August 2 2025, DVC member Cruise on the Dream!

[smjj]

@smjj if you want to arrive a bit earlier, two other members suggest you can currently move arrival forward to 12:30 or 1.

I actually did just that and our boarding group was 20 and was also moved to 13. My PAT is now 12:30...smjj

 

[smjj]

Let me share a little bit of history with all here. Almost 19 years ago we were on a DVC members cruise. We almost did not make it due to the impending birth of our granddaughter. She was born the night before we left for this cruise. Anyway when we arrived on board we were showing our dining partners these photos of our 1 day old granddaughter. We have kept in tough but only thru e-mails and text over the years. Well you guessed it they are on this members cruise with us and we have linked our dining. We can now show them our granddaughter's graduation pictures with us two proud grandparents next to here...smjj

 

[CDKG]

As a first time cruiser, I wasn’t able to check in until Wednesday night (12:45 PAT with 14 BG). They already reviewed (maybe because I’m a first time cruiser?) my guest information. I had to retake the photo of my passport, which I did right away, and now I’m already “complete”!

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

As a first time cruiser, I wasn’t able to check in until Wednesday night (12:45 PAT with 14 BG). They already reviewed (maybe because I’m a first time cruiser?) my guest information. I had to retake the photo of my passport, which I did right away, and now I’m already “complete”!

We checked in on the 24th, got an error for one of us a couple days later, reloaded the photo around June 30, and it’s still pending.

 

[smjj]

A little money saving tip. On Castaway Cay when you exit the ship there is a stand that sells a nice DCL/DVC themed tote bag for ice and water bottles and I think beer if you want to buy them. This same tote bag is sold by the main pool onboard for 3 or 5 dollars less. We the last couple of times have bought it there then just buy the water bottles as we leave the ship at this stand. They will fill it with ice and 6 bottles of water. I can't remember the price but it is the exact same bag but cheaper onboard..smjj

 

[riamac]

First DVC Member Cruise (and first Disney Cruise!). What can you tell me about Disney transport from the hotel (staying at Hilton)? How much does it cost, when (was I supposed) to book and do I need to book through Member Services since it's a DVC Member Cruise?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

First DVC Member Cruise (and first Disney Cruise!). What can you tell me about Disney transport from the hotel (staying at Hilton)? How much does it cost, when (was I supposed) to book and do I need to book through Member Services since it's a DVC Member Cruise?

I have never done it. If there are more than two of you, it’s probably cheaper to rideshare…but perhaps using a Disney transfer can get you an earlier boarding time?

If you haven’t already, be sure to check-in on the app and secure a port arrival time!

 

[Mathmagicland]

First DVC Member Cruise (and first Disney Cruise!). What can you tell me about Disney transport from the hotel (staying at Hilton)? How much does it cost, when (was I supposed) to book and do I need to book through Member Services since it's a DVC Member Cruise?

I’ve not used Disney’s transfer from FL, only PC, but looking st the info on the page below, here is a guess -

Cost will be $29 per person, same as the cost from the airport, as with PC the airport and hotel transfers are the same price. I think you can book up to 7 or 8 days prior to sail dste. I’d call MS to add it.

One thing I can’t even guess on is whether you can use pointe or have to pay cash.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/ground-transportation/

 

[erionm]

First DVC Member Cruise (and first Disney Cruise!). What can you tell me about Disney transport from the hotel (staying at Hilton)? How much does it cost, when (was I supposed) to book and do I need to book through Member Services since it's a DVC Member Cruise?

I’ve not used Disney’s transfer from FL, only PC, but looking st the info on the page below, here is a guess -

Cost will be $29 per person, same as the cost from the airport, as with PC the airport and hotel transfers are the same price. I think you can book up to 7 or 8 days prior to sail dste. I’d call MS to add it.

One thing I can’t even guess on is whether you can use pointe or have to pay cash.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/guest-services/ground-transportation/

$21 per person from the Hilton, $29 per person from the Fort Lauderdale Airport. If you want to add it, you have to call DVC since they are our Travel Agents for this cruise.

