5/15/2011 - Disney Dream 4nt Bahamas - May 15, 2011

[DisneyCrazMom]

My family of 4 will be on this cruise. I am super excited, DH and I did 3 nights in 2000 for our honeymoon and this will be our first cruise since then. I have been reading and trying to figure out what a "newbie" needs to know before we go. I say "newbie" because let us be honest, I have done a lot in 11 years and never cruised with children. I think I was in a daze last time because I don't remember all that much about the cruise, terrible I know.

I will look back at the first post and figure out what all i need to post. Silly question but what is the FE exchange?

 

[Dizpinfriend]

FE = Fish Extender

The cute little fish plaque next to your stateroom door in the corridors. Some folsk hang a little organizer for people in your patrty to leave messages and in our case goodies!!! Anyone wishing to participate in an FE Exchange brings some sort of treat/giveaway for the other participants. It can be anything - some ppl go full throttle and craft really great stuff, others give treats, or fun little items.

This will be my first official FE Exchange, and I am very excited about it!!! I had a great idea of what I am going to give - now I just need to order some stuff and get to working!!!

Hope you participate - there is a link to a form on the first post to this thread - everything you need to know is there!!!

Welcome Aboard - I cannot wait!!!

 

[DisneyCrazMom]

(Dis Name, real name, traveling companions, hometown, cabin# or category, dining time)


DisneyCrazMom...Ronnette 33, DH-David 36 DD-4, DS-weeks shy of 3, Derby, KS, 7134, 04C, second

think i got it all

 

[kato0627]

Hi- New cruiser here!
In our group, it is myself, Anthony (DH), Andrew (13) DS will be turning 14 on May 17th, Thomas (10) DS, and Olivia (9) DD.
A few things I need help with. First off, the kids do not know we are cruising. We are trying to keep it a surprise till that day, not sure if we will be able too. Secondly, I see people are making their reservations. Do I need to do that this far out? We are really only going to do an excursion and than not sure what is available at CC. If we want to parasail etc.. do you need reservations. Third, we are booked for early dinner, but really am thinking of switching till second seating. My family really enjoys pool/beach/not rushing. What do you experts think.
One more ? can some explain the FE. I did see a little blurb but not 100 % sure of what people leave. Thanks,
Looking forward to joining in

 

[MaineFam3]

Here is the hi-res cruise graphic if you want to download it to print out (it's about 1 MB).

www.studio-je.com/May2011CruiseLogo.jpg

Thanks so much for this. Awesome graphic! I'm going to bring more than one, so I won't get too upset if it decides to "walk away."

 

[MaineFam3]

Hi Everyone,

Just checked DSL's site, and our cruise is now FULL!

 

[DisneyCrazMom]

Hi- New cruiser here!
In our group, it is myself, Anthony (DH), Andrew (13) DS will be turning 14 on May 17th, Thomas (10) DS, and Olivia (9) DD.
A few things I need help with. First off, the kids do not know we are cruising. We are trying to keep it a surprise till that day, not sure if we will be able too. Secondly, I see people are making their reservations. Do I need to do that this far out? We are really only going to do an excursion and than not sure what is available at CC. If we want to parasail etc.. do you need reservations. Third, we are booked for early dinner, but really am thinking of switching till second seating. My family really enjoys pool/beach/not rushing. What do you experts think.
One more ? can some explain the FE. I did see a little blurb but not 100 % sure of what people leave. Thanks,
Looking forward to joining in

well i just wrote a really long reply but it went away.
Welcome we just joined the board this week also, we are trying the secret also, but honestly it is hard. I am too excited. I think some of the more experianced cruisers can offer you advice on the booking early. I will be doing it Monday since the cruise is full. Getting so close now!

