1st cruise ever on Dream in March 2017, help me please!

[twodogs]

I've done many WDW and DLR trips, and we just went to Aulani for the first time in June, but now I'm delving into our first cruise. Of any kind! I've read a bunch on these great cruise boards, but I still feel rather overwhelmed. We are going to do a 3 night cruise on the Dream in mid-march. This is the only thing that fits my work and kids' spring break schedules. Plus I am afraid I'll get seasick (as I do on all boats) so I don't want our trial cruise to be too long if I get seasick there. Some basic questions:

1. I'm looking at a mid-ship family oceanview stateroom with veranda. I'm looking at deck 8 as higher seems noisy. This is on the side that faces CC I think? Is this a good location for it being not too noisy and not too much movement of the ship? Is that correct?

2. Is the water at CC too cold to swim in during March?

3. Are there umbrellas on CC that are free? If so, is it a mad dash to get them when you get there?

4. Can I get my deposit back if I cancel at least 75 days out?

5. Since it's such a short cruise, how do we get on the ship as early as possible?

Thanks all!!

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

I've done many WDW and DLR trips, and we just went to Aulani for the first time in June, but now I'm delving into our first cruise. Of any kind! I've read a bunch on these great cruise boards, but I still feel rather overwhelmed. We are going to do a 3 night cruise on the Dream in mid-march. This is the only thing that fits my work and kids' spring break schedules. Plus I am afraid I'll get seasick (as I do on all boats) so I don't want our trial cruise to be too long if I get seasick there. Some basic questions:

1. I'm looking at a mid-ship family oceanview stateroom with veranda. I'm looking at deck 8 as higher seems noisy. This is on the side that faces CC I think? Is this a good location for it being not too noisy and not too much movement of the ship? Is that correct?

2. Is the water at CC too cold to swim in during March?

3. Are there umbrellas on CC that are free? If so, is it a mad dash to get them when you get there?

4. Can I get my deposit back if I cancel at least 75 days out?

5. Since it's such a short cruise, how do we get on the ship as early as possible?

Thanks all!!

First off, Congrats on your first cruise! Cruising has definitely surpassed the parks as being our favorite vacations.

I'll answer your questions as best I can:

1) deck 8 is our favorite on the Dream class ships. As far as movement goes, can be hit or miss, just depends on weather. If you're prone to motion sickness, I highly recommend Bonine, it works wonders. Many people swear by the patch, but it made my wife hallucinate and dizzy, but she's a small woman, (100 pounds), I think the dosage was just too much for her size.

2) For me the water at CC is too cold in June, but I grew up in AZ and I usually don't get into my pool until it's at least 85 degrees. People in cooler climates think it's great in March.

3) We've never had a problem getting an umbrella on CC, and yes they're free. They have them set up all over the family beach area with lounge chairs and upright chairs.

4) You can get a full refund up until the Paid in Full date which I think is 90 days out, unless you're sailing concierge. I've never done that so I don't pay attention to those rules.

5) You will have to check in for your cruise after your PIF date and will have to pick a Port Arrival Time, (PAT), that will be the earliest you can show up at the terminal. Generally, getting there early is best done by your own car or private transportation company. If your coming from WDW and taking DCL transportation, you'll probably arrive around 1:00 or a little after. We usually get there around 10:45 when we arrange a Town Car service. DCL transportation is definitely the easiest way to go but usually the latest way to arrive, unless you fly in the morning of your cruise which I do not recommend.

Once again, congrats and I hope you love your cruise!

 

[Dug720]

Just as a note about getting there early... Your boarding group is tied to your Port Arrival Time (PAT). So if your PAT is 12:00, getting there at 10:30-10:45 is just going to put you in the terminal longer - and watching people who get there after you get on board before you.

In terms of getting on board the earliest - for a first cruise the only way to do that is to get a cabin/suite in Convcierge. BUT those are a) non-refundable and b) on decks 10 and 11 at the front of the ship.

Biggest piece of advice? There is no way to do it all. Even on longer cruises. Prioritize what you want to do and don't overschedule. Trying to do is all will just leave you frazzled and grumpy.

 

[sharonabe]

In terms of getting on board the earliest - for a first cruise the only way to do that is to get a cabin/suite in Convcierge.

I don't know about this. We are going on our first cruise in a few weeks, and we have a 10:45 PAT. Since 10:30 is the earliest PAT, shouldn't our 10:45 put us in an early boarding as well?

OP, we stayed up til midnight of our online booking day, because we wanted the earliest PAT available, so pay attention to when that day is for you.

