Disney Dream - April 3, 2011 - 4 nights

[scottishwee35]

Happy New Year!



I'm back! It's been a long time since I have posted...between cruising and Christmas and New Year's and painting my house... My love for Disney has sort of been put off to the side for awhile. Okay now for the low down on my Royal Caribbean cruise aboard the Liberty of the Seas...all I can say is "WOW!" I am going to be hard-pressed to get my crew back on a Disney ship. I am hoping that the new Dream will have many more amenities than the Wonder or the Magic. My crew loved the Liberty of the Seas ship! Here's a small comparison of things that are important to my family...

Embarking:
Disney wins! RCCL was just plain and boring and we had to stand in a long cue line! DCL has a wonderful facility! And boarding is a breeze!

Food:
Disney wins...but not by much. We like the menus aboard DCL ships better especially the dessert options! Also soda is free and very convenient on DCL ships...Soda costs on RCCL and is a pain to get. The buffet on RCCL was great though...huge! Food taste was about the same on both.

Things to do on the ship:
RCCL wins...no question. We ice skated, rock-climbed, surfed, golfed, ping-ponged - all while on the ship! Hopefully the new ship will have some more things to do...like the Aquaduck! Also the pools aboard RCCL were amazing...most had 0 depth entries on all sides and they were huge! The hot tubs were also huge...this doesn't even include the H2O zone...it was great! Again, hopefully the Dream will have better pools...one thing I did miss was the outside movie screen...DCL does a great job with this!

Shows:
DCL wins...the shows are awesome! On RCCL the ice show was excellent...the other shows were horrible! We only sat through a few...they were that bad!

Staff:
Both are great! We set ourselves up to not have high expectations for the RCCL crew...but we were very surprised to find everyone...just like DCL! It was great!

Ports:
Both are great! Again...we were worried about the size of the ship and the number of passengers aboard...about getting on and off at the ports. There was absolutely no problems aboard the RCCL ship...again...it was wonderful!

Debarking:
This one is a tie also...Both cruiselines have different processes and both worked without a problem.

Resolution:
We will be cruising with RCCL again...no question about that. We still, however; will be cruising with DCL also. Now we just have two companies to look at while preparing for vacation!!!


Crystal
I will post more later...I am still painting!!!

A Happy New Year

thank for let me know

Any photos?

Scottishwee35

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Here's a few pics from the Liberty of the Seas...keep in mind that my camera does not take good pictures indoors...



Picture of the Ship -

Picture of the Spa (Adult only)

Picture of the zero depth part of pool -

Picture of the pools and hot tub area -

Another photo of the pool area -

The FlowRider -

Ice Skating Ring -

Pool Bar area -

Dining Room -

Labadee - the cruiseline's private beach on Haiti

Picture from the coaster on the beach of Labadee -

That's all for now! BTW - I just got the go-ahead from my husband to book another cruise for this August! Where - oh - where should we go! And which cruiseline??? So many choices...I'm excited!


Crystal

 

[scottishwee35]

Hi

Photos look so great and you all look had a great times....

thank for showing it

Scottishwee35

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Just checking in to say "Hello!" I hope that everyone is doing well! Our countdown for our cruise continues...we are getting close to the 1 year mark!!!


Crystal

 

[BishopFamily]

Just wanted to say hi.

We are booked B2B on 4/3 and 4/7. We were booked on the Dream for the previous week (booked on the first day we could), but then the school calendar came out and I found out that our Spring Break was not what I expected so I have just changed it to your week. Amazing, I got the same stateroom that I had for the previous week. Actually, my first pick was 10545, but my TA convinced me to move up to the cat-10A on deck 9 (because of the split bath).

Well, we are Nancy and Richard with DS12 and DD7, and we've been on over 10 cruises with disney. We are also on the 3/27/10 Magic cruise this year for spring break.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Just wanted to say hi.

We are booked B2B on 4/3 and 4/7. We were booked on the Dream for the previous week (booked on the first day we could), but then the school calendar came out and I found out that our Spring Break was not what I expected so I have just changed it to your week. Amazing, I got the same stateroom that I had for the previous week. Actually, my first pick was 10545, but my TA convinced me to move up to the cat-10A on deck 9 (because of the split bath).

Well, we are Nancy and Richard with DS12 and DD8, and we've been on over 10 cruises with disney. We are also on the 3/27/09 Magic cruise this year for spring break.

Welcome to our sailing!!!


Glad you were able to switch to the different week with no problems! Our thread has been quite quiet...I guess that that is due to the fact that we don't sail until next year... Anyhow...I usually look at our thread everyday (It's that kind-of addiction to the DISboards thing!) I do believe that we have a few folks doing the b2b the same dates that you are doing. We thought about it, but we sort of want to spend some time at Disney also... Thank-goodness our Spring Break in 2011 does not correspond with Easter! For the past few years it has...so it has meant large crowds at Disney and higher prices for cruises.


