

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, over 75 days out you can change the date.
2. Yes, you request when booking. If you do it online, be warned it defaults to the late seating and you have to select the early seating. On popular cruises the early seating fills up, if its full, CALL DCL or have your travel agent do it to request to be put on the early dining waiting list. DO NOT wait until you get onboard to request it.
3. Yes, you can pay them in advance by charging on a credit card to your room account, and then a day or so before the cruise is over they give you little tickets to give to the appropriate people. You still have to decide who gets how much.
4. There is a medical form to request a fridge, or you can do it onboard. Call Disney (or have your travel agent do it) and they will get the correct form to you. Its a quick one page form, and remember it is not guaranteed, but if you request it far enough it advance it pretty much is.

Hope that helps.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are planning to go on the Dream next year and before I book this I wanted some expert opinions please.

I am fairly sure the dates I am booking are firm, HOWEVER if I have to change them to another date within 75 days do I loose money? I am looking thru a guide book right now and the info seems confusing to me.

Next, Do I request my dinner seating when booking? I really want 1st cause I know DD cannot do dinner at 8ish at night. Yes, you indicate what seating you want when you make the reservation. The default is late seating, but there should be a link to change it, if it's still available. If you don't get early seating, you can request to be on the waitlist, such requests are generally honored. If yours isn't, there is a place when you first board to go for dining changes that I understand is quite successful in doing changes.

Third (I don't have to know this before booking but it would be nice to know), I was reading I can take care of my tips online BEFORE boarding? is that right? I remember reading about going to take care of them earlier in the cruise before later to avoid a long line but if I can do it from home I am psyched.You just need to call DCL and tell them you want to prepay your tips and they will add them. Then on the last evening you will just have coupons to put in your tip envelopes to give the tipped positions.

4. Guide book I am reading says that I can request my fridge for medical reasons when I book, but I thought I read I have to fill out some kinda form to fax in? I know I request it on the phone if I am going to the WDW resorts but not sure about cruise.

The Dream has real fridges in the room.

see answers in red

 

[huffjoann]

The Dream has real fridges in the room.

see answers in red

Some say they are fridges and some say they are drink boxes cooling only at 55 which wouldn't be cool enough for meds. I hope they are real fridges then prob solved!

 

[AmandaRG]

The Dream has real fridges in the room.

see answers in red

Some say they are fridges and some say they are drink boxes cooling only at 55 which wouldn't be cool enough for meds. I hope they are real fridges then prob solved!

Cooling boxes are on the Magic and Wonder. Everything I have seen about the Dream is that they are actual refrigerators, though I won't find out for myself for a couple of months.

 

[belkisima]

I was on the Dream in May and we had 2 cabins, Both had real refrigerators in them (mini fridges) not cooling boxes. Should be cold enough to hold your medications.