 

[Dug720]

I don't know about this. We are going on our first cruise in a few weeks, and we have a 10:45 PAT. Since 10:30 is the earliest PAT, shouldn't our 10:45 put us in an early boarding as well?

OP, we stayed up til midnight of our online booking day, because we wanted the earliest PAT available, so pay attention to when that day is for you.

You should be in Group 2 or 3 which is earlier than most, but not THE EARLIEST.

The ONLY way to be in the first group is to be Platinum - and even that is just after Concierge (which technically is after B2B). When I see "earliest" from new cruisers it usually implies that they want to be first on board.

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

One note about seasickness and cruising.

It probably won't be THAT bad.

I have had motion/seasickness all of my life. Amusement park rides, cars, boats, ferries, airplanes, helicopters, they all make me ill.

But cruise ships are an exception for the most part. There was one day on a previous cruise when we encountered the "shoulder" of a hurricane. On that day the waves were huge and I could feel the ship move, and I had to spend most of that day lying down. The rest of the cruise, I felt no motion from the ship.

On my most recent trip, aboard the Fantasy, it was smooth sailing. I did take a Bonine every morning (I find this works better for me than Dramamine) as a precaution, but mostly on account of excursions that put me on ferries or buses, etc. The ship itself was no problem.

Best of luck!

 

[twodogs]

THANK YOU!! You are all so helpful; I love these boards!! We plan to fly in the night before the cruise, and likely will stay near the airport (I think?) since it will just be to sleep and go to PC the next day. I will try to get the earliest PAT available without concierge or Platinum, just regular person times. Thanks so much!!

 

[dragynally]

THANK YOU!! You are all so helpful; I love these boards!! We plan to fly in the night before the cruise, and likely will stay near the airport (I think?) since it will just be to sleep and go to PC the next day. I will try to get the earliest PAT available without concierge or Platinum, just regular person times. Thanks so much!!

The Hyatt MCO is fabulous but expensive. i loved it and they take your luggage to the ship for you. Also you can get a really early bus.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

I've done many WDW and DLR trips, and we just went to Aulani for the first time in June, but now I'm delving into our first cruise. Of any kind! I've read a bunch on these great cruise boards, but I still feel rather overwhelmed. We are going to do a 3 night cruise on the Dream in mid-march. This is the only thing that fits my work and kids' spring break schedules. Plus I am afraid I'll get seasick (as I do on all boats) so I don't want our trial cruise to be too long if I get seasick there. Some basic questions:

1. I'm looking at a mid-ship family oceanview stateroom with veranda. I'm looking at deck 8 as higher seems noisy. This is on the side that faces CC I think? Is this a good location for it being not too noisy and not too much movement of the ship? Is that correct?

2. Is the water at CC too cold to swim in during March?

3. Are there umbrellas on CC that are free? If so, is it a mad dash to get them when you get there?

4. Can I get my deposit back if I cancel at least 75 days out?

5. Since it's such a short cruise, how do we get on the ship as early as possible?

Thanks all!!

1. Deck 8 is great! It is usually rated as one of the quietest decks (along with deck 9) since there are staterooms above and below yours (no public areas). Midship is usually the best for less motion. I rarely felt motion anywhere though. The right side of the ship (starboard) is the side that faces the family beach on CC. This is assuming they back into port like normal. I have heard of an occasional drill or maintenance that causes them to pull in the other way, but I believe it is rare.

2. I think the water is great in March, but I'm from Ohio. Temperatures are are in the 40s to low 50s that time of year, so to me the temps feel awesome.

3. The umbrellas are free and are easy to get, although you may have to walk a little further down the beach.

4. You can get your deposit back anytime before the paid in full date.

5. When you are able, you will select a port arrival time (PAT) and that is when you should arrive. If you are taking DCL transfers, you won't get there till around 1pm? Private transfers can get you there earlier, but you are still bound by your boarding number that is directly linked to your PAT. I believe all aboard usually happens around 12:30pm.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

The Hyatt MCO is fabulous but expensive. i loved it and they take your luggage to the ship for you. Also you can get a really early bus.

Just a clarification - the Hyatt doesn't take your bags to the ship. The Hyatt will take your bags from your room and hand them off to the DCL transport service at the airport for transporting to the ship.

If you are taking DCL transfers, you won't get there till around 1pm

DCL transfers from the airport can get you to the port before 10:30. DCL transfers from WDW resorts (for the most part) will not arrive at the port until 12:00 at the earliest. Most arrive between 12:00-1:30.

 

[nearlyfallinstar]

DCL transfers from the airport can get you to the port before 10:30. DCL transfers from WDW resorts (for the most part) will not arrive at the port until 12:00 at the earliest. Most arrive between 12:00-1:30.

