02/12/2012 4 Night Dream Valentine's Cruise - The Love Boat Sails Again !

[WDW Princess 71]

Hi Everyone-

Looks like we (me (44), DH (54), Mom(64) and Step-Dad(69)) will be joining you for our "Adults Only" Disney Dream Cruise. This will be our second adults only Disney cruise with my parents. We were originally scheduled to do this Dream Cruise November 6-10th but my Dad developed a subdural hematoma and we had to cancel at the last minute. He has now had surgery and is recovering and I am so sure he is going to be just fine that I booked this one!

So we've paid our final payment and are looking forward to booking our Palo ressie's tonight. I'm a little concerned about the temps though. I know several people on this cruise have been on previous Disney cruises during this week in the past and have not had problems but I wonder if anyone did cruises this short and limited to these latitudes (i.e. only as far South as the Bahamas). I am afraid that Castaway Cay is going to be chilly if not downright cold. Please reassure me.

One more request for Judy since I know she is Gold and we are just Silver (though this cruise will make us gold - yea ).... Can you (or anyone else) tell me if there are still Palo brunch ressies available?

Thanks Everyone. We are so happy to be able to join you!

Michelle

Hi Michelle!! This cruise will make me Gold as well, how exciting! Looking forward to sporting the gold lanyard on my May cruise with my parents.

I have been on 3 January cruises, and 1 March cruise. The first January cruise was a 4 night Bahamian on the Wonder and it was pretty good, about mid 70s in Nassau and a bit overcast, but still comfortable enough to fully enjoy the slides and pools at Atlantis, and Castaway was even sunnier and warmer. The water was cold but that is to be expected that time of year, but it didnt bother us because coming from NJ, CC's January water temp is about as warm as our summer ocean temps get, so we're used to it. The second January cruise was an Eastern carib so the temps were warmer further south but even CC was still sunny and warm. March Bahamian cruise was also comfortable in the 80s. Sadly on my panama canal cruise this past January, we were unable to dock at CC at all due to the winds. It was a bummer but we can't complain given that the weather for the rest of the 15 night cruise was downright fantastic. So in summary I share your worry about how February temps can be hit or miss, but I'm just trying to keep my fingers crossed and hope for some pixie dust to be nice!

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Happy to report that I logged on at midnight and was able to get both Palo reservations I wanted, lots dinner times available and a few brunch slots also, so I got one of each. For those interested in cabanas, they were all sold out on both family beach and serenity bay. If anyone wants me to check on anything else, please let me know. I did have trouble with the online checkin- it said it was available starting today, same as the cruise activities, but when I clicked for that page, nothing really came up, except for a video about how it worked and an option to download special forms...not sure if it was a technical glitch that I should just try again tomorrow or if anyone else was able to checkin?

 

[HelloBuckley]

My Husband and I booked our first Disney cruise together this weekend.

I made him stay up until midnight last night to book our reservation at Remy

Looks like we will be joining everyone on the 12th!!!

This will be his first time cruising and my second Disney Cruise. The first was a 7 night Western Caribbean aboard the Magic back in 2007.
Can't wait! I did the Disboards meet up thing last time and it was so nice knowing the people at your table ahead of time.

I downloaded an app for my Android phone called "Ship Mate" Specifically for this cruise. It is pretty fun. For when you can't remember what is on deck 13 and have to know right away!

Well.... Only 90 more days!!!!!

 

[tzuhouse]

WDW Princess. This will be our first cruise also, so this is probably a dumb question, but when you speak about the cabanas, I'm assuming those are at Castaway Cay? And are there any other beaches with cabanas or is it just those two? We aren't planning on doing any excursions in Nassau and I know we can't call until the 29th to make any sort of reservations for anything, so just wondering if there will be any reason to call.

We aren't looking for ressies at Palo or Remy's. We are planning on getting bikes and snorkeling equipment and such at Castaway Cay. Is that something that can be reserved ahead of time? Any worries on them running out?

