Dream - 6/20/12 - 4 nt - Great Start to the Summer of 2012!!! FE #217 DIS Meet #216

[SueTGGR]

Mamaw8...did you figure out the FE? I would send Jan (JanDave) a PM, if you have not already.

So what is everyone doing in Nassau? DH wants to go to Atlantis to see if it is somewhere we would vacation at in the future. We are going back and forth if we want to just do it through Disney or do it on our own. It looks like it is pretty easy to book at the Comfort Suites and then head over to Atlantis and MUCH less $$$$$ . So has anyone done this or has any good info on doing this? I am sifting through the DIS boards as research but sometimes when you search it can be a little overwhelming.
Also, we are thinking about renting a cabana on CC as last time it was crazy to get a little space to relax on the beach. I know they expanded but then there will be more people there, too.
Anyone else have plans to share? We are almost to the double digits and to the day when we can actually reserve!
Later,
Sue

 

[IBelieveInTheMagic]

Mamaw8...did you figure out the FE? I would send Jan (JanDave) a PM, if you have not already.

So what is everyone doing in Nassau? DH wants to go to Atlantis to see if it is somewhere we would vacation at in the future. We are going back and forth if we want to just do it through Disney or do it on our own. It looks like it is pretty easy to book at the Comfort Suites and then head over to Atlantis and MUCH less $$$$$ . So has anyone done this or has any good info on doing this? I am sifting through the DIS boards as research but sometimes when you search it can be a little overwhelming.
Also, we are thinking about renting a cabana on CC as last time it was crazy to get a little space to relax on the beach. I know they expanded but then there will be more people there, too.
Anyone else have plans to share? We are almost to the double digits and to the day when we can actually reserve!
Later,
Sue

Hi Sue! Our plans for Nassau are well, no plans! We plan to get off the ship so we can marvel at the beauty of the ship from the dock and so my DS can say he's "been there" and then honestly - get right back on the ship! My DH & I have been to Nassau on Carnival cruises and we really want to enjoy spending more time on the Dream itself. I've heard awesome reviews of Atlantis and I've also read others that have done exactly what you're planning. I hope it all works out for you!

I'm torn on the cabanas! I know we wouldn't want to spend $500 for the three of us because we don't think we will be out there all day. The thought of splitting the cost and sharing one has crossed my mind. I also had melanoma in situ (stage 0 thank god) removed 3 years ago and I have every risk factor for skin cancer (pale, green eyes, freckles, etc) so I try and avoid the bright sun as well. Keep me posted

Heather

 

[JanDave]

I heard about FE from a friend, we are cruising with kids & Grandkids. 5 rooms total. I'm making the FE for each cabin. How do I join for this trip? Who & How do I send our names to? Do You need ages of kids? Names? Room Numbers?

Welcome Mamaw8 and family!!!

Since you can't PM me as you only have one post, if you don't mind posting your stateroom numbers - # of adults/kids in each stateroom including gender and ages of kids, that would be great.

Our FE cut off is May 1. Please let us know if there are any food allergies/sensitivities.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

We are planning to stay on the ship in Nassau. Been there enough times and want to spend the day exploring the Dream. About 2 years ago, we did Atlantis on our own - booked the Comfort Suites. There is a lot of walking! The kids had fun.

Jan

 

[lisaann1170]

I'm also wondering what to do in Nassau. We were considering Atlantis, but the price is a bit extreme. A sale for the Atlantis just popped up in my Facebook feed ($199/night) which includes access to the water park. I had hoped we could go to Atlantis on our own (rather than a ship-sponsored excursion), but that $199 price requires two nights stay minimum. Very sad!

We're traveling with another family and between us, there are three kids, so we definitely need kid-friendly activities. I think we're all just going to wander around. I found a few sites that may interest us...

There is a straw market with a nearby pirate museum ($12/adult, $6/child under 18) that my son would love. Both have mixed reviews, though. I don't expect the pirate museum to entertain him for long, but it may be worth a shot. http://www.pirates-of-nassau.com/

There's also a small zoo ($16/adult, $8/ child under 13). My son loves zoos and this place has "marching flamingos" (?!) and hand-fed parrots I've read good things about. http://www.ardastra.com/

I found a walking tour online (http://www.frommers.com/destinations/newprovidence/0251010008.html), too. The Queen's Staircase and the fort ($1/person) would interest my son. The link at the end of the page takes you to a map that, in itself, is valuable.

I have *no* idea what to do at Castaway Cay. We all snorkel, but I've heard mixed reviews about the snorkeling there. We're not beach people, either, so this could be a challenge!

