April 17, 2011 on the Dream

[Deb T.]

I just came across a good video from the Dream's christening cruise on the D23 website:
http://www.facebook.com/DisneyD23 You'll have to scroll down until you find a photo/video of a guy in a red shirt - D23's Disney's Geek (Jeffrey Epstein). I've actually met Jeffrey twice at D23 events! He's a very fun guy!

 

[alenushka]

Hi Everyone-
I just wanted to jump in and introduce myself. We booked this cruise back in November '09, but I finally decided yesterday that we are definitely going. We just got back from the 11-night Christmas cruise, so I wasn't sure if we'd want to go again right away, but we're really excited about the Dream!!

Our family is me, DH, and our two DDs ages 8 and 9. This will be our 9th DCL cruise. We'd love to get involved in the FE. I'll PM our info to Deb T (thanks for coordinating!!).

Can't wait to meet you all!

-Leslie

WELCOME!

I just came across a good video from the Dream's christening cruise on the D23 website:
http://www.facebook.com/DisneyD23 You'll have to scroll down until you find a photo/video of a guy in a red shirt - D23's Disney's Geek (Jeffrey Epstein). I've actually met Jeffrey twice at D23 events! He's a very fun guy!

Thank you for sharing! It is a nice video!

Get your fingers ready - we are a chatty crew!

so true especially on snow days, which we get more than enough
But tonight

 

[svcutler]

Good morning

Quick question.. What is the difference and big deal between categories? Isn't a family outside room the same as any other? Same idea with verandah - aren't those categories all the same? Why all the letters like 4d, 4aa, 8a, etc,,,,

 

[Deb T.]

Good morning

Quick question.. What is the difference and big deal between categories? Isn't a family outside room the same as any other? Same idea with verandah - aren't those categories all the same? Why all the letters like 4d, 4aa, 8a, etc,,,,

I'm right there with ya! It's all very confusing! Before the Dream, the Magic & Wonder had very clear-cut categories, and they made sense based on the size of the cabin and where it was located. Now, there are so many sub-categories that makes choosing one very challenging.

When booking this cruise, it took me quite a while to figure out what was the cheapest category for the specific type of cabin we always booked on the Magic and Wonder. We personally like a mid-ship cabin with a plexiglas verandah.

I think that researching all the different categories for their slight differences and posting the information would be a great project for a snow day!

 

[hbg4]

Welcome aboard!!!!!!!!!!! I've added your information to our FE Exchange!

Here is the latest list of participants. I know the GTY people are very eager to learn their cabin numbers - hopefully soon! For anyone contemplating joining, the last day to sign up is 4-1-11 so that everyone has time to get their FE surprises ready.
Deb T. & DH
Ness2289 & DD12
alenushka & DH, DD10, (and maybe DS in college)
bdink921& DH, DS12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
guarn3md, DS9
DW & DH, DD7
ydrj & DH, DS16, DD14
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
disneycruisegal & DH
allaboutdisney1967 & DH, DD13
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
Donnaksmj & DH, DS9
WPoohgirl & DH, DD14, DS12
Karen from VA & DBF, DD6
Tigger1313 & DGD17
lindafish & DH
caronjn & DW, DS11, DD7
golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
Downrivermama & DD12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
Z’sDisneyMom & DH, DD12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
kim5678 & DH, DD13
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13 – waiting for GTY cabin number
momtoleasawav & DH, DD15, DS13, DD9
MissMousey & DH, DD14, DS11
mommybean & DH, DD14 – waiting for cabin number
riggins & DH, DD9, DD8
FYI: Rlbren & DH unfortunately had to cancel this cruise

Hi
we are definately on this cruise. Flights have been booked since July. We'd love to be part of the FE exchange, but can't find the page to sign up.
Can you help ?
Cruising with my DM and DD 14.
Staying precruise at Baylake Towers villas and post cruise at Old Key West villas.
Brenda

 

[Deb T.]

Hi
we are definately on this cruise. Flights have been booked since July. We'd love to be part of the FE exchange, but can't find the page to sign up.
Can you help ?
Cruising with my DM and DD 14.
Staying precruise at Baylake Towers villas and post cruise at Old Key West villas.
Brenda

Hi Brenda! Glad to see you posting again! I'll be happy to add you to our FE list!

