2/20/11 and 2/24/11 Dream B2B 4day/3day Updated 3/11/11 w/pics

[ddavis860]

Back from the B2B with DH. Working on the trippie...

Cast of Characters:
Debbie (me

) I can be found on the Creative Community boards in real life...
Ed (DH ) Not on the DIS

A little about us:
We are DVC members from Delaware. We will be driving down, leaving on Friday. This will be our 5th and 6th cruise with DCL. We are not taking any kids on this cruise. This trippie will be from the "adults" perspective.

A little about what is planned:
We are staying at The Radisson at the Port Saturday night.
We have 3 things planned on board... Couples Villa on the day at sea... Remy on the first night of the 3-day... Couples Swedish Massage when we leave Castaway on the last night.
We have late dinner, and the 7p show time.
I was not able to get Palo brunch ressies pre, so will be trying to score after we board.
We have no planned excursions. We will wander around in Nassau for a bit x2, and enjoy Serenity Bay on Castaway x2

 

[ddavis860]

Links to jump into the TR

The Little Extras

The Radisson at the Port

Seeing The Dream for the First Time!

Boarding and First Afternoon

Animator's Palate

Nassau... Day#1

Enchanted Garden

DH's New Friend

Castaway Cay Day #1


Pirate Night at the Royal Palace

A Day at Sea - Palo Brunch

Change over to Cruise #2

Shuttle Launch

Remy

Nassau... Day#2

Animator's Palate

Castaway Day #2

Enchanted Garden and Last Night​

 

[ddavis860]

The Little Extras​

So there are a few things that are must haves when we cruise... Today was the day to gather all this stuff

• Passports
• Highlighter
• Camera and charger
• Dollars for Room Service
• Power Strip
• Air Freshener
• Over the counter meds
• Ziplock bags
• Small Flashlights
• Hairdryer and curling iron
• Sticky notes and pens
• Binoculars
• Wristlets and purses
• Zip ties
• Thank You Notes
• Downey Wrinkle Reducer
• Closer hanging jewelry bag
• netbook and charger
• clothespins
• door magnets
• ipod charger
• hair clips
• over the door shoe holder
• closet hanging shoe holder
• books on my ipod for the drive down
• Island music for the drive down

 

[Lisa]

I can't wait to hear about Remy's.

Have a fabu time!!! and have a Konk Kooler for me at Castaway Cay, both times you are there!!

 

[Arizona Rita]

Subbing!
Cant wait to read all about it!

 

[StitchIsOurHero]

Can't wait to hear all about it!! I hope you're having a blast!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hi Deb! know your having a fabulous time! can't wait to hear more!

 

[TheThomsLuvDisney]

Have a great time! We just B2B'ed the Dream on the 2/6 and 2/10 sailing. It was our first B2B, can't wait to read what you thought.

 

[Mom2CJ&Kitty]

Subbing.

 

[mickeyluv]

Very anxious to hear how your cruise went. Im sure you had a great time!

 

[ddavis860]

Radisson at the Port​

Going over the bridge we saw the Magic at port! How cool! Made us even more excited to see the Dream in the morning!

Arrived and checked in at around 2p. The room was adequate. Spent a little time at the pool before heading back to get ready for the Seafood Buffet.

The buffet was crowded. The best food there was the fresh fish cooked to order. The rest was ok, but not great buffet food.

In the morning we made sure the cruise docs and the passports were at the ready. We went to the breakfast buffet (included with the cruise package) and had a very nice meal. The waitstaff and the food at breakfast was much better than dinner. DH moved the car to cruise parking, and we made our way to the shuttle.

The shuttle ride was fast and painless. Our driver knew what he was doing and got us in line and unloading quickly. We were in line for a while waiting o get thru the gates, but it was a great photo op!

 

[ddavis860]

Radisson at the Port​

Going over the bridge we saw the Magic at port! How cool! Made us even more excited to see the Dream in the morning!

Arrived and checked in at around 2p. The room was adequate. Spent a little time at the pool before heading back to get ready for the Seafood Buffet.

The buffet was crowded. The best food there was the fresh fish cooked to order. The rest was ok, but not great buffet food.

In the morning we made sure the cruise docs and the passports were at the ready. We went to the breakfast buffet (included with the cruise package) and had a very nice meal. The waitstaff and the food at breakfast was much better than dinner. DH moved the car to cruise parking, and we made our way to the shuttle.