Getting excited!!

 

[lisaann1170]

For you experienced Disney cruisers, is there a formal night on this short cruise or is the pirate night the only change? And, what on earth does one wear for a pirate night?!

 

[SueTGGR]

I have not checked out Frommer's tour but I did check out this one: http://www.brentjes.com/nassau on a recommendation from the DIS boards It is has nice reference map at the bottom. I don't think we will do the walking tour but it is nice to have some ideas and will give us more direction and familiarity when we get there with the pictures.
So now DH is saying that we keep talking about doing a dolphin swim and maybe this will be the time to do it. Anyone do this at Atlantis before? I have read a report on the other one DCL does but Atlantis would be better as we want to explore there before/after. My son who does not like rides with a drop has watched videos of the water slides there and now REALLY wants to go. At 11, I never know what goes on in his brain. Plus the one that goes through a tube inside the shark tank looks so cool.

Castaway Cay & snorkeling...we have not been there since 2008 but we were not really impressed with the snorkeling. Yes, there are things to see but not a lot, at least not when we went. We are looking at the Seahorse Catamaran Snorkel Adventure for now. Anyone have experience with that one? I don't recall it being there before. Is it new? We were looking at the jet skiis but it sounds like it is a guided tour. We like more freedom than something like that.
OK, jump in what is your experience?
Later,
Sue

Also, any advice on Island of Adventure? We are thinking about going before WDW before the cruise. My son and DH is a total Harry Potter fan!

 

[JanDave]

For you experienced Disney cruisers, is there a formal night on this short cruise or is the pirate night the only change? And, what on earth does one wear for a pirate night?!

Lisaann, just checked a 4-day Dream Navigator from January 2012 - dinner attire was listed as "optional dress up". Pirate night is a fun night - although we don't dress up - but I do wear a pirate Minnie pin! You'll see quite a few cruiers of all ages dressed up. Our dining servers will also be dressed as pirates. Of course, the gift shops will have pirate themed accessories. It's a fun night. My DD was on the 1/3/12 Dream and DCL does pirate night differently than what we've experienced on the Magic and Wonder. It's not one continuous show from 9:30 - 10:30 pm. It'll be a new adventure for us.

Jan

 

[SueTGGR]

Lisaann, just checked a 4-day Dream Navigator from January 2012 -
Jan

Jan-where did you find the Jan 2012 Navigator? The best I could find was a Nov 2011. I keep finding ones that have the last day @ Sea, which is how we started. My original print out of our cruise itinerary shows us in Nassau, CC and then @ Sea. Did anyone notice that? When did it change?

Also, Lisaann, for the two cruises I have done with DCL we always had a pirate bandana waiting for us when we went to dinner. ;>) That was the best I could do. That and all the cool little stuff in our FE that our son got the day before.
Later,
Sue

 

[JanDave]

For recent Navigators, go to castawayclub dot com.

The Fantasy will be at CC on Fridays, replacing the Magic's itinerary. That's why our sea day will be Friday and not Saturday. Having been on 7 Magic cruises (7 day cruises), I hate Fridays on the Magic's east/west Caribbean cruises. I love being at CC on those Fridays, but the realization hits me hard that it's our last day of the cruise and reality will resume before 9am on Saturday.


Jan

 

[Mamaw8]

Is there still a Pirate night? When the new ship sailed into the Port there was a article in the Florida today and it said that Disney had changed some shows but didn't say anything about it. I am making outfits for the four grand boys so they can be pirates.

 

[JanDave]

As of January 2012, pirate night was still done on the Dream. Pirate night was on the Magic in October 2011. I'm sure there would have been a thread/post about this if DCL did away with pirate night.

Jan

 

[jilldimar]

We are going to be on the June 20th cruise also and I just wanted to introduce ourselves. It will be my husband and I and our dd (7) and ds (6). First cruise for all of us and we are VERY excited! Not quite sure what to expect, but I am sure we will have a great time. We have been to WDW the past 2 years and had a great time, but we are looking forward to a slightly more relaxing vacation. The 2 days before the cruise we are going to check out Universal and Harry Potter world.
I am considering doing the FE exchange if it isn't too late, but I need to read a little more about what is involved. I know that the kids would LOVE getting little surprises, but I just need to make sure I can do my part!

Jill

 

[JESW]

Just booked this cruise today for myself, dh John, Aaron (17) and Grace (13)

It will be our 25th anniversary on the 21st.

