2013, February 24 - Disney Dream

[reagansmom]

I just sent the final list out this AM for FE. If you did not receive it or if something is not correct, please let me know ASAP!!!

Thanks!

 

[disjenne]

Thank you so much for posting all of this info! I am new to this thread because we are looking to book our first ever cruise! Hopefully by tonight I can say we (DH, Me, DD3) will be joining with you all!! These are some great tips! I've had a hard time finding info about crusing. Any other info or point in the right direction is welcome. I am clueless at this point!

First of all don't let any of the dress code threads on the main board scare you. DCL is pretty laid back and you don't have to get all fancy if you don't want to. We are on a 4 night so there is a dress up optional night. You can go all out or just wear jeans and a nice top....or anything in between. As long as you don't look like you just rolled out of bed you should be fine. I am packing less this cruise. Capris/nice tops.

Encourage the kids to attend the clubs the first day/night...this is when most of the bonding takes place with other kids.

DCL allows you to bring your own alcohol onboard but it must be brought on in your carryons, not your checked luggage. You will be responsible for keeping your carryons with you until rooms are ready at about 1:30 or so. I always bring a rolling type of carryon to make it easier. I also keep with me my camera, cruise docs, medications...basically anything you can't do without until your luggage gets delivered (anytime up until 6:00 pm) but usually much earlier.

On the Dream, when you board, you will have the option of eating lunch at two places...Cabanas up on the pool deck (deck 11) or Enchanted Garden on Deck 2. Cabanas will have more variety. If you do opt to eat in EG know that while kid friendly foods like mac and cheese, hotdogs, etc. are not on the buffet for lunch you can ask your server for them and he/she will get them.

Have the kids do the Midship Dectective Agency scavenger hunt...it is a ton of fun.

If you want any pool time get there early in the mornings as mid-day (especially sea days) the pool area gets very crowded.

If you guys want to go on the Aquaduck you can bring your swimsuits in your carryons bag and change as soon as you board and have lunch or even wear your suits under your clothes. The AD is usually open as soon as you board and the lines are short then.

The cabins have real fridges (small but real) built into the desk so you can keep things cold if you bring anything onboard with you or want a yogurt from the buffet to keep in there for later.

The cabins also have a real full sized hair dryer so no need to pack one unless you are attached to your own. On the desk there is a special round outlet that fit the hairdryer. Do not plug anything else in there.

The ship is beautiful, the shows are wonderful..don't miss the Golden Mickeys..love that show!!!

There is complimentary 24 hour room service onboard so you want a bowl of soup or some cookies and milk at 2:00 am...no problem. Call RS and order. also, it is not on the RS menu but you can get Mickey Ice cream bars (like at WDW) free through room service. Just ask. Customary tip for CM delivering RS is $2 or so..more if you order a lot. I always bring singles with me for this purpose.

In the dining rooms you can order as much as you care to. Want two apps and 2 entrees and five desserts..no problem. You servers are there to please so ask them questions and they can recommend the best dish on the menus for that evening. The dining rooms are beautiful (my fav is Royal Court).

Explore the ship...get to know where things are. The adult lounges are very nice...there is one on the very top of the ship with fantastic views.

Walk all the way forward to the bow of the ship on Deck 13 and feel the wind in your hair. Deck 4 is a great place to relax away from the crowds. They have the old fashioned teak deck chairs (put out after the safety drill) and sitting there feeling the ocean breeze is wonderful. Deck 4 is also the running/walking deck.

The snacks in the Cove Cafe (deck 11) and Vista Cafe (deck 4) (coffee bars) in the glass cases are complimentary. Just ask the CM and they will get you what you want. They have different things at different times of the day. pastries, desserts, etc. They also have great specialty coffees (for a fee). If you like a Starbucks type coffee drink this is the place to get it. Ask for the punch card. buy 5 drinks and the next one is complimentary. they will punch the card each time you buy a drink there.

Get in line for character meets early. You can find out in the daily Navigator (ship newsletter) when/what characters will be out...also carry it around with you during the day so you know what is going on around the ship...very helpful.

One of my fav things to do while onboard is go see a movie!! The movie theatres is beautiful and we tend to go late at night. I like to bring chicken fingers and a soda with me. I also bring a few boxes of movie theatre sized candy with me onboard to bring to the show or movie (they do sell movie snacks but they are costly). Our grocery store usually has 10 boxes for $10. Love my Milk Duds or Junior mints!!! LOL!!

So much to do!!! Feel free to ask any specific questions if you have them. Just have fun and don't expect to be able to do everything in one cruise.

MJ

 

[disjenne]

What are FE? Hope to keep this in mind for next trip! I waited to late for this time!

I just sent the final list out this AM for FE. If you did not receive it or if something is not correct, please let me know ASAP!!!

Thanks!

 

[maganda]

just bumping for disjenne to see if there's any FE space left for another family who booked their cruise today. TIA

 

[reagansmom]

What are FE? Hope to keep this in mind for next trip! I waited to late for this time!