And I apologize if this is has been discussed. I have been working like a crazy person at one of my jobs, opened my own business and had my purse stolen, all within the last month, so I just haven't had much time to think about the cruise yet, but I know there is a night where we dress like pirates. Someone mentioned that there is a night when you get really dressed up, in dresses and suits. Is that the case with a Disney Cruise? Just wondering how to pack. I'm taking a youth group to Walt Disney World the week before the cruise, so all my free time is focused on that right now, trying to collect all their ticket money and such.

So excited about this cruise! I toured the Dream in August and it was amazing!

Mary

 

[WDW Princess 71]

WDW Princess. This will be our first cruise also, so this is probably a dumb question, but when you speak about the cabanas, I'm assuming those are at Castaway Cay? yes And are there any other beaches with cabanas or is it just those two? I'm not sure of any beaches in Nassau with cabanas. These cabanas at CC are a few hundred dollars each and include amenities like wait service, snacks/drinks (even though lunch & sodas are free for everyone on CC like on the ship), and maybe some other amenities. Not sure if something like this would exist in Nassau, maybe at a hotel where you could go for the day. I'm staying onboard in Nassau this cruise but when I go in May we are doing Atlantis for the day which I've done twice before, they don't have serviced cabanas but they do have lots of pools, slides, open and covered chairs poolside and on the beach, etc for use. We aren't planning on doing any excursions in Nassau and I know we can't call until the 29th to make any sort of reservations for anything, so just wondering if there will be any reason to call.

We aren't looking for ressies at Palo or Remy's. We are planning on getting bikes and snorkeling equipment and such at Castaway Cay. Is that something that can be reserved ahead of time? Any worries on them running out? Yes you can reserve bikes and snorkel equipment in advance but I don't think you'll have a problem with them running out. I know I've rented the snorkel equipment same-day before.

And I apologize if this is has been discussed. I have been working like a crazy person at one of my jobs, opened my own business and had my purse stolen, all within the last month, so I just haven't had much time to think about the cruise yet, but I know there is a night where we dress like pirates. Yes as of now Pirate Night is Night 3, although that is subject to change but usually it is Night 3. It is fun dressing up! Someone mentioned that there is a night when you get really dressed up, in dresses and suits. Is that the case with a Disney Cruise? Not on this cruise. Short 3/4/5 night cruises dont have a formal night, they have a semi formal night where you are more than welcome to still dress up with suits/dresses, but its not required or as common as how many people dress up on the formal nights for 7 night or longer cruises.Just wondering how to pack. I'm taking a youth group to Walt Disney World the week before the cruise, so all my free time is focused on that right now, trying to collect all their ticket money and such.

So excited about this cruise! I toured the Dream in August and it was amazing!

Mary

Hope this helps my answers in red above! Let me know if you have any more questions!

 

[tzuhouse]

Thanks! That is super helpful!

Okay, so I went through and read the thread and you are all talking about FE, like Secret Santa. Can someone get me a link so I can read more about it, what people typically give on cruises, etc? It sounds like a blast, but I'm just not sure if I'll be able to participate since I will be at WDW for 7 days prior to getting on the cruise. My life is a little calmer for the moment as I am the show coordinator for Christian Youth Theater-Houston and we just completed a show and have now started rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof. Right now, it's a calmer time, so this is when I need to be planning stuff for February. The show is in January and things will get crazy again after the holidays.

We have started packing. I have the pillowcases for autographs, washed and in a baggie.

Here is another question. I know at Walt Disney World, you can get discounts at shops and such with an annual pass and some do discounts for DVC members. Do either of those get discounts at the gift shop on the Dream?

Mary

 

[HelloBuckley]

I saw something about an "FE" in the previous posts... When I did the Christmas time cruise we did something along the lines of this with stocking stuffers.

Could I get the details of what an FE entails? It sounds fun!

Was anyone thinking about linking dining reservations? We are doing Remy the first night, but I hate the idea of sitting by strangers the other 3 nights. Would rather have the company of other Disney Fanatics We are 2nd sitting.

This is my first time doing a short cruise and I am scared I wont get to have dinner at all the restaurants. Any experienced cruisers have an idea of what the rotation will be? I would hate to miss any of the new restaurants on the Dream! Does anyone know if they still do a character breakfast on the Dream?

