Back from the 7/21 Dream Double Dip!!

[Dug720]

After some anxiety causing issues with not getting my letter about transfers from Music and then weird calls about 6:30am luggage pick up (should be starting at 8 for DCL transfers), I made it onto a bus (other people did not get their letters either) and to the Dream!! (Working theory was that the resort people are accustomed to the Dream’s regular 3/4 day schedule and are thrown off by the weird summer schedule.)

Overall an amazing cruise. And the not fantastic was weather and not something DCL could help.

Some quick bullet points since I am using my phone and it does not always play nicely with the ad blocker and the new boards...

* Carly was the CD and Drew the assistant CD and both were awesome!

* First day at Castaway was a wash. A tropical wave headed directly over Castaway resulting in rains and some strong thunderstorms. The 5K did happen and some others got off but at times had to shelter in the restrooms. Carly and her team scrambled and added things in to keep us all occupied on the ship and everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Including the couple who was to get married on Castaway that day! I was on the bonus Art of the Theme Show tour, and we passed them heading into their reception in D-Lounge. Her dress still looked beautiful - I think they did it in ponchos quickly between thunderstorms.

* Nassau day is more and more becoming “Sea Day in Port” as the ship was never really empty.

* Second day at Castaway was GORGEOUS!!! Windy and current-y which cancelled all excursions, but so pretty. I spent the day in and out of the water at Serenity Bay.

* Totally full ship this cruise. So I did not get a private table. But my tablemates were cool this time - 2 best friends and a mother/daughter and me. Glenda from South Africa was our server and Merrick from Jamaica was her assistant. Gilbert from the Philippines was head server. They were all amazing - especially Glenda.

* Palo dinner was wonderful! I highly recommend the espresso gelato with the chocolate soufflé rather than the vanilla. YUM!! Ended up skipping Palo brunch because there was a mix-up where I thought I had pre-paid my gratuities but had not (going to make this a standing thing with my TA - If I cruise, I want to pre-pay the tips) - I had budgeted things for this trip and was being pretty strict with myself, so rather than be tacky and remove grats I removed Palo brunch. I was pretty full most of the cruise anyway, so I probably would have been miserable. Lol.

* Pirate Night got rained out but they moved the party inside. And we did get the fireworks off last night at 7:45 - so a bit light out, and we barely passed through a rainstorm in time. But we saw them.

* Jack-Jack’s Incredible Diaper Dash was adorable as always. 4 preliminary heats and one final with 4 crawlers. The final was so close they declared it a tie! Atrium was packed to “Race those babies!!”

* Stateroom 9000 remains my favorite on the Dream Class. At the end of the hall, I can see the bridge wing from the window seat, and the Hotel Director’s cabin is on the forward side so you are guaranteed one side of quiet! Raden (from Indonesia) was my Host and was fantastic! Blanket animals every night and sometimes twice a day!

* Beauty and the Beast. OMG SIMPLY AMAZING!!! It seriously rivals the Broadway production. I can easily see why it is the first (and so far only) Cruise-based show to win a Brass Ring Award (for theme parks/resorts/ships/etc.). While I prefer longer cruises, I would do a 4-night Dream or even a back-to-back Dream just to see this one again!!

At the parks beforehand, Villains After Hours was fun. Up Close With Rhinos was amazing!!! I got to pet Kiama and meet her mother Kendi. Love them!!!

I think I hit most of the points. Solo adult, so I cannot help with kid stuff. But otherwise I can try to answer questions.

 

[Chirple]

Thanks for the write up! We haven't been on the Dream in nearly 5 years so we may need to add it back into the rotation for a shorter trip.

I am so glad you loved Up Close with Rhinos. That was truly one of my top activities in WDW.

 

[Dug720]

Thanks for the write up! We haven't been on the Dream in nearly 5 years so we may need to add it back into the rotation for a shorter trip.

I am so glad you loved Up Close with Rhinos. That was truly one of my top activities in WDW.

They were not sure Kiama was going to participate because she had been feisty all morning. But as soon as the keeper who was prepping went back and she saw the hay she was all in!

 

[chamberlain]

Glad you had a great trip! Too bad about your first Castaway Cay day but at least you had another day to enjoy it. My favorite spot on the Dream (and Fantasy) is Satellite Falls. Did you get a chance to hang out there?

 

[Dug720]

Glad you had a great trip! Too bad about your first Castaway Cay day but at least you had another day to enjoy it. My favorite spot on the Dream (and Fantasy) is Satellite Falls. Did you get a chance to hang out there?

I did on Nassau day! It was nice - cold water though.

 

[MonaMN]

Thanks for the write up! We haven't been on the Dream in nearly 5 years so we may need to add it back into the rotation for a shorter trip.

I am so glad you loved Up Close with Rhinos. That was truly one of my top activities in WDW.

Totally agree... loved Up Close with Rhinos... I almost cried when we got to touch her!!

 

[Dug720]

Totally agree... loved Up Close with Rhinos... I almost cried when we got to touch her!!

I did cry! It was basically the scene in Jurassic Park when Ellie sees the triceratops for the first time!

 

[quickcat]

Glad you had a good trip and table mates. Villains after hours sounds fun! Great to hear about the rhino experience- Rhinos wasn’t an option for us, it was full so we did the elephant one. Not a hands on but we still really loved it.
Thanks for the review!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Enjoyed your write-up. We'll be on the Dream in January for a B2B Bahamas. Double dip the hard way.