Disney Dream Inaugural Cruise 1/26/2011!

[MommaluvsDis]

Any speculation on who these "VIP's" are?

Sure...US! LOL!

 

[Hygiene99]

I'm sorry but this is so unfair that unless you were a platimum member that you cannot get a Palo brunch reservation. I got in at 12:01 and it informed me that there were no reservations available....DCL should do a better job and release a certain number of reservations to each Platimum, Gold, Silver and first time cruisers. I will certainly be letting DCL know how displeased I am.

Elaine, Even Platinum Members do not have ANY Palo Or
Remy Reservations,

I had a Palo diner for 2 for the first night, I let it go, yesterday hoping some one else would be able to snag last night!


I get dinner for 2 for the first night @730 coming up on the site now.


All I can say is I am going to Palo in like 19 days or so, my rotational dining will go like this, Palo Palo Palo.... LOL

 

[MommaluvsDis]

When I got on at midnight, there was a PALO dinner available but we much prefer the brunch so I didn't take it. We'll just do the restaurant rotation and hope for brunch ressies on the 2nd part of our B2B!

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I'm sorry but this is so unfair that unless you were a platimum member that you cannot get a Palo brunch reservation. I got in at 12:01 and it informed me that there were no reservations available....DCL should do a better job and release a certain number of reservations to each Platimum, Gold, Silver and first time cruisers. I will certainly be letting DCL know how displeased I am.

I'm with you on this one! It also makes me upset with DCL that we paid more for the first cruise and can't enjoy the whole ship due to "important guests". This is not the Disney Way. I wasn't looking for reservations because I wanted to enjoy the full rotation but it still isn't fair or right for those of you that wanted reservations.

MJ, I agree, that the website should say something that there are no reservations to be had so that people don't waste their time.

Heidi, you should have snagged the 8 for brunch for all of our crowd. Bonnie tried and only saw 5 or 6. I don't believe she took it.

 

[magicalfam5]

Hi Judy....I know what it is like to have all the kiddies off to College...we went through the same thing.....and....our youngest DD Allie did two semesters in London so any help I can give I will certainly try. She did January to April both in 2008 and 2010 through AIU (American Intercontinental University). She was a Fashion major and found the experience to be wonderful. We went over to visit her twice and really enjoyed London. DD went the first time knowing absolutely no one and assimilated really quickly. She stayed in the Camden area the first time and the Kensington area the second time.

Here are some pics of London and the countryside from our visit with DD this past March....we spent 3 nights in London and then travelled all over England....be prepared....DD visited many countries/cities when she was over there as flights within Europe were very cheap. She went to Wales, Ireland, Amsterdam, Paris, Germany, Scotland, Switzerland (skydiving over the alps)...she had an awesome time!

DD is the one in the green scarf and long dark hair....I am in the green jacket.....hubby is in the brown jacket.

MJ

http://travel.webshots.com/album/577247450fsmvss?start=0

If you don't have Skype...download it....it was wonderful to be able to talk to her and see her in real time everyday!!!

MJ

Thanks MJ. Those pictures are awesome! If you don't mind, I'll send her the link to the pictures. My DD will also be going without knowing anyone. She is going through USAC (Universities Studies Abroad Consortium) Also, there is no group flight option, so she will be traveling alone. She has done research and does plan on traveling while there. I do have skype and plan on using it. Couple questions if you don't mind....Did your DD get a phone to use? I want her to have one just for safety reasons and can't decide to buy one in advance or when she gets into London. Also, what did she do for money. She has her debit card and a couple credit cards to bring. I am also making sure she has some cash on her to start with. Will that be good enough? I hope I can enjoy this cruise instead of worrying about everything since she is leaving before we get back. I'm definitely one that worries!

I"ll try to keep any other questions I have about London to pm's.

I feel bad for everyone that didn't get Palo or Remy. Especially after waiting up to try to get it!