Sent you a private message!! Email me your info at hhroth at gmail dot com

 

[disjenne]

Than you thank you! Just emailed!

 

[ellensfamily]

Hi jen, do you have any excursions planned?
Ellen

 

[disjenne]

Hi ellen! We don't as of now. I'm looking into them today. DD is three so I'm not sure about which ones she will be able to do with us. I'm still in shock that we are going! We've talked about it for a few months off and on but booking and really saying we are doing it came so quick! Lol!

 

[disjenne]

Looking into Nassau I found a self guided our map someone made. What are thought of going into town? I remember seeing the stairs (forgot the name) on there and the market. Is it safe to do this? Would time allow?

 

[ellensfamily]

Hi all,

I am hoping one of you marvelous families in our FE group would like to take advantage of saving a few bucks?

We are desperately trying to rent a cabana on castaway cay day but all sold out.

There are 3 of us, myself, dh & ds(12).

If anyone hear as reserved a cabana and would consider splitting it that's abt $250 savings! My hubby & son will prob be at water slides most of time anyway, but I'd even take one on adult side!

Also can anyone direct me where to purchase 3 lanyards for our 1st cruise? I heard they give them upon 2nd cruise but we r having a difficult time purchasing some

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
ellen
E

 

[Sageeise]

Hi all,

I am hoping one of you marvelous families in our FE group would like to take advantage of saving a few bucks?

We are desperately trying to rent a cabana on castaway cay day but all sold out.

There are 3 of us, myself, dh & ds(12).

If anyone hear as reserved a cabana and would consider splitting it that's abt $250 savings! My hubby & son will prob be at water slides most of time anyway, but I'd even take one on adult side!

Also can anyone direct me where to purchase 3 lanyards for our 1st cruise? I heard they give them upon 2nd cruise but we r having a difficult time purchasing some

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
ellen
E

I messaged my travel agent about trying to get one today. I was afraid that they were all sold out already. This is our first Disney cruise, so I didn't hear about them until the other day! Good luck!!

 

[disneygirl32830]

Hi all,

I am hoping one of you marvelous families in our FE group would like to take advantage of saving a few bucks?

We are desperately trying to rent a cabana on castaway cay day but all sold out.

There are 3 of us, myself, dh & ds(12).

If anyone hear as reserved a cabana and would consider splitting it that's abt $250 savings! My hubby & son will prob be at water slides most of time anyway, but I'd even take one on adult side!

Also can anyone direct me where to purchase 3 lanyards for our 1st cruise? I heard they give them upon 2nd cruise but we r having a difficult time purchasing some

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
ellen
E

Sorry - misread the message and thought you were offering your cabana - we are seeking one as well.
Miranda

 

[disjenne]

Ellen, I don't have a cabana but hope you find one! Are you searching for Disney Cruise lanyards or just Disney theme ones? I assume they use these as in WDW for pin trading? Like I said I am so new to all of this I have no idea where to start!

 

[FlotsamLovesJetsam]

Hi all,

I am hoping one of you marvelous families in our FE group would like to take advantage of saving a few bucks?

We are desperately trying to rent a cabana on castaway cay day but all sold out.

There are 3 of us, myself, dh & ds(12).

If anyone hear as reserved a cabana and would consider splitting it that's abt $250 savings! My hubby & son will prob be at water slides most of time anyway, but I'd even take one on adult side!

Also can anyone direct me where to purchase 3 lanyards for our 1st cruise? I heard they give them upon 2nd cruise but we r having a difficult time purchasing some

Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks
ellen
E

You can find general disney lanyards on amazon, or through the disney store. As for the cabana, wish we had one too! Didn't even know about them until just the other day.

 

[ellensfamily]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm traveling concierge so I'm hoping we can get one on board? Hoping they may have kept some out.

I'm looking for any type of Disney lanyards, actually I'm stayin at wdw for 3 days prior to cruise, I can prob get one there!

 

[ellensfamily]

Oh, btw we got our cruise documents today!


Yeah

 

[CruiseKris]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm traveling concierge so I'm hoping we can get one on board? Hoping they may have kept some out.

I'm looking for any type of Disney lanyards, actually I'm stayin at wdw for 3 days prior to cruise, I can prob get one there!

Disney lanyards are readily available on both ebay and amazon if you wantto get ahead of time. You can also pick up at most Disney shops (airport, any store on property, hotels).

 

[ellensfamily]

Thank you for the info!
Ellen


Ps...on 11th deck, the category V rooms- does anyone know if its a glass sliding door that will stay open or a regular door that I'll need to use a buggy cord for

 

[disjenne]

This will be my family's first Disney Cruise, and we are SUPER excited! A friend told me we need to do the fish extenders, that the kids will love it. So, we'd like to join the fish extender group. There's two of us adult-types, and a 6 year old boy and a 3 year old princess taking up residence on the Dream.

I have a three year old princess as well!! It is also our first cruise! If you have any great tips let me know! I am nervous excited.

Jennifer

 

[disjenne]

Does anyone know if it is ok to take travel mugs on the ship? I have heard that the filling station cups are very small. Thanks!