April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[goofy4tink]

I'm also a Silver CC member and I see NO reservations available for Palo brunch or dinner. The brunch reservations were already gone when our booking window opened at midnight 90 days out. Kind of frustrating as I've never done the brunch and was really looking forward to it

Yep, I was up at midnight on our booking day and nothing was open for brunch. It's our favorite meal on board....maybe we'll luck out and be able to book it once we get there, but I'm not holding out much hope. It's just so darn frustrating.
Oh well....with all the snow that we already have, and another foot to come....I guess I have bigger things to worry about at the moment!! Like...where the heck to put the snow??? Our snowbanks around the driveway are already almost 6' high...only so high the snowblower will throw that snow!!

 

[guarn3md]

I go away from the boards for a few hours and I have three pages of posts to read...what happened?? There was no snow last night...

I am making a million shirts which my teen would not be caught dead in, but that's another story..... My boarding shirt will say my disnname so that you guys will be able to put my face to my annoying Posts ! Can't wait to meet all my new dis friends!

I started this project last night... I am out of control...Plus the magnets

Hi all! Been following a lot of the discussion.

Gonna be on this cruise with my wife and three kids (ages 9, 8 and 5) -- we're very excited about it! First time with DCL and have heard so many good things.

Since it's our first time, our reservations window opens Tuesday (Feb. 1) -- I've read I should get online at midnight Monday night. Are there even any reservation times left at Palo? Are a lot of the excursions already filled? (On Nassau, we're thinking of doing either dolphins at Blue Lagoon or Discover Atlantis -- would welcome any suggestions. Dolphins seems expensive but memorable.)

Anybody have any insight? Thanks!

Welcome!! This is also our first cruise. I will be on the boards with you tonight. I want to see if there is anything that will open at Palo and I want to book the Blue Lagoon Dophin experience too. Good Luck to us both!!

Okay, I've done it. Even I think I'm going too far, but I just...can't...help...myself!!

I was in Michael's, I was just picking up some magnets for door decorations on a study break (found some very awesome magnetic tape, too). Then all of a sudden a very kind woman sees me with a couple of things in my hands and says, "Oh here, I have a great coupon but its only good for today and I'm not buying anything." Its 25% your ENTIRE purchase. Cha-ching!

DS is then dragged along with me to the $1 aisle and we begin what I'll just call the FE madness. Yes, I am already making gifts for the familes, but I thought I'd get something small for each of the kids, too. But wait, I already bought something fun for the kids last summer. Oh well, they'll get these, too. :

An FE intervention is going to be necessary very soon.

What will I do April 17th when there's nothing left to obsess about??? Oh yeah, the Fantasy MV...whew!

I was in Michael's on Saturday shopping for crafting supplies so I could work on my FE gifts. I saw a lot of cute Disney stuff and was so tempted to buy! I managed to get out without purchasing and then called my mom for an intervention.

That is it!! I am officially going nuts. I just saw the weather forecast......

Guess what's coming our way - one guess.... S. N. O. W. And just to shake it up... I. C. E.

I cannot take it. Oh dream, take me away!

I was looking at the forecast for our area - it's anyone's guess what will happen overnight and what we will get. Get ready for another round. Come on April...

For the people participating in the FE exchange...I just wondered if anyone has any special dietary restrictions (like diabetic, peanut allergy, etc)

We have no allergies here...except for me w/ shellfish allergy. Which reminds me to ask - is this something that I need to let them know on any of the cruise documents?

Have a good day everyone!
Debbie

 

[mommybean]

We have no allergies here...except for me w/ shellfish allergy. Which reminds me to ask - is this something that I need to let them know on any of the cruise documents?

Have a good day everyone!
Debbie

Yes, note it on your documents and also let your TA know so they can call DCL and make them aware just to be on the safe side (or if you booked online with DCL, just call them directly and tell them to please make a note)

 

[hubwriter]

Welcome!! This is also our first cruise. I will be on the boards with you tonight. I want to see if there is anything that will open at Palo and I want to book the Blue Lagoon Dophin experience too. Good Luck to us both!!

