Disney Dream - June 12, 2011

[marcij]

Yes -- we've done Atlantis on Nassau days. Once we did an excursion through the cruise line but we only had beach access. The only time we sailed on the Wonder, I reserved a room for the night at a great rate, which was much cheaper than the excursion price. I believe you can also reserve at the Comfort Suites and have full Atlantis access but you should research to make sure that is still the case. We've also done two trips to Atlantis, the last one was last week. One thing though, about reserving rooms. If for some reason there is bad weather and the ship can't get in to port, I'm not sure what the cancellation policy is at the hotels. And it does happen. When we were at Atlantis last week, three ships cancelled one day because there were terrible rain storms that morning, and they came the next day instead. One of them was the Wonder.

 

[BananasTwo]

Yes -- we've done Atlantis on Nassau days. Once we did an excursion through the cruise line but we only had beach access. The only time we sailed on the Wonder, I reserved a room for the night at a great rate, which was much cheaper than the excursion price. I believe you can also reserve at the Comfort Suites and have full Atlantis access but you should research to make sure that is still the case. We've also done two trips to Atlantis, the last one was last week. One thing though, about reserving rooms. If for some reason there is bad weather and the ship can't get in to port, I'm not sure what the cancellation policy is at the hotels. And it does happen. When we were at Atlantis last week, three ships cancelled one day because there were terrible rain storms that morning, and they came the next day instead. One of them was the Wonder.

Thanks so much for the quick response. And thorough one. I didn't even consider bad weather. I thought by paying as much as we do for a Disney cruise we were guaranteed good weather. Actually, I should have thought of this. Our Castaway Cay day got shortened with horrible rain the day we were there. Hoping a different time of year will be clear skies for the 5 nights in June. Either way, you definitely gave me some things to think about. Booking a room for one night right now at Comfort Suites is still about $180 cheaper than the excursion rate...BUT, like you said, if I have to cancel, I'd lose the entire amount. Not sure I'm a gambling woman. I have no luck. Cancellation policy at Comfort Suites is a week before. No good for me!

AGAIN...thank you!!

 

[BananasTwo]

Just spent the last hour reading up on doing Atlantis. I was 100% set on going and then I read a post that said something like, "we live near a waterpark, so even after going, it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. I mean it was fun, but we wouldn't do it again." I have a similar situation. We have season passes to a waterpark 10 min from our house that we get every year. I pay $400 for an entire summer of waterpark days with 2 kiddos and DH. Is it worth $400 for just one day? I'm thinking I'd rather go to the beach somewhere and do parasailing or jet skis since I don't live near that or stay on the boat since I'm not a huge fan of Nassau.

Hmmmmmmm...I mean I have a while to decide, but just didn't consider not doing Atlantis. Seemed like a no brainer. Now, I'm really torn.

 

[ashman]

Just remember YMMV, each person is going to bring their own thing to it. When did the other person go? Have they added stuff since? There is more than just the park (i.e. aquarium)

Our family is probably going to do the Comfort Suites thing. I have thought about the weather, I'm thinking that if I got dinged that Travel Insurance would cover the expense, I gonna double check with my agent.

 

[DMMom]

This question is for those who have cruised before on DCL. This is our second cruise on DCL. On the last one, we had 7 people with us. What does DCL do for parties of 4 regarding dinner seating? Do they put other parties of 4 or less together? That is what they do on other cruise lines.

 

[itutorfortravel]

This question is for those who have cruised before on DCL. This is our second cruise on DCL. On the last one, we had 7 people with us. What does DCL do for parties of 4 regarding dinner seating? Do they put other parties of 4 or less together? That is what they do on other cruise lines.

We had 9 people in our party last Christmas, and we linked our reservations together for dining and yes, we were all seated together at dinner. Just make sure you all have the same dining time selected on your reservations.

P.S. you can have your reservations linked together for different reasons, one is dining, I think another is for any reservations you also have at WDW, and also for cabin assignment (so they can place you close together on the ship)...we chose to link to our other family members only for dining, as we all wanted to have a little space (and privacy!) onboard.

