5/9 Dream Cruise - First Cruise Best & Worst

[Madani]

We just completed our first ever cruise, the four night Disney Dream Bahamas cruise. I thought I would just summarize our thoughts on the best and worst parts of the cruise.

Worst: Embarkation. What a mess. There were apparently some computer problems that delayed boarding significantly. We sat in the terminal for 2 1/2 hours. Our boarding number was 22, and we were finally on the ship at about 230. I went immediately to the line for the princess tickets. There were no more tickets available for the princess meet and greet, and only one option for Anna and Elsa at 11:45 on the second day (Nassau day). I had not booked an excursion for Nassau, but we had planned to perhaps visit the zoo. Then we went to the lunch buffet. It was an actual zoo. The cast member directed us to the "Other Side" saying it was exactly like where we were standing but more open seats. When we went to the other side yes, there were more seats, but the buffet section was closed. What he had actually meant was get your food where you are standing, and THEN come over to sit down. We just left rather than deal with the ravening hoard again. When we arrived at the mandatory lifeboat drill, we were directed to the front of the theater. After sitting for 10 minutes another cast member approached and asked us for our cards. She said no you should be at the top of the theater, so we got up and moved. On the way another cast member scanned our cards. After another 10 minutes they started doing a roll call for missing families. They called our name! They had talked to us twice and scanned our card and they still could not keep track of us in that theater?

I will say, looking back it was just a challenging day. We were coming off a perfect visit to WDW including staying at our first deluxe resort. That part of the trip could not have been better. By the time we finally arrived on the ship we were exhausted, hungry, and starting to get crabby. We have made several trips to WDW and I feel very confident about where I am going and what to do next. With the first arrival on the ship, the chaos was a little overwhelming.

Best: Everything Else. After the first day it got much better. Once we started to get oriented to where things were on the ship and decided how we wanted to best spend our time it was great. After much thought, I decided to not to leave the ship in Nassau. It turned out to be a great decision. My DD5 fell in love with the Mickey slide. She had all morning on day two to spend on it. Then we went to the Anna and Elsa meet which she also loved. The room steward was fantastic and kept the room immaculate. The food was good, and we really enjoyed the shows we attended. We had a terrific day at Castaway Cay. DD had a good time in the kids club, and my husband visited the spa for a massage which was also a good experience.

Overall: we give the entire experience an A. If embarkation had gone more smoothly I would give it an A+. There were still a ton of things we never did. I guess maybe we will have to try it again.

 

[wjs3]

The first day/embarkation/lifeboat process is an adventure on the best of cruises, even when you've done several. Even after multiple cruises on all ships, it still takes me a few hours to a day to get settled and oriented. Chaotic and crabby are great descriptors of what it can be.

Good for you for not letting it color the rest of your vacation. It can be better and--believe it or not--it can be worse

 

[CamColt]

Thanks for the report! It's nice to see the first day mess didn't ruin the rest of the trip for you.

 

[Drusilla99]

I'm so sorry your first day was a little rocky, but glad things turned out alright. The only ship we've been on that seems a bit crazy is, in fact, the dream. I'm not sure if it's because it's a shorter cruise, so there's a more rushed feeling of needing to squeeze everything in, but that was my least favorite of the ships.

 

[wjs3]

I agree wiht PP. Of all our cruises, the shortest one--a 4 dayer on the Dream--really felt much more hectic than the rest--like it was a fight to get as much in as quickly as possible. We've done all 7 days since then,but are going back to a 4 day on the dream next. Will be interesting to see if it seems different now.

 

[BigredNole]

Thanks for the info. When we eventually take a cruise, we are taking a 7 day cruise. We will most likely skip a port or 2 in order to explore more of the ship. That will determine whether we take another one in the future.

 

[MSPeeler]

I am surprised they "ran out" of tickets for princess meet and greets. I thought they only had tickets to even out the crowds....

 

[Madani]

I am surprised they "ran out" of tickets for princess meet and greets. I thought they only had tickets to even out the crowds....

I was surprised too. From other comments I had read here, I don't really recall anyone not being able to get tickets. I don't know what would have happened if I would have had an excursion booked for the Nassau day and could not attend the one opening they had for Anna and Elsa. I did go back early on that morning and ask for availability for another session. The representative at guest services responded that only the character department had control over these tickets, and all she could do was forward my request to them. If they would be able to accommodate the request they would leave the tickets on our state room door. As it turned out, I decided ( based on a number of factors not just the Anna and Elsa ticket situation) not to get off the ship in Nassau and therefore was available at our ticketed time. When I asked about the princess meet, the guest services representative just told me that the princesses would be out separately and we would still be able to see them all. And we did see them, except for Belle. She was the only one we missed. So in the end, it worked out OK for us. But again, if we had had an excursion booked on the Nassau day I think we would have been SOL for Anna and Elsa.

 

[MSPeeler]

I see, thank you. We have a PAT of 12:30, so I'm afraid we will also get a late boarding number and miss out on tickets. Where do you go when you board to get tickets?
We have an excursion for Nassau, short one, will be back on the ship by 1 I think. I've been looking at old navigators to get an idea of times for Character appearances.

Did you purchase the Shutters package or did they all allow you to take your own photos?

 

[Madani]

I did not purchase the photo package. The procedure was that the photographer took pictures first while I stood to one side where directed by the cast member. After the photographer finished I could quickly take my own pictures. I was happy enough with the images I took that I did not see a need to purchase a package. At the end of the cruise we did buy a single candid image of DD taken at one of the dinners. Once you are standing in line you will see how it works.

When I got on board I just asked the first cast member I saw where to get the tickets and was directed to guest services - directly to your right as you enter. I hope you have better luck getting tickets than I did.

 

[Sweetsarj]

I also sailed 5/9 on the Dream. We had PAT of 1030 with group 3 boarding. Once we hit the gangway 1130 my keycard was showing not checked in, my hubby and kids were fine. Waitied over an hour inside the room for the situation to get sorted out. Most were not even told what was going on. I was upset by the whole thing, our walk onto the ship where they announce our name was horrible. Hubby and I just looked forlorn and annoyed by everything. The lines for tickets were ridiculously long and there was no way I was standing in line after I lost over an hour. I immediately asked one of the crew members if she could secure tickets to the princess gathering and Anna and Elsa for my family because of the delay, she checked with guest services, was given the OK, took my stateroom number asked which day and time I preferred and said the tickets would be delivered to my cabin. This really made me happy and we completely changed our moods and began to enjoy our vacation. It was a fabulous vacation and I booked a placeholder onboard!

 

[lanejudy]

We have a PAT of 12:30, so I'm afraid we will also get a late boarding number and miss out on tickets.

Barring any unforeseen delays in boarding, a 12:30 PAT is typically the "sweet spot" for arriving -- early crowds have dispersed from the terminal and the WDW buses haven't usually arrived yet. You likely will be able to check-in and walk-on the ship. Be sure to look at your Navigator to know where tickets are being handed out as it may vary from other cruises.

Enjoy your cruise!