8/9 Initial Dream Cruise - What I Wish I Knew Before, During and Observations

[SideshowBob]

Really GREAT information ... head out this Friday with extended family. Thank you.

 

[anjuan]

Thanks so much for all of the info!! One thing- I just watched Jojo's blog and they did play mini golf on the 8/9 cruise.

 

[esta1701]

I agree with a lot of what you said, and had many of the same experiences. And I'm right there with your 16 yo! So missed the chips at Flos. I know its a silly thing but I always like to grab a bag while having our cocktails at the Cove Bar. It just seemed like something was missing without those BBQ Chips. We were told they had them at Room Service but didn't try. I did however steal a few bags on CC to bring back to the ship. And I too was concerned about losing the Platinum boarding perk, but agree it went smoothly. I would still prefer 11:30 over 1:45 to begin boarding but it is what it is.

1 difference I had was we were never offered drinks at Cabanas. We had to go to the station. This was for embarkation lunch and 3 breakfasts there.

Also, besides missing the sticky buns, Palo seemed just as good as always to me. We felt the food and service were excellent, but in general we don't get a lot at the buffet. If we did, I may have had a lesser experience.

Lastly the elevator/bathroom capacity didn't really affect us. Other than me always bothering the same cleaning ladies at the restroom inside, around the corner from Satellite Falls, no one else seemed to be in them. Elevators never seemed to be full either. We took the stairs a lot but when we wanted the elevator we never really had to wait.

My daughter brought about 10,bags back to the ship from Cookies 2. Our servers who heard she missed them brought her 5 more. She was good for the next two days.

I agree the elevators and bathrooms were ok for this cruise but I really think once capacity increases it is going to be a problem.

Don’t get me wrong about Palo, we still enjoyed it and the service was great. Just really, really wanted those chocolate covered strawberries!!

 

[katmigordon]

If you use gift cards for your onboard account - does anything unused go right back on the cards or is there a wait time?
So could I then use those gift cards in WDW right after?

We used to do this. I would bring a separate gift card for the OBB deposit to use, but over time it became more trouble than it was worth, especially with constant cruise cancellations. If a cruise is ever refunded, it must go back to the original form of payment, so we had to hold on to those empty gift cards for years until our cruise was completed. Keeping track of what gift card was for what cruise was a PITA.

 

[esta1701]

If you use gift cards for your onboard account - does anything unused go right back on the cards or is there a wait time?
So could I then use those gift cards in WDW right after?

They ask if you want to apply the entire gift card or just pay the balance. I just pay the balance to avoid any delays in refunds to the cards for the exact reason you listed. We often go to WDW afterwards and I want to make sure the funds are there.

 

[CamColt]

My daughter brought about 10,bags back to the ship from Cookies 2. Our servers who heard she missed them brought her 5 more. She was good for the next two days.

I agree the elevators and bathrooms were ok for this cruise but I really think once capacity increases it is going to be a problem.

Don’t get me wrong about Palo, we still enjoyed it and the service was great. Just really, really wanted those chocolate covered strawberries!!

That's awesome about the chips!

Good point! Hopefully by the time capacity increases they can adjust that somewhat? Who knows? I will say I saw some people doing the...."we're ok if you're ok" thing and letting people in.

I feel your pain about the strawberries. I already missed the white chocolate strawberries when they changed to only milk chocolate. And like I said I really missed those sticky buns.

 

[DMMarla07860]

Thank you for the detailed report!

This might be an unpopular opinion but I think I prefer not having things like the ice cream be self-serve. I've seen some kids doing some stuff with the ice cream machines that made them less appealing, shall we say.

The exception is the Palo brunch buffet. The buffet was what *made* Palo brunch. I really, really hope that change is temporary.

Regarding the Mixology class, are we sure that's a COVID change? I'm pretty sure when we did Mixology pre-pandemic, it was still mostly pre-made. This was on the older ships so maybe that's the difference but I really don't think we ever went up to the bar and did anything of significance.

A couple questions (sorry if these have been answered elsewhere):
- Do you know if anything changed regarding room service availability?
- Was your room still cleaned/turned down/etc daily? We just got back from a stay at Disneyland and they wouldn't even come empty your trash unless you called to request...

I’ve had both types of mixology classes where we made them and were they were premade

 

[ghtx]

We did a Mixology. It was still enjoyable, but a diminished experience since you don't get to go up to the bar and make any of the drinks. The drinks were basically pre-made and set up in front of you. For a couple of them you were able to add a final ingredient or muddle some mint & lime for a mojito. The Skyline bar was used exclusively for tastings, and was never open as a regular lounge/bar.

