breakingd_awn
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 29, 2009
- Messages
- 1,299
Hello everyone
This was the 2nd DCL cruise for us, us being DH and I and our 2 DD's 8 and almost 3. My 2 oldest teen DD's didn't want to go this time 
. I was a little worried at first because of all the negative trip reports I've read about the DReam. I'm happy to report that we had a GREAT time
. I'm just going to go over some main aspects of our cruise.
checking in at the port: Long line to even get into the terminal, we waited approx 30 minutes to even get in. Security and check in much quicker.Signing up for kids club not that long either, DD hates wearing the band.
Our room: We had 2 rooms 8023 and 8029(standard inside). Originally we had 5 of us going but DD 13 decided not to go. Even after I cancelled her ressy and tried to get away with 1 room we still ended up being stuck with 2 rooms, they wouldn't sleep 4 ?? I don't know why because 8023 had the pull down bed ...room for 4. 8029 did not have pull down bed. But we were still glad to have the other room for the kids clothes and to store the storage table that's just in the way. The standard stateroom is REALLY small. There is no way I could fit a family of 4's clothes in that room , hardly drawer room for one person (and that was me) DH kept his clothes in suitcase. I let him hang his suit up in the closet though...LOL. Virtual porthole was pretty cool. The beds were very comfortable
. The shower was obviously made for "mouse" sized people, as in the vertically challenged sort. I had to crouch down to take a shower. But no big deal really , I was just glad to be on vacation.
Food... DH and I thought the food was great , we loved everything served on the ship and were pretty adventurous eaters. We'll try anything. I will say though that DCL is the only cruise line we've been on so we don't really have anything to compare it to.Also, We never did eat breakfast at Cabannas , it was always too crowded. The only food I didn't like was at Cookies on Castaway Cay. I thought the food was just ok, on both cruises. maybe it's better at the adult only beach.
shows: Once again we missed "The Golden Mickey's " we just can't seem to make it there on the first night. Villians was the best !!! Very funny, My DD 3 loved pain and panic
We also enjoyed "Believe" , DD's loved the snow and bubbles.
kids club: DD 8 wasn't in there very much , but I thought they were supposed to feed them? She was in there once around lunch time and another time at 6pm. They didn't feed them lunch or supper, I'm not sure if we "just missed" lunch and supper or if they did away with it. DD 8 had fun in there though.
nursery: Our youngest DD will be 3 in June and is already potty trained. I opted to keep her nursery booking cause I wasn't sure if they would/or even had room for her in the club. She stayed in the nursery for 3 hours while we went on Nassau. She seemed to have lots of fun there. However when we asked about putting her in the club with her sister the lady said she thought she would do well there , because the nursery was very full and she was potty trained. Sooo, next time we put her in the club to try it out. She was there for maybe 21/2 hrs while we went to Palo. We got a call on our Wave phone saying she wanted picked up. DH went to g0 get them we found out she'd had an accident. The first one in I don't know how long. She was always very good at going to the bathroom. I think it was just very overwhelming for her to find her way around. I thought the club was pretty big (which is a good thing for kids) but probably a little too large for a little one. We ended up putting her back in the nursery. Also they were starving when we picked them up, assuming they would feed them dinner. However they did not???
Pools/Nemo's Reef: The pools were pretty much packed as expected , I just layed around and got some sun. Nemo's reef is great for the little ones, no danger of sun burn there, it's fully shaded. I only had one problem with the splash area... The slide....Theres a black mat at the bottom of the slide and the toddlers are coming down the slide pretty fast b/c of the water. When they get to the bottom they hit that mat and fly forward. I saw every kid do this. Someone is going to get hurt there, probably a chipped or lost tooth. I ended up catching her every time she went down after seeing what happend to all tlhe other little kids. The pool area was the only time I felt it was crowded, but still was enjoyable. Better than being in Ohio weather.DD and DH loved the aqua duck .
service: Service was excellent
Nassau: eeeh.... aside from a quick trip to the Tortuga rum store, we will probably stay on board next time.
The ship itself: I had a hard time finding my way around the Dream , which was very frustrating at times. I had no trouble on the Wonder. I would go around in circles leaving my stateroom just trying to get to the elevators. DH thought it was funny . I think a little pocket sized ship gps would be great , a lady with a british accent giving directions would have been nice.
Castaway Cay: Loved it...Loved it....Loved it..beautiful. We rented bikes this time and it was very nice. I would definately recommend it. For the 3 of us it was only $18 for an hour. However when they say you never forget how to ride a bike.....you can. I haven't rode a bike since I was a teenager. DD 8 did better than I did, DH took the bike with the toddler carrier on back. I didnt trust myself riding DD3 around. My seat was loose so everytime I tried to steer around a curve , my butt moved instead
. So make sure your seat is in working order before going out.
All in all it was a great trip We ended up booking a 5 day cruise for next March, and we can't wait. I will try to post pics later, we still have dial up out in the country so it takes a while to upload.
