Disney Dream Trip Report:
Deck Eleven:
Cabanas: A lot of improvements, especially Cabanas. I love the circular design, with sections for eating. The beverage station in each section was a great idea for convenience and ease. The food selections were ample, I wish that more fruit variety could have been available in a self-serve manner. Table areas were kept clean and the whole experience was good for breakfast and lunch.
Deck Eateries: A good selection of food, yet I found the sandwich station could have been a little more varied, but good overall. All areas were always kept clean and dry and chairs for the most part were neat and tidy around tables. There was always somewhere to eat near the pools. Staff kept the beverage stations fully stocked and clean.
Pool Area: Although we noticed some enhancements with the Toddler splash area, the Mickey Pool and Family Pool beside each other, we still felt that the pools were small and too much space devoted to sunbathing in between the pools. That could have accommodated a much larger pool overall. There was ample space for the sunbathers on deck twelve. The Family Pool has a depth of 5'3" which for most folks is too deep to allow simply standing around in. You have to tread water or hang on to the edge and it again was too small and always packed. I still do not understand the lack of lifeguard presence at both pools, as I found older children cannonballing into the water in the Family Pool and Toddlers in inappropriate water diapers in the Mickey Pool, we had to have the water drained because of feces. This needs to be addressed. We found this area always busy and finding deck chairs very challenging. Eventhough in the Navigator it states that you cannot save deck chairs, we would always find rows of chairs empty from people yet stacked with stuff for many hours on end. Staff did not remove unattended items as it states in the Navigator, that they will do. Finally, I cannot understand those moms who wear thongs while supervising children in the Mickey Pool and then wade around the pool with their rears in other childrens' faces, not appropriate at all. Save that for the adult areas please.
Adult Pool: A beautiful area, well thought out and overall comfortable. I would have like to have seen more loungers and upright seating areas. It is also too close to the deck restaurants on the other side and you can clearly hear the traffic and noise.
Deck twelve, should have more shaded areas especially in the forward section as well as another pool, it seemed as if cooling and refreshing areas lacked here, as there was full exposure to the sun at all times.
Staterooms: We were on deck ten in a category 4A stateroom #10098. This was a beautifully appointed and large stateroom. We had the split baths with the circular shower which was wonderful and very practical because of the hand held shower. We appreciated the hand held blowdryer in the cabin desk area, much better than those large units in the washrooms as on the Magic and Wonder. The queen sized bed was higher off the floor which allow luggage storage beneath. The mattresses on both the queen bed and the pull down wall beds were comfortable. The pillows were amazing and finally queen sized pillows for a queen sized bed. Bedding was spotless and very comfortable and the towels plush and absorbable. The verandah was large and comfortable. Two issues with our room. Firstly, that of the overhead noise all day long from deck eleven. Early in the morning and very late at night you heard constant feet thumping and walking and running and you could hear the dragging of chairs. Secondly, smokers on their verandahs affected us. I booked another cruise on the Fantasy and I kept away from deck ten, we are on deck nine now. I'm not paying more to hear noise when I'm trying to sleep in a little in the morning or fall asleep at night....I'm on vacation.
Restaurants:
Fantastic! Beautifully themed and we noticed great improvements with the food quality and selection. The impeccable service is constant. I found that the seating area in Enchanted Garden was a little tight as you went further into the mid areas between the centre and the windows. We did not have a chance to visit Palo or Remy's. Cabanas and all pool area eateries were very good. The sandwich bar lacked a little luster, I must say I enjoyed the Paninis more on the Wonder and the Magic. Vista Cafe makes excellent coffees of all varieties and they have a free dessert bar, just help yourself.
Theaters:
More space! Excellent!
Shopping: What an improvement! Largers stores, greater selection and the duty free shopping included in the same area, kudos!
We are Gold
Castaway Club members and just booked our ninth cruise on the Fantasy for my Birthday in June of 2013. This past one on the Dream was a week long because I made it a back to back cruise, so we got to explore a little more which was nice. They now have laundry rooms on each deck but only three washers and three dryers, I don't understand that. You cannot use money to wash, but your Key to the World Card and it charges to your room for the use of washer/dryer and detergents.
The elevators are much larger and I love how there are six mid ship elevators all facing each other, three agains three. A big improvement with the elevators. The only thing that needs some attention is the lighting up of the panel, it's difficult to tell when you've pressed a button as the lit is not very much brighter than the unlit button...weird. A lot of people made that comment.
Hallways are a bit wider and we love the system that has you putting your Key to the World Card in the slot of your cabin to turn on lighting, that's a great way to conserve energy.
Finally the Aquaduck. A wonderful experience and great fun. I felt that there were too many stairs for people who might be physically challenged and for those people, there should have been a small elevator up.
We had a wonderful time and have booked a 2013 cruise on the Fantasy for my birthday. We are very excited.