Hoping to see Duffy Bear aboard the ship!!! Can you tell I'm excited

So the details for the FE:

Passengers: Emi (25) and my husband James (32)

No Allergies

Our room number is #10026

Second dinner seating

On the past cruise I made a door sign and left little gifts/candy at the doors.
Since it is "The Love Boat" it would be fun to do Valentines and small treats.

 

[chrystine]

It is getting closer!

I made our Remy and Palo brunch reservations this morning

 

[wxchick]

I saw something about an "FE" in the previous posts... When I did the Christmas time cruise we did something along the lines of this with stocking stuffers.

Could I get the details of what an FE entails? It sounds fun!

Was anyone thinking about linking dining reservations? We are doing Remy the first night, but I hate the idea of sitting by strangers the other 3 nights. Would rather have the company of other Disney Fanatics We are 2nd sitting.

This is my first time doing a short cruise and I am scared I wont get to have dinner at all the restaurants. Any experienced cruisers have an idea of what the rotation will be? I would hate to miss any of the new restaurants on the Dream! Does anyone know if they still do a character breakfast on the Dream?

Hoping to see Duffy Bear aboard the ship!!! Can you tell I'm excited

So the details for the FE:

Passengers: Emi (25) and my husband James (32)

No Allergies

Our room number is #10026

Second dinner seating

On the past cruise I made a door sign and left little gifts/candy at the doors.
Since it is "The Love Boat" it would be fun to do Valentines and small treats.

We are also the 2nd seating. I haven't been able to make any reservations because this our first cruise. I am so excited!

I think it would be so cute to do "love" type treats for the FE. I haven already started coming up with a few ideas.

~Jenn

 

[HelloBuckley]

It will be great once we get a final count on the number of Dis-ers involved. I have a few ideas but the next few months are so busy, I'm not sure how many extra crafts I can handle!
The other cruise I did ended up with almost EIGHTY people in the group. EIGHTY!!!!
If anyone was interested in doing a linked dining reservation for the second seating just let me know. Although, I have to confess we are buying a Duffy Bear specifically to take pictures with on our Disney trips. So if you don't mind people taking pictures of their food! Hoping to sneak him into Remy...

 

[moffboyz2]

FE UPDATE AS OF NOVEMBER 14TH

* Jaime, Mark, A.J.- DS 11 and Asa -DS 6. Room# 10548. Several severe allergies: all nuts, milk and egg.

* Hopare -2 adults and DD(11) DS(7) DD(5) Room# 7618

* Judy, Brian, Joe - DS 14, Vyrnwy DD 10 Room# 8641 & 8642 4th Wedding anniversary

* Tiki4 - 2 adults, DD (14) and DS (11) Room# 7134

* Jason, Jennifer Room#9030

* Emi (25), James (32) Room #10026

* Brad, Tara, DS-Connor (4) Room#6184

* Joan, Leroy Room#6688

Please remember the cut off date for sign ups is January 6th.

 

[gichicdoc]

Hi Michelle!! This cruise will make me Gold as well, how exciting! Looking forward to sporting the gold lanyard on my May cruise with my parents.

I have been on 3 January cruises, and 1 March cruise. The first January cruise was a 4 night Bahamian on the Wonder and it was pretty good, about mid 70s in Nassau and a bit overcast, but still comfortable enough to fully enjoy the slides and pools at Atlantis, and Castaway was even sunnier and warmer. The water was cold but that is to be expected that time of year, but it didnt bother us because coming from NJ, CC's January water temp is about as warm as our summer ocean temps get, so we're used to it. The second January cruise was an Eastern carib so the temps were warmer further south but even CC was still sunny and warm. March Bahamian cruise was also comfortable in the 80s. Sadly on my panama canal cruise this past January, we were unable to dock at CC at all due to the winds. It was a bummer but we can't complain given that the weather for the rest of the 15 night cruise was downright fantastic. So in summary I share your worry about how February temps can be hit or miss, but I'm just trying to keep my fingers crossed and hope for some pixie dust to be nice!

Thanks Nicole, that does make me feel better.