 

[mrouch]

DMMOM, on our first DCL cruise (2001) we were a family of 4 and we were seated by ourselves. On our last DCL cruise (2008) we were seated with a family of 4. Obviously the answer to your question is "depends." New ship, more people, bigger dining rooms, what has happened in the past may be different now.

 

[marcij]

Just remember YMMV, each person is going to bring their own thing to it. When did the other person go? Have they added stuff since? There is more than just the park (i.e. aquarium)

Our family is probably going to do the Comfort Suites thing. I have thought about the weather, I'm thinking that if I got dinged that Travel Insurance would cover the expense, I gonna double check with my agent.

You bring up a good point. We've gone to several water parks, including Typhoon Lagoon, Wet n Wild here in Dallas, the Sea World water parks, etc. NOTHING comes close in our eyes to Atlantis, but that's just my opinion. It's good to read all the different opinions. Bananas2 -- Just keep in mind your family's likes, dislikes, finances etc. Good luck on your decision!

We're still torn about what to do. We adore Atlantis, but if we manage a trip there next summer in addition to the Wonder, then we'll most likely skip Atlantis to enjoy the ship. If we can't swing an Atlantis trip, we will go for the day.

Also, keep in mind that they do sell day passes at Atlantis, but I don't think they sold them but maybe one day we were there, as they were at capacity with several ships in Port. St. Thomas was experiencing bad weather, so at least one or two days Nassau got more ships than normal. It would be a gamble to hope for day passes, but I just wanted everyone to be aware that they do sometimes do that.

 

[marcij]

We've only been a family of four on our DCL cruises, but we'll get to find out this time since we are linked to triplefigs!

 

[3DAN]

Well, I am concerned now. I just saw another thread on the cruise line forum saying that DCL is no longer allowing booking of cruises with DVC points. At least, they suggest, through Sept, 2011. It appears that there are a number of people who have reserved a room that were intending to change to points when the time was right. NOT NOW! This could well influence my plans also. WE booked a cat V room with the intention of possibly bringing Billy and his girlfriend Kathleen as add ons if the school situation allows when it gets a little closer and they can chat with the new profs. I'll have to see if they will let us even do an add on, possibly with cash, though. We booked on points for the initial room.
Bill

 

[triplefigs]

We've only been a family of four on our DCL cruises, but we'll get to find out this time since we are linked to triplefigs!

Woo hoo! Now it's gonna be 11 of us (hope you're ready )

 

[Crystal_27]

Hmmmmmmm...I mean I have a while to decide, but just didn't consider not doing Atlantis. Seemed like a no brainer. Now, I'm really torn.

Well, we had planned on doing Atlantis, so if you guys do go, at least we'll be able to hang (and watch our hubbys make fools of themselves on the water slides - LOL).

Well, I am concerned now. I just saw another thread on the cruise line forum saying that DCL is no longer allowing booking of cruises with DVC points. Bill

what?!? I'm going to have to check that out...

 

[itutorfortravel]

Well, I am concerned now. I just saw another thread on the cruise line forum saying that DCL is no longer allowing booking of cruises with DVC points. At least, they suggest, through Sept, 2011. It appears that there are a number of people who have reserved a room that were intending to change to points when the time was right. NOT NOW! This could well influence my plans also. WE booked a cat V room with the intention of possibly bringing Billy and his girlfriend Kathleen as add ons if the school situation allows when it gets a little closer and they can chat with the new profs. I'll have to see if they will let us even do an add on, possibly with cash, though. We booked on points for the initial room.
Bill

Hi Bill! We are not DVC members, but I'm just wondering why that would be the case that they wouldn't allow booking with points anymore?

 

[marcij]

Well, I am concerned now. I just saw another thread on the cruise line forum saying that DCL is no longer allowing booking of cruises with DVC points. At least, they suggest, through Sept, 2011. It appears that there are a number of people who have reserved a room that were intending to change to points when the time was right. NOT NOW! This could well influence my plans also. WE booked a cat V room with the intention of possibly bringing Billy and his girlfriend Kathleen as add ons if the school situation allows when it gets a little closer and they can chat with the new profs. I'll have to see if they will let us even do an add on, possibly with cash, though. We booked on points for the initial room.
Bill

Oh my -- I hope it works out.