Thanks, and good luck!

After much discussion, we're going to just try for the day at Blue Lagoon (not the dolphins). We'd like to check out the dolphins while we're there and maybe will do it the next year (we booked another 4-night cruise on the Dream over spring break in 4/2012). Decided against Atlantis -- I personally would like to walk around and check it out, but the 3 kids might not be so into that as they would be with a beach day. And I've been to Atlantis before. And Palo ... we'll just see if there's anything.

Let me know what you wind up booking!

 

[pershing]

Thanks, and good luck!

(we booked another 4-night cruise on the Dream over spring break in 4/2012). !

Oooo, did anyone mention the rebooking onboard benefits to you before?

There's a nice rebooking discount and onboard credit when you book a new trip onboard.

In the past it's been 10% and a 200 dollar onboard credit.

FYI

I'll be rebooking for April of next year also...for now, if Hawaii appears at some point as rumored I'll be all over that!

 

[jilljill]

Oooo, did anyone mention the rebooking onboard benefits to you before?

There's a nice rebooking discount and onboard credit when you book a new trip onboard.

In the past it's been 10% and a 200 dollar onboard credit.

FYI

I'll be rebooking for April of next year also...for now, if Hawaii appears at some point as rumored I'll be all over that!

The onboard credit rec'd for an onboard booking is not a set amount, it's based on the length of cruise booked and your Castaway Club status at the time of the booked cruise.
Not to mention the deposit is only 10% when rebooked onboard.

 

[hubwriter]

Oooo, did anyone mention the rebooking onboard benefits to you before?

There's a nice rebooking discount and onboard credit when you book a new trip onboard.

In the past it's been 10% and a 200 dollar onboard credit.

Ooh, that's a good thought. That had not occurred to me, but since it's spring break in 2012 I wanted to make sure we got the rooms (we like adjoining rooms for the 5 of us). We've already paid our deposit for 2012, totally refundable of course. Is there any way to get those perks? Say, by booking the 2012 cruise when I'm onboard then just cancelling my existing spot? How do I handle that? Is it too shameless to just go up and explain the situation?

 

[Deb T.]

Ooh, that's a good thought. That had not occurred to me, but since it's spring break in 2012 I wanted to make sure we got the rooms (we like adjoining rooms for the 5 of us). We've already paid our deposit for 2012, totally refundable of course. Is there any way to get those perks? Say, by booking the 2012 cruise when I'm onboard then just cancelling my existing spot? How do I handle that? Is it too shameless to just go up and explain the situation?

We do that all the time, so don't hesitate to "re-shop" your already-booked cruise while onboard. For this cruise (4/17/11), I had been waiting until we were onboard our July Baltic cruise to book it - but then I started reading how quickly this sailing was filling up and noticed that the prices were rising at a pretty fast pace. So, I went ahead and booked it online and then re-shopped it when we were finally onboard. Turns out, the prices had jumped so much that it was cheaper to keep my existing reservation, even without the OBC and 10% discount! Good thing the DIS Boards tipped me off!

FYI, here are all of the reported Onboard Booking benefits for 2011 cruises:
In addition to the 10% discount off cruise fare:
Silver Castaway Club members receive an Onboard Booking Credit of $100 for 3-6nt cruises or $200 for 7nt or longer cruises
Gold CC members receive an OBC of $150 for 3-6nt cruises or $275 for 7nt or longer cruises
Platinum CC members receive an OBC of $250 for 3-6nt cruises or $350 for 7nt or longer cruises
It's been reported that Cats 1, 2, and 3 do not get the 10% discount
However, Cat 11C and old Cat 12s have received both the 10% discount and OBC.

