09/18/11 - DVCers Take Over the Dream (S.S. Member Cruise 2011) - Thread #3

[lilliansmommy]

OK, disers!!! Putting aside your love for all things Disney, I have a serious question that I would like some input on. I have booked a three night cruise on the Dream, March 31st for myself, Jim, and Lilly. My husband and I are both on Spring Break from our work that whole week (26-3). Due to the fact that my husband is back in school getting his second masters degree, we were only able to do a three day with honestly one day at a park. We can fly in on the 30th, stay at AKL or BWV for one night, then get to the ship. I guess what I want to know is this......Is this worth it???? We are paying cash for the cruise, it was about $1600 for the three of us. Factor in flights, and food????? I haven't cruised enough to be able to make an educated decision whether or not this is a good deal or even worth the flight down there. Please give me your thoughts. I would really appreciate it.

 

[Hoosier John]

OK, disers!!! Putting aside your love for all things Disney, I have a serious question that I would like some input on. I have booked a three night cruise on the Dream, March 31st for myself, Jim, and Lilly. My husband and I are both on Spring Break from our work that whole week (26-3). Due to the fact that my husband is back in school getting his second masters degree, we were only able to do a three day with honestly one day at a park. We can fly in on the 30th, stay at AKL or BWV for one night, then get to the ship. I guess what I want to know is this......Is this worth it???? We are paying cash for the cruise, it was about $1600 for the three of us. Factor in flights, and food????? I haven't cruised enough to be able to make an educated decision whether or not this is a good deal or even worth the flight down there. Please give me your thoughts. I would really appreciate it.

Hi Kelly,

Tough call. Gonna depend on the level of service you want, the magic of Disney (esp. for Lillian), and how tight you are with your money. Disney has been able to demand a high price for their cruise, so far.

For comparison, Lara and I are taking a 10 night cruise on Princess for roughly the same price. 2 adults, no kids, $1000 total ($500 each). We will miss the Disney touch, but as long as the engines make it, I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves. It hits several ports in the southern Carribean.

 

[dvc deernut]

Hi Kelly,

Tough call. Gonna depend on the level of service you want, the magic of Disney (esp. for Lillian), and how tight you are with your money. Disney has been able to demand a high price for their cruise, so far.

For comparison, Lara and I are taking a 10 night cruise on Princess for roughly the same price. 2 adults, no kids, $1000 total ($500 each). We will miss the Disney touch, but as long as the engines make it, I'm sure we'll enjoy ourselves. It hits several ports in the southern Carribean.

IM A DISNEY FREAK I BLEED DISNEY, BUT WE DO CELEBRITY FOR CRUISES A WEEK AND UP. THE SERVICE IS PRETTY GOOD ETC. WE ARE GOING ON A 7 DAY CELEBRITY CRUISE ON THE SOLSTISE IN FEB OUT OF FORT LAUDERDALE. THAT CRUISE COST US AROUND $800 EACH WITH OUTSIDE CABIN. YOUR GOING WITH KIDS SO THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TOO. THE DISNEY SHIP IS GEARED FOR KIDS(and big kids) CRUISES LIKE THE CELEBRITY THERE IS NEXT TO NOTHING FOR KIDS TO DO.

 

[Hoosier John]

IM A DISNEY FREAK I BLEED DISNEY, BUT WE DO CELEBRITY FOR CRUISES A WEEK AND UP. THE SERVICE IS PRETTY GOOD ETC. WE ARE GOING ON A 7 DAY CELEBRITY CRUISE ON THE SOLSTISE IN FEB OUT OF FORT LAUDERDALE. THAT CRUISE COST US AROUND $800 EACH WITH OUTSIDE CABIN. YOUR GOING WITH KIDS SO THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TOO. THE DISNEY SHIP IS GEARED FOR KIDS(and big kids) CRUISES LIKE THE CELEBRITY THERE IS NEXT TO NOTHING FOR KIDS TO DO.

Ian reminded me, our room is somewhere in steerage class, so it's one of the cheapest available. Plus I think she booked thru VacationsToGo.com, which sells empty rooms on cruises with less than 90 days until sailing. I think they handle DCL too. It would be harder to book this way during spring break, I would imagine, since more rooms would be sold then. I would say to keep what you have then check the website, but I'll bet they won't let you cancel then rebook on the same cruise, if a cheaper deal comes available.

 

[susieq55]

in my opinion there is no comparison. You just go up and then just go down and your always tied down. At dtd.

Sue so thats you and ranger john? In baloon?

Yup, Ian, that's little ol' me leaning on hubby, Ranger John, and the other guy is our pilot, Harry. That was right after we landed and we were waiting for the all clear so we could climb out of the basket. It was quite a picture watching me, "Gracie", get INTO the basket. Out was much easier!!

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Yup, Ian, that's little ol' me leaning on hubby, Ranger John, and the other guy is our pilot, Harry. That was right after we landed and we were waiting for the all clear so we could climb out of the basket. It was quite a picture watching me, "Gracie", get INTO the basket. Out was much easier!!

It was the opposite for me - getting in they had a nice little stool but I had to climb out - not a pretty picture.

 

[Carmouse10]

Looks like the Flying Dutchman is leaving Castaway Cay!

There are rumors of a refurb or that she'll be replaced by the Black Pearl, but nothing official of course. I'm really bummed! I've seen the Black Pearl and the Interceptor and was looking forward to seeing a third ship.

OK, PLAIN AND SIMPLE THEY BETTER HAVE THAT BOAT BACK THERE BY THE TIME WE HIT CASTAWAY CAY!
I have been waiting forever to take a cruise, then I become an addict and Disney is my Crack. So I put the two together and pull it all together in doing the SSMC as my first cruise. (And I need not tell anyone what a "difficult" task it was to get my reservation)
NOW, they go and do something like THIS!?!?!? I gotta tell you, even if someone has to swim out there with a bathtub toy boat and anchor it in place, I am gonna go out on those pristine waters and see a darn boat!
Thank you for your understanding. Have a pleasant evening.

 

[Luckymomoftwo]

I read somewhere that the Flying Dutchman is being moved to another part of the island out of visitor's sight so they can do some repairs. BUT what they're doing with the Flying Dutchman after that isn't clear. Hopefully it will go back to where it has been...it's a really nice addition to the island. And I'm wondering if they'll still have pictures with Captain Jack right there since the Flying Dutchman won't be in the background.

 

[DizDragonfly]

I read somewhere that the Flying Dutchman is being moved to another part of the island out of visitor's sight so they can do some repairs. BUT what they're doing with the Flying Dutchman after that isn't clear. Hopefully it will go back to where it has been...it's a really nice addition to the island. And I'm wondering if they'll still have pictures with Captain Jack right there since the Flying Dutchman won't be in the background.

I don't know. I read the following and it doesn't sound too promising.

I stood and watched the workers cut the FD apart for about 20 minutes. They used chain saws and then used the claw on the digger to smash and tear at the loosened parts. I watched the whole bow portion get smashed off and the dredged up by the claw. Parts of the boat were dumped on the dock and then pushed along the ground by the digger. I really don't think that it was a renovation, it was pretty drastic.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Here's a happy tidbit from the Dream!

We have already heard the Disney Dream play "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" and the response "Makes No Difference Who You Are."

Now, the Disney Dream plays "Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me)":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKWH57wsaWw - Advance to :30.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Here's another post about the Dutchman:

After seeing this thread, I got a little worried. I called DCL and asked a few friends of mine that witll work for Disney. As far as any one knows right now, the Dutchman, is being renovated and refurbed, and she being removed from CC. By all consensus of the people I talked to, Id be looking to see her in one of the upcoming Pirates movies. There is no time frame if shes coming back, and no one mentioned the Pearl. One of the reasons that she is moved, is that there is concern that the prop wash from the bigger ships could conceivably move or damage the FD. Plus her deteriorating condition.

If the Dutchman is going to Hi, its not that hard to get her there. Towing her would be too long and costly, so the easier thing to do, would be to lift her out of the water and put her on the deck of another ship. Assuming thats where shes going to. There also filming in Puerto Rico. Theres a beach scene at the end of the movie.Id say thats the moer likely location for her to go to be filmed.

Assuming that what Im hearing is correct, its probably easier for Disney to pull all of the old set off the barge, and build brand new, and assuming that she is going to come back to CC, make her more weather proof.

 

[lpotter]

Darn it!!! I am posting this from my phone. Corporate just blocked the disboards from my computer!! :-(

Oh well, now I will just have to find another way to pass the time. I literally have nothing to do and my days just drag on forever! I can check in from time to time on my phone but not as often as I could from my work computer. :-(

Why would they do that? It isn't like a site that promotes viruses, trojans, or spyware. May I recommend an iPad? Bigger than a phone, and pretty much always online.

YAAAAAYYY!!!!!!! Dan is buying all of us iPads! See, I knew it was smart to join this community

How about your very favorite sister in law????

Woo Hoo! Pick me I AM your favorite sister!!I just knows it

 

[Carmouse10]

Here's another post about the Dutchman:

Ok, I will accept the inevitable if necessary, but someone better find me a Mickey Ice Cream Pop fast.

 

[Carmouse10]

Here's a happy tidbit from the Dream!

Thanks for the video, I actually feel better now

 

[Truffle]

Here's a happy tidbit from the Dream!

Yo! Now THAT is about as happy as it can get!

 

[Truffle]

Did everybody go to bed already?

 

[lilliansmommy]

So consensus is maybe the DCL cruise I mentioned earlier may be a bit expensive for the three day. Maybe I should just book at WDW for a few days instead of cruise. It's just....my husband is beginning to think I am a freak with the whole Disney Planning bit. He doesn't understand people like you and me. Ya know? I told him it is a sickness, but he says we need to quit going to Disney so much!!!!!! I know, I know!!! GASP!!! Please don't hold this against him. Anyway, looks like I might be cancelling the cruise.

 

[lilliansmommy]

Did everybody go to bed already?

I'm here, Dan!!

 

[lilliansmommy]

Lilly has surgery in the morning. So I will probably not get much sleep. The doctor says it is worse on the parents than it is on the child. It is just a simple surgery, but still, a parent worries.

 

[Truffle]

Does anybody know how to get notices of Disney Merchandise Sales?