Again, welcome aboard!
Crystal

 

[tripodjw]

We're doing April 3rd and 7th back to back and there's at least one other family too, so there should be a few of us around on the changeover day (but not too many obviously as we all want to enjoy the ship while it is real quiet)

It is quiet on these dream meet threads but speaking for myself it's just that bit too far awy to be excited (now that the initial excitement of booikng is over i'm only just getting). I'm putting my excitement and dis efforts into my May Med cruise meet at the moment (especially as i'm the thread starter on that one).

But once June comes around i'll start to get excited for these sailings.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

We're doing April 3rd and 7th back to back and there's at least one other family too, so there should be a few of us around on the changeover day (but not too many obviously as we all want to enjoy the ship while it is real quiet)

It is quiet on these dream meet threads but speaking for myself it's just that bit too far awy to be excited (now that the initial excitement of booikng is over i'm only just getting). I'm putting my excitement and dis efforts into my May Med cruise meet at the moment (especially as i'm the thread starter on that one).

But once June comes around i'll start to get excited for these sailings.

You know...it really is a long ways off! We still can't even figure out what we are doing this summer! And yet...already planning for 2011??? I have got to be out of my mind!


BTW...hows the thread going for your Med. cruise? I am sure that your thread is really large! You are going to have a great cruise! You will have to let us know how it goes...we would love to cruise the Med. in the future...


Crystal

 

[BishopFamily]

We are pretty excited about the new ship. did you see the latest news release on the Dream (which has a Donald pool instead of a Goofy pool).

Actually, we are much more excited at the moment about our upcoming WDW and Disney Magic cruise for spring break this year.

When the baltic cruises were first announced, we booked it. But the cost was really too high for us for the cruise, the airfare, etc. So we moved that booking to this dream cruise when they came out. Then we thought we would miss the Magic (which will be spending lots of time in europe and elsewhere) that we decided to go on the 7-night this year. It is an eastern carribean, which we have never done before. Also, we are also on one of the alaska cruises in august 2011 on the Wonder. At least for that cruise we won't have to fly.


As for the lack of disboard activity, i wonder how well the dream has sold. i heard that most people who booked when it was first announced were really interested in the maiden voyage. that, and the fact that we could get our same cabin last week, leads me to believe that there are not many people booked yet on our cruise.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hello Everyone!


I just went and checked out cruise411 to see how many cabins come up for our April 3rd sailing. Just as BishopFamily thought...there are still many, many cabins available for our cruise. The price for our cabin still remains the same...so that's good...wonder if the prices will come down some since they have more cabins to fill on this larger ship? We were very happy with this cruise price...much better than 2010 prices, however; in-line with what we have paid in the past.


Anyhow...we are stuck again in the snow! We got 9 inches last weekend and it brought our entire area to a stand still! We are so not prepared for snow! Bring on a hurricane...and we have the chain-saws and such...but snow...no where near the equipment to handle it! Oh well, right now we are just getting rain/sleet/snow...it's only 33 degrees outside...so nothing is sticking...however it is supposed to drop to 22 tonight...so we shall see what happens!


I hope that everyone is having a great weekend! Super Bowl is tomorrow...should be a good game! BTW...I just booked my family on the Liberty of the Seas again! They have some great prices for July and August! Now I have to find another countdown clicker...and figure out how to make it fit in my signature!


Crystal

 

[tripodjw]

You know...it really is a long ways off! We still can't even figure out what we are doing this summer! And yet...already planning for 2011??? I have got to be out of my mind!


BTW...hows the thread going for your Med. cruise? I am sure that your thread is really large! You are going to have a great cruise! You will have to let us know how it goes...we would love to cruise the Med. in the future...


Crystal

Hey Crystal

Not been into this thread for a while. Our Med cruise thread has exploded since Christmas. Loads of new sail-mates. We're up to around 40 groups with a dozen signed up for FE. I never realised organising the meet thread and FE lists was so much work. (hence why i've barely been into this thread).

Still it's only on 22 or so pages, seems not many people were booked on until they put out the Cat 12 GTY rates.

And i guess also relevant to this cruise - many people were booked a long way out but ddn't sign up for the meet thread until 2010 started (thinking about a holiday that is in a following year is alien to some people).

Still, im actually getting quite excited about the Dream - with more info coming out its helping psych me up. Still looking forward to the virtual porthole the most though (sad thing that i am)

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Just checking in! My countdown clock says 1 year, 1 month, 1 week and 3 days until we cruise!


To tripodjw: I know that you are getting excited about your Med cruise! How many folks have signed on to the DISmeets and FE? I know that your numbers will continue to grow as the sail date approaches...


To All: I hope that everyone is having a wonderful winter! Here we are just starting baseball season, however; a snow storm is expected tonight...go figure!


Crystal

 

[tripodjw]

Just checking in! My countdown clock says 1 year, 1 month, 1 week and 3 days until we cruise!


To tripodjw: I know that you are getting excited about your Med cruise! How many folks have signed on to the DISmeets and FE? I know that your numbers will continue to grow as the sail date approaches...