This was the 2nd DCL cruise for us, us being DH and I and our 2 DD's 8 and almost 3. My 2 oldest teen DD's didn't want to go this time . I was a little worried at first because of all the negative trip reports I've read about the DReam. I'm happy to report that we had a GREAT time. I'm just going to go over some main aspects of our cruise.checking in at the port: Long line to even get into the terminal, we waited approx 30 minutes to even get in. Security and check in much quicker.Signing up for kids club not that long either, DD hates wearing the band.
Our room: We had 2 rooms 8023 and 8029(standard inside). Originally we had 5 of us going but DD 13 decided not to go. Even after I cancelled her ressy and tried to get away with 1 room we still ended up being stuck with 2 rooms, they wouldn't sleep 4 ?? I don't know why because 8023 had the pull down bed ...room for 4. 8029 did not have pull down bed. But we were still glad to have the other room for the kids clothes and to store the storage table that's just in the way. The standard stateroom is REALLY small. There is no way I could fit a family of 4's clothes in that room , hardly drawer room for one person (and that was me) DH kept his clothes in suitcase. I let him hang his suit up in the closet though...LOL. Virtual porthole was pretty cool. The beds were very comfortable
. The shower was obviously made for "mouse" sized people, as in the vertically challenged sort. I had to crouch down to take a shower. But no big deal really , I was just glad to be on vacation.Food... DH and I thought the food was great , we loved everything served on the ship and were pretty adventurous eaters. We'll try anything. I will say though that DCL is the only cruise line we've been on so we don't really have anything to compare it to.Also, We never did eat breakfast at Cabannas , it was always too crowded. The only food I didn't like was at Cookies on Castaway Cay. I thought the food was just ok, on both cruises. maybe it's better at the adult only beach.
shows: Once again we missed "The Golden Mickey's " we just can't seem to make it there on the first night. Villians was the best !!! Very funny, My DD 3 loved pain and panic
We also enjoyed "Believe" , DD's loved the snow and bubbles.kids club: DD 8 wasn't in there very much , but I thought they were supposed to feed them? She was in there once around lunch time and another time at 6pm. They didn't feed them lunch or supper, I'm not sure if we "just missed" lunch and supper or if they did away with it. DD 8 had fun in there though.
nursery: Our youngest DD will be 3 in June and is already potty trained. I opted to keep her nursery booking cause I wasn't sure if they would/or even had room for her in the club. She stayed in the nursery for 3 hours while we went on Nassau. She seemed to have lots of fun there. However when we asked about putting her in the club with her sister the lady said she thought she would do well there , because the nursery was very full and she was potty trained. Sooo, next time we put her in the club to try it out. She was there for maybe 21/2 hrs while we went to Palo. We got a call on our Wave phone saying she wanted picked up. DH went to g0 get them we found out she'd had an accident. The first one in I don't know how long. She was always very good at going to the bathroom. I think it was just very overwhelming for her to find her way around. I thought the club was pretty big (which is a good thing for kids) but probably a little too large for a little one. We ended up putting her back in the nursery. Also they were starving when we picked them up, assuming they would feed them dinner. However they did not???
Pools/Nemo's Reef: The pools were pretty much packed as expected , I just layed around and got some sun. Nemo's reef is great for the little ones, no danger of sun burn there, it's fully shaded. I only had one problem with the splash area... The slide....Theres a black mat at the bottom of the slide and the toddlers are coming down the slide pretty fast b/c of the water. When they get to the bottom they hit that mat and fly forward. I saw every kid do this. Someone is going to get hurt there, probably a chipped or lost tooth. I ended up catching her every time she went down after seeing what happend to all tlhe other little kids. The pool area was the only time I felt it was crowded, but still was enjoyable. Better than being in Ohio weather.DD and DH loved the aqua duck .
service: Service was excellent
Nassau: eeeh.... aside from a quick trip to the Tortuga rum store, we will probably stay on board next time.
The ship itself: I had a hard time finding my way around the Dream , which was very frustrating at times. I had no trouble on the Wonder. I would go around in circles leaving my stateroom just trying to get to the elevators. DH thought it was funny . I think a little pocket sized ship gps would be great , a lady with a british accent giving directions would have been nice.
Castaway Cay: Loved it...Loved it....Loved it..beautiful. We rented bikes this time and it was very nice. I would definately recommend it. For the 3 of us it was only $18 for an hour. However when they say you never forget how to ride a bike.....you can. I haven't rode a bike since I was a teenager. DD 8 did better than I did, DH took the bike with the toddler carrier on back. I didnt trust myself riding DD3 around. My seat was loose so everytime I tried to steer around a curve , my butt moved instead
. So make sure your seat is in working order before going out. All in all it was a great trip
We ended up booking a 5 day cruise for next March, and we can't wait. I will try to post pics later, we still have dial up out in the country so it takes a while to upload.