Judy

 

[bill3540]

Not to worry, folks. I'm confident that there will be enough food for everyone and that no one will go hungry.
Bill

 

[seaulater]

Anyone want some company for their Remy reservation? We'll treat...

Yes, Char and I are on this cruise.

Any news on the Fantasy maiden voyage?

Can't wait to see you guys again!

 

[mishoe01]

This was sent to me today.....

Enjoy!

 

[Pinky166]

Fab photo Monica! Can't wait to see you.

Claire xxx

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

This was sent to me today.....

Enjoy!

Awesome!

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

Sorry....but even some of us Platinums did not get anything.....no Palo or Remy so it is not just Gold and Silver who were shut out.

It is really not unfair, just the luck of the draw and the way the loyalty program is set up. I have cruised 18 times with DCL to earn Platinum status and I still didn't get a ressie. I wasn't able to snag a ressie for the following cruise either. I just think there are so many more people on this ship that it is always going to be tougher to get a ressie at these restaurants.

I do think they should put an announcement up on the website that all resizes are taken already so people do not have to wait up needlessly to keep checking.

MJ

Elaine, Even Platinum Members do not have ANY Palo Or
Remy Reservations,

I had a Palo diner for 2 for the first night, I let it go, yesterday hoping some one else would be able to snag last night!


I get dinner for 2 for the first night @730 coming up on the site now.


All I can say is I am going to Palo in like 19 days or so, my rotational dining will go like this, Palo Palo Palo.... LOL

MJ and Peter

I did not mean to offend anyone....I completely understand that there are platinum members that did not get reservations but I truly feel that DCL should have a set amount of reservations for each reward category and if a platinum member was unable to get a reservation when the reservations are released for platinum members then they could try again when the reservations are released to gold members and then gold and platinum members could try again when the reservations were released for silver members. This would at least allow each reward category members the opportunity to get reservations. Also, since platinum members get to board first, it is unlikely that gold or silver members will be able to obtain a reservation onboard. It's just very frustrating and I agree that DCL should have posted that there are no more Palo brunch or Remy's dinner reservations - I could have gone to bed at a reasonable hour instead of staying up until midnight to find out there was nothing available.

I'm sure a alot of people won't agree with me but I feel that instead of DCL granting status based on number of cruises you take, it should be based on number of days cruised...I certainly don't feel that a 10 or 14 day cruise should earn the same credit as a 3 day cruise....If I had taken 3 day cruises instead of my longer 10 and 14 day cruises, I would be a platinum cruiser.

Also, since DCL can see how popular the restaurants are and how many people want Palo brunch I don't understand why they do not have brunch on Castaway Cay day as well...The view from Palo looking over Castaway Cay would be fabulous!!!!

Lastly, I have recently found out that our cruise will actually be the Dream's 5th cruise....I sure hope DCL makes this cruise very memorable considering the premium fares we are paying and the fact that our deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable - I wonder if DCL did this because they knew once the information got out that we were not the "inaugural" cruise that some people would cancel.

 

[mmouse37]

MJ and Peter

I did not mean to offend anyone....I completely understand that there are platinum members that did not get reservations but I truly feel that DCL should have a set amount of reservations for each reward category and if a platinum member was unable to get a reservation when the reservations are released for platinum members then they could try again when the reservations are released to gold members and then gold and platinum members could try again when the reservations were released for silver members. This would at least allow each reward category members the opportunity to get reservations. Also, since platinum members get to board first, it is unlikely that gold or silver members will be able to obtain a reservation onboard. It's just very frustrating and I agree that DCL should have posted that there are no more Palo brunch or Remy's dinner reservations - I could have gone to bed at a reasonable hour instead of staying up until midnight to find out there was nothing available.

I'm sure a alot of people won't agree with me but I feel that instead of DCL granting status based on number of cruises you take, it should be based on number of days cruised...I certainly don't feel that a 10 or 14 day cruise should earn the same credit as a 3 day cruise....If I had taken 3 day cruises instead of my longer 10 and 14 day cruises, I would be a platinum cruiser.