A big "hello" and welcome to everyone who has joined the chat board recently. I know that this is going to be a terrific group and a great cruise.

I'm not sure if our group will do the FE yet but I can tell you from past experience, it is a blast! If you have never done it and/or if you have kids, it is brilliant! Really....whoever thought this up...

Went on line at exactly midnight and got both Palo brunch ressies for the "at Sea" day as well as dinner ressies for Valentine's night...OMG! Truly I feel blessed! I never thought we'd get the Palo ressie's on Valentine's

Since you all are throwing out ideas & meets, etc. Has anyone thought about or mentioned doing a champagne girls meet? There is a special champagne bar on the Dream called "Pink" and often, the girls do a cocktail there at a designated day/time -- often before or after a dinner seating although we could do one during the "At Sea" day. Anyone interested?? I can't imagine a more terrific memory than sipping champagne on the Dream with a bunch of new friends. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will do the organizing.

 

[busdriverbrad]

Hi all. We are getting more excited as the cruise nears. We are interested in doing the FE. Our info is below. We have no allergies. Our son will be 4.5 at cruise time.

 

[HelloBuckley]

Hoping that we get enough people who want to do the FE. I did it on the Christmas cruise I took and had so much fun. For that one, stockings were hung up... What do people typically hang up to put the little gifts in?

I'm thinking of sewing some kind of pouch to hang down that is Valentines themed.
Changed the Remy reservation to Valentines day since I remember Pirate night having the worst food. My husband and I are both huge foodies and Ratalouille fans so we are beyond excited.

I suppose I could find a way to stop by for a glass of champagne in Pink .
I blew our vacation budget on the cruise and Remy so the bottles of wine, Malibu and Captain Morgan's I smuggle on the ship should have to do the trick!

 

[moffboyz2]

Hoping that we get enough people who want to do the FE. I did it on the Christmas cruise I took and had so much fun. For that one, stockings were hung up... What do people typically hang up to put the little gifts in?

My family's looks like these: http://www.etsy.com/search/handmade?q=disney+fish+extenders&view_type=gallery&ship_to=US but I have seen many different varieties.

I blew our vacation budget on the cruise and Remy so the bottles of wine, Malibu and Captain Morgan's I smuggle on the ship should have to do the trick!

No need to smuggle. They don't care if you bring it on!

 

[HelloBuckley]

It's pretty great that Disney is about the only cruiseline out there that doesn't mind bringing alcohol aboard.
I prefer to think I am smuggling it on...It gets me in the mood for pirate night!!!

 

[Tiki4]

It's pretty great that Disney is about the only cruiseline out there that doesn't mind bringing alcohol aboard.
I prefer to think I am smuggling it on...It gets me in the mood for pirate night!!!

Smuggling!! I see how that would get you in the Pirate mood!! Works for me!!

Days are counting down and we are getting pretty excited!! Our 1st cruise and we look forward to meeting all of you!! Our DD (14) is also looking for some other teen girls who may want to set up a spa time or plan some VIBE time.

Cruisers include self (Jody), DH (Mark) DD (Hope) and DS (Aaron).

A little meet/greet time for the ladies at Pink on our day at sea sounds fun too!!

 

[tzuhouse]

Logged on at midnight and it let me pick activities and such, but still doesn't let me check in even though it's now 11/29. Anyone else been able to check in today?

mary

 

[WDW Princess 71]

Logged on at midnight and it let me pick activities and such, but still doesn't let me check in even though it's now 11/29. Anyone else been able to check in today?

mary

This happened to me also when I logged on at midnight at my 90 day mark to make my reservations, but it wouldnt allow the checkin. I went back in the following morning at work and it allowed me, so I guess it just needs a few hours to "catch up".

 

[hopare]

Logged on at midnight and it let me pick activities and such, but still doesn't let me check in even though it's now 11/29. Anyone else been able to check in today?

mary

I checked in this morning, no problems. I even was able to get a 11:00 port arrival time, which makes me happy! I also booked the dolphin swim for my oldest daughter for Christmas, my youngest two will do the encounter with Dad. I am getting super excited now!