Updated FE Participant List:
Deb T. & DH
Ness2289 & DD12
alenushka & DH, DD10, (and maybe DS in college)
bdink921& DH, DS12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
guarn3md, DS9
DW & DH, DD7
ydrj & DH, DS16, DD14
svcutler & DH, DD15, DD11
jeni37 & DH, DS14, DS10, DD6
disneycruisegal & DH
allaboutdisney1967 & DH, DD13
goofy4tink & DH, DD17
Donnaksmj & DH, DS9
WPoohgirl & DH, DD14, DS12
Karen from VA & DBF, DD6
Tigger1313 & DGD17
lindafish & DH
caronjn & DW, DS11, DD7
golfnsuch & DH, DS11, DS7
princessdaisy & DH, DD18, DS8
Downrivermama & DD12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
Z’sDisneyMom & DH, DD12 – waiting for GTY cabin number
kim5678 & DH, DD13
pershing & DS16, DS14, DS13 – waiting for GTY cabin number
momtoleasawav & DH, DD15, DS13, DD9
MissMousey & DH, DD14, DS11
mommybean & DH, DD14 – waiting for cabin number
riggins & DH, DD9, DD8
hbg4, DM, DD14
Rlbren & DH - CANCELLED

 

[Deb T.]

Good morning

Quick question.. What is the difference and big deal between categories? Isn't a family outside room the same as any other? Same idea with verandah - aren't those categories all the same? Why all the letters like 4d, 4aa, 8a, etc,,,,

I sort of briefly looked over some of the categories, and it looks like the subcategories (a, b, c, etc.) do seem to designate little things like plexiglas verandah, solid wall verandah, obstructed view, round tub, regular tub, etc. There even seems to be a category (I forget which one) that doesn't have a couch in the cabin, just a chair and a pull-down bunk.

 

[guarn3md]

I sort of briefly looked over some of the categories, and it looks like the subcategories (a, b, c, etc.) do seem to designate little things like plexiglas verandah, solid wall verandah, obstructed view, round tub, regular tub, etc. There even seems to be a category (I forget which one) that doesn't have a couch in the cabin, just a chair and a pull-down bunk.

I think it might also have to do with deck number. We are in a 4A and on deck 10. I remember when I was trying to choose which 4 category - It listed different deck levels with different prices.

Debbie

 

[Deb T.]

I think it might also have to do with deck number. We are in a 4A and on deck 10. I remember when I was trying to choose which 4 category - It listed different deck levels with different prices.

Debbie

See, now I'm really intrigued! I think there needs to be a chart with little check marks for what each category has/doesn't have.

 

[svcutler]

I'm right there with ya! It's all very confusing! Before the Dream, the Magic & Wonder had very clear-cut categories, and they made sense based on the size of the cabin and where it was located. Now, there are so many sub-categories that makes choosing one very challenging.

When booking this cruise, it took me quite a while to figure out what was the cheapest category for the specific type of cabin we always booked on the Magic and Wonder. We personally like a mid-ship cabin with a plexiglas verandah.

I think that researching all the different categories for their slight differences and posting the information would be a great project for a snow day!

Very funny Deb! I saw your post on my FB snow photo so you know we weren't exaggerating about that snow!!

If my fe projects or at least obsession of saving those great images that the designers make weren't taking up all my time, perhaps I could do that! Since I learned how to write on those images! I must have saved about 20 or so!

Those categories are a trip though and the experienced cruisers sure know what they want! I will learn about it I guess when we get on the boat! Do they offer tours of the cabins?

 

[svcutler]

Hi
we are definately on this cruise. Flights have been booked since July. We'd love to be part of the FE exchange, but can't find the page to sign up.
Can you help ?
Cruising with my DM and DD 14.
Staying precruise at Baylake Towers villas and post cruise at Old Key West villas.
Brenda

Hi Brenda! Make sure your 14DD goes onto the teen thread on the board as well. There are a few others chatting including my 15DD. We live in Fairfield County, CT so are close by!

See you soon!
Sandy

 

[Deb T.]

Very funny Deb! I saw your post on my FB snow photo so you know we weren't exaggerating about that snow!!

If my fe projects or at least obsession of saving those great images that the designers make weren't taking up all my time, perhaps I could do that! Since I learned how to write on those images! I must have saved about 20 or so!

Those categories are a trip though and the experienced cruisers sure know what they want! I will learn about it I guess when we get on the boat! Do they offer tours of the cabins?

Nope, no tours offered, especially on our cruise since it's sold out!

However, sometimes DISers decide to do a "Cabin Crawl" aka stateroom tour. The way it works is people indicate their cabin category and that they'd like to offer up their cabin as part of the tour. Once the list of cabins is compiled, everyone meets at the first cabin (usually the lowest category) at a designated time, tours that cabin, then the whole group moves on to tour the next category cabin, then the next cabin, and so on. It's pretty quick, very interesting, and a lot of good fun bonding time for the group!