Also, since DCL can see how popular the restaurants are and how many people want Palo brunch I don't understand why they do not have brunch on Castaway Cay day as well...The view from Palo looking over Castaway Cay would be fabulous!!!!

Lastly, I have recently found out that our cruise will actually be the Dream's 5th cruise....I sure hope DCL makes this cruise very memorable considering the premium fares we are paying and the fact that our deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable - I wonder if DCL did this because they knew once the information got out that we were not the "inaugural" cruise that some people would cancel.

No offense taken!! I know everyone is frustrated with the situation!!!

MJ

 

[PIGLETSMOMMA]

MJ and Peter

I did not mean to offend anyone....I completely understand that there are platinum members that did not get reservations but I truly feel that DCL should have a set amount of reservations for each reward category and if a platinum member was unable to get a reservation when the reservations are released for platinum members then they could try again when the reservations are released to gold members and then gold and platinum members could try again when the reservations were released for silver members. This would at least allow each reward category members the opportunity to get reservations. Also, since platinum members get to board first, it is unlikely that gold or silver members will be able to obtain a reservation onboard. It's just very frustrating and I agree that DCL should have posted that there are no more Palo brunch or Remy's dinner reservations - I could have gone to bed at a reasonable hour instead of staying up until midnight to find out there was nothing available.

I'm sure a alot of people won't agree with me but I feel that instead of DCL granting status based on number of cruises you take, it should be based on number of days cruised...I certainly don't feel that a 10 or 14 day cruise should earn the same credit as a 3 day cruise....If I had taken 3 day cruises instead of my longer 10 and 14 day cruises, I would be a platinum cruiser.

Also, since DCL can see how popular the restaurants are and how many people want Palo brunch I don't understand why they do not have brunch on Castaway Cay day as well...The view from Palo looking over Castaway Cay would be fabulous!!!!

Lastly, I have recently found out that our cruise will actually be the Dream's 5th cruise....I sure hope DCL makes this cruise very memorable considering the premium fares we are paying and the fact that our deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable - I wonder if DCL did this because they knew once the information got out that we were not the "inaugural" cruise that some people would cancel.

Just kidding...but we Platinums are offended...again, just kidding.
But I did want to add that many Platinums got there with long cruises too! I am about to take my 12th and 13th cruises, and the shortest was 7 nights, but most were 10-14 nights. So, this Platinum member earned her ears! I write this, as so many people refer to Platinums not taking longs cruises...but actually, most of us do take the longs ones. By the way...I recommend, that after you are Platinum, that you don't go back and add up the costs of all of your cruises put together...as you may have a heart attack and never make it on another cruise. I could almost buy a vacation cottage for THAT PRICE!

 

[Mickey&JoshNut]

I'm not saying that most platinum cruisers only took 3 day cruises...I'm saying if I had taken 3 day cruises instead of my longer cruises (i.e three 3 day cruises instead of one 10 day cruise or five 3 day cruises instead of my one 14 day cruise) I would have had 8 cruise credits instead of my 2 cruise credits.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

I am one that is upset and I don't even want reservations. It has nothing to do with Platinum, Gold or Silver. When they told someone here (sorry can't remember who posted it) that they have to take care of "important" people first then that means the rest of the guests including platinum have to fight over the few reservations that are left. That stinks! I am thinking that the "important people" might be dining more than once on the cruise.

I am also wondering if Palo didn't increase in capacity compared to the increase in passengers on the Dream.

 

[cheflawrence]

To change topics a little

This comes from the Meyerwerft wesite:



"On Saturday, 30 October 2010, the Disney Dream, the biggest cruise ship built by MEYER WERFT to date, will leave the yard's covered building dock. The floating-out manoeuvre is supposed to commence around 5 pm. The Disney Dream is scheduled to float out of the dock the first time. The event will include a unique celebration to mark the milestone as the ship nears completion.