The shuttle ride was fast and painless. Our driver knew what he was doing and got us in line and unloading quickly. We were in line for a while waiting o get thru the gates, but it was a great photo op!

Sorry to repost but needed the link... new at this

Radisson Pool

Kid's Pool

Pond

 

[ddavis860]

Embarkation
or
Seeing The Dream for the First Time!!​

The shuttle ride was fast and painless. Then we see The Dream! She is big and beautiful! Quite a bit larger than the classic ships. I'm wondering how crowded it's all going to be, our cruise is sold out. Our driver knew what he was doing and got us in line and unloading quickly. We had to stand in line for a while waiting to get thru the gates, but it was great photo op!

Once inside we had to go thru security. We put our bags on the belt and went thru the metal detector. And then we waited...for DH's bag to come thru. The guy called over another guy... then the supervisor. The supervisor knew right away what the problem was, and asked my DH if he had a CPAP in his bag. Who knew that would cause such a problem?

After that we went in line to check in. We are Castaway members, but that line was as long as the other line. We got boarding pass #11 and waited.

We were on the ship by 130.

They had everyone going up to Cabanas for lunch. We went right to the dining change location in D Lounge to change our dining rotation. While there I was able to get ressies for Palo brunch. It all worked out very well.

Then we made it to lunch

 

[campinggal]

Hi Debbie!!

It was great to meet you! I can't wait to hear about your version of our 2/20 cruise! You lucky guys were kid free!!!

My DD and I really enjoy our cruise. I got a kick out of you tearing up at the sail away party but then thought of you as I lost it near the end of the 'Believe' show! I always get choked up at those shows...and movies...and DD just elbows me and rolls her eyes!

Liz

 

[ddavis860]

Boarding​

We were onboard by 1230. We did meet one of our fellow DISers at the terminal It was great to put a face to the name! They had everyone going up to Cabanas for lunch. We went right to the dining change location in D Lounge to change our dining rotation. While there I was able to get ressies for Palo brunch. It all worked out very well.

The terminal has seemed mobbed to me, but once we were on the ship, the crowds seemed to disappear. That is until we tried to get some lunch at Cabanas. It was a bit crazy. We are all used to being in a cue, and they just want you hopping in where you want food and grabbing. But I'll review that more later...

By the time we finished lunch the cabin was ready and we went to see. Cabin 8560, catagory 5B on deck 8. We have always stayed in a catagory 4 in the past, but this time it's just Me and DH, and we didn't need the extra space. It is a connecting cabin, and the veranadahs can be opened to give more family deck space.

We immediately start to unpack and get things the way we like.

By the time we finished it was time for the muster drill. We are to meet at the Walt Disney Theater, and no life jackets are required. After it is time for the sail away party, the 2nd one of the day. We go to meet up with our DIS friends, but we are later than we thought, and most everyone had left for better viewing parts of the ship We were standing right next to the pool, and had a great view of the stage. It did not seem crowded to me at all.

Then we grabbed some deck chairs on deck 12 and watched the ship sail away. Captain Tom played several of the Dream's horn songs. It was nice to see the cruise finally starting after all this planning.
We went back to the room, and got our bathing suits on and checked out the adult pool and hot tub. While there aren't any bubbles, the jets are strong, and you can see the ocean through the bottom. It was hot and relaxing.

Soon it was time for get ready for dinner...

 

[ddavis860]

Animator's Palate
FORGOT MY CAMERA!! D'OH

Table 124, first dinner on the Dream. We met our servers, and ordered our drinks and meals.
We ordered:
Sesame-flavored Rock Shrimp and Carmelized Onion Cheesecake
Curly Endive, Arugula and Watercress Salad
Baked Potato and Cheddar Cheese Soup
Marinated Angus Beef Tenderloin
Save for DH's Dinner selection (I can't remember)

Crush and his friends come to visit the tables around us, and it was so fun to see the kids interact. We liked this Animator's better than the one on the Classic ships. We were never a fan of that restaurant. Just a personal preference.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Hi Deb!!

sounds like a great start! happy you finally got Palo
crush and friends Megan would love that, crush is her new Fav!!

can't wait to hear more

 

[DMMarla07860]

I was also on the 20th cruise, I don't think we got a chance to meet though. You going to post pictures on your report? I'm doing a report and I'll be posting pictures and videos.

 

[bobbidiboo]

subbing can't wait to hear more how a B2B works we will be on a B2B in May!! Great report so far Thanks.

 

[ddavis860]

We will be home late today and I will be able to finish up my report and post pics over the weekend.