Woo hoo! Now it's gonna be 11 of us (hope you're ready )

We're usually 13-15 most nights for dinner with 7 kids in the mix, so this will be a piece of cake -- looking forward to it!

My boys start school today, and I have cousins that live near us out of town so I have lots of chores to do for them as well as a busy day at work.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Scouter]

Michele, what I have done is put the 1st page of this thread in my Favorites folder and then all I have to do is click on it and then click on "View First Unread" to get to the point where I left off reading. Or you can click on "Last" to go to the last page of the thread.

My daughter started school last Monday (Aug.9th) which is really early this year. But she is already in the swing of things and really likes it. But you are right, the summer flew by.

Hope all my fellow cruisers have a great evening!

I just always have our tab up on my internet page.
Actually I have 2 brower pages open..... one has 9 tabs open
the other has 7 tabs open.
Then I always have my favorites there and they always open to where I left off. (well, excpet FB)

 

[Scouter]

Wow! I missed alot by being too busy to check this thread. Looks like we have a great group! DD started high school this year on August 5th. She decided to join the marching band and it has kept us busy! They had 2 weeks of band camp and now that school has started the practice afterschool for 2 hours on Monday and 3 hours each day on Tuesday and Thursday. We had a full day Saturday practice scheduled on Aug 7th but they had to cancel due to the extreme heat. First dress rehearsal is Friday night and they have their first halftime performance at the Georgia Dome on Saturday. She loves band, but it is wearing me out! My students returned to class on August 12th and we have had a smooth start. We are going to WDW in September and can't wait. Then, the countdown for the cruise really starts. For now we are just Dreamin'!

Marching band is very cool!

 

[Scouter]

Hi all. Sounds like everyone is having a great (and hot) summer. Just like I like it. Being originally from Atlanta, Pennsylvania summers can be depressing to me. Just not hot enough. Definitely not long enough. This summer has been great, but I definitely feel it coming to an end. The leaves are already changing here and there and it's only going to be in the 70s this week. I'm so sad.

My DS starts 1st grade next week and DD doesn't start preschool until September. Again, so sad. Summer was so much fun. But the sooner we get started, the sooner the cruise will come.

Anyone ever done the Atlantis resort during a previous Disney cruise? We are really trying to make this happen albeit an expensive excursion. I have heard to do the room at the Comfort Suites at the entrance of the property. Just don't know if that's the way to go. Any help at all would be very helpful. TIA.

Haven't stayed there but took a tour of the resort and the aquarium.
Very cool!

We won't do it again this time. It's cool but seen it, done.
We're spending all that precious time on the new ship!

 

[Scouter]

Wow, I'm back from my trip to DC and all you guys have done in a week is about 2-3 pages?

Cmon guys you should be at least 15 pages or more by now.
This is the slowest moving cruise thread I've been on.
Let's get this party started!

 

[PixieTl]

Hi everyone!! I've missed catching up on everyone's posts! We went on vacation to upstate NY 2 weeks ago. I have family North of Syracuse, soo nice up there! much cooler then the 100+ days here in Dallas!! I have tons of pictures to go through still, I'll post some hopefully this week! We went to Niagara Falls while we were there. Just wonderful! If you are ever there I highly recommend Donatello's Pizza on 3rd street, Great food, great owner, he was soo funny!!
Last week was the back to school rush and the kids started today!! it's my girls first day of their last year of Elementary school and one of my boys first day of his last year of Middle school! We are still hoping the girls get into the school I have them on the waiting list for. We are a choice of school district, and well lets just say that only works if people can do/handle paperwork correctly!
I hope everyone is doing great and I'm going to go catch up on posts!!

 

[PixieTl]

Hey Rose!! I know where Liverpool is now!! lol I drove through it twice and spent our first night there! My aunt's Fiancée lives there! he does remodeling, great guy too!