2/2/2012: Solo No More & Concierge on the Dream

[taswira]

Holly - What really riled me in that review was that the person not only thought any adult carrying a Disney (or any) plush on the cruise was a weirdo, but also anyone into pin collecting/trading, lining up to meet the characters, buying DCL merchandise in the shops, etc.

So I'm wondering: Why in the world did they CHOOSE to sail on a DISNEY cruise? Did they think it would not be filled with Disney fans/fanatics?

 

[taswira]

I've been pondering my "agenda" for this cruise. I think of my 14 prior DCL cruises, the only 3-night was my very first sailing, which was a College of Disney Knowledge "Disney Cruise College." It was great fun, but I remember it as a whirlwind of activity that ended in the blink of an eye. On that cruise, I was required to attend certain onboard tours and seminars (classroom setting) to complete the "agent education program" and receive my very nice certificate, and I enjoyed every moment. However, it did not allow me the time to experience the ship from a "normal" Guest's point of view. So I am spending some time planning how I will handle this all-too-brief cruise.

Day One: After boarding, I imagine I will go directly to the Concierge Lounge for the "concierge meet." I may or may not go to lunch at Enchanted Garden immediately after that. I will definitely not go to Cabanas. Since I have late dining, I may decide to forego lunch altogether and get a sandwich later at Fillmore's Favorites or a snack in the Concierge Lounge. I think I may just relax on my verandah during the sail-away festivities, then will explore the ship a bit and do some character hunting prior to The Golden Mickeys (one of my favorite shows). After that, dinner in my assigned dining room! I am hoping to have my requested server, Szilard Pintacsi from Hungary. After dinner, maybe check out the various clubs, photograph around the ship when it is less crowded, then more verandah time.

Day Two: Perhaps coffee and a pastry (Yes, I do that!) in the Concierge Lounge (or take back to my verandah), followed by a brisk walk around Deck 4, followed by full-service sit-down breakfast (Eggs Benedict - YES!). Then (since I've been to Nassau and don't care to get off the ship there again) I'll explore the ship some more, do some more character hunting, Concierge Sun Deck or verandah time, a light lunch at Royal Palace, more character hunting, more sun deck or verandah time, an early dinner at Palo (6 pm), back to the clubs or lounges, then MAYBE attend the Pirate deck party festivities. Having seen it on the classic ships many times, and hearing about the changes, it's something I could skip, just as I will skip the Villains show (my least favorite). I'll be happy enjoying the night sky and the sea air, if I'm not in one of the clubs or lounges.

Day Three: Coffee, early morning walk on Deck 4, full-service sit-down breakfast (Because I CAN!), then to Castaway Cay and Serenity Bay (I like to walk if the temps are low), then either lunch on the island or back on the ship at Enchanted Garden. I probably won't spend a lot of time on the island. Back on the ship, if most people are on CC, I'll have more photo ops with hopefully less of a crowd. I will hopefully attend the late afternoon "See Ya Real Soon," more verandah or sun deck time, then Disney's Believe show, then dinner in my assigned dining room. Then perhaps a club or lounge, or partake of the sea air while relaxing on my verandah.

Final Morning: At this point, I am not certain whether I will attend the final "exit" breakfast in my assigned dining room or opt for a quick Continental breakfast in the Concierge Lounge and then leave the ship. It depends on how I feel that morning, as well as whether or not I check a bag. It would be nice to say goodbye to my requested server, but I can do that the night before. If it happens to be foggy that morning, as can happen that time of year, I will try to stay aboard as long as possible since I have to drive home and would like decent visibility.

Notes: What I have outlined is NOT necessarily everything I will do. I might attend presentations and the Captain's signing, attend the deck parties, see a movie or two, do some shopping, etc. But none of those are on my "must do" list. I don't want to spend my time running from one activity to another, as can happen on a 3-night sailing. For me, this very short cruise will be mostly about seeing the Dream, experiencing a nice weekend getaway, and having some time to myself - something I rarely get!

 

[taswira]

Lately I am REALLY beginning to wonder why this 2-2-2012 sailing appears so sparsely populated. Today we are 95 days out and after some drop-outs I think we are still in single digits (9?) for the number of posters on the cruise thread. Sure it's four pages, but most of that was Holly and me in an effort to give the thread some activity, and she had to cancel. Although of course a lot of non Dis-ers do cruise DCL, the number of Dis-ers on a thread is usually a good indicator of how full the sailing will be, so it's got me thinking. Where is everybody?

I have mixed feelings. For the obvious reasons, it will be wonderful if the ship is not very crowded. I remember one RARE Magic sailing where I think a CM told me there were only 200 kids aboard. Excellent cruise! However, it is nice to be on a ship populated with Disney fans, and Dis-ers normally fit that category.