 

[smjj]

I have never done it. If there are more than two of you, it’s probably cheaper to rideshare…but perhaps using a Disney transfer can get you an earlier boarding time?

Yes it is cheaper. We were using DCL until be discovered Uber is much cheaper. As to getting onboard, we prefer a later boarding due to the rooms all being blocked off until 1:30 or so and this means if we arrive onboard later it is less time we need to lug our carry ons around with us..

 

[riamac]

Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful! I did check in and have a 12:45 time with BG 14. Good to know about room not being available until 1:30...something to think about.

 

[smjj]

Thank you all for your responses! Very helpful! I did check in and have a 12:45 time with BG 14. Good to know about room not being available until 1:30...something to think about.

Yes, on our first few cruises we wanted onboard ASAP. However, we now prefer later boarding for this reason alone. We get onboard, go to the buffet and have a nice leisurely lunch and by the time we are finished about 1:30 or so the rooms are now available. We just got tired of lugging our carry on around for a couple of hours. There is plenty of time to explore the ship later and the stores do not even open until after the ship leave port....smjj

 

[bobbiwoz]

I had forgotten to book Royal Gathering on the first day booking opened, but I did get a time.

Asking again, would anyone like to meet for breakfast on the first morning, in the main restaurant?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Did anybody else get the email today about a special "80s and 90s day" in lieu of pirate night? It's such a funny coincidence because my family just did our first ever RCCL cruise and I said "I like Disney better in almost every way, except that I really loved 80s night." Obviously Disney has been planning this before I even stepped foot on Ovation of the Seas, but still funny.

We do about 3-4 DCL sailings a year so I'm OK skipping pirate night, though I suspect the 80s/90s deck party is going to be completely packed (whereas a lot of us may have just skipped pirate night for the 10th-50th time)... I wish they would offer '80s makeovers instead of pirate night ones-- I would totally do it!

I'm less excited about the "Coco" theme of the sailing, but I don't expect them to cater every single aspect to my preferences... will save some money on merch, I guess!

@bobbiwoz -- I didn't want to repeat myself but also don't want to ignore you, I would be happy to meet up at some point on Day 2 or 3, I just seriously doubt I'm going to be awake (let alone sociable!) during East Coast breakfast hours on Day 2.

 

[bobbiwoz]

@HyperspaceMountainPilot , I totally understand. Just hope we meet in person sometime during the cruise!

I’m happy you gave your positive opinion on the 80’s and 90’s theme. I am more happy with the Coco themed merchandise, and wish I could get it now!

I am really looking forward to this cruise in just…

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

@HyperspaceMountainPilot , I totally understand. Just hope we meet in person sometime during the cruise!

I would love to meet up too. I think it's hard to coordinate before seeing the full schedule of events. My kids love doing all the trivia, so we will be at many of them, but I also think we're going to want to do most of the member-specific events and I'm not sure when/where that will be.

I'm hoping someone on this thread will manage to snag a cabana and offer to share it for a group meetup.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Luckily, many activities are presented more than once. I don’t think I have missed more than. 2-3 presentations that I would have like to have seen on the more than 6 DVC MCs I’ve been on. I remember once there was a Comedy show at maybe 10:30 PM, and I just got there too late to get in.

 

[Mathmagicland]

Did anybody else get the email today about a special "80s and 90s day" in lieu of pirate night?

My first thought on this was, does that mean no Pirate menu in the dining rooms? Wonder if they will swap it out for one of the Coco-themed menus from the Treasure.

 

[Mathmagicland]

I had forgotten to book Royal Gathering on the first day booking opened, but I did get a time.

Asking again, would anyone like to meet for breakfast on the first morning, in the main restaurant?

Same here - I have to see the program schedule, but in the past I’ve not made your breakfast because I’ve been heading to one of the sessions. It will be on my radar, though.

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

Would a meetup include people bringing their children or just adults? Trying to think of alternative meet-up options that are easier to drop-in/drop-out. Not sure my kids would be excited to do a member meetup anyway?