Upon leaving the building dock the Disney Dream will remain in the yard harbour. On the following Sunday MEYER WERFT’s and Disney Cruise Line’s tests & trials teams will perform functional tests of various technical systems such as the stabilizers and the rudders. Afterwards the cruise ship will remain berthed alongside the yard's pier. In the following two weeks the remaining interior work will be completed, and more trials and acceptance tests will be conducted.

The Disney Dream is the first of two ships MEYER WERFT is building for Disney Cruise Line (USA). She is 340 m long, 37 m wide, and can accommodate as many as 4,000 passengers. Her powerful engines enable the Disney Dream to operate at a speed of up to 23.5 knots. Having a tonnage of 128,000 GT, she is the biggest cruise ship ever built in Germany. Measuring a length of 340 metres, she even counts among the three longest cruise ships in the world.

The ship is likely to leave MEYER WERFT and be conveyed down the river Ems on the second weekend in November. The exact date of the Ems conveyance will be published on www.meyerwerft.com approx. 1-2 weeks in advance."



Lawrence

 

[Dicecatt]

Good evening! I'll be joining you I'm joining another dis member, grlzmom, just by my lonesome (leaving hubby and 4 littles at home). I'm very, very excited, and I can't wait to be onboard!


DIS board name Dicecatt
First Name - Relationship - and age or something close to the age ) for all of those in the cabin Joining Grlzmom (and I believe she is changing some of the occupants of the two cabins in a separate post). Name: Erin, age 36.
Hometown St. Louis
Stateroom number 8053
Dining All but me have Main, I'm waitlisted
You may include a photo if you would like.
Castaway club status. Gold


A bit about me...Mom of 4...owner of a travel agency...on this cruise for "business" purposes, lol. Can't do the 23rd and am VERY pleased to do the Maiden...I think it will be a bigger party! Just got off the Wonder last weekend and already can't wait to do another...we are booked for the MR on March 13th on the Magic as well. Very excited to experience this with Grlzmom and her crew, my kids are jealous of course but duty calls . They aren't neglected, they get plenty of WDW and DCl, and I'll get them really cool gifts.

I look forward to seeing all of you!

 

[grlzmom]

Good evening! I'll be joining you I'm joining another dis member, grlzmom, just by my lonesome (leaving hubby and 4 littles at home). I'm very, very excited, and I can't wait to be onboard!

I look forward to seeing all of you!

Hi Erin, glad you are joining us


I've had to do some rearranging of my family because we added the Panama Canal prior to the Maiden Dream. Dh and the high school kids are unable to miss that much time at once so are skipping the Maiden Dream for Panama Canal. On a positive note, now my college dd and friend Dicecatt can join us.

Have sent messages to update our roll call and lanyard stuff but need to figure out how to get us updated on the FE list.

We are now:

Grlzmom
dd21 Holly
dd9 Chloe
dd8 Bella
ds8 Nick

joined by Dicecatt

Same two rooms. We will be doing two fish extenders, probably my group on one door and Dicecatt on the other

Count me in as a Platinum who has cruised many nights with DCL and was unable to snag brunch at Palo. I really enjoy Brunch and am more than a little disappointed so feel the pain with everyone who is currently dinner and/or brunchless

I am hoping dd21 is able to meet some people around her age to chat with on the ship.

 

[bonzie1]

Lastly, I have recently found out that our cruise will actually be the Dream's 5th cruise....I sure hope DCL makes this cruise very memorable considering the premium fares we are paying and the fact that our deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable

I agree, and do think that DCL should do something special and unique to this cruise... and special inaugural gifts... pins, etc. (if there are any) should be one per person... not per stateroom. We will be paying for whatever we do or don't get...

Maybe we should put 6th Inaugural Dream Cruise on our Lanyards!

... just kidding... just kidding!

I wonder if DCL did this because they knew once the information got out that we were not the "Inaugural" cruise that some people would cancel.

 

[Lynn G]

Good Morning Cruisers!

Welcome Erin!

Have a great day all!