Is it just THIS sail date? Did people book then cancel due to the economy? Are they moving it ahead to the Fantasy or to an Alaska or Hawaii sailing? Just wondering. I have sailed in February before and it's one of my favorite times (being one who hates extreme heat and humidity - lol).

 

[taswira]

UPDATE 10/31/11: ThePhantomsGirl (Holly) is going on this one after all, and we are sharing the Cat. T. (Switched from Cat. V to Cat. T - Yay!)

So it looks like there will now be two of us (plus any plush we happen to bring along) to get into mischief around the ship! Just kidding about the mischief . . . I think!

Headed to Epcot for the day tomorrow, if it doesn't rain.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Just when you thought you were rid of me!


As you can tell from Taswira's post - I am now back on this cruise. My ShellieMae might be joining us. I think her passport is still good?

 

[LuvEeyore]

Along to cruise with with...through the cruise report. Cant wait to hear about the Dream. Might give me some perspective as to what to expect on the Fantasy.

 

[princesscinderella]

Happy to hear that you are alone no more. I sure you ladies and your plushes are going to have an awesome time. Too bad I'm not going to meet you both. I'll let all the bartenders know you are coming.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Happy to hear that you are alone no more. I sure you ladies and your plushes are going to have an awesome time. Too bad I'm not going to meet you both. I'll let all the bartenders know you are coming.

And we are sorry we won't meet you!

Funny, Shari has been teasing me how much I talk about alcohol on cruises: tastings, bringing wine for the veranda, etc. You'd think I was a lush...me whose bottles of red wine always go bad because I forget I even have any....

 

[taswira]

I RARELY drink, and since I have been unable to find a decent Apple Black Martini on DCL lately, I think the bit of wine offered in Concierge will suffice for me!

 

[Plaid Sheep]

Yesterday I read a Disney Dream trip report on another website that I won't name here. It was from a first-time Disney cruising family. I thought it was an excellent report until I reached the part where they had to "work so hard" to "avoid the Disney weirdos." What?

Now before you start thinking that "Disney weirdos" means covering your entire body in Disney tattoos (I know it's been done, but he's trying to un-do it!) or introducing your "furry familiar" as your spouse (and we're talking ADULTS here!), let me explain. Although this person's review DID mention adults carrying plush Disney characters everywhere they went and referring to them as "him" or "her," she also put serious Disney pin collectors, character fans, and even Disney merchandise shoppers in that "Disney weirdo" category. She stated that many people don't seem to know what is real and what is not.

Excuse me? We are talking DISNEY here! It's the land of make believe, where dreams come true, where fantasy can become TEMPORARY reality. It is a PRETEND world. Trust me, many of those smiling CM faces are NOT smiling when they don't have to ... because like us they are human beings with moods. They are called "Cast Members" instead of employees because they are "actors." Even the Captain is an actor of sorts. A DCL cruise is supposed to be one big, beautiful show in a HAPPY place ... a happy MAKE BELIEVE place where adults can feel like children again (and are encouraged to frequently act that way), where technology makes magical things happen, where people of ALL ages stand in line to meet and greet fictional Disney characters (both face and fur variety), and where NO ONE should blurt out "This isn't real!" or imply that those who are temporarily pretending it is are crazy or weird.

If too many Disney cruisers lose the ability to PRETEND and to immerse themselves in a "make believe" environment, DCL will become like any other cruise line. It won't be magical anymore. If you are too "old at heart" to enjoy the magical experience, please don't spoil it for those who are still young at heart and enjoy these temporary escapes from the harsh world of reality.

As for me - I am well aware of the difference between fantasy and reality, but if when immersing myself in a Disney experience I decide to carry a Disney plush and call it a "him," there is nothing wrong with that because "it" is a Disney product. My Duffy in the photo in my previous post is a Disney plush with a Disney Cruise Line #1 boarding card. It's all in FUN, folks, nothing more!

Ok, I had to delurk for this post because it made me so angry.
I am Plaid Sheep... a former CM and card carrying Disney weirdo. I let my freak flag fly. I don't care.
Don't let that non-believer get you down. She probably doesn't believe in Santa, or the Great Pumpkin, or the Tooth Fairy.
To some, Disney is a great big money sucking theme park. To others it's Nirvana.. and yet to others it's a mix of both.
To me, it's a place where some of my happiest moments happened. I was privledged to have a ring side seat for all it's faces... from the tear inducing moments where the outside world came crashing in.. to the heart stopping beauty of the look on someones face when they see the castle for the first time.
I feel sorry for that poster. To mock someone elses joy, it a sign that they have no joy themselves... and that is just sad.

I am glad that you now have a companion on your adventure.... though a quiet ship can still be a fun ship... it may be a little looser with the CM's on board and they can have a little more fun with you....
or you can just pretend it's YOUR ship... that works for me!!