 

[guarn3md]

I have decided today that I need to stop reading the posts about the Dream! Reading all the negative comments is really getting me down ...having never cruised before I have no idea what to expect. But I love everything Disney - love their customer service, the way they always seem to know how to move people, etc... Some of the reports talk of very rude, entitled guests; clueless CM's, long waits; etc... I know that the ship is barely off the ground (so to speak) but the controlling nature in me can't handle it. I am vowing to stay off the cruise line boards and just chat with you all! I don't want to read anymore opinions!!
Looking forward to going online tonight to book excursions and see if I can snag anything from Palo!
Stay warm...we are in for some weather tonight!!
I am predicting a 2 hour delay for our school system tomorrow...any other predictions out there????

Debbie

 

[Deb T.]

I have decided today that I need to stop reading the posts about the Dream! Reading all the negative comments is really getting me down ...having never cruised before I have no idea what to expect. But I love everything Disney - love their customer service, the way they always seem to know how to move people, etc... Some of the reports talk of very rude, entitled guests; clueless CM's, long waits; etc... I know that the ship is barely off the ground (so to speak) but the controlling nature in me can't handle it. I am vowing to stay off the cruise line boards and just chat with you all! I don't want to read anymore opinions!!
Looking forward to going online tonight to book excursions and see if I can snag anything from Palo!
Stay warm...we are in for some weather tonight!!
I am predicting a 2 hour delay for our school system tomorrow...any other predictions out there????

Debbie

I hear ya and I agree! Sometimes, I just don't understand some people. I guess there will always be unhappy people who can never be pleased and are focused on infecting everyone else with their unhappiness. Right after the first horn songs were posted several weeks ago, I was in complete disbelief that someone posted that they were upset with the tone (sound) of the horn! I just had to shake my head and roll my eyes at the complete and total lunacy of it!

Deb's Fact #1: The Dream is brand new and naturally still working out minor bugs. After all, who or what is absolutely perfect 24/7? Certainly not me, or any ship, or every crew member. But that, in no way, could ever make for an entirely bad cruise as those posters would have you believe.

Deb's Fact #2: Disney customer service is bar none. That's why we only do Disney. You will be completely amazed at the lengths the crew will go to in order to make your experience wonderful while on the ship!

Deb's Fact #3: The Dream is a beautiful and amazing ship! I, personally, cannot wait to experience the Aqua Duck, Goofy's Putt-Putt, the Enchanted (interactive) Art, the Midship Detective Agency, the revamped Golden Mickey's show, the brand new Believe show, the new Animator's Palette, the Enchanted Garden, and also explore every inch of the ship! There is no where else in the WORLD where we can do these magical things. That's why we booked TWO Dream cruises in a row!! For those of you with young children, you will also have special character encounters and the outstanding Kid's Clubs experiences to look forward to!

Deb's Fact #4: YOU WILL HAVE A VERY MAGICAL CRUISE EXPERIENCE!

I don't blame you from wanting to stay off the main boards. Feel free to ask questions here anytime and we will give you the true story!

 

[Ness2289]

#49 Karen from VA DD is 6, can you add her age in case it is needed

Done!

 

[noahdove]

Well, I too get frustrated with the negative comments and I am a first time cruiser as well..so, as usual, I will come here to ask my questions As for snow, well, the sheriff here has issued warning regarding the weather for tomorrow late morning and into Wednesday with up to 15". When it arrives then I will believe it...we have been spared and have a little snow, but, I think we could have more As for the delay, well, our school superintendant is retiring this week and she has promised her staff a snow day before she leaves....so....we will see if she will do it...sorry to everyone else who is having too much..

 

[alenushka]

I have decided today that I need to stop reading the posts about the Dream! Reading all the negative comments is really getting me down ...having never cruised before I have no idea what to expect. But I love everything Disney - love their customer service, the way they always seem to know how to move people, etc... Some of the reports talk of very rude, entitled guests; clueless CM's, long waits; etc... I know that the ship is barely off the ground (so to speak) but the controlling nature in me can't handle it. I am vowing to stay off the cruise line boards and just chat with you all! I don't want to read anymore opinions!!
Looking forward to going online tonight to book excursions and see if I can snag anything from Palo!
Stay warm...we are in for some weather tonight!!
I am predicting a 2 hour delay for our school system tomorrow...any other predictions out there????