To All: I hope that everyone is having a wonderful winter! Here we are just starting baseball season, however; a snow storm is expected tonight...go figure!


Crystal

We have 61 cabins on the meet thread - we're currently guessing it's around 180 people. Though only 17 signed up for FE's - that's probably a good thing. Wouldn't want to carry FE's for all 60 odd rooms.


We're (apparently) having the coldest winter for 100 years. And it has been darn cold and a lot more snow than normal. It's all relative though - as i'm sure there's plenty of US states that get far colder and snowier than us. Our infrastructure (roads, buses etc) just aren't built for the bad weather so at times it has been chaotic

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

We have 61 cabins on the meet thread - we're currently guessing it's around 180 people. Though only 17 signed up for FE's - that's probably a good thing. Wouldn't want to carry FE's for all 60 odd rooms.


We're (apparently) having the coldest winter for 100 years. And it has been darn cold and a lot more snow than normal. It's all relative though - as i'm sure there's plenty of US states that get far colder and snowier than us. Our infrastructure (roads, buses etc) just aren't built for the bad weather so at times it has been chaotic

61 cabins! That's excellent! Thank goodness not all signed up for the FE...17 cabins is going to be a pretty big route in itself! My best advice for having a 17 cabin FE is to make sure you map out your deliveries and try to split them up between your family members. That way it won't take forever to deliver the items! Anyhow...I know that you all are getting excited!


As far as the winter weather...we here in Virginia are having a really cold winter...with more than average snow. We also are not prepared or have the equipment to deal with it...so our roads and such are taking a beating! And the auto accidents increase...because we really don't know how to drive on snow. The kids have been loving it though! I'm over it and want Spring to come!


Crystal

 

[DayDreamBeliever]

Hi Everyone!

I've been outta the loop for a while, and thought I check in to see what was going on. Looks like we have some new comers, yeah!

Crystal, I can't believe this winter we are having! We drove up to visit my MIL in Pittsburgh last week, and I could not believe the amount of SNOW! I was okay with it for a couple of days, but after that I was ready to get out of it. The kids loved it, being in Atlanta, they've never seen snow like that and had a blast!
It was 68F here on Sunday, and now it down to 30-40's again! UGH! I'm soooooooooooo Over the cold!
Thanks for letting me vent over the weather!

Hope everyone is safe and warm.

I'll check in again soon!

 

[TheMouseGeeks]

Count us in for a B2B- April 3 & April 7, 2011
It will be DH, DD (she will be 11 at this sailing) and myself.
We are sailing on the Magic in 33 days, but I do not know what got into me today (must be the gross winter we have had in Georgia), but I had to book the Dream!!!!

Jennifer

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Count us in for a B2B- April 3 & April 7, 2011
It will be DH, DD (she will be 11 at this sailing) and myself.
We are sailing on the Magic in 33 days, but I do not know what got into me today (must be the gross winter we have had in Georgia), but I had to book the Dream!!!!

Jennifer

Welcome to our sailing! There are a bunch of folks doing the b2b with the April 3 and 7...so be sure to check into that thread also! I know what you mean about the weather! We are in VA and it has been cold and snowy and cloudy! We can't wait for Spring to arrive!


Again, welcome aboard! And boy am I jealous of you getting to sail in 33 days!


Crystal

 

[3luv2travel]

Hi! Our family of 3 will be on this cruise. Currently booked in a 6B room but am not sure about the "whitewall veranda". Should I just pay a bit more to get to a 5E or 5D room? Any thoughts? I want the veranda for the "sea air" but don't want to be dissapointed in the view is not what I hoped for (though the ship looks AMAZING and I can't imagine not loving every minute of it!)

Only 13 months to go!

 

[MASrules]

Just booked. My wife and I are going on our 10yr anniversary cruise on the dream in Feb '11, but were feeling guilty about not taking the kids, we looked into bringing them along, but I thought I would see if spring break prices were reasonable. I thought the price was right, so I pulled the trigger.

My boys will be age 7 and 5 for this cruise and I cannot wait.

Hope the virtual porthole works well as I convinced my wife for the 4 day in a inside stateroom over the three day with a porthole.

 

[Disney On A Dime!]

Hi! Our family of 3 will be on this cruise. Currently booked in a 6B room but am not sure about the "whitewall veranda". Should I just pay a bit more to get to a 5E or 5D room? Any thoughts? I want the veranda for the "sea air" but don't want to be dissapointed in the view is not what I hoped for (though the ship looks AMAZING and I can't imagine not loving every minute of it!)

Only 13 months to go!

Welcome to our crew!


And also welcome to the DISboards...I see that this was you first post! We have a bunch of information about DCL and many experienced DCl cruisers.


I don't have much to offer about the veranda cabins...we have only cruised in inside and oceanview cabins. Maybe someone else might have some info???


Have you cruised DCL before or any other cruiselines?


Well, again welcome!


Crystal