Celebrating 10th Anniversary- WWYD?

[tweedletwin]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I just booked our 10th anniversary trip- a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the Dream, followed by 5 nights at WDW (hopefully in the Poly).

We are first time cruisers, and SO excited. While I'm quite familiar with the parks, I know next-to-nothing about DCL, or cruising in general, we just thought it would be fun to do something totally new to us, but retain that Disney twist.

Is there anything you would classify as "not to be missed" aboard the Dream?

We love good food- so we are toying with the idea of doing a dinner or brunch in Palo or Remy.
Is there one in particular you like more than the others? And why?

Any shore excursions that you think are really worthwhile?

Is renting a cabana on Castaway Cay so awesome that it's worth forgoing a special dinner or shore excursion? you get the idea!

Ooh, and one more thing- anything you wished you would've known on your first cruise? Tips/tricks/things to pack/not-to-be-missed cocktails LOL.

Cheers everyone! I so appreciate any advice you have to give!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I just booked our 10th anniversary trip- a 4 day Bahamian cruise on the Dream, followed by 5 nights at WDW (hopefully in the Poly).

We are first time cruisers, and SO excited. While I'm quite familiar with the parks, I know next-to-nothing about DCL, or cruising in general, we just thought it would be fun to do something totally new to us, but retain that Disney twist.

Is there anything you would classify as "not to be missed" aboard the Dream?

We love good food- so we are toying with the idea of doing a dinner or brunch in Palo or Remy.
Is there one in particular you like more than the others? And why?

Any shore excursions that you think are really worthwhile?

Is renting a cabana on Castaway Cay so awesome that it's worth forgoing a special dinner or shore excursion? you get the idea!

Ooh, and one more thing- anything you wished you would've known on your first cruise? Tips/tricks/things to pack/not-to-be-missed cocktails LOL.

Cheers everyone! I so appreciate any advice you have to give!

Not been to Remy, but I prefer Palo brunch over dinner. Just a more varied choice. But I've not been there since they changed a major portion of the menu.

My personal opinion, a cabana for two isn't worth it. But I know there are those who wouldn't do Castaway Cay without one. I'd be hard pressed to spend that much money for a large group, unless there were babies and old folks in the group.

 

[tweedletwin]

Not been to Remy, but I prefer Palo brunch over dinner. Just a more varied choice. But I've not been there since they changed a major portion of the menu.

My personal opinion, a cabana for two isn't worth it. But I know there are those who wouldn't do Castaway Cay without one. I'd be hard pressed to spend that much money for a large group, unless there were babies and old folks in the group.

Thank you so much!

There are so many options for extras that I am a little bit overwhelmed. I'm used to knowing EXACTLY what I want to do at WDW, and I'm currently in the midst of a "Literally Everything Sounds Fun" storm of confusion.

I'm starting to think that Cabana funds might be better spent doing a spa experience- I think we will likely be perfectly happy at Castaway Cay with just a couple of beach chairs.

 

[ILovePixieDust]

Happy Anniversary! We spent our 10th Anniversary Disney cruising too!

Will it be just the two of you or will you be with kids too?

Castaway Cay Cabana - we loved the cabana to have shade and down time place for the kids. It was nice to have our own hammock and the kids loved the fresh water shower. I don't think i would have wanted one without little kids with us. And I would not forego an amazing excursion for it. Plenty of chairs and shade to be found on the rest of the island and i think on the adult beach you'll have even more choice. And now that our kids are a tad bit older they would rather snorkel and play at pelican plunge than hang out in the cabana.

Spa - think of doing something in the spa maybe. We did the Couples Choice in a Spa Villa and it was AMAZING. The massages were better than RMTs at home and the whole experience was just so divine - from the actual treatment to the private hot tub on the verandah. That really made the whole cruise special having that indulgent experience! I would do this over the cabana for sure!!

I second Palo brunch over dinner but hey, it's your anniversary! Do both!

 

[GoofyLovingFamily]

Unless you are concierge it is unlikely to get cabana. Castaway is beautiful and fun anyway.

 

[godde8ss]

I hope my advice doesn't take a negative spin, don't mean it to, but my first DCL cruise was 5 nights. What I learned was, 5 nights is not enough! I immediately got off the ship and booked a 7 night (wish I had known about on board booking! take advantage of that if you plan to sail again). I felt the 5 night was too short. Definitely do Palo brunch! For the price, it is a steal (and does include a proseco!)

Do a mixology class, you won't be disappointed! Skip the Cabana and use the funds elsewhere!

 

[griffindesign]

The Remy brunch is lovely and would be special for an anniversary meal. The Palo brunch is nice too, but for an anniversary I think Remy. Since it's your first cruise, I would do the mdr's for dinner so you don't miss any experiences. One of them you will do twice, the second time being pirate night with the pirate menu. The rainforest room is a nice getaway, and you can prepurchase a day pass to it. On Castaway cay I can't imagine getting a cabana because there is so much to do. The adult beach is nice, biking around the island is fun, and last time we did an eco tour that included a nature hike and kayaking in a cove with mangroves. We really enjoyed that.

 

[CamColt]

I feel Palo Brunch is the best food on the ships. Being a brunch you can do that and not miss any main dinners in the dining rooms. I have not done Remy as I'm not interested in that, but from those who have done it, it sounds wonderful.

For adults only I would be sure to get to some of the nighttime entertainment in Evolution.

As for do not miss drinks, be sure to get up to Meridian for a Creme Brulee Martinin (around sunset is a nice time to be there), and Tropical Depressions at just about any bar on the ship or CC.

While I know many people feel a cabana is the only way to do CC, I personally don't think it would be worth it for me, but that's really an individual choice.