Debbie

You might have seen it on FB, but in case you didn't - if you watch the video at the bottom , all negative you have heard should vanish
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...or-fun-in-the-sun-during-ships-maiden-voyage/
Enjoy!

 

[golfnsuch]

Stay warm...we are in for some weather tonight!!
I am predicting a 2 hour delay for our school system tomorrow...any other predictions out there????

Debbie

Debbie, are they calling for much ice around Annapolis? We're being told to expect anywhere from .1 to .25 inches of ice between tonight and tomorrow. I'd rather have the "s" stuff instead.

I'm guessing no school tomorrow.

E.

 

[guarn3md]

Debbie, are they calling for much ice around Annapolis? We're being told to expect anywhere from .1 to .25 inches of ice between tonight and tomorrow. I'd rather have the "s" stuff instead.

I'm guessing no school tomorrow.

E.

Really?! I hadn't heard that we were going to get that much...it is almost midnight and we have nothing going on here. I live by the Bay Bridge...kind of hoping for a delay since I am still up waiting to do my excursion and hopefully a Palo reservation in about six minutes....
You live in Anne Arundel county, right?? Is your daughter posting on the tween board? My son, Connor, is and I thought I saw someone on there who lived in our area...
I will let you all know if I get anything...
Deb

 

[svcutler]

Xnay on the Snay....

And while you're at it, we're not saying the I word either!!

Ok... Going in, wish me luck. Hoping for a palo brunch. Will b back soon....

 

[guarn3md]

Well I struck out with the dining reservations - no dinner, no brunch, no high tea for Palo and also checked Remy - nothing! It's a little disappointing that there was nothing available. I know I can check onboard...just a little frustrated.
On the positive side I did reserve the Dolphin encounter at Blue lagoon island for 9:30am - happy about that!!!
Good night all!!
Hope we have a delay tomorrow...
Debbie

 

[jilljill]

I read a very interesting review on the main boards from someone on the MV. They said they had more problems with other guests causing problems and felt very bad for the CM's onboard. They even commented to many CM's that they were handling the obnixious passengers very well. I would have done the same thing had I been that person. I know what it's like to work for Disney and have guest yell at you for things beyond your control. Anyone here remember the Disney mini beanbag plush? If you do then you can probably relate to what I mean. People can be downright rude and mean.

 

[rdevine10]

Well, I logged in and booked some excursions. I booked the extreme getaway package on castaway cay for me and my 8 year old. (pretty much because I want us to snorkel and do the sting ray thing. DH has no interest in the stingrays and I know my 5 year old does NOT want to do anything like that! Also booked just snorkeling for DH and the 5 year old. At least I got the time I wanted for the stingray.

There was nothing for Palo or Remy. I only looked just to see.... pretty sure we werent going to try it this time anyway.

I want to get a pass for the rainforest. Does anyone know how I can do this in advance? Also, if I change my extreme getaway to just the stingray does anyone know if I can keep our time slot? We might end up getting our own snorkel equipment, not sure yet.

Ok, good night everyone... pretty sure Ill be stuck in the house for the next 2 days due to the snow/ice. UGGHHH!!!!

 

[svcutler]

Well I struck out with the dining reservations - no dinner, no brunch, no high tea for Palo and also checked Remy - nothing! It's a little disappointing that there was nothing available. I know I can check onboard...just a little frustrated.
On the positive side I did reserve the Dolphin encounter at Blue lagoon island for 9:30am - happy about that!!!
Good night all!!
Hope we have a delay tomorrow...
Debbie

Ditto. Struck out. Maybe when we get on the ship...

Question - castaway cay - do you guys think I need to book the stingray/snorkel/bike combo ahead of time or could I book it on the ship? My daughter may find some teens to do the teen version of that excursion so i do not want to book and then get stuck, or not book and get shut out.

Night all!
Sandy