Christening AND Maiden Voyage of the Dream...6 heavenly nights! COMPLETE

[tink too]

I have never ever been so glad to get off a ship.

Debarkation was a nightmare...plain and simple. There were lines after lines.

I actually thought this was "normal". Our first cruise was the WBPC in 2008 and after queuing for an age to get off the ship, we had to wait forever to get through customs, too. However, once we were cleared, we found our luggage really quickly and were seated on the bus to DL within 5 minutes.

Our second cruise was the WBTA in 2010, and again the lines were terrible for debarking. We had breakfast at Lumiere's (early seating) and joined the line immediately after breakfast - were we almost in Parrot Cay!

After getting all the way up to the doors to the gangway, a CM put up a barrier and then left without explanation. This was worse the WBPC, in my opinion.

 

[Dicecatt]

I have never, ever seen the crowds this bad...I expected it at embarkation, but I was amazed that there was no rhyme or reason to debarkation. They are going to have to implement an organized debarkation system, maybe like Princess uses, or this will not get better. There are just too many people. I expected a mess in Barcelona, and it wasn't 10% of what I saw today.

I will also say, I was on Allure in November, with WAY more people onboard than the Dream, and it was incredibly streamlined and organized. Disney better do something, because one thing I've always loved about cruising DCL is it isn't usually the terrible mess at embarkation and debarkation like some of the other lines.

I thought the preview of the Carnival Dream in New York a couple of years ago was bad...and it was. This was worse. Really, the worst part was there was no crowd control and no cast members helping.

Other long lines I saw and didn't participate in...rush for Maiden merchandise...Dooneys...guest services almost ALL of the time (and it took them until the 4th day to set up ropes for a line)...walking through Cabanas after something like Pirate night (what a mess...seems bizarre that is the only way to get to the Aft elevators on deck 11, walking through Cabanas sometimes during meal times)...the shops constantly...actually, pretty much everything during peak times. I just avoided it as much as possible and went to things during non peak times.

I don't mean to make it sound like everything was terrible...it certainly wasn't, and I will write more about the positives within the trip report. I'm just still traumatized from debarkation, lol.

 

[Dicecatt]

Now updated through Jan 26...

 

[momsrule27]

Thanks for a great trip report! I have a few questions concerning the front cabins that your friend had. What room# was the non-accessible room? Was there a privacy curtain between bed and couch? Was there a split bath in that room? We are on the 8th floor so I am hoping the noise from teen club won't be too much and besides we usually stay out till midnight so hopefully the club will be winding down by then.

Thanks again for all your info!

 

[svcutler]

I am really enjoying your TR. I liked the way you organized it so that the comments are arranged "after your trip". Got it and love it!

PS - your photos and videos are great and very helpful! A+ for Effort!!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

My son is so excited to see the teen report you have done. He wasn't really thinking he was going to attend any activities there as he will be the only one in our group of 16+ that will be a minor. He remembers the teen club from the stack when his brother went and was not impressed. He is with the Vibe! Thanks for doing all of this for us!

 

[ppony]

I'm just posting to say THANK YOU for reporting and all those pix! I have to say, the interior designers were off the charts-talented as all heck! Insanely GORGEOUS! I'm only on page 2 so far so I have a lot to read. THANKS!

 

[CTXRover]

I also realized that Best In Show was on demand on the TV and I TOTALLY LOVE that movie so that was a pleasant surprise.

Thank you so much for this great review. I'm anxiously awaiting the next few updates.

Quick question on the above. On the TV's, do they still have free movies rotating on several different channels at preset times? Are all the movies now "on demand" where you can select to watch what you want, when you want it? Are the on demand selections free or an extra charge (I ask since some lines charge for movies on their TVs)

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dicecatt]

Thank you so much for this great review. I'm anxiously awaiting the next few updates.

Quick question on the above. On the TV's, do they still have free movies rotating on several different channels at preset times? Are all the movies now "on demand" where you can select to watch what you want, when you want it? Are the on demand selections free or an extra charge (I ask since some lines charge for movies on their TVs)

Thanks in advance.

There are a few "regular" channels, including Disney Channel. Then there is On Demand, with free movies, tv shows, ect. Some are Disney movies, some are adult movies, and you can choose. One really cool feature is if you turn the TV off, the TV will remember where you last stopped during the movie and ask you if you want to resume. It doesn't rewind though.