We have gone back & forth about cruising and when I met dh for lunch today he told me to go home and book it - and so I did

We sailed back in 2005 on the Wonder and really enjoyed ourselves. We stayed on the ship and enjoyed hanging out and I am sure this cruise will be the same. Now I need to book the night before and night after at a WDW resort and get our airfare. Yay!

See you all in 103 days!!

Jill

 

[Mamaw8]

We are also going to be celebrating our Anniversary. 20 years on June 6th. Of course we had 5 teenages that we took on our Honeymoon back then.

We cruised on the Magic in 2006 for my husabnd's birthday, now more Grandkids are here so we have to go again.

People thought we were crazy back then also! Looking forward to having all the kids, grandkids together as they live in 3 states.

 

[JanDave]

Welcome jilldimar, JESW and families!!! I remember our very first cruise - July 1999 - on the Disney Magic - it was a 4 day cruise when the Magic's itineraries were 3 and 4 day cruises! And I get excited before each cruise since then! I have only cruised on DCL and know that sometime in the future, we may venture toward other cruise lines.

FE list join up deadline is May 1. We are going to keep the group small - when we get to 10+ participating cabins, we will divide the group in half. No creativity is involved - believe me - I have no creative DNA. As for the FE that you hang on the door, I bought mine on Ebay several cruises ago. Just let me know if you want to participate.

We will be at WDW 3 days pre-cruise. We just decided to go to the Port St. Lucie area for 4 days post-cruise. We'd like to go to Disney's Vero Beach resort, but I am out of DVC points and the resort is full for the days we want to stay there.

Jan

 

[JanDave]

Mamaw8 - I love having our grandkids with us when we cruise. In November 2010, there were 10 of us on the Disney Wonder, including 4 of my 6 grandkids. One day, I'll get all 6 on board with us. I also have a young lady in my life - Alyssa who is 15 and has Down syndrome. Alyssa has been on the Disney Wonder twice with me! She still talks about it - especially the choco chip cookies and Castaway Cay!

Jan

 

[NickyDa]

For you experienced Disney cruisers, is there a formal night on this short cruise or is the pirate night the only change? And, what on earth does one wear for a pirate night?!

Hi Lisaann,

Why one wears Pirate attire, of course! ARRGGHH. j/k

When we sailed on the Dream last summer, we received red bandanas and an eye patch for the pirate night. We brought along our pirate princess hats, goofy pirate ears, swords and pirate earrings (all previous WDW purchases from the Pirates of the Caribbean) to have extra things to wear. There are many DCL fans that actually wear full pirate costumes and makeup as if it were a Halloween party. It's completely up to you how involved you want to be into things. The same goes for dinner attire.

My husband, our kids, and I enjoyed dressing up for dinner, but it's not mandatory. Nothing too formal , just dresses for the girls and khakis/collared shirt with tie. I have seen other people wear anything to dinner; DCL really doesn't enforce a dress code unless you plan to eat at Remy or Palo.

 

[NickyDa]

Is there still a Pirate night? When the new ship sailed into the Port there was a article in the Florida today and it said that Disney had changed some shows but didn't say anything about it. I am making outfits for the four grand boys so they can be pirates.

YES! There is still a pirate night

The only shows I know of that have been changed were the actual shows in theater. An additional show time was added (iirc)once DCL got a better understanding of how to manage 4000+ guests plus dining reservations at once. We were so busy doing other things on the ship, we were only able to see the Believe show last spring while on the Dream. This time we hope to plan a little bit better and try to get in more of the on-board activities....of course, we still have to make time for AquaDuck

 

[JanDave]

As an FYI:

Found the Palo dinner dress code on the DCL website:

Dress Code
At Palo, dress pants and shirt or jacket is required for men and a dress or pantsuit is required for women. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, flip-flops or tennis shoes.

Palo brunch is more casual, but no jeans shorts, etc.

Found the Remy dress code:
Dress Code
A dress code is enforced during dinner.

Men: A jacket (such as a sports, suit or tuxedo jacket) is required, with dress pants/slacks and shoes. Ties are optional. Please no jeans, shorts, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
Ladies: Cocktail dress, evening dress, pant suit or skirt/blouse are required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, sandals, flip-flops or tennis shoes.


There is no dress requirement on formal nights in the main dining rooms. I have seen men wear all manner of dress on formal night on the 7 day cruises in the main dining rooms - a couple of tuxes, sport coats/suit, and "resort casual". I see more women dressed up. But, I love seeing the girls dressed up in princess outfits. Really cute!


Jan