Disney Dream January 21-23 2011

[Meredisney]

I am so glad it was not just us thinking the service was slow. It took over 1.5 hours for us to get our entree. We ended up not even doing desert the first night. Hopefully they will get all of the kinks worked out soon.

It was a beautiful ship and I really enjoyed the mystery activity where you walked around to the different paintings. We also did not get to do the Aquaduck, so hopefully when the bookings slow down, we will go on it again!

Yes, us too!!! It took 1.5hr to get our entree as well. We also left before dessert. We had already spent so much time sitting at the dinner table and we wanted to use our time wisely and explore the ship. We also did the mystery activity. We solved the case of the missing puppies.

We also discovered that DCL messed up my husband's Castaway Club profile. I know we didn't get credit for this cruise but he would have liked it to at least appear on his list of cruises like mine does. When we went to Guest Services, they couldn't even find him in the computer. Now that I am home, I tried to access his account online and I got a message saying his number is invalid. Ey yi yi!!! I'm on the phone with Castaway Club right now but its a 45min wait.

 

[off_to_neverland]

Yes, us too!!! It took 1.5hr to get our entree as well. We also left before dessert. We had already spent so much time sitting at the dinner table and we wanted to use our time wisely and explore the ship. We also did the mystery activity. We solved the case of the missing puppies.

We also discovered that DCL messed up my husband's Castaway Club profile. I know we didn't get credit for this cruise but he would have liked it to at least appear on his list of cruises like mine does. When we went to Guest Services, they couldn't even find him in the computer. Now that I am home, I tried to access his account online and I got a message saying his number is invalid. Ey yi yi!!! I'm on the phone with Castaway Club right now but its a 45min wait.

When we got the travel documents, they had my daughter listed as a new cruiser. She was particularly sad as she reached Gold status and we were still silver. I tried to call before we left but the wait on the phone was over 1/2 hour. She went to Guest Services when we got on the boat to correct it. It would have been nice for her though if it was on her room key. I did go on the Castaway club site when I got home and we did get credit for the cruise.

We also had very slow service especially the first night. We attributed it to the fact that both our server and assistant server were new. We didn't even see our head server the second night or this morning.

Debarkation didn't go as smoothly as the last time. The walk around the customs room was quite amusing to say the least. Not sure who came up with that traffic pattern.

All in all though we had a great time. We toured around the ship for hours yesterday, my daughter taking 500+ pictures. If there is anything you missed, she probably got it.

We also wanted to thank everyone for the great FE gifts. This was the first time we participated in the FE. It was fun coming back and finding little gifts and treats.

Ahhhh now to start dreaming for the next cruise.

 

[KevieKev05]

I did go on the Castaway club site when I got home and we did get credit for the cruise.

So you're saying that this is actually part of the "eligible cruises taken" number? When we booked, I provided our Castaway numbers, but they didn't add them to the reservation, so it isn't listed. Should I get this fixed? I wasn't going to bother because I thought it wouldn't count anyway. That's awesome if it does!

 

[Meredisney]

So you're saying that this is actually part of the "eligible cruises taken" number? When we booked, I provided our Castaway numbers, but they didn't add them to the reservation, so it isn't listed. Should I get this fixed? I wasn't going to bother because I thought it wouldn't count anyway. That's awesome if it does!

We were also told that it didn't count. But if you go to the my cruises section of your castaway account the cruise does show up but only on the page of the person who book it .

 

[PaintedRedRoses]

All in all though we had a great time. We toured around the ship for hours yesterday, my daughter taking 500+ pictures. If there is anything you missed, she probably got it.

Pretty much. Only things I didn't get pictures of was Palo, Outlook Cafe and Walt Disney Theatre. Might have been one or two other things I can't remember at the moment.

 

[off_to_neverland]

We were also told that it didn't count. But if you go to the my cruises section of your castaway account the cruise does show up but only on the page of the person who book it .

I tried to check the castaway account for my DH and I couldn't get into his account. My DD checked hers and now it says her number is not hers. I emailed them, hopefully they can fix it without the 45 minute phone call.