Oh, and you can review your portfolio on there, and also see all the other normal Disney stuff they show you, like debarkation videos.

Some of the movies were Grown Ups, Eat Pray Love, Best in Show, Karate Kid...then there were kid movies, like Princess Diaries Two and cartoons. They also had some television shows On Demand as well.

 

[Dicecatt]

Thanks for a great trip report! I have a few questions concerning the front cabins that your friend had. What room# was the non-accessible room? Was there a privacy curtain between bed and couch? Was there a split bath in that room? We are on the 8th floor so I am hoping the noise from teen club won't be too much and besides we usually stay out till midnight so hopefully the club will be winding down by then.

Thanks again for all your info!

6502 is the non accessible, and 6504 was the accessible. No privacy curtain that I saw.

You should not have trouble with the noise on the 8th floor.

 

[momsrule27]

Are these pics of the 6502 non-accessible room? Also, just to confirm - there IS a split bath but there is NO privacy curtain in 6502?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Dicecatt]

Are these pics of the 6502 non-accessible room? Also, just to confirm - there IS a split bath but there is NO privacy curtain in 6502?

Thanks for your help!

Yes, it is 6502, yes, there are split bathrooms, and no, I did not see a privacy curtain, although I didn't really look for one. But the pictures don't show one either. Same thing with the accessible room, no curtain that I saw.

 

[ibouncetoo]

Oh, and you can review your portfolio on there, and also see all the other normal Disney stuff they show you, like debarkation videos.

.

Do you mean your Shutters portfolio? Or do you mean your stateroom account? (either would be nice)

.

 

[KS929]

Do you mean your Shutters portfolio? Or do you mean your stateroom account? (either would be nice)

.

both would be even better!

 

[momsrule27]

Yes, it is 6502, yes, there are split bathrooms, and no, I did not see a privacy curtain, although I didn't really look for one. But the pictures don't show one either. Same thing with the accessible room, no curtain that I saw.

I can live without the privacy curtain but I absolutely need the split bath with three of us in the room. My other concern is the fact that the couch where my 16 yo son will be sleeping is next to the bathroom instead of the window like the other rooms are set up. He usually sleeps in most mornings (10 am) so the other set up works much better for us. Since our cruise is totally booked I don't think trying to get a different room will be a choice for us. In addition, we booked very early so we have a very good rate. If we try to change cabins within the same category (I am thinking the side facing 9A rooms) will we have to pay the new prices?

Thanks again for all your info!

 

[Dicecatt]

Do you mean your Shutters portfolio? Or do you mean your stateroom account? (either would be nice)

.

Stateroom account...not shutters. Although Shutters pictures of your family WILL show up just randomly on your screen saver on the TV! Totally shocked me the first time it happened.

 

[Dicecatt]

I can live without the privacy curtain but I absolutely need the split bath with three of us in the room. My other concern is the fact that the couch where my 16 yo son will be sleeping is next to the bathroom instead of the window like the other rooms are set up. He usually sleeps in most mornings (10 am) so the other set up works much better for us. Since our cruise is totally booked I don't think trying to get a different room will be a choice for us. In addition, we booked very early so we have a very good rate. If we try to change cabins within the same category (I am thinking the side facing 9A rooms) will we have to pay the new prices?

Thanks again for all your info!

No...switching from a cabin to another cabin in the same category doesn't change your rate, but it is based on availability. They may only have GTY, and if you do that, then you'll possibly be put in the cabin you already have. The only time your rate will change is if you are changing categories, not just cabins.

 

[momsrule27]

No...switching from a cabin to another cabin in the same category doesn't change your rate, but it is based on availability. They may only have GTY, and if you do that, then you'll possibly be put in the cabin you already have. The only time your rate will change is if you are changing categories, not just cabins.

Well that's good news. I will call my travel agent and give her the room #'s and see if they are available or if they become available maybe she can grab them. I know when it comes time for final payment rooms open up because people decide not to go as was such the case with our group for our last cruise. Three families dropped out when the final payment was due.

Again - thanks so much for your answer. I was going to call DCL but my friend, who had another question, was on hold for 15 minutes and finally hung up.

 

[amylia403]

Subscribing! Can't wait to see the navigators! Thank you for all the great pictures

 

[chiefdragon]

Can not wait to read more. Our cruise is till 11 months away, but I can love through everyone elses until that time.