Disney Dream 4 night Bahamas-Many Questions!

[kteach]

Hi,

We sailed on the Dream way back in 2011 (our only DCL cruise, but have been on lots of other cruise lines), but have lots of questions. It will be me and DH, and 2 kids who will be 10.5 and 7 at time of trip.

How does the Dream compare to NCL Breakaway and Getaway? We will leave the day after Easter, so how are crowds on the dream? Did not like the layout of these other 2 ships felt way to crowded. I realize it will be busy, but can the pool deck and other areas handle it?

We will be leaving out of port canaveral and since its only a 4 day cruise would like to maybe add a couple of nights in a hotel before the cruise to extend the vacation, with a nice pool area and beach access (maybe go to Kennedy Space Center too). Any hotel suggestions? I looked at westgate cocoa beach looked really cool for kids, with lazy river, etc.

How likely are we to get a table for 4...that's the one thing I do like about NCL!

We stop at castaway cay first day and then nassau next day. We did british colonial hilton last year in nassau and loved it, but on a 4 day cruise is it better to just stay on ship and enjoy it? Do most people get off on a shorter cruise?

Thanks so much!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Hi,

We sailed on the Dream way back in 2011 (our only DCL cruise, but have been on lots of other cruise lines), but have lots of questions. It will be me and DH, and 2 kids who will be 10.5 and 7 at time of trip.

How does the Dream compare to NCL Breakaway and Getaway? We will leave the day after Easter, so how are crowds on the dream? Did not like the layout of these other 2 ships felt way to crowded. I realize it will be busy, but can the pool deck and other areas handle it?

We will be leaving out of port canaveral and since its only a 4 day cruise would like to maybe add a couple of nights in a hotel before the cruise to extend the vacation, with a nice pool area and beach access (maybe go to Kennedy Space Center too). Any hotel suggestions? I looked at westgate cocoa beach looked really cool for kids, with lazy river, etc.

How likely are we to get a table for 4...that's the one thing I do like about NCL!

We stop at castaway cay first day and then nassau next day. We did british colonial hilton last year in nassau and loved it, but on a 4 day cruise is it better to just stay on ship and enjoy it? Do most people get off on a shorter cruise?

Thanks so much!

Well, the only things I can address are:

If you want a table for just your party, you need to place that request on your reservation. DCL does honor most such requests, but, be aware, not all can be.

For me, if it's the first time I've been in a port, I take an excursion that's basically a general city/island tour. That way I can decide if I want to do a more in depth activity the next time I visit. Also, I like Castaway Cay, so there's no "should I get off or not?" for that one. I've been to Nassau, took a basic tour, so I may or may not get off there the next time.

 

[kteach]

Thank you...what I meant more specifically is...do more people tend to stay on the ship on a 4 day cruise because its so short? Or will the ship actually empty out a bit.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thank you...what I meant more specifically is...do more people tend to stay on the ship on a 4 day cruise because its so short? Or will the ship actually empty out a bit.

Well, we've only done one 4 night cruise, and it seemed like Castaway Cay was equally busy as it was on our 7 night cruises.

Now, there some repeat cruisers that don't get off in Nassau a second time, so Nassau is typically busier onboard than Castaway Cay is.

 

[Rob1872]

Thank you...what I meant more specifically is...do more people tend to stay on the ship on a 4 day cruise because its so short? Or will the ship actually empty out a bit.

I think that the majority opinion is that Nassau is not as desirable port so a higher number of people stay on board and make another 'day at sea'. Having said that, it is highly subjective as to what people like.