 

[joyjanet]

So you're saying that this is actually part of the "eligible cruises taken" number? When we booked, I provided our Castaway numbers, but they didn't add them to the reservation, so it isn't listed. Should I get this fixed? I wasn't going to bother because I thought it wouldn't count anyway. That's awesome if it does!

I checked mine, my husband's, and my daughter's (Chernabog#1fan) and we all got credit for this cruise. I am sure her husband did also but did not check. Two more to go and Platinum. My husband and I are going on the Mexican Riviera cruise on 6 Feb.

 

[Meredisney]

After a phone call to the Castaway Club phone line, the issue of DH castaway # was fixed. He was able to log onto his account and view his information. The Dream preview cruise was listed under his cruises.

 

[KevieKev05]

After a phone call to the Castaway Club phone line, the issue of DH castaway # was fixed. He was able to log onto his account and view his information. The Dream preview cruise was listed under him cruises.

What is the number for the Castaway Club phone line? Thank you!

EDIT: Well, I did a forum search and called this number: 1-800-449-3380. After going through options, it seemed to just connect me to the regular DCL line. I waited 10 minutes to speak with a reservationist who said he couldn't do anything since we already sailed (?!). He said it was notated we were Castaway Club numbers (we received "new" numbers on our KTTW card), but since my original number was different, he took that one. Then I gave him the second guest's number. And as I was giving him the third and final guest number, my call was dropped! ARG! How fast does it show up? For the two Castaway Club numbers I did give, nothing has shown up yet.

 

[LWQuestie]

Yes, us too!!! It took 1.5hr to get our entree as well. We also left before dessert. We had already spent so much time sitting at the dinner table and we wanted to use our time wisely and explore the ship.

UMmmm.... were you at table 15??

 

[KevieKev05]

We just made yet another phone call to DCL about adding our Castaway Club numbers, and this time they told us we needed to send an email to DCL Guest Communications. Oy vey! Hopefully this works!

 

[DammitJim]

So you're saying that this is actually part of the "eligible cruises taken" number? When we booked, I provided our Castaway numbers, but they didn't add them to the reservation, so it isn't listed. Should I get this fixed? I wasn't going to bother because I thought it wouldn't count anyway. That's awesome if it does!

I didn't think so either. Please do post if this is possible!

I am so sad that this cruise was so short I feel like there was so much left to be explored and enjoyed! But I have to say, there is no way I'm going back to the Magic LOL... next cruise has to be on the Dream or Fantasy. I can't believe we didn't even get to book another cruise 'cause we were so busy. I really wanted to take advantage of that 10% discount.

I do have to say that everyone that was on the Dream made our family happy... starting with being named the family of the day on Friday and getting to be the first ones to board! I would be a millionaire if I could put a dollar for each time I heard people tell us that we had our hands full with 5 children under 6 But everyone was so nice and we were able to enjoy ourselves.

The only two bad things that happened to us is that my wife dropped the famous wave phone in the Mickey pool and then we forgot her cell phone in the stateroom... we are waiting for them to contact us back and see if they find it. That wave phone really costs $250!!

 

[LWQuestie]

I do have to say that everyone that was on the Dream made our family happy... starting with being named the family of the day on Friday and getting to be the first ones to board! I would be a millionaire if I could put a dollar for each time I heard people tell us that we had our hands full with 5 children under 6 But everyone was so nice and we were able to enjoy ourselves.

The only two bad things that happened to us is that my wife dropped the famous wave phone in the Mickey pool and then we forgot her cell phone in the stateroom... we are waiting for them to contact us back and see if they find it. That wave phone really costs $250!!

Oh, how exciting to be the family of the day!! Booo about the phones though!

 

[joyjanet]

I have a question about the customs tax that we were charged at the merchandise shops on the Dream. I never noticed this tax on any other purchases we made on other cruises and was wondering if anyone knows anything about this. Thanks to everyone who participated in the FE. My grandchildren really liked getting special treats each day.