I believe Lildeb724 in a 4A already indicated interest in doing one. We're in a 5C and would also be happy to open our doors for a tour. I'd be more than happy to organize this and see if we can generate enough cabin categories to make it worth a tour. Cabin Crawls are usually held on a sea day on the longer cruises, but I'm thinking it might even work better if we do it immediately after a Meet & Greet on the first day - while our cabins are still "neat and pretty".

So, here's what I'm thinking...
I'm guessing we're all planning to arrive at the port as early as possible because we're all very eager to be onboard. DCL usually starts boarding around noon and everyone heads to lunch. Then, there's usually time to look around the ship before staterooms are ready at 1:30pm. The next scheduled event is the Lifeboat Safety Drill at 3:45pm. After that, everything gets hoppin' with the Sail Away Deck Party and then the show and dinner and kids' clubs open for check-in, etc, etc, etc.

So, here's what I'm proposing [and anyone please feel free to dethrone me if you'd like to organize this! ]:
Meet & Greet (spot TBD) 2:00-2:30pm
Cabin Crawl start at 2:30pm

Cabins Offered For Tour So Far:
Cat 4A - Lildeb724
Cat 5C midship - Deb T.

Thoughts?? Comments?? Want to join??
And just to clarify, anyone can be a part of the tour whether or not your cabin is part of the tour.

 

[golfnsuch]

I'll join. I definitely want to see other cabins, especially the elusive categories 8 & 9. We're in a 6A totally aft cabin, so peeps can see what it is like on the very back of the ship.

E.

 

[Deb T.]

I'll join. I definitely want to see other cabins, especially the elusive categories 8 & 9. We're in a 6A totally aft cabin, so peeps can see what it is like on the very back of the ship.

E.

Thanks!

Okay folks... we're off and running with three categories now! Anyone else?

By the way, it's my understanding that concierge guests may bring visitors to their stateroom. However, non-concierge guests may not go into the Concierge Lounge or Concierge Sun Deck.

“Cabin Crawl” Stateroom Tour:
4A - Lildeb724
5C midship - Deb T.
6A aft - golfnsuch

 

[svcutler]

Thanks!

Okay folks... we're off and running with three categories now! Anyone else?

By the way, it's my understanding that concierge guests may bring visitors to their stateroom. However, non-concierge guests may not go into the Concierge Lounge or Concierge Sun Deck.

“Cabin Crawl” Stateroom Tour:
4A - Lildeb724
5C midship - Deb T.
6A aft - golfnsuch

Deb, as I read your thread I was imagining your voice as an auctioneer.. Do we have 4 people, anyone say 4....!

I also have a cat 4a so we are good there, however I would like to join in on the crawl so count me in!

Ps- I would never think of dethroning you! You are our unofficial leader! You go girl!

 

[Deb T.]

Deb, as I read your thread I was imagining your voice as an auctioneer.. Do we have 4 people, anyone say 4....!

I also have a cat 4a so we are good there, however I would like to join in on the crawl so count me in!

You're in!


Anyone else??

 

[guarn3md]

You're in!


Anyone else??

I would love to be a party of this too. We have a category 4A too - but one that is for five people - it is my understanding that some are for four and some are for five. So if there is a difference between any of our 4A's let me know...I have never been on a DCL so would love to see the different cabins - I already informed my DH that I would be making another reservation while we are onboard. Of course I just got that look...
Thank you for arranging all these fun activities!!
Debbie

 

[jilljill]

The Family cabins are supposed to be bigger, which is why they are designated as Family. On the Dream/Fantasy the Family categories are 4 and 8. On the Magic/Wonder the Family cabins are cat. 4 only.
The lettered sub-categories designate location on the ship - forward, mid, and aft. In addition to the location, there can be other factors such as a whitewall verandah vs. a clear plexi verandah or even the verandah size or window size.

 

[Deb T.]

I would love to be a party of this too. We have a category 4A too - but one that is for five people - it is my understanding that some are for four and some are for five. So if there is a difference between any of our 4A's let me know...I have never been on a DCL so would love to see the different cabins - I already informed my DH that I would be making another reservation while we are onboard. Of course I just got that look...
Thank you for arranging all these fun activities!!
Debbie

Gotcha down to participate in the Cabin Crawl! I'll do some research and try to figure out if your cabin is different than the others.

Too bad our cruise isn't longer! The cruises with several sea days do all kinds of fun activities!

 

[Mom 3 mouseketeers]

We are totally in on the Cabin Crawl, we are in 9158 which is a category 8B, we are pretty close to the back of the ship. It's a family oceanview, but no verandah.