 

[taswira]

I am glad that you now have a companion on your adventure.... though a quiet ship can still be a fun ship... it may be a little looser with the CM's on board and they can have a little more fun with you....
or you can just pretend it's YOUR ship... that works for me!!

LOL - When I did take Duffy on a previous cruise, the CMs all seemed to enjoy it and had a wonderful, crazy time with "pretending." I'm sure it was a delightful escape from "the usual" for them.

As for a "companion" - Holly is a long-time friend I generally don't see more than a few times a year. She is also a former WDW CM. I would have been perfectly happy in my Cat. V by myself (and could have done that "Concierge solo" trip report I promised), but since the price difference between one and two adults in that category was practically non-existent, it made little sense.

Although I may do more regarding photos and websites, Holly seems to have become a bigger "plush addict." She plans to bring ShellieMae. I am indecisive about bringing Duffy. I might bring a small Chip or Dale instead, as those are my true loves and are far easier to carry - ROTFL.

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Oh Plaid Sheep - I like you! :thumbsup:

 

[taswira]

Duffy's next attempt to convince me that even if I DO decide to pack my DCL carry-on bag and not check any luggage, he could still manage quite nicely to tag along. I informed him that Chip is less than half his size and would be a better fit. (Reminder: I refer to Duffy as "him" just as I refer to Mickey Mouse as "him"- and I always will!)

 

[ThePhantomsGirl]

Well, my ShellieMae is going! She'd be disappointed if her good friend Duffy wasn't there to share the adventure with.

 

[taswira]

Well, if he doesn't go, she'll have to settle for a chipmunk!

 

[heaven2dc]

I love your TR already and you haven't even gone yet! I am also shy around strangers (for the most part) but unlike you, I don't have any friends. I just don't seem to take the time to make friends for mostly the reason that I live for my kids (I've been widowed since 1994 when my hubby died of a heart attack in a motel room in Kissimmee when we drove to Florida to see WDW. My poor late hubby never got to take his kids to WDW, he died before our visit even started.) I applaud you for going solo - I went on a cruise in October 2001 all alone (I was supposed to go with my cousin but she backed out due to the timing) and I had fun meeting fellow dinner mates and a couple onboard during the scavenger hunt. I did get lonely about the 4th day, missing my kids and stayed in my cabin sulking for most of the night then decided the next morning to make the most of my remaining 3 days and had a blast discovering all the ship had to offer (the Grand Princess).

I would love to take a cruise again someday and am excited for you! Make the best of it - enjoy some alone relaxing time Can't wait to read all about your preplans and finally your trip!

 

[taswira]

heaven2dc - I am so sorry you have had to endure such a tragedy. You have my sympathy. It sounds like you are a very resilient woman though, handling things well.

I am glad you like my pre-trip report. It's just my way of having some fun and starting the magic early!

This PTR has taken a different direction now that it will no longer be a solo report. My friend Holly and I initially each booked our own magical porthole rooms next door to each other. When she canceled, I upgraded to Cat. V (12/13/11 NOTE: Have since switched to a Cat. T - Yay!) because I didn't want to end up hibernating - lol. I really had no idea that in that category the price for two is a nearly non-existent amount over the price for one. I have no trouble cruising solo, but the misconceptions of others can sometimes be irritating. Having gone solo for about half my cruises, I know what it's like and I would NEVER look at a solo cruiser and think, "Oh, poor thing - She must not have any friends or family." Not a chance! Solo is total FREEDOM!

On the other hand, it is wonderful to have a friend along for conversation, which can sometimes be lacking when traveling alone. Our fellow cruisers can expect to occasionally see us separately around the ship as well, as we each have our own interests.

My number one gripe about DCL's new ships is that the bed no longer splits into twins. On our April CAT. T sailing, I told Holly she could take the bed and I'd take the sofa bed. On THIS cruise, Holly will get to experience the sofa while I take the bed! I guess that's Disney's way of throwing a wrench into the vacations of friends!

 

[soapbox]

Taswira
If you make your way to the concierge lounge after boarding, the concierge will store your carry on luggage in the lounge while you go to lunch and in our case even delivered it to our cabin when it was ready. They aim to have the cabins in concierge ready by 12.30pm.

There are also welcome drinks and nibbles in the lounge from boarding time through to early afternoon.

 

[taswira]

I had heard something about them storing carry-ons. If I do carry-on only with the wheeled DCL bag, I think I'd appreciate that. Thanks, soapbox!

 

[heaven2dc]

I'm so glad your friend is going with you! I agree that people shouldn't look at someone traveling alone as pitiful - I would imagine they might be envious of the freedom! I loved my four solo days at WDW before my daughter and grandson arrived. and in hindsight, I loved going solo on the cruise in 2001 too. But having a friend along is also fun - as you said, you can go your separate ways to experience different things. I am SO excited for your trip - I'll be counting the days too!