 

[Yensidfan]

I have a question about the customs tax that we were charged at the merchandise shops on the Dream. I never noticed this tax on any other purchases we made on other cruises and was wondering if anyone knows anything about this. Thanks to everyone who participated in the FE. My grandchildren really liked getting special treats each day.

There usually isn't a tax on the merchandise, but according to the merchandise manager on the Dream, they have to charge the 3% tax on any cruise that is shorter than 48 hours. it is a customs law not Disney's decision.

 

[PaintedRedRoses]

Finally got all my pictures posted to my facebook (598 pictures taken ) If anyone would like to see them, just ask and I'll PM you the links so you'll be able to see them.

And if someone who got one of my bottles full of paper stars could take a picture of it and send it to me, I'd be ever so grateful since I completely forgot to take any pictures of them! (and sorry to the people who didn't get them! I ran out of time, as I was making them up until the night before. I ended up making over 2000 stars! )

 

[LWQuestie]

Finally got all my pictures posted to my facebook (598 pictures taken ) If anyone would like to see them, just ask and I'll PM you the links so you'll be able to see them.

And if someone who got one of my bottles full of paper stars could take a picture of it and send it to me, I'd be ever so grateful since I completely forgot to take any pictures of them! (and sorry to the people who didn't get them! I ran out of time, as I was making them up until the night before. I ended up making over 2000 stars! )

I'd love to see your photos! Please PM the link.

I'll take a photo of the star bottle. I just loved that. And I also want to thank everyone who participated in the FE. Everything was lovely and I enjoyed coming back to little treats throughout the day.

Also, PaintedRedRoses, I loved all the anime princess magnets on your door! Where did you find all of that??

 

[Sorahana]

Just got back from WDW last night, and as soon as we got to WDW we missed the boat . We still felt like we were rocking on the boat the first night back on land!

This was our first cruise and we enjoyed it!! I'll have photos up sometime soon (took almost 600) and I will definitely do another cruise on the Dream (already talked my fiance into doing it for our honeymoon).

My only gripe was the food took way too long at dinner, we were waiting almost a half hour between courses! I also wouldn't do 2nd seating for dinner again.

 

[nanaguide]

Thanks everyone for the great FE gifts. My grandson thought it was "Christmas". He got so excited everytime he found something in our FE. So glad so many had rooms so close together - it made delivering easy! The Dream is a "dream come true". We loved every minute of the 45 hours we were on board. I was totally exhausted yesterday as we went so much. Absolutely loved the mystery game - we too solved the "puppies" but didn't finish the other one. We were told they can update the games for future cruises.

Our service wasn't slow on Friday night in Royal Palace but both our servers dropped a tray and had a mess on their hands. I felt so sorry for them. They are all trying so hard to learn so much so fast. So many are new to cruising. We were told 30% were hired from Europe. Sure didn't see many "old-timers".
We had Katrinia from the Czech in Palos on Saturday - there were only 3 couples in there when we dined at 6. I have never seen it so empty but it is beautiful and the food was fantastic. DH misses the open kitchen but was happy he didn't have to wear a tie.

Grandson and I loved the AquaDuck. We rode it 4 times Friday evening as we were the only ones on it - it was cold and chilly but an awesome ride. They sure hit a home run on this one. You do get soaked - especially the person in the back.

I loved the Dream but I'll be happy to go back on the Magic - hopefully to the Eastern Med in 2012 and we're excited about going on the Wonder to Alaska in August. Thanks everyone for doing FEs. I think we were the 1st group to do FEs on the Dream. My magnet of the Dream ship was stolen - bad cruisers! Happy travels everyone!

 

[luv2cruisedisney]

We seem to be in the minority but we felt almost rushed the second night at AP

I thought that the service we had was very good. I understand that alot has to do with you servers also though. Both of our servers were new but again, they were right on top of everything. The second night we didn't even have to order our beverages ! My diet coke with lime was waiting for me just the way I like it.

Overall I loved the "feel" of the new ship. I like all of the little seating areas - the "nooks" We didn't get to explore nearly enough in the short time that we were onboard