 

[bubbasmom99]

Hi- New cruiser here!
In our group, it is myself, Anthony (DH), Andrew (13) DS will be turning 14 on May 17th, Thomas (10) DS, and Olivia (9) DD.
A few things I need help with. First off, the kids do not know we are cruising. We are trying to keep it a surprise till that day, not sure if we will be able too. Secondly, I see people are making their reservations. Do I need to do that this far out? We are really only going to do an excursion and than not sure what is available at CC. If we want to parasail etc.. do you need reservations. Third, we are booked for early dinner, but really am thinking of switching till second seating. My family really enjoys pool/beach/not rushing. What do you experts think.
One more ? can some explain the FE. I did see a little blurb but not 100 % sure of what people leave. Thanks,
Looking forward to joining in

Welcome! My kids are close in age to yours (DS Nick will turn 12 right before cruise, and Sarah turns 9 on the cruise - ON MAY 17TH!!!! - we have 3 5/17 birthdays on this cruise now). We surprised them last month with the 2 day Cruise to Nowhere on the Wonder. It was HARD to keep it a secret but a little bit easier with this cruise in the works - whenever we were talking about cruising, they thought we were referring to this one They were REALLY thrown off when we showed up at the cruise terminal. We've done the surprise trip thing twice now and I think the kids will be too suspicious next time (I keep asking them questions about where all their stuff is, and making them try on dress clothes to make sure they still fit, and bugging them about where their favorite shirts/shorts are so I can make sure they're washed and put away to be packed).

I will be reserving a Palo brunch and maybe spa treatment (which I don't think is necessary) but I probably won't do anything for CC because we'll probably just rent a float and snorkel equipment. We're not doing a Nassau excursion either - just jumping off the ship for a quick walk around the port area stores and then treating it like a day at sea. There's too much to see on board and we've already been to Nassau (and been underwhelmed). Don't want to spend the $$ on Atlantis.

The FE exchange is a cabin-to-cabin gift exchange. There was a post with good examples, I'll see if I can find it. Make sure you fill out the form (post #1) with your info so we can add you to the cruisers list!

 

[bubbasmom99]

Hi Everyone,

Just checked DSL's site, and our cruise is now FULL!

It's been full for at least a couple of weeks now. I was checking to see how much to bump up to a cat 4 for us and it was not available.

I am HOPING the ship does not feel crowded. When we were on the Wonder last month and it was sold out, it actually felt less crowded than other not-full cruises we've been on.

I wonder how many kids will be on our cruise since much of the US is still in school at that time (we are on year-round school schedule and off in May).

 

[MaineFam3]

It's been full for at least a couple of weeks now. I was checking to see how much to bump up to a cat 4 for us and it was not available.

I am HOPING the ship does not feel crowded. When we were on the Wonder last month and it was sold out, it actually felt less crowded than other not-full cruises we've been on.

I wonder how many kids will be on our cruise since much of the US is still in school at that time (we are on year-round school schedule and off in May).

I'm hoping the same thing! We picked this cruise, thinking it would be a less busier time, and are pulling our daughter out of school the the week. It's nice that you don't have to. Full or not, it'll be a great time either way! Thought I saw a few rooms still available last week, guess I was mistaken.

You could keep checking on that bump up. There's still time for someone to cancel before 3/1, the last pay in full date. Good luck!

 

[branv]

At first I was confused reading y'alls posts. I have been regularly checking and see cat 4's and 5's all the time. Sometimes they go away for a day, but they always come back. I even checked this morning and the cat 4's were there. Then a light bulb went off! I'm always checking for 2 adults, not kids! So I went and added two children, age 8 and 10, and voila, suddenly no categories! Which tells me they must be at maximum capacity for the kid areas. It appears school or no school, there will be plenty of children on board. But both of my classic ship cruises maxed out about this time for ressies that include children, and I never noticed it being crowded then.

 

[tigger2on]

ARGH!!!
I hate the DCL website sometimes...
Booked a table for 6 for Palo Brunch at 10:30 and 2 participants for sea lions @ 9:30am... then DCL page froze. Now it says someone else tha is linked to our res is online so I can't be... not even sure if they stuck!!!!
ACK!
Plus we have no one else eligible to book yet linked to our ressie

SOOOOOOOOOOO annoying!
Hope everyone else got their ressies

 

[Dizpinfriend]

I just booked the Atlantis Dolphin Cay Shallow Water Interaction & Discover Atlantis excursion - but have questions about bringing someone else along as an observer...


I also noticed that it said my son is eligible for the Oceaneers Club/Lab?? - but he is 11and very much looking forward to the Edge tween club... So I went ahead and filled out the registration for him - and it shows him as being in the Oceaneers Lab...

I also cannot start my online check-in.... Not sure what that is about, but I will try again in the morning...

I did check to see availability for Palo - and the Brunch and Tea were closed - but there were plenty of dinner openings - I did not book a ressie for this cruise - because I want to experience all of the other restaurants on the ship.

Good Luck everyone - 90 days to go!!!!!

 

[tigger2on]

I just booked the Atlantis Dolphin Cay Shallow Water Interaction & Discover Atlantis excursion - but have questions about bringing someone else along as an observer...


I also noticed that it said my son is eligible for the Oceaneers Club/Lab?? - but he is 11and very much looking forward to the Edge tween club... So I went ahead and filled out the registration for him - and it shows him as being in the Oceaneers Lab...

I also cannot start my online check-in.... Not sure what that is about, but I will try again in the morning...

I did check to see availability for Palo - and the Brunch and Tea were closed - but there were plenty of dinner openings - I did not book a ressie for this cruise - because I want to experience all of the other restaurants on the ship.

Good Luck everyone - 90 days to go!!!!!

Yay!!
I am hoping mine stuck... it says that someone linked to our cruise is on so I can't check.. but it probably me still Have to call them in the am.

 

[DorothyPoppins]

We booked Remy for night 3 at 6PM, a spa shave for the spouse, and the Sea Lion Encounter in Nassau. W00T!!!

 

[tigger2on]

It was still there and saved!!! PHEW!

Sea Lion encounter @ 9:30 - 1:30pm
Palo Dinner (unsure if I will keep this or not) Castaway Cay night.
Palo Brunch @ 10:30 table of 5... maybe 6 but we will see...

 

[tigger2on]

We booked Remy for night 3 at 6PM, a spa shave for the spouse, and the Sea Lion Encounter in Nassau. W00T!!!

Morning or afternoon Sea Lions???

 

[branv]

Hope everyone got everything they wanted!

So happy we got Remy!! Out of curiousity I looked again this morning and there were still plenty left, so I guess the furor of the first cruises has died down. We are huge foodies, so cannot wait.

Also got Palo dinner, but not Palo brunch. Which is okay b/c we were actually on the fence about doing brunch again. The timing just wasn't right, and we've done it before anyway. Buuuut, I suppose I'll still keep a look out or try to book onboard. It's a pleasant way to fill a sea day.

We also booked the later sea lions, but may cancel. We don't generally get off the boat at Nassau anymore. And it's great to be on an emptier ship. But the sea lion looked like such a cute tour! With it being a new boat, though, I may want to just spend as much time on her as possible I also live about an hour away from a Sea World that has a much much more in-depth sea lion encounter for only about $50 more, if it really strikes my fancy. I don't know. Decisions, decisions. What do you think?

 

[bubbasmom99]

Well, I totally forgot to get online last night and book everything so we missed out on the Palo brunch. Oh well, no worries - more money for the spa! It can't be THAT different from the Magic/Wonder and it's not the last time I plan to cruise on the Dream... We'll just enjoy all the other restaurants. We have rarely eaten breakfast or lunch in the dining rooms - usually hitting the buffet, so maybe we'll make it a point to do so this time instead of Palo. I did see Remy still available as well as Palo dinner. Not sure my hubby will like the food at Remy for $75 a head... and not sure what dining rotations are anyway and I don't want to miss any of them, so....

 

[Dizpinfriend]

It was still there and saved!!! PHEW!

Sea Lion encounter @ 9:30 - 1:30pm
Palo Dinner (unsure if I will keep this or not) Castaway Cay night.
Palo Brunch @ 10:30 table of 5... maybe 6 but we will see...

So happy your selections were there waiting for you!!!!

The system was being weird last night - I wasn't able to start my online-check in process last night - no matter how many times I refreshed. Was able to do it this morning and we are all set.

It is still showing my son as registered for the Oceaneers Club/Lab. I posted a question on the general Cruise forum and someone said that kids do not need to register for Edge or Vibe - they can just come and go as they please. I will keep him registered in the Lab - cause he was curious about the huge game floor they have there - so now at least he will be able to go in as a visitor and see what that is all about.

I also found out that the Observer excursion for the Atlantis dolphin encounter was listed seperately way down the page in alphabetical order - so I got that taken care of this morning as well.

On top of the excitement of finally booking and checking in - Mother Nature is giving me a taste of spring today - it is GORGEOUS outside and the snow is melting!!!!!