So a transfer from MCO Hyatt would be considered an airport transfer, right? That would be awesome to get to the port around 10:30. MCO Hyatt is one of our considerations for our next trip, but I thought it would be a later transfer.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So a transfer from MCO Hyatt would be considered an airport transfer, right? That would be awesome to get to the port around 10:30. MCO Hyatt is one of our considerations for our next trip, but I thought it would be a later transfer.

The DCL transfer desk (at MCO) opens at 9:00. With the first bus departing when full (typically around 9:15). Subsequent buses depart every 20 minutes or when full, whichever is first. The trip takes about an hour to the port.

Regardless of your Port Arrival Time (which you select during your online check in process), you will be allowed to enter the terminal at whatever time you get there if arriving via DCL transfers. BUT, your actual boarding number (which you get at check in at the port) is tied to your PAT. If you have a 12:30 PAT, and arrive/check in at the port at 10:30, you'll get the same boarding number that you'd get arriving at your correct PAT.

 

[dragynally]

Just a clarification - the Hyatt doesn't take your bags to the ship. The Hyatt will take your bags from your room and hand them off to the DCL transport service at the airport for transporting to the ship.


DCL transfers from the airport can get you to the port before 10:30. DCL transfers from WDW resorts (for the most part) will not arrive at the port until 12:00 at the earliest. Most arrive between 12:00-1:30.

I didn't mean literally. I meant that the bags magically reappear on the ship. Yes it is actually a service that Disney does.

 

[twodogs]

So if we stay at the Hyatt MCO, we would go back to the airport in the morning (if using DCL transport) and then take DCL's bus to the port? And this would be $35/person (or was it more than that)?

Thanks for clarifying the PAT and boarding time. I guess I need to find what exact day and time I need to be on my computer to hopefully get a relatively early time?? It's like booking your FPs for WDW at midnight: exciting but tiring, I'm sure!!

I think we are going to head to WDW after the cruise for a few park days. I think I can take DCL buses (for a fee, again) back to WDW? If so, do they drop off at each resort?

Thank you all again for the information and the reassurances. I feel like a total novice (well, I am a total novice) when it comes to the world of DCL! But luckily, I know just where to find experts like all of you!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So if we stay at the Hyatt MCO, we would go back to the airport in the morning (if using DCL transport) and then take DCL's bus to the port? And this would be $35/person (or was it more than that)?

Thanks for clarifying the PAT and boarding time. I guess I need to find what exact day and time I need to be on my computer to hopefully get a relatively early time?? It's like booking your FPs for WDW at midnight: exciting but tiring, I'm sure!!

I think we are going to head to WDW after the cruise for a few park days. I think I can take DCL buses (for a fee, again) back to WDW? If so, do they drop off at each resort?

Thank you all again for the information and the reassurances. I feel like a total novice (well, I am a total novice) when it comes to the world of DCL! But luckily, I know just where to find experts like all of you!

The Hyatt MCO is in the airport. On this map the Hyatt is at the top center, and the DCL bus location is in the lower right (down one flight).


Yes, it's $35.00 per person each way.

Your online check in window opens at 75 days out from the cruise (if you're first time Disney cruisers). The window opens at various times, based on your Castaway Club level.

DCL transfers do go to all resorts, and yes it's $35.00 per person for that also.

 

[cyndiella]

I don't know about this. We are going on our first cruise in a few weeks, and we have a 10:45 PAT. Since 10:30 is the earliest PAT, shouldn't our 10:45 put us in an early boarding as well?

OP, we stayed up til midnight of our online booking day, because we wanted the earliest PAT available, so pay attention to when that day is for you.

So, we can get our PAT at 12:01 am on the day we can check in for our cruise? Thanks!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So, we can get our PAT at 12:01 am on the day we can check in for our cruise? Thanks!

Selecting a Port Arrival Time is part of the online check in process. One note, you have to complete all pages of the check in before the PAT page for it to unlock. You can't go directly there.

 

[twodogs]

Thank you so, so much!

 

[cyndiella]

Selecting a Port Arrival Time is part of the online check in process. One note, you have to complete all pages of the check in before the PAT page for it to unlock. You can't go directly there.

And I can do that at 12:01 am? Fast passes choices are available at 7 am now I believe... so I wondered about the timing..

 

[PrincessShmoo]

And I can do that at 12:01 am? Fast passes choices are available at 7 am now I believe... so I wondered about the timing..

Fast pass? on the ships?

Yes, the online check in/excursion booking windows typically open at midnight, eastern time. You can't log into your reservation until after midnight. I say "typically" because, sometimes, one or the other (or both) won't open on time.