I could be wrong but I think that this change to the Mixology classes happened a few years ago, before COVID. We did one in 2017 and we got to mix the drinks ourselves, though I remember hearing on here that it had changed.

 

[mcd2745]

I could be wrong but I think that this change to the Mixology classes happened a few years ago, before COVID. We did one in 2017 and we got to mix the drinks ourselves, though I remember hearing on here that it had changed.

We were on the Fantasy in Feb 2020, a few weeks before the shutdown. The mixology we did on that cruise, we all got a chance to go up to the bar and mix the drinks. I think it mostly depended on the bartender who was running it.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

We were on the Fantasy in Feb 2020, a few weeks before the shutdown. The mixology we did on that cruise, we all got a chance to go up to the bar and mix the drinks. I think it mostly depended on the bartender who was running it.

It depends on the bartender, but mostly depends on the ship. The classic ships typically offer the classes with the drinks mostly pre-made due to the set up of the bars. The Dream and Fantasy tend to offer the classes where you go up and make the drinks because the behind the bar area is accessible without going to CM only areas.

 

[Minnie & Daisy]

All of the reports on the diminished/limited experience on the cruise is really depressing me for our November cruise. I'm starting to think cruises shouldn't be happening. In my view something is either open fully or it's closed. I don't like half measures. We are at a point with full stadiums, full restaurants, full stores etc. but the cruise industry lags behind. Here in western Pennsylvania, life is pretty much back to normal and I wish cruising was too.

Most of the places that the cruise ships visit don't have the vaccinated rates that we have here in the U.S. For this reason, it makes it hard for the cruise lines to go to their normal ports of call. Sad, but true.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

I'm just curious why you would need to do this?

No one really needs to do it, but many of us have found discounts on Disney gift cards and used them for this - hence a very small additional discount. Not a huge deal, just another change. Glad to know ahead of time - sorry the OP didn't.

 

[MsJiminyCricket]

cant you still do this by adding the gift cards to your onboard account?

Unfortunately not - you are not able to pay with gift cards loaded to the account for Placeholders. You have to bring the cards to the desk and do it in person - but not with the changes that are currently in place.

 

[Sherrilatte]

We are Platinum and this cruise will not go down as one of the best cruises but it will go down as one of the most needed! It was great to be back at sea with DCL and celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on board!! Throughout the cruise we kept telling ourselves to enjoy what we do have and forget about what we don't.

Here are some things I wish we would have known before and during our cruise that may help people and some observations:

1. I booked a one way rental from MCO to Canaveral (1 day) and another for the return trip dropping off at MCO on Sunday (3 days). During the week leading up to the cruise, I found a rental from Alamo that let me keep the car the entire week and park at the parking garage for around $60 more. It was definitely worth the money to skip all the shuttles and not risk getting exposure or being next to someone who could test positive before they got on the cruise. Check your rental reservations and see what is out there.
2. We arrived about 7 minutes before our arrival time and were not turned away. Luggage is still accepted like normal and they had blank luggage tags available (turns out ours came in the mail yesterday). We are all vaccinated so everything went smoothly getting on the ship. The parking garage was an obstacle course of cones for people needing testing but was well organized and efficient for those who are vaccinated. Due to COVID and room keys being placed in the fish extenders, room upgrades were not available. Missed the platinum group 1 boarding group. We got group 4 but still got on pretty quickly. In the terminal it was posted the rooms would be ready after 4pm, our check-in person said 2pm, but on the ship we were told correctly the rooms were ready immediately. This may be due to the fact we were the first sailing.
3. Mandatory muster station drill was awesome. All we did was walk to the muster station and take a picture of the sign with the app. I really feel this should have been the process for all Castaway Club members gold and above all along.
4. If you plan on booking a place holder and purchase gift cards to take advantage of Kroger fuel points or Target red circle offers save your money. Currently you have to book through the app and they only take the credit card you have on file. This charge is billed directly to your credit card immediately and separate from your ship folio. I can use the gift cards I bought to make payments on the remaining cruise balance at home but would have like to have known in advance the payment methods. They are working to change it so in the future you can change payment method.
5. Cabanas opened at 1:45pm for lunch on embarkation day. Could have saved the price of lunch at Fishlips (although it was neat to see the Dream and Fantasy parked together). All windows now serve the same things and when you sit down a server comes and gets your drink orders.
6. You can't touch anything on the ship - everything has to be given to you. This includes food, ice cream, drink stations, towels, etc. Took a while to get used to not touching anything but if you have been on the ship when norovirus has been detected this will not be any different.
7. Entertainment is very limited on the cruise:

• Jungle Cruise and Black Widow were played over, and over and over again. Occasionally they snuck in Raya but only once or twice.
• Games and live activities were duplicated over several nights. I don't have an issue with that but on an already reduced capacity ship there were very few people at any of them so they weren't as enjoyable.
• No variety acts. We enjoy the adult shows and really missed this.
• Fireworks, sorry, were lame. From a cast member, they have 2 firework banks and to accommodate two shows they only lit off one bank per night. I really believe they whole show lasted less than 5 minutes, Note, if you had early dining you had fireworks the first night. Late dining got to see them the second night.
• They only live shows were Beauty and the Beast and Believe (both shown on two nights).

8. Palo Brunch was disappointing. The food and the service was ok but we missed the buffet portion. They no longer have the cheese selection (my wife loved the port wine cheese) and the dessert selection. Especially missed were the chocolate covered strawberries.
9. Our cruise only had what felt like 1,500 or so people on it which was lucky. They are only allowing 1 party or 2 people on the elevators. Any more people would have been real difficult to go anywhere as we sometimes had to wait for 2-3 elevators. Also, all the public restrooms were restricted to 2 or 3 people at a time as well.
10. The hallway on deck 5 by the kids clubs was blocked off for parents going to the clubs only. As our room was on 5 forward this made going to the back for dinners and entertainment more interesting.
11. You need to sign up for a queue to get off the ship in port (Castaway Cay). Not a huge issue but just a thing to consider now.
12. Shuffleboard was open. Basketball was now a sun deck, ping pong tables are gone, and the mini golf was never open even though my daughter said it was the first day.
13. They are still enforcing children in adult areas which was appreciated.
14. Double dip at Castaway was great even though it rained most of the second day - still better than Nassau.
15. As my kids are all over 16 now the characters were not important but we still saw plenty of them throughout the cruise.
16. You need to chat with guest services or schedule an appointment through the app to go in person. My app was problematic to begin with and always gave me trouble with chatting and scheduling. I went to guest services and was not turned away for not having an appointment.
17. Dining rooms were more spaced out and no parties were combined at a table. To be honest, I never liked Enchanted Garden but didn't mind it as much now that the teacups are gone.
18. Disney service is still top notch. Nothing was compromised due to COVID in this respect. Mousekeeping was still twice a day as normal.
19. Ghiradelli chocolates were replaced with Dove. My wife was worried they took the chocolates away all together as we saw posted somewhere.
20. They took away the bags of Lays chips at Flo's. Major let down for my 16 year old.
21. Embarkation was done by luggage tag characters to limit number of people leaving at a time.

That's a lot but I want to stress we still had a really great time. It is still a Disney cruise and still a vacation with the family. Remember to focus on what we do have - the return of the Disney Dream!

If anyone has any questions about the cruise I will be happy to answer.

Thank you very much for sharing! QUESTIONS: Were there daily passes available for Rainforest Spa? Was it open at all? Were you still required to go to stand in line to get a Palo or Remy ressie if they were all taken online? Thank you.

 

[sethschroeder]

Thank you very much for sharing! QUESTIONS: Were there daily passes available for Rainforest Spa? Was it open at all? Were you still required to go to stand in line to get a Palo or Remy ressie if they were all taken online? Thank you.

Rainforest is the 1hr 45min for a single group at a time for whatever that price was like $175 or something like that.

 

[jimandshane]

Thank you very much for sharing! QUESTIONS: Were there daily passes available for Rainforest Spa? Was it open at all? Were you still required to go to stand in line to get a Palo or Remy ressie if they were all taken online? Thank you.

I do believe reservations for Palo/Remy were only taken through the app, and they did advertise that you could have a second if you booked one on the first night (we didn't since it was our first cruise and we wanted to experience the full rotation).

 

[Imamom2]

Thanks for sharing. I watched JoJo and Kyle’s vlogs and found them really interesting. The ship seemed empty and the nights very quiet.

 

[Dug720]

and the dessert selection

So were there no desserts offered at brunch? Or just a limited selection?

 

[ArielRae]

Rainforest is the 1hr 45min for a single group at a time for whatever that price was like $175 or something like that.

When was the rainforest room available for booking?

 

[sethschroeder]

When was the rainforest room available for booking?

